Introducing Margarita

You know how I love my bike?  Well my love never faltered.  Yes, the Lilly Pulitzer bike of my dreams made me feel a twinge of the wants, but really, Trusty Rusty is the best. Almost…

Rust is a fact of life here.  There was a fatal rust spot that happened to Trusty.  In the seat.  It would have been easy enough to replace the seat if the seat stem and bolts were not rusted to the frame.
After the second day of having to sit in a very uncomfortable position on my bike seat, I just faced reality{I’m not going into details but there is no ladylike way to ride a bike when half the seat is not attached!}
When I say I faced reality, I mean that no less than three of my friends came out of their houses as I was working on getting the rusted seat off my bike and told me that it was time.  I kind of felt like I was putting my dog to sleep.
The boys and I scooted over to the bike store and I only had 4 choices.  It wasn’t that hard of a decision to make, so I went with the Sun Bike.
I had them add the pink water bottle holder and I strapped on my basket from my old bike…customized! Since the bottom is rotted off this basket a new one has been ordered and it is on its way.
Without further adieu I present to you Margarita!

She’s a looker, right?
Besides being a lovely lime green and white combo, she was bought on National Margarita Day.  Didn’t know there was such a “holiday”, but it is so!

So I did end up getting my own version of a Lilly Pulitzer bike. after all!

What the Heck? Wednesday

You’ve seen my sneaky picture of the Rasta guy in the pizza place.

And we can’t forget my comparison photo.

Well recently I had a very rare sighting of an entire Rasta family. Mom, Dad and two kids.  Because I was being such a stealthy paparazzi photographer, I didn’t manage to actually capture all 4 of them in one picture.  Here is the best I could do.


Stay tuned for more What the Heck? Wednesday! There’s more where these came from!

Beach Party

Last week Miller was invited to a classmate’s birthday party at the beach.  Our weather has been a little cool for the beach lately {in the 70’s instead of the 80’s}, but the children don’t care.

I could tell you about my strong dislike for Chuck E Cheese, or just let these pictures do the talking.

I think this is what I want for my birthday!

Here is a little video.  This = happiness!

I made him stand in the dunes for a few pictures.  He did. not. want. to.  So I only got one decent picture.

I can’t blame him.  There was a slip and slide on the beach.

I’m so happy that the boys get to experience this.  We will return to a life of Chuck E. Cheese parties and that is fine too, but I am so happy that they get to do this for now.

Dinner Drama

A man’s real possession is his memory.  In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.
-Alexander Smith
One day I will find it hard to believe that this is really what it is like.  So for my memory’s sake, I am documenting
Being honest here…..Meal time is not my favorite time of the day.  It’s just that growing boys like to eat so I am forced to supply them with food and water or milk.

Remember when I tried to get them to like broccoli?  Fail
They do eat carrots, cucumbers and have tried most veggies.  Bless him, Jackson will make the most awful face and choke down veggies and say, “ummm” even as he gags a little.  I love that boy!
Meal times are still a struggle because although we have gotten the boys to eat normal kid food, those boys like to run and play rather than sit and eat politely.
With Allen’s work schedule, we can’t always eat dinner as a family, so I sit with them and try to hold conversations and Allen joins in when he gets home from work.
Is it normal for them to get up a gazillion times from the table?  Is it normal for me to want to bang my head on the table most evenings, as I remind them over and over to do the same things I have been reminding them to do each and every night?


Yes, sometimes they do eat cereal for dinner.  I have a rule that I made up.  “If it is good enough for breakfast, it is good enough for dinner!”  Do you like it?  Usually if I make them Breakfast for Dinner I fix them eggs and grits, or as Jackson says, “greggs”.
They have also found the pleasure and infinite comedy in burping.  It is hard to reprimand that.  Sometimes I want to give them a high five and shout, “That was awesome!”.  Other times I’d like to bang my head on the table.
There may be some people who can remember me burping once or twice in my life time and say I am getting my just desserts.  I can assure you that those people have emotional issues and early onset Alzheimer's!!  Plus I never did it at the table.
Like Dory says, “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming….”

“What the Heck?” Wednesday

This sign is posted on The Bahamas Ministry of Health.

It’s on the second busiest street in town.  Obviously it’s not just for the locals.  Visitors need to know these things too!
This has been a Public Service Announcement from the Ministry of Health!

Wheeling!

On his last birthday Jackson got this skateboard.  He has used it some, but hasn’t totally gotten the hang of it.
Little brother has recently started showing an interest. I think he’s going to be a natural.  Do you think we need to get him one of these?

And maybe some pads!
He has been so good lately {GASP!} that I ordered him this….

Prayers Needed!

Growing Up Big Kid!

Just like Miller, Jackson is literally changing before our eyes.  Sometimes I look at him and have to catch my breath.  He is growing and changing so fast.  His top front teeth are on their way in and are filling in the gap the I was a bit obsessed with for the last few months.

In my mind he looks like this….

But when I really look at him this is what I see

As a 6 1/2 year old he is becoming so independent!

• He is a full on big boy!
• He still loves his Legos, but also play a lot of Bey Blades, Wii and all types of games
• He may or may not have very close to beating me at Monopoly last week…we’ll never know for sure!
• Really tries hard to be a good boy and a good example to his brother.
• Reads and writes independently
• Is smart as a whip…he grasps new concept so quickly
• Can still be shy, but is becoming a little more outgoing { we had to pull him out of the Super Bowl party!}
• Adores Kraft Mac and Cheese
• Though he does not want to do it in public any more, he is super affectionate.  He loves a good hug and snuggle and I am so thankful that he still tolerates it!
• He is playing soccer 4 {yep 4!} days a week.  His skills are improving and his confidence in his skills is amazing!

School Mornings

At this time in the boys life they are like happy little puppies getting ready for school.  Jackson can pretty much get himself ready.  Miller needs more reminding and help making sure he has his clothes on the correct way.  When it is time for them to head out the door they always sit on the step and put their shoes on.

I want to remember that their shoes are kept outside to keep the sand out.  Sand = a constant struggle.  Bahamas problems, right?

After the shoes are on they hop on their bikes or scooters and head to school.  Fortunately the school is just around the corner. 

I love their school!

I love it so much that I volunteer there every day.

Then I go home to our quiet house, and stay busy until it is time to pick them up 6 hours later.

Growing up 4 1/2

Miller has really grown up so much lately.  I still think of him as this.

And just like that he’s 4 1/2 years old!

At 4 1/2 Miller is wonderful!

• He loves, loves, loves Legos
• He is also a big fan of all Super Heroes…Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Captain America are his favorites
• He has an incredible imagination and plays make believe quite a bit
• Loves to watch everything his brother does
• Has an impressive vocabulary!
• Has more than one girlfriend- and promises to marry them!
• Is still more than a handful, but more predictable than he once was.
• Sings and dances more than ever!
• Will sit still as long as you read story after story to him.

We love you Miller and look forward to seeing what you grow up to be.  We know one thing for sure, you won’t be boring!

Feeling Painty

Recently I’ve been getting my paint on.  In order to improve my rusty skills, I’ve got a lot of practicing to do.
The boys are always eager to help me paint, but since my paints aren’t washable, we use good old Crayola paints for them!

Jackson wanted to paint an American flag.  AWE!

Miller went freestyle {imagine that}
Then Jackson decided that he wanted to do an action painting.  Cheetahs!

I love, love, love the bright colors

After his brief painting Miller moved on to a cutting exercise.  I don’t mind him doing that.  It’s is great hand exercise.  But oh the itty bitty pieces!
Then he turned some itty bitty pieces into Super Man Logos.  He has such a great imagination!
I’ve been working on some of these.
As you can see I still have a lot of practicing to do.  I get to a certain point and then stop and just don’t know what to do next?  It’s something to do with shadows and depth, I think?
Things that make you go HMMMM!