KiKi's Visit

Becky and my mom arrived at the Hertz rental car company in downtown Miami with a car full of gifts and a week's worth of food. The kids were excited to have every type of junk food imaginable. Guess that's what Grandmas and Aunties are for.

We had a great weekend with Becky. Everyone went for a bike ride to Bill Baggs State Park and later they threw me a surprise birthday party on the back patio. Becky organized the easter egg dying, which I was happy she took charge of.

KiKi is a wonderful aunt and we're so glad she came to visit.

We're also glad she left my mom for 10 more days.

Wicked

Finally the day arrived to go see Wicked.
I have been wanting to see this show for years.
For my birthday I bought tickets for the family minus JuJu.
I was a little worried about how EJ would do but it turned out fine.
Amazing what a little candy can do.
I enjoyed every minute of it--their voices, the stage, the story.
The songs were beautiful, the dialogue funny.
I was so impressed how Noah made all the connections.
EJ simply loved the witch in the blue dress.
I would love to see it again and next time perhaps splurge on tickets a little closer.

Picture you find on your camera...

when there is an 8 year old boy in the house.

Go Yankees!

This Saturday we attended the opening ceremonies for the baseball season.
It began with a parade through the streets each team holding their banner, then on to speeches by the commisioner, athletic director, and special guest. Then each players name was announced and they got to run and high five the Marlin, who EJ kept calling a bird.
It ended with a BBQ and dance party in the park.
JuJu tried some of her new moves.
I think she's been taken lessons from David.
Noah loves his new uniform and baseball cleats.
I love that he plays for the Yankees.
Maybe A-Rod will come by for another visit.

Officially weaned

Julia is officially weaned.
No more num-num.
A little sad but definitely time.
She is 15 months,climbs the rock wall at the playground, scavengers food from the cupboard, holds her own with EJ, and knows her way to the CVS.
I think she is ready.
Its been the longest nursing haul so far and I have flopsy and mopsy as proof.
In celebration of my num-num liberation I am taking a trip to NYC.
Thanks Shey-Shey for the ticket!

Some groceries and a girl

One of the things I love about where I live is the ease of grocery shopping.
Its close---very close.
And we get to bike there--even better.
Sometimes I go with Noah at night--he rides his bike and then I fill the trailer with all the food. But this time Ella Joy went so I had to stuff her and the groceries all in the trailer together.
Everything fit, but just barely.
I guess this is one way to save on groceries.

Warming up for Pat and Melissa's Big Day

EJ and JuJu practicing their dance moves in their new dresses.
Melissa's mom did an amazing job making them.
The plan is for EJ to be a flower girl.
Only time will tell how that turns out.
For now she is happy breaking it down.

No School so.....

this boy and his bike


and these girls


and this bike took a trip to the Miami Sea Aquarium. The 3 mile ride there was great. The weather was perfect--cool air, blue skies. Lollipops and Swedish fish kept everyone content. We watched the dolphin show and spent an hour at the new stingray exhibit.

The 3 mile ride home was another story. The lollipops were no longer working. I kept shouting back to EJ that Julia would stop screaming and fall asleep as soon as she stopped screaming, all the while Noah is telling me about his friends at school, what he wanted to do with all the money he had saved, and how slimy the stingrays back were, and I had to respond with an occasional "really" so he would know that I was listening.

A good day. Tiring, but good.

A big thanks to David for my smooth ride. I absolutely love my oh so comfy cruiser.