All the screaming, fighting, tantrums, and chaos are worth it when...

I find them like this in the morning
or like this at night.

Happy 34th Birthday David!

Someday we will have a family photo with EJ smiling.
But doesn't David sure look cute.

Thomas and Tara came over to celebrate with us. They have been living on Key Biscayne for the last 2 months and it has been so much fun to have them near. They recently bought a house in Plantation which is about 30 minutes away. So we are excited to have some family close.

I cooked fish with a picata sauce on top, mashed potatoes, brocoli, and for dessert--my first homemade blueberry pie. Thank you Amanda for all the new cooking ideas and lessons.

Noah fell through our teeny tiny IKEA chair that goes with our teeny tiny table.
As most of you know I am always happy to throw out things that take up space but the next day EJ cried for an hour about her "pony castle" that she could to longer make. The 2 chairs stacked perfectly to make a 2 story home for her ponies. So sorry.

Cousin Thomas getting to know Noah's present to David.

First day of school 2010

To say that I have been looking forward to this day would be a slight understatement.
So let just say we were all VERY excited for the first day of school.

Noah started third grade. And he was happy to see several of his classmates from last year were in his class again this year.
Ella Joy started the Pre-K program at the school.
It is really nice because I drop them both off at 8:20.
Then I pick EJ up at 11:20.
Noah rides his bike home at 3:00.
If gives structure to my day.
And I get to have time alone with each of the kids sometime during the day.

Have I mentioned how much I love uniforms.
It makes getting ready for school so easy.
And the kids just look so cute and ready to learn!

Noah is 9

We had a small family party and invited Noah's best bud Ricardo and his sister Virginia.
We swam, played water polo, ate pizza and chocolate on chocolate cake--Noah's favorite!

Noah is growing into a very nice young man--which makes make my heart
so happy.
If you knew him as a toddler you would understand my happiness.

He is a wonderful brother--he knows how to make the girls happy, he can trick them out of their fits, and he worries about their safety. He loves to feel his new sister kick.
Noah is a good student. He is neurotic about being on time to school--which is good since that is definitely not my forte. Right now he is reading the first Harry Potter book and together we are reading the Chronicles of Narnia.

Some of his favorite things: Pokemon cards, Star Wars legos, Wii Punchout, his red bike, and silly bandz collection. He also loves playing ultimate frisbee.

Happy, happy Birthday to my favorite boy!

The count down is on

Coming home from the Bascom Palmer Welcome Party

We officially have less than a year til we are done.
Yes done. Did I really say this.
We have been in school/training for the last 12 years.
In July 2011 David will be a Real doctor.
For the last 5 years he has tried to trick me and tell me he was already a Real doctor.
The white coat and embroidered name was a really nice touch.
It has been a long, long road.
Finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is a very beautiful thing.
Congrats, hon, on all your hard work.

You know you're a loud mouth when...

you have to wear ear plugs to muffle your own scream.

Our trip to Philly

Ella Joy and I took a trip to Philadelphia for Shelly and Rob's engagement party.
It was so much fun to get to spend some one on one time with EJ--she would have made a great only child. She loved the airplane ride. She was glued to the window expressing with enthusiasm how awesome her view was. "This is amazing!" This is beautiful!" over and over again. Despite the fact that she was almost shouting--I let her completely enjoy it.

Shelly and Rob arrived to the party via heli.

The newly engaged sooner to be married couple.

Shey Shey and EJ looking beautiful

EJ took over the camera several times throughout the trip.
This is from her point of view.


EJ's new friend.


On Saturday we visited Valley Forge. We heard some interesting stories and visited some of the old barracks as well as Big George's quarters.

How would you have liked to bunk here for 6 months?

General Washington's quarters.


Shelly, Rob, and their part cheetah cat--Yoda.

Alyssa--KiKi and Shey Shey's NYC bff

KiKi p0sing for another one of EJ's photos

We arrived home at midnight on Saturday.
David picked us up at the airport.
Ella Joy was exhuasted.
This little guy was sitting on my bike seat waiting for me when I got home.
What a nice welcome home.