Halloween

We went trick or treating at the zoo. Addison was Darth Vador for about 20 minutes. It was really warm so he took off his costume and trick or treated as himself. Carter wasn't interested in wearing a costume...but he was very adorable in his orange shirt.

After trick or treating Addison really wanted a Krispy Kreme doughnut...

Addison – the HERO

This morning I was getting ready to leave to drop off Carter at the sitter’s house when I realized he was no where in sight. I asked Addison if he knew where Carter was and he said no but that he was looking for him. Just then Addison spots Carter’s beloved binky by the doggy door…you can see where this is going! I look out the sliding glass doors just in time to see Carter settling down with a basketball in the fort part of the swing set. That means that he let himself outside via the doggy door, found the basketball in the backyard and climbed up the ladder in a matter of a few minutes (with the basketball in his arms). After I made sure he was ok and had not stepped in dog poop (he had no shoes or pants on), he went promptly to time out where he stood spitting on the floor – he has quite a temper.

Addison, however, was very proud of himself for finding his brother. He said he was just like Scooby Doo. On the way to school he told Shawn all about what a “hero” he was and that I should blog about this so that we would have a record of it (his class has a blog so he knows all about what a blog is for).

New York

Shawn and I left for a late anniversary trip last week. We flew into DC on Wednesday. We did a little sight seeing and a little (only a little, I promise) shopping. That night we went to the US vs. Costa Rica soccer game. For someone who doesn’t like sports (me) it was a fun time…not to mention the US scored a goal in the last 15 seconds which created a tie and prevented Costa Rica from taking the win (sorry Karla)!!!

Thursday we took the train from DC to NEW YORK!!! I have always wanted to go to New York. My sister went to visit my dad in NY when we were kids and I was so jealous. Finally, after 20 years I got to see the city for myself. It is such an amazing place. And can you believe I did not buy the “I heart NY” t-shirt. Pretty much everything we bought was for the boys…my how things have changed. Here are a few highlights of the trip…enjoy.

Times Square

The Guggenheim

Rockefeller Center

Broadway (we saw Wicked and it was great)

We flew home on Monday. I love vacation but it was nice to be home with my boys.

Addison & Carter

My two very handsome boys...

Addison Michael Brown

Yesterday, Addison got in trouble at school for blowing a raspberry in line after lunch. Of course, the teacher made a big deal out of it and wrote me a note that he was spitting...not the same thing in my opinion but regardless, Addison knows not to do this. I interrogated him the entire way home about the "situation". In addition to all of the usual questions (why, why, why) I asked him exactly how did the teacher know that he did this. He said that another boy "tattle telled" on him. For some reason I asked Addison why this boy would tell on him (forgetting that Addi is the biggest tattle tell around - he even tells on Shawn to me).

Addison's response was...

"you know I can't read minds, right?"

Where does this child get such a smart mouth???!!!

He may look like Shawn, but he is definitely my child!

Addison Starts Kindergarten

Where has the time gone? It has been a while since I have written. We have been busy...nothing in particular, just living our lives!

Addison started kindergarten yesterday. He had a wonderful time. Shawn, Carter and I dropped him off in the morning. All of the kindergarten classes started in the lunch room and then the parents were "kicked out". We hid in the hallway and watched him walk to class (he didn't see us). He looked so frightened! We could barely stand it until time to pick him up. When we were finally able to pick him up he was very chatty. He told us all about his day...I think it is going to be a good year!

A glimpse into the future...

4th of July

We had a great Fourth of July Weekend. How was yours?

Friday we took Addison to see the movie "Up". I know it has been out forever already but we were waiting on Grammie to get to town to occupy Carter while we took Addi. Carter would never sit through a movie, nor would I want him to.

Saturday we went out for Hibachi. There was no one there...I guess people don't eat Japanese on the Fourth!!! After dinner we went to the beach to watch the fireworks. The kids had a great time and stayed up way too late. Addison is definitely my kid - on the ride home at 10:00 he was hungry and wanted to stop for McDonald's. So, of course we had to stop. I couldn't let me child go hungry! Here are a couple of pictures from Saturday - not very patriotic but still cute of the boys.

The Beach

I love the beach!!!

We went to the beach this weekend. The boys love the water. I love the sun. It feels good on my skin. My favorite days at the beach used to involve a chair, a book and a walk for lunch followed by more lounging and more reading. If the heat got to be too much a quick dip in the water would cool me off. Sometimes I wonder how I ever lived any place other than the beach.

Days at the beach now involve Shawn and Addison swimming and playing on the boogy board with me following Carter into the water. He is not content playing in the sand beside me while I read a book. No, he wants in the water. Far into the water. He, just like Addison, loves the beach. They are definitely our children. The reading will have to wait...my children will not.

The Boys...

Memorial Day Weekend

In celebration of our anniversary and the long weekend we headed to Orlando this past weekend. We did not go to any amusement parks and did very little shopping. We went to hang out by the hotel pool and just enjoy time together as a family. It was great.

It was raining on the way down. The boys found a few ways to pass the time...

When we arrived at the hotel, I was greeted by flowers on our room from Shawn for our anniversary. It was most thoughtful and very unexpected (I've never had flowers delivered to a hotel before).

We stayed at the Omni Champions Gate which has a resort pool. The pool is huge and has zero entry, which is great for the kids. It also has a waterslide and our favorite...a lazy river. It truely was a lazy river for us. We spent hours floating around. Carter even fell asleep. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner out each day...my kind of day with no cooking or cleaning. Here are some pictures from the weekend in no particular order. Enjoy!

My sweet Carter.

Relaxing by the fire pit after dinner.

Two of a kind...

10 Year Anniversary

10 Years of Wedded Bliss!!!

Dentist Appointment

Addison had his first dentist appointment today...

Shawn took him so I didn't get to see first hand but apparently he was a big brave boy. He did a good job while they did x-rays, cleaned his teeth and examined him. Lucky for us all he does not have any cavities!!!

Even though we brush and floss everyday (almost) I had heard horror stories from several people whose children went for the first time and had a mouthful of cavities.

It was a positive first visit and Addi is already asking when his next appointment will be (they have games and tv). Hopefully the visit in December will go just as smoothly since I am taking him.

Mother's Day Breakfast

I had breakfast with Addison at his school yesterday morning. It was nice. We ate waffles, strawberries and grapes. Addison made a beautiful picture frame for me. My favorite, however, was the book he made that contained the answers to several questions his teacher asked him about me. A few of my favorites...

• My mom is 25 years old.


• My mom likes to eat spaghetti and drink coke.


• The thing I like most about my mom is that she takes care of me.

I will save the rest for myself!

Weekend Update

We had a busy weekend. I took the day off on Friday and Shawn and I dropped the kids off and then had coffee and breakfast at Starbuck's before going to the golf tournament at Sawgrass. It was my first time to go and I was amazed at how pretty the course was. We stayed in the FedEx tent for most of the day but we did get out and walk the course for about an hour. I got to see Tiger Woods up close...he looks the same as he does on tv. After a long day we picked up the kids and went to dinner at one of my favorite places - Cantina Laredo.

Saturday started out as most Saturdays with breakfast at Chick-fil-a. The rest of the day was spent cleaning and hanging out with the kids. We finished the day with dinner out and a little shopping at the Town Center. Carter finally got some lamp shades for the lamps I bought a few weeks ago. Only Pottery Barn Kids would make lamps for which only a Pottery Barn Kids lamp shade will fit!

Sunday was great. The day began with Addi waking up to tell me Happy Mother's Day before I was even awake! What a sweet boy. We got up and had breakfast out then we went to the beach. It was Carter's first time at the beach since we did not take him last year. The water was cold but the kids loved it. We came home and Addison gave me a homemade card and in ice cream maker-it turns out that it was a very appropriate gift since the AC was out in the house. We went shopping at the mall - I bought a few things. Then spent the rest of the evening at home. Great weekend!

End of Year Program

Thursday night was the end of the year program for the four year olds at Addison's preschool. Each class sang two songs and then all of the four year olds sang two songs together. Addison did a great job. He was singing and doing the movements. My camera did not get any good close up shots of him on stage (I need a new camera).

After the program there was a reception with cookies and drinks. Although the year is almost over, Addison will continue going to PCDC until he starts kindergarten in the fall. I cannot believe that my little Addi is starting school in a few short months...the time really does fly by.

Weekend Update

We had a busy weekend. Friday night we went to dinner and then went down to St. Augustine to do a little shopping. Carter needed some new jammies and Addison needed some new shorts. Shawn and I did not "need" anything but still managed to find a few things we had to have!!!

Saturday was Addison's last soccer game of the season. We had a 10:00 game and then went to Chick-fil-a with the team. After everyone ate lunch and the kids played for a bit, they were given their much deserved trophies by Coach Shawn and Coach Mike. They were all so proud.

This is Addison and his best friend Cade. They have been best buddies since they were babies.

Saturday evening we went to Shrimp Fest in Fernandina. It was really crowded. I was happy to do something different than our usual weekend stuff.

Sunday was mostly spent at home with a few errands and lunch out in between.

Carter at Nana's

This is Carter today at Nana' s house. Nana is one of his caregivers during the day. She owns a home day care. She took care of Addison until he started pre-school last fall. Addison still loves her and sees her from time to time. Stephania (Nana) and Karla take very good care of him...he is very happy there. She is very thoughtful and sends me pictures of him during the day which makes me feel happy and more a part of his day. This was taken this morning while he was outside. She sent it to me at work. Almost feels like I am there...

Weekend Update

My nephew Tyler was in Orlando with the Arlington High School Band for a competition. My mom was one of the chaperones. So, we woke up early on Saturday and drove 2 hours to see him perform. They did a great job. I found out later that his band won first place!

After the performance the band had to wait around for several hours to watch the other performers before they could go to Disney. The band leader was nice enough to allow Tyler to go off with us for a couple of hours (my mom went too, of course). We went to Ikea and looked around and then we had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. We only spent about 4 hours together total but it was really nice to see them and definitely worth the drive.

After we dropped them off, Shawn, Addi, Carter and I went to Winterpark and did a little shopping. We had ice cream (Addi and Carter) and coffee (Shawn and I). Then we drove back to Jacksonville and went to dinner.

Today we had a few errands to run but spent most of the day at home. I wish the weekend was just a few days longer!

Soccer

Addison's soccer team. We only have 2 games left for the season...hopefully he will want to play next year!

Weekend Update

The flowers are beautiful. Pots are the only place that I plant flowers because I am terrible at watering them! Addison and I planted the flowers while Carter ate the dirt...

Addison had a late soccer game at 4:00. After the game we ran a few errands and then had Mexican at Peppers. It was delicious.

On Sunday we started changing the guest room into Carter's room. I know it is well over due but I enjoy having him close by at night (he sleeps in his bed in our room). Everything is in place and it is now a nursery...except his bed. Maybe next weekend???

Monsters vs Aliens!!!

Shawn picked up Addi early from school today. They had lunch at one of Addi's favorite places...Chick-fil-a. Then they went to see Monsters vs Aliens in 3D. Addi informed Shawn that he was going to sit in his own seat but ended up in Shawn's lap for the majority of the movie.

Being a week day and all, I had to work. But since we had a managment "retreat" at work that ended at noon, I GOT TO LEAVE EARLY! I felt like I had just won the lottery! Since Addi was with Shawn and it was Carter's nap time, I had no choice but to go home and...clean! Boring, I know. But it was nice to get some things done before the kids came home. After Shawn and Addi got home from the movie, we all went and picked up Carter from Nana's house and ran a few errands before having dinner at the Loop.

Then we went to Lowe's to buy flowers for me and Addison to plant on Saturday. Addi and I always pick them out and plant them by ourselves. We let Shawn go this time and he picked purple petunias. Gotta love a man that likes purple.

It was a great day for all!

Easter Weekend

Friday night we went to the tennis tournament with Karla and Mike. It was at Sawgrass so you could feel the ocean breeze. As the night went on it got cooler and cooler until we finally couldn't take it and left early. We went to dinner at Mitchell's. We had a great time. Karla is from Costa Rica so we talked about her country and our visit there a few years ago. Mike is from Cuba but has lived in the US since he was 4. We talked about the life over there and how he and his family are thankful to be in the US...a thing that I sometimes take for granted.

Saturday morning I took Addison and Carter to Chick-fil-a for breakfast. Later we met Shawn and Carolyn for the Easter Eggstravaganza at Chet's Creek. Addison "hunted" Easter eggs. They were in plain sight but he still enjoyed it (because they were filled with candy).

After the Easter egg hunt Addison played on the inflatables and played some games. We ate lunch and went home for a nap. It was a nice day, except that Carter was not feeling well...but that is another story (turns out he had an ear infection).

Easter was laid back. Addison and Carter both enjoyed their Easter baskets. I have been enjoying Addison's a little too much (I love jelly beans). We stayed home all day and spent time together. We had a nice non-traditional dinner of rib roast, augratin potatoes and greens.

So now I will put the baskets away until next year!

Addison's Night

Last night Shawn and I took Addison out for a special night. We wanted to spend some time with him doing something fun so we went to Adventure Landing. We did the go-carts first (sorry no pictures-Shawn was in charge of the camera and forgot to take any). Addison and I were in a double go-cart and Shawn drove his own. It was fun...Shawn broke the rules and gave us a couple of bumps out on the track.

We then played a round of minature golf. The weather was warm but there were very dark storm clouds looming overhead the entire time.

After golf we went to dinner at the beach. We ate at Sliders so that we could sit outside and relax. While waiting on dinner we talked, played "I spy" and snuggled (it was starting to get a little chilly). Addison is such a fun kid. I love to just sit around and talk to him...

Dinner was good but dessert was better. We walked down to Shelby's and enjoyed some ice cream before heading home. Addison was getting very sleepy which means he was starting to act a little goofy!

It was a great night but we all agreed we missed Carter very much. I couldn't wait to get home and see his sweet face. Of course, he was already fast asleep so I had to settle for his 2:45 AM waking that has occurred the last two nights. He wakes up ready to play and will not go down for over an hour later. Hopefully, he will be back to sleeping through the night tonight...wish me luck!!!

Big Boy

My sweet Carter now insists on feeding himself with the spoon...where does the time go? He will scream and cry until I give him the spoon. Then he feeds himself very efficiently for the first 30 seconds. After that it is an all out mess. He gets it in his hair, all over his face and clothes and even starts using his hand to get the food out.
Seeing the pride on his face makes it all worth it!

Spring

Spring is finally here. Spring is my favorite season. The sun stays out later, the weather is great and I always get spring fever...I am ready to plan a trip but for now I am happy that we are able to take a walk each night after dinner. Carter is enjoying his little red car. He likes it when we stand on either side of the drive way and push him back and forth really fast. He is very adventurous.

Addison loves to take his little remote contrl truck with us during our walk (when he can get it away from Shawn)!Spring would not be complete without some time in the backyard on the swing set. This is a new addition, bought especially for Carter. He loves it.

Addi has always enjoyed the swing set. He mostly likes to swing which is fun and all except that he refuses to swing his legs so we have to do all the work. So much for kicking back on the patio with a drink and watching the kids play...