Miami

Brooks' work sent him to Miami for a week long conference.

I knew it was coming up so mentally you just prepare for a week of easy dinners and not having your best friend around.

Brooks told me that his mom wanted to come out during that time for me. 

I didn't know if she thought I needed the help or what. But I told Brooks, "Great. I can definitely handle the kids by myself so I don't want her to feel like she has to come out to help. But if she wants to come out to keep me company, that sounds perfect!"

Brooks left on Sunday and Pat got here Monday.

I can basically 100% tell my girls apart now, but for some reason the above picture I have no clue who is who. Oh well, it's cute anyway. (I'm almost POSITIVE the one on the right is Wynn but I don't see the bump on her ear. ????!!)

Brooks texted me during the day to tell me that Bronson needed to read a letter that he left on his desk for Family Home Evening that night to the family. I couldn't find the letter anywhere.

Brooks insisted he JUST left it there.

Then I looked on the ground and found cut up pieces of paper, remains of an envelope, scissors and "Everly's fingerprints" all over it all.

It was like a puzzle at that point.

It was a letter Brooks left to SURPRISE ME telling me that I would be JOINING IN HIM MIAMI ON WEDNESDAY!!!!! 

(Pat had already spilled the beans when she arrived here, but it still made my belly do so many flips!)

These two were quite the sneaky duo. I was quite impressed that Brooks even thought to have his Mom buy my ticket and then pay her back....because I would've seen it had he used our card.

The best part? I was going ALONE!!!!

I packed four books for the trip (I finished one before I left..... I couldn't resist), snacks, swimsuit, clothes and my pump and I was OFF!

I literally (and creepily?) kept a smile on my face the whole time in the airport. I tried very hard to refrain while sitting next to someone on the plane to wipe it off my face. Only a book could do that. Phew, I brought three. :) It was so cool flying into Miami. I had never seen it during the day before.

I felt like clicking my heels as I walked outside to grab a taxi. Then I stopped.....looked around and realized that I was in another country..... or at least that's what it felt like. NO one was speaking English around me, the smells and looks were those of Brazil or another Latin American country.

My taxi driver didn't even speak English (or Spanish or Portutuguese) so there was really no communicating as I sat in that VERY expensive ride..... still smiling.

And there was Brooks waiting for me at the Marriott when the taxi pulled up. 

Total dream come true.

The place was right on the bay and so beautiful and dreamy with the constant breeze.

That night we went out for the most amazing pizza from an authentic Italian restaurant. It really was the best one I have had.

 

I only wanted to eat half of mine so I could save the other half for my lunch the next day when I sat by the pool! Brooks finished his off easy.

Welp, my plan didn't exactly go as planned since Brooks ("Captain Generous") saw a homeless man asking for food on our walk home and he handed him my pizza. 

I will admit, I almost walked up to him and took it back....

During the day Brooks was at the Conference in the lobby while I just sat by the pool and read. He did have a few breaks when he came out to swim or play a game of ping pong with me.

I didn't really leave the poolside though that first day. I loved reading and not worrying about stopping for snacks or naptimes or worrying about anything.

Turns out I DIDN'T worry about anything and didn't put on sunscreen. You can see on my arm how they were bent holding my book up the whole day.

It was only the front of my body too. It may look like I'm blushing but no, that was the color of my face. 

After his Conference we decided to take a shuttle to South Beach. #lobsterlady #hot

I love the look of coconut trees by the beach. Brooks wanted to be like his brother Gabe and try his hand at climbing the tree for a coconut.

Apparently it's harder than it looks. I don't think he ever TOUCHED the coconuts but it was a enough to send the picture to the kids back home and have them be impressed. 

The beach was BEAUTIFUL. I've missed the beach. 

The Atlantic Ocean reminds me of all our family trips while living in the Carolinas with the warm water. Such a stress release for me.

AND we got a kick out of all the people at the beach. I was glad my boys weren't there though for some parts because apparently wedgy-swimsuits and thongs are the only way to go there?

But I DID send this picture to my boys at home......only because it's funny and to make them laugh.

#speedosformiles

There were these two ladies feeding the seagulls. I had to just stop and watch. Then she threw me some bread and told me to try feeding them.

It was SO incredible. They would just hoover over me....so very close just waiting for me to throw some up. EVERY time they caught it too.

And I would usually scream just a little.

They would call down for more and fly in place right above my head.

I really can't describe how neat I thought it was. Kinda magical

We found a fun place to eat right off of the beach. 

It was delicious and I took some leftovers with me...... all the while thinking, "Where are the homeless people NOW, huh?" I was willing to give that to someone. #givemebackmypizza 

The next day I ventured out during Brooks' Conference and STILL couldn't help but feel I was in a foreign country. I'm pretty sure I was the only blonde I saw the whole time there. And I'm NOT EVEN BLONDE ANYMORE!!!

It was so busy and a perfect place to sit and people watch and read...... out of the sun...... you know, for the whole lobster, thing.

I REALLY hated leaving. I mean, I missed all my kids the twins and all, but I was so sad to leave Miami. As we were getting in the taxi I pulled out my phone to video tape how long it would take Brooks to start drilling the guy with all sorts of questions. But I couldn't pull it out fast enough. It's like RIGHT when his hiney hit the seat he has to play 20 questions with anyone he sits by. 

At the airport it was nice eating what we wanted and when we wanted. Even this teeny $16 grilled cheese sandwich didn't make me feel bad when you are using up the rest of Brooks' daily allowance from work.

Pat picked us up from the airport and had Kellyn and Everly with her. Apparently Kellyn had screamed and screamed most of the drive to the airport and is "lucky she was still alive" when we got in the car. 😂 hahaha

It was SO nice having someone witness a taste of the emotional roller coaster I ride with that child 

and also have someone start to understand the expert level of "sneaky" that Everly has mastered.

(Grandma's lipstick and toothbrush)

Apparently while we were gone the babies were great (no surprise there), the older kids "took care of themselves" and "knew just what to do"....... which gave Pat PLENTY of time to focus on the two at hand..... Kellyn and Everly. I love these pics of her time with them.

Painting nails.

a LOT of reading

The kids would ask her to text me pictures of their Play-dough creations

They loved watching how-to-draw things on youTube together . #everlysglasses

A quick yogurt outing with Grandma before she had to leave. #wetookeverytable #notenoughchairs

I'm SO SO grateful for a husband who "gets" me and knew I would treasure that quick trick so much. And his partner-in-crime, Pat for "holding down the fort" for me and running it so smoothly. (I came home to my house cleaned and all my cupboards/appliances/inside the fride and windows rubbed down even!!!)

It was a such a dream and I needed it SO badly.

Compelled to be Humble

I haven't blogged about my three older kids recently so here I go....

This is Emerson on his way to his second Jr. Patriots wrestling tournament.

(his singlet is UNDER his clothes)

They have all their wrestling tournaments on Sunday here (we've missed 6 so far because of it). This time the coach told Camden and Emerson that part of the tournament was on Saturday. BUT (and it's a BIG "BUT") the "experienced" wrestlers are on Saturday and the 1st year ones (like my boys) are on Sunday. Camden and Emerson still thought it would be fun to wrestle knowing full well the boys they would wrestle were "experienced".

Infact, BOTH boys weren't too worried about it. "Mom, I already won a gold medal and I plan on winning another today." Emerson was SO confidant he planned on wearing this cape to his meet.

Brooks made him take it off before they left.... not sure if it was to save Brooks' or Emerson's embarrassment. (?) Here is my confidant boy on his way to his second "pretty-much-guaranteed-gold" wrestling tournament.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand he was pinned the first match. (I wasn't there but Brooks was. I was running Bronson to his basketball game and was busy being pulled over by a cop in the Yeti with my expired license plate, tail light out, no driver's license with me, speeding and a few older kids not buckled in)

His second match he was thrown down so hard Emerson said he couldn't breathe... and exited the mat in dramatic flair as only Emerson can.

Camden lost both of his as well. Pinned the first and lost by points the second one....but apparently gave the guy a run for his money.....or singlet. Whatever.

They both came home a liiiiiiiiittle bit shocked w/o a medal. And they may have even gone down a weight class too with their heads quite a bit smaller now. #forcedhumility

Nevermind.

Maybe not Camden's head.

You see, THIS kid is OBSESSED with his hair. 

I could probably count on two hands how many references to his hair I hear EACH and EVERY day. 

And that's not counting the times he stops to check it out in a mirror.

Brooks and I think it's funny.

Well, I THOUGHT it was, until I looked at my phone and found about 20 selfies of HIS HAIR ON IT!!!!!!

I'm gonna buzz it while he's sleeping.......... JUST so I can have more memory space on my phone.

Speaking of Camden, he's been sick this week. Almost all of us have. Brooks, Bronson and Aleeya are the last ones standing who haven't gotten this 3 day fever, chill, coughy/sore throat, and weak bug. Kids have been laying around on couches right and left. But NONE act like Camden does.

This kid is the POSTER BOY for a "Man Cold".

Hol-ee-COW!

Everything is SO dramatic.

I hear things like how he wants to die, every muscle hurts, his sickness is worse than everyone else's.... he even said, "I hurt more than all y'all",  everything looks smaller to him now ("my hands look smaller, my feet, my eyes just aren't working right!"), he keeps wishing he could puke, he's "so sick he can't even do his hair" (*GASP*), he couldn't get warm even if he sat in a fire, this sickness is giving him a toothache, he can't stand up, he moans every step he takes, and there's heavy breathing...... OH THE HEAVY BREATHING!!!! etc. etc. etc. ALL. DAY. LONG. 

He stayed home from school for three days. A very long three days for me. After he was fever-free for 24 hours I sent him back yesterday. He showed up at the nurse's office during first period because he felt weak. She asked if he wanted to call his mom and he said, "No, she won't do anything anyway." Then he decided to go back to classs.

THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!

Honestly, I give sympathy to my kids. Really, I do. I have been co-snuggling so many for most of my days. Scratching backs and enjoying the down time. I even had it myself so I KNOW how they feel (although I STILL had to cook, clean and listen to their whinings, but I digress). I really feel sorry for them.

But as of this morning. I don't feel sorry for Camden anymore. 

It's been a week buddy. Take a few SUCK-IT-UPS and get over it.

#ipityhiswife

#imustwarnher

Then there is THIS tall boy....

Yea, this kid just turned 14.

HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!?!?!

He's been my first little buddy for longer than this mom-brain can even remember!

We've been through a lot together. A lot of mom-growing-pains and experimenting-on-the-firstborn stuff. But I'm proud of the kid he's turned into it. I guess I should say the young man he is. He's responsible, reliable, a really hard worker and happens to have a REALLY big soft spot for two little munchkins. He always calls them "Miss Whats-your-name". No matter which one he is talking to. 😆

As a parent I love hearing from other parents how respectful he is in their homes with all his "yes m'ams" and "sirs". As a parent I DON'T like hearing about all the girls interested or his constant social life luring my oldest baby away. Sheesh. These growing Mommy pains are hard on me sometimes.

Anyway, he's going paintballing for his birthday this weekend, but here is his junkbox. He pretty much hit the jackpot this year on it. (that is before Everly ate some of it)

Twins in the last month

Walking down the hallway I start to hear this drumming noise over and over.

As I pass the bathroom I peek in and see these two faces, just banging away on the toilet seat.

(iley in white in front)

I thought it was the SWEETEST thing.....until I remembered it's a matter of time that they will learn to lift that seat lid UP.

Anyway, I'll enjoy this while I can.

The Wynn and Iley share a room with Royce. 

And. He. Loves. It.

He's very worried about the room arrangements when we move to a new place possibly next year and keeps saying, "I can still share a room with the twins, right?"

He actually gets them out of bed too and just plays with them on the floor in their room. Some mornings I think, "Oh the babies are sleeping in!" Until I walk past their room and realize they are just in there playing with Royce.

Miss Wynn and Royce

Speaking of Wynn, I LOVE this picture of her just sucking away at an orange with a little bit of the peel off. 

We eventually peeled the whole thing and she downed the entire orange.

I love this picture too.

Brooks had a leftover muffin in his work bag that Everly pulled out (surprise, surprise). Iley decided to help herself to it and was so pleased with herself.

She would curve her back and just dive down into that muffin as hard as she could. haha

They love food and the experience of putting different tasting things in their mouths. 

Here's their first time with bananas. (Wynn on left)

And regular ol' crackers. I just take a ridiculous amount of pictures when I see them so cute and eating away in their high chairs.

Like I said, these two LOVE putting everything in their mouths and love all tastes (even cooked broccoli). And has horrible as this sounds, it's like having two dogs around sometimes. There's regularly food around on the floor that has fallen off the table or in the kitchen. Wynn and Iley crawl around eating it all up. It's gross, I know. But cute because they love it so much and they are content.

I will say, I TRY to keep food off the ground, it just doesn't always happen.

The only time I really feed them baby food/cereal or yogurt things is usually in the bath so we can just wash it off their faces. These two LOVE the bath like no other children of mine have!

I put a few inches in and they just crawl around, smacking their hand in the water and sliding everywhere and into each other.

This picture made me laugh with the funny placement of the gatorade lid looking like poop, but I assure you, it's just a lid. They LOVE them, and toothbrushes and the large Nerf bullets to suck on. So those are their bath toys. 😆

As you can see it's kinda impossible to get a good bath picture. They have places to go and water to look at and play with.

These babies have been sleeping separetly since November. Still by each other so they can see from their bed to their sister's, but one is in the port-a-crib and the other in the crib.

One night I decided to let them have a sleepover together.

This will always be one of my favorite pictures I think....

(iley on the right)

I love every crease on these babies and even their cute cottage cheese. I'm sure Wynn will forever be grateful I took this picture.....but I couldn't help myself.

Giggle time with Dad. They are the so cute.

And their NEW trick as of the last week in January is standing up by themselves. Iley just started doing it one afternoon and Wynn saw it and stood right up too. Now they practice their standing up all the time and can hold it for a while. 

And they also slide and walk along the furniture..... and they're 8 months. 

I'm not seeing this as a good sign for me. 

But MAN, they are so cute doing it.

Oh, and a few things I wanted to remember about the two.....

Wynn: is the flipper-over when we change her bum. Sometimes we have to hold her down in a two-person job kind of way. She also has started breathing in and out really loud and hard when I do it to her. She thinks she's so funny. Miss Wynn started clapping first and ALWAYS sits and claps with a smile on her cute face. Also, when she hits the music on her play toy she can't help but move and "dance".

"Iley May": (Apparently I use her full name a lot and Everly only calls her by the both names now.) Iley May has one bottom tooth now. She is also the one that the kids do NOT want to put in her carseat. Whenever her back HITS the carseat, she tries to flip over and stand up. It is a brutal struggle everytime. Lately she finishes her bottle and then reaches for Wynn's leftovers and finishes her's too. Her silly sound is smacking her lips. She'll do it, then I will, then she'll smile and do it again thinking she's hilarious.

This interactive stage is just so fun.