Wishing

This past weekend we wished we were still here...

But we weren't, so we got some new sunglasses and pretended like we were.

It was warm enough to have a picnic outside on Saturday and we were thankful for the break from 30 degree temperatures. 

However, some of us were not thankful enough to take a picture for their mother.

With the 10 day forecast not looking very warm, we are all wishing HARD for Spring! And I've told my kids that we will NOT be complaining about how hot it is this summer. I just won't stand for it:)

Reads Lately

I feel like I've had less time to read in the last couple months. Not sure why that would be since this winter has been all kinds of wonderful snow, ice, below zero temps and such. But I have found at least some time to read and wanted to pass along my finds. 

We read this for book club this month and I thought it was a thought provoking, sweet, and quick read. I recommend it - especially if you are looking for a book to read on a plane, vacation, or somewhere relaxing. 

Hamil gave me this book for Christmas. He always challenges me a bit with his book gifts - puts me a little outside my comfort zone of what I would normally choose to read. But I found that after I got into it and got used to the writing style, I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for something a little bit different to read (if you're like me and mainly read about the present), you should try it out.

I would have liked to put 3 books on here, but I just don't have a third. So I'll leave you with a breakfast conversation I heard this week:

Nate: I'm doing Algebra at school right now
Lila: Well. I'm learning about Spanish.
Nate: Well. I'm doing Algebra by patterns.
Lila: Well. I know how to say cow in Spanish.
Nate: Well. Algebra is much harder than countin' some animals and stuff.
Lila: No it's NOT!!!!!
Nate: Yes it IS!!!!!
Me: Eat your BREAKFAST!!!!!

I will miss their debates about nothing some day. I know I will.

Hutchinson Island 2014

Ahhhhh...we just spent 4 glorious nights in Hutchinson Island, Florida basking in the warm sun. It was so lovely. Beyond lovely. We have never been to this Florida location, but I can highly recommend it. It is right next to Fort Pierce and we found it very easy to fly in and out of Orlando to get there. 

We were joined by the Corse side of the family, which seems to grow by the year. We also got to see some other family and friends, but more on that later. Warning: It's a long post. 

When we arrived on Thursday, we immediately crossed the street and found the beach - it was about a 45 second walk from our house. Pure loveliness. Lila & Bluet quickly caught up with each other and played and played.  

Nate ran around too...

And contemplated getting in the water...

Which he did when Wayne arrived. It was too cold for his taste and he didn't get in too much again. 

The biggest event of this trip was meeting baby Ilona!!!!!

Isn't she just so precious?!?

We sure think so.

The next morning, we hit up some more beach time and the kids built sand castles and ran around exploring.

Nate loved to explore the dunes. He had a wonderful time and I think truly enjoyed the beach for maybe the first time.

Dear Sweet Bluet. The precious big sister:)

Nana, or Debbie, or as Lila liked to call her on this trip, Deb-Deb. I apologized to her that my children don't like to follow proper name protocol. She said she didn't mind, as long as they would keep calling her:)

On Saturday afternoon, my cousin Stan, his wife Carla, and their kiddos Ketcher (9) and Fallon (7) joined us. They live in the Orlando area and we don't get to see them nearly enough. Stan's grandfather and my Grandpa (DeLaney) were brothers. Their children certainly got the DeLaney height. I hope at least one of my kids gets it too! I wish this picture was closer, but I guess I was busy talking. 

Nate and his sticks. Always has to have a stick of some sort.

Stan brought his sea kayaks and this is my Dad and him going out for a spin. Scott, Ben, Emily and Hamil also took them for a ride. Scott was out there for so long (with the sail up) that my mom got worried. I knew he was just trying to make it work. And he was.

Lila loved Fallon. And Fallon loved Lila.

They played and played...

Sweet Thane was also a beach baby - and he loved being part of the big kids club.

Fallon had all of them sitting in a circle playing ball. They all complied when she told them where to sit. So cute!

Sweet Cousins!

 Their family of 4 picture! It was hard to get everyone to look at the camera:)

Lila in a basket:)

Shadow in the sand...

We went to the State Park on Sunday morning. It was a gorgeous day and the beach there was beautiful.

And last but not least, the lone picture of me from my camera. Always the photographer.

Which is why it's time to confess my big photographer fail. Robert, Lea-anne, Maisie, Jack and Jane Peach came to visit us on Sunday. We had a wonderful time visiting with them and playing on the beach. And I didn't take one single picture. But they were there. And we love them so very much! 

Also, it doesn't appear I took any pictures of Scott either. But he was there. Promise. 

We had the best time and both our flights were uneventful. I feel like we have somewhat arrived at being able to get through the airport and the flight without any major mishaps. The kids behaved beautifully and we totally looked like we had it all together. 

Until. 

Lila did a somersault in the middle of the security area as we were waiting to go through the Orlando scanner. 

Yes. 

She did. 

And everyone clapped. 

And cheered. 

And that about sums up the unpredictability of traveling with small children. 

Relaxing in a Warm Place

We've been doing a little relaxing in a warm place for a few days...

I'm hoping it will help us be more optimistic about finishing out winter in St. Louis.  

More to come! 

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday:)

Valentine's Day Inspiration & Other Happenings

Another cold weekend in the books. The 7 day forecast is looking up for us. Minus the first 2 days of bitter cold. I've noticed that the weather people don't say it's going to be bitter cold unless it's below 20. I would have argued that in the past, but this winter, I'd say that's pretty fair. I mean just yesterday, the kids and I left the house in the afternoon and I opened the door to feel the temperature. I hollered back at the kids that it wasn't too bad and they could wear a vest or fleece instead of their big winter coats (Are y'all tired of those things or what???). They were thankful not to have to put everything on and so was I. 

We got to the car and the temperature gauge read 27. 

Perspective. It's a wonderful thing. 

I don't think I've posted an updated picture of Truman (Troomie, Truesy, Troomie McDoomy, Truey True, Grand Master T, etc, etc...). Yes, I have a few nicknames for him. Jane-Ellis won't be surprised. 

Truman, oh Truman. You are a sweet kitty. Sometimes. Okay, that's a stretch. Let's rephrase. You are a sweetheart when you are sleeping. I often say Truman has no boundaries. He's an in your face kind of cat. Unlike Kitty P. Who still doesn't like him. We've tried to get her to fight back when he attacks her, but she just doesn't for some reason. Until yesterday. I witnessed her pull back her paw and pop him on the nose. I was so proud. So proud of her hitting Truman. It was a hard thing to explain to the kids. Don't hit each other! But be excited that Kitty P hit Truman! Parent of the year. 

On Valentine's Day, we have other plans, so on Friday night, I did a little Valentine's Day inspired dinner for the kids. Heart shaped pasta, pizza, yogurt, shrimp, and fruit cups in fancy glasses. They loved it.

I got these placemats off Zulily and I heart them so very much. Our old ones that they eat on when not eating at the back table (our normal dinner location) had gotten pretty nasty. So I decided to toss out the old and start fresh. They make me happy.

On Saturday, we made Valentine's Day cards for two little boys that are very sick. One is home recuperating and the other is still at the Ronald McDonald House. The kids really got into it and it was heart warming for all of us to do something nice for somebody else.

Lila must have spent at least 30 minutes getting the card right for one of the little boys. She kept saying, "He is going to LOOOOOOVE this, I can't hug him so I'll send him a hug." Precious.  Yes, she's wearing her owl hat. Inside. She also had it on when she came in our room at 5:45 AM this morning. I give up.

Nate wrote a letter to each of the boys inside the card. He asks lots of questions and it was a wonderful teaching moment.

We finished up our "Saturday that Scott is working" with Mexican. Because. Of course.

And then yesterday we went to see the Lego movie! Thumbs up! It was cute, clean, and just the right amount of time. I can't remember the last time I went to the theater on the opening weekend of a movie. Maybe never? It was a little bit crazy, but I purchased our tickets online and we got there early to get a perfect seat!

Everything is AWESOME!

Yes, I'll be singing the song for days.

You will too if you see it.

Throwback Thursday - The Cold Version

I cleaned out my desk drawer this week and found lots of old pictures. So in honor of this very cold day, I thought it was best to have a very cold picture for throwback Thursday. 

Nate & Quinn will some day be able to tell the tale of how their parents made them trek around the Kansas City Zoo when it was 35 degrees outside. 

Although 35 doesn't sound so bad right about now. 

Stay Warm!