Hallelujah!!--

Our "summer car saga" is finally over! It has been one "car drama" after another for the past three months. In May (before school got out), our beloved Honda died (boo-hoo). So, we were down to one car-a bit of a hassle but nothing we couldn't handle. Then, in June, the boys and I were in a car accident. So, then our "one car" was down to half-a-car. It took another month before we could even get the van into the body shop for repairs. Thankfully, the owner of the body shop lent us a car (for free) while they were fixing the van, otherwise we would have been down to zero cars.We were initially told it would take one week to fix the van, however, it took three. We finally got it back yesterday (after school started back up again). A couple of weeks ago, we finally found another car to buy, to get us back up to two cars (once the van was fixed). We bought a 2002 Mazda Protege with only 53,000 miles on it. That's only 7-8K miles/year. We got a really good deal. Hopefully, there will be no more "car drama" for the next five years.

1st Day of School

Yesterday was Adam's first day of school. He had a great day! The night before, we went to see his classroom and meet his teacher. Her name is Mrs. Crook. This is her 33rd year of teaching. She is really friendly and personable. He knows all of the kids in his class. So, we think he'll have a great year. Adam just thrives in school--the schedule, the busyness of it, and the constant learning--everything he loves.

Last Day of Summer Vacay!!!

Today is the last day of summer vacation for Adam. School begins tomorrow! A couple of weeks ago I asked him if he was excited for school. He told me, "No, it's really going to cut into my time." That cracks me up; he sounds like an adult. On Saturday he received a postcard from his new teacher, Mrs. Crook. Since then, he's been getting excited. Especially since it's the teacher he wanted. (She lets them run 5 laps at recess; the other teacher only lets them run 3.) Last night we had a Back-to-School FHE. I showed them pictures of me when I was starting 1st grade and preschool and read to them from my baby book what I liked about both of those school years. Robert then gave them each a father's blessing, which they were both really excited about. This morning I told them we can do whatever they want today. They've decided they want some extra TV time, to play games, go to the playground, and to go to lunch. This evening we'll go to Adam's school to meet his teacher and see his classroom. And then tomorrow it's rise-n-shine for school at 8:20am.

Miami Pics--swimming

I finally figured out how to download our photos onto the boys' computer (our laptop is still busted). Since we were down in Miami for two weeks, or as Matt likes to say, "16 days", we have a lot of pictures. The day we took our camera to the beach, there was a ton of seaweed. There must have been a storm during the night out at sea and the tide brought it in. The boys loved it! They had a lot of fun with it. With the seaweed comes lots of little fish. Adam and I caught one in his bucket. It was fun. He and Matt played and stared at that fish all morning.

Litter bugs! Adam found some trash in the seaweed.

This is Matt's handiwork. Robert and I at the beach.

Robert and Adam playing in the water. It looks like Adam is squinting because salt water got in his eyes.

This is the resort we stay at every time. Ahhh-right on the beach!

The boys really enjoyed swimming in the pool. The water was so warm--just like a bath. The day I took these photos, it was so humid that my lenses kept fogging up.

Both Adam and Matt love to swim. By the end of the two weeks, Matt was swimming without his swim belt. They did great.

Matt and Grandma Chichi played with the boogie boards a lot. He would stand on it and then flip backwards. Lots of good laughs!

Here comes Baywatch!

Miami Pics--the waters of Miami

We took Adam and Matt out to the Everglades. Adam had been out there when he was 1 y/o but didn't remember a thing. This time we knew they would enjoy it.
Robert, Adam and Matt with an alligator. Matt wasn't too sure about this. Earlier, the "crazy croc" wrestler had put a baby alligator on the boys' heads.

One of the alligators we saw on the airboat tour. It swam right up along side the boat.

Robert and his GQ pose. This wasn't intentional--it just worked out this way. The boat had stopped to allow us to look around the sawgrass and look for gators.

Heidi, Adam and Matt finishing the airboat ride.

We took the boys down to Bayside. It is in downtown Miami. It is an open-air shopping area and also, where all the boats dock for tours and cruises. Adam and Matt couldn't believe how big the cruise ships were. One summer, while in college, Robert worked at a store at Bayside. He got to show the boys. It's called "Art by God" and has all sorts of natural, earth stuff--fossils, rocks, even dinosaur bones. Needless to say, it's very expensive.

Here's the boats. Pass the causeway (bridge) is a cruise ship (it's a bit hard to see).

Miami Pics--Wannado City & Children's Museum

We took the boys to Wannado City. It is an indoor themepark where the kids can role play almost any type of job imaginable, including working at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. We had been there before and were hoping that Matt would enjoy it since he's 4 now. That didn't really happen. Most of the activities the kids go off with the leader, and Matt didn't like being away from us. However, Adam had a great time. Adam at the circus tent.

Adam is pretending to work at a Coca-Cola bottling plant. He picked Sprite to fill up his bottles.
There was a small carnival inside. Matt, however, didn't like going on the carousel without me.


Next stop--the Miami Children's Museum. We went on a free Friday, so it was packed with kids.
Adam following in his Grandpa's footsteps.

Tough-guy Adam and Grandma Chichi. Vrrooom-vrrooom!

Adam tried his hand at rock-climbing.

Adam and Matt inside the grocery store, busy picking Florida oranges.

Miami Pics--Seaquarium and Zoo

These first five pictures are from the Miami Seaquarium. It was a lot of fun, with different exhibits and shows. As you can see, everyone was really hot and sweaty, and Matt was not too happy about it.
Catch of the Day!

Big Daddy the Sea Lion

Dolphins

The favorite show of all--the killer whale! Adam and Matt LOVED this.



Now, on to the Miami Zoo.

Awesome Adam and Mopey Matt (common poses for both of them)

There was a spray park in the zoo. The boys had so much fun. We forgot to bring their swimsuits, but, oh well. They loved getting soaked and afterwards, the wet clothes kept them a bit cooler.