Florida: Day 3

Sunday was supposed to be sunny and warm-ish, but it turned out that my weather app did not communicate that with the weather. So we powered through another unseasonably cool Florida day.

{We started off our morning at the park where these two played on the equipment while Caleb and Jacob shot hoops. It would eventually evolve into everyone shooting hoops on a very crowded half-court setup.}

My parents frequent the teeny-tiny local airport restaurant, which is conveniently located at the Chalk Fest venue, so we headed there for lunch before heading over to the Fest. The unexpected entertainment was the plane that caught fire prior to takeoff as we were being seated. No injuries, but a great way to keep the kids entertained as we waited for our food!

{Wiki Stix were another great entertainment option. Mason fashioned himself a pair of reading glasses so he could more clearly read the menu.}

{This girl sipped on her Sprite as if it were a cup of hot coffee. High maintenance college co-ed in the making!}

After lunch we headed to the Fest to check out the artists' progress.

{This chalk-board was significantly different since the kids made the first marks on it days earlier. And, yes, it really did feel as cold as Mason was making it out to be.}

{This dinosaur piece popped out of nowhere!}

{Where does the ground end and the wall begin?}

{Electrifying!}

We breezed through the Fest today so that we could get back to the warm condo.

{And when your kids are wasting away on their iPads, you must take them somewhere to be entertained. So we went to see Playing with Fire, which should officially rank as the worst movie ever. It wasn't even so bad that it was funny. It was just so bad. Mason opted out of the movie because he would rather "just relax," so he and my dad hung back. They sure dodged the bullet!}

Florida: Day 2

Saturday started out chilly, so we hung at the condo waiting for the clouds to break, the wind to die down, and the air to warm up. When none of that happened, we decided it best to go about our day doing the things we had planned to do anyways. First up: searching for shark teeth at Venice Pier. Caleb and Jacob found a few and got soaked during the process! Mason spent his time racing the waves along the shoreline, while Camryn repeatedly filled a bucket with sand and dumped it. 

Because this activity left the boys soaked and Camryn freezing, my parents and I were the only three participants willing and able to attend the Chalk Fest. It was amazing to see just how much progress the artists were able to make in such a short time and under less than ideal conditions! 

{This drawing wasn’t even started on Friday, and it was complete by Saturday afternoon!}

A couple of the 3-D paintings underway. It’s crazy how much the paintings change from day to day as the artists work!}

Not pictured: The daily two trips to the pool that the kids have promised themselves. No matter the temperature! 

Lost Tooth Update

Camryn has come to terms with her missing tooth. In fact, she is happy with her decision to lose it. She says she thinks her missing tooth makes her look older. She believes she could now easily pass for a second grader. And that makes me laugh!

Florida: Day 1

We took off for Florida Thursday for a long weekend spent with my parents at their condo. And despite an airplane mechanical delay—that turned out to be nothing more than a broken armrest—we arrived into Tampa very late at night, yet right on time.


{The kids wasted no time on Friday morning jumping into the pool! What was even more exciting to them was when they found the heated outdoor shower. Game changer!}


{The purpose of our trip out to Florida was to attend the Chalk Festival, as we did a couple of years back; however, rain and chalk do not mix. Once the rain slowed, we decided to check out the fest. We were about one of five people who were there to see, well, not much at that point!}

{Camryn standing with a very big bee!}

{Last time we went to the fest there was no space left for us to create our own masterpieces. This time we had free range!}

 
{This shark has been here for several years, and was just restored for this year’s fest. The kids hopped right into the mouth, and a local newspaper snapped a picture. It didn’t make the press cut, but we were able to have the photographer take a picture from the media-only scaffolding for us to keep.}


{We saw a pair of bald eagles sitting high atop some electrical poles on our way home from the beach. And then we saw another one grabbing a quick bite outside my parents’ condo!} 
{We ate lunch at Sharky’s. A crowd favorite!

{And then this happened. Camryn has had a wiggly tooth for about 6 weeks now. So wiggly that it was hanging out sideways in her mouth. Time to pull. Yes, it was absolutely as traumatic for all involved as her face leads you to believe. Good grief, girl. It was hardly even attached!}

Cubs’ Family Day

The final season ticket holder perk of the season: Family Day! And because Jacob had a basketball game that conflicted with our scheduled time, we had to slightly modify our family by bringing my mom along instead.

{Yes, the day started out as cold as it looks!}

{Pieces of Wrigley Field favorites were scaled down and set up in the concourse for photo ops!} 

{My Willson Contreras wannabe posing as Willson Contreras. Perfection!}

{Perhaps Camryn's favorite part of the day: Balloon art!}

{Hitting up the dugout. Mason's balloon art is a fishing pole, never mind what it actually looks like.}

{My favorite part of the day was having the opportunity to check out the Cubs Clubhouse. It was AMAZING! Sadly, no pictures allowed in the clubhouse--so I won't be posting the pictures I snuck of Contreras, Bryant, and Rizzo's lockers. Wink. Wink.}

{The view from the press box. A view like this almost makes me want to go back to my roots as a reporter.}

{Mason wanted to make some diving catches in the outfield. So he did. Camryn wanted to dance like a free spirit with her balloon wand. So she did. Notice how the kids have shed their layers? Chicago weather is crazy!}

{They had batting cages set up in the bullpen. Mason killed it! And almost killed me.}

So grateful to have had this opportunity! I wish Jacob and Caleb could have gone with, but Jacob would rather play basketball with all of his friends. Even if one of those said friends is the reason for a 20 minute on-court puke delay. True story. And so glad to miss that!

Mason’s Birthday Party

We finally got around to celebrating Mason's birthday in proper fashion! It took nearly three months, but we were finally able to schedule a day out for him and his friends that didn't conflict with our sports schedules! Mason picked Balaxi, which is the same place Jacob had his party last year. If for nothing else, Mason clearly looks up to Jacob when it comes to birthday party advice...

{Mason and his group of buddies. So glad that ALL of his best buds could make it out for the day!}

{Caleb and I sat at the bar for several hours while the boys ran around the joint. Our drink collection was not nearly as impressive as the boys' drink collection...}

{The only action shot I bothered to take!}

{These goofballs gave my goofball this goofy princess card for his birthday. We all had a good laugh! And, yes, the card came with hair clips that Mason is displaying proudly on his noggin.}

So glad to get that knocked off the to-do list and get Mason off my back about having a party. It sure seems that good things come to those who wait. Now if we could just get those who wait to wait patiently!

October Bits

The pieces keeping us busy in October.

{Getting in some pretend play during a break in the action at Mason's baseball game.}

{Being forced to volunteer. Camryn and I were signed up to keep the clock at one of Jacob's football games. Great view. And let's just say that my clock keeping abilities were mediocre at best. That may go down as one of the fastest games on record...}

{Finishing up Fall Ball. Would you believe that this is the only picture I took the entire fall baseball season? I suppose I was too busy watching Mason play his favorite sport. On more than one occasion the coach of the other team remarked about what an amazing catcher our team has. And because Mason is the catcher, hearing that makes me one proud Momma!}

{Finishing up Football. I spent the entire season trying to locate and watch Jacob on the field. Jacob had an amazing first year. He had multiple picks, scored a couple touchdowns, and made a few sacks. This kid LOVES football. And I love watching him do something he loves!}

{Turning "Butter" into "Butt." Because Fourth Grade humor.}

{Having seasonal confusion. Snow bands go great with bare legs and mini-skirts.}

{Becoming Pen Pals. Camryn picked Mason to be her Fourth Grade pen pal. I can only imagine the letters these two will write to one another.}

{Tik-Tok-ing. The kids have become a bit obsessed. And these two have choreographed several dances for all the strangers to view.}

{Finding "pets." This mouse was literally shaking in a boot in our cold garage on a snowy October morning. Jacob placed it in a bucket and thought he might keep it in the house to warm up. I thought he should place it in the road for someone to run over. We compromised by placing it underneath some thick ornamental grass. Fast forward two weeks when Mason made another "walk-the-plank trap" for a chipmunk and caught a mouse that may or may not have been the same mouse pictured above. Oops.}