only elizabeth

If you know the whirlwind of Elizabeth-- you'd know this doll is quite fitting for her :) Never fear-- super Daddy is near. Don't ya men wish you could just Gorilla Glue your hair on? :)

look out broadway

Being an only child, I love quiet. Quiet is a bit rare in a household full of little ones. And when it's full of moments like these, I don't mind a bit~

I don't know-- maybe it's Jacob that needs to start voice lessons?

little reminders

Sometimes ya just need a little reminder--

"To everything there is a season."

Winter can be really beautiful.

Seasons do change.

Spring is beautiful too--

And just around the corner :)

the color purple-- and red

Seems like we were just posting about a new karate belt, but it's time again. Today was test day- Funny how a parent can get more nervous for his/her child's test then they do their own.

Hard work paid off, and along with some character-building, nervous test moments, new ranks were acheived. Elizabeth likes purple, but would much prefer a new pink belt :)

And yes, we must throw in the picture of Elisha with his look of "MOM--- would you PLEASE put the camera away now!"

One tiny little red stripe closer along the journey...

8 years

Time's a'flyin' by- Lydia's 8! And since you really can't compare to Disney celebrations- morning breakfast with bday heart toast will have to do.

Not being overly ambitious this year, and not having gma's yummy cake here :(, we took a new, unique approach. Check out 'Batter Up!' Catherine and her husband are local cake artist's, and make your celebration special!Who wouldn't want a made-from-scratch, fruit-filled delicacy? Mom's trying to find justification for a Sicilian Cassate, or Hot Fudge Sundae Cake, as I write. :) Three cheers for Batter Up! Thanks Catherine! You can reach her at 267-977-0640 for your own celebration!

From the ♥

Putting aside yesterday's VDay Conspiracy Theory-- Valentine gifts from the heart are the best! Especially from Gma and Gpa T!

Mark almost took the box for himself. The smile says it all. Thanks Gma and Gpa for making the day special!! Happy ♥ day to you!

Day of Love

It's possible that I may have been heard saying Valentine's Day is just a conspiracy with the card companies, florists, restaurants, and jewelers to cash in. My theory was brought back to memory after explaining to Lydia that love is NOT "... every kiss begins with Kay," as she's been telling me all week.

Oh, relax people. I'm not that cold hearted. Daddy even bought his little girls some flowers. Even though they're almost ridiculously fake-- look at the water. What natural flowers turn water that color? But Lydia and Elizabeth don't care-- they're just excited that their favorite guy got them flowers. In a few short years could someone please remind them that he's their favorite guy?? :)

And Mommy did cave and make these cute little Valentine boxes. Check them out from the Crafty Crow. Mine weren't quite as cute as theirs, but I'm sure they'll still be loved.

So, even though you should every day, snatch up your loved ones and tell them ya love them! And, no, my guy didn't forget me-- we just beat the rush and had dessert at a yummy restaurant a day early.

...we'd rather do that, then go to the stores tomorrow and laugh at all the poor guys scavenging the floral arrangements at the last minute-- snicker snicker :)

INCREDIBLE salad dressing!

After eating ourselves sick for a week at Disney, we all agreed one of our favorite foods was the salad served at the 'OHana Restaurant at the Polynesian. We all enjoy salads, but truthfully I don't love them. I LOVED this one- it was the dressing that was YUMMY!

If you're looking for a great salad dressing- I found this recipe that claims it's the famed one. Gotta love google :)

Honey Lime Dressing
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup diced white onion
1 cup canola oil
Place all ingredients except oil in food processor and blend until smooth. Slowly add oil until it is well incorporated into dressing.

Can't wait to try it this weekend!

Mom just doesn't rate

Monday morning of cold cereal and school just can't compare to dining with Tigger and Pooh, and stuffed french toast. Sorry guys :(

Thank you!

Almost forgot to mention~

A trip to Disney couldn't possibly be as special without the help of some insider Cast Members!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! We love ya and hope to someday do it again soon!!!

Found a New Home

We're back! After a whirlwind vacation, unprepared for cold weather, and everyone contracting some kind of flu-like yuckies, we're attempting to get back into the swing of things. Why is that so difficult after a vacation?

For anyone keeping up to date with our adventures, I received a phone message last night-- The Rainforest Frogger has found a new home. Can you believe he was still in the place we left him, and his new owners found him?? We thought that was pretty neat-- doesn't take much to amuse us around here :)

Time to quit staring out the window and daydreaming of palm trees, and get back to work...

Can't go on any longer.

Ok-- let's discuss weather issues first. Carrie-- don't worry about it being cold. You're forecasted to have highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's. That's a lot different than highs in the 50's and lows in the 20's. You should be fine. Moving on to frog things~

This crazy family left their accommodations at 7 this morning.

Just kidding-- about the accommodations. But seriously, if Disney parks aren't your thing, just checking out all of the resorts is pretty neat. They are beautiful! Made it to the kingdom of magic~

And breakfast with Pooh and Friends.

Disney is full of hidden 'secrets' and little things to make the day special. One tip- if you stop at the barber shop off the left of the beginning of main street as you're facing the castle, you can get your children's hair glittered-- for free! You can add a haircut, gel and paint for a small charge, if desired.

Sometimes the best things in a young princess's life are free :)

Felt right at home in a tree house.

Did some sword-fighting with Jack Sparrow.

And then it hit me. I was tired. And cold. It was time for a break. So I started walking-- er, hopping.

I hopped along Fantasy Land with the Pooh Ride on my right. I walked toward the Mad Tea Cup ride off to my right.

Straight in front of me was a yellow garbage can with purple trim, in front of a light pole. I hopped closer.

And closer.

I hopped behind the fence about a foot to the right of the base of the light pole.

Then I dug. Under the warm mulch I went.

I'd like to see some snow in the north, but need to get warm first. But the time you get here, I should be ready to go! And hopefully no one uncovers me before you do! Come get me!!

Blue Sky

This little Frogger is a Happy Frog. The blue skies returned. But so did the cold. I'm frozen tonight. So is the family carrying me around-- but never fear, that didn't stop another eventful day. I felt right at home with Nemo and Crush. So did the 4 year old of the family. Crush is SO cool dude!

I could get used to warm sand.... (notice I said WARM) We journeyed into our imaginations~

And saw how neat it would be to grow all this food in your back yard.

Had some treats-- these kids don't share very much either. They tell me "mommy takes too many bites, so we don't share."

Spent 1/2 of the day on the track. The kids LOVE this ride.

Started saying good-bye to a little guy, for tomorrow is the day I'll be left behind.

Guess what?!? This family was hungry again. Yay for Coral Reef!

Lovin' the birthday celebrations!

And tonight I leave you with 2 things. First-- granolagirl, make nice with your husband :) and consider spending a few days for your anniversary at the Epcot countries. You could stay at a nice resort, and it'd be like going to the country without leaving the country. Just a thought.

Second- It's time for Rainforest Frogger to be left behind. Tomorrow is the day.....

Right at Home.

Frogs enjoy water, right? That's why I was very comfortably in my habitat. Let's clear some things up. Whoever says if it rains in Florida, it's just a quick passing shower, is mistaken.

Whoever says it's the sunshine state-- I beg to differ. It happens to be the coldest week they've had all winter. Yay. Lows In the 30's and 20's in a few days. But, I'll take highs of 50's over snow any day. (and granola girl- it should be perfectly in the 70s when you arrive-- lucky dogs.)

Is this not the cutest little guy you've seen?? Enough with the weather. It didn't stop us from an adventurous day. First stop- Star Tours

Good ride, but decided we'd rather blast off on a Mission to Space at Epcot.

Hung around Indiana Jones for awhile.

They cancelled the airplane finale of the show. Due to weather :( Oh well. Not sure what the big deal is. I could jump around far better and quicker than this Indiana guy. Had enough with the amateurs. Needed some real thrill. The kind that a 4 year old boy LOVED-- isn't that crazy-- a little guy like that begging for the Tower of Terror?! The most important part of the day? Finding Granola Girl a yummy restaurant that should work for her family. Hey Carrie-- check our Hollywood and Vine. Yummy- tons of salads-- and vegetarian fare. With, of course, some meats-- but lots to choose from without. And really yummy desert. Who would have thought the most coveted drink of the meal would be... drum roll please... Hot Cocoa? This is Florida people! That drink and that state should not be used in the same sentence! Enough food. This family will have to fast for weeks after this trip. Need to rest the bellies with some Beauty and Beast. Great show! Except that I could have added so much more to the production. Think a nightcap is in order. The best ride in all of the parks-- Rock and Roll Coaster! Even a girl named Lydia agreed. We were supposed to have a FANTASMIC ending to the evening-- even braved HUGE torrential raining downpours to see it. At show time (and not a minute before), they announced it was cancelled--- you guessed it-- due to weather. This family will just have to make up for that later.

Rainforest Frogger loves you all, but is just plain exhausted. Happy packing!