Slacking and Packing

I have been completely slacking on blog posts - and I have plenty of excuses but the best one being I am super busy at work and on top of that we are getting ready to go on vacation.  So needless to say my spare time (whatever the heck that is) is spent packing for our family, because in case you didn't know, they aren't very good at it. 

Bia started packing last week.  Her backpack includes a large entourage of lovies and blankies and random crap toys.  Then there is Chatty whose only real concern is that we remember her I-POD Touch (assuming she isn't grounded from it again before Saturday), bathing suit and goggles.  Priorities people!  Plus she figures mom will take care of it.  Then there is Mr. ESPN who only has to pull out his clothes.  I asked him nicely to pull them out his clothes this week.  He said he would do that on Friday.  Our flight leaves at the crack of dawn Sat so I may or may not forget to pack his stuff!
Anyway we are all looking forward to going back here:

It has been far too long since we have been back as a family - 2 years!  I am not sure who is more excited - Bia, Chatty, Mr. ESPN or me?!  I can already hear the waves crashing against the shore ... 

2 Days In ...

OK - my kids aren't behaving any better and I even took them to the park and even decorated cookies with them and our friends.  Good thing this little treat came in the mail ...

and I had this little bottle open, so I could put it to use!  Thanks Mrs. Fitz!  I love it!!

The Real Photographer

So any of you who know my Aunt E, know she's the real photographer in the family. I copied the following pics from her Facebook album. Granted she has a very nice camera but she also has much better skills at capturing a moment ... see below

One of the reasons why I love my hometown

(this was taken from our balcony)

A worn out Bia

I think her summer nickname should be GG (Goggle Girl) - she insists on wearing them every time she swims and never takes them completely off until we go inside ...

Some serious concentration by GG (Goggle Girl)

This one cracks me up - she was chasing the birds - crazy kid!

GG loves the beach!

Do you all know the movie Rocky and how he runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art? To be honest I have never seen the movie but since Mr. ESPN is from the Philly area, he has taken me to those steps. Anyway - this shot of him reminds me of Rocky when he gets to the top of the steps and pumps his fists in the air - guess you can't take Philly out of the boy!

This is my favorite shot Aunt E took - they were having so much

fun together that afternoon, he is a great dad (an husband too)!

Hope you have a great weekend - I am going to try and take something to get rid of the pain in my booty, quads and hamstrings. My bright idea of doing squats and lunges on Wednesday and then running 6 miles on Thursday is not looking so hot right now. I feel like a little old lady who has fallen and can't get up!

Final Blogging at the Beach Post

OK - one last post of vacation pictures. I told myself I had to get this done today because tomorrow is the first day of Kindergarten and that will entail another post and pictures. We are all looking forward to the first day! Hope you all had a good weekend!

Bia playing in the sand

Chatty goofing around at the beach

Bia snuggling with Mam-ma

The girls, me and my Dad

The girls and me, ready for the beach

Chatty getting some love from Moose

Cousin J and Chatty enjoying Popsicles

The little girls enjoying their treats - Cousin A and Bia

A story from Granny before we left for the airport

Blogging at the Beach Continued ...

We had a great time in Florida. The girls were so sad when we left, especially when they had to say goodbye to their cousins J & A. They had such a great time playing with them. Below are some of our favorite things about going back to FL! Note - we were staying on New Smyrna Beach, just south of Daytona, I highly recommend it!

• Family (of course the girls said cousins J& A but we loved seeing everyone)
• The beach - soft white sand and warm water!
• Seafood - fish sandwiches, shrimp, etc! Yum!
• Yuengling Beer (that is one of D's favorite things about going back)
• Granny's home cooking - especially the desserts!
• Friends with great condos on the beach
• Aunt E's Newfoundlands - Moose and Yogi (L loved seeing them - S not so much!)
• Fishing, although we didn't get a chance to this time
• Mickey Store at the Orlando Airport

Thanks everyone for making our trip back so much fun! Now for some pictures ... I will upload some more in another post ... Enjoy! Chatty and cousin J

The little cousins - Bia and A - two little drama queens!

Granny (my grandmother) and 4 of her great grand kids. She is the one who makes all of the fabulous comfort foods ... cornbread, green beans, banana pudding, cobbler, etc!

Bia riding the rocking horse

Mam-ma (my grandmother) and her little buddies!

Vacation Recap and Picture Overload ...

So are you ready ... our big trip started out with a bang or should I say a bust with Bia getting sick the night before we left. I have mentioned in previous posts how my girls are good sleepers. When they are fussy at night it means they aren't feeling too well. Bia woke up several times last Saturday night and I finally brought her into bed with us (which I never do unless they are sick) and she proceeded to puke in our bed at 1:00 am! Lovely! Needless to say Mr. ESPN and I didn't get much sleep that night and it didn't help when Chatty Cathy was up at 5:00 ready to go! Bia acted fine on Sunday during the car ride but was a little more mellow than normal (which was good for my sanity level since Chatty Cathy was on overdrive) during the vacation. We went to Legoland Monday and Wednesday and to the beach on Tuesday. Random funny side note - remember the Friend's episode where they go to the Caribbean and Monica has an afro because of the humidity? Well my hair resembled Monica's in that episode the first day we were in Cali - gotta love the humidity when you have naturally curly hair, especially when you are used to the dry heat in the desert! Mr. ESPN and I had a good laugh about it!

Most of you know I am from central FL and am biased when it comes to beaches. I prefer the warm waters and white sand in FL and the Caribbean to California beaches! Even Mr. ESPN agreed with me on that one. Chatty Cathy had a blast though and Bia enjoyed the sand prior to taking a nap in my arms (still wasn't feeling 100%). All in all it was a good trip and we had a great time with our neighbors. We will be home for two weeks and then we fly to Florida to see all of my family there (not sure how these vacations got scheduled so close together). Chatty Cathy is excited to play with her cousin JL at the beach (warm white sandy beaches here we come) and I am excited to see my family on a happier note (last time I was there was for my Pap-pa's funeral). My grandmothers and the rest of the family are excited to see the girls and I am hoping my aunt (who is an awesome photographer) can get some good family pics on the beach! He are the much anticipated pics from Cali!

Sisters playing in the hotel! Do you see Bia's stash of stuff she sleeps with every night - puppy, monkey, small blankie, big blankie 1 and big blankie 2! She's a hoarder! Big sis is the same way!

Bia listening to "Bear Down" playing from the bottle opener. Yes - we have indoctrinated our children with our alma mater's fight song. Chatty knows the entire chorus! By the end of the next basketball season I suspect Bia will know it too! Sad but true! Bear Down!!

Could she be any sassier? She looks so old in this picture!

Sweet Bia and Mommy

Bia enjoying the sunset on the beach

Always going, never stopping!

Loving the sand at the beach

The helicopter ride at Legoland

Bia (just like her mom) fixing Bob's outfit!

Mr. ESPN and Chatty Cathy on the Aquazone ride

Chillin and enjoying a beverage (notice the curls???)!

Sweet way to end the day - Chatty Cathy and her buddy JRS! SMC, LOB and DJB - you have some tough competition for Chatty Cathy's hand!

The Final Countdown

This will be us on Monday ... just bought the tickets. I actually got a pretty good deal on two day hopper passes which will allow us to go to both Legoland and the Sealife Aquarium for $53/person. Not too bad especially since Bia is free ... I tried to convince Mr. ESPN to clean the house tonight while I finish packing everything, I thought it sounded like a good trade off but am not sure he really agreed with me! I even told him I would go to the grocery store (which I normally do anyway), so we'll see. Tomorrow's a busy day ... Mr. ESPN is taking Chatty Cathy (& Bia) to a birthday party while I have breakfast with some college friends and after Bia's nap we are heading to the gym for one last workout before vacation. An of course the remainder of the packing ...