Wordless Wednesday

My children do not look like me. It is not a mirror of my eyes that sparkle back at me. We do not share dimples. Or ear lobes. Our toes do not match. And our knees do not reflect upon each other in a loop of sameness. And maybe it is these things. These differences, that make it so easy to accept a compliment on their behalf. Because the compliment does not extend through them to me, where modesty steps in so quickly. These things. These things that are uniquely their own allow me to respond in the affirmative.
I think so too. But you know what? What you are seeing on the outside is only just the beginning of the beautiful things about them. I am lucky to know them. Luckier still to call them my sons.
And here is where I want to insert a comment about how they are lucky they don’t have my wonky little toes. Or some other interesting little attribute of mine. But I won’t. Because they are beautiful in these eyes. Differently. Uniquely. Beautiful.

Day Out With Thomas

This past weekend we went to Connersville, IN to see Thomas the Tank Engine! The boys were so excited, they could hardly stand it! It was a great event with train rides, Thomas tatoos, train tables, Thomas stories and a model railroad (N-Scale: Just the way Opa likes it!). Coici and I had a heck of a time keeping up with these two engineers!!!

Thomas pulled in and posed with the boys!

Riding with Thomas!

Meeting Sir Topham Hatt

Must rest....so much activity!!!

The boys LOVED the model railroad and cannot wait for Opa to start rebuilding his N-Scale set-up!!

One last photo at the end of a tiring morning--saying Goodbye to Thomas was NOT easy for these two little engineers!!!

Finally Florida Fotos: Hangin' Out

Just some random shots taken while just hangin' out.

Noah got an early birthday cake--I think he likes it!

Alex hanging out with his hero, William.

Only ONE of these dragonflies is plastic--the one in his left hand is a real (though DEAD) dragonfly....Mommy was SO happy when he brought that inside.

Da Boyz!

I LOVE this photo of the boys with Nouno and Coici Donna!

Finally Florida Fotos: BUSCH GARDENS

We spent TWO whole days at Busch Gardens, which was an absolute blast! It was so incredibly hot, but we managed to find ways to stay cool and have fun.

Noah checking out the shrubbery

Lion tamers

Noah LOVED this ride during which the motorcycles would pop wheelies and "jumb." Alex's comment: I NO YIKE IT!!!!!!

Nice calm little train ride...look who's driving....

From motorcyles to trains to planes--they LOVED this ride that went high into the air.

In Jungala, we met all sorts of funny creatures!

Driving one of the Count's racecars at Sesame Street Safari

Well, look who we found!!!

Coici chillin' with an ice cream cone!

Blue slushies...look ma, my tongue is BLUE!
SUCCESS!!!!!

Finally Florida Fotos: Birds

At the aviary in Busch Gardens, one can feel like Snow White surrounded by lovely birds...or one can feel like they have entered entered into Alfred Hitchcock's, The Birds.

Despite the look on my face, I LOVED this!! The birds (Lories and Lorikeets) were after the little cup in my hand that contained necktar.
Really? 5 on 1 is NOT fair!!!

Alex lovin' on some feathered friends.

Noah has a bird on his shoulder!!

THE ROLLER COASTER

This event deserves its own post. As Noah has been telling everyone for the last two weeks, he rode his first roller coaster while at Busch Gardens in Florida. To say that he loved it is an understatement...he was OBSESSED with it! We rode it twice for good measure. Alex wanted nothing to do with this ride...he DID get so far as getting into one of the cars, but then promptly jumped out again on the other side....Coici was relieved because otherwise she would have had to ride with him!!! And we all know...Coici does NOT love roller coasters!

Strapping in....
Grover!

Look Mommy, no hands!!!

Noah tells everyone about his roller coaster ride almost on a daily basis....and each time he tells it like it's the first time!

Finally Florida Fotos: BASEBALL

We spent Memorial Day morning at the ballfield with Nouno, Coici Donna, Ben and William for a little workout. The boys got to hit and run the bases, which they LOVED! I am still trying to figure out how to get the clay out of their sneakers!!!

Noah at bat
William tagging Alex out on his way to 2nd (SO CLOSE!)

Noah batting lefty!

A little one-on-one coaching from Nouno

Finally Florida Fotos--THE BEACH

I am finally getting around to posting pics from our trp to Florida. Coici got so many great shots, a I am going to have to post these in installments. The first installment is: THE BEACH.

Clearwater Beach:

Alex the surfer dude!!

Noah rockin' the turtle!

Once the tide started coming in, things really got interesting!

A little sand time...

Noah walking the beach...this lasted about 4.5 minutes, and then this is where I found him:

Swimming at Honeymoon Island (our FAVORITE spot!!!)

I think this is a sign that a good time was had by all!!!!