Spring Break

Just last Christmas, I was saying I had the best week of my life. It was indescribable seeing you, Jax and Kyle, enjoy your gifts and each other. I just can't begin to explain the love I feel when I see my 2 boys enjoying and loving each other like crazy. Now, 3 months later, I am feeling the same way again. How lucky and blessed am I?

We have had an incredible week together. Kyle, I took you and your best friend to the zoo on Monday, and you served as our official tour guide. A family was admiring a bird they called a "vulture," when you accurately corrected them and let them know it was a condor. You corrected more than one family on more than one animal. I was so proud of you. You amaze me with your animal knowledge. I hope you never lose your lust for learning.

Tuesday, Kyle, you went to the movies with MeMe so I could take your brother to get a much needed haircut. Jax, we had a really nice morning and afternoon together--just enjoying each other.

Mom, Dad, and Kyle went out on the boat Wednesday. Jax, we just weren't sure you could handle the ride to Orange Beach. We discovered on Wednesday that we were wrong (more on that later...) Kyle, you finally saw a group of dolphin up close from the boat. You had seen them from land, but you had never seen them from the boat until today. It was awesome. We saw 2 sets of them and the last set got really close to the boat. You loved it! We also took you to a random little island so you could explore the animal prints and save all the hermit crabs. You are truly happiest when you are on the beach or out on the boat.

On Friday, all four of us ventured out on the boat. We weren't sure how you would do, Jax, because you freaked out on us last time. This time, we got you the right size life jacket and you were ready to go! You did a great job on the ride out to the island (Ft. McRae), and you did even better once you got there. You adapted to the sand and water so well. I was so proud of you! You are just a natural beach bum. Kyle, you had a great time searching for animals through the sea oats and on long walks with your daddy. We thought we would stay out there an hour or two, but you two refused to leave. We stayed out for 7 hours! I just wish Mommy and Daddy had done as good a job with the sunblock as they did with yours. Ouch.

Saturday evening we went to the beach to sit and eat dinner and watch the sun set. Kyle you tried to build a mountain for your dragon, but Jax kept tearing it down. Jax, you ate and ate and ate---as usual. When we arrived home from the beach, we played an impromptu game of trying to scare the bajeezus out of each other. We hid behind the bushes and took turns trying to scare each other. You two loved every second of it.

I know each day how much I love you, but it takes a special week like this to remind me to step back and really appreciate it. You two are so completely amazing in your own ways. You couldn't be more different, but you each have brought more happiness to me than I have ever thought possible.

I just hope, as you grow older, you two can really understand and appreciate how much you mean to each other. If you are ever in doubt, come to me. I have hard and mental copies of pictures of the two of you that say it all--love, trust, and brotherhood.

Kyle, you are so unbelievably patient, kind and forgiving to your brother. Jax will never understand the full extent of your love, but I will never forget it.

Jax, you have made Kyle branch out in so many ways that would have never happened if you weren't around. You make us all laugh and smile more than we ever thought possible.

I love you both with all of my heart,
Mom

The Frullet will have to live for another week.....

My poor Jax has quite the 'do lately. It tends to grow much faster in the back than it does in the front, so on a good day, he has a mullet. On a bad one? He wakes up with an unmanageable fro that goes along with his mullet, ie..the frullet. His hair is so much finer than Kyle's. Kyle has this thick, gorgeous hair and Jax, well, he has my hair: thin and straight as a board. Some how that straight hair finds a way to stand on its end when he has slept a certain way--hence, the frullet.

Due to one of my many violations of motherhood (I let Jax sleep on his tummy at an early age), his under-layer of hair has not really grown. It's kind of hard to picture, but if you lift the top of his hair, he just has peach fuzz underneath. This is doing his frullet no favors.

Anyway, I tried to make an appointment for both of the boys' haircuts, but Ms. Cindy (Chrissy's wonderful momma) doesn't have an opening until next week. I made them on two separate days. Yeah, I don't think I can manage both of my boys in a beauty shop at the same time. Sue me.

Kyle is still loving his new Pre-K, St. Christopher's. I'm so happy, because he is happy. As most of you know, when Kyle isn't happy, nobody's happy! :-)
I shouldn't tease, Kyle is a very well behaved student and a great big brother. He just sometimes turns into a demon-child. That's normal, right? Right???

I give up my reign as Escambia County's Teacher of the Year next week. We selected our new one today after classroom observations. I would tell you who it is, but I would have to kill ya, and most of you couldn't care less. It's been a fun and exciting year, and I am still shocked--12 months later.

Happy Mardi Gras to all!

Here we go...

I never thought I would see the day where I would have my own blog, but I have decided to use it as a baby book of sorts. Kyle, who is now 5, has a baby book that goes up to about 6 months. Jax, pffft....I didn't even bother buying one. Why would I, seeing how well I did with Kyle's?

You are welcome to follow me and my family through good times and bad. I will try to keep pictures uploaded here as frequently as possible. I am terrible about ordering hard copies of pictures and sending them out, so there is another plus to this blogging thing.

I can't promise that I will post incredibly often. I will try to do it at least once a week--definitely more in the summer. I know I have a lot to learn about formatting and such, but I will try to make it worth your while if you stick with me.

Anyway, here we go.....