Life's A Beach...The Slideshow!

Life's A Beach!

I cannot believe that I live 15 minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico and today was only the second time that I've been since Christopher's been born!

Actually, Christopher is extremely afraid of water and as I'm sure you all can guess, it's not much fun to go to the beach in Florida when it is about 96 degrees and NOT go in the water. Yikes.

However, today was the exception. It was about 78 degrees with a nice breeze. It was a picture perfect day. The water was too cold for me to even want to go in right now anyway. Papa said it is about 62 degrees. I won't even think about getting in unless the water temperature is at least 80 degrees. I'm not kidding.

We had a wonderful time at Sand Key Beach with Nana and Papa. I called Nana and told her that she needed some vitamin D. Christopher had a great time, unless we got too close to the crashing waves!

The Sun Is Back In The Sunshine State!

At last! Whew. I was starting to get that funky feeling one gets from not getting enough sunlight. Ugh! It has been overcast here for days. It was still just a trifle bit chilly. According to yahoo weather it is officially "68 degrees, feels like 54 degrees". But, that's ok, at least the sun is so warm on my face. We went to the park today, and I just sat down for about three minutes and looked upward, letting the sun soak in. (Three minutes is about all Mr. Christopher will let me be idle!)

Christopher actually kept his hat and even his sunglasses on the entire time we were at the park! That is a FIRST. We enjoyed having some precious time with Daddy. We played with his new bouncy ball "ball-ball" and his new T-Ball thing. (This kid is a natural athlete!)

Britany tied for first place all-around yesterday with first on bars as well. The 2008 season is off and running! I started a blog for her so that the colleges that are recruiting her can keep track of everything they need to know. Let's all visualize a full scholarship to the US Air Force Academy!!! YEAH!!

Britany's First Meet Of This Season

I just wanted to let everyone know that Britany's first meet of the season is this weekend at St. Michael's College in Vermont. SOOO, everyone PLEASE visualize great scores and calm, cool nerves! Thanks!!! It has been a while since she competed and remember, she took a long time off practice after nationals...like six months!! But, Tony tells me that she is doing great. I am so excited that Nationals is in Kissimee, Florida this year! YEAH!! UNH sent me an email today. They want to watch her practice sometime. We are still hoping for the Air Force Academy but will keep all options on the table!

I also wanted to fill you in on Taylor and Hope...Hope had an EXCELLENT basketball game last night I'm told. She said "The Secret really works Mommy!". Heather videotaped her previous game and I hope to have it soon. When I do, I will post it here. (Hopefully)

Taylor had a great weekend at work last weekend. She made herself $93.00. She also used The Secret to visualize great tips and satisfied customers. She was so excited to tell me how well the secret worked for her last weekend. For all of my friends in NH, stop in and see her at Mr. D's on the weekend shift!

MAKE IT A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!
:-}

Funny How..

Isn't it funny how cold 65 degrees feels when you are used to 85 degrees? Colin and I went to the beach last weekend and I was FREEZING, yet I saw all of these vacationers braving the water! Burr. I'm sure they were making the most of their vacation. I felt sorry for them because I knew that in another week, it will probably be hot and muggy again...

Bumps and Bruises

Well, it was inevitable. We have been playing at the park for more than a year now, and I've been so happy that we haven't experienced any tumbles involving bumps, bruises or scrapes. That all changed on Monday. I felt so awful. He wasn't really running, he was doing this little thing where it's like he has a spring in his step. He does this whenever he is really happy.

Just as he was reaching for the railing on the slide steps, he tripped. (I'm afraid it may have been his beloved froggie boots at fault). He was crying hysterically. I scooped him right up and started the bouncy walk. You moms know what I'm talking about. I thought it was his cheek so things looked well.

A few minutes into the bouncy walk and attempts to distract him with squirrels, turtles and a variety of birds, I thought we had escaped a close call. Just as I started to put him down, I saw it. A marble sized egg over his left eye. Ugh. It was already really blue. I felt sick to my stomach.

It is so weird to me how I got through all of that with the girls. So much worse too; Taylor's breaking her two front teeth at age two, stitches over Britany's eye, her chin too I think, staples in the back of Taylor's head, Britany's broken fingers, Hope's broken wrist and then elbow. Let's not forget the time Britany did several back handsprings in the living room only stopping because she crashed through the french doors; leaving part of her toe behind. I remember the staff in the Emergency Room checking on me as well as I looked as though I was going to faint. Yeah, I guess that was worse than the time Taylor fell and hurt herself "you know where" and the GYN had to meet us in the ER.

I used to joke with the Emergency Room doctors at Franklin Hospital that I needed a reserved parking spot. (Luckily for me I had worked there for years and everyone knew me, or I might have received a visit from social services!)

Although it upset me, I just accepted it as part of the territory for active, fearless kids. But when Christopher came along, something changed. I'm pretty sure it is the fact that when I had him I was 40. When I started with the girls, I was in my early 20's. Also, the lessons of experience are burned into my mind. I just do NOT want to go through ANY of that with him. Especially, sitting in an emergency room for 4 hours (usually late at night). Ugh. No way.

On Tuesday, his eye looked great. Whew. I thought for sure he was going to wake up with one hell of a shiner. On Wednesday, he looked like he had gotten into Mommy's blue eyeshadow.

Today, it is much better. But, I hold my breath every time he starts running!

Back To Reality

Well, the luggage is almost all put away. One more to unpack.

Christopher got back to his normal routine today; Gymboree Music class this morning with Miss Monica. He was so happy to see her. He was so happy to be back at Gymboree, you would have thought he was at Disney World!

We stopped and picked up Nana and she joined us. Afterward, we stayed and visited at her house so that Christopher could play with Zoe. Yes, things are settling back into "normal". As normal as they can be. I miss my girls. I wish that we could all live together in one big house and be happy.

I know, I know...I have to stay positive! I'm trying!!

No Place Like Home

Ahh..I'm back. Whew. What a day! Last night we had a huge Chan family feast. In typical fashion it was a traditional Chinese dinner. There were 25 of us in attendance and the food was never ending. We literally closed the restaurant! Christopher was SUCH a good boy. We were so pleased and proud. He smiled and blew kisses to everyone. Not one hint of a temper! Whew again! He really loves all of the traditional Chinese food. He ate so well up there. I think the cold weather makes him more hungry as well. Anyway. I am BEAT. I will update you all more later! I hope everyone had a great holiday and Rob and Ann-Marie, SO SORRY, that we couldn't be there for Cooper's big day. :(