Ferrara's in Florida

Joel acts like a 3-year-old.  I personally love three year olds, especially mine because they are in the prime of trying out new vocabulary. For example, Joel is quite the junior deputy (Ruby Simone is THE deputy).  Maybe she's been training him sheerly by rubbing off on him. Heard today in the house: "Daddy, You can't leave me at the pool.  Someone could take you to jail." "Daddy, you can't talk with food in your mouth. It's gross." "Daddy, don't do 'dat.  It's bad." "Daddy, do 'dis." "I hab two bosses: Daddy and Mommy."

Technically this is not a throwback as this photo was taken less than 2 years ago. While MMG looks like the same beautiful woman she's always been,  my Joel has changed dramatically from 18 months to 3 years.  So it's a throwback for him as he's doubled in age. :)

As evidenced below, I did not play historian on our trip.  These three photos will have to do. Five minute walk from our hotel Berthillon ice cream on Ile Ste Louis View from our french balcony

Our annual trip to Rogers' Farm with Mia and Aria Climbing Florida's largest oak tree My Climber-Gymnast Playing with Buzz a newt

These are Jill's 3 children with my own.  We used to work out together while we were in school at UF.  Now she lives outside of Boston and we both have two girls and a boy.  We love to see her family!

Uncle Mike & Aunt Karen visited us on their trip to Florida recently.  We had a blast and the time flew by too fast.  I'm not sure who had more fun--my kids or them.  We laughed and played for 3 hours.  Notice in the pictures Joel's belly tattoo.  Joel was the first to the door when Aunt Karen rang the bell.  The first thing Joel did when he saw Uncle Mike was raise his shirt to flash his self-made tattoo (crayola marker).  Uncle Mike got a kick out of it, especially when he realized that I had no idea that Joel was flashing his belly to everyone except Mommy...that little stinker!

Philip and I competed together this year in the 2014 CrossFit Open.  The past two years he competed in garages or at Friday Night Lights.  This year we both competed being judged at boxes in Slidell, Gainesville and Europe.  I never thought I would compete again after college...but I truly enjoyed (for the most part) the adrenaline, excitement, success and even feeling failure.  We are both stronger mentally and physically and I am hoping to compete more throughout the year if the opportunity presents itself.  Philip finished in the top 15% in the world and I finished in the top 18% worldwide for the 18-39 year age group. Our kids enjoyed the throwdowns Joel told me he made a new friend A little rat-a-tat-tat to the boxes after the wods were over (Boys will be boys) Philip and Sherman after Sherm competed My judge, Me and 14.3  14.5 Part One: Thrusters 14.5 Part Two: Bar Facing Burpees

Just Call Him Spidey We love Spring Picnics  "Recess" after Lunch In true Ruby fashion-- check out the workout shirt paired with jeggings, and the floral-open-toe sandals so fashionably wrapped at the ankle  Practicing with two-month-old Baby Aria checking out Ruby Simone Nana's least favorite face! Our little scientist observing in the kitchen "Fascination with Popcorn" Ruby electronically signing her deposit slip at the bank Playdates (check out the new garden landscaping)

From Sable's Math Unit 303 on Insects Joel begs for school.  He rather study the ants with a magnifying glass as he finds it most interesting. I catch myself watching the Western Harvesters for several minutes at a time.  Ants are truly fascinating! This all-female ant farm digging tunnels Day One View from the Front Day Two with Two Vertical Tunnels in Progress

Good Friday proves challenging to teach children.  One of my friends at church gave me a recipe called "Resurrection Story Cookies" and I've used it the past four Good Fridays for teaching my children about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. [For reference--http://blessingsforlife.com/recipes/holidays/resurrectionstorycookies.htm] The girls had their usual abbreviated seat work so that we could engage in practical application of their current school curriculum.  Today was character, math & science with baking (sharing & taking turns, measuring, pouring); We're having some new neighbors over tomorrow for a champagne brunch before the neighborhood egg hunt.  Sable, Ruby Simone AND Joel helped me prepare.   French is the theme, and due to our recent visit to Reims, we plan to serve Veuve Clicquot, homemade quiche, croissants, meringue cookies, cheese & fruit platter, chocolates...and of course some lagniappe for the kiddies to the tune of goldf...