Baby Diva

Elena and Diva are best buds...and Diva gladly obliges to any "babying" around here...take for instance being pushed in the stroller. She will often stay there when Elena is done.

The other day, Elena kept parking the stroller next to me saying, "I have to run errands now, Mommy. Take care of Diva, please." Then turning to Diva, she said" Now Diva, you be a good girl for Mommy. I will be right back. Don't miss me!" Very cute!

Happy Father's Day!

The greatest gift I ever had

Came from God; I call him Dad!

-Author Unknown

Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband, Eric, who is a great dad...to our dad's, who are great dad's to us, and to all the father's out there that are there for their wives and children...thank you, today and always...you are making a house a home, and a family complete.

New Feathered Friends

We've discovered that a new family has moved in...right next to our bedroom window! A cardinal family has decided to take up residence in our magnolia tree, and we've enjoyed watching mother bird and father bird make a pretty substantial nest. Then it was vacated for two days...OH NO! But then yesterday, mother bird was back, very plump and fluffy and refusing to move from her nest. Elena was all too excited to talk to her and draw pictures of her then show them to her...HAHA!

Then this morning, we got up and Elena walked over to the window and said, "Good morning Momma bird! Did you sleep well?" Soon after I get called to the window view because Momma bird is gone, but there are 4 tiny eggs nestled inside. We're going to have chicks! So then Elena had to draw that as well for documentation, and I had the joy of listening to our sweet daughter talk to the mother bird all morning. "Why, hello there, Momma Bird! Stay still! I am going to draw you now! Ok, good girl! Now I will draw your eggs...see? 1,2,3 and 4! That's four babies you have there, Momma Bird! Do you like my picture of you?"

The bird has been back and forth all day, and Elena has been checking on her often..."Nope, no birdies yet, Mommy!" And she even thought of putting on her Minnie Mouse ears to "make Momma Bird laugh...she's bored." Oh, really?!? I had to remind her that she needs to be quiet and not so boisterous around the bird nest or Momma Bird might leave, and we don't want that. I avoided any sad parts of losing those birdies...really not wanting to talk about baby birds dying to my five year old. So she looked at me and said, "that would make the babies sad if their mommy didn't come back. I would be sad. I won't scare the birdie, Mommy." Then proceeded to carry Diva to the window and whisper, "Now Diva, we don't want to scare Momma Bird, that's not nice. We may make the babies cry. I don't like water in my eyes! So no barking at the window, ok?" Loved it!

Happy Anniversary

Had to post this picture...Mom and Dad celebrated their anniversary this past weekend...and they are still so in love. So Happy Anniversary, mom and dad! We love you!

More of The Villages

You'd think being away for two and a half weeks would be a long stretch...but we're already ready to go back...enjoy some of the last pictures in Florida...see you soon! ;)

More Sarasota Pictures

Sarasota!

A few days were spent at Sarasota Beach while in Florida...Eric reserved rooms at the hotel the family likes to frequent right on the beach with windows all around to see the ocean view. It was wonderfully warm and full of fun! Elena kept digging holes in the sand and sitting in them, and we found lots of live sea creatures in addition to all the shell collecting. Then we capped it off with shopping for accessories for Marilyn's and Bob's kitchen that Eric redesigned while visiting - new back-spalsh, paint, wainscoting and decorating...wonder what we'll redecorate next visit?!?!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Eric's birthday is in May and we love celebrating it in Florida every year. He is such a gift to so many. He is a wonderful husband, friend, father and son. He is talented and loving and we don't deserve him...but we'll take him! Happy Birthday, Tender...we love you and we are so glad you were born! XOXO

Welcome Villages! Dance, Dance, Dance and Hello, Alligator!!!

Many times we are tooling around in a golf cart to the squares at The Villages, shopping, eating, and for Elena to dance away the evenings to live music. Here's some shots of Elena dancing...she never has a problem finding a new dance partner! We also got to see one of the popular reptiles of Florida up close and personal after lunch!!! Note Elena at one of our lunches out viewing the lake...do not feed the alligators!!! ;)

Checking out more of Disney

Elena makes friends everywhere we go...literally...here's a picture of some kids she became "new best friends" with just before leaving our hotel. HA! We toured the Animal Kingdom Hotel and will probably try that one out next time we go...you can see giraffes from your room! Very cool! Elena liked the play area there! Then we went to the boardwalk for lunch and got to see a bride and groom...it was so neat because they were seeing each other for the first time. She walked up to surprise him from behind as he was getting photos done, and they cried...aaawwwwwww....sniff, sniff...moment here, folks...having a moment....hehe! Then it was off to The Villages for Grandma and Grandpa time and golf carting, swimming, going to the squares and relaxing! :)

More Disney

Disney's Magic Kingdom!

That was a great day - not too busy or too hot! We got Elena to ride Pirates of the Caribbean TWICE! ;) We also got to see the shuttle launch which was pretty wild, and even saw huge duck families enjoying Disney...or rather, enjoying the spoils of Disney-goer's snacks! We'll have a couple posts for pictures!

Pictures are:

Boca Chica, our section of the hotel...wow, those are some white girls! We were saturated in Neutrogena's SPF 100 sport, with multiple applications!!!

Daddy and Elena before boarding the monorail

Shuttle!

Dumbo Ride

Flower shot that Elena wanted...she was all about the pictures this year!

Downtown Disney Pictures

Florida!

Our annual trip to Florida has come and gone, so here are some posts of what we've been up to!

We first started out at Disney, staying at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, right in the heart of Disney, and a hop, skip and jump to The Magic Kingdom. How neat that was to be so close! The rooms were really nice, the dining was excellent, and we can't wait to go back. ;) I will have a few posts of this!

Pictures are:

Eric and Elena on the Carousel at Downtown Disney

Hotel Lobby shot

Elena being entertained by the pianist...she wanted to play for him...oh, dear!!!

Eric's Happy Birthday Chocolate Mickey...he also got a message left on the hotel phone by Mickey and Minnie to wish him a Happy Birthday - very funny!

Elena and I on the Disney Bus...on our way to the hotel after our flight! Someone looks excited!