Teddy's 10th (X 4) Birthday

My brother's son, Ted, was born on February 29, 1972 - a Leap Year baby! - so he just celebrated his 10th birthday (actually 40th) on February 29, 2012. What a great reason for a party! The whole family (well, most of us), plus friends, gathered at the party room at his apartment complex to help him celebrate. His wife, Angie, and son, Matthew, were great hosts!

Looking pretty mature for a 10-year old!

The cake was awesome!

Chuck and the crew.

Since we were all hanging out, I took the opportunity to shoot a few family pictures.

Me and my three.

Charlie was like a little bird with the cake.

Maddox and Matthew were either running around or playing electronic games.

Corey had me snap a few of him and Maddox. They turned out great, except for Maddox's red mustache!

Matthew helped with the gifts.

Great garage sign!!

Happy Birthday, Teddy! We probably won't all be around to help you celebrate when you turn 20. :-)

Florida Spring Break

We actually had a Spring Break this year! Since it was right after President's Day, I guess it was really a late winter break, but I'll take it whenever it comes. I took advantage of the time off by using some frequent flyer miles and going down to Florida for the last part of my break, first to visit the Dawson's in Ft. Myers, and then to see Phebe in West Palm Beach.

John and Kathy bought a boat after my visit last winter, so a boat ride was on our list of things to do (along with playng tennis, swimming, playing duets, and relaxing).

"Happy Ours" is docked at a marina on the river in downtown Ft. Myers.

It's quite a process getting a 42' boat out of a small marina slip.

Kathy and son, Ryan (former 1st grader of mine, a few years back)

John at the helm

Jane, Kathy, and Heather, Ryan's girlfriend.

Ryan and Heather were also visiting from Minnesota.

I left Friday afternoon and drove straight across the whole state of Florida to West Palm Beach, where Phebe lives. Dawson's let me use their car for the weekend, and since it's only a little over a 2-hour drive, I got there in time for dinner with Phebe.

It was SO good to see her again!

The weather was a little cool, but that didn't stop Phebe from using the hotel pool. I think she went swimming at least 4 times from Friday night to Sunday morning

Jump, Phebe!

I brought along her Valentine's present from Kyle, a new outfit for her American Girl doll

Phebe and her doll look amazingly alike!

We decided to go to the W. Palm Beach Science Museum on Saturday morning.

Yikes!

Phebe made a pretty cute paleontologist!

After touring the museum, we went to a local shopping mall to a Build-a-Bear Workshop

After much debating, Phebe decided on an off-white bear,

and she made some good wishes for it before she added the heart.

There, ready for the final stitching.

Isn't she cute?

Now to name it, register it,

pick out an outfit, and get her dressed.

All decked out and ready for a party!

Next on our list was some shoe shopping.

The bear got new shoes, and so did Phebe!

Then, it was back to the hotel, out for dinner, and a little swimming (again).

Our weekend time went by so fast! On Sunday morning, Phebe went for another swim (it was very cool and windy, but that didn't stop her), worked out a bit, and then, after we checked out from the hotel, we drove to the coast to check out the local beaches. Phebe really wanted to make a sand castle, but it wasn't really beach-going weather.

We walked along the shore (on the sidewalk - no sandy shoes in my borrowed car!).

The waves were really crashing in!

Wild hair!!!

After a little shopping in some of the designer shops and lunch at Starbuck's, we went to a movie and then it was time for me to go. It was really hard to leave our little Phebe once again, but I'm so glad I had the chance to see her. She is growing into such a beautiful young lady! We love you, Phebe!

I drove back to Ft. Myers Sunday night and then spent Monday hanging out with Kathy before catching a 5:45 flight back to Minnesota. It was after midnight when I finally got home, and I'm afraid Tuesday morning and school came WAY too fast!

Charlie at the Children's Museum

I've been a little "0ff" with blogging lately, but we've still been very busy!

Way back on President's Day, since Jenna had to work and her daycare was closed, I spent my day off hanging out with Charlie. We got an early start for the Children's Museum (along with every other parent and toddler who had the day off). Charlie is very serious about his play, and although he wanted to try everything, he did so with a very thoughtful attitude.

He found these discs very interesting,

and he loved loading and unloading the grocery cart. He was pretty good at sorting everything back to the right places.

He was very comfortable in the doghouse, probably because he likes to hang out in Crosby's kennel.

He was a pro at doing the dishes (child labor at home??)

And I finally got a smile when he was playing with a lizard in the water!

We had lunch at the nearby McDonald's (again with a million other parents and toddlers), and then headed home for a nap. We take our first graders to the Children's Museum every May, and I think I was more tired following a toddler around than a whole class of 6 and 7 year olds!