Cookie Monster

Paps - This is for you since you are always asking if Bernie has had any tricks up his sleeve.


The past couple of weeks, Bernie has finally learned to exit his crib by himself. Usually, when he gets up, I can hear him or he'll come get me, or even, sometimes he'll go wake Arianna up.

One particular day this week, I got up and started getting ready for work, but noticed they were "sleeping" a little late. Once I realized it was about 30 minutes later than the normal wake up time, I walked out of my room to scan the scene.

I noticed Bernie's door was open, so I knew he'd gotten up. But, Arianna was still in bed. So if he didn't come in my room and didn't wake up Arianna, where must he be????

I head towards the kitchen/dining/living rooms. Ohhh, Bernie is in the kitchen. On his tiptoes, reaching for the cookie jar.

He said he had one, but honestly, his face was too clean for chocolate chip cookie consumption.

Moral of the story - now the baby gate stays up at night too!

Our Day in Camera Phone Photos

NO work this week. Probably since 3 or 4 days since our second child was born, have Marty and I both had a few days off work simultaneously.


A few months ago we were going to take a vacation and were planning to go to Myrtle Beach, SC this week. However, since then, we unexpectedly (but quite excitedly), moved to our local beach and decided not to go that route


Therefore, this week is now our staycation week.



Yesterday we did just do some personal errands, but it was still fun to have our family all together and not worry about what time it is or where we have to be, etc.


Today, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa.

And, therefore, Our Day in Camera Phone Photos, since I forgot my camera.

Bernie is checking out the fire engine.

Arianna and the dinosaur.

Bernie and the dinosaur.

Life sized checker board.

Marty is on a bed of nails.

My favorite part of the day - one of my favorite places to eat in college, but there are not too many locations in Florida. We happened to be close to one today, so I had to go there.

The rest of the week includes a trip to Sea World and a garage sale.
Stay Tuned!

Rain, Rain Go Away

It's the end of my 3 day weekend. And my guess is that it has rained for 62 hours out of the 72. And every day for the prior week. That's a lot of rain. Amazingly enough, the rain quit at 7:00pm July 4th and didn't rain again until after the fireworks.



Thank you God for our freedom


and to all of those who sacrifice to defend and protect it.




We ate a great dinner with my parents, which include ribs, baked beans, potato salad and homemade ice cream for dessert.

We have a hand crank/motorized ice cream maker and the kids had so much fun cranking away!


Stirring the pre ice cream mix.




Drinking the every last lick of that yummy ice cream.

We finally headed to the beach about an hour early to claim our spot before the fireworks. The kids were very excited about fireworks and kept asking for more. We watched at least an hours worth and the kids didn't get in bed til 10:30.

Don't worry, Marty and I paid for it, because when the kids stay up late, they don't sleep. And when they don't sleep, we don't sleep. Good thing, it was indeed, a 3 day weekend.


Playing in the sand before fireworks.


HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!