sunshine and smiles

it's amazing to me that whenever cousins get together... near or far, it's as if they saw each other every day!  we arrived in Florida late Thursday night and were blessed to spend Easter together and participate in Andrew's 3rd birthday party!  The kids are loving the company and enjoying the sunshine!
Gabi has really blossomed here... and if this is a prelude to the summer... she is going to have a BLAST!
here is a glimpse of our time so far...

  Gabi joined the ranks of Sikora water babies =)  She can't get enough of the pool and slip-n-slide!

Will has Aidan; Isa has Andrew; Gabi's best friend here is Pepper!

Easter Sunday brunch!

 

 

Happy Easter

We wish everyone a wonderful Easter weekend.  Our was truly blessed!

weekend warriors

We have wanted to get the kids a sandbox for quite a while now.  We saw a couple and found nothing that was just right.... so Tobin and Will decided to build one!  Will and Daddy made up a plan (colored in and approved by Daddy, Will and Isa), and off we went to Lowes to get materials.  We decided on a wood composite for durability.  Let's just say the 4x4 sandbox is a GREAT hit and it's never too cold to play in the sand!

Our crew also took a little break to enjoy our church's Easter Egg hunt after mass!  Fun fun!

Easter fun begins

 Today our playgroup had it's Easter Egg hunt!  As always the kids had a blast together and even the lil ones participated.  We missed some of the gang though =(.  For me, it's crazy to see Gabi moving around with the "big" kids!  Happy days!

 

showing off their collected eggs!

 Craft time is always fun with the gang.  today the kids painted bunnies and also colored some masks!

Yesterday Will had another soccer game and we are proud to report that he played the whole game.  He was out there running with his teammates and even kicked the ball a few times.  His team is REALLY good... so we are hoping he stays interested and has fun!

Oh... and I wanted to note, that we are 3 for 3 on lil climbers in our family!  Gabi has joined the ranks of her siblings =)

weekend fun

What a day!  Today our neck of the woods reached temps in the 80s!  Let's note that over the last 2 days the high was in the upper 30s and 40s.  The kids spent almost ALL day outside... riding bikes, drawing with chalk, running around, playing with friends, and just hanging out together!
Tobin and Will began plans and ventured out for supplies to build the kids sandbox too! We can't wait for more days like this!

  Saturday Will had another soccer game... not so good this day.  He went out for about the first 5 minutes, and then didn't want to play.  He was still real intimidated by all the people at the games.  We are hoping that if he continues with practice sessions, then he will play when he is comfortable.

On Friday morning we had a fun playdate with the Schilens.  It's always fun to hang out with their lively crew!

 

practicing dance moves!

 

2nd try at Soccer

Good day!  Today Will had his first official Soccer practice.  Only a few kids showed up (which made it less intimidating to him), and he did great.  Some of the other kids in his group are almost a year older and it's their second season, so I know he needs to catch up a little.  However, he was a great sport out there today and had fun!  Great job buddy, we love you so much for trying!

the girls played at the playground while Will practiced! Oh... and yes.. it's still FREEZING here!  Hoping for some warmer weather this weekend!  If not... Florida is only 2 weeks away!

little mommy

Today I looked over and saw Isa bent down on the ground... she was sniffing Gabi's bottom!  She looked over and said "Gabi went pee pee and poopies in her pants, I need to change her."  Gabi in fact had gone... but I am not sure Isa is ready to change a diaper for me (well, she IS, I am not! =).

p.s.. after spending the morning at Julie's house and looking at pictures there... I concede.  Gabi does look A LOT like Isa =)

this and that

Will started Soccer this Spring. This was his first game... it wasn't great, but we are working on next time. He is excited, but said he was "scared of all the people there". Must be a little overwhelming.

Will's biggest fans!
and yes... it's still COLD here!

Here is a little video of Will "reading" his Dinosaur Bones book.  It's just an excerpt since the video is 9 minutes!  He managed to memorize the whole book!

Isa:  hair like mine....

last Thursday Isa got her hair trimmed 2 inches.  Since then, this is how her hair has looked... the curls are gone =(.  We'll see if they return when the humidity returns.

loving her baby

 A little video of my helper Isa.. she does quite a good job at folding clothes!


Gabi:  Gabi has been walking around everywhere!  She is moving around as if she has been walking for months.  It's fun to see her now chasing Will and Isa around and cracking herself up with her newfound mobility!  What a fun time!
This past weekend I headed out to a Scrapbooking retreat and finally completed Gabi's 1st year book!  What a relief to have it done.  Tobin braved a whole weekend alone with the kids, what a hubby!