Florida

About 3 weeks ago we decided to go on vacation to Florida with Mom and Dad Wieland. It came at a great time, because every year by the end of January, everyone in the house is getting grouchy from being cooped up, and I begin to wonder why I am homeschooling.

So we left a little over a week after we decided. We stayed in a cute little cottage that was on the Indian River. A 3-5 minute drive from the ocean and only slightly longer to Great Grandpa Wieland's house (which was filled to the brim with other family members.)

Smith loved our house from the moment we walked in and affectionately called it "our fishy house". (There was fish decor here and there.) The first night as he was saying his prayers, he thanked God for our "cute, little cabbage". (mix cottage and cabin to get cabbage.)

Here it is, though the picture doesn't capture it as well as real life.

Avi enjoyed taking bike rides, playing on the beach and in the ocean. She insisting she wasn't cold, even though it was in the 60's-both the air and the ocean. But actually, knowing her, she probably wasn't.
Daddy and Fafe.
The sand was oh, so tasty, as were the sticks, shells, and various other things she grabbed and stuck in her mouth. She was fast. She knows what she wants-and that Momma is likely to take it. :)
Both Avi and Smith were afraid of grass and snow until between 18 and 24 months. They never had a chance at those ages to try out sand, but i'm sure it would have been the same. But does it surprise anyone that this little girl wasn't the least bit deterred by a new texture? Not just on her feet, but hands, legs, mouth, etc. Within 10 minutes of being put in it, she was in crawling position, literally plowing through it. Always up for an adventure, that one!
My little man, who is not a real people person and never gets too excited or distressed about people coming or going, fell in love with the ocean. He asked me on Saturday if the next day was the last day at the ocean. I told him yes. He laid his head on me and cried like he was losing his best friend. It was so sweet.He's at the age where he says cute, sweet, little things all the time. He is always telling me that he's never moving or getting married. He's going to "stay wif you forever." On this trip he told me that he's even going to die with me. And today, when i forgot that he's never going to get married and told him that I think he should marry an adventurous, funny girl, he said, "No. Weememboe? I'm going to stay wif you forever. I'm going to die wif you, too. Everyone is going to die on the day that mommy dies." Oh, how I treasure these days when I'm all the world in his eyes.
Another cute little thing was when Faye was trying to take her headband off. She was having a very difficult time, and it was really funny. Smith was cracking up and loudly exclaimed, "Avi, I laughed my face off at Faye taking off her headband!"

There are more, but since you aren't his mother, I'm sure that's enough. :)

Until next time!