Cruise to Mexico

We recently went on a cruise to Progreso and Cozumel. The kids had a blast! Thankfully Eva didn't get motion sickness which was one concern. Despite the late dinner seating, they did very well. Eva looked forward to wearing a different dress every night. They both loved Camp Carnival, the water slide and ordering grown up food. (Eva finally got her lobster tail) I loved not having to cook, clean or chauffeur. We all enjoyed relaxing on the beach, the sun and swimming.

My Little Worker Bees

Thank goodness they think raking leaves is fun. If only they felt the same about cleaning their rooms.





one last run through the pile...

May 16, 2012.....

....or somewhere around there, we will welcome our newest little Robinson! While initially we were um, "surprised", we are so excited and thankful. As a good friend said, "God and His glorious plans!" He must really think we're doing a decent job to trust us with another child :) We weren't sure how the kids would react to the news, but they are both thrilled to have a baby brother or sister. Eva offered to room with the baby and "take care of it when it cries at night". Dylan touches my tummy every day and says so sweetly "Hi Baby, it's Dylan". He asked a few weeks ago "when can I hold the baby...it taking forever!" I thought Oh, man it's gonna be a long 6 months for him. As for me and Keith, I'm sure time will pass too quickly as it always does. We are just so blessed and can't wait to meet our little one. Thankfully, we chose a house with an 'extra room'!

Happy Halloween!

Both kids woke up this morning with the same comment "I wish today was still Halloween". As you already know, Halloween is one of our favorite holidays! They've been waiting a month to trick-or-treat to the "spooky houses". Somehow Dylan ended up with the most candy. His bucket must've weighed 10 pounds! Once again, Eva says we need bats, spiders and webs for our house next year. She also wants a fog machine.

Here's Jewel from the movie Rio:
(She's already planned her next costume. Since she was two yrs old, Eva has planned her costumes and birthday themes 6 months-year in advance ....and she has never changed her mind!)




Arrrgh...Capt. Jack Sparrow:






All dressed up:




The kids posing with "The King" (my mom)



Pumpkin Parties:



Now, bring on the stuffing and pumpkin pie!

What's new with Eva

Eva started her ballet/tap class this week and was thrilled to have some of her friends from pre-ballet in her class this year. She couldn't wait to use her new tap shoes! Her dance room has no windows to peek, so I have to rely on her showing me what she learned. From what I could hear they were all having a great time.

After almost four weeks of kindergarten, Eva's favorite subjects are recess, lunch, and specials (computer, art, music, PE, spanish). The highlights of her first month have been the fire drill, a bear scavenger hunt, someone bringing their dog to school and buying her lunch this week. As much as she enjoys seeing her friends and going to specials, she looks forward to the weekend to sleep in (until 7:30...yay) and not having homework. As it should be. Isn't kindergarten too early for homework every night? Even if it's writing Aa 10 times? I could go on about my elementary education philosophy, but I won't bore you today.

Here's Miss Eva before heading off to dance class.

After three weeks of Kindergarten....

I have reached the following conclusions:

• My night owl habits must come to an end...no more blogging and photoshopping at 1am.
  
• I am a borderline "helicopter" mom. (for those who may not know...the education/parenting term used to describe parents who "hover" over their children...NOT a good thing. )
• Parents really do trust teachers!! I guess we don't have a choice, but now I understand why the 6th grade parents looked more anxious than the kids.
  
• While Dylan loves having my attention, he misses his big sis and best friend. It's no coincidence that his imaginary pet spider, aptly named "Pider", surfaced on Eva's second day of Kindergarten. Thankfully, Pider wears his seat belt and is very well behaved in public.
  
• It's amazing how many stores are open at 8am. (Having the grocery shopping done by 9am is wonderful!)
• no matter how early I wake up, I will never get everything done.

and lastly

• Kindergarten should be Mon-Thurs 7:50-12:50. I mean do they really need two recesses, lunch, snack, rest time, etc, etc?? (like I said...helicopter mom)

11pm, time to turn in