{Pool side}

The beach is nice, but having a pool in your backyard is nothing to scoff at either. We made a couple trips to the beach, but we spent a good deal of time in the pool (or I should say the kids and Ryan spent a lot of time in the pool).

We weren't sure what Aveyn's reaction was going to be to the water, but she LOVED it. She acted like she would have been happy to sit in the floaty for the entire day soaking up the rays. Obviously the major concern was too much sun exposure, but with 100 SPF and a cute hat, she seemed to be covered.

As always, Cael loved the water and impressed Bapa and Gam with his swimming abilities as he had no problem putting his face in the water and swimming from the stairs to whomever was nearby. By the end of the trip he was able to swim the width of the pool all by himself. He was truly amazing to watch. Guess those swimming lessons are paying off!

The beach at Orchid Point

Going to the beach is always a highly anticipated event when we go to Florida and this trip was no different. We knew Aveyn wasn't going to get much out of the excursions, but we had to take her at least once for the photo opportunities. For the most part, Aveyn enjoyed the experience, but at one point it got to be too much and she fell asleep in Mommy's arms after about 45 minutes of laying and kicking on a towel on the sand. She looked absolutely adorable in her hat and surfer girl swimsuit! I can't wait for next year when she can actually play in the ocean and sand.

Cael had a blast flying a kite with Bapa and destroying every sand castle that Daddy tried to build. Cael would be playing somewhere else and spot Ryan attempting to build a castle. He would immediately walk over and start kicking, climbing and throwing until the castle was completely destroyed (poor Daddy ~ all he really wanted to do was build a sand castle). This year Cael wasn't very fond of the water and only went in when Daddy wanted to clean off all the sand. He was much happier playing on the beach and flying his kite.

As always, a special thank you to Kim for capturing some really great pictures with her camera. She manages to take the cutest pictures with the best expressions!!! Thanks Kim!!

Just hanging out

When two young kids are involved it doesn't leave a lot of time for anything other than quick trips to the beach, a lot of time in the swimming pool and going out to lunch/dinner at kid friendly establishments. Luckily, we all enjoy each other's company and don't have a problem hanging out around the house or pool. Not to mention that given our hectic schedules when not on vacation (work, kids, dinner, baths ~ you get the picture), the idea of lounging around doing nothing sounds very appealing. As always, our cameras were handy to capture the moments shared during these lazy days.

I think Ryan and I had underestimated the power of technology as Kim and Dad had downloaded several games to their iPhones in anticipation of Cael's arrival. It kept him entertained for a little bit so we were able to get settled in and we have since downloaded several games to our phones as well for the plane ride home!

Happy Easter

This year we celebrated Easter in style (as opposed to previous years where Ryan and I have skated by doing nothing to commemorate the holiday)! For one, we were in Florida, which never hurts when it comes to celebrating anything (great weather, warm breezes, ocean sounds and lots of wonderful sun) and for two; Gam and Bapa put in a special order with the Easter Bunny for lots of candy, toys and fun. We started off the day with an easter egg hunt. Cael found all of his eggs (with a little help from the adults) and even had a special visitor, Max, a golden retriever from down the street who sniffed out a couple of eggs for Cael and even took a refreshing dip in the pool.

After the hunt, everyone put on their Sunday best and we headed up to the Ocean Club for another easter egg hunt (we arrived too late to participate), a petting zoo and a delicious brunch. Cael had fun petting all the different animals; the goat, the pig, the chickens, the chicks, the ducklings and the soft bunny rabbit (I felt sorry for the animals and am not sure we will be participating in too many more 'petting zoos' in the future ~ but that is another story for a different day). Aveyn had fun letting the breeze ruffle her hair and having people comment on how pretty she was. As always she was a sweet little baby and hardly made a peep the entire time (I am still not sure why God blessed me with two sweet babies, but I am VERY, very lucky and thank Him every day).

After we got home, Cael and Daddy went swimming while Mommy and Gam took a bike ride around the neighborhood. I managed to fall off my bike and bang up my head and hip pretty good, but it wasn't a bad enough fall to shorten our ride. It was truly a great Easter and one that will set the standard for all Easter's in the future (which means no more just letting the holiday pass without an easter egg hunt and CHOCOLATE)!

Cael had refused to take a nap all day and we knew at some point he was going to crash and crash hard. Ryan and Kim went to the driving range and Dad took a nap. I thought Cael might lay down with Bapa, but was way too hyper so I turned on a movie for him while I fed Aveyn. When I came back from changing her diaper I found Cael passed out on the couch where I had left him only minutes before (always a sign of a good day in my book)!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!!!

Florida - April 2010

We left on April 3, 2010 for our annual trip to Florida to visit Bapa and Gam. Cael and Aveyn did wonderfully on the plane and given it is a three hour flight with an hour and a half drive to the house, we were pleasantly surprised at their behavior.

As always, Bapa and Gam are very accommodating and the house they are renting this year is gorgeous! We are looking forward to a fun filled week of sand, sun and RELAXATION (or at least as much relaxing as one can manage with two young kids to take care of).

Stay tuned for many more posts about our adventures in Vero Beach, Florida!!!

Six second summary

I feel like the blog has lost something since I started it back in June 2008. The kids change so much every day and it is hard to capture every little adorable thing that they do in either words or even pictures. Cael is talking up a storm and says some of the cutest things. Yesterday he wasn't listening to me so I told him that if he didn't get his little butt up the driveway and into the garage in three seconds he was going for a time out (i.e. 'Cael Ryan Zikas I am sick of you not listening to me and if you don't get up here in 3 seconds you are going for a time out... one...two). He scurried in and then proceeded to pick up one of Potter's bones and throw it out into the driveway. He wasn't doing it to be a brat, but because he thought the bone didn't belong in the garage and should be outside (at least that is what I am telling myself). I walked over to pick up the bone and he looked at me, while holding up his fingers in a perfect imitation of me and said 'counting.... one.... two' and stopped as I walked back into the garage with the bone. Little twerp!

When the sun is in his eyes and we are in the car and he complains we tell him that we will be turning and then it will be all better. So now, instead of complaining he just instructs us to turn.... 'Mommy, turn? Mommy, turn?'

His vocabulary is getting bigger with every day. I love how he tells Ryan at swimming when the sun is shining through the window into one corner of the pool that 'the sun hurt-ed him' as he points to his chest. We both agree he is going to have a tough time in Florida with the sun hurting him so much :)

I have gotten into the habit of shaking my finger at him when I reprimand him and he has started shaking his finger at me while I am doing the actual scolding. It makes me want to both scream and laugh at the same time. Apparently, I am losing ground here and need to up the ante or something!

I feel bad that I don't post much about Aveyn other than to say how adorable she is. She rolled over yesterday, but hasn't done it again since. She is VERY close to rolling over consistently and will soon be mobile I can feel it. She still loves her hands and is content to stare at them as she moves them around above her head. She is still the easiest going baby and only cries or fusses when she is tired or hungry and occasionally when she has a messy diaper. She loves Mommy, Daddy and Cael, but isn't too sure of everyone else. Once she warms up, however, she is all smiles, coos and laughter. I love her little body and can't imagine our life without her.

Finally, last night we decided to give Aveyn and Cael a bath together for the first time. It was a little frustrating as she is still not able to sit up on her own and giving a little girl a bath in the Bumbo just doesn't quite get the job done. Cael had a great time playing with his toys and Aveyn just sat there and watched her brother with a cute little grin on her face the entire time.

Fantastic Friday!

These pictures were sent to me by Stefani. They were taken in January while we were in Omaha. Given today is Friday and we leave for Florida a week from tomorrow, I wanted to share with everyone. No particular rhyme or reason; just because. Happy Friday!!!