Play Dates

We have had some fun play dates in the past few weeks.  At the end of May, we went with Simon and Aurora (and Rachelle and Mireya) to the Children's Museum while it was still a deal with our Kroc membership. 

Tyler, Sam, Aurora, and Simon ready to play at the museum!

Aurora, Sam & Tyler get to work in the construction zone.

Ty, Luke, Simon, Sam, and Aurora ham it up on stage.

Endless fun with bubbles.


We also went over to Jackson Amash's house a few weeks ago for an afternoon outside with his fun water table, scooter, plasma bike, and other toys!


Sam, Jackson, & Tyler at the Pirate-themed water table.

We met Simon and Aurora again at the Brookside School playground and Tyler just loved chasing Simon (he's older by almost 2 years) anywhere and everywhere. 

Sam, Simon & Tyler run laps into the field behind the school.

Ty & Simon teeter-totter while Lukie tries to find a way to participate too.

And just last week, our buddy Evan Jacobs (and Lindsey) took us to the zoo (they have a membership).  The boys were so excited beforehand and even more so after.  We've been reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and "Polar Bear, Polar Bear" at nights and for each animal they talk about the similar one they saw at the zoo.  They are the perfect age for the zoo -- they loved all the animals and did really great walking around.

Sam, Tyler, Lucas, Evan & Lindsey check out the fishies.

Tyler gets up close for the ducks and flamingo.

Evan keeping up with Tyler & Sam.

Our colorful group.

Key West!

 

Jack has been dying to take me to Key West for years -- anytime I ask about going on a vacation, he always suggests Key West.  (Jack went 7 or 8 years ago with a bunch of buddies on an "old man spring break" of sorts and was just itching to get back.)

After a whole lot of figuring (childcare, work schedules, credit card points, flights, etc.), we were able to book our trip and make it happen as a celebration of our ten years so far. 

Key West is a unique place.  The drive from Fort Lauderdale is basically four hours straight into the ocean -- it's a beautiful drive of palm trees, ocean, huge power lines and what I've "Googled" as maybe an old, rusty, dilapidated train track in the middle of the water.  There are roosters that roam the streets.  You can walk around with beverages anywhere you go.  You can get a rum slushie at 9am (I didn't, but they were ready) and take it with you in a plastic cup.  The seafood is delicious (I had a "BLT" -- bacon, lobster, and tomato -- benedict at Blue Heaven and it was amazing.)  There are lots of old, crappy looking buildings (old, unused military, I think) right by the beach.  The "locals" are a bunch of leathery burn-outs.  It truly is an island of its own. 

Jack and I were really only there for 2.5 days so it was short and sweet.  We had a wonderful place (thanks Steph!) that was walking distance from everything -- the beach, the pool, the bars, the food, the entertainment -- everything.  It was awesome.

Key West sunset on our first night.

Our view on the beach.

Key West with my bubby.

A yacht, a street performer, and a beautiful sunset.

Last night in Key West.

Ten Years

Jack and I have officially been married for 10 years as of tonight.  That is a long time!  Of course, it's nothing like the 40 my parent's just celebrated, but still, for someone who still feels like she relates to her high school youth group kids and still looks around my house from time to time wondering whose kids (meaning my boys) these all are, that's a long time! 

Recently, a friend noticed the sole wedding picture we still have up on our piano and commented, "My, you guys were just babies (when you got married)!"  While true (I was just 21 and Jack 23), I take that to mean we have visibly aged.  In some ways, I'm totally fine with that.  I have no desire to go back to the insecurities of being 21.  I am way more confident in myself and my body now than I was at that age.  (As a side note, I had this same conversation with my sisters while out for dinner at the same location as a high school prom after we heard some beautiful 18 year-olds discussing their "back fat".)  On the other hand, when Jack told me tonight (while at Bonefish enjoying a martini and some bang-bang shrimp) that my under-eye bags looked like I got socked in the face, I longed for the uninterrupted sleep of my youth.  (...And I'm certain that Jack, too, longs for the hairline of his youth.) 

In ten years we have been through home improvements, jobs, travel, infertility, twins and then one more, and so much more on top of that.  There have been a lot of changes, a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and a lot of fun.  I'm not sure where I saw us "in 10 years" 10 years ago, but I think this is right where we are meant to be.



I have the best mom ever -- she sent us these for our anniversary today!