The Big 4!!!!!

Evi-rina

Eli is now the big 4!  And I swear he has changed!  He now has attitude, and I don't mean positive!  He's developed a little fear all of a sudden too.  Which in some aspects is a good thing.  While as of December he could swim, he has since decided some pools have "sinking water" and has taken to always swimming in a life jacket.  But he is so damn cute, and still super sweet.  He is a rule follower and looses it if I even look at him sternly.  But I know he will make us pay for his sweetness 10+ years from now.  I'm no fool!

We have gone kayaking twice now at Weeki Wachi, a river about 30 minutes north of us where the manatee can be found in the winter.  Luckily this last trip, we saw 5 manatee! It was pretty neat to watch these big shadows glide under us.  We almost missed the first one, but Evi spotted it while being my kayak's figurehead and watching over the front of the kayak.  We can't wait to go back in the winter and see more!  This last time we went with one of my very close girlfriend's family when they came to visit.  Their son and Evi are the same age, so we broke the news to them that we have already decided on an arranged marriage.  They took it well.

The future couple Evi & Liam

Floating the current

We have started the process of burying our retirement in our back yard in the form of a pool.  Just kidding! But we are getting a pool.  It truly is a must while living in Florida.  We just finally got tired of watching our neighbors enjoy theirs!  Plus we wanted to get it while the kids will still enjoy it! I can predict that I will come home to find Scott floating like a big raisin in the near future.
Eli thoroughly enjoyed watching all the construction.  The digger, bobcat and dump truck were a real treat.  He pulled up a seat to the back door and just enjoyed the view. 

Capt. Eli

Eli & Mila Monster Danger Tolle

Post father's day we met with the Dude and Marni & Mila to go out on the Dude's boat.  Eli was perfectly happy playing in the boat while it was parked in the driveway, but absolutely loved getting to drive it once we were out on the water.  A little rain shower spoiled some of the day but not before the kids had a great time on the tube!

A little behind...

ARRGGGGHHH!

Eli & Carter

So I have created a monster!  Once, when Eli hugged me and he was naked I called it a "naked hug" and said, "oooo, I love naked hugs!"  Now it has become an obsession, if the boy is naked on the top half, the bottom half or both he wants "a naked hug."  And recently he added a new element by saying, "my weewee is touchin' you, and it's big!"  Yes, I am waiting for a visit from child services after he tells his teacher this!
He is almost to my favorite age of Evi's, 4.  She was so stinkin' cute at 4.  They say the greatest things and are just so damn sweet, I can't wait!

Evi & Bella

 I am not leaving Evi out of this post on purpose, I just don't have any good stories.  She has been her regular emotional Evi self and it has just been school, dance and gymnastics.  Although, we have decided to drop gymnastics for a year.  It was a hard choice because she is good at it and she loves it.  But at the same time, she hates all the conditioning they do, and they want a lot of dedication on our part that we are not ready for at 7.  It takes a little of the fun out of it for her.  So, we are having a break, and we will reevaluate next summer as to what she wants to do then.  Now she thinks she wants to take piano, violin, horseback riding lessons, hip hop, tap and art, not necessarily in that order...

mother's day tea

She had her recital recently, which was incredibly cute.  I couldn't stop crying watching her.  She is so deliberate in her moves and takes it all very seriously.  

Eli's first pre-school class

Eli-isms:
Eli noticed a lovebug and said,
"hey, there's 2 of them.  It's coming out his hynie!"
(did I mention he was trying to kill it prior to these observations?)
 Eli's jam: Poppin' Tags  &  I Don't Care