Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Tap & Ballet & Tumbling - Oh My!

Since the gymnastics class didn't work out so well in the Spring, we searched high and low for something for Sophia to participate in. We finally found a winner at Contempo School of Dance where she goes one hour a week for a "combo" class which includes tap, ballet, and tumbling. One of the high-lights of Mamma's week is taking her to class and peeking at that sweet little face through the window as she has what seems to be the time of her life!

Back to School

Lucas and Sophia are both attending St. James UM Preschool and Kindergarden. Sophia is the the 3 year old program and Lucas is in VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarden) We love the school and they are both doing great. Here they are on their first day of school!

Finishing up the Summer in Venezuela

We finished off our summer with a two-week trip to visit Daddy's family in Venezuela. I have to admit that it was a very long trip for all of us (including Daddy) but as always, it made us appreciate what we have. The kids handled the trip much better than Mamma and Daddy and they seemed to have a great time hanging out with their cousins. Miguel is trying to teach the kids Spanish and they understand quite a bit but they almost always respond in English. Although the kids don't speak the same language, the developed some very tender friendships.





Fun in the FL Sun w/ Friends









What a fun summer we had! Mamma wasn't working so spent the whole summer hanging with the kids and their friends. We had weekly playdates at the pool, the beach, bowling, a firestation tour, ice cream shop tour, the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay Rays baseball, and much, much more. The best thing about FL is the great friends we've made here!!!

Just Keep Swimming











Everywhere you look in FL there's water - ponds everywhere (including our back yard), pools at almost every house we visit, the beach/ocean, so when summer came, it was time for the kids to learn to swim. They were hesitant at first but within less than 8 weeks, they were swimming like little fishes.






Sophia Gymnastics (April/May 2009)

Sophia had been so patient with her brother's activities (soccer and t-ball) and wanted to try something on her own. She started a gymnastics class at one of the local rec centers and while she loved it, Mom didn't care too much for the facility or the instructors so it didn't last long. She sure loved it and was the cutest little gymnast out there!


Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Sophia's 3rd Birthday at The Magic Kingdom

I know it's hard to believe since we only live an hour from Disney World, but our first visit to The Happpiest Place on Earth came after we had lived here for over 2 years. The look on Sophia's face was priceless when she first caught a glimps of Cinderella's Castle!


The highlight of the day was the visit to Ariel's Grotto. Her face doesn't show it in this pic but this was the only thing she really wanted to do all day - Ariel and ice cream...

Monday, December 14, 2009

2009 Spring T-Ball - Go Phillies!

Shortly after soccer ended last spring, then t-ball began. Lucas was on the Phillies team in the New Tampa Little League (NTLL). He loved playing and I think he got "the bug for baseball"!





Lucas (far right) with his best friends - (L to R) Ethan, Tyler, Connor