I took an extended spring break

For spring break, we decided to go back to our beloved Florida.
Most people I know go to some hot spot like Disney, Busch Gardens or the Keys.
But, not the Bennetts, no, no...we go back to hang with the 'ol hood on Stonehurst.
...and I am so glad we did.

We got to enjoy hanging with some of the coolest people on this planet.
There were BBQ's with friends,


(see me- smiling!!!)
That's a happy Florida vacation smile.





And there was relaxing by our old beloved pool.
(I spent many, many hours just lounging...I mean...tentatively watching the kids there).
I love that Tom was able to relax too. I thought maybe he had forgotten how to with his stressful job, but alas, he took to chillaxin like an ol' pro.




And my beloved palm trees...(they chillaxed by the pool too)


There was a first haircut.
(which I took surprisingly well, considering his curls are now with me in a ziploc bag. But he looks like such a handsome little dude, so we are winning!)
This picture is for reference of the boy's lovely, curly locks!


After- handsome little guy!



And don't even let me get started on the awesomest and brutal event ever! I finally ran the race I have been dying to race for the past few years in Florida...and now that I no longer lived there, I was able to run it...but that's a whole 'nother post!

(notice how when I mention Florida, the word "beloved" gets used a lot?
Yeah, I like beaches and flip flops.)

My favorite Flava.

Today marks 5 years living with Ava Laine.
More commonly known as "Flava" around here.
And it's true...she has a lot of flava!

Avie is one of the keenest 5 year olds ever. (so much so, that I fear she will be outsmarting me very soon, if not already).
Ava is passionate. (code for strong willed, which is also pc for stubborn)
She is intense and takes a lot of energy.
But she also gives out a lot more in return.
Ava is seriously kind-hearted and always looking out for the under-dog.
She has an "old soul" and often laughs at many adult jokes.
She is cautious...and you need to earn her trust.
She also has a good eye with coloring and drawing.
She has the memory of an elephant and makes very detailed observations.
(code for: you can not make a promise you don't intend to keep because she will call you on it- 3 years later).
I love this kid. She is a rare find.
(and never gives up a chance to cuddle with her Mom).

One day of Flava.


1 year- her "bulldog" face.


18 months Butterfly.



hanging at the pool (3 years)


Always intense.


4 year watermelon lover


Awesome.


Happiest Happy Birthday to me sweet intense Ava Flava.

Brows

I think there is a market for these.
Bows for the baby boy curls that Moms just can not get the courage to have cut.
I think I will call them "brows".


Shhhh...do not tell my husband I did this to my poor wee boy.
(although I think he looks awfully cute)
I will be saving this picture for his future girlfriends!
I am sure it'll be used as evidence against me one day when he is in therapy. ;)

7 years ago today...

I became a Mom to one of the coolest, sweetest girls evah!
Bryn Elise was born.
The world forever changed.

I know they say when you look at the bright side of things, you are wearing "rose colored glasses", but I like to see the world through "Bryn-colored" ones.

I think if everyone did this, the world would be a much happier, gigglier and probably bouncier place.

At 7, Bryn is such a compassionate young lady.
She worries about other's feelings,
she gets sad if she sees a stray animal.
She has mastered the art of sibling manipulation,
she likes Justin Beiber and wrote her first fan mail to him.
She changes her clothes about 7 times each day.
She refuses to wear bows and clips anymore.
She is the most amazing reader and artist.
Not the greatest eater.
She is my first little heart.

Happiest of birthday sweet girl!

Homecoming.


9 month silly.


18 months


almost 2- cutest calf ever!
(maybe the fastest too)


3.5- tuckered out Princess Flower Fairy


Lovely, lovely young lady.

Freedom!

We have been cooped up and sick for over a week.
But it went to over 60 degrees on the weekend and I was able to sneak outside with the kids who were playing hooky to enjoy some sunshine...and get us out of the house which I am sure is just covered in our sickie germs.

Ava finally has a willing passenger for her jeep.
I was *this close* to making them both wear full body protective gear, but it seems that 5 years is the magic age of learning to drive the Barbie jeep
(without seriously maming anyone).


Bryn was still feeling a little under the weather, so she just did some sketching and observing of nature...
(instead of being her usual force of nature)
Please note that she is currently missing 3 top teeth and 2 bottom ones-
I never thought we'd be tooth-fairy poor.




Eric was his usual ornery self.
He was like a caged animal being set free for the first time with all his running around, shovel and all.
I have a feeling that once spring arrives, I will probably lose that last 5 pounds with all the chasing I see in my future!



Good thing the boy is cute!
Ornery, but cute.
(and no, I have no plans to cut his hair yet)




I even managed to get a couple of all three kidlets (which those with multiple kids can totally appreciate).




This is why I love being outside in the fresh air...all three kidlets were ready for bed by 7:30!
I can not wait for spring weather!

Happy Heart Day!

Also known as "crazy-craft-a-palooza" around here.
It's a well known fault of mine.
I love to craft, create and cut things.
Every holiday gives me another reason to happily pull out my pinking shears and glue sticks.
My problem is knowing when to stop.
I just don't.
I see so many cute ideas and can never decide on just one.

This year, I managed to hold myself back at about 3 or 4 Valentine crafts.

We made some cute chocolate kiss flowers,


felt fortune cookies (filled with notes from the kids and chocolate kisses,



heart shaped crayons made from a year's worth of old broken crayons (we gave those to Ava's classroom),


cute little ladybug magnets.


We had a rather quiet Love Day this year as Bryn is finally recovering from her all-weekend fever, Ava seems to be a little under the weather and Mama is definately fighting something nasty...arg.
But when everyone feels this yucky, I was lucky enough to get a few littles curled up with me for a nice afternoon nap.
And it seems I have to get my cuddles however I can lately...even if it means they have to be sleeping.
(because they are now too cool to snuggle with Mom)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sickie McSickerson

First, IT took out Ava last weekend.
Now, IT renders Bryn sick and I don't think she likes it.


"The Fever" strikes again.

I received a call from the school on Friday telling me that Bryn was complaining about not feeling very well.
Since Bryn isn't usually that persistant, I went to pick her up and could tell immediately that she wasn't 100%.
She was quiet and not bouncing all over the walls.

Once we got her home and snuggled into my chair, I noticed Bryn's eyes were glassy looking ane she told me her head hurt.
And right on cue, her fever took over.

Poor girlie.
She just lays on my beloved arm chair sleeping, watching movies and drinking juice.
We've been fighting her fever with a constant flow of Tylenol, Motrin, popsicles and chocolate..well okay, the last one is for me...but somehow I think it helps.



I never thought I'd wish this, but I want my loud, bouncy little girl back.