Vacay Update. . .

Ok, I've yet to post the pictures from our Spring Break vacay. . . shame on me!  I've been a little busy getting back into the swing of things after vacation, turning 40, etc.  But, nevertheless, here is my update.

We left on Wednesday of spring break week with every intention of going to Legoland and SeaWorld.  Part of it happened, part of it didn't.  The kids did fantastic on the ride to Winter Haven.  You know secretly, even though I love my Rover, I have been lusting after a minivan because they are just so kid friendly.  Amazingly, just a couple days prior to us leaving for the trip, Paul's truck had a recall.  When he took it into the dealer the part was on backorder (and still is!) so they gave him a minivan to drive.  It was completely. utterly. awesome to travel minivan style.  Both boys loved it too.  When we arrived we checked into our hotel.  I was curious to see how the first night would go with Chase Parker never visiting a hotel before.  I decided to sleep with him and Paul slept with Zach.  Chase did so well.  He cried a little at first and really looked confused that he was in a strange bed with his mother right beside him.  Soon he found out that it was really cool.  He snuggled so tight all night long.  Around 3AM his little head popped up like a turtle and he softly said, "Mama?".  He rubbed my head and tried to open my eyes then he put his head down and went back to sleep.

The next day Legoland was a blast.  Zachary and Chase enjoyed it alot.  It wasn't so big that it just drained the life out of you and I, especially, loved the Lego City display.  How awesome!  We arrived right when the park opened and left around 4pm.  It was a nice day.  It was tiring enough though that Paul and I decided we would try to talk Zachary out of SeaWorld the next day though.  It worked.  He was fine with the new plan.  We did still go onto to Orlando the next day.  But, instead of going to SeaWorld we had fun at the awesome water park our hotel offered and Paul had fun at a huge hobby store in Orlando.  The day was spent relaxing poolside and seeing the sights around Orlando.  It was fun.

Saturday afternoon we headed home and arrived around 4:30pm.  I was happy to see that Bella Kate and Blue had survived us being gone.  My nephew Aaron took care of our beloved pets while we were gone. And, the hair on the floor was not too bad despite my constant worry!  (Secretly though, the first thing I did when I got home was vacuum!)

It was a fun week and we did enjoy the time off with Daddio.  This was a small step towards building our courage for Disney World one day.

Enjoy some pictures.  I'll include the link to all of them at the bottom.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Lego City in the background. . . totally cool!

our fine city was featured!

Chase Parker and Daddy taking a nap. . .

The Pirate water ski show was pretty fun

Silliness at our Orlando hotel. . . 

Hotel water park. . . nice!

heres the link to more pics if you want. . .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdwellfamily/sets/72157629663221387/

Thank God I Don't Feel Like This Today!

TODAY I TURN. . . 40. . . OH HOW NASTY!

This card says that 40 should be downright rotten.  Well, having to SAY I'm 40 feels pretty rotten.  However, nothing has seemingly changed overnight and I still feel like I did yesterday at good ol' 39.  Hopefully tomorrow will be pretty good too.  It helps that many people have told me today that they "would never guess you are 40!"  I wonder how many of them my husband paid off.  Knowing him he might pay them to go the other way with their statements though.  Ha!  ;)

I'm in the middle of my birthday day and so far have been spoiled rotten.  I haven't changed a diaper all day!  The kids have been wonderful and loving, I've been taken out to breakfast by all three of my boys and have been treated to a romantic lunch with my sexy husband.  Tonight I hear I'm going to get spoiled more!  As of now, I can't complain too much about 40.

AND, even my brothers have been pretty easy on me. . . so far.  The day is not over.  I will report back tomorrow.

Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes and for all who are coming out to celebrate with me tonight.  I am very very blessed no matter what age I am!!

Love you all.

Traveling Boredom Alleviated. . .

What to do when you are on a long drive home from vacation and your kids are snoring and your husband needs entertainment to stay awake???  Photobooth time!  Well, actually, iPhone and rearview mirror time.

I'm sure other people driving beside us this past Saturday had just has much fun watching me as I did making these.  Hey, at least it alleviated boredom for a short time.

The trip was nice. . . lots of work with two boys but we enjoyed ourselves.  Pictures should be posted sometime soon.  I do recommend Legoland to anyone with small children.  It's definitely kid friendly and fun!

And, now, the best one of all. . . 

Five Years Going On Fifteen. . .

I literally about started bawling my eyes out when I sat down to edit these pictures yesterday.  I could not believe my eyes.  Zachary just looks so grown up now.  To me he looks older than five in these pictures.  Wow.  I say it all the time but time really does fly.

I called my mom Sunday night to see if she would be wiling to go with us to Oven Park to snap Zach's five year pics.  I needed her to entertain Chase Parker while I played photographer.  I was hoping it would only take a very few minutes to get some good pics but you just never know.  It's sometimes very trying photographing your own children.

It is not cold by any means here in Tally now but I wanted Zach to be in a sweater to somewhat match Chase Parker's 18 month old pictures since I am going to hang them together.  Mom, of course said yes she would help, and off we went yesterday morning.  It was actually pretty cool so at least Zach wasn't deathly hot.  And, thankfully, my boy performed magically.  It literally took me about 10 minutes and we were loaded up in the car and on our way again.  Zach was perfect.  Such a sweetheart.  Thank you for being so good for mommy Zach!

Love my big man so very much and I'm so thankful that I will have all these pictures to look back on forever.

Here they are. . . I am very proud of them.  WHO does he look like now?  Paul?  Me?  I want to know what you think!

Don't You Need An Update???

It's been busy around here. . . I just don't have the time to blog as much as I want to.  Of course I like updating all of you guys but my real reason for blogging is to document our family life for my children.  I love the idea of them having tons of these blogger books to read when they are old and grey.  So, we need to catch them and you up on what's been going on around here!

First of all, it was Cowboy Day at school recently.  I have one very handsome cowboy if I do say so myself.  Take a look. . .

He was excited that his Daddy gave him his old Blackberry to have so he was "texting" away in true modern cowboy style.

The kids had a blast at school celebrating.  They had a real cowboy lunch of hot dogs, baked beans, veggies, and baked chips.  Yummy delish.  They all were so cute in their getups.  Here is a class picture I took while I was there. . .

Now, onto other news. . . Zach was on Sprout TV!!  I completely forgot that I had submitted a picture online to Sprout TV for his birthday.  Sometimes he watches the Goodnight Show so I was hoping they would pick his picture to include in their daily birthday wishes or at least choose his name to send across the screen.  I submitted this a few days before his birthday but then forgot to check the DVR to see if he had been chosen until several days after his birthday.  To our surprise he made it!  Check it out. . . 

and here is the short video clip:

Zachary thought that was super duper cool!!

And now T Ball. . . Zachary is loving it!  But, even more so, Papa is loving it.  I was driving a few days ago on my way to take Zach to school one morning.  The phone rang and it was Papa.  Not unusual since he usually calls an average of at least three times per day.  When I answered he told me that he was hoping to get the phone number of Zach's T Ball coach.  I know my father and knew that there was no way I was letting him call the Coach.  I didn't even want to know why. . . I just said NO!  He then went on to plead his case and told me that he wanted to find out the EXACT equipment they were using at practices so he could purchase this for Zachary and him to practice with.  I again, said no.  If I would have given him the phone number I can just imagine that coach getting an average of three calls a day!!!  Later on that afternoon I was driving yet again, on my way to pick up Zach from school. Another call came in. . . it was Papa.  Surprised?  Not I.  He let me know that there is more than one way to skin a cat.  He told me that he called Tallahassee Parks & Rec and got the information he needed.  He then proceeded to tell me that all the equipment needed (exact tee, exact bat, exact ball) was at Sports Authority.  He was wondering if Zachary could go with him that afternoon to pick everything up.  I JUST about had a fit.  Then I stopped myself.  My father is retired.  He does not have kids at home.  His joy comes through things like this.  So, I did not have a fit for very long before I decided to give my father my blessing.  So. . . now they practice almost every day and Zachary AND Papa love it.  I am planning to take photos and videos of their practices soon.  I'm glad they have this to share with each other and, admittedly, I have seen significant improvement in Zach's ability.  So, I humbly thank my father (even though he can drive me nuts!).  (Love you Daddy.)

Here are a few pics from T Ball practices so far. . . I can't wait for the games to begin!!!

Coach Papa looks on. . . 

A short video. . .

And finally, I couldn't resist. . . a "professional" picture of Zach's first pair of cleats.
So. Freakin. Cute.

Ok, we are  nearing the end of news. . . a few more things:

1)  Chase Parker is cutting teeth galore.  BLESS. MY. HEART.  Pray that the teeth HURRY UP!

2)  We are getting ready to head to Lego Land and SeaWorld this week.  Hopefully Chase Parker's teeth will be in and he will feel better and our trip will go smoothly.  I am excited to go even though I know Paul and I will be dead tired.  This will be the first time Bella will be without us.  Sad.  My nephew will be doggie and kitty sitting for us thankfully though.  

3)  I had a terrific photoshoot today with my sweet Zachary.  I took his five year pictures and they turned out pretty good.  More on that tomorrow!!

4)  I leave you with a few random photos to enjoy. . . . 

Spring has sprung at the Birdwell Abode!!  The yard is looking so pretty.

(admittedly I did do a teeny weeny bit of photoshopping on the azaleas where they were bare!)

OK. . . a SNEAK PREVIEW. . . is this not one handsome dude????  Love. Him.
All photos will be posted tomorrow for sure.