Just a little play

I know I'm not the best blogger around.  I also know that lately a lot of my posts have been about big happenings around here, like Caleb's tennis tournaments, birthdays, or holidays.  Although our days are not spent running around town like crazies, our hours are still filled with lots of stuff: homeschooling, tennis, dance, all the mom stuff daily grind for me and some down time for the dumplings.  I personally have been spending more time in the kitchen, regularly baking goodies for our bellies (and cooking some too). And now I need to find some time in front of my sewing machine! lol  

Anyway, as a consequence, I have not been intentional with my camera/s lately.  Sure I've captured some big moments and have shared them here on the blog.  But what has been lost in all this are all those beautiful, wonderful every day moments that I remember pulling at me to capture them about two years ago.  So this month, I decided I needed to get back on track and capture those ordinary moments yet again.  The other day I looked back on all those simple, every day moments I captured that summer, and boy, did my heart swell.   

So here are a few captures from earlier in the month.  Caleb and Madeline were playing hide-and-seek in the yard and riding their bikes.  So I sat down with Havi in the driveway/garage while she colored.

Yes, her little whispy hairs are like wings above her ears.  It is so stinkin' precious.

Havi eventually decided to join them in their game.

I just love how much they play together, and I love how well they get along.  I'm so thankful we homeschool and that it allows all three of them to spend their days together.  I know it has strengthened their bond.  I remember when Madeline was smaller and used to nap every day, Caleb couldn't wait for her to wake up so they could play together.  And now, years later, when she lays down for a nap because she's so tired, he says the exact same thing.  They love being together.  And that just melts my mama heart.

Linking up with my friend, Kim...since I actually have something "little" to share.

Tennis with friends

First order of business here on the blog is to wish my most precious son a belated Happy Birthday!

I can't believe he's nine years old.  It just doesn't seem possible.  Well, it kinda does.  I mean, he's less than a foot shorter than me and can fit into my flip flops.  So I shouldn't be surprised. But still.  Sigh.  His birthday was on Sunday, but we celebrated early by taking him camping for an extended weekend.

The weekend before last, though, Caleb played in a tennis tournament with one of his buddies Scott.  He was so happy to have a friend make the long drive to play in a higher level tournament with him.  

The boys played well even though they didn't win the event.  Unfortunately both of them had to play a kid who was less than classy.  He was down right rude and dishonest.  Now that makes for a fun time.  Um, not really.  It's sad that they even had to deal with someone like this in a 10 and Under event.  It was a big wake up call for us.

The girls enjoyed hanging out and eating all day, despite the frigid temps.  When I say frigid, that would be by Florida standards....like starting out the day in the low 40s and only warming up to the low 60s.

See that swirl on Havi's head?  Her hair will just stay in place once moved. So Patrick and I will often swirl it like that for kicks.  I call it her hurricane hairdo.  She was so busy playing with her shoes, so she didn't mind.

The tournament director ended up pushing the fourth match from the second day of the event to the first, which made for a very, very long day for the girls (and Baba).  Caleb could've gone one more round.  That boy has so much energy.

So this weekend, he has another tournament.  Thankfully this one is local.  And the good news is that he will get to play in at least one local tournament a month.  He really does enjoy tournament play and wants to play every weekend.  But unfortunately, all the big tournaments require us to drive about an hour and a half to get there.  So we have to pick and choose wisely.

Well, I was hoping to share some of our camping trip this week, but it seems now I'm a little bit behind with my blogging.  Hopefully, I will catch back up here soon.  I took a ton of photos and actually shot with my Fujifilm more than my Nikon.  It's so handy!  Actually, I took all these photos with my Fujifilm too.  It's not as intrusive as my Nikon. So I can be a bit more stealth with it.  Anyway, I hope to blog about our camping trip soon.

Linking up with my friend, Kim, today.

Havi's birthday

Havi's birthday was last Saturday, and we spent it at the tennis courts.

 My sister, niece, and my sister's mother-in-law came out to watch Caleb play.  The girls had so much fun hanging out together.

 Caleb loves watching the older boys play their matches while he's waiting to play in his next round.

 He played pretty well and finished second in his division.  We're so proud of him.

 I asked my sister to snap a photo of me with the birthday girl, but she was much more interested in eating her snack and making faces.  So this was the best she could do.

   After Caleb wrapped things up at the tennis tournament, we met up with my brother-in-law Andy and his dad for dinner at a local pizzeria.  I had originally planned on baking strawberry cupcakes, but I ran out of time.  So I ended up baking my yummy chocolate cupcakes with a sweet, vanilla bean buttercream frosting that I tinted pink and piped rosettes on top of the cupcakes.  After hanging out in my car all afternoon, they weren't as perky as they were when I made them that morning.  So I didn't snap a photo.  That's what I love about using swiss meringue buttercream; it holds up in the warmer weather!  My sister offered to take a family photo of us before the night ended.

We have to do a better job at taking these photos first thing when we get together because parking lot lights just aren't as flattering as daylight.   It's a family photo of all five of us, and that's all that matters, though, right?  Thanks, Deb, for taking it!  I'll be hitting you up today for another one! ;)

Well, we plan to spend Thanksgiving day with my sister's in-laws.  It will be our first time spending Thanksgiving with them (we spent our first Christmas Eve with them last year.)  I've been put in charge of kids drinks and dessert.  Yep, I may not be a fancy schmancy chef or baker, but I can sure put a smile on little kid's face (and maybe a big kid too.)

Tomorrow, Patrick's sister, Michele, will be heading down with her hubby, John, and their daughter, Lydia.  We are really looking forward to seeing them.  Of course, Caleb wanted to know if he had a tennis tournament he could play in so they could watch him.  Isn't he precious?  Well, we may not be hitting the tennis courts, but we just might be paying The Mouse a visit.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, no matter how you plan on spending it.  We have so much to be thankful for this year, and we praise our Father in heaven for all He has done for us.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Gobble! Gobble!

Linking up with my friend, Kim, today!

Cousin time

Last Saturday we had plans to visit my sister and family after running some errands in their neck of the woods.  Turns out our plans changed very early in the morning.  We wouldn't be going.  Oh, but wait.  The disappointment in all of the cousins was enough to change our minds.  Despite not needing to make the long drive, we opted to do it anyway, later in the day...just to hang out and do nothing else.  It was so worth it.

At one point, actually close to half time of the Gator football game, we headed over to the playground.  On our way, some kids in the neighborhood were selling lemonade.  So Patrick supported their entrepreneurship and purchased a few cups.

 The kids were really sweet.  They appreciated our generosity and came back out to give the kids bracelets they had made.  Very sweet.

So the awesome parents that we are, we neglected to outfit Havi in some shoes before we got in the car.  In order to keep up with the bigger kids on the playground, her cousin Josh let her borrow his sneakers.  So sweet of him.

 The last time they all played together on the playground, I somehow managed to snap a photo of the four cousins.  I was hoping to add Havi to the photo this time around, but Patrick was concerned about mosquitos near the water; Havi and mosquitos are NOT a good combination.  So here's another shot of the four of them, this time with no flashing from Madeline.

 Golly, I love how I captured his cute tongue sticking out as he hustled back up to join the others.

After the playground, we headed back to the house and caught the rest of the Gator game. Despite a season-ending injury to our starting quarterback, the Gators managed to pull off a victory against Tennessee.  That made for a happy house.  Patrick and Madeline picked up some bar-b-que for dinner.  She loves running errands with her Baba.  It might be because he spoils her a little bit.

Anyway, we had such a nice, relaxing, lounging around and doing nothing kind of afternoon/evening.  We're so glad we decided to get together anyway, despite the long drive.  The kids just love spending time together.  I'm happy that Caleb has tennis tournament opportunities where they live.  It means we'll get to see more of each other.  Plus there are some state parks nearby too. So they'll be able to come out and visit/camp with us.

Speaking of tennis, Caleb played in a local tournament last Friday. It's funny because I had no idea it was going to be a tournament! I thought he was going to a group practice at a new facility he's been taking lessons at.  We were both surprised when so many people showed up that night!  lol  Thankfully, Caleb didn't miss a beat.  First, he played a mixed doubles match and won.  Then played two singles matches and won them both easily too.  I'm so proud of him!  He played so well, and each week he continues to improve.  I still find it hard to believe he's only been playing 3 months.  He'll have an opportunity to play in some local tournaments where we live on Friday nights.  So he's happy about that.  He'll also continue to travel for some of the bigger ones on Saturdays.  We're excited about coordinating those with camping trips. :)  Sadly, I don't have any photos, not even iPhone photos, from his last tournament because I was there by myself with all three kids (Patrick had a business meeting.)  But now that I know, I will be sure to take my big girl camera with me.

Linking up with my friend, Kim, today!

It's how we roll

I've been meaning to do a little photo shoot with Havi since she's been with us 2 months.  You know, something worth sharing with her orphanage and foster family.  This series of photos didn't make the cut.  However, it's pretty much how we roll in the summer time.

  After swimming in the pool in the afternoon, a new diaper is put in on...and that's about it.

 I spotted Havi hanging out in our large bay window in the kitchen one afternoon and couldn't help but snap a few of her in her summer attire.

And speaking of the pool, I have been spending some time with her trying to get her to float and put her head under, both of which she is doing.  I don't let her float by herself yet, but she can completely relax on her back.  I'm totally impressed.  And going under?  Well, she doesn't like to close her lips/mouth, but she does hold her breath and comes up just fine.  No coughing at all.  I think she'll be all ready for lessons with Ms. Carmen in the spring.  She'll be doing her swim-float-swim sequence in no time.  And hopefully she'll be potty-trained by then too!  That'd be nice. 

I just love her.

Linking up with my friend, Kim over at Little by Little.