Growing up WAY too fast!!!

Clara's official first day of school was last Wednesday, this is a picture of her meeting her teacher Miss Jenny during a one-on-one orientation Tuesday.

Adam and Ian and I walked Clara in to her classroom Wednesday morning. (she actually just wanted me to drop her off, but I told her that Daddy really wanted to walk her in so she said okay, but I will drop her off in the drop off line after that right?)

Adam and I were smiling and trying to be brave while Ian was a little confused that Clara wasn't going to be his constant companion any more . . . Meanwhile Clara walks into her classroom and deposits her lunch box into her cubby and went right to work. We just stood there for another few minutes, I guess we were expecting something monumental to happen. We finally left feeling bewildered.

On the car ride home Ian kept saying "Clara? Clara?" That little question really made me sad. He is getting more used to the idea now, thank goodness.

On Friday after I picked her up we had this conversation . . .

Clara: "Mom I made a new friend, his name is Spencer. We've been making some fun plans!"

Me: "Oh, that's nice. What kind of plans?"

Clara: "You have to guess, but I'll give you some hints!"

Me: "Okay . . . "

Clara: "Cake."

Me: "Cake? Ummm, a birthday party?"

Clara: "No. Balloons."

Me: "It's really not a birthday party, what about some other kind of party or celebration?"

Clara: "Here's another hint. It's something you and Daddy did!"

Me: silence . . . processing . . . thinking

Clara: "Guess Mom!"

Me: "Ahhhh, a Wedding??!!"

Clara: "YES!!! We are going to get married when we are older, but we are planning it now. I was thinking we could have pink and green balloons. Green for Spencer and pink for me. I decided I liked him on the first day when I saw him with his hair and outfit his mom dressed him in."

Me: "Ummm, okay . . . great, that should be fun."

I've heard that time passes faster than you realize when your kids are growing up but I wasn't expecting to be hearing about wedding plans so soon!!!

Carnival Cruise Dinner Waiter Dance

So this is a video I found on YouTube. It's of the Jai Ho Waiter Dance during dinner on our cruise. I wish I had had the presence of mind to use my phone to video it . . . we had a great view and a really funny waiter. I was too busy enjoying it.

I also found one for "Low" but,

I'll be honest . . .

I don't know what the words for that song are and I didn't want questionable content on my family friendly blog along with pictures of my kids :) But it was funny to see all those guys dancing to it.

Our Cruise to the Bahamas!!!

We were so excited to board the ship and get comfortable in our new home for the next few days. Our bags hadn't been delivered yet so we went to eat lunch. That was the first of many meals. If you are not aware, eating is one of the main things to do on a cruise . . . the food is yummy and plentiful!

Then we set sail for the Bahamas!

And we ate again . . . of course. Dinners are fun. We ate in the dining room but about half way through dinner all the waiters stop serving food long enough to dance and sing "Low" by Flo Rida . . . very funny. (I'll try and post a video from you tube)

This was the first view of the Bahamas, Paradise Island. It is right next to Nassau and where we ended up spending most of our day.

This is the customs center on Nassau, I loved the bright colors!

We had decided before hand the we wanted to go to the Atlantis Resort so we jumped on a ferry where they packed us in like sardines to get the next island over. Seriously . . . we thought there were already too many people on the boat and then they crammed another 25 people on.

I guess that what you get when you only pay $3 per ride.

The tour guide on the boat told us not to be in such a hurry because we were on an island and there was no where to go:)

I love how so many of the buildings are bright and colorful!!!

We spent a few hours at the Atlantis resort, it was really nice but unless you pay money they kind of herd you into places (like the casino) and keep you from some of the cool stuff (like the beach and the aquarium and the water-slide park and even the "ruins" walk). So we headed back to the boat, where the air conditioner and food is available in abundance!

This is more what Nassau looked like. Kind of run down and scary. We didn't spend very much time there. Just long enough to buy the kids some souvenirs . . .

and buy a monster conch shell from a guy in a boat off the pier for $5!

Then back to the ship for more food

and relaxation.

Our last night there the waiters treated us to a Jai Ho dance routine.

It really was nice to get away for a few days, to eat and nap and be together. But by the end we missed our kids and were ready to get back to our lives.

Going Home!

We are on our way home today!

Adam and I really had a great time doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to do it TOGETHER . . . can you really ask for anything better for a vacation?

We missed our little ones SOOOO much and have decided our next getaway will be with these two sweethearts.

I can't wait to see them.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Today I turn 31. Part of me is slightly disconcerted that I am IN my 30's, but for the most part I'm happy with my life and accomplishments thus far . . . so the actual number doesn't bother me too much.

I wasn't expecting to do a lot for my birthday this year. I wanted a nice night out and maybe a little time to myself or a morning to sleep in. I got the impression from Adam he had a busy week, so I was trying to figure out when we were going to be able to celebrate . . .

Then he presents me with a shoebox sized box wrapped in a purple dental bib with my name written on the outside with a marker.

And inside . . .

Needless to say I was surprised. I don't know if you can see the writing on the paper but it says that we are schedule to leave on a cruise to the Bahamas in 2 DAYS!! (That was yesterday)

WOW!! I wasn't expecting this, but I am excited to have some time with my wonderful, thoughtful husband.

And now I have to go pack and do a bunch of things to be ready to go TOMORROW!