Danny's Fourth Birthday!

Yesterday, Evan attended his first super hero birthday party as we helped Danny celebrate his fourth birthday! We had planned to go to Uncle Dan and Aunt Karin's for pizza and cake on Danny's actual birthday, the 23rd, but we were sick and couldn't make it. Luckily we were all feeling better in time for the party. All of the kids enjoyed the pinata and the super hero Allie's donut cake!

Bubbles!

Evan got some bubbles in his favor bag from Danny's fourth birthday party. He hasn't yet figured out how they work but he sure likes them.

Silly Little Sleeper

Before we left for Florida, Evan had just started crawling and wasn't pulling himself up on furniture except for once or twice when he was highly motivated. That all changed quickly over the last few weeks. We knew that we needed to do some baby-proofing including dropping the mattress in his crib and were planning to do that once we came home. Friday night (the 18th) we had put Evan to bed and he was settling down for a while but then started getting worked up again. Bruce went upstairs to see if he could calm him down and found him standing (yes, standing!) at the railing of his crib closest to the bedroom door. We had not yet dropped the mattress so the railing was about waist height! Yikes!! So needless to say we immediately dropped the mattress and put him back to bed. Since that night we have been finding him in a variety of new positions at night and in the morning. Most mornings (and after naps) he greets us at the door, full of smiles...It is wonderful!

Evan the Explorer

Since Evan started crawling five weeks ago (five weeks?? really?? already??), he has become quite the little explorer. He has found places in our house that he didn't knew existed and has found every electrical cord in the process. Evan has shown us all of the items that are within his reach that need to be moved if they aren't to be played with. It has been really fun watching him enjoy his new found freedom! So much so that I have been letting him get into things that I never thought I would...like the kitchen cabinets.


Crawling down the hall to get the soccer ball


Taking his time climbing the stairs

I wanna do it again, Gramma!

Gramma and Evan often play this silly game of "Ah, ah, ah". Gramma will put her hand up to Evan's mouth and say "Wanna do it again?" Sometimes Evan does it all by himself, as he did the other night after dinner. I think it's his way of telling us that he wants to go back to Florida!!

Florida Day Eleven - Our Last Day

As I said to Bruce when we were on our way to the airport, I don't think you should have to leave Florida on a beautiful day. I suppose then you would never leave though, right? Well today was our last day in the warm sunshine of Fort Myers. We had a mid-afternoon flight so we went to the pool to soak up every last bit of sun that we could before heading out. We had a wonderful trip and made so many memories with Evan. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Florida Day Ten

Our last full day!! How can that be? This week has flown by so quickly! Today we took a ride out to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. It was the kind of day where the sky is that perfect, I-Want-To-Bottle-It-and-Paint-A-Room-That-Color shade of blue. We were planning to go to the Mucky Duck for lunch, a spot that Papa and Gramma really like but when we got there they were closed! Closed on Sundays! Bummer! But we did take a short walk out on the beach, which was fun. And we went to a different place, The Green Flash, which was also good and somewhere none of us had been before.

Florida Day Nine

I guess I'm losing my cuteness factor...this is the only picture from today!

(I guess as the week wore on, there were only so many pictures of Evan in the pool we thought we needed.) Today was actually a pretty busy and fun day, even though there are no pictures to prove it. Bruce played golf with Bill who was in Venice, FL visiting his parents for the weekend. And then tonight we had dinner with Uncle Glenn and Aunt Chris who are in Fort Myers for their annual March sunshine get-away weekend. We went to Leroy Selmon's, one of our favorite places and had a great meal!

Florida Day Eight

Well after one day of cool weather and rain, we are back to sunshine and blue skies today. It was still a bit cooler than it had been earlier in the week but nice enough to head back to the pool to test out Evan's new boat and turtle. After spending the majority of yet another day in the sun, Bruce and I went out on our second date night in one week! We went to Doc Ford's for dinner and then to The Cottage. Both places had live music that we enjoyed singing and dancing along to. Thanks for another night of baby sitting, Papa and Gramma! We sure could get used to this!!

Florida Day Seven

Today was the only rainy, cool day we had on our vacation. We had a low-key relaxed start to our day and were greeted by a bunny on the patio this morning. After Evan's nap, we went to Bucket's for lunch and then hit a few souvenir shops in search of a couple new magnets. We didn't find what we were looking for but we did find a boat and a turtle that will be accompanying Evan to the pool tomorrow. Bruce, Evan and I had a quiet night at the condo while Gramma and Papa went to see a play with some friends.

Florida Day Six - Mom and Dad go to the Red Sox game

Another glorious day means another day at the pool. It's a tough life but somebody has to do it! Evan has been so great about napping by the pool in his stroller all week. Thank goodness we brought the Bob instead of the umbrella stroller. This way we can maximize pool time for the adults while the little one sleeps...it's great! Today, Evan had so much fun in the pool that he fell asleep in his raft. Such a sweet little boy.
Tonight Bruce and I took advantage of having built-in baby-sitters and went to Iguana Mia for some Mexican and then to the Red Sox game. We are usually in Fort Myers in February so we don't generally get to a game but we did and I was able to see an old friend and boss...he hasn't changed a bit! Thanks for baby-sitting, Mom and Dad! I'm sure it was a real sacrifice on your part!

Florida Day Five

Mommy and Gramma went to breakfast and shopping...

...And left me in charge of Daddy and Papa.

That's a big job for a little guy like me!

Florida Day Four - 10 Months Old!

Is it me or does every month seem to go by faster and faster than the last? Evan is ten months old today! And what a way to celebrate...with another beautiful and fun day in Florida. We spent most of the morning and early afternoon by the pool again (gotta take advantage of this beautiful weather!) and then went to Pincher's Crab Shack for dinner. After vacationing in Fort Myers so many times, we have quite a few favorite restaurants that we always visit. This trip I especially wanted to go to the Pincher's on the way to the beach because I knew Evan would love it. There are all sorts of things hanging from the ceiling and I knew he would enjoy looking at everything. Sure enough, I was right. Papa even taught him how to say "Wow"! The monthly photo shoot is getting quite challenging now that Evan is really on the move but I think we still captured a few cute shots.

Florida Day Three - Evan Meets Jon and Allie

Today we had a big day and spent the day with Jon and Allie!! We first met them for lunch at Arizona pizza and then went to Lakes Park after that. It was a mostly cloudy day but perfect weather for walking around the park. We have driven by the park hundreds of times but have never gone...until today. It is huge! There are quite a few playgrounds, both wet and dry, a miniature train, lots of boats and bikes for rent and a nice boardwalk. Evan had his first swing ride and his first train ride too. So much to do...we will definitely have to go back again when Evan is older! We will also be sure to let Uncle Dan and Auntie Karin know about it too...Danny and Sean would love it!

After the park, we went back to Jon and Allie's house for salmon on Sunday. Bruce went to return the car because it smelled musty and Evan had a great time playing with Frankie and Fergie, John and Allie's dogs. We had a nice relaxing evening enjoying each others company and the warm Florida air. It was great to see Jon and Allie, as it always is. We are so glad that they were able to meet Evan and are looking forward to spending more time with them on our future annual visits to Fort Myers!

Florida Day Two

Today we spent the morning by the pool and then went back to the condo for lunch. After hanging out there for a while, we took Evan for a walk around the complex and then went back to the pool for a late afternoon swim. After a nice long day in the sun, we had a low key night "at home" watching basketball and being entertained by the little monkey.

Florida Day One

(Warning: The blog posts to follow may seem a bit repetitive...pool, fun in the condo and eating out...rinse and repeat. We did have quite a few repeat activities but we had a ton of fun!)

Today was our first day in Florida and what a better way to spend the day than by the pool! The weather was beautiful and greatly needed after a long, snowy winter. Evan had a great time swimming and splashing in the pool with Papa and Daddy. He especially loved his pool patrol police boat! We had dinner at Ron Dao where Evan met a new girlfriend, the first of many this week I'm sure!

Next Stop Fort Myers!!

And we're off!

Getting Ready for Florida

We leave for Florida tomorrow and we are so looking forward to the warm sunshine and a nice long visit with Papa and Gramma. I think they will be amazed at how much Evan has changed since Christmas when they last saw him. We are all packed and ready to go...just need a "quick" haircut.

This is serious business

Papa and Gramma, ready or not, here I come!

Easier said than done

Daddy's Little Helper

Tonight while I was at class, Evan helped Daddy install two baby gates. We have had these gates since before Christmas but they are now necessary. When they were done working, the boys had fun playing in the tent that was airing out in the basement from Bruce's winter camping trip this past weekend. I am sure there will be much more fun had in that tent in the years to come!