Man alive, this kid is FIVE!!!

We interrupt our Florida posts for a very, very important reason. And person.

 

On March 11th Talmage Scott turned FIVE. He kept telling people all day, "Isn't it crazy? Just yesterday I was 4 1/2 and now I am 5!" And I must agree, it is crazy. Although just yesterday wasn't he born or something? We had so much fun celebrating our big boy all day long!

We started the day with Dad's famous waffles, which absolutely never disappoint, especially when Speculoos, strawberries and whip cream are involved.

Daddy and his boy before work! Maybe as a 5-year-old T will learn to take less-awkward pictures. Probably not, but a mom can hope!

In between bites of breakfast Ever would help T open up presents. T was so grateful over every present he opened, and ended up opening things and playing, playing before moving on to the next gift. It was super cute and it was fun to spread the presents throughout the day.

What does a kid wear on his fifth birthday? Well, if you are Talmage and obsessed with trains you wear this 5 train shirt...and love every second of it. I think the thing he loved most about it was the opportunity it offered to tell EVERYONE it was his birthday. "You see the 5 on my shirt? Yeah, it's because it's actually my birthday today and I'm really 5!"

I had grand plans of hosting preschool at my house on his birthday and inviting all of his little friends to celebrate, but that just never happened. Instead we brought cupcakes to preschool at someone else's house and everyone sang to him. He was so thrilled and life was made so much easier for me--wins all around!

His cute preschool friends (and their fabulous parents) brought balloons and presents to spoil our boy. It was so unexpected and kind!

Talmage is pretty sure that the weather was so gorgeous to honor his birthday. And I can't really argue. His big day boasted temps in the 60s while the rest of the week we've been in the 20s and 30s--happy birthday T from Mother Nature! We decided a pizza picnic in the park with our preschool peeps was definitely in order. In t-shirts no less.

This was T's cute smile when he was talking to Cousin Kai on the phone...so adorable!

Me and T selfie during quiet time!

A few of Talmage's cute faces when he was opening presents. He really was so excited about all of them...and so grateful! All of our family members were so generous and T felt so special.

In typical T fashion, his birthday dinner choice was McDonalds. I can pretty much guarantee that he'll either choose McDonald's or Kraft Mac n Cheese. We decided to eat at the one in Times Square so that we could also go to the giant Toys R Us. Daddy met us there after work which made it even merrier!

The best picture I could get of Mr. T in Times Square on his 5th birthday. What a goofball!

Toys R Us has a 3 story ferris wheel in their store and for the first time we let the boys ride it (and Daddy, because kids under 7 need a chaperone!) They were so excited...so excited!!!

And then we ended the night with T's dessert pick--real New York cheesecake! We picked some up at Junior's on our way home and he ate every last inch of his piece!

Happy 5th birthday Talmage Scott. You are a brilliant boy and a total joy. We love you so little one.

Chief Buffalo Tiger

The boys are asleep and I'm sitting on the couch eating apple slices dipped in peanut butter and speculoos. The PB's for protein and the speculoos for no other reason than have you tried speculoos, because if you have to ask why then I'd have to believe you haven't. I've got my mom hooked on the stuff too, a feat that has left me smiling ever since my dad called on his way home from Trader Joe's with my mom's goods. It kind of sounds like a drug deal, right? That's what I thought. It is addicting.

 

So, eating food, boys are sleeping, oh yeah...maybe I should be productive and blog more about Florida. Because it was Talmage's birthday yesterday (happy birthday T!) and I should probably get a few of those details up here too for goodness sake.

 

The only thing that James was dead-set on doing while we were in Florida was exploring the Everglades on an airboat tour. I almost made him go alone for fear that T and Ever would become alligator bate but after calling Chief Buffalo Tiger a few times they reassured me that it was totally {mostly} safe, and shoot--tickets for kids were free, so there you go! We rented a car, tried to remember how to drive a car, and then drove to the middle of nowhere for one of the awesomest days ever!  

 

There are many airboat tours offered in the Everglades, but Chief Buffalo Tiger came highly recommended by the judge and had glowing reviews on Yelp. We had the very best of experiences with them and would definitely recommend it!

Sun-kissed T and Daddy getting ready for the ride.

I just found it slightly ironic that they had this alligator for kids to play with right next to this sign:

Right?

Me and my littles so ready for our adventure. We were the only ones on our tour that spoke English and both T and Ever kept the tour guides busy asking any and every alligator question that came to their mind.

This kind of explains life with my 2 boys--T is SO excited, and Ever unimpressed.

The first time we spotted an alligator I was shocked and ok, totally scared. Have I ever shared my probably irrational fear of like every animal in the world? I was sitting on the edge of the boat and we got so close.

The guides reminded us many-a-times that alligators brains are not big enough to train so, regardless of how many tours are done, these are completely wild animals. They even made us back up a few times because one of the alligators was attracted to the blonde, curly hair of a Spanish woman.

Ever and an alligator!

It was absolutely gorgeous in the Everglades. This is not a landscape I am used to, nor one that I'm particularly crazy about, so I was surprised that it literally took my breath away with its natural beauty. Pictures just can't do it justice.

James said his favorite part of the tour was watching me squeal with delight when the airboat really started going! It was way, way more fun than I imagined...and so fast!

 

Another alligator. This one may have been a little hungry!

T and the 'gator.

And then it started putting on a show for us. Mostly it wanted us to think it was cute and harmless so it could eat us for lunch. My opinion only!

And then all of a sudden we were surprised by another alligator, and T asked me to hold him tighter!

He swam right, right, RIGHT up to the boat.

And hopped in a mud bath of his own.

James and I wanted a good picture, T and Ever wanted to keep their eyes on the enemy ;)

A cool part of the tour was when we stopped at an island and they taught us a little bit about their Indian tribe and history. We loved it.

...and the weather!

When my boys are sitting next to each other I get asked all. the. time. if they're twins...and mostly I just think the people are crazy. But then I looked at these pictures and thought, wait a minute...

No, they don't look alike at all, do they?

Ok, yes...I think I get it. And since they dress themselves the same almost every morning it makes them look even more similar. So funny!

T still has a few inches on Ever though. For now!

After the tour the boys got to pick out alligator toys from the gift shop to bring home so they could always remember the trip. Somehow T's alligator ended up in the hotel pool once and nearly scared a lady half to death. Woops!

Thanks Chief Buffalo Tiger for such a great trip!

Welcome to Heaven, I mean, Florida

Two weeks in Florida was just what the doctor ordered for this sun-lovin' lady. We spent the first half of February mostly hating our cold life, and the last half you ask--turns out February's not half bad when you head down south! We filled each and every day with the important things in life, you know, sitting by the beach and swimming in our resorts' two swimming pools, and I couldn't wipe the silly grin off of my face. We wore shorts, we got tans and if you think that a two week vacation would get boring: think again! The boys and I were in tears when we had to head back to the chilly big city. But alas, we are back. And yes it is still cold. But the warm memories of Florida will melt the impending ice storm on my heart {enter cheesy sigh here}.

 

The real hero of the trip was James, since he was working his tail off everyday while we played and played. You see, this was actually a work trip for him, and me and the rug rats just crashed the party (thanks to some generous Christmas airline tickets from the Big Wigs!) I can't help but feel so grateful for James, his judge, our parents and everyone else who made this trip possible. It really was the best. 

 

So, Everett actually flew us to Florida. OK, no he didn't. But the kind Captain did let him sit up front (once we landed) and let him press any dang button he wanted. I feel so very, very sorry for the next Captain of that airplane who is going to be so confused with what my little boy left him!

 

When we landed this was the first thing I saw...and then T and I ran straight for the doors! Because you think I like sunshine? Meet my mini-me Talmage--that boy has sunshine running through his veins. This was actually the coolest it was on our whole trip. It mostly hovered at 85 degrees.

 

As soon as our suitcases hit the hotel room floor, we were in our suits and at the pool. The first day I made T wear his floaties (for my sake) but after that he was swimming around the pool like a pro. In fact, he made quite a name for himself by telling random pool-goers (who also might have been slightly tipsy) that he was going to be in the Olympics. They'd scream and cheer and ask for his autograph, and then he'd say, "Yep, just sign me up!" and show them his moves!

 

This silly boy went from hanging on to me for dear life (while in the big floatie!) to swimming around by himself (but still in the floatie) during our stay. I made him stay on the stairs while I was sitting nearby, but if I got in the water he could "swim" out to me.

 

But let's be honest, this is Everett we're talking about--what he really wanted was a snack! He spent a good portion of his day eating, begging for food, or crying because he was "so, so hungy." It's a hard world for two year old Ever, even if you're living a dreamy beach bum life!

 

This is the life! Lounging on the beach with orange Cheetos fingers to match the resort towels!

 

Again, T and I were in absolute heaven. I can't really explain what the sun does to us, but it's all good my friends. Our days usually consisted of beach time from 9 until noon, pool time from noon until 3, quiet time from 3 until dinner and then lots of food and fun once Daddy got home from work. Since our hotel was smack dab on South beach, the boys and I never had to go very far and it was so relaxing and rejuvenating!

 

Silly T.

 

Our hotel was super young and hip and, uh, maybe not totally used to having crazy little boys on their premises...for two weeks! People were mostly pretty nice, thankfully, and if the boys started being too loco I would give them the look and T would say, "Oh  yes, I forgot. This is a fancy place and we need to act really good and big so people don't get mad." The bartender at the pool was instantly charmed with their cuteness and made them homemade lemonades on the house...he even shook it like all of the "big people drinks" and they thought they were pretty dang special. Which they are!

 

 If I ever wondered how Talmage sees us, here is my proof. A picture of us, courtesy of him! 

 

 Most days we ended up going back to the beach for sunset, mostly because it was still 75 degrees and darn it, we could!

 

 The boys and their toys.

 While the boys dug a whole "straight to China" I watched the surfers and parasailers and tried to devise a plan that would allow us to move to Florida. Immediately.  

 

Me and my favorite ever T! 

 James was obsessed with finding coconuts and we would pick them up on our walks (but we had no idea what to do with them). But in no time we met our new friend Coconut Dre and he taught us how to break the shell, cut open the nut and drink the water. I was obsessed with it!  

 The coconut man himself! He was bear footed and showed us how he climbs the palm trees to pick the ripe coconuts. It was incredible! And he was so, so nice.

Us pretending that this was an exotic vacation for two and that we weren't pushing screaming boys in the stroller ;)

 

 

We are still adjusting back to our normal life, but hopefully I'll get things under control soon and I will post other adventures we took in Florida (mostly when James had a day off!) Dreamy, dreamy, dreamy!