Absorbent and Yellow and Porous Is He!

Tobin has this funny gap between his two front teeth. I'd probably be more worried about it having a long-term impact on the poor guy's social life, except Zoie had the exact same gap and she now has a beautiful smile.

Lance's sisters have dubbed this phenomenon the "SpongeBob Effect".

Guess where they got it from?

My House

I came across some old pictures today and thought I would share with everyone the story of our home.

In 2004, Lance and I moved to Florida and bought a dilapidated fixer-upper for a fairly low price. It was a gross house in a beautiful, established neighborhood within the boundaries of the greatest ward ever. I cannot stress enough just how disgusting this house was. We couldn't even breathe the air in the home.

We were fortunate to be able to stay with my parents while Lance single-handedly fixed our house. It consumed all of our money and time for about six months, but we were able to move in shortly after Zoie was born.

I absolutely love our home. It is a work in progress and there is always more to be done, but look what a handy genius my husband is! Some before and after pictures:

The exterior

The kitchen

Another view of the kitchen

Living Room

One of the bathrooms

Bedroom

It is really a basic middle-class Florida home, but I love it!

Aunt Kaylee

Last week Lance's little sister Kelly came to visit us from Hawaii. Zoie's best friend's name is Kaylee and Zoie could not accept the name Kelly into her vocabulary-- so Aunt Kaylee it is.

She was only here for a few days, but we kept her busy. When it comes to entertaining people, I love living in Florida. During her short stay we managed to:

• Go to Adventure Island (the water park): there was no one there and not a single line. Kelly and I hit some of the water slides. I haven't been on one in ten years. They were SO FUN! I even got to take Zoie and Tobin on a couple of them.

• Hit the Beach: the forecast called for rain, but we chanced it anyway. It was one of those perfect beach days: no crowds, no rain, warm water, good kids.

• See Iron Man: Kelly's treat. Loved the movie! Thanks, Kel.

• Go to church (obviously): I am the Education Counselor in Relief Society and had to give an impromptu lesson when the teacher got sick. Thanks to Kelly for wrestling with Tobin during the lesson. (I have no pictures of this, but picture me nervously speaking extemporaneously and Tobin squirming in the back of the room.)
  
• Busch Gardens: Again, it was supposed to be rainy. Therefore, no lines, no crowds-- we saw all the animals and rode all the rides (multiple times) before the rain came.

It was such a fun week. I love having people visit. It is like a vacation for us too. Come see us and we will keep you busy! Thanks again, Kelly!

Mother's Day Indulgence

I love Mother's Day. I always enjoy the "day off" and the obligatory carnation from the youth at church. This year, Lance and the kids decided to indulge in all of my guilty pleasures. Flowers, cashews (which is an Atkins-friendly treat), gossip magazine, Diet Coke, and best of all-- a day at the spa! Does that say "Kira", or what? I love my family!


A card from Zoie

All my guilty pleasures


After my salon day (check out the nails and eyebrows)

Pedicure-- my absolute favorite indulgence!

Fateau

I have alluded previously to my low-carb diet. I cut out starchy foods and sugar on December 1st. It was really effective. I dropped 35 lbs. in just a few months. I feel and look better than I have since Tobin was born last April.

What I have tried to do here is show a comparison-- last October (pre-diet) and last month (in the throes of low-carb dieting). I was looking for a body shot-- but let's face it, who takes a picture of themselves while they're fat? I hope you can tell at least a little difference-- I tend to have chubby cheeks regardless of my weight.

Now, if you will please notice that I said it was really effective. The past month, I have been in a stage that every dieter hates-- PLATEAU. It is a vicious cycle:

1. I see no positive changes on the scale
2. I lose motivation
3. I make homemade oreos and butterfinger bars
4. I EAT said delicious treats
5. I lose no more weight. (repeat steps 2-5)

I used to be above cravings. I am no longer above them. Instead of craving something like-- an apple, or a slice of whole wheat bread, my body decides it NEEDS chocolate.

This is kind of embarrassing, but I decided to post about my diet to motivate myself. I am re-committing to losing another 20 lbs. or so. I would like to lose another 10 by my birthday (end of June). I am tracking my progress on a chart at the bottom of the page. Wish me luck!

Good Old-Fashioned Ghetto Fun

Sure, we have passes to a water park. Yes, many of our friends have swimming pools. Of course we live fairly close to the beach. But there are days when you just have to let appearances go, and have some backyard fun.

The Sprinkler Contraption.

Not "ghetto" enough for you? Let's throw in a Big Wheels.

Maybe add some sidewalk chalk-- just for the heck of it.

This whole scenario looks like something from my childhood (in the 80's)-- worse yet, it is even plausible that is a scene from my parents' childhood (in the 50's and 60's). But the kids had a blast and I got to work on my tan. Isn't that what really matters anyway?

Sparkly Eyes

Lance and I took Zoie to see Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes last night. We kept it a surprise. I told her that she could pick out any outifit in her closet and she chose her Snow White dress. That is when I knew we had made the right decision to take her to the show.

Her only stipulation for dinner was that she eat mac n cheese. We went to Bennigans-- right on Tampa Bay. She loved watching the boats and jetskis. We could tell that everything about going out with us was so "magical" to her-- from the elevators and escalators to walking the streets of downtown with her dad.

Once she realized she was going to see real princesses, she was in a joyous stupor the remainder of the night. She could not have enjoyed the show more than she did. Seeing her sweet little sparkly eyes was so worth it. Both Lance and I are such suckers for that kid.

(As a side note, I have to give Lance some extra credit for last night. He overcame his aversion to many things-- ice skating, musical theater, princesses, etc. He ended up carrying Zoie's pink purse for most of the night. What a man!)

Orangutans and the White Pants

As a kid, one of my favorite parts of going to Busch Gardens was being able to watch the Orangutans. I have always felt a special connection with them... (Big, slow and lazy-- could it be because I can relate?)

A few years ago, much to my chagrin, they removed the Orangutan exhibit. Well, today they are back! I took my kids to see them. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that my enthusiasm for these hairy beasts far outweighed theirs.

They had a glass square in the floor where you could look directly down onto a napping Orangutan. I was so excited about this. I literally shoved some small children out of the way so I could get a better look (not a proud moment). But it was amazing and I can watch those animals all day.

As I was dressing for our big day at Busch Gardens this morning, I thought, "It will be hot-- I'd better wear light clothing". White capris-- perfect, right? After dressing, I packed a lunch for the kids-- Doritos and chocolate covered granola bars... no problem there.

Now, as a mom I would hope that some kind of warning bells would sound in my head when I combine a one year-old, chocolate, and new white pants. Nope. Nothing. I didn't even bat an eye when I felt Tobin tugging on my legs during lunchtime. It was actually not until I got in the car to go home that I fully noticed what my poor capris had been through. Only Tide can save them now.

(This picture does not do it justice-- I know its hard, but please try to see past the shear enormity of my pants to notice the mess)

There really should be some kind of law against selling white clothing to the mothers of children under the age of 4.

By the way, thanks to Heidi for the awesome skull t-shirts my kids are sporting!