Ode to Florida

I didn't skip over Florida on purpose...honestly! Actually, the truth is that I was so wrapped up in this gorgeous weekend, that I just had to document these record temperatures, and sunny blue skies. However, just two weeks ago, Caden and I enjoyed an amazing trip to Florida (Thanks to my mom and dad.)

Caden experienced his first plane flight. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous, having never held him on my lap for multiple hours in a row. But, I was pleasantly surprised! He enjoyed all the gawking faces that he saw in the airport. Then, being the first to get on board, we had a chance to snap a few photos. On the flight down, he squirmed a bit, but then fell asleep. However, I have to admit that I was so nervous he'd wake up that I decided not to partake in the food and beverage offered by JetBlue. I also watched about 5 episodes of the same TV series...although, it now escapes me as to what it was I watched! Perhaps I fell asleep and didn't know it.

So, for today, I offer these first snapshots of Caden and I in the airport and on the plane. Tomorrow I'll be back with more from our first days in Florida!

Oh, What a Day...

Today took my breath away. The morning began with a walk to the playground, followed by a picnic lunch, and relaxing with a book. The kids stayed outside all day, playing with the neighbors and their pool! I even got out to fly a kite (until it broke after a nosedive!)...

Enjoy the day's pics:)

Oh, What a Night...

My lips curled up into a smile as I stepped out of the school doors this afternoon. Warmth. As I have mentioned previously, I love anything warm. So, the balmy temperatures turned my somewhat miserable day, into a rather lovely one.

Soaking in the warmth, the kids and I headed out on a nice long walk around the neighborhood. What was probably the greatest aspect of the walk was that my 9 year old son actually talked with me the whole time, instead of taking off on his scooter. I need these moments, and I always relish these moments. Colin has so much going on in his head - so it was quite refreshing to hear about his latest book interests (The Goosebump Series), and his latest movie interests (A Wrinkle In Time - yeah, like the book! Who knew there was a movie?)

I'm looking forward to waking up tomorrow. I know that the cool and rainy Rochester weather is gone, at least for the weekend. And, the warm air from Florida has blown in, just as I had promised to my friends and family:)

Project Central

I am so impressed by the sheer amount of progress we've made in and around our house since last weekend.

1) A flower bed was "rotatilled" into the future home to: Tomatoes, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, basil, and carrots!

2) Three new lights replaced the horribly gaudy ones that were put in by the builders about 25 years ago.

3) The light fixture in the crawl space was moved so we don't break it off with our "back ends" when climbing up onto the half-wall!

4) New flooring was placed in the upstairs bathroom. After making a massive attempt to pull up the old tile, it was decided that stick on tiles over the old stick on tiles would work just fine! ... Of course, it still took nearly 12 hours of work (but it looks fabulous!)

5) The kids' room was emptied out, and is now welcoming with open arms an organizational overhaul!

And, all this in time for our 80 degree weekend! Instead of worrying about indoor stuff, we can get ourselves outside:)

Eggs Come In All Shapes and Sizes...(and Colors, too!)

Easter must be upon us! We've decorated the eggs, and here they are. I shall say that this year's batch is among the best so far! Since the weather cooperated, we did the dyeing outside, thus making me a bit more comfortable with the coloring process!

The kids did a lovely job ordering me to dip an egg here, "No not there, here...no, wait, there,"...and on and on. But really...it was quite a lot of fun. Now, I sure hope the Easter Bunny doesn't hide these beautiful masterpieces!

Happy Easter!

Mathemagician

I couldn't go to bed without recognizing the conversation that I had with my son tonight. I definitely need to remember this one!

So, my dear boy, Colin...only 9... pointed out how well he's been doing in math and science recently. He claims he is the "smartest" in the class - I cautioned him when using this term, and reminded him that there is always more that he can learn (ie. don't be so cocky!)...but, nonetheless, I was pleased to see that he has a positive outlook on math.

Apparently the kids in school think that he will always be good at math, because he has a math teacher for a mom! Little did they know that math is in our genes! Mike did well at math, and both his mom and brother were math majors in college. His dad is an electrical engineer. My brother is a computer engineer. So...math runs deep.

So, the conversation started out with why the area of a circle = pi x r squared. He totally got it. He then proceeded to talk through how we'd find the surface area of a cylinder, by showing me on a can of beans. He recognized that the surface of the "label" is really just a rectangle that has an area of the length of the can x the circumference (although, he doesn't know that term yet).

It really does amaze me how much he knows, and gets! And, I love that he passes on his passion for math to his sister. Emmy is so proud of herself because she has figured out some multiplication rules (yes, she is only in Kindergarten!) - She loves multiplying by 0, 1, and 10. And, 5's are easy because all you do is count by 5's (Duh! Geesh, Mom!)

On a side note...one of Colin's friends was asking about Colin's sisters. Colin told him that he only had one sister, and one brother. Apparently, the friend then asked, "But, wasn't that your older sister that dropped you off at my house?"...Colin's response, "No! That was my mom!!" Heh...That made me feel good (especially after my wrinkle problem last night!)

So, we'll end the evening on that note. In the eyes of a fourth grader, I look like an older sister:) Cute!

Is Spring Here?

My likes include warmth...anything and everything warm. So, why is it that I'm questioning whether Spring is really here? Those of you in the Northeast know what I mean. Mother Nature has been such a tease! This picture was taken last week...when it was beautiful out...I have no pictures of me freezing under my blanket!

My own daughter of only 6 realized that when March came in so kindly (the lamb), that it would go out with a bang (the lion)! She was right, unfortunately. I need warmth. Really, I do. In fact, I lack Vitamin D - so, I medically need sunlight! So, spring is here, I think? But, I'm not positive because I'm wearing a coat, inside.

Florida, here I come! Sunshine, shine on me!

Wrinkles

As I'm typing, I keep one eye on my hands. They are covered with wrinkles. At 30, shouldn't I still have smooth skin? Or, is this the natural progression? Are wrinkles supposed to come already?

I feel like my hands have so many stories in them. Things they've touched, things they've written, things that they have sensed. Maybe each wrinkle is a new story that has emerged. That's a nice thought.

I guess my wrinkles aren't so bad after all.

Winter Winds...Need to Get Away!

I am so incredibly grateful that Mom and Dad will be flying me to Florida this Saturday. Thank Goodness!

I have had enough of this cold, windy weather. I woke up to snow on the ground today! (Thank goodness both of our cars were safely tucked away in the garage!) But, how ridiculous is that? Snow in April. And not pretty snow. It was freezing cold, blowing, messy snow. Seriously - the weather report is on - snow tonight. Sigh.

But, summer-like weather awaits in Florida. I just need to make it though this cold week. Wish me luck! Caden and I will be flying out soon enough.

Major Success: The Two Car Garage Dilemma Solved!

I completely forgot to mark the day that we, The Farringtons, figured out how to fit two cars in the two car garage! I have proof - look for yourself!

So, you too can fit two cars in your two car garage. Follow these steps:

1) Throw away (or donate, or sell) anything that you don't need.

2) Put all empty buckets in basement (or, are we the only family that has empty buckets laying around the garage??)

3) Move everything to the edge and back of garage

4) Follow rule three with the following exception: Kids bikes must have access, otherwise, your car will definitely get scratched upon the comings and goings of crazy children on said bikes.

5) Follow rule three with this exception as well: Leave a box of kid's things near the entrance of the garage, but do not have an excessive amount of kids stuff (because you will then end up cleaning it up anyway...and you've already cleaned enough for one day!)

6) Slowly, and carefully eye your "landmarks" in the garage so that your aim with the cars is just right...then, every so carefully, move your cars in

7) If you want to be able to open the doors to your car, then you may need a bigger garage.

8) Don't do this if you're about to buy a van, because all this hard work will go to waste...I really don't think 2 car garage = 1 car + 1 van...but, we'll see soon enough!

9) Enjoy, and take a picture because this may be the only time that you fit both cars in the garage!

Free of Clutter

I love workshops that allow you to clean up computer clutter! It's amazing the mess I've made of my computer during the past three years. All the files completely took over my computer. I had a file named: "Throw Away" - now why, I ask, would I create a file called throw away, rather than just throwing those files away? Sometimes I just amaze myself. So, this wonderful workshop afterschool gave us time to clear the clutter. I spent nearly an hour of uninterrupted time to graze through files that no longer mean anything to me. But, I did come across some gems! I found a wonderful picture of Caden, and a lovely picture of my first classroom with my good friend Dawn. I had completely forgotten about this, and it made me smile. So, I think the lesson learned here is that if I'm going to take the time to name a folder, "Files that don't work" - just ditch them! Geesh... Clutter free, and happy!

Sore Knees Prevented

This happens each spring. I really, and truly, wish that I could be happy running. Everyone I know that runs tells me how wonderful it is to R-U-N. I just don't get it. Although, that may have something to do with the fact that I'm not a runner. I never have been. Gym class (although, we could only call it PE or we may get the wrath from our gym, ahem, PE teacher) was like torture in high school. The one mile run just about killed me. Hence the reason why I would walk instead, and thus get the worst time possible. At least now I can appreciate those people that can enjoy running.

So, this happens each spring. The snow has melted, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining. "I should go for a run," I think to myself. I google, "Beginner running a 5k." A 5k you ask...I'll get to that eventually. The response I get from the majority of websites is that I can go from couch potato (well, I can't categorize myself as this...but, I start at this site anyway) to 5k runner in no time! I read on. Apparently I can use the 5 minute brisk walk, 60 sec. run, and 90 sec. walk technique. I can do that, I think! I can do anything for a minute.

So, as happens every spring, I pull on my running shoes, pull my hat down over my ears, and plug my iPod into my ears. Lily Allen blares and makes me smile. I can do this, I think. The 5 minute walk is glorious! Then, I begin my "run". I am motivated by the fact that my run begins on the downhill part of my neighborhood - thank goodness! 60 sec. running. My legs feel like I have weights in them - I don't remember my legs ever feeling so heavy. I know that I can do this. Running and walking around my neighborhood feels refreshing.

Little kids on bikes, dads pushing trikes, flowers poking through dirt, balls bouncing on driveways, birds chirping...I can definitely appreciate the "run" through the neighborhood - even if I am only running for 60 sec.

When I reached my home, my knees immediately received the ice they deserved. I made it. I ran (and walked) for nearly half an hour. The rest of the day proved to be a success and lacked the soreness that I had expected.

We'll see what the morning brings. 5K, here I come!