Caden in bed

From Florida.

Also, some interesting info. The blog allows you to see where the traffic came from. Here is all the different locations people have viewed the blog.

United States 1,304

Kuwait 155

Canada 56

Italy 55

Russia 22

China 10

Hong Kong 10

Brazil 7

United Arab Emirates 4

United Kingdom 4

318 Dodge

Caden - turns out the light and demonstrates his skills with a lightsaber. Beware all Sith Lords.

Anyone need a Doctor?

Chloe attempts to fix what ails Emma.

Just in - another Chloe interview!

Chloe - out by the fire-pit - wanted to give another interview. So here is take two of that interview - she coughed all through the first. And yes, I was nervous that she would fall from the chair.

Another video!

Chloe told me she wanted to go sledding. I said there is no more snow. (Hard to believe that all the snow is indeed gone) She said, "Gramps, you don't need snow". Here is your proof...

314 days

OK, here is the other half of yesterday's video. I like how Chloe just copied Caden - except for the incredible answer about what Killer Whales eat. It is an instant classic.

Video from last summer.

In the video you see Bindi walk by - we miss the girl! I will post some other videos from various times over the last year soon.

313 Days away

Ok, here are a few more pictures from Florida. The first is the picture caption contest!

Title Caption Contest!

How to play: Add a Caption under the comment section - I am going to do another Thursday as well. OK, I want some great ideas here people!

March on!

March 20th marked the end of a vacation that was both awesome and exhausting. I love spending time with the kids in ways that I hope they will never forget. Two days in particular stood out for me, The Tuesday visit that the three of us made to the alligator farm and the Saturday trip to the beach. All the money at Disney and Seaworld make it an event that is hurried and marred by standing in lines, fighting crowds and desperately trying to feel like the day was worth it. The beach has none of those issues and the Alligator Farm is much more laid back.

There were several precious moments as well. I was getting ready one of the mornings we stayed in a hotel in Orlando and I noticed Chloe dancing. I watched her for a bit and then realized that I should be video taping the dance. She was shimmying in one spot, stepping forward and doing it again. I wish I had caught a longer moment but here it is.

I like my relationship with Caden, he quietly has started to really mature. He has his moody minutes still but they are fewer and further between. He did something very special at a restaurant that we went to called "Buffalo Wild Wings" He copied the logo by eye - and I forgot to keep it. He drew a near perfect Buffalo. Then we played several video games. He was stoked by the time we left making us all quickly forget how bad the service was.

Here are a couple of pictures I took with my cell phone:

Lunch with a T-Rex

We ate at the T-Rex Cafe in Orlando yesterday. Here are a couple of pictures of the Restaurant and Caden. He has a Triceratop looking over his shoulder.

Last Day of Vacation with the Kids

A quick recap of the week: Monday, beach; Tuesday, Alligator Farm; Weds, Seaworld; Thursday, Disney's Magic Kingdom; Friday, Downtown Disney and lunch at T-Rex; Saturaday - we are going to the beach.

Highlights so far, The kids holding an alligator and patting a Boa Constrictor at the Alligator Farm; Seaworld's Shamoo show, Space Mountain with Caden, Seeing a bald eagle fight an osprey over downtown disney.

I will post some pictures later today time allowing. I really think the kids have had a great time.

Another day not at the beach

Florida is in the midst of some cold weather. We only had 75 for a high today. (Just kidding - it is not really a cold snap) Perfect day to walk around. Caden, Chloe and I chased lizads in the morning but didn't catch any. We saw otters on the canal behind Cheryl's house. Lots of birds as well.

Went to the fish festival, the kids were able to run around and wear themselves down a bit. Caden climbed a rock wall and Chloe did a bungy cord bouncy thing. They both went on a few other kids rides. They came back to B & C's house and played in the hottub that was set to about 75.

Great start to what we hope is a great week.

Florida Sun

We made it to Florida and within 20 minutes of being on the road Caden asked to move here. Smart kid after the winter we have had. We made it to Ben & Cheryl's without a hitch. Carl drove us to the airport squeezing out a few more moments with his kids before he goes away to Afghanistan.

Weather looks very promising and the trip was smooth and easy. Rented a big Ford Explorer with a third seat for the kids and their booster seats. I'll post some pictures and maybe a video ater this week.

Chloe & Daddy

Chloe is part Spider Monkey - she loves to climb on her dad. They all went to Bertucci's tonight, I had to work. We are heading to Florida in the morning.

Boss 302

Carl has been back. It is his turn to say goodbye to his kids before he heads off to war. He has a scary job to do and we all want to see him come back in one piece. He took Caden & Chloe out for Caden's birthday and ate at Caden's favorite restaurant, Friendly's. (Lets hope he grows some taste buds as he gets older.) Susan also made me snap two blackmail pictures that I will not put up here of Caden sitting on the throne. Someday his Mother is going to show some girlfriend the pictures and Caden will not be happy.

Nice to see Carl on the floor, playing with the kids. Chloe tends to jump all over him and Caden likes to just keep him near.

They also were able to talk to Grampa Ted and for the first time both kids had a prolonged talk with their grandfather that they so rarely see.

297 seems like heaven!

Great day - heard from Ryanne to wish me a happy b-day, Chloe made me several drawings and Caden did a great job with tying his own shoes. Mimi gave him a book, which he struggled with, and then she swapped the book for a real shoe and he kept up until he finally did it. Stubborn kid really tried hard.

Chloe's Ladybug picture

If you look in the middle you can sort of make out a 6 on top of a 5 in pink. (red) It is tough to see but it is there. She told me that the picture meant that I could buy a lady bug for 56 dollars.

Time keeps on slippin, slippin into the future.

Ryanne called from Kuwait, Chloe got to tell her a story about how mean Mimi is. Chloe said I washed my Nintendo DS in soapy water and now Mimi won't buy me a new one.

Gonna take the kids this weekend hopefully to Plymouth to see the seals on the beach.

293 days away!

Caden had a project at school and needed a 3 ring binder. Caden & I custom made jets to go on the covers. Classic cotton ball cloud on the back!