School Days

Each week Titus' class is learning a new letter. This week has been F. For the phonics lesson yesterday the teacher told the kids the objective was to find the F words 'fish' and 'frogs.' Mrs R. said Titus raised his hand and said, "I have an objective." As though he were a little lawyer raising his hand to "object." She had told me the week before she thinks Titus would make an incredible lawyer as he is always talking and asking questions. I laughed when she told me that because Steve had just said the week before that same thing about Titus being a lawyer. His teacher went on to tell me that Titus said, "I found one of your objectives. A frog." She gave him the "Listening Ears Award." He was so proud of himself that day because he had also gotten a green star from Coach (his gym teacher) for running twice around the track...half a mile! Steve has said several times someone at the park has commented on how fast Titus runs.

It's good for us all when Titus has a great day like that...it doesn't happen every day. Some days when I pick him up, I will hear that he was defiant, saying "no" to his teacher or hiding behind the art easel when it's time to line up.

The elementary school had parent-teacher conferences at the end of October. Steve was teaching so I went alone. Mrs. Ramroopsingh opened the conference by holding hands and praying the most beautiful prayer. For Titus, praising God for bringing us back to CCA. She told me that Titus talks about the forest in Pennsylvania. She said as they were learning about the seasons, Titus told the kids about the leaves falling and the snow. She was surprised at how much he remembered. None of the other kids in his class have experienced the seasons. It made me sad to know that he remembers it. And that he won't experience that so much anymore.

I've been starting to have more of those moments of missing. It comes mostly when I hear Titus talk about it. Or about the people we left behind. He does remember a lot. He calls our last house the "hot house." When we moved it was in the middle of a PA heat wave. In our packing, I returned the AC unit that we borrowed from friends and the house was unbearable. We stayed with my parents the last few days living there. We must've told Titus was couldn't stay in our house because it was too hot.

We're doing well here. But there occasionally comes the feelings of sadness. They creep in at times when Titus is playing with cars and shows me Adrienne's car and uncle Ray's pickup truck. Or last week when he looked out my bedroom window and saw a car that he said is "like Grammy's car, but not Grammy's because she is so far away." Yesterday he found a firecracker and said, "like we did at the hot house."

Park Weather

It's finally gotten cool enough to spend time outdoors. Outdoors away from water. And by cool, I mean mid 80's with no humidity. It feels so good. We finally turned off the air conditioning and have been enjoying each and every minute of having the windows and screen doors open.

We've also been taking advantage of the amazing parks near us. There are two that we love...within a five minute drive.

We went over the weekend as a family-










And I took the boys again this afternoon-














This is the Coconut Creek Community Center. It has two seperate play areas. One is near a large body of water {we watched guys racing remote control boats}, has a huge musical game, small rock climbing walls and a hopscotch on the ground. The other is fenced in and under a canopy with the swings and slides. There is a little butterfly garden off to the side and basketball courts. When we were there as a family we saw two jet skis go past on the waterway. Titus loves to walk across the little bridge and to play on the stage area. When I took the boys today we walked through a nearby neighborhood following the sounds of a marching band. As we got closer we saw the end of a parade.

I am so thankful for beautiful weather, places to play, and healthy active boys.

Sick Babies

Quincy woke with a high fever on Wednesday morning. He slept most of the day, only waking for an hour or so before napping again.


It hit Titus on Friday night. He laid around all day on Saturday. Watching tv and drinking orange juice.


Today is Sunday and both boys seem back to their healthy normal. We are waiting for Quincy's nap to be over so that we can go out and spend some time on the beach. The weather has been amazing. Perfect. Windows and screen doors are open. Breeze is coming in. Ceiling fans are spinning. Sun is out.

We're enjoying every minute of it...while praying that the fever doesn't hit Steve or me this week.

Titus Talks

...and talks and talks.

People would always comment on how well Titus could speak at an early age. Since he was my first and I didn't have anyone to compare him to, I really didn't think much of it. Now that I have Quincy and see how little he talks, I realize that Titus did talk early...and talk a lot.

Titus is the third youngest in his class, having just turned three in July. However, his teacher tells me his speech is the best in his class. Last week she said she caught him "teaching" his friends how to properly say monochromatic and chrysalis.

She has said that if something happens in the classroom that she didn't see, she will ask Titus. Not only is he articulate, but always tells the truth. He is that child who will do something wrong but tell exactly what he did. I always say, "at least he's honest."

His drama teacher described him as "eloquent." To which he blushed.

Over the weekend we had CNN on and Steve asked me if I think Titus listening to adult shows makes him more intelligent. I think it can, depending on the subject.

Last night we had the nightly news on while Steve and I were talking. Titus was playing cars on the coffee table. Suddenly he turned to us and said, "They put them in jail for killing Israelis."

Like he was just having a normal conversation with us. Maybe we should be more careful about what he hears. :) He picks up on everything.

Some days I find it refreshing to have Quincy saying little more than "mama" and "dada." Talking to Titus can be so draining. Because the talking never stops. I tell Steve how lucky he is to be able to drive to work and back in silence. :)

I think later in life as Titus matures and faces teenage and adult issues, we will feel so blessed to have him talk so much. I think that all through life he will be a great conversationalist {one who converses a great deal or who excels in conversation}. I think we will have good, open communication with him. I hope.

A Tuesday Road Trip

This morning the boys and I headed out to explore. Actually, I really wanted to scope out some location spots for our Christmas pictures this year. I had been struggling to get a complete idea in my head for our pictures. I had a dress in mind for me and a color scheme but that was all the further I was getting. Then yesterday I found a sweater for Quincy and my ideas all came together. I have some location ideas in mind, but wanted to look for a few more. I like to go to a spot where I know no one will be and that isn't far from home. Attempting to take pictures with two young boys and doing it with a tripod rather than a real photographer tends to make things a little difficult. Although I didn't find any spots for our Christmas shots {and actually, I think I decided to just do them in our backyard...can't get much easier than that}, we did have a great morning just getting out of the house.

We drove north on A1A which runs right along the beach. It is such a beautiful drive, but one I think that would be more enjoyable without kids. :) We drove for about an hour. All the way to Palm Beach. Passing huge, amazing homes. I couldn't help but get a little materialistic the further we went. Oh how incredible to live in such an enormous home right across from the beach. Or even just to vacation in one of those homes.

But, that's not what life is supposed to be about, right?

And how could I wish for anything more when I have two precious little faces smiling at me from the backseat?

When Titus got a little tired of riding along and Quincy refused to take a morning nap in the car, we found this amazing little spot to get out for a break.

a playground on the beach-

the Mayo brothers band-

"Ready to race, little brother?!"-

"You must be crazy"-


second attempt-

"You can do it, Quince"-

"I'll give you a little push"-

and a bigger push-


"whew, I made it"-

a little private spot on the beach-





there's nothing quite like getting out of the house to go play on the beach-




fisherman letting down his nets-


"He's gonna cook them for dinner!"-

being the youngest stinks sometimes-

my typical view from above-

attempt at getting "brother pictures"...fail-


just the little one-