Thanksgiving week

looking at the animals at Busch Gardens



David and Solana swimming at sunset

Lotus had so much fun with the foam noodle!

blue moon

We watched the sunset from the beach tonight and then saw the blue moon rise over Redington Beach, Florida.





This was art representing our family, but it's hard to see the fourth stick.

my birthday

I turned 35 last Friday, Oct. 29. I wasn't expecting much to happen, but I had an awesome birthday! Solana made me a banner that said "happy birthday to Anita" with each letter on it's own piece of paper, taped to a string. And she made me a card, but she makes me several cards every day anyway! David gave me a new motorcycle jacket, helmet, and gloves. That was fun, since I've always used hand-me-down gear that was too big. Now I just have to find the time away from the kids to go for a ride! I did get some time away from Lotus while she napped, and my sister called my on Skype! Haven't talked to her since they moved to Albania, so that was special. In the evening we went to Oatland Island wildlife center for their Halloween Hike. Solana dressed up as a witch, with purple hair under her hat that I sewed in there, David was a vampire, with red contact lenses, and I was Rainbow Rainbow (Solana's idea). Lotus wore her regular clothes. It was fun watching Solana have a blast. She got a balloon animal, watched a magic show, trick-or-treated along the trail from people in costumes, went on a hay ride and played in a bounce house. Then we went home and David stayed with the kids while I went out for some kid-free time! I love my kids, but since I am always with them, it's fun to get away once in a while. The next day David gave me a cake and 3 flavors of sorbet and we had a little coffee party. It was just the two of us; the kids didn't even want any. I feel happy and refreshed. Thank you to everyone who sent me cards, emails, and phone calls!

hair

before the haircut

after

Lotus now has the shortest hair in the family.

more cute hair (and scales)

McBride, British Columbia, Part 2

McBride, British Columbia, Part 1

plane ride to Sylvania

Solana's unbirthday

We had an Alice in Wonderland unbirthday tea party for Solana's 6th birthday. We celebrated early since we will be in Canada for her actual birthday. Here she is with Simone and Eden; David is lighting the candles. More pictures later, promise!

for Irma

So I was looking at my baby pictures and realized that Lotus looks a lot like I used to look.

Anita and mommy

Lotus and grandma

Irma with her girls

Anita with her girls (I looked through hundreds of pictures before I found a somewhat recent one of me with both kids.)

Gabriel

My nephew, Gabriel Tobias Phelps Jantzi, was born on July 7, 2010 to Elizabeth (Betty) and Terry, and big sister Valerie. We went to visit them in Virginia when he was 10 days old. What a great family week!

family of four

Gabriel with my parents

David and Lotus at the park where we went every evening after supper

Solana still talks about the cave all the time!

sistahs

oldies but goodies

I just realized how little I've been blogging. These pictures are not that recent, but still worth sharing!

This was on the Earth Day bike ride we did with the kids. We had a blast!

Me, in a hammock with 3 kids after the bike ride.

nature girl

trapped in an unpoppable bubble

Mother's Day at Skidaway Island

so much love in the room

The mosquitoes love Lotus.


I love our hammock!


Lotus loves babies, especially Linus!


Solana loves the big bubbles, and the big bubbles love her.


I love Solana.