Let's Go Racing

Before you go pick up the phone to call me, I was just kidding about the racing part, Mom!!! LOL We got some stripes on our MINI the other day. What? You didn't think we would just leave it the color white, did you? In fact, we almost didn't buy it because it was so plain. With a car like a MINI with lots of personality, we needed to add the traditional racing stripes. So here it is... 

Make A Wish

Partying with the Animals

Tyler's official party took place at the Virginia Zoo. We had never been to a party there, so we really didn't know what to expect. Well, it turned out to be the most awesome birthday ever!!! The party started off with animal presentations. The porcupine was headliner of the show. We listened and watched as she climbed from branch to branch on a tree in front of us. Then, at Tyler's request, a snake was shown that we all got to pet. A millipede and a tenrec (a small like hedgehog) both native to Madagascar, were presented and afterwards we could touch to see what they feel like. The zoo educators filled our heads with lots of information and answered all of our questions.

Then it was time for pizza, followed by cake. This year's cake had been be zoo themed, so I had Tyler go through a coloring book and pick out a picture of an animal he me to do on the cake. He ended up picked a giraffe. I used a technique that I've never used before and decorating the cake the night before the party was a risky, but it all turned out pretty good and most of all, my boy was very happy. After the cake was consumed and the treat bags were passed out, we headed outside and toured the zoo for the remainder of the afternoon. It was an absolute blast!!! Here are some more photos of Tyler's 7th birthday celebration.

Trains, Trains, and More Trains

Tyler's birthday weekend and Grandpa and Grandma being in town, how could we not go to the train show? This was actually our third year attending and as always we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with lots to see and do. Afterwards, we went down to the beach where we had a lovely lunch at a Greek restaurant. Unfortunately, it was too cold and damp to go for a nice stroll along the boardwalk afterwards, but it was still a great outing.

Happy Birthday Video

Tyler's 7th Birthday!!!

Our birthday boy woke up early very eager to start celebrating his special day. His first big surprise was waiting for him in his chair. Woody had been missing for a few years actually and every now and then Tyler would mention him and wonder where he disappeared to. I actually thought maybe he went to Goodwill, but to my surprise I located him the day before and so I thought it would be a perfect timing to surprise Tyler with his long lost friend. At first, when he noticed him he just had this huge smile on his face, but he didn't say anything to me for at least 10 minutes. Perhaps he was in disbelief what he was seeing. LOL Then he kept saying that he had ti show me something weird that was in the dining room. When he showed me, he said Woody must have come back for his birthday. It was soo sweet!!! Anyway, after breakfast and he got dressed, I told him he could open one of Nanny's presents that she sent him in a huge box. It was the Spider-Man web spray hand that he asked her for. He was soo excited that he tried it out a little before school. He couldn't wait to get back home and try it out again.
While he was in school, I decided to make him the mustache cake that he wanted for his birthday. He is having a party on the weekend, so my original plan was to just wait until then. Tyler wanted a mustache themed party, but when we booked the party at the venue of his choice it didn't really match the theme and we thought that maybe some of the younger kids wouldn't really get the mustache theme. LOL Anyway, after making a good attempt at making a mustache cake, Grandpa and Grandma arrived from Rhode Island to surprise our little boy on his birthday. I picked up Tyler and his friend, Dalton, from school and Tyler was super happy to see his grandparents were here. After homework and some playing with his friend, Grandma and Grandpa took us out for a birthday dinner at Tyler's choice of restaurant. He picked Friendly's, but because I had made cake we decided not to get ice cream. Instead, after dinner, the servers came over clapping their hands and seeing their birthday song to Tyler. They made him a very special fruit dish.
We then came home and had mustache cake and ice cream. To top off our birthday celebrating, Tyler opened his present from his Auntie Erika. Inside was a hilarious mustache card that plays a song, the Secret of Nimh DVD, and some trucks. He laughed so much at the card and kept playing it over and over again and he loved everything. Thank you, Auntie Erika, for always being so kind and thoughtful!!! But the presents didn't stop then. It was then time to open all the presents from Grandma and Grandpa. They gave him all kinds of wonderful stuff that he loves so much including a Checkers game, a SpongeBob calender, a very cool Wolverine shirt, more games, soap, and a Nano bug.
Overall, it was a super great day, but it isn't over yet. The big celebrations will be happening over the weekend. Happy Birthday to our amazing son whom we love with all our heart and soul. You have made our life complete. Our gift from God that we are so very thankful for each and every day. We are still in disbelief how fast the years went by. It just seems like yesterday we brought him home from the hospital. Never forget that how big you grow, you will ALWAYS be our baby. XOXOXOXO

LOL

President's Day Cache Finds

We spent the day finding caches within a 2 mile radius of our apartment. We like to share our more interesting finds with you all, so here you go.

The first one was in memory of a police officer that died while doing diving training in the lake of the park the cache is located in. There was no paper log to sign, but rather a police car to sign instead.

The second one was a bird's nest with an egg as the camouflaged cache container.

Lastly, is one that we've seen a few times before. The container is magnetized on the side of a light post. You just pull it off the post and sign the log inside. Sneaky, huh? The next time you park next to a light post, you may be actually parking near a "Park & Grab", as we like to refer to in the game of caching.

A little excited over the snow we got yesterday.

Man, teeth are coming out left and right with our little man. He lost another one last night right before TKD class. Pretty soon the Tooth Fairy is going to go broke. LOL

Valentine's Day~

Our family had a very lovely Valentine's Day. First of all, Steve surprised Tyler and I with tickets to go see Natalie MacMaster in concert!!! I wasn't even aware that she was even on tour, let alone coming to Virginia. It was a total surprise. I'm still in shock. LOL If you are not familiar with Natalie, she is a fiddler from my native island of Cape Breton who has stunned audiences from around the world with her incredible talent. I've always wanted to see her in concert. This is going to be a real treat.

Steve also gave me a sweet card and a beautiful bouquet of pink and white flowers with some lilies which are my absolute favorite flower.

Tyler made Steve and I some terrific handmade crafts. He made Dad a paper airplane and even put it in a gift bag he also made himself. Dad was also delighted to receive a tomato, "mouth", and an airplane from Tyler. He made me an adorable magnet for the fridge. These gifts Steve and I will treasure forever.
Sweetheart cupcakes were sooo fun to make for Steve and Tyler and they tasted even better. I also got Steve his favorite Lindt chocolates and a card. Tyler received from Dad and I a balloon and a card. Overall, the Smiths had a fantastic Valentine's Day, but honestly being married to the most wonderful husband and the sweetest boy, it feels like Valentine's Day EVERYDAY. :)

Missing Teeth

Yet another tooth came out last night. Pretty soon he won't have any left and we'll have to feed him just soup and yogurt. LOL It was so funny when he pulled this one out, he said to us that he "has a pretty crazy smile now" and then ran to the bathroom to go look in the mirror. LOL

Merry Christmas

Finally baked the ham we were suppose to have for Christmas dinner. Great timing as it's Fat Tuesday today. LOL 

Another tooth came out.

Happy Family

We had so much fun caching yesterday that we decided to go back out and do some more today. One of the caches brought us to this giant smiley face. I love smiley faces so much. When we came home, Steve surprised me by making me a smiley face cappuccino, but some of our friends on Face Book said it looks more like a smiley monkey instead. I guess it sort of does, but it needs ears. LOL

Cache 'Em Up

It's been awhile since we had a serious cache run and we thought it was about time we took our "micro"car for a little caching adventure, so this morning Steve loaded up the GPS, the car and we found some local caches. 16 in total, and some were some pretty interesting finds. Check out a few of the photos we took.

Tyler made this collage at school today. The person he drew on the guitar is his Tae Kwon Do instructor. LOL

TKD Video

It's official! We are no longer a temporary member of Master Hwang's class. Tonight we officially signed up.

100th day of school is fast approaching and Tyler's class has started preparations to celebrate. Tonight Tyler counted 100 raisins to contribute to the class 100th day trail mix.