Kiddo Update May 2016

I can’t believe how fast my two kids are growing up! I saw a video I took a year ago on TimeHop and it’s so hard to believe that 1) Carlyn is already a year old and is as different as can be and 2) how Crosby has drastically changed in the last year.

Carlyn obviously has gone through the biggest change. She had great head control early, and was sitting up on her own pretty early as well. She started fully walking at 10 months and is one of the most graceful babies I’ve ever seen. Even before she was walking, she’d just slowly move towards the ground like she was doing a squat. And she’d hold it there forever.

She has two teeth now on the bottom and is running around like crazy. She understands quite a bit, but she points and yells much more than anything. She’ll say several words, like Hi, Mamma, and Dadda, but that’s about it for now. That being said, the doctor only expects 4-5 words by 15 months so she still has plenty of time to pick up another one. She still another tiny one in roughly the second percentile, which sometimes makes her look like she’s a little doll when she’s walking around.

Her favorite thing in the world right now is going outside. Say that word or open the door to let out the dog, and she will be right there as quick as she can. She also loves going for runs. When I ask her if she wants to go, she always gets excited and can’t wait to get into the stroller. She also loves pulling snacks (especially cereal and cinnamon toast crunch) out of the pantry. During the run, she loves getting out at the park. She’s crazy about going down slides (there and at home) and loves being in the swings.

Crosby is also obviously getting bigger. Over the last four or five months, he’s started reading basic words. He knows and can identify all the sounds for all the letters. His memory never ceases to amaze me. You tell him something once, and it sticks with him forever.

His recent kick has been going on walks or runs in the evening. “I want to run to Aunt Mo’s house.” Korey will push Carlyn in her tricycle or pull her in the stroller, and he’ll insist that we run together. If I start walking, I get in trouble. “Keep running daddy, mommy will catch us.” Every now and then as we’re running he’ll need to take a break. He’ll plop down in the grass and then be ready to take off again in a minute.

He loves trying to “ring the bell” when we run across the bridge at the “regular park.” He’s also all about using the digger and swinging on the big boy swings.

Certainly his favorite thing to do at the moment is to play “The Silly Game.” He and I go upstairs to the guest bedroom and try to hide from Tabby who might be under the bed. She meows and we need to take turns being brave to go look for her. And of course, when I look he shoves me off the bed and laughs hysterically.

I’m always thankful to be this fortunate, and really to try to enjoy every minute I can with all of my family. What’s new with all of yours? Let me know @TalkToErik

Adult Only Getaway to Cancun

I love spending time with my kiddos, but a few weeks ago, Korey and I were fortunate enough to get some time to spend together without them at our side 24 x 7. We’re also really lucky to have both kids love my in-laws who live only 20 minutes away. (Thanks Mimma and Opa!)

So off we went to Mexico. Korey found cheap direct flights on Southwest, and thanks to a “come-watch-a-time-share” promotion, we were able to stay at very nice adult only all-inclusive resort for under $100 a night (including all taxes and resort fees). If you’re looking to do something similar, we’ve had good luck with http://www.bookvip.com. In the end, the whole 5-day trip including parking, flights, hotel, food, shopping, and transportation cost under $1100.

We landed in Cancun and had a private shuttle take us to the Secrets Capri resort which was roughly halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. After a Champagne check in we went off to our large room with a 4 poster bed and marble just about everywhere. But we didn’t come for the room, we came for the relaxing, food, drinks, and to spend time together – which we were really able lots of while we were there. Quiet dinners, a walk down the beach to a freshwater lagoon fed from underground rivers all made it into the first two days.

It did rain a bit the second day, but we roughed it through it with premium drinks in the hot tub. We also went into the city the next day for some shopping and ended up finding a delicious caramel and Nutella Belgian waffle and a place to get a 60 minute massage, mani and pedi for $35.

There was of course the mandatory time share presentation, which wasn’t too bad. I got some really good fish tacos at lunch, and the fact that we said we were buying a new house soon took some wind out of their sails (kind of true). The resort we looked at was brand new and gorgeous, but pricey as they usually are.

The hotel had lots of fun activities like beach volleyball and casino night – where we learned that the entertainment staff was basically playing “you win” blackjack. Deal gets a blackjack? Everyone wins… well except for this Canadian guy who was very upset that she wasn’t playing by the real rules and was very slow to pick up on her hints on whether to hit or not… oh well! With our fake gambling winnings, Korey won an hour massage and hydrotherapy session and I got a Bud light (yuck) t-shirt and an airbrush painting.

The sun came out the last full day where we took advantage of laying out by the pool most of the day. I also got out a bit and went for a bike ride around the resort and a kayak ride with the trainer on the ocean. One of my final highlights was a Hoby Cat ride in the ocean that we went on that after noon. It was really windy and that thing was flying!

We capped off our last night with dinner at the hibachi restaurant (really good food) and a second dinner at the Italian restaurant which had a killer filet mignon.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end (and we missed the kids), so we had to make our way back to reality… However, it was great while it lasted!

Do you have a timeshare and love it? What’s your favorite way to get out of a timeshare pitch? Let me know @TalkToErik