Blakey Boy Turns 4!!!!

Four short years ago, on March 27th, our sweet Blakey Boy was born. He has brought so much joy to our life! I can't imagine life without him. It has been been a loud, wild and fun 4 years at that. His sound effects are AWESOME and the stories he tells are a HOOT! He is rough and sweet all at the same time. His big deep voice makes people giggle because they don't expect such a big voice coming from a little man. He is a MOVIE lover and is very imaginative and is creative and loves to "build machines" with his blocks. He was blessed with his daddy's engineering mind...which I think will come in quite handy in his future. Trains are his ABSOLUTE Favorite right now, so for his Birthday, we went all out TRAIN STYLE!!! He was in heaven and I loved every minute of it myself. Happy Birthday Blake!

I made Blake a Train Cake for his special day. It was looking pretty rough when I got started cutting, sculpting and assembling. The girls would come and inspect the progress and would make comments like...." it looks like a truck!"....and..."is that a boat?" ... i could see what they were saying. uh oh! i was getting scared. But then Blake would come up and correct everyone very loudly and say..." NO THAT'S A TRAIN!!!" I was happy that is all he could see. It made my day. He would come up to me and ooh and aah and give me hugs and thanked me many times for his cool train cake. Isn't he a Sweetie pie???

My favorite part of his cake is the cotton candy smoke! It was a big hit!

We thought the perfect place for a PARTY had to be at the McCormick Stillman Train Park in Scottsdale. The weather couldn't have been better. Sunny, warm, & just beautiful! We invited our family to come along and celebrate with us. We missed those who were not able to come. we missed you and love you!

We started the afternoon taking the Train Museum tour. It was pretty cool!

We learned a lot and got some fun pics to remember our great day together.

The Pullman Train was the train President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled the country in. It was a very very compact and was considered very LUSH and fancy. I couldn't believe how tight the spaces were. The kitchen room for 1 person. I especially loved the dining booth that was shared with the toilet. We all giggled at that sight. :) Eating right next to the pot? yum!

Pullman Train tour....2 thumbs up!

The kids were itching for a ride on the carousel. WEEEEEE!

We saved the best for last. Riding the Steam Engine.... The kids piled into the caged cargo train car. I would have been very claustrophobic in there. They seemed to enjoy it! It was a nice ride and this park is pretty dang awesome. Late afternoon was the perfect time to come and play!

Let's EAT!!!!

Pizza, Salad & Fruit!

The moment Blake has been waiting for all day....Cake & PRESENTS!!!!

Leonard got some great video of him as we sang him happy birthday and blowing out the candles. Make a wish buddy!

Watching him open his presents was really the best part. He loved EVERYTHING! He was was very expressive as he exclaimed his LOVE for each present. He had his heart set on some more tracks for his train set and more trains. I found a GONGA deal at a garage sale so Blakey Boy was blessed with the MOTHER LOAD of TRAINS and TRACKS!

Leonard took priceless video of him opening presents. It is really fun to watch. I will upload it soon. Unfortunately, I used my little point and shoot camera and missed out on getting some great shots of his expressions. I need to use the big boy camera next time :) but at least i have it on video :)

So Blake had a VERY Happy 4th Birthday! We played and visited till it got dark. I was sure Blake would be zonked out by the time we got home but he was holding out so he could play with his new train set. I was very surprised! He was determined to play.

Thanks Mom & Dad, Ann, Ethne, & Claire for helping make Blake's Birthday a special one! We love you!

Let the FUN begin!

The Family room floor looks like this everyday, all day long... but look at his face! He is sooooo happy! I don't mind one bit. The possibilities are endless! Hours and hours of train play ahead. All Aboard!!!!

I sure love you my little man! Happy Birthday!

Jumping for Joy!!!

Yes folks, that is right. The time has finally come! I am literally JUMPING FOR JOY!

I survived my 6 weeks recovery from my Hysterectomy/rebuild surgery. It has been a long road but I made it and I feel like a million bucks!!!

I was counting down the days to jump on the trampoline. I have not been able to jump without serious consequences for years and years!...(you mom's know exactly what I mean.) :)

I am now fixed. Repaired. Unbroken. Happy. Thrilled...The Sky is the Limit for me!!!

I felt like a kid again!! My kids are thrilled to have their mom jump with them too. Jumping is FUN & great exercise too. Speaking of jumping, I also tried jump rope...sweet!!! I can do that too. YIPPEEEE!!!!! I can't believe it! I am so thankful.

During my 6 weeks of healing I walked everyday. At first I hobbled around my house, then to the mailbox and before I knew it 1 mile, 2 miles and topped off at 4 miles at a time and by week 4-5 too. :) My Dr. gave me the A-OK to swim laps at the gym at 2 week post opp and I did, like 4 times a week. It is easy on a healing body and you burn lots of calories at the same time. I was loving swimming so much I couldn't get enough of it. I kept thinking I want to learn more. I only know one stroke...freestyle and I'm not sure I am even doing it correctly.

So how did I learn to swim might you ask????

My sweet hubby wanted to learn how to be a better swimmer and so he read this book. Total Immersion... and guess what...he taught himself to swim. I thought he was pretty good too. That got me thinking.... so 2.5 years ago I was contemplating about competing in my first sprint triathlon...the only problem was, I don't know how to swim. I can get around the pool but real swimming, I had no idea. Leonard was sweet as can be and taught me all the tips he read about in this book and he says " I was a natural swimmer"....why thanks mister ;)
I checked out this book and looked up some swimming tutorials online and I was hooked. I was excited to learn how to swim LONG and STRONG!!! I've done 2 sprint triathlons and the swimming part makes me happy. For the past 2.5 years I have enjoyed doing my laps at the pool and especially LOVE beating the swimmers in the lane next to me...including Leonard ;) hee hee hee!

During this last month of really focusing on swimming, I have decided I am ready for more. I had heard of the Masters Swim Team for adults before and thought about joining and getting real help from a swim coach. But truthfully, I was SCARED!!!! "I don't really know how to swim, I just THINK I do", I would think. I was scared they would say I stink and I should just quit now, cuz you'll never get it. Well the idea of joining the masters has been eating at me since this past summer and last week I finally mustered up enough courage to go for it and try it out.

So last Monday morning March 15th, at 5 AM, I wake to my alarm clock and make the 23 minute drive to this beautiful pool...Kino Jr. High. I take a deep breath as I enter the gates to the pool. I see smiling, friendly faces all saying hello! phew...that part went better than expected. I met my coach Laura...She is AWESOME!! So spunky, bubbly, super welcoming and nice.

We chat for a minute and it's swim time. Luckily for us the pool is heated, but it is still COLD!!! Once you are swimming, no big whoop :) She said I was a natural too. That makes a girl feel good ;)

I woke up at 5 am everyday last week and drove to the pool and swam with the team. It was exciting, challenging & I am getting an excellent workout too. I felt like I was conquering another one of my fears. I feel ALIVE!!!! LOVE IT!

The first week was AWESOME! I have already learned so much and I look forward to learning every stroke and master techniques & speed. :)

I am a Member of the Mesa Masters Swim Club!!!! Team Narwhal!!!!

Bring it BaBY!

I can't wait until my first swim meet...whenever that will be?? :)

All this excitement has got me thinking about my next big adventure. I am a goal minded lady and having a goal, keeps me motivated. What better way to put this "new me" to work then to test it and challenge it....so I registered for my next sprint Triathlon...

I am really excited about this tri. It is an ALL WOMEN Triathlon in Tempe on Saturday May 8th.

1/2 Mile swim in Tempe Town Lake

13.5 Mile Bike

3.1 Mile Run

Let the training begin. So far, I have been on 2 bike rides and they were glorious!!!! I missed my bike!!! I have only run once... but I will get back on my toes asap. i just got cleared for running. It is what I am most worried about, but I know I can do it ;)

So anyone want to join me??? 6 1/2 weeks til go time!!!

Life is GOOD!!!!!

~ Spring Break 2010 ~ 6 Days of FUN

This year for Spring Break, we decided to have a "STAYcation". We stayed home but we planned something fun to do everyday together. We marked it down on the calendar and the kids counted down every second til the next ADVENTURE. It wasn't as excited as a Disneyland trip, but it was very enjoyable and we soaked in the AWESOME weather AZ offers us this time of year.

Day 1 ~ Monday, March 15th

Leonard had to work the first couple of days of spring break. The girls played with friends Monday and I did laundry. oh boy oh boy! In the afternoon we got all Girly and....

Painted our nails all PRETTY!!! That's always fun! We needed to get all spruced up so we could enjoy a dinner out at...

Our family LOVES Sweet Tomatoes and we all enjoyed a Delicious meal together. Day 1 of Spring Break! SUCCESS ;)

Day 2 ~ Tuesday, March 16th

This day started like any other. The girls wanted to go...

Shopping!!!

That sounds like fun right??? The 3 kiddos and I ventured out to look for new clothes for the girls and I was quickly reminded why I take one kid at a time for this kind of shopping. It was NOT enjoyable. Some kids I know, think that stores are where you play chase and hide and seek and pester, pester, poke, tease, argue, face pulling, whining, snottiness, ignore mom!!!....any of you experience any of these while shopping???

By the end of our short shopping experience I was feeling like this... I had to breathe in deeply and threaten and beg and plead. Everyone straightened up (I'm a softy) and I took them to enjoy a tasty treat at...

Lucky for them, I had a gift card. Hooray for free Ice Cream. I really wanted some but I was strong and held back. I am trying to cut back the yumminess. I did have a few bites though and they were scrumptious. As they were finishing their treats, the fighting resumed between 2 lovely girlies...NO YOU DIDN'T!!!! grrr girls...that really stinks cuz we were gonna see this....

RATS!!! They lost their opportunity and had to earn it back by showing sisterly love to the max for the rest of the day and all the next day too and MAYBE I would take them.

PHEW!!! We made it through Day 2....along with the normal reality of sibling rivalry. gotta love it!

Day 3 ~ Wednesday, March 17th ~ St. Patrick's Day

It was an especially lovely warm day... only a few of us got pinched because they weren't wearing green...and we took the kids to see the GREEN FOUNTAIN in Fountain Hills. This town turns the water green on this fun day and we had to see it with our own eyes. We grabbed a picnic lunch and made it just in time to witness the world's largest emerald fountain.

Built 30 years ago, this dramatic landmark is a centerpiece of the town in Fountain Park. The fountain is located in the middle of a man-made 28-acre lake in the heart of Fountain Hills. One of the world's highest fountains, the 560-foot tall plume of water, shoots to the sky and is visible for many miles. It was AWESOME!!!!

The kids ran around and played, checked out the ducks and we even played a fun game of Whiffle Ball. Good times! After a couple hours of soaking up the sun we all got a bit burnt. Bring on the Tan!!! I am READY ;) By the time we got home it was time for me to take the girls to the movies... yes, they straightened up and earned back their FUN.

We were the first ones in line for the 4pm show and we were happy to get the best seats in the house. Popcorn, drinks and candy, 3D glasses... CHECK! We are ready to be amazed at the movies.

I must say we LOVED it! It was peculiar, bizarre, Splendidly odd & simply Mad...my kind of movie. I love this kind of stuff. I was NOT disappointed. In fact, this is my 2nd viewing. Leonard & I watched in at the IMAX and in 3D... LOVED it!!! I couldn't wait to take the girls. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite Disney movies and who doesn't love that zany Johnny Depp ;) What a perfect ending to a great day!

Day 4 ~ Thursday, March 18th

Today's plan was Brunch and Bowling... I think it's the perfect combo! ;)

If you have not tried Breakfast here at T.C. Eggington's, Put it on your calendar to pay this place a visit. You won't be disappointed. The entrees are to DIE FOR DELICIOUS!!! isn't your mouth just watering yet??? We all loved our Breakfast for Lunch and we can't wait to go back again.

After Brunch we headed over to Brunswick for some good old Bowling fun! While we waited for a lane to open up, we hung out at the arcade. Unfortunately for our children they had to pretend to play the games because their parents are too cheap ;) but come on give me a break at $2 a game....major rip off and hey kids don't give me a hard time we are going BOWLING ;) They acted happy for me in the pics...good kids ;)

At Last!! Let the Bowling begin!!!

This is our 2nd adventure bowling together as a family...actually Blake's first. The last time we went bowling was 8 years ago. Carly was a little baby and we were staying with some friends in Utah. Bowling sounds fun we say...so off we go to the ma & pa alley. We weren't even there long enough to get our shoes on when Kaitlyn, then 3 years old, is curious about the bowling ball return machine. She sticks her little hand in the machine to touch the spinning belt and her hand is sucked into the machine...it was horrifying. She is screaming and getting sucked into the machine. Our friend who was the closest to her, yanked her hand out and blood is everywhere. I thought she would loose her fingers. 911 was called and off to the hospital she went to get repaired. Thankfully, she only needed a few stitches and thankfully no broken fingers. It was a very very scary experience and one I DO NOT want to repeat. So as we thought about going bowling, we talked about not sticking your hand the machine. Kaitlyn agreed to follow the rules this time and so bowling we go. I talked to Blake about it when we got there and he was so good and steered clear of getting too close to the return machine.

Now let's have some fun!!!

Blakey Boy was our first bowler. Daddy helped him out. Awwww, what a good daddy! Blake loved to step on the foul line because he liked to hear it beep. So his score was kinda low for a while. :) silly goose. Blake got bored of bowling pretty soon, so we all took turns bowling for him. with the bumpers up, his score was improving ;)

Carly was next in line and she did great. She was not a huge fan of these "Clown Shoes" she had to wear. :) but she endured. The bumpers were her friend today. :) She can't wait to go bowling again.

Kaitlyn was raring to go when it was her turn to bowl. She wanted to use the bumpers too. She did great and had fun and kept her hands nice and safe ;) PHEW!!!


L & L .... We were tempted to bowl with the bumpers too, but I like competition too much. It is ON baby!!! May the best...(luckiest) bowler win :)


Brunswick is a pretty nice bowling alley. I sure love all you guys! You are the best family a gal could have ;)


And the winner is..... Yours Truly ;)....just barely. I broke 100 and I was proud. Very proud indeed!

Day 4 of spring break.... SUCCESS!!! ;)

Ps.... happy birthday Ann

Day 5 ~ Friday, March 19th

The highlight of the day for the girls was....

Leonard took the girls to play some laser tag. I wanted to go but Blake and I hung out while they played. No pictures to show but the girls said it was a BLAST and they can't wait to go. I am so glad they had fun. I can't wait to go next time.

Friday night...DATE NIGHT... Lenny & I enjoyed a lovely meal at the Pita Jungle and headed over to the Apple Store to drool at the Macs. ooooh ahhhh... I NEEED I NEED!!!! ;)

Day 5 ~ Success!

Day 6 ~ Saturday, March 20th

Before we can play, we must get some work done around here.

I don't know about your yard, but ours had been flooded with these stinking weeds. Thanks to all this very needed rain AZ has been receiving lately, has also encouraged these boogers to multiply and replenish themselves 100 fold in our yard. We all worked together and pulled weeds and got our yard looking respectable again. Yahoo!!! Team Zito for working together and getting a tough job done. I should have taken before and after pics but I didn't. Just imagine a wild jungle and now a nice trimmed and clean looking lawn.

Now it is time to PLAY!!!! Leonard brought the kiddo's to the climbing gym to get some energy out and have a good time. I stayed home and soaked in the quiet and the sun. Life is good.
Our STAYcation for spring break 2010 was filled with memory making moments.
Sad it is already over...time to back to the grind. Boooooo! Hisssssss!


a final thought to remember....
Good times with you are the Best times in my life!

It's Christmas EVERDAY Here at the Zito's...Da Pola DePreSSS

It's true! We LOVE Christmas! Who doesn't? Blake is especially a HUGE FAN!!! Back in December, Blake had a "Polar Express" day at pre-school, where they watched some of the movie and got their own ticket to the Polar Express. Blake was instantly in LOVE with the whole Polar Express thing...trains, bells, trains, Santa, trains & the movie. He can't get enough of the movie and begs and pleads to watch it everyday. No harm eh?

It's March now & we still have his "PICKET" as he calls it. He adores it and HAS to have it when he watches the movie. It has been loved and played with so much. I am surprised is it still in one piece. The Spirit of Christmas is loved EVERYDAY Here! Seriously!!! I find myself singing, humming and whistling all the songs from the Polar Express everyday and Blake wants a cup of hot chocolate daily when the kids on the polar express do. it is NUTS!!!

So Santa knew just what to get Blake for Christmas...His own wooden Thomas the Train set. He plays with it EVERYDAY since Christmas Morning. No JOKE!!! He loves it like crazy and he re-enacts scenes from Polar Express with it too. It is really cute!

Oh, but we don't just have one train. We have a few. This train set has been around since Carly was a baby and it is still in awesome condition. It is well loved by Blakey Boy!

So I took some video of Blake talking to him about his favorite toy and movie. He is a hoot and you can see his attention span is very very short.

It is a LONG video but it is fun to watch. you have to at least watch the first 3 minutes of it so you can hear him say Polar Express....he pronounces is as Da Pola DePressss. It is too cute! His enthusiasm about trains is contagious!

Here is a second video I took when I finally found the movie and started playing it. He cracks me up.

Blake watching his favorite movie as of now... The Polar Express. He loves "All Aboard" and gets so excited to see him get on the train, stop the train and everything train, train, train!



Here is a video Leonard took of Blake Singing the Polar Express song. He knows all of them but is too shy to sing them for me on camera. I am lucky Leonard got this. check it out.

You have to be careful where you step at our house, Blake has trains on the floor, counters, tables. He has the biggest imagination and it is fun to watch him play!

This Train set has been the biggest hit. He sets up the track in many different ways and has added our jenga game blocks to his set and he is in HEAVEN!!!

Speaking of HEAVEN....

Back in February while I was recovering from surgery Leonard took the kids to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. I have heard good things about it and with Blake's TRAIN OBSESSION...it would be a perfect place to spend an afternoon together.

They just arrived and Blake is loving it already! Check it out!



Blake was running full steam ahead this day. so cute! I wish i was there! At least I have video!

As they were exploring the train, the conductor was giving the kids a history lesson. The Chair Carly is sitting in is the same one Pres. Roosevelt sat in. She was amazed!

Oh yeah! Everyone LOVED the carousel! All smiles!

Blake was waiting impatiently for his turn to ride on a REAL Train at the park! Hurry, hurry, hurry train!

YES!!!!! It is finally our turn!

Blake was THRILLED! Steam, Whistles & bells oh my! it is a pretty cool train. I wish I could have come along. Next time :)

Love this video! Oh Blakey Boy! We love you!

What a fun afternoon at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. My kids have the best dad ever! Thanks Lenny for taking such great care of our family! I love you like CRAZY!!!

Now may we Have Hot Choclate Everyday and we will BELIEVE!!!