Do They Look Alike?

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Everyone always comments that Luke looks exactly like Kyle.  These aren't the best shots for comparison, but what do you think??  Do they?  Kyle and I have always joked that our kids don't really look like us.  With some people, you see their kids and you know exactly where they came from.  My sister said it best when we had Olivia.  She said, 'I know Olivia looks like you two, I'm just not exactly sure where.'  Nondiscript is what we are.  Yep. 

But, does Luke look more like Kyle or is it just easy because they are boys and don't have much hair.  :)  Well, actually, Luke has a lot more hair than Kyle and he's all of 8 months.  Go figure.  Regardless, they are both pretty cute! 

 I just threw this one in below because it's sweet. 

Isnt' it Ironic....??

Most of you know this.  But I have to write about it, because those of you who haven't heard, won't believe it. 

We got broken in to.  I'm talking days after my police visit.  Not even a week.  Literally.  Officer cop was at my office last Wed.  This Monday, we were broken in to.  I don't know what you officially call it.  'Attempted' may be the correct term.  'Violated' and 'mad' are what I feel!!  Regardless.  Thank GOD no one was hurt.  Michele (our new nanny) was home with Luke.  The 'insert-choice-name-here' people rang the doorbell, Michele didn't answer as she was in the garage doing laundry, they went around to the back thinking no one was home, broke the glass on the door in Olivia's bathroom and unlocked the bottom lock.  Do you remember my last post????  The locks Kyle recently installed??  Well, we think it stopped them.  They couldn't get the door open.  And left.  While letting our dog out to roam the streets.  Long story.  If you want more details, call me.  That's the jist of it though.  All is well now and amazingly, I feel really good that they couldn't get in, Michele was very calm and able to call 911 and everyone is safe.  Mr Officer called me today and said they arrested two men yesterday.  Not sure yet if it was the ones from our house, but we'll see.  Mr Officer is also coming to our house next week to do the 'survey' and tell us how to beef things up. 

That's over.  On to fun things. 

But first, I have to tell you about a funny blog I read.  It's one I read from time to time.  She's gotten pretty famous from it and has now written and published a cookbook and a novel.  Anyways...she wrote about the 'rules' of blogging.  I had to laugh as she listed one rule as 'the frequency of blogging' and that you have to make sure to post frequently.  That's what's wrong with my blog!!!  That's why no one ever leaves me comments!  That's why I have 7, precious, followers!!  Hmmm.  No one ever told me there were 'rules'.  I thought this was just my own therapy or release in life. 

Does it count if I'm constantly 'blogging' in my head?  I swear, I think of things all the time to write about.  It's just a matter, sadly, of carving out the 20 min a day to actually set aside everything else and write.  It's also the chicken and the egg.  If I write more, will more people respond.  Or, if more people respond and 'talk' back, will I write more.  It's my conversation from FL to TX.  We have lots to talk about. 

Summer is here in Miami.  It's actually quite pleasant and we're going to take advantage of it by taking the kids to Naples for the weekend.  Staying at this great resort that has a 100ft water slide, tons of activites on the beach and a nice, refreshing adult beverages.  Here are a few pictures of the kids.  I just updated pictures from my real camera to my laptop too, so I'll get more on here soon. 

Happy Easter everyone!!  xoxo!

Luke and his other 'baby buddies' from preschool.  The one in the middle is Rocco.  Great name, huh.  He is definitely making his best attempt to 'grow' into it.  He's a giant!  Only 2 months older than Luke (who is no wimpy baby himself; he's on the left by the way).  And his girlfriend, Addison.  She's 3 months older than Luke.  Short on food as well...can you tell?  It's been fun to see these three grow and change this year. 

This is Olivia and her best bud, Dylan.  Dylan is extremely shy and Olivia really does a nice job taking her under her wing and letting her come out of her shell a bit.  Olivia has also developed a bad habit of chewing on her hair.  Kyle threatened last night that if he catches her doing it again, he'll cut it off.  More to come on the length of Olivia's hair....  :)  This is from their school Easter Egg Hunt. 

Bouncy Boy.  All boy in that little body! 

What's My Name?......

I have this wonderful friend...you may know her.  Her last name rhymes with Caplan.  :)  But spelled differently.  (Remember, the whole public domain thing of blogging weird's me out). 

This friend, Caplan, is AMAZING with organization.  I mean, life-changing.  She was literally born with the talent to simplify people's lives and make what's-behind-closed-door spaces look beautiful.  And useful!!  The best part. 

*****But, I need everyone's creative mind to help out.  Allison is interested in starting a little side business.  But, she's needs a name. 

So, help us give her company a name!!  A free iPad to the winner.  Would be nice, right?  But, I will definitely think of something as a party favor for the winner.  Maybe Allison will come and organize a closet for free (sounds good, right, Allison!?).

She recently came to visit and actually spent what would've been a lovely, sunny Miami day outside at the beach, inside with me and Kyle organizing our life.  She turned our closet's into beautiful specimens.  I recently heard Jennifer Hudson say that she stands in her closet now and stares for hours excited about what she's going to wear.  I can relate!!!  However...I do it, not because I've recently lost 80lbs, but becausee my closet is so pretty.  My shoes....!!  My hats, my purses, and my clothes.  It's all so nice. 

I have before and after pictures and will post them soon.  The unfortunate part is that Kyle's closet is so small I really needed a wide angle lens to capture the essence.  (Sad, isn't it...it really is tiny.  He could have more of mine, but he put his monster gun case in it.  Have you heard we downsized??)  Even more amazing what Allison was able to do with it given the restrictions. 

Happy Friday everyone!  Send in your suggestions.....!!!

Welcome Weekend!!!

Not really sure what I'm going to blog about today, but I just feel like I can't leave the last blog up too much longer.  Don't want people getting sad every time they hit on 'Hammocks and Hurricanes!'  However, I did see a segment on the Today show about this couple.  They are pretty amazing people with an incredible attitude that I can learn a lot from. 

Now on to the weekend.....What plans do you have for the weekend?? 

I returned from a trip this week and don't have to pack again until April 25!!!  I am SO excited.  I've been on back to back trips for what seems like forever.  And, I'm exhausted!!  I just want to sleep.  But since Kyle's out of town for work through Sat, and I have two children at home, that is not an option.  So, I might just have to fill myself with an IV of coffee.  Wish me luck.  Olivia is also dying to sleep with me tonight.  She's been asking for a long time.  Which means that I will grant her this wish.  Against my better judgement!  :)  She's a maniac when she sleeps.  I'm sure all kids are this way, but she's all over the frickin' place.  How does one end up upside down or sideways in bed?  I just don't get it.  Because of this, on top of my already pooped-out-self, I will get no sleep.  And, I'll be paranoid about her sleeping next to me with the monitor and being woken up by Luke, so I'll be sleeping practically with one eye open all night.  Don't come around me tomorrow.  Ha!!  Fortunately for all of you that read this blog...you can't!  I wish you could, but you're probably better off right now. 

I also have to mention something I did this week.  Keep in mind, we pretty much live in Latin America.  Most people in Miami joke that this is 'the safest city in Latin America'.  That being said, it's not really all that safe.  It is.....if you're comparing it to Latin America.  I sat on a plane next to a man one time that told me not to let my guard down in Miami.  Even if I feel comfortable, to always be alert. 

For the most part, I do feel very safe and in any large, urban setting, you have to be smart about what you do and where you go.  I also think the advice this man gave is good.  Which is why we did a lot of research about where we wanted to live. 

I don't know if it's bad luck, circumstances or the truth.  But, there seem to be a few more residential break-ins as of late.  I know of 3 people in the last 6 weeks that have been broken into.  The break-ins seem to happen during the evening hours and through the french doors that we all have leading to the patio.  Very standard Miami.  Long story short, I became uber-cautious and had Kyle install these major locks on the top part of all our backdoors before he left on his first business trip.  I also 'justified' it that we will need them in place when Luke starts walking. 

But, I wasn't quite satisfied with just that.  I got to thinking about how much money we all pay to live where we are and how great of a community it is around here.  Our city 'incorporated' just four years ago to become it's own city.  For many reasons.  Why in a 4x4 mile radius can we let this happen.  So, I took action!!  I spent some time looking around our city's website and found the 'police' section.  Sure enough, they post the weekly crime reports and 2-3 homes are being broken in to a week.  I have NO idea how this compares to other cities our size, but I'm not ok with that number.  And, we have no neighborhood crime watch program and we're poorly lit as a city in the residential areas.  Again, not acceptable. 

There was an 'officer' contact person if interested in crime and programming.  I emailed him.  His last name is Judge.  Officer Judge.  Isn't that funny??  In a very professional manner I explained to him my concerns and issues I have with this recent trend.  I also mentioned that if the parental enthusiasm at Olivia's preschool is any indication of community involvement, they should have no problem getting something off the ground to make this place a great place to live.  And safe.  Most importantly. 

Funny enough...I heard back from him via email within 24 hours.  And, he copied 3 other officers in the city.  Even funnier....he called me at my office today and set up a meeting for next week.  He wants to sit down and meet with me.  I guess I'm going to be implementing a neighborhood crime watch program.  Maybe I'll have to reach out to Keith to get advice! 

Wish me luck!!  Pistol-packin'-Kristin is my new name! 

Happy Weekend everyone!