First Day of School

Here we go again...another year, another state, another new school....

Logan (5th grade), Melina (3rd grade), Meeka (1st grade) and Carson (Kindergaten)

The kids were nervous and excited to start. Its always hard to start a new school. And this school is a little different in the way is laid out; it doesn't have any inside walls. But after meet the teacher day last Friday, they couldn't wait to start!

Carson at his desk on the first day of K

This mama on the other hand had a hard time this year. I sent my baby off to Kindergarten. And YES, I knew the day was coming, but it wasn't going to be this year. I wasn't prepared for it to be this year. But here in Florida I had to send him, so ready or not here we go...yes, there were some tears. In fact I was shaking so bad after dropping everyone off the first day that I had to sit in my car for a few minutes before I could drive home.

Everyone came home all smiles and excited for Day 2, so that makes my heart happy!

And its PRETTY COOL that they get to be together in the SAME SCHOOL for 1 year. The first and only year this will ever happen!!

I have a ton of things to get caught up on, errands to run, cleaning and yard work, but later this week, I plan on sitting down and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Happy Birthday Logan and Carson

On August 3rd my bookend boys celebrated their 11th and 5th birthdays. Not sure how they have grown up so FAST?!?!?!!! They are both full of energy and spunk and love everything active!

This year for all the kids birthdays we didn't do much in the gift department, but instead we have done family activities and experiences. It had rained for about 3 weeks straight here, so outdoor activities were out...bummer. We decided to venture into Tampa and visit the Florida Aquarium on Sunday, August 2nd. The aquaruim was great. We had a BLAST! 

The anaconda liked the kids!

Grouper

Florida Spiny Lobster

Seahorses

It rained again, monsoon style rain, the morning of the boys birthday. So bad that it flooded all the bridges to Tampa. Luckily it stopped late morning and after a bit we were able to get out.

This picture was so true...after weeks of rain and flooding, it certainly felt like this!

Carson really wanted to go bowling on his birthday. 

I can't say enough about the Kids Bowl Free program; we have gone many times and its great!! 

We them stopped at Pinky's for an ice cream treat.

One of the advantages of living in a tourist area is the countless ice cream shops to choose from!

The boys had football and Melina had dance the evening of their birthday, but we all ate a late dinner of Eggplant Chicken Parmesan and Celebrates with Cheesecake and Chantilly Cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!

Montgomery, Alabama Field Trip

Yesterday Logan and I headed on a charter bus to Montgomery, the capitol of Alabama. We had a long full day exploring much of the history of the state. I am so glad that we got to go before we leave Alabama. And thankful for a lot of sweet friends who helped me make it possible to go with him! 

Kids on the Capitol Steps

The tour guide had the kids lie down in a circle and look up at the rotunda ceiling
as she told them about the paintings on the ceiling.

The rotunda ceiling

The bus ride.
It took about and hour and 45 minutes to get there on a bus.
We also got a little bus tour of the city of several landmarks which we didn't get to visit.

The schoolhouse in Old Alabama Town.
They had a whole town set up of authentic buildings which they had moved to that location and made into a village. There were actors there portaying real people in history. This was one of my favorite places.

The Bottle Tree
This was made to keep the spirits at bay

Logan enjoyed the history museum a lot; especially all the military memorabilia.

We also got the visit the Rosa Parks Museum; which is located on the exact spot where she was arrested. I enjoyed that museum as well, but no pictures were allowed. 

Logan's Art Award

Logan was honored on March 22 at a reception at the Superintendents office for his artwork. His piece was selected to represent Mt. Laurel elementary at the Superintendents art show for Shelby county. At that show, his was the only elementary piece selected to go on to the state show in Montgomery, where his artwork was hung in the capitol building. It was such an great honor for him to get this recognition. 

"Radial Patterns"

Proud Sister

Mr. Cecil, his art teacher

Pinewood Derby 2015

Yesterday was Logan's 4th Pinewood Derby Race. This is the first year that his car has been completed without the help of anyone outside our family; he was very proud of making his own car! Logan and Michael went to a clinic at Lowe's to learn how to use specific tools for building tools Pinewood Cars and after a significant purchase they were able to cut and sand the car themselves here at home. I helped him weigh it and add the right amount of weight to get it to 5oz. So it was a family affair this year! 

Ready, Set...

The Lineup

Pinewood Derby

 Cheering Section!

 Logan won 2nd place in his Den

CONGRATS to Logan on another successful year!

Busy Career Week

I was lucky enough to get away for the weekend to visit with friends in Cincinnati. 2 days jammed full of friends, food, and drinks! I was lucky enough to get to see 7 friends, and have Astid spend two nights with me in the hotel, and Kim a night too!! Wahoo!

Girls Night Out in Over the Rhine

We spent Saturday getting books signed and listing to a talk by the author Karen Marie Moning.

I came home on Monday and have been non-stop since then, 

but busy is good in my world!

This week was Career Week in the Elementary School. I talked to both Logan and Melina's classes for career week and Michael came and talked with Logan's class. 

They each got to dress up as the profession of their choice on Friday.

I have a tiara wearing teacher, a football player and a dancer.

Carson had a busy week too! 

He has Dress Like a Pirate Day and a Snowball fight!

Aaarg Matey!

Ready, Set...

Throw!

Best Buddies!

Such a GREAT group of Kids!

Bell Bell...Simply the best

Yesterday the kids had off school for MLK day, so we took a road trip with some new friends! About 40 miles SE of us is a Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory. For those of you northerners who don't know what it is...its reason in itself to come visit me...TRUST ME!! 

They didn't let you take any pictures inside the factory. In fact, we didn't get to go "inside the factory." It was more of a window tour. But the kids enjoyed getting to see and they learned a couple things too!

Last night at dinner when the kids were going over what they learned, here is what they said:

1. Workers can eat as much ice cream as they like on their shift.

2. They have 345 workers and work from 7-3.

3. It takes 20,000 cows to produce the cream for that factory alone for 1 day!!!

4. They can fill more gallons a minute into 3 gallon tubs than 1 gallon tubs.

5. They rotate flavors every 3 months.

6. Every worker know how to do every job and the rotate every 15 minutes.

7. They turn the tubs upside down after packaging to ensure the lid stays on.

I would say they learned a thing or two! 

Included in the tour price was a free scoop of any ice cream flavor you like. Fresh from the factory!   YUM!!!

 Afterwards, these new friends got a whole day of playing together! 

 Such a FUN crew!!

Melina, Luke, Meeka, Jake, Logan, Andi & Carson