Busy, Busy, Busy

School, soccer, and after school events have kept us quite busy so far this year. The boys are all doing great in school and are enjoying it. What more could you ask for? They have been going to soccer practice on Mondays and Wednesdays. Games start this weekend. Will and Noah have a bye week this first week, but Ethan has a game. I haven't been going to much of the practices. I have been trying to get my miles in each night so I only catch the last few minutes of Ethan's practice.

It is still quite warm here. Okay, hot! The kids are still able to swim in the 90+ degree pool and 85+ degree ocean. Later this week, we are supposed to have our first dip into the 60's at night since last spring! Sadly, Noah will want a coat for school on those mornings. He was complaining this morning when we left and it was 73. Normally, it is already 79 or so when we leave at 7:00.

On Saturday, Chris, Mike, Melissa, and I went to Sea World for the day. Katie and Matt watched all 6 kids for us. I was impressed! Matt looked ready to collapse when they left, but Katie could have kept on going I think. Sea World had an open house for teachers. Teachers always get in free at Sea World, but for the open house you could also bring in a guest for free. We didn't even have to pay for parking, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity. Plus, our school has a chance to win a field trip for 200 since we completed all of the "teacher" activities! Their new Manta roller coaster is pretty awesome.

Here are some recent pictures of the boys at the beach. Ethan was there, but apparently avoided the camera!



I can't believe that pretty soon it will be too cold for the beach and pool. We still have a month or so more.

Some Old, Some New

Here are a few pictures from our school's pep rally. We have a program called "In the Zone" that rewards kids for getting zero referrals. We have zone days every 4 1/2 weeks. Any kid that gets no referrals during that time gets to attend their grade level's zone day. They choose activities such as crafts, dance, sports, electronics, etc. We have a pep rally at the beginning of the year and again halfway through the school year to encourage the kids to stay in the zone. (Sorry for the picture quality...someone was messing with my settings!)


Here Donna pumps up the 1st and 2nd graders! She was quite the MC!Will limbos out the door!
Noah heads out.
Here the boys show their rockets that they waved during the pep rally. I ran into them in the hallway and made them pose for me!
Noah just looks thrilled, huh?
Sam amps the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders!
Ethan and his friend Spencer.
Pamela hamming it up!
Speaking of Pamela, Ethan hung out with her for most of the day today. They watched Cake Boss after working on homework for a bit. Donna then allowed them to make and decorate their own cakes. They got pretty fancy! Ethan brought his home for us to eat. I didn't see Pamela's, but I'm sure it was just as fabulous!
Abby was barking like crazy out the front door. I thought Donna and Pamela were here to pick up Ethan, but instead it was the cranes out for a walk! Chris stalked them and took a couple pictures. He only had my camera since his takes so long to get ready!

Weekend and Soccer

We enjoyed our first long weekend of the school year! We fit in plenty of bike rides and pool time. Melissa and I see these huge buggies all the time on our bike ride. They are at least three inches long. It is crazy how big they are. Normally we find them squished on the road. This guy was alive and well on a country road. On Saturday night we had a big taco night event! The boys and Sophie love tacos so it was a treat for them. Paige and Emma were willing to partake in the experience since they were eating off of "school trays."
Soccer evaluations were yesterday. It was a long two hours at the fields! Here Noah struts his stuff. Just following his evaluation, he was bit by a fire ant and his pinkie turned into a massive looking blob. It was still a little swollen today after his three doses of Benadryl between last night and today. Hopefully he is not developing a reaction like Ethan's!
Will was showing his skills.
Since Chris and Melissa are coaching, the boys and Emma pretty much know what team they'll be on!
Chris is at the draft now. He has been there FOREVER. Hopefully he will be home shortly so I can go for a bike ride. Tomorrow night there is a PTA meeting so I don't think I'll fit one in. Unless of course I ride the miles to the meeting and show up a hot, stinky mess. Is that wrong???

Peter Bjorn and John!

My friend Mike and I saw them at The Social in Orlando last night. Not many good groups come out of Sweden, but I have to give them their due. They were awesome!!

Up Against the Wall (My personal favorite)


Nothing to Worry About


Young Folks