Ethan's Birthday

We let the boys plan their days on their birthdays. We have been talking about going to the recently renovated Children's Museum at MOAS and Ethan decided today was the day! The boys had an absolute blast and didn't want to leave!
Will was the only one willing to pose in the sculpture garden.

Here, you build your own car and then race it on the raceway.

The boys work together to build their own roller coaster.

This would be a giant sloth. I kid you not, a giant sloth!

The boys made me a pizza and then charged me an outrageous fortune for it! No discount for their mom!

Here Noah watches the pizza cook.

Ethan checks out the status of his finger on the cool microscope.

Will looks at a quarter that I had in my purse.

More building action.

Ethan's friend Spencer happened to be there so he got to hang out with him for a bit.

Noah drives down a city street on a Harley.

Waiting for the laser/planetarium show to begin.

Even more waiting!

Will pulls himself up on the hardest setting. All of our arms were sore when we left!

This is the real reason Ethan wanted to go. He couldn't wait to play the laser harp! He wants one of his own, if anyone missed his birthday and is looking for ideas.

Before we went to the museum, Ethan requested to have lunch at McDonald's!

Four Days Until Santa!

The boys are super excited about Christmas. They are even more excited that they only have to wait four more days! They have our days planned out in detail until then, so it should fly by! Pulling their treats from the countdown....

It is going to be a cold one tomorrow! These are Orlando's temps, so it will be a bit cooler here by the beach. The news said it will be colder tomorrow than it has been since February 28th in Orlando! No worries, the boys scheduled their beach trip for Wednesday so it will be nice and warm!

Ethan's Birthday Party

Ethan had the perfect day to have an outdoor party! The weather was gorgeous! He didn't have much luck with the park he picked though. The park he chose doesn't allow reservations so you just sort of show up and hope for the best. As it turned out, two other kids had the same idea so there were three parties going on at the park all at once. It all worked out in the end.

The kids love climbing all over this tunnel in the middle of the playground.
Here is part of the line up!

Will, Noah, and Emma fit in some basketball action.

Emily, Paige, Emma, and Pamela also have a spot on the tunnel.

Sydney is trying to prove that she can run with the big guys!

Time to eat!

And time for presents!

He was only a bit embarrassed by all of the attention!

Tonight the boys head off with Chris to a work holiday party. I am going to my friend Liz's bonfire. Tomorrow involves a bit of shopping at the beach shops. I still have a few people to buy for. Hopefully the local stores won't be so crazy.

Winter Vacation Has Officially Started!

The week has finally ended and we kicked off winter break by watching the new Muppet's movie that was on Wednesday. After school we finally got a chance to relax and enjoy it!

Thursday the kids had their holiday parties at school. Ethan and Pamela didn't get enough partying done in their class so they ventured out of class to go to Pamela's mom's class for her party. Sammy, another teacher's daughter, is in Mrs. Stoddard's class so here are three of the staff clowns. I really think they need some sort of official title since they run around together like some sort of gang! From the left, Sammy, Pamela, and Ethan.
I set up for Will and Noah's party while they were out to recess with their teacher. I rarely get a chance to get into their room so they were excited to have me as a visitor. Here will enjoys his holiday treats.

Noah and his regular head tilt pose!

My set up. Okay, I'm no party planner! The kids didn't even notice that the ice cream cups were set up like a Christmas tree! Good grief!

I had to go out last night to shop for the stuff for Ethan's party tomorrow. I also got a few last minute Christmas needs as well as food for Christmas dinner! While I was out the boys made a holiday rock video!

Christmas Wish List

Today Ethan's teacher had him bring down his letter to Santa for me to read. He said, "I was as good as I could be," and then continued on with his wish list. On the list he wrote Wii Music, 8G iPod, and a couple other things. After writing all of that, he also asked for one jingle bell from each of Santa's reindeer. I couldn't figure that one out until his BFF's mom told me that Pamela too requested the jingle bells from Santa's reindeer! Huh, hopefully Santa's reindeer can spare some jingle bells!

The boys all have their holiday parties at school tomorrow afternoon. They are so very excited. Hopefully I will be able to snap a couple pictures of their parties. Then they just need to make it through Friday!!! I'm so very excited for that. Saturday Ethan has his party. I didn't think many kids would be able to make it on a busy, holiday weekend, but we ended up with a great turn out! It should be a fun morning at the park!

Holiday Craziness

We find ourselves in the midst of holiday chaos! Thankfully, this year we have a few days off before Christmas. Last year was hard! Ethan is having his birthday party on Saturday so after that I think things will be a bit more relaxed. The boys are getting very excited about Christmas and are eager to have Grandma and Pop-Pop here. They have made a long list of things to do with Pop-Pop. To name a few... 1) go fishing 2) go see the manatees 3) go see the alligators 4) go to the 14 acre dog park 5) go horseback riding 6) go to Outback These are just the few things that I remember. I think Pop-Pop may have to stay for a month!

We are just about finished Christmas shopping. Since we are far from family, we also do most everyone else's shopping as well. I think we bought just about everything at this point and we are just waiting for the UPS guy to make his multiple stops at the house to drop it all off!

Now, to just survive the final 4 days before break. Honestly, most of the kids are in happy moods. I'll take happy, excited, loud, crazy over nasty, ugly anytime I guess. Hopefully they stay in that happy, excited mode.

Furminator cRaZy!

Ethan is going nuts with the Furminator. By the time he is finished Abby may have no hair left!

Winter Wonderland

Last night was Winter Wonderland at school. The 3rd/4th grade chorus sang again. After their awesome performance, we walked around campus and the kids looked at lights, made crafts, and had hot chocolate and cookies. They all had fun.

Sophie wanted to be held the entire performance. Melissa took half and I took half. After the performance it was Chris' turn!
Will making crafts.

Enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.

Ethan and Pamela's placements!

Reindeer...4th grade, Florida style!

Mrs. Nelson's, Will & Noah's class, tree.

Noah's ornament.

Will's ornament.

Sammy and Nick hamming it up.

A small part of the performance.

Christmas Festivities Galore!

This weekend was spent ushering in the holidays! Friday night we went to Light Up Flagler. Our school participates every year. Mrs. Jones, our music teacher, teaches the 3rd and 4th graders lots of holiday songs. They play various instruments and sing to put on a wonderful show. Ethan was THRILLED that he was FINALLY old enough to sing. We go every year to support the kids that are singing and this was finally his time to shine! He has been waiting for this since kindergarten! Unfortunately, he was hidden behind a tall classmate for much of the performance so it was hard for us to see him, but he did a fabulous job. Chris also had a business trip planned. Friday evening had to drive home from St. Augustine and then back out there so he wouldn't miss the big event. After Ethan sang, Chris left to go play bachelor for the night and we walked around to see the rest of the performances at the event. The kids "partied like rock stars" and stayed up until 10:15 on Friday night!

Saturday morning we took the dogs back the Barkley Square Park. I think the kids may have enjoyed it more than the dogs. They didn't want to leave! When we got home, the boys (including Chris) took a nap to recover from their previous night. We packed dinner and headed out to the New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade. The kids ate and watched the parade with much excitement. After the parade, we left the beach and headed over to the river for the boat light show. The kids were all visibly tired by then as you will see below. We packed hot chocolate in a Thermos and cookies so they munched on that while they watched the boats go by. Although it was a busy day, it was great fun!

Here they are after the parade. Don't they looked thrilled about the boat show? Don't let their faces fool you, they played like wild children at the playground and enthusiastically watched the boats go by.
These are chickens walking around right where we parked our car for the parade. Interesting to see walking around next to the beach.

Here comes Santa Claus and happily for Chris the end of the parade!

Ethan took a picture of us watching the parade.

The kids really liked this snow blowing float from the miniature golf place!

Chris' second favorite float. He loves his T.G. Lee chocolate milk.

Sand snowmen!

In the parade every year...

The boys watching the parade.

Look, my snuggle bunny!

Today was just as crazy. Melissa and I went to Universal Studios for a couple hours this morning. We rode all of our favorite rides. I tried spying on the upcoming Harry Potter attraction, but thus far nothing exciting to report. Just a HUGE cement building and some grading going on. After Universal, we headed over to the Orlando outlets. We got a few good deals and some unplanned purchases and then headed home. I was home long enough to get a hug and kiss from each of the boys as they headed off to soccer with Dad. While they were at soccer, I went shopping with two teachers from school to purchase clothes for needy kids at school. PTA had raised some money to buy clothing for those kids and we went out and did the shopping. We got lots of great deals and will certainly make some kids happy on Christmas morning. Who doesn't love new clothes and shoes??? No worries, they will be getting toys through another event. Now I finally get to have a glass of wine and relax for a few minutes before bed.

Not in the Groove

A funny Noah story to share. The boys have been tired and grouchy since they once again have to wake up early to get to school after their long break. It has been the most apparent in Noah. Ethan and Will finished their homework after school and went to the playground behind my class to play with the other staff kids. Noah wasn't finished but was behind them in less than a minute. I had told Ethan and Will to be back in 15 minutes because it would be time to go home. On his way out the door, I told Noah to be back in 14 minutes. He was NOT happy. He said he would be back in 15 because that is how long Ethan and Will had. I told him that he was to come back with Ethan and Will and tears started flowing. I then reminded him that it would probably be best to stop the crying and go out to play and have fun with the time he did have. To that, he flew out the door and tried to slam it behind him. My door is heavy and does not close easily. His dramatic door slam did not work out for him. The best part, is that he opened the door and tried to slam it three more times before finally giving up. He was so mad as I sat there hysterically laughing at him! I'm not sure how we will make it through the next 13 days before break. The kids are already off the wall. I just need to remind myself that once we make it there we have a nice 16 day break!