Surprise

We surprised the kids today with a trip to Legoland.  Donny realized how close we were to the park and asked if we could go.  I told him we would put it on the list for future trips to Orlando.  As we drove closer to the park Big Daddy and I had to distract him from the signs.  Once he spotted the gate he begged us to go and we just said okay and pulled into the lot.  The kids started to scream and I think it was one of the greatest moments with them.

Vacation 1

We started our vacation on Thursday morning.  We arrived at the gate on time, boarded the plane on time and headed out to the runway.  We were in line for about twenty minutes and then it was our turn to be number one for take off and LGA was shut down due to an incoming storm.  I had been watching the radar and praying we would get off the ground, but we parked on the tarmac with about 50 other planes.  After about an hour and a half, we finally took off.  The kids were fantastic. 

We picked up the rental car and I drove while Big Daddy manned the GPS.  We circled the airport twice and because I couldn't figure out the car it was a slow and jerky. It was so bad that Donny told me not to press on the pedal so hard. Apparently the car we rented has an option to drive as a standard or automatic.  I was circling the airport in first gear.

Friday was Big Daddy's birthday.  I found a vegan bakery in downtown Orlando.  We told Donny we were going to pick up Big Daddy's birthday cake.  We entered the bakery and Donny became very quite and I could tell he was sad.  He asked if there was anything in the store he could eat.  I told him he could eat everything and could pick out whatever he wanted.  I thought he would be really happy but he was afraid.  It tool awhile but he finally tasted a cupcake.  We came home with a box of six and shared all the different flavors.

Waiting for Mommy and Donny to arrive on the shuttle bus.

Looking forward to take off.

We have arrived!!!

The rental car Mama couldn't figure out.

Donny teaching Abigail how to play chess.

Vegan Cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!!

Baby Coyote

This is the baby coyote that was hanging around our house for a few days.  

House Love

I just found the most wonderful blog.  I am watching 'The Family Stone" for about the four hundredth time and I decided to Google where it was filmed and I stumbled upon this blog.  For anyone who loves houses, this blog is for you.  Have fun.

http://hookedonhouses.net/

Sleigh Ride

Love

Camp

Cousin Molly arrived on Sunday and is staying for the week.  Molly and Abigail are attending the same camp.  They are attending a farm camp which Abigail calls cow camp.  She had a dream that a cow chased her so she was a bit nervous but all that changed by the end of day one.  They have gone fishing and horseback riding, practiced archery, made zucchini bread, painted a cow and lots of other fun things. Donny finally returned to camp today the hottest day of the year.  I picked him up early because I was worried about the heat.  The afternoon hours are hell here!  Between the camp activities and the heat, the kids are wiped out.

First day of camp.

Abigail and Molly walking to the barn on day one.

Day dreaming on the fence.

The kids jumped into the pool as soon as we retuned from camp.

Practicing ballet.

Fever

Once again both of the kids are sick.  Abigail was the first to spike a fever and as a bonus she also has pink eye.  Donny came home from camp yesterday with a fever.  I find the difference in behavior incredible.  Donny wants to cuddle and watch the History channel and tells us he loves us every five minutes.  Abigail becomes Sybil and is able to scream at you as if her head is about to spin off, cry because she wants to sit with Mommy and then laugh because Mommy says okay all of these emotions within 30 seconds.  God helps us when she becomes a teen.

Donny with a fever of 103.5

Abigail with a fever of 103.7.

Mrs. B

Abigail received a thank you note from one of her teachers today.  I handed Abigail the card told her it was from Mrs. B. I asked Abigail if she wanted me to read it and she declined because she wanted to read it herself.  "Dear Abigail, I miss you very much.  You are my favorite.  I want to be your teacher next year. I love you. Mrs. B."  Not quite what the note really said.  Poor Abigail, it must be so terrible to have such a low self esteem.

Hursty

Abigail informed me she was hursty.  "Mama that means I'm hungry and thirsty."

Ranger

Big Daddy decided it was time to get rid of the Ranger.  Saturday morning a man came over to check it out.  Donny joined Big Daddy to meet the man and give him the details of the truck.  I was doing the dishes when Donny ran up to me, I asked him how it was going. "I showed the man the rust spots on the back and told him how dirty it was inside." "Who are you trying to help Daddy or the man?"  "Myself.  I don't want Daddy to sell the truck."  My little man is so smart.

The man did buy the Ranger that day so we took this photo before it was delivered.

Superhero Squad

I was greeted by the superhero squad very early on the morning of the 4th of July.  I thought for sure George and Martha would walk into the living room, but I got these two instead.

The 4th was a perfect day.  Big Daddy came home from work in the morning, Donny had a friend over and Abigail helped me make brownies.  We played in the little pool, took naps and had a perfect, peaceful day.

Summer Fun

Donny started camp on Monday and I think we are all very excited.  Donny's nerves were getting the best of him on the drive to camp the first day.  By the time he came home all the nerves were gone and he was so happy he was I signed him up for most of the summer. 

Abigail has spent months watching Donny take swim lessons.  Monday was her big day, her first swim lesson.  She couldn't wait to get into the pool.  She is our little tadpole, she really loves the water.

First day of camp and swim lessons.

Dance party in the living room.