VACAY!!

The first day of school was just around the corner. Our summer was quickly coming to an end. As Heath and I talked about all the events and activities that would soon be filling our schedules, we decided we needed a vacation. We hadn't really done a whole lot over the summer and felt we should try to get away, at least for a couple days.

So, we took a last minute trip to Florida. We woke up Thursday morning not knowing where we wanted to go. After searching the internet for the best hotel bargains, we found a deal too good to pass up. We got ready, packed the car, and headed to Orlando.

Orlando is a fun city...even if you don't go to Disney World. We got our hotel through Expedia and it was one of those deals where you don't know where you'll be staying until you accept the price and pay for your entire stay up front. We lucked out. Our hotel ended up being a resort, complete with several pools, a playground, kids activities, etc... It was wonderful!

So, what is there do do in Orlando besides Disney World? Well......

We spent one full day at the resort pool. The kids hadn't been to a pool all summer, so we thought our time was well spent. I think we made some headway in helping Jacob overcome his fear of water. He loves to play at the beach or in a shallow pool, but put him in water above his waist, and he usually freaks out. It took a while, but he made progress that day. Annabelle enjoyed herself too. That afternoon, after naps, we went to Downtown Disney. This gave us the "Disney feel" without actually going to Disney World. The kids (and grown ups) had a blast.

The highlight of the trip for Jacob? The LEGO store. Oh. Boy. He was in heaven.

Heath and Jacob admired the LEGO construction of this Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs display.

More LEGO creations.

...and still more....

Yep, made entirely of LEGOs.

Just outside the store, Jacob spotted the LEGO building stations. He could have spent an entire day there. LEGOs are even cooler when you're AT the LEGO store!

Annabelle likes to everything her big brother does. She immediately went to work creating her LEGO masterpiece. They also had LEGO Duplo (the bigger blocks for younger kids) building stations.













The store even had a ramp to race LEGO cars. Jacob built a car and was pleasantly surprised when it didn't fall apart at the finish line. (We saw that happen to several other cars.)

Then, it was Annabelle's turn. Right across from LEGO heaven, she found princess heaven.

Our little princess spotted the Disney princesses right away and couldn't wait to stand next to them.

We walked into this HUGE Disney store, an entire section filled with nothing but princess and Minnie Mouse items and she...went...crazy. Disney princesses from floor to ceiling. Minnie Mouse clothes, purses, dolls, shoes, playsets, etc... Annabelle gasped at every turn, grabbing items as she ran through the store.

I'll take one of everything, please!

I am quite certain she would have loved to take home every item she grabbed as she made her way to the back of the store, but we helped her narrow it down to one thing -- A Belle doll.

In another area of the HUGE Disney store, we found Boba Fett, who apparently had also been shopping at the LEGO store. :)

Dinner was tons of fun. We ate at T-Rex, which was like having dinner in Jurassic Park. We were surrounded by dinosaurs and a meteor shower occurred every 25 minutes. During the meteor shower, all the dinosaurs roared, the restaurant got darker, and lights flashed all around us. It was a little scary the first time. Both kids jumped into our laps, but they got used to it and by the time we left, they loved the meteor showers. Not only was the experience great, the food was fantastic. I'm so happy we decided to eat there.

Hmmmm....I don't know if I like this meteor shower stuff.

The dinosaur behind him made noises throughout the evening. Annabelle said he sounded like a cow. "Dat dinosaw says 'mooooooo'," she yelled.

The next day, we went to Aquatica -- Sea World's water park. The kids L-O-V-E-D it. They had a terrific play area for younger kids with water slides and other water play activities. Annabelle slid down the water slides about a million times. One of them required her to be with an adult, so, I ended up riding that slide a million times as well.

I was really proud of Jacob. He slid down all the kids' slides several times. Each slide sent him plunging into the water. I was afraid he might freak out, but instead, he popped up out of the water, wiped his face and got back in line to do it again. Hooray!! He was also able to ride several of the adult slides. He rode them all twice -- once with Heath, then again with me.

On the slide pictured above, Jacob and I sat in a round float. I faced forward and Jacob was facing me. He had already been down the slide once with Heath. As we got closer to the top of the stairs, I asked him if he was sure this was the slide he rode with Daddy. "Yes, this is it," he said emphatically. "Okay, was it fun?" I asked. "YES! It was really fun, " he yelled. We hopped in the round float, situated ourselves and down we went. Judging from Jacob's expression, he was not having fun. He looked terrified. In fact, as we flew down that slide, I have never seen him look more pitiful. I felt awful that I had made him ride it with me. But, when we got to the bottom, he shouted, "See, Mommy! Wasn't that FUN?!?!?!?" That made me feel much better about the whole thing.

I wish I had more pictures of the day, but carrying around a camera at a water park isn't the best idea. I took this picture right as we were about to leave. We ended up spending the entire day at the park -- 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Can you believe that? Annabelle took an afternoon nap on a lounge chair. If she hadn't taken a nap, we definitely wouldn't have stayed all day.

We finished off our Orlando mini vacation with a breakfast buffet. Jacob and Annabelle were being silly at the table. There was chocolate cake on this buffet...and chocolate chip pancakes, fruit loops, pudding...all kinds of sweet stuff. Would you believe my kids just wanted to eat oranges? A proud parent moment. :) But...please don't ask me what was on my plate.

We hit the road and made one more stop to visit Aunt Betty and Uncle Bing. We had a nice visit, even though the kids were a little tired and cranky.

On our way home, we saw a full rainbow stretching across the sky. We saw one on our way down to Florida, too. A perfect start and a perfect ending to a very fun trip.

Yes, I didn't!

Annabelle loves stickers.

"I want a snack!" Annabelle yelled as she ran into the kitchen.  "Annabelle, you just had a banana," I said.  "That was your snack."  She quickly responded, "Yes, I didn't."  Well, she was partially right. 

This is her new favorite line right now -- "Yes, I didn't." 
Me:  "Annabelle, I just saw you put a LEGO in your mouth."
Annabelle: "Yes, I didn't."

Me:  "Annabelle, you can not have more juice.  You just drank a juice box."
Annabelle:  "Yes, I didn't."

Her other favorite line is "The Bible says not to **insert behavior / activity here**"  Sometimes she uses it in the form of a question.

Me:  "Annabelle, this is your warning.  You will go to time out if you do that again."
Annabelle:  "No, the Bible says not to go to time out."

Me:  "Annabelle, do not put LEGOs in your mouth!"
Annabelle:  "Oh, the Bible says not to eat yeggos (LEGOs)?"

Me:  "Jacob, do not hit your sister!"
Annabelle:  "Jacob, the Bible says...NOT..TO...HIT!!"

Oh..they wear me out and crack me up all at the same time.  :)

These days, Annabelle can be found (at all times) caring for a baby...or two...or three.  It might be a baby doll, stuffed animal, or sometimes Fisher-Price Little People, but she is always taking care of someone.  She pushes her dolls, animals and Little People around in the doll stroller with a diaper bag hanging from the handle.  She may stop for a few moments to build with her LEGOs -- which Jacob so graciously gave her after he got so many "big boy" LEGOs for his birthday -- but then, she goes back to the babies, changing their diapers, feeding them bottles and snacks, and comforting them when they cry.  She loves babies.  So much so that Jacob asked her the other day,"Annabelle, what do you want to be when you grow up?  A mommy?"  Then he told her she would have to wait until she grows up.  He ended the speech with, "Look at mommy.  She is all grown up and she is already a mommy.  Isn't that cool?"

Speaking of Jacob, I have a quick story about him.  Last Sunday, I taught his class during the worship service.  One of the younger children had to take a potty break.  I stepped just outside the door to make sure she made it to the bathroom.  As I was standing there, Jacob came out and said, "Hey Mommy...I took over for you while you were gone.  You are the teacher and I am a piece of you because I am yours, so I was the teacher while you were gone."  All I could say was, "Thank you, Jacob."  That boy never ceases to amaze me.

Rapping, Preaching, Dancing and other Shenanigans

As I folded laundry in the living room the other day, I heard Jacob talking...errr...preaching....errrrr.....rapping...in the next room. I put down the shirt I was about to fold and peeked around the corner to find this:

There he sat, at his little blue table, with his Bible open and his lantern on...preaching and rapping away. The preaching thing, I get. His grandfather is a pastor. Maybe it's in the genes. :) But the rapping? I can't say I can recall my dad ever rapping from the pulpit. That thought makes me laugh just visualizing it. :)

I am sure the VBS music had something to do with it. Jacob and Annabelle had been listening to Why Don't You, which begins with a rap, A LOT. They listened (and danced) to all the other VBS songs as well.

They love to dance! Neither one of them can listen to music without moving to the beat. I love it!

A few weeks ago, we visited Uncle Phil and Aunt Shelli for the weekend. Even though it was just as hot where they live as it was at our house, we still had a great time! And we're still SO EXCITED that Jacob and Annabelle will have a new cousin in January! Bets are still on as to whether it's a boy or a girl. Hopefully, they'll find out soon!

While we packed the car to head out for the weekend, the kids were being silly...especially Annabelle. And she looked so cute in her pigtails, I had to take a few pictures. :)


We walked around a local park one day where there was a playground and a water play area for kids. Annabelle loved it! She climbed on everything she could climb. She slid down all the slides and she ran through the giant fountain...several times. I'm surprised we were able to get her to lay her purse down to play. The girl loves purses. She had just gotten that purple purse earlier in the day and wouldn't remove it from her arm.


So where was Jacob? Well, he had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the park. We just put him in Annabelle's stroller and let him continue his nap.

Annabelle was hesitant at first, but after she got a little wet, she headed straight for the center. She laughed and ran and played and had a great time! A big thanks goes to Uncle Phil, who graciously offered his nice shirt as a towel when Annabelle came out of the fountain. I had dry clothes for her, but hadn't thought about needing a towel!

Jacob slept the entire time. I thought I should take a couple pictures of him so he would believe us when we told him he was there. :)

The next day, after church, Jacob got to open a birthday present. A NEW CARS 2 LEGO SET!!!! Thank you Uncle Phil and Aunt Shelli!

Just Around the Corner

It's getting closer. In fact, for many kids, it has already begun: school. The crossing guards are back at work. The unmistakable sound of school buses can be heard in the wee hours of the morning. Teachers are decorating classrooms and preparing lesson plans. Kids are sporting new clothes, shoes, backpacks and lunchboxes. Some of those kids are excited. Some are nervous. Some are scared. And some are...all of the above -- especially the kids who are going to school for the first time.

Do you remember your first day of school? I can't say that I remember mine. I can visualize bits and pieces of my preschool experience. I remember my kindergarten class and my kindergarten teacher; but, I just can't remember that first day. My parents have pictures of my first day as a kindergartener. I was wearing a navy blue dress and I had a lunchbox in my hands. I looked excited. I'm sure I was.

Jacob just turned five years old. He is about to be a kindergartener. He knows he'll be in kindergarten and he's quite proud of this fact. He's excited. I'm excited. I still can't believe he's five.

On Monday, I viewed about a million "first day of school" pictures which friends had posted online of their children entering kindergarten, first grade, ninth grade, etc... On Tuesday, I was bombarded with even more photos. I loved seeing them -- so cute! Everyone had first day jitters -- parents and children alike. As I looked at photo after photo and read about all the first day experiences, a small part of me wondered if, by choosing to homeschool, I was depriving my child. I realize many people would tell me I am. I mean, the first day of school is special...as are the days after. Don't children need that classroom experience? Don't they need to feel independent? Don't they need to learn to function without you being there every second? I know Jacob would absolutely love going to school. He would love the classroom atmosphere and he would love being around a group of kids his age. I know that. BUT...the more I thought about sending him to school, the more I heard God telling me that I am doing the right thing...for Jacob.

Please don't get me wrong. I am, by no means, saying that sending your child to school is wrong. I just feel strongly that God wants me to homeschool right now. And I've said before (several times) this is definitely a God thing, because I never EVER thought I would be homeschooling. I did (and obviously still do) have those visions of Jacob's first day of school in my head. What would it be like? Where would he be going? Would I cry the whole day (and the week prior)? Would he cry? Would he get in trouble for talking too much? Would he like his teacher? Would I like his teacher?

As I prepare for this school year, and see all the things Jacob is going to be learning, it makes me happy. I am definitely full of anticipation. I am ready to begin. Last year was my trial run with homeschooling -- more like an adventure. This year, I have a better idea of what to expect...from me and from him...and from a certain two year old little sister. It feels good to have a little experience. I still see it as an adventure because this year will be different than the last. I am a bit nervous, but not nearly as overwhelmed as I was last year at this time.

We're still using the Classical Conversations curriculum. We actually attended orientation a couple nights ago. Since Jacob just turned five, he will have the same tutor as last year. We couldn't be more thrilled. Jacob and I both LOVE Mrs. Wilkinson! She is amazing! Jacob will attend his CC class every Tuesday with a new group of kids. Most of the kids he was with last year are moving up to first grade. Through CC, Jacob will be focusing on American history this year. He'll work toward memorizing the U.S. states and capitals, as well as mountain ranges, rivers, deserts, and other features. He'll also be memorizing John 1:1-7 in English and Latin. That should be interesting! Science is focused on the human body for the first 12 weeks, then more on chemistry for the next 12. We're sticking with Math-U-See for math and I've chosen Stuart Little by E.B. White for Jacob to begin reading. I know he's gonna love it. :) It's going to be a busy year!!

So, Jacob's first day of kindergarten will be on Monday. He can't wait. We won't be driving to his school. I won't have to prepare his lunch at 6:30 AM. He doesn't have to ride a bus to get there. I won't have to drop him off anywhere and worry the rest of the day. (Although, I may cry just a little because I still can't believe he's in kindergarten.) I won't have to sit in a car line for 30 minutes at the end of the day to pick him up. I won't have to ask him a bazillion questions about his day. We won't be doing any of those things. But do you know what? Even without those things, our day will still be special. Jacob will wake up Monday morning, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush his teeth and get ready for school. We'll take a few pictures and then get started. He'll know it's time for kindergarten when I ring the bell (something I started last year). He'll feel like a big boy because he is in kindergarten. Annabelle will feel like a big girl because she gets to go to school. And while I may feel a little anxious, I'll also have a sense of peace, knowing I am doing what God has called me to do.

Dear God, please help me to be the parent and the teacher you want me to be. Help me to instill Christian values in the minds of my children. For you tell us in your word, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) I am asking for your guidance and direction and I pray that everything I say and do would lead my children closer to you. Amen.

Time flies. I wonder how many times I've typed those words since I started this blog. Too many to count, I imagine. But it's true. Time...does...fly. Yesterday, my little boy celebrated his fifth birthday. He's five years old and I can hardly believe it. He can. He has been revelling in this fact all week. In fact, when he woke up last Monday morning, he excitedly announced, "It's my birthday week!" Ever since, he's been looking at his teeth in the bathroom mirror and feeling them to see if any are loose. "My teeth will start to fall out when I'm five," he says.

Jacob loves LEGOS. He meticulously follows the building set instructions and is able to put together a set pretty much on his own. After it is put together, he plays with it for a while, then takes it apart, changing pieces here and there to make his own creation. His engineering mind is always hard at work. Heath is super excited about Jacob's love of LEGOS, but he cringes at the fact that Jacob mixes up all the individual sets. Once Jacob takes a set apart, I dare say, we will never see the set put together correctly (i.e. per the instructions) again. But this is exactly why Jacob loves them. He likes to invent. He comes up with a story in his head and builds boats, cars, machines, buildings, etc... to go along with his plot.

Given his love of LEGOS, I decided on a LEGO themed birthday party. The kids built with LEGOs, played LEGO games, ate LEGO pizza and LEGO cake, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Hmmm...what should we build now?

Jacob, Annabelle and I worked on the LEGO man together. They colored the shirt and pants, while I colored the head and arms. They were fascinated by how small their crayons were when they finished coloring. That was a BIG LEGO man!

We played "Pin the mustache on LEGO man." No, it wasn't my own idea. I found it on a website somewhere. The kids loved it.



This was Jacob's second attempt. The first time, he planted the mustache right in the middle of LEGO man's face. I knew when that happened, the blindfold needed to be adjusted. :)

Mustache silliness!

The LEGO cake was actually fairly simple. But, since I got a late start on my baking, Erika and I worked tirelessly through the night finishing the cake and the LEGO man cake pops. The long night was worth it though as we were both pleased with the finished product. I have to credit Erika with the cake decorating this year. I may have baked the cake, but she did the decorating. After all, she is the master. :) .....and I can't thank her enough for EVERYTHING she did to help with the party. Erika, you are one true friend.

JoBeth and David helped out a lot too. They surprised us and showed up at our house Friday evening. I had no idea they were going to drive down from D.C. for the party. While Erika and I were working on the cake, I heard someone coming in the door. It was them! I was completely shocked! When I saw JoBeth, I felt guilty because I cut our phone conversation short earlier. I had so much to do with the party preparations, I felt like I didn't have time to talk. Little did I know, when she called she was sitting in a restaurant just a few miles from our house -- the same restaurant Heath and I had just stopped by to pick up our take-out order. :) JoBeth and David, I'm so happy you made the long drive down! I know Jacob (and Annabelle, too) was excited. Love you!

After the cake, we moved on to the presents. At the end of the day, Jacob said this was his favorite part of the party...as if I didn't already know. :)

He put that fireboat together later in the day. It took him (and Uncle David) almost three solid hours, but he got it done. Some accomplishment, wouldn't you say? He played with it all afternoon today.

A group shot...minus one. It's hard to get a group of kids together for a picture.

Birthdays are fun -- especially when you turn five. Jacob had a blast at his party yesterday and that made all the planning and effort totally worth it. Happy 5th birthday, Jacob! I love you, buddy!!

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

Annabelle loves shoes. Always has. She loves to put them on and she loves to take them off even more. I can't remember her ever keeping her shoes on in the car. Sometimes, I don't even bother putting them on her until we reach our destination. What's the point? I know they'll be on the floor in a matter of seconds as soon as we pull out of the driveway. She likes the fact that she can put on her shoes and take them off all by herself. No help necessary. Although, I do intervene when I see that she has her flip flops on the wrong feet. That just looks terribly uncomfortable. Of course, she doesn't seem to mind. She walks a little funny, but never complains. She did it herself. That's all that matters.

She has some seriously cute shoes -- so cute that I decided to do this blog post about them. And she has several pairs. I think her shoes may actually outnumber mine. Here are a few of my (and her) favorites:

These are the self-proclaimed "princess shoes." Annabelle adores them and wears them often. To my knowledge, she has never seen any of the Disney princess movies. She has one book about Beauty and the Beast that we read, but her exposure to the "princess world" has been fairly minimal around our house. But you would never know this. She loves all things princess, especially if those things are pink and sparkly. When she tried on her flower girl dress for my sister's wedding, the first words out of her mouth were, "I yook yike a pwincess?", then, "I yook yike Belle?" Belle is the name of the princess in Beauty and the Beast. We did watch the royal wedding together. Maybe that has something to do with it. She is our wild, little, rough and tumble princess.

These fashionable little sandals came from her Aunt JoBeth. If Annabelle had it her way, she would wear these with everything. Again, they are pink and sparkly -- her favorite combination.


Aunt Shelli sent her these fun little flip flops. She has a second pair in pale pink. So adorable.

I love shoes, but my grandmother really loved them. She had multiple closets full of them. Perhaps Annabelle picked up this trait from her. It's in the genes I guess.