the boat nightmare...

So, our first trip on the boat.. don't worry it wasn't a 3 hour tour.. it was more like 3 minute ride. Poor Monty.. he had his BFF come down and it was supposed to be a fun family day.

Putting the boat in the water.. yay!

Unhooking the boat??

that is one happy boat owner!

bye bye dock! Don't worry we'll be back soon!

Erin, Dana, Peter-Leo, Kody and Tia enjoying the ride.

Even Everrett (Monty's BFF-best friend forever) enjoying life on the boat!

 Here is when things go wrong...

The ever vigilent marine, aka Roger, and Monty.. both agree something isn't right.

 The boys noticed a funny smell.. something wasn't right.. so the cut the engine and checked the engine. It was bad.. not sure what exactly the issue was.. but we slowly motored back to the dock.

Roger, standing guard with the fire extingusher .. just in case..

 We did make it back to the dock without any fires or additional problems. So the boys stayed behind and worked on the engine.. and the rest of us... we went to the beach!

Peter-Leo dug a large hole!

Dana, Kody, Erin and Tia enjoying the beach.

While we were sad to not be able to go to Cumberland Island on the boat, we were super excited to see the Prostrollos and Chriswells.  We have missed them and it was great to have them here for the weekend.. even though one of the dogs chewed a hole in Roger's favorite jacket. hee-hee!

Tag! You're It!
Michelle

Another 4th grade field trip...

Yesterday Peter-Leo and I embarked on another fun school field trip.  This time it was with his "regular" class (not his gifted class) and we went to St. Augustine, Florida.  While the original plan was for me to ride the bus with all the kids.. sadly there was no room and I had to drive my car down all by my lonely self. darn.

Once everyone arrived at the museum the kids were divided up and our group learned what is was like to be a kid in the 1830s.

Learning to write with a quill pen.

Playing with the few toys that kids back then had.

 After our school in the 1835 tour.. we embraced our spanish roots and learned about what it was like to be a spaniard "founding" a new place.

We were in the large house that lots of spaniards would eat, sleep,
and even poop in a portable toilet that the youngest solider would have to empty in the morning.
The kids thought that was the funniest thing.. ahhh 4th grade boys!

Our "Spaniard" tour guide. He really was great!

In order to see they had to make their own candles,
so each kid (and adult) took a turn in dipping the string into the wax.

Before Black & Decker, Wood and String. This is how they would drill a hole.

Peter-Leo making grits!

Crushing up the oyster shell for the floor of the house.

Peter-Leo playing a ball and pin game kind of like bowling.

It is a great day of bringing hands on knowledge to what they have been learning in the classroom.

Tag! You're It!
Michelle

LEGO!! BUILDING!! COMPETITION!!

We were so excited to get a spot in Jacksonville Museum of Science and History's Lego Building Competition. Peter-Leo was so excited to have this opportunity to build and meet other kids that like to build with legos!
 

dragging in his bin of legos.

..starting to build...

despite not being old enough/in the right grade..
Kody had her legos too!

And she built her own lego creation!

Peter-Leo hard at work on his creation.

the lego building madness!

 I took these two photos (above and below) on the 3rd floor balcony of the 2nd floor competition zone! It was crazy!!

If you look up towards the micdle lefthand side you can see Peter-Leo. 

Searching for more detail pieces.

This is how crowded it was and how hard it was to walk..
 no wonder parents weren't allowed to be in the building zone!!

Peter-Leo and his creation. At the very end of the day!

 It was a long day, but a wonderful day at the competition.  He had fun, meet fellow lego-manics, and experienced something great!  I am so glad we were able to go! 
Can't wait til next January so both of the kids (Kody will be old enough) are part of the fun!!

Tag! You're It!
Michelle

Peter's Point, Fernandina Beach

Really, that's the name of the section of beach: Peter's Point. Either way, it was a lovely morning at the beach...

building sand castles and a moat...

Kody was building a fort...

Peter-Leo digging his moat!

brother and sister building side by side.

Peter-Leo built a sand overpass.

Peter-Leo almost finished with his sand castle.

FINISHED!

While digging and building in the sand was fun... the call of the ocean was too great!!

Kody is never afraid of the ocean... it calls to her... she must go!

Kody rolled up her pants to dance in the surf.

Peter-Leo joins the fun.. and gets his feet wet!!

She was having so much fun!

Out in the surf she goes!!

 All was fine.. until she fells into the waves... and got wet.. she had had enough for one day..

Sad Kody.

 So she picked up her feather, said good bye to the ocean.. and we left.

Saying good bye to the ocean.

Tag! You're It!
Michelle

Christmas part II

Not much to say about this... presents.

On Christmas Eve we allowed the children to pick one present and open it..
Peter-Leo picked a lego set from Grandpa Leo.. Christmas Day morning.. it was built!

Being silly with his stocking.

"YES! MORE LEGOS!" enough said!

 We were blessed to be able to have Daddy come and go throughout the day despite being on duty.

Daddy handing out gifts on Christmas Morning.

"Soda pop? Grandpa Leo gave me soda pop!!" said Kody.

 I put this picture in here for my Dad, who does the most awesome job of packing and wrapping gifts. He usually uses up the cardboard at his home.  Although I must admit she was kind of excited when she thought she was getting soda pop.

Kody with her Lalaloopsy doll from Grandpa Leo!!

Peter-Leo, ever the cool and calm guy, with his gifts.

Kody with her Christmas gifts! She was thrilled!

It was a wonderful Christmas this year, despite being so far away from our families.  The kids were extremely blessed and thankful for all the gifts they recieved this year as were Monty and I. So grateful!!

Tag! You're It!
Michelle