Florida Fun!

We’ve been trying to soak up the sun here in Florida…well, artificially that is.  Mama doesn’t like the heat (for goodness sake, it feels like it’s 100+ some days) so we like indoor activities for now.  Although, in my defense both boys have swim three days a week at different times of the day.  So we are outside every morning and every afternoon for an hour each trip.  But for our in between times, we’ve been attempting to throw in some Florida history this summer.  Can’t wait to hit more old historic sites in our Sunshine State but will wait for the cooler months!  Here’s a sneak peek into a little we’ve done so far: 

Kendan’s play-doh boy                                               DeSoto National Park                                     

                                     

 

Even Ala went kayaking

              

Spanish Explorers (not!)                                                Great historic film there, too!

                

Diving board fun—Garre n               And now Dad!                                  4th of July

Boys love fire!                                                                Escaping the heat in the mall

                       

Throwing a little Florida study in there as well!

T-Rex Restaurant in Orlando!  We had the best seat in the house—no joke!

 

 

Nana and Papa treated us all to lunch and this very awesome dessert!

          

We don’t go far without Ala!    It ’s hard to see but the van’s sticker says “Got Poop”        Garren loved this fact and took photo

       

Tea Party with Mommy!                                 Hot Wheel Fun!

                       

 

Game time with Dad                Learning Florida geography (little slips of paper with facts)

 

Swim lessons for Kendan…love Ms. Slowey                          Florida studies!

 

Love Tea Time with Mommy and Ala…yes, she has her own plate and cup!

 

 

So just a little snipet of our summer and what we’ve been up to!  We’ve had a great

summer!   Looking forward to our official school year to begin!

School Room Update

We first finished the school room transformation in April.  But as time has gone on and we’ve been able to actual work in the room and new supplies and ideas have appeared, we’ve adjusted a little.  The labels were the last thing to be done so I would know “it’s finished.”  So here is the new and even more functional school room:

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Destination Aviation

Big Bro was blessed (really blessed!!) with an unexpected opportunity to attend a week long aviation camp about an hour from us in July.  Thankfully Nana and Papa invited him over to stay with them since they are only a half hour to the camp.   It was a group of 11-13 year olds, most with a passion for aviation like Big Bro.  Here are some snapshots the instructors took during the week and passed along to us in the form of a DVD slide show (very nice for scrapbooking moms like me :)  (NOTE:  in preview of post, everything appears okay but when published the pics and captions don’t match up…not sure how to correct, sorry)

                                

Day 1:  Learn aviation history at on-site museum                             

Day 2:  Begin flight simulator practice                                  Day 3:  Design own airplane

Day 4:  Learn pre-flight checks procedures                    

 

Learning to read a flight map, use a compass and determine weather patterns and atmospheric/cloud changes

             

Group shot                                                                           They traveled to Vero Beach Flight Safety School to actually fly (was not his turn in this photo) the plane!  No joke!!  He did the take off and landing.  He said it was an awesome experience!  

            

They flew over Lake Okeechobee, too!                 Getting his log book filled out (3rd entry!!)

                   

Flight simulator at Flight Safety School the kids were able to ride and another group shot!

He had a fantastic week and loved every minute!  It was an early morning each day andfinished late but he said it was well worth it!                                            

Day 5:  A presentation by each student about one aspect of what was learned during the week.  Mr. Frey, the instructor (very good teacher…and I’m a tough judge), and Big Bro

It’s official!

We made a family trip to the Home Education Office earlier this month to officially identify Big Bro as a homeschooler.  Little Bro is, too, but the state does not require any documentation for a few more years yet.   

                   

The lady in the office thought we were nuts but oh well!  She probably doesn’t scrapbook.  Besides this was/is a BIG deal to us!!  Exciting day :)

School’s Out!

Well, I’m a couple weeks behind on this post but better late than never!  Big Bro is officially done with elementary school…not sure if we should be celebrating or crying.   Either way, it’s finally here and after a whole week of activities at school and with friends….here are some shots from a great week of celebrating:

5th Grade Field Trip to Busch Gardens with a good friend

 

                              Award #1                                                      Presidential Award #2

The Banquet… where to begin.  At our school, the 5th grade banquet is a major affair, not something to be taken lightly.  Planning began in July and the theme voted on in September.  Teams of moms (yes, me, too) planned, created, decorated and ultimately assisted to prepare an elaborate send off for our precious babies. It was really a spectacular event and I think all the kids and parents (even those who decorated) were surprised at how it looked!

Wizards Walking the Red Carpet Theme (Hollywood Style)

Lighting (one of several colors)                              Kids’ Wall of Fame (stars with photos)

Entrance to Party…kids loved this part!   There

were even two limos as part of the scene!                             Big Bro entering the party!                   

Let the fun begin…                                                      Big Bro (center) gettin’ his groove on!

            

 

Here are the limos that took his class to Cici’s the next day!

 

Big Bro was the first one out of class and the first one in the Hummer Limo!   This was a surprise so his face says it all! 

 

Daddy was excited, too, because they asked him to ride up front (not planned at all!) and give driver directions to extend their ride before going to eat.  Look at that smile!  

  

So, here we are, end of June and six years of elementary school and many memories behind us…ready for the journey ahead but sad for the end of this period of his life.   As they say, though, the best is yet to come!