Good Job KK and AJ!

We were so glad to be in town for both Mikayla's 3rd grade end-of-the-year performance and AJ's preschool graduation.  Mikayla did a great job in their patriotic performance which included the classic "Fifty Nifty United States".  Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas...

My buddy for the week

A few random "Florda" pics

Don't let the adorable exterior fool you...Izzy is a mess. ;) I bribed her to smile for this picture by promising to let her take pictures with my camera.

Izzy's close-up of Nathan

And of Brandon

Smiling even under water

Full moon over calm water

Dog House Deli - Downtown Pensacola

Splash Park - Downtown Pensacola

Catching Some Rays

Josh, Jeff, Nathan, and Brandon went fishing while we were there.  They didn't catch anything, but the boys had fun playing with the live bait. ;) 

I'm surprised they didn't get anything because all the marine wildlife seemed particularly active while we were there.  We saw more dolphins than we've ever seen in the Gulf.  One afternoon, we were watching 3 or 4 different large pods at one time.  

We also saw several groups of rays right off the shore!  At first, the water was kind of murky, and we could just see their fins sticking up out of the water.  Scary! After the water cleared up (and we could keep an eye on them), we got a little braver.  The last picture I posted is the best one that we took.  We got some pretty good video, but I couldn't get it to upload here.

Quick Trip to FL

Even though lots of schools got out last week or this coming week, my kids have to go until June 6th! Since Jeff's classes start back next week, we decided to take an early, mini vacation.  We left Tuesday and spent a few days hanging out with Amanda and family in Florida.

Florda

Post by guest blogger, Ashley (age 7), as copied from her journal...

Tuseday

Where headed to florda. I'm so exsited. I can't wate to see the Staseys. They are so fun. Were about to at Missasipee. Were watching Megamind. Next will watch Wrec-it Walf. Were going to dinner. We are leveing Missasipee. I had a grate breckfast. We are looking for slug bugs. Me and mom are winning.

Wendseday

I have to say Missasipee is a wered state! they put sope in germ-x bottles. But the stake houses are pretty good. and the melba toast is vary good. Today it is rainy. I am watching Wec-it Waltth again.

Fri

I'm going to spend-the-night at KK's house. Now it's morning and were watching underdog. Now were going to my condo to go swimming. Were playing silents. Were going to jump off something into the ocon. I am jumping with Mikayla. We are jumping for the last time. I got stung by a jellyfish. It relly hurts. there is a red mark. Tonight we are eating at a crab place. We are going to play at the playground. My sing feels better.

Sat

We are leaving Florda. But they Saysey are coming in June. I want to stay. I am watchin Tagled. Were in Missasippe. I wish we stayed in Florda. Were at she knows she the lost prenses. Were at WAFFLe House! I'm haveing a waffle. 

Sun

I woke up wiled. I played my Mom's phone. Were headed to Arkansas. the best part was seeing my family. We loved the trip. It was a way to get out of school without geting sick. And also tomorow is mamorle day so it is like hiving eaght saterdays! I am happy to about to be home. But I'm sad to leave Florda. I'm had fun. Were crossing the Missasipee brege.

 

Ever milked a goat?

Jeff went with Nathan on a field trip to Heifer Ranch today.  I'm not sure what all they did, but apparently the highlight was milking a goat.  Regardless, it was a great day to be outside and not at school.  ;o)

Swimsuit Season Already?

It's hard to believe it's already that time of year again!  They took the cover off at the pool last week, so of course, my kids have already gone for a swim!

Science Fair 2013

The Science Fair is mandatory for 3rd through 5th grade at our school.  That means I will be doing a project for 6 straight years!!  Don't get me wrong.  I'm a self-proclaimed science nerd, so it's not the worst thing to have to do.  However, I decided to impose some ground rules:

1. NO GROWING PLANTS - it takes too long!
2. Project must be able to be completed in a weekend.
3. He will be typing the logbook from here on out.  Nathan and I nearly came to blows last year as I made him painstakingly write out 21 days of data! (See Rule #1.)  In my defense, I thought it had to handwritten.

He decided to go with something I know a little bit about this year--microbiology.  We both enjoyed the project more, and I think he actually learned something in the process.  The icing on the cake--he won first place in his class!  Yea, Nate!

Movie Night

The kids have a movie night at school every once in a while.  Jeff's taken them before, but I've never been.  We went last month, and it was crazy!  They wore their pajamas and watched "Wreck It Ralph".  Cute movie and a fun night.