May 2017

We got a piano!

It was an adventure to get it though. An online auction had just the right piano for us (happily, it ended up being a former piano of our piano teacher, so we knew it was a good one!)

I got a little excited about 'winning' the auction, so I may have inadvertently outbid myself at the last moment. So I payed a few extra dollars, but it was totally worth it in the end.

We fixed up our guest room! It wasn't in time for Aunt Kelsey (Sorry!) but Grammy came and got to enjoy the splendor!

Grammy got to see Sock's 4th Grade play, "The Pied Piper"

 Socks played the mayor and had a small solo. It was so fun to watch!

We also got to celebrate Grammy's Birthday with her!

Our days were filled with the usual chaos.

Hair-dos.

Lego-ing. (The iron rod and the Tree of life!)

Dentist visits (like a pro!)

Orchestra concerts

And Haircuts!

Socks loves keeping his hair long. "I just don't like short hair because I like how it feels when I run my fingers through it long." But we reached maximum capacity

ENTER... the $10 haircuts.

Grapes dared the boys to go VERY short for summer. She offered them $10 each!

Of course they took her up on it. (I don't think she thought they would!)

One Sunday, late in May, the kids complained that they were bored. So I told them to make a cake, not thinking they would.

But they did!

And it was also May-May's birthday, so we decorated accordingly and sent her a photo.

Then we ate it.

Sea World (Disney World Trip part 6)

February 2017

I really loved our SeaWorld day. There were lots of school groups at the beginning of the day, but they all seemed to leave around 3:00 and then we had the park mostly to ourselves!
We saw a dolphin show...

And an Orca show...

We watched fish and rays and sharks swim.

We fed a few pistachios to a squirrel.

We almost came home with a NEMO toy.

We were also privileged to meet a few of the animals that Tia gets to work with. We are truly so thankful for Tia's willingness to share such a special experience with us!

This is Bumstead and Sturby-- Male Harbor Seals

Don't worry, Tia put us to work!

This is an enormous male walrus (I think his name was Garfield!?!) 

He made some great noises and even gave us kisses. 

We didn't get to meet the famale, Kaboodle. She was next door and we could hear her. 

Tia told us she was sick. Interestingly enough, just a few weeks later SeaWorld announced the birth of their first ever baby walrus born in captivity. 

We were so close!

This is a male Beluga whale named Naluark.

We rode the rides! The fun little carnival style ones, and the BIG roller coasters. 

We really felt like we had the park to ourselves-- even staying on a roller coaster for a few rides in a row because there weren't any people in line behind us.

Epcot! (Disney World Trip part 5)

February 2017

Because Feta LOVES Frozen, and because the rest of my kids don't....
she and I made the most of the Early Hour available at Epcot to visit Anna and Elsa.

The ONLY souvenir she wanted. An Elsa dress (that has since been worn to death!)

Thanks again Uncle Lon and Aunt Liz, and May-May and Jared for souvenir money!!

 The first line, for the Frozen Ever After ride was happy. And twirly. (new dresses do that to you)

Then we got in line to meet the princesses...

we waited...

and waited...

After an hour plus, the goal was in sight!

When her turn came though, she was suddenly shy.

I think she was in awe of it all

Elsa introduced her sister, and as Feta walked over she finally opened up a bit.

 (It helped that Anna was less regal and much more chatty)

For our little monkey, this was definitely the highlight of the whole trip. 

We met up with Dad and the big kids right after this

 (they sort of got to sleep in!) and we pressed onward.

Epcot had SO many other adventures. The kids loved Mission Space and the Test Track.

 We tasted lots of yummy food this day. Mexican tacos, sushi, German sausage (as a bonus we saw Snow White!) and then delightful pastries as we walked back to our bus.

It was a very warm day, and we loved the snacks too!

(not pictured, but we fully loved the frozen lemonade as well!)

We also accidentally found BayMax and the boys were THRILLED.

Not to be forgotten- the Turtle Talk with Crush (where Pencil got to ask a question, and asked, "I don't actually know how fast you breathe." (not technically a question, but that's not important)

After everyone laughed, Crush responded, "I don't either, Dude! But that reminds me, I need to breathe now!"

It was beautiful- and that evening I couldn't help snap a picture of the Epcot Ball. (I think going inside it was my favorite ride of the day!)