1st Day of School

The first day of school was yesterday.  It was an exciting day.  Benjamin was excited to go.  Daddy was sad to see him go, but since he was having fun playing it was time to sneak out without tears.  He was fine and ready to learn.

Benjamin is all set for the first day.

Elizabeth is ready for 5th Grade

Caryn on her way to 2nd Grade

(Have no idea why I can't flip it?) Alex was being silly on the first day.

In front of the roses ready to go.

Disney 2011

We had an awesome time visiting Disney World with Grandma and Grandpa this year. Benjamin loved meeting all the characters especially Mickey Mouse. He didn't like Pluto for some reason though. Alex especially loved the yo-yo staircases and Elizabeth and Caryn like the rides.

Goofy boys on the Mickey Bus

Alex's prized Gold doubloons from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates."

Alex waited a long time for Perry.

Mommy and Caryn waited an hour to see Ariel, got within 4 people, then it stormed. Went back two days later not to be turned away. Waited an hour again!

Benjamin with his hook on the red yo-yo.

The boys at the bottom of the Big Red Yo-Yo

These 3D glasses always make for a good family picture.

The girls striking a pose in Downtown Disney.

Waiting in line for the Nemo Show at Animal Kingdom.

We all got soaked on the Kali Rapid River Ride.

Caryn was real wet.

This cool web and huge pine cone were at a rest stop as we entered Florida.

The Mad Tea Party was a blast for Caryn and Elizabeth.

Tiana was so personable.

Caryn was in awe of each of the princesses. Tinkerbell was in Epcot on our last day.

Mickey Pirate Grandma

Group shot before leaving Pop Century.

The girls were investigators with Kim Possible at Epcot. They actually had to TALK to this cast member to get their next clue.

We saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald at Epcot's Character Spot on our first day.

The Pirates of the Carribean Ride led us to meeting a real pirate.

Benjamin's favorite purchase: Hook.
Alex's favorite purchase: Telescope.
Caryn's favorite purchase: Princess camera
(Not sure why the boys are holding each others)

Alex would have eaten a banana, and raisin bran for every meal if it was an option.

"Look Mom, there's really red play-doh in there!"

Snow White in the Magic Kingdom, we were first to see her.

Splash Mountain, Elizabeth and Caryn in front, Daddy and Mommy in row 2.

Another awing experience.

What a fun trip, but we're not going back for a while...
Daddy says 10 years, what does Mommy say about that??

Birthday Parties and More

Where does the time go? Benjamin and Caryn just celebrated another birthday. We had a birthday party at our house.

Caryn had an Ariel Cake...marble.

Benjamin had a Lightning McQueen cake...strawberry.

Elizabeth had fun making a birthday banner.  She filled in the Ben with all 3's and the Caryn with all 7's.  Not sure if anyone besides the attentive cousin Abby noticed.



And not to be forgotten...Alex had a celebration for "graduating" from K4. On to kindergarten next year.

We are counting down to our 3rd Annual Trip to Disneyworld.  Not sure how this has become a yearly affair, but it is fun.  We'll be going in 26 days!  Elizabeth has a countdown calendar and has writen down where we'll be going each of the days and special attractions she'd like to see each day.  Claire has her pins all sorted and ready to be a trading queen once again!

Church?

It's been quite some time since I've posted here. Looking at my camera though, you'd think it was yesterday.  Haven't taken any pictures since Christmas? We skipped Easter pictures? What? Oh well!

Benjamin is growing and learning more each day.  He starting to talk a lot more than he had even a few weeks ago.  My favorite thing he says is after he sneezes.  He sneezes, I say "God Bless You!" he responds "Church!"  Makes me giggle each time.  That he connects "God bless you" with church is just to darn cute. 

Another connection he made this week was while we were getting ready to mow the grass for the first time this spring.  I had to go buy gas. Of course, he needed to help all along the way.  We got home filled up the lawnmower with gas and he questioned "Gas?"  Then he ran to get his mower and proudly said, "BUBBLES!" After we were done mowing, he went inside and told Mamma what we had done.  He said, Dadda...gas,  Me...bubbles! Too cute.

 A few pictures I have taken recently...these are flowers that each of the kids got to plant this weekend for Mother's Day. Stein's Garden and Gifts had an awesome promotion for Mother's Day. Each kid got to decorate their clay pot and take the marigold home to mom. Best part was that it was free!

Alex has been asking for glasses the last few weeks.  I'm not sure if it's because I got new ones or because he sees a few other kids in his class wear them.  I popped the lens out of a very old pair of mine and he was so happy to have glasses. He carried them around in a case and wouldn't put them down.  He wanted to wear them to school, but I wouldn't let him.  Of course, he started wearing them on Sunday and by Monday afternoon...they were broken!  Glad he doesn't need glasses yet.

Benjamin and I shared a few cookies last week.  It was Teacher Appreciation week, so we had baked cookies for the teachers and had a few left.  Two to be exact.  He quickly stole both of them and ate one in a bite and shared the other with his friend.  Luckily, I knew the friend wouldn't eat it, so Daddy did get a treat.

Christmas has Come and Gone

The Kids under the tree with Cousin Hailey at Gma/Gpa R's.

Kids with Cousins Abby and Katie, and Braxton at Aunt Diane's.

Caryn, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Alex on Christmas morning.

Caryn woke up with a fever, but was a party trooper.  Ended up sleeping till after 1:00 the day after Christmas though.

Even with not feeling well, Caryn says, "Daddy did you get a picture of me with my lipstick?"

Benjamin opening a "Ben" Thomas train. Notice Caryn took a rest anytime she didn't need to be awake.

Alex with his stack of presents.

Finally, a pillow pet. Dolphin!

It is amazing to watch the kids at Christmas.  How different they all react. 

Benjamin was very patient, but knew exactly when it was his turn to open a present, pointing at himself and making it known that everyone should now watch him. 

Alex was fine with everything, but after Christmas he questioned why Santa brought a few presents because he hadn't even asked for them.  I asked him if he wanted me to take them back, then he was fine with them again. :) 

Poor Caryn picked Christmas morning as the time to catch what everyone else had a few days earlier.  Her sickness turned worse than everyone else's though.  She was determined to have fun even though she felt rotten.

Elizabeth had many questions this year, one being "How does Santa know what everyone else gets you, so he doesn't get the same things?"  Well, dear Elizabeth, seems Santa has no clue since he brought a few things that we received at other gift openings.

It was a fun Christmas and not nearly as exhausting as in past years.  These kids growing up sure makes for more independence and less dependence on Mommy and Daddy, making for a much more enjoyable holiday.