Fall Break - part 3

Also located in the Bahamas, is Disney's private island, Castaway Cay (pronounced "key").  After googling google, I found out that Disney bought the island, used as a location in the classic Disney film "Splash," to create a private paradise reserved for Disney cruise line guests.

A paradise it was!! BEAUTIFUL!  I think everyone felt we could have skipped the day at Nassau and been at Castaway Cay for 2 days!!!

Since we didn't swim at Nassau, we had some eager children ready to hit the sand and waves!

(Look closely, he's wearing his necklace from the Straw Market)

(The "bracelets" were their entry/exit "keys" for the children's clubs.)

As we exited the ship, T and I spotted two familiar faces - but not so familiar to our children.  Colin wanted to keep shouting, "Okay! Dave!" thinking it was Alvin, Simon or Theodore!

As we continued to the beach area, we passed the Flying Dutchman, a pirate ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. 

And who should we spy at a picture spot in front of the ship?  None other than Captain Jack Sparrow, himself!  (Had it been Johnny Depp, I would have been in line for a picture too!!)

Beautiful water!  Blue water!  Clear water!  We had fish swimming past our feet when just a few yards into the water.  There was a snorkeling area that a lot of T's family tried out, including T!  He said it was awesome - I took his word for it! :-D

I must credit my mother in law for this next picture - gorgeous!!  I think it looks like a postcard!!

A fun time to play with cousins...

Ahhh, that water!  It was a week ago yesterday that we were there ... hard to believe!
Quintin saw another Oceaneer's club activity he wanted to participate in while on the island - Captain Hook's Treasure Hunt!

We boarded the ship around 3, trying to beat the rush that would come when everyone had to be back on by 5.  We found Minnie greeting everyone as we came aboard. 

Every 15 minutes, a new character arrived.  We didn't stay long enough for more pictures, but we did enjoy watching from our balcony while the kids rested.  You could always find Disney movies on the TV in our stateroom - we took advantage of it, as it allowed for some much needed rest time.

One last look at the island before departing.

My favorite picture (and currently the wallpaper on my computer). Our first experience of a sunset over the Atlantic ocean.

Fall Break ... part 2

We set sail on the Disney Wonder late Sunday afternoon.  This was the first cruise for T and me - so it was truly an exciting time for our family of 5.

(Yes, Elle was crying - did I mention we were up at 3am Sunday morning???)

The 4-night Bahamian cruise took us to Nassau, Bahamas early Monday morning, in fact, our family was enjoying a buffet in one of the main restaurants.  This restaurant featured nice, large porthole windows.  While eating, we were able to watch as the boat pulled into our first destination.  Beautiful blue water caught my attention as the children excitedly shouted, "Land ho!!!"

We finished breakfast and planned to venture onto Nasssu for a short time.  We'd heard how wonderful the Atlantis hotel was to view, but we really didn't want to venture all over the place with 3 young children when we had a boat full of fun activities.  While waiting as the Bahamian officials reviewed paperwork, we chatted with a woman of some rank, wearing a white sailing suit.  She pointed out the famous "Straw Market" and we decided we'd head that way.

The Straw Market was a flea/street market with sellers willing to weave straw into anything and everything.  The older children both found necklaces they liked and Elle got a Hello Kitty purse with "Bahamas" on the back and "Elle" in pink straw.  Unfortunately, our camera broke or I'd share pictures of those. :( 

Items are not priced and it leaves you with the opportunity to barter - not somehing I'm real great at, and we probably got ripped off anyway, but that's what memories are made of!  HAHA

We enjoyed the buildings in Nassua as they reminded us of Bermuda (we went there in '01).

It was tempting to walk in all the stores advertising their diamonds, but I resisted!!

Before heading back to the ship, we had one last stop. 

Just 3 simple braids on each side of Elle's face.  I can't believe I didn't take a picture right after she was finished!!  I have a good one of her that I'll share later this week.

We headed back to the ship because Quintin had seen  "Ratatouille's Cooking School" listed in the Oceaneer Club's list of activities.  He not only made some new friends, he also made chocolate chip cookies! Sign me up! ;)  We took Colin and Elle up to the pool which is where we caught up with Mickey and Pluto.

I walked around the top deck of the ship just enjoying the amazing views and feeling the need to pinch myself because I really was in the Bahamas!  The hotel below, is the Atlantis.

After supper, the children and I enjoyed "Toy Story: The Musical" while T enjoyed Monday Night Football on the gigantic screen on the top deck.

Then it was off to bed as the ship sailed towards our next adventure.

Fall Break: part 1

Early, very early, last Sunday morning, we backed out of the garage with 3 very awake and very happy children ... about to embark on a trip filled with lots of new adventures.

Why?  We were traveling with T's family to celebrate his parents' 45th wedding anniversary!  Yes, 45 years!! (And, W&J, if you are reading this, don't get mad at me for posting this picture!!  Love you both!!!)

After driving a little ways, our children got to experience their first trip in an airplane!  Included for their enjoyment was the 30 minute delay due to the coffee pot malfunction on our first plane - have I ever mentioned I don't care for coffee? ;-)

Spread out on 3 different flight schedules was our group of 26.  We were fortunate to travel with T's parents and appreciated the help they offered while traveling with three young children.  We thought it best that the kids learn at a young age that flying is a lot of "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!  And then, wait!"

With a layover in Atlanta, we reached our final flight destination of Orlando, Fl in the afternoon.  We boarded a bus covered with "Mouse ears" en route for our final destination. 

...more tomorrow!

Fall Break

We've enjoyed a week away from school as we've taken a fall break.

Lots of fun things going on and I can't wait to share more next week.  Here's a peek!!

Have a great weekend!

Only a week late!

After my computer difficulties for the past week, I'm just happy to be posting at all, from home, even if it is a week late!!

The kiddos got their trick or treat outfits on Friday morning for the annual photo!

From left to right: Construction worker, cowgirl and Indiana Jones

Quintin was the easiest to outfit this year - he knew what he wanted to be right away and already had the hat and satchel.  We went to buy the IJ whip but no one had it.  So, he decided to put the money we were going to use to buy it towards buying Operation and Monopoly - I thought it was a better buy anyway!  He's a giver!

Elle had been planning on being a vet and then we were going to pull our wagon full of stuffed animals.  She and I had a morning to ourselves and went to purchase the pattern and she picked the cutest fabrics.  But, when it came to sewing it, I just couldn't make heads or tails (pun intended) of the pattern.  I let her know of our situation and after her initial sadness; she graciously accepted my offer to finish it after the upcoming holidays.  She even added, "Maybe we'll have it finished before next Trick or Treat!"  Wow!  She graciously gave me a whole year!  What a sweetheart!

As we were first figuring out what/who they were going to be, we were still unsure about Colin.  Daddy kiddingly asked, "Who wants to be a quarry worker like me?"  Of course Colin, who's all about his daddy, raised his hand and said ME!!  We planned on the hard hat and I even suggested throwing some stone dust all over him so he could look like Daddy too! ;-D  Once the hard hat came home, Colin decided it was too heavy (since they have an abundance of hard hats at work, we didn't go buy one - besides, the child ones aren't OSHA or MSHA approved ... hahahahahaha  [msha is the same as osha, just mine safety]. 

Colin wasn't really digging (yep, that one was intended too) the look.  We spent the morning visiting Grandmas and he left the hat behind.

When evening rolled around, and I questioned even heading out to the neighbors as I saw the abundance of candy from the grandmas (and the candy from the sweet ladies from the office my mom was working at), we decided to just visit a few houses.  Daddy was packing up his hunting gear to drive to the cabin to archery hunt on Sat.  BINGO!  We had a new idea for Colin, and he still got to go as Daddy!!  Four houses later, we were back home.  I let the kids pick a movie, so we watched Polar Express and enjoyed popcorn!

Internet Withdrawal

Yes, I'm having internet withdrawal.

We have 2 'puters at home and the laptop is on "vacation" to get some memory added, I think.  I wish I could remember! ;-D

And our desktop has decided to boycott the internet.  It needs a fine tuning as well, but it won't go until I we get the laptop back.

I'm online right now at T's office with Colin and Elle playing behind me on the floor.  T took Quintin to an eye doctor appointment.  I didn't specifically come to blog, but you know, while you've got the time, you at least have to update.  Sadly though, I won't be able to read any comments - that doens't mean that you can't leave any though!  JM!  Ginger! ;-P

I'm not sure I can survive too long this way, but it did sew up a cute little purse this weekend with all my "free time!"

Go PHILLY!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Homeschool Co-op with Colin...
I'm not usually in Colin's class at co-op, but last week I needed to fill in for a mom whose little one was at home sick. Colin was very excited to have me in his class and to show me off. He walked up to a group of children and said, "Dat's my mum," and came and put his arm around me. He further showed his cuteness by pulling up a chair for me after I tried to sit next to him on the floor for storytime! After the display of adorable-melt-my-heart-ness, he proceeded to not pay attention to the story and wander around the room.

* * * * * *
Bedtime Prayers with Elle...

"Dear Jesus, Thank You for this day. Thank You for the ... Mom, was it sunny today? [MmmHmm] Thank You for the sunshine. And thank You that we could ... Mom, did we play outside a lot today? [MmmHmm] Thank You that we could play outside a lot today. And please let it be sunny tomorrow!"

* * * * * *
Lunch with Quintin...
One day, Quintin had asked if he may make lunch. I was planning on cooking up some hotdogs on the stove so I told him sure. He was most pleased to roll the hotdogs around in the buttered pan with the wooden spoon. Colin and Elle were running around the kitchen and Quintin told them to get ready or he'd cook their hotdogs "until they were very black," if they didn't settle down. I ushered them into the bathroom to wash up and assisted Quintin with the plates and rolls. I pulled the tongs out of the drawer and placed them nearby for him to get them out of the pan. The hotdogs were ready, the younger two at the table and Quintin was eager to put them into the rolls for each of us. He turned the heat off and asked, "Mom, will you hand me the pliers?"


For more tiny talkers, visit Mary.

A Treasure

While at a very fun bookstore, which sells mostly pre-owned books, I was enjoying the back section of the store, where the older books are sold.  There is just something about that rooms that keeps me there.  Maybe it is when you open up a familiar "classic children's book" and see the first owner's name and drawings in it that makes me feel somehow connected to them.

Or maybe it is just thinking about how many hands have held and eyes have read all the books in that room.  From the leather bound to the books no longer in print.  That room holds my attention more than any other room.

While browsing, I noticed several volumes of books with animals on them.  They were two of the "Burgess Children's Books," one volume about animals and one about birds.  There was even an additional set of 10 Burgess Bedtime Story-Books, having had one previous owner, that were in excellent condition, but pricey.  I've heard excellent things about the "Burgess Books" but never ordered them or looked them up at the library.

As I leafed through the "Bird Book for Children," I fell in love with the author's style of writing an enjoyable story, but also including details about the birds.  The playful language of the birds who shared their differences with each other, educating the readers on why some travel south for the winter and others do not, among other things.

Below is an excerpt.  Jenny Wren, just having returned to the Old Orchard, following Mistress Spring, is talking to Peter Rabbit and has asked him how he likes her new suit.

"I am very fond of brown.  Brown and gray are my favorite colors."  You know Peter's own coat is brown and gray.

"That is one of the most sensible things I have heard you say," chattered Jenny Wren.  "The more I see of bright colors the better I like brown.  It is always in good taste.  It goes well with almost everything.  It is neat and it is useful.  If there is need of getting out of sight in a hurry you can do it if you wear brown.  But if you wear bright colors it isn't easy.  I never envy anybody who happens to have brighter clothes than mine.  I've see dreadful things happen all because of wearing bright colors."

"What?" demanded Peter.

"I'd rather not talk about them," declared Jenny in a very emphatic way.  "'Way down where we spent the winter some of the feathered folks who live there all the year round wear the brightest and most beautiful suits I've ever seen.  They are simply gorgeous.  But I've noticed that in times of danger these are the folks dreadful things happen to.  You see they simply can't get out of sight.  For my part I would far rather be simply and neatly dressed and feel safe than to wear wonderful clothes and never know a minute's peace.  Why, there are some families I know of which, because of their beautiful suits, have been so hunted by men that hardly any are left.  But gracious, Peter Rabbit, I can't sit here all day talking to you!  I must find out who else has arrived in the Old Orchard and must look my old house over to see if it is fit to live in."

The books' pictures had more reading even longer.

And from the Animal book.

The Bird Book, I'm assuming, was given as a Christmas present to its owner because the inside cover has his name and the date "Dec 25, 1942."  My parents were both born the following year. The Bird Book was printed in 1940 and the Animal Book was printed in 1924.

 

The books are available online.  I did purchase the "Burgess Seashore Book for Children" for less than $10, but it is not a hardcover.  The pictures lack color and are printed on the same paper pages as the story.  In my older copies, they are printed on the smooth, glossy paper that makes the colors and images stand out.

We've started reading the Bird Book aloud and I've found myself wanting to read ahead while the children rest.  I do believe these will become treasures in our home.

Need some laughs? This'll do it! :)

Yesterday, Elle asked me to videotape her doing the 1, 2 Buckle my Shoe rhyme. I obliged and got a kick out of Colin in the background. While uploading it, I watched some of our older videos on our "youtube channel" and laughed so hard at Elle singing at 2 1/2. The similarities between the 2 1/2 year old Elle and Colin (almost 3) are almost scary. I've always said they are the most similar - you be the judge watching these 2 videos! Get ready for a smile!


First, yesterday's video ...


The video from 2 years ago (with Colin squeaking in the background) ...


This last one I'm throwing in for some fun laughs too - I love this little guy! This is from 2 years ago as well.


How much they change in just 2 years...sigh...

Some friends and another grump!

My hubby took a picture of some friends that visited the corn pile last week while we were away.

The Boys!  (and a grump!)

Have a great weekend!!