Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christmas Preparation

One of the things I have found is that living in Florida makes me really want the Christmas decorations up early. It's not cold, it's not snowy, but when the house is covered in lights and garlands and smelling of cinnamon it still feels like the holidays. So now the day after Thanksgiving is decorating day. We don't do Black Friday shopping, instead we go out and get a tree. Here are a few pictures. My mom is here right now so I am sure there will be more Christmas fun pictures coming soon.









Thursday, November 27, 2008

Sea World

Harrison had the day off and he wanted to go to Sea World. It was a perfect day for it, mid 60's and sunny. I honestly was dreading going because a lot of the time when all the kids are out of school it is horrendously busy. Maybe it was that fear that kept everyone away because it wasn't bad at all. Add in the fact that both kids behaved and stayed with me and we had a really wonderful time. We (Harrison had his camera too) took tons of pictures so I posted quite a few.



This is the huge tree out front, Avery blends in but she is there too.
(You may have to click on it to see them)


Waiting for the show to start. Avery and her first apple of the day.

Watching the oyster divers.

Pretending to swim with the penguins.

Lunch break. Which was perfect because we were sitting by the waterfront and there was a really cool fountain show in sync with Christmas music. It wasn't on the schedule so we were the only people there.


When did my babies turn into kids?

The kids getting on the Shamu coaster - this was huge because Harrison never wants to go on it. And not only did he ask to ride it, he had to sit alone because I was with Avery. He was terrified but I think he will attempt it again.


Taking pictures on the spinning jellyfish.

Harrison took this while we were waiting for the dolphin show (my personal favorite) to start. (And Avery and her apple - Avery doesn't go places without her apples)

And they both were so exhausted they fell asleep in the car on the way home
(I can't even remember the last time either of them slept in the car - or during the day for that matter)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

She smiled for a picture!

Facing forward, both eyes open, and no growling...I'm speechless.
(more Sea World pictures from today to come)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Because Messy is Fun!

(But if you ask they will tell you I never let them do anything fun)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Slide at Danger Park

This park does actually have a real name but I have dubbed it "Danger Park" because it seems to have been built with looks in mind but no one actually tried it out with kids. It has lots of great things that you could get injured on, and of course they love it. The thing I like least about this park is the side-less slide, it's actually a tie with the monkey bars that go nowhere. Avery has always (to my secret happiness) been scared of this slide. She is now officially over it. This is my first attempt at adding a video.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Harrison at the Park

I have been having some mom-guilt lately. I seem to have tons more pictures of Avery right now. Granted this is mostly because of two reasons. #1 I spend considerable more time with Avery since Harrison is in school all day and #2 Harrison smiles when I ask him to and Avery does not so I will have 1 of Harrison and 50 of Avery. So here are a few from the park last Friday. This park happens to be right by his school so it is easy to stop by for a while.

(That isn't sweat, he ran through the showers.)

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Space Shuttle Launch



There was a night launch on Friday. I didn't have the ambition (Will tries to convince me every time though) to drive down at night with the kids, but this is the view from our backyard. The way it lights up the sky is pretty amazing. My night photography skills aren't great, especially while standing on a chair with two kids running around. That would be the moon on the left and the shuttle on the right.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Christmas Photo Shoot - Take One

As is normal for us, "take one" didn't go well. Last year after many attempts to get a picture of them together(and smiling) I gave up and did a collage. I was hoping this year would be easier....you would think after a hundred pictures there would be a cute one of them together....but one looked down, Harrison will only smile when not with Avery, then Avery wouldn't smile at all, then one runs away, then Avery growls, then Harrison wanted to be the Statue of Liberty (and refused to wear anything but bright green Crocs) etc etc etc.... so here are some of the shots that I thought were cute despite it all....

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Avery and Cora



Avery's friend Cora came over for the day and they had lots of girlie fun. They made magic wands, they tried on many many princess dresses, added some tattoos, then made a castle/fort. While they were playing I had a very startling realization. They are old enough and independent enough to play on their own. They don't fight with each other and didn't really need my help with their games. Who would have thought adding an extra girl would make such a relaxing morning.


She still won't smile for me though.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Avery's New Boots



Avery was very excited to wear her new boots today. Her last pair of brown boots were worn through the winter and well into shorts weather. It was very traumatic to let them go. So these are the new ones, I am sure you will see them often.

Veteren's Day Program

Harrison's school put on a nice program today filled with songs and speeches, even a little dancing. The gym is my own personal nightmare for taking pictures, and we were way in the back which did not help. This is him as they exited the stage. I cannot believe how grown up he is getting.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Fall Festival

Last night Harrison's school had a Fall Festival. There were games and prizes and bounce houses. I was lucky enough to get work in the awesome beanbag toss tent. I completely forgot to take my camera out of the car so the pre-festival pictures will have to do. I ended up with a couple cute ones despite the fact that Avery prefers to growl or make pirate faces when I ask her to smile.



And yes, I did cut her out of this one... it was that bad.

Avery at the Park

It was a beautiful day yesterday and Avery got to spend some time at the park with friends.

Feeding the turtles...


Then she decided she needed a snack more than the turtles

Harrison Votes!

Harrison got up very early on Tuesday to go with Will to cast his vote. Everyone clapped for him as a "first time voter" and he wore his "I Voted" sticker to school to show all his friends. He also registered to vote at school and had a great time participating in their mock election. He can't wait until the next election because the 5th graders get to be the poll workers. I am very happy with how much he has learned this week.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Avery's new dress...


Yes, I made it. Sewing really isn't my thing, it tends to make me grumpy. But Avery has always been hard to find sizes for so we are trying something new. This is the first!

Days later....

And many, many format changes I am starting to figure out how this works.

I take a lot of pictures of my kids. Hundreds and hundreds to be more honest. I think this will be the best way to share them but it is going to take me a while to get into the process.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Halloween 2008


We had a great Halloween. Harrison the super secret spy and Supergirl Avery had tons of fun and scored a ton of candy.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Post One!

I haven't even come close to understanding what I am doing or why I am attempting it but this is post one....