Summer Camp

Today was the first day of summer camp for Thomas. He will be going Tuesday-Thursday for the next weeks weeks from 8:30-1:30. It is at St.Luke's Lutheran School, where he will be going in the fall. This is a great opportunity for us to practice for the fall when he will be going full time.

I had to wake Thomas up early so that we would be on time. I asked him what he wanted for breakfast and he said, "I want to have breakfast with Elmo."

I had to take his picture before we left. So handsome!

When we got to the school I took his picture in front of the school signs. He had all his supplies including his first packed lunch. (Love note included) :0)

The class was on the playground. Thomas was excited to climb the equipment and see what kind of outdoor toys they had.

Everything seemed to be going good until I said it was time for me to leave. He didn't cry but kept questioning WHY I had to go. I told him that was how summer camp worked! Of course I cried after leaving him, but was brave and didn't show my tears in front of him.

We both managed getting through the day. When I came to get him he began to wimper. He was glad I came back for him. The teachers mentioned that he cried some after snack time, but had fun playing nicely with the new friends. I asked Thomas what he did and he said that he played with cars....at least he mentioned something fun.

He also made a beautiful, glittery fish! It is already on the frige. All in all, I think he had fun. He said he wasn't too excited about going back tomorrw, but they are having a splash day so that may help with the separation anxiety. Wish us luck making this huge transition. If it doesn't work out, I'll have to homeschool him until he's 18! Ha! :)

***More 4th Fun***

I wanted to share some photos from our 4th of July fun at Emily's house. We went to her neighborhood fireworks show and we were very impressed. Emily had been wanting us to go there for the past few years and since Thomas was older and more aware of the holiday, we joined her and her family for the fun. The man who organizes the event raised thousands of dollars to purchase fireworks. The roads were blocked off for safety and they even had a DJ! Thomas had fun doing sparklers and stomping on bubble wrap. He wasn't scared of the noise, thank goodness. We also got a chance to spend time with Grammy Pammy and Daddy Vroom-Vroom. We hope everyone had a fun 4th like we did.

Our 4th of July Fun

***Ken went fishing this morning, like any other Friday, but this time he called us in the morning and we met him at the boat ramp. It was a fun surprise. It was nice to be on the water. Even though it was hot, we still had lots of fun. Ken and Thomas got to fish. Ken caught one that was almost 5 pounds. Thomas was brave and touched it. Thomas got to drive the boat....his favorite thing to do. It was a great time and a great way to start off the holiday. Later tonight we are meeting Emily and her family for dinner and then going to a fireworks display in her neighborhood. I'm sure I'll post more 4th of July photos in the morning.***

Lazy Day

On Thursday it was nice to have a lazy day. We spent most of the morning outside letting Thomas play with his new outdoor toys he got for his birthday. We set up the sand and water table and he enjoyed learning to make sand castles with the little bucket. I love how it came with an umbrella. It provided great shade for a warm and bright morning. We also had the bubble maker set up, the sprinkler, and the very cool 3D Crayola sidewalk chalk and paint. Where was this when I was growing up?! He also had fun riding his new bike in the driveway. Needless to say, he was worn out after lunchtime and took a great nap. :)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Thomas!!!

Today is Thomas' third birthday. I can't believe it! Didn't I just bring him home from the hospital??? It sure feels that way.

We had a very fun and exciting day planned. We woke Thomas up early and had a quick bit to eat. We had made reservations to have Breakfast with Elmo at SeaWorld. We got there early and had time to visit the gift shop before it was time to eat.

Our table was closest to the stage. The Sesame Street decorations were so cute and colorful. There was a buffet breakfast with a lot of variety. Thomas filled up on french toast sticks. After we ate Elmo, Bert, Ernie, and Grover came out to meet the children. Thomas wasn't too sure about it, but let them give him hugs and kisses. When they were done meeting the kids, they got on satge for a song and dance. Then when it was over, every family got the go on stage and have their picture taken with the characters. We couldn't have planned a better day!

After our fun breakfast, we saw the Shamu show, saw the polar bears (my favorite since it was 30 degrees in there!), we saw the penguins, the sea lion show, and the pet show (Thomas' favorite). By 2:45 Thomas told us he was ready for nap, so we came home. It's so nice to have year passes. It doesn't feel like we have to do the whole park in one day.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Thomas!!!

Another Busy Day

This morning we took our time waking up and eating breakfast. Thomas wanted to help put mail in the mailbox. I told him to put some shoes on and he could ride his new bike down the driveway to do it. He was very excited. Ken had lowered the seat and ajusted the training wheels so he is much better at riding it. He did such a good job. He doesn't know how to look forward while riding. He wants to wacth his feet pedal and watch the tires move. He has his tongue hanging out since he's deep in concentration. Ha!
















After riding for a little while Ken suggested that we go see the new movie Wall E. I looked online and we had enough time to make the first showing. We ate lunch at the food court in the mall and got a seat just in time for it to start. Within 20 mintues Thomas was sound asleep! He woke up when the credits started to roll and annouced, "I like that movie!" We said that was impossible since he slept through the whole thing!

We had to leave the mall quickly since we had to make a 2:00 dentist appointment. Thomas had his frist cleaning with Dr. King, a pediatric dentist. He got to have his own room since the chair was made for smaller children. The lady showed Thomas all of the equipment and tested it all out on his hand. He wasn't too impressed. He knew it was going to feel different in his mouth. She let him pick out a new toothbrush and then started the cleaning. No way!!! Thomas wouldn't have it! I had to sit in the chair and hold him for his cleaning. Needless to say, there was screaming involved. When she was done, Dr. King came in to tell us he had great teeth that did not show any decay or cavities. He knew how to talk with Thomas and made him happy again. (The dentist has 8 kids of his own....so he's in the right field!) When we went to make the next appointment the lady let Thomas pick out some stickers and what did he choose.....THE WIGGLES! When we left the office, the first thing he said was, "I don't like the dentist!" Our next appointment is in January, so maybe it will be better.

Day 1 of our "Stay-cation"

Ken has taken the week off and since I am not watching any babies anymore, we are able to have a "stay-cation"....rather than going away for a vacation. On our first day we had our first Ear Nose and Throat Dr. appointment. The doctor is located in Oviedo and he was extremely kind and funny to Thomas. He prescribed Thomas a special decongestant along with a special nasal ointment for the next month. Then we will go back to see if his nostril needs to be clotorized. I was so afraid that it was going to be a big ordeal to get him to take the medicine, but last night he proved me wrong. He took it with no problem and even asked for more. Hopefully this will end our nose bleeds.

After going to the doctor we went to my school to unload the last items from my storage unit. Since Ken was with me it went real quick. Thomas just loves seeing all the ladies there and has a hug for all of them...even my principal!

Thomas wanted to go swimming so we went to the Riverside Community Swimming pool for a few hours. It took Thomas a good 45 minutes to warm up to the idea of being in the pool. He must have forgotten that for the last two summers he has had swimming lessons. Ken helped him re-learn to climb out of the pool and to jump in.

On the way home from swimming Thomas fell asleep. He only slept for about 30 minutes before our friend Jackson and his mom came over. She was sick on the day of Thomas' birthday and wanted to bring him his gift. He got a set of "Critter Prints" by RoseArt. They are the neatest things. They strap on over the child's shoes and they have an animal print stencil on the bottom with a pad of chalk dust. Then when the child walks it leaves a critter print. So cute! It was neat to walk out this morning and see "raccoon" prints.

As you can see, we are off to a fun yet busy start to our stay-

cation!