Getting ready.

 We've been slowly getting ready for Halloween around here. Only 4 days to go! The kids can't wait to try trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood. They've been plotting their route for weeks now. The first decoration we put up was this giant inflatable cat Yiayia and Papouli gave us.

 The second decoration(s) we put out were my trick-or-treaters by the front door. My Aunt Betty made these for us. Each time we had a baby she would send us one of these cute little guys for Christmas. I think my favorite one is "Helen" with her hair bow and teddy bear.

Finally, yesterday we carved our pumpkin. We decided not to carve it until it got closer to Halloween since last years pumpkins didn't hold up too well in the Florida heat. We ended up having to toss them almost two weeks before the 31st. In the meantime we're keeping this one indoors.

Happy Halloween!

Back to Nature.

On Friday Alex went on a Back to Nature class Field Trip. Here in his own words is what happened:

"The bus stopped near an auto repair shop.  I didn't understand until we went around the building.There, in green letters it said,"Back to Nature." I thought it would be boring. I was wrong! There were so many animals! There was a turtle missing a leg. Poor guy! The place was so big you could hide a Dinosaur there! I saw some animals I have never seen in person before, including lemurs, pumas, and a bald eagle! Unfortunately, the time to leave has come. We boarded the bus at about 2:00PM. As soon as we reached school, we went home. I so want to go back!" -Alex Land

Three Dog Night.

Right now I am loving this song by Three Dog Night.

Seven.

August 29, 2010

Princess Helen turns 7. She celebrated at home with her family. As requested, Daddy made his special homemade pizzas. Here she is opening some of her gifts. Poor Will is disheartened to learn that none of them are for him. Helen received some Barbie dolls, a new outfit with knee-high boots (from Yiayia and Papouli), sidewalk chalk, an electronic pet hamster, rain boots, her own set of Lego's, a DVD of Igor and some chapter books.

Helen with her favorite gift: a Unicorn Pillow Pet. "It's a pillow, it's a pet...it's a pillow pet!" When the kids saw the commercial for these on t.v. they all wanted one (except for Jimmy, of course).

Helen and Will practicing for their shot on "Minute to Win it."

The end of a wonderful day. Helen blowing out the candles on her cake. Chocolate with vanilla icing and pink roses. Happy Birthday, Princess. We love you!

First Day of School.

August 23, 2010        Helen and Alex

These kids on their first day at their new school. They were so excited, I think, to go back to school. (Really, how many lazy days of summer can you have without totally losing it? ) Of course, they were also excited because they were able to ride the bus for the first time.

This beautiful girl starts second grade.

This handsome devil starts fifth grade.

August 23, 2010         Jimmy

This equally handsome, but way too grown-up, devil starts seventh grade. And the poor thing has to meet the bus at 6:33 AM. It's the second week and he's been great about getting himself up on time. Just once he forgot to set the alarm. No worries though, Mom always sets her alarm too so she can walk him down the driveway. I'm so proud of all of them and I hope they have a great year!

Jimmy.

He turned 12 yesterday. How did that happen? Where did the last 12 years go? I can't believe I've been a mommy now for 12 years. Amazing. He will start 7th grade in two weeks. I'm excited for him...and a little scared. He will be at a new school and for the time being he will also be around high school kids (they are all on the same campus until the middle school is built). He's shy, so I worry that he won't make friends. I see so many similarities between him and me. It's no wonder we butt heads so much, especially lately. I know he's a normal 12 year-old who's parents annoy the heck out of him, but it doesn't help that he has a bad case of smart mouth. Anyway, I know it will turn around eventually and all in all he's a great kid. How could he not be? He's my son.

Jimmy's never been one to want a large birthday party. He's happy just to spend his day at home, eat his special dinner and open presents. This birthday the poor thing couldn't even sit down comfortably and open his gifts. (We didn't have any furniture at this point, just a couple of kitchen stools.) Plus what does furniture matter when you get $100 from your Yiayia and Papouli?

Jimmy even took the time to read our card. We got him a bow and arrow set (not real), a Nerf crossbow, new towels for his bathroom, a board game, a Chowder DVD, an XBOX game and 

his most favorite gift of all HALO 3. Looks like even Will wants to play this game. Happy Birthday, Jimmy!Good luck in 7th Grade. We know you'll do great. We love you so much.

Our new home.

We finally found (and moved into) our new home. It is in the Isle of Pines community near Moss Park. It was the area we were looking at in order to be zoned for Lake Nona High School. After nine years of "association living" we decided we wanted something different...and a little more room. It was between this community and another one off Lake Mary Jane Rd. called Live Oak Estates. I really like that community as well. All the homes are on 1-2 acre lots and surrounded by, what else, oak trees. Really beautiful. Unfortunately, there weren't any five bedrooms available or even 4 bedrooms that would work. But we lucked out with this gem. It's on 5 acres with a pond. And the owners had decided that instead of a formal living room they would enclose it for a home office, which is now Will's bedroom. It worked out perfectly...the 3 boys are on one side, sharing a bathroom and Helen is on the other side with her own private bathroom.

Here are Yiayia and Helen on moving day hanging up a bird feeder in the front yard.

While the girls are doing all the work, the boys are having target practice in the back.

The best part about our new home are all of the animals we "inherited" like this duck couple. They wait by the storage shed where the food is kept and start quacking until you give them some food. The deer also enjoy the corn, but they are a bit skittish and usually come in the early evening or late at night. Occasionally, you can catch them drinking from the pond during the day. Our own little piece of paradise.