Pictures from the Picnic

Here's a few pictures from Eli's Parent picnic during AR Children's Week 2009.

They all sat so nicely on their blanket. Eli loves to get a blanket or towel and sit in the living room and have a "picnic". He probably really likes it b/c he gets to eat while he's watching tv, but he knew exactly what to do!

After they ate, Ms. Madonna had a big bubble thing. They were SO excited! You know, 'cause they've never seen bubbles before! :P

Lining up to go to the playground - of course, Eli's the first in line to go play! He asked me to come with him but the minute he crossed that gate, he forgot I was even alive!

It was a great turn-out - lots of parents. I know the PAT program (Parents As Teachers) had to be pleased! I missed Eli's class in the bounce house, but he said he did a flip.

Gourmet dinner, for sure! Chicken leg and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Fever Friday

Claire has been running a fever since yesterday afternoon, so I'm home right now, while she sleeps. She felt warm yesterday when I picked her up from Mrs. Merry's, but she had just gotten up from a nap and I thought that was why. Came home and started dinner, while E and C played. It wasn't until my dad came over and picked her up, did I notice that she must have a fever (of at least 102, to be exact. That was as far as we got before I couldn't hold onto the thermometer under her arm any longer).

Keith took her (back) to the ped's office today. She said her ears looked fine and then they swabbed her throat for strep, but thankfully, it was negative. Probably just a virus of some-sorts. Hopefully a short lived one. Anyway, she's taking a nap right now.

Today was Eli's St. Jude Trike-a-thon at school. I had kids I had to see this morning, so I didn't get to go watch but Nonna did. So, that was good.

Yesterday was the Family Picnic at school. It was great! Lots of parents and food. The kids had a great time. When I find the miniUSB cord, I'll get some pictures on here. They ate hotdogs, chips, orange soda and cotton candy. There was a bounce house and big bubble makers. After they played, they went to the playground and played for some more. Eli had a great time and I was glad that both Keith and I were able to go for a bit.

Dr. appt day

Today was Claire's 18 mo. appt with the pediatrician. It was at 2:00. We finally saw her around 3:20 and were checked out of the office and in the car by 3:35. What a lovely way to spend a beautiful, warm, spring afternoon! I've been asking to spread her shots out so she doesn't get so many at one time, so today she was going to get 1 shot. Well, an hour and a half later, she was DONE! So, no shots today. A friend of ours has told me that she has always gotten her kids' shots at the Health Dept but taken them to the Ped. for well-child visits, so that they don't grow up associating shots with the ped. office. After today, I can see why! Just like last visit (15mos), she screamed the minute we left the waiting area and didn't stop until it was just the 2 of us in the room. As soon as Dr. Moody came in, she started screaming her head off again. They couldn't even check her weight b/c she was so upset. I can remember growing up always afraid I was going to get a shot at the dr. office - no matter why I was there. May be something to think about!

Last night was rough for all of us anyway. I went to bed early last night (by 10:45!) and Claire was up around midnight. And then every hour or so after that. We took turns going in there and rocking with her. It was strange - she usually goes straight to bed and will sleep straight through until around 715 or so. Nice, I know! But, last night she didn't sleep much at all. Once I remember noticing that she would go to put her thumb in her mouth and before she put it in, she would put her hand back down by her side. She did that several times. Well, this morning, when she was up at 615, I saw this ugly, large, angry looking green blister on her knuckle of her thumb. It was terrible. No wonder she wasn't sucking her thumb and every time she was headed to sleep, she would probably put her thumb in her mouth and it HURT! Bless her heart. I felt so bad when I saw it. We gave her some Tylenol and Keith sterilized a needle and got some of the junk out of it (gross, I know!) She was so upset and think we're all a little traumatized at the whole ordeal! She cried and cried, but once we got some of the stuff out and the Tylenol kicked in, she seemed much better. Merry watched it today and by the time I picked her up at 1:30, it was just a blister. Dr. prescribed some ointment for it, so it doesn't turn into staph or something. Poor baby is not going to be happy about that either!

On a great note, Eli did not get a note today! He got to pick out a sticker for his chart and in 3 more no-note-days, we'll be heading to DQ for some ice cream! He says he wants a chocolate dip cone. Sounds good to me! Tomorrow is a big play day/cook out at his preschool for AR Children's Week. Unfortunately, it looks like scattered thunder showers tomorrow - just like last year :( I hope not. We'll have to remember that in our prayers tonight!

It's Tuesday...closer to Friday!

Today was tiring, for some reason. Eli got a(nother) note today. It's driving me crazy and I just can't figure out what to do about it. Maybe nothing? Lots of praying, for sure! We have started a new sticker chart. When he gets 5 stickers, we go to DQ for ice cream. 5 more and we buy a new book at Walmart - 5 more and it's a new toy (within reason, of course) and then the last 5 will get us to Chuck E Cheese. It may cost us a little, but if it helps him remember to try to make good choices, then it's worth it. Bless his little heart, he's just gotta have fun - no matter the cost!

It's Arkansas Children's Week and yesterday, they had a balloon release. Each class wore a different color shirt to school and they had balloons to match. I didn't get to take a picture, but I'm hoping to get a copy from one of the teachers at school, maybe. They were so excited to watch their balloons fly away. Too cute! Today was movie day and they had popcorn and watched Horton Hears a Who. Even had tickets to get in the movie room! Tomorrow is Earth day and they're planting flowers and having visits from the recycling lady (trash girl, as Eli called her) and Smokey the Bear (who Eli has constantly reminded me is not a REAL bear - just someone dressed up in a costume. They must really be prepping the kids for this one!)

Claire has an 18 mo. appt with the pediatrician tomorrow. I'll be curious to see how much she's grown! She still seems so small to me. I don't guess I have any particular questions, but I'm sure I'll think of something when I leave the office.

Saturday, we went to visit Grandma and Calvin in Manila. It was Grandma's birthday and it was a good time with all my mom's brothers and sisters and some of the great-grandkids. We don't see most of them very often so that was nice. I forgot my camera, so I don't have pictures. Maybe I can get some from mom. I teased her b/c she has 612 pictures on her camera and will probably just buy a new card when that one's full! :P Eli went home with Nonna and Papaw from there and we picked him up in Newport Sunday afternoon. He had a great time and even got to play in the rain in his rain boots.

Today, we were on the way home from preschool. He was very quiet, having been in trouble when we left. We pulled on to our street and I could see him in the rear-view mirror staring at the clouds. "Mom, if we climbed to the top of the tallest mountain, would the clouds taste good or bad?", he asked. I told him that no matter how high up we got, the clouds would always be higher. Which was almost a good enough answer for him, until he said, "not if our monster truck can jump high enough!" Nothing's an obstacle for him! Silly boy!

Tonight we had Good Choice brownies and you could only eat one if you were going to try very hard to make good choices tomorrow. Think it will work? I hope so.

18 months and counting....

I can't believe Claire is 18 mos. old today. She's about the age now that Eli was when we moved here - and I can hardly believe he was ever this little, but then Claire seems to big!

She's such a sweet little girl, with tons of personality and just as much temper. She can cry at the drop of a hat and then turn it off like she had a secret switch somewhere. She loves doing anything her brother does - and that's already gotten her in trouble at times! She screams her head off when she's mad (and that can be several times a day) and usually hits herself in the head - one of the things she got from Eli. It's starting to be less frequently, so that's good. The screaming doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.

Going out to eat has become a pain again. I remember it being like this when Eli was about this age. She has learned that she's mobile and can't stand to have to sit for any length of time (when it's not her choice anyway), especially strapped down to a high chair. Sometimes she will stand in a booth - but usually she just cried the whole time to get down. I'm sure it will pass.

She loves to talk. Usually, you don't understand much of it, but she can tell a story with the best of them! Everything you ask her gets a very emphatic answer of "yeah" or "nope". She also loves to eat. It's rare for her to turn down an offer of food and there isn't much she won't eat. I hope it stays like that - Eli is the pickiest child I know - except for maybe me! :P

She loves to read books and is very good at playing by herself. Eli always has loved to read, but has never been good at playing alone and still doesn't. Lots of times, if Claire disappears for a minute, you'll find her in her room with her books thrown all around, looking at one of them (usually upside down!).

Of course, we all have those days, but she is a joy. I can't imagine how boring life must have been prior to October 15, 2007. It seems like just yesterday, but so long ago! I really realized how fast she's grown when one of the ladies from Eli's preschool asked if I was going to send her there next year. What? She's not old enough for preschool. But they do have 2 classes of little ones that can start when they turn 18 mos. I see them toddling around - down to the lunchroom or outside to the playground. There is no way my baby is that big! No way. Right?

Easter pics - the best we could get, anyway.

I wish I could remember what she's pouting about! But isn't she cute?
She bawled when we put the dress on her. "Off! Off!" she cried over and over. I just knew she'd come home from church in her extra diaper bag clothes, but she made it!

Do we have cute kids, or what? I'm so glad we at least got this shot (even with Eli's goofy face and all), b/c it sort of went down-hill from there!

I take that back - this one is too cute! I'll have to look - I think we have one just like it from last year - that will be fun to see!

No family pictures this year - oh well. They were still very cute!

Easter baskets

Eli and Claire got their baskets before we got ready for church. Yes, we were late to Sunday School - but that's normal :P As soon as we walked in, one of the girls wanted to know if we had given them the baskets before we came to church. What was she saying? :P


Very nutritious Easter Breakfast.

Claire's first chocolate bunny. I don't think we got her one last year.

Claire did find 4 eggs, to be exact, at her very first Easter Egg hunt. Hard to believe that she was only 5 months old last Easter!

Saturday night, yes AFTER 2 Easter Egg hunts and a kite flying excursion (but there was a short nap thrown in there), we dyed our eggs. No one in this house eats them, so Nonna was blessed with 2 dozen very "pretty" easter eggs to do whatever with. Yay for her :P

Claire was headed to bed and Nonna didn't realize we were already working on the eggs. Claire was NOT happy that she hadn't been invited to the egg dying party. Sorry baby. You need your sleep, trust me! Next year, I promise!

Eli was really concentrating! Mostly, he directed us as to which egg to put where and by the end of it all, the eggs had been in every color. Made for some interesting colors! He was so very proud of those eggs! Oh, and can you see his tattoo? His first. His Easter shirt was short sleeved, though, so I tried to gently prepare him that he coudln't wear it to Easter church. In his mind, it was obviously b/c all the other kids would want one. So, after we finished the eggs, he came back from the bathroom with his tattoo gone, but the brightest red spot where he had scrubbed it off all by himself. So, the other kids wouldn't feel bad that they didn't have one, he said! My sweet boy - and I felt so bad for his little arm. It took a while for the spot to go away. He's so stinkin' cute!

Lots to catch up on

Because I keep forgetting how to do it, pictures are first - post follows!


Claire really wanted to "help" Maggie pick up all the pretty grass filling that had fallen out of her basket and was not thrilled to be taking a picture instead.
Eli waiting for the green light

This was a pretty big slide and Claire loved it. She tried her hardest to go up the wrong way - why do all kids do that?

On top of the Eli-proclaimed pirate ship

The "boys" playing horseshoes. I didn't even know Keith knew how to play horseshoes. We need to get a kid set - Eli really wanted to play too!

Claire and Emily on the trampoline. Every time Emily bounced, Claire would fall to her knees and crack up. I'm not really a trampoline fan, but I was standing right there and she did have a good time for the first 5 minutes or so. Then, she was DONE, despite Emily's best pleadings with her to stay!

Now...here's a recap of part of our weekend.

Friday, we ran a couple of errands. Mostly, Claire needed a bow for her Easter Dress. So, my sweet husband went to Charlie's Angels with me to find one. My mom was off Friday, so she had kept the kids. They didn't have one in the color/size I needed, so we stopped by Marshall's Fabric store and bought some ribbon to make one. Well, actually, before it was all done, I had made 5. They turned out super-cute. She even kept one in her hair on Sunday for almost the entire ride to church!

Friday, I was also given something to think/pray about. We'll see where it goes - but I'm doing lots of praying.

On Saturday, Eli went with his friend, Beck, to an Easter Egg hunt at their church. After that, they went to a kite flying thing at the fairgrounds. He had a great time. I did have to text Beck's mom later to see if they had behaved themselves. When I asked Eli if he had made good choices, he got really quiet and a strange look on his face. Brooke said that both the boys had gotten in trouble for turning the water hose on Beck's sister and getting her wet! Oops! But, not surprised - he always wants to play with the water hose. It was probably his idea!

Saturday afternoon, we went to another Easter Egg hunt at a couple's house from our Sunday School class. There were several kids there and they listened to the Easter story using Resurrection eggs. I didn't get them in time this year (we did the Christmas gifts) but maybe I'll remember in time for next year. It's a neat/simple way to tell the Easter Story. They hunted eggs, played in the yard, jumped on the trampoline, grilled hamburgers/hot dogs etc... All the kids seemed to have a really great time and played so hard. I know they all slept really well Saturday night.

It was Claire's first egg hunt and she couldn't have cared less! I got her to put a couple eggs in her basket, but that was only b/c I picked them up for her. She was much too interested in the dogs, the kids, the grass - you name it. It reminded me of Eli's first hunt. It was at daycare at Marion FBC. He found that first egg and realized there was candy in it! He was DONE. Sat right down to eat that candy and didn't care that there were tons more eggs out there to be found. Silly boy!

It was nice to have a chance to get to know some of the people in our SS class better. It's so hard to be new, so I think it helped so much. We all had a good time!

Good Thursday!

Ok. So, they're backwards again! I'll remember one of these days!

Eli after finding all his eggs. He told Ms. Susan that he had found 100. I think it was more like 17, but whatever.

The sun was really bright and in our eyes - but we have so few pictures together, so it counts anyway.

The Fab 4! Eli, Josh, Levi and Reese - the four reasons I pray every day for Ms. Lisa and Ms. Madonna's patience and strength! :P

Where could those eggs be hiding????

Ms. Lisa and Ms. Madonna's Preschool class - 2008-2009

Ms. Madonna, Faith, Levi, Bryce, Alaina, Kaden, Katie, Sophie, Luke, Josh, Jovi, Lyndsey, Tessa, Eli, Reece, Ayden, Carley, Ms. Lisa

Today was the Easter Egg hunt at Eli's school. We were supposed to be out of school tomorrow, but b/c of the"snow" days we missed, we have to make up the day. Not a good thing tomorrow, but June 1, when we aren't in school, it will be ok.

Ms. Lisa asked me if I could help hide the eggs today, so Lyndsey's mom and I came to hide the eggs. There were tons. We ran out of hiding places and just started putting them out in the middle of the playground, but the kids had the BEST time!

This is one of 3 organized hunts he will be attending, so I'm sure there are more pictures to come (if I remember my camera).

My mom took off tomorrow to keep Claire and Eli, so we went out to eat with them tonight at our Mexican restaurant. Why do we bother? No one (I mean the kids) want to sit, or eat, or be even sort of still or quiet. Everytime we go, we say no more. And yet, we go again. We saw our friends - their little boy, Beck, is Eli's best buddy. They came to say hi as they were leaving. This, after the dad had to leave for a bit and drive around with their 8 month old! We sort of ate in shifts, so at least everyone could eat and then entertain. Despite it all, it was yummy! I love chicken fajitas - my favorite.

So, tomorrow we work. But, at least there's only one more day until the weekend!

Blessings (and there's a lot of them!)

This afternoon, I had a little free time and I was catching up on Baby Bangs. She describes her little boy sometimes and it so reminds me of Eli. She also mentioned how sometimes, as parents, we get so caught up in trying to do everything right, so we get bogged down by the things they do wrong. The things that drive us "bonkers" as she says. So, she had read another blog that declared today as Brag Day for our children. We often don't want to sound snobby or self righteous, so we tend to play down all the things our kids do right.

We have been so blessed to have the sweet kids that we have been given. Eli can sometimes be a challenge, but he never ceases to amaze me. The kid has the vocabulary and memory of someone quite older. (I know lots of people attribute that to living with a speech-language pathologist, but I know he is rather smart!) His questions are priceless and his answers to his own questions are even better. He thinks of things that I have never thought of, much less things you would expect from a 4 year old. You can explain something to him one time, and he will use the concept in conversation the very next day. On the Disney trip, one of the parents was cracking up at him. The day we arrived, we all changed clothes in the bathroom at McDonald's (even at the world's largest McD's, it was still a little cramped and we got the strangest looks. But, after 18 hours on a bus, you didn't seem to care). Anyway, Eli and I were in a stall and out of the blue, he says "mommy, why do we have a big toe?" Um..... "To help us balance so we can walk" Good enough for him - but where do these things come from. Have I ever thought about why we have big toes? There are more times than I care to admit, that the answer just has to be "b/c that's the way God made them, Eli". And usually, he accepts it. I can only imagine what the questions will become as he gets older!

He is the biggest people person I have ever seen. He has NEVER met a stranger and will talk to anyone who is in ear shot. He never seems to notice the looks he gets of "who the heck are you, kid?" He loves people. Definitely did not come from me. He is always the life of the party and makes everyone laugh. I'm always afraid that that will cause problems later in his school career, but I'm praying hard these days about enjoying the child God gave me and worrying about later, well, later. There is so much joy and excitement in everything he does and that is definitely a gift from God. I don't always understand the little boy mentality, but I know that God put us all together in His infinite wisdom and we are thankful every moment for it!

Tonight, we went to eat dinner with some friends b/c Keith's parents took the kids to their house after school. We got home around bedtime/bathtime and discovered that Claire's beloved pink monkey had fallen into the tub and was soaked. I through her in the dryer but she wasn't dry in time for Claire to go to bed. I laid her down and gave her lamb. "no" she said. So, I gave her bear. "no" she said, and started pointing for her monkey. Oh boy. Eli has a brown monkey just like her pink one. But, he's pretty attached to his too. It was worth a shot, so I told Claire I'd be right back and I found Eli in the living room watching his before bed Word World. I could see the little bit of panic in his face when I asked if there was any way he could be a very grown, very sweet big brother and would he possibly let Claire use his monkey tonight? "Well," he said, "I really wanted to sleep with him tonight, but she can have him". It almost made me cry. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't think he would share, but he's 4. You never know. He has been the best big brother ever! He always asks about her and makes sure she has what she needs. For a little boy who LOVES being the center of attention, he sure shares the spotlight well!

On those days (and we ALL have them - especially parents of boys - but also girls as we're now discovering) when you wonder if you're doing anything right, it's good to take a step back and look for things to thank God for and to brag on your children about. Honestly, we never really have to look hard. We just forget.

Claire has been such a different little person from Eli. I have been amazed on more than one occasion at how 2 small people can be so different in such a short amount of time, despite growing up with the same parents and family. They really are their own people - from day 1. She loves to sleep and spent so much time sleeping as an infant, that I know I asked our pediatrician more than once, if a baby could sleep too much. I know most parents would give anything to have that "problem". Even at 18 mos. she still wants her 2 naps and will be in bed by 730 at the latest. I don't see her giving up her 2 naps anytime soon. Every night, we rock and read a few books, turn out the light and sing and rock for just a minute. It's never long enough (for me!) before she points to the bed. "Do you want to lay down?" "uh huh" she says. She started sleeping through the night at 10 weeks and hasn't looked back since. It is amazing how much better a mommy can feel, just for getting a good nights sleep (Or at least 6 hours. But, that's not Claire's fault).

She does so many little things that make us smile. She's been whistling for as long as we can remember, and it always shocks people and she gets such a reaction! She can imitate any cute little face and when she pokes out those lips to get a kiss. Oh my goodness, she's a cutie!

And eat! That little girl can eat. I have rarely seen her turn down food. Period. Sunday, in the nursery, I know she had snack at least 3 times - just in the hour we were in there. I know they'd already had goldfish in SS too! I can't think of too much that we have given her that she will not eat. She loves it all. I hope it stays like that. Maybe, since by now, Eli had realized that he didn't have to eat it - so he quit. "Eat, eat" - that's the first thing you hear any time you get her out of bed.

You can't ever really imagine how life will be with kids. Before you have one, you try to picture what it will be like - but you can't. When you're expecting the second, you can't imagine how things will be when that one arrives. And then, once they're here, you can't ever imagine life before they came. I know we got more sleep, had a cleaner house, more money, got to hang out more with friends, got to eat out more and in peace - so many things that sound postive about life before the kids. But, there is nothing - absolutely NOTHING - that I would trade for them. They are precious gifts that I thank God for every day. Even on "those" days! May we always remember the good - thank God for it - and pray for things that aren't - and then just let it go and let GOD!

Where have all the flip flops gone? (and other random musings)

The title is a lament to the fact that I have had to wear socks for the last week or so - after pulling out all of my flip flops. Just not right! I do NOT wear socks once flip flop season starts, but the weather has been considerably cooler (colder) than normal the last week. You can drive around town and see sheet covered bushes and trees in everyone's yards (except ours - we don't have anything worth saving!) It only makes sense that it's cold - Sunday is Easter. It's always cold on Easter. We buy cute litle sleeveless dresses and pretty white sandals, and then BAM, Easter Sunday it's 50 degrees. Sigh. I think Easter could be in July and it would still be that way. I wonder if it's like that in everyone's world, or just mine? :P

Speaking of cute little Easter dresses, Claire finally tried hers on after her bath tonight. She hates it, but it's too too cute! I took a couple of pictures (wet hair and all) but the camera is in her room and I'm NOT going in there after she's already in bed! Did that once tonight to get the trash and it did not go well. We did have some extra rocking chair cuddle time, but she doesn't need to be up twice. Anyway, she looks very cute, but she toddled around the entire time pulling it up over her head, crying "off off off". Remember the scene in Grease where Cha Cha is dancing with Danny and she keeps shaking her dress up around her neck, showing off her bloomers or whatever. That's what Claire was doing tonight. I wonder how long that will last? I better make sure to pack extra clothes Sunday in her bag. That would be great, wouldn't it? To end up in jeans and a t-shirt on Easter Sunday. Oh well, maybe we'll get some nice pictures before that happens. Eli will just be wearing a springy color Polo shirt.

Eli got to pick something from the Treasure Box at school yesterday! He said he kept his name on the smiley face side for a really long time! We were so pround of him. He told Memaw and Nonna and just about everyone he talked to! He chose a yellow monster truck sticker. He was so excited! I ran across a blog article several weeks ago that was talking about how she was praying for her children like 7 times a day. She had written out some prayers based on scriptures that she was praying throughout the day. I followed her lead and I really think that it's helping. Well, of course it is. I mean, I've always prayed for them randomly, but these are fairly specific and I know that they will at least be prayed for at those times. It's so important, even though they are so small. They have a lot going on in their day too. Not the same kind of stuff, but it's big in their lives. I'm so thankful I ran across that blog. I have found several that have been very motivating and encouraging to me - check out the list on the side.

I had several things I was going to write tonight, but I can't seem to remember the rest. I may not be much better at blogging than scrapbooking, but at least I'm trying.

Good Morning!

It is morning. Sunday morning and I have time to be on the computer. What's up with that? Well, our alarm clock automatically resets itself if the electricity goes off and when time changes etc.. But, b/c we're changing DST at a different weekend now, apparently our clock doesn't know that. So, this morning I got up to take a shower at what I thought was 8:30, when really it was 7:30. I didn't realize it until I was out of the shower and drying my hair. Oh well. I bet we're still not early for church.

This morning we are going to be in the nursery for the first time at this church. We'll be helping out in the toddler room - Claire's room. I can't believe she's already old enough to be a toddler, but whatever. Taking care of other's people's children (especially babies) has always made me nervous. I never did much babysitting. I know it's not that hard and it's only an hour. We're glad to help out!

Yesterday, Eli was at Nonna and Papaw's and Keith and his dad went fishing. Claire and I cleaned house. Well, I cleaned and she messed it all back up. She did grab a Swiffer duster and had a great time "dusting" the end tables. It was too cute.

When Keith finally got home, we headed to Jonesboro to find Claire some white shoes for her Easter dress. What a chore that has been. I had no idea how hard it would be to find white dress shoes for tiny feet. We finally found some cute Stride Rite sandals at Dillards, but of course, they are a little too big. The saleslady said they were just right and she would have enough room to wear them all through the summer, but they're open toed and there's a little too much for room for my liking. But, we're desperate. She can't go bare-footed to church on Easter Sunday! We did find Eli a new yellow Polo and Claire got her first pair of Keds. Too cute! It was a nice evening and Claire was great. She slept a little on the way there and didn't fuss too much - even though she really wanted to run around everywhere and not ride in her stroller. She's really in an independent stage right now.

We also got Easter baskets at Target. Claire got a white one with a liner with little bunnies on it. She got some Crayola Beginnings crayons and bristle blocks. and Eli got a no-spill bubble thing. I think we'll also get him some Lincoln Logs, maybe. His basket is Spider Man - he's going to love it! I think I'll let him take it to school Thursday for the Easter Egg hunt with his class.

Going to finish getting ready for church.

I can't tell.....do you thinnk he's excited to be on his way to Disney World? Dino-land at Animal Kingdom - he was very excited about the little stuffed dinosaur he "won" - I'm not sure, but it seemed like the game just went on until he reached 150 points. Thank goodness no one else was playing against him.

You can't tell too much in the pictures, but this vine is a person! It was.....um.....wierd

Like father, like son

Lunch

My favorite picture of the trip!

We had a great time! Can you tell?

Sunday - Magic Kingdom!

Sunday was check-out of the hotel day. We loaded the bus at 9am with all our luggage under the bus, once again, and took off for Disney. We had park hopper tickets, so we could go where ever we wanted. The kids just had to make sure a chaperone was in the park where they were and they could explore any park they wanted. We headed to Animal Kingdom in the rain, no less. We donned our ponchos and headed out. Eli wanted to know what we do in the rain. The same thing you do in the sun! It rained all morning and finally quit a little before lunch. The weather was pretty cool and very comfortable all week!

I think one of our favorite things of the entire day - maybe the entire trip- was the African Safari ride. You board a large jeep-like truck and your guide drives you through a safari. We saw all sorts of animals - elephants, tigers, alligators, lions, all sorts of animals you see at zoos etc.. and some we'd never seen before. Eli loved it! There was one part in the "staged" performance where the guide talks on his radio about the broken bridge we were about to cross. Eli got very worried that it wouldn't hold us. I forget how literal they are at this age. I don't know how many times we explained that it was just pretend, but from then on, every ride we got on, he asked several times if there were any broken bridges. Seeing all the animals so close-up was worth it, though. He really liked that part.

We also did Bug's Life (which he did NOT like) and a petting zoo. The petting zoo was a little bit of a let-down. I wanted to find it b/c it mentioned exotic animals that had been domesticated and you could pet them. We rode a train to Rafiki's Island and were a little disappointed to find the goats a little less exotic than we'd hoped for. He still enjoyed it, though.

The jungle trek was cool too and Eli really had a great time at Dino Land. We didn't ride anything in Dino Land, but he did play a carnival type game, like Whack a Mole, except you whack a dinosaur in the head and win a stuffed dino (who has been named Ralph). Definitely one of his more favorite times of the day.

We ate lunch at Rainforest Cafe and then headed to Magic Kingdom. Rainforest was really neat. I'd heard about it, but had never had the opportunity to go there. It was pretty pricey for lunch, but the atmosphere was cool. Eli did not like when the "storms" came though. He still doesn't like loud noises.

What did we do at Magic Kingdom....... I'm not sure that Eli's most favorite ride wouldn't be the Monorail! He thought it was so cool and wanted to know how it worked. We watched them take off and he was amazed at the wheels being on the very bottom of the train.

We stood in line for Peter Pan, which was OK. Keith and I rode Pirates and then we all did It's a Small World. We all rode the Merry Go Round and ate dinner. Eli and Papaw rode the Teacups - I thought they might make Eli queasy, but he loved them.

Right before it was time to leave, we found Mickey and Minnie at Toon Town and had Eli's picture made with them! The fireworks started and we were very close to where they were being shot - Eli hated them - waaaaaay too loud. He's never been a big fan of fireworks anyway. Keith's parents took Eli to the park entrance to wait while we ran in a couple of stores to buy a few last things before heading home. Amazingly, all students were on the buses by 10pm and we were headed home.

Monday morning, we ate breakfast in Oxford, Alabama and ate lunch in West Memphis. We were home by 4pm.

Eli was exceptional the entire trip. He had some moments, but overall, I was so impressed. He was so tired and there were so many different people around to impress - it was a lot to take, but he did it. And had a most wonderful time! He can't wait to wear his shark Florida shirt to school on Wed.!

Oops - these are backwards. Start at the bottom and work up!

If you buy the picture they take, it has a cool background - but Spider Man is Spider Man!

Batesville Pioneer Band - after a long day of performing and playing at Universal/Islands of Adventure

Same picture twice - sorry - he had the best time playing in the water park. But, true to Eli, he never got his head wet.

Poor guy dropped the lollipop during the awards - shattered everywhere. He was able to save a piece - 5 second rule, right? It didn't fall on the ground, at least.

View from the trolley - it also went inside the circus tent restaurant. Waaaaaay up in the air

Eli would have been happy to ride the moving sidewalk over and over and then go home. One time it was too crowded to get on and I thought he was going to fall apart - he was so tired :P

Keith and Linda (from All-American Music Tours) - we met her this summer when we were in Orlando to check everything out.

This is Eli and Mark. We bought Mark at a souvenir shop. His name was Jason and then he was renamed when Eli heard about his friend's (Casen's) hedgehog named Mark. I guess Eli liked the way it sounded, so welcome to the family, Mark.