Field Trip to Museum of Discovery and Science

(This photo was supposed to be at the end, but I accidentally erased it, so here it is, out of order)
My wonderful, beautiful friend, Ana and her family. Daniel, Katrina, Ana, Eli, me and Rebecca. We are ready to call it a day.

I love field trips! Especially ones like we went on today. For a much discounted group rate, we were able to enjoy this wonderful museum with good friends and fellow home educators. As a child growing up in Pennsylvania, our field trips revolved around history, battlefields, and wax museums. In Florida, field trips seem to be all about water, Everglades, Indians, oceans and science.

When we first arrived we found this huge "digital" clock in the courtyard. It was amazing to look at.


It was several stories tall and wrapped around all four faces of the courtyard.


A group photo of all the kids before we went in to enjoy the IMAX 3D movie. It was incredible footage of under the sea: colorful coral, gorgeous fish and adorable sea otters. It was lovely!


We had a 30-40 minute hands-on lecture on Nanotechnology. Here the teacher talked about nanotechnology in regards to Transitions eyeglasses.


Elijah helped demonstrate the application of nanotechnology and metals.


We pretty much had the museum to ourselves so I felt free to let Becca and Elijah roam around the building exploring whatever they wanted. Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

Checking out a display on force needed to escape the gravitational pull of the moon.


Eli playing virtual volley ball.


Becca and Katrina enjoying the sound room.


"This is your captain speaking. Please fasten your seatbelts."



What every big sister would love to do to their little brothers: shrink them! (We learned how to shrink them in the nanotechnology lecture!) It looks better if you click on it to enlarge it.


Next field trip on the list? A three hour sail on a three masted schooner! Can't wait!

Early Valentine's Party

Each year, Sonshine Christian Academy, our local home school support group plans a huge Valentine's party at Mary Brogan Park. Every child or family brings 50 valentines addressed to "my friend" and we have a potluck, games, crafts and card exchange. It's always well attended and a huge hit! I'm no Mrs. McGregor (my adorable cousin who creates beautiful, handcrafted cards and journals) but I had an idea to use the verse from I Corinthians 13:7 on our valentine's cards this year. I made the cards on the computer and we put heart stickers and glitter on them. Then we attached them to little bags of gummi bears and graham cracker bears. They turned out cute!


The kids helped assemble this pile of 50 Valentines.


Getting the food tables in order.


It was warmer in the sun, and the kids eagerly lined up to distribute their cards.


Sweet little Claire, chowing down on her first cup-cake.


Elijah opted to let Nate and James hand out our family valentines and guarded our bags from the wind.


Nate and James enjoyed handing out their "Love Bears".


All the kids! What a motley crew!


This was the calm before the storm. Once they dug into their bags, it was nothing but excitement after that!


Rebecca, Shelane and I soaking up the sunshine.


Rebecca and Shelane practicing taking BP.


Valentine's Day is still 8 days away, but we enjoyed our early celebration!

"Love Bears All Things!"

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

Just for kicks, let's start with the GOOD! If I were a good blogger, I would dig around in my boxes of photos that never made it to the albums and find the photo that would complete this part of the blog. Somewhere in said boxes, I have a picture of Zack and Elijah wearing these adorable jackets. I loved the jackets, saved them, sent them to my sister's for her boys to use, got them back and now Nate and James are putting them to good use!


More good: got a chocolate craving? This will cure it! Whip up your favorite batch of brownie mix. Use a cookie scoop to measure out the mix into a mini muffin pan. Bake for about 8 minutes or until the edges of the brownies are set and only the centers are still wet. Push an unwrapped Rolo candy into each muffin and place back into oven until finished. About 7 minutes, in my oven. Remove from oven and gently push a pecan half into the top of the Rolo candy. You can omit the nuts if you want.


The BAD! The other day, Nate started sobbing like his heart was broken. Tweezers gently wielded by daddy, revealed a "lost" pom-pom that had mysteriously disappeared into Nates nose. Yes, the drip is...well....you know. Like I said, BAD!


The Ugly: Meet our newest family member. I'm a horrid grandmother, because I don't know his/her name, nor do I care to. I don't have to care for this bearded dragon that was given to Elijah, so I'm "out of the loop" so to speak. He is big. He is ugly. Nate likes him.


But not when it gets too close to his face!

Blast Off!!!

I'm sitting here at work, wanting to catch up a little on my blog. Problem is, I don't have my pictures on this computer. Then I remembered that when my mom and dad were here a few weeks ago, I uploaded all the pictures Dad took with his camera. Here are some of my favorites!

My dad has always loved to take pictures, and is always twisting around in some funny fashion to get a unique angle on the scene. He comes up with some good perspectives! I LOVE this one he took of Zack and Elijah setting off their rockets at Zeus Park. In reality, the rockets are only 2 feet off the ground from base to tip.



...3...2...1...blast-off!


The BEST dad in the whole wide world holding one of his "boys"! (sorry, all you gals out there that think YOUR dad is best! I've got dibbs on the winner in that category!)


...and the best MOM in the whole wide world! Proof is on the face of the baby! Nate and James adore their Papa and Grammie and are always wanting to visit them or talk on the phone to them.


Mom and Dad! I love you both so very much!

Deal or No Deal

As most of you know, I love to hunt on Craigslist for a good deal on furniture for my home. Did you know that Craigslist is also a great source of entertainment? There are endless typos that will make you snicker, so called "deals" that you wonder "what are they thinking?", items that look better suited for the trash and on and on. But, THIS one takes the cake! I'm completely dumb founded! Study the bold heading before looking at the pictures.

Antique Dresser early 1900's Pine - $329

Real wood! Not pressed board here.
If you appreciate furniture you'll like this piece.
Call for appt.







Can somebody please explain this one to me? My question is will they sell their early 1900's computer to go with the antique dresser? And the price??? Hello!