Florida (picture overload part 1)

Matthew has to travel to Orlando for work usually once a month.  This time we decided to tag along and have some fun in Florida.  He always stays at the Renaissance at Sea World and knew they would love the pool area.  Once we got there we had to check it out.  

This is the toddler slide.  Ellie of course loved it and I finally got Charlotte & Evan to go down with me.  Then I couldn't get them off the thing.   

  

 We had a great room with lots of room.  Charlotte slept in the bed with us and Evan & Ellie was on the fold-out couch.  While Matthew was at work we slept in, ate breakfast, watched cartoons/played then went to the pool until lunch time.  I was a little afraid of being by myself at the pool, but they were really good and thank goodness for their puddle jumper vests.  The only issue was potty time.  The 1st day we had been in the pool maybe 10 minutes and someone had to go to the potty.  Everyone had to get out, vests off, shoes on.  Probably 10 minutes later someone else had to go.  The second day was better and everyone went at the same time.  

 After lunch we would take a nap until Matthew got home.  Then we always went out for dinner and either go sightseeing or shopping.  Monday night we went and visited some Disney hotels.  We went to the All-Star Movie Resort to see the Toy Story section.  Our kids love Toy Story and it was really cool.  

Where's Evan?

They all had to sit in RC

When then went to the brand new Art of Animation Resort.  The kids loved running around looking at all the statues.  Here is the Lion King Section.

 The pool area was Finding Nemo

 Cars section

 After dinner we went to the Polynesian Resort.  We rode the monorail and then got a yummy Dole Whip.  

 We watched the fireworks from their beach area.  

It was a fun night.  

Walk like a Dinosaur

Last Saturday we took Evan out for his special day.  Evan loves Dinosaurs!  He knows them by there technical names and can say them pretty good for a 3 year old.  We told him we were going to see dinosaur bones.  We took him to Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta.  On the way down there I gave him a camera that I had bought the kids months ago.  We gave Ellie & Charlotte their cameras when we got home.  They all love them.  

Taking a picture of mommy taking a picture of me!

He was so excited and happy all day.  

A Stegosaurus - one of Evan's favorite dinosaurs

 Look at that big dino

Daddy & Evan

Just look at the face of this little boy in dinosaur heaven

Mommy T-Rex & baby

We had a really fun day with this little guy.  He had fun with mommy & daddy, but kept asking to see his friends Ellie & Charlotte.  They just can't stand being apart.  We enjoyed some shopping and a yummy dinner at Carrabba's before heading home.  

Evan you are such a boy.  You love dinosaurs and being rough, but there are times you are the sweetest thing ever!  I hope you always have a big smile on your face like you did today.  

3 1/2

Today the kids turned 3 1/2 years old.  We celebrated with some Frostys from Wendy's

 They also got puddle jumpers for our upcoming vacations.  They wanted to try them out in the bath tonight.  

Time please slow down.  

Swimming

The kids finished up swimming lessons last week.  They loved playing with Josh and getting more comfortable in the water.  If you remember last year Ellie was jumping in and swimming around by herself with her life vest on.  Evan & Charlotte would usually just sit on the steps and play.  Boy did that change this year.  

 Ellie still had no hesitation to get in the pool.  She loves to swim around and play with the toys.  She is a little bit more reserved with jumping off the side and going down the slide.  She did love to get dolphin rides from Josh.  

Evan was a different story this year.  He absolutely loved swimming, especially jumping in.  Once he figured out he could do it that is all he wanted to do.  He is kicking good and getting really brave.  When he watches the older boys dive off the diving board he wanted to do it too  He would try to jump up and down to get the board to move.  He loves the slide too.  

Charlotte is off the stairs swimming folks!  She loves her puddle jumper vest and will kick and swim around.  She still is very cautious, but that is okay.  No slides or jumping in for her, but is really enjoying swimming this year.  She loves swimming to the ladder.  

Looking stylish while swimming

They had so much fun this year at swimming lessons and we can't thank Josh enough for his help. 

Thanks Aundrea & Kim for letting us invade your pool on Sundays.