Christmas at Tara

Tonight we went to the Annual Christmas Lighting at Tara.  It was actually re-scheduled this year due to bad weather two weeks ago.  The kids had a great time wandering around and checking out the Christmas decor.  

This year they gave out cute shirts to the kids.  They say  "I got tangled up in lights at Tara Plantation."

Logan turns 9!

Ok, so this post is 4 days late, but I am sure he will forgive me.  Logan celebrated his "Golden Birthday" last week.  I can't believe he is already 9 years old!  Where does the time go?  If you ask Amy, she will tell you that Logan has celebrated his birthday 4 times (or are we up to 5?), but here are some adventures from his actual birthday. 

He requested to go to Disney - and since our annual passes are about to expire, we thought it would be a good opportunity to go.  Unfortunately, Mike had to work, but we had a nice day anyway.  We let Logan open his presents at breakfast.  He had asked for a YoYo and ended up with 4!  (We told him there was one from each of his family members.). 

We went to EPCOT and then the Magic Kingdom.  We basically let Logan pick all day which rides to go on and what to do next.  Believe me - this boy likes to be "in charge".  He was considerate of his siblings as well.  

Here are a few pics of his special day.  HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY LOGAN!  I love you!

You Know You are a Homeschooler When. . .

Ok, there are no pictures to accompany this right now, and I PROMISE to get pics of Logan's 9th Birthday up soon, but I had to write about my excitement today. 

My Mom called and said she had a dry erase board from a drug rep and wanted to know if I wanted it.  I said sure - a little hesitant about what "drug" would be represented ;).  So she brings it home tonight and it is the coolest thing ever.  

It is a dry erase AND magnetic board and comes with a magnetic pen holder, magnetic stapler, magnetic staple remover and built in post it dispenser.  There IS a logo in the bottom corner, but that is easily covered up by all the "magnetic accessories".  

Sometimes it is the  little things that make me HAPPY!  

Forever Florida

It seems we are taking field trips nearly every week, but I guess that is just part of the fun of homeschooling.  This week we went to this place called "Forever Florida" on the Crescent J Ranch.  There is a link over on the side bar.  

A homeschooling Dad was re-shooting the photo advertising for the Ranch, so he needed "models".  They invited anybody in our homeschool group who wanted to go for free.  We got to take the Eco Tour and get a free lunch.  It was a really cool place!  The kids had a lot of fun and we got VERY close up to FL wildlife.  At one point we were 5 feet from an Alligator (standing on the ground next to the water where he was swimming) - a little too close for my comfort.  

Growing Up too fast!

ACCK!  My son has braces.  Ok, so it is only 2 brackets on his front two teeth, but I feel like Daddy picked him up for the Orthodontist a little boy and dropped him back off a "big kid".  EEK!!  I am feeling rather old.  Just for the record - he thinks they are VERY cool! 

Green Meadows Farm

Last week I took the kids to Green Meadows Farm.  Somebody from our homeschool support group organized a field trip and we had quite a good turn out.  The kids had a great time - we got to milk a cow, hold chickens & ducks, pet all kinds of animals, take a train ride, ride some ponies and go on a hay ride.  Ella's favorite part was holding the baby chick and riding the ponies.  Spencer liked the chickens - he even held a rooster.  Logan enjoyed holding the duckling and the Easter Egg Chicken - who lays colored eggs.  

Race for the Taste

Last weekend Amy & I ran in Disney's Race for the Taste 10K.  It wasn't a FABULOUS race, but we had a good time.  We had actually run 10 miles the day before, as part of our marathon training, so we just "took it easy" on race day. 

The kids participated in the kids race and had a great time.  Here are a few pics from race day.