Jepson Center

We headed to the Jepson Center for the Arts here in Savannah for a field trip with some friends of ours this morning. It was an alright time, the lady tried to rush the kids through and did not know anything about the art she was telling them about. Which is not good. Then the kids got to do an art project which resembled one of the paintings they saw in the gallery. It was really cheap (they glued pictures & stuff to a piece of paper). I personally was not impressed with the tour. However the boys seem to enjoy themselves and would like to go back so they can actually spend time in the art gallery and with the hands on exhibit.

Bird Photo's

Micah has become our wildlife photographer. Currently he is taking pictures of birds. Although he has taken a handful of photo's I only uploaded a few for him on his blog. You should definitely check them out: Click Here!

Sea World

What do you get when you have 7 adults & 8 kids plus a baby go to Sea World together? A fun and insane trip! Joel & I were taking the boys to Sea World as their b-day present instead of a party. Well his 2 sisters & brother came along. We had a great time although trying to keep 8 kids from running in every direction because they are so psyched by being there and being able to hang out with each other can be frustrating at times. We started the day off by meeting at IHOP for breakfast (God Bless our poor waitress). After a hearty meal we hit the road...
Our first stop in Sea World the sting rays. Xavier was a little scared of feeding them but after Dad helped him it was cool. We saw turtles (the boys had to talk the "worker" there ears off) and informed her of sea turtles having tumors. Then all the kids climbed on a manatee statue which has a sign to stay off of statue beside it. We realize this after the photo shot, lol. Moving right along... we enjoyed the rides, animals and hanging out with family. Overall it was a wonderful day and the boys bought their own souveniers (Shamu & baby stuff animals of course). The Orca is Micah's favorite whale and Xavier had to have one to after seeing the show (plus he likes the Orca also).

Kids Galore


Isn't he a cutie?


Chillin' with the penguins


Dad & X-man


Micah


More food now!


Group Photo


My 2 boys - shopping's done...

Birds of Prey

Friday we went to Audubon's Center for Birds of Prey. It is a small sanctuary in Maitland. We had a great time and the boys learned lots of interesting things about the raptor birds. The volunteer's there are wonderful and we plan on adopting one of the birds now. We got to see a lot of different birds: owls, eagles, vultures, kestrels and more. The highlight was meeting their friendly snake. Who has lived at the center for about 2 years and so far has managed to stay out of the bird cages. He was chomping down on a frog while we were there. With his mouth full I didn't mind getting a little closer than I normally would to take some pictures.











The boys sitting in part of the abandoned eagle's nest that _____ (can't remember her name Mary?) sat in back in the 70's.

Fun in the Sun

Our first beach trip and we go to Daytona, lol. We had a blast and Joel and I got a little burned (not to bad though). Personally I thought the water was a little to cold to play in but the "guys" didn't mind.

Vacation Week

We headed down to FL this week so we could take the boys to Sea World this Sunday. On the way down we stopped at Fort Mantanzas for a picnic lunch. We did not get to go on the ferry over to the fort because we had Patches with us. But we did walk on the 1/2 mile nature trail. We used the guide sheet on the way and the boys learned what a hammock, scrub, saw palmetto, and a few other things were. We saw 2 Gopher Tortoise and had a really nice time.

Climbing Trees after Lunch




Gopher Tortoise

Birds, Birds, & Birds

Who would have ever thought that I would become a bird watcher? We have been learning how to identify birds in our backyard. Well, yesterday as soon as I got up I had to let the dog outside (of course). When I opened the back door our yard was full. But the dog had to go so they flew away. After he was done though I sent him back inside as I watched to see if any came back. Soon the boys were outside with me and we probably spent a good hour out there. Our yard was full of robins, a couple of doves, a bunch of common grackle's and we saw a blue jay and a red-deaded woodpecker. How cool!! Later that evening I even saw a cardinal and some blue bird (not sure what kind). We definitely have to get a better bird guide.

The boys painted the base coat on their bird houses during the afternoon. Then Joel and I started working on some other bird houses that I am making out of penguin gourds. Not sure if they will work but they will be pretty hanging outside.

Unfortunately, it is raining today and there are not any birds outside right now. Maybe later though... I think we will finish decorating the bird houses today and then all we will have to do is coat them with some poly.

I will take some pictures soon and post them so everyone can have a look-see.

Easter/Resurrection Sunday

We have had a really nice Easter. We woke up a little late but that is okay. I set the table last night so it would be ready for dinner this afternoon. Then spent the morning hanging out with the boys, hiding eggs and preparing the food. We are having the whole meal this year: ham, green bean casserole, pea salad, deviled eggs, peas and rolls (if they rise). Joel can not wait to dig in to the food, but then neither can Micah and Xavier. I just think Joel is especially happy because he is actually being able to spend Easter with us. He has not been home for Easter since who knows when ?Texas? So this is a very joyous occasion. It is so wonderful to have him home to do all the Easter things and celebrate our Lord's Resurrection today.

The boys Easter baskets were filled with a "bird theme" in mind. (They normally get theme baskets). We are currently studying about birds in science so it was a wonderful theme for this year. Of course I had to let the Easter Bunny know ;-)
They had some candy, bird feeders, a bird house to paint, a Bird coloring book, plus The Narnia Movie and a couple of silly toys. They loved the baskets and the feeders are already hanging up in the back yard. We do want to make some of our own bird houses/nesting boxes eventually but for now a painted one will work.

Hope everyone has had a Wonderful Easter/Resurrection Day! Enjoy some of our pics!

The Table is Set...


When can we eat Mom?


Xavier with the baskets...


The Easter goodies...


Micah waking up and the boys checking it out...






Hunting Eggs...

Dying Easter Eggs

Here are some pictures of the boys dying Easter eggs this morning.
Xavier



My boys



Micah



Me & my 2 boys



The Finished Eggs

Hanging Out

We had a lot of fun last night hanging out over at G & B's house. I met G through the homeschool group that I am trying to start and she lives about 1 1/2 blocks from us so the boys are always playing with their 2 kids. Joel met her once, but we really hadn't met her husband.

We went over there and hung out in the backyard eating pizza and watching the kids play. Then we started the fire (over the fire grill) and the kids roasted marshmallows. The boys had a blast. Well, up until a friend of G & B's scared them to death. They are running around the backyard and area with a flashlight. A (the friend) snuck out to where they were and scared them to death. At one point they were running back to the house. It was hilarious. Of course Xavier - the interrogateor was asking A all sorts of questions. But we convinced him it was not him for the time. Then we got them to go check it out and see what it was... Only to scare them again. It was hilarious.

Micah on the other hand went inside and watched Doctor Who with G & her son. He loved it!! According to him we have to watch it again next week and I have to watch it with him. I told him that I did not have a problem with that :-)

We came back home around 10 and the boys went to bed about 1/2 hour later then we hit the sack. Now I am up and not tired @ 4:30 in the morning so I decided to play on the computer. Even though I should go try and lay down again.

Online Photo Album

If you want to see some of my photos I have put them online for you all to look through. They are being hosted
Here. They are not password protected yet, but I will soon be adding that. I will email you the password as soon as I set that part up. Also you can't right click but if you let me know which one you would like I can send it to you via email or put them on a cd-rom because I am transferring my photos to an external hard drive.

Friday's Happenings

Today has been a lazy day. We were planning on dying Easter Eggs today but the boys have spent most of the day playing with friends. We did go up to the mall to the "Egg Hatchery" this afternoon. Every year they open it up so kids (and adults alike) can watch the baby chicks hatch from their eggs in the incubators and also so they can hold the baby chicks. They had a display of different eggs there so the kids could see the different sizes; from the pigeon to the ostrich and a few in between. Micah wanted to know how they got them like that and I showed him where they poked a hole in the egg so the stuff could be taken out of it.

This evening we are heading over to a friends for pizza and to roast marshmallows over a grill. The boys are so excited, lol. Not like they haven't been playing there all day.

Oh and my dear husband is watching Yu-Gi-Oh. I think he watches it more than the boys do. Meanwhile I am playing on the computer. That's life here at our house :-)

Park Day (crosspost)

Today we met up with our small homeschool group. Thursday's are park day but with Easter this weekend we decided to do something special. Instead of just hanging out (which we did) we had an Easter party. The kids had fun hunting eggs and stuffing themselves with candy, cupcakes, fruit and veggies. I think it went pretty well for our first real "activity".

Here are a few pics...

Hunting Eggs...




Micah's got "Bling"


Enjoying the Loot