05 Feb - Beach Day

We've felt a little beat down getting the house in order and establishing our new routines and we could tell the kids were especially cooped up.  We've been lucky with a very mild winter this year and took advantage to drive up to Amelia Island and back down to Mayport along the coast.

 We stopped at Little Talbot Islands state park to check out the beach.  We know the boys have been out on the Atlantic Ocean once before, but we're pretty sure this is the their first trip to a beach on the Atlantic.  They were surprised the beach was so wide and at how hard-packed the sand was.  They also loved all the shells - not really any shells on Hawaiian beaches. 

27 Jan - Andy, Character Counts

Andy was one of two students in his room selected to be awarded this month for "Character Counts".  This month's trait was "respect."  He was honored at a school assembly and given a certificate by the principal and a free kid's meal at Moe's.  

19 Jan - Back in the Saddle

Been close to three years. 

18 Jan - Andy is Uncle Sam

Andy had to do a report on Uncle Sam for school.  He went to the library, gathered some facts and made a poster outlining what he had learned.  Then he dressed up and presented his report to several other classes that came through to tour the projects. 

Jan 14-16: Disney World

We spent MLK weekend at Disney World.  Nana and Pops drove all the way over from San Antonio to make it extra special.  

The weekend was cold, but wasn't too bad once you got going.  We did three parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.  It was the boys first trip and I hadn't been since I was 5. 

 Our balcony at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Pretty spiffy place with a bunch of animals right out back.

A quick meet up and we're on our way

Snuggled up with the expected buddy after the first day

 

On our morning commute to Epcot we ran into Coach Jack Legrand, my high school cross country and important figure in my high school years.

 Zach had recently learned about Paris in school and was itching to go.  He's content for now. 

 Meeting a familiar figure

 Playing some space age game about renewable energy after getting off the ride in the dome.

Last day was spent at the Animal Kingdom park which was really well done.  The safari ride was especially good.

Zach doing what he loves best - looking for animals

 Checking out dino-land

 Picture snapped the moment the giant dinosaur jumps out of the dark

Andy looking pretty smug after his first roller coaster ride.  Zach was still too short. 

Andy spies a character to run off and hug

 

Character lunch at the Africa themed Tusker House

No idea.  Just too funny to leave out.

 Checking out Pops new truck before heading home

 About fifteen minutes down the road

03 Jan - First Day of New School

With serious nerves (way more serious with us than the kids) we took the boys to their first day of school at Julington Creek Elementary.   The school allowed us to come early so we could meet their teachers and see their classrooms before all the students came in.   The teachers had already emailed Kim which made us feel a lot better.

We dropped Zach first.  His teacher was very nice and Zach was excited right away when he noticed the class guinea pig, GiGi.  All was good, but when we asked if he was ready for us to leave he looked very serious and said, "no.  I'll just stay with you."   Left he was and then onto Andy's class.  His teacher was wonderful as well and we got to stay through class announcements.  His teacher brought him up in front of the room and had him tell the class about himself and asked him quite a few questions.  Pretty varsity to put the new kid through.  He weathered it really well though, but we could tell he was nervous.  We finally said goodbye and went home to sweat out the next several hours until we could pick them up.

As expected, all was grand when we picked them up.  They had had a good day and the nerves of the morning were largely forgotten.  

 No great pictures of the event.  Just a post-first day of school snack.

02 Jan - 2nd Studio Session

Little interlude between vacation and start of school.  Boys got back into it on a lunch break during their second big studio session.  We're sensing a swing from the Aloha mellow of Hawaii to more pop inspired vibes wafting from our southern neighbors.  Expecting to hear tones of Redneck intermixed as well.