Science Center with the Cousins

After our Pensacola trip Reese stayed down in Eustis for a week and one day we were able to go to the Science Center with her and Catherine!
Here are the highlights:

working the orange grove

eating the oranges :)

playing house

playing music

their new exhibit has giant board games....savannah rolling a pool ball

Catherine riding around in the transportation exhibit

Owey and the train

all the kids minus Catherine plus some random kid on the Earthquake simulator

Potty Time!!!

While we were in Gatlinburg the only way I could get Owen to sit still and leave me alone for a few minutes so I could shower and get breakfast ready was to put in the Elmo's Potty Time Video. I wasn't really attempting to get him to potty train, I just had the video from Savannah and he loves Elmo. But it seems the 20+ times he watched it taught him something! One day when we were in Daytona he walked over to the potty, looked at me, and said "poop in". So I stuck him on the potty and he put his poop in! I was shocked!!!!

It's been about two weeks since this picture and he is still going potty on the big potty. Although he is no where near ready to start real potty training, it is so reassuring to see that he understands the concept and will communicate with me. Keep up the good work Owey!

Pensacola

Our final trip of our two week mega vacation was to Pensacola to visit Uncle Ben, Aunt Renee, and Cousin Reese. And we were lucky enough to get to be there for Reese's dance recital! Sad for us, the weather was a little gloomy!

Kate and Reese watching the rain

if you look closely you will notice that this walkway is actually under water!

It rained about 12 inches over the 24+ hours we were there! We stilled enjoyed ourselves, but I was starting to wonder if we'd be able to get home safely :)

Aunt Renee did Kate's make up

pretty girls

Reese at her dance recital

Daddy daughter dance...so sweet

after her dances

It was a fast weekend but a good one...we were so happy to get to go see Reese at her house and spend some time in Pensacola.

Alligator Farm

Another day while we were at the beach we drove into St. Augustine and visited the Alligator Farm. I will be the first to admit that it might have been a little much with the three kids by myself. It's nerve wracking enough to lose your child or think you've lost them in a park or public place, but it's a whole other level of fear when you know that if they get lost there is a distinct possibility they will be eaten by an alligator!!!

just one of the many pools of gators

the very fragrant bird rookery

so proud of her pink feather :)

facing my fears

what was funny is they each took a turn getting in, but as soon as Owen got in he looked right at me and said, "no" and hopped right out....that's my boy!

on the playground

It was a relatively small park, but we ate lunch, saw the gator feeding show and also made time for a reptile show. Afterwards the girls got to touch a snake!

We had a great time at the Alligator Farm and a great time at the beach! Thanks Nana and Papa O for being so gracious with your condo!!!

Marine Science Center

While I had the kids in Daytona I decided that we needed to do something new. We have been there at least once a summer for the last 5 years but we never do anything other than the beach and pool. So we grabbed some flyers at dinner and decided to drive down to Ponce Inlet and check out their Marine Science Center.

too cool :)

The Lighthouse

Much to Savannah's delight, they had a sting ray touch tank

Kate mimicking the eels

They also had a nature walk and a bird rehabilitation center.

Next we hit the playground and the Veteran's Memorial.

On the way home we stopped off at Target and let Savannah spend some of her birthday money.
Here's her loot:

As a treat for being so good on the Gatlinburg trip, I got Kate a special little treat too.

a pretty turtle necklace at the Marine Science Center

and a pet bunny that really hops at Target!

Beach!!!

The week after Gatlinburg, we were lucky enough to get to go to Daytona Beach and stay at Nana and Papa O's condo for several days :) My kids really love the beach so it was a perfect little getaway!

playground time

collecting shells

her kite really flew down on the beach

a sweet moment