Charles and T-ball - June 18, 2009

This summer, Charles decided to try out t-ball. When he played soccer, he seemed to tire easily and just didn't take to it as much as we thought he would. He has been undergoing treatment for his allergies and asthma. To us he seems to have more energy and stamina. The first game of t-ball showed that this is true.

Charles was so excited and a lot nervous. When the team got out on the field, Charles just seemed to come to life. He ran everywhere and stayed in his ready position. When he got up to bat, I held my breath. Charles did great. When the game was over and he came over to us, the first thing he said was, "Momma, I love this game and want to play it forever!" That let me know that this attempt at t-ball was worth it. We are very happy that physically he feels better and feels like taking part. Who knows, some day he may decide to be a professional baseball player. What better way for a parent to pass the time than cheering on their son in America's favorite game!!

Michelle's Ballet Recital - May 30, 2009

Well, the day finally came for our budding ballerina. The day she worked for all year and the day she was so nervous about. Our little bumblebee performed in her first recital. She was so excited. We put her hair in curlers (of course) and she got to wear makeup. I think putting makeup on her was the hardest part for me.

Getting ready to go!

Here is a picture of half her class. The older girls on the floor are flowers. Michelle is the third bumblebee from the left.

The one funny thing about her recital was she was so excited to get her firstt "tulips" and they were red.

After the recital Michelle took time to sign autographs on everyone's programs. She was so cute and they did a great job. Hopefully this is something she will continue to have an interest in!

Preschool Graduation - May 28, 2009

Charles' preschool graduation was a day full of emotions. Our son grew up this day. He went from a little boy to a Kindergarten student. Part of me was sad to see him growing so quickly. It seems like we just found out he was coming to be part of our family. Another part of me was excited because Charles is ready for Kindergarten and a new challenge.

The processional. It was even done to "Pomp and Circumstance"

These are Charles' classmates: Joey Johnson, Lexie Geinger, Ethan Baker, and Jacob Hart.

This is Charles' teacher Mrs. Cathy. We were so blessed to have this amazing woman be his teacher. She was awesome and showed the kids that she cared about each of the individually. (I want to be like her when I grow up!)

The kids sang several color songs that they learned over the course of this year. Charles insisted he had to wear a blue shirt because he was the leader for the blue song.

One of the songs the kids sang was about beanie babies. All of the parents and grandparents got a big kick out of Joey. He was pretending to play a guitar for the song and really got animated in his role. It was so funny!

Charles receiving his Diploma for Preschool

Our graduate with Grammy and Papa.

Florida Week 2 May 1- May 8

Our second week in Florida welcomed Gabe's Brother Mike and Sister-in-law Carol. Friday, May 1, the Bakers flew out and the other Hicks flew in. Once Mike and Carol arrived we went to eat at Cici's pizza and played miniature golf. Michelle shot 3 holes in one. It was pretty amazing.

Saturday, we went to Sea World. We had so much fun seeing the whales, the dolphins, the shows, and riding the rides. Charles loved Journey to Atlantis. I think he ended up riding it 10 times.

Mike, Charles, Carol, and Gabe on Journey to Atlantis the first time.

I think this is why Charles loved this ride

This is what we saw a lot of the time in Florida while Mike and Carol were there. Uncle Mike had a shadow wherever he went.

The kids with one of the whale trainers from the Believe show. Uncle Mike and Aunt Carol

We rode all of the rides in the kids section. This is the crab ride that the kids have talked about since the last trip to Florida with Gabe and his family. This is Gabe and Mike with the kids trying to become educated while we were at Sea World Okay, here is the story behind the picture below. While everyone else was riding Journey to Atlantis, Michelle was waiting patiently and discovered this aquarium under our feet. There were two sting rays in this aquarium with the fish. Michelle would say, "Here sting ray" and they would swim up and rub their bellies against the glass. At first we thought it was a fluke thing. But, every time she called them they would swim along the glass for her. When someone else tried, the rays would not respond. It was so cool! On Sunday, we returned to Sea World. We took in some of the shows we missed the day before. Of course we rode Journey to Atlantis again. It was a lot of fun.

The kids with two of the dolphin trainers. All of us at the entrance to Sea World after a fun filled day!!

On Monday, we began our journey through Universal Studios. We began with Islands of Adventure. Charles loved the Spiderman ride and all of the wet rides. Michelle was not tall enough for hardly anything. She was a trooper to sit in the stoller or wait for everyone else most of the day.

The three boys on Popeye.

This is how drenched they got on the wet ride!

Michelle was so good to not complain while everyone rode and she could not. The part that was the hardest was she wanted to get wet so bad. We walked by this store and out front they had these oil cans that spit water on people. Michelle decided to take advantage of it and try to get wet again and again. It was so cute and so fun to watch.

Our family outside of Jurassic Park.

It took all day, but we finally made it over to Seussville where there were rides and things for Michelle to do. This is Michelle and I on One Fish, Two Fish.

Charles and Michelle in "If I ran the zoo".

Tuesday, we went back to Downtown Disney and the T-rex Cafe. Mike and Carol were really excited about this adventure too.

After a day of shopping and swimming, Mike and Carol went to Blue Man Group. We hung out at the condo and enjoyed being lazy.

Wednesday, we tackled Universal Studios. Charles loved Men in Black, but hated JAWS. Both kids loved ET. Again, there was not a whole lot for Michelle to do. She did get to see more characters than the day at Islands of Adventure.

The kids with Donkey from Shrek Curious George and Ted Scooby and Shaggy

Mom and Michelle as elephants

After another day of waiting patiently, Michelle found some things she could do. One was this Curious George Park. It was a water area where the kids could get wet. I did not realized they would get soaked. This is Michelle after getting soaked. To see how, look further.

Yes, that little pink spot in the background is Michelle!

Saying good-bye to the Curious George Park.

We found these shirts for the kids at Universal Studios. We could not resist.

On Thursday, we hung out and started getting things ready to go home. The kids enjoyed swimming the most.

On Friday morning we went to Magic Kingdom for a few hours and then headed to the airport for the flight home. We had a great two weeks.

Florida Week 1 April 24 - May 1, 2009

Okay, so I am way behind and have to catch up. We will start with our Disneyworld trip. We had an absolute blast. We left on Friday, April 24, 2009 with our friends Crystal, Seth, Ethan, and Ciara Baker. The kids were great on the plane. They were especially excited to be with their friends and spend time in the pool.

On Saturday, we went to Epcot. Epcot was having their flower and garden show. The bushes were sculpted throughout the park in different shapes and figures.

We went and had pictures taken with Mickey and friends. Ciara's reaction to seeing Mickey Mouse was priceless. Her enthusiasm carried on throughout the whole week.

The favorite ride for the day was Nemo. We had lunch with the Princesses in the Norway. It was funny that Charles was just as excited about this as the girls. Once we got there, Ethan warmed up to the princesses as well.

Crystal and Seth took their kids back to the condo early. We stayed and took the kids through the world showcase. This was the first time the kids and done this. It was fun. They got these masks at the first country and then every country after that they had a different charm for the kids to attach to their masks. We then stayed to watch the fireworks. It was a great day.

On Sunday, we headed to Hollywood Studios. The highlights for the day were meeting Bolt and Rhino, going to Playhouse Disney, and meeting Prince Caspian.

My kids are fascinated with the "Narnia" movies. They have invisible friends from Narnia that play with them all of the time. Getting to meet Prince Caspian was a way big deal for them. Michelle was so bashful and as most of you know that is so unlike her. When we got outside she says, "Mom, Prince Caspian was sooooooooo handsome." Even at 3 she is smitten by handsome boys. Monday was Magic Kingdom. We had a blast. We all stayed together and rode everything we could together. The lines weren't that long. Ethan and Charles loved Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad. Michelle loved seeing Tinkerbell and the other fairies at Pixie Hollow. Small World is always a hit. They also loved Winnie the Pooh and Pirates. It was so funny on Pirates. Michelle was sitting next to Ciara and covered both of their eyes when there were skeletons.

On Tuesday, we took a break from the parks. We went to Downtown Disney for lunch and a little shopping. We had reservations at the new T-rex Cafe. It was awesome. This cafe is similar to Rainforest Cafe except with dinosaurs. The kids were so excited and ran around all over wanting their picture taken with every dinosaur.

Even Gabe had a good time at T-rex Cafe. He was pretending to be electrocuted by the giant jellyfish that sat over out table.

And here is Gabe being eaten by the Triceratops.

Of course what trip to Downtown Disney wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Disney store and the Lego store.

The rest of the afternoon was spent driving all over Florida trying to find Charles a stuffed Bolt. All of the stores on Disney grounds were out. We ended up at the Florida Mall with a "GIANT" bolt that I didn't think would fit in a suitcase.

Wednesday we went to Animal Kingdom. Charles loved Mt. Everest and mom hated it. We all enjoyed getting wet on the river rapids.

Thursday we went back to Magic Kingdom and the Bakers went to Animal Kingdom. We didn't stay for fireworks because the kids were too tired.

Friday was a hang out day. We bid farewell to the Baker Family. We had a wonderful time with them. It was so fun our kids to have other kids along to play with. They had a blast together. We are very blessed to have special friends like the Bakers. We are very glad to have had this opportunity to grow closer to one another. We are especially happy that after this trip we are all still good friends!!