Flying High with Tuttle

Tuttle celebrated his 9th birthday this weekend with his two best buddies. He was so patient to wait until after Easter to party. He decided to be a little daring this year and take his friends to iFly for indoor skydiving!

The boys decided Bad Daddy's Burger Bar was the best spot for dinner. Tuttle will never turn down a bacon cheeseburger. 

After a quick stop for dessert at Pinkberry, we arrived at iFly for our appointment. The boys watched several flights before attending a short flight school class and gearing up.

I was a little apprehensive on how the boys would handle the experience. I was not a huge fan when Jay and I tried it a few years ago for his birthday. Tuttle bravely insisted on going first, and all three boys did amazingly well. They also wanted to do the high flying experience on their second flight.

Apparently Tuttle and Ryan have decided that they want to sign up for weekly flight training after soccer is over, so I guess it was a hit! We loved spending Tuttle's birthday with our favorite friends and attempting a daring feat. Happy 9th Birthday to Tuttle!

I am glad that the weekend had such a high because we had to fit in working on projects between the party, soccer games, and Rise Up. Tuttle and Maggie are both working so hard to finish the year with the Flying Eagle Award. Tuttle completely finished his government project while Maggie accomplished a big portion of her animal project, including the habitat shoe box. We counted about 11 more real days of school since there are so many parties, field days, ceremonies, field trips, and other fun days included in May. We can do this!

Daddy deserves some recognition for tackling the yard this weekend. Not only did he mow, but he planted some beautiful flowers for me and trimmed our huge front yard tree. I think I will keep him around. :)

Warmer temperatures and sunshine makes everyone want to get outside!

So Close To The End

There are only 20 more school days until summer break, but Maggie and Tuttle have to pack in a lot of work before they can relax. Between the two of them, there are five projects due before the end of the year! I visited the Dollar Store this morning to prepare for the weekend workload...

Tuttle got a head start on his social studies project this week by creating the White House out of Legos, including the Oval Office. I am very lucky that Tuttle is so creative and can conquer these types of assignments with no assistance!

We will be learning a lot about campaigning for president, a helicopter traveling to Mars, participating in a successful marketplace, rats (gross!), and current events in the upcoming weeks. Wish us luck!

Jacob hit a major milestone since Easter. The bunny hopped away with all of Jacob's diapers, and we are happy to report that Jacob is happily using the potty for all needs now! Jay commented that after NINE YEARS we are diaper and bottle free!

We are looking forward to celebrating our biggest boy this weekend at his party! I just hope the projects do not smother him first....

Happy Easter 2019!

We celebrated Easter all weekend with festive activities everyday!

After a crazy amount of rain on Friday night, the church egg hunt was moved to the church student center. Since it was also cold, the inside plan was much appreciated. We enjoyed exploring the new Harp Center, and Jay and I commented several times that we would want to hang out there as much as possible as teenagers.

After checking out the petting area and the jumpy slides, Jacob's egg hunt was up first. He was placed in the 3-5 age group this year, but this did not hinder him from filling up his basket as his siblings and friends cheered him on.

Tuttle decided to join one more year in the 6-8 age group since his birthday was not until Easter day. The oldest group participates in a scavenger hunt, so I was fine with watching his last year in the traditional egg hunt. Tuttle, Maggie, and a sweet friend Mary Julia claimed a corner of the upstairs and loaded their baskets to the brims. I love that the church plans for a million eggs, so the hunt lasts more than ten seconds.

Jay suggested that we go to the mall after the morning fun for lunch at the food court and shoe shopping. We both grew up going to the mall, and we forget how foreign the place is for our kids with internet shopping so much easier. The simple act of grabbing lunch and walking in a few stores is such an adventure for them!

We had special guests over for dinner on Saturday evening. Anne and Matt recently were engaged and had not seen our new renovations, so it was the perfect time to treat them. I made "The Pasta" as well as strawberry shortcake. We also decided to use our wedding fine china for the first time ever which was fun!

The kids were spoiled with extra help with dying their Easter eggs before setting out their baskets and a carrot snack for the bunny to hop by. 

Easter morning started SUPER early with a wake-up call from Maggie at 6:30am to examine the Easter Bunny loot. This also gave us plenty of time to get dressed for church and arrive early for a few photos.

Doesn't the black eye just make Jacob's outfit?

Jacob insisted on coming to big church instead of the nursery and actually did pretty good. He did play under the pew with his soldiers, but he was fairly quiet and even interested in the singing. Jay took him out after the sermon to stretch his legs, but it was not a total failure as I had anticipated. 

I made reservations for brunch at Haven after church. It was a nice way to celebrate Easter with our little family.

Tuttle had such a great attitude sharing his birthday with Easter this year. I cannot believe I have a NINE year old. We just touched on his special day with a small gift and a bacon cheeseburger dinner. I am choosing not to accept his birthday until next weekend when we celebrate with a party. If I do not make a big deal of it, it did not really happen, right? He is growing up WAY too fast.

Happy 9th Birthday, Tuttle! :)

Racing For the Prize

Our little boy got to use his fast legs twice this week at preschool. 

The class was able to bring a riding toy to school on Monday to participate in the St. Jude Children's Hospital Trike-a-Thon. Jacob's balance bike is probably his most prized possession (aside from Tuttle's Legos), so he could not wait to show off his speed with his buddies. He zoomed around the track over and over until he proclaimed that he was too tired.

After training with Maggie in the front yard, Jacob was ready for his big Easter egg hunt today. It was a frenzy to collect all the candy, and Jacob filled his basket full in just a few minutes.

I was able to use the candy in the eggs as bribery to take some sweet pictures after the hunt and party in the classroom.

This is Jacob's "I really need to potty, but my mommy won't stop taking pictures" poise.

Jacob's preschool egg hunt was the warm-up to our church hunt on Saturday. Maggie and Tuttle will be able to join us!

Until then I have these two boys available for all your home repair needs. They require payment in gummies. I cannot vouch for their work quality. :)

Spring Break Recovery

This week we had to come down from our spring break high and return to our normally scheduled program. Disney does not technically feel like a relaxing vacation, so most of us were dragging for the first few days. We did come home to warm, spring weather!

Jacob and I visited Grandma this week at Presbyterian Village. She recently had a fall that has required her to be in the nursing home now, but she looked wonderful when we saw her, and her hair had recently been done. Grandma has been placed on hospice care, but her nurse told us that her health was still strong, and we are praying that she can rest and find comfort with the additional care. She will be 99 in November!

Sometimes being a little brother requires you to put up with your sister's antics, including playing hair salon.

Tuttle and Maggie jumped back into soccer and gymnastics as well as piano. Tuttle is enjoying his additional goalie training once a week, too!

This weekend we celebrated several friends' birthdays. Maggie could not wait to celebrate Kate with a JoJo themed dance party. She decked herself out in head to toe sparkles.

At the last minute we invited the Hidock Family over for pizza and drinks in the front yard. We did not want the night to end. Tuttle was the best big brother wrestling with the two little ones for hours while Maggie and Parker disappeared to play Barbies and make jewelry.Unfortunately Jacob wrapped up the night with a black eye. 

We love our sweet neighbors and cannot wait for more reasons to get together now that the weather is cooperating.

Magical Moments

We just returned from our best visit yet to the most magical place on earth. Spring Break finally arrived, and we headed to Orlando for another week at Disney with the family. The vacation started with a stop at Cracker Barrel on our way down, a tradition for generations.

This year was extra special because not only did Grandmommy and Grandaddy come, but Aunt Peach, Uncle Drew, Holland, and Piper joined in the fun! Our babies loved having their cousins right next door in the hotel, and we could not get enough of all the Disney excitement from all the kids!

Our first day was spent at Hollywood Studios with just our little family. We arrived right when the park opened and were able to knock out several rides in the new Toy Story Land. Jacob currently is obsessed with "Woo-dee," so it was the perfect start to the trip. 

After exploring the Star Wars area and eating lunch at the cutest 50's restaurant (complete with black and white televisions and waitresses reminding us of our manners), we went to the Indiana Jones show.

 Initially we were told there was standing room only in the back, but out of nowhere, we were led down to the FRONT ROW. Not only did the kids sit on the edge of their seats the entire time, but afterwards I suggested that Tuttle try to get Indiana Jones's autograph. The crowds soon exited the theater area, and we were the only ones left. Tuttle ended up chatting with Indiana Jones for a while and even had a chance to try out his whip. As we were leaving Indiana Jones gave Tuttle his gloves from the performance to continue practicing the whip at home. Of course, we bought him his own whip on our way out. This was the highlight of my entire trip. Disney never disappoints with its magic.

Jacob was so tolerant this year. I was nervous about his patience level and getting overly tired, but he went with the flow the entire time. He just grabbed a nap when he could. :)

Our first park set set high expectations for the rest of the week. The kids were ready for more magic, and each day ended with a dip in the pool for an extra bonus!

Our Epcot day started bright and early with breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. The girl cousins all were enamored with all the princesses, especially Maggie's favorite, Belle. Several princesses visited the table, and the girls went on a parade around the restaurant with the characters. While it was not a favorite character meal compared to past years, we thought entering the park before it opened to everyone else was a special perk.

Tuttle could not wait to get his passport to visit all the countries. Maggie and Jacob were initially into the idea, but soon Tuttle took the lead for the activity while the little ones were happy to relax in the stroller and look at all the countries' decor.

I insisted that Tuttle and Maggie only speak in German while they received their stamps in Germany. Maggie was a little shy, but Tuttle was ready to show off his four years learning a new language.

Unfortunately Grandaddy had to miss Epcot because he was not feeling well, but everyone else met up several times during the day, including a ride on Spaceship Earth. 

We allow each child to get one souvenir during the trip, and Jacob was committed to getting a bubble machine from the first time he laid eyes on one. We finally bought one at Epcot, and he became "The Bubble Man" for the day, sharing bubbles with everyone we passed.

We continue to love Epcot and the relaxing atmosphere it provides. It will always be a stop on our Disney trips. :)

We spent Wednesday at the pool for a much needed day to recover from two non-stop parks. This year was a game changer for Jay and me because all three kids are now pretty independent in the pool. Jacob still wears his Puddle Jumper, but he is confident in jumping in the water and swimming to wherever he wants to go. We can actually relax in the pool chairs and watch the fun!

That afternoon we dressed for dinner and shopping at Disney Springs. I have been trying to get reservations at T-Rex for a few years now, and I snagged a time slot back in November for our entire family. The kids were impressed with all the dinosaur effects, and the food was delicious. I was not disappointed.

After dinner we roamed around Disney Springs with the first stop being the Lego store. Grandmommy and Grandaddy spoiled all five grandchildren with big sets to take home. Maggie was thrilled with her gigantic purchase!

A quick spin on the carousel and pictures on the bridge ended our evening out. My family makes me so happy, and I am trying to remember all the details of such a special trip!

Our last day at Disney included the grand finale of the Magic Kingdom. Jacob refers to it as "Mickey's House." While this park is always crowded, the beautiful weather seemed to make up for it. 

We arrived as soon as the gates opened and knocked out several of our favorite rides, including the teacups, Dumbo, Little Mermaid, Barnstormer, Pirates of the Caribbean, and exploring the Swiss Family Robinson tree house.

It would not be a real Disney trip without losing Jacob. (Last year Jay accidentally left him in the stroller when he parked it to get in line for The Haunted Mansion.). Jacob wandered off while we were exiting the tree house, and Jay had to alert the staff to help find our little boy. Luckily he had just ventured back into the attraction, and another family found him. Jay and I had been searching in both directions outside of the tree house, so it was the best case scenario when he was found so close. He was barely phased, and our day continued as normal. :)

We met up with Aunt Peach, Uncle Drew, Holland, and Piper for lunch at the Plaza. I always like to have a reservation for one meal, so we have a guaranteed spot to sit in air conditioning.

I barricaded off the perfect location to watch the parade after lunch. We had a shady spot with space to climb up for the best view.

We were able to grab extra Fast Passes and ride almost everything we cared about. A new hit this year was Space Mountain. Tuttle was not interested in another roller coaster, but Dare Devil Maggie was game to ride it twice! Mommy and Daddy both agreed that we will ride this one every year from now on- who doesn't love a roller coaster in the dark? With almost nine hours of park time, both Tuttle and Maggie wanted to call it a day after a ride on the carousel and It's A Small World.

We never get tired of Disney, and I know this year's memories will always be extra magical.