Falling into September

September was a whirlwind.  Planning birthday parties, starting school and getting prepped for Jeremiah and Sally's wedding.  We had fun enjoying our friends and family as always! ;)


 Visit Home
A visit home for the beginning of September. Of course too short and fast but enjoyed our time there none the less.  Owen, Landon and Arabella are starting to have a quite the bond.  I love it.  I remember loving that one of my cousins lived close by.  I hope they get to enjoy a lot more time together.  Boy oh boy to I love being an aunt to such a cute little boy!

 Picnic and Fishing

A relaxing picnic/fishing trip to the lake near our house. We didn't catch anything but a couple of bug bite.  It was beautiful out there.

Pool Time
With Josh working 12-14 hour days, we didn't get nearly enough time at the pool at the end of the summer but when we did get to go we had lots of fun.  Arabella is getting so confident in the water.  Landon is improving every time.  He can swim without floaties and can hold his breath.  He just needs to work on being more comfortable laying on his back and being able to bring his head out of water to get a breath. 

Birds, bugs and books

Our school field trip with the Bolins at the Library. 
Arabella (Especially )and Landon had a lot of fun.  The event was put on by some group from UF.  The people running the event did a really great job.  The guy in charge of the "Bird Beaks" was so patient.  Landon spent so much time with the guy and the "Bird beaks."  The kids had to see what kind of bird beak (tongs, spoons, etc.) would work the best with different types of bird food. There were butterflies and eggs and see and inspect.  Nature and animal puzzles, block to play with and drawing paper to draw your best bird.

Puzzles, Computers, Blocks and Eggs

My ladybug LOVED looking in the spy glass

Look Mommy, I drew a bird!

 Preschool

 We started preschool at the beginning of September. Landon is like many boys and a lot like his daddy.  He doesn't want to sit and he really dislikes worksheets.  Knowing that worksheets really aren't a good way to learn anyway, I have looked for more "Montessori" lessons this year.  For those non-education family and friends of mine...
 Montessori education is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development, as well as technological advancements in society.  Mixed age classrooms, which is super easy with homeschooling since we have Arabella and hopefully more to follow.  Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options. Uninterrupted blocks of work time. A Constructivist or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction.

We also enrolled Landon in a Lego literacy class.  He has enjoyed especially because his friend, Joshua is also enrolled in the class.

 

Animal exploration with books, paint, rice, and letters

Angey Birds experiment was a huge hit with both kids.  Landon did an awesome job at predicting which "birds" would be the most effective at getting the "pigs" and explaining why they would work. 

Science experiment fun, my favorite.  I was so impressed with Landon on this one.  He predicted the water transferring to the middle cup and making green.  Only downfall, the kids didn't like waiting for it to transfer but we played some games in the kitchen so it went by fast. I think it was a great lesson for science plus a practical lesson on patience. ;)

We even have learning at lunch and snack time.

It is self proclaimed "Mcqueen Girl."     Always dress up fun happening at our house. 

Patterning-Landon did this symteric pattern on his own after us doing a lesson with colored block earlier that day. Can you see the pattern?

Books

and more books!

Lots of Lego building. Landon recieved a huge box of Legos from Uncle Jon and Aunt Merry for his birthday.  We did a lesson on following directions.  Landon picked out from the instruction book and built this house basically by himself.  He was really proud because he made a house and car port on his own!

Some of our letter fun

Letter matching

Letter writing with Wiki Sticks (Bendaroos)

Learning is hard work!

Summer Fun at the Williams' House

What is summer filled with around our house?
Legos, Legos and More Legos. Books, puzzles, picture taking, dress up, lots of dress up, playing in the rain, playing with friends, naps(but not as often as mommy would like) and strolls in our wagon.

Fractured Fairy Tales at the Library

FRACTURED FAIRYTALE AND CONFETTI FUN!

The downtown library was having a play in July.  It was a fractured fairy tale.  I think they incorporated The 3 Bears, The 3 Little Pigs, The Red Riding Hood, and maybe a few others.  It was cute but really loud because there were a lot of kids who apparently were very excitable.  The favorite part of the play was when they tossed confetti around the whole room.  We stayed afterward so Landon, Arabella and Lexi played with a couple of other children and the confetti.

Japanese Taiko Drums Show

This was a last minute decision.  One that I am not sure to forget because it was awesome!  I hope that Landon remembers it for a while too. 

I am a nanny for a little girl who I babysitted for when I was in getting my Masters.  She was Arabella's age and younger when I use to watch her.  It is fun and sad seeing her all grown up as an almost 1st grader. 

I asked the kids about 20 minutes before the show started if they wanted to go because everyone seemed ready to get out and do something but it was SOOO hot outside.  So we quickly packed up and headed to the downtown library.  We got a great spot up front.  The man who played the drums was from Tampa Taiko.  If you go to the website below, Ron, who played for us, is the one on the right.  
http://www.tampataiko.com/

After teaching the kids a few songs he let them come up and play the songs.  It was such a great experience.  Arabella was a little weary because it was so loud but she was interested in the drums and people playing.  My only regret was I didn't have my camera so the pictures are from my phone and not the best quality since it was so dim in the room. 

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo... What about you, you, you

We join several friends from MOPS at the Santa Fe zoo for a play date.  It was Arabella's first time to the zoo.  We had a lot of fun.  The weather was great, warm but not hot.  I was a little worried because Josh has been painting the new Christian Campus House so we have a trunk full of painting supplies and I forgot to add the stroller back to the trunk.  My worries were unfounded.  Arabella and Landon did super.  Both walked the whole way!  I think Arabella would have been unhappy riding in the stroller.  She wanted to get up close to all the fences and just watch the animals.  I love that my children love animals!   Most of the time we were last because we just spent so much time watching the animals and answering Landon's questions.

MOPS Play Date at the Zoo

I was quite impressed and proud when we were at the giant tortoise exhibit.  One of the zoo keepers were feeding the tortoises and asked the kids if they had any questions.  Landon told me he had a question.  The lady came over and asked Landon what his question was.  He didn't want to tell her so he told me (loud enough for her to hear).  Landon said, "What is the difference between tortoises and turtles?"  What a great question!  The lady was impressed too when especially after she asked how old he was.  Landon told my parents (on the phone) and Josh later that day what the difference was between turtles and tortoises.

After walking and visiting with all the animals the kids played on the playground there.  Landon wanted to wear his rain boots to the zoo since it had been raining before we left our house.  The boots were great until we played on the playground.  Climbing and playing doesn't mix well with rain boots.  Good to remember for next time ;)

Since it was Arabella's first time to the zoo and Landon and Arabella did so well, we stopped by the Dollar Tree on our way home to pick out a "souvenir."  Landon really wanted a peacock, which we didn't find.  So instead we ended up with a huge squishy frog for Landon and Arabella picked out a horse with her foal.

Thanks Rebecca for planning a great play date!

Florida, Florida, Florida

At the end of July, Jessica come down to Florida to visit for 2 weeks.   The same day she arrive Josh's brother Jon and his wife Merry arrived in Florida. Jon and Merry will now be living in the Niceville/ Crestview area of Florida!!  Jon got out of the Marines and will now be in the Reserves as he goes to school and in just a few months be becoming a daddy to baby Owen!!!  (This will be BIG for me- come November I will be an Aunt for the first time!!!!  I am super excited!!!!!)  

Jon had to check in with his Reserve group in Jacksonville.  On the way back from there, Jon and Merry stopped in Gainesville for the night.  They arrived right before Landon woke up and he was so excited when he got up.  Landon received a awesome fold up play tent with Lightening McQueen on it. Arabella loved meeting her aunt and uncle for the first time.  The next day Jon and Merry played with their niece and nephew while I cleaned and packed.  Josh got off work as nap time was rolling around so it was about time to leave.  Landon rode with Jon and Merry and Josh, Arabella and I were planning on leaving with in the hour after them.  That didn't happen.  Things took longer than planned which seems to happen a lot with a baby around.  Plus as we were ready to go the car battery decided to die.  Josh had just driven to the gas station to get gas and air in the tires  less than an hour beforehand so I don't really know what happened.  Thankfully, our nice neighbor offered us a jump not too long after we realized what happened and the car was fine.  It has been since then too.  So Landon ended up by getting there about 2-3 hours before us.  He didn't mind because Aunt Jessica, Jamiie, Uncle J, Grandma W and Grandpa W were there waiting for everyone to arrive.  I think this was the longest Landon was away from both Josh and I.  I was stressing a little just because I am a little crazy and overprotective.  I was really glad Landon was able to spend lots of time with his family because I think that is SOOO important.(so Jon and Merry don't take offense to this overprotective mommy's worries)  Aunt Merry did a great job at helping me cope with my worries.  She kept me updated every hour with text about Landon and some pictures too.  Thank you Aunt Merry!!

Josh took 2 days off work and we headed up to the panhandle so we could see her for more than just the weekend. So we were in the Panhandle from Friday through Wednesday. 

We stayed with my parents and got to see them in the mornings.  We spent most of the afternoons and evening over at the packed Williams house.  It was great and a little sad.  Josh and I, more than ever, wanted to live back "home"(second home I guess even though we both still call Ft Walton Beach and Niceville "home") so we can be closer to our families.  We got to go to the beach with all the aunts and one uncle plus Grandma W.  Josh and Landon went twice.  Arabella and I came down with a little fever cold thing but thankfully it was short lived.  On the way back to Gainesville we stopped to have dinner with my brother Adam.  He took us to his favorite restaurant which I think has been our favorite so far too!  I only wish we could see Uncle Adam more with or without the yummy food!  ;)


It was a great vacation!  Family is the best!!

Family fun in the Sun time: Our July

Here is a few of the happenings of our July.

Fourth of July was spent having fun with family and friends.  We had a great morning as a family and then headed to the Durrenberger's after nap for dinner and fireworks.   Julie and her kids also were there to join in the fun. 

One Sunday after Sunday school, we headed out to the Ichetucknee Springs with Sally and the Fairrows.  It was so funny.  Arabella wasn't too fond of the 78 degree water, it did feel pretty cold that day.  She and I hung out and watched everyone play in the water and to Arabella's delight there were some kids with balloon that we were able to watch.  Landon hung out on Daddy's shoulders in the water most of the time.  It was a no nap day for Landon but he did awesome! 






 We joined my MOPS group at the UF Museum of Natural History.  The Peines were there too and we walked around the building with them after hanging out in the kids center. 











Here are some pictures from the rest of the month.  Mostly just having fun around the house.  We took Landon and Arabella to see a little local play of Custard the Dragon, which is one of Landon's favorite books.  It was okay but Landon loved getting to hug Custard (see below).  Landon, Bella and I went on a nature walk/ treasure hunt and made a college (top right hand). Landon is getting to be a skilled toothbrusher.  On night Josh walked into the bathroom to go brush his teeth and found Landon already doing so (second row on the right)  Landon has been having fun with exploring his world with chalk drawings, spray bottles and Play-Doh (pictures various places below).  Landon loves cars and trains and Arabella is normally trailing him as fast as she can (See below for train track made of books and a train station on a table )


I went to Chaysen and baby Emma's shower.  Can't wait until we get to meet baby Emma, who should be here any day now. 

 Landon helped Daddy make Mommy a shelf for the bathroom.  Josh later painted it black. 

 Arabella has found the fish tank and loves it.  She will scoot over to it (now she crawls since she is crawling on all fours as of this past week!). She just stares at it for several minutes then pulls up on the ledge and bangs on the glass. 

 Trying to get to the pool as much as possible but this month it just didn't happen that much. 

 Arabella loves music and loves Landon's guitar from his Great Aunt Leah. 

This was one of the strangest thing I have seen Reesie our cat do, which is saying a lot because she is a very strange cat.  She loves Landon's car basket.  Once he dumps the cars out she tends to hop in there and try to stay as long as possible.  This day I couldn't even get her out so I decided she would surely get out if we just started filling up the basket.  As you can see below I was very wrong.  She didn't get out until EVERY car, truck and train was back in the basket and she still waited a few seconds/minutes to get out. 

Road trip

Landon, Arabella and I had our first road trip together. We went to visit the grandparents and friends in the panhandle. The kids and I headed out after attending the Newberry high school graduation. I think we hit the road right around 9 pm. Arabella slept pretty much the whole time. Landon stayed up and we talked for the first 45 mins or so. I love that we can have conversations now. We drove to Tallahassee where my brother lives. We stayed the night there. My brother and I stayed up until about 2:15 am talking. In the morning Adam went to McDonald's and got us all breakfast. Josh was working in Tallahassee for the weekend. We stopped by to see him before heading out.
I was counting on Arabella sleeping all or most of the time since in the mornings she typically takes two 45 min naps. I also thought Landon has been doing so well in the car entertaining himself with coloring and looking at books and I brought the iTouch as a back up he would do fine. Boy was I wrong. Landon got bored of the books and colors quickly. I gave him the iTouch only to realize 10 mons later I forget to charge it at my brother house. Landon was a little cranky. Arabella decided not to sleep more than 20 mins and pretty much cried the rest of the way. Did I also mention my AC was on the fritz!? 
We arrived at my parents' house at lunch. We enjoyed a relaxing day with them.

Saturday we met up with Sabrina, one of my closest friends from high school. We spent the late morning and afternoon at the beach. Jamiie and Jeremiah met us there with lunch. Landon and Arabella had a blast! We took them both out in the waves. Arabella was such a trooper. I was so proud of my cute beach baby! Water, sand and friends meant Landon was in heaven. We spent the rest of the day at the Williams. Some how Landon never took a nap even though he laid down in a semi dark room for an hour! We had dinner and then after watch a movie put the kids to bed. Josh's dad and Jamiie babysat my sleeping angels so I could go out. I picked up Mark, friend and old roommate, and met Sabrina and her friends. Dan, another high school friend met us there too. It was really nice! My only regret was Josh wasn't there. :(.

Beach Day Fun (double click all picture to enlarge)

Sunday we visited everyone at Niceville Christian church for Sunday services. It was great to see our friends who I hadn't seen in a while. Lunch was at our favorite Chinese, New Hong Kong. Sunday afternoon was filled with naps and Jamiie, Arabella and I running a couple of errands.  Sunday evening with had dinner and Bible study at the Williams.  It was nice to see some friends I hadn't seen in a little while and everyone was excited to meet Arabella.


 Monday morning I headed back to my parents house.  We hung out around the house.  That evening was the Billy Bowleg's parade.  I went several times as a child.  It was fun taking Landon.  Arabella was a trooper and hung out with Mommy and then Grandpa where she fell asleep.  Landon got a couple pieces of candy and a lot of necklace.  He also got a glow in the dark tomahawk.  He was happy with is loot. ;)



 The rest of the week we swam, went our to eat, played and relaxed with Grandpa and Grandma Gorman.




Friday I went back over to the Williams.  Jamiie took us out to visit her horse.  It was SO hot but I loved it.  I haven't ridden a horse in a long time.  I use to ride every week.  I wasn't sure if I would remember how but it was like riding a bike- it all came back as soon as I got on.  I was a little different than what I was use to.  Although I know how to ride English I typically rode Western and Australian.  Well I don't know how I looked riding but I felt like I was doing everything right and I didn't fall off!



 Saturday I hung out with my parents, packed up, and went out to lunch.  I left at nap time and prayed that both kids would sleep most of the way and be happy if they woke up.  My prayers were answered.  Arabella and Landon slept the whole 2 hour drive to Adam in Tallahassee!  They only woke up because I stopped the car in his drive way.  We went out to dinner at a yummy Asian place that has authentic food from all of the different Asian countries.   We played outside for a little bit in a nice grasses area near the restaurant and then Adam treated us for ice cream.   We left for Gainesville after dropping Adam off.  The kids slept the whole way and I got in around 12:45am..We had a terrific trip!

Happy Birthday, our sweet boy Landon

Happy 2nd Birthday, Landon!!!!!!!!!!!

This year was so much fun celebrating Landon's birthday.  Landon and my birthday are only 5 days apart from each other.  When he was born I was and still am excited about our birthdays being so close.  I am sure one day he will not share the same excitement about celebrating birthdays together but I can hope.
Unfortunately Josh had to work an overnight the night before Landon's birthday so although he might have had to work since Landon's birthday was on a Thursday this year, he sleep through the morning of Landon's birthday.  I decorated 2 balloons for Landon to find when he woke up in the morning.  He was very excited about them!






He spend some time playing with them as I made breakfest.  We had one of his favorties, bagel and cream cheese.  I made it kind of like a bagel cake and let him attempt to blow out the candle.  He was thrilled. 




After breakfast, we did our normal Thursday morning activity of going to the library for Toddler Time at the library.  We love the lady who regular does it and this day she came and talk to us afterward.  She wanted to tell Landon how much she appreciated him being a good listener and participator. 

Toddler story time at the library, our Thursday morning favorite!

After lunch, Josh and I watched Landon open up his presents.  Landon wore his "Birthday Boy" ribbon we picked up at the dollar store. 





He got a fire truck that came with tools so you can take the whole thing apart.






Landon also got Play-Doh

Working on his cool new truck







Landon playing with his cars and his "garage"






Landon is learning and growing so fast.  I can hardly believe it was two years ago that he was born. 

Landon can count to 5 and sometimes 10 without any help.  He can spell "dog" most of the time.  He knows a couple of his letters and can point them out in a book.  He has seveeral words in his favorite books memorized.  He "helps" read with us.  He tends to to get stuck on the number 3.  He talks to the baby every day.  He frequently gives my belly a kiss and says: "Love you too, baby."  I know he is going to make a great big brother.  He also started staying "love you too" which melts Mommy and Daddy.  We are so proud and blessed to have such a wonderful little boy!

Some of Landon's favorites

Food- Edamame, noodles, fish, popcorn, cashews, and frozen corn

Books- Gerald the Giraffe, Mighty Movers Emergency Vehicles, The story of Noah and Daniel, and book with babies in it. 

Toys- Bobby his little stuffed Hippo,  Markers, trains, cars and truck (Especially fire trucks and police cars), stuffed animals, Little People, and any insects he finds that don't bite.

Color- Orange
Number -2
Animal- Hippo