After Fudpuckers, the grandparents took us to Baytowne Wharf to walk around.
Category Archives: Kids
Florida tradition: Fudpucker’s
Read about the last time we were there (2015).
Later when we checked the other pictures, we saw that Owen had his Halley shirt on again! Totally unplanned!
We had to visit Owen and Tom’s names on the wall…which happened to be right about where we were seated.
Katie adding her name!
Gramma Jean 2017
A quick playground break.
Time with Grauntie and Gruntie
Grauntie Rose and Gruntie Jim also stay down here during the winter, so they came over for lunch. We had hoped to be able to take the kids to the pool or the beach but it was cold and rainy…so there were a few games of Katie’s new favorite: Go Fish!
Katie wanted hot curls!
Katie loves when Gramma needs to curl her hair because that means Gramma will also put some curls in Katie’s hair, too. She’s been waiting patiently for three days. 🙂 The curling iron actually removes curls from her hair but she doesn’t care—she likes to feel the warm curls.
Another day, another trip the ocean!
Today was a beach day in the morning as it was in the 60s by 9am! Owen LOVES playing in the waves and he won’t come to shore until you call him in! Katie would rather dig in the sand than be tossed around by waves. The water is fairly cold—to the adults! (Tom came down for a bit and jumped in with Owen but then came right back out!!) Gramma made Katie into a mermaid and then made a lobster for herself!
I think it barely looks like the same kid.
Toooo much ocean fun!
Then we ran into a familiar face—Nancy (used to work with Gramma)!
Hide & Seek Queen
This is where Owen found Katie. He thought it was so cool he made her hide again and had Gramma come find her. Then Gramma thought it was so clever she made her hide again and had mom and dad come look for her. Of course, she gave herself away with the giggle. 🙂
Then we had her pose for us. 🙂
Boys’ Air Force Armament Afternoon Out
Two sets of Len toes
Gramma and Katie toes…
And a cuddle…
Tired Katie and relaxed daddy.
Watching the Lady Gaga Super Bowl half-time show.
To the pool for the first time!
It’s a small world!
I knew a friend had moved to Florida but I couldn’t remember exactly where so I was planning to text and ask her. Well, Tom and I were out running errands when she texted me saying “Are you in Fort Walton Beach?” Why yes, I said (I had posted our whereabouts on Facebook). She lives two towns over. So we made plans for her to come pick up me and Katie for lunch!
We came home and I told Katie I had a surprise for her…she was going to get to see her friend Monti. It took her a moment to remember, but she did. This is her, excited, on the way down to meet them.
The two were fast friends in the back seat and jibber jabbered the whole way to the restaurant. They both ordered Mickey Mouse pancakes.
And then things went south when Monti decided she was done letting Katie share her sunglasses. I gave Katie my phone since it wasn’t her fault her friend was being a poop. But that caused even more upset because she thought she should get her mom’s phone and that was denied.
Katie did end up sharing the phone with her and there was happiness for a few minutes…and then Monti got upset about the equality of the sharing so the phone got taken away.
But we were still happy!! It was so great catching up with Melissa!
A cantaloupe as large as Owen’s head!
The grandparents took the kids to the beach.
Triplets!
Another birthday cake for Owen.
Gramma made a yummy-looking cake for Owen! Grauntie Rose and Gruntie Jim came over to celebrate, too!
Our first trip down to the ocean…
Our first trip down to the ocean—just to look—ended up with two totally soaked kids! We weren’t surprised. 🙂
Me and Gramma Jean could NOT get the twirly sticks to fly. Tom was easily able to.
I looked up and Owen was just standing the ocean with his hands in his pockets. LOL
Gramma Jean took this awesome picture of Katie. I think I’ll be hard pressed to take a better one this week.
Owen likes the accommodations.
Our Florida adventure begins!!
Tom parked at one of the Pentagon lots near the metro (but not at the metro) so the three of us walked to the metro station while he walked over to meet us. This is walking through the Pentagon bus depot.
On the metro!
Katie: “This is fuuuun!”
Since we had two hours to kill at the airport, I dropped a Lure. 🙂
This may look like a lot of stuff, but we normally drive and take four times as much stuff! This time? We each have a carry on and personal bag.
They’re more than ready!!
First plane ride selfies!
Our route! I liked this plane—it was newer so had touch screens, movies or TV to watch (free), and multiple USB charging outlets per seat!
Owen was amazed by the outside temperature (-74°F if you can’t see it).
Owen read all the way so he could do less homework at the condo (he finished two books!). 🙂
After snacks it was time for drawing!
Then we switched planes (and kids!) in Atlanta…so I got Katie.
Gum for takeoff. She was super excited as she rarely gets gum. 🙂
Katie, looking out the window as the plane was climbing: “I can see the world.” 🙂
Tom, to Katie: I’m glad you like flying.
Katie: Totally awesome.
Time for Owen’s mini cake!
Since we’re heading out on vacation tomorrow and didn’t want any leftovers, I made a small “personal” sized box cake mix.
Birthday boy/girl gets to lick the candles!
Everyone got to pick their own sprinkles (because Tom and I hate them). 🙂
Owen:
Katie:
My plain piece, with a frosting height even Papa would love. 🙂
This is how they helped with the cake!
Snuggles at the vet.
Maggie doesn’t hate the vet but she doesn’t love it…so Katie was giving her some snuggles.
Happy 8th Birthday, Owen!
And then I had to take some of Katie because she felt left out.
Wednesday at the dentist.
Katie is never nervous. She does amazing.
Owen, on the other hand, is always really nervous (he thinks everything will hurt) and then afterwards he says “That was easy!” This photo is obviously after he was done. 🙂
She loves her brother’s cape.
Owen’s Special Letter
The second day of Owen’s “Me Museum” week was a sealed letter written by someone else about his special qualities. This is the letter I wrote.
Owen has many special qualities and continues to amaze us with his abilities.
Owen didn’t really start talking until age 3, but once he did, he never stopped! We were worried about him learning how to read, when one day he came home from Pre-K and just picked up a book and started reading it to me! He still impresses me with all the words he knows!
He got his first Lego mini-figure at age 3 and has never looked back. He can follow directions on sets above his age level and then tears them apart and builds his own super cool creations. He is our own Master Builder.
Owen has always been super nice and polite and makes friends very easily. Friends, family, teachers, and even strangers comment on how sweet and polite he is.
He is the best big brother to his little sister—he plays with her, gives her piggy-back rides, reads her books, helps get her breakfast, and makes her laugh.
He is very loving with all of our pets. He takes good care of our dog and gives cuddles to the cats.
Owen is good at swimming, baseball, and soccer. He is a Shark 2—the highest level of swimming (and I know he could beat me in a race). He always gives 100% at every lesson, practice, or game. During his first soccer season, his coach gave him the “most improved player” award.
Owen is a great kid and we couldn’t be prouder to have him as our son.
Love,
Mom
2nd Grade Scientists
I just saw these on Twitter from last Friday (1/28/17).
Our 2nd grade scientists observed first-hand how wind and water erode soil. pic.twitter.com/0lkc8h0nz6
— HalleyES Grade 2 (@HalleyESGrade2) January 28, 2017
Our scientists created a model of weathering by breaking up "rocks" the way wind, water, temperature, ice, and plants do. pic.twitter.com/IpxRGfPfKC
— HalleyES Grade 2 (@HalleyESGrade2) January 28, 2017
Owen’s “Me Museum” Poster
As with the past two years, each kid gets a week to share things about themselves with the class and we picked his birthday week again. I tried to keep my hands off his poster while still managing to give some gentle guidance. He did pretty good.
