Landon's 10th Birthday Trip

Early November we headed to Orlando for Landon's 10th Birthday trip. We have planned to take each child on a trip without their siblings. Landon ended up with a tag a long as Emilia wasn't old enough to be away from Mom that long. I think he still enjoyed himself and says he is going to crash her 10 year trip. Kyle told him that would be fine, but he'll have to pay his own way. I can't believe he will be 20 when Emilia is 10.

 

We headed to the airport after church to catch our flight. Thinking we were close on time we didn't stop for lunch. It took forever to get through security and then our flight was delayed 3 hours. All with no lunch! Since we were so late getting into Sanford airport our original car was not available so we rode to Disney in a party limo.

We checked in at Art of Animation and then grabbed some dinner at the resort. After we got our luggage ready for the cruise line to pick up early the net morning, we headed to bed. The next morning we headed over to Disney Springs for breakfast and window shopping until our cruise transport meeting time.

All the renovations that were completed at Disney Springs since we were there last year looked great. The front shopping area is really neat. We ate breakfast at Wolfgang Puck Express. It has become a favorite of ours.

Soon it was time to head to our cruise. We were all so excited to board the ship for our much anticipated trip. We sailed on the Disney Dream. The ship was so pretty, especially all decorated for Christmas. 

This included a large gingerbread house that made the whole lobby smell like Christmas.

We went to eat a late lunch as soon as we boarded. 

Then we went to find our stateroom. It was so spacious and very nice. Our super travel agent had it decorated with fun decorations.

Each night Landon's bed would be pulled down out of the ceiling.

 This made Landon's day. We loved having a veranda room. We had a muster drill and toured the kids area. 

Time passed quickly and it was soon time for dinner. Our first night we ate in Royal Palace. 

After dinner we saw the Villains Tonight show. Thankfully Emilia slept through the show.

During the night we sailed to Nassau. 

We chose to stay on the ship while docked in Nassau. This gave us more opportunity to use the Aquaduck water slide while many cruisers were off the ship. We also decorated a gingerbread house.

 Landon did some activities in the Oceaneers Lab and Club.

That night we ate at Animators Palate. This night Emilia went to the nursery during dinner which gave us sometime just with Landon.

Again during the night we set sail. This time we headed to Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. It is beautiful. 

We ate breakfast and headed off the ship as soon as we could. We were able to get umbrella chairs right up front on the beach. Emilia and I could play in the sand in the shade. It was gorgeous view for the morning. Landon and Kyle did the water slide and snorkeling. Then we had lunch.

After lunch Landon and I took a bike ride. 

 The weather was amazing. Beautiful skies and water. 

We headed back to the ship and Landon and I hit the Aquaduck. The view of Castaway Cay from the slide was awesome. So Kyle took a turn too. Then we got ready for Pirate Night.

Kyle and Landon went to the pirate party, while Emilia and rested in the room. We all watched the fireworks from our veranda.

The next day we were at sea. So we slept in as long as Emilia would let us. 

We played put put, entered Emilia in a diaper race, learned how to make a chocolate yule log, saw Pete's Dragon in 3D, and ate lots of ice cream. For dinner we were in Enchanted Garden. 

After dinner we went to the stage show Believe.

Then we hurried to get our luggage ready and in the hall for pick up. 

The next morning was an early one.  We headed to breakfast, then off the ship, through customs, and to our Disney transport. This is where things got a little rough. Emilia got sick two times before we could get to Disney and off the bus.  So as soon as we got to our resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, she and I had to take showers in the pool shower house as our room wasn't ready.  She and I spent the afternoon and evening at the resort.  She was so sick.

Lots of laundry was done during our short stay at Port Orleans.

Thankfully, Landon and Kyle were able to enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

 They were able to get into the Magic Kingdom at 4:00 and stayed until around 11. They rode several rides, had cookies and hot chocolate, and ice cream. They saw the castle show and fireworks, Christmas in Tomorrowland show, and saw it snow on Main Street. Kyle said it was the perfect way to see Magic Kingdom without park tickets.

The following day Kyle and Landon headed to breakfast at the Polynesian Resort for breakfast at Kona Cafe. We ate there last year and were looking forward to the Tonga Toast. I stayed with Emilia back at Port Orleans. 

When the boys got back, I headed to Disney Springs with Landon on the boat. We ate lunch at Earl of Sandwich. I had a thai chicken wrap, it was exceptionally good. We did a little shopping and then headed back. It seemed Emilia was feeling better so we headed to the pool. For dinner we went to Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. It is one of my favorites. The food is good and the atmosphere is fun.

When we got back to our resort it hit me. I was sick alllll night. It made packing to go home quite difficult. We made it to the airport on Sunday morning. This time we had the correct car and a very nice driver. Of course our Allegiant flight was delayed 2 hours, and Kyle was starting to feel sick. 

Thankfully we made it home without incident.

It really was a good trip despite the stomach bug souvenir.

End of October Wrap Up

These past two and a half weeks have flown by. We officially closed on the old house, so that meant getting everything from the attic and shed moved over, as well as the piano. We have continued to plug along with our school year amidst our irregular schedule. It will be nice to have the moving behind us. Next week Kyle, Landon, Emilia, and I will depart for Landon’s 10 year trip. We decided to take each child on a trip on their own when they turn 10. This is to give them some extended one on one time with Mom and Dad. Emilia has to tag along as she isn’t quite big enough to stay away from Mom that long. So the rest of this week will be spent packing and readying the house for Gram and Poppy to stay with the other three kiddos. I will leave you with a few photos from the past few weeks and plan to post when we get back from our trip.

Landon, Emilia, and I visited a very fancy restaurant operated by Elaine, Levi, and Elliot.

The piano makes its grand entrance.

The patio furniture also made it over. The kids have enjoyed playing on the deck with their magic sand.

The kids had several costume events over the last week of October. Here they are headed to the Harvest Party at AWANA.

October 9 – October 15

Sunday it was my turn to lead in Elaine’s Bible Study group. It was a great lesson on sharing Jesus with your friends. After church we had a picnic lunch and then headed to the library. Once the kids had chosen their books, they made Lego creations to be displayed.

We got home around 2:30 for rest time.

For small group our host family had a fire pit and we roasted hot dogs and had s’mores. The kids had a lot of fun. Then we headed inside for our study time.

Monday we started our day with our morning time (after breakfast and chores). For the month of October we are learning the praise song Set My Heart by Vertical Church Band and for our hymn we are learning To God Be the Glory. On Mondays (and sometimes other mornings when we just can’t wait to see what will happen next) we read about a missionary. We are still reading about Corrie Ten Boom. It has been very eye opening for the children. After a little more school work we headed to co-op.

 

While waiting for his class, Levi built a few castles.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we were able to get our furniture moved over, so now we have couches!

Emilia has been doing lots of cruising, but still no steps yet. Looks like Landon will keep his title as our earliest walker.

She also loves to dance.

Friday we spent the day at Spring Mill with Grandma and cousins.

We visited the Gus Grissom Memorial, the pioneer village, had a picnic lunch, played on a playground, hiked to a cave, and the hiked to the lake and nature center. The kids enjoyed themselves and Spring Mill is one of my favorite places.

In the meeting room, Landon gathered everyone around for a “will reading”. It was quite humorous.

Saturday, Landon spent the day at Walther’s Golf and Fun Center with his Awana class and Grandpa. Then Landon and Elaine had a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa’s. The rest of us took Emilia to get her 9 month pictures taken and then met Kyle for Mexican when he got off work, at our usual Saturday place. The servers were surprised to see us missing two kiddos. We had our favorite server, he always keeps the kids laughing. Levi asked for a spoon, and he brought him a huge spoon from the kitchen.

Until Next Time,

October 2 - 8

Kyle was off this week, so that always means a little shift in the flow of our days. This week it meant we needed to get some more things done at the old house in preparation for closing. We are now waiting on the appraisal to be completed. It has been ordered so we are thinking it should take place in the next few days.

Sunday’s service was so good. You can check it out here if you want too. After church we did some grocery shopping and then we were home long enough to put the groceries away and turn our selves around for small group.

Monday Kyle did some projects around the new house, and then joined us at Co-op for lunch. When we were done at Co-op we made a quick trip to Princeton to borrow a truck to make emptying the old house easier.

Tuesday, I had to do my health screening for insurance. Levi and Emilia came with me. Emilia slept and Levi entertained the nurses with book talks on the various books he has been reading. He also asked lots of questions about every sign hanging in the office. I passed with flying colors, which was a relief since I hadn’t officially had my blood sugar tested since leaving the hospital after Emilia was born. Then it was on to violin. Levi did really well at his lesson this week, and so did I. I only had one rhythm that I wasn’t playing correctly. Levi thought it was funny his teacher had a sign up that reminded you to practice only on the days you eat. His conclusion was we are not practicing enough or we need to eat less. In the afternoon, we walked to our old house and then Elaine and Landon rode their bikes back, while the rest of us walked.

In the evening Elaine had Heritage Girls and we met the realtor to sign papers agreeing to the inspection response.

Wednesday, we worked to catch up around the house and get school work finished. Kyle hauled off boxes and did more sorting. Then we all headed to the old house to sort stuff and bring another load to the house. We have accumulated much in our 16 years of marriage. Some we have been saving from even before we married. Like these awesome plates and napkins.

My mom says I can have a Shirt Tails birthday party when May rolls around.

I get up around 5 each morning to have some quiet time before the rest of the house is awake. Emilia sometimes joins me. You would think her crib would be more comfortable, but Thursday morning she didn’t think so. Every time I laid her down she would cry out, and I wasn’t wanting the rest of the house to wake, so I would pick her up. She would fall back asleep just like this.

Thursday we worked on school work and more sorting and more moving. Moving with 5 children is a drawn out process, nothing is quick..

In the evening I went to see To Joey, with Love. My friend Shawna invited me to join her. It was such a special film. I hope they are able to get it to DVD or streaming. Kyle handled getting kids to choir, and a trip to Meijer with the younger two.

Friday we had breakfast, gathered stuff for car school and headed to Princeton to return the truck to Grandpa. After lunch we finished up our school work, and then had rest time. I think we only got a true rest time once this week, it felt good to have some quiet time at the house. Then we took Elaine to a Horseback Riding Event with Heritage Girls, and the boys and I ran some errands. Then it was home for movie night.

Saturday we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa, since Landon had a birthday party to attend in Princeton, it worked out nice to spend the day with them. The weather was beautiful. Emilia loved the swing. She giggled and laughed the whole time.

                                                                                                          

It was a full and blessed week!

                                                                                         Until next time,

                                                                                            

September 25 - October 1

This week was fairly routine, if there is such a thing. Sunday we had church and small group, with attempted rest time in between. Monday we had co-op. Elliot is really enjoying his math class. He is recognizing his numbers and loves all the games. This week they got to fish for numbers.

On Tuesdays Levi has violin lessons. He is taking lessons through the Suzuki program at the University of Evansville. Part of the methodology is for the parent to learn along side of the student. So guess who is also learning to play the violin? I have learned one "song" already. It is called the "Monkey Song". When his instructor told me the name of the song I thought, "How appropriate, that I learn the Monkey Song with one of my Five Little Monkeys!"

In the evening on Tuesday we did a science experiment to see if sugar or honey would make a fluffier bread. Our conclusions were based on how the sweetener reacted with the yeast. Sugar won by a land slide.

Emilia gets where she wants to go these days. Here she is getting one of Elliot's magnet games on the side of the fridge.

 On Wednesdays the boys have started AWANA at a church here in Newburgh. They were invited by friends we met through homeschooling. They all enjoy it, but I think Elliot has to be the cutest and most excited about being a Cubbie. Unfortunately, this week he woke up with a fever and couldn't go. He was devastated. His teacher sent home the sweetest little post card.

Thursday night was the first night of Kids' Choir at church. Landon, Elaine, and Levi are all in choir. They will be learning songs to sing during the Christmas services this semester.

I was making salad to take to the Suzuki picnic and Emilia reached in and grabbed a whole handful. She actually seemed to enjoy her lettuce.

Friday was spent catching up on chores and finishing up the weeks school work. Saturday we celebrated Levi and Papa's birthday at Riviera. Then all the boys got haircuts. So thankful for those! They were all quite hairy.

Saturday evening was the Suzuki family picnic. At first we kinda felt like outsiders being newbies to the program, but we ended up enjoying our selves before the night was over.  

This next week we will be working to get the rest of our stuff moved over from the old house. Still waiting on the appraisal and inspection response to be completed, but the closing date is quickly approaching. We are praying all the house stuff is wrapped up by the end of the month.

                                                                                 Until next week,