Trip to Florida

We went to Florida for our annual fall trip this past week.Unfortunately Brett couldn't join us but the kids and I (along with Papo and Nonna Barbara) managed to still have lots of fun!!!

The kids enjoyed lots of outside time.

Helping Papo water plants (Maddi especially liked this)

 

 

 Played in the pool in the backyard

 

We spent a few days at the beach. So much fun!!!! And the biggest news is that we finally got Maddi to get in the sand. Only took 3 vacations...

 

 

 

 

  It's so hard to be a waddler

 Lots of digging with Papo

 

 

 

 And they had lots of fun playing together

 

 

  Owen, of course, couldn't get enough of the sand

 

 

  He had so much fun with this wagon

 Enjoying time with the Grandparents

                   

We went for a walk on the beach which was apparently either not exciting or extremely relaxing for Ms. Maddi. Either way, she fell asleep while I was carrying her on my back. So sweet!

 Waking up from her nap with CRAZY hair!!!

 

 
Each year my Step-mom is trying to get a picture with the year and their feet. This was Owen's second and Maddi's first. So cute!

Owen dragged his feet through his name. I thought it was quite poignent given his demeanor of late (ok, since age 2)

We were able to go to our favorite zoo since the weather was nice:)

Grooming the Goats

Playing in the kids area was lots of fun.

Maddi waiting for her prey

Dancing to the music

Fun, as always, on the train.

                                                                    

Pretty lily pad pond

And of course no trip to the zoo would be complete without the merry-go-round.

Asian Gardens

Feeding the birds (although they didn't really want to eat)

Hang on Papo, I'm coming

Such a great time.

We even had fun at the grocery store with the super-cool racing carts (so much better then the ones at our store where there is a giant car in the front making it impossible to steer or navigate the actual store...)

We also did some outlet shopping and lots and lots of relaxing.

I sure am sad to say goodbye to summer but we definitely made the best of it!

August Round-up

 August was a fun month at school for the kids. Here is a round-up of some of the things they worked on.

 By Owen:

Gingerbread People

 

 

 

  

 Practicing letters

  

 

Owen has been working with an occupational therapist the last few months for strength exercises in his hands and body. At first I was skeptical but it's made a huge difference. He used to hate writing and anything that had to do with art, but we found out it was because it was hard for him. Now he likes to do both and seeks those activities out! He's also not as clumsy as he used to be, which is good.  He's all done now and here is his graduation certificate:

By Maddi: 

 

Maddi's class enjoying a walk (she's in the middle buggy, front right)

 Both kids received reader certificates this summer from our new Mayor (yippee.)

 

And here are their recent classroom newsletters:

 

 

 

  

The kids have been doing great. Maddi is learning to say more words, walk backwards and even trying to jump. It's so funny to watch her learn things that we take for granted. 

I can't believe summer has come to a close but it's been a great one!