HARRY POTTER PREP

Since we're going to Universal Studios and the kids had only read (or listened to on CD during road trips) the first three Harry Potter novels, and had only seen the first two movies, we decided to let them watch the third and fourth this weekend so that they'd be familiar with the Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs, the Hippogriff, and other things we'd know they'd be seeing in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. They LOVED Goblet of Fire and thought Butterbeer was pretty good.

WEEKEND MORNINGS

I LOVE finding them like this on Sunday mornings (usually I'm out running on Saturdays and they've moved on from books by the time I get home, but weekends ALWAYS start with 20-30 minutes minimum of reading, often together, with a cat or five).

PIPPI FAN

I read the Pippi Longstocking series to the kids this month, then rewarded their good AR test scores with a viewing of the 80s movie. They both loved it, but Cora is definitely a Pippi fan for life!

MAMA AND JAMES NIGHT

While Jay and Cora were at the Daddy-Daughter Campout, I picked up James from school and told him it was our date night and that he could choose all the things we did. Sometimes it's really fun to give up the reigns and let a little person decide what to do...

We started with a visit to the library;

Followed by some play time at Catfish Row:

Since it was still too early for dinner, we walked over to the new Margaritaville where I let him play games for an hour:

Once it was a reasonable dinner hour (well, we still had to pass 15 minutes on the porch before opening) we walked up to the new BBQ restaurant in town, the Mississippi Barbeque Company:

(My handsome date was happy to find a restaurant that makes Shirley Temples)

On the way home we stopped at the overlook to enjoy the sunset:

We ended the evening with a movie and Halloween candy and a whole lot of smiles!

PART OF THE FAMILY

These little guys are fitting right in with the humans in the house, starting to accept the dog, and slowly but surely winning over the hesitant older cats.

Black cats are a little hard to photograph in our low light home (they blend...)

The kids have loved grabbing them up at bedtime and reading them a story.

FL SUMMER TRIP: PART TWO

The kids spent two full weeks at Gramma's house this summer and the middle portion (5 days!) was spent WITHOUT their parents (first time ever). They were so excited about this portion of our trip that the minute we arrived on Saturday, June 23rd, Cora asked when we were leaving... and the next morning James couldn't help himself and asked "So... what day are you guys leaving again?" While we weren't feeling the love, it was nice to know they were so excited to get to spend time alone with Gramma. They got up really early on Wednesday to drop us off at the airport, and then they were off!

Here are all the photos Gramma shared with us while we were away (it was so fun to see what the kids were up to and know everyone was safe and happy - they had the best time!)

Arriving home from the airport and attempting to go back to sleep:

Playing in the tide pools at the beach later that morning:

(We had ordered them sun hats similar to the one I wear for field work because they're just easier than constantly reapplying sunscreen to the ears - and James' short hair doesn't protect the top of his head like his usual haircut does)

They attended a few special events at the library, including Harry Potter day:

There was a little piano practicing...

...some new butterfly growing...

...and more sunset trips to the beach (when it was lots cooler and easier on Gramma):

(These photos have since been cropped and framed by Gramma - it was a project they had in mind when they went out that night)

Lots of crafting (and a little bit of BrainQuest and handwriting work):

Some video games, of course:

More library events and lots of book reading:

Plenty of time at the beach (and Gramma let them swim in the waves - they promised to stay close to shore and be careful):

James' caterpillar (given to him at the library as part of the monarch program) ate his entire plant overnight...

Clearer water day at the beach:

Another Sunday at church:

Some soccer practice:

And one more sunset at the beach before their parents returned the next morning:

Thank you Gramma for giving them so many fun memories and for taking such great care of our little loves while we traveled!