Gulf World

This was our 2nd trip to Gulf World. We went in 2007 and Chris swam with the Dolphins. It was the plan to go back this year and do it again. We wanted to see if Elias would do it to!

First we watched the Dolphin Show. It was pretty cool!

Elias loves his brother so much

Elias got to pet the dolphin....and pretty much reacted the same way he had 2 years ago! It was comical!

GulfWorld also has a big array of birds. Look at this beautiful guy!

This guy is tricky! He hangs by his claws, and swivels upside down! Comes up all puffed up and then does it again!  It kept us amused for quite awhile. He's sideways, mid swing here...

 Penguins.....

Sting Rays you can pet....noone but me did

A nice indoor theater/aquarium...Elias was getting a swim-by of a turtle

Chris wasn't wanting to swim with the dolphins after all, and Elias kept changing his mind, but Cassia got to go! Here she is, getting a kiss from the dolphin

Each person gets to get swum around.

The dolphins mimic all sorts of behavior, so the instructor had everyone do things like shake your hands, then they shook their flippers, etc.  It was neat!

For a smaller scale place  (not like Sea World)  it is very well done, nice variety of animals and shows. We had a nice time!

Ribs

My lovely Elias learned that he liked Ribs.  So, when we went down south, to FL, we had to order him up some!

Playing on the Beach

While we were in FL we had ample time to play at the beach.  The boys mostly preferred the pool this year, but we did get out there a bit.  This was really Sebastian's first time interacting with the sand and water. Well, not the water!

Elias playing in the water.

Sebastian building sand castles

Daddy helping Sebastian

We were so glad to see Sebastian playing this year.  It was a year ago from this time that he was so sick. He could barely walk, he cried and cried, he was just so sad. He's just a joy and so happy now! It's awesome to see.

We enjoyed the beach, until the last 2 days when the No Swimming Flags went up due to Hurricane Ida, heading straight at us!

We weren't sure if our plane would get us out before it struck! And of course noone knows how bad or exactly where it will land, but it was looking like right where we were!   Our plane did leave and the area had a tropical storm, so it wasn't as bad as was feared.

Looking forward to next year!

Ironman 2009

We recently went to Panama City Beach FL for my husband to compete in his 4th Ironman competition. We always have a nice time, rent a nice condo, see some local sights. This time was no different!

At one of the Official Ironman Dinners, a real Ironman and my husband.  Ooops, I mean, my husband and a real Ironman...nope, I did it again, I mean Ironman and Ironman! Elias was jealous he wasn't at this dinner.

The swim start is at 7am...it is so cold and so early and so PACKED. The announcer literally says, if you are not a great swimmer, stay towards the back or you will be swum over. It is so crazy!

Here comes Chris, after his 2.4 mile swim. he's already stripping off his wetsuit. He finished this portion in 1:34 minutes and ranked 2065.




Here we are, waiting for Daddy to come in off his bike. The boys were clanging Cow Bells and having a grand old time! Sebastian is learning his colors, so when I said, "Daddy's wearing White, Black & Red" he kept announcing each incoming riders colors. Incorrectly. Good thing I didn't rely on him! Everyone was "yellow, red, yellow, red"



Alright! Daddy made it off the Bike!  He finished his bike portion, 112 miles, in 5 hours 24 minutes. Doing real good! Here he is into the run.

Sadly, the first parts of Daddy's run weren't too good. Actually, I was rather alarmed as I watched his numbers come in online...it was very scary, wondering what was going on out there on the run course.

After his first few parts, Daddy made a strong come back and finished his run portion, 26.2 miles, in 5 hours 10 minutes

Here comes Chris, at the Finish Line! He finished in 12:24. While it wasn't his personal best, he didn't quit!

Christmas Party

Today we went to one of our local homeschool support group's Christmas Party. Each year Santa comes, so it is definitely a time to look forward to! I wasn't sure how Sebastian would react and fully anticipated being in another year's Santa picture.

When Santa came in the room, bells jingling, Sebastian got so excited! He followed him up to the stage, and I had to tell him he had to wait in line.

He waited nicely, and when it was his turn, he ran right up and got on Santa's lap!

Elias joined him and they all had a nice discussion! Every picture I got was smiling Sebastian!  And smiling Elias, but he's an old hat at it now!

Elias told Santa what he wanted and Sebastian told Santa, "Trick or Treat". If only we could know what they are thinking!

After Santa left, each child got to make their own Gingerbread House. It was lots of fun and apparently yummy too.

Elias' masterpiece

What a fun day! Thanks to all who put it together!

Tip: Awana Patches

Ha, one of my friends, who has years of Awana experience, told me her trick is to simply staple on the patches! Staple them on!! Yes, I'm copying, hope you do too!

Civil War On Sunday Part 2

Week 2 of Civil War

1. We talked about Drummer Boys

Johnny Clem-youngest drummer boy at 11

2. Made Civil War Drums


Elias, his ever-present 2 fingers, and his very non-civil war looking drum


3. Discussed field hospitals & women as nurses
Clara Barton, how the Red Cross formed....get a speaker or do a tour, or do a blood drive



4.Civil War Era Ginger Cakes



Kayley mixing the gingerbread dough


Ginger Crisps


Maddie eating them

What a yummy lesson this was...well, at least the Ginger Cakes part!


My previous posts on this subject are:

Forming a Co-op
Magic Tree House Index
Dinosaurs Part 1
Dinosaurs Part 2
Vikings
Ninjas
Pirates Part 1
Pirates Part 2
Knights Part 1
Knights Part 2
Ancient Rome & Pompeii Part 1
Ancient Rome & Pompeii Part 2
Ancient Greece & Olympics Part 1
Ancient Greece & Olympics Part 2
Day of the Dragon King; Ancient China
Ancient Egypt Part 1: Mummies
Ancient Egypt Part 2: Pyramids
Gorillas In The Morning
Tigers At Twilight
Polar Bears At Bedtime
Lions at Lunchtime
Afternoon on the Amazon
Thanksgiving on Thursday
Civil War on Sunday Part 1