Thanksgiving Feast

Every year Jacob's school hosts a Thanksgiving Feast for the community. The preschoolers provide some pretty darn cute entertainment and the church provides a full Thanksgiving spread full of all sorts of goodies.

Unfortunately, I was unable to go this year to being neutropenic at the time but thank goodness for cameras. Mike was able to make it and take some video and pictures for me.

I think Jacob must have had a little stage fright from the looks of things but in the end, he said he had a lot of fun and is still singing the songs for me.

These are the things I am thankful for!

Soccer Championship Game

Elizabeth has been playing soccer since she was three years old. She loves it! This year her team participated in the local tournament and made it all the way to the championship game. I was lucky enough to be able to be home for this game and able to see it for myself.

She played goalie for three of the quarters and was offense during the last quarter. Her team played their heart out and pulled out a shut out of 5-0.

Their team received a huge trophy and they all received first place medals.

I am so grateful I was able to be there for this fun game!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Given the circumstances, I hope you had the best birthday possible little man! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and can't wait to get back home to celebrate with you.

Jacob had quite the day. He has been talking about having a "Diego Birthday" for months now. So with that in mind, I hired a wonderful lady to come into his classroom and present some "exotic" animals and teach the kids about animal care and rescue. It was Nonie's Ark Animal Encounters. Jacob was excited to tell me about the snake, tarantula, cockroach, bird and more. The kids were able to interact with the animals and had some cupcakes.

Then he was swooped up by neighbors and family and taken to McDonald's for an impromptu party where we was able to play and have some fun with his friends. I am so thankful that everyone took him under their wings and made his day so special. Now just to get home to him and give him that special birthday hug from Mommy.

beach vacation

Beach House Baby! That's what we did for our summer vacation this year. The extended Marlin Clan all boarded planes to Destin this summer to spend a week on the beach. With 8.5 children and 9 adults we donned out bathing suits and sunscreen and pretended we were in an exotic land far from the stresses of everyday life.

We were lucky enough to have my sister in law and her two kids come out a little early for a prevacation vacation. Our kids get along so great and have the best time just chillin' together. Of course we did take advantage of this time and hit the beach almost every day. The kids loved it!

Our house was a three houses down from the beach - not a shabby walk I might say - and of course we had a pool and everyone had their own room. We all took turns with meals and caring for each other's kids so we could maximize our vacation. The kids spent about 90% of their waking hours for a week in some sort of water or another.

This all did occur during the oil spill but we were fortunate enough to not encounter any of the ramifications of that. Instead there was a pretty miserable algae bloom but once you accepted that you were going to walk out of the water looking like swamp thing it was no big deal.

So, where we going next year guys?

C3 Camp

For the past week Elizabeth has been at an all day camp that Chick-Fil-A puts on in various communities that is for elementary school children that is based on faith and good morals. SHE HAD A BLAST!!!
Each day they did different activities in their small groups and for her that included gymnastics, art and science. They also had large group activities they did every morning and throughout the day.
When I picked her up each evening, she was exhausted but couldn't wait to go back the next day. I really hope they come back next year because this was one amazing camp!

a day at the zoo

Another field trip today but for Jacob this time. The three year old classes at his school went to the Gulf Breeze Zoo. It was about a 45 minute drive and the zoo was small but it was perfect for little ones and lack of attention span. Plus it was HOT!!!

Once we got into the zoo, the kids were amazed to see baby chicks of all sorts running through the zoo. Jacob was especially curious about the chickens. He timidly followed them as they walked along the sidewalk. It was pretty cute....

.... until Mama came charging at him from the bushes. It scared the daylights out of him and he was traumatized for a little bit.

Sorry so blurry but I think I saw what was happening through the lens and dropped the camera to go get him as I snapped the picture. But you get the idea. :)

Once we were over the trauma of the chicken, we rode on a small train around the zoo. After the train ride, each of the kids were given a large cup of food and we headed over the the feeding area.

AJ once again enjoyed a field trip with one of his siblings. I think he thinks this is what I must do while he is at school.

Jacob quickly figured out that if you hold the cup of food up to the animals it is a lot less messy than out of your hand.

He also tried the throwing it on the ground technique.

He was also able to pet a 2 week old mini deer. It was smaller than a chihuahua. So cute!

AJ found himself a lamb that he fed.

Once Jacob discovered all of the cutouts for pictures, he insisted that I take a picture of him in each one.

For some reason, this one seems to fit his personality. What do you think?

After a tour of the zoo and some petting and feeding, we had some very hot and hungry kiddos on our hands so we headed to the pavilions to have a group lunch. Lunch with 30+ three year olds is certainly an experience. It was certainly a good way to wrap up the year. He has one more week left and then it's summer break!

at sea

The first and second grade TEAM QUEST classes at Elizabeth's school always end the year with a dolphin cruise during their marine animal unit. AJ and I were lucky enough to be able to go on the cruise with them. (AJ's school ended last week so he is with me for the rest of the summer.)

Boarding the boat getting ready for our adventure to "sea". The kids were so excited to depart, they could hardly contain themselves.

Before we even got out into the Gulf we saw a pod of dolphins playing in the water. There were two calves and three adults. The calves kept coming up and slapping their tails on the water. It was so cool.

Several of the adults came right up beside the boat.

And of course, what would a deep sea adventure be without a shipwrecked vessel.

Elizabeth and her friends keeping their eyes open for marine life.

We went to the top deck after seeing a shark so we could get a better view into the water.

The captain of the boat let each one of the kids take a turn steering the boat. (They really did steer it too.) Look at her concentration.

My little captain.

AJ had to get in on the fun too. He can't wait to start kindergarten in the fall. He thinks this is what they do on a regular basis. He is in for a rude awakening I'm afraid.

We had to take a little break for some lunch but were able to still watch out the windows the whole time. Sure didn't want to miss anything.

As we returned to the dock, we went under a bridge. The kids all thought it was the cool to scream and be able to hear their echos.

The Chlebowski Cheetahs 2009-2010

We had a lot of fun on this trip and I love seeing the kids in their school environment. It is such an experience. Elizabeth is so fortunate to have such a wonderful teacher and a phenomenal school. I only hope the boys get a little taste of this school before we move again.