Enough Said...

Catherine's First Day of 'School'!

Every Friday, I take Catherine (and now Claire) to a 1 hour class called 'Mainly Music'.  It's a fantastic program full of songs, instuments, dancing, snacks, and a bit of free play (and social time for moms).  Last year, I started referring to it as 'school' and you could see the pride that would beam from her face.  So, this year, we made just as big of a deal about Catherine's first day of 'school' as we did about Paul's first day of school.  Pictures, special call from dad, and excitement to go around!

Happy Birthday, Mary!

In celebration of Mary's birthday today, mom and I took the kiddos out for cupcakes.  We sang happy birthday, watched them crumble eat their cupcakes, and then watched them play on the merry go round.  All in all, a pretty good birthday party to say the least! 

I have so enjoyed teaching my kids about days like today.  Just yesterday, Paul pulled the stool up in front of the crucifix to 'look at Jesus' boo-boo's'.  During lent, we had talked about all of His boo boo's and why He has them.  It's so amazing to watch their little brains comprehend with such simplicity.  Hopefully, teaching them about Christ's sacrafice and Mary's 'Yes' while they are little will make being open to God's Will a 'norm' for them when they are older. 

Paul's First Day of School!

Yesterday was Paul's first day of school.  This year, he is going three days a week from 9-12.  Last year proved to be very beneficial for him not only on the talking front but also with stability through moving, new baby, and daddy leaving.  We were very excited about school starting this year and it was GREAT!

First of all, I feel the need to explain the backpack for school.  In my frugal, practical, and brilliant overly-simple mind, I had planned to buy Paul a L.L.Bean junior backpack that would not only last for a few years but could then be passed down for future use by his sibilings.  Well, upon hearing about my plan, multiple people quickly told me that my plan was TERRIBLE and I needed to let the poor, deprived child pick out his own.  So, I took him on a date to buy a backpack.  When we got to the store, he found the three 'Cars' backpacks and started searching through them.  After realizing that cars didn't actually come INSIDE of the backpacks, he headed for the door and said he didn't want one!  HA!  So, while they were in Atlanta, I searched all over Charlottesville to find the last of the 'Cars' backpacks and he was thrilled when he came home to it, complete with cars inside!  So, without further ado...

                                                              PAUL'S BACKPACK!

Oh, sweet Catherine...no clue!

The most dramatic part of the day was Paul saying goodbye to Catherine, as she did not want her "brutha" to leave. Thankfully, my mom stayed home with the girls and they painted nails so it wasn't TOO bad.

Sorry for the lopsided picture

To make her feel better, Paul made sure to yell out the car window "Bye, Sis!  I love you!"  He is so sweet to her!

Paul was so incredibly excited to get to school.  He told me where to turn, stop, etc, the WHOLE way.  Once we got there and got out of the car, he walked in like he'd done it all of his life.  He hung up his backpack and waited for the door to open.  He was excited to see that a lot of his friends from last year were in his class this year and that he remembered his teachers.  When they opened the door, I thought he would just RUN right in.  I was so touched, when he grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, mom".  We got up to the door and he ran in.  No drama, as expected. 

Paul's first day went great.  He came running out, into his sisters arms, with his first piece of artwork for the year.  He had a great day and is excited to go back tomorrow!

She has the BEST laugh!

We Be Cruisin'

WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE!!!

In celebration of Paul's homecoming and our 5th anniversary, Paul and I are going on a cruise at the beginning of January.  Not just any cruise, a 7 NIGHT/8DAY cruise.  A whole week?  WHAT? 

Excitement doesn't even touch what we are feeling! 

Welcome to the Caribbean Princess!

Now, knowing me and my LOVE of a good deal, I have spent a lot of time figuring out the best plan for our port calls.  Do we go on the ship shore excursions?  Schedule our own?  Is this island the best one for snorkeling or should we wait for another one?  Well, all the decisions have been made and our plans are set.

January 8, 2012 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico

After going on the Segway Tour in Washington D.C., we might take advantage of this tour in San Juan and see the city before hoping on the boat. 

January 9, 2012 - St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Discover Scuba Diving

We will take a basic course on Scuba diving in a pool and then be taken out to try in for real.  Paul and I have both always wanted to Scuba Dive so we are both SO excited!

January 10, 2012 - Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Dolphin Swim Adventure

Paul is being a trooper with this one!  I've always wanted to swim with dolphins.  I don't think he overly minds but I know it wasn't his first choice either.  This was one of the biggest savings that I found.  The excursion through the ship is simple an 'experience', meaning you stand in the water and maybe touch them.  I went straight to the company and not only is it CHEAPER but we are doing the package where the dolphins will push us and swim with us.  Super excited!

January 11, 2012 - Antigua

Zipline Canopy Tour and Ropes Course

Oh my goodness, we are SOOOO excited about this one!!!  We have been wanting to do a zipline course and this one is reviewed very well.  There are 12 zips and then the ropes course.  Knowing Paul and I, I'm sure this will be made into a competition to some degree. 

January 12, 2012 - Dominica

Island Tour with Woody

This tour came HIGHLY recommended on many sites and tripadvisor.com.  It is not a big tour, rather, it is a single guy named Woody who gives 'off the beaten path' tours of the island to individual groups (i.e. Paul and I).  He shows you everything that you wouldn't see if you would just do the tourist thing.  Additionally, we will have a traditional 'Dominica' lunch, I believe, served by a family member on the beach.  I hope it lives up to all of the reviews.  I have yet to find a website or review that is less than amazing.

January 13, 2012 - Barbados

 Thriller Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkeling Adventure

This is another tour that is a single owned business that has absolute rave reviews!  We knew we wanted to go snorkeling to see the turtles and the shipwrecks.  So when I started researching options off the boat I started seeing random 5 star reviews of this guy named Stephen.  It took me about a week to track him down but it finally happened.  His tour, taking no more than 12 people, takes you out to snorkle with the sea turtles, then you head to the ship wrecks, and then a reef.  All of this is followed by lunch on a quiet beach and swimming.  Sounds awesome to me! 

January 14, 2012 - Day at Sea

Who knows what will happen...thats the beauty of it!

January 15, 2012 - Disembark in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Unfortunately, the cruise will have to end and we'll have to go back to real life but I'm sure by this point we'll be ready to take it on with a new energy. 

We cannot wait for our cruise!  It's been nice to have something else to look forward to besides Paul's homecoming.  You can be assured that there will be LOTS of pictures! 

Anybody else planning any winter vacations?

HALFWAY!!!

It is official...

100 days left until we are a family again!