Summer 2010

In Florida, it often feels like we have summer 365 days of the year. In actuality, we DO have four seasons, just less noticeable than our northern states. Our leaves turn fall colors (mostly in the winter), we sometimes wear fleece and flannel in the colder months (the temps can dip into the low 30's), and we enjoy spring-like temps for many months of the year. There is no denying, though, that summer is not timid, not weak and not unnoticeable. The heat hits you like a ton of bricks when you open your door, even at 7am. The sun threatens with it's horrific rays, you are constantly seeking out air conditioning, and searching for ANYTHING, ANYWHERE to go indoors on weekends.

That being said, I grew up in PA. Summers are/were hot and humid...but nothing like I've experienced here in Florida. So, while I can barely take the heat here mid afternoon, summer still conjures up memories of PA summers where my brother and I would build forts out of sheets and a clothes line. Images of eating popsicles under a big tree, where we often hung from it's branches or made mud soup in it's tangled base. Memories of sparkling pools, playing badminton, big picnics and sidewalk chalk come to mind. Road trips and driving down country roads with our windows rolled down....you get the idea.

So, no matter how hot, no matter how brutal...I find it necessary to recreate some of these summer, childhood memories for my children. I hope they don't remember the heat and humidity. I hope they remember the good times, the laughter and the deliciousness of summer.

And with that, here is my Summer 2010 To Do List, for now. I'm sure I'll be adding more as the summer progresses!!! Enjoy. What's on your list???

1.Road trip to the Isles of Capri and Naples (check)

2.Try out every Disney Resort pool we haven't been to yet

3.Popsicles. Eat 'em as much as possible!

4. Sidewalk chalk it up in our driveway (check)

5.Road trip to Sarasota

6.Eat at a seafood shack

7.Visit the Orlando Science Museum or similar

8.See Summer Nightastic at Magic Kingdom

9.Yard sale to destash and declutter

10.Christmas in July with a big turkey dinner, little presents and activities

11.July 4th with bomb pops, flags and fireworks (check)

12.Have Alex write a book report on a chapter book (probably a Magic Tree House)

13.Visit Titanic Exhibition with Alex

14.Play as many yard games as possible

15.Kelly Park Springs for tubing/snorkeling/swimming

16.Picnic at Rollins College and take pictures of kids

17.Visit Dinosaur Museum in Cocoa

18.Make shell crafts with our hundreds of shells

19.Go to a local baseball game

20.Blow bubbles in the grass

A Return

I've been away from here for far too long. I need to get back here, to this writing thing. So, here is my return.

I've been reading Kelle Hampton's blog for quite some time now, and she seems to take all my thoughts, ideas and hopes...and creates these magnificent blog posts with them (I'm pretty sure she can read my mind... lol). She's a typical Mama, with two very special daughters, and her words magically transport me into dreamland. I heart them. Anyway, her posts about the Isles of Capri and Naples made me NEED to travel there. Yes, I said NEED. So, my Mom offered to help out on a little road trip southwest to this beautiful heaven.

It was the first thing we were able to check off on our "Summer 2010 T0-Do List". (More to come later on that!) The day was perfect, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. The crystal blue waters of Naples are to.die.for. Punky enjoyed the calm waters, where you could see the fish swimming around your feet; and shell hunting was easy. Monkey loved splashing in his inner tube and digging in the sand with his toes. We ate on the Isles of Capri, at a tiki hut called Capri Fish House. The local dog, Julie, made the boys laugh; and their private beach provided Florida Fighting Conch shells, weird looking jellyfish type creatures, and a dock perfect for picture taking. Back on Naples Beach, we took in one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen (even beating out Key West in my opinion). We floated at sea, watching the sun settle in for the night with it's bright orange crescendo. It was stunning. And will never be forgotten.

The perfect start to a perfect summer.

Menu Plannin'

Haven't been blogging much, but doing a lot of blog reading at night! Gotta get my act together. I have a lot of homeschooling things to post, some field trips and some thoughts!!!

Monday (May 3):
Terriyaki Shrimp, oriental veggies and white rice

Tuesday (May 4):
Spaghetti

Wednesday (May 5):
Ham, risotto, spring veggies

Thursday (May 6):
BBQ meatballs, mashed potatoes, carrots

Friday (May 7):
Pizza

Saturday (May 8):
Monterrey Jack Chicken Quesadillas, black beans, corn

Sunday (May 9):
Leftovers (ham tarts?)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window.....it is sunny and very warm. Not quite summer weather, but we're heading there! Many flowers are blooming and birds are flying everywhere!





I am thinking...I really hope this sore throat doesn't turn into strep throat





From the kitchen...chicken noodle soup and a peanut butter sandwich. Punky will be at my parent's house, Monkey will have some of my soup and some carrots, Husband will be at work.





From the learning room....we are starting adding and subtracting with double and triple digits, learning about the environment and reading as much as possible!





I am wearing...green pajama pants and a light blue pajama top. Again, not feeling well!





I am creating...organizing and putting together of the homeschooling journal/file.





I am going...to find out more about child yoga lessons





I am reading..."Helping The Anxious Child" and I finished "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner last night. It was fantastic. I have to pick a new one tonight!





I am remembering...that each moment in life passes by so quickly. I want to really start living intentionally.





I am hoping...I start feeling better by Sunday! It's Punky's birthday!





I am hearing..."An Actor's Life for Me" on Pinnocchio. The boys are watching it right now.





On the mind....not much today. Just trying to feel better!





I have noticed...my kids are growing up so fast! Must slow them down! :)





Pondering these words...."Always let your conscience be your guide." :)





Around the house...Husband is getting ready for work, Punky and Monkey are watching Disney DVD's and drawing





A few plans for the rest of the week....Hopefully I'll start feeling better! We had plans to have a game night with lots of snacks...and then his birthday at Dino World on Sunday!





Here is a picture that I am enjoying....

Please visit The Simple Woman's Daybook !!!

Menu Plan Monday!!!!

Let's see if I can stick to the plan. I only stuck to the plan last week for 4 out of 7 days. In my defense, I made leftovers on the nights I didn't stick to it! :) I'm also going to start making a late morning breakfast. No one wants to eat right away (even the toddler), but we are hungry an hour or so later after waking. Thought I'd make up a breakfast plan too to help me stay motivated to make more well-rounded meals. Lunches and snacks have always been leftovers, sandwiches, fruit, soup, crackers, cheese, popcorn, hummus, salsa, etc.

Monday (April 12):
Breakfast: Monte Cristo Casserole, OJ and Milk

Dinner: Leftover Monte Cristo Casserole for Mama and Dad, Monkey had sweet potatoes, pieces of chicken and applesauce. Punky had chicken noodle soup, crackers and applesauce. I was lazy.

Tuesday (April 13):

Breakfast: Eggs, toast and bacon, Milk

Dinner: Out at Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom (big plans!! ) :)

Wednesday (April 14), overnight hotel stay:

Breakfast: Muffins & fruit, Milk and Juice

Lunch: (planned bc at hotel) Sandwiches/ Chips/ Cookies

Dinner: Take and Bake Pizza & Salad

Thursday (April 15):

Breakfast: Eggs/Toast/Sausage, Milk

Dinner: Crockpot pork chops with stuffing and apples/au gratin potatoes/green beans

Friday (April 16):

Breakfast: Cereal & Fruit, Milk

Dinner: Stir Fry Shrimp, oriental veggies and pork dumplings

Saturday (April 17):

Breakfast: Pancakes, Milk

Dinner: Stuffed Shells, salad, homemade bread

Sunday (April 18):

Breakfast: Nutrigrain Bars & fruit, milk

Lunch: (planned bc at Dinosaur World) Birthday Picnic Lunch for Punky--Hot Dogs (Peanut Butter Sandwich for Punky)/Chips/Macaroni Salad/???/Cake

Dinner: Leftovers

****To see over 300 other menu plans, head over to Organizing Junkie ! ****

Easter At Our House

Easter was nice and relaxing this year! A few days prior, we dyed our Easter eggs. Punky had a Transformers kit so he stuck some stickers and wrote on some, and we just left the rest plain. Even Monkey got in on the action by dunking a few! It's always one of our favorite "crafts" to do!

And here is the final product:

On Easter morning, the boys awoke to find baskets for everyone! Each boy received 2 books: Punky got Eyewitness: China and The Lorax. Monkey got a soft cloth spring book and I Am A Bunny board book (which I adored). They also received a DVD: Punky got Up and Monkey got Max and Ruby at Easter. (Mommy and Daddy also received Donald Duck Classic Cartoons and The Princess And The Frog). Each boy received a toy: Punky got a Zhu Zhu Pet and Monkey got a stuffed elephant. They also got a few little trinkets (Punky got a lego set, bubbles, etc...Monkey got Little People). Just a few pieces of candy was given as well, but it hardly ever gets eaten, so the Bunny held back a little this year! Monkey showed me each and every single thing in his basket. He was so happy and so content! The Easter Bunny also left them an egg hunt in the front and back yard!!! Punky had a basket full of little eggs (some filled with money) and Monkey had larger eggs filled with Sesame St. characters! So adorable! They had a lot of fun!

Easter dinner was at my parents' house, and my Mom cooked a delicous ham meal!!! We watched a few episodes of "Life" on the Discovery Channel, did a little bike riding and enjoyed the day together as a family. It was perfect!

Spring Has Sprung!!!

I took this picture at Universal's City Walk the other day. It's one of the most beautiful trees ever seen here in Orlando! Absolutely beautiful! And it definitely let me know it was springtime in the city!

After our long, coldish winter, I swore I would never complain about the heat again in Central Florida. Man, I should have shut my mouth...because it's been HOT lately! Near 90 and it's only April! But, it has been beautiful and not too humid, so I shouldn't complain too much!

I was reminded again of spring when I passed the many strawberry stands, promising delicious, juicy, sweet fruit for only .99 a basket! How could we resist?? Strawberries definitely equal spring in Florida!

The boys have definitely been enjoying the beautiful weather by being outside as much as possible. Monkey runs to the door every couple of minutes and points to the doorknob, begging to go outside. I try to oblige as much as possible, especially now that it's not too humid or miserable out yet! They've been playing with volleyballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, kick balls, bubbles and water toys! The smiles on their faces are precious.

Oh, how I love spring in Central Florida!