The house

I had a big post written up about what we have done with the house. But, it disappeared!!  Let's try it again. Adam and Jess scrubbed the whole house, which was filthy. They also re-painted the shutters (there are still a few left to do - like the one at the top of the house!).

I tore out all if the deer ravaged landscaping and started from scratch with new landscape fabric, deer-resistant plants, and mulch. Still looking for a weeping cherry tree to put in front of the stonework on the left side.

We love this gorgeous chestnut tree.

We have also done lots of work cleaning up dead trees/branches/etc in the yard, replacing a broken garbage disposal, etc.

The pool is finally coming together. Tomorrow we get rid of all the rock around the pool, and leveling it off. The pool fence comes in later this week, so that will be up soon.

The yard is full of deer, turkeys, and all kinds of critters. So peaceful.

More pics to come soon - if I ever take a break for working ;-)

Camp invention

I found out about a summer camp being held at the kids' new school - camp invention - and managed  to get them into the last 2 open spots. I thought that would be a great way for them to spend some time at their school before they start there this fall. 

They have gone all week, loved it, and today was their inventor's showcase! Gage was called into stage to show the rocket ship that he invented! He shot his rocket into the audience :-)

 We heard about all of their inventions, and then had a chance to go see what they built. They got to "take apart" all sorts of things that people donated - DVD players, old counters, etc. and invent new things from the parts. Savannah made a board game prototype of a video game using bits and parts. Her game actually had a battery and buzzer - when she held the two wires to the battery, the buzzer sounded (a train, in her game).

Gage also made a board game - his was mostly circuits hot-glued to cardboard with one clay guy in the middle. He was proud of his masterpiece!

(Big) puppy love

This is how I found Savannah and Pepper laying on the landing of the stairs!

Exploring Athens

We found a little cider house that is full of character - and delicious home made cider. It's an old place (the bathroom has a sign to remind everyone that the plumbing was established in 1882!). We all sat outside and played connect 4 while we drank cider and Gage got a special treat of sprite!

Athens is full of neat little places like this. Can't wait to express them all. 

Last day of school (and AL)!

This post is coming very late, but...better late than never :-)

On our last day of school, the kids said goodbye to their old house in the morning. Savannah left a few notes for "the new girl" in her room and the hideaway. 

I checked the kids out a little early so we could make the 10+ drive in one day and be there for our furniture delivery. Savannah had a few sniffles as we left school :-(

Gage, who I expected to have a meltdown, was all smiles. His friends gathered around him and gave him huge hugs. He adores his classmates!

We will all miss their sweet school! In the car, we talked about how our life is like a book and we are just turning the page to a new chapter full of new adventures. I think good things are in store for us ;-)

Art Night

Tonight was supposed to be art night at school, scheduled to start at 5:30. Wel...we were at school at 3:30 to pick Gage up from karate. So, we made a game time decision to cruise the hallways and find their artwork at 3:30 so we didn't have to go back at 5:30. Yes!!

Here are Savannahs masterpieces:

And Gage's:

Last day with Mickey

I scored another early breakfast reservation before the park opened, so we started the day with Pool and his pals!

Since we were in the park before opening again, we strategically positioned ourselves in line to meet Ana and Elsa. We were the 2nd ones in to meet them, and by the time we exited 5 minutes later, the line was 75 minutes long!! 

We had lunch at the Cinderella castle, where Gage always manages to cause some trouble with the sword they hand out. But, he is a boy, and he's being forced to see princesses, so we cut him some slack!

After a long, hot day, we went back to the hotel for swimming and dinner by the pool. Everyone snuggled up with the new stuffed animals and passed out exhausted. It was a GREAT trip!

Girls night out!

Savannah and I left the boys in the hotel one night and went back to the park for girls night!

We stayed out until 10:00!

We caught the last part of the electric boat parade while we took the boat back just before the fireworks. We stood on our balcony to watch the fireworks. Spoiled? Why, yes we are!!!

Magic kingdom

Our last two days were with Mickey! I made reservations for breakfast in the park at Belle's castle an hour before the park opens, so we got to stroll around with only a few other people. 

Belle's castle had two big bright dining rooms and one dark creepy dining room that was supposed to be the forbidden west wing (with the rose in the glass case) of the castle. I chose that room. Met. Big Chicken (aka Gage) was terrified because it had fake thinder and lightening, and when the lightening lit up, it change the paintings on the wall from the prince to the beast. I should have known! He is such a scaredy cat. But, breakfast was delish!

Once breakfast was over, we lined up for the dwarf train ride, which is new. We were on the first ride of yet day, 10 minutes before the park even opened!  Amazingly...Gage actually loved it, even though it was a roller coaster and had some dark tunnels. He said it's his new favorite ride!

Next up....Belle's Enchanted Tales. The audience gets parts to act out a story with Belle. So fun- and truly magical. 

Savannah was Mrs. Potts (the teapot), so her job was to bounce :-)

Crazy drivers on the speedway!

Goofy spent lots of time trying to make Savannah's hair staticky!

Next, we took a break from the park and went back to the hotel to surprise the kids with a tea party with the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland. No grow ups allowed, so Adam and I had to go get a cocktail or two at the pool bar ;-).  When it was time to pick them up, they swept to doors open and all the kids joes up from hiding and yelled surprise!

While they were tea partying it up, Adam and I found a hidden art Poppins garden!