Zoo, Pizza, and Beach

We got up this morning and headed to the Northwest Florida Zoo in Gulf Breeze.  It was wonderful for Luke, no so big that he got bored.   Joey had a blast he found a peacock feather that he kept.  Then we headed to the beach for some pizza at the Florida Pizza Kitchen.  After lunch we hung out playing on the beach for about 30 minutes.  We had planned on going to a baseball game also, but the boys and the parents ran out of steam.  Luke was in bed asleep by 7:05pm.

Luke walking around the zoo.

Both boys were impressed with the peacock

This bear just walked all around.

The boys were super into these things, you will see.

Luke gets a turn

And again

Walking on tree stumps is fun.

Giraffe, Luke was more impressed with the steps up to see this guy.

And again

They fought to get to this one first.

This is the final one, I swear.

Luke waiting on pizza

Joey and Kev in the beautiful water.

I think this is one of the prettiest days I have ever seen it.

Luke is a fish in the pool, but scared to death of the water in the ocean.  He just sat and played on the beach.

Alvin come back!

Kev went into feed and water Alvin last night and he was missing.  So he yelled for me.  What in the world was I suppose to do?  I still don't know the answer to this question.  I ask the boys if they knew where Alvin was and they didn't.  Joey was so upset.  He kept saying "I love Alvin, how could he be missing?  I think the dogs ate him."  

I told Kev that we use to have a mouse when I was younger that would get out of his cage and put himself back in the cage.  Of course, I sort of got the crazy look with that one.  We searched for him, but no luck.  Then around 9:15, I saw him.  He was fine, but I couldn't get to him.  I told Joey that I saw Alvin and he was fine.  He said "Mom can I pray for Alvin?"  I told him he could.  So he was lying in bed praying "Dear God, please help Alvin get back to his cage safely I love him so much.  Please don't let my dogs eat him.  Winnie is a good girl and Wonder Mutt wouldn't like the taste of him.  Please help him out of trouble."

We put his cage on the floor and put snacks out for him to help get him back to his cage.  At 11:30, I got up to go to the bathroom and I heard him.  He was back in his cage running on his wheel.  We will have a very happy boy in the morning.

Full time hours for the summer

During the summer when Kev isn't working I pick up full time hours.  I end up doing a lot of orienting usually.  I think that this summer will be no different since I am working on my 2nd new nurse to orient and there is another one waiting for me.  This is a love hate thing that I do, I being away from the boys so much, but I do love the work and that I have always been able to add the shifts without any problems.  Tonight I start full time hours.

Juan Sebastion De Elcano

The Spanish sent the Juan Sebastion De Elcano to celebrate Pensacola's 450th birthday.  I decided that we must tour this tall ship.  First, I would like to say it was very impressive.  Secondly, I would like to say that we got there at 2:45, because you could tour the ship from 3-6pm.  We finally boarded the ship at 6pm.  It was a long wait and then I was afraid that the boys would be disappointed.  Joey said when we got off the ship "This was a great idea."

Juan Sebastion De Elcano

Luke is hot and tired and he wants on that boat.

We are almost on the ship, but Luke is just mad that we aren't on it yet.

Waiting in line goofing off.

When you are a 5 year old boy the first thing you notice is that they have guns and swords right as you walk onto the ship.

Apparently Joey met a friend and he has decided to join the Spanish Navy.

We were going to sail away.

Kev needed some help 

Luke thought this was so much fun.

Now Daddy and Luke are being goofy.

Joey ask this guy if he would get his picture with Luke.  Luke wasn't so happy about it.

Apparently when Joey joins the Spanish Navy he will pilot the ship.

Pretty cool

Mom, Luke and Dad

The whole family thanks to one of the Spanish sailors.

Dear

Dear children,

    Please shut the door when you come in and out from outside.  You are let every fly in the country in my house.

                                                    Love,

                                                   Mom/Momma

Dear Winnie,

     Could you please start killing flies again?  You use to be very good at this activities.  This use to be the one thing that made you special.  Since we seem to have a million flies in our house it would be nice to have a dog that hunts them.

                                                          Love,

                                                         Mom

Dear Granny,

      Why must I be repeating the things you use to tell me?

                                                              Love,

                                                                  Andi

They amaze me daily

At age 5 before going to kindergarden, Joey is starting to read words.  He can write all his letters and if he wants to write a word, he can sometimes sound it out to figure out what letters he wants to put in it.  If he can't figure out the letters by sounding it out, I can tell him the letter and he can simply write it.  He can do addition and subtraction like 2+2=4, 2+4=6, 8-2=6.  He can do this in word problems or just being asked.  He knows that Pensacola is 450 years old and that it is one of the oldest cities in the country.  I sometimes think we expect to much from him, but then he will tell me things that he knows and is learning everyday.

Luke is no different.  Joey was just starting to talk at Luke's age, because of all the ear infections. Luke, on the other hand, is mastering the art of talking.  He can count to 5.  Sometimes when Joey is talking about letters he will tell me the next letter.  He is ornery as can be and you think he isn't paying attention, but he knows exactly what is going on.   He is interested in cars, trucks, airplanes, boats, motorcycles, bikes, and balls.

I have been so blessed to have 2 very smart boys.  All ready I can see that things that come easy to Joey won't come as easy to Luke and vice versa.  Joey can swim right now, but he is afraid.  So he wears a float.  Luke is a natural swimmer, he has no fear and he can just swim.  Kev isn't a comfortable swimmer so he doesn't feel comfortable take Luke out of a float.  I have and he swims.  

Slip-N-Slide

All boys need a slip-n-slide.  The boys have been having a blast with this.  We bought it this morning and they have played and played on it.

Joey sliding away.

Luke dancing in the yard to the music in his heart.

Some little bugs got in the water, they decided to kill them.

Joey sliding.

Kev wanted a picture of the Thomas tree, so here is a picture of the Thomas tree with Wonder Mutt enjoying the shade.