The Historic Triangle

For vacation this winter, we decided to head north to the cold weather. Min had went on a field trip with his class to St. Augustine and told us that he wanted to learn about United States history instead of Florida history. Mr. Cash and I thought that the Historic Triangle in Virginia would be the perfect place to visit. We first had to prepare for the cold by getting all of the necessary supplies so we bought new pants, sweaters, hats, gloves, coats and boots. Good thing that we did because it was COLD!!!! For those of you who don't know, the historic triangle includes Jamestown, which was the first permanent English settlement in the United States, Colonial Williamsburg, which was the capital of Virginia before and during the American Revolution and Yorktown, which was where the last major battle of the American Revolution took place. We stayed in one of the hotels on the Colonial Williamsburg (CW) property. Shortly after we arrived at CW, it started to snow so Mr. Cash and the kids went outside and had a snowball fight. The kids were so excited to see snow. The first day we went to the Jamestown Settlement, which is the recreation of the Jamestown fort, a Powhatan (the Native American tribe near the fort) Village and the three ships that the men sailed on, and Historic Jamestowne, which is the original Jamestown location and is an archaeological dig site. We learned a lot about the ships, Jamestown, the people living in Jamestown, and the Powhatans.

The next two days we spent at Colonial Williamsburg listening to the historical characters (Marquis de Lafetteye was great!), touring the buildings and learning about the different trades. We took a buggy ride around town, attended a court case, and ate at one of the local taverns.

The last day was spent at Yorktown. We visited a recreation of the Army camp where Min dressed up like a soldier and helped load a cannon to fire, and Joo dressed up in colonial clothes. We also visited an 18th century farm with some very friendly turkeys running around. We saw the orginial redoubts (hills that the soldiers built during the battle to protect themselves) and Surrender Field where Cornwallis (a Great Britain General) surrendered to the Americans.

Two evenings we went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg which had opened parts of the theme park as Christmas Town. They had Christmas decorations to look at and some rides were open. The kids loved the swings and rode them many times. Christmas Town was the kids' favorite part of the trip. We had a great time, but were glad to get back to our own beds and warmer weather.

A December to Remember

Our December was a whirlwind of visits to the theme parks, birthday parties, shopping for the holidays, making cookies and attending school shows so I am now just sitting down to update my blog. The first theme park that we visited was Universal's Islands of Adventures. They had transformed Suess' Landing into How the Grinch Stole Christmas' Whoville. There were Whos walking around and interacting with guests, and they also had a cute live How the Grinch Stole Christmas show that we enjoyed.

The next theme parks we visited were Disney's Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Joo is finally 48 inches tall so she is able to ride most of the roller coasters now. For the first time, all of us rode the Dinosaur roller coaster at the Animal Kingdom. We also did the Safari ride. At the Studios we rode Tower of Terror (my favorite) and Toy Story Mania. For old times sake, we ate at Pizza Planet. When Min was a toddler up to the age 5 or so, everytime we went to the Studios he insisted that we eat at Pizza Planet (for those of you who don't know, Min thought he was Buzz Lightyear for those years; he even insisted everyone call him Buzz). We also enjoyed looking at the Christmas Decorations.

The next day, Joo and I braved the nasty weather to visit Sea World while Mr. Cash and Min watched the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert at the new Amway Arena. My favorite part of Sea World at Christmas is the Polar Express ride. They also had many new Christmas decorations out for us to enjoy. Since the weather was so bad, there were little to no crowds. Joo was able to walk right on the kiddie rides. We had fun despite the weather.

After a busy few weeks, our Christmas break finally arrived and it was time for our vacation (see next blog entry).

Happy Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving started the Friday before when Joo had a Thanksgiving Tea in her classroom. They sang a few songs, did a chant and each student told three things they were thankful for. Joo said her bed, our dogs, and her mom. Unfortunately, she was not feeling very well, but she's a trooper and never complained. Turned out that she had bronchitis and a double ear infection. She needed the week off to recuperate.

It was just the four of us for Thanksgiving this year, so we had our usual dinner then went to the movies in the afternoon and did some Thanksgiving night swimming.

Friday evening we went to Light Up UCF. We watched the movie and then Joo slid down the ice slide.

Once again this year, we have much to be thankful for.

Halloween

It has been a busy last week of October for us. Last weekend, we went to the pumpkin patch and each child picked out a pumpkin/gourd. The rule this year was you had to be able to carry your own pumpkin. Here is what each one picked out.

Since it was too hot (92-93 degrees most of the week, pumpkins rot very fast in that heat) to carve the pumpkin, Joo came up with her own solution to making a jack-o-lantern.

Thursday was Joo's I Love A Book Parade at BME. Unfortunately, I had a workshop off campus so I missed the parade, but Mr. Cash was there to take pictures for me. For first grade, Joo had to make a story board about a book. She chose a Junie B Jones book, of course. We had fun making the boards and here is the final product with Joo dressed as Junie B Jones.

Friday was Min's Halloween Parade and Carnival at LHPS. The parade started at 8:15 so Mr. Cash just stayed after he dropped Min off and got a seat in the gym. All grades from pre-k to 6th paraded around in costumes. The seniors were sitting on the floor watching the elementary students. Min was the Star Wars character again.

Mr. Cash's favorite costume was a fifth grader dressed up as a blind ref. Very funny for us football fanatics!! Since Joo and I didn't have school, we went and had lunch with Min and then checked out the Halloween Carnival. The seniors ran all of the booths, which were different games, food and bounce houses/obstacle courses. They even had a rock climbing wall. The students could win prizes at the game booths. Each grade has a certain time to go during the day. Min went after lunch and liked the food, especially the cotton candy, the best. Here is Joo with some cotton candy from the carnival.

LHPS had a Halloween fun day today too, so Min spent the day up there having a good time again. Tomorrow we will walk around our neighbor for trick or treating, then it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving.

First Grade Show

Wednesday night was Joo's first grade show at BME. At first all of the students from the six classes were on stage singing together.

Then the classes seperated and two classes did one book together. Joo's class went last and they did the book Swimmy. They did their story in the dark using blacklights and glowing puppets, which is why she is in all black. Joo was a jelly fish, then had to hold the big Swimmy sign at the end.

After her class finished, then all the classes got together again for the conclusion. Joo was one of the students who got to carry a "magic" carpet out onto the stage. They lifted it up and glitter flew off the carpet.

We sure are glad that Mrs. D, the music teacher, returned this year. She always puts on a great show!!!

Fall

The weather has finally gotten somewhat cool here so we have started venturing outside for some activities. Friday night we went to EPCOT for the Food and Wine Festival. It was Min and Joo's first time at the fest and Joo definitely enjoyed it. She loved the Fried Ravoli in Italy and the Cheese Fondue. My favorites were the Braised Short Ribs in France, and all four of us loved the Chocolate Lava Cake in Ireland. Min has his usual Orange Chicken from China. We were also excited because South Korea was one of the countries this year. Mr. Cash and I hope to go back and sample more foods without the kids.

On Sunday while Min was at Lacrosse and a birthday party, Joo and I ventured to the Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World. Apparently, we weren't the only ones with that idea. It was very crowded. We managed to hit all of the candy stations. Sea World was pretty stingy with the candy, however, only handing out one piece at each station. Very much unlike Mickey's Not So Scary which gives you handfuls at each station. After getting candy, we visited the sharks, penguins and dolphins. We wanted to see the Sting-rays, which are Joo's favorites, but the pool was closed for refurbishment. I guess we'll have to see them next time.

Next week, we hope to make it to the pumpkin patch.

Minivan Mom

After driving to downtown Orlando and back for a month and a half with Min and Joo, I realized that my SUV just wasn't big enough for my two growing kids and all of their stuff so I have become one on those moms who drives a minivan. We bought the 2011 Sienna Limited. I have to say that I am loving it. I like all of the features that my van has like satellite radio and the back up camera to name a few. We also got the dual dvd player so both kids can watch their own movies. The drive home in the afternoons are now a lot quieter too since there is no more fighting over space. I also love the automatic doors, no more wincing everytime one of the kids open the door hoping that they don't hit the car in front of them. We'll see how I feel once the newness wears off, but for now, I highly recommend the Sienna minivan.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

It's been a couple of years since we attended Mickey's Not So Scary so we decided to journey back to the Magic Kingdom and check it out again. We went on a Tuesday night in September so we were optimistic that it would not be crowded, and we were right. We had the best time since the weather wasn't too hot, we were able to ride all of the rides that we wanted to, including Dumbo, with a minimal wait, and got lots of yummy candy. Min dressed up as a Star Wars character and Joo was Junie B. Jones, which is her favorite book series at the moment. One of our favorite parts of the night is the ride of the Headless Horseman so we made sure not to miss that. Next up for Joo and I, Sea World's Spooktacular.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The crowds have finally thinned out enough at Universal's Island of Adventure for us to explore the new Harry Potter section of the park. Both Mr. Cash and Min have read the books so they know all about the food, stores and characters featured in the "world" and rides. Joo and I are just along for the adventure. The kids enjoyed drinking the Butterbeer and riding on the Forbidden Journey. The only place we haven't been able to get into is the wand store. Both times we have gone there has been a long line that we aren't willing to wait in. In this store, you can buy unique, one of a kind wands. We'll get in there eventually.

It's a very busy time for us now, both kids have started their activities. Joo has decided to do ballet, tap and jazz dance this year with a friend from school and Min is playing lacrosse with football to follow. Not to mention, college football has started so Saturdays are spent in front of the tv. Go Bucks!!!!!!

Lake Leann, Michigan

We recently returned from a two week stay at my in-laws house on Lake Leann in Michigan. We had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect; not too hot which is important when you live in Florida and are trying to escape the heat. The lake temperature was also perfect. Min's favorite thing to do at the lake was tubing. He racked up 13 hours on the jet ski, most of that was tubing. Joo loved playing and swimming in the lake. They both liked to fish off the dock, and caught several fish. I loved sitting in the sun for hours without getting hot or sunburned and swimming in a lake that didn't have alligators or deadly amoeba.

We also did some sightseeing while we were in Michigan. We went to Frankenmuth, which is a German village known for having the world's largest Christmas store and famous fried chicken dinners. We bought some Christmas decorations at Bronners and ate a delicious chicken dinner at Zehnders.

The kids also enjoyed spending time with their grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles.

We had a great time in Michigan and can't wait to go again next year.

Now it's back to school time. Min has already started fourth grade at LHPS, I return to work tomorrow and Joo starts first grade on Monday, August 23 at BME.