Fine Dining

A post-swim lunch at Sam’s

Gymnastics at the YMCA

This summer both Rosemary and Ben took gymnastic classes at the Y. We originally just signed Rosemary up, but Ben asked to take them, too, and it sounded like a good idea so we signed him up for a session.

We just did a month of lessons so that we could take the entire month of July off and have one month of the year where we didn’t have to run around to get someplace at a certain time.

Ben was in the preschool class.

Doing a forward roll

The girls hanging out while Ben is in class.

Walking backwards on the beam.

It was so fun to watch Ben in this class. He was so enthusiastic and obedient. You could tell he was just having a blast.

Rosemary initially started out in the beginning gymnastics class, but we moved her up to intermediate after the first week which proved to be more challenging, but a better fit. Rosemary has no fear on any of the equipment.

She was the only student in her last day of class.

Jumping across the beam.

On the uneven bars.

July 4th at Crescent Beach

We braved the crowds once again and headed to the east coast to spend Independence Day at the beach. We found a great parking spot this time. We arrived a little after lunch time then spent the rest of the afternoon there.

Charlotte was definitely in the mix when everyone was playing in the sand, but when Rosemary and Ben went out with Jonathan in the waves, she preferred to stay up by me.

The kids and Jonathan crafted a shark. It was fun to watch it slowly fall apart with each rising wave.

Ben kept watching a father and son play football. They finally asked him if he wanted to join in and he happily did. When they left he yelled a ‘thank you’ to them as they walked by.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Corky Bells. We made it just in time and managed to be inside during the brunt of a rain storm.

It was also raining in Gainesville as we neared home, but our neighbors on the next street didn’t let the rain deter them from setting off their massive fireworks display. We watched, but Charlotte didn’t like it so I brought her inside to get ready for bed. It was another fun Independence Day at the beach.

Ben’s Fifth Birthday

After counting down for months, Ben’s fifth birthday arrived yesterday. He was beyond excited. Rosemary apparently woke him up around six so that he could fully enjoy his day. I believe they played Go Fish! until 7am when they could get up.

As soon as he saw his gifts on the floor in the living room, he was ready to tear into them. Thankfully, he was patient and waited until both Jonathan and I were out there with him.

A small LEGO set

Jonathan picked out this bizarre dancing chicken music card. He loved it.

It did not take Ben long to delve into building his LEGO jet.

The birthday boy and his sisters

We’re still in swim lessons this week so even though it was his birthday, we went to lessons. Not that he at all minded getting to be in the pool a bit.

5!

Practicing frog kicks

After that, we headed home for a quick bite to eat then loaded up for Orlando.This was a family event year for Ben (we alternate between parties and events) and Jonathan had the inspiration to take Ben to the Downtown Disney LEGO store. Then we decided to do dinner at T-Rex and invite our parents to join us. My parents were able to make it, but Jonathan’s sister just had twin baby boys two days earlier (so exciting!) so Janice and Richard were helping them.

Ben was one happy guy!

I thought Ben would go for the wall of LEGOs and just mix and match, but he decided he wanted a set. Rosemary did too. They both wanted the instructions and to know what they were making.

Charlotte took a few breaks from the LEGO store and checked out the water and the ducks.

Soon, we met up with my parents and headed to T-Rex!

We sat right in the middle of all the dinosaurs. Every 20 minutes or so there’s a meteor shower. The rooms get dark, lights flash, and the dinosaurs roar. About a minute into the first meteor shower I heard whimpering beside me and saw Charlotte starting to cry. I put my arm around her and after that she would not let me let her go. I ended up moving her to my lap and she hid inside my cardigan. Ben was so brave though and thought it was awesome!

Poor thing was fine until it got dark and noisy! After that, she was done.

Ben ordered dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets cinnamon apples. He polished off every single bite, plus two of Charlotte’s pieces of pizza which she didn’t touch because she spent the entire meal under my sweater on Jonathan’s lap.

So scared. I’d ask her every few minutes if she was okay and she would nod her assent. We could see it through the layers.

To celebrate Ben’s birthday, the staff brought out a Chocolate Extinction complete with dry ice.

Whoa!

At the end of their song, the staff roared.

Coolest dessert ever. He even got to make a wish and blow out a candle.

Look who emerged for dessert…

Once we were out, Charlotte was fine. At first she said that she liked it there, then she said it was scary. Poor thing. Whatever happened though stayed at the restaurant and we have not had to deal with any residual fears.

Ben thought it was great. Totally worth it for him.

And here we all are on our way out by the LEGO store. Happy fifth birthday, Benjamin! You are so loved!

Isabella’s First Birthday

My brother and his family were in Florida for a visit and one day we headed over to their condo to visit with them. It was also Isabella’s first birthday while we were there so we celebrated her big day with her.

Isabella, the birthday girl

Ben and my nephew, Charlie

Ready to dive into her very own cake.

After lunch, we headed down to the pool. We spent several hours in the pool just swimming and catching up.

Rosemary loves spending time with her cousin, Emma.

Before heading home, we grabbed a bite at Sonny’s.