FLORIDA TRIP, DAY 5

Wednesday was here and we were off to Sea World for our 2nd day. The kids wanted to see Shamu again, this time from the Soak Zone. The sat a few rows back and were ready to get wet from Shamu's splashes. We also stopped by the dolphin area to pet the dolphins again. Kim and Allie road the big roller coaster and the water ride. We also stopped by the kid area of rides and let the kids play there for awhile. After grabbing some ice cream and souvenirs we went for the car. This time we remembered where we parked!!

We spent the afternoon at the pool and lounging in the sun. I was finally feeling decent and even ate dinner on Wednesday night! After dinner at Chili's, we packed up, did some laundry & hung out. We had to get up early for our flight home on Thursday.


The kids waiting for Shamu in the soak zone



Shamu's splash!

Journey to Atlantis

The splash from Journey to Atlantis

The Kraken & Jake

Kim & Allie on the Kraken roller coaster

The whole group

Jake & his seal pic

Me & the kids

Allie & her dolphin

FLORIDA TRIP, DAY 4

Tuesday morning we were planning to head out to Sea World. I woke up feeling pretty rotten from having the stomach flu overnight. I decided that I couldn't miss Sea World with my kids. Kim & Drew still weren't feeling the best either, but we all went anyway. We had an AWESOME day despite feeling rotten.

We saw the Shamu show, a dolphin show and a sea otter/sea lion show. The kids fed both dolphins and sting rays. We saw manatees, penguins, gators, sharks, dolphins, whales and many, many other creatures. It was a wonderful time.

Funny thing...when we were walking into Sea World, we ran into Jake's friend Mitch & his family. We also saw them at the dolphin show. I saw another family from our church several times and Michael ran into a group he knew. Small world!

After spending the entire day walking through Sea World, we were all ready to get back to the condo. We headed out to the parking lot & realized in all of our excitement we forgot to remember which row we parked in. The rows were lettered A-Z! It was a nightmare trying to find our car since there were only about 500 other white mini vans in that lot. After quite some time, Michael found the van & we were on our way to the condo. The non-sick people ate dinner from McDonald's. Kim, Drew & I opted out of food for that day...just in case!

We decided that unless someone else came down with the stomach bug, we'd spend Wednesday at Sea World again doing the things that we loved from Tuesday & some other things we'd missed. Tune in tomorrow to see how that went!


Kim, Drew & Michael
Me & the kids

Jake & Allie by the Bud horses

A view of Sea World

The seal/sea lion show

The kids & Kim feeding the dolphins

Allie with the cast from the dolphin show

The dolphins

Me & the kids

The Shamu show

FLORIDA TRIP, DAY 3

We decided to drive to Clearwater Beach on Monday morning. It would be a great way to celebrate Kim's birthday. There was only one problem. Drew's stomach bug hit Kim overnight & she wasn't feeling very good. She decided that she couldn't miss the beach trip, so she braved the hour drive & went with us. Drew still wasn't 100% either, but we ventured on our way.


The drive to from Tampa to Clearwater was really pretty. I didn't think I'd like the long bridges over the Gulf to get to the beach, but it wasn't bad & the views were stunning.


The kids enjoyed building sandcastles, playing in the Gulf with Michael, finding shells, walking on the pier, trying extreme trampolines & playing on the inflatables along the beach. I definitely think they could become beach bums! Allie also learned to NEVER eat french fries slowly along the beach. Seagulls WILL come and steal your food right from your hand. I am certain she will NEVER forget that experience!


We rented a much needed umbrella on the beach. It helped keep Mr. Drew & fair skinned Allie from getting burnt. It also allowed a sick Kim to lay down in the shade when she wasn't up to being in the sun. She spent a couple of hours alone under that umbrella while the rest of us wandered around enjoying the sights.

Mid-afternoon, we left Clearwater and decided to spend the evening at the pool. Kim & Drew stayed at the condo to nap. After a couple of hours at the pool, we went back to the condo to order dinner when suddenly I got the stomach bug that Kim & Drew had. Needless to say it was a long night at our condo.

Tomorrow, read about our day at Sea World.
Allie showing off all of the entertainment on the beach.
Jake trying the slide


Allie on the extreme trampoline.

Drew dipping his toes in the Gulf.

Michael & Allie playing football

Allie & her sandcastle.

The kids on the pier.

Jake & Allie

Jake burying himself in the sand

The Fischer crew

FLORIDA TRIP, DAY 2

We got up early on Sunday & went right to the resort pool. It was a gorgeous and hot day. The sun was out, the pool was warm & all was good. The kids played on the slide, in the pool areas and in the lazy river. Drew floated around in his little floatie napping off and on & relaxing. I lounged by the pool, got some sun & relaxed.

We ate lunch at the resort. They had great food. After lunch we spent more time at the pool. Mid-afternoon, we called it a day & went back to the condo. The kids spotted ice cream for sale & of course had to try some.

We got cleaned up and decided to head to Downtown Disney to eat at T-Rex Cafe. We wandered through Downtown Disney's shops & saw lots of cool sights while there. Our dinner at T-Rex was fun & the scenery was amazing. Drew still wasn't feeling well so we went back to the condo & intended to return for dinner at Plant Hollywood or Rainforest Cafe in the days to come.

We went to bed early knowing that Monday would bring an hour or so drive through Tampa to Clearwater Beach. The forecast looked good for spending the day at the beach. More on our beach adventures in my next post....

Michael throwing Allie around the pool

Drew asleep in his floatie

Kim, Drew & Michael in the pool

The kids hanging by the pool

CANNONBALL!!!!!!

Ahhhhh....Popsicles in the Florida heat!

Puff the Magic Dragon made out of Legos in Downtown Disney

T-Rex Cafe

Plant Hollywood

FLORIDA TRIP, DAY 1

The kids & I went to Florida for a few days for Spring Break. We met my brother Michael, his wife Kim & their baby Drew (9 months old). Originally, Scott was supposed to go with us but he ended up having to work. We were terribly disappointed and considered not going. He insisted we go without him though.


I was a bit nervous about taking the kids alone to Minneapolis to fly out. We made it to the airport with no trouble & way early (like 2.5 hours early)! We were in the small MSP terminal so that helped out a ton. We grabbed some lunch during our wait and then hung out by our gate. One of Allie's friends from her dance class was on our flight so that made the time go a little quicker. She was occupied & I got to chat with her friend's mom.


Our flight was delayed about 30 minutes, but once we finally boarded & got going things were great. Our flight was nonstop to Orlando and we arrived shortly after 9:00. It was hot when we arrived (72 degree) so the kids immediately ran into the restrooms and put shorts on. I threw on some flip flops & it felt great! We found our luggage & met Michael who took us back to our rented condo.

The condo was nice, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, kitchen, living area & most importantly a laundry area (you'll understand why that was important in later posts). The pool area was gorgeous & the restaurant was awesome.

When we got to the condo, Kim informed us that Drew had been sick. We decided to stay at the resort on Sunday to let Drew get better. We thought we'd hit the beach on Monday and Sea World Tuesday and Wednesday before heading back to Iowa on Thursday.

I'll post about Day 2, our day at the resort & Downtown Disney tomorrow :)


The kids in the MSP airport

The kids waiting for our plane, it was late

Our condo (& rental van)

A view from the pool area

The kids by our resort sign.

A Quiz for Your Children

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Jacob: I love you.
Allie: I love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
J: When I get good grades.
A: When I give you my art project.

3. What makes mom sad?
J: When I disobey.
A: When I get trouble.

4. What does your mom do to make you laugh?
J: trips.
A: Tells funny jokes.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
J: disco hair.
A: Blonde hair.

6. How old is your mom?
J: 37.
A: 23.

7. How tall is your mom?
J: 5’4"
A: 40inches

8. What is your mom's favorite thing to do?
J: Work at my school & hug us.
A: Hug me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
J: Cleans & shops.
A: Figures out presents for me.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
J: being the best mom.
A: Being the best mom.

11. What is your mom really good at?
J: taking care of the house & kids (including dad).
A: Being a mom.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
J: she's clumsy.
A: Lying

13. What does your mom do for a job?
J: sub.
A: Substitutue

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
J: Shrimp.
A: Shrimp, but now's she's allergic

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
J: when she hugs me.
A: Everything

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
J: Minnie Mouse (Dad would be Goofy)
A: Ruby

17. What do you and your mom do together?
J: Help with my homework.
A: Paint my nails & play

18. How are you and your mom the same?
J: Same skin.
A: We both have green eyes

19. How are you and your mom different?
J: Different Eyes.
A: Red hair & brown hair

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
J: She hugs, kisses me before bed.
A: She kisses me every night.

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
J: HyVee.
A: The mall

22. What does your mom do for you?
J: Helps me with homework & helps at my school.
A: Take care of me.

23. What is the best thing about your mom?
J: She loves me.
A: I can't think of only one, there's a bunch.

24. What is the worst thing about your mom?
J: She shops too much.
A: Nothing

SPRING BREAK BABY!!!!!!!!!!

It's finally here. I'll post about our adventures late next week! Enjoy your week!

YES, I'M STILL ALIVE!

I know, I know I haven't updated in awhile. I'm not sure why though. We've kept busy, but not with anything too exciting. Here's our recap:

• Jake participated in the Pinewood Derby. He enjoyed himself, but our car didn't do well.
• We enjoyed the nice weather by hanging outside.
• Allie had a daisy meeting and sold the most cookies in her troop. We've delivered most of the cookies.
• Twin Day was held at school. Allie dressed like friends Hannah & Morgan. Jake dressed like Nick & Adam.
• The kids also particpated in Stripes Day in honor Dr. Suess's b-day.
• I've subbed a little here & there. I've enjoyed the break.
• I went to the doc the other day & was told that I officially have a shellfish allergy. I'm not happy since I love, love, love shrimp!
• Jake went to sleepover with Ethan one night & Paul another night.
• Allie went to a sleepover with her friend Morgan. She also had playdates at Maddy, Madison's houses.
• Allie had Morgan & Madison over. Jake had Nick, Paul & Ben over.
• Allie went to a b-day party for Maddy & Jake went to a party for Katie.
• Allie was chosen to sing in a small group at her musical this week.
• Allie took Jordyn to her dance class for friend day and she went dance class with Morgan another day. She decided that she LOVED Morgan's combo ballet/tap class & thinks she'll do that next year rather than just ballet.
• Both kids entered projects in the Spanish Fair. Allie made Mexican paper flowers & Jake made God's Eye's.
• I subbed in Allie's religion class on Ash Wednesday. 14 first graders at Ash Wednesday mass wasn't fun. I'll say no next time!
  

This week we have dance, Allie's concert, religion class, my mom is visiting, I'm subbing several days and Spring Break starts. Florida here we come!
Jake with his car & ribbon.

Jake with his Spanish fair project.

Allie with her Spanish fair project.

The kids on Stripe day.

The kids had us bring up a banquet table into Al's room. They made it into a tent & slept there the other night.

COYOTES

This is an article from the local paper regarding the coyote that has been spotted in our neighborhood & most recently outside of the kid's school...


Coyote sighted at C.F. school; students kept inside

By JON ERICSON, Courier Staff Writer

CEDAR FALLS — Hansen Elementary School students were kept inside for morning recess Monday after reports of a coyote sighting on school grounds.

A neighbor reported sighting a coyote under goal posts at the Hansen/Holmes school complex Monday morning and reported it to police and to the schools.

Hansen Principal Tony Reid said he had received the report of the coyote and kept the children inside as a precaution. He was checking with Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials and a Black Hawk County Conservation ranger on the best way to proceed. The ranger had advised him that coyotes would be afraid of school children and not come near them. Children were allowed outside in the afternoon, but the school increased supervision.

Dave Roberts, an avid coyote hunter, had heard about sightings of a coyote late last week. On Monday morning, his wife saw the coyote resting underneath the practice football field on West Fourth Street. The Roberts live on Chateau Court and the rear of their home faces the field.“I let my black lab out and (the coyote) chased her back in. Then she went back under the goal post for another 10 minutes,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he believes the coyote is in estrus and mating with a dog in the neighborhood. Roberts said he got a good look at the animal as it came near his house in pursuit of the dog and was confident it was a female coyote. He said other neighbors had seen the animal several times since last Thursday.

Cedar Falls Police Chief Jeff Olson said the city has had a number of coyote reports since early January. Most of those reports came from the Birdsall Park area. The first calls reported both a male and female coyote, but recently sightings have only been of the female coyote.“There’s been no aggression observed by this coyote,” Olson said.Police are exploring options for dealing with the coyote and Olson said they are looking at live trapping the animal and releasing it away from the city.



This picture was taken by a neighbor just 2 streets over from us near the golf course.