Spring Break in Delaware

We spent our Spring Break visiting Brian's family in Delaware. We usually go in the summer so going in the Spring was a nice change.  We were able to enjoy some cooler weather, which helped make up for the total lack of winter that we experienced in the south this year.  We had lots of fun and were able to see many of our favorite people.




When we weren't out visiting or sightseeing, the kids had fun playing in the Sanders' enormous front yard. Owen carried the new super wubble ball that he got for his birthday to try out.  It was a hit.  Brian and the kids also made several trips to various locations around town to catch Pokemon (yep, they are still really into that).  I went to the historic downtown area with them one day and purchased an ezpass while they were hunting Pokemon.  I have been talking about getting a pass of my own for three years, and I'm so glad that I finally did it.  We used the pass to zip all around.  It felt good not to have to wait in the toll lines.

Visiting my Aunt and Uncle is always high on the list of priorities.  I was scared that we were going to miss them this year because they were getting ready to come down to Georgia.  As it turned out, we were able to visit right before they left and naturally we had to make a trip to Byler's for ice cream.  













Uncle Brandon was able to come over for a few days, and that made the kids so happy.  Brandon always takes up lots of time with the kids and they just love him.  This year they "helped" him build his Lego ship.  They were excited to assist with this project.

Our last full day in Delaware was a rainy one, so we decided to go bowling.  I had no idea that Poppy could bowl.  He even had his own shoes (and I'm told at one time he had his own bowling ball).

As always, we had a great time in Delaware. The week went by way too fast.

Harlem Globetrotters

 So, there's a story here.  Olivia's birthday usually falls on one of the days when we're out of school for Fall Break, and we have done something "special" on those days a couple of times.  Owen's birthday on the other hand usually falls on a school day, making it unlikely that we would be able to do any type of special activity.  This disparity has not gone unnoticed by Owen.  Even though we still do something "special" a few weeks after his birthday (when we're on Spring Break), it's not on his actual birthday and so it's just not the same in his eyes.  I know that this bothers him because he's mentioned it several times.  This year, however, I saw that the Harlem Globetrotters were going to be in Jacksonville on Owen's actual birthday.  So even though it was a Tuesday, we decided to get tickets.  It was a good show- even Brian and I thought that it was funny.  The kids laughed, cheered, and talked me into buying them a souvenir basketball.  Owen was so happy that we had done something special for his birthday, that it made the extra effort worth it.  Of course we have explained that we won't be able to do something like this every year, and he understands.  He's just glad that we were able to do something out of the ordinary on his actual birthday once.

Owen is 9

Owen's birthday this year has been unlike any before.  We have been so busy, that we have not been able to squeeze in any of the regular "birthday" activities.  Spring Break being a week early this year hasn't helped either.  Still, we did manage a spur-of-the-moment cake from DQ and a couple of gifts- including a super-wubble ball, which is the main thing that Owen wanted anyway.  We also took him to see the Harlem Globetrotters (more on that later).  Even though the actual birthday events this year were a little different, we are still proud of the young man that Owen is becoming.  Here are a few things about Owen at age 9:
1.  He loves Pokemon everything
2.  His favorite subject is math
3.  He is still an easy-going kid who loves spending time with his family
4.  If someone is selling popcorn in the vicinity, he wants some
5.  He likes to tell corny jokes
We sure do love our little buddy.

Anniversary Bike Ride

 Brian and I recently celebrated our 16th anniversary with a family bike ride around Jekyll Island.  Brian got a new bike for Christmas and I got a bike rack shortly thereafter- we have been anxious to try these things out.  The weather could not have been better.  It was sunny and cool.  We started off riding through the Historic District and then proceeded up to the Horton House Ruins.  After checking out the ruin site, we rode to Driftwood Beach where the kids had fun climbing on the branches of the downed trees.  We finished by cruising up the coast and having a meal at Tortuga Jack's.  It cannot think of a better way to have spent our anniversary.

Robotics Season

 Olivia has really enjoyed participating on her school's Vex IQ robotics team this year.  Her school had two robots.  Since there are more kids on the team than can work the robots, the students had to take turns attending the competitions.  Olivia ended up going to three competitions this year.  All of the competitions take place in Atlanta, so I was fine with that number.  One of the robots had several top ten finishes, and even qualified for the state competition.  Not too shabby considering that this is the first year that the school has competed. I've heard that her team is planning to build four robots next year.  That should be fun.

All-Star Ball

Following his rec. basketball season, we were informed that Owen was chosen to be on the all-star team.  This group of boys worked very hard to get ready for the region championship.  Unfortunately, they lost their first game in overtime.  It was a heart-breaker.  Still, this team worked very hard and has a lot to be proud of.

Father Daughter Dance

The Father-Daughter Dance is one of the highlights of Olivia's year.  She always looks forward to this event.  This year she and Brian ate at Captain Joe's (again) and then went to the dance.  Brian took some pictures of the dance with his phone, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to download them onto my computer.  I have given up.  Still, I have looked at the photos and videos, and it looks like it was a blast.



Owen and I made the most of our time by eating at the Mexican restaurant and watching a movie on Netflix.