If I haven't said it recently, I love my kids. They really are fabulous. Want proof? Today, after church, I ran them to Publix. The kids were riding together in the rocket shopping cart (where they can sit next to each other as they "steer") when Layna put her arm around Brayden's shoulder and said, "Brayden, you're my best boy." Brayden put his arm around Layna's shoulder and replied, "Ah Layna, you're my best girl." Then they hugged each other tightly and started to sway and sing a song together. Can you stand it? Awesome.
Last week we had more cuteness at our local Dunkin Donuts. The Family Girata loves baked goods, but I have to admit that Nicole is the only one who actually likes doughnuts. The rest of us prefer other pastries. Layna's a huge croissant fan, and Brayden and I love a good muffin. So, true to form, we enjoyed our favorites! Here are a few pictures from the happy morning.
...and just for fun, this Dunkin Donuts has a bunch of awesome framed pictures all over the walls. Here's one of my favorites.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
More church?
Even though it's Sunday, I thought you may like a little more church! If you'd like to hear my sermon from today, click here for the readings, then click here to listen (and as always, if you must read it, click here).
Monday, June 21, 2010
If it's Monday... *Updated!
...it's volcanoes? That's right! This morning, as Brayden was playing, he decided he wanted to make a volcano -- and I just happen to know how to do that! (thanks, middle school science fair!) Here he is, executing a nice little home volcano. A little more agitation before adding the vinegar, plus some red food coloring, would be a great improvement... luckily we have the afternoon! Happy Monday!
After a short nap, Brayden was up and about ...so I thought it was time for another try at the volcano, and this time Mommy could watch, too! Here we are, with a better eruption (although I forgot the red coloring again!). I quizzed him, too. ;)
After a short nap, Brayden was up and about ...so I thought it was time for another try at the volcano, and this time Mommy could watch, too! Here we are, with a better eruption (although I forgot the red coloring again!). I quizzed him, too. ;)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Even more Disney
Let me just say that my kids were awesome at Disney. We arrived just before 9am and didn't leave the park until after 9pm ...and they could have stayed longer! I was so impressed and excited about their stamina! They were pleasant the whole day, excited to go and do and see everything. It really was a most excellent day! It makes Nicole and me so excited about what we can do in the future!
Okay, with that said, on to the afternoon! We left Mickey's Toontown Fair and headed toward my favorite, Tomorrowland. From our last trip to the Magic Kingdom, I knew that Brayden loved the Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Gido had planned ahead and gotten us a set of Fastpasses (three cheers for the Fastpass!), so we just walked right in! We decided that the cars would be boys vs. girls (guess who won...).
The girls tried their best, but to no avail (not even close). Boys rule! ;) Of course we rode a number of times (3 or 4?), and the kids traded riding partners.
After a few spins through Buzz, we headed back to Main Street to watch the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade. Brayden was mesmerized. With each new float he got more and more excited, even high-fiving some of the character walking by. Here's a picture when the parade first started.
From Main Street, we went to Adventureland to ride Pirates, the Jungle Cruise, and climb the Swiss Family Treehouse, as well as riding Alladin's Magic Carpets.
Although the ride was definitely fun, one of the hilarious moments was when Gido took Layna over to see the spitting camel up close. Next to Alladin's Carpets is a 15-ft camel that "spits" every minute or so on unsuspecting passersby. Layna didn't know it, but she was in for a surprise!
As you might imagine, it was a very hot day. So we made the obligatory stop for some Disney ice cream!
We finished the day by trekking back over to Tomorrowland to take a spin on the Indy Speedway. Layna watched from above, climbing as high as I would let her on the bridge overlooking the tracks, while Brayden drove Mommy around. He loved it!
Okay, with that said, on to the afternoon! We left Mickey's Toontown Fair and headed toward my favorite, Tomorrowland. From our last trip to the Magic Kingdom, I knew that Brayden loved the Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Gido had planned ahead and gotten us a set of Fastpasses (three cheers for the Fastpass!), so we just walked right in! We decided that the cars would be boys vs. girls (guess who won...).
The girls tried their best, but to no avail (not even close). Boys rule! ;) Of course we rode a number of times (3 or 4?), and the kids traded riding partners.
After a few spins through Buzz, we headed back to Main Street to watch the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade. Brayden was mesmerized. With each new float he got more and more excited, even high-fiving some of the character walking by. Here's a picture when the parade first started.
From Main Street, we went to Adventureland to ride Pirates, the Jungle Cruise, and climb the Swiss Family Treehouse, as well as riding Alladin's Magic Carpets.
Although the ride was definitely fun, one of the hilarious moments was when Gido took Layna over to see the spitting camel up close. Next to Alladin's Carpets is a 15-ft camel that "spits" every minute or so on unsuspecting passersby. Layna didn't know it, but she was in for a surprise!
As you might imagine, it was a very hot day. So we made the obligatory stop for some Disney ice cream!
We finished the day by trekking back over to Tomorrowland to take a spin on the Indy Speedway. Layna watched from above, climbing as high as I would let her on the bridge overlooking the tracks, while Brayden drove Mommy around. He loved it!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Time for Disney!
We headed to Disney the day after Brayden's family party in Lakeland (a BIG thank you to Gigi and Gido for giving us tickets!). The four of us were joined by my parents (Gigi and Gido) and Nicole's (Mia and Poppy), as well as Nicole's sister, Jen, and her two kids, Ethan and Jillian. After riding the trams from the parking lot, Brayden decided he wanted to ride the ferryboat to the gates of the Magic Kingdom, rather than the monorail, so off we went!
After the ferryboat ride, we headed through the gates and stopped to take a group shot in front of the garden...
...before heading to the #1 site for toddlers -- Dumbo! (gotta get their quickly before everyone else beats you to it!)
After Dumbo, we began exploring all the other parts of Fantastyland, including some of the old favorites, like It's a Small World, Peter Pan, and Winnie the Pooh!
We made the move from Fantasyland over to Mickey's Toontown Fair where Brayden saw The Barnstormer, described on the map as a "crazy kiddie coaster." To our surprise, Layna was tall enough to ride, too, and so Gigi joined me in line with the kids to take a spin (Mommy does not ride roller coasters!). I knew from experience that Brayden loves coasters, but this was Layna's first... and it was a pretty good coaster, too! Luckily, she loved it (and we were in the front!).
More of the afternoon to come tomorrow!
After the ferryboat ride, we headed through the gates and stopped to take a group shot in front of the garden...
...before heading to the #1 site for toddlers -- Dumbo! (gotta get their quickly before everyone else beats you to it!)
After Dumbo, we began exploring all the other parts of Fantastyland, including some of the old favorites, like It's a Small World, Peter Pan, and Winnie the Pooh!
We made the move from Fantasyland over to Mickey's Toontown Fair where Brayden saw The Barnstormer, described on the map as a "crazy kiddie coaster." To our surprise, Layna was tall enough to ride, too, and so Gigi joined me in line with the kids to take a spin (Mommy does not ride roller coasters!). I knew from experience that Brayden loves coasters, but this was Layna's first... and it was a pretty good coaster, too! Luckily, she loved it (and we were in the front!).
More of the afternoon to come tomorrow!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
On to the party
After the playground, we all went back to Gigi and Gido's house for a great Diego party. While I cooked Brayden's favorite food for lunch -- cheeseburgers -- the kids went out into the backyard to go on a Dora/Diego-style treasure hunt that Gigi created. It was a fantastic little hunt, where the kids crossed bridges, climbed volcanoes, and searched the desert -- all to find puzzle pieces!
Bring on the food!!
After cake a presents, but before gifts, the kids had a bunch of fun "putting their feet in the water" ...or perhaps some more!
And finally, it was time to dry off and open gifts! Here are a few quick pics of the fun.
Whew, that was a big day! Just wait until tomorrow... Disney!
Bring on the food!!
After cake a presents, but before gifts, the kids had a bunch of fun "putting their feet in the water" ...or perhaps some more!
And finally, it was time to dry off and open gifts! Here are a few quick pics of the fun.
Whew, that was a big day! Just wait until tomorrow... Disney!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Let the games begin!
So perhaps it's because we missed his birthDAY, or perhaps we just like to have seriously long celebrations (probably some of both!), but Brayden had a nice looong weekend to celebrate his big 4th birthday. We began with a family trip to Common Ground playground in Lakeland (aka one of the BEST playgrounds ever!). Brayden and Layna got to play hard with their cousins, Ethan and Jillian, as well as all of us.
After the playground, it was time for the big family party! We headed over to Gigi and Gido's house for the big fun... stay tuned!
After the playground, it was time for the big family party! We headed over to Gigi and Gido's house for the big fun... stay tuned!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Coming Home
Finally, Nicole and I came home! Our flight arrived in Orlando around 10pm, and even though it was late a night, I really wanted the kids to be there when we landed. So Gigi and Gido took the kids out on the town ...actually to Disney Village. They had dinner at Rainforest Cafe, where the kids thrilled to the rainforest atmosphere. They were excited to see and hear the rain every half hour, and they even got special animal gifts on their way out (NOTE: the "snake" from the VBS video is actually Brayden's Rainforest Cafe souvenir).
After dinner, Gigi and Gido tooks the kids over to the Lego Village where they played and built some great towers!
Finally (finally) it was time to go to the airport. The poor kids were definitely tired, but I think they were excited to see us, too. (I know I was excited to see them!!) They stayed awake by playing all over the atrium...
...until we arrived!! The kids RAN across the atrium, screaming the whole way with their arms out. It was fantastic!
After dinner, Gigi and Gido tooks the kids over to the Lego Village where they played and built some great towers!
Finally (finally) it was time to go to the airport. The poor kids were definitely tired, but I think they were excited to see us, too. (I know I was excited to see them!!) They stayed awake by playing all over the atrium...
...until we arrived!! The kids RAN across the atrium, screaming the whole way with their arms out. It was fantastic!
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