Free Willy

After our beach adventure we headed to Orlando to check into our resort and get ready for our Sea World adventure. We didn't do Disneyland this trip (although we were staying just down the street from it) because I just couldn't make those memories without Aaron and especially, Nate. So, Sea World won the vote because I love it there and I know Nate would have little to no interest in it because it involves SO much waiting for shows and such. Not exactly his specialty.

Neve was pumped! We got too see "Shamu" right when we walked in..so that thrilled her. I tried to tell her that Mommy's first job was at Sea World, but she was WAAAY confused by thinking that I lived in Florida. :)

We got to see the manatees, the dolphin show, and of course the Shamu show.

Neve also LOVED the Clyde and Seamore Sea Lion show. The canned humor is right up her alley. She is SUCH a Portnoy. :)

I also took Neve on Journey To Atlantis (big lunge boat ride) and she screamed and cried the whole time..then promptly asked to go on it again. She is nuts.

We headed back to Sea World again a few days later to see some things we missed. It's 8000 degrees in Florida with the humidity so there's no way you can do those places in just one day!

As you can see, ice cream was definitely the theme of this trip. Ha! We had to put her in detox when we got home.

Children of the Sea

Girls' Trip!

I finally decided that I MORE than needed a vacation...and my mom offered the perfect getaway. Hard to say no to that. Aaron and I have such a hard time planning vacations with Nate due to all the preparations needed to ensure he is A) comfortable in his surroundings without too much panic or sensory overload...and B) that he has all of his medications, supplements, special foods, etc...  We decided Neve was ready for an adventure without her brother, so she can experience things that just wouldn't interest Nate right now.

We hopped a flight to Orlando, Florida, and drove out to Clearwater Beach for a few nights.

Neve got the best seat in the airport. :) We kind of had a lot of luggage..is it wrong to pack 9 pairs of shoes for a 4 year old? I think not. :)

Neve had never been to, or even seen, the beach before (deprived child, I know).. so we woke up bright and early and had our breakfast beach side.

One of my favorite friends from Ohio, Jackie, had moved to Florida a couple years ago when we moved back to Arizona. She made the trip to the beach with her 4 girls and Neve had the best time ever. Jackie's girls are bursting with energy and fun. SUCH a good match for Neve.

The gulf was so warm and calm like a lake. She wanted to play in it all day.

BUT, she was even MORE excited to have crab legs for the first time.

This is Neve and Piper- they are both soon-to-be Kindergartners!

After dinner we headed back down to the beach to watch the sunset after the storm...

Neve and her Grandma Ding.

Next day we headed back down to spend the whole day just playing in the ocean and checking out the pier.

Neve said this was definitely the best part of our trip- seeing our long lost buddies, spending lots of time with Mom and Grandma Ding, and of course- THE OCEAN!!

Hop on Pop

Happy Father's Day!

Neve was super into Father's day this year and crafted 8,000 gifts for her Dad. :) She couldn't wait to give him all of her pictures, paintings, and homemade kid junk.

 This was hilarious. I tried to make a stepping stone with Neve..it was supposed to say, "Dad Rocks" with rocks all over it in the cement, but Neve had other plans. She said, "We need gems and jewels that shine because Dad shines.". So so funny. So gems and jewels she got.

Nate's hand print butterfly and Neve's hand and footprint flower.

Neve's "interview" about her Dad. Between her dad "shining" and the "skipping around and dancing", I am pretty sure I am married to Liza Minnelli.

Nate's card he made at school.

Then we headed off on a road trip to Grandma Ding's house on the other side of Phoenix.

We went out for a Father's Day lunch at a Japanese steakhouse. The kids did awesome. Neve loves that kind of food and they had fruit for Nateman.

Then they decided to Hop on Pop during an afternoon nap attempt by Aaron. I am pretty sure the kids won.

Happy Father's Day to Aaron!! I am not sure my kiddos realize just how awesome their Daddy is and how lucky they are...but they will. Sometimes it shows more down the road. Sometimes having kids makes you see what a Dad SHOULD be like. I am very blessed that these 3 have each other. Thanks, Apo, for being the best Daddy ever!!

After School Special

FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE AND PRESCHOOL. FALL 2011.

LAST DAY OF FIRST GRADE AND PRESCHOOL. SUMMER 2012.

Nateman is moving on to second grade and Neve is starting Kindergarten!

It's been a great year overall- such a change from last year- so we'll take it. Nate's big accomplishment is that his reading fluency is at grade level-wahoo!!!!! That is so impressive for our guy. Neve's big accomplishment is that she can read her pre-reader books on her own now and thinks she's super cool..and, well, she is. :)

Ok..now as of today there are 63 days left til school starts. Mama's counting down.