Spring Break - Lego Land/Cypress Gardens

Well, the Critters and the Grandmas headed down to Lego Land the Wednesday of Spring Break.  After trying to figure out the various ticket deals out there (just to let you know tickets to Lego Land are freaking expensive, like Disney expensive (although Disney expensive isn't applicable to us, Thanks Grandma Kate!)).  After a surprise guest helped us with the ticket quandary, they were off for a fun filled Lego experience.  Apparently, the Critters had an absolute blast.  Everything in this park is geared for little people their age.

The Critters could even ride the roller coasters there.  Lego Land is divided into various 'lands,' such as Duploland, Pirates Cove and Miniland.  The kids even got to drive race cars, that weren't on rails.  I am not quite sure how it worked, but they all made it off alive.

Here are some shots from the day:

 

Kat riding a giraffe.

 

I really don't know what to say about this aside from apparently we have a farmer in the family.

 

Brother is a mean jouster!

 

Kat on the attack!

The Critters in front of the Lego Land rendition of the state capital.

 

 

Nice try Lego Land, but the set up is all off.  The house and senate building extend past the old capital and there is not a street to the left of the capital.  Oh, and if a news van parked in front it would be bowled over since that is Monroe Street (a major thoroughfare).

 

I think Kat wants to go to Vegas.  What happens...

 

A larger giraffe.

 

Haddie has been eaten.

 

Grandma B, Brother, and Haddie.  I am not quite sure what is wrong with Haddie.

 

 

The race cars.  As you will notice Brother needs a little more practice driving.

 

Mom, the Critters and the Lego Belle.

 

The entrance to Cypress Gardens (which is attached to Lego Land).

 

Another shot of Cypress Gardens.

 

 

The water ski show, apparently a staple of Cypress Gardens.

 



Chris

Winter Park Boat Ride

 

CarCar sands the shades, Haddie looking fabulous, and Reese looking slightly confused.

Rian and the Critters headed down to Orlando for Spring Break.  They headed down to Winter Park to take a cruise on the chain of lakes down there.  I am not sure if Brother grabbed the short straw or what but that is one dingy, old looking, not Coast Guard approved life jacket.  Luckily everyone made it back to shore. 

Chris

Movie Night or.....

...a hurricane drill?  Fortunately, it was just our first attempt at a movie night/sleepover in our living room.  We were a little unprepared (except for the popcorn) and a little too optimistic that the Critters would sleep out there.  Well, it wasn't all bad, I got to sleep in my bed instead of the floor, as Rian had already called the couch.  We ended up watching a few movies, ate some popcorn, and headed to our respective beds.

I think we will be a little better prepared next time as we now have sleeping bags for the Critters, and we really have no illusions that they will quickly go to sleep after the movies end.

Chris

Happy Birthday Momma!

 

Happy Birthday Rian/Mom!

 

 

Here's to you big [number not important]th birthday!

 

 

Hope the wish you made on the magic relighting candles came true!  On, second thought, do you get more than one wish on relighting candles.  Definitely something to think about and remember when the next birthday rolls around. 

 

Love Chris and the Critters.

Oh, and I have loads of posts to make, they will be up soon with tons of pics.

The Jacksonville Zoo

Photo courtesy of Postcardy: the postcard explorer.

 

Rian had a weekend away over the Martin Luther King weekend and I was staring down the barrel of having the Critters solo for three days.  Slightly daunting now that they tend to run in three different directions.  Status quo for us is zone coverage on the kids and I would be down a (wo)man and my coverage skills are not good enough to do it solo for three days.  Deion Sanders I am not.  So luckily Grandma B came to the rescue with a suggestion to meet in Jacksonville.  We stayed in the same hotel that we did in July and we headed to the zoo again, and then up to Fernandina Beach on Sunday.

 

The weather was a bit cold, but it was sunny and the Critters had a blast at the zoo.  The Jacksonville Zoo is great and the Critters had a blast.  They especially enjoy the Merry-go-Round, six times over.  Luckily, we had the unlimited ride pass.  With the weather being cooler all of the animals were out too, I don't think we missed a single one.  In addition, the zoo has a train that circles it so you know that Brother was happy.

 

Sunday we headed over to Fernandina Beach to see Fort Clinch State Park.  There was an old fort there right on the beach.  The Critters had a great time running around there and collective shells.  It definitely gets you in the mood for weekends at St. George over the summer.  On the way back to pick up Grandma B's car we saw a Firehouse Subs, which the Critters are obsessed with.  I swear we might need to buy some of their stock.  After an uneventful drive home we got settled and anxiously awaited the return of "mom."

 

Here are a few picks from the weekend: 

 

Grandma B and the Critters.  Don't worry, while I know it appears that Hadley is taking great joy in choking Brother, she indeed was not - choking him that is.

 

Haddie and her new gorilla friend.  CarCar decided to get a piece of her head in the picture by Haddie's foot.

 

CarCar and the Jaguar, or "big kitty."  Just a point of reference: all large deadly cats are referred to as "big kitties" in our house.  We will have to have a life lesson down the road about the deadly nature of these animals and stress the fact that you can not hug all of them.

 

Haddie on the first go around on the Merry-go-Round.

 

Brother on Renegade.

 

Don't worry this was not the designated Florida Gator gator, this was the generic one.

 

CarCar on the Merry-go-Round

 

Brother feeding the giraffe.

 

CarCar feeding the giraffe.

 

The giraffe feeding area.

 

Fernandina Beach Lighthouse.

 

Fort Clinch.

 

Brother and the cannons.

 

You all know Brother's love of the American Flag.

 

Picking shells.

 

Brother.

 

Haddie.

 

Sisters.

 

Again.

 

 

Haddie throwing shells.

 

Chris

Two Parks, Two Days - Part 2, Tom Brown

The following Sunday we headed over to the 'school bus park,' code name for the smaller playground on the back side of Tom Brown Park.  The Critters did what they do best and took the place over.  After a bit at the park and a loop around the lake to 'see the turtles,' also known as "Operation Wear Them Out," we headed to Tijuana Flats for a quick bit then off to the aboad for a nap.

 

Here are some pics from Day 2 of Two Parks:

 

Runnin' the show.

 

The Cat.

 

Brother would stay in the swing for hours if you let him.

 

CarCar giving a kick.

 

Afro in motion.

 

Brother.

 

Haddie doing her 'funny face.'

 

CarCar.

 

Our walk around the lake, with cookies of course.

 

Chris

Two Parks, Two Days - Part I, Southwood

 

Rian had one of her half-day TJL meetings on a Saturday in January so it was just the Critters and I for the day.  We hit the local hot spot Krispy Kreme for some 'hot now' doughnuts.  Chocolate covered glazed for Kitty, Chocolate covered with Sprinkles for Brother, and Regular glazed for Haddie and Dad.  After that we hit the Southwood park which is perfect for Dad with three children who love to run in different directions.  The park is far removed from the road and the sight lines are tremendous.  I can see the Critters where ever they are.  The only downfall is the lack of bathrooms, but not to worry, Dad brings the 'magic potty' when we hit this park up.

 

After the park we headed over to Lofty Pursuits, for a classmates party.  Sorry, no pictures from that, it was like herding cats in there.  Three 3.5 year olds in a toy/ice cream store equals no pictures.

 

Here are some shots from our day:

 

Brother.

 

Haddie and her horse.

 

CarCar talking to someone.

 

This child rarely slows down.

 

When she does, she loves to pick flowers.

 

Haddie.

 

 

CarCar.

 

Brother.

 

The Trio.

 

A little relaxation.

 

CarCar showing off her flowers.

 

Haddie trying to look mean.  I am not sure how successful she was.

 

For some reason this reminds me of West Side Story, a battle between the Jets and the Sharks. 

(Note:  No child was harmed during the taking of this photo.)

Chris