March

A bed Marisol made with a box

One of my redeeming qualities - my track-building skills

Ready for Spring!

All for burners at once. A first, I do believe.

Mrs. Tortilla!

Tortilla mask

More hooping!

Our new LED hoop - so fun!

If you want to know how much it cost, just ask Marisol! (or search Amazon ;-)

Cutting their own brownies, ha!

Her babies!

A self-drawn necklace

"Do not look into his eyes - it will just drown you in happiness."

Marisol about Pelo. This was after a series of "Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby..." she is just bursting with love for this feline!

More Marisol

Tonight Marisol again said she had something to tell me that she had figured out, "When you die, you're still happy. And that's the important thing."

Whoa. Ok.

Also, she would rather die than be in a coma. I didn't think we would be having that particular talk quite so soon, but it's good to know.

We've been reading the American Girl books for the two dolls she has this week: Marie-Grace and Cecile. They are based on New Orleans in the 1850s. So we've also had some really good discussions about slavery this week. Tough topics. It's actually not too terribly hard to have these talks though if I follow her lead, listen a lot, and ask her what she thinks.

Love this girl.

Marisol Lessons

Marisol has explained several things to me this week that I feel are worth noting.

1) Before bed one night last week we were reading our normal go to sleep material, ZooBooks, and Marisol was looking intently at the one titled, "Big Cats". She told me she had to explain something to me. Then she said, whenever you want to say "lots of things" you put an "s" on the end - as in "cats". You are absolutely correct I exclaimed (I get excited when she "teaches" me things ;-) So we found some more examples - like "ZooBookS" and "WhaleS".
Grammar lesson of the day - CHECK

2) Last night Marisol said, "Mommy I think there are two kinds of love - the kind for your friends and family, and the kind... like, um between a girlfriend and boyfriend."

Me: "You're right, there is more than one kind of love!" (excited again)

Then, wondering if I can push her a little, "Well, what kind of love do Daddy and I have then?"

Marisol: (very little hesitation) Both. First when you were boyfriend and girlfriend you had that kind, then you got married and had kids and now you have the other.

Kids are so smart!
Not sure how to categorize this lesson - Philosophy, Psychology, Health, Social skills? You pick.

3) Just now in the basement Marisol said to me, "You know, we really all eat one kind of food. Sunshine. Because plants eat sunshine and then herbivores eat plants. Then carnivores eat those animals that ate the plants that ate sunshine. And so on."

Science/ecology lesson - CHECK!

And this is why I really love Unschooling, because instead of me "teaching" my kids - they teach me. Every day. I just need to be present and listen (not always easy, but so rewarding!!)

Disney In Pictures

Day 1: Tuesday February 26

Animal Kingdom

Started out wet but cleared up

Rafiki!

Watching the bird show

Last show of the day, it was so good!

Outdoor movie at the pool at our hotel

Playground!

Hot tub that kids are allowed in, Win!

Night vision goggles to see the animals at night

Day 2: Wednesday February 27
Magic Kingdom
A little more hectic at first - especially since Gerry was tired, but ending up being a great day too! Grandma met us and it was so great to have her along for the fun. She waited in a couple longer lines with Marisol too which worked out great!

Waking up to animals right outside our room!

Stretching - it was a beautiful day after the rain of the previous day.
Gerry LOVED the bunk beds!

Bathroom - the attention to detail in the decorating was pretty awesome -
 everything Disney/Mickey and/or  Jungle themed.

She had all of the Disney gear on for our day at the magic Kingdom!

Yes!

I had so many memories surface as my kids got to experience the Magic for the first time.

As usual one of his favorite rides :-)

Part of the new Fantasyland - Marisol was so excited for this part!

"It's a Small World":
He didn't want to go on, but then loved it!

Waiting for a 3D (4D if you count the water that got us!) show.
 Marisol kept trying to grab things and Gerry loved it.

His favorite by a longshot - the racecars.

Daddy got a dud.

This place is tiring!

Marisol's getting so brave! Up on stage with Captain Jack.

Last ride of the day: the people mover.

Exhausted but happy.

On the way out we saw the light show on the castle and the fireworks. Amazing. Great way to end a memorable, fun day.

Day 3: Thursday February 28

Hollywood Studios

Our last day! We were all tired so it was a great day to slow down, watch shows, and get some fun pictures with characters. It was another great day!

More animals in the morning

This vulture was pecking something off the ox's hoof! Finally he shooed the bird away with his huge horns!

Mickey waffles for breakfast, yum!

Check out = 11 am. We left our room at 10:56. 

Cool doors.

Our beautiful girl in her new Princess T.

Did I mention we were tired?

She had to do this ride first thing! Tower of Terror.
The scenery scared her more than the actual ride.

While Daddy and Marisol went on the ride, Gerry and I shopped ;-)

Waiting to get into the restaurant for "character dining" with Disney Jr. characters.

They had sidewalk chalk for the kids- what a great idea!
Gerry's in the "directing" stage of his art career - so he had me draw him a train.

Marisol drew a unicorn then a hopscotch court which they both played on.

So excited to see some of his faves!

Jake, from Jake and the Neverland Pirates!

Special Agent Oso!

Handy Manny

June from Little Einsteins

Marisol wanted to get her face painted since the first day - this is Unicorn Magic or something like that.

Nope, that's not Gerry. We waited in line then he didn't want to get his picture taken!
But we couldn't leave without a pic of McQueen and Mater!

"Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground -
One of the best parts of the day

Toy Soldier from "Toy Story"

Another show, another nap

More characters - even from movies we haven't seen! She was game for it all!

Last ride

Umm not sure what to say about this one ;-)

Hooping on the way out at dusk - Mickey and palm trees in the background. Coolness.

Our one family shot.
 We actually got on the wrong bus to get back to our hotel - Oops! It was our only blunder though so not so bad. And the nice bus driver brought us to our hotel anyways ;-)

Last Supper at our hotel before heading back to Grandma and Grandpa's.

Shot of the lobby - it was an amazing hotel.

There you have it! I think that I have more pictures on my phone too, but this gives you a taste. We had a great time!