Goodbye Middle School

It was a short four day work week but two of those nights were spent at North Naples Middle. On Tuesday, Mackenzie performed in her last chorus concert.



Each 8th grade girl who had been in the chorus for all three years was honored and presented with a flower.



Tonight, we attended the 8th Grade Awards Night. We are so proud of Mackenzie for earning the 3.5 and higher GPA award for the past three years.







Next Wednesday we say goodbye to middle school and hello to high school. There's good times ahead I tell you, good times!

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day at our favorite beach, Clam Pass. To gain access to Clam Pass you must either walk 3/4 a mile along a shady boardwalk or hop aboard a free tram ride through the mangrove forest. Our kids would much rather float in the tranquil Pass rather than fight the current in the Gulf.  If you want to see pelicans, manatees, crabs, and dolphins then Clam Pass is the place to visit.

Hi and Smile

Here's a little message for you. A little message to say "hi". Just to make you smile for a little while!

Our kind of Entertainment

As a family we rarely go to the movies, bowling or miniature golfing. We are lucky if we even participate in those activities once a year. However, when given the opportunity to attend a Broadway-type production we rarely pass it up.  A few years ago when we went to Ireland, Grandpa and Nana took the kids to see a local production of Cats.  The kids couldn't stop talking about it, it was their favorite activity of the entire week.

Over the years, we have attended productions in both Naples and Fort Myers.  Of course, our favorite, includes a meal like today's dinner theater production of School House Rock.









Even though today's show didn't end up being one of our favorites, the kids are already asking for tickets to the next production. Which of course, I will happily oblige because it's "our kind of entertainment." 

We're those kind of parents ...

... the kind that allow their son to watch pro wrestling.  Recently, a co-worker was trying to explain that Santa was allowed to give her 2nd grade son an airsoft gun because her husband is a police officer.  I told her "Honey, no need to justify it to me, I allow my son to watch WWE and Impact Wrestling."



We had promised Mason that he could attend TNA Impact Wrestling this past Saturday evening at our local arena.  Unfortunately, Darin came down with a nasty stomach virus and was too ill to attend.  So, guess who had to take him? Lucky me!

Mason and I arrived early enough to purchase backstage passes to meet two of the most popular wrestlers - Matt Morgan and Jeff Hardy.



I actually enjoyed meeting Matt Morgan the most.  He is huge! He is over 7 feet tall and 300 pounds but all muscle.  We got a kick out of the fact that he and his wife are planning to name their son Mason Morgan. 



Mason enjoyed meeting Jeff Hardy because he is one of the most famous and charismatic TNA wrestlers.



Since this was my first introduction to wrestling all I can say is "wow, is it fake".  Even more fake than it appears on television and DVDs. That being said, I can understand why some of my elementary boys are totally into it. The wrestlers are extremely athletic and put on a great show. Why are adult men fascinated by it?  I have no clue.    

Matt Morgan in the ring.

Jeff Hardy in the ring.

For now, we know that Mason's fascination with wrestling is just a phase.  Just like Star Wars was a phase a few years ago.  Yes, it can be annoying when he talks about it 24/7. However, we appreciate how it has become a creative outlet for him. He spends time creating his "signature move", designing costumes for the ring and even devising face paintings for fans. Wonder what his next phase will be?

no day in paradise

Mason and I woke up at the crack of dawn to drive to Immokalee which is 40 minutes away.



We made this same trek last night to see the first annual "Balloons in Paradise" sponsored by the Seminole Indians and their local casino. Last night they sponsored a Balloon Glow but it was too windy to inflate the balloons. Mason begged to go back this morning knowing we would have to leave our house by 6:00 am.



We were hopeful when we arrived. Balloons were beginning to inflate.









Sadly, it was still just a tad to windy for them. They were unable to launch. Mason was rather disappointed until I surprised him with a new treat ...



... fried oreos. Will we go back next year? Maybe. It's not often that you get to see over 25 balloons.

Happy Easter Everybunny

Easter eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, shed on the Cross, and the hard shell of the egg symbolized the sealed Tomb of Christ. The cracking of which symbolized His resurrection from the dead.

This year, my kids had pretty much outgrown the tradition on dyeing Easter eggs. Until, I found a new and creative way of dyeing eggs using Darin's old used silk ties.



First, we cut the silk ties into squares.



Next, we wrapped each egg tightly with a silk tie and boiled it in water and vinegar for 20 minutes.





We were amazed with the results. Even Darin said "I guess I will be looking for .99 ties for the next year."

If more specific instructions please visit Martha Stewart's webpage at
http://www.marthastewart.com/269788/silk-tie-easter-eggs.