summer fun update

Summer fun is well under way, we have been very busy.

Michael has started his first middle school class, critical think and problem solving. So far so good he has aced all 3 assignments. We are so very proud of him!

Madison has started her summer speech program and all is going well. She has a new speech pathologist over the summer. She is very friendly and Maddy enjoys working with her.

Educational goals over the summer are as follows:

*Michael will finish his virtual class

 

*Work on typing skills

 

*Introduce Spanish CD and DVD for fun

 

*Science kit- dissection kit

 

 

*Maddy will continue working on speech

*Work on typing skills

*Introduce Spanish CD and DVD for fun

*Memorize multiplication facts and simply division

 

We have also hit our summer fun list pretty hard

Root beer floats we have made a few, yummy

Creative popsicles

 Maddy made fresh strawberry and kiwi they were totally awesome!

Michael made a recreation of the Elvis from Hippo ( http://thehyppo.com/  ). He mixed some peanut butter, honey, banana, 2%milk and a bit of sugar. They were fantastic we are so making them again.

 

 

 

 

 

Water balloon war, was a good time we have enough balloons left over to do it again.

Play in the rain while in the pool! That was a first and a blast

Make cookies for someone? Well that has been a struggle we have made 2 batches of fresh baked cookie.  Sadly we ate them ALL don’t worry we will try again.

Chuck e cheese * where a kid can be a kid*

Movie Monster University

Mini golf show down, Mike was not on his game so safe to say there will be a rematch.

 

Next week

Kids make a dessert and dinner YES!!!

Tie- dye something anything…………..

Beach or Water Park??

Summer here we come J

 

 

Fathers Day2013

The 6 days of Fathers day, you see my husband is an amazing father, of 6 amazing children. So we decided that we needed 6 whole days to tell him how fantastic he was.

The kids had a blast with this; everyday he received a small gift. Something to treasure like a poem written by a 8year old telling him why he is the 1# father in the whole wide world, to a letter written by his young adult daughter sharing a special memory from their childhood, dinner from his favorite pizza place, and a group photo of all his children. I know he is feeling  very loved!

I love this man and feel truly blessed for

all he has given us; our family means the world to him.
On the first day of Fathers day my family said to me....
Your one in a million
poems
lotto tickets

 

the 2nd day

We love you beer-y much

beer and his favorite pizza!

 

3rd day

Your mama said your special

new photo of all his children with their family's

out to a special lunch

and a special memory we have with him

 

4th day

You butter believe we love you

family movie and mom and dad movie with homemade popcorn

5th day

you will sea our love for you isn't mini

A seafood feast and a round of mini golf

the 6th day

Your so cool!!

breakfast in bed

out for ice cream with everyone

Gift from the kids (4) hour long massages

Summer Fun Costello Style!!

Summer Fun Costello’s Style!

o Kids make a new dessert

o Family game night

o Go on a long bike ride

o Enter a 5K as a family

o Water balloon war

o  Play a game of soccer

o Go bowling

o Have a lemonade stand

o Catch a fish

o Beach day

o Tattoos (that wipe off)

o Enjoy a movie out

o Root beer floats

o Silly string battle

o Paper airplane contest

o Tie dye something

o Fly a kite

o Play in the rain

o Go swimming a lot

o Mini golf show down

o Flea market shopping

o Visit the recreation water park

o Homemade ice cream

o Park passport

o Create a piñata

o Kids cook dinner

o Bubble gum challenge

o Play yard twister / hopscotch

o Plant a pineapple

o Make rock candy

o Feed ducks

o Pull a prank

o Visit a museum

o What would you do for a Klondike bar

o Family movie night

o Pop in to a good book (enjoy homemade popcorn)

o Flashlight tag

o Try squid

o Hide our GEO travel bugs

o Build sand castles

o Super giant bubble/ make wands

o Post card to out of state family

o Science day

o Make your own pizza

o Watch fire works

o Play poker

o Create some scented play dough

o Host a cook out

o Join a service project

o Creative Popsicles

o Sidewalk chalk art show

o Bird watch

o Treasure hunt

o Homemade pasta

o Cereal necklace

o Craft day

o Build something with tools

o Make cookies for someone

o Visit a pet store

o Costello carnival night

 

60 fun thing to do over summer break!

Last minute addition

build a house of cards
tent city in the living room
treasure island fun center
Chuck E cheese
shoot a movie
create and eat your own signature sandwich

St. Augustine Trip

St.  Augustine Trip

We had a great time visiting all the historical sites the city had to offer.

Some of the sites we enjoyed

Ripley’s ghost tour - http://www.ghosttrainadventure.com/

Oldest school house http://www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com/

Ripley’s believe it or not museum  http://www.ripleys.com/staugustine/
 

Fountain of youth http: http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com/

Fort  http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm

Museum oldest store

Oldest jail

Beach

Ripley’s red train tours -   http://www.ripleys.com/redtrains/

Light house - http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/

Hyppo Popsicle shop - http://thehyppo.com/‎

Anastasia’s mini golf -  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anastasia-Mini-Golf/120919644585999

The Conch house - http://www.conch-house.com/

St George Street - http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/attractions/dining/history/shopping/sightseeing-and-tours/articles/discover-whats-off-st-george-street

To name a few, check out drop shots to see all the photos http://beta.dropshots.com/carolyn919carolyn

March .....

April showers bring may flowers

March was a super busy month as always, both Michael and Madison turned another year older.

Maddy invited her soccer friends to a party at Build-A-Bear. Jessica was able to come and we all had a really great time. Michael took a deep sea fishing trip with Daddy and Mike (Jessica’s husband). They loved it, this was Michael’s first deep sea trip and he caught the biggest fish on the boat.

We also had to get the apartment ready for a new tenant, she is all moved in and things are going well!

Spring Cleaning

It is that time of the year; everything needs a good going through. I started with the kids back living room a week ago. Finally going through all their books and remove the ones they have outgrown. Transferring Mikes books to Madison’s shelf. Rearranging all the furniture and hanging a few new things on the walls.  I am almost done!

Today was spring cleaning on steroids.  We woke up early to attend Michael’s first football game, great game and he was happy to be back on the field. After that we headed home to get our day started….  And so it began. We split up in to teams to divide and concur. Maddy and I headed out to pick up chlorine and fill the propane tank. Easy enough all went smooth my helper was full of energy and our task was completed in no time. Back at home the boys hit a snag, their first chore was to drain and clean the water heater. Not only had one of the heating elements gone bad, it was also clogged with lime deposits. Draining it was a long process but I am happy to say it is done and we don’t have to do it for another three years.  After getting home and unloading the car Maddy and I went out to sweep, clean and shock the pool. Next week it should be in the mid 80 and the pool will be ready for some action. After that Mike and Michael move on to giving the A/C units a spring scrubbing. All the drain lines were washed and coils cleaned. We officially ready for the Florida sunshine. While Madison and I moved out front to give all 4 dogs a bath, weed the garden, add mulch and plant some flowers. After all our chores were done Mike played a few games of P.I.G with the kids while I weeded the front yard. What a day, a lot of hard work but everything looks great.

I have been working on meal planning for a month at a time along with doing a day of cooking or assembling meals. It is really starting to come together; it makes getting dinner ready so much easier. Extra bonus the kids and husband won’t ask “what’s for dinner” they can just read the board. I also let them help prep all the make ahead meals and give input on planning our monthly menu.

I have made some menu boards, this helps to keep me on track. I also made one for Debbie, and Jessica!

I almost forgot I just finished up my first session of Wilsons cake class. It has been a fun time and I have loved spending the time with Jessica. The family has enjoyed eating all our projects.

3 weeks till we visit St. Augustine, and 2 months till summer!!! WE ARE SO READY!

Tomorrow we are going to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach and do a little fishing.

This kangaroo attacked Michael for the food!



April fools it is just pudding LOL

Hard at work...

No gold : - (

February

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

February 2013

I can’t believe it, this is an absolute first. Never happen before! If I hadn’t verified it with my own eyes, I to would think it a LIE……………….

 

I did not take a single photo in January!

 

What will I blog about? Anyone who reads my blog knows it is really just another format for me to share my photos. I do occasionally sprinkle a word or two, but never more than pahagragh.LOL

Family fun………………….

We were able to do Disney one more time as a family before our passes expired. I might take the kids for a day trip in early March if time permits. We have really enjoyed our time there and were able to create some wonderful memories. If your looking for a cool family friendly hotel in Orlando our favorite is: http://likitiki1.rtrk.com/?scid=2490345&kw=1722995&pub_cr_id=16705451126 Liki Tiki Village.

 

 

 

 

 We would like to do a small mini trip to the FL keys (Key West) sometime in May /June. We have never been! Found a cool ferry that will take you right to Key West:  http://www.seakeywestexpress.com/reservations.html  still looking for a family friendly hotel.

 

We found the cutest little tea room last month, A Corner of England, sadly we received an Email saying they were going out of business L so this Saturday we will go one last time for High Tea. http://www.acornerofengland.com/

 

 

 

Florida has been cool this year!   Yes I know to some of you 64 is not cool or cold but I assure you that as a true Floridian that is DARN cold. We did manage to have a few evenings by the fire, roasting hotdogs, marshmallows, making smores, and drinking hot chocolate. Good old fashion family fun!

  

Birthdays birthdays and more birthdays……

Nicole January 18

Jessica- February 21 ( she will be 21)

Michael- March 6 (11)

Thalia- March 7 (she will be 7)

Madison- March 14 (8)

Grandma Brown- March 18

Casie-May 8 (20)

 

Now that’s a lot of birthdays!!!!

 

 

The kids are all doing well everyone is so busy now; we aren’t able to get together as much as I would like.

Casie is working 2 jobs bartending and doing well. She hopes to be back in school this summer to finish up her B.S. in paralegal studies. Only three semesters left, so close. She is busy always on the go.

Jessica is settling in to her new job well, and enjoys teaching. The kids and I volunteered in her class this week and had a blast. We plan on going back!  Mike is also progressing nicely in school and on track to graduate in early 2014. 

 

 Nicole, Brandie and Jack are happy, healthy and working hard. Thalia is excelling in school and preparing for the arrival of her brother or sister. I can’t wait to hear BOY or GIRL.

 

Michael is growing so fast and becoming such an awesome young man! His studies are going great learning so much.  Football starts in a month and he is ready!

Madison is so easy going I swear I don’t know where she got that from! I am the total opposite. She is loving soccer and just asked to start taking gymnastic classes. School is going great she started learning multiplication and she loves it!!!

 

Virtual school is going great report cards came in and straight A’s for both kids!

Chemistry just learned how to balance chemical equations

  www.geocaching.com/ Geocaching ; this has turned out to be a great activity and perfect fit for our family. Not sure who likes it more Mike or the kids. We were even able to find a few in Orlando. We even found a letter box on one of our hunts. Were we have reached our 100^th find we are taking a road trip to the space coast. They have a GEO store! http://shop.spacecoastgeocachers.com/GPS-Units_c7.htm

Busch Gardens