SUN Fiesta

Last month my girls participated in their first community event. The Sun Fiesta! Mikayla walked with her Daisy troop in the parade that kicked off the festivities...

And Maddy danced on stage in a showcase for her dance studio!

Both girls we so excited to be a part of the Sun Fiesta. After the parade was over and Maddy was finished with her dance, we ate lunch, (I had a beer) we browsed at craft booths and enjoyed more entertainment on the main stage. We saw our local high school marching band and watched the Miss Hometown Venice pageant. A gal from Maddy's dance studio won 1st runner up! I absolutely LOVE our small town. We are so lucky to be a part of this community and these memorable events.

New to our town is a 911 Memorial at Patriot park.  Many people don't realize Venice's connection to the events of September 11th, but for those of you who don't know. The hijackers took their flight training right here at our local airport. It was a heartbreaking day for all Americans and our community has never forgotten our part in the history of this tragedy.

On the 11th Anniversary of September 11th attacks our town unveiled this memorial. A piece of steel from the World Trade Center rescued from Ground Zero. I can't even articulate the mixed feelings that this memorial evokes. It's sleek and beautiful, yet haunting. 

It warms my heart to know that I live in a patriotic community. Regardless of political opinions and parties we are all Americans.

Family Birthdays

Fall is a busy time for birthdays in out family. First of all, our boy Cam turned 4! He had a party at a trampoline place called Airheads. The kids (and the adults) had a great time bouncing, playing games and chowing on pizza and Cam's favorite treat CAKE!  His theme was Angry Birds!

Happy Birthday Cammers!

The following week we surprised Auntie Lauren with a cookout at South Lido Beach for HER birthday!

It was fun visiting with friends we haven't seen in a while and the weather was perfection!

Lauren was completely surprised and very touched. Last year during her birthday, Lauren was going through the hardest time of her life, but now she has risen above it all. We are so proud of her.

Selby Gardens

Last month I took the girls to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The last time we visited, Madelyn was a baby! 

This time we used our reciprocal passes. We are members of the Gwiz Science museum which gives us free or discounted access to other attractions around the Sarasota/Tampa Bay area. The membership was very affordable and the savings into other attractions is definitely worth it! I love field trips with my girls AND good bargain!

We enjoyed feeding the hungry coy fish...

Taking in the beautiful scenery...

Touring the Christy Payne Mansion...

And looking at local works of art!

Adventures at Universal!

Labor Day weekend we had a special family treat!  A free trip to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure!  How was it free you ask?  Well, let's just say the company that Mike works for is well connected. Ticket packages were gifted to every employee nationwide, which we were thrilled to receive!

Our first destination to visit was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  It was weird looking at snowcovered rooftops on a 90* day but Universal really created something special! This was definitely our favorite part of the park.

Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavor Beans, just like the books and films!

Hogwarts!

Our next destination was Jurassic Park. We had a ball on the River Adventure ride that cooled us off with a good soaking and took the girls by surprise with the steep drop at the end. The girls faces were priceless.

Then there was the Superhero attractions, Mike rode the Hulk roller coaster and we were all able to go on the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman 3D ride!  The girls loved it!

Next was the Seussland!  The girls had fun riding rides that were more age appropriate like the carousel, the Cat in the Hat and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. They also loved seeing the Truffula trees that they know so well from the Lorax.

The views are pretty spectacular!

Our last stop before the park closed was Poseidon's Fury. We went into this building for an archeological 'tour' and were completely blown away by an interactive production inside. Since I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone. Let's just say we ended our day with a bang!

What a great day. We had so much fun exploring a park that was relatively unknown to us.  We got in for free which saved us $340, our only expenses were food, gas and parking. It doesn't get much better than that folks! We are so grateful to Mike's company for their generous gift, it was a memorable day that we will cherish for years to come!

Back to School...

This Fall my beautiful daughters started another year of school. This year Mikayla joins Maddy at Venice El.!  At this current time we are almost finished with the 1ST quarter. 

Our Kindergartener Mikayla is off to a roaring start. All of the reports from her teacher have been glowing. She completes her work well and independently and is helpful to the other kids in her class. She is loving her daily centers and her specialty classes like music and art. She also started ballet and tap lessons and became a Daisy Girl Scout this Fall.  She loves doing her homework and going to her afternoon activities.  Mike and I are so proud of our baby girl. 

Then there's Maddy. Our first born is having some trouble. I've mentioned before that Maddy has ADHD.  This complex disorder is a huge obstacle for her. Although she was an A/B Honor Roll student last year, she failed the reading section of her FCAT by three measly points.  Reading Comprehension seems to be the root of all of her troubles and unfortunately, 3rd grade is a retention year in Florida. After a break stint in summer reading camp, we still had no choice but to have her to repeat 3rd grade. Mike and I have had many issues concerning her progress in school, her stimulant therapy and the potential side effects. We have come to the conclusion that she HAS to be on a daily medication during school. Without it she struggles to concentrate and keep her grades up. Over the years we have tried dietary changes and vitamin supplements but they do not have the same positive effect.  So we monitor her health closely with our doctor, have regular conferences with her teachers, counselors and principal at school and stay educated about her disorder. I say it often... "It really takes a village." because I don't what we would do without these professionals that help guide us through these challenging years. Hopefully between all of our efforts we can keep her healthy and help her succeed in the classroom. Maddy is so bright and talented in so many other ways, it's a shame education officials put so much emphasis on one test. Although this is stressful time for Maddy, Mike & myself, we know that someday she will graduate high school, go to college or a trade school and pursue a successful career that WILL make her happy. Which in the end is all that matters.

Maddy has also returned to her weekly ballet lessons and has also become a Brownie Girl Scout!  Being active and social with kids her age outside of school is just as important for her overall ADHD treatment.