Universal Studios Orlando

Our Disney loving family finally went across town to Universal Studios.  We had previously planned and had to cancel a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood due to illness and we've mentally planned/spreadsheet a trip to Universal Studio Orlando a few times before, but finally pulled the trigger for the long Columbus Day weekend.   We stayed at Loew's Portofino Bay Resort which had nicely sized rooms and included Unlimited Express Passes (which are a must-have at Universal) and had a Starbucks   I'd definitely stay there again!   

The first day our plan was to hit Universal Studios which has the Gringott's ride and Diagon Alley portion of Harry Potter.  In order to make it to rope drop, we were lined up at the boat dock in the dark.   We were also a 15-20 minute walking distance (for people who don't mind walking), but the boat was a lovely way to get to/from the parks.     

I was so amazed with all of the detail in Diagon Alley.  It was just spectacular.  The Gringott's ride - because we were in the back - was only ok.   But we saw the dragon breath fire and enjoyed ALL of the snacks!!! 

 

 

 

After our run through London, we moved over to Springfield!  All we wanted was the giant donut for breakfast after the early open of the Harry Potter stuff, but it was still too early!   So we rode a few rides and then finally got that donut.  Crazy enough, it was actually pretty tasty!  I'm thinking my expectations for it must have been pretty low.   We drank/ate a lot of Butterbeer things, but funny enough I don't recall drinking as many beers as that Duff picture would imply!

After loading up on sugar, we moved back to the main drag to the Minions ride.   Super cute!  And then we took the Hogwart's Express over to Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade).   

 

 Oh....and then there was the candy!   We told William he could get a robe and a wand, but he negotiated for a $20 bag of candy instead.  Considering that was a 90% savings, I was quick to agree!

We were able to enjoy dinner and a movie at the pool that evening, which I really loved, too.  Day One was a success!

First Day of 5th Grade

Another first day of school and another first day of school Darth Vader lunchbox porch photo!   I'm going to line up all six years of this for a collage so I can "ooh" and "ahh" over how much my little boy has grown up! 

 

These are a few of our neighbor kids that go to All Saints.   Each of these 2nd graders also has a little brother that will attend this year.  And we just learned of an 8th grade girl around the corner that is at the school, so we may carpool with that family starting in September.   It's only a 10 minute drive but when you're used to a one block walk, it's a difference.

William and some of his 5th grade classmates.  This is 5 of the 9 boys in his class.   Two of these boys are named Alex, and there's also a third Alex in class.  I didn't realize that was such a popular name in 2009!   The boys summer uniform is school logo polo, belt, khaki shorts, and sneakers.   For mass days and fall/winter/spring, khaki pants and dress shoes replace the shorts and sneakers.  

 

 

Meet the Teacher



It's probably still the rose colored glasses of the new school, but I was so excited about Meet the Teacher day!  First of all, it was on Sunday afternoon!  Whoo hoo!  It's so hard as a working parent to go to something at 9:30 on a weekday.  There is no train for me to take after that.  And I wouldn't get to the office until lunchtime driving!  Second, all of the parents and kids seem so welcoming.   Every mom and dad we met (and most families had both parents there) were friendly - clearly recognizing us a new family.   The kids seemed to remember William from his shadow day in April, and they picked up right away chatting.   Third, the classroom looked big and bright and all the books looked new.   William's class has 24 students and the other class has 25 students, both of which are similar to what he has had in prior years (though this year it is 30/class at Brookdale).  But the square footage of the room gives them more space to spread out.   And, of course, the fact that there are only two sections instead of four, makes me think the administration will get to know families faster.

Thank goodness All Saints has school supply ordering like Brookdale does!  I'm now 6 years in without ever having to wander around in a Target school supply aisle!   I asked William to pose for this photo because Facebook had just popped up the memory of him doing the same for 1st grade meet and greet.   I love doing comparison pictures.

I asked John if he thought Disney's Frozen sponsored the reading program! I dug this (literally) shiny new book out of William's book cubbie and thought this reindeer looked Sven-like.   William's teacher, Miss Augustyn, is in her first year of teaching, so I assume she's still putting together her in room library.  I thought the train book looked young for 5th graders, but I got a big smile out of the combination of books - sports and religion!  So many gentle reminders that we're in a Catholic school

This is William's first experience with a locker.   Previously his classroom had hooks for the kids inside the room.    These are in the hallway outside the classroom and used for storage of their coat and backpack.    But they don't lock, so they don't have to worry about combinations yet.

No idea what this snow woman is about, but if she's permanent I'll have my new "growth chart" photo to post annually!    And I got the cute photobooth photo, too!   We had a great welcome and are looking forward to the school year!

Kids Science Lab Summer

William spent four weeks of his summer vacation doing day camp at Kids Science Labs.  He had the following themed sessions: 

• Builder's Paradise I:  Architects Can Design Anything
• Flight School I:  Airplanes, Drones and Flying Objects
• How our Planet & Outer Space Work II
• Undercover Agents, Booby Traps and Gadgets

This was his third summer to do these camps, and it was probably his last now that he's getting older.  And after three summers he had attended most of the themes.  We have really enjoyed seeing his foam board, colored duct tape, flashing light creations.  This camp was also always great because it was so professionally run.  There was always a great debrief about the activities of the days.