Hollywood Studios

We spent two days at Hollywood Studios. This was the boys favorite park. I definitly think it is more focased on the boys. They loved the Indiana Jones show and the Car Stunt show. We stood in line so each boy could meet the Power Rangers. Tyler was so excited about this.

Ethan's favorite part of the day was being chosen out of the audience to train to be a Jedi. He went up on stage and received a Jedi costume and a light saber. He went through several practice moves and then Darth Vader came out on stage. Ethan got to fight Darth Vader. He was so excited! Tyler was sad that he was too young to be chosen. The man in charge felt bad for Ty, so he gave him a training certificate along with Ethan.



While we were at Hollywood Studios we won a prize for the Year of a Million Dreams. They chose our family out of the park to win special Mickey Mouse ears that say year of a Million Dreams. They gentleman told us that you can't purcase these ears, only win them by being in the right place at the right time. This really was a magical day!

Disney World

We went to Disney World for fall break. I had an entire week off of school. I had never been to Disney World before. I think I was just as excited as the kids. We had a great condo at the Westgate Resort. We were about a mile from the park. Next time I will definitely stay at the Disney Resorts. We had a great kitchen, two bedrooms, three televisions, and a dining room. The boys loved the giant jacuzzi in our room. We found that we spent very little time at the condo. We were always at Disney.

We spent two days at the Magic Kingdom. Tyler loved the Buzz Lightyear ride and Ethan loved Space Mountain. I loved watching the boys meet the characters.

Tyler celebrated his 4th birthday on our first day at Disney. It was amazing! He got a button that said "Happy Birthday Tyler!" Every employee at the park stopped and told Tyler "Happy Birthday." We had lunch at the Crystal Palace and got to eat with Winnie the Pooh. Tyler had his own Birthday cake. During the light parade at the end of the day, Cinderella leaned out of her carriage, blew Tyler a kiss, and told him Happy Birthday.

Flame

I took the boys to see Flame on Sunday night. One of the local churches, Mt. Olive, puts together a kids production every year. They are actually bringing in all of the elementry schools this week to see it as well. It was really great! There were fireworks and people flying in the air. The boys loved it!

We were excited to see Uncle Chris and Aunt Jenny in the flame. They did a wonderful job! Chris was the professor, a major role. He sang and danced very well. Aunt Jenny held her own with her dance moves. She played the role of a police officer. The boys were so excited to sit with their cousins, Justin and Joy. It is a blessing to have family near. We love you!

Fire Starter

We had a faculty picnic for the Walker Valley staff. My boys were so excited because I made dirt cake in the flower pot and all. Oh the simple pleasures... We arrived early so I could help set up the food. When we arrived, there was a very large fire pit that was smoking from the night before. My boys, along with their friends Winston and Fletcher, decided to rekindle the flame. They started throwing sticks and debris onto the pit. Within an hour they had a pretty good flame. When it was time for dessert, my boys decided it was more important to work on the fire than eat the dirt cake. Who knew that dessert was second to fire. Obviously their priorities are not the same as their mother's priorities. I definitely would not survive on an island.

Football Friday Nights

One of the best things about teaching for a local high school is the football games. I love the sense of community and camaraderie that arises from rooting for a common cause. Ok, I know it is only football, but it is fun. I love watching my students outside of the classrooms setting.



Ethan and Tyler love Walker Valley Football games. They ask every Friday night if we are going to the game. This past Friday was the big rival game between the two local teams. We went to Chick Fil A with our good friends Tina and Jason. Tyler always asks me if their son, Andrew is coming with us. Their daughter, Hannah, was with us as well; but Ethan was preoccupied playing football on the practice field with the older kids.

Tyler was glad to see his good friend, Haley. I can see trouble brewing here. My dear friend, Donna, was gracious enough to watch Tyler so he could sit next to Haley. Unfortunately, I think this will be the last football game we will make it to this year and the weather hasn't even turned cold yet.

Go Mustangs!

One of my favorite things about teaching for a local high school is going to the football games on Friday nights. Ethan loves to go. He hangs out with all the kids his age and plays football on the sidelines and watches the real game on the field. There are at least 10 kids his age whose parents are teachers at Walker Valley. They all go to the same elementary. They are a tight knit group. I know that over the years, they will become a terror to the teachers and administrators because they already think they rule the school.

Tyler met a new friend at the game Friday night. My good friend, Donna, brought her granddaughter to the game. Her name is Haley and she is adorable. She and Tyler were two peas in a pod. They shook their pom poms and shouted "Go Mustangs!" Tyler had to give her a hug at the end of the night. He can't wait til the next home game!

Labor Day in South Carolina



We have now been in school for a month, so it was nice to get a break. We headed over to South Carolina to visit Chris' family. We had a great weekend. Tyler was so excited to get the chance to ride papa's horses. He had to ride three different horses. The boys had a great time seeing their cousins. They played really well together. It was so nice to meet the boys new cousins, David, Cheyenne, and Dustin. Chris' sister, Kelly, and her husband adopted three beautiful children. They are so wonderful! They are such a blessing and a great addition to the Caldwell family. I look forward to the many years our children will have together.

Tyler and his cousin, Dallas, watching Spider Man together.

Tyler and his papa, Leonard, riding the big horse.

Tyler showing off his 'no hands' skills on the minature horse, Cupcake.

Ethan did great riding the horse on his own. He was not nervous at all and did a great job directing the horse.

Uncle Jamie took Ethan fishing. He caught the biggest fish!

Finally...

Ethan finally lost his first tooth. We were beginning to think that he would never lose a tooth. He was the last kid in his class, but it finally happened. He now has another loose tooth.

So long minivan...

We traded in our minivan this weekend. We just got a new (well, new to us) 2006 GMC Envoy. I love it! It still has a full 3rd row seat, but I feel a little cooler pulling into the high school with an suv than a minivan. (I thought I would have outgrown those insecurities :) The kids love the new flip down dvd player with wireless headsets. I'm happy we don't have to drive the minivan to Disney for fall break. The dealer said our transmission was ready to go on the van. I think we got out just in time. I also do not miss our Ohio van. It had rust starting to bubble up under the paint. We stood out like a sore thumb because cars down south do not rust. Crazy!

Happy 7th Birthday Ethan!

Chris keeps saying, "Can you believe we have a 7 year old?" It seems crazy. I do not feel old enough. We decided to have Ethan's party at the local YMCA Teen Center. It was awesome. They had a Wii, PlayStation, and several other video game systems. The boys played pool, ping pong, and basketball in the gym. We invited his regular season baseball team, his allstar team, and his cousins. I think everyone had a great time. Of course, the theme was baseball.