Third Clark Family Surprise

Our Third Clark Family Surprise involved the one thing that was on Ellison's Must Do List for the Holiday Season.  In fact, the moment the tent went up on Park Avenue, Ellison was asking when we would be ice skating.  And after our first two surprises, Ellison made it well known that ice skating would be the ultimate surprise.  I guess the most surprising thing is that even after dinner on Park Avenue, the kids had no idea that we were heading to ice skate until we were half way through the Park.  They were thrilled. Graham and I are hoping that we can escape a 2nd visit to the rink this season!

Messages for Uncle Andy

No one can quite rile my kids up like Uncle Andy.  After Dylan spent the afternoon with his Aunt and Uncle, he came home feeling "tricked".  Apparently Uncle Andy got him to say that he was a Seminole and not a Gator.  So in retaliation, Dylan and Ellison clarified.

Second Clark Christmas Surpise

 Our Second Clark Christmas Surprise was a nice day at Hollywood Studios to enjoy the Osborne Spectacle of Lights. Unlike Legoland, Hollywood Studios was packed with long lines at every stop.

After an almost 2 hour wait at Toy Story, a 1 hour wait to see Baymax, we were relieved to find the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area.  I am not sure how we have not happened upon this magical area before.  It was certainly magical... I enjoyed a cup of hot coffee by myself, Graham was able to relax, and the kids ran off their weird funky energy (they were driving us mad)!

 After a nice long stretch at the play area, we resumed with the new Frozen Sing Along Show, a few more character visits, Dylan got a nap in, and all in perfect time to be right under the street lights when they turned on.

 Ellison was in a great mood by the end of the day.

Several days after our outing, both kids were still talking about their amazing experience under the lights.  It definitely made an impression.

STEM Time

 I had the opportunity to chaperone Ellison's field trip to the Science Center for a Stem Challenge.  Challenge is an excellent word for the experience.  All of the kids in my group had their own style of learning, exploring, building, etc.  It was in the final 3 minutes of the challenge, that the group actually constructed a bridge. And surprisingly (seriously) the Bridge passed the challenge.

 Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day.  And rather excited to get back to the office.  I did love my time with Ellison :)

First Clark Christmas Surprise

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this year Graham and I decided to do four fun Holiday outings with Ellison and Dylan during December instead of giving gifts to them.  Santa still plans to bust through our front door (we don't have a fireplace), so no worries there! (There have been a few concerned people)

Our first surprise stop was Legoland. I can tell you that I immediately questioned our "surprise" plan about 5 minutes into the journey when the kids were crying and begging us to tell them where we were going. We held out and surprisingly they did not figure it out until we were inside the Legoland grounds. Of course, Dylan was slightly depressed for a second because he had decided the surprise was the "North Pole" and did not understand why that was not possible.  Luckily he quickly overcame the depression and we all set out for a fun day.

It was the perfect day to venture to Legoland.  The park was empty. Dylan magically grew over night (plus with the added help of tall flop flops) and was able to ride the roller coasters.  

 The kids have been to Legoland a few times this year, but we wanted to get one last go around with our Annual Passes.  And due to the light crowds, we went on several rides that we had never been on.  Basically, we did everything in the park and there is no reason to renew those passes for a while :)

 The horse ride has been Dylan's must ride.  It has taunted him because you must be four.  Aunt Ashley and Uncle Andy took him to the park, one day before he turned 4 and they chose to not lie.  So this trip was a real thrill.  He was SO EXCITED to hop on the horse!

 The kids were very excited to show Graham and I the huge tree on the Cypress Gardens grounds.  They had discovered it with their Aunt and Uncle.

 No lines = as many rides in a row as your little hearts would like!  Win - Win!

Before we realized that Dylan was tall enough to ride the roller coasters, Ellison and Graham headed off to do "big kid" rides and Dylan and I found some turtles to watch.  I could not break this kid away from his new friends.  We came back to this spot 2 other times during the day.  Plus at the end of the day, he wanted to go back and see his friends... but my feet could not handle the trek. 

It was a fun 1st Christmas surprise!

Winter Park Christmas Parade

I have been receiving weekly emails from a website called This Life.  It sends me photos that were taken 4 years ago.  Last week's photos were of Dylan's first EVER outing (besides the Doctor)- the Winter Park Christmas Parade.

Perfectly timed email, fast forward 4 years and we are now staking out a spot, watching Ellison walk, and enjoying the wonderful Winter Park Parade.  Something tells me that if I rewound about 30 years ago, we could reminisce on my childhood and watching the parade.

So Pretty!

Clark Christmas Plan

So this year, the Clarks are doing things a little different!  The kids will continue to get presents from Santa.  However, instead of getting presents from us, we will be doing 4 fun family things during the month of December to celebrate the season.  Ready, set, go... it should be fun!  I just hope I find time to do my Christmas shopping for everyone else.  'Tis the Season!