What does Dade City celebrate?

Kumquats! Of course.

They are a bite size citrus with edible peels.

Some varieties are tart and some are sweet.

I prefer the tart.

I went to help sell Kumquat pies for the kids preschool. It was really fun but crazy. They sold 715 pies in 5 hours. The pie tastes like an orange cremesicle, who doesn't love that?

The kids came latter to see the crafty stuff. I tried to talk them into riding a camel but for some reason they all opted for sand art. The pollen counts were really high so we all came home wheezing and with itchy eyes.

Day camp at the Cotee River

We went with Jacob to a cub scout activity at the Pithlachascotee River Preserve. Try saying that name 10 times. Luckily people usually call it the Cotee River, so much easier to say. You would think from the pictures that Grace was the only person there. Jacob was the photographer and I guess Grace is the most willing subject.

Grace on the hiking trail. We saw a couple of bobcats running around. I haven't seen one since I was a child so it was very cool.

Grace posing.

Grace and her fairy hat and ritz cracker crumbs.

The huge fire pit. I want a fire ring like that, only I am not sure what I would write on it.

Another mom and I made a ton of tin foil dinners- they turned out pretty good or maybe we were all really hungry.

Merry's birthday

A few things about Merry at 6:

1. She has been able to cross the monkey bars since she was 4- mostly by pure determination.

2. She loves to paint her nails and then go dig holes in the back yard.

3. She is a fabulous sister, she plays baseball and star wars with Jacob, dolls with Grace and loves to read to Adam.

4. She loves school, her teacher lives on the other side of the orange groves by our house and she is always trying to talk me into letting her go visit her or inviting her to our house.

5. She loves to help, cooking, crafting or pretty much anything she is there to lend a hand.

I love her smile.

This is the "Mom, why in the world are you making me do this" smile.

She requested red velvet cupcakes with red frosting for her birthday.

Love the tongue twist. My side of the family are all nervous tongue twisters.

Huff and puff.

Then blow the candles out.

She requested a trip to Busch Gardens for her birthday. She decided that she wanted to ride all of the big roller coasters for her birthday. After about throwing up on the first one, she decided that she would wait to try the other rides. She always wants to get her face painted, so we let her for her birthday. A butterfly wins every time.

Merry turns 6

In a couple of days Merry turns the ripe old age of 6. I wanted to take some pictures in her winter clothes and since the winter in Florida is just about over I had to take these a few days early. (It was 78 today so I think we might have to go to the beach to finish up.)

You can see the sunset in the shiny balloons- funny.

It is a good thing I haven't mowed all the weeds down. They make a great backdrop.

Love the half in, half out teeth.

Merry plays like Jacob- you can tell by the worn knees on her jeans. I am glad shorts weather is right around the corner.

Christmas to New Year's

Santa brought a new trampoline, which lasted about 1 week until a big windstorm blew it upside down on the chain link fence. Now it looks like a Pringle potato chip.

The early morning chaos. Grace loves the stuffed owl, it came with a little fleece blanket. It is now dressed in baby clothes and is named Sally. She takes it for walks in the baby stroller daily.

Adam has been speeding around the house on his plasma car.

Jacob looks angry but he is really saying "Yes" about the nerf gun.

Adam doing some surfing- do you like the massive monitor that we dug out of our garage. I think it is time to get a new one.

Papa came for New Year's Eve. He made the best fried shrimp and my cousin Melissa and family and Brother David and family came to visit.

Our family depicted in gingerbread.

Showing off the decorating skills.

More decorating.

Run, run as fast as you can.