Fall Trip to Universal Studios and Sea World

Just a little behind on photos...

At the end of September/beginning of October, we enjoyed a fun trip to Universal Studios and Sea World.  It was a first for our family!  At first, it felt strange to be flying to Florida and not to Disney World, but Universal Studios and Sea World were a nice change of pace for our family.

My seatmate

Kieran enjoying the pool at our hotel, Loews Portofino Bay.

Showing off their body paint after dinner

On the first full day, we took the water taxi to Universal's Islands of Adventure. 

First stop was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Cole enjoying his first butterbeer

Hogwarts Express in the very bright sun

Fun on the Caro-Seuss-el

Kieran wasn't a fan of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish after it started spraying us with water.

Waiting for Spiderman

Practicing

Spiderman and my superheroes

Lunch at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade

Hogwarts in the background

Watching the superheroes arrive

Heading back to the hotel after a fun first day

The next day, we went to Universal Studios.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Curt and Caden rode this crazy rollercoaster. After we returned from our trip, the rollercoaster got stuck in the straight vertical position for nearly three hours. So glad that didn't happen while my guys were on it. I wouldn't have handled that very well!   

part of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Watching the craziness

Transformers: The Ride 3D--a definite favorite

With Megatron

Kieran hiding from the Transformers

With Optimus Prime

The car from Back to the Future

Cole and Kieran in Fievel's Playland

This week, Kieran asked when we could go back and ride Woody Woodpecker's rollercoaster. Someday...

My boys love these ball play areas. They could hang out in them for hours. Nice chance to sit back and relax!

Waiting to meet Spongebob

Made Cole's day!

Kieran gave in and took a nap...We had to wake him up for the character parade.

The clouds were threatening rain, but thankfully it held off.

Caught Bumblebee before heading back to the hotel

Our day at Sea World

Waiting for the Shamu Show

Back for another full day at Island's of Adventure

At the entrance to Hogsmeade, Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We convinced Cole to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It's quite the ride! I had to close my eyes some because it was a little nauseating. Cole wasn't a fan of the dragons, but he thought the quidditch match was cool. It was very cool to walk through Hogwarts!

Flight of the Hippogriff was a favorite for all of the boys.

Can we go again?!

Enjoying yet another tasty butterbeer

Outside of Mythos, where we ate a delicious lunch

Kieran enjoying some one-on-one time with a few Dr. Seuss characters

Finishing another super fun day

On our last morning, we went to a character breakfast before we had to pack up and head to the airport.

The big boys were good sports posing with Diego for Kieran's sake.

Kieran taking a much-needed snooze on the flight home.

Some photos of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for my fellow Harry Potter fans

Hogwarts

Owl Post

Hogsmeade

Ollivanders

Quidditch set

Chocolate frogs for sale

Zonkos

Dervish and Banges

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is very well done. Really brought the books to life. New attractions are set to open this summer. We will have to return someday. It was a very fun getaway, busy and tiring but not as much as Disney. The weather was perfect. Our hotel and its pool and restaurants were great. It was so nice to take the water taxi to the theme parks every morning. The boys are ready to go back, especially Kieran who cannot understand why we cannot go back "in three days."

Fall baseball

For the first time, Caden and Cole played fall baseball. We gave them the choice of baseball or soccer. The choice wasn't too surprising since Caden loves baseball and Cole would be playing with his best friend. Typically, September is a quiet month to get used to school and recover from the busy summer, but baseball did not allow for that.  Practices started in August, and games were played on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-August through September. Both boys had great coaches and teammates. Their skills improved, and they had fun.

Cole was thrilled to play REAL baseball. He was over tball!

Loved playing catcher!

Cole is wearing the blue hat, playing third base. 

At this age, the kids were thrown up to nine pitches by their coach.

  

Gavin and Cole

Caden was happy to get the chance to play some more baseball after the spring/summer games ended.

Probably playing center field here

Kid-pitch at this age, so there were some wild pitches thrown occasionally

Caden's coaches and many of his teammates were from Sherman. The coaches were worth the thirty-minute drive to practice one-two times per week. They were fantastic with the boys!

  Made for a very busy August and September, but it was fun!

Extras from September

September was a pretty busy month with fall baseball for Caden and Cole and our trip to Universal Studios and Sea World (photos to come).  Here are a few extra photos from September that do not fall into those categories.

Labor Day at Island Bay...After an afternoon of games and swimming, the clouds let loose and it poured briefly. We were left with this beautiful complete rainbow over Lake Springfield. 

Who knows?!

Kieran scootering away

Harry Potter Night at Barnes and Noble...

Photos of fall baseball and our fun trip to Universal Studios and Sea World are coming soon (hopefully!).

Kieran starts preschool

Big deal around here...Kieran is going to preschool.  He goes to Cherry Hills Preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:30.  His teacher is Mrs. Hart.  There are nine kiddos in Kieran's class.  He seems to really enjoy school and is doing well.  

Preschool open house before the first day of school is a time when preschoolers and parents can hang out in the classroom together. 

First day of preschool!

Very excited!

Showing off his backpack

Can't believe Kieran is old enough to go to preschool!

It was a sunny morning!

Kieran after school with his first preschool art project

A couple weeks after preschool started, they took a field trip to the Apple Barn.  We have been on Apple Barn field trips together, but this was KIERAN'S first field trip. 

Making our way through the corn maze

Goofy face in the apple orchard

Learning all about apples

Kieran and Alivia...awww!
(Alivia's older brother, Tyler and Cole are friends and went to preschool together.)

Enjoying his yummy apple

Extras from August

What else we were up to in August besides the Illinois State Fair and going back to school...

Swinging in the backyard

Playing at a park

Watching the much-anticipated Phineas and Ferb/Marvel movie

Quick park trip on a very hot day

Caden at his friend's scuba birthday party

We went to the Cardinals game when Fred Bird's birthday was celebrated. Mascots from a few other teams surprised Fred Bird before the game. It was a hot day, but we had fun.

Caden met up with his friend, Griffin in the much cooler videogame area.

Worn out Cardinals fan!

Enjoying some cool treats on a hot night...Clearly, shirts are optional.

Kieran with his cul-de-sac buddy, Hugo

Back to school

Photos from the first day of school 2013

Excited about 1st grade and his Skylanders lunchbox

4th grader...last year at GES

This is the last year the boys will be in the same school building until they are a senior and freshman in high school. Yikes! This realization made me want to cry. 

Ready for another great school year! Maybe Kieran was ready to have Mom to himself again. 

The boys with our neighbor, Sophia

The cul-de-sac crew...We have the whole building covered, K-4th. 

And they're off!