Early June in Florida and Big Boys with their Big Toys!

Well...another school year comes to a close which means I am free to focus all my energies on my OTHER full time job - wife and mom. Years and years ago, when I chose teaching, I did so with the explicit belief that I would be taking "summers off" to spend them with my kids. I have SO learned to love those breaks, and the "finality" of the school year. No matter what happened in those previous nine months, I get to close the books, take a deep breath, and start again in the fall. Beautiful.

In perhaps what is very ill-timed - Jeff is starting the summer with some facial hair. He went an extra day without shaving, and I personally LOVED the scruff, so I encouraged him to keep going. A good two weeks later, the itching has died down. I think he's learned to appreciate it - he looks several years older with it and (I think) more distinguished. We'll see if he keeps it. Just some pictures from a local beach I was at for a staff dinner.





During the drive home I stopped to get a few storm pictures.

The most notable thing about the start to my summer is that we are diaper free! JR is doing the potty thing, even at night, which means Mommy doesn't have to change any more diapers. Instead, I just have to manage potty breaks.

Those of you following the blog might know that we have a bit of a tradition - a celebratory "big kid" trip when the child is all done with diapers. Here was Janna's to Sea World. JR elected to go see the "real racecars" followed by Go Karts and cheeseburgers with french fries.

In the car before...ready and excited to go!
"Um, okay Mom, enough with the pictures. Lets GO!"
At the "Daytona 500 Experience," which is the Museum attached to the International Speedway. For those of you who aren't race fans - the International Speedway hosts the Daytona 500, which is the biggest race event all year. Moreover, Daytona Beach is considered the "birthplace" of speed and NASCAR racing. A racefan's trip to Daytona is pretty much the pilgrimage to beat all pilgrimages.



Always the model. I am SO in trouble with this one.
The fan shop, with Jeff in the backgroun. JR was allowed to pick a toy out (shocker, a race car) and we got him a cute little racecar cup with his name on it.
Janna (who did EXCEPTIONALLY WELL on this trip so obviously not about her) really wanted to take a picture with this guy. No idea who he is.
Waiting for the IMAX movie. JR could only make it through the first 15 minutes.
The tour after the movie.






The winner's circle.
Back inside the museum.


Ever the engineer, trying to figure out how things work.
GoKart racing.

"Mom, please, no more pictures."


Can I just say...PRICELESS?


Again, the engineer.
At dinner...we went to "Our Deck Down Under" which was a favorite of Jeff's and mine when we lived in Daytona.
mmmm...lemonade...
Faces of an actress.



A few pictures snapped around the restaraunt.



And one super tuckered 3 year old "big boy.."