Weekend In Savannah

Casey had meetings in Savannah this past weekend, so we decided to go along & enjoy some of the activities around the area.

Savannah is beautiful this time of year & rich with historical landmarks all along the way.

Old City Exchange Bell(Read picture for history)


Cotton Exchange Building


The Savannah Cotton Exchange building was completed in 1887 during the era when Savannah ranked first as a cotton seaport on the Atlantic and second in the world. In its heyday as a cotton port over two million bales a year moved through Savannah. The Cotton Exchange was the center of activity in the staple which dominated this city's economic life before its evolution into a leading industrial seaport.

Factor's Walk


In 1817 it was the original site for the Cotton Exchange. The first two floors of Factors Walk were for the cotton coming into port. Then, in 1853, three more floors were added. The third floor was used for storage, and the fourth and fifth floors were offices. Soon the whole riverfront bluff consisted of alleys and walkways. These alleys and walkways were later called Factors Walk. It was named this because the men who worked with the cotton exchange were called factors. They factored how much cotton was brought in to be sold. Thus, they were given this name. Factors Walk was the center for most commercial activities. A network of iron and concrete walkways connected the buildings to the bluff.

Savannah's Candy Kitchen



Although the candy kitchen might not have any historical significance as far as the City of Savannah is concerned, it is a favorite landmark for our family! For the past 5-6 years that we've been going to Savannah, it has been one of our favorite places to visit along the Riverwalk. The fresh pralines are the best. I swear every time I come home I'm going to try & make some...this year I mean it!

A few of our nearby favorites:

Tybee Island


While Casey was in meetings all day, I took the kids over to Tybee & enjoyed some fun in the sun. We really didn't want to leave!

The Crab Shack



A great place for casual seafood dining, and you can feed some of the local alligators while you are there! We went back a couple of times just to feed the alligators.



We had a wonderful weekend. The weather was perfect & we LOVED every minute of it!! We can't wait for next year!

SLIME

slime (slīm)
n.
1. A thick sticky slippery substance.
2. Biology A mucous substance secreted by certain animals, such as catfishes and slugs.
3. Soft moist earth; mud.
4. A slurry containing very fine particulate matter.
5. Vile or disgusting matter.
6. Slang A despicable or repulsive person.

tr.v. slimed, slim·ing, slimes
[Middle English, from Old English slīm; see lei- in Indo-European roots.]
(I especially like #5)

Ryan has decided to spend his entire month's allowance on slime. The 1st jar only made it a week, as it was taken outside, dropped many times, and became so dirty I decided it needed to be thrown away. Ryan wasn't too happy, so he decided he needed another bucket, and this time he wouldn't take it outside!

He has enjoyed many hours of fun slime time:





I seriously cannot believe this stuff is still around after 30 years, but I found a youtube video on how to make your own slime, which is what I think we'll try next time!

Spring Break

Last week was our spring break, so Casey took off a couple days from work to enjoy some activities with the kids.



The boys went & hit some golf balls, while Kaitlyn & I enjoyed an afternoon of shopping.



Fishing on the Lake

Ryan has wanted to go fishing, so we took a day & went to a local lake that charges $5.00/per person to catch up to 6 fish each.



Ryan's Favorite Part - Casting his line out!
It's really a wonder he caught the 4 fish he did, because he didn't leave his line out in the water that long. He just wanted to cast & reel...cast & reel!



It started out a little slow, but Ryan was the first to catch a fish. He was very excited(you might have to look really close... the fish blends in with the grass).



Ryan managed to catch 3 more fish, Cody caught 1, and Kaitlyn caught 2 + a turtle that tried to snatch up her worm as she was reeling in her line.



We were hoping for a fish fry that night, but the fish we caught weren't quite big enough to make a meal, so we released them back into the lake in hopes of bigger fish next time!

We had a wonderful week full of some much needed R&R and fun family activities...only one more month until summer vacation begins!!

Easter Photo

Happy Easter

Wing Night

Cody's Favorite

As A Child...

I use to LOVE when my dad would bring home cracker jacks. My favorite part(besides the peanuts) was the prize hidden somewhere inside the box of caramel covered popcorn. There was always such an excited anticipation in finding the inexpensive(cheap) treat hidden inside the box. I've always wanted to create the same nostalgia with my own children, but they were not impressed with the small prize stuck inside a box of something they didn't want to eat.

However...

Ryan has eaten his 6th Super Hero Popsicle today, and all in the name of the Riddle....the riddle on the popsicle stick.



"What Animal should you never play cards with?" Answer: A CHEETAH

"What did the dentist give the marching band?" Answer: A TUBA TOOTHPASTE

"Who does a dog quarterback throw to?" Answer: A LABRADOR RECEIVER

"Where should you put your TV?" Answer: IN A REMOTE AREA



As much as my Cracker Jack prizes weren't exciting...neither are these jokes funny, but I guess the marketing executives know what they are doing, because as a child they are priceless!!

More Chick Pics

It has rained A LOT, so we were thankful for one warm sunny day and the chance it gave us for some outside pictures with the chicks.











Everyone was excited to have their pictures taken with the colored chicks. They were only a few days old when they arrived, & the kids had each decided which chick(color) is their favorite. However, the excitement soon faded after requests were being rendered for smiles, arranging body parts, unwanted chick placements, etc...Cody decided he didn't like getting his picture taken(we did manage one), Ryan wasn't up for any posing(only after being bribed with a Happy Meal), and Kaitlyn soon turned into the photographer, but when all was finished we managed to get some fun pictures and will be sad to see them go.

Chicks in the Classroom

Casey had some colored chicks, and we had arranged to take them into Ryan's classroom yesterday. We were stopped in the hallway many times by teachers wanting to take a peek at what was in the box. It's always a fun surprise when they see that a few of the chicks are colored, and they usually ask, "How'd you do that?" Some think that you color the chicks after they hatch, and Casey thinks it's funny to tell them the hen ate Froot Loops, but actually he injects food coloring into the eggs & that is what changes their color.



Before handing them out to the class, Ryan was able to show everyone how to hold them without squeezing their guts out. He did really well, considering we have to remind him often of this special holding technique.



Kaitlyn wanted to come with us, and it was a good thing she did. She was kept quite busy exchanging chicks.



Everyone enjoyed holding them. Some were a little hesitant at first & didn't like the feel of them squirming in their hands, but Kaitlyn showed them how to gently hold the chicks to keep them calm. The girls really enjoyed it & were amazed that they could actually get the chicks to sleep in their hands. The boys still thought it necessary to squeeze just a bit to restrain their movements...and pretty soon their guts started coming out(not really, but other bodily fluids)..."clean up on table 4!"

We stayed for about 1/2 hour & then headed back home. It was a fun field trip to Kindergarten!

Coming Soon...

Easter Chick Pictures

Until then, here are some fun egg decorating ideas to try for Easter:


Everything Easter Egg Decorating