Experiencing Harry Potter

I'm so thankful to Gia for encouraging me around nightly "read alouds" with the kids.  I recognize there is great learning and skill building associated with it - especially since we read books a few grade levels above their own reading level - but it's also a very bonding experience!  JB and I particularly enjoy the time and have knocked out many great books.  And while they may not be literary classics (yet), we started the Harry Potter series last year.

I only read the first book (and in Spanish) when the series first came out, so reading to JB is also introducing me to the stories and characters.  We made it through the first two books, Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets, last year, and then we watched the movies.  (I have a strict "books before movie" policy, which is normally easy for me but DANG, those movies are good! It takes will power not to go have a Harry Potter movie marathon and find out how it ends!  But....no....books first...)  

For Christmas we gifted JB (well, and me) tickets to the Harry Potter Experience in Atlanta, which housed a very impressive collection of movie memorabilia showcased in an exhibition that made you feel like you were inside the world of Harry Potter.  We had a blast.  

Although the Exhibition only took a couple of hours to move through, JB and I took advantage of a 1:1 trip together and enjoyed some time with family, eating out and spending the night with Gia (while learning a new fun card game: taco cat goat cheese pizza).  

We also threw in a Trader Joe's trip on the way out of town, which JB clarified was nearly as exciting as the Experience, with all the parking lot drama of Sunday morning at the busy Midtown TJs!

We love this kid and I'm so, SO thankful for time together. I love his imagination and love of books.  May we always have this common interest and shared appreciation for the printed word!

Lots of Family Christmas Celebrations (plus NYE!) - Part 3

Oh my goodness, the fun this Christmas never ends!  Right after Gia left us to go home, Grammy and Gran Gran arrived from Texas! We had a great time exploring the Farm, exploring our new home and neighborhood down on the coast, and just enjoying the time together.  We got to celebrate Gran Gran's 81st birthday, plus their 43rd wedding anniversary.

Of course, they brought presents. :) Lots of lots more gifts to open and enjoy. We recreated Christmas morning (which I will always say YES to!)

I'm so glad that we had the time to run down to the Ford house while they visited, too, so that we could check the progress of the house PLUS show Gran Gran the new place. 

We went from a 2/2.5 Farm house (with one working shower) to a 2/1 Carriage house...but no one seemed to mind :)

These birders had a blast walking around and adding to their list.  We even saw a bald eagle in her nest during our hike! Well, actually, Maryn (yes, Maryn) spotted it and then Gran Gran got a GREAT picture. 

We rushed back from Ford in time to get some fireworks and food for New Year's Eve, which we spent outside at the Farm (finally warm enough to be outside after that super cold Christmas).  James splurged a bit and we had quite the show!

We toasted the year by opening a bottle of Clase Azul (so good) and attempting a family photo.  

Most everyone went to bed but a few of us stayed up till after midnight.  NOT watching the ball, mind you, but finishing the very, very exciting Georgia game!

The next morning (and then the day after that, too) we enjoyed walks in the woods, birding around the property, and even more good food. 

As always, we're grateful that Grammy and Gran Gran made the long drive from Texas, and that we had not one but THREE wonderful Christmas celebrations with our loved ones.  Here's to a wonderful 2023 - may the Lord bless and keep us in this new year.