Camellia Gardens

Saturday we headed to Fort Valley, just south of Macon, to the Camellia Gardens.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we had a great time.  This garden is one of the largest collections of camellias in the world.  It was really, really cool!

Our first stop was inside the judging room with thousands of camellias on display - it was fascinating.  Parker wanted to touch the flowers, but Brad and I explained to him they were just for looking.  Parker wanted none of that, so I took Parker off to the side and we ate some graham crackers - hah!

After the judging room, we toured the camellia gardens. 

Parker was having a blast!

Look at those lips - hilarious!

Parker in front of a red camellia (this was Brad's favorite).

Parker absolutely loved walking around the gardens.  He got a great workout on the pebble pathways!

Brad and Parker at a camellia tree

This might be one of my favorite pics with my little man!

Taking a stroll with daddy to the pond

He enjoyed the pond!

We were trying to leave, but Parker wanted to keep exploring!

On our way out, we sat on a bench for a quick conversation with some locals.  Brad gave Parker a camellia bud and he loved it!

This was my favorite camellia at the gardens . . .

And my 2nd favorite

Thanks Daddy for a fun day at the gardens!

On our way home, we stopped at a local peach farm shop.  We got some peach bread and a pecan pie.  Brad also got a peach fried pie . . . just like in the fall when we go for apples, he will always get an apple fried pie.  I swear, I don't know how he eats that stuff!  The peaches aren't in season until June, so we'll definitely be back.  

We passed the Blue Bird plant - they make the Blue Bird school buses!

For dinner, we stopped at a local BBQ restaurant to eat dinner.  We were all so hungry and we definitely worked up an appetite with all our walking we did.  The BBQ was reasonably priced and very good.  We said we would go back and eat there the next time we visit in that area!

We had a great time at the gardens and we look forward to going back when the azaleas are in bloom.  And, just so you know, the below picture is deceiving . . . it took us a little over 2 hours to get there and Parker only slept about 30 minutes going and about 45 minutes coming home!  However, he did go right to sleep when I put him to bed.



Fireman PK

My mom was here this weekend, so Friday night we went to eat at a local home-cookin' restaurant, Family Traditions.  As we were leaving, several firemen came into the restaurant to eat.  We stopped to say hey and Fireman Brian took us out to their fire truck and gave Parker a fireman hat.  He also turned on all the lights - it was so cool!!

Parker also got to sit in the fire truck - Parker was fascinated!

Thanks to Fireman Brian and the Cherokee County firemen for being so nice to Parker!

Valentine's Day Fun

What a great Valentine's Day we had!  Parker was finally feeling better, so he was able to go to school and then later that night, we enjoyed a fun dinner at our local BBQ joint.

Sunday night we worked on our Valentines for Parker's classmates, his teachers, and I made a cake. 

Checking to make sure this Valentine is ready for his classmate (we got Scooby Valentines and Scooby snacks, which were bone-shaped graham crackers)

Valentines for his teachers

He really, really wanted to eat a heart-shaped cake before bed

He was not happy with me when I told him no - just look at that face! Hah!

Parker with his Valentine gifts (he got the monkey and some new bath toys)

Jake with his Valentine gifts

Ready to go to school and enjoy his party!

Seriously!! Hah!

I got to eat lunch with Parker at his school and the teachers shared some Valentine treats with the kids during this time.  I pack his lunch every day and this particular day, he had lasagne, green beans, pineapple, and 3 mini oreo cookies.

As a Valentine treat, he got some crackers and cheese, a muffin and a cookie.  See that huge cookie - I took that off his plate.  There was so much food that Parker didn't even eat everything, and Parker always eats all his food!  I was so proud of him that he didn't continue to eat. 

After lunch, it was time for me to go and time for Parker to nap.  Look at his eyes - he was so tired!  When I picked him up, later that afternoon, the teachers told me he went right to sleep!

Parker with his teachers, Ms. Diana and Ms. Dionne

Parker made this heart for me at school - so sweet!

Valentine's night with all his Valentines from his classmates.  He was so tired!  When we were eating dinner, he almost fell asleep!

Parker with his bath toys and the monkey that he got as his Valentine gift

New School

Parker started at a new school about a week ago.  He is now going to The Goddard School and we have been very pleased.  The school is about 5 minutes from our house, so that is nice.

I get to pack Parker a lunch every day.  We have the option of purchasing a lunch, at an additional charge, but I am fine with packing his lunch.  I went to Target and bought him this cute little Elmo lunchbox.  

Here is Parker's lunch on his first day - chicken nuggets, carrots, oranges, and a blueberry muffin.

He is all ready to go!  Jake was excited that he was getting to go for a car ride! Hah!

Parker's new school

Parker's new room - Get Set.  This room has 2-3 year olds and there are 15 kids in the class with 2 teachers.  They made Parker a sweet welcome sign and put it on the door for him on his first day. 

Parker reading a book in his class

The school took this picture of Parker and sent it to me via email.  I thought that was really nice. 

Parker at the end of his first day when I picked him up.  He had a great first day!

Parker's picture he colored on his first day.  The weekly theme was dinosaurs!