Sunny South Florida

We just got back last night from a fabulous mini-vacation to the Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach area of Florida. Our church association meetings were being held in Boca Raton this year, so we decided to head down a little early and see some sights and enjoy some company. God blessed us with cheap airline tickets and the hospitality of MaryJane and Myron McPherson. They were the best hosts and really made us feel right at home. Xavier and Addison were both sad to leave. They loved MaryJane and Myron a lot and had a great time playing and hanging out with them. We were not able to do all the things we had wished to do, so we will have to plan another trip down that way. Maybe April???? Who knows.

While there we visited the Lion Park Safari. You drive your car through the park where the animals walk all around you. It was really cool. Some ostriches came very close to the car. They even had a baby rhino. It was so cool to see. Xavier said it was a like a zoo, so he is counting it as one and now that makes 12 for him and 8 for Addison. On Friday the whole family got to take an airboat ride on the Everglades. That was super cool. We saw lots of alligators and one got pretty close to the boat. Afterwards they have a show where they wrestle alligators. Addison thought it was great and kept trying to climb into the pen with the gator and the guys. What can I say she is fearless.

On Sabbath I helped MaryJane with the children. We had a great turn out of 15-18 kids. It was great to see MaryJane work. She is so passionate and engaging with the children. We had a field trip planned for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, but we got there late and they had already closed. They did allow us to walk around a little bit before they locked the gates. We have added it to the list of things to do the next time we come down.

The Past few Months

We had one day of very nice sunshine, although pretty cold temps, but me and the kids braved the elements and spent an afternoon at the Zoo. Zoo Atlanta makes the list at number 11 for Xavier and number 7 for Addison. Like I said before, we like zoos.





Addison got to attend Montessori School for one day because Grandma had to go out of town. We didn't have anyone else to watch her and we both had to work. So, she "visited" the toddler room for a day. She absolutely loved every minute of it, so now I need to figure out to afford to send her or maybe not. :)







A Bug Boil and Softball game with the folks from The Journey, our Sunday church.










October is Pastor Appreciation Month. The very yummy cake they had made for John and I.




A quick trip to Asheville, NC to visit Uncle Daniel and a pumpkin patch.







Been pretty busy around the Pethtel house over the last few months. Xavier is enjoying Kindergarten although not really learning anything new. He has a great teacher who is willing to give him some extra work, but he's still way ahead of his classmates. John has gone back to sales at Sears, which means a big pay cut for us. But he does now have more time for the family and the church and that is more important. I am still busy at school. My classroom flooded during all the heavy rain in the Atlanta area a few weeks ago. Not a lot of damage but enough to keep us out of the room for a month. We get to go back to our old room in one more week.
John took a trip to West Virginia at the beginning of October and hit a deer on the first day. The KIA was totaled and thanks to our wonderful in-laws, he is now the proud owner of a 93 taurus. He went for a vacation and didn't get much of one. Maybe next time. :)
The kids and I took a trip to Asheville to visit my brother, Daniel. We had a nice time and beautiful weather. Next month we should be heading down to Fort Lauderdale for church association. Right now we are deciding how to get down there.
So, that is everything in a nut shell. Blog some more next month.

Montessori at Home

The shelf Grandma found at the thrift store for $10. It works perfectly for Addison. (Soon the whole shelf will have Montessori work on it. As of right now it only has 2, but she loves all the other stuff too.)


She loves her little puzzles.


Xavier was showing her how to do a knobbed puzzle.



Choosing her favorite work off the shelf.




Her favorite work so far is put and take.


Doing some dry pouring. I used some colored pasta and she tried to eat it at first.



Since we can not afford to send Addison to Montessori school at the moment. I am turning the playroom into a small Montessori environment for her. It's been a slow process because you need shelves and they don't come cheap. We finally got one from a thrift store and then found the perfect table and chairs at IKEA for a very good price. I have set-up 2 works so far and she is in heaven. Next on the list is another shelf, some actual Montessori work and some rugs for her to do work on the floor. She may not be getting the socialization that school offers, but she will be getting some of the basic skills. I am hoping we can afford to send her next fall.