Lockdown

3 Years, 52 Weeks...or... exactly 4 Years!


It could have been potentially the most frightening notification any parent can get from their child's school:  an email alerting them of a lockdown because of a gunman.  We've all seen the shocking news and heard the terrifying accounts on tv; the grim faces of those affected by such a horrific act.  It is every parents' nightmare, including my own, and one that I hope and pray never to experience.

We did, however, receive a similar notification on Tuesday afternoon.  OJA had been ordered to lockdown by Orlando Police, as there had been a car burglary on Edgewater Dr., about a mile west of the school.  A witness saw the suspect flash a weapon, and quickly alerted police, who scrambled to put all neighboring schools, including nearby Edgewater High, on lockdown.  A huge storm was also going through the area, which probably helped the suspect escape, as they never found him; the lightning and thunder also prevented the dismissal of school by several minutes for safety concerns.  Fortunately the lockdown was just preventative, and was lifted after only 20 minutes, which was 20 minutes too long for us parents.  Thank God nothing major happened to anyone that day.

So aside from the lockdown and Tangie being gone 3 days in Atlanta for work, it's been just another crazy normal week for us:

Hanging around, waiting to pick big sister up from school.

She bruised her knee during recess the day before so she asked to sit out
during gymnastics practice on Friday.

Swung by the blueberry farm to get some for a salad that evening.

I bought Brae a new cycling outfit during a weekend sale at Orange Cycle. 

It includes 3 pockets on the back of the jersey and a padded chamois in her shorts!

Had our usual crew over for dinner on Friday evening.

The adults chatting and catching up from the week.

Colby planking and working on his core.  Pretty soon he's gonna be mobile!

Sabbath morning at 6:30 I joined 15 guys from church on a group ride before heading to church.
But not like this.  We did go home and shower and change prior to attending service!

Joining Ms. Patty on a musical parade in Sabbath School.
 

The lesson was Breakfast With Jesus.  Kohl obviously enjoyed the fishing exercise.
Lolo would've been proud.

Joined the Clarkes for lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and caught up with them.

Sabbath afternoon ride with Brae around the neighborhood.

She loved wearing her new get up!

Attended a "glow in the dark" Easter egg hunt at a nearby church Saturday night.

Braelyn made out with a whole bunch!

Early Sunday morning ride with Duncan.

He let me pull a few times while he drafted behind.  That was so nice of him.

Came back home to this scene of...um...creativity?

Watching big sister work on her Core 5 lesson.

Joined the Grodacks for another round of blueberry picking.  

Maddy found the biggest one!

A rare afternoon treat after lunch!

"I'll taste yours while you taste mine."

This one didn't want to share!

Quick trip with Mommy to get party supplies.

Keeping themselves entertained with the toys.

Afternoon at the movies with the whole family.  It was really good!

At her 7 year doctor's visit on Monday.
Her stats:  Height  48 inches (50%) an increase of 3" from prior year.
Weight 50 lbs (50%) an increase of 8 lbs. "     "     ".

Dropping off a package sold on eBay over the weekend.

Calling each other on bananas.

Working on a frozen banana pop project.

An hour later, voilà!

All 3 getting their exercise on the elliptical.  Maddy hangs on for dear life!

Thinking I should invest in these to keep them from accidentally
banging their heads on things at home...

Evening soccer practice.

Boy vs. girls, Kohl gets outnumbered.

And shows his frustration at not getting the ball.

As well as at me for taking his picture during his frustration!

Tired guy, we've had 3 very early mornings getting up to bring Braelyn to school.

He wanted to help clean up so...

Pizza night, she wanted to help cut the slices.

Garden Update:

The garden flourishing and the flowers blooming beautifully.

I had almost given up on the Wisteria vine and found our first blossom of the season.

However both Confederate Jasmines seem to be doing quite well!

The backyard at dusk.

Randoms:

Wondering if I should get one...

Where's my cape?  Bumped into Supergirl, Wonder woman, and Captain America (in a cap?) at Sweet Tomatoes and just had to get my picture taken with them!

Mommy starting the party decorations for the twins' upcoming birthday party.

Our own Princess Anna.  Strikingly similar??

Another pretty sunset courtesy of God.

And then the following day.

Seriously??  Come on!

A friend from Denver texted me this picture.  Apparently he was at a function and
Manning was the keynote speaker!

Orange County really creative with their crossing guard group...

Ok, so there's still 225 days until Black Friday.  And why does it have to be black?...um...

My three silly shadows.

Quotes:

• Braelyn was half asleep Friday evening as I carried her upstairs to her bed.  She was mumbling and talking nonsense to me:

          Brae:  [sleep talking] "Daddy don't forget to do my laundry so I can have 

                                             clothes on Monday."

          Me:  "Okay."

          Brae:  "Can you wash my biking shorts.  But remember not to put it in
                     the shrinkamadoodle thing."

          aka...the dryer!

• I was at a restaurant with the kids in Winter Garden on Sunday, eating lunch and trying to keep them entertained:

          Me:  [to Brae]  "Which is heavier, a pound of rocks or a pound of
                                   feathers?"

          Brae:  "Rocks."

          Me:  "No."

          Brae:  "Feathers?"

          Me:  "Nope!"

          Kohl:  [pipes up]  "An Elephant!!"

• We were at Walmart getting our battery changed and walking around the toy department just checking out stuff.  Kohlden was whining that we weren't getting anything for him:

          Kohl:  "But Daddy, why are we not getting anything?"

          Me:  "Because we are not getting anything."

          Kohl:  "But...that's not how it works!"

• We were swinging by the Grodacks to pick up some of Corey's old newspapers for Braelyn's Spanish class:

          Brae:  "Why do I need newspapers?"

          Me:  "Because of a project for Spanish class."

          Brae:  "What is it?"

          Me:  "You're making piñatas."

          Brae:  "Who said?"

          Me:  "Mrs.  Archibald."

          Brae:  [matter-of-factly]  "Señora Archibald."

          ¡Perdóna mí!

• En route to school on Thursday we were going over things for Braelyn's tests:

          Me:  "So, are you ready for your trick words?"

          Brae:  "I don't know my trick words, but I can spell them."

          Me:  "Ok, go ahead.  Spell them."

          Brae:  "T-H-E-M."

           Smartypants...

Saying goodnight to Mommy in Atlanta.  We missed you!

Have a great weekend!