Hello again! It has been quite a while since our last entry (last summer).
Since July, we have seen leaps and bounds in all kinds of areas!
Vivian and Annie Kate have come a long way with reading, and Vivian is beginning to earn AR (Accelerated Reader) points for hers! We are proud of both of our girls, who are now in 1st and 2nd grade.
Matthew is truckin’ along through 4th grade, and continues to have an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He loves to read, and has shown a particular interest in science.
Since last July’s post, we have seen another Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas go by, and each time is a different and richer experience since they have a much better grasp on the English language now.
…..which brings us to our latest adventure--Spring Break 2016 in Tennessee!
Gareth and Annie Kate went to the Mississippi State Spelling Bee (which Gareth’s student WON) on Tuesday, March 15. After the spelling bee, we all came back together to get in the minivan and head to Tennessee!
Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate had been asking to see the mountains and snow for some time; we didn’t tell them where we were going (to lower expectations and to minimize the exponential number of questions which would ensue). But we did ensure them that they would have a great time.
The kids were troopers in the car (with the help of music, movies, books, games, blankets, and pillows), and finally after eight hours, we arrived at our beautiful condo in Pigeon Forge. Our condo was situated on the Little Pigeon River (which had ducks).
If you know anything about the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg region, you know that there is a pancake house every ten steps. So naturally, we ate delicious breakfasts at pancake houses most days.
The first day we simply enjoyed the indoor swimming pool, and then played mini-golf! Annie Kate got a hole-in-one! They all loved it. It was just fun being together and cheering each other on.
The second day, Kim took the girls to a park while I (Gareth) took Matthew to the Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge. He has studied about it in school, in addition to recently reading a book about it. It was super-cool and legitimate, not just a hokey tourist trap. There are real artifacts, and lots of hands-on exhibits.
Later that night, we went to the Dixie Stampede for dinner. Our children loved the special effects, horse tricks, racing pigs, racing miniature horses, and all the other crazy antics it had to offer (not to mention the huge amounts of delicious food).
Snow tubing in Ober Gatlinburg is such an ideal activity: it’s fun, there’s no special equipment needed, nor does it require special skill. They manufacture their snow, so even though it was 65 degrees, there was plenty of snow on which to tube. And the best part is...there’s a conveyor belt that pulls you back to the top of the hill!
Our three were a slightly anxious about sliding down the steep hill, but after their first go, they did not want to stop. Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate all squealed with delight as they sped down the hill on their tubes. There are a few pictures and videos if you would like to follow me on Facebook or Instagram @gbonner34.
After a lunch and some rest, the Bonner Five rode go-carts that afternoon. Matthew got to drive his own, and Kim and I each took a girl as a passenger. It was so much fun!
As all good things must, the Bonner Five’s mountain vacation had to come to an end. It was tough to leave, but we headed back Saturday morning to Petal.
And when the kids’ teachers ask them how their Spring Break was, they will have stories to tell.
Thanks for reading!
