Florida !

OH mah Gootnes.   We had SUCH a marvelous trip.
First of all.   ALWAYS rent a house.
For around the same price as a hotel room....you can get a WHOLE house.   With a laundry room and kitchen and seperate bedrooms and no neighbors above, below or on either side of you.  TRUST ME...with 5 kids....that's a good thing.
We also had a pool which I think is a MUST.     It was absolutely wonderful to come home after being at the hot park all day, to just throw ourselves in to the pool.   We looked forward to it every day.  

Second. If'n you didn't know.....now you do.   You can TOTALLY TAKE FOOD IN TO DISNEY.   unfortunately not into Sea world.   (well apparently you can fax headquarters and tell them that you have an allergy and cannot cross contaminate and then wait for a fax to take with you to the park, but we didn't do that)
We spent a total of 15.00 in 3 days at the actual parks in Disney.    2 bottled waters and some cotton candy....fih-teen dollahs.
Doesn't that just make EVERYBODY happy :)   WOO HOOOO !  pack treats.  lots of treats.
OH and freeze a water bottle (take a little out before) and then pack it in your stroller or bag.   It melts through out the day and there you have cold water most of the day.

Flying with 5 kids turned out to be not such a big deal.    We prepared for the worst.   1/2 glass empty approach.   Expected the worst and were pleasantly surprised.
The first 4 hours we had DVD players and then the batteries died. and it was scary. and then for the last hour they slept.
I have to say....over all...my kids were some of the quietest and best on the plane.   Not bad.  Not bad at all.




So happy for this wonderful man.   We couldn't have done it (without sweat and heartache) without him.  Best 10 bucks we ever spent.

In the airport however.   They were the devils.    And I'm glad...because it had ALL of those people sitting around rolling their eyes, hoping that they wouldn't sit near us, running to the gate to request an upgrade, ordering adult beverages before take off also expecting the worst.    Pretty safe to say that we were all left with a warm fuzzy feeling after.

like monkeys...they were climbing the trees in the airport.   feels better than to say they were climbing all over in their potted plants.

Friends.   Always travel with friends.   and if you can't meet them there....bring your own.
We were lucky to have both.  
We hooked up with some friends who live in Florida.    They were the ones who helped us learn the ins and outs of food at the park and what rides to run to first :)   Did you know that they actually run out of fast passes ?  and fast too.
One is a pediatrician the other a child therapist.    They were still boggled as to how to control some of the more vocal behaviors of my children.   :)  Nice right.
We also brought our babysitter from home and her mom :)    They were AWESOME and it sure was nice having someone else to share the responsibility of the house keeping with.

babysitters, friends and neighbors all in one.  



Florida Friends 
With babysitters we were able to leave the kids sleeping at home and go out to dinner with just the adults. (insert sighs and the calgon commercial theme song)

  

I am so super proud of this.   1- it's my first ever plank and 2- look at the balance I had.  
and that 'moving' hand rail is only 5 inches wide.  and yes we are in fact moving. Seriously :)

Sea World.   Looooved it.   The shows at sea world are just inspiring.    It amazes me how they get aquatic living marine mammals some with a makeup of nearly 90% blubber to do tricks.   Most of them more synchronized than the Ohio State synchronized swimmers.  
Seriously.   How do they do that ?
We met up with some other florida friends this day.    It's one thing to have spirited children.   It's an entirely different thing to hang out with 2 families whose children are especially well behaved.   Sheesh.
Always invite my family if'n you want to feel good about yours.  :)
Just sayin.

There are a few better group shots....but I just loved this one of my boys. :)

That's a lot of kids, yeah ? more than 1/2 of them are mine.     

The only thing that we'd do differently is to maybe plan it in November.   September in Orlando is still extremley hot.   and humid. 
Also.  I would plan for more down days.    Some of our best times were just hanging out at the house in the pool doing nothing.   

Well that and meeting Buzz Lightyear.   Dancing with Woody.   and of course getting some lovin from Mickey and Minnie.
yip.   good stuff people.

More than the characters...the ducks and squirrels were a big hit with my gang.  :)

The Dentist

Is it CRAZY that the best part of my day was going to the dentist.
Oh My Gootness people.   If you know a dentist.  You need to tell them to turn their practice into a dental spa.
Masssage chairs, dim lighting and spa music in the waiting room.  Paraffin wax on my hands.   warm or cool eye masks.  soothing music with a perfectly balanced spa atmosphere.  jaw, temple, neck massage after cleanings.   Plus they give you tongue scrapers with your super nice new toothbrush, mouth wash, dental floss and tooth paste packet.    I think tongue scrapers are just cool.
Within the next few weeks the childrens dental spa will open next door.  (same building).   In the basement they have big ol arcades and a movie theater to keep the kids busy while they wait.   They have full lay out, full body massage chairs for the parents while THEY wait.
I'm telling you.   TALK TO YOUR DENTISTS.  Everyone needs to have dental experiences like these.
(p.s. it's all covered by insurance...you don't have to pay for the bells and whistles)

Syd.   she liked her dental barn experience. ba-a-a-a-a.   but not exactly relaxing.  so to speak.
She had to have her teeth pulled last week.   (yes I know....I'm terrible for just now uploading video of it)
We pulled her top baby canines to make room for the extremely large (like her mothers) horse teef she got comin' in !  She had a tooth stuck on one of her canines trying to come in.   The dentist said that if we left it...it would turn and come in side ways.   
Why add 3-6 months on to her orthodontics later.   Just pull those bad boys. ;-)

Syd giving advice to her brothers about having dental work done.
She REALLY liked the silly forget what happened later medicine they gave her. A little too much actually. She asked me for more 3 times while her head would sway side to side.   NOT a feeling I want her to get accustomed to liking.

and of course.....seeing herself with the laughing gas mask on.
(sorry it's all over the place. I was holding the camera above her...so she could see....which meant, I couldn't see what I was filming :)

Big Boys Hip Hop

Today my boys had their very first hip hop class.
OH HOLY HANNAH was it cute.
7 little boys and a teacher that looked a bit like Gwen Stefani and Cyndi Lauper.  put that to some Michael Jackson music and this is a little bit of what you get.
(couldn't get great pictures and was only able to stay for a few minutes...but here they are)

Nathan was VERY sad that he couldn't dance too.   he said, "I can dance mom" and would do a little groove move.  :)   Thing is....I bet he'd be just as good as any kid in the class ! ha ha
Maybe in a couple of years buddy.

First day of school !

I have been waiting for the first day of school with such anticipation.
It didn't exactly feel the way I thought it would.
Still though, it was a GREAT day !

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Being good sometimes counts, right ?

-Because sometimes it's ok to eat dry cereal for breakfast in moms room while watching a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
-Because it's ok to to eat dry cereal yet again for lunch, in front of the TV right before bath time, just before pre school.
-Because after pre school my decision to head to Carls Jr. for a shake was the best and greatest idea, because holy shat fire it's too hot for the park, but these kids need to climb and play and not on my couches and turned over chairs.
-AND just because the play structure says it's for children under 12 doesn't mean a grown up won't fit. it also said you have to go down the slide....I didn't follow that rule either.
-Because when everyone was melting down with the heat....I held it together. and nobody was even around to watch me.
-I shared my bubble gum and chased my kids all with patience, love and 100% of my attention.
-Today. I'm a good mom.

well, up until now, when I sat down at the computer and am now blocking out the screaming from the babies who are tearing apart my couches and Sydney's request for....something....I have completely tuned her out until just now. ha ha ha
but EARLIER today....I was good. and that counts for something.
I'm officially done being nice.

WHO'S CRYING ! NATE LEAVE HIM ALONE ! WHAT SYDNEY ?? WHAT ?? PUT THE COUCH CUSHIONS BACK ON THE COUCH !!! DAMN IT !

Polly want a crack whore

I've been going to the local high school track in the mornings to do some running/walking.
It's wonderful because I can put on my music and circle the track all in a world of my own whildst my children are playing on the field or in the bleachers....all contained with the surrounding fence.....and lately the football team, cheerleaders and drill team, who have been practicing for homecoming in a week or so.

Today after my run I went under the bleachers to find my babies sitting on the ground. Ryan was holding a handful of grass and Nathan was pecking at the grass with a dead baby bird.
and me without hand sanitizer.
I wiped their hands off with wet wipes once we got to the car and washed them 3 times as soon as we got home.
gross. on so many levels.

These little 3 year olds are a lot less fun than the little 2 year olds they once were. I've heard from several people that the odd years are the worst. I happen to have 3, 5 and 7 year olds. who the hell planned that one.

ANY WAYS !

3 year stats. because I know you want to know and I have to keep track.

Nathan :
weight 37 lbs 90%
height 40 in. 97%
no shots.
no concerns
Nate told the doctor a knock knock joke while being checked out.
knock knock.
who's there
doggy pooped


Ryan :
weight 34 lbs 75%
height 39 in. 90%
no shots
no concerns
noted that he was super whiney and high maintanence. :)
He wouldn't open his mouth and resisted and whined pretty much the whole time.

If I survive this last set...I promise to donate my time to those in need, my money for a scholarship to a mother who devoted her life to her kids and since my mind will be mush..I'll donate my eyes....because they will be wise and will have seen pretty much everything.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad !

Yesterday -
Once the screaming died down. and also the request for a bandaid to place over the white circle with the red pindot in the center on his inner foot.
Nathan : bees will sting you ?
Mom : bees will sting you if they think you are going to hurt or kill them. You stepped on that bee so he stung you.
Nathan : Will piders eat you ?
Mom : no. spiders won't eat you.
Nathan : only dragons will eat you ?
Mom : Unless you are their friend...they won't eat you if you are their friend.
Nathan : Sadie bite you ?
Mom : no, Sadie won't bite you.
Nathan : Mom won't bite you ?
Mom : no, mom WILL bite you. (bit arm)
Nathan : ouch. don't bite me ! A bee hurt me !
Cam : Bees are mean.
Mom : Bees aren't mean. They only hurt you when you hurt them. I watched the Bee movie....bee's are nice.
Cam : I watched that movie, but bees in our world are mean and you have to freeze them. Do you know how hard it is to play freeze tag ? It's hard.
Nathan : Shoes will kill bees. Then they won't sting me.
Mom : It's a good idea to wear shoes.
Cam : Yeah and shoes make you run fast too.

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel, so bad