Hump Day

Stuffing
Monday, I did the Old Mother Hubbard shopping trip. You know, the one that ends with a big receipt and someone to walk the second cart out to the car? I noticed a couple things that both shocked and amazed me. You can buy Cinnamon Sugar and Honey Butter. Each "recipe" uses exactly two ingredients, yet someone has figured out that it's marketable. Most notibly, after Mitzi's point out that she used Stove Top, I grabbed a bag of Pepperidge Farms Seasoned Breadcrumbs. Last night, after the kids were in bed, I realized that I hadn't eaten dinner. Yes, I had remembered to feed the kids - they wouldn't let me forget. Tuesday is dance night, so frequently I'm wrapped up in getting ready for that. I decided on a big bowl of stuffing for dinner. There's a recipe on the back for amount of broth, butter, and breadcrumbs, but that's just a starting point... Here's what I like to do :

In a small skillet, melt a little butter.
Sautee chopped onion and celery until almost soft.
Add chopped pecans
Sautee a little while longer.
Add remaining butter and broth.
When boiling, pour over breadcrumbs and gently toss.
Bake until crispy on top (15-20 minutes at 350).
Serve with gravy.

It was so good.

Grab the Kleenex
Part of the stuffing craving is that I'm a bit under the weather. Have been for about a week. I'm to the point it hurts my stomach to blow my nose. I didn't know nose blowing could be like doing crunches. Plus, we ran out of tissues, so I've been carrying around a roll of toilet paper. Classy. My husband will be back home tonight, so I'll crack open the Ny-Quil. I can't decided if I want to go to the gym today - after traveling half of last week and being sick this week, I just haven't been up to it. Plus, I need to get my training underway. Crap. I'd better go. I'll take it easy though.

Pictures.
In an attempt to have a couple minutes of quiet time, I handed the kids (4 and 2) the camera. They've brought it back twice to show me the pictures. It is so funny to see their perspective of the house. Between that and the Christmas tree box, they're getting along, not fighting, and being quiet. They've take 93 pictures in 10 minutes - so that's what the 1 gig camera card is for...

Challenge.
I posted a challenge a while back. I'm extending the deadling until Dec 15, partly because I'm sick, and partly because there's too much good stuff out there... Keep those stores coming!

Trifecta

I couldn’t sleep Thanksgiving night. Had about a forty-five minute nap in the afternoon, so my schedule was out of whack. Started thinking about all I was thankful for. The list is pretty long. My thoughts shifted to my friend who lost her husband, and how time really is fleeting. How it’s not if we’re going to die, it’s when. Really, how much time do we know we have? I started thinking about my “Life List” – you know the big “To Do” before it’s over.

It’s not really important what’s on my list, but I do have one.

I started thinking about what holds me back from accomplishing things I want. The biggest, for me, is fear of failure. But also, there’s a trifecta. Three things that either help or hinder any project: ability, time, and money.

Right now, I have as much ability as I’m going to. Time and money are another thing – right now. Sure, if I really wanted it, I could make time, but truth be told, there are only twenty four hours in a day and most of those hours are taken up caring for the young ones. Money, well, we’re feeding, clothing, and housing a family of five on an income of one. Not that we’re wanting, just trying to plan ahead and make sound decisions.

At some point, I’ll gain more time. The kids will get older and more self-sufficient. Eventually, they’ll leave the house. Money – at some point, I’ll go back to work. Things may get tighter as the kids get older – with activities, and eventually college, but at some point, hopefully, things will loosen up. I look at my parents, my dad especially. Retired, he’s got the time and money, and, because he’s taken care of himself, he’s got ability too. Some, though, as they get older, end up with a lot of time, but no ability. Others, no money. It’s a balance to strike.

So it’s now 2 am and I still can’t sleep. I start thinking about the ability based things I want to do. One of them… A marathon. Besides the ability, the second most needed thing is time. Money, I shouldn’t need another pair of shoes for about 100 miles and the entrance fee is minimal. I start planning out how to carve workouts. The obvious, is to do as much as I can in the mornings when I go to the gym. As I increase my effort, my mile time will decrease, allowing me to get more in the same amount of time.

I’ve thought plenty of times about Marathon to Marathon in Iowa. It’s not too far distance-wise, and I have family in the area. Now, for the training. Right now, today, it’s twenty nine weeks out. So I’m thinking of doing a 5k or 10k training program to work up to the eighteen week Hal Higdon’s Novice Program. I’d have to start that February 11th.

Now is as good of time as any.

Am I asking too much?

All I want is to get the tree up.

I can't find the screws to hold it in the base.

I already checked the garage for screws, but we don't have any big enough. I searched the empty box and the ornament box. Normally, I'd just load up the kids and head to the local home improvement store, but it's raining and about 40. Besides, they're still in jammies, noshing breakfast.

If this is how my day is going to work, I'm going back to bed.

Playing catch up

Arrived home last night to an empty fridge and three kids that had taken late naps in the car... Fortunately, we'd picked up some Taco Bell and Long John Silvers. Yes, around these parts they have a joint TB/LJS.

Unpacked the car and fed the kids. Spent the rest of the night unpacking, designating dirty from clean laundry, and then trying to get them settled. Because of said nap in car, we had an extended storytime last night. Read the "required" reading for the big girl, and started an "American Girl Book" - Kirsten, if you must know.

The kids didn't settle into sleep until 10 pm last night. I know, we should have left earlier, but... well... it was hard letting go of the holiday weekend.

Today I'm looking at grocery shopping and most likely a Sam's run. The kids want to get the tree up, but it's currently residing in the rafters of the garage. I may be foolhardy, but I'm not stupid; I'll let my husband get it down when he comes home. The big girl wants us to come for lunch - it's French Toast Sticks after all. Have Mount McLaundry to tackle today and maybe a trip to the gym tonight.

Mmmm... French Toast Sticks...

Need to get going if we're going to make it to school by 11:15.

Just another day in paradise, right?

Thanksgiving

Wonder if the Pilgrims knew what they started...

More food than we can eat, family everywhere, five kinds of pie, and football in HDTV.

Happy Turkey Day.

Challenge

One of my favorite bloggers (and people) has thrown down the gauntlet...

We've decided to have a little contest. A Mother of the Year contest.

And by Mother of the Year...
We mean stuff like mistaking chocolate chips for poop.
Not getting picture of the little darlings until after trick-or-treating.
Deciding to take a nap.
Or letting your kids eat "Chicken in a Biskit" for breakfast.

Rules are simple...
Post a link to your favorite "Mother of the Year" story - yours or someone elses - in the comments. If you don't have a blog, but would like to play, e-mail me the story and I'll post it. December 1st, we'll read though and determine the "winner" - I mean, we're all winners, aren't we? The only thing - it had to happen in 2006. Have fun. Life wouldn't be any fun if we were all perfect...

Home, Sweet Home

Got home yesterday in time to take eight girls to see "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" at the community theater. Due to my jump and run on Thursday, we had two cars at my parents. Took off with the oldest, and left Daddy to wrangle the two little ones.

Thursday night was good. Well, not good, but it was good to see Heather's friends banding together to help her. Stopped by another friend's house after. She's the kind of friend I didn't mind, at all, knocking on her door at 9 pm. She welcomed me into her home, even though she's got a lot going on. It was funny... I knocked quietly - no doorbell ringing at 9 pm with four kids in the house. No answer. So I called. She answered with, "How did you know I was thinking about you and had just written a note to call you in the morning?" I replied with, "Look out your window, I'm standing in your driveway..." We talked for about 45 minutes.

Friday, the kids and I goofed off at my parents. The only thing the kids were concerned about was Grandma and Grandpa's new hot tub. I made an apple pie, a pumpkin pie, a cream caramel pumpkin cheese cake and a couple salads. Friday afternoon I took off for the visitation around 4:45 - got in line at 5:15, didn't hug my friend until 6... There was a mass of people. The visitation was supposed to run from 5 - 7, but there's no way. People were snaked around the community room, waiting in line to go down the hall, and into the chapel. I will say, I'm glad I went. I about lost it, though, when I looked at the coffin. It was closed, and they had pictures the kids had drawn with, "I'll miss you daddy." I didn't really cry until I got to Heather. I shook his mom's hand and expressed my condolences. I got to her and just held her, and we both cried. She squeeze back. Hard. I whispered in her ear, "I know you've heard it alot, but I am truly sorry." What else could you say? She said she was glad I came. I was too. Told her I'd call her later, because now wasn't the time. Went home rather sad.

Arrived at my parent at the end of dinner and the beginning of wine time. I mixed a drink. My husband called at 10 pm, saying that he'd just landed and was heading home. He'd come down in the morning. Thirty minutes later, he called that he was on the way. The house was too quiet. He arrived at 2 am, to six drunken adults. Some more than others - my uncle said that "Some Bailey's would be good about now" at midnight. I found some in the basement and brought it up. My dad and uncle proceeded to drink a bottle and a half.

Saturday - I didn't go to the funeral. Selfish, but I'd said my piece at the visitation. There were going to be so many people there anyway... The rest of the day we "recovered" and ate. Had Thanksgiving dinner with the family. Saw my sister for the first time in six months. We ate a wild turkey my dad had shot earlier in the week. Ate and ate and ate. Didn't really drink...

Sunday got up bright and early. Took the carseats out and loaded up the big girl. We did have a good time at the production, but it sure wore me out to herd around 8 six year olds. Did have another parent there - so we were each responsible for four...

Crawled in bed at 8:45, and fell right asleep.

Today I'm trying to rest my back and my jaw. I'm not quite sure what did it, but my back is hurting something fierce today. Unfortunately, my chiropractor is 220 miles away. My jaw - when the going gets tough, I clench my jaw in my sleep. It was bothering me yesterday, but is worse today - probably because I tried to eat 'normal' yesterday even though it hurt. Today food doesn't even sound good. Neither does trying to pick anything up off the floor.

He wasn't supposed to be on the plane

The last I've heard, he wasn't supposed to be on the plane. He had planned to take a commercial flight home, but his wife called concerned she was in pre-term labor. He had reservations about being on a small plane.

What amazes me about this is the ruthless speed of information. I can read my hometown newspaper online to get information; I can read the newspaper of where the crash happened. Emails have been flying back and forth as arrangements are made. The initial information I got was from e-mail -"It is with a heavy heart... killed last night in a plane crash... has 4 sons and a fifth child on the way... Please keep them in your prayers." Not to forget, the old fashioned phone - I've gotten calls from friends back home to make sure I knew. One on my cell phone - access to anyone, anywhere.

Today I'm doing laundry and packing up, getting ready to go to an informal get together tonight, the visitation Friday and the funeral Saturday. We were already planning on going to my parents this weekend for an impromptu Thanksgiving- my uncle and aunt (they've divorced - but that's another story) are coming from Denver, and now my other uncle and his family are coming as well. Looks like mom and dad will have a full house. It should be fun, but my mind will be elsewhere. What if it had been me?

Hump Day

It's not if, it's when...
Received a very sad email yesterday. My friend's husband died in a plane crash. She was so wonderful and welcoming when I joined the Monday Morning Book Club and the Wednesday Playgroup/Babysitting co-op. I'm really struggling with this. Somehow death seems more "fair" when you're 98 - not when you're 31 expecting your fifth child in January. It sounds like the viewing is Friday and the funeral Saturday. My heart aches for her.

Going to my parents...
Due to the above, the kids and I will take off tomorrow for my parents' house. We were planning on going Friday night when my husband got back into town, but now I'll be taking off in the afternoon.

From the Throne of Mother of the Year...
Today, on her own, my precious Toddler got on the toilet. Hollered, "All done Mamma!" I rushed in to see what she'd done. Oh. My. God. The toilet was full of poo and she was scratching her butt. Grabbed her hand and started wiping, brown stuff coming off. Looked at her face, brown stuff there as well. Smelled her hand. It was then I realized that she and her brother had gotten into the chocolate chips. Unlike M&M's, chocolate chips do melt in your hands.

New favorite salad

Pre-mix baby greens
Litehouse Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette
Feta cheese - crumbled
Thin sliced red onion
Walnut pieces

Toss greens with dressing, top with cheese, onion, and walnuts.

After a week in Orlando and the week after, I ballooned back up to 205. Did South Beach last week and again this week to get caught up. Though this salad dressing is a bit high in sugar(4 g versus the recommended 3 g), I'm willing to take it in exchange for the flavor. Will return to regularly scheduled "lifestyle change" in two pounds.

Currently busting my rear at the gym. My latest favorite weight machines are the inner and outer thigh. Will look great in jeans in no time. Also, doing plenty of hanging leg lifts with the four pound ball - I'm up to 5 sets of 10. Have been mixing up my cardio as well - adding in 20 minutes of the Precor EFX in addition to whatever I do on the elliptical or treadmill. That, my friends is one nasty machine. Cardio, weights, more cardio - all four times a week - I'll be back on track in no time...

When the going gets rough...

Who do you call?

Had some stuff go down today that I'm not quite sure what to make of it. It left me a weepy mess, wondering what the next step would be. My husband boarded a plane this afternoon taking him 1600 miles away. He knows what's going on, and the distance doesn't help.

So I sit and wonder... How does estrangement happen? One day at a time I suppose. Or is it deeper than that? Is it instance by instance? Is it being hung up on, emails not returned, calls not returned? Is it creating emotional distance to spare your own feelings? Tired of never knowing how what you will say will be interpreted? The gulf growing ever deeper, harder to cross, leaving vast space where there was once closeness.

It's not that I can't talk to my husband about what's going on. At this point, it's like beating a dead horse. It's tiring, rehashing the same issue over and over. "Guess what..." I start. "What now," he replies, almost knowing what I'm going to say before I say it. Once I tell him, a small smile crosses his lips. He knows where this is going, again.

This time, though, it's different. Maybe. This time, I feel I'm left holding the reigns. I don't know what to do. I've been hurt too many times. I worry if I put myself out there again, it will come back to bite me like it has in the past. I worry if I don't, things will never get better. It's not that I don't want things to work, I do... almost desperately, in fact. Maybe that's the problem. I'm holding on to a memory of the past, knowing that it will never be that way again. It never can be that way, too much has happened. Or has it?

So I found myself tonight at McD's. The kids were playing. I'd already talked to my Mom earlier in the day; twice, in fact. I'd talked to my husband too... but I still needed to talk. So if you got a stilted voicemail not making much sense, trying to sound normal - it was just me. Trying to reconcile an impossible situation.

When the shit hits the fan... Who do you call?

Bringing your A game

Went to the gym last night. Didn't make it earlier, had some friends stop by. I went to high school with her, and her husband's in the Air Force. He's looking to be deployed to Iraq after the first of the year. They're making the rounds before that happens.

As it goes, I missed my normal trip to the gym. The one where I relish the time without kids and idle through my workouts. Called the husband on his way home - told him I'd like to go to the gym when he got home.

He arrived, and ate with the kids. Offered to wrassle them and put them to bed. I was out the door like a shot.

Made the most of the opportunity.

Today, I groan my way up the stairs and can barely lift my arms above shoulder height.

Should be back on track tomorrow, but today relishing that I didn't put the kids to bed last night and had a great workout.

It's not your usual anniversary gift...

So yesterday, my husband and I joked quite a bit about the significance of the day. He was pretty upset that he'd ordered me something, but it hadn't arrived yet. He wouldn't tell me what it was. I got him a card. I take that back, I got him something we both could enjoy.

It's something we've come use quite a bit, and I've managed to break a couple since we've moved. I can never find the right one when I need it. So I went and got a new one. It wasn't very pricey, but it's one of those things you never knew you needed until you had one.

I bought myself a new... drill bit kit. It's a small kit - I think it has twelve different sized bits, all in a nice little snap-tight container that I can store next to my toolbox. It did come in very handy when I was putting up pictures and needed to drill holes for the drywall anchors.

That said, last night was a lot of fun. We took the kids and went to the Mall of America. Had dinner and then went to "The Park at MOA" (aka Camp Snoopy) and hit a few rides. No Log Ride, though... Didn't want to end the evening walking to the car with a wet crotch. The six year old loves the Timberland twister - doesn't seem very big, but the car holds four people and spins around while on the rollercoaster. The four year old discovered the Ripsaw Rollercoaster this time, and the two year old is all about the Red Baron.

Not quite what we were doing ten years ago...

This morning, on the way out the door, I kissed my husband and told him, "Happy ten years and a day."

Happy Ten Years

Today is my tenth wedding anniversary.

Ten years.

Ten years ago we promised to love, comfort, honor and keep. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. And forsaking all others, be faithful as long as we both shall live.

Ten years ago we assembled in front of over three hundred of our family and friends. As we exited the church, it started to snow. The reception went on for hours. The receiving line was two and a half hours. We danced. My new husband delighted in the live band we had. One of my fondest memories of that day was, never one to miss a good party, my grandparents were some of the first at the reception and some of the last to leave.

Ten years ago we took our first vacation - just the two of us - to Lake Tahoe. It was "off season" so there weren't a lot of tourists. We ate, we drank, we did, well... honeymoon things. My new husband noticed, for probably the first time, how weird I am about traveling.

Ten years ago we settled into our first apartment - a one bedroom facing the interstate. But we could afford it. Six months prior to our wedding, my husband and two of his buddies started a new business. Not to have all our eggs in one basket, I was working as a receptionist across town. For a brief six months, I made more money than him. It wasn't much, but we made it work. I was still amazed that I didn't have homework every night - at 22, I'd just graduated college three months prior to our wedding.

Ten years. In ten years we've owned three businesses, between us- two jobs, two apartments, six cars, three houses, and most importantly... Three kids. I think of the changes in the last ten years and wonder... What will the next ten bring?

Today is also my parents 38th anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. You've been a great example to us over the years. Here's hoping for many more...

Hump Day

Couple of baby updates:

Exhibit 1:
My friend M had her baby - after the move. Little Miss J held on until Sunday, November 5th. Weighing in at 8 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches long, she's just a doll.

It's pictures like this that make my heart melt. And make me wish, for a split second...

Exhibit 2:
Also, awhile back I wrote about another friend who had a baby. One of her twins would need heart surgery between 2 and 4 months. Well... he's within days of three months old and is heading for surgery tomorrow. He's looking at a 4 to 5 hour procedure and a 10 day hospital stay after. Provided he doesn't get sick, Luke will be in surgery tomorrow at 8 am. This completely falls under the "why do bad things happen to good people" scenerio. This friend of mine, she's something else - handling this with a calm and grace I don't think I could. I'm sure there are tears at night when no one else can see, but for the most part, she's got as great of an outlook about this as any parent could. Luke, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Exhibit 3:
My sister. She's expecting too. Twins. We're all blown away! I haven't told my kids yet - heck, we didn't tell them about Orlando until two weeks before. The daily, if not hourly questions... I've handled the "how do they get out" with upfront honesty. I'm not quite ready to answer the "how did they get in there." They'll be a great addition to the family.

Babies, babies everywhere... Thankfully mine are growing up. I guess, though, that brings a whole new set of concerns...

Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits

Easy, easy, easy. And you can eat them with your fingers...

Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits
1 (10 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained, reserve juice
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/4 c butter, at room temperature
10 marachino cherris
1 (12 oz) pkg refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 count)

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Grease 10 cups of a muffin tine. Combine pineapple, sugar, and butter. Mix well. Divided the mixture among the muffin cups. Place a cherry in hte center of each, making sure it hits the bottom of the cup. Place one biscuit on top of each. Spoon 1 teaspoon reserved juice over each biscuit. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert pan onto a plate to release the biscuits. Serve warm.

Thanks Paula Dean.

Really.

Thanks.

I've made these twice in the last three days. They're great leftover for breakfast as well.

In my dreams...

This is how I can sing...

Orlando, The Long Version, Day Five.

Time to go home. After a very busy day at the world's happiest, snort, place - it was time to load up and go home.

Having spent the night before loading up dirty clothes, we were pretty much set. The valet guys thought it was pretty funny that each kid dragged their own pilot sized suitcase. It was, but that's something we work on here - self reliance.


Loaded up the minivan one last time. Watched part of the movie one last time as we headed to the airport. Got to the airport and decided to eat breakfast before going through security. I'm more of a get through security first type girl. Ate, and then got in line.


Not quite sure how it happened, but we ended up in the slowest line. First, the gal insisted that we each hold our own ticket, rather than one of the adults holding them all. Then, she proceeded to ask the kids their names. Ok... Fine. But when your four year old turns into the quiet, shy, won't talk to strangers type, it's not good. Asked the big girl her name first. She answered, then ended up answering for all of the kids. Good, I suppose. She then hands all the tickets to my husband. Not bad, but why insist that each person hold his/her own, then hand them back to one person?


Get in the actual security line. Again, the slowest line. I'm not kidding, I counted the others soaring through their lines. Soaring - no problem. We just plodded along while I grew more and more agitated. This, I repeat, this is why I want to go through security first, then eat.


Finally get through security and make our way to the plane. Everyone is already lined up and it's a full flight. Decide to gate-check the Toddler's carseat. Finally get on the plane.


It was a long flight. At least it felt like it. Note to self: next time, if the Toddler is still in her carseat - have her fly in it. We, meaning I, ended up with the tired, wiggling, buckle-unbuckle, girl that wouldn't take a nap. I do believe if she'd been in her carseat, she would have.


Arrive at the airport. We'd had to park at another parking garage because they'd closed one down for repairs. We decided that Husband would take the boy and get the car while I waited for the luggage. We finished up about the same time, with the exception that I thought he had a black suitcase, when infact it was grey. Sorted that mess out and it was time to go home.


Overall it was a great trip.

Next time - just pack two big suitcases. Each child does not need his or her own pilot case. Though not necessary, the kids loved the new crayons and markers to work with. Also, go through security before eating...

Lazy Friday.

No school today. That means, instead of one hour of peace and quiet while the toddler naps and the other two are at school - I have a full day of chaos.

Let me preface this by saying, I'm the kind of person that if I don't have to get dressed, I'll spend all day in my jammies. Hence, I'm in my jammies and should really put a bra on.

My plan for the day - go to the gym, go to Kohl's and see if they'll let me exchange the coat my MIL bought the Big Girl, and to the liquor store. That's it. To do those three things though, I'll have to get dressed. Oh, and my MIL is coming tonight, so that means I need to do a modicum of cleaning.

And I'll have to get the kids dressed if we want to leave the house. Right now, they're dancing around to The Backyardagians. In their underwear. Hey, if they have to dance to something, it might as well be the cartoon I voted as "Least Likely to Make My Ears Bleed."

Have a great Friday. Saturday this weekend means one thing - Bowling!

Orlando, The Long Version, Day Four

Arrived at the Magic Kingdom at 9:45. Hopped on the shuttle, then a boat, then finally through the turnstiles. The Big Girl pointed out the maps. I grabbed five, because, you know, everyone needs his or her own map.

The morning had started out rainy, so there weren't too many people around. Jumped on the train. Kids looked around while my husband and I made our game plan for the park. We started at Toon Town and proceeded from there. None of the lines were very long. Around 11:30, we stopped for some food. Our plan was to eat snacks more than meals. Between the five of us we split a turkey sandwich, order of chicken tenders, a personal size pizza and two drinks. Yes, I make my kids share a drink. We did that two more times - the kids ate better than if we'd bought them one big meal. Our only purchases, with the exception of food and drink, were sunglasses for the kids and the girls each picked out a pull-over and the boy, a long sleeve shirt. All in all, with the tickets purchased through a friend, the eating a little bit here and there, and the clothes, we didn't do too bad on cost. While on the subject of purchases, and far be it from me to question another's parenting, but... If you must buy your child a sixteen inch plastic sword, please do so at the end of the day. There is nothing delightful or cute about seeing it swung with wild abandon in a crowd of people. Back to the park, we split our time between rides and "shows" - the anamatronic kind. Oh, and we did see the revue of "High School Musical." That's a favorite movie around here. The park was more crowded in the afternoon, the sun had come out and it was a great day. Glad I grabbed the sunscreen. I still have the "It's a Small World" theme in my head.

The toddler took a nap on Daddy's shoulder for about 45 minutes - she just laid her head down and slept. As any parent can attest, when dealing with unfamiliar circumstances and a child that naps, the best outcome you can hope for is that - just laying their head down and falling asleep. The other option is the screaming-fighting-sobbing youcantmakemesleep mess.

We saw two parades - the first I think was at 3:30, complete with all the princesses a little girl could stand. The second was at 9 pm. Everthing was lit and the kids were speechless.We rounded up our tired kids and left the park at 9:45. Rode the tram, then the shuttle, back to the parking lot. Decided even though they were dirty, to wait for bath until the morning. The morning we'd go home. Good thing to, we were nearly out of clean clothes.

You know what's coming

But it's still funny...

Orlando, The Long Version, Day Three

Friday, my husband had to work and I had every intention of taking the kids to Sea World. They hemmed and hawed and asked to swim at the pool. Fine with me. They jumped in and swam and goofed around for a couple hours. Got them dressed and took off in the minivan in search of lunch. Found a Sonic. Mmmmm. Cherry Lime-Aid. Ate. Took this picture:Called my friend K, who could get us a good deal on Disney World tickets. Loaded the kids back up and headed to her office about 30 minutes away. The kids watched the movie in the minivan, again. Picked up the tickets and saved a bunch of money... Whoo hoo.

Headed back to the hotel, not for sure what the plan was. Talked to my husband, he mentioned they were planning a dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Sounded good to me.

Loaded up and went to the Hard Rock Cafe. It was closed to the public. They had rented the whole thing out. The food was great. They even had a special section set up for the kids - and their own buffet. Mini corn dogs, spaghetti and meatballs, grilled cheese, cookies - it looked really festive, all decked out for Halloween. There was a great adult buffet as well. And a dessert buffet. In the kids' section, there was also a craft area, where they could make one of five things. As a parent, it is really neat when companies go above and beyond the call of duty to include and welcome kids. One decorated a picture frame and the other two made masks. They also had a dress up area complete with a polaroid camera. Maroon 5 was on hand for a concert. We watched it on the TV's. Still, pretty cool for a work function. We left about 9:30, the kids tired from a busy day of playing and eating. We needed our sleep. After all, the next day was Magic Kingdom...

Hump Day

The big girl's at school, the boy's at preschool, and the baby naps... It's a beautiful thing.

You know you're getting old when...
There's a teenager at Magic Kingdom with "FCUK" written across her shirt. Your six year old trys to "sound it out." You nearly flip out. Instead of grabbing the kid by the back of the neck and asking her to tell your six year old what it means, you tell your kid "nothing." I'm thirty-two going on sixty. Young whippersnappers.

Hard Core Halloween
Managed to get one picture of two of the kids. The toddler wouldn't cooperate and put her "Dora" wig back on. I didn't make her, instead, I took a picture of the two older ones all strung out on sugar right before bed. Mother of the Year is MINE! Fortunatly, I have pictures from three weeks ago when we bought the costumes and they tried them on. And - Last night we carved pumpkins. Not two or three days before - last night. I finished at 5:30. I was trying to set them up on the porch at 5:50 and the trick-or-treaters were starting to arrive. The kids were struggling to get their costumes on. I didn't have the treats ready. In true old-fart fashion - I gave away mini-bags of popcorn. Don't these kids get enough candy? I learned that if you decided to go all "Martha" and stack the little pumpkins like a snowman, make sure the candles are small. Otherwise they'll eventually catch on fire. Even though they looked pretty cool and smoky and all, pumpkins stink when they burn. I did salvage the innards of the six pumpkins we carved. Stored the guts in a gallon ziploc bag overnight (in the fridge) and am roasting all four cups now.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Butter
Salt
Oven to 350. Clean seeds from the stringy stuff, wash well. Coat seeds with melted butter. Salt. Place on cookie-sheet and cook. Stir every 10 or 15 minutes. Or 20. Salt with every stir. Should take about 50 - 60 minutes for nicely roasted seeds. Try to let them cool before eating. Warning - high in fiber.

Labels
I'm making up labels as I go. Right now, I don't feel like going through all the old stuff and labeling it. I'll save that for a day when I have nothing else to do. Yea. Nothing to do...

Happy Hump Day!

Orlando, The Long Version, Day Two

Day two in Orlando brought Universal Studios. The kids loved the Shrek 4-D and Jimmy Neutron Movies. It took us a little time to find to kid stuff - we hadn't grabbed a park map at the beginning. We did end up finding it. The kids had a blast at the Curious George area of the park. There is a giant room filled with foam balls and plenty of ways to deploy them. They also thought Fievel's area was neat - it was a play area that they could roam and explore.
We headed back to the hotel around 2:30. Husband had to work. The rest of us had friends to meet. K, and her family live near Daytona Beach. Got there to a wonderful meal ready to eat. Her family was so warm and welcoming. Her kids T, D, and J and mine got along beautifully. After eating, we loaded up and headed to the beach.
It was one of those moments, seeing my kids run on the sand, that I knew I was doing something right. I just can't explain it. My heart was full. Something that as a kid amazed me, something so big and constant. The water rolling in, rolling out, rolling in. The sand beneath my toes, the waves rolling over my feet. If I do nothing else for them on this trip, I've done this.

The kids played, and played, and played. When we finally dragged them out, it was dark. Headed back to K's place and had ice cream. The kids didn't want to leave, and for a brief moment, I thought I might have one more to take home. One side saying, "They've never seen the beach?" the other, "It never snows here?" was just too cute.

Loaded up and headed back to the hotel, but not before stopping at Wal-Mart and picking up a DVD for the minivan. Kids managed to stay awake, and gave them a bath before tucking them in.

I didn't wash the sand out of the tub until the next morning.