Vacation: Part One

We had a GREAT opportunity present itself this fall to take a vacation in October (yes, I am THAT far behind on this blog!). We went to visit Grandpa Ron and Grandma Lorrie in the sunny warm Orlando area. Since they were getting ready to move, we seized the moment and got a double bonus of getting to see them and also having free board conveniently located to all things fun! Actually, there were many more perks, but some I'll save for Part two of the vacation post. One I will share is one that we are eternally grateful for: Grandpa and Grandma surprised us with plane tickets!!!! Can you say WOO HOO?! Sure, Steve and I were ready to make the two day trip (twice) with three young kids knowing that we would hear a lot of whining, some crying (them and us) and "are we there yet" a few hundred...thousand times... but we thought it was worth it (okay, okay, we were scared to death of how that drive would go, but given the small window of opportunity we had given that they had just found out they were moving, driving was our only economical way to go). However, a direct flight TWO HOUR (not day) flight to Orlando was like the angels with the sun glowing behind their wings flew down and sang a chorus of "Hallelujah" to us. I am not sure we could thank them enough for that one gift.

So, we packed up the kids, three car seats, four suitcases, one double stroller and one carry-on and two portable DVD players (we aren't crazy, two hours in a cramped area with there little kids is still TWO HOURS in a cramped area with THREE little kids) and off we went. Other than the stress of getting to the airport on time and doing airport security by myself with the three kids (one of which kept hiding under things, causing the line to go from no wait for the other passengers to a very long line of frustrated, getting upset passengers... fortunately there were a few very nice people who were parents that understood) was a wee bit stressful, the plane ride itself went really well. All of the kids loved taking off and watching everything get smaller. Then we surprised them with the DVD players (they didn't know we brought them) and they happily sat and watched a movie the entire time. Unfortunately the DVD player that Ethan and I had died half way there, but he did great regardless of the fact that we were pinned into our row.

The plane ride (shortly after we got on the plane):


The first thing we did in sunny Florida was visit the beach (the day after we arrived). Ethan was asking to go because he wanted to collect shells. I'll be honest, I was a little nervous about the beach wondering just how long the kids would stay interested... it's just sand and water after all. I also worried about Collin's sensory issues. As it turns out, those were silly worries; the boys loved the beach. I mean LOVED the beach. I am pretty sure we could spend a few days there without them tiring of it actually.

Here are some photos of them... a lot of photos actually. I wanted to edit them and make them all perfect, but I am so far behind I just want to get them up and share them with everyone instead. I have to tell you I get warm fuzzies looking at these photos. They had such a good time. It was also just the perfect day, the sun was out, few clouds, nice breeze, it was not too hot and not too cold, the water was warm, the beach wasn't crowded... it was perfect.

The beach!!!!

Very happy boys...

Hand's full of shells, scoping the beach.

This photo cracks me up... Collin in all his glory.

Oliver, we found out quickly, is a water loving kid. It was hard to keep him out of the water and he had little fear of it. For him, it was love at the first wave hitting him.

Oliver looking at the water and getting in stance to have the wave hit him...

"Here it comes... I'm so excited!!"

"I can't wait!!!"

"Ahhhhhh, I LOVE this." He would spread eagle and let the waves rush over him. Saying that he loved it really doesn't even give it justice...

Collin splashing in the water. He did not like the waves hitting him. He was content in the controlled water where he dictated what touched him. Nevertheless, he loved the beach.

Ethan also loved the waves hitting him. He thought it was great! Here is him giving us an "oh yeah!" or something as a large wave hits him.

Oliver and Grandpa playing in the waves. Really, there needed to be an adult behind Oliver at all times, because again he loved the water and was really fearless. Plus it was extra fun to have someone pick you up and swing you through the waves.

Ethan liked to smack the waves as they hit.

Grandma building sand castles with the boys.

Collin walking on the beach. He actually walked quite a distance (with me) collecting shells.

Ethan dug a trench from their sand castles to the water... it was a really long trench... in hopes that the water from the ocean would go up to the moats around his castle (by way of the trench). Pretty cool idea.

Ethan and Oliver playing in the water.

Collin playing in the sand (no this was not his castle... he moved in when the other family left).

A rare time Oliver was A) not in the water with his back to me and B) standing still.

Chilling at the end of the long fun day.

Here was my attempt at a group photo of the boys on the beach. Look in the background, do you see Grandma Lorrie? She's chasing Collin, trying to get him to come for the photo (me calling him did nothing).

She's got him I think...

Nope... he's getting away...

Delivered to daddy... who is trying to get him to stand and stay put.

And this people is my best shot of all three boys on the beach. Not quite the framed dream I hoped for...

Part two... coming soon...

Apple picking and the making of a man...

In mid October I took the boys apple picking by myself. Steve was trying to knock out some projects and I needed to get our annual fill of Fuji apples (which last forever!) and also some organic apples for applesauce.

At the organic orchard (love this place!). Collin decided it was too hot and therefore he need the bag on his head.

After this, we went to the orchard with Fuji apples. All the trees were about bare in the part of the orchard we first directed us to, and only the tops had apples. Well, without Steve, that was an issue. I couldn't be up in a tree and leave Collin "the runner/escapee" alone... yes, that is the only reason as I am sure I can climb a tree (stop laughing). As I was thinking out loud on what to do, Ethan said "I can climb the tree mom!" At first I was thinking... hmmmm not sure about this. Ethan has become more fearless lately, but coordinated is not necessarily one of his many strong things. However he said it again confidently, as he started to climb a tree... and up he went... much to my surprise... and a little fear.

The funniest/cutest thing about this was he was so proud of himself. When he got to the top of the first tree, and started "handing" me down apples, he let out a few laughs and whoops in pride. He even said "we got the best apples because some woman's son was brave enough to climb the tree." (I'm still laughing about that one... "some woman's son..." only Ethan...)

My attempt at getting a cute photo in the huge chair at orchard... didn't work so well (in any of the twenty shots I tried...).

That day, as he climbed at least a dozen trees to ensure his family had the food they were seeking, it was clear a little part of Ethan started to find his inner "man" and I couldn't have been more proud (and humored).

Annual Neighborhood Pumpkin Patch Trip

We are so lucky to live in a great neighborhood with many kids and fun neighbors. I think three or four years ago, we started going to a pumpkin patch together with all the kids. Though, as the kids get older, it is getting increasingly harder to arrange a day we can all make it we still manage to do it for the most part and have a blast.

We went to a new place this year, actually the same place as Ethan's class trip. It has a few "draws" for kids: hay maze in the barn, the giant fast "slide" and the huge mound of dirt (ahhh, so simple and inexpensive, yet so fun - not to mention freaking messy). Here are some highlights:

Collin and Oliver were a little intimidated with the giant "slide", so our neighbor was sweet enough to go down with them, which was all it took for them to get the bug. This slide went very fast and you landed with a hard thud at the bottom... the kids loved it.

In the pumpkin patch...

In the hay maze barn...

Big ol' box of corn...

Pneumatic corn cob gun...

The giant mound of dirt...

After that, we all came back to our house for some fall fun. One of our neighbors brought a craft for the kids to do, we also had them paint pumpkins and bob for apples.

Collin and Cameron bobbing. Collin's version was reaching in and getting an apple. Cameron actually stuck her mouth in...

Oliver decided to join Cameron...

Ethan bobbing for apples...

His apple...

This isn't a great angle but one of kids, David, went full gusto and didn't use the assistance of his hand (like the others resorted to after many attempts). David stuck his entire head in the bucket and went to the bottom, actually getting his apple with his teeth only. Wow.

Paining pumpkins. I actually envisioned them painting faces on the pumpkins, but instead they painted them... entirely.

Collin painting his red, of course...

After all that, we had a big pot luck. It was a great day!

Here is a photo of Oliver from a trip we made to the pumpkin patch a couple weeks before this. None of the photos of that trip turned out great, except this one. I love this one. So, I must share it and this seems like a good place to do so.

Oliver, loving on his pumpkin (really, he was telling it he loved it and this was his love nuzzle with it)...

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I volunteered to go with Ethan's class to the pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a blast. Here are some photos:

Follow up...

I meant to post this earlier but didn't get to it. As you recall I mentioned that we suspected Collin for a misdemeanor offense of "screwing with us" - taking Ethan's puzzle pieces, hiding them and then telling us he couldn't be bothered with where they were as he was eating.

He, in fact, would not tell us where they were at all. We checked all the normal hiding places, but found nothing. However the next morning Steve told Erin to ask him. When she did, a sheepish grin appeared on Collin's face as he lead her to his highchair.

This is the same highchair he sat in while basically telling us, "not now, I'm eating" the night before.

See... screwing with us. We are in trouble...

Dentist

(back to time traveling)

At the beginning of October, the boys had a dentist appointment. This is notable because it was the twin's first appointment (and because I think it all firsts... okay sometimes seconds and thirds and, and, and... are notable).

For Ethan is was not his first time. He did great, as he has done before. However, we did discover in the x-rays that his front top teeth are HUGE (I'm serious) and that his lateral incisors were in fact going to come in behind his central incisors. I don't mean behind as in after, I mean behind as in literally behind them. As it turns out, his palette is not very big and most of his current baby teeth are right on top of each other now. Though his palette will expand some, like everyone's does, they feel he is going to need some assistance in this area... "but we will deal with it when they come in". Yippee!


As for the twins, Oliver did great as we knew he would. That child would basically let you poke or prod anything while he laid there with a smile on his face. It's amazing.

Collin, on the other hand, well... not so much. He fought it. If I was the dental hygienist, I would have needed a drink after dealing with him. In fact I did need a drink after the appointment!

The favorite part? The "prizes" of course. Each picked one Silly bandz, a bug and a sticky hand things (which were conveniently *cough* "lost").

I have to say, our dentist office, everyone in it, is just amazing. Amazing. They are an office for children only and though many have been there a long time, they have patience like no one I have ever met. They show the kids everything they are going to do, let them "play" with the tools, go slowly, talk gently and never ever lose their cool. I do not know how they do it. They are amazing.

Not now...

Collin, by far our orneriest child, likes to take things and hide them. In his defense, sometimes he puts the items away where they belong and sometimes he puts them in what he deems to be a "safe place"... sometimes though, we truly believe he is just screwing with us. Normally, when asked, he will show you where he put them. Tonight about eight pieces of Ethan's Star Wars puzzle, that was put together on the kitchen table, were mysteriously missing. All indications pointed to Collin (again, refer to first sentence).

As we were eating dinner, I said "Collin where did you put Ethan's puzzle pieces?"

Collin responded simply, "I don't know. I eating right now."

I asked again and he responded once more, "I eating right now."

I'm going with 'screwing with us' on this one...

Bears do what in the winter?!

Tonight one of the books we read to the twins (and Ethan) was Bear Stays Up For Christmas. Naturally the bear's friends had to wake him up so he didn't miss Christmas and then he fell asleep right after the celebration. So, I asked Ethan why the bear was so sleepy. He said that bears sleep through the winter. Then...

M: What's that called... when animals sleep through the winter?

E: Um... I know... um... (obviously trying hard to remember the word)

M: Hi... (giving him a hint of the first sound)

E: Hibrocobia! (shouting it out confidently and knowingly)

HUH??! I think I need to contact Webster's... it could be a new word! Seriously, we (and he) don't know where that came from, but we ALL couldn't stop laughing the rest of the night.

Fat lip, Santa and Suckers...

What do all three have in common? They happened today.

On our way to see Santa, Collin fell in the parking lot and got his first fat lip. A big first fat lip as a matter of fact. It was a rough 10 minutes or so, but after that it didn't bother him. Instead we diverted his attention by visiting the Disney Store, as you know one of his few favorite things is Mickey!

This is much later and after his Santa treat.

After that, we headed to Santa.

What did they ask for?

Ethan: Star Wars stuff, a rock set, science kits, books and world peace. okay, I made the last one up, but he did say if he got something he already had he wanted to give it to a boy who didn't have any presents... that's a start...

Oliver: Super Hero Squad (as in anything Super Hero Squad... period.)

Collin: Mickey Mouse and a big kitchen (as in the play variety, however maybe Santa will misunderstand and bring all of us a bigger kitchen... that would be good too!)

Santa gave them each a sucker after he spoke to them, which thrilled me more than I can say (yes, you know the tone). Since it was too late, it was in their hands, and Collin was staring at me with his giant fat lip... I just opened the packages and let them go. Yes, I am saying... this was Collin and Oliver's first time eating a sucker. What? Is that child abuse? Collin didn't even know what to do with it... I had to tell him to lick it. Before we could even tell Oliver, he had taken a huge bite of it (it was one of those semi hard ones)... he was like the tootsie pop turtle... three licks and eat it... it was gone that fast. Collin's on the other hand lasted over an hour... as he savored every lick of his red delight. Ethan was somewhere in the middle.