Disney - Part 2

The big day was upon us.  We rose around 7:30, ate a quick bite in the room and headed to Magic Kingdom.  We rode the bus over and stepped into a world of fun.  The kids were excited, overwhelmed, unsure, happy, etc.  We just made sure we were keeping a head count.  Miss Reese stayed at the hotel with Craig's aunt, Vicki, so we only had to handle 5 kids and 6 adults.  Not too shabby.

We went on Dumbo, It's a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, Peter Pan's Flight and Thunder Mountain!  Kimberly, Paige, Blake, myself, Craig and Jack went on that.  The others were either too short or not interested.  After lunch, we headed back to the hotel for naps.  Craig and Jack stayed a bit longer and went on Splash Mountain and the Pirates of the Caribbean.  Jack wasn't a huge fan of that one, but loved Splash Mountain.  They met back with us a few hours later, as our hotel was just across the lake, and we all readied for a fun night at Mickey's Christmas Party.  Vicki and Reese joined us for that too.

These girls were SO excited to meet the princesses!  Kate didn't like the characters that were dressed up like Pluto, Minnie, etc.  She loved the princesses, though.  They sat with them for about 5 minutes each just talking and chatting and the girls were soaking it up.  It was the best part of the whole trip for me (and even Craig).  Seeing them in awe, was great and the princesses Aurora, Belle and Cinderella were very sweet too.

We watched the fireworks at 9 and then waited in our spot until 10:15 for the parade.  Jack was beat and fell asleep right before the parade.  He must have been tired, because he doesn't sleep often.

During the whole evening, you could get hot chocolate and snickerdoodle cookies anytime.  We got our monies worth with that, I think. They also had fake snow (foamy stuff) falling on main street.  It truly was a magical day and night!

Disney - Part 1

People!  We are 2 weeks from Christmas!  I am frantic, excited, happy, blessed, a tad overwhelmed, etc., but we will survive and make it.  Last week of school before Christmas break is upon us and then the festivities begin.  The biggest excitement recently was our first family trip to Disney World!  My mom had a business meeting at the Grand Floridian Resort.  She and my dad headed down on Wednesday, November 30.  We headed down the next morning with my sister-in-law, brother and the cousins.  As we entered the Magic Kingdom gates, Paige said, "I can't believe we are here"!  It was awesome.  We could feel their excitement and we were excited.

We arrived at the Grand Floridian and headed into the lobby which was bustling with guests.  There was a huge Christmas tree, a guy playing Christmas songs on a piano and a shed-sized real life Gingerbread house, made out of real gingerbread!  It smelled so good. (Remember you can click on the pictures to see them bigger).

We checked in and got to our rooms.  We already had plans to head to Downtown Disney for dinner at T-Rex Cafe and walk around a bit.  We rode the kids train, the merry-go-round and got a glimpse of our first "characters" even though they were plastic the kids were still excited.  

The kids were so funny too.  We took the bus to Downtown Disney and even that was exciting.  The only not fun part about that was it took at good 20 to 30 minutes to get there from the hotel and each time we got on, we had to fold up the strollers.  Everyone was great and we were ready for Mickey the next day!  The kids got their Disney jammies on and we got to bed for the BIG day tomorrow.

Tantrum Tuesday

Let me being by saying I love my kids.  Today we took a quick trip to Publix to pick up a few items.  Also, since when is it ever "quick" with kids?  I digress.  Anyway, we got a race car buggy and set on our merry way.  About halfway through, Kate accidentally caught Jack's eyeball with her nail.  He was crying, she was singing....Anyway, I told him he could get out of the cart and walk with me.  He always stays close and pretty much listens to directions.  Kate on the other hand is a terrible listener and does not stay with me.  Ergo, she is not allowed out of the cart in several places.  I was at the deli counter getting some turkey and she started flipping out crying, tears, back-arching and all to get out and walk like Jack.  I calmly said no every minute or so and sat her down back in the seat (as she was standing and could have fallen out).  Her safety and my sanity were the reasons I do not allow her out of the cart.

A woman approaches and says, "I am a grandma and she is sad.  You should pick her up."  I said no that she is exerting her will and I am not going to let her out.  Let me remind you that I was not terribly pleased with the Kate tantrum either.  Kate was screaming, I was embarrassed and wanted to go, but I needed to get my last item.  The woman then said, "Your parents would be upset that you wouldn't pick her up."  I said no, that they wouldn't give in to her anyway.  I am somewhat "scoff" laughing and trying to sit Kate back down in her seat.  She then says, "Well, I have had a lot of kids and I know more than you."  I was like, "what" and thinking, did she really just say that to me?  I laughed it off and continued to the checkout counters.

I was perturbed to say the least and reassured myself I was making the right decision.  We were halfway to the counters and Kate was still flipping out.  I stopped the cart and told her to sit down, in a calm voice.  I then said, "when we get to the checkout line, you may get out".  This wasn't a negotiation.  Not, if you stop crying, but that was my original plan anyway.  They are not running like crazy there and everyone is safe.  She immediately said OK, sat down  and shut off the tears and crying.  I let her get out at the checkout and they were both just fine.

While loading my groceries on the conveyor belt, another woman says, "Excuse me, I think you handled that whole situation very well."  She didn't hear the other lady, but saw me dealing with Kate.  I said thank you and told her that I had to let her know who the boss was, me.  I didn't feel completely vindicated from the other woman's feelings, but felt confident that the decision I made to overcome my embarrassment and Kate's will was the right decision.  We paid for our stuff and as I was loading my groceries, a man came up to me and said, "what did you promise her (meaning Kate)?"  I said that when we got to the line she could get out.  It wasn't a negotiation.  I was in charge.  I am the boss.

Here are a few things/thoughts I got from this situation:

• I sinned and thought, "I wonder how that rude lady's kids turned out!?"
• I also thought, if I don't set boundaries now, they will start walking all over me.
• I think God provided that second person who told me I handled it well, confirmation that I did the right thing.
• God gave me these kids to I HAVE to get over what is polite to other people (meaning the tantrum) and my embarrassment to establish that Kate's will, will not win.
• And I thought of this verse, Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Trust me, I fail A LOT at parenting, but with God and consistency, we can make good parenting decisions.

Let me leave you with my tantrumy, strong-willed, cutie Kate in a shirt I shirred for her...

Happy Tuesday!

Thanksgiving 2011

Another year and another thanksgiving to be thankful for our blessings.  No additional friends or family this year, just the 11 of us.  It truly was a great day.  We divided and conquered with food, had activities for the kids, read the sales papers, chatted and relaxed.

First holiday meal with the kids at the table!  They did great and it was fun.

Kate and Papa stuffing their faces.

Placemats the kids colored for us.  Thanks, Mom for all the great activities for the kids and adults!

Craig's coconut cream pie with awesome meringue - it was amazing.

Pin the feathers on the turkey

Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. - Psalm 100:4

We also got our Christmas bags from my parents.  They were filled with goodies, activities for the kids and Christmas music and a DVD.  That always kicks off the season for us.  This next month will be a whirlwind, but I am excited about celebrating Jesus' birth.