Disney Delights

Warning! The following post contains an excessive amount of pictures...view at your own discretion.

We just returned from our Disney World holiday vacation. Ahh, 80 degrees, the happiest place on earth, not much could compare. Well, except for Harry Potter world, that is! All aboard the Hogwarts Express! We first visited Universal Studios so I could fulfill my dream in becoming a certified witch, some of you may argue, I accomplished that long ago. But, we are talking about Muggles and Witchcraft and Wizardy here, people. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little choked up. Hogwarts and the entire Hogsmeade village were magical. We stayed at a fancy pants hotel and thanks to my smooth talking hubby, the kids had a child suite-their own room with murals fitting of our royal descendants! The rest of the week we explored as much of Mickey's home as we could. I had heard Disney World was huge, but I had no idea the magnitude! Each park required at least one day. I loved Magic Kingdom for the traditional Disney delights, Hollywood Studios was fabulous for the shows and rides like Tower of Terror (Tower of TEAR as my kids called it, and yes Katelee and Grant rode it). I was really suprised by how much I loved Epcot. Dave actually did like this place for the food from around the world ;). Animal Kingdom had my favorite shows and a few other fun things. The older kids helped out with our navigating, and really they had the stroller more than the babykins. Dave not being a big amusement park, Disney dude, (believe me or not, this is not genuine enthusiasm being displayed below!) had a great attitude and was along for the ride. He happily accepted Brenna duty when she needed a nap and sat out for a lot of rides she couldn't go on. When Katelee was the same age Brenna is now, we took her and Grant to Disneyland. It went smoothly and she was quite easy for a nearly two year old. When we scheduled this trip, we assumed Brenna would be as cooperative. As the trip grew closer we realized Brenna is not the same type of child as Katelee. Lets just say she staged protests against her stroller, or being confined in any way. She wanted to "walk" but that would either consist of her running away or grabbing your hand and dropping to her belly so she would be dragged across the ground. She frequently used the pleading phrase, "MOMMA, MOMMA," whenever she needed a change. LUCKILY, we weren't on our own this trip. We had fabulous travel companions who assisted in our Brenna containment. My lovely sisters helped and one babysat while Dave and I went out to Cirque de Soliel...and what can I say about that?! Mind blowing, fascinating, fantastic, and yet somewhat disturbing at the same time! The kids really loved being with their cousins. These guys are awesome and entertained the little ones for hours. Love all the red heads! Grandma and Grandpa also helped a bunch too. We saw characters, magical lights and parades, animals wandering up to our tour vehicle snowfall, shows worthy of broadway, and princesses. Grant refused to be in pics of the feminine kind, until Ariel specifially requested one with him. Katelee, of course, ate it up. And Brenna, she was very taken with the princesses. She would wave, giggle as they walked by, act bashful, snuggle up to them as they approached, and even went in for a few kisses. Snow White returned the sentiments with a kiss on Brenna's forehead. Disney is so magical and I loved every minute, well nearly every minute. I could have done without the traveling (ie Brenna's flying experiences, the bus transportation...again, due to Brenna, and the night of 2 hour sleep before we came home. But, we can blame that on Delta for canceling our flight and then pushing back our flight to LA 5 1/2 hours.). We wanted to experience the holiday feeling and at first it was difficult for me. I'm not used to a shorts and sweat Christmas! But, I found the seasonal sights transporting. And, it's really the feeling of the spirit of Christmas that makes it special, not the snow, I suppose. I also believe it's taking a moment to pause and slow down and soak it in. I loved being able to do that with my family. Hopefully more Christmas posts to come. Someday I may be a blog rock star like some of you and post more often, print it into a book and call myself a blogger extraordinaire, for now, this will have to do!

Phases

I have noticed since becoming a mother the phrase, "It's just a phase," is one commonly used. It may be hopeful (oh, Brenna's sleeping patterns of waking up before any sane person should is "just a phase." If that is true, it's been a LONG one, pretty much covering all the months of her existence.) While other phases are just part of the territory. We are currently beginning our journey into the Tooth Fairy phase, as Grant lost his first tooth. I would like to suggest that I get paid for my body parts that are falling apart or off all together, particularly my hair. Who knew that having babies would cause my curly locks to straighten and my hair to fall out by the handfuls. I guess I shouldn't complain, my 17 strands of hair should be sufficient to do a nice comb over someday. But, if I were to be paid not necessarily for each strand that falls out, but at least by the brush-full, I'd be racking it in. I feel like the tooth fairy was kind to bring her dollar and hope it is the right amount for boys his age! We have honestly been dreading the appearance of the permanent teeth because every dentist that has ever seen Grant has viewed the x-rays of his permanent teeth, looked at us with huge eyes, eyebrows raised to their hairline and exclaimed, "This boy is going to have REALLY big teeth." So, bring on the awkward phase...and a future of braces...and a possibility of tooth filing! Grant is also in the phase of spelling my name whenever he needs my attention. I frequently hear, "M-O-M" followed by a request. It's pretty funny. Other phases you hear kids go through and you cross your fingers that your kid won't-we've got that going on right now too. I know it's common, but the "repeat every word you say phase" that Katelee is in makes me (as Grant may express, C-R-A-Z-Y!)

Spooktacular

We had a spook-a-rific haunted holiday season! We saw Witches, (The kids are all making a "scary" face here. I especially like Brenna's tongue.) We ran through a corn maze, picked out the perfect pumpkins, carved 'em up good...then I burned the seeds. We usually love to eat the roasted seeds, but this year I thought I would scorch them-not happy about that, but I suppose there's always next year...and the one after that...etc. We did eat some other nasty things though...eyeballs, mummies and worms just to name a few. We had a pretty low key costume assembly year. I seem to recall my growing up years where we just scrounged up what we or a neighbor had around the house. We were close to that this year. Grant, opted for a scary vampire, Katelee was Rapunzel. Her wig looked awesome after about 35 seconds-hair flying every which way, by the end of the night it was sideways and Katelee had to have brushed it out of her face 6 times per second. It was funny. Brenna actually had three costume choices-a hand me down Little Red Riding Hood costume that she would have nothing to do with, then the second one on my list was a U of U cheerleader. She really would have made her daddy proud with that one, but she, in true Brenna fashion wanted to pick her own and found Grant's old Lion outfit. Yes, it is a male lion, but people dress up like the opposite sex all the time, so why not dress up Brenna as not only a lion, but a boy lion. I was a flight attendant, flying the friendly skies. Trick or treating was a success (for the older two), Brenna just said "TREAT," as she knocked on a few doors. She was an excellent assistant at handing out candy. We are now trying to go through a sugar detox program.

Routine

Well, since starting school, we have fallen into a pretty normal routine. I have recently reflected on how my mornings begin with a determination to have a good day, help my kids have the same result. We wake up, lovingly rubbing cute faces and small backs to rouse from slumber, ahh...seems like we are off to a good start. As the early morning progresses, I find one child (the one who has to be out the door, of course) will not get ready, after 27 times of his name being said I am LOUDLY saying brush your teeth...get dressed...come on!! And, then a quick kiss and he is off. Fast forward through the morning with the girls and wade through a few tantrums and meltdowns and dare devil climbing stunts by the toddler and we are near to pickup after school. Then, once everyone is home, the fighting begins. The other day the two older kids were in trouble because we could not determine who was telling me a lie. Because only one of their stories could be correct, I told them one of them had to be lying. Finally, after a long 20 minutes or so, Katelee says, "alright, I guess I am the one lying." I had had it that day...my goal of a gentle loving mom went out the window and I turned to....my scriptures. No, I didn't read them a sweet story of love, I read them a verse that says, "Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell." As soon as the words came out, I wanted to rewind. I just condemned my child to fire and brimstone...not exactly how I pictured my day. But, Katelee did of course inquire about hell and when I told her its where the devil lived, she said, "Well, I sure hope I don't lie again, cuz I don't want to live with him!" I guess lesson received-can I call that a success?!

Dinner seems like chaos, bathtime and bed are a tug of war, but books are read, kids tucked in and everyone calms down. Every night when I ask the kids their favorite part of the day, Katelee has to tell me 3 things. Without fail, one of her top three is "giving mom hugs and kisses!" As I tucked her in, turned out the light, she says, "Mom, I am loving you right now." An hour or two later, I walk in and rearrange flailing arms (Katelee's the best to check on, she talks in her sleep nearly nightly), I can't help but be grateful that I get to do the whole routine again in the morning, (minus the condemnation). Well, that's my goal at least.

Starting School Again!

It's that time of year: backpacks are filled, new shoes are purchased, pencils are sharpened and for the first time at our house-a lunch is packed!!! Katelee started preschool, and she is of course loving it. It is a fun break for her in the day.

I am feeling rather sheepish about how I dealt with Grant's entrance to kindergarten, because first grade was way worse for me on the extreme emotions scale. Here Grant is on his first day. I am not sure why he looks like he is ready to take off for a track meet, but that is the pose he made before we hopped in the car. I went with him his first day to make sure he knew where to line up before the bell rang. He asked me what would happen and I had to choke out the words, " You will go through those doors when they take you away!" I held back the sobs until I got into my car and he was safely at his desk, but all I could think of was the thought that they are taking him away! And, I grieved. I grieved because he is gone from me for a long time each day. I was so sad because I missed him and not just him, but that phase of our life that is now passed-laying around all morning (he had pm kindergarten), having breakfast at 9, playing with toys for an hour before even realizing someone is hungry, reading books in bed for a half hour with the kids...now we are on a schedule. I told Grant how much I miss him and he told me he doesn't miss me...awesome. But, after a brief pause he said, "but I do think about you in the day." I guess that's how it is supposed to be. I definitely want him to love school, but thinking about his mom now and then can't hurt!

Summary of Summer!

Its common knowledge I am not very good at taking pictures-getting a quality photo or taking enough of them. While I haven't toted my camera around to all our activities over the last three months, we have had a fun time. We've done Lagoon, Seven Peaks, a playdate at a new park every week, watched fireworks and parades, taken swimming lessons, gone swimming, gone to splash pads, played water park in our back yard, killed some grass with frequent slip and slide episodes, been to the float preview, the dentist, the Bees baseball game, done some house projects (painting) not exactly a happy memory I would like to reconjure. Grant's played on his first basketball team (and made two baskets, might I add!), had soccer training, Katelee's learned to ride a tw0-wheeler, we've visited with cousins and had Grandpa and Grandma visit from Florida, we've welcomed home my sister Paige from her mission-YAY!, visited with childhood lifelong friends (and their moms), gone to the canyons for a hike (we needed to do that WAY more), gone camping, we went to Lake Powell for the first time....Thanks to Dave's brother Brian-surfer and boater extraordinare. Here is Brian surfing with Katelee:
Grant loved the tubes, it couldn't be fast enough for him-two thumbs up with Dave crying out that he was going to die and it was too reckless!
Dave took to wake surfing really quickly and loved it.....me, on the other hand, I needed much more assistance, but eventually I got it!We welcomed our first pet and later buried (or should I say flushed) our first pet. Katelee wanted to take a picture of the floater on his day of decease, but I was a little grossed out by that, so we have no proof he ever lived. We've done free weekly bowling and started piano lessons. We are ready for school and we are TIRED!!!

The Mister

Just a little post to honor the provider of the house...Dave just had a birthday, so he is one year older and wiser too, at least we like to think so! He continues to work super hard at ADP, always pushing himself and motivating those around him. We appreciate him so much and love him a lot! Dave is a lover of travel and food. He is a self acclaimed food conniseur. If you need recommendations on where to get the best food (specifically dessert) he can direct you. Because he is so enticed by that which goes in his mouth, he runs a half marathon...one half marathon a year, and he trains for it very minimally. He believes this will counter act the calories consumed the other 364 days. Don't know if that is a healthy outlook, but I'd say a half marathon is impressive, no matter the preparation done before! Way to run it! Dave requested no cake this year, but opted for his mother's much loved Banana Chocolate Chip Bars. We sang, had some neighbors over for ice cream, and he indulged and loved every bite! Miss Brenna, however, seems to have cravings for mud pies these days-YUCK!