Update!

To My Readers Reader....you know, since I have probably lost all but one due to the lack of entertainment here!

I'm trying to update this blog! Here's a little bit of what's been going on the last few months!

I will update again when I have more time....have to get back to studying, writing care plans, and a lot more studying!

Doin’ it like the monkeys

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I’m easily amused and YES, I purchased some at the store just to try it!

While I was waiting to harvest my farm (will explain later in the post!) last night, I came across this video!

I guess my whole life I’ve (and the majority of you out there) been doing it all wrong! I mean, it just doesn’t seem right to not open the banana at the top, but trust me…remember, I bought some today just to see if it really works…and yes, my friends, it does! Go to your kitchen and try it! I bet you will be amused too!!

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Are you still wondering about that farming thing I mentioned (or are you still in awe over the banana!) Ha Ha! If you have Facebook, you HAVE to try FarmTown. I have become addicted to this game! It’s so much fun! You basically build your farm, plow, plant, harvest, and sell your crops! Yeah, I didn’t think it sounded fun when I heard about it, but it is! Go check it out….but don’t blame me if you get hooked! Oh, I’ll be your neighbor if you join! Just look for me!

Have a great weekend!

I’m going garage-saleing tomorrow and hopefully will finish up my kitchen makeover! It’s taken us about 3 weeks, but it’s almost finished! Maybe I’ll get around to posting some before and afters!

He's a Big Kid Now!

Let me tell ya...It has been a LONG seven days! Last week we decided it was time to get down and dirty and finally get Ethan potty-trained! We started trying back before Emma Kate was born and he wasn't ready so we gave him a few months and tried again- but, of course, with no luck!

So, last Tuesday we started by bagging up all his pull-ups and putting him in undies full-time. I knew it was going to be rough, but I wasn't quite prepared for it all! Seriously, from Tuesday to Saturday, we did nothing but beg him to use the potty and clean up accidents! We filled him up with liquids and attempted to sit him on the potty about every 15-30 minutes but he refused to go! He even had an accident IN Wal-Mart!!! Just imagine....we are standing in the toy isle and I look over and he has pee running down his leg! I freaked! We bribbed him with toys, new Thomas the Train underpants.....you name, we tried it! To say the least-it got old, quick! I was so close to giving up!

But then, we woke up Sunday morning and he was dry and when I asked him if he needed to go he said YES!! And he has been accident free for FOUR days now! It's great!!

Alright, that leaves one in diapers! I can see the light!

Disney Vacation 2009

I know, I know…It’s been almost a month since our vacation and I am just now getting around to posting! Hey, it’s been a busy summer! Can you believe the summer is almost half-way over!!??

Day 1: Hollywood Studios

It was Star Wars weekend and the kids Alan just had to go there first! This was our first time ever going here. The kids had fun. I think it was a little too old for them this year-aimed towards older kids.

We did make it in time for the Star Wars parade!

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The girls got to meet different characters from Star Wars, too!

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Alan even got to be a storm trooper!

We also saw Indiana Jones, an awesome car race, and rode a few rides….Alan and I rode the Tower of Terror! Scary! But fun!

On to the next day!

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

This is my favorite part of Disneyworld! I just love it!

We rode the ferry boat over to the castle. Ethan being silly!

And Emma being precious as usual! Do you like their bows??! It’s hard to see them, but it’s Minnie! I found them here…Adorable!

We made it to the castle

Oh, some friends of ours went along with us….he had been planning to propose to her! And he did! By the wishing well at the castle! How romantic! Atleast I thought so!

The girls on our favorite ride….the teacups!

We stood in line FOREVER to meet the princesses! Oh, what we do for our kids! Emma just was in aww over Cinderella!

Not so much with Belle!

Ok…take a look at this moment of history. ALL SEVEN of us. In picture. Together. Smiling. Can you believe it??!!

We spent the entire day there and stayed until the fireworks and parade….very long and HOT day!

Day 3: Animal Kingdom

I have to start by saying I am always disappointed with Animal Kingdom. It is entirely too hot…too small…the lines to the rides are EXTREMELY long…they close early (like 5 pm early)…and in my opinion it’s not worth the money! We had not been since 2006 so we decided to try it again this year…big mistake. We will not be returning next trip! I didn’t even get many pictures, but here’s a few!

The safari ride is the only one we ended up riding. The animals are amazing, though!

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Nemo and Friends at the aquarium

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Playing in the shark’s mouth!

Day 4: Epcot

This was our first year taking the kids to Epcot. It was a little too old for them, too. They didn’t quite “get” the countries!

The only country they understood was America! Go figure!

They loved the a cappella singers and just had to get their picture with them! I guess they thought they were famous!

Well, that’s it! Finally posted! One to-do I can cross off my list!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

3 years ago today, around midnight to be exact, I went into labor. June 25 was Ethan’s exact due date! Alan left for Biloxi the day before on a trip that I begged him not to go on because I just had that feeling I would be going into labor soon! He assured me everything was fine and he would be back the next day or sooner if need be…..and, of course, I made the call and he was here in less than 3 hours! Just in time for my epidural! And around 6 am (am I horrible because I can’t remember the exact time he was born??!!) Ethan Taylor made his debut in the world! He was beautiful! Which were my first words, followed by “He just peed on me” No lie! From the day he was born, he had the biggest blues eyes and the most gorgeous dimples ever!

Here he is enjoying his cake at his first birthday party!

It’s hard to believe my little man is growing up! Is he not the most handsome little boy!?

Do you like his new hair-do?? Yes, he fixes it himself! And, he insists on wearing his collar like that! I just love him…

… His silliness and all!!

       Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Boy!

We love you!!

Vacation- Week 1

We weren’t planning on going to Disneyworld this year, but we had a week to use and I changed my mind about summer school….so we said what the heck and decided to go for TWO weeks!

We packed everything up and left about 10 at night on Sunday and drove straight through to Alan’s parents’ home for a week. Why drive at night you ask?? Have you ever tried driving with five kids? It’s tough doing it around town, let alone a 12 hour drive! The kids (and I!!) slept through the night and Alan drove…in peace and quiet! We wouldn’t do it any other way!

It rained the first few days…but it finally cleared up and the kids were able to swim. Emma Kate LOVES the water!

And of course…my child that hates to have his picture taken!

After another day of rain, it finally stopped and we took a trip to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park to see the famous manatees. The kids had a blast!

  My happy baby! She knows just what to do when I put the camera in her face!

 

All five in the same picture!! I don’t get many of these!!

Yeah, they probably weren’t suppose to be playing in that!

The Manatees….They were HUGE!!

Ethan wasn’t quite sure about them!

She was feeding them sweet potatoes

My manatee children!

Some of the other wildlife exhibits…

    

This little guy wasn’t part of the exhibit, but he followed us for the longest time….wanting us to feed him I guess!

  

Disneyworld pictures up next….Stay tuned! Have a great Saturday!!