School Field Trip....to Sea World!

Friday, the entire first grade from Riley's school went to Sea World on a field trip. I was lucky enough to be a chaperone for Riley's class (or unlucky depending on how you view it). We all had to be at school before 8:30am and then off we went. It took 3 buses to get the seven classes and the adults there. We had 15 kids from our class (only 1 didn't make it) and 4 adults, including the teacher. We were on the move from the moment we got there. We really wanted to maximise our time there and get the kids to as many shows as possible. So, off we went to the seal and otter show which was across the park from where school groups enter. Then, we had to race to meet our Sea World guide who was going to take the kids on a backstage tour of the shark exhibit. They had so much fun there and several told me it was one of their highlights. then, we saw the Shamu show (can't miss that at Sea World, right?) and then hit the Dolphin show. We also went to dolphin cove, the sting ray area, saw the alligators and hit the penguin encounter. Our last stop was the dolphin nursery before heading to the bus. On the ride home several kids fell asleep which is understandable since we walked so much. The kids loved all the shows and touching the sharks, even though they all also said they were tired. I don't know if all the classes got in as much as we did, but it was fun. The only sad part was we couldn't ride any rides while we were there. Now, of course, Riley wants to go back and spend more time there and take Kamryn. I guess we'll have to work that out.

The Shark Encounter

The tour guide or education person talking to them about sharks

Walking through a "tunnel" and being surrounded by sharks

Riley actually touching a shark! According to the kids, they are rough and one even said their backs felt like teeth.

Boat Fun

We had so much fun on the Disney cruise! The girls were in heaven from the moment we got on the boat. It was raining when we first got on, so we walked around a little bit and made sure we had the girls checked in for the kids activities on board. They have three areas for kids on board - one for 3-7 year olds (activities often divided between 3&4 and 5-7), one for 8-12 year olds (again activities divided by age) and then one for teenagers. In these areas they have supervised, planned activities that the kids LOVE. Our kids usually went to their area at least once a day if not more. The other thing the kids love is the pools. So, they begged us to go swimming after we got them all set up for their clubs. Again, it wasn't really warm since it had been raining, but the water was nice and kids had fun. They love the Mickey pool (kids) simply because it's shaped like Mickey and has a cool slide. They also liked the Goofy pool (family) and the hot tubs that were there (a hot bathtub according to Kamryn).

The other cool thing is being able to see Disney characters while you are on the boat. We didn't wait in too many lines since we can go to the park to see them, but here are two of our favorite pictures - formal night family pic with Mickey and then the girls with Captain Jack at Castaway Cay (Disney's island). Kamryn HAD to see Captain Jack so we made sure we were off the boat and in line in plenty of time!

Every night there was something to do on the boat. There were Broadway style shows, Bolt in Disney digital 3D, and a Pirate party. Plus, there were even fireworks one night (after the Pirate party). I think Disney is the only cruise line that is allowed to shoot fireworks off a moving vessel. We loved everything, but I think the favorite was the Pirate party. Most guests dress in some kind of Pirate gear and they do a big show out on deck and all the characters come out and they have you dance along with them. It's tons of fun, even though it's WAY crowded.


There were so many things to do each day. That was part of the fun...you could do as much or as little as you wanted. We stopped in Nassau but had decided to skip the excursions and just stay on the boat. The girls spent the day playing in the pool and in their club. They were perfectly happy and we knew the water would be warm, something we weren't sure of on the excursions. On Disney's island there were also activities - snorkeling, bikes, games, etc. There is a family beach, an adult beach, and a teen beach. Kamryn spent a little time with us but eventually decided that the water was too cold (she listened to her dad) so off to the kids activities she went. Riley went there first thing. Doug even got in on the fun - he won the free throw contest that day beating out several guys who were much younger. He got a little medal and everything.

While we did have a ton of fun, Kamryn has already told a relative that she missed seeing snow and going skiing this year. Oh well, what is a parent to do?

Cruisin' Surprise!

My grandfather generously gave us money for a vacation this year. As I think I've mentioned before, we took a family vote and flipped a coin to decide - Disney Cruise. Well, the kids knew we were going on the cruise, but we had never told them the date we'd be leaving (Feb. 15th). So, during the week, I started setting aside clothes and making lists in my head. I somehow had to pack on the sly for all four of us. I was able to somehow get the kids packed and their suitcases ready to go without them being aware. I though for sure Riley would realize she was missing outfits and come ask me where they were, but she didn't. Then, I also had to get the cake made and get everything ready for the party (that didn't happen). So, I spent Saturday doing a lot of laundry and stuff and was able to get Doug and I packed as well (I ended up forgetting a few things, but nothing of serious consequence). That night, I got most of the bags packed in the car. I only had to pack those last few things after church on Sunday and even got those bags into the car undetected. We told the girls we were going to see grandma for lunch. Well, they realized it was taking longer to get there than normal and that we weren't going the right way. Doug was quick and told them we were going to meet her at a dinosaur museum that we thought they would like - he even pretended to talk to her on the phone updating her on where we were. It was so funny.

When we knew we were close and they'd be able to see the boat (you top this bridge and can't miss it) we told them to start looking for the dinosaur. This was their reaction as they saw the boat and figured out what we were really doing...

Looking out the window and seeing the boat and saying "I don't see a dinosaur, I see a boat...the Disney boat"

The screams that erupted when they realized WE were getting on that boat and going on the Disney Cruise!!

Party pooper

Cake for Kamryn's party

We were going to have Kamryn's party on the 14th, but alas, it didn't happen. That morning, Kamryn woke up running a fever. We were all bummed, especially Kamryn, but knew we had to cancel/postpone the party. Luckily, we were able to contact all of her friends and the party store (balloons) and the location (bowling alley) that morning. It worked out that we were able to move the party to the following Saturday. Kamryn was sad, but totally understood that she didn't want to get people sick. So, instead of going to her party she went to the doctor. They said it was a viral infection and to treat the symptoms - yeah!

A Valentine Dance...in Elemenatary school?

That was my thought when I got a note from Riley's school advertising the dance. I couldn't believe they would have a dance for kids that young, but they did. The school divided up the kids into two groups - K4 through 2nd grade and then 3rd through 5th grade. I was skeptical of the whole dance thing but Riley really wanted to go. So, after explaining to her that we don't go to dances until we're 14, I told her that we could go as a family (parents were required to be present with their kids) and try it out. Plus, I knew one other family from church was doing the same thing so I their would be kids that Kamryn knew too. The advertisement told us to dress our "Beary Best" (the school mascot is a bear). So, after we all got dressed up in church dresses, we headed for the dance. I'm not even sure you could call it a dance. It was more like controlled chaos. Picture tons of kids running and jumping around to music and then forming a train and going all around the room. It was quite a site! The girls had fun though. Riley didn't dance as much as I would have thought, but she did have fun. Kamryn tried to dance with several groups of kids, but was mostly ignored (they didn't know her) until her friend from church showed up. I would go again, but 2nd grade would be the last time I would let her attend a function like that since I noticed the older group looked a little more serious about it.

Riley and her friend Stephanie dancing

Kamryn dancing and having fun!

That infamous train

Kamryn and her friend Tenille dancing and smiling for the camera

Riley, AJ, and Sarah (friends from class)

Homemade Surprise

You may have seen this on other blogs; you sign up to receive something homemade and crafty, and then you pay it forward by doing the same thing for 3 people who sign up to do it on your blog.

So here’s how it works:

1.Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post and I will send you a handmade gift sometime in the next 3 months.

2.You get to pay it forward as well by doing the same thing for 3 people on your blog, plus one back to me. Once you leave a comment telling me that you want to participate, you need to make a pay-it-forward post on your blog within one day.

3.Get crafting!

Go right ahead and be the first three. You never know what you might get! I have some friends who are super crafty, but I'll have to do some serious thinking about this.

Kamryn is 4!!

I can hardly believe she is four already. I still remember coming home from work (and almost getting a ticket) because I felt we needed to go to the hospital. Well, of course, with my luck nothing was happening even though I was having contractions every 2 minutes or so. Instead of sending me home to wait two days for my scheduled section (because it looked like nothing was going to happen) they went ahead and performed it. There she was all cute (after they cleaned her) and cuddly. She is still cuddly and cute but now she has her own opinions and ideas. Now, some of these are influenced by her older sister but some are her own. She has this cute little voice, but will let you know if she doesn't like what you are doing or wants you to do something different.

We went to Disney on her birthday (just her and I) and it was a surprise. I had her get dressed for school and then when we headed out, I just started driving to Disney. She realized I was going the wrong was and then I told her about our day and she got so excited! It isn't often she gets to pick everything we do. We weren't in any big hurry (good thing because it was crowded) and we had lots of fun!

We watched the show in front of the castle even though we have seen it many times before!

Kamryn loves dance. She was able to go to a dance convention with all the other girls and thought she was big stuff since she was dressed like them and her hair was done the same way and everything. She got to take a few classes and then spent the rest of the time dancing up and down the hall. It was so funny! These are just 2 of her favorite people at the studio (and 2 of her favorite babysitters). She loves to watch them dance.

Her party is Saturday morning so I'm sure I'll have more info later. I'll do my best to get the pictures loaded so I can blog and everything.

Update of the family

Luckily, nobody got real sick (well Riley did on Wed, but I don't think it was related). My sister in law made it home with her girls that day (Saturday) with hardly any incident. She did say our niece was really pale and weak at the airport, but she hadn't had any food and hardly anything to drink so that is understandable. I know she (our niece) felt better the next day and went back to school on Monday. I don't think her sister has been as lucky. It seems like she gets better for a day or two and then either gets sick or runs a fever. I feel so bad for her (and the rest of the family). Hopefully, she'll kick it soon and nobody else will get it.



I need to take a moment and let my niece know how proud we are of her. We all know it is no fun getting sick and like being in our home with our comfort items, etc. She got sick at night, in a strange house (meaning not hers) and without her mom to comfort her. I know adults who would not have coped as well as she did. Although she felt better in the morning, she also didn't complain about having to leave and go back to the hotel. We know she had really been looking forward to this trip and seeing her cousins so some tears or pouting would have been warranted, but there wasn't any. At least, not at our house. What a trooper!! We look forward to another visit from them so the girls (all four) will get some proper playtime. Then I'll have pictures I can post and scrapbook!

Long Night & Messed Up Weekend

We have been planning this weekend for a little while. Doug's sister was coming to FL with her girls and his brother was coming in from MO. We had planned on an afternoon together in Ocala at his other brother's house. It would be the first time all the family was together since before Kamryn was born (I'd guess 6 years or so). Well, everything got messed up and we had a long night here at the house. Since the cousins from Chicago don't get down here very often, we had planned to have the oldest over for a sleepover (she is a year younger than Riley). Well, everything started off great - the girls played, we had dinner, they took showers, we got ready for bed. Now, we had known that our youngest niece had been sick the night before they were to head to FL but had shown no more signs of anything so we thought it would be ok. Well, it wasn't. Riley woke me up at 1:20 or so telling me that her cousin felt sick so I went to check. She had actually gotten sick all over the bed while she was sleeping. I took all the sheets off and put them in the laundry, then I got Riley and Peyton situated. I put Peyton on the couch and I decided to sleep in the recliner next to her just in case. It was a good thing I did as she got sick again at 3:00, 4:00, and 6:20. She seemed better when she woke up, but Doug was still taking her back to her mom who was staying at a hotel in the Villages (turned out little sister had gotten sick again over night as well). Desta decided it best if they go ahead and head back to Chicago today rather than wait until tomorrow. I know Peyton got sick in Doug's car on the way to the Villages, but I don't know what happened after that. I can only hope they all make it back to Chicago and get over this thing quick. But, since the girls and I had been exposed, we opted to not go see any family today since we don't know what will happen with the girls. We're hopeful that we'll get lucky (there have been some prayers) since we have lots of fun family things coming up - Kamryn's bday, a bday party, Disney cruise, etc. I guess all there is left to do is wait and see. We'll just have to make sure we plan another family gathering and not wait so long to make it happen (we have a high school graduation in 2 years if we can't make it happen before). Then, we'll hope everyone stays healthy! At least this house should rest good tonight.

Morning

Every morning, Kamryn wakes up before it's really necessary. It's usually around 6:30 or 6:45, but today it was 6:00. When she wakes up she doesn't wait in her bed until she hears us and she doesn't yell for us. She just comes into our room and over o my side of the bed and wakes me up. Then, she climbs up and gets settled in the middle and goes back to sleep. I asked her this morning why she does this and she said because she likes to cuddle with us. While I don't really like getting woken up, I can't refuse such a cute girl. If she didn't fall back asleep we might have a problem, but so far so good. Of course, just because Kamryn falls back to sleep doesn't mean Doug and I do. Oh well!