Disney Day 2

So on our second day at Disney which was really our first full day we went back to Magic Kingdom. It was cool to go there first since that's what we knew the kids would really enjoy the most. That morning when we arrived there were several characters out in Main Street so we decided to stop and meet Pluto. The kids loved this! It was so neat to stop and enjoy the characters. Lindsay was a little fearful at first of the characters. After stopping to get pictures and autographs we made our way into Adventureland. We were trying to head to a place we hadn't been. Our first stop was Pirates of the Carribean. I am not sure how either kid felt about this ride. I think it scared them both? After that we went ahead to do Jungle Cruise since we were right there. I think they both enjoyed that ride a little more. Lindsay just didn't like the dark rides I guess? We then stopped at Its a Small World and both kids really loved that ride! It was a nice break from all the action! After that we went into Libery Square and did Haunted Mansion. Well I knew Lindsay would HATE that so she stayed out with my parents and we took Colby. He wasn't scared at all...he thought it was silly! After that everyone took took another turn doing Big Thunder Mountain. I stayed with Lindsay and let her play on the playground during this time. Afterwards we took a break for lunch. We ate at Pecos Bill Cafe. It was good but that place is always a nut house! It was crowded and the seating isn't really all that comfie but we managed. Afterwards we headed over to Tomorrowland for our Fast Pass on Space Mountain. We tried to check wait times in Fantasyland at rides like Ariel but they were too long. We went straight to Space Mountain. I wasn't sure if Colby would like it or not but he said he wanted to ride it so we went with it. He ended up LOVING it!! During that time Lindsay fell asleep so my parents found a bench with her. After the rollercoaster Colby saw the rocket ride and wanted to do that! I decided to sit that one out and rest with my parents and Lindsay. It was nice to take a break and get off my feet and just people watch. Lindsay took a nice long nap during all of this. Once they got off the rocket ride we went ahead to do the Toy Story Ride. Another ride Colby really enjoyed! After it was finally time for our Fast Pass at the racecar rides. This was one of his favories when we went when he was 2! He couldn't wait to do them again! Austin rode with Lindsay and I took Colby! He was a much better driver this time!! After the racecars we decided to make our way back into the front of the park. We ended up stopping for a parade. Lindsay loved it so much the first time we figured she would love it again and boy were we right! It was also a nice break for everyone at the time! After the parade we went back to Adventureland to do a few things we missed from that morning. We checked the times on seeing Tinker Bell but it was too long. Austin and Elizabeth took the kids instead to ride the Magic Carpets while Randall and I waited with the stroller. During this time my parents were getting tired so they found a bench close to our restaurant. After the Carpet ride Austin and Randall and Elizabeth took Colby up to the Swiss Family Tree House. I stayed at a bench with Lindsay. I wasn't really feeling doing any more unnecessary walking and I figured she didn't care either way. We enjoyed squirrel watching during that time. Finally it was dinner time. We tried the Liberty Inn Tavern this time. It was our first time there. The food was excellent! The meal was served family style which was really neat! I think this was def one of my favorite meals. We were able to visit and the kids really enjoyed the food as well. Again after dinner we headed back to the hotel. I hated we couldn't stay for fireworks but after a full day we just needed to get the kiddos back to the room for bed! It was another great day though!

Disney Day 1

We just got back from our Family Disney World Vacation! This was Colby's 2nd time and Lindsay's 1st! So exciting to bring little kids there!
So Sunday we left our house around 7am to get to the airport. We had a 9:30 flight. The kids did really well getting to the airport and through security and such. We didn't have to wait long for our plane either which was great! Both also did awesome on the flight. Lindsay sat by Austin and I and Colby was with my parents. I packed snacks for the kids to eat since I knew we would be flying & traveling during their normal lunch hour. We arrived in Orlando around 11:30. We went straight to the Disney busses which again was really simple we walked right on! During the bus ride the kids just enjoyed watching the Disney cartoons and resting. We got to the hotel and it took a little bit to get checked in but once we did we were able to go up to our rooms. We stayed at the Bay Lake Towers this time! The rooms were very nice. We had a queen bed and the kids slept on the full sofa bed. We also had a small kitchen which was nice with kiddos. After unpacking and settling in we decided to go ahead to the parks. When we first arrived in the park a parade was going on. It was so cute to see Lindsay light up at the sight of the characters! She was waving and pointing...it was adorable! I think one of my favorite moments of the entire trip! Just seeing the magic through her eyes!
Our first ride was Peter Pan's Flight. We did a fast pass for this b/c everytime I have been the wait is really long. The kids really liked it as their first ride. Afterwards we had a Fast Pass for Big Thunder Mountain. It was exciting this year b/c Colby was tall enough to ride the big rides! He loved the roller coaster. We were fortunate with having my parents along they took Lindsay to the play area while we rode with him. After the ride we went to do Country Bear Jamboree. I think the kids really enjoyed the show and got into it!
After the show we headed back to the monorail for our dinner reservations at Grand Floridian. Its always nice to go back to that hotel. I really wish we could have spent more time walking around and enjoying the sights but we were all so tired by that point. The dinner was awesome though! We were all starving since we skipped lunch. The kids were a little antsy this night. I don't blame them though it had been a full day! After dinner we went back to our hotel and crashed for the evening!

Subbing!

So I subbed today for the first time in MANY years! It was for Lindsay's class at MDO though! I mean I do teach a lot at church and I did sign up for subbing a couple of years ago at Calvary when Colby was little but it seemed every time they called I wasn't available. I have been asked to get back on there as a sub but right now I want to enjoy my being a SAHM with Lindsay. She only goes to school 2 half days a week so unless it fell on those days I really want to enjoy my time with her! But I did talk to the teachers at her school and told them to add me there. This was my 2nd call but the first time I could actually do it!
There are 2 MDO classes and I actually was in the older class...Lindsay is in the younger but she came over to my class today. She's sort of a middle kid so she can go either way! She is a young 2 so she's older then most in her class but younger then the others in the other class.
I now def have an even bigger appreciation for her teachers though! It wasn't bad but it was tiring! You just don't stop all morning! Thankfully it was just 9-12. Teaching 2nd grade was exhausting but you did get breaks and they weren't quite as needy.
The morning started off with playtime. They get to pretty much play freely for the first hour. There was a simple craft to do that they all actually participated in which was nice too. Lindsay did well for the most part with me being in there. I think she was more vocal/opinionated though. Around 9:50 I had all the kids help me clean up the room which most of them did help. At 10 they had snacks. They just have a simple snack most days of cheerios and pretzels except on like holidays and birthdays. The kids must have been starving though b/c they ate and ate haha. After their snack we did potty and diaper changes...this is the part of the day where I think teachers need to be paid more! Wow changing 5 kids and bringing them to the potty is exhausting. We then went to the gym. Since it was cold and sleeting on those days they go play in the gym. They basically just ran around and played with a variety of balls. I think they had a good time though and it was a nice break from the classroom. Around 11:15 we went back to the class. At that point we did circle time...I read a story and then we sang some songs. The kids did really well during that! Afterwards I checked diapers but no one needed changing so I just had one little girl go to the potty. I put on the music and they went back to playing/coloring while I cleaned up the room and got everyone's stuff organized to go home. Believe me I was ready to go at 12 haha.
It was a fun experience but not sure I would want to do that every day or even twice a week! I am glad I got to be with Lindsay though and see what she does at school! The rest of the day was low key. The weather was really gross and we are getting ready for our trip!
We will be gone all week to Disney so there will be lots to post about when we get home!

Storytimes & LifeGroups

Yesterday was a busy but very good day! Lindsay and I enjoyed another morning at storytime at the library! This has become our regular thing to do. We had contemplated the children's museum but with just going to the Zoo the day before and getting ready for a major trip I figured it would be best for us to stay close to home. Our friends Audrea and her 3 littles met us again. Its always nice for Lindsay to have familiar faces and other kids to play with. Us mommies also get to sit and visit some! The afternoon was pretty low key except for picking Colby up from school. He celebrated his 100th day of school yesterday! I can't believe he's been in kindergarten that long!
That evening we had our first meeting at our new lifegroup. I am glad for this to get started again. Even though it won't always be easy getting out in the middle of the week its such an encouragement to be with friends and study the Bible mid-week. We are starting a series on James which I am really excited about b/c last summer I did an entire Bible study on James and it was awesome! This week we just talked about how trials will come in our life and how we should handle them! Its a great reminder for us! We are very excited about our new group and feel like we will fit in better in this group. It wasn't that we didn't like the other people it was just they were younger/single and would hang out at times we couldn't therefore we didn't feel as "plugged in"! This group is mostly couples with young kids. Several of the kids also go to school with Colby which is a plus. And there are a few stay at home moms which makes it easier for me to feel like I fit in as well!
The rest of the week will be busy with school agendas and getting ready for our trip!!

Fabulous Weekend

We have had such beautiful weather this week! I love pretty blue sky winter days! We have actually had a cold winter this year and I love it! Even though most of the plants are dead there is such beauty in winter. I don't know everything just seems so clean when its crisp and cold! The highs have been in the 50s all week and lows in the 30s which to me is just perfect!
Anyway we have a long weekend and I am really planning on enjoying it! Friday afternoon was pretty low key for us. The kids mostly played and watched tv. We picked up Chickfila for dinner. I enjoy Friday nights bc we let them stay up a little later and they run around like crazy people! Last night was one of those nights it was fun! Definitely a 1000 gifts moment! They also watched Return to Neverland! Colby is so into Disney movies now which is exciting with us going to Disney World in 1 week!
Saturday ooh Saturday how I love sleeping in! We all slept past 7 which is nice then we hung out in our pjs. Enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and the kids played and watched tv while I cleaned up the house. I always enjoy on saturdays that I can do more housework while they entertain each other. We left the house about 9:30 and made a trip to the library to drop off books then met my parents at a local park. This particular park we haven't been to since last January! They love it though! Although it was crazy to think last time we brought Lindsay she was barely or not walking and couldn't do much at all. She really had a blast today! Colby ofcourse had a great time as well! We don't get to do as many park trips now with him in school so I try to sneak them on pretty Saturdays! I think my parents also just enjoyed watching them play! The rest of the day will be pretty low key! Just hanging out cooking and probably watching another movie! Austin is working all weekend so the kids and I will mostly be relaxing!
Sunday the kids and I ofcourse went to church. I had to work in the preschool. I enjoy the weeks of teaching. Worshipping with and seeing these preschoolers grow is pretty amazing. This week we had 5. We had 3 boys and 2 girls. They were such a sweet group too we hardly had to correct anyone. As far as I know my littles enjoyed their classes as well =) The rest of the day will be low key for us since Austin is working. I will probably try to take them outside though after Lindsay's nap to get some fresh air and sunshine!
It has been so nice having an extra day added to our weekend. The weekends usually go by SO fast I love having 3 days with my littles! So sadly austin still had to work today so that left the littles and I looking for something fun to do! We settled on the Zoo. This has actually become a tradition for us we have been the last 3 years! Lindsay and I have been to the zoo I think twice lately without Colby so I was anxious for him to go! I think it was October the last time he got to go. Anyway we had a fun time! My parents went with us to help with the kids and just to keep us company! We started with the Reptile House which I think everyone enjoyed. We played at the climbing trees for quite some time which I think they both really liked. I think Colby's favorite part was Monkey Hill. At this point Lindsay started to have a mini fit so she just stayed in the stroller. We enjoyed the animals around there but then decided to head back towards the carousel and do that before leaving. Colby really wanted to ride the train but we decided that would take too long. I thought Lindsay would ride the carousel with us but she said no and was sure to let us know she did not want to! I don't know why she hates them =(. Colby def loves them! So after that we headed back to the car they were getting hungry and tired. I would have eaten there if we could have packed a picnic lunch but I didn't have enough food and I hate the zoo food...its over priced and usually not that good. We went to McAlister's instead. It was a fun treat to eat and visit with my parents! The rest of the day we are mostly resting although we do have to get out soon to go to the grocery which I hate but we need stuff to make potato salad tonight for lifegroup tomorrow night. I hate to drag the kids out but tomorrow I just won't have time to do it! Its been a great weekend and holiday! This week will be busy getting ready for Disney!

A glance back at our week...getting back into the groove!

Well we are trying to get back into the "school groove" around here. We have almost completed our 2nd week back after Christmas vacation! I think the kids are enjoying being back into their routines but i can also tell we are all getting tired! Fortunately this weekend is a 3 day weekend so that'll be nice too! Colby has been enjoying school I think but hit a bumpy patch this week with behavior. Its not a big deal really but he has clipped down twice this week which never happens. Usually when it just happens once we talk to him and then its over no biggie no punishments. But when it happened 2 days in a row we felt like consequences were needed so he lost all tv and iPad privileges for that day. I do have to admit I think part of his acting out was due to lack of recess. I am def not one to make excuses for my child but they didn't have recess hardly at all last week and the first 3 days this week didn't have it. Finally yesterday they went back outside! I think that plays a HUGE part in it. Although we did talk to him about how he needs to follow rules etc.
Lindsay I think enjoyed her 2 days of school and I have enjoyed my time to myself to work around the house and run errands.
The other days this week have been nice too! Tuesday Lindsay and I went to storytime again with a friend. That's always a fun outting and I think she enjoys it as well. Thursday I had a hair appt so she went to my parent's house for the morning. I think they all enjoyed that! They don't get to see the kids much during the week with their school schedules! I also enjoyed the downtime of just getting my hair cut. Today (Friday) we went to coffee/breakfast at Pj's after dropping Colby off. I enjoy this sweet time with my girl. I hope this is a tradition we can keep going her entire life! I know it'll be even more fun when she can really talk. Right now she points at things and drinks my coffee =) Afterwards we went up to the church nursery to clean/sanitize toys. There has been another round of sickness going around our church friends so I figured it was a good time to get it done. Plus I would like to start going once a month to spray the toys and keep germs down! Lindsay did really well and just enjoyed playing with toys!
We kick off our weekend in about 2 hours when Colby gets home from school! I look forward to tomorrow and Monday getting out and enjoying the beautiful weather with the littles! Look for a weekend post next week!

5 1/2

So my first baby is now officially 5 and a half! I can't believe it! Where did the time go? I really feel like he should still be 18 months and at home with me! Well he's grown up so much over the last 6 months. He is doing so well in kindergarten. We were all so worried at first with him being young having a late summer b-day but he has adjusted and done so well! He made Beta Honor Roll this last quarter! I am so proud of him! He is loving school as well and his teacher which is so great! I love that he loves learning! He's learning to read...he's not reading books quite yet but he can read simple sentences with 3 letter words. His handwriting has greatly improved although its still a little messy but again he's 5!
I def miss him during the day now that he's gone from 8:15-3:30. He is such a funny little dude. He is 5 going on 50! He still has a great vocabulary and can carry on a conversation like a mini adult! He seems to be well liked at school among his peers and teachers! He also loves going to church! Right now we aren't doing any sports or extra-curricular activities but we will go back to that this summer.
I am not sure how much he weighs but I would guess close to 50 lbs? He wears a size 5T mostly and some size 6 shirts. He is still in a size 12 shoe.
He is a great eater and will eat most anything except PIZZA! Crazy kid! He is very active and loves being on the go! He enjoys life and simple things! He's not into electronics hardly at all other then watching some tv and playing on our iPad sometimes. He still loves PBS which I am so thankful!
He still loves cars/trucks and animals! He also recently gotten into superheroes which is fun!
He's such a sensitive spirit and so wise. I love that about him! He will always be my baby boy though!!