Disney Details

We took off on Saturday morning. Our flight left at 8 am, meaning we got up about 5 to leave our house at 5:30 since the forecast was for snow and we didn't know how the roads would be. We got to Orlando about noon, got to our hotel about 1:30 and the kids were in the pool shortly after.

Sunday we did Animal Kingdom. We rode Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, TriceraTop Spin and DINOSAUR. We saw the Finding Nemo musical and the kids played in the Boneyard for a while.

Monday we did Magic Kingdom. It was way crowded and every time we wanted to go across the park, there was a parade going on or it had just ended. We got on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Jungle Cruise, Tomorrowland PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin before heading back to the hotel for a nap. We headed back to the park for the parade and fireworks that evening. We were too late to get a spot for the 9PM parade, so we went on Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and the Astro Orbiter before catching the fireworks and some of the 11PM parade.

Tuesday we did Epcot, it did not seem too crowded, but we were informed that it had about 3 times as many visitors than average. We hit the Seas with Nemo and Friends, Living with the Land, and Spaceship Earth (Fred got to ride with Gavin who selected Spanish as their language before he knew it and my mom got to ride with Isaac who selected German) before the Middendorfs needed a nap break. We went back to the hotel to cool down, nap and swim. Fred, Jacob and I returned to the park later in the evening to go on Soarin', Mission: Space, and Test Track. We did not attempt to venture into the "countries" during our Epcot visits.

We completed our parks tour on Wednesday at Hollywood Studios. There we hit rides such as Rock'N'Roller Coaster, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Midway Mania. We also saw shows that included Muppet Vision 3D, Voyage of The Little Mermaid, and Magic of Disney Animation. Jacob stayed with the gang while Fred and I took the little boys back to the hotel for a break and he got to see the Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show and experience the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure area.

On Thursday we caught a bus to the Disney Dream cruiseship in Port Canaveral. The kids did a little swimming/splashing around, before we got ready for our dinner at Animators Palate (wild mushroom risotto, squash soup, shrimp pasta, lemon mousse). Fred, Jacob and Gavin went to the Golden Mickey's show that evening while I took Wyatt back to the room. Gavin didn't last too long at the show and came to the room with a sleepy Adrea.

We ported in Nassau, Bahamas the next morning (Friday). We hung out on the boat in the morning, the kids enjoyed some time in the Oceaneers club (Disney's child care, which the kids LOVED), before trekking to a boat ferry for our Dolphin Excursion. The kids (Jacob, Gavin, Maddie and Isaac) and Auntie Drea got to get in the water by dolphins. They got a kiss from, gave high-5s to, danced with, and hugged the dolphins. Gavin was a little timid of the experience, but the rest of them loved it. The only downside to this excursion was that we lost our camera along the way. Maybe at the docks, maybe on the boat, maybe on the long trek back to the cruise ship. It's a bummer, but luckily we were with Alyssa who has a bunch of pictures of the vacation, some even including me - a rarity. We returned to the boat and got ready for supper at the Enchanted Garden (beet carpaccio, Curried Carrot & Apple Soup, Pork Tenderloin on polenta cakes with roasted carrots and parsnips, and Sweet Temptations dessert trio). The show that night was "Villains Tonight", we all went to the show, but once again it was a little too scary for Gavin's taste and I headed back to the room with Gavin and Wyatt. After the show Fred came back to the room, so I could take Jacob and Gavin to the top deck and watch the fireworks which were shot off from the boat. The firework show was followed by a short pirate show too.

Saturday morning we ported at Disney's island, Castaway Cay. We unloaded from the ship and headed over to the beach. Fred and Jacob did a little snorkeling with Joe and Maddie. Alyssa and I took Isaac and Gavin over to the water slides. The slides were a little much for Gavin who came down sideways and did not enjoy the 2-3 foot drop into the chilly ocean at the end. After more beach time and a BBQ lunch, the Middendorfs headed back to the boat with Grandma. Fred and Jacob took a couple rides on the Aqua Duck (the big see through slide on top of the boat). Jacob wasn't impressed with the first ride, but claimed the second one was awesome. That slide was either not running or the lines were long the entire trip, but since we left the beach early they had a chance to ride without wait.

The boys were wore out by the point in the vacation and were asleep when I left for our final supper on the ship. It was our "formal" meal at the Royal Palace (spinach souffle, cauliflower soup and green salad with goat cheese and raspberry vinaigrette, Wild Boar Tenderloin on an onion and carrot potato cake, Sweet Temptations trio of desserts). These meals were fun for the adults, especially my mom, but I don't think the boys cared if they missed it. After they woke up we took them to the Tow-Mater's Grill and watched the movie playing on the big screen above the pool deck. Jacob and Gavin went to the Oceaneers club for a little while that night too while we packed up our bags and got ready to deboard in the morning. At some point during the day Patches (Gavin's beloved stuffed puppy) went missing. I think he got caught up in the laundry and got taken away, because we hadn't taken him anywhere - we are smarter than that (or we try to be). Our attempts to turn the cabin inside out and make our cabin host (housekeeping) comb through laundry for it were futile.

Easter morning we attended church service on the open air deck. It was fine, but didn't really feel like Easter. It was pretty being outside, but when the Disney "Happy Easter" came on the big screen (replacing the serene nature scenes that had been showing) it kind of ruined the ambiance. We had to be off the boat by 8 AM to catch a bus to the airport and get on our 12:45 flight. We were at the airport plenty early and had to hang out for over an hour waiting for the Sun Country gate to open. The flight home was good and Wyatt was pretty quiet/easy. The descent was a little bumpy and Maddie's stomach didn't handle that well, while Jacob and Isaac were hooting and giggling about the "ride".

We got home and the boys eventually went downstairs to find their Easter eggs - or the bunny poop as Gavin called them (he's seen "Hop" and the bunny poops jelly beans and so Gavin just called all eggs "bunny poop" - what did the Easter bunny bring you? "Bunny poop". Nice.) It took about a week for Fred's head to quit sloshing around, but the rest of us recovered much better from the trip. Although, Wyatt is still messed up with his sleep - sleeping in a room full of people, he got attended too and fed in the night more than usual and he's going to take some retraining that I haven't quite readied myself for yet.

It was a great trip. Not relaxing, but mostly fun. The family got along really well, everyone was very understanding and accommodating of everyone. I wouldn't recommend Disney parks to families with kids as young as ours, but it was great to be able to do the trip with the whole family and it'll be great to look back and Alyssa's pictures and remember it:)

The Swingset is Full

Gavin, Jacob, and Wyatt

The seats on the swingset are full. No more room for anymore swingers. The baby clothes are leaving the house, even though the MOMS Club decided not to have their garage sale.

I did notice I published the last post on April 6th, Fred and my anniversary. 9 years. We went out to a benefit on Friday night, but I don't know if you could consider that celebrating out anniversary. Maybe we'll consider the upcoming Disney vacation with my family our celebration. Fred in going to Florida in May for a few days and asked if I wanted to join him, but I don't think that'll work either. Next year we'll celebrate 10 right.

6 Months Already!

Wyatt is 6 months old already. He hasn't rolled over yet, but close. He can sit, until he throws himself backwards. He's been sleeping pretty good at night. Loves to eat his cereal. Is very smiley and laughs a lot. Loves when his brothers play peek-a-boo or anything else with him. He loves the jump-a-roo at the community center child care, but isn't so crazy about his exersaucer at home. He weighed in at 20 pounds and 9 ounces (95th percentile), was 27 inches tall (75th percentile), and had an 18 inch head (90th percentile).

3 months vs 6 months

Outside watching his brothers.

We took Jacob and Gavin to a the Venetian waterpark in Maple Grove on the 25th. We weren't too impressed with the waterpark area, but we had a good time and enjoyed the time with the boys. Wyatt enjoyed a night with Grandma and Grandpa Jeske along with some doting from his cousins.

Last week it was spring break in Chaska. Jacob got to go to the MN Zoo on Tuesday, to a friend's house to play on Wednesday, had old preschool friends over to play on Thursday, and then did a field trip/swimming day with the community center on Friday. We were suppose to host another friend on Monday, but he was sick. Gavin got to go to the Arboretum with a friend one day and Pump It Up (bounce houses) another. All the activities made the week off go by pretty quickly.

I was away on a girls weekend this past weekend with some high school friends. So much fun to sit around, chat, and eat. I had a stomach bug the week before, so I had had some weight loss from that, but not to worry I regained my weight and then some over the weekend.

Church Directory Mug Shot

Our latest family portrait for the church directory. Apparently Gavin and Wyatt thought we were doing the old time photos where you don't smile.

A Weekend of Ups and Downs

Started last week with a night out with the girls to celebrates 40th birthdays of 2 (much older, ha!) friends. Yummy meal at Wildfire in Eden Prairie, just a bit of a fiasco with the room rental minimum not being met resulted in Fred getting prime rib for lunch on Tuesday.

The boys finished up swim lessons at Foss on Tuesday. They both graduated to the next level - Jacob to Middle 4 and Gavin is on to Little 3. We'll do another session starting this coming week and they should be able to keep up with the fish in the lakes this summer.

Gavin in the pool.

Doing the backfloat with Ms Debra.

Jacob practicing his back kicks.

This was suppose to be a picture with his bookmark, but it was either in front of his face or this.

Jacob with his completion bookmark.

On Wednesday Jacob got off the bus and by the time he was at our front door he was sobbing. He has been "permanently fired" from "the club". Oh boy! His sobbing broke my heart. I was hoping with boys, there wouldn't be this cattiness. And it seems so young. We did a lot of talking about what good friends he has and how you don't want to be apart of a club that requires you to do something to get in or excludes other people. On Thursday he wanted me to pick him up from school, but I had him ride the bus. His bus driver was aware of what was going on (without me talking to him), so Jacob didn't sit by "those" boys. On Friday he got off the bus and happily declared that he'd been given another chance to be in the club. Again, I reinforced that he better not be part of a "club" that excludes anyone, knowing how hurtful that is. I hope he's learned a lesson thru this at least.

On Thursday I had conferences with Jacob's teacher. My parents came down to watch the boys, so I could go alone. We met Drea for lunch and I got to take Harley to the vet, so it was a productive day. Jacob's teacher said he's doing a good job. Average marks across the board, except in reading. He's actually one step above of what is required at the end of kindergarten, so I was impressed with that. I have noticed, he's becoming more proficient at reading and that is so fun to see. Now we are working on math, as adding and subtracting was the only category he got a "progressing" in instead of an "x" (meeting expectations). If anyone knows of a math camp...

Friday Fred had a poker night with some friends from work, so it was a long day with the boys, but we survived.

On Saturday morning, Jacob got to go to "Super Saturday" at the District Ed Center. When we arrived we saw Maggie from his preschool class and he flew out of the car so fast to say "hi" to her, I couldn't help but chuckle at him. He got to take a guitar class, play ball hockey, and make a tic-tac-toe board out of clay. Sounded like a fun morning.

That afternoon, Fred, Jacob and Gavin were going to head outside to scoop some of the poop that has accumulated from the 2 dogs over the long winter. Jacob and Gavin were ready and headed out while Fred put on his boots. By the time Fred got out, Jacob was down on the ice and bleeding from above the eye. Same spot as Gavin's, same 5 stitches. Jacob and Fred got to check out the new urgent care facility in Chaska and I am a fan. It was fast, his stitches look great, and we got tons of instructions. Jacob was tough, shed a tear when they gave him the Novocaine, but otherwise had no problem. Fred took Jacob and Gavin to Rango that evening and I shopped a bit with Adrea.

Today we had church, then we met up with Fred's mom, sisters and brother Corey and crew for lunch at a Mongolian grill in Burnsville. Then Jacob and Gavin had a birthday party for good friends Kyle and Avery at Pump-it-Up. Gavin hadn't napped and Jacob has his stitches, so I was a little nervous about my boys' behavior and such, but they were good and its always a great place to burn off energy.

Reaching New Heights

Auntie Drea has taken Jacob rock climbing at REI before and I've seen him scale the wall at the community center (about 10 ft high), but I was really impressed when I went to REI yesterday with him and he rang the bell at the top of the beginner wall. Adrea got us a membership at REI, so he could climb once a day for free, we need to get over there more often.

Jacob ready to climb

Drea reaching the top of level 2 wall.

Jacob on his way up, I was so intent on watching I almost forgot to take pictures.

See how high he is!

Ringing the bell.

Other pictures from last week:

Wyatt has found his toes and loves to put them in his mouth.

He doesn't always like to hang out in his exersaucer or his swing, but he'll lay around in his playpen for a long while and he's happy about it - see.

Finally, they take a suggestion from me. Jacob is "teaching" Gavin to read.

A lego tower taller than mom!

Friday Jacob had off from school, so we went swimming in the morning and then there was a "carnival" at the community center in the evening, so we went to that too. Jacob and Gavin made new friends while waiting in the long line for the bounce house and played many games of tag.

My parents came down on Saturday to take us out to lunch and hang out. Then Fred's parents came down in the evening to watch the boys while we went to card club. Only thing was was that I had missed the email telling me that card club was postponed. The hosts were quite surprised when we arrived on Saturday night and we felt pretty silly. But, we made the best of our pickle roll-ups for supper and hit a movie instead. We say "Just Go with It" and enjoyed it.

Jacob sang in church on Sunday morning - "When we Praise God". It had a lot of actions and Jacob really seemed to like it.

5 Month Update and February Recap

Wyatt is now 5 months old. He has done some sleeping through the night. He was kind enough to start that when Fred was in Texas for the week. I really appreciated it. I also appreciated my mom being here to help me through that week. I don't know how single parents survive or retain their sanity.

Wyatt 4 months vs 5 months.

Wyatt 's sticking out the tongue phase.

Grandpa Jeske with Wyatt.

Wyatt on his playmat, he's found his toes too.

Wyatt had rice cereal for the first time on Saturday night (March 5th). Last night he ate really nice and then slept from about 8 PM to 6:30 AM. So nice.

I was feeling quite guilty about the lack of pictures I've taken of Wyatt, so I've posted about all the ones I have of him. But then realized, I haven't taken pictures of my other boys either lately. I'm going to resolve to do better this month.

February recap:

I helped with stations at Jacob's school. Lost control of the kids at the end because they didn't want to look at the books or play the games that were available. (After volunteering again in March, I have decided that the second group I usually have is just a bit unruly.)

We had "Family Fun Night" for Jacob's school. Qdoba food, games, crafts, book sale, and silent auction (but I had no time to look at the items as I was just trying not to lose Jacob and Gavin). Fred stayed home with Wyatt, which was good as there really wasn't room enough to push a stroller around there.

Jacob and Gavin had dentists appointments and both did really well again. No cavities. Yeah!

Fred headed off snowmobiling in the U.P. even though his chest was paining him. He did have a pretty thorough work-up before he left and thankfully he was fine. I went up to Melrose for that weekend and attended the funeral of a friend's dad.

Upon returning from his snowmobile trip, Fred headed off for a week in Austin, TX for work. My mom was down most of the week, so I had help both day and night, which really made the week easy (but don't tell Fred).

Fred took Jacob and Gavin to "Hooked on Books" at the high school. LOTS of activities, games, and crafts. They were there for over 2 hours and still didn't get to see and do all the stuff.

We took directory pictures at church. Pictures weren't worth ordering.

I got to go out with Fred's co-workers to play bingo in Savage. None of us won. Last time we went to the Hopkin's VFW and won, so we'll be heading back there.

Went to "Oliver" in St Cloud with my mom, Alyssa and Maddie.

Watched Maddie's dance recital. She proclaimed herself as the "best" one there since she'd been doing it the longest.

Went out with friends to Big Bowl and then to see "Black Swan". Would not recommend the movie unless you like slightly psycho films.

This past Friday night my sisters and I went out to eat and then to Mystic Lake for the night. I didn't lose much money. We played "cosmic" bingo at midnight with a bunch of teenagers. We figured out why we were the oldest ones there - it was loud and they did dopey activities in between bingo games. We stayed up too late, so were not well rested upon returning to our families. Fred had a hard time keeping the boys from wrestling while I was gone and I think Jacob had about 4 bite marks from Gavin, including one on his cheek. Poor Jacob, but I do think he provokes Gavin a lot, so I have a hard time feeling too sorry for him.