I always feel overwhelmed at the thought of writing a new post because it seems like everyone else's blogs are so much more interesting and well written, but I need to catch up so here goes . . .
We just got back from a blissful trip to Orlando. We went with two other families; the Underwoods, and the Ashtons. We decided to leave our baby, Ashton, home because it would be too hard for him (and us) to endure the 4 hour plane ride to and from Orlando, as well as the long lines, no naps, and his inability to run anywhere he wanted in the large crowds. I have never left him for that long before, so I was apprehensive--not because I didn't think he would be okay, but because I would miss him too much! My sister Kristen, and her husband Zack took care of him for the first half, and then Robert's assistant Tricia and her husband John took care of him the second half. He had a wonderful time and I think it was the right decision because we were able to concentrate more on the other kids and not be as stressed about keeping to a schedule.
The first day, we went to Disneyworld. The weather was beautiful and the kids loved it. Christian was able to go off with the older kids by himself everyday which he greatly enjoyed. We made use of the Fast Pass system so that the lines were not too bad. If you are going to go to Disneyworld, I highly recommend going with another family because instead of just being there for the kids, you are entertained too, and the kids have other kids to interact with who they usually get along with better than each other. Oh, I forgot to mention that the Underwoods used their points from their credit card to get us a 3 bedroom, 3 bath room with a kitchen and large family room at the Marriott for free! I truly believe that hotels can make or break the trip. We all had lots of space, our own beds, and our own t.v.'s. It was beautiful, spacious, and clean and made ALL the difference. That was sooo nice of them! Later that day, we had a reservation for dinner at Cinderella's Castle. It was so fun to go inside the castle and see Cinderella and many of the other characters. The food was really good and it looked like a real castle inside!
The second day, we went to the Epcot Center, which I had never been to before. Our kids liked this better than Disneyworld. Previous to being there, I though all of Epcot was located in the giant golf-looking ball you always see and that it was mostly for adult, but it was totally different. It's a huge park, with rides , a huge lake, lots of restaurants, and the countries looked so real! I am not one for rides because most of them make me sick, but I went on my all-time favorite ride here called "Soarin'". You sit in seats, similar to other rides, but in front of a huge movie screen. The screen has images of the most beautiful places on earth from high above, and you have the sensation you are flying over all of these places. There was another one that Robert and the kids really liked where a flight to Mars was simulated. Everything there was really original and interesting.
The third day we went to Cocoa Beach which was less than an hour from our hotel. This was the warmest day we had and the most relaxing. The beach was fairly vacant, and the kids were able to run and swim freely. The water was freezing, but they didn't seem to mind. The adults had a great time talking and I was able to take lots of pictures--my favorite thing to do. Later that day, we went for a few hours to Universal Studios because we had a multi-day pass. The first ride we went on was Spider-Man which was really cool, but made me sick. Christian was able to go on all of the scary roller coaster rides that he loves, and I was able to safely avoid them.
The next day, we spent at Universal Studios all day. This was my least favorite day because it was COLD and windy! Christian and Robert got up early with the other older kids and Dads and got there when it opened. The rest of us had a liesurely morning and then came. It was a full day, but Hunter and Madison were tired of walking, waiting in lines, and being cold by this point. I have to make mention of the fact that Elisabeth behaved surprisingly well! On previous vacations, she has basically screamed her bloody head off the entire time, making it miserable for all of us, but this time she was excited the whole time, patient, and well-behaved! What a difference that made!
The last day, we kind of just burned time packing, being lazy, and going to the local outlet stores. By this time, I was almost frantic to get home to my precious baby! I missed his big brown eyes, his big smile, and holding him! As always, it was fun to go on a trip, but even better to come home. We made lots of memories with our family and our friends and enjoyed a nice break away from "real life" here.
OKAY. Changing gears. There are many days when I get to the end of it and can't remember what I did that day, but I know that I was busy. So I decided to keep a log on Friday of a typical day in the life of me.
Up at 6am. Couldn't sleep, so I decided to edit pictures for an hour.
7am Wake up Madison and Hunter (Christian is already up) for 30 min. scripture study. Christian leaves for bus at 7:40am
7:30-8:00 Made breakfast for the middle 3 kids. Wake up Ashton and get him ready and fed.
Madison and Hunter leave to walk to school at 8:30am.
Get myself ready and help Elisabeth finish getting ready, and make bed/clean room.
Fold 3 loads of laundry.
Take Elisabeth to preschool at 9am.
Bundle up Ashton and go walking with friend for 1 hour.
Go grocery shopping, pick up lunch for Robert and take it to him.
Pick up Elisabeth at 11:30am.
Feed Ashton and Elisabeth lunch, put Ashton down for nap and Elisabeth for "quiet time"
Fold 3 more loads of laundry, do dishes, and pick up crap everywhere
Lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling for 30 blessed minutes before Madison/Hunter walk in the door at 1:45pm. (Friday is early-out)
Look at papers, notes from school, get out snacks.
Christian walks in the door and needs me to help him get ready for a Scout Campout. I run down to Robert's office to get something he forgot in Robert's truck. Then, drop him off at Scout Master's house at 3.
Take Madison to Achievement Days at 4pm. Pick her up 45 min. later and take her to a Basketball Shootout Competition. (I had the 3 youngest with me and they were wild animals, giving me a pounding headache)
Go home, make dinner for the kids. Robert doesn't come home tonight because he is the Assistant Scout Master and is going to the campout.
Play blocks with Ashton, read to Elisabeth.
2 more loads of laundry and make kids put it away. Much weeping and wailing.
Put on a movie for the kids. Ashton has his 3rd pooh blowout of the day, so I must bathe him, wipe up the carpet do another load of his sheets and clothes.
Clean up dinner and dishes with the kids. Let them play downstairs until 9 pm and then put Ashton to bed. The others try to settle down in sleeping bags downstairs. Only a couple of fights.
Read my book "Three Cups of Tea" for an hour, watch an hour of TV and go to bed.
The kids, who are still on Florida time, wake me up at 6am on SATURDAY when they have decided to give Jasmine (the dog) a bath and she is freaking out.
Wow. I guess I do a lot in a day! Tell me what your day is like--I would love to hear!
