This and That

We went to the play cafe and met all our friends to let the children burn some energy.  I think we'd all had enough of the constant daily demands of children and wanted them to play with each other instead of us. They get excited to see each other. 

We got a babysitter that night and Andrew and I went to the Blackhawks game with his client and their spouse. He got tickets in the 11th row. It was pretty amazing.  I don't understand much about hockey but I love going to the games. It could be the exciting environment or the nachos. Jury is still out.

Tis the season for birthday parties. We are at a different birthday party every weekend. It is fun but kind of exhausting at the same time.  This past weekend we went to T's birthday party in the city at the Kids Science Labs.  The kids all loved it. They did about a dozen different experiments. 

The kids wanted to do experiments when we got home. We did the baking soda and vinegar experiment. It stinks but the kids enjoy it. It creates minimal mess. Big Willie wanted to partake this time around. He followed the directions well and only tried to eat the baking soda a few times. 

I tried to find a different experiment for the kids (look at the cute protection glasses Big Willie has on - the kids got those in their goodie bags from the science lab). The science project I was working on setting up for them was a bust but the kids enjoyed just using the water from the mason jar and painting with water. 

 And the kinetic sand is always a fun one for the kids.

I went in to wake Big Will up from a nap. I don't know why I woke him from a nap. Surely I had to be somewhere or I never would have woken him.  He was unimpressed to be aroused from his slumbers.  He scooted all around the bed until he was able to bury his head between his blanket and his pillow. He's a feisty one when it comes to not getting adequate sleep.  In regards to him being feisty, I think he's calmed down a little. His verbal skills have exploded and he's able to communicate pretty well. There are times when you have to be looking at him to know exactly what he's talking about but you can figure it out eventually. If you ask him to show you he's pretty good and letting you know what he's wanting.  It has helped him from losing his marbles as severely or as often. It's not to say that he's not still a stubborn/determined little guy. 

Fun with Kit-Kat

Miss M loves to get into the hair bows/hair bands and wear them or put them on her sister.  

 We tried on hats this day.

She has lots of hats b/c I love hats. Well I love them for her. There are some cute hats for little girls. I hope she wears a hat better than her brother when she has the ability to take it off. Miss M has always been a good hat wearer. I can't get Big Will to keep one on his head longer than 5 minutes and he wears a stocking hat for about 5 seconds.

SeaWorld

We headed to SeaWorld Sunday morning when the park opened.  We had no idea how long we were going to be able to stay after Big Willie melted down at Downtown Disney the night before. We had 7 minutes from the time we walked through the turnstile until the first show. The dolphin show. We made it.  We were efficient. It helps when there are more adults than children.

Big Willie loved the dolphin show. He was so excited.

 The dolphin show was a hit.

After the Dolphin show we rushed to the pet show with cats and dogs. I had minimal hopes of it being a good show but it was cute. It helps that the shows are 15-20 minutes which are manageable for kids (and adults).

We ate lunch at a BBQ restaurant which was good for park food.  We had a nice rest and refueled (which could have been Big Will's problem the night before - lack of food on time) then we rushed off to see Shamu. The last show of the day.  It was a good show b/c the whales are so amazing but it was interesting that the trainers no longer get in the water with them. The trainers run around on the outside of the tank with life jackets on.  The life jackets seem a little unnecessary since they aren't in the tank and I am not sure a life jacket is going to compete with a killer whale.

As we left Shamu's show and were headed to the kiddie ride/play area Big Will fell asleep. It was perfect. No fight. No fuss. He just fell asleep. Miss M got to play on the playground and go up and down the slides a hundred times (or more). She requested we didn't go with her but that she could do it by herself.

After the slides she rode on a couple rides with Grandma. I couldn't ride the rides b/c Kit-Kat was sleeping in the carrier. Andrew would have ridden with her but Grams enjoys a few rides so they were a good combo. These tea cups spun and went up pretty high and then spun pack down to the ground.

 The rode a swinging boat thing that looked miserable. I don't think Miss M was impressed.  They then moved on to Shamu's roller coaster.  It was fast (for an almost four year old). I wasn't sure how it would go but Grandma said it went well. She didn't really like the jostling back and forth but she didn't complain.  She did ask Grandma if she could scream which of course Grandma said yes. We weren't sure where she learned you scream on a roller coaster but assumed it was from a television show.  I asked her later how she knew to scream and she said it was on an episode of Curious George.

This must be a park mascot.

 Big Will's still not impressed with these characters. But he didn't freak out like he did the Chick-Fil-A cow.

 Andrew the map reader. He was trying to get us out of the park.

 Andrew and his girls.

Big Will finally lost his marbles as we were getting ready to leave. We left around 3pm so we were able to successfully see most everything at the park. I think we could have done Disney or at least this experience was reassuring that not every trip with toddlers is a complete disaster.  

Downtown Disney

After naps Saturday afternoon we threw the children in the car and took them to Downtown Disney. None of us knew what to expect. There were lots of shops and restaurants.  You can buy any Disney character you ever imagined. You can buy any Disney anything you ever dreamed of. It was rather amazing actually. The kids were pretty good walking around until Big Will melted fast and it turned into a disaster. 

We looked all over for Minnie and Mickey. Grandma Nan spotted them. It was nice they were just little statues so the kids could see them and hug them.

Grandma found Pooh and friends also which was the best part of the night but when we tried to leave Pooh and Friends is when Big Willie lost his marbles. He loves Pooh. He gave all the characters hugs when he saw them.

 A kid has never been so happy.  Big Willie kinda looks like Pooh.

On our way back to the hotel Miss M asked me if we could see the real Minnie and Mickey next time.  She so kindly reminded me about the time I took her to see Doc McStuffins and Doc McStuffins wasn't there either.  The time I took her to see Doc at Navy Pier the line was hours long. HOURS.  So I told her Doc was taking a nap or getting a snack or some kind of nonsense. She wasn't even 2.5 years old. I didn't expect this to come back and haunt me when I didn't take her to see the real Mickey and Minnie. I guess we'll be going to Orlando again so the girl can see the Mouse and all his friends.  Honestly, the idea of going to see Mouse and friends is overwhelming. People plan their Disney trips for MONTHS. I don't plan anything for months.  What happened to just showing up at the park and enjoying life.  Guess I better start planning.  Right after I finish the dishes and laundry.

From Cape Coral to Orlando

Andrew wrangled us into listening to a time share presentation. It was the worst 4 (supposed to be 2) hours of my life. I will not go on another one. Ever. We didn't end up with a time share but I can see how people do end up buying them.  We did get to go on vacation so there was good that came out of his irrational thinking. I think he was sleep deprived when the sales person got him on the phone thus he wasn't thinking clearly.  

We loaded up Papa's car and headed to Orlando on Friday. There wasn't room for one more bag. The floor was full of bags. The middle of the back seat was occupied by a giant double stroller. It's a good thing Papa is such an excellent packer.  He's the best packer I know. 

We took the long way and went to Manatee Park to see where the manatees reside when the water is cold. The manatees need the water to be at least 68 degrees therefore they head to the park to keep warm with the water produced by the power plant (or something close enough to that). There were so many of them. They are the saddest/sweetest creatures.  We didn't get to see any at Grandma and Grandpa's house but seeing them in masses at the park was worth it.

 Just hanging out. Big Will loved yelling at them. He tends to yell a lot. He's a very excitable child.

This is Miss M with her pirate face on b/c that's a statue of a pirate manatee behind her.  I explained the picture b/c Andrew wanted to know why she looked so mad. Isn't her little outfit cute? Grandma had to pick out a few items for each kid b/c they are both lacking in the summer clothes line of their wardrobe since they just keep getting bigger.

They kids played on the playground to burn some energy before we got back in the truck for the haul to Orlando. Big Will and Kit-Kat slept the entire way which was peaceful and wonderful. Miss M should have slept. She was so tired from all the playing outside and going all week but she didn't sleep in the car. Instead she requested/demanded to go to sleep at 5:30pm that night and then woke up around 8:30am the next day.  Girlfriend was tired.

This was right before she melted down for no reason and demanded to go to bed at 5:30pm. She didn't even eat dinner. Just crashed.

Surprise birthday-palooza

Grandma and Grandpa threw a surprise birthday party for each of the kids since they won't be able to spend their birthday with them.  Miss M was so excited at the sight of cupcakes and presents.  The kids each got as many cupcakes as they are going to be years. We sang each of them happy birthday and they got to blow out their candles. It was perfect for them.  

 Make a wish.

Oh what to wish for.

 The cupcakes were amazingly delicious especially from being bought at the grocery store.

Grandma gave Miss M a nice jewelry pouch/bag filled with old necklaces/watches/jewelry she didn't want/need anymore. It was perfect for her.

 The bigger and more colorful the better in Miss M's opinion.

 She also got a crown that said Birthday Girl.  She wore it all the time.

 The kids enjoyed eating most of their meals from the little red table.

The Clydesdale's come to town

What better way to entertain a little girl who thinks she's a horse than to go see the Clydesdale horses. We left the house early to get to the area they were supposed to be at b/c we didn't really know what to expect. The horses were to be at the mall from 5-7pm (per the newspaper) but luckily we got there early bc we were able to watch the horses unload from their posh horse trailers and get all hitched up.  The kids had to wait awhile before there was really much action but they were so good at entertaining themselves and not running off or complaining.  

 They are such amazing and beautiful creatures.

 Big Will kept screaming for the "nay" as he calls a horse a "nay".

We watched them walk by all hitched up with the drivers and their trusty dog but I didn't get any great pictures so you're stuck looking at selfie pictures of us!