Glimpse into the Future

So, last night I had my first umpteenth glimpse into our future with our lovies!

We had a fairly uneventful morning...if by uneventful I mean that I forgot that we pushed ahead an hour and that I needed to get Peanut bathed because she had to forego her washing the evening prior due to some disobedience issues that needed to be rectified by going to bed early and without any treats AND if I mean that I couldn't decide what to wear (which is pretty typical this time of the month) and so I walked around the house in something that my children would be HORRIFIED if I stepped outside the room wearing until I could figure it out AND if you mean that the waffle iron broke and wouldn't cook the waffles on one side and so we all had to settle for pancakes which we are pretty tired from considering we had them pretty much every morning of our 2 week vacation....

Yes, so it was uneventful and we headed to church...all went well...all girls into their classes, we got to hear the entire sermon and then the girls went home with their good friends for the afternoon leaving Little Munchkin with me and her daddy...

Out to lunch, over to say hi to Nana and Popi and then off to nap time...

((all is well as this point...hang in there, I get to the point soon))

I pick up the kiddos from their little afternoon play date only to be bombarded with:  whining, crying, begging, pleading, arguing, meaness and just down right yucky stuff...

Now, I will tell you that the mother of said playdates swore up and down that my girls had been angels and just "shared everything" and were "so sweet" and just lovely all afternoon...

Ummm....well, where did those girls go, pray tell me, because the 2 kiddos in the back of my car do NOT exhibit the qualities you are currently describing...

And it went downhill from there...we had to come home to some homework...

Now, if you've ever tried helping someone with homework who is a perfectionist, a little flighty and very indecisive (this would describe me to a T) then you would understand that it's just plain torture...and so, I gave that job to my darling Italian Stallion...cuz, although I love my Sweetpea, she's a bit like me at times and I just can't handle it...

So as he's dealing with her, I've got Peanut and Little Munch...Peanut is a no nonsense, get it done type person...and with that comes sloppy, and half-quality jobs that she can also talk herself into believing it actually IS done even when she still has at least 10 more problems to finish because, "I get it anyway"...

All the while, my youngest is begging me to help her with her "humwork" too which consists of drawing fifty million Disney characters and then sticking them with stickers until they are unrecognizeable...

This was all after the "break" time drama when Sweetpea declared that she was "done being a big sister and just couldn't take it anymore" and Peanut decided to shove Little Munchkin because SHE wanted to wash the dishes and it was rightly her turn...Little Munchkin kept screaming, "where are my sissssers?" after they both left her to escape to some solitary time until break time was over...

So, my glimpse into the future...let's multiply this all by raging hormones, PMS, high school girl drama and fast forward just a few years...

yep...got me some fun stuff to look forward too....
please note that my girlies are not always like this...but, yesterday they were...for anyone who had the crazy notion that I had perfect children and participated in perfect parenting, I hope you are now set straight and hopefully encouraged that we are most definitely crazier than the average household!!!

P90X

it's a workout program...

ever heard of it?

I'm not trying to promote it by any means, but I did happen to order it last Wednesday.

I've been borrowing the DVDs for 5 weeks now.

In an effort to be completely honest and transparent, I will tell you that the ONLY reason the I began searching for something other than my Jillian Michaels video and/or running on my treadmill is 1) I was bored 2) my hubby and I get to go on a special trip in the near future and I promised myself that I would for the first time in my entire life...wear a two piece bathing suit...

I write that really tiny because there's still a part of me that has a bit of me that has some pretty conservative views on things and wearing what is seemingly "underwear" in public is one of them...HOWEVER, my hubby and I will be in our own little place and I think I can muster some "umpf" to wear one...

Here's the thing...remember that doctor appointment I mentioned the other day...well, I also asked my doctor what, if anything I could do about the stretched out portion of my body that my 3 children did to me...

She smiled graciously, pointed out her pooch and said, "Not to discourage you, but that's just how it goes..." UGH...

You mean I missed my opportunity? All the years I was wearing XL in everything because I didn't want anyone to even know I HAD a shape....

UGH...anyway...so, I happened upon p90x and I gotta say...there MAY be some hope!

Now, I can't guarantee that I will be able to walk for about an hour after each workout, but, let me just give you an example...

After just 4 weeks of working out, while in Disney we wanted to see the fireworks and needed a good spot...we didn't get situated in time, so Italian Stallion sits Sweetpea on his shoulders and hauls Peanut on the front and tries to manuever us through the crowd (me following with the camcorder and Little Munchkin)

After much pushing and scooting, he realized that he needed more maneuverability...so he handed Peanut over to me...I had her on my shoulders, Little Munchkin hanging on the front and I'm still recording..."I AM MOMMA...HEAR ME ROAR!!!"

I felt so strong...I've got me some muscles let me tell you...I still can't do a pull up (I just do the "modified" versions of most things) but still...I'm just sayin'...

Okay...so I promise to get some more pictures posted here soon from our trip...I KNOW you're dying to see them!!!

MAMMOGRAMS and such

How do you like that word showing up in the Title, huh? and in all CAPS nonetheless?

Oh, not as much fun as I had when I had to schedule my first MAMMOGRAM the other day...good gravy, I can't believe I'm old enough to be getting one of those.

I'm not really nervous about it...I got myself an appointment with the Mobile Mammogram Unit...it's a Mammogram on Wheels...it's like my very own Ice cream truck, except I don't get ice cream and my boobs get smooshed...FUN STUFF!

I would now like to give a spoiler alert at this point in the post...further things written are probably best for women's eyes only...you men (if there are any out there that read this other than my husband) will just not get the lamenting and emotional strife associated with the comments that I will make...so I would just advise you to wrap it up, click on another link, go get some ice cream and just sign it off for now...

okay...is it just us girls?

are we good?

I lied just a little bit before...I am a 'Leeeetle" nervous about the mammogram...not because I think I have cancer, not because I think it will hurt...heaven knows I've been through labor enough times without epidurals to know that I can handle the pain...but here's the thing ladies: my girls sucked just about all the substance out of my "sistas"...there's just not much left...nursing was AWESOME while it lasted...I LOVED it...and then it was gone and I said Adios Mamas...seriously, what are they going to be able to smoosh in between the cold, metal slabs...I think they may just have to do a regular x-ray in my case...

And that's just about it...so, next month, I get to haul myself over to the Traveling Mammogram Vehicle and get myself all check out...I think I"ll bring some change with me in case I CAN get a Fudgecicle along with my exam!

Oh How I Love Thee...Bonita Springs

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Bonita Springs

Six years ago, I had no idea there was such a city as Bonita Springs, let alone that it was in Florida...and if we're going to be completely honest, six years later, I really can't tell you much else about it's location other than...it's in Florida.

But, nonetheless, I love thee Bonita Springs!

Our second week of vacation was spent at the Coconut Plantation in Bonita Spring...see link here

((Just a side note: I just spent about 45 minutes TRYING to figure out how to load a slideshow onto my blog post and I just couldn't do it...so I apologize, but you're gonna have to settle for about 3-4 pictures versus a beautifully created slideshow...I'm beat!))

It was awesome and I am so thankful for the break!!!

Here are just a few pics...I'll keep working on the slideshow and hopefully have something for you by the end of the week!!

The Oscars

I'm putting in a little "interjection" from my Florida talks...just to "mix things up a bit" and to perhaps not bore you all with vacation details:) 

Anyhoo..."And the Oscar goes to..."

I'm not really sure what I think, so please understand that I am a person who talks herself to a conclusion.  Heck, let's not say conclusion, let's just say I "talk"....it's kinda how I "think"...

Being a person who loves words, who loves attention, who loves people...I "get" the Oscars...I understand that excitement that "somebody might like me"...but, after the jokes, the laughs, the poking fun, the drama of it all...it's really just people...that act. 

Perhaps I have a chip on my shoulder, but the fact of the matter is that really, albeit, they do a great job in their acting, it's a job just like anyone else.  I WOOHOO my husband for coming home at the end of the day working stinkin' hard to support our family.  I WOOHOO the doctors that make sure I don't have cancer (more on that later).  I'd like to give an Oscar (and let's face it: the MONEY) to the teachers who educate my little girls everyday, whom I allow to mold their minds and teach them daily.

I get the hoopla and I don't get it...I"m not sure why we, as humans, give these "people in the spotlight" soooo much praise and glory...

We were waiting in line at the Pooh ride in Disney on the last day...the line was unusually long, but it was the last day and it was a "favorite"...low and behold, Scottie Pippin shows up with his entourage and gets scooted to the front of the line...making all us "Low-lifes" wait another 15 minutes...

because he can shoot a ball through a hoop?  Honey, if I were having a heart attack and ready to leave this earth, I could care less about your dribbling skills, I'm lookin' for a doctor with some knowledge and precision! 

It's not that I saw arrogance the other night...I just think that the potential is there when America sets up a night to celebrate them...I saw beautiful people hoping that their name would be called...people who love their craft, and do it well, but are just people after all...and I'm hard pressed to believe that they don't really work like the average "joe" and yet, they get paid more for one movie than I'll see in a lifetime. 

I'm a "center of attention" gal...I understand that feeling of wanting to be liked and accepted...but, I don't know...it just seems like a lot of hoopla for people that are no different that you and I other than perhaps better genes...that's just my thought on that topic...

Let's Talk Disney

I am sooo far from being an expert in the area of all things Disney...(kinda like me and navigational skills or understanding men in ballet)  however, I do know my family and their capabilities, likes, dislikes, melt downs and all time AWESOME moments...and therefore, I can tell you with confidence that the plan we took regarding Disney turned out incredibly well!!!

Six days at Disney...Sunday:  Hollywood Studios & Fantasmic 
Monday: Magic Kingdom 
Tuesday:  Epcot
Wednesday:  Magic Kingdom 
Thursday:  Animal Kingdom 
Friday:  Magic Kingdom

Sunday was crowded and we did mostly the "girlies" things...i.e. we skipped Star wars, anything that blew up, caught on fire, crashed or made any loud noises other than the Beast's roar in Beauty's production of her story.  We loved Playhouse Disney and walked through the Caspian display.  Fantasmic was fantastic...awesome...incredible...scary...cold...crowded..but, fantastic.

It rained the first two times we went to the Magic Kingdom...but that worked out well, because we only stayed until dinner time those 2 days and just did Fantasyland and Toontown the first time and the rest of the "lands" the next time...that left Friday to just do all our favorites and finally see the fireworks. Plus, with all the rain, we never stood in line for more than about 10 minutes for any ride...most of the time we'd just get off and get right back on again.

Animal Kingdom was nice, but I think I'm spoiled with such an awesome zoo here, that it really didn't feel all that great...the 3 shows we saw were breathtaking:  Lion King...WOW and Nemo, OH MY GOODNESS...the girls loved it, I loved it and even Italian Stallion who can barely be in the same room when the girls are watching Sound of Music, was in awe.

But, what I want to talk about is Epcot because, although my husband called me a nerd because of my love of all things Epcot, I LOVE Epcot...oh my goodness...

First of all, Futureworld is COSI on steriods...there was so much to do for the girls and me...we played educational games and had such fun...we road the Soarin' ride and it took our breath away.  Plus, we got to see all the characters in one spot and got that out of the way fast!!! WOOHOO...And when we finally pulled ourselves out of that "land" we headed to the World Showcase with our Kim Possible transmitter to "save the world"...it was a blast...My hubby did humor me and purchased a passport for me to get stamped...the girls got to do masks, I got my own passport...maybe I am a nerd...but I sooo could have stayed another 3 days there to explore all the different countries and sample the food!

The week at Disney was definitely worth it for me and my family!  Wouldn't change a thing...did I mention that my FIL went with us to drop us off and pick us up so that we didn't have to pay for parking?  We nicknamed him "juan" for the week and "paid" him in bottles of wine and a couple of dinners. 

I'll be back soon with a discussion on all things Bonita Springs and large zits that decided to appear on my face...I'm sure you're looking forward to that next post!

I'm Baaaaack...

Well, so much for my ultra plan to secretively head down South without anyone knowing in the blogging world and continue "regular" posts as if I weren't really hanging out with Micky Mouse and coasting down the lazy river. 

However, my assumption is that if you actually read this blog AND happen to be a friend of mine or my husband's on facebook...yep, well you kinda already knew where we were, when we left and when we'd be returning...

But, let's just leave that all behind and start afresh okay?

Because I have soooo much to tell you and I'm alllll about boring my friends and family with unimportant details from our family vacation...you can be thankful that it's not like the "old" days where you had to sit in front of a slide projector of hours on end...now you can just choose to read the blog or come back in about 3 days when I've exhausted my explanations, Disneyworld tips and lamenting about the goiter zit on my face that decided to stick around the entire week in Bonita Springs!

Let us begin:

This is day one:

Don't you just love the matching sweatshirts?  Although, I wasn't expecting that we'd actually need them in Florida...which we DID because of a that silly cold front rolling through...but regardless, I wanted the girls to remember what we were leaving behind...i.e. THE SNOW!

We were delayed on the flight, but no matter, we got to hang out in the cockpit for about a 1/2 hour...the girls had a blast..and so did I, being that the captain let me pretend to go through turbulance and "steer" the plane...just a side note considering the Hoopla over the flight controller bringing his child to work...did you see that news coverage?  anyhoo...the plane was GROUNDED at this time...in fact, after this shot was taken...we still had another 1/2 hour to wait for something concerning nitrogen filling up and basically I just tuned out because the thought of crashing in this huge plane could have potentially put me over the edge, and since I know NOTHING of what is behind me in this picture, I just leave it them...the captain, shut the door and went on to serve drinks to everyone on the plane..he was an older gentleman and I'm glad he was in charge if I must say so myself!

Our first week was spent in DisneyWorld...we've never done a week at Disney before and I've got to admit I was excited, but also apprehensive...wasn't sure how an 8 , 5 and 2 year old were going to handle going 6 days straight...but, I should not have feared...it was awesome...I'm constantly in awe of what God has allowed my little family to experience in just a short time..for example:  since marrying my Italian Stallion, I've been to Hawaii, Mexico, California, Arizona, Wyoming, Disneyworld 3 times, Chicago, Hilton Head, and I"m sure a couple more places in there that I'm forgetting...my children have been able to experience so many things that I never did at their ages..it wasn't until I was married that I did these things...I'm just so utterly thankful and humbled for these amazing opportunities...

Stay tuned..I'll give you the low down on our Disney experience tomorrow...pictures included!!!