We.Did.It!!!

After months of planning, secrets and many whispered conversations, today Dad and I pulled off our greatest feat yet. We woke the kids up at 4:30 am and headed for the airport for a little “vacation”. The kids had NO idea!!! It was great!

Interstate Battery is having their national distributors convention in Orlando, Florida and Dad has to go to work. We have the luxury of tagging along and taking in all the great things Orlando has to offer.

We had several close calls on our road to pull this surprise off but I have to say, it was worth it all. The kids were so excited when they learned that they would be missing several days of school spending a few days as a family in a magical destination. They were shocked to learn that almost everyone (except them) knew of this trip. Their teachers had been clued in last week, neighbors were set up to take care of the house and dogs. Even people at church have known of this for weeks! I’m telling you, this is greatness in its greatest form.

Get ready for lots of stories and plenty of pictures. I’m sure both will be in abundance …

Wednesday night we put the kids to bed and they believed (thanks to all my ranting and raving about getting homework done, laying out their clothes, etc.) that they would be getting up for school the next morning just like any other day. Imagine their surprise when we woke them up at 4:30 a.m.! They were a little apprehensive about what was going on at first. We told them they needed to get up because we had a special surprise planned for them. They rolled over and protested until they realized they wouldn’t be going to school. Once that sunk in, both of the kids popped right out of bed!

By 4:45 a.m. we were all downstairs and almost ready to go. At this point, Rowdy had figured out we were headed for the airport but still didn’t know exactly where we were going. The boy was over the moon excited … he had never flown before today!!

We made it to the airport and parked. They still have no idea of where we are going. They certainly have made some pretty good guesses …

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To be continued …

Another IBSA perk

Oh, there are so many but this one was pretty great! Back in October, Interstate Battery held Family Day at Six Flags. Family Day included parking passes, park tickets, speed passes, and a fully catered lunch. The kids had never been to Six Flags and Dad and I had talked about taking them earlier in the summer. When we heard about Family Day, of course we opted to wait! They were so stinkin’ excited!!

Our friends (their Dad works with our Dad – actually got our Dad the job at IBSA) got “the” limo for their son’s birthday weekend (which happened to coincide with Family Day). We hadn’t told the kids that we would be going with these friends so they were super excited when “the” limo pulled up in front of the house …

The Dads and the kids rode in “the” limo while Beaver and I rode in our van. It was a great plan!!

Dad and I hadn’t been to Six Flags since our 2nd wedding anniversary so this was a big treat for us as well. First on the list …

The excitement is mounting for my kids first roller coaster ride!

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For those of you who have been (and haven’t been in a very long time) this ride still SMELLS the same as it did when I was a child!!

I can’t believe these guys are STILL playing the same card game! They must have been working on this hand for at least the last 30 years!!

Each of the kids had a “buddy” to ride the rides with (which meant Dad and I got to ride several together!). Petunia definitely gives into peer pressure. Her buddy was able to get her to ride things I know I never would have! It was fun to see them ride the Shock Wave over and over again. I know if she had been with just us, she would have taken one glance at those loops and said no way!

Rowdy and I road the parachute ride together. Here is the view from up top … notice the “new” Cowboys stadium off to the left …

And here is the view off to the right …

There was a lot of interest at the Batman ride on each side of the rail. The boys were enthralled with the Batmobile. I believe they said this is the same car that was used in the movie. I could have that wrong. I didn’t pay much attention. I was too busy riding the ride. Over and over.

I personally couldn’t get enough of this ride. I loved it!

This kid was in heaven with all the Interstate Battery stuff around …

Unfortunately, after (well actually DURING) lunch, the bottom dropped out of the sky. Our beautiful sunshine faded away and left us with grey clouds and rain. That didn’t stop us! It seemed to add a little extra excitement to the afternoon …

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The adults certainly started fading much sooner than the kiddos …

Before we left for the day, the kids wanted to ride a water ride called “Aquaman”. There is no way that anyone can possibly ride this and come off of it dry which is why we left it until the end of the day. Plus they were already wet from the rain!

This is what the ride does at the end …

This is what you look like when you get off …

This is what you look like when you get off after riding it 3 times in a row …

***Note – I did not ride. Someone had to stand under the awning and stay dry enough to take pictures, you know!

It was a great, great time and we can’t wait to go back again! Thanks IBSA for the awesome family day!! It will never be forgotten!

Kids’ Table

I remember having to sit at the “kids' table” growing up. It is hard to imagine that I now have offspring that sit at this table. Petunia, Rowdy and Landree had their own little table within reach of our table and couldn’t have been happier. Well, they were happy after we fixed the seating arrangements so everyone was next to Landree :)

I wished I could have caught their “toasting” on camera. Landree was a riot and had each of the kids clinking mugs before they ate!

Christmas at Grandma’s

Each year after lunch (with my family) we load up and head over to Grandma’s. We get there just in time to open stockings as a family and then move on to the gifts.

Landree was so much fun this year! She is at the age where she gets the gift giving and loves to open presents (whether they are hers or not).

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Everyone got lots of great goodies. Petunia was thrilled with her new clothes as well as her lotions and potions from Bath & Body Works. Rowdy loved his new Playmobile and especially the chemistry kit.

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Once all the gifts are opened, it’s time to eat. Grandma always has the greatest ideas for place cards. This year we each got individual gingerbread cookie houses as place cards …

Isn’t this a cute idea? Each of us had our own individual house. Of course the kids couldn’t wait to eat theirs…

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Before bedtime, we always try to have a group family picture made.

stay tuned … more to come.

Christmas Morning

It seems that whether or not I plan it, each year Christmas seems to have a theme. When Petunia was 18 months old we had the “Bear in the Big Blue House” Christmas (everything she got revolved around this, her favorite show at the time). We have had a Blue’s Clues Christmas, a Webkinz Christmas and this year …

The NASCAR Christmas -

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This year everything (and I mean EVERY-THING) Rowdy got this year revolved around either 1) NASCAR or 2) Interstate Battery (which again falls under the NASCAR category). Santa brought Rowdy a NASCAR racetrack. Bendaroos were put in his stocking and he created this lovely creation while we were still sleeping …

There was my personal favorite, the Kyle Busch Snuggie …

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A few Kyle Bush/number 18 t-shirts and an Interstate Battery car from Nana and Papa …

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My brother is a NASCAR freak fan as well. Of course, he pulls for another driver and he and Rowdy go round and round of this. My brother racked up his fare share of NASCAR goodies. My brother tried to convince Rowdy that his driver was better than Rowdy’s driver.

Regardless, everyone enjoyed their gifts and I got my annual “a wrapping store has thrown upon my living room” picture …

p.s. Rowdy’s racetrack lasted until about 11am before he broke a piece on it. Dad was not happy! I’ve got to remember to order another piece to that track …

Remember the Alamo!!

It’s so sad how my son doesn’t remember the Alamo. It is probably because we haven’t been since he was 3. He does recall Sea World though. Hmmm …

Rowdy is studying landmarks in school. He is very into this topic. As a history buff, this thrills me to no end! I love how he is asking questions about the Statue of Liberty, the White House and the Alamo. I almost hate to admit that it thrills me to think that I can now take my children to those “boring” places my parents took my brother and I on vacation and at least one of them will be interested. That makes a 50% total for my family! Oh happy day! I’d LOVE to take my children to Washington, D.C. and bore educate them in the history of our country! Oh my word! I have turned into my parents!!!!

Until then, I will just be sad that my son doesn’t remember this trip …

I think it’s time for a family road trip!!!

Do you see how thrilled Petunia was by the Alamo? On this trip I was the one that wanted to go to the Alamo (and eat Mexican food on the Riverwalk, thank you very much!). The other three just wanted to be back at the hotel swimming in the pool. Party poopers!!

What were we waiting for?

We live in a house that has 3.5 bathrooms. We have 4 people. That is a potty for each person and a bath/shower for each of us (if Dad claims the master shower and I claim the master tub). We have been here almost 5.5 years. In that time, we have had 4 people in 1 bathroom. It wasn’t for lack of trying to get the kids to use their own bathrooms. The kids just seem more “productive” if they are in our bathroom. Dad and I fight constantly about the “mess” made on my “side” of the bathroom. If he had 2 other people using his “side” each day, he would have a little harder time keeping it clean too!

For Christmas Dad and I got Petunia her very own snazzy hairdryer and flat iron. They are cute (pink and brown) and actual match her bathroom (that part wasn’t planned).

Petunia quickly decided that since she had her own hairdryer and flat iron, she would start taking showers upstairs in her own shower! Oh happy day! I’m pleased to report that Petunia is doing a fabulous job with her own hair. It looks amazing (and she has survived all my “electrical safety” lectures!)

Even better … because everything has to be fair, Rowdy has started taking showers up in his bathroom! Oh happy day, happy day!! I hope this continues!!

The only downside … that is two more bathrooms that have to be cleaned on a regular basis. Oh well. It’s a small price to pay! Kids grab a scrubber. We have work to do!

While the girls shop…

Boys play ball ….

It really is so much easier when each child has a friend over to play. There seems to be less tormenting of the other sibling. Today while I had Petunia and Superstar, Dad had Rowdy and Slider, Superstar’s brother. I really love having a house full of kids! It really is so much fun.

A game of football is great but I’ll stick to the shopping. It’s in my genes after all!

Happy Birthday Aunt K!

I can hardly believe that Aunt K has turned 27. It seems like just yesterday that she was Petunia’s age. In our annual tradition (since Pooh and Aunt J are home close to Aunt K’s birthday) we did a big family outing. This year we headed to the Trail Dust in Arlington. Grandma made a good pick for this year’s party. We all had a GREAT time!!

There is a 20 foot slide which my two quickly climbed up and headed down …

Petunia talked Landree into riding down with her. It NEVER happened again. Poor Landree was terrified!

Of course, not wanting the kids to out-do me, I had to go down the slide too …

Is this not the funniest picture you have ever seen?? Let’s see it closer …

Look, here’s the birthday girl. Isn’t she purdy?

Whoa … those are some rockin “Hot Flashes”…

These things were H.O.T.! Grandma tried to pull a funny with the waiter by saying she had enough hot flashes but he didn’t seem to get it. Male! Young male!

Isn’t this sweetie cute?

Hudson is such a good baby! Hardly knew he was there.

I snagged a special treat for Landree. She LOVED her Princess chalk board …

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The whole time we ate dinner we had live music to listen to. The small kids had a great time cuttin’ a rug on the dance floor …

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as did the big kids …

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One of my favorite parts of the evening was watching Grandma and Rowdy spin around the floor …

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Pooh couldn’t get enough of his “all-you-can-eat” ribs …

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After a rousing Yeehaw, Landree helped gobble up the birthday cupcake …

I hope we go back here again one year. We had such a great time celebrating Aunt K’s special day!! Happy 27 Aunt K!