Disney Reflections Part 1

In Mexico At Epcot

As you can tell from the pictures, we had some fun times at Walt Disney World.  Some of the highlights were Knothead really enjoying the BIG rides.  The lines were so short that he could ride Space Mountain about six times (his fav), and then other big rides at least twice.  Skeeter was not too into princesses, though we enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast show at the Studios and we got front row/center seats!  The only dress I have ever seen Skeeter rave over was in the hot pink sparklie ones in this show!  We has some girl time there while the boys took in Indiana Jones Stunt Show.  Rooster was most impressed by the number of lizards around Disney, as well as all the ones he could catch at Tom Sawyer’s Island.  He also really enjoyed the bunny (and 2 babies) that lived in the bushes at our hotel.  He did not smile as much as usual on this trip, unless he was enjoying some of the bazillions of desserts we ate while there on the dining plan.  The boy REALLY enjoyed the true wildlife and the good food!  He did like the Stunt Driving Show at the Studios and the Toy Story Mania shooting gallery ride there as well. Overall, I think he would have rather gone fishing-ha! He also cherishes the swords he bought with his allotment of souvenir money from us and grandparents; He brought back 2 swords and a machete from Disney.  Oh my.  Skeeter really enjoyed the characters and the sugar (All you can drink Sprite!).  She loved bouncing with Tigger and hugging Pooh and seeing all the Disney Jr. Pals (Sophia, Doc McS., and the Playhouse gang) at their show at the Studios.  Still, when given the choice to meet Merida or ride the fake race cars again, she chose the cars with no hesitation.  Rooster did like the Astro Orbiter ride at the MK as well. We ALL enjoyed the water rides together!  Here are some of my fav shots, then I might post a few day by day…if I have time!  To sum it up, I am so glad we took them there and I am so glad we are not going back there on “vacation”!  I have to keep it real for ya’.  We had some good times.  We are so thankful the weather was perfect and the lines were short, but we knew before we went that an amusement park would not be our simplest and most relaxing vacation ever…and it was not.  I think I am nicer to my kids at home (though we had some good laughs ..there were "tense" times if you are a mom you know what I mean when I say that), and they enjoy each other more NOT inside an amusement park.  Just being real…Disney-lovers don’t stone me for saying the whole truth (at least according to me) about this “happiest place on earth.”  They were really great ages to enjoy all that Disney has to offer, and it was also  fun to meet and chat with folks from all over the world.  We are truly blessed to be Americans.

In Africa..at the Animal Kingdom

This is a SPECIAL moment I captured from a table away while enjoying my turkey leg!  They were enjoying their slushy.

Buzz Light Year Ride was fun too!

Triceratop Spin at Animal Kingdom

His bunny.

Sea World Day!

Happy kid.

We were blessed to add the grandparents the last 3 days of our trip.  Can't you tell the boys are thrilled that Minnie made them get in the picture?  ...Wait till you hear how much Rooster  liked Daisy.

Soccer begins! Fall 2013

There are two little tikes taking the field by storm this fall and I am hoping they don’t take each other down out there in the process.  So far, so good.  Skeeter is mainly interested in taking water breaks and looking pretty out there in her gear.  Rooster is just out there to socialize and enjoy his friends I think. He really doesn’t care about actually winning.  Now, Knothead is out there to win it.  He LOVES the sport and LIVES to hit the field.  Even after two soccer camps in subsequent weeks this summer, the kid could not get enough! 

Skeeter is a budding engineer these days: destroying, taking apart, figuring out is her game.  Her little hands are NEVER idle. Still, she might also still be a nurse. She is enjoying her Doc outfit and loves to see blood and boo boos happen!  She also likes to comfort the injured, thank goodness!  She will do some serious surgeries on me and recently pulled a fruit snack out of my right leg. 

Rooster is still a little scientist.  The 10 bucks I spent on 3 butterfly bushes have entertained him for months. He sees moths, butterflies, and even hummingbirds out there and catches them often.  He studies all the wasps, bees, and critters he can get a hold of…even it if mean tearing up my landscaping to find the things. 

Knothead is a budding teacher/social worker. He lives to be with “Bugie” our foster baby and is so compassionate.  If he can’t play professional sports, I am decently sure he is going to be helping people one day. 

I can’t believe my oldest little man is an independent (even if golf cart) driver around the farm.  Sarah is cute, but really no help!  Sarah Belle gets so mad if someone takes her seat on the cart. 

Loveland Farm's Fall babes

It is has been an odd summer and fall on the farm for me with a young baby.  I have not been out much. I think I have been on the 4W once this winter/summer, and now that baby, baby girl is growing to be an 8 mos. old it is time to bring back the grand tradition of strapping the car seat on the golf cart and checking cows.  This fall we had another set of twins and I THINK these are going to make it! Yeah!  One is usually/sometimes not accepted by the mother, but this one is nursing two with seemingly no problems.  I am thankful since we certainly don’t have time to feed any more bottles.  This torrential raining has made for some abundant grass and happy cows!  The farm looks like a video game with florescent green grass and electric blue skies when the sun DOES come out! 

Twin Sister

Twin Brother

Happy July 4th!

My son's journal entry today really moved me. Yes, I am a mean mama who has him keep a journal in the summer. He can write about whatever he wants. Please forgive his spelling; I am just trying to convince him that it matters. Why July 4th is important. We celebrate July 4th with fireworks and sparklers, but that's not what it is about. It's the day America became FREE! It was a very happy day. Now, let's have a moment of silence for our ARMY who helped us those years and now. I just want to say THANK YOU USA Army. That's what is is all about. Say Thank you for things. — with Benjamin R. Moorhead and Malissa Sanders Stephens.