Monday, June 30, 2008

Having Fun in the "Hot" San Antonio Sun

Dan and I decided on the spur of the moment to take the family on a much needed vacation two weeks ago. We had not been on a family vacation since going to Disneyland when Will was two and Cici was five months old, so it seemed like a good time. Plus, after hearing their cousin Devri tell them how much she loved going to Sea World three weeks earlier, the kids really wanted to go. Good thing Sea World is only five hours away! We spent three fun filled and very hot days in San Antonio, Texas but at moments asked ourselves if we were crazy for embarking on this adventure with three small children on our own. Did I mention it was hot!

The first day of our trip we spent at Sea World attending all the shows and visiting the shark, penguin, and dolphin exhibits. After only three hours in the park I was more than willing to pay $15 for two souvinour mugs of soda so the family could try and cool off. Poor Weston was such a trooper barely making a peep even though I know he was very uncomfortable from the heat and the sunburn he got on the corner of his left eye where we missed covering him with sunscreen. The shows were amazing, but what was even more fun than watching them was watching Will and Cici's excitement as they watched. That made the whole trip worth it! Dan and I didn't get to go on any of the big roller coasters they have there since we didn't have anyone to watch the kids (which was sad because I love roller coasters), but we were able to take turns going with Will and Cici on the log ride. Will loved it! If the line hadn't been so long we would have done it over and over again. The kids also loved the little kiddie rides their dad went on with them while I fed Weston.


The second day we spent at Sea World's water park where we stayed much cooler than the day before. Before going to the waterpark though we promised the kids they could feed the dolphins, which they say was their favorite part of the whole vacation. The most traumatic experience of the trip happened that evening when we lost Will for about ten minutes. Dan had been playing with the kids in the large rope and net play area while I fed Weston. When I came out to meet up with them, I found Dan frantically looking for Will who had pulled away from his dad's hand and ran away (he had a problem during the vacation insisting that we needed to do what he wanted to do). He had decided that he wanted to play in the sand box area instead of coming to look for me and his baby brother. Luckily we found him pretty quickly, but it scared me to death because of how big the park was and we didn't know which way he went.


On day three we found a Mimi's Cafe to have breakfast at (we have missed this since leaving Utah) and then went to visit the Alamo and the Riverwalk. Before going to downtown San Antonio I had explained to the kids that the Alamo was where an important battle in Texas history had taken place. The whole way there they discussed amongst themselves about how they were going to go see a battle take place. They were sorely disappointed when there was no battle nor any soldiers at the Alamo. Instead they chose to fight their own battle with sticks in front of the place. Dan especially found it very interesting and we were glad that we took the couple of hours to visit it before heading home.



( The above picture is the only one we have of the whole family from the trip)
Things I learned while taking three children ages four and under to San Antonio on a family vacation:
1) Soda is worth $15 when you and your children are hot, cranky, and thirsty
2) Make sure you put sunscreen on the corners of babies eyes
3) Theme Parks are fun but even more fun when you go with other family members or friends, so that adults can ride adult rides and kids have other kids to hang out with
4) Now that Sea World is out of the way (which is more fun to do with little kids anyway), I am going back to San Antonio with only Dan to experience the #1 water park in the world Schlitterbahn and Six Flags (maybe the kids can come too, when they are older, much older).

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

A to Z about me ...

My friend Holly tagged me a couple of weeks ago, and since life has been really crazy lately I am only now getting around to doing it!
A- Attached or Single? Attached to Dan since April 7, 2001 (our first date)
B-Best Friend? Dan
C-Cake or pie? Cake
D-Day of choice? Any holiday and Fridays
E-Essential Item? A slimming pair of jeans
F-Favorite color? Green
G-Gummy bears or worms? Neither ... sour patch kids and peach-Os!
H-Home town? At this exact moment in time it is Tyler, Texas, where I was born (not necessarily raised), but not for long ... (I have also called Provo, Utah, Corvallis, Oregon, Mandeville, Louisiana, Bethel, Connecticut, American Fork, Utah, and Stansbury Park, Utah home)
I-Favorite indulgence? Blue Bell triple chocolate ice cream covered with caramel sauce and Smoothie Skittles
J-January or July? July (The Packer family always has their huge family reunion this month and who doesn't enjoy celebrating the founding of our great nation with yummy summer food, fireworks, family, friends, and fun?!)
K-Kids? William 4, Cicialy 2, Weston 1 and a 1/2 months
L-Life isn't complete without: FAMILY and good FRIENDS!
M-Marriage date? November 16, 2001
N-Number of brothers and sisters? 2 older sisters and 3 younger brothers
O-Oranges or Apples? I really do love all fruit, but I'd have to agree with Holly ... STRAWBERRIES ... and Peaches
P-Phobias? Snakes
Q-Quote? Today's beautiful moments are tomorrow's beautiful memories.
R-Reasons to smile? 3 beautiful children and 1 amazing husband
S-Season of choice? Fall
T-Tag 3 people: Casey, Cori, and anyone else who wants to
U-Unknown fact about me? I used to think David Bowie was really hot
V-Vegetable? Carrots
W-Worst habit? Eating ice cream almost every night after the kids go to bed!
X-Xray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y-Your favorite food? Dan's Strawberry Shortcake
Z-Zodiac sign: Scorpio

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day

Today the kids and I would like to pay tribute to and thank Dan for being such a great Dad!

From Will: "Thank you daddy. I like to play your chess game everyday. You really are handsome and thanks for helping me listen and obey. Hey daddy, I always like going to the Discovery Science Center with you! I like cooking breakfast on Saturday mornings with you for mommy. And daddy, I super duper love you! I am apoligizing for being naughty."

From Cici: "Daddy you are handsome! You help me listen and obey. I love how you help me play computer games like pbskids.org. I love you all morning and all night."

From Weston: "Thanks for holding me and loving me even when I cry all the time. You try so hard to help my tummy feel better and I appreciate that. I love being up in the middle of the night with you. You are the best daddy!"

From Cathie: "Dan, I appreciate all you do for me and the kids. I love how much you love to play with the kids and all the time you spend teaching them to behave better. You are the best Dad a kid could ever want!" We would also like to wish Papagater and Bompa a Happy Father's Day. We love you!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

Finally Will is old enough to participate in a team sport! He wanted to play soccer this spring but didn't turn 4 early enough, so he was super excited when we found a t-ball league that he was old enough to play in. His first game was this past Saturday and it was hilarious. Will has a bit of an attention problem while playing in the outfield (dancing around, kicking up dirt, holding his glove over his face), but the second the ball is hit he hustles to get it even if he is the farthest player away. Most of the other kids just stand there and do nothing, but Will runs and dives for that ball. Cici loved cheering for her Will and wishes she could play too. At home she goes outside and practices with Will and Dan, and the day Will got his uniform she wore his batting helmet to bed (we have since had to hide it). Anyways, Will was a terrific hitter and played a great game. Go Will Go!!!


Monday, June 2, 2008

Family Tummy Time and the Big Roll Over!

Will and Cici are in love with their baby brother! In fact, they want to be involved in every aspect of his life from giving him baths to changing his diapers (even if it involves "irritating" {in their minds loving} poor Weston to tears). So, on Saturday evening when Weston had tummy time they wanted in on the fun too.

Well, unlike Will and Cici who thought tummy time was hilarious, Weston hated it. In fact, he hated it so much that at only 3 weeks and 5 days old he rolled over on to his back. We were all amazed at Weston's new trick but thought it must be a fluke. We put him right back on his tummy, and he did it again! (Below are pictures of his second successful turnover).


Oh, I almost forgot, Weston is four weeks old today! Wow, time flies when you are the mom of three kids ages four and under.