Yea, so you're getting a two fer this week. I've been SO busy with packing, dealing with crap, and unpacking that I seem to have skipped a week. However, since we celebrated my half birthday this week, and I was already past half way in my weeks, somewhere along the line, I gained a week. So, it all evens out.
Lets go back a very very long time ago, in a land far away- otherwise known as the first week of February. In a quick recap, this saw us getting the keys to the new house, and celebrating everyones favorite rodent- the Groundhog. People in Florida don't pay too much attention to the best holiday in February (in my opinion), because well, who cares how long winter lasts. I keep notes all week about whats going on so I later remember to put them in my blog- and I had noted how warm this winter has been. It's been in the 70s or 80s and sunshiny everyday for a month. I spoke to soon. We hit a cold snap, and froze our toes off a couple of days this week. Anyway, we celebrated Groundhog Day in style- something my brother Cort would be quite proud of me for- and watched the movie 'Groundhog Day'. Calib on the first five minutes: "Wait- did you rewind this?" Hayden was uninterested, but did enjoy the 'don't drive angry' part.
The next couple of days we spent moving things back and forth, I'll not bore you with the details. Frankly, it wasn't that exciting. Car load after car load, after car load. But let me tell you, that little Honda Fit sure does live up to it's name.
On the third, the boys celebrated their hundredth day of school. I feel gyped, as I never got to celebrate such an event when I was growing up. There was no party for me. Hayden was instructed to bring 100 of something to school. Had we not been mid move with nearly everything we owned being impossible to find, I may have been more creative than counting out 100 goldfish crackers and putting them in a baggie. He seemed pleased with this, but when I took him to school, I caught him in the back eating a few- so, 100 didn't actually make it to his classroom. I also am insulted by the theme of the day: "100 days smarter", implying I teach my kids nothing on the weekends.
Superbowl Sunday was awesome. We went over to Justin's house with some of our friends- including two Giants fans. I really wanted the Giants to win, mostly because I didn't want the Patriots to. I have four teams I cannot stand in the NFL. The last three super bowls, those teams have won. The only team left was the Patriots. I was sure I would jinx it by watching, but it looks like the curse is lifted! I made a peanut butter ball, and everyone else brought some food, so we all sat around watching the game while our kids, and a couple of our friends kids played. I suspect it wouldn't be as much fun if we weren't all rooting for the same team. Perhaps if we had any Patriots fans they would have been offended at us screaming, laughing, and pointing at the screen when Tom Brady was looking quite dejected. There was a celebratory toast at the end of the night, yay for a team I don't hate winning the super bowl! Also, lame commercials this year. Boo.
Monday the boys skipped school and we went out to Disney. Every year the day after the super bowl, the MVP shows up at Disney and is in the parade. The Magic Kingdom was packed with Giants fans, so we sat down on Main Street about an hour before the parade, and had a pretty good spot. We ate our peanut butter and jelly, and were entertained by people dancing in the street, an awesome barbershop quartet singing, kids jump roping, and chants from Giants fans- even a whole group of girls Tebowing in the street. We also cheered a guy sporting a packers shirt (after he was booed of course) for being the bravest man in all of Disney.
After we saw Eli, we headed off to redeem our fast passes Asa had run to get while we were waiting. Asa, Calib, and Peyton took off to Magic Mountain, and Hayden and I ran over to Space Ranger Spin. We took an out of the way route to avoid the crowds, and all of a sudden, I notice an entourage of people coming from a restricted area, and Eli Manning was with them- you couldn't miss him, he was head and shoulders above everyone else. Hayden and I stopped, and I told Hayden to wave, and then I said 'Hi Eli', as Hayden and I were the only two standing there. He replied with a 'Hi, how ya doin'" and gave Hayden a little wave. It was pretty awesome, but it was only a few seconds before everyone seemed to notice he was there, and wanted to ask him to stop for pictures, which the entourage wouldn't let him do. I managed to snap a picture as he was walking away, but I was so shocked to see him, I didn't get my camera out in time to get a good one.
After we used our fast passes, we left the Magic Kingdom, mostly due to the large crowd, but also because we had other plans. Long ago we had planned on spending the night before Hayden's birthday at the All Star Movies Resort. If you pay attention, you can get a room for $50 a night. It's a no frills resort as far as Disney is concerned- no water slide, bus as the only transportation, smaller rooms- but for the boys, it's pretty awesome. They have different themes in different wings- and huge sculpture type things of Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, Mighty Ducks, Fantasia, and Herbie. If you have kids, it's a good option for visiting Disney on a budget.
We spent our evening at the hotel. It was a warm enough to swim, and the pool temperature was pretty good. We played on the playground, and walked around the hotel taking pictures in the giant sized Andy's Room. Then we stopped by the pool area, and the boys played in the Wii Mario Kart Tournament they had going on the giant inflatable screen.
After that we went to play putt putt. I really like how at Disney they give you a time to start putt putt, instead of just letting you go as soon as you get there, and waiting behind people. We got our time and played with the complimentary hula hoops they had. I showed off my flag corps skills from high school, and was even able to throw one, spin and catch it. Oh yea. Then, we went on to putt putt, Asa and I were getting holes in one left and right. It was a VERY forgiving course. Up until hole 12 we were tied, but in true Asa fashion he really started to fall apart, while I kept getting holes in one. As we were leaving, Asa noticed they had a board with the low score of the day.... and my score was better! I putted a 34, and as a result, got my name on the board, a master putter certificate that I will be framing and hanging in my house, and what I like to refer to as the golden putter. Although, it's actually just a green kids putter. But still, I'm pretty awesome. We finished the night with a late night swim in the bigger pool which was a farther walk- on the way back I jumped in the smaller pool just outside our room to warm up, and found it very peaceful to be the only one swimming in the late night pool. Asa took the boys to put on their PJs, while I swam for a little while. I got back and the boys fell asleep faster than I've ever seen. We sure tired them out.
The next morning we all got up, and wished Hayden a very happy sixth birthday. Though it was cold and cloudy, Hayden demanded we go swimming, so swimming we shall! (should?) After swimming, we let Hayden play a few games in the arcade, and the boys and I played ping pong out by the pool. When we got back to the room, Hayden waited outside, while we all took our earlier pointed out hiding spots, so he could walk in and we could all jump out and yell 'surprise'. He'd been asking us to do this for weeks, so we had to make it happen.
We packed up our room and headed out to the Magic Kingdom, per Hayden's request. He also wanted a Hayden birthday button, and Mickey Ears with his name on them. He always asks for them- but we haven't shelled out the 10 bucks for them until it was his birthday.
We rode everything Hayden wanted to- including a couple of rides on Space Ranger Spin, a trip on the people mover, and a spin on the teacups. We did get stuck on It's a Small World for an abnormally long time, so maybe next time we could skip that ride. Or, maybe the next couple times. The lines were so short we were even able to get in a ride on the magic carpets, which never happens. We were disappointed to find that the dumbo ride is officially gone until the new section opens, but Asa lifted the boys up to see over the wall to peek at the construction- it's really coming along. By the time we had ridden most everything Hayden wanted to it was midafternoon- and we headed home. I drove, and Asa constructed a game of deal or no deal on the magna doodle to play with the boys. Hayden was the winner, taking a deal of 119,000. Calib, ever the gambler, only had 1,000.
Hayden had requested to have cake and ice cream at the new house, so we went to Butterfly Landing for cake, ice cream, and presents. I made a four layer chocolate and yellow cake for him, which he happily gobbled down. He also got some awesome color change toy story bath toys, and one more wall track from hotwheels- which we still have to put up. We went back to the old house, watched Phineas and Ferb Across the Second Dimension- and even let him have a sleepover on the couch with his brothers on a school night. Overall, Hayden says it's the best birthday he's ever had. I contend that it's probably the only birthday he remembers, but with all the chaos of moving, I'll take it.
The rest of the week was spent moving, moving, moving. I'd like to take a minute to thank Justin for all the work he did. He took so many trips to and from the house, put all kinds of stuff back together, and hung a dog gate to corral them wherever we need them to be. I mean, I fed him dinner, but he was seriously underpaid for his efforts.
Friday was my half-birthday, which is usually celebrated with half a cake, but we still had half of Hayden's birthday cake left, so we called it even. I did request a half day without questions, picking noon to midnight. The boys were terrible at it. They need to get better at it before my actual birthday, because well, it's going to be a whole day without questions. No 'where's my (insert random item here)' or 'when are we (insert random activity here)'. Nope, nothing. NO questions. I can't wait.
Friday night we were all at the new house, with almost all the furniture that could be moved without a truck. The kids wanted to stay here, because having an xbox and the Internet here trumped sleeping in their beds. I, on the otherhand, wanted my bed, so somehow Asa managed to get everyone's top mattress in the fit. We all slept out in the livingroom, watched some tv- and had our first night in our new house. Saturday we spent moving the rest of the little items that fit in the car- and Sunday we rented the truck to move the rest of the big stuff.
By the time Monday came around, I was nervous about a new morning routine. It was more disastrous than I thought it would be. Not having a fenced in back yard and all, I couldn't just let all the dogs out at once, so I had to let them all out one at a time. This resulted in a dog not being able to hold it and literally pooping on my foot. This trend continued, not literally, but figuratively all morning. The boys flooded the bathroom, without having that stand up shower and having to deal with a shower curtain instead, the boys ended up with some questionable milk on their cereal, and the timeline was all screwy because it now takes about 10-15 minutes to get to school. I did get a lot of stuff put away on Monday though, and the house seems to be coming a long pretty well. Justin even stopped by after work to help Asa fix the ice maker- because, while I had to give up my big bathtub (rest in peace awesome garden tub), I was not about to give up my ice maker. At least I gained an actual working dishwasher in the process. I forgot what it was like to have a dishwasher actually clean your dishes.
Today Asa took the day off to help me with my morning, since it was so bad yesterday. He went over to the old house to clean it out, only to find the realtor there demanding the keys, and saying to forget it. We were supposed to have until tomorrow to finish up anything there, but apparently he didn't get that memo. The landlord said forget it, and since I highly doubt I'm getting any deposit back since our landlord was in such financial disarray, we just cut our losses, and gave the realtor the keys. He will be getting a bad review from us, such a terrible experience with that realtor company. The boys had their Valentines Party at school, in which Hayden came home and promptly gave me all the 'girly' Valentines he got- Hello Kitty for the win! We had breakfast for dinner night and I made heart pancakes, and heart bacon for everyone, and watched the American Idol we missed from last week. I'm hoping for a smooth rest of the week. Asa has tomorrow off again, because his back is killing him- and he deserves a day off after all the work he did moving us. Thanks, Babe!
So there you have it, the last two weeks.
Con's of the New House:
No Garden Tub or separate shower in the Master Bath. So Disappointing
No Fenced in Yard- and to make matters worse everyone has dogs- so my dogs go crazy with all the other smells!
Less Kitchen Cabinet Space- although I've gotten pretty creative, and it's not a huge issue
Smaller Pantry- the shelves are deeper, but not nearly as long- it's hard to see what you have.
Farther from school- no bike riding for us :(
Pro's of the New House:
We live on Butterfly Landing- how cute is my street name?
Carpet. Thought I'd hate it, but I totally love it. The boys are keeping it clean, taking off their shoes, only eating in the kitchen and it's SO nice to lay on the floor.
Less than a week in- and I already know our next house MUST have a livingroom and family room. Two living spaces for the win!
Laundry Room. Gone are the days of going out to the garage to do laundry! yippy!
Working, newer, matching appliances!
Eat In Kitchen- so easy to set/clear the table!
The Park right down the street- so close in fact, you can stand out the front door and yell for the boys to come home and they can hear you!
Closet Space- oh the storage! While I have less kitchen space- I have what seems like an infinite amount of closets compared to the old house.
Funny quotes of the week:
Me" whose my favorite 5 year old"
Hayden" me for a few more days, then you have to find a new one"
Asa "Man, I can't believe you guys sleep this late everyday. No wonder nobody wants to go to sleep at 9:30"
Asa: "I know you've been stressed out. So, I shaved, and cut my nose hair for you"
Funny Hayden Birthday-isms:
He gave his brothers X's all day. Peyton got up to like 40.
He referred to himself all day in the third person as 'The Birthday Boy'
Next Up: Besides continuing to unpack we're missing a trip to TN (which makes me very sad)-I'll have to drown my sorrows in fair food, baby goats, and cracker country because it's the Florida State Fair week!
Oh, and now that it was my half birthday, lets take a look at how my list is coming (I think I need to get to work, I feel behind):
1. Swim with manatees- 1/26. This was as cool as I thought it would be- and a total must do again!
2. Crochet an afgahan
3. Make at least 24 new recipes- 11 of 24 complete
4. Go to Key West (and stop in the Everglades)
5. Go Camping at least 3 different places- 1 of 3 complete (11/11 Fort McAllister State Park)
6. Get at least 5 new stadium pictures- 1 of 5 complete (11/13 Jags)
7. Make 12 sewing projects- 10 of 12 complete
8. Read 12 new books- 5 of 12 complete
9. Make a Calendar Journal- 6 of 12 months complete
10. Go Canoeing or Kyaking
11. Do at least 6 new things in the Tampa Bay Area I have not done before- 5 of 6 complete (parasailing 10/11, hillsborough county fair 10/12, Mosi Ropes Course 10/12, Clearwater Aquarium 1/16, Dinosaur World 1/22)
12. Learn how to cook on a grill
13. Learn how to play two songs on the keyboard
14. Go Ice Skating
15. Get to level 75 on tetris attack- Check. 8/20. Made it to level 76. 8/22 Made it to 99.
16. Go on the Shiekra
17. Learn how to eat with chop sticks
18. Eat at the Taco Bus- Food Truck Rally 10/22
19. Teach Calib how to do the laundry
20. Teach Peyton how to cook lasagna
21. Teach Hayden how to ride a bike (without training wheels)
22. Make a scrapbook from the Epic Vacation
23. Organize the stuff in the Closet (papers, pictures)- Half done? It's all isolated in one place after the move
24. Watch 24 new movies- 12 of 24 complete
25. Blog one entry per week- 26 of 52 complete
26. Fix the laptop hole in the door- 10/26 It's not pretty, but it isn't a hole anymore.
27. Learn at least two songs on the guitar
28. Make Homemade Pasta
29. Go Puddle Hopping after a rain storm
30. Go to Caldesi Island
31. On our one year anniversary, take a picture of us holding a picture of anniversary #1
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