Friday (My birthday) was a good day. I got to sleep in late, and by the time I got up Asa was done with work, since he took a half day. Justin came over and brought me an awesome German Chocolate Birthday Cake. It was awfully nice for him to bake it, and it was sooo good. He even put chocolate chips in at and sprinkles all over it. We played a game of Blokus, and then we headed out while Justin went home.
Our first stop was Costco. My Aunt had been so nice to get me a membership since mine had expired. Yay for finally being able to get Lobster Dip again. It is the best thing they have. I know going to Costco for your birthday may seem lame, but I mean, I'm 31. I had to get lame sometime. Plus, um, who doesn't love a giant bag of peanuts? Hayden certainly does!
After Costco we went over to a paint your own pottery place. We usually go to Color me Mine for my Birthday to paint something and it doubles as my something to do, as well as my gifts. But, I had a groupon for a new place I'd been holding onto for months. I was not thrilled at first. They had very little inventory. I wanted salad bowls, but I settled for these cute little teacup dipping bowls, and a family of Moose. (They were probably technically Reindeer, but we say they are Moose- so they are, dang it!)
And while the pottery is my present, I did get a couple of other presents too. Calib used his own money to get Porkchop a new dog toy, which was super nice of him. And, when I woke up Asa had ordered me the Book of Burger that I'd been wanting, and it was waiting for me on my kindle. Plus, Justin got my a strap for my camera, since I'm always losing it and fumbling around with it. It was super nice of everyone.
Anyway, we painted those and the lady was so nice she didn't even charge us studio fees since it was my birthday and the stock was so low. She said the kids were so well behaved and didn't waste the paint or anything, so it was fine. I haven't gotten the call to pick up the stuff yet, but I'm pretty excited to see how it all turned out.
After that we went over to The Pier in St. Pete. Since it was early Friday evening, it wasn't too crowded.
I had really wanted to go feed the pelicans, since I had read you get a bucket of fish to do so for $5. It was really awesome, as soon as we walked up onto the platform, at least a dozen pelicans came flying in. They knew: A person up on the platform = Free fish!
After I fed them, Calib decided he would too. I had Asa go up on the platform while I took pictures. Calib freaked out by the pelicans excitement and threw the dead fish in my direction, narrowly missing me. It was super gross. But feeding the pelicans was awesome. I recommend it if you've never done it before. Soon enough the pier won't even be there anymore.
When we were done feeding the pelicans, I went inside to go to the bathroom. The boys were being super sneaky about something. When I checked my email later that night, I found out why. My family is so awesome.
Anyway, we didn't want to spend lots of money on dinner, so we went to the top of pier and ordered a few appetizers. The view was awesome. It had rained a lot of the day, but the skies were clearing and the sun was setting.
Our next stop was going to be Curtis Hixon Park for a free outdoor movie. We were going to eat Whatever Pops (only the best Popsicles ever), and watch the Wizard of Oz with my birthday twin, Kevin and his family- but Katie was not feeling up to it. Plus the ground was all wet and squishy from the rain. Instead we swung by real quick to get an array of Whatever Pops, and then left.
Instead we met Justin at Busch Gardens and rode the Cheetah Hunt. I rode the Cheetah Hunt! Check out me and my roller coaster riding lately! Its like I don't even still have motion sickness. (Don't be fooled though, I totally still do). It was funny though because Calib and Peyton were all 'I'm sorry, dad, you have to stay with Hayden while we go on the ride.' NOBODY ever tells me they're sorry I have to wait with him. Anyway, between this and feeding the pelicans I had two things checked off my list the very first day it came into effect! Bam!
It was the last weekend of summer nights, so we even got to catch the fireworks before heading home for some very traditional Corinne Birthday Cake. I have to have my angel food cake with strawberries you know. It was pretty funny though, we'd gone through all the candles I had gotten for everyone's birthday so I ended up with the only one that was left. Overall it was a great day, so thanks to everyone who made it awesome!
Saturday we had a birthday party at our house for me and Kevin. Justin came over early to bring me a special bbq sauce for his wings. (I had requested them to be less spicy) And Katie and Kevin came over with Angela early so we could all go swimming.
The party was great. JD and Tracy were able to bring Johnny this time, which Hayden loves because then he has someone to play with. Plus Tracy brings some of the best food ever. She's so great she even made two Smore's cakes for us!
The kids all had a great time playing together. Angela and Peyton even got into building card houses, and did a pretty good job. Houston made it out too, it's always nice to see him. Although, I think Gracie wishes he came over a bit more often. I don't think anyone's pet her that much in awhile. She's been awful needy ever since though.
It was the usual party. Food, Games (I wonder if Houston is still mourning his Turtle), Lightsabers. But this time we all had cake- no need for plates, forks worked just fine.
And, poor Katie who never really felt that much better fell asleep for most of the party. I was nice and refrained from taking pictures of her sleeping... until my dog curled up with her. Then it was too cute not to.
Sunday was a good lazy day. Like, a really good lazy day. Usually, I don't like these. I'm ok with them during football season, because, well, then I'm watching football all day and checking my fantasy team, and everything else. But, on the average Sunday, I am not a fan. However, after the last few weeks I was happy to sit at home and do nothing while the boys went over to their friends house. It was a Big Brother marathon to catch up on all that TV. I also got a lot done for Peyton's home schooling plan. In case you hadn't heard, after the whole school debacle we finally bit the bullet and sent in our letter of intent to home school this week when our last ditch efforts to get them both into Oakstead failed.
Monday I did hear from the News Channel 8 people, but by that point it was really too late. Decisions had to be made, and so we made them. Calib to Rushe on the bus, Hayden to Odessa on the bus (although I'll take him by car at least the first day or so), and Peyton homeschooled. I knew life was good last year with three kids in the same school, and I knew I should appreciate it. I just didn't know how much.
We did decide the last week of summer vacation would be the 'best of week', with all the activities . I'm glad I front loaded the activities Monday and Tuesday because I've had a really busy second half of the week. Monday we made the did the falling into space drawings. Peyton didn't want to make another, and I didn't guide Hayden nearly as much (as evident by his self portrait). Calib hadn't gotten to do it all, and I wanted to make my own so we sat there happily making them for about an hour. Mine is so cute. I wish I was that cute in real life!
Of couse slime was also voted into a slot for the Best of Week. And, we also made fireworks in a jar. Although, we mostly had darker food coloring, so while still cool- didn't turn out nearly as awesome as the first time around.
Tuesday I had to take Calib to middle school to get his schedule. He has World History frist thing in the morning. Talk about a snooze fest! All of his classes but Art and Reading are in the same hallway. Reading is in a portable out back. His teacher likes to call it 'the lakeside cottage'. He won't have lockers or anything to deal with, but we had to get him a bus pass (which was a total new experience for me).
After we got back, Calib quickly called his friends to e if their schedules matched up. So strange. It doesn't seem like that long ago I was worried about the same thing. Blah! When did I get so old? Our activities for the day included making sand casts. This time though we used the sand shapers that we have to make molds. I think they turned out pretty awesome this time around. Calib was happy he got to do it too.
We also had pom pom races, though I'm pretty sure Peyton was the only vote for this game. Calib and Haydens are not big fans of the game, which have you blowing little fuzzy pom poms across the kitchen floor with a straw. In five minutes, Peyton had the most points by a mile.
Our night time game was Deal or No Deal. Given Peyton's blow up last time, I wasn't sure this was the best idea ever. But, it was voted in, so against my better judgement I made the boards. Hayden went first. He picked case number 10 again. Only this time it didn't go so well for him. He rode it out the whole time though, and ended up with a point. Peyton went second, and it came all the way down to his case and another. ($300,000- worth 30 points, and 1,000- worth 1 point). In the end he decided to switch cases and ended up with 30 points. Thank God. It would have been a repeat otherwise. Calib played last, and had dismal round after round. Tears came out, and he took a deal for something like 9 points. He was so upset about it. I was super glad I spent an hour making the boards. (insert sarcasm font here)
Wednesday was Hayden's meet the teacher day. We've done a pretty good job getting him all excited for his new school. We told him it would be just his, he'd have to show everyone around. Plus he'll get a ton of new friends, and he'll get to ride a bus which will be super fun. He was much better about the new school than I was. By the fourth time I had to explain about how one kid got accepted to Oakstead and the other didn't, I wanted to cry. But they were so much more understanding than Oakstead ever was. They were in disbelief that would ever happen. His teacher seems awesome though. She was so understanding, and just great. Hayden is going to have a good time there, and I know he'll adjust better than I will. It was frustrating going to two schools in two days where I had no idea what was going on though, when I had the Oakstead orientation thing down pact. Ugh.
After all that I just wanted to relax, so we decided to head out to adventure island. We had about two hours there before closing. (Boo for summer hours being over- Yay for less crowds!) It was a great time, we got to do some cliff jumping, play in the bucket area, take a spin around a less crowded lazy river, and we even all went down a slide together! It's so great Hayden is getting big enough we can all go do things together. It wasn't even the family slide, Hayden was brave enough to go down a slide in his own tube, and he loved it. He would have gone again if it wasn't closing time.
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Wednesday night Kevin had called us to let us know Katie wasn't doing any better, and she was admitted to the hospital, so I've spent most of my time at the hospital the last two days trying to be as helpful as I can. Asa has been awesome keeping the boys occupied, and even taking on some of the 'best of' events. Yesterday he even constructed the super spy maze for them to crawl through.
Tonight Justin came over to help out with the boys. I have some awesome friends who are pretty much my Florida family, you know. They played some games, and even did the mentos and diet coke volcanoes.
Anyway, here's hoping that Katie feels better soon!
Next Up: Sadly, the end of summer and the first days of school. Boo!
Oh, also, in case you wanted to check it out, here's my new list(I'm only a week in and I've already checked off two items!):
1. Have a Hayden and Mom Day, a Peyton and Mom Day, and a Calib and Mom Day.
2. Make a Date Jar for me and Asa
3. Go to all four Disney Parks in One Day.
4. Swim in at least 12 different pools, 3 of them at Disney
5. Go to 12 different beaches
6. Feed the Pelicans- Check. 8/10. It was super fun, until Calib threw a dead fish at me
7. Go to the Sponge Docks
8. Write 52 Blog Entries, one every week
9. In a 30 day time span, do not serve any repeat recipes
10. Spend a Weekend away with just Asa
11. Go to a Driving Range
12. Go out to lunch with Janet and Judie
13.Do Something super fun with Katie (activity TBD)
14. Make a book out of last years blog
15. Embroider the Thanksgiving Table Cloth
16. Eat Escargot
17. Go to at least two new NFL stadiums
18. Go to a Sunlake Game
19. Have a homemade fondue dinner
20. Go On Cheetah Hunt- Check. 8/10. Justin, Calib, Peyton and Me went on it at night, and it was awesome!
21. Complete year #2 of the Calendar Journal
22. Complete 32 acts of random kindness
23. Send fun mail to someone I know once a month
24. Dance in the Rain
25. Watch one movie with Foreign Subtitles
26. Go On a Zipline
27. Make a 2012 Slideshow of Pictures to Watch on New Years Eve
28. Hold the 2nd Annual WATERstraut Olympics
29. Join in on the boys rough housing
30. Bike Ride on the Suncoast Trail
31. Go Geocaching
32. See the sunrise over the Atlantic and the sunset over the gulf, on the same day.
Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions!!
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