The Circus is in Town

The Greatest Show on Earth, and it was. The kids had Friday off of school and rather than sit idle I up and bought us tickets to the zoo. I can't even remember the last time I went and only Tristan has ever been before so I figured it would be a great adventure. One of the coolest things that Ringling Bros does now is allow folks to come down onto the main floor before the circus starts and get up close and personal with their performers and animals. We started off by getting our hands tattooed with their trademark phrase. Then we saw stilt walkers, jugglers, clowns, horses, llamas, dogs, trapeze artists, got to try on ringmaster jackets and pretty much have a great time before the show even began. I was torn between 3 things being my favorite. I love the elephants, there were also these great trampoline performers-up to 10 guys on the trampolines at the same time. And I loved the Torres Family dirt bikers. They (all 7 of them) rode their bikes in a metal sphere, it was really cool. Savannah also loved the elephants, Jack's favorite thing was the juggling clowns and Tristan liked the tigers and the dirt bikes. We had a ball and I tried not to think too hard about the fact that I paid $12 for a bag of spun sugar (yes really, $12, I couldn't believe it, but it was good), $9 for a box of stale popcorn and then other assorted snacks and drinks. We had a great time and for a couple of hours were dazzled by the Greatest Show On Earth. Thanks Ringling Bros.

And Christmas is......over!

Well as fast as it comes it seems to go. We actually had Christmas at our house for the first time since Japan. It was a bit lonely without all the family but we were so busy that the day passed in a blur. Tristan was up at 6, Jack at 630 and Jaesen and I finally got out of bed at 715 followed by Savannah at 725. Before we really did anything Jack wanted to ride his new bike from Santa. Always a bit concerned with that since the brakes are no longer on the pedals and I really didn't want to be visiting the ER so early on Christmas morning. But, he took to it great and rode up and down, up and down the street with no problems. Tristan received an iTouch from Santa and pretty much was glued to all the cool apps that Santa applied to it, man that Santa is a rockstar. Savannah only wanted Dora videos from the man in red and she was granted her wish too. I figure it's close to the last year that Santa will get off so easy for her. I went above and beyond in the food department and cooked for an army, 20 lb. turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and key lime pies for dessert. It was all so good and I think I will run to the fridge to make myself a turkey sandwich (my favorite part of Christmas, the leftovers!!!!).

We Like to Move It, Move it!

Miss Savannah requests this song constantly and dances in the kitchen. She likes to "move it!"

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Happy Birthday to you my big 3 year old girl!!!!! From Japan to Jacksonville you have blessed our lives and we will never be the same because of you! We are better and more fulfilled. Happy Birthday beautiful girl. Love Mom, Dad, Tristan and Jack

Our Weekend in Orlando

Well we travelled back to Orlando for another weekend and although we did use our passes to hit Disney once more the big draw this trip was the ICE Festival. It is 2 million pounds of Ice carved by a team from China. They create different scenes every year and this years theme was the North Pole. We stayed at the hotel where it is located and they really put on a good show. There were musical events several times a day, huge decorated trees, dozens and dozens of pointsettias, a hidden gnome hunt. Tristan loved running around pen and paper in hand to search for these hidden gnomes-20 of them. We ended up finding a total of 12 I believe so not too bad. Our balcony opened up into their atrium where the Christmas Tree and daily shows were conducted so we sat on our balcony and enjoyed. All in all it was a great weekend, I had been dying to see the ICE for the last couple of years and figured we had better do it or it wouldn't happen. The kids favorite part was the ice slides. I personally liked the nativity scene and the 30 foot tall frozen Santa.

A Visit With St. Nick

The kids finally got to visit with Santa Claus and ask him for all those things that they want. Tristan of course took his list which consisted of mostly Harry Potter items, Santa commented that he must indeed like Harry Potter. Jack didn't ask him for fairy dust (thank goodness) which is what he had been wanting for the last two months and instead asked for things like a mechanical dog and cat, a certain Transformer and a Nerf sword. Savannah surprised us all first off by sitting in his lap. She insisted that she would not but as soon as she saw him, that magic overcame her and she just crawled right up. Secondly, she didn't ask for the pink skateboard (another thank goodness) that she has been talking about for a month. Instead she asked for Dora movies. I think old Santa can handle that request no problem. And although they are all dressed in sweaters it was almost 80 degrees out and they were all sweating! What they have to do for Mom and her Christmas moments. Merry Christmas to all of you and to all a good night!

Thanksgiving in Louisiana

Aaaahhhh the joys of traveling! Last Tuesday night I worked the night shift, getting off at 715 in the morning and then came home to have a quick shower and help pack the car. We were off officially at 815, ready for a 12 hour drive (or at least we told ourselves we were ready for a 12 hour drive). Our little Bean (otherwise known as the "mad puker") actually made it for 8 hours before she blew!! When it happened Tristan threw her a bag and leaned as far away from her as possible. I pulled over at the first gas station which was really close while Jaesen tried to get a bag under her chin. We pulled into the parking lot of this fine establishment and both boys bolted out of the car. I took over cleaning the seat and getting her undressed, yes she was standing in the middle of some gas station parking lot in the middle of Mississippi with nothing but her Hello Kitty undies on. Jaesen meanwhile got the new clothes and got her cleaned up and mouth rinsed out. The boys decided to play tag around the oil slicks in the parking lot and we were just lucky noone fell into one. Finally by Vicksburg we ran out of steam and had to pull over for food. We ate Mexican at the cheesiest restaurant I've ever seen and my dreams of having a margarita were quieted when I saw what they passed for a margarita in Mississippi. It was the most neon green thick and icy type drink that had no liquid content to it whatsoever. I settled for a coke and some caffeine to get me through the rest of the trip. We finally pulled in and the family visitation began. The kids were so excited to see "their Roxanne" again and the boys fought over sleepover spots at Aunt Jan's and Uncle Charlie's. We had a blast but being already sleep deprived we never did manage to catch up and the exhaustion is winning right now. We got to meet our new nephew and niece and I got my baby fix. We went to a Neville High School football game, a playoff game at that, and the kids had a lot of fun cheering on the team where their Dad and Uncle both played. Savannah just had fun in the acorn pile, you would have thought she had struck gold. And then, the dreaded ride home. I found some Dramamine and drugged up the baby and she slept hard (and did not throw up!). Originally we were going to stop in Pensacola but my hardcore husband decided to drive all the way through. We got home at just after 4 am. Although it was nice to be in our own home and beds I would have rather been in a hotel bed by Tallahassee, I was pooped out. Thanksgiving was fun, but I am definitely happy and thankful to be home in my own house and sending the kids to school tomorrow!!!