Legoland Day 1

Our first day at Legoland started with the free breakfast buffet. I got most of the food from the kid's station- what does that say about me? I also got this orange mango smoothie which was absolutely delicious and I am missing it already.

At 9 we headed to the park for early entry. That meant we didn't have to wait too long to ride the Coastersaurus. Grams and I went with Oliver and Lucy. We really had to convince Oliver to go and I regret doing that. He looked very pale during the ride and was quick to say he did not want to go again. Lucy, who had wanted to go, seemed freaked out by the first fast turn but then seemed to enjoy it a little more the second time it ran the course (it was a short ride so you go around twice). She claimed that she liked that ride but I am not convinced.

The second ride was the Safari Trek. Grams and Poppy took the kids. This was a nice calm one so a good one to go on after the roller coaster. Then we rode the carousel where Lucy was very disappointed that she picked out one of the few horses that did not go up and down. At least it was pretty... 

After the carousel the kids played at the Duplo Playtown and then Grams and Poppy got to ride on the helicopters with the kids. This one was a hit for both kidlings. They apparently have no fear of heights as they both had the helicopters going up and down. Poppy on the other hand did not enjoy that ride. He decided it went much too high.

Our next adventure was driving school where the kids got to drive (and crash) cars all by themselves. It was pretty entertaining to watch Lucy bumping into the curbs and Oliver getting stuck in a 4 car pileup. When they finished the workers passed out driver's licences to all of the kids. Lucy then informed me that she can now help drive our car. 

When we finished driving we ran into our first Lego character- the hot dog guy. That was a pretty fun find and was the only one Oliver wanted to take a picture with. 

It was now time for lunch- at least I was starving and the kids were complaining that they were hungry. Yet as soon as we got hot dogs, neither one of them really wanted to eat their hot dogs. Lucy rebelled against eating them by putting a bag on her head. I finally got her to eat a few bites of her $8 hot dog and then we headed out for more fun.

Our next ride was Skipper School. Poppy and I went with the kids and he got me all worried that I was going to get stuck because the boats are hard to steer. Thankfully that didn't happen. However, they really were hard to steer and Lucy kept bumping into the edges and getting frustrated. She eventually gave up and gave the reigns over to me. She did not like this ride one bit but Oliver did.

Oliver's favorite ride was the Splash Battle. Grams and I were not willing to get wet so Poppy took that bullet. They really did get wet and I was really grateful I didn't have to go on that ride. It was too cool to be wet. 

While Oliver and Poppy went on the ride a second time I went and got some treats. Lucy was having a hard time waiting in all the lines and was getting pretty whiny so I hoped to distract her with some treats (yes I basically rewarded her for being naughty). I manged to find her a GIANT rice crispy treat and Grams and I got some amazing Churros with chocolate dip. My dad complained that they were completely unauthentic but I could not care less- they were so delicious! 

Afterwards we parted ways with Oliver and Poppy because Lucy wanted to play at the Hideaways Playground and Oliver did not. When she was done there we headed to the castle where Lucy got to be a knight and ride on the Royal Joust. This was one of her favorite rides. She said she liked it so much because there was a funny Lego elf that she would hit with her jousting stick and it would say "oh no! not again!" 

Taking a break from lines we went down the Block of Fame and took some pictures with Beethoven and the Queen. Then we saw Miniland USA which had some pretty amazing creations to check out. It also had a fun station off to the side where you could make boats to race. Lucy was all about the pretty factor and not so much the functional factor.

We met back up with Poppy and Oliver at Miniland USA and then we all went on the Coast Cruise. This was one of my favorites. it was a nice relaxing boat ride where you got to see some cool creations and listen to a punny tour guide. 

After meeting Nya we went on our last ride of the day, Lego Ninjago the Ride. I think that was Grams favorite ride. Lucy really loved it too. It was a 3D ride where you punch the air with your hands to attack bad guys. Pretty cool technology.

After that ride Oliver went into a room where you make cars and race them. Lucy  was not interested so instead we found Unikitty to pose with and Kai and an old school space guy. She saw Kai before he got to his spot for pictures so she followed him- she was super excited.

By this point I think we were all tired. We made a last stop at the souvenir shop where Lucy picked out a Legoland teddy bear for Grams and Poppy to get her. I got some Lego guys for Penny, Steven and Ben. Then Grams and I got pizza and we all headed back to the hotel where we collapsed and rotted our brains with TV. The kids got another rush of energy as bed time approached so I took them to the Unkitty dance party. This was basically a dance floor with 2 costumed guys playing music and dancing along. The kids had fun busting out their moves. I had fun being a wall flower.

The dancing did the trick and the kids slept like rocks that night (as did the grown ups).

Traveling with Lucy

My parents take the grandkids to Legoland when they are 5 so this meant it was Lucy and Oliver's turn to go and I got to tag along with them. The first step to our vacation was getting to Arizona. Flying makes me anxious so I usually try to get to the airport early. Well this time I outdid myself and Lucy and I got to our gate over 2 hours early on Saturday. We had so much time to kill but at least it was just us two so that made it a little more fun. We took the train to Chick-Fil-A, went to a store and got a treat, rode the train some more, found a play house to play in, and found a giant chess set to make patterns with. Time seemed to drag but somehow we survived and I think she even had some fun. When it came time to board I got a bit nervous because our seats weren't together and I thought I would have to ask someone to switch seats with us but ironically they called us to the desk and asked if we would switch seats so we could be by each other- of course we would! Everything went smoothly, minus some nausea when we landed, I have not been doing well with landings.

After arriving in Arizona, we got some food and a had a low key night because the next day we had more traveling to do. On Sunday we headed to California where we stayed at my cousin Chris's house in El Cajon. The drive went well and I was able to go a few hours before my mom took over the driving. We of course had to do a traditional stop at McDonald's and the kids did great rotting their brains. I had accidentally left our cheap tablet on the airplane so I made a spontaneous decision to buy an Amazon Fire Tablet, Kid's edition the night before. It was quite fancy and Lucy loved it- only problem was it's battery was crummy and I ended up taking it back when we got back from California. I still can't decided if I want to buy another one or not but it was good entertainment on the drives.

Chris's entire house and yard had a nautical theme- the kid's particularly loved playing pirates on the boat in the yard. Lucy loved Chris's dog (I can't remember it's name because it was a weird name but it was a little dog with a pink bow). I loved their pet turtle. Chris and his wife Jackie could sure chat it up and sometimes I felt like the kid at the grownups table but they were sure good hosts, providing us with a yummy dinner and breakfast and even sleeping in their RV so we could take over their house at night. Monday morning the grownups chatted some more and I spent some time in the yard, enjoying the view and getting poked my sticks (apparently that's a fun game kids play ;) )

When it came time to leave, we headed to the Torrey Pines State Beach because I was insistent that we go to a beach while in California. Unfortunately all the free parking was taken up (and cars were circling, waiting for people to leave) but I decided it was worth it and paid $25 to park in the paid lot. It really was worth it. I thought Lucy wouldn't want to get in the water because it was chilly so I made her stay in her cloths and brought her swimsuit in my backpack to appease her. Turns out she is brave and not deterred by cold weather and I ended up changing her into her swimsuit and letting her chase those waves. She had so much fun and poor Poppy got his jeans so wet playing with her. Oliver, on the other hand, did not get in but he had fun squealing as he ran away from any sign of water and he enjoyed digging at the dirt with rocks (and his hands). I really wish we had bought a shovel and bucket and grabbed some lunch so we really could have stayed awhile and made it worth the cost. Something to remember for next time.

After we left the beach we picked up some groceries and lunch and then headed to the Legoland Hotel. My mom had thought check in was at 3 but unfortunately it was actually at 4 so we ended up being at the hotel 2 hours early, not just one. That meant for a lot of waiting time in the lobby. We took advantage of many photo ops and playing with legos while we waited.

When the wait time was up the kids were super excited to check out their new Ninjago room. I think it lived up to their expectations.

After checking out the room we headed to the pool. The water was warm but the weather was cool and there was a chilly wind. I did not enjoy the swim one bit. The kids did though and gratefully Lucy did not last too long in the deep end so I didn't have to suffer for too long ;)

Afterwards the kids had dinner that Grams had brought and then they went to an event called "Heroes Training." During it, Poppy and I skipped out and got some food at the hotel restaurant. I had some overpriced popcorn chicken but at least it didn't cost $27.50 like the buffet across the way. I can't believe how pricey that place was and how many people still ate there. When we came back from eating it was time to call it a night so we could have lots of energy for the park the next day!

Wonder Woman, Mother's Day, Scout Hike, Dent

Last Saturday Ben got to go to his best friend Andrea's birthday party and Wonder Woman made an appearance. He was quick to inform me when he got home that he knew that wasn't the real Wonder Woman. But the way he said it almost sounded like he was wanting to see if I would confirm that fact that she was indeed a fake. I didn't ;). He had a fun time learning how to be a Super Hero and hanging with his friends.

All of Saturday Lucy kept telling me that she was so excited for Mother's Day so she could give me my gifts. She also informed me that her guest teacher this past week told her mom's like to get breakfast in bed. We have church early in the morning so I tried to dissuade her from this, I was going to have Tyler make my traditional crepes after church. Lucy, however, was very insistent that I have breakfast in bed so she made me a bowl of cereal and brought it up on a cutting board (we gave away our only tray in the move). She was a little disappointed that I had already got up and showered but I pacified her by hopping back in bed. After breakfast I came downstairs and was given lots of pictures and stories made by the kids, a nice card, flowers, a yoga mat, and a cactus statue (because of course!)

Church was nice, we Primary people all got a break and were able to go to Relief Society third hour. The Bishop presented us with a nice message and then we got to eat and socialize. After church I took a short nap and then requested a nature walk with the kids. There is a trail just across Commerce Road from us so we decided to go check that one out. Penny was not a happy camper at first. She kept informing us that she "hates walking" and cried for a bit but soon she remembered she likes sticks and rocks and she started to have fun. At the end of a trail we discovered a large pine tree that had a platform up high in the branches. None of us were brave enough to climb all the way up to the platform but all of us had fun swinging from it's branches. On the way back Lucy decided her legs were tired and whined A LOT. But this was a true representation of motherhood. Some really crappy parts but a lot of fun too.

After the hike I took a bike ride with the boys while Tyler made me amazing crepes. All in all it was a pretty good Mother's Day.

Monday I subbed and on Tuesday I babysat for a friend. She has a one and a half year old and he did really good while I was finishing up cleaning the house but once I was done he kept insisting on leaking his bottle all over my clean floor. He's little, it happens but this just served as a reminder of how spoiled I am with my older kids. I don't know how I survived all those years with little ones- they are tough! 

On Tuesday Steven had a field trip to the Adventure Park in West Bloomfield- basically a ropes course. He had a blast and has been begging to go back ever since. Unfortunately it's $25 a person so I am not sure when he'll get to go there again. I think Tyler would love to go there with him though.

Wednesday I subbed again and then Steven had a 3 mile Scout hike that I joined in on. I made a giant mistake and thought the hike was at 7. I realized at 5:45 that it actually started at 6. Tyler was still at a Dentist Appt so Steven and I rushed out, leaving Ben in charge. Thankfully all the kids survived- probably helps that they were just able to watch TV the whole time.

The hike was great and as the sun was setting it felt kind of magical. Michigan is just so pretty and it is moments like these that I feel so blessed to be here. We saw an owl, a toad and bunnies- super neat stuff! The only drawback was part of the path was flooded- several inches deep. We managed to use some branches to get through without getting too soaked but Steven, at one point, informed me that he wasn't going to cross it. What is funny is that a large group a girls came by and just tromped right through it. I think that provided him some encouragement to just go.

Thursday I got my tire fixed (it had a screw in it) and I went to a Minute Clinic because I have yet another ear infection. The Dr there thinks it's allergy related. I don't know, it's just annoying and I am hoping I don't become a frequent patient for this. I really would like my ears to stop itching so much and then getting full of fluid, neither sensation is fun.

Friday I watched my friend's kids and she sort of had an accident in my driveway. She went to punch on the brakes so she wouldn't hit my car but instead she punched on the gas and ran smack into the back corner of it. It seems I am not allowed to have pretty things. She was so embarrassed but I informed her of all my way more embarrassing accidents and I think that helped. Tyler ended up coming home so he could take off the back part- it had got smushed against the tire. Basically he popped out the dent in the bumper and fixed the part the best he could so it doesn't look too terrible for now. Eventually he says he will replace the back part. My friend has offered to pay to fix all the damage which is super nice but not expected. Here in Michigan insurance is "no fault" which means each party pays for their own damage regardless of who did it. If she didn't know me, she wouldn't be paying so I'm not sure I'll let her- accidents happen as I know from experience.

And I also almost burned down the house Friday- quite a disastrous day. This electrical outlet has always been a little worrisome so I never use it but without thinking I put my charger in there. When I realized what I had done, I went to take it out and sparks flew. Seriously freaked me out! Somehow I remained unharmed and so did my charger. 

Friday night the boys went to the Priesthood Commemoration Campout and the girls and I went out for Frosty's. I mostly did this because Thursday had been Muffins with Mom but I didn't feel like hauling all 4 kids to this crowded affair and then rushing the boys to school. So instead I promised Lucy a special dessert with just us girls and this worked like a charm. Afterwards we came home and watched "Paddington." It was a nice girl's night!