Hurricane GIBBS

We just enjoyed a trip to Orlando over Labor Day weekend. Mike had a conference down there so we decided to make a family trip out of it. We ventured to one of the water parks this time. The weather at Typhoon Lagoon turned out to be interesting to say the least. Being warm outside wearing swimsuits in a downpour was a first for us. But it was still pretty fun...for a couple hours. The kids still had a great time. One of the highlights of the trip for me was seeing Finding Nemo the musical at Animal Kingdom. Loved it. And this time, I got to ride Expedition Everest. Way fun! Last time we were in Orlando, I was 10 weeks pregnant with Aubrey so I didn't brave the ride. Connor went on it three times. I had to do some major convincing to get him to go on a third time. First, he went on with Dad. Then he went on with his friend, Kate...I think to reassure her and be all tough. And then I wanted to go on it one time with him before the park closed but he had had enough and realized that he didn't like the ride so much. So I did a lot of talking to get him to go once more. And he gave in. I bought him a Yeti crossing pin to add to his pin collection. The safari is always a great ride. I love seeing the animals roam. We saw a baby elephant struggling to step over a big log. It was so cute and funny. It reminded me of the climbing phase that Aubrey is in right now. Toddlers are so curious and busy. Animal Kingdom is definitely one of my favorite places to visit in Orlando. We hit Magical Kingdom on Labor Day with some friends. The highlight of our day at Magical Kingdom had to be the character breakfast. It's just great to see how the kids react to the characters. We had breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and characters. Aubrey was totally excited and kept pointing and yelling at them. She would walk towards them and as soon as they would get a little closer she would run back over to me and grab my leg. She seemed to like Tigger the best. The boys really had a great time. Unfortunately, Aaron wasn't feeling too well while we were at the parks. Florida is an interesting climate in August. Very hot, humid and muggy and then very cold air conditioning. I don't think the frequent changes helped him. So Mike took Aaron and Aubrey back to the hotel early. Connor ended up being my partner in crime. I took him on Space Mountain. Yeah, he didn't like it much. He really screamed on that one. Poor guy...I could tell it scared him. The scary part of the whole trip for me was flying back home alone with the kids with Aubrey on my lap and a layover in Atlanta. Almost lost Aaron, in Atlanta. That freaked me out! But we made it back safe and together and overall, the kids did pretty good. But I'm not going to do that again any time soon.

Can you see Connor hidden in the picture?
Our first day of school was last Thursday. Aaron's cold worsened after we got back home from Orlando so he actually missed his first two days of school. I made him go this week despite the lingering cough. Connor seems to really be enjoying Kindergarten. He has a really funloving teacher. I really wish it was longer though. He even asked me why school was so short. He's made a few buddies and there are always kids calling his name after school lets out. He must be making a good impression.


I'm not quite sure that I'm liking the schedule of having two kids at home in the morning. My first problem is that I don't want Connor to be wasting his morning in front of the tv. Yet, at the same time, I can't exactly be entertaining him myself. So it's been kind of boring for him. I'm going to get him in a social skills group one morning a week and I'll have to figure out a library day and then maybe some playdates. My other problem is that I don't exactly have a good time to run errands because I really don't want to go shopping with two kids in the morning and after I drop off Connor, I've got to come back home to put Aubrey down for her nap. And if I start booking up the mornings for Connor, then I really don't have time to shop. So I'm finding it challenging to keep the fridge stocked. I'm sure I'll get into some sort of groove soon enough.

On to the basement...the last of our remodeling woes. We've been trying to get the framing and fire protection inspections passed off this week. We had no problems with the electrical inspection but until we get the framing signed off, we can't sheetrock. Our contractor is hoping to get the job done by the end of next week. We're being held up by the town on inspections. Dealing with permits and inspectors has got to be the biggest downside to remodeling. Those people are just plain rude...right up there with airport security. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the completion of the basement. It will be so great to have our house back! Pictures to come.