The Happiest Place on Earth!!

So two years ago we decided that when Jace graduated SUU we would take a trip to Disney Land with our kids.  Well he finally graduated!!! Yay Yay  We had a wonderful day celebrating and spending time with family.  I must say the reality of him being done with school really hasn't sunk in yet!!
Two days later we loaded up the car and headed out to California. 

Cons of the trips

• We left Sunday afternoon and didn't know that everyone who lives in California goes to Vegas for the weekend.  So we got to sit in traffic for almost four hours on a stretch that was supposed to take 2 1/2! Stop and go and stop and go and completely stop!  It was a mess....Thank goodness for car DVD players and zanex!  haha
• We had to leave a day early because Jace had a job interview.  :(

Pros of the Trip

• Our hotel was awesome!  Complimentary breakfasts and dinners.  They had a free shuttle to and from Disney land. Our rooms were separated into two parts so we could send the kids to bed and stay up later and we had a kitchen.

• The weather was perfect.  Not to hot or cold and the kids got to have a break from their allergies for a while. 

• It was a slow week for Disney land. The park wasn't so crowded and we got to see a lot of characters.

• My dad had a wheel chair and Ellis got a guest assistance pass so we didn't have to wait in long lines.  We thought we would be tough and see if Ellis could handle it but he just couldn't.  It was so nice and took a lot of stress off knowing we didn't have to fight him. 
• Disney Lands computers went down for a whole day so they had no idea who had electronic passes and who didn't. We got an extra day for free.  
• Great company!
• The parade was so neat!
• It was really fun watching my kids enjoy themselves and the look on their faces when they got to meet someone or see something that they liked.  They are at the perfect age where they still believe and thought everyone was real!!  

 Riding Casey Jr. train

 Ellis was one happy guy when he got to meet the Tinkerbell fairy's

 We got a puppy and Kitty for the day!  The puppy didn't last very long so he looked like he had  black eye in the rest of the pictures!!

 Mr. Mickey Mouse himself!!!!

Ellis is really sensitive to sound and hates parades.  We got him some ear covers and it was great.  He loved the parade and didn't get scared at all.  

 Kylie was so brave and went on Space Mtn. and Splash Mtn.  You can barely see her head behind my dad and speaking of my dad isn't that hilarious.  My nieces came running out and said we weren't scared at all.  I said really cuz look at your faces.  haha

Uncle Brandon having some fun with Ellis and the sand. hehe

 I want to go back already.  I told Jace I could stay there forever! Who wouldn't want to go play and have someone clean my room while I was gone and prepare breakfast and dinner.  That would be the life.

Great Party!!

We had a great celebration for this little 5 yr old.  She told me she loved her party and got everything she was hoping for.  That's what you hope to hear when you plan a party for weeks.  hehe

 I am not much of a friend party fan so I decided to combine and invite a few close friends and their families along with all of the actual family.  It worked out pretty good!

 She specifically asked for a pinata and a Rapunzel tower cake so I did my best.  My mom got the pinata and it was a great success except for the piles of confetti.  haha It did clean up easily.  But note for future party don't put confetti in a pinata.  I was hoping for good weather but it was snowing so we all just squished in the house.

The tower cake was so easy once I thought of how to do it.  It was really fun to watch her and I'm glad she had fun. I can't believe I have a 5 year old.  She went to kindergarten registration and passed off everything.  Except her eye exam and that is a no brainer!! So in a few months we get to start that fun adventure.  I sure hope I am a better bus mom with her than I have been with Ellis.  Geez it gives me anxiety!!

FYI

Big & Little

Part of parenting wouldn't be complete if your kids didn't embarrass you a little right?  So I have a great story for you!!!

Ellis has been going to pre-school and he likes to repeat things that he learns at home and other places.  We were at church and I was kind of zoning out not really paying attention to what Ellis was saying.  All the sudden he was pointing to things and saying something rather loud so I zoned back in.  

Two sisters were sitting in front of us and one is pretty small and petite and the other is well quite large.  (Someone Daniel would call in code a "Delores") haha So cute and nice but really just large.

I looked at Ellis and he is pointing back and forth saying "Big, little, big, little"  ahhhhh It finally struck me what he was doing so I slapped by hand across his mouth as fast as I could but he was still pointing.  This kid does not stop until you give him some recognition so I whispered "yes Ellis good job big and little now we have to be quiet".  Jace was dying and I don't think they noticed because they were talking to each other I hope!!!  

So good job Mrs. Walker, Ellis totally understands Big and Little

Successfull

Yay today we had a very successful day at the Dentist.  Both kids were cavity free and Ellis only cried at the end.  He will do anything for a pretty face.  He had a really cute dental assistant so he did really good until the scary dentist walked in.  hahaha  The dentist really isn't scary he was really nice to both kids and helped them feel very welcome and good about how they have been taking care of their teeth.  They even got to give the fish their food.

It helps Ellis so much to be prepared (like most anyone)  I showed him a lot of clips of children visiting the dentist and even though he kept saying " mommy no dentist" all morning he did a good job.  Thank goodness for youtube and a good sister.

She is such a good sister for this kid.  She knows that he is scared and has a hard time with new things so she volunteers to be the brave one and go first in everything.  She kept saying "See Ellis it isn't scary you can do it".  What a good supporter she is.  I am going to try and write her a letter to give here when she is older.  Telling her what a good sister she is to Ellis and how much she helps him.

Ellis & parent-teacher-conference

Our little smarty is doing soooo good in school. We went and met with his pre-school teacher on Tues. and she said that his progress has just blown her away.  She showed us his testing at the first of the year compared to testing done two weeks ago and it is crazy how much he has improved.  She said he is one of the only 3 year olds to know all of his ABC's and his numbers to 10.  

The parts that he is struggling with is still his speech.  Which has also improved a lot!  He is at a 65 to 70% and working on putting whole sentences together.  They are also working on his abstract thinking which is a really hard concept to teach and learn.  We are really happy with everything he has learned and overcome.  I am so thankful we could get him into this school!!

He is also sleeping through the night most nights.  We only have an occasional night that he just struggles to settle down. 

What we have been up to

So we have had a crazy month of being really sick.  Kylie had pneumonia during Christmas break and I guess it didn't go all away.  Ellis got really sick and Kylie still had a little cough so I took them both in.  Ellis had RSV and Kylie still had pneumonia in one lung.  

So we started our quarantine of two weeks and it was a long two weeks.  Kylie ended up getting RSV on top of the pneumonia so she is still a little behind Ellis in getting better. 

Before all the sickness hit we had a fun day of swimming and ice cream.  Ellis's ice cream was sooo blue that every time he went to the bath room the next day, everything that came out was bright blue.  I freaked out the first time I saw it but then I figured it out. haha

Jace is in his last semester so we are trying to figure out what we are going to do job wise.  So I'll keep you posted on anything that happens.

Ellis is doing really good in his school.  His teacher said that his social skills have greatly improved.  He has friends that he seeks out to play with instead of trying to withdraw and play by himself. His language is almost to 80% which is great!

Kylie is doing so good in dance and her music pre-school.  I didn't really think she was getting much out of it until she came home and played a song on the piano and told me they were the treble notes.  Wow good job!!

We recently had to go through a trying time where I am so glad to have family and friends to help in times of need.  We really had great support from a lot of people that helped a tough situation go smooth!!!

Things are finally getting back to normal and the kids are feeling better.  Ellis went back to school today and Kylie will start next week.  We are looking forward to a fun trip to visit with cousins and hang with the fam!  I must say I am excited to get out of the house for a few days!!!!