Day 4 Beach house

Today was more beach fun followed by pool fun in the afternoon. We kept the kids busy and they played hard. Fun times were being had by all!

This what we do when we're taking a break.

Ryan and Bay

Lauklan

Kerstyn

Aislinn and Devin

All of the kids working on a town, as they called it.
The pool that we played at this afternoon.
All the kids
Bay, Kerstyn and Aislinn
Lauklan and Greyson
Dad and Devin

We stayed at the pool until it started pouring down rain. On the way home, we all stopped at TCBY for some tasty treats!

Day 3 Beach house

Kenney, Dad and I were in charge of 9 kids!

Let's just say that we were at the perfect place to handle that group and that they all did great!

They played on the beach for hours and hours. Swimming, building towns with castles and rivers, running up the beach and down. All of the fun things that you do at the beach! We were having fun, to say the least!

Aislinn playing in the kiddie pool.

Greyson, Lauklan and Devin with one of their masterpieces.

Kenney and Aislinn watching from the house.

Aislinn and me on the back porch.

Aislinn was cleaning off in the bucket!

Day 2 Beach house

We loaded up and headed to church this morning and attended the Bonita Springs ward. They tend to remember us from year to year and that is always nice.

This afternoon, Holly, Devin and Jarom arrived and we were all so excited to see them!

However, we learned this evening that Bronko, Chris' step-father passed away and Chris, Carolyn and Holly headed up to Lakeland to be with their mom.

I stayed back with all our kids plus Devin and Bay. I will take all of us up to Lakeland Wednesday night so that we can attend his funeral on Thursday morning.

I did manage to get some pictures of the entire group, minus Kenney who was the photographer.

Bay and Greyson

Chris, Lauklan, Aislinn and Devin

All of us, minus Kenney

Aislinn and Jarom

Kenney and Kerstyn

Day 1 Beach house

We played on the beach this morning and then headed to the movie this afternoon. We all went to see Transformers 2.

Not appropriate for the kids is all I can say about that!

Also, today is my Dad's birthday, so Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you!

Ft. Myers, here we come!

We headed to Ft. Myers this morning and did really well riding down. I loaded up all the kids and Chris went to work, heading down tonight.

We stopped at Cracker Barrel, I know, that is a surprise. We arrived at the beach house around 4 and went straight to Publix for groceries.

Chris arrived at the beach house around 9 and I don't know when Dad, Kenney, Carolyn, Alyssa, Bay and Ryan arrived for sure, but I think it was around midnight.

I am ready for some relaxing beach time for sure!

I have a lot to do

We're heading to Ft. Myers Beach on Friday.

I haven't packed a thing.

I've thought about packing though.

Does that count?

Chris will be coming down on Friday with us, in a separate car though, since he will be coming back here on Monday.

I will come back Thursday night with the children so that we may leave Friday morning to head to Virginia, Chris too.

My niece Kylea is being baptized on Saturday and my nephew Thomas is being ordained to the priesthood on Sunday.

We're hoping that we can not head back until Tuesday, but we'll see. Work calls, you know. :(

Juggling

I was chastised this morning by my boss for not working enough and therefore not getting all of my work completed.

I wonder if he thinks I am sitting at home twiddling my thumbs while he is off at work?

I'll try to do better but it is hard. Isn't the reason that I work for Chris is so that I can contribute to our business and save him some time and money, yet still be able to do my primary job which is taking care of our children?

I'm trying here, I'm trying.

Craziness!

I had another personal training session tonight. I have two a week.

Tonight, I took 40 minutes of cycle, then headed to meet my trainer.

He put me on the treadmill...

on an incline...

and made me RUN! (I don't run.)

After that, I had to do 50 jumping jacks. (I haven't done those since elementary school.)

In the middle of my jumping jacks, I had to excuse myself to the restroom. I've had 5 kids, you know!!!

Then back to running.

Then burps.

That's what he calls them.

You get on your hands and knees, kick your feet back, then back in and jump up. I think I had to do 20 or so of them. I was dying!

Then back running, AGAIN! Still at that incline, but faster and longer. Really?

Then I had to do push-ups. I hadn't ever done push-ups before my first training session. I had to do about 20 real ones then about another 10 with my knees down.

Do you think I will live?

Father's Day 2009

Happy Father's Day Chris!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

They got a hold of my camera again!

Just a little sampling of what I found when I got the pictures off my camera again. Is someone going to be a photographer?

OH MY!

Blizzard Beach

We went to Blizzard Beach last Friday, but Brennan wasn't with us. Today, we went again. All kids and me.

It was a really good time, and I am so glad that we were at a water park so we could cool off. It is really hot here!

We got there around 10 and stayed until 5:30.

All of us had a good time and I think we'll go again tomorrow.

Date night

We had to date tonight since we didn't have babysitters for Friday night. So, I went to work around noon after working out at the gym doing cardio for an hour.

I worked the rest of the afternoon and then we left for a movie and then dinner.

I was going to be really good on my nutrition today since I got an "F" in nutrition the other day from my trainer. But... I ruined it! I ate popcorn with butter and then had strawberry shortcake for dessert at around 10! What was I thinking?

Recover!

I could barely get out of bed today!

I did it though.

We all kinda tried to just take it easy. We had Maria Valentich and her boys over to swim for a few hours and we went to the gym tonight while Lauklan and Brennan had scouts.

Tomorrow, work and a date!

Happy 4th Birthday Aislinn Grace!

Four years old! Already?

Yes, already. My baby is growing up!

We loaded up in the van and headed to Magic Kingdom.

On the tram heading in.

Aislinn got a Dora digital camera for her birthday and she really likes it!

We had to wait about 20 minutes to even get on the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom. It was really hot. But, here is Aislinn and I on her birthday.

Eating some lollipops.

Exciting, huh?

At Tony's eating our lunch.

After eating. A security woman was nice enough to take our picture.

Aren't they cute?

This is how we ended our day. Typical Disney day in the summer. However, some people, as you see thought they could walk around in a lightening storm. Not me!
This is what we did...

We sat and waited until it stopped lightening! Then we walked in the rain and finally got home around 10:30. It was a long, but good day.

Gonna be sporadic

I'm afraid that my blog posts are going to be sporadic over the summer.

I don't feel like I can get ahead. I'm constantly running from here to there. I need to work, I need to take care of the kids, I need my gym time. You get the idea.

Kerstyn is doing better and we'll be heading to Disney's Magic Kingdom tomorrow for Aislinn's 4th birthday. Chris can't go, so it is just me with the kids. I hope we all survive!

It is quiet!

I am sitting here catching up the blog and I dont' hear children!

That is such a welcome sound at the moment!

I had to miss church today and I took Kerstyn to After Hours Pediatrics. She has strep throat! Yuck!

The good news of that is that she should be feeling better tomorrow after we give the antibiotics some time to work.

Greyson tested negative for strep on Tuesday when I took him to Dr. Soto but she put him on Amoxicillin because his throat was red and he was really congested. I hope that he didn't have it and Kerstyn got it from him. But, both of them are on the same medicine.

Please, all I can say is, let's not share this! Please?

I hope to take all of the kids to Magic Kingdom on Tuesday for Aislinn's 4th birthday and will do that if everyone is well. I'm going to pray for that. Let's all be well.

Triple Date

The Lugos, Claytons and Chris and I went out on a triple date tonight. We ate at the new Cuban restaurant in downtown Mount Dora and then headed to see My Life in Ruins.

The food was good and the company was great!

However, about 40 minutes into the movie, Frances got a call from Nashua who was very upset. Nashua, Nellie and Jensen were all at our house babysitting the kids. Apparently the rain got all in the tent that the kids wanted to sleep in and that just really threw stuff off.

Lauklan wouldn't listen and go to bed like he was supposed to.

Aislinn was just belligerent all night and was, no kidding, screaming at the top of her lungs without even taking a break!

I had to give Lauklan a 'serious talkin'".

I had to speak very firmly to Aislinn, so firmly, that the concession staff glanced over at me to see what I was doing outside the theater.

Finally, I got Lauklan and Greyson to get in bed and Aislinn to stop fussing!

That was awful!

I really enjoyed the movie and I gave Nashua a big hug when we got home.

I sure hope they'll come back...

Blizzard Beach and a party

I took all the kids, minus Brennan to Blizzard Beach today. Remember, Brennan is at Scout Camp all week and will return tomorrow morning.

We got there around 10 this morning and stayed until a little after 4. I believe that we would have stayed longer if we didn't have to be home to host Lauklan's Tiger Cub end of the year party.

I had a great time with the kids and we all got nice and tired.

Upon arriving home, we rested for a little bit, yes, a very little bit, and then the party started at 6:30. The boys partied until around 8:30.

Chris loaded up Lauklan and Greyson and headed out to LaNoChe for the last time this week. They all went last night too and camped. Chris was there Tuesday, Thursday and tonight. He believes, that overall, Brennan is having a good time.

It feels weird being here with just the girls. I miss my boys!

Happy birthday!

Can you tell that I took this picture? I took it when I went to Kentucky with my mom the end of April, beginning of May.

My grandmother is 94 today!

I've never lived close to her, and we have struggled through the years with our relationship.

But, she is my grandmother, and I love her dearly!

Happy Birthday Mam-Mom!

We made it!

Aislinn's procedure went fine. The worst part, for me, was her coming out of anesthesia. She was just in a foul mood. Screaming, crying, hitting, kicking and determined to walk when she couldn't! It was really hard and lasted until the medicine wore off around 12:45. They had given her Tylenol with some 'loopy juice' in it around 8:45 to relax her before the procedure and it just kept on giving! :(

Greyson started throwing up today. I guess because I didn't have enough on my plate already. I did call the pediatrician though, and she said that she thinks it is part of the bug that I took him in for yesterday. We'll see... So, he is on the nebulizer for congestion and on amoxicillin.

Chris spent last night out at Scout Camp with Brennan. Brennan is having a good time, but Chris is pretty frustrated with the disorganization and the hazing that was going on. Apparently some boys thought it was fine to fill our 2 sleeping bags with shaving cream! Not funny! Chris brought home dirty clothes and will return Thursday and Friday nights to be with him. I am glad that Brennan gets this experience.

I can hardly sit down today from the cycle class last night followed by my personal training session. I am supposed to go do at least 45 minutes of cardio tonight, but I'm not sure how I am going to complete that. I did text Chris though to see if he would be able to come home in time for me to go. We'll see.

No walking for me

I had my first appointment with my personal trainer tonight. I don't think that I will be able to walk tomorrow. I'm being serious. My legs are aching while I sit and when I walk, they almost give out on me!

I took a cycle class before the session and then I went right into training. I have to admit that it felt really good and I'm really glad that I did it. However, I think that it is really gonna hurt tomorrow!!!

Personal training is exactly what I need right now in terms of my physical fitness though. I have lost 31 pounds on my own and have kind of plateaued recently. Now it is time for me to get going with the weights better and learn some new ways to train. I am really looking forward to it.

Do you think I will ever get where I want to be?

We're a GO!

I took Aislinn to the pediatrician this morning and she sounded good! We're a go!

I just got off the phone with the surgery scheduler and she is supposed to be at the center at 10 a.m. Here is the part that might be interesting, she can't eat or drink from midnight. How am I going to do that? I sure hoped that it would be earlier because it is going to be really hard to not let her eat or drink for so long.

I'm just really glad that we are scheduled. I hope all goes well.

Going to camp

Chris, Brennan, Lauklan and Greyson headed out to where Brennan will spend this upcoming week tonight. Chris took Brennan's tent and supplies out there so he didn't have to do anything but drop him off in the morning.

They are supposed to leave here at 6 a.m. and get out to camp. I am really excited for Brennan and he seems as excited as any twelve year old seems, I guess.

It's going to be a crazy week with appointments and hopefully surgery for Aislinn.

I hope that I can figure out a new schedule for us all soon. I don't like the feeling of not knowing exactly what is going on when. Weird, I know.

Typhoon Lagoon and T-REX

I went to the gym this morning and did my cycle class. After several hours of on again off again, we headed to Typhoon Lagoon. It was raining here and there, but we decided to try for a good time. It worked.

It sprinkled a little right after we got there and it looked like it was going to storm for a while, but it missed us. Lucky for us, a bunch of people left while all that was going on and were were left with no lines. That was really nice.

Lauklan

Kerstyn, Lauklan and Aislinn's head.

Kerstyn

Me, wondering where the sun is.

Brennan, Greyson and Aislinn came to eat and drink apparently.

Greyson

Aislinn

Brennan with the drinks. That was his main concern I think.

After the park closed at 6, we headed to Downtown Disney. The original plan was to go to Rainforest Cafe to celebrate Aislinn's upcoming birthday, but the wait was 2 hours!

So, I decided to try and see what the wait at T-REX was and it was 40 minutes. We waited about 50 minutes and got our seats. The atmosphere was really great. It is loud, just like Rainforest Cafe and they have meteor showers and stuff that the kids LOVE!

The dinner was a hit! We didn't get done until after 9:30 so the kids were REALLY tired. They barely made it back to the car!

Last day of school!

Greyson and Aislinn had a big party at school today.

I think Kerstyn and Lauklan have been partying all week!

I stopped by yesterday and took a picture of Lauklan and Mrs. Raczkowski.

So, here they are, finally. Lauklan and Mrs. Raczkowski.

I am so glad that all of the children had good school years. I am glad I made it!

Greyson's Pre-School Graduation

Greyson is heading to Kindergarten!

Greyson and his teachers

Isn't he cute? I can't believe what a big boy he looks like.

Greyson holding his Pre-School Diploma

Greyson and his cake for all the graduating friends.

Greyson was also awarded each and every "Fruits of the Spirit" award from Miss Shawnie! I am so proud of him.

Kerstyn's Awards Ceremony

Kerstyn and Mrs. Desourdy

Kerstyn and me looking like my eyes are closed.
Watch the video below for her award. She also got 4's on both Reading and Math in FCAT. When she brought the report home on Friday, I looked at it and she was only a little away from 5's on each. I am very proud of her.

Way to go Kerstyn!

Finished 6th grade!

Brennan's last day of school was today. He is now a seventh grader. Really? I have a seventh grader? I feel like I was in seventh grade just the other day.

Back to the topic at hand.

This was a pretty good year for Brennan. He did not go to public middle school, instead, we sent him to Mount Dora Bible, a private Christian school and were VERY pleased!

He has done really well academically, socially and spiritually.

I picked up his standardized tests today from the office and I was really pleased. He scored ninth grade equivalent or higher in all the grade-level equivalent scores and all of his stanines were 6 or higher. He scored nine stanines in Science and Social Studies which was really great.

Overall, a good year for a great boy!

Way to go Brennan!

Maybe, maybe not

I got a call from the urologists office this morning saying that they could move Aislinn's surgery to June 10. They told me to get Aislinn in today or tomorrow for clearance so I made the call and Dr. Soto worked her in.

I also took Brennan so he could get his physical for Scout Camp next week and get his shots for seventh grade.

Well, Aislinn did not pass. I have to take her back on Monday and see if her asthma is better. In the meanwhile, I have to put her on the nebulizer 3 and try for 4 times a day until then. I also have to give her the Flovent twice a day instead of once a day.

Wow! So, if she isn't cleared on Monday, we have to wait until another date is open and her asthma is better.

This is seriously crazy and stressful!

Lauklan's Classroom Awards

I went to Lauklan's classroom awards this morning. I had my camera and was ready to go!

Well, I sit down and get ready to take a picture and APPARENTLY someone decided that they would leave my camera on 'on', so the battery was dead! The camera is new, so I know that it wasn't just that the battery was old! I don't know why I was surprised, but I was.

So, I don't have any pictures to post right now, but will hopefully get some from a friend that said she would e-mail them to me.

Lauklan received the Completion of First Grade Award, Reading Recognition Award and Best Author Award from his teacher. From his classmates, he was voted "Funniest". Great...

Mrs. Raczkowski has been wonderful this year and it has been great for Lauklan. I can't believe he is finishing first grade and second grade is around the corner.

Where does the time go?