Can You Feel the Love Tonight, My Trip with my Divorced Parents and two kiddos!

[ktmetke]

Wow, I can't believe all the energy you have working and going to all those places with your kids. Do you ever rest?

Most days I don't feel like I ever rest .....but, they are usually so bored , that getting them out of the house and not letting them watch TV all day makes me feel like a better parent! Anything to make me feel better! Yeah, seriously Josh is a TV junkie and would watch TV 24/7 if I let him.......which seriously, after working 2 12's in a row, I'm tempted to do!!

We are back from a 2.5 day trip to Galena! Had a very nice trip and have some fun pics to share.....hopefully, tomorrow!

 

[ktmetke]

Sorry, not time to update with Galena Pics Busy day.....I worked in the morning, lunch at a Mexican Buffet for $10.89 (way too much for a lunch buffet....I definitely did not eat almost $11 worth of food,
($8.99 for the buffet, no drink, only water, tax and a $1 tip), quick nap, and then I made dinner for my favorite, bickering parents.....meatloaf, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and french style green beans....a wagon ride to the park and a scooby doo episode, and the kids are snuggled nicely in their beds.....and that's where I'm heading too! I have to work the next 2 days, 12 hour shifts....

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!!!!!!!

 

[ktmetke]

Today, my Mom and I took the boys downtown to the:

I drove to my Mom's and then we took the train in from the train station near her house!

Korey and Josh anxiously awaiting the arrival of the "choo choo train"! Korey thought we were going to "Choo Choo Johnnie's" again for lunch so, I think this huge train was a bit of a surprise to him!

We sat on the lower level of the train and enjoyed the scenery as it whizzed on by! Korey loved looking out the window......Josh, not so much...about half way thru the ride, he started playing Wall-E on his Leapster

Once again no food porn for you guys But, we enjoyed a barbecue rib sandwich from Fireplace Inn, potato chips from Harry Carry's, frozen bananas and fudge from Aunt Diana's, and a beef sandwich from Buona Beef! Josh has been asking for 2 years, since our last visit to the Taste of Chicago, for another frozen banana....so, he was very excited to finally have his banana.....Korey thought the fudge was a brownie The potato chips from Harry Carry's were DELICIOUS!! This was our first year trying and we will definitely have them again.....I heard they sell them at the Harry Carry's in Midway Airport....If I ever have the guts to fly again , I will definitely stop for some before the plane ride!

We then headed over to see the "Bean"! This was our first visit to the Bean!

And, some pics near the Bean!

And, finally a building across from the Bean with a huge crane on top....how in the world did they get the crane on top and how does it get down? Any hoo, the boys liked seeing the crane way up there!

We did meet up with my best friend Carrie, who works downtown near the Bean and took one final stroll at the Taste.....she wanted to see the frozen popcorn on a stick, or the popcornsicle, that everyone has been talking about....We did not try, and I did not get a pic , but we spoke to a woman who was eating one with her kids....she says they flash freeze it and when you first bite into it, it's hard, but then it softens as the minutes go by.....kinda looked like a popcorn ball on a stick! Oh well, we had a great time!

 

[ktmetke]

Off to work this morning, but getting a quick Dis Fix in before a loooooooong 12 hour day!

 

[ktmetke]

Starting to get extremely excited about our trip! We will be able to start our Countdown Calendar on July 11th and I started making a list of things I need to buy or gather for the trip! Twizzlers and Swimmers are the only things I remember without looking at the list!

Happy 4th to everyone! Have a safe Holiday!

 

[ktmetke]

The parentals were over yesterday....we are all getting excited about the upcoming trip! Hopefully, we will all get along......I did have to sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" only a few times, so that's a good sign!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

subbing in .... can't wait for your trip

I have two boys also and they are also 3 years apart, but mine are each a year younger than your two. Your boys look so cute together. I loved the matching shirts at the one amusement park you went to with them. I LOVE dressing my boys matching.

Hope your plans are coming along, can't wait to read more

 

[Villainess]

I'm joining in. I'm divorced - I don't know if I could do a vacation with the ex.

 

[ktmetke]

We had quite the busy week....

On Monday, we visited my brother (not the Galena brother) and his family so all the kids could play together in the playhouse/swingset my brother built, sorry no pics .

On Tuesday, we visited the Zoo with my co-workers!

All the kiddos!

After much whining and crying on Josh's part, we rode the tram for the first time at the zoo.......How boring. The tram goes so slow, makes too many stops and really doesn't give you an opportunity to see the animals.....I tried to pretend I was on the safari at Animal Kingdom, but it just didn't happen!

On Wednesday, high ho, high ho, it was off to work I go.

On Thursday, DH and I spent some time running errands, buying a swingset and having a date night! All without the kiddos... We dropped them off at their cousin's for awhile and then Grandpa came over later on......It is so nice to eat out without someone yelling or screaming, without coloring, and just to have adult conversation.....We only went to Buffalo Wild Wings, cause it's so close, but we had a perfect day thanks to some helpful family members!

In regards to the swingset....well, there goes my living room and dining room furniture once again! Unreal how much those things cost! But, it will make the kids happy and give them something to do other than nag me, so I suppose it's a good thing! It was not a "fun" process buying the swingset.....We want it in the corner of our yard, but the "installers" said the yard slopes? Okay, maybe a tad, but I don't live on a hill here....

Then when I get to the store to make the final purchase, no one is around to help, no one can find any paperwork, and the topper, they would like to charge me extra fees to "level my land" and for some 2x4's.....yeah, I was not a happy camper.... I did end up, after over an hour of nonsense, buying the dang thing It's supposed to be installed on Monday......the kiddos think we are getting a shed, so I hope all this madness will be worth the surprise!


On Friday, household chores ! We also ate out on our new concrete patio and patio set for the first time.....the concrete patio is DH's "summer vacation" this year......once again, it it makes'em happy and they quit nagging me, it's a good thing! Hopefully, I'll be able to post some pics of DH"s summer vacation soon!

So, quite a busy week.....As for vacation news, we can start our countdown calendar today! But, Mark put the kids to bed without taking a Mickey head off.....oh well, at least they'll both be able to take a head off tomorrow and I won't have any whining or screaming about who gets to take one off! We are also planning on driving to Springfield, IL on our way home so we can meet up with DH to watch him graduate from some training he'll be doing down there for the next 5 weeks! I have to look for a hotel in Springfield so I've been surfing trip advisor ! My Mom and I are thinking of taking in some sights too, like Lincoln's house and Museum!

Thanks for reading.......Have a nice rest of the weekend!

 

[ktmetke]

subbing in .... can't wait for your trip

I have two boys also and they are also 3 years apart, but mine are each a year younger than your two. Your boys look so cute together. I loved the matching shirts at the one amusement park you went to with them. I LOVE dressing my boys matching.

Hope your plans are coming along, can't wait to read more

Hi JPFamilyMom!! Thanks for joining in! Thank you for the compliments on my boys........I just started putting mine in matching shirts this year and I really like it.....much easier to spot them when they run away from me!

 

[ktmetke]

I'm joining in. I'm divorced - I don't know if I could do a vacation with the ex.

Hi Villainess! Thanks for joining in......not sure I'm going to be able to handle a vacation with the ex's either!!!! For the most part, they do get along, but when they don't........oh boy!

I really think that my Dad staying at a different hotel will be quiet beneficial to keeping the peace on this vacation.....My dad is quite the early riser (like 5-6am) (I was traumatized on vacations as a child with him throwing up the window shades, turning on the lights and yelling "get up and get going" at 600am) and we're not.....My mom and I never have this urgency to rush to the parks cause we know we'll be there again.....My dad on the other hand will probably be up and running and returning to his hotel room for a nap when we'll just be leaving our room for the day.....We are quite the anxious people, so I may be calling the doc for a Xanax prescription by the end of the trip!

 

[ktmetke]

I can't seem to figure out how to do multiple quotes in one post !

Anyhoo, 13 more days! 13 more days!

So, much to do, so little time......and me, being the genious I am, decided to throw Korey's 3rd birthday parties a day after we come back! We do 2 parties, one for my side, one for my hubbie's side....Yep, I really think I'm certifiable at this point.....I have no clue on what I want to serve, when to order the cake, goodie bag junk.....oh boy.....so, when I talked to DH tonight, he suggested I cancel the parties and just have a joint birthday party for the boys later this year......I'm thinking that may be the way to go.....it's just too hard trying to get it all together at this point! So, I will sleep on this and then make a decision in the am!

Okay, so what's up with the Disney trip? Ummmmm.......yeah, let's see....ummm yeah, I need to get my butt in gear on that one! I did book a room in Springfield for our return trip home. DH is training down there and will complete the training on our return home week, so we are stopping and staying a night there to see his ceremony and to take a quick jaunt to Lincoln's home! Still no clue where we will end up the first night of our return home journey.....awaiting my mom, who is vacationing in New Jersey this week, to make that decision! And, that's all.....Grandpa is babysitting for me on Thursday while I run to a few meetings at work. After the meetings, I plan on doing some shopping for the trip...........shhhhh, don't tell Grandpa, he thinks I'll be working the entire time!

And, of course, we've been busy little beavers around here.......last week was Vacation Bible Camp for Josh.....It's at a church near our house that my friend/co-worker Sandi attends and they put on a nice camp each year for the kids. This is Josh's 2nd year and once again he had a blast! On Friday night, they had a carnival with hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, cookies, cake, trail mix, lemonade......plus, a clown, 2 bouncers, and small games/prizes for the kids........ a really nice way to end the week for the kids!

Another trip to the zoo, this time with my sister-in-law Tracy and my neice and nephew Audrey and Trevor, and Nama!

Also, this past weekend was hectic! A Birthday Party for my best friend's daughter, who turned 2 and a Christening for my good friend's twin daughters! At the Birthday Party, my friend had a snowcone machine and a face painter......At the Christening, my friend had 2 HUGE blow up jumpers for the kids, not for her twins, but for all the kids who came to the party........Josh collided with a kid in one of the bouncers, chin to head , and the poor kid ended up at a Doc in the Box getting his head "glued" (instead of staples or sutures they have a surgical type glue they use to close wounds) back together....

And, today we went to Sandi's beach......a private beach near Wilmington that you have to be a member to be allowed in.........very nice! And, such a beautiful day, not too hot, and so the adults were able to chill and gossip while the kids frolicked about! My kind of day!!! I'm off to upload those pics now.....I'll post those in a few!

 

[ktmetke]

The Bouncer where the head/chin accident occurred is behind me and DH!

Oops.....I forgot that we also had another Birthday party after the Christening on Sunday....My neice turned 11 in June and we attended her TinkerBell themed party!

And, some Beach pics....What a beautiful, relaxing day we had!

Korey with a scowl....

Korey looking happier...

And, the kiddos passed out on the way home.....love Korey's mix of sand/snot that didn't get washed off in the shower! Oh well...in the bathtub they went as soon as we got home!

Hope you enjoyed the pics!!!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Fun pictures, you guys do so many fun things.

Yes matching clothes does make it easier to keep the group together or find the boys when they run off.

Gosh you are so close to your trip now, are the kids excited?

 

[ktmetke]

I woke up this morning thinking of all the things I have to get done by next week before we leave.....pay bills, clean house, haircut?, boy's haircut (hopefully, DH will take care of that today) transfer points to Disney Rewards card, pack, trip to Walmart/Target for lots of trip needed items, possibly still prepare for Korey's Birthday parties

I only have 5 more days of work, today being the first of those 5, before we leave!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[dd50]

I know the feeling. I need to get moving on that stuff also. We went school shopping today.

 

[nrod]

Hi There!

Just joining in. Your boys are so cute. I also have two boys - my oldest is also 5, but my youngest is 3 1/2. We did our first Disney trip last fall and the matching outfits worked so well there! I'm lucky my boys like to dress alike. So much so that they will often change clothes to match the other. And we also have quite the assortment of Disney Tees (although the super heroes are slowing taking over).

My 5 year old did Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain on our trip and loved it. And he is not at all a thrill seeker. Of course we went with my niece who LOVES roller coasters, so that may have influenced his decision to try. But I think your oldest will be fine. My youngest - the thrill seeker - can't wait to be big enough to ride!

Good luck on your trip. Hope you have a great time!! By the way, did you get the free dining code?

 

[ktmetke]

Hi There!

Just joining in. Your boys are so cute. I also have two boys - my oldest is also 5, but my youngest is 3 1/2. We did our first Disney trip last fall and the matching outfits worked so well there! I'm lucky my boys like to dress alike. So much so that they will often change clothes to match the other. And we also have quite the assortment of Disney Tees (although the super heroes are slowing taking over).

My 5 year old did Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain on our trip and loved it. And he is not at all a thrill seeker. Of course we went with my niece who LOVES roller coasters, so that may have influenced his decision to try. But I think your oldest will be fine. My youngest - the thrill seeker - can't wait to be big enough to ride!

Good luck on your trip. Hope you have a great time!! By the way, did you get the free dining code?

Hi nrod!

We did not get the free dining code......we are on the buy 4 nights, get 3 free deal! We may upgrade to annual passes as my mom and I are thinking of going in January and then possibly in June with some of DH's family!

I understand about the t-shirts....When I look in the boy's closets, sometimes all I see is Disney..... but, the Disney Store has such nice deals at times as does the Disney Outlet that I just can't help myself!

I am so hoping Josh will start going on the "big" rides this trip.....He promised to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but so far it's a no-go on Splash Mountain, though he has been on it twice before....Korey keeps telling me "I don't want to ride any rides" I'm hoping for no issues there....I did have to walk off Pirates of the Carribean once with Josh and that was not a fun line to backtrack thru! He was too scared to go on and threw an awful fit, though he'd been on before..... It's funny how some trips certain rides bother them and then other trips they go on with no problems......I'm hoping for a problem free vacation! Oh wait....I am going with my divorced paretns....

We are finally getting our swingset installed today.....just in time for vacation... oh well, at least they have a few days to play prior to the trip!

Have a good day everyone......I still have a million things to do today...thank goodness for Nama though.....she washed the boys clothes yesterday while I worked, so I can start packing for them!

 

[ktmetke]

Okay.......I am in full panic mode.....I have too much to do and not enough time.....I was hoping to get off work tomorrow, but not sure if that will happen.....I have to finish packing, pick up a few more things at the store and all that jazz.......oh boy........I love the pressure off getting things done at the last minute, but oh boy.....


Off to find a few more things I need from around the house! Have a good night everyone!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

4 Days