Sunday, February 28, 2010

I know, I am slackin'

I have no huge news to share. The weekend was wet and cold so most of us stayed in PJ's all day each day. The Sail didn't go for rain, cold and wind. I didn't make it to a meting because Lucas decided to vomit all over the dinner table as I had them all set up for dinner...NNNIIIICCCCEEEEEE.... ended everyone appetite. We watched movies, played games, Tressa counted Penny's ALL WEEKEND...Steven' played outside and has Ali retrieving the Chuck it balls with lots of force. She really goes after it and returns quickly. Jordan well as we bundled under covers he was outside in underpants and a jacket. Not a long jacket at that. Emma is confused about all the extra clothing and tries to wrestle it off. Kaitlyn has loved Mothering the crew..

Mandie came back to work Saturday and said she really missed the kids in a strange way..LOL The day seemed difficult for her as it always is for me first day back from time off. I have had two weeks off and come home on a weekend to feel like I was kicked in the gut and would just want to get in he fetal position and cry...Wondering how do I do this.. Now if I am gone for a period of time, I return on a school day so I can adjust. I am trying to get away while the kids go to cap this summer....HHHmmmm how will that all work out for me???

Since we have been in and not gone anywhere I am in REAL NEED for supplies. Tomorrow is going to be a huge restock day for this place. I really need to price dryers too.. My dryer on it's last leg is telling me the game is over, he needs retired. You can only imagine I go through appliances a bit more than the average Mama bear.. I have yet to find the mighty appliance for the Pringle crew.

Jordan decided today he wanted to put up the Christmas tree. ??? We always get a real tree so not sure what he was thinking.

Friday, February 26, 2010

132 days of anxiety......and counting

A 49 year old mom of twelve w/ a newborn; eight have disabilities does not take any medication other than legal caffeine; "pot of coffee" is feeling the grey hairs multiplying rapidly...LOL The peaks and valleys are getting higher and deeper...LOL... Bipolar, environmentally or situationally (I know it is not a real word) induced???? Is that possible????


I can not wait for my in home support to come tomorrow... I have a friend willing to come over and go out for some real adult time..no kids..and maybe even an establishment that doesn't allow anyone under the age of 21???? My goodness I wouldn't know how to act. I figure this means I have to shave my legs???? LOL

Report cards are out. Kaitlyn and Steven came off the bus waiving them with huge smiles... Straight A's for Steven and Kaitlyn is a mix of A's B's and C's. The little ones come in today and High School is mailed.

Emma is not letting me blog...gotta run!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Must have been the movie.......Everybody's Fine

I do not have anything deep or profound to share tonight although reading over the past couple of days I feel it important to share the difference between the children without disabilities and the ones here whom have disabilities.

You see as a young mom I THOUGHT providing for the children was the important piece of parenting. I also had a sense of guilt for being a single parent where their Father whom I choose for them abandoned them completely emotionally and financially. I had to work double time to make up for all the things I screwed up on. I went into my career and on to what ever I could do to make more money, I worked two and sometimes three jobs for years while my baby's grew up without ANY parents... You see I would leave early to work, leaving Mandie in charge at the young age of 10. She took care of the house, kids, etc until I got home 6 sometimes 7 pm AT TEN!!! what the heck was I thinking??? Then I took a second job because she deserved to have compensation for her efforts and that took money....So she held the house down until 10 or 11 at night so I could work a second job...HOW CRAZY WAS I?????? I was in such a place it can not begin to make sense now looking back. I always look forward; at that point I sure didn't look around... I did not date at all,, actually I took no personal time for me most of the years I raised the children. My first "date" happened in 1991 which was a long distant relationship to make things easier..Ha Ha Ha..... Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire! So in the muck of all this I strive to be "a good parent" Unfortunately, I had no idea what that was.... Ironically, I taught "MAPP" a parenting class during this time. Amazing how one can be book smart, able to give sound advice yet not live it.

The moment I realized I had failed myself and my children was the spring of 1998, I went to a conference in West Palm Beach to hear Renee Whiley speak and it hit me...I had my head in a cloud and I had no idea... I went to learn about caring for my new baby girl who was disabiled so "different".. I went to understand how to take care of a child who has a disability...I went to be an Advocate and I drove home crying my heart out because it came very clear I had failed at my role as a Mother to the children I had in my care from 1978 until 1998= 20 years! How did this happen? How did education become my personal focus and my career take over all my time and my children grew up and I MISSED IT!! How did this happen...Why didn't I go to a conference to learn about being a MOM to my children.. It took Kaitlyn entering my life to make me stop and say...I want to be a MOM, I spun out of control inside for months as many other things needed put into place to come anywhere close to making the past OK and getting the present in order to seek a better future... I became an ADVOCATE.... I took notice of what it was I did each day. My job became less the focus, providing my children with the latest designer jacket was no longer the priority.. My days seemed longer, more enjoyable when I was with the kids. Life seemed brighter and the flowers more colorful and the sky bright and blue... that was the beginning of life, forgiving myself took time.. I miss my kids... I lost more than words can say but that was the past and forward is whre I always look.

I am stuck on the abortion issue just because a baby has Down syndrome

I just need to vent so I can move on with housecleaning... It is stuck in my mind about the pressure to abort an unborn child because the tests show the baby has Down syndrome. I had a conversation yesterday that is stuck in my mind. I couldn't stop looking at my kids last night trying to make sense of WHY, why would Doctors pressure a person to kill one of these children...Why??? I can not See the pain they put upon a parent, I can not see the limited mental ability, I can not see the limited social acceptance, I can not see any physical limitations, I can not see why they shouldn't be right where they are...WHY NOT...

Then my mind goes to is it money???? Does Early steps funds mean more than life? Well I question WHY do we spend billions of dollars to defend murders , we jet set them back to the USA if they leave, we give them attorneys, we provide them suits for court, we feed them, give them medical care, house them, we offer them Justice JUSTICE, THEY DESERVE JUSTICE!!??!!... WE OFFER THE MAN WHO MURDERED HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN IN COLD BLOOD AND ADMITS IT JUSTICE....WHY????? Is it not the mind set we should kill him without Justice??? Why didn't we send the Abortion Doctor to him and just kill him/ ABORT HIM FROM LIFE? We kill baby's every day because they do not measure up to some one's expectations, they dint do anything to be judged....... What the heck has happened to us people.. Does anyone ever consider where we are placing our lives/souls for the future...How this path is a path of pure destruction? Because; WHAT I SEE, is a gift...a gift only could have been provided to me from God. A gift to learn how to stop and enjoy life and love. To show me unconditional love and set me straight what life is really about. Having a person with Down syndrome enter my life was a GIFT; a gift I will never in all my paying it forward measure up to the blessings I have received from having my children with Down syndrome. EVER!

I SLEPT ALL ALONE IN MY OWN BED; ALONE!!!

OMGoodness you all have NO IDEA, I think to say I slept the entire night all alone in my own bed ...gosh since 1997 THE FIRST TIME!!!! Emma was in her bed in the room but I WAS ALONE IN MY BED!!!!! Oh my back doesn't hurt and I am well rested!!!

If you read the last post, Jordan went on the bread run with us last night. Usually just Kaitlyn and I go and Jordan is asleep(IN MY BED) but last night he went and got this big fireman bag given to him. HE SLEPT all night on the couch next to his new fireman bag!!!! Little did I know the plan was to use it for a school bag...this is a mighty big bag not doable for the bus or for him to carry all day...not a school bag. I knew that Fireman was my night in shinning armor the minute I looked into his eyes.....LOL .... yes my friends he was 1/2 my age (JUST HOW I LIKE EM' LOL) He will never know he gave me the best night of my life in a very long time- a peaceful good nights sleep in my own bed....

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A very nice Fireman... pays it forward....



I am not sure how this photo will turn out on the blog, I am without my camera this week. This was taken from my phone. It is Tuesday night so our night to pick up charity bread. Because I am out of one of Jordan's night time meds he didn't fall asleep before I was to leave so he went along. As we pulled into the store a big White dual cab pick up truck pulled in. This nice looking firm firefighter stepped out and Jordan confronts him "HEY YOU GOT MY TRUCK" The man smiles and walks on, I say to Jordan "He is Just borrowing it, it's OK" The man chuckles.... then turns around and key clicks the truck...The kids and I load the van of bread...The man then walks over and watches us return the carts to the store and asks me what his name is..I tell him Jordan... He says "Jordan you can not have my truck but you can have my firefighter bag..It is a little dirty because it has gone to a lot of fires with me...you take good care of it"...Jordan asks him "why?" Jordan is looking for affirmation he is now a Firefighter..I being the mom know this.. The man said because I want you to have it for your stuff..Jordan puffs out his chest and is excited to get to the van..He races to unzip the bag as we exit the parking lot "MOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM" Where's my boots???? My Hat??? and he is motioning putting on big boots and hat..Kaitlyn chimes in, Mom where is Jordan's boots and fire hat so h can be a Fireman? I told them it is only a bag, that Jordan can put his stuff in it but he has to go to Firefighter school to get a hat and boots...I was quickly reminded NO YOU DON'T.... Walmart has it for Halloween..... Yep! Jordan was a Fire Fighter for Halloween, I only pray they forget before the drive home ends so I am not digging out Halloween costumes to calm this down..... LOL I see the one med kicking in ...He is moving to the couch and the thumb is in the mouth.....He is going going GONE! Good night Jordan, sweet dreams fighting those fires tonight.

I miss my mommy helper.......

OK, it is an hour before I leave for bread duty..the kids are not asleep, the house is not clean and the schedule is OFF..... no more vacations for my mommy helper..LOL


As you saw in my last post, I got a bee in my bonnet...and to be honest that was half what I wanted to say. I am so glad parent to parent support if out here. I am not saying that people do not have choice. My personal belief's are not in this it is about accurate information and knowing ALL OPTIONS. I can give so many experiences I have been face to face with an it breaks my heart hen it is "done" and they tell me, "WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW" This also once where a person decided to adopt year later because she felt drawn to.

In my conversation today so many things come to mind but one very clear thing .... She told me they researched the web and it was puzzling to them that they found a waiting list for people who where WAITING TO ADOPT a baby with Down syndrome...this seemed odd if it were so horrible to raise these children and life was such trouble...Hmmm... I am so happy this couple led with their head and now have a fulfilled heart and are continuing to use their head to educate and enjoy their baby. I gave her this blog and will meet with her to show her surgery photos and talk more later this month.

Now, I MUST get my house together to get on the road for the bread run.... I would love to shower this offie with photos of happy healthy well adjusted families who happen to have a child with Down syndrome in the mix.... Unless anyone has time to picket with me......LOL KIDDING

CHIME IN FOLKS.......

Maternal Fetal Medicine
of Southwest Florida
9981 HealthPark Circle
Suite 159
Fort Myers, FL 33908
Phone: (239) 481-5477
Fax: (239) 481-5892
E-mail: info@mfmswfl.com


Dear Team at MFMSW,



I would like to educate you on recourses in your community which are more accurate on the FACTS about Down syndrome than your office is providing clients.



I have had more than one occasion where couples call me to tell me the outdated, inaccurate information they were provided in your care. I was told today that a woman at 22 weeks was put under strong pressure to abort her unborn child right away due to the baby having Down syndrome. She was provided a list of Florida Doctors who abort up to 24 weeks by you. She was told that the children with Down syndrome do not get past 8 yr old mental level, go to separate schools, do not go to college, and their heart would never be to a point thy could play like other children, with a lost of other inaccurate grim details. MY GOODNESS THIS IS NOT TRUE.. I have 5 children all having Down syndrome, all educated in their neighborhood schools in general education classrooms. Heavens sakes they run and play with the toughest of peers.... where did you get your information? More importantly they have given more love to this community than any other humans I know. By the way Dr. Jacobs out of Tampa is a bit disappointed at your lack of confidence in his ability to repair hearts.



Please send families to get accurate information!!! I will make this my mission to educate Lee County about the LACK of knowledge your office provides to couples learning their child possibly has Down syndrome...By the way, one mom told was having a child with Down syndrome came to me while pregnant and prepared with all the knowledge and her baby was not born with Down syndrome... Please be more accurate, these are peoples lives. When given ALL OPTIONS EQUALLY is the correct way to inform parents, accurate information is best.

Mary Beth Pringle
SW Florida PODS Angels
(Parents of Down syndrome)
Family Support Group, inc.
501(c)(3) organization
3422 SE 11th Place
Cape Coral, Florida 33904
(239) 872-4778
Pringleclan@msn.com
http://downsyndromeangels.blogspot.com/
www.pringleadoptionjourney.blogspot.com

Monday, February 22, 2010

Shuttle causes windows to rattle last night



The Endeavor we thought was not going to land in Florida due to weather but in deed they returned a little after 10 pm causing the ground to rock and my windows to rattle..I quickly went to see who fell out of bed..LOL Keirsten was in the TV room and we checked the house.. The news put out a message as they got hundreds of phone calls form people questioning the disturbance... I guess the space shuttle isn't BIG NEWS any more and routine business... amazing how far we have come.
No pictures on the blog this week... Mandie is in Orlando and has my camera so they could get some quality family shots. I have my phone for those photo moments which I have loaded facebook with.

Jordan is home this morning, last night he could not get his body to rest so he is very tired this morning. I went in normal time and he got up, then down, then up and around 10 asked if he could take a bath... I don't know, maybe a hot bath would have helped because my decision to say no sure didn't. Then with him up and down little miss Emma thinks she might be missing out so she gets up, and if she is up she wants fed. No treat, a jar of green veggies and boy did I get the look of "you are not a nice mom" She is not liking the veggies since life started with "P" foods to keep her regular she ate peaches, pears, prunes all the time. Now she acts like if I do not add sweet fruit she isn't eating.. need to nip this because we are veggie eaters.

Now a week of staying mentally busy to avoid drifting into dreams...LOL I got WONDERFUL news that Grandma and Granddad are supporting the conference for Tressa to go to the ranch with her friends...VERY EXCITING. I can not tell her until near time to go or she will be OCD and school will suffer. Last week she made break through at school doing work independently with her support person not on campus.. She stayed in her seat, stayed focused and did her project!! WRITING PROJECT!! That is major progress.

I also got a beautiful email from a local mom who is considering adopting a child with Down syndrome. She had thought about it in the past and learned about our family, then read my blog!!! now emailed and is very motivated!!! I sent her to reecesrainbow which is the hook that doesn't let go of ones heart. I hope to meet her soon and be life long friends.

My friend who was released from the hospital and needed to stop smoking I am happy to report has not smoked!!! I am so proud of her.

I am on to a new project, not that I have dropped any of the past. Keirsten has shown interest in going over to another country and helping with the children in an orphanage. She wants to experience this and I am supporting that idea whole heartily. I researched one organization and have a few friends who have done this work in the past collecting some info. Beings we live on a tight budget it requires low air fares and reasonable costs which can be fundraisers... My kids know all about fundraising.LOL I think $500 for adults and $200 for kids is great to experience this. Those prices are all expenses once there, we pay airplane tickets. I plan to pack a bookbag with the weeks items and a suitcase to leave behind with 50lbs of donations. Maybe 2 if we can get funded. I am looking at June so it doesn't get into the heat of summer but it is not etched in stone yet...It will be Keirsten, Kaitlyn and myself with 9 others making us a group for better rates. I wish I had this opportunity when I was a teen.

Well I have a TON of laundry to catch up on and with the dryer not working properly it is a lot of hanging and sorting... so I better start on household chores so I stay as much on task as possible. praying I stay calm, at peace this week, flying solo. LOL

Saturday, February 20, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STEVEN, the TEENAGER!!

Steven turned THIRTEEN this morning; celebration is all about our home today. He wants to color and play today, anyone who knows him knows he is in heaven doing just those activities. I had to peal off his new T-shirt from riding MONTU roller coaster as it has been worn to school and every minute after school he could find it. He is hoping to get a new hat soon. He put his favorite NIKE hat under his legs during the roller coaster ride KUMBA; he was devastated when the ride ended and his hat was gone. He wanted to take the car apart and go places that would not have been "pretty" had he done it. The ride specialist asked if we would come back at 5 pm to seek the hat but it was one of those really nice NIKE hats in the $26 range he got as a gift for Christmas so the likelihood of finding it is not a huge wager to bet on. With the Tampa trip, putting our security on NDSSC conference this summer, new tires, paying off Keirstens braces bill, going to the movies and having their treats, and all the normal household bills to run this place I AM BROKE TO THE BONE this week. I do not like getting to no funds but it was one of those unexpected everything came due or else we would loose out on something... IMPORTANT somethings..we do miss out on lots of somethings but the Important things I try hard to get into the budget.

SO we have a lazy day to meet Steven's wishes today. His preferred was swimming although our pool it COLD and not full. The dog crewed the filter tube so 1/2 the water is out until that project can be tackled It is not hot and sunny today so coloring is a good alternative.

TO catch everyone up with the rest of the family...Emma's birth Mother and I talked on the phone, her photo book will reach her Monday. it was a very pleasant phone conversation. She carried a lot of guilt that was time to release myths that she caused Emma to have Down syndrome/holes in her heart. She is very happy to know the surgery is over and all is well. The red hair is maternal. Emma has a mat. Aunt with the same color of hair and Mat grandma has the strawberry blond gene. LOL No other person in their family has ever had Down syndrome so the birth of Emma was a bit of a jilt to their understanding how it occurs.

Lucas is making great progress all around. He had a growth eval this week. 40 lbs and 41 inches tall. All his labs look great, she noted the growth hormone showed a tad bit low but not enough to note for anything more than lets check it in 3 months. He is growing because the clothes new to be bought larger and his feet are bigger (shoes). She said he looks good to her. The education is amazing..He is speaking, etc. I am noticing a lot more manipulation. When it is time for therapy he begins this horrendous crying jag and it causes therapy to stop..NO NO NO NO NO, so tomorrow I will hold him in position and Miss Jan can manipulate his body because he doesn't cry like that in my care...I do the same therapy after she leaves and he just "does it"

Jordan got ambassador of the week and the T-shirt to prove it...LOL too cute. Tressa did such an amazing job this week her teacher emailed me to tell me how wonderful she did WITHOUT her 1:1 because the 1:1 had a Doc appointment..she dd a project about what I would do if I were President...and she did it solo and a fine job! That would be right up Tressa's alley..."IF SHE WERE TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD"

Steven is pluggin away loving middle school. Kaitlyn on the other hand is getting into the teen years and OMGoodness...she doesn't miss a beat.

Apparently in her office staff assistant role she is learning about "vacation requests" She places two days "OFF" in her planner this past Thursday and Friday. I had no idea she had done this although on Thursday we had a very upset morning that cost everyone to miss their buses. While taking four kids to get to school, Steven and Kaitlyn missed their bus, I had to get Emma to the Doctor so I couldn't go back to the other side of town..Therefore Kaitlyn got her "DAY OFF" on Thursday as she had put in to her planner requesting "vacation time" LOL Well when Friday morning came and I got the alarm to get the kids up to get their buses; Kaitlyn went nuts on me for waking her up on her "day off" "It is in my planner mom" I question what she is talking about and she said she is taking a vacation, she put it in her planner....Two days off mom! I remembered that Mandie had mentioned something about Kaitlyn's planner so I went to it and sure enough on Thur/Fri she wrote "Off" She told

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

It is sooooo COLD here

I am almost frost bit..lol Emma keeps laughing at me because I do not want to get out from under the blankets... The kids are off to school, we ran a few errands and now we can wait for the buses at 3...right...???.... The house doesn't really need cleaned every day does it??? The laundry can stack one day right??? LOL I think this is a three day cold snap and I am not sure what to do tomorrow.... my house can not go "days" unattended. I guess I could cook in the oven and turn on the space heater and warm this place up...but then I have no excuse to lay in bed cuddle with Emma and watch a netflix...

I was at a meeting last night and Emma's OT came while I was gone. I was given a message that Emma can hold her own bottle....LOL You know I knew that it is no secret Emma plays her mommies heart strings whenever possible. The nurturing moments will be gone and she will be taking over the house soon so I just want as much time as I can get before it is gone...

I was told by my 31 year old I am not very nurturing...LOL She recalled the moment she first got to drive on the interstate..as we were going to Bush Gardens the memory provoked the conversation. She said we were driving to get Keirstn and when she pulled on to I-75 I told her to get it up to 80 or pull over so I could drive..LOL She thinks I drive fast, actually I drive safe...stay with the flow of traffic. Can I help it the portion of I-75 I usually travel is about 80 most of the time. I have not gotten a ticket and never have ever had an accident in my driving EVER..so I think I am a pretty good driver as much driving as I have done.... Now nurturing??? Is teaching a teenager any time to be "nurturing" I will have to get back to you on that one. I am the first to openly say to ANYONE, the teen years are not my favorite in parenting. Are they any one's favorite parenting years??? If so I can lease one for you....

Steven and Kaitlyn are up helping me with the bread program




This is a volunteer service I am doing with the kids. We pick up end of the day bread on Tuesday nights which would otherwise need tossed in the trash/they can not sell and we deliver to the needed areas of our community Wed. mornings. The first time I did this I picked up a large container of peanut butter for about $8.00 and it fed over 80 children so now friends are donating peanut buttr to our program to keep that expense off our family. Each family is donating a container once every other month as we are getting more and more willing to help, the burden to one is less. I LOVE IT!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Emma is munchin Strawberries




This award-winning product allows your baby to enjoy lots of delicious foods without the choking risk. Simply put a piece of fruit, vegetables or meat into the mesh bag and snap shut. Your baby can chew, suck and enjoy all the whole food goodness and taste, with only the tiniest, digestible pieces coming through. Your baby gets great flavor and you get great peace of mind! Publix, CVS, Walmart all carry it

Tressa rolls with GWAZI, multiple times!






Gwazi is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's mammoth double wooden coaster built 1999. It is also the Southeast's largest and fastest double wooden roller coaster, boasting more than 1.25 million board feet of lumber and more than 2 million bolted connections. Named after a fabled lion with a tiger's head, Gwazi races riders through almost 7,000 feet of track and six "flyby" maneuvers in which trains pass within feet of each other at crossing speeds of 100 mph. Gwazi is in reality two distinct coasters intertwined: Gwazi Tiger has an element that gives riders a slalom sensation, more like a bobsled than a wooden coaster. Gwazi Lion's highlight is a seemingly continuous number of spirals.

HOW WE ROLL....MONTU











Feel the ultimate rush on Montu at Busch Gardens Africa -- one of the tallest and longest inverted roller coasters in the world! Experience the thrill of an inverse diving loop and a 104-foot tall vertical loop while you endure speeds of 60 miles per hour and a G-force of 3.85! In just three minutes Montu will carry you through seven inverting elements as you travel along 3,983-feet of twisted steel track. It should come as no surprise that Montu is one of Busch Gardens Africa's top attractions
The kids had a four day weekend. We planned to go to Bush Gardens on Monday which ended up being the warmest day of the 4 day weekend. We left the house at 7 am to meet Mandie by the interstate, then traveled to Tampa which is about 2 hours. The par opened t 9 am. e were there shortly after. The traffic was min. parking was a breeze and with passes it is free. We cashed in our on line prints of 2 year passes, purchased 5 children and one adult all day food passes for food and drink. Then went to guest relations for their pass to get tickets to leave line and return. Waiting in the line is CRAZY for Lucas and Jordan especially.
We entered with a plan. Mandie goes to Bush Gardens often so she had a plan. It is too cold for any water rides and the kids all understand there will be no water rides today. The focus is ROLLER COASTERS, riding all of them. Th day was smooth, we moved through the park with ease and made it to all the roller coaster. All the children went. it was not the best trip for Emma or Lucas well to be honest for any would we say it was the best trip.. The air was cool and Emma stayed bundled, although with the family she really did not know she was in a "theme park." Lucas needs more hands on. The rides by animals were not for hi,. He focused on the truck, train car etc...he couldn't look out to the animals in a moving ride. He sucked his tongue or blinked, played with his fingers..He did not "see" animals. In the bird area he would have if they hadn't run out of nectar so we learned a lot about each of their needs. Emma will have a blast when it warms up and she can sit in the water and splash. Lucas needs a petting zoo area and in the bird area when they have nectar. The birds knew we did not have any and fooling them was not possible so the birds were with other people and not willing to go to the kids without nectar. Lucas really watched them but none would get on his arm. I saw the interest but he just couldn't engage without up close contact. He couldn't feel, hear touch or taste...He needs all that. The older kids have the path down and will be all about hitting BG without the little guys..SO our plan is to take a day and go up without Lucas and Emma to speed through the park and see shows, do all the rides (warm/water) and be non stop for the day. I am not sold on the all day food, seems like too much time in food lines. I usually took self contained bucket lunches, fruit and veggies, sub sandwiches we could stop, eat and get right back on the path. The food is heavy for them French fries with everything, chocolate deserts..HEAVY! HEAVY! HEAVY! Steven loves the musical shows he caught a glimpse as we were leaving but the little ones were cold and we needed to get to the van. Emma was amazing. She was not pleased that her bottles were not warm, she would not take the whole this is fruit salad...milkshake. She would look at me like; what the heck???? and not drink her bottle which had her fruit in it because I forgot cereal and with her reflux giving just formula would have meant spit up and burning of her throat.cranky baby...but here nor there the fruit in the bottle didn't really pull it through.. lots of Binky sucking and sleeping as a form of denial...She ate a nice big warm bottle with cereal when we hit the door at home.

No school Tuesday, teacher in service day and we need to plan for COLD mornings along with school back in session so early wake up and getting book bags ready, house together.