The Happiest Place on Earth

This year, we decided to try Disneyland at the end of September.  I really didn't want to take the kids out of school, mainly because of the work CJ would miss and would have to make up.  There is just more work to do in middle school than in elementary.

Oh, but we did it anyways!

I am always amazed no matter what time of the year we go, how many other people have the same idea!  There were tons of people there, but surprisingly, the lines were not very long at all.  Just a couple of rides, we had to wait over an hour.  Mainly, Radiator Springs Racers.  Cars Land just opened this year in California Adventure and so it was super popular.  There was even a super long line to get a fast pass for the ride.

The first day, Zoey did not measure the 42" she needed to ride most of the rides.  I think she was hunching a bit.  The next day, I did a huge pony on the top of her head and she made the 42" no problem!   I could not believe all the rides she could ride.

At first, she was a little scared because she did not know what to expect.  But as we rode more and more rides, she got the hang of it.  Her favorite rides were the new Ariel ride and Midway Mania in California Adventure.  Then in Disneyland, she loved the teacups and Splash Mountain!

She is in the picture, just hidden.  If you look closely, you can see her little hand.  She is sitting next to me.  She was so brave and would copy her siblings and hold her hands up in the air on some of the rides.  When she watched the parades, she waved at all the princesses and characters.  She also loved seeing the characters walk throughout the park.

The other kids had fun too!  Mia's favorite ride was California Screamin'.  We went on that 3 times!  It's the biggest rollar coaster there and Mia had no fear!  Xander was also fearless and surprised me with how brave he was.  CJ's favorite ride was Splash Mountain and Grizzly Rapids. She loved getting wet!

So what did we do when we waited in line?

The kids took pictures with the camera. . .

We danced. . .

We played the, "Who looks most like Mom or Dad" game. . .

I think Mia looks most like me.

CJ is a clone of her Dad.  Overall, I think Mia looks like me and the rest look more like their Dad.  I think they are all so cute!

We could have easily done Disneyland and California Adventure in 2 days this time of the year.  The last day we saved for riding our favorite rides again.  We started in California Adventure and by the time we got to Disneyland and got a fast pass for Splash Mountain, we had to wait around until 7:25 p.m. to ride it.

We wandered around trying to fill our time with rides and by the time 7:25 p.m. came, I and I think everyone else was exhausted.  We finally got in the fast pass line, which is supposed to be faster, but wasn't moving very fast.  We waited in line and finally got up to the point where they were loading people.

We waited and waited and noticed that no one was moving.  They ended up closing the ride!  The kid's were all bummed and disappointed.  I was frustrated that we waited around for a ride that ended up closing!  We made our way out of the park and ended up eating dinner around 9:30 p.m.

I was tired and grumpy by the time we got back to the hotel.  Then we noticed the fireworks show was just beginning.  So I got out our big blanket and we ate dinner while watching the fireworks.  So I guess something good came out of all of that.  We got to watch the fireworks, when normally, we would be in bed by then.

I was in a better mood and so was everyone else.

All in all, we had a great time at Disneyland!  Can't wait for next year!

Big Girls Do Cry. . .Sometimes

This weekend I cried.

Call me a baby or what you will, but I really did.

Sometimes I cry when I am happy.

Sometimes I cry when I am sad.

This weekend was the See Jane Triathlon, the one that I have been training all summer long for.  This summer I focused on my swimming.  My plan was to cut my swimming time and therefore, improving my overall time.

I watched videos after video online learning how to improve my stroke.  I read a book from a past Olympian swimmer and tried and practiced the techniques in the water.  I had helped from my friend who is an excellent swimmer, she watched me and gave me tips on how to improve.

I practiced and practiced and practiced.

Last year while I was training for the 400 m swim, it took me 15:00 and race day I did it in about 11:00.  I was super proud of myself and that I was able to swim the whole distance especially because I had just learned to swim.

This year, with all of my training and help from books and friends, I got my time down to 9:35.  My best time was 9:23.  I was pretty solid for weeks maybe even months, I didn't keep track.

A couple weeks before the Triathlon, my swimming time was increasing and I had no idea why.  I was trying just as hard, but I could not get down to my usual time.

Race day came and the race was actually delayed 1 hour while they were working on re-routing our bike route because of unexpected construction.  That was a bummer!

Finally, it was time.  I stayed to the side like I did last year.  I started out okay, but then very quickly it was SO HARD!  I had no form whatsoever, I was just trying to stay afloat and swim.  My arms began to get so heavy and ache.  I did whatever I could just to finish.  I knew in my heart after the swim that it wasn't any easier this year and that I probably did not beat my time.

The bike was great and the run went fine.  I don't know if I will ever love running.  At the end of the race, I just didn't feel that great because I knew I did not accomplish the goal that I had set for myself.  All I wanted to do, was to improve in my swimming.

The next day, I check my stats and found out that I actually did worse this year on my swim.  I was crushed, disappointed and so depressed.

If anyone knows me, they know that I work really hard.  I usually go above and beyond with most things that I do.  It was so disappointing to work so hard and not see results.  I would have been happy to see any improvement in my time.

I cried.

I shut the door to my room and cried in my pillow.

I just wanted to quit and felt like not ever trying again!

It's been a couple of days and I feel better.  I'm going to keep trying but I think maybe I should have a goal to just finish the race instead of trying to beat times.

Overall, I did pretty good.  I'm in the top 27% of women my age and in the top 32% overall.  I just need to look at the big picture and not be so hard on myself.

I've been quite busy these days.  I was released as Primary Secretary and was called as 1st counselor in the R.S. presidency (which I am actually over the R.S. activities, not teachers).  So last week, I was doing double callings.  I've been also swapping with a couple of friends so I can volunteer in Xander's and Mia's class and I've been teaching a mother's preschool for Zoey.  So my days are busy!

I need a break!  Maybe I should go to Disneyland??

It's GREAT to be EIGHT!

Mia was baptized on September 8, 2012. This was a special day for her and so I thought what better way to hear about her day than from the girl herself! We were so blessed to be surrounded by our friends and family. Mia's grandma and grandpa came all the way from Utah for this special occassion! Mia even invited a couple of friends who were not members to her baptism. Even though they did not come, it was a great missionary opportunity for Mia. Mia is such a good girl. I say "good", it's because I can't think of better word. She has a good heart and is thoughtful and mindful of others needs. She really tries each day to make righteous decisions and is very tender when it comes to spiritual things. She is one of those people who you know has a testimony because she shares her spiritual experiences often. Like how when she is scared, she prays to Heavenly Father and he helps her to feel better.

Xander's Spy Birthday Party

Xander aspires to be a spy someday.  Months ago, he told me that he wanted a Spy Birthday party.  Ben jumped on the bandwagon and helped make this birthday party something to remember.

THE INVITATION

Ben was the mastermind behind the creative invitations. We put the invitation in a manila envelope labeled, " Agent (and then the child's name)".  On the backside, we put "TOP SECRET".



Inside was a minature file folder labeled, "Top Secret" with papers in the file.  When you opened it, it had the details of the birthday party, a satelite map of the location, and a DVD explaining the mission.

The DVD. . .

Here's what was on the DVD.

THE SPY TEAM

We had each of the family members help out during the party.  They were great assets to the mission.

Agent CJ-Code name, Elizabeth
Agent Zoey-Code name, Peanuts
Agent Mia-Code name, Mean Mia
Agent Mom-Code name, Ragin' Asian'
Agent Dad-Code name, Big DADDY B

The day of his party arrived and Xander was thrilled as ever.  I'll take you through all of our activites.

SPY CHECK IN

As the kids arrived, they checked in at the table.  They had to be fingerprinted and they needed to come up with a code name.  As we all know, a spy's real identification is vital to protect.

SPY HEADQUARTERS

After checking in, they were escorted inside the spy headquarters where they received instruction from, Commander X.  Commander X told them that they needed to do some spy training in order to be prepared for their first mission.  You can watch the video clip that the kids watched.

SPY TRAINING

The spys had to undergo intense training at the impossible obstacle course.  They were timed for efficiency.  The first thing they had to do was to put on a disguise, run around the cones, do 10 power jumps on the trampoline, throw tennis balls into the target can, scale over a table, jump over 3 boxes, hold a giant object while balancing on tiles, and finally sliding down the slide.

THE MISSION

After completing the spy training, they received further information from Commander X.

THE LAZER

Each agent had to pass through the deadly lazer zone.  Once everyone had completed the task, they received their first clue, which was a fingerprint.

THE NEXT TASK

The kids brought back the clue and Agent Dad talked and interacted with Commander X.  He helped scan the fingerprint.  While the fingerprint was scanning, they received instruction for the next task.

LOCATE AND DEACTIVATE THE REAL BOMB

The warehouse held the next clue.  Inside, it was filled with decoy bombs.  Their task was to locate the real bomb and to deactivate it safely away from civilians. All Agent Dad told them was that one of the bombs was different than the others. He didn't tell them how it was different.



Once they located the real bomb (a black balloon filled with red star confetti), they had to safely deactivate it.



The other agents loved that it was filled with red stars and collected them, which was great because it was less clean up for me!  They received their next clue which was a footprint.

THE LAST TASK

They brought the footprint back and Commander X.  Agent Dad and Commander X talked back and forth once again.  Agent Dad told them that they needed to break into the vault and find the secret message and code.

THE VAULT

I just used the idea of the punch board, where there is a plastic cup that you stick through the hole that has tissue paper on the top.  The kids had to break through the vault to find the secret code and message.  After finding it, they had to break the code.  The message read, "The bad guy is in the room."



When the kids read that, they started looking at each other, trying to figure out who it was!

AND THE BAD GUY IS. . .

The agents came back and found out who the bad guy was.  They also received instruction where they had to use the truth serum to get the bad guy to tell them where he hid the secret stuff.

INTERROGATION TOOLS

Ben has a poker set that comes in this very cool case, we emptied it out and filled it with. . .

Truth Serum (aka Silly String)!

THE BAD GUY IS GOING DOWN!

After handcuffing Agent Dad, the rogue agent.  They got their truth serum ready to work its magic!



They showed no mercy!



They got Agent Dad to talk and he told them where he hid the secret stuff.

THE SECRET STUFF. .



All the agents received a spy bag with their name on it.  Inside were spy gadgets like handcuffs, black sunglasses (because that is why spys wear), and candy.

THE INCREDIBLE SPY TEAM

With the mission accomplished, it was time to eat!  We feed them lunch and then sang, "Happy Birthday" to Agent Xander.

I made cupcakes with a magnifying glass on top that they could take home.



We had such a great time with all of the agents!  They were super fun and Xander had a blast solving the case with all of his friends!





THE REAL THING

Xander got some spy gear for his birthday and now, he is the real thing!



We didn't have his party on his actual birthday.  This is what agent Xander looked like on his birthday.



He wanted to make a treat for his birthday and it ended up being a jack o lantern.  We stuck candles in it and it was his "cake".  This boy loves Halloween-runs in the family I guess!

He loves his Hulk pjs so much that when he is in them, he growls like the hulk and talks in a deep voice.  Ben found him still up past his bedtime and told him to go to sleep.  In a deep voice Xander says, "HULK GOES TO BED AT NINE!"

I love this boy and can't believe he is going to first grade!  Watch out world, here comes Xander the Hulk, or I mean Xander the spy!  Whatever he decides, he'll be great at it!

Mia's Camp Themed Party

Mia wanted a sleepover for her birthday.  When it comes to sleepovers, I've learned from past experience, that I shouldn't focus so much on the number (the more the merrier?) but more the  "who" I'm inviting.

Mia has two very good friends, who are very good girls, which makes things so much easier.  Also, the fact that there were only 3 of them made things easier in some ways.  Ben tells me it doesn't matter how many kids I have, I will work just as hard!  It's true!

THE INVITATION

I did a horrible job photoshopping Mia in this picture but I thought, "Hey, they're kids!" and wrote the information on the backside and mailed the picture like a postcard.

CAMP SIGN

I had CJ design the "Camp Mia" sign which we hung on the door.

CAMP SCHEDULE

Inside our house, I wrote the camp schedule on a white board.  

Nametags. . .

My oldest daughter was delighted when I told her that she could be a "camp counselor".  We had her make herself a name tag and she greeted the girls as they arrived.  She checked them into their tent where they unloaded their backpacks and sleeping bags.

Park Ranger Rules. . .

Then, they went and made their own name tags.  I then had them come to the carpet and sit and listen to the park ranger, who was Xander.  He told them the camp rules about keeping the fire only in designated areas, that they shouldn't worry about bears and to have fun!

We then went over the schedule.

CAMP GOODIE BAGS

I found these cute pink drawstring bags, that can be worn like a backpack at the dollar store.  I filled them with all sorts of things.

Goodie Bag Contents. . .

Flashlight

Waterbottle

Sun Visor

Sunglasses

Foam Picture Frame

Notepad and pencil

Lip Gloss

Candy

Pillow

CAMP ACTIVITIES

2.  The first activity we did was making our camp t-shirts.  I bought the shirts at the dollar store-score!

3.  For snack time, we made edible dirt.

4.  The girl's bejeweled their waterbottles and decorated their frames and visors.

Pillows. . .

You can see my previous post on how to make the tie pillows.  The girls just had to tie around the edges.  As they did that I had CJ, teach them camp songs.  This was perfect for her because she had just gotten back from Girl's Camp and has been singing camp songs for days.

CAMPFIRE

The girl's helped Ben make the fire and they roasted hotdogs for their dinner and marshmellows for smores.  One of the girls had never cooked a hotdog on the fire and was so amazed that you could actually do that!

CAMP CUPCAKES

Ben had this great idea on how to make the cupcakes with a campfire topper.

How to make them. . .

1.  Make the cupcakes

2.  Frosting-We made this yummy chocolate buttercream frosting

3.  Frost the cupcakes

4.  Take pretzel rods and break them in half.  Dipping the tip in melted chocolate.

5.  Using fruit roll ups, mold it into flames.

6. Place the dipped pretzels in a circle and place the flames on top.

Ben also thought of a super creative idea when we sang "Happy Birthday" to Mia.  We took off the fruit roll up flame and replaced it with a candle so it looked like the campfire was really on fire!

When it got dark, we projected a movie on the side of our house and the girls enjoyed watching the movie outside and eating their treats from their bags.  After the movie, I had some leftover sparkles that I let them use.  

We finally got ready for bed and all slept in the tent!  Including me!

In the morning, we had pancakes for breakfast and then it was time to check out of "Camp Mia".  I was ready to "check out" by then too!

I can't believe that Mia is 8 and that she will get to be baptized soon-September 8th!