A few photos from out trip "east". We stayed with some good friends in their new house. Declan and Maddie had so much fun playing in the garden. And could he look anymore like a pre-schooler with all those bright colors? Maddie chose to play in her "wedding dress". I've said before that I'm so amazed by the basic genetic differences between boys and girls. You don't know how genetically different they are until you see a one year old boy and a one year old girl playing side by side.

It's even more obvious now as Maddie talks about her wedding dress and wanted everyone to wear a veil...and of course everytime we went out she needed her purse. Sooo cute.

The Interview!

Well, the job interview went pretty well. Overall it was an interesting trip. I had a melt down the morning before the interview. I suddenly began to second guess myself. Should I really consider moving away from my family and the enormous support they offer with Declan. What will it be like to have Declan in daycare 5 days a week. Having a limited ability to deal with any issues that might come up (bad daycare experiences, extra child care help I might need)

Right before I went over, I found that the housing market has taken a sudden upswing. 3 months ago I found 40 houses for 100K or less, with several between 70 & 80. Suddenly there were only 10 houses in my price range. Lots of business deals that are going to cause huge growth in the region. My Dad, who has been saying "I'm excited for you guys to move to eastern Washington" suddenly says "You don't want to move."

It's so tough to be at such a serious cross road in my life and be solely responsible for the decision. Ultimately, I may not even have a choice. No job offer and no possibility of a move.

Aside from all that, I feel that the interview went well and now I just wait....

Headed East for an interview on Friday. I have no idea what the interview process will be like...should be interesting!

Disneyland!

Here are a few pics. The video montage was great, but most images were blurry...

We had a blast (of course). We arrived on Monday and left on Friday, which gave us 3 full days in the parks. At one point before the trip I actually wondered if that would be too much time - crazy me. We saw all of Disney, but only a tiny bit of California Adventures. We arrived at opening each day, took a nap in the afternoon, and closed the park down each night. It was constant activity - but soooo much fun. (we stayed at the Howard Johnsons - wonderful hotel, a short 12 minute walk to the park).

The shoes were a success. It would have been a completely different trip without them. We rode Splash Mountain 6 times, Thunder Mountain 4 times, Soarin' 6 times, Space Mountain, Star Tours 2x, Tower or Terror -all those cool rides that he would not have made it on without the shoes. They measured him everytime as we got in line at the ride and most times as we boarded the ride.

Declan says his favorite rides were Soarin' Over California, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain (he says something different each time, although I just asked him again what his favorite ride was and he said Tower or Terror). I actually had to bribe him to ride Soarin' the first time (I know, I'm one of THOSE Moms) He was excited until be went into the room and I think the set up on the seating configuration freaked him out - unlike anything he had seen in the previous rides) I said "If you try it, we can get ice cream afterwards" 15 seconds into the ride he starts shouting "I love it! I love this ride! I love this ride!" It was pretty cute, and people all around us were laughing. He continued to do that the next two times. Chatting up everyone in line telling him it was his favorite ride.

The pool at the hotel was just awesome. he had a little water park, and a kiddie pool that was only 15 inches deep, so he could play while I sat around and took pictures...it was nice not to HAVE to get into the pool the whole time with him.

I should definitely mention that we chose a GREAT time of year to go. The longest lines were actually for the kiddy rides - Mike and Sully and Peter Pan. Other than that, the longest we waited was 15 minutes. We also took full advantage of the FastPass system, loading up on them in the morning and using them when we went back to the park in the evening until the lines died down again at parade time.

You'll notice there are no photos of my son with the Characters - wasn't interested. The parades didn't interest him much either. He was all about getting to that next ride (he is his mothers son).

I should mention on one trip into the park, we were getting our bags checked and I hear this blood curdling screaming coming from behind us in line. I was thinking that some kid must have been seriously hurt. I turn and look and see a kid just freaking out with his Mom, he was seriously autistic - a guess -he just wasn't visually focusing and was flinging his body around. It was so sad, I continued to hear him scream while we walked to the park entrance. At that moment I felt very blessed to have my son, I said a quick prayer of thanks. Declan is ALWAYS the wildest boy in the room jumping, rolling, kicking, etc...but I am thankful I don't have that kind of challenge, and my heart goes out to all the parents that do.

Wonderful trip...I'm already wondering when I can schedule another one!

I'm Finished!

Today I did my final presentation and I am completely done with my masters. They even had a nice small ceremony for our co-hort (official graduation is Saturday). I really don't feel a sense of completion; I think that will come when I land my job!

A synopsis of Disneyland coming soon!

Click on the link below:




Disneyland 2006

And we're off.

Declan has been bouncing off the walls all day long...this trip could be very exhausting. I've not been the most patient Mom in the world lately....I need to remember to relax and follow Declan's lead whenever possible.

Check back for pictures on Sunday!

How many times....

Do you have to step on a cat before it decides to stop chasing your feet as a toy? I keep thinking he'll learn. About a week ago I finally got over the guilt I would feel everytime I'd hurt him. Now I'm seriously wondering if he'll ever learn.

Feeling better this A.M., but I also felt fine yesterday morning...we'll see.

Sick!!

So, yesterday was a pretty tough day. I subbed in a 3rd grade classroom...sick. I really wanted to go home as soon as I got to school, but on a Friday there was no one to cover me. I couldn't really tell if it was some flu, or food poisoning, by last night I thought flu (headache all day and achy neck), this morning I felt completely fine so I thought food poisoning...now I'm not feeling so hot again and I'm thinking some flue bug. I have a low grade fever and I feel hot and sweaty if I do much. And to my delight, the usual intestinal stuff.

I'm thinking -can I get over this in 3 days or do I cancel Disneyland!!!?? I think I'll be fine by then--I hope. Now I wonder if Declan will get it. Of course that might not be so bad. Even today I could enjoy Disneyland if someone pushed me around in a stroller and I only got up to wait in line for a ride.

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

How do you get your 38" 4-year-old on Splash Mountain?

Poor Declan is 4-5 inches shorter than all his buddies. At his 4 year check up they said he would be 50% for a boy turning THREE. As you can see, I'm creative, stubborn, and determined. We'll see if it works. No, he won't wear the shoes all day, just for a few select rides. How can a 4 year old miss out on Splash Mountain?!! He loves Star Wars so we'll try Star Tours also.

Speaking of Disneyland....for those of you who read Casey's blog, they are having a great time. I didn't realize they were there for SEVEN days so I called to check up on them Tuesday night. I spoke mostly with Kelton who talked so excitedly about Buzz Lightyear and Splash Mountain (even singing Zippidy-Do-Da perfectly). He and Declan will have lots to talk about the next time they see each other!