Ready for another vacation

Vacations can be really nice and we always take at least one every year. It doesn't matter if it's near or far from home, just being away from home is such enjoyment. Not that I hate home, but it just feels so good to get away. Anything from a short weekend getaway to so far our longest has been a week. I may get homesick for anything longer than two weeks, but we will give that a try one day hopefully.

We enjoyed our first cruise so much and I just can't wait to take another one. Just so much on the daily schedule to see and do, fun filled day's. It gives me something to look forward to throughout the year. Taking classes full-time is really starting to become strainious, especially with majority of my classes being online. Not to mention juggling family life. I have so many day's of running around, doctor appointments, play day's, team sports, and threapy with my oldest son. My family has truly been such a motivation for me. My husband is very supportive and I appreciate everything that he does from cooking meals, to getting the boys up for school in the morning all while getting ready for his busy work day. I spend many late nights up doing homework and he just lets me sleep late most of the mornings. My middle son really made my day one day when he told me how proud he was of me for going back to college. I had to hold back my tears because he truly touched me. We all spend time together at the kitchen table working on our homework together some days, then we end up pulling out monopoly or the uno cards!!! So why am I so ready to escape on a vacation?? I don't know.

Maybe it's the housekeeping service. Having someone clean your hotel suite or room everyday or maybe not having to cook breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Could it be all the keeping busy with fun activities all day long then exhaustion by night, just to get up and do it all over again?? Lol!!

We still haven't stayed at an all inclusive resort before, but I hope to one day soon. They would surely have to have some type of camp program for the children, because we have never gone on a vacation without the boys before. This may change soon hopefully if this complimentary cruise with airfare that we received from an entry goes through. It's only for a weekend, so we are going to try for it now and hopefully get a babysitter when the time comes. I'm just so ready to pull out the luggage, gas up the car, and just drive down the highway to somewhere sunny with warm beaches and great food!! So many places that still I want to visit. I'm so ready!!

My Growing Boys

It sure is funny how time passes by. I will be attending the graduation ceremonies with two of my boys this week. They are growing all so fast. My youngest is graduating from kindergarten and he is so excited about starting first grade in the fall. He had an awesome teacher that brought so much creativity and fun into his learning; I couldn’t have wished for him a better teacher. He loves writing and drawing pictures that matches his little stories. He has gone through more than a few doodle pads at homes.

My middle guy isn’t having a ceremony, but he is so proud of himself knowing that he will be entering the junior high this fall. Already he is thinking about what sport teams he want to try out for. He is so athletic and enjoys so many sports, but I think he narrowed it down to football and basketball, leaning towards football as his top choice. He has ADHD, but shows so much determination in whatever he does.

Last but not least, my oldest will be graduating from the eighth grade, going on to high school when classes resume in the fall. This will be quite a change for him as he has special needs, mild autism being one of them. He really is maturing well, and becoming more and more independent, but still my hardest struggles with him right know remains to be practicing good hygiene. He doesn’t like my help as he likes to do everything on his on, but as a growing boy and going through puberty I have to force my help on him. On many occasions even after a shower he would be ready to leave the home smelling like onions, if I didn’t intervene. He is getting better and with time shall do better with this, I know. I am so grateful for the passionate and caring staff that has been working with him as he transitions into high school. He is very into puzzles and has a great sense of humor.

I’m looking forward to this week, I’m so proud of them all! We were all just giggling while looking through some of our older photo albums. They could barely recognize who was who before they started growing so rapidly. Oh the joys of life and parenting!

Spring Break Vacation

We surely a great vacation in itself just escaping the spring snowy weathers her in IL to the hot 80 degree, but nice weather in Florida. Things went smooth sailing and I couldn't have asked for more. Our flight was nice and landed on time, rental van was ready for pick up when we arrived, and the keys to the town home villa we rented were ready for us upon arrival.

We got a standard model Chrysler town and country, which was nice and spacious. The resort we booked with in Kississimme was a good deal for the price and value on a budget. 3 star rating the outside could use some updating but the inside was nice. Driving to everything was a breeze with all the tourist friendly road signs on the highways. Everything was nearby, grocery store and walmart one block up and within 15 minutes of all the parks. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two floors, living room with sleeper sofa, enclosed screened patio, full kitchen with every appliance one can need. From the blender, toaster, coffee pot, skillets, pans, dessert bowls, silverware, and on and on. Three t’v’s total so my boys enjoyed their own TV in their room. I don’t even think hubby nor I watched the one in our bedroom, too tired from all the heat and walking to lay in bed watching TV.

The parks we visited were Seaworld, we all loved the show from Shamu, the killer whale. We didn’t do the whole Walt Disney World Resort of parks, but we did do Magic Kingdom, where we got to take a picture with Mickey and Minnie, which was cute and worth the wait in line. Next up, was Universal Studios and the first ride we rode was the Simpson's, very fun ride. Next day was Universals Island of Adventures, which was just okay and we all thought the same. It is definitely more so for the older crowd as they have several roller coasters for the thrill seekers. My boys did enjoy the Dr. Seuss themed area and rides though, Spiderman was fun too. So, we didn’t spend much time there, but it was included in our 2 for 1 park ticket price, so it was cool. We went on a high speed race late at night to FunTown, and drove the Go Karts, lol! Next up was our visit to Busch Gardens theme park / zoo in Tampa, FL about a hour from Orlando. It was a nice and relaxing day filled with mostly site seeing with the animals, the train ride, and rhino rally tour through the jungle and up close encounters with the animals. We dared not even attempt the crazy and extreme roller coaster’s there. I ride coasters occasionally, but I can also have a great time without them. Especially, when it comes to the extreme one’s. Finally, last but not least we did some shopping. So many different spot’s don’t even ask me to recall them all. I do remember the outlets in Buena Vista, and the Prime Outlet Mall, which was a really nice shopping trip. I wish we had a Victoria Secret outlet near us, I was in there having lot’s of fun, lol.

Time to go home and “oh no, can’t we live here in Florida” was the response from the kids, lol! We had a great time and the favorite park for us by show of hands was Universal Studios. Tired and restless we made it home. Epsom salt, Epsom salt, and more Epsom salt cause the dogs were tired on hubby, and the calf’s of mine were calling for it, lol. A early bed night for the boys did the trick for them, yet we were still recovering. Had a great vacation!!

Recovering from a rough week

I’m here all, and thanks to those that gave me a visit or dropped by my blog this week. I had to take some downtime and although I’m still not back up to speed I’m getting there.

Where shall I start? I came down with something and I been sick, I did fairly well though through the winter and tending to the kids when they got sick but it was no escaping me this time, kiddo’s are okay thank goodness other than a small cough from little one, he’s been rigorously taking his asthma treatments. Hubby not feeling too well himself so we been lysoling the place up behind ourselves.

Fell a bit behind in school, I’m supposed to turn in assignments and met with my teacher for a 15 minute session once a week since I’m doing self taught learning courses this semester aside from my Saturday class. My appointment was for this past Monday but I didn’t make it because not only was I sick, but both my parents were as well along with Presidents Day and no school for the boys so I was out of luck being sick myself plus no babysitter. I was already a week behind in this class when it started because my youngest went into the hospital with his asthma the same week this class started up, missing my first meet and orientation and now after this week I’m actually two weeks behind now. I kept moving ahead with my assignments though so hopefully they’ll get accepted.

My bones is sore, my muscles is aching, my ears are ringing and my head is pounding along with congestion, burning eyes and sore throat, can it get any worse?

My computer information class started out as a campus class but I dropped it the first week after reading through the syllabus and realizing I wasn’t going to be able to pull it off by the teachers standards and strict attendance policy of x amount of tardiness or absences equal automatically removal from the class by him. Again I missed this first day of class with my son's Dr. appt. I did stay after class to see just how stern he was and mentioned to him that I knew I wouldn’t be able to pull off the best attendance but that I would still try my best to have all work turned in on time or early to try to pull an A from the class, explained my household situation of raising a child with special needs and not knowing one day from the next, just as I have always done with any employer or educator, I feel me being honest upfront works best as my flexibility is often limited, anyway it didn’t fly with him. No exceptions made for me and I understand I don’t go around expecting special treatment, but at least after being honest and open up front I have always found to work better so in the event of my absent for a longer than usual time frame won't be a major shock and can be expected plus it leaves the door open as to how to go about if I’ll be the right employee or student or team mate for any group assignments etc.. Anywho, no problem I just dropped the class for fear of being dropped to take the class self taught on my own time and pace mostly. Therefore I got a new syllabus and once again a behind schedule start for this class as well. By the way when my son went into the hospital that time away from class would have had me already dropped from the class, so I’m glad I dropped the class.

I have really been catching hell this week trying to get myself caught up before mid terms and fight through this sickness. To make things worse my main pc has been infected with a virus and I’m getting the blue screen of death. I already had firewall, antivirus, spy ware detection and firewall running so how I got infected is beyond me.

Valentines Day went fine nothing major as it’s honestly just another day. We went out for dinner as a family which is the norm because again a sitter for us is slim to none and we have just accepted the fact and adapted to it, so it’s no longer disappointing for us, when we already know what to expect. That was about that we enjoyed the dinner out and break from cooking and doing dishes afterward.

Unfortunately I really like entrecard and I haven’t been active since my main pc caught the virus b/c I need my laptop for school and can’t take the chance of getting a virus on this one. I will try to continue to drop from my favorite’s but since I will no longer be using the toolbar and multiple tabs I don’t know how active I’ll remain, I’ll have to update you with this one, for now whenever I do it will definitely be only from my fav’s and I’ll overlook them and at least make sure I got all my fav’s and if I’m missing anyone I’ll have to add them in. Not to say I in fact got this virus from dropping but I know I have dropped over a few blogs that either mentioned they caught a virus or stopped a malicious script and I do recall seeing a warning about this before in the past as well, but with multiple tabs open I haven’t an honest clue. Other than then the kids and I both play online games occasionally but we’ve been doing this for years with no problem and I do ptc programs but again been doing this for awhile and lately only been using laptop for them, so as far as visiting new site’s I do that most often when ec dropping.

Be careful make sure all securities is updated and running and use them often. I can’t believe I got infected with all I have installed, but so well for that, so yes my pc is currently still down. As for school I still have some catching up to do but I just wanted to say I’m still here haven’t left blogging but I’m tremendously busy with school this semester and it’s not going as easy of a breeze as it once was so I have to dedicate more of my time into studying at the moment, plus kids after school activities twice a week has started back up for this season and somewhere in between this all falls cooking and household duties so yea, I’m pretty swamped right now in general.

Wishing everyone a great weekend and sorry I’ve been inactive with my blog and reading and dropping by yours, but I have to prioritize and don’t ask where my great ability of multi tasking went? Let me check and see if it flew out the window :) Yes, I think it did I guess sooner or later it’ll come back to me ;)

Home from a short hospital stay

My little slugger (6) had to spend the night in the hospital with his asthma acting up early Monday. We stayed in the ER for almost seven hours before they admitted him and sent him up to a pediatric room. In, addition to the long ER visit they kept him for 24 hour observation with an IV, steroids and breathing treatments. I am so tired who ever gets any rest when you have to stay overnight in a hospital. The patient does I guess, but not too often does the parent. No matter how comfortable they try to make your visit.

He ended up coming down with a virus that rapidly triggered his asthma and the breathing treatments I gave him at home just didn’t cut it for him, plus the virus made him run a high fever. At first they thought he had contracted the flu but it turned out that he didn’t, so it was lots of confusion. The peds dr. came down to see him in the ER before he was admitted and told me they initially thought he had the flu but turns out that he didn’t but it was indeed a virus just not the flu.

I stepped out the room after hubby made it up there so I could go eat and sit with the boy’s in the wait room for a little while. Hubby called my cell phone to tell me they were ready to take him up so we all headed to the ER to escort him up to the room before hubby and the boys went home to get ready for school the next morning. I noticed they had put a nose mask over my son and the transporter was wearing one as well, but no one mentioned why? We make it upstairs and the nurse was fully gowned, masked and gloved up still no one managed to offer at least a mask to my other boys so I’m finding all this to be weird. Now, after the nurse got his weight and we enter into the room she tells me my son will be in isolation and can’t leave the room and that they all will be wearing protective gear so that they don’t come in contact with and catch the influenza (flu). Geez, thanks for mentioning that it would probably be best if my other boys at least put on a mask or left the room to protect themselves as well, nobody wants the flu.

I tell the nurse that I thought he didn’t have the flu and she goes he does he has influenza flu A. I tell her the Dr. came down and told me it was confusion less than 15 minute’s ago so I ask her so are you sure? Meanwhile I told my hubby to head on home as it was getting late and that I’d call to update him. By now I’m getting teed off with all the confusion and instead of the nurse saying well let me double check and make sure, no she just arrogantly carried on that he has flu, so I’m thinking well maybe it’s the Dr that’s confused. It’s great to know that they taking precautions and all but this miss-information was killin me. A short while later the same Dr. comes in to check on my son. He confirms to me that my son doesn’t have the flu and that someone read the test wrong and something about the control test results showed positive but not to worry it’s not flu and that he would make sure everyone is clear. He mentioned how my son didn’t even have any flu symptoms and that he would have been surprised if he did have flu because he hasn’t had any flu cases this year.

Anyways he is doing better now and will be staying home from school for the week, of course.

I so love the Wii

I really really do love it!!! I purchased one for my kid’s family this Christmas. We were due for an upgrade and hadn’t had one since the play station 2 and Nintendo game cube. Finding out that the wii played the game cube games was really a plus as well, since they have many games for it.

I find the Wii to be a great family system. I love the fact that majority of the time while you’re playing you’re up and on your feet moving about as opposed to just sitting back being a lazy spaced out couch potato. I have really been having a good time these past few days since Christmas playing the games with the boys. We all stayed up super duper late last night including the hubby playing golf on 4 players. Like what I don’t even play golf in real life but I must admit the game is very fun and makes me feel like a Tiger Woods in fantasy land, lol.

Thing is though that while yes it may seem like a great low cost budget system compared to the Xbox 360 and Play station 3 running at about $250 but jeez how about after purchasing 3 additional Wii Remote Controller at $40 each plus the 3 additional nun chunk controllers at $20 each, not to mention the classic controllers running at $20 each, plus the other little accessories like the sports pack Wii Grand Slam Sports Pack of baseball bat, golf club, tennis racket, driving wheel, charging system etc.. Okay yes granted these extras aren’t required but yet they are a kicker to have as they are fun and stimulating as in making you feel like you’re actually playing the real thing, virtual reality. Now what I didn’t get but think I really want is the Wii Fit!

It comes with wii sports which is cool, the basic sports of bowling, tennis, baseball…. We love Harvest moon and Animal Crossing: City Folk as well alot together helping each other out with it. Then comes my oldest boys with their WW Smack down vs. Raw (something wrestling) they get to slamming their knees into the floor so hard, jumping, yanking arms and all to the point that I have to tell them to take a real deal chill pill as in give it a break son…. Anyways I highly recommend the system!!

Do you or your kids enjoy the Wii, Xbox 360 or Play station 3 the best? What are some of you or the family favorite video games to play?? Yes I’m still a kid at heart :)!

My son got his feelings hurt over snow pants

Yesterday our temperature dipped into the single digits so I pulled out the snow pants for my boys, since they do have to wait outside for the school bus. I could not believe it this morning when I was getting my youngest son ready for the bus and when I handed him his snow pant’s I saw his facial expression turn rather gloomy, so I asked him what was wrong??? Normally he is in a spectacular mood about riding the school bus and going to school in general.

His response to me was that he didn’t want to wear his snow pants to school again. I asked him why and he sadly told me because he got laughed at for wearing them to school and that it hurt his feelings. I’m like WTF, hello my son is in Kindergarten and since when did snow pants become unpopular for 5 and 6 year olds. I just reached out to him and gave him a hug, told him it’s okay and that the snow pants are to keep him warm while he waits for the bus in the cold and that sooner or later other kids at school would be wearing them too. Along with mentioning to him that he didn't want his Asthma to flare up due to the cold weather changes.

Then I turned around and asked him if he did not want to wear his snow pants to school again today or if he wanted to stay warm and go to school in his snow pants, needless to say my baby chose on his own to stay warm so he left in his snow pants.