Along the Beach...

We spent one day at the beach while we were in Florida.

It was a fun change of pace from huffing it around the amusement parks and the weather was nice - partly cloudly and perfectly beachy.

To be honest, no matter the weather, these guys could never pass up the draw to the water.  They are like magnets and the pull is too overwhelming.  I learned this a few beach trips ago and I always "strongly suggest" they dress in their swimsuits "even if they aren't going to swim" because they ALWAYS end up frolicking in the waves.

It should be noted that right out there in the water directly in front of Ace was a small pod of dolphins that were jumping and surfacing time and time again.  Seeing a dolphin is good luck.  But having them stay and play with you for a while has to be some sort of optimistic sign from the Universe.  Listen, I'm the author of this story and that's how I choose to see it.  :)

Eventually my littlest two came out shivering, needing warm hugs and borrowed pool towels.  But that Kaelster stayed in the water for HOURS.  Until we saw a jellyfish that is.  After that - game over.  I mean, we've all seen Finding Nemo... no jellyfish stings for that boy.

We stayed anyway because that's how it goes at the beach.  If you let yourself lose track of time and breath in the salty air and watch the wildlife, and collect tiny shells, your soul just rejuvenates.

I said to Ryan that our landlocked lads sure don't act timid around the ocean.

Maybe a move to Maui is on our future.  Hey... it could happen.  :)

Florida - February - Fabulous...

We made it to sunny Orlando in February and somehow dodged two epic Utah snowstorms while we frolicked around the amusement parks in sunny 80 degree weather.

Turns out I'm a huge proponent of sunny destinations in February.

To begin, I should say I traveled out to Florida to meet RyGar by myself with the dudes.  If you're doing the math that's 4 to 1 - Mama's not in the lead.  I was so nervous the morning of I sat my older gents down and said, "If you do not make today easy on me, it will be the last time we do something like this." (Geez, fret much, Mama?)

They must have been able to sense my stress because they were heavenly.  They sat by strangers and politely talked with them.  They used their manners with the stewards and stewardesses.  They didn't kick the seat and they covered their mouths when they coughed.  It was seriously SO nice. I was so proud of them as they gathered up compliment after compliment from perfect strangers who took the time to tell me how well behaved my boys were and how full my hands were and "FOUR BOYS!"  :)

I never want to forget my little gents walking through the airport pulling their roller bags and wearing their backpacks.  Even Boone wore his backpack full of treats, his tablet and some play doh.  Each of the boys have flown before but they were all much younger so this was the first flight they remembered well.  When we took off every single one of them asked me, "Mom- are we flying?"  And then when Boone could really see out the window that he was among the clouds he hollered for all to hear, "WE FLYING!  WE HIGH IN THE SKY!"

And then the party started.  We wasted no time and headed to Universal Studios on day one.  The park was fairly uncrowded and we dove right in.  Kael's favorite was easily "Rock It" - the biggest roller coaster in the park.

We moved on to Harry Potter world and we were all floored.  It was so magical!  Honestly they have done such a great job recreating the scenes painted with words from the books your heart stops for a second.  We enjoyed Butterbeer and coughed up cash for magical wands.  You would think I might regret that purchase but there are so many magical stops around the town to utilize 'dem wands on as you cast magic spells that it was worth ever red cent.

Ace selected Harry's wand, Dax chose Sirius Black's wand and Kael chose the wand of Dumbledore.

Or should I say, "Those wands chose THEM!"  :)

Boone was sound asleep in the stroller but when he woke up he selected a candy necklace.

Done and Done little, bro.

Ace and Boone met BumbleBee the transformer while the big boys rode something a little too fast and furious for the little dudes.  And we all got attacked by JAWS!  :)

It was such a fun day and the lads are such good little park goers.  We seriously walk approximately ten miles every day in the parks and these gents just plod along and chase pigeons and snack as they wait in line.

I am so proud (approximately 98% of the time) that this crew of handsome fellers belongs to me.