Wild Things in Animal Kingdom...

One of my kiddos' favorite days in Florida was the day we spent at Animal Kingdom.  I attribute this to the fact that wild speaks to wild - so this was right up their alley.

We RAN through the gates that morning and turned straight toward Avatar.  Being the good parents we are, we had watched the movie with our kiddos a few weeks prior to our trip in preparation of this ride which we heard was ALL THE RAGE.

No joke, we got there and were greeted with a "75 minute wait" sign.  (Insert cuss words)

But we were fresh off a hotel continental breakfast and we knew we would score a two-fer since we had to do the stroller exchange - so wait we did.

Ask any one of our lads and they'll tell you IT WAS WORTH IT.

They loved the ride!  And yes, they got to go twice for the price of one wait - once with RyGar and once with me - while we alternated waiting with Booner who patiently made friends of the short toddler variety and hopped and skipped and jib jabbed together.

We were all totally impressed with the animal safari as well.  I did not know they had a whole plethora of live crocs or free roaming giraffes or herds of white rhinos and elephants within the park.  It was epic!  See that homely tree?  It is the Baobab tree and it stores gallons of water in it's trunk to live in the desert climate without rainfall for months on end.  Scientific fact spazz out.

We attended the light show on the water and we were captivated.  It was beautifully done and the setting was gorgeous.  As we walked out that evening we were totally entranced by the films playing on the "tree of life"...  Disney really does know how to do it.  Way to go, Walt.

Finally, the big boys wanted to hit Everest ONE LAST TIME to ride the Yeti ride at night so Boone and I walked and waited and ultimately bought the $25 bubble wand.  

Worth every last penny.

No regrets.  :)

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.

Birthday Boy Senior...

Someone else we know and love had a birthday this month...

We had to really pry Boone's little fingers off of Daddy-o's presents because after Christmas and a birthday of his own, Boone was certain that all the gifts were in honor of him.

RyGar laughed and said, 

"I would only share my birthday month with a little stud like you - but I'm not sharing my presents."

I present to you my forty-two year old, going on five.  :)

The boys had a good time choosing the things they just knew their papa bear would love.

Sometimes random - sometimes right on.

RyGar surprised us all by asking for a carrot cake on the anniversary of the day he was born, which we all incessantly teased him about.  

"Geez, Grandpa, do you really want a homemade carrot cake?"

After he blew out the candles and we all gave it a taste - 

We didn't think he was such a crazy old fart after all.  :)

P.S. You aren't old unless you don't look at your birthday cake like Ryno.

There is no question where Boone got it from.  

See the prior blog post entitled "Birthday Boy Junior" LOL

Happy Birthday to our favorite guy.

We love you long time and we are so grateful to you for the way in which you 

lead and provide for our family.

XO Always.

Birthday Boy Junior...

You're looking at the giddy face of the world's cutest 3-year-old Birthday Boy. 

Booner is making a lot of changes in this, his 3rd year of life, including:

Potty Training

Sleeping in a Big Boy Bed

AND

Eventually, (but not yet),

Giving up those Sippy Cups.

He is also mastering the art of showing his age with his fingers.

Easier said than done.  :)

Boone is full of fun, sweetness, mischief and love for his mama.  He is fearless and does ANYTHING the big boys do without hesitation.  He makes us all laugh since he thinks he is always in the know, and lately he melts all of us when he says, "Bye, my boys!" or "Where my boys at?"

Boone Diggety loves:

"Hephelants", Tigers and Gorillas,

"Great Fruit" which he eats every morning, and

He loves the movie, "Tumanji", which only a three-year-old caboose

in an all boy family would even know about.  Whoops.

He also loves riding his bike and scooter, making friends wherever he goes , and being my little wingman every dang day.

Boone was VERY specific about his birthday cake.  He wanted a "LELLOW CAKE WITH BWU SPRINKLES" and he was thrilled beyond imagination when he got exactly what he was wishing for.

Happiest 3rd Birthday to one of our best "Undie Wearing" surprises ever.

Boone Raef Gardner - you slay us errrr' darn day in the best possible way.

XO Always.