LOST CAT - Arlington Area - Oscar

We've managed to lose our cat, Oscar.  We got him 2 years ago from the Jacksonville Humane Society and he had a really sad back story.  He was 7 at the time and had spent his whole life in shelters, no reason really given.  He had been in this shelter almost as long as 1 other cat, who had epilepsy.  His name was Carlos.  We sat in the room with him and thought it was funny that we'd move to Florida and the first cat we even think about adopting has a Spanish name...  

Oscar got his "rename" after getting him home.  He wasn't very friendly, would climb on top of our cabinets and refrigerator and sit there for hours.  He would heavily guard the front door, and would often run out the door.  It's been a long road for him - getting him trained to be nicer around well...everyone.  Our kids love him, he noozles and nudges his head into your armpit or neck when you give him love and he likes to have his picture taken.  He's got a "love limit" as we've coined it, because Oscar, though loving - only likes so much.  After he noozles and nudges and purrs, he stops.   When he stops you've got about a 10 second window of "Get this cat off of me" before he digs his claws into your skin and swats at you.  Hence... Oscar.  He's a grouch. 

Information leading to his whereabouts are appreciated and we are offering a reward for his return. 

Lost in Arlington area of Jacksonville (November 30, 2014) - Townsend/Mayapple/Merrill -  9 years old gray, shorthair, tabby.  Microchipped with a 24petwatch.com ID.  He's fixed. 

We miss him very much.  We love you Oscar!

WDW - Caribbean Beach Resort - Trinidad South Pirate Room - Moderate Hotel - Review

In October 2014 we went to WDW for a weekend.  We stayed at a moderate level Disney on site resort.  I called and planned for a pirate themed room, first floor preferred (because I have MS and have difficulty with steps), and early check-in.  When we arrived to reception at nearly 7 am the CM told me there were no rooms available.  Then I asked her to check again, in which she radioed Mousekeeping and found out there was one room available in Trinidad South.  Pirate themed, second floor, it was fine.  I knew that even if I struggled with steps, my kids would be happy with the theming.  In addition to the room, the CM gave me plastic swords and eye patches for the kids.  Ok... not shabby.

Overall, I was displeased with the size of the room. We stayed at Art of Animation (Nemo Family Suite) in March 2014 and had a much better room size wise, much better experience overall, and it was cheaper.  Caribbean Beach left a lot to be desired.  Pirate theming was nice and all, but in order to get it you're in Building 39 (at the very back of the property, near CM parking lots).  This is HUGE trek from the dining hall, pools and stores.  I only walked that once with Blake in his stroller, early in the morning while Maurice and Tristan were getting him ready for Jedi Training.  

The theming was nice (I'll reiterate for my own sake)..... and to keep it positive, but overall I was disappointed.  The room was on the end, not bigger than a normal sized hotel room, just "fancier" furniture.  I had to practically beg Mousekeeping for extra towels and soap, the safe was a wall insert that didn't seem as safe as it was supposed to be, a curtain hung between the bedroom area and the bathroom and the pirate skull image on the curtain scared our baby (17 months).  In comparison, AoA provided plenty of extras, along with a kitchenette with paper plates, cups, forks, spoons, etc.  CBR had none of that except a few cups next to the ice bucket.  The beds were small, and the room seemed humid and smelled of mildew.  I don't think the temperature regulated well at all the whole time we were there. 

The property was quiet (because we were in the back) but the beaches were small and you're not allowed to swim in the water, so for me it seemed pointless.  I wasn't a fan of how the dining hall area was layed out either but it seemed representative of a hotel in Vegas (which escapes me right now), and Maurice agreed.  

Overall, we didn't enjoy this hotel nearly as much as we did Art of Animation.  We likely won't be back to Caribbean Beach Resort for anything other than future pin trading on the boards in the stores and with the CM's (They had a nice pin board collection each day we went).  Our 9 year old of course loved the pirate theme but at the end of the vacation also agreed he'd like to go back to Art of Animation even if we were in a smaller room.

Star Wars - Jedi Training - WDW Hollywood Studios

To get into Jedi training at WDW Hollywood Studios, you really need to plan ahead.  We were novices at this, and the first day we went to Hollywood Studios during our October 2014 trip we were unprepared.  Maurice asked about the training and was told they were full, but to come back the next day to get in on it.  He was given a piece of paper (I believe) with a time slot on it and we returned then.  Now, I don't know about your son, but mine is obsessed with Star Wars.  He was Darth Vader for Halloween and has been on this kick for awhile now (courtesy of his dad).  [[I am NOT a fan of Star Wars, can't even get through one movie without falling asleep.]]

Now, if you can get your child into this "program" I highly recommend it.  Not only do the kids get specific training about how to fight Darth Vader and some Storm Troopers...

....but they get to perform their skills on a stage in front of anybody passing by (or standing in line for Star Tours ride)

....and then they get a 'diploma' of sorts for graduation of their training. 

In addition, there is a Memory Maker photographer on standby for ANY and all shots of the scenes your kids are in and are available for purchase.  We didn't actually buy any but I did save a couple and took a ton of pictures.

 HIGHLY Recommend. ** ºoº

Impossibly Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies - Betty Crocker

Trying to make a meal plan...we'll see.

Chicken Mixture

1  tbsp. vegetable oil

1 lb. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/2 C. chicken broth

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper                            

1/4 tsp. ground thyme

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese                                            

                            

Baking Mixture

1/2 C. Original Bisquick mix

1/2 C. Milk

2 eggs

                                      

Directions:

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray.

2 In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center. Add onion and chicken broth; heat to simmering. Add frozen vegetables and seasonings. Heat until hot, stirring occasionally until almost all liquid is absorbed. Cool 5 minutes; stir in cheese.

3 In medium bowl, stir baking mixture ingredients with whisk or fork until blended. Spoon 1 scant tablespoon baking mixture into each muffin cup. Top with about 1/4 cup chicken mixture. Spoon 1 tablespoon baking mixture onto chicken mixture in each muffin cup.

4 Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. With thin knife, loosen sides of pies from pan; remove from pan and place top sides up on cooling rack. Cool 10 minutes longer, and serve.

Blake Update - November 2014

There's an age with babies/toddlers (around 18 months or so) where they discover their surroundings more and begin to really put 2 things together.  For Blake, this is cars and any drivable space he can find.  If there's a surface, he will use it to drive his cars over.  My arm, my legs, the floor, TV, tabletops, couch, walls, behind bookcases, my hair (though the wheels can get tangled).  I love this age... I think it's my favorite for this reason alone.  

I've also allowed him to be a little more free to roam and discover.  I've recently allowed dry erase marker drawings on the side of my fridge (which may be later asking for him to draw with Crayon on the walls) - but for now it's good.  He won't really sit down with paper and crayons because he gets frustrated with the small space in which he has to work with.

In addition, he's all about helping me clean.  I mopped floors last week and he was ready to help.

I'm excited to see what he'll surprise me with next month!

Disney Themed Manicures

We have 3 days until our 6/7 day trip to Disney.  We are excited, a little unprepared as far as packing, did I say excited?  

Kayla and I got our nails done tonight just for the trip.  Mine just have a Mickey head on my ring fingers and Kaylas are painted to match Goofy. (Green for his hat, Orange for his shirt, Black for his vest, Blue for his pants and Brown for his shoes)  Her nails were too small to paint any design on them so she settled for colors. She also got gel polish and treatment in hopes that the color will last longer, we'll see - her nails dont keep polish well.

P.S. -We're EXCITED!!

Disney Pin Trading Prep - Part I

So we've taken on this little adventure obsession called Disney Pin Trading. Maurice and I saw videos on YouTube from "imsarahsnitch" and got hooked.  So we ordered pins... 50 of them for $20 off of E-Bay so when we go to Disney the kids can trade pins!  We sat down the other night and sorted them out, each of us getting 10 because Maurice and I already pre-sorted Limited Edition Pins we wanted to keep as well as some characters we have that aren't as popular that we could potentially trade-up for better pins. 

We set it up in our dining room complete with a fish themed towel to match our fish themed (Finding Nemo) room for our hotel at Art of Animation.

We took turns picking the ones we wanted and once it was all over we attached them to lanyards Maurice got at Game Stop for free. 

In addition to this, the lanyards came with name badge slots so the kids created fake names for their lanyard  - initially this was my idea to keep them safe but I realize how silly it is now.

Kaylas collection of pins

Putting pins on her lanyard

My favorite pin yet - Winnie the Pooh :)

Tristan attaching his pins to the lanyard

The kids post home trading.

There will be a lot more posts on pin trading, how it went on our trip and more info on pin trading.  I don't think we'll stop trading after our vacation is over.

Young Womens and Cub Scouts

Tonight was pretty crazy for us schedule wise.  I came home from work, answered Girl Scout/Church/Cub Scout emails - browsed Scout Stuff DOT org to find Tristan's uniform for cub scouts, browsed Old Navy online for some other items we need before our big Disney trip, made quickie dinners and we were all out of the house again for events.

Did I mention Blake fell backwards when standing and less than 1 minute later Kayla fell from a stool Tidy Cats container filled with cat food in the pantry backwards and hit her chin and heavily bruised her shin?  It was a mess for a moment but both kids are okay and I nicely asked made Tristan stay seated on the couch where it was soft and cushiony so he wouldn't also get hurt. I had to explain to my 8 year old that a lot of times in life, bad things seem to come in three's and that was his number!

Aside from miniature chaos, tonight was momentous for both Kayla and Tristan. 

Kayla had a New Beginnings 2014 Reception with church since she joined Young Women's. (Age 12+ for girls in our church)  We met and chatted with the Sisters when we got there and once everything was settled we sat down for what turned out to be a great evening for her and the Young Women in our Ward and another Ward. A few of the girls read values/testimony for Personal Progress, there was Leader Presentation and then closing remarks from our Bishop and another one.  Snacks were served, Kayla was given a gorgeous gift basket and a Personal Progress Journal and then all of the girls retired to "picnic blankets" on the floor to play Apples to Apples.  I got a few cute shots of them and Kayla was very happy to be there. I know she is excited, however I kind of fear she won't grasp Personal Progress or will struggle to get through it.  I know - through Heavenly Father she'll be ok - she'll get it, it will click and I have faith that the other girls/women in Young Women's will help guide her.  I really am VERY excited to see how she does with it and I am elated that I also get to go on a Personal Progress journey with her.

Kayla receiving her gift for New Beginnings 2014

All of the girls stopping their game to smile! (Notice the Boy Scouts in the background?)

 

Very much into their game.

 

This was passed out to the girls who read the information about new girls joining Young Women's

 

Young Women's - New Beginnings Values

 

Kaylas Personal Progress journal

 

Add caption

 

Tristan had a Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet tonight. 

To explain:

Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week in February with a "birthday party" called the blue and gold banquet. In nearly all packs, the blue and gold banquet is the highlight of the year. It brings families together for an evening of fun and cheer. It's often the pack meeting for February.

The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the pack's anniversary, thank pack leaders and other adults who have helped the pack, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting or community leaders to take part in their blue and gold banquet.

The banquet can be like a regular pack meeting, with songs, skits, stunts, and awards. Or it can be something different and a little more special. Your pack may decide to bring in an entertainer such as a magician or a storyteller. Or you could have a video or slide show of what the pack did over the past year.

A good banquet needs lots of planning. Most packs begin to plan at least two months ahead of time.

 

Maurice took Tristan (and Blake).  They were instructed to sit at any table which was divided into sections by random letters. They were given a puzzle of the United States and was told the 1st table to get their puzzle together and write down as many places as they could on their table cloth that began with that letter.  The winner had 75 places!  (Their table had 20.)  The winner's prize was the balloons that decorated the whole banquet.  (Maurice would've been super-excited to keep the balloons for himself..)  There was a prayer and then a meal - pot luck form - then they sat down for song, skit, announcements and presentations - each kid came up and announced what they did this past year in Cub Scouts. Tristan was awarded the Bobcat patch for completing his Bobcat Trail - which included a pin for ME too and a patch for attending tonight.

Tristan's patches received tonight.

The pin I received :)

After we got home, Kayla and I separately from Maurice, Tristan and Blake - the kids went straight to bed because it was late and Maurice spent quite a bit of time packing up all of the food each of us brought home! (Cake, sandwich meat, cheese, rolls for sandwiches).

I love our busy schedule with church and the events within it and I honestly believe this is going to be an awesome year for our family's growth - especially with Kayla and Tristan.  I'm excited to see how they progress and look forward to sharing it on our blog!