Tristan vs Fanatics

I had to work on a weekend a couple of weeks ago and asked my 9 year old if he wanted to come with me.  Without hesitation, he of course said yes.  He has been there before but this one seemed a little more special.

Back Story:  I am a Senior Quality Control Coordinator for Fanatics Apparel - which is Fanatics branded apparel/Box Seat Clothing Company.  Fanatics.com ... blah blah blah :) I work in the Production Art department mainly which means almost everyone I work with directly has been to an art school of some type and are graphic designers and ridiculously awesome artists. I encourage Tristan hanging out with them because he also loves to draw and deal with design - my job is cool.

I snapped a few pictures of him...

Showing me his masterpiece - above the family are balloons. 

Our turtles at the time

Our family

Can't forget our furry family

Meet Jake - one of the most creative people I've ever met.  He drew Lego Batman for Tristan who was VERY surprised

One happy kid

In the zone

Emmett

Practicing away

I loved this opportunity he had and I hope there are more in the future. 

Love,

Apology & Oscar Update

I am the absolute worst at being consistent with a blog.  Between life, kids, MS and work things have been just insane since my last update.  I'll try my best to re-cap...



We got Oscar back on January 27, 2015.  He was gone for a VERY long time and it happened by chance really.  I was searching on petharbor.com - a site I had been frequenting since he went missing.  I checked pretty regularly but around mid-January I really was losing hope.  Well... one day at work on a break I decided to check again and lo and behold I saw his picture.  I swore up and down it was him, I verified the picture (which was not great) on their site with pictures I had of him. I asked my friend Marissa, who had been around Oscar quite a bit to verify and she was pretty certain it was him as well. So I called the shelter, begged my boss (who loves cats, he has 2) if I could leave early because the shelter was closing at 4:30 and I couldn't begin to fathom leaving Oscar there one more night, especially if it really was Oscar.  I got approval to go, Marissa came with me and we went to downtown Jacksonville (almost Riverside) to check it out.

We showed up at the shelter, I told the lady at the front desk I was pretty sure #XXX-XXXX was mine and she seemed hesitant.  She asked if I knew he had feline aids and I said "No", but I was able to confirm other information about him.  She called for another worker to escort us back to Oscar and into a very small room.  As soon as I saw him, I knew it was him.  I think he knew it was me.  The workers around asked if he liked to have his head pet, and I said that it was one of his stand-out traits. Oscar was so content in my arms and I cried like a baby.  I don't think I realized how much I had missed his adorable face.  The doctor came in to confirm a microchip - I said that it was put in when I got him from the Humane Society 2 years prior but she said they couldn't find it.  She proceeded to check for the one they put in him when he came in 2 weeks earlier and couldn't find that either.  Then... there was the story.  Apparently, Oscar had traveled to the West side of town which is by NO means anywhere close to where we live (and requires a trek over a bridge), so the shelter workers were still hesitant to confirm if Oscar was in fact Oscar. It didn't matter to me though, I knew it was him.  I paid $20 for another microchip and signed papers to "re-adopt" him for a second time and we were on our way home.

He was diagnosed with an Upper Respiratory Infection and Feline AIDS (which I assume is from another cat he encountered in the 2 months + he was gone).  He's been home for almost 2 months now and he's doing better.  We've kept him in our bedroom because he still doesn't sound great and we have been trying to keep him separate from our other cat, Conor. Conor and Oscar know eachother is there and they spend nights (sometimes all night!) pawing at my bedroom door.  Conor isn't a super healthy cat though and we don't want to risk Oscar passing Feline AIDS to Conor... I'm hoping I can ease them both into a comfortable living situation again.

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!