Well day 3 (yesterday) was a fairly routine day. We started out by sleeping in. And by sleeping in I mean the kids slept in while I woke up around 7:00/7:30 am like clockwork. Once the kids woke up and had breakfast they got ready for a little play time outside. For the first time ever I let them play with water balloons. I took them outside to fill them up and my daughter, who is the youngest, wanted to keep picking them up and dropping them. After a few minutes my oldest would pick them up and start throwing them at his brother; which isn't fair but I don't think he was concerned about that. After blowing up the balloons I went inside. After only a few minutes my oldest son came inside to tell me they needed more balloons; which they weren't getting.
Around 12pm, after some indecisivness, I finally decided that me and the kids would go to my sisters in Jacksonville for a visit. So I proceeded to start packing. After packing, getting the kids lunch, and finally getting around myself we loaded up in the car around 2:30 to pull out. By the time we got gas and got to the interstate it was more like 3pm when we really got going. I have to apologize to my hubby for the late departure time because after we finally got to Jacksonville, went the wrong way on I95 and ended up in St. John's county, turned around and then made it to my sister's house after going through traffic both ways he had to drive back to Tallahasse for work that night. I admit it was my fault.
Well when we got to my sisters the women had to go out to the store to pick up a few things while my sisters fiance stayed at the house to watch 5 kids (two- 5 year olds, one 4 year old, one 2 year old, and a 16 month old). We went to the Wal-Mart SuperCenter and there was a little trouble at check-out and it took us about 30 minutes (maybe a little more) to check-out. Then we went to Publix to get some bananas and apples because I don't like getting fresh fruit from Wal-Mart and then headed back to her house. When we finally got there it was after 8pm and no one wanted to cook a full dinner. So the three older kids had bagel bites, oranges, and Cheese-its (spelling?). The younger two had Cheeses-its, oranges, and corn dogs. The adults had bagel bites and my sister and I added a hot dog to the mix.
We all fed our tummies, the kids got on their pajamas and played for a little bit, then they laid down in the room while watching TV. After awhile my sister's kids were asleep so I brought my two boys out into the living room to lay down and watch TV. We were up pretty late. While on the couch I tried to get my daughter to go to sleep, and finally she did. Usually we put her in her Pack-N-Play and she falls asleep or cries to sleep and we move her to the bed. Since I didn't have that vital piece of equipment I had to put her to sleep the old fashioned way. Rocking her and singing to her. The boys were of course still awake and once I laid my daughter down my second oldest wanted to sleep on the couch with me. Eventually we turned the TV off and all went to sleep. Sometime during the night my oldest woke up and also climbed on the couch. So we had myself and two kids sleeping on the couch. What fun.
All in all the day was ok. The travel time was crazy, and I actually drove all the way to Jacksonville, but it was ok. I get to visit with my sister for a little bit. The boys get to play with their cousins. And we get to get out of Tallahassee. I do miss my husband, but he will join us on Friday. Stay tuned for the update on Spring Break Chronicles: Day 4.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Spring Break Chronicles 2011: Day 2
Yesterday was day 2 of spring break here in our county and it was another successful family day. For me the morning started around 7:30 am. I thought I would be able to sleep in, and by sleep in I mean until 9:00 am maybe, but my body is on a timer so that's not happening. After surfing the net for a minute the kids finally woke up and they began the morning with cereal for breakfast (w/milk for the boys and dry for my daughter). They watched a little regular TV before the morning movie Chicken Little came on. I went back and forth between watching the movie with the kids and washing dishes; which I actually washed by hand instead of throwing them in the dishwasher.
During the movie I told the kids that when it was over with we would go the the museum and get a happy meal @ McDonald's ($1.99 on Tuesday & Thursday); which they were thrilled about. Sometime during the movie I decided to go wake up my husband for a little quality time while the kids were distracted (yeah right). While my husband and I were trying to "talk" we heard several knocks at the door and several little voices calling our name; which we tried to ignore. Well apparently the movie ended and we were still talking so my oldest (who was whispering that the movie was over) decided to slip us a note. Well I didn't read the note until I got ready to go take a shower and when I opened the envelope and read it I immediately started laughing because my oldest, who is only 5 mind you, had written on a piece of paper that the movie was over. I guess he figured since we wouldn't/didn't hear them outside the door or wouldn't come out he would let us know another way so we could start getting ready for the museum and happy meal day.
After a nice, long, hot shower I got out and made sure the boys started getting ready and I got the diaper bag and clothes ready for my daughter. Once the whole Gambles Clan was ready we hopped in the car and proceeded to go to the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science (http://www.thebrogan.org/). They recently opened an exhibit called "Big Bugs". Basically they have these larger than life animatronic bugs set up on their bottom floor, with learning information about each one, and they all move. For example the grasshopper stands up on his hind legs and his wings spread wide open. The two rhino beetles are mock fighting, and there is more. This museum also has two other floors. The second floor is filled with hands on learning (along with some fish) and the third floor is an art gallery. We have been there before, but the kids love it. And they have a little play area for early learners that I can actually let my daughter walk around in.
After the museum we went to McDonald's. Originally we were going to eat in but decided to get it to go because we were a little tired. Once entering the parking lot and heading towards the drive through the decision was made that I would go inside and get the kids happy meals. Well the amount of time that I waited to order and get 3 happy meals I could have waited in the long drive through line. But I got them and went back to the car so my husband and I could go get something from Lindy's. We pulled out of the parking lot and made a quick stop @ the Redbox machine; which we usually do on Tuesday's for family movie night. Nothing that we had not already seen looked promising so we decided to just pick a movie in our collection and moved on. We got to Lindy's and I once again went inside to order (my husband watched the kids). When I went inside I saw a friend that I had not seen or spoken to in awhile and was grateful for the few minutes I had to talk to her. I ordered a gizzard box for my husband (yuck) and an angel box for me (4 wings, biscuit & 2 sides). We got everything, loaded up, and went to the house. We ate, watched some TV, played on the internet, and just had a relaxing afternoon. Because we ate so late no one really wanted dinner and the time felt like it was moving so quickly so we skipped baths.
The movie the boys decided to pick for family movie night was Step Up 2: The Streets. Well this is a movie they have seen several times, and by several I mean more than 10 times, maybe almost 20. They like this movie because of the dancing in it so each time the music comes on and people start dancing they dance right along with them (short video of them dancing above). Of course one of the kids noticed something on their television that they were more interested in so they kept going back and forth between the movie and what they were watching. Normally I would make them sit for family movie night, but I was drifting and wanted some quiet so last night it didn't matter. The evening ended with my oldest falling asleep leaning against me on the couch. I carried him to our bed and my daughter proceeded to follow and fall asleep in the bed with her big brother. My second oldest was the last to knock off and fell asleep in his room. While I got a little quiet time for a chick flick my second oldest woke up and came to the couch with me. Eventually I just cut off the TV and the couch is where both of us fell asleep until I woke up this morning. All in all the day yesterday was fantastic and very relaxing. When life is so stressful at times all you want is a very easy going day and that is what day two was all about. Stay tuned for the update on Day 3. No telling what this day will bring, but as long as the family is together then I can't ask for anything more.
During the movie I told the kids that when it was over with we would go the the museum and get a happy meal @ McDonald's ($1.99 on Tuesday & Thursday); which they were thrilled about. Sometime during the movie I decided to go wake up my husband for a little quality time while the kids were distracted (yeah right). While my husband and I were trying to "talk" we heard several knocks at the door and several little voices calling our name; which we tried to ignore. Well apparently the movie ended and we were still talking so my oldest (who was whispering that the movie was over) decided to slip us a note. Well I didn't read the note until I got ready to go take a shower and when I opened the envelope and read it I immediately started laughing because my oldest, who is only 5 mind you, had written on a piece of paper that the movie was over. I guess he figured since we wouldn't/didn't hear them outside the door or wouldn't come out he would let us know another way so we could start getting ready for the museum and happy meal day.
After a nice, long, hot shower I got out and made sure the boys started getting ready and I got the diaper bag and clothes ready for my daughter. Once the whole Gambles Clan was ready we hopped in the car and proceeded to go to the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science (http://www.thebrogan.org/). They recently opened an exhibit called "Big Bugs". Basically they have these larger than life animatronic bugs set up on their bottom floor, with learning information about each one, and they all move. For example the grasshopper stands up on his hind legs and his wings spread wide open. The two rhino beetles are mock fighting, and there is more. This museum also has two other floors. The second floor is filled with hands on learning (along with some fish) and the third floor is an art gallery. We have been there before, but the kids love it. And they have a little play area for early learners that I can actually let my daughter walk around in.
After the museum we went to McDonald's. Originally we were going to eat in but decided to get it to go because we were a little tired. Once entering the parking lot and heading towards the drive through the decision was made that I would go inside and get the kids happy meals. Well the amount of time that I waited to order and get 3 happy meals I could have waited in the long drive through line. But I got them and went back to the car so my husband and I could go get something from Lindy's. We pulled out of the parking lot and made a quick stop @ the Redbox machine; which we usually do on Tuesday's for family movie night. Nothing that we had not already seen looked promising so we decided to just pick a movie in our collection and moved on. We got to Lindy's and I once again went inside to order (my husband watched the kids). When I went inside I saw a friend that I had not seen or spoken to in awhile and was grateful for the few minutes I had to talk to her. I ordered a gizzard box for my husband (yuck) and an angel box for me (4 wings, biscuit & 2 sides). We got everything, loaded up, and went to the house. We ate, watched some TV, played on the internet, and just had a relaxing afternoon. Because we ate so late no one really wanted dinner and the time felt like it was moving so quickly so we skipped baths.
The movie the boys decided to pick for family movie night was Step Up 2: The Streets. Well this is a movie they have seen several times, and by several I mean more than 10 times, maybe almost 20. They like this movie because of the dancing in it so each time the music comes on and people start dancing they dance right along with them (short video of them dancing above). Of course one of the kids noticed something on their television that they were more interested in so they kept going back and forth between the movie and what they were watching. Normally I would make them sit for family movie night, but I was drifting and wanted some quiet so last night it didn't matter. The evening ended with my oldest falling asleep leaning against me on the couch. I carried him to our bed and my daughter proceeded to follow and fall asleep in the bed with her big brother. My second oldest was the last to knock off and fell asleep in his room. While I got a little quiet time for a chick flick my second oldest woke up and came to the couch with me. Eventually I just cut off the TV and the couch is where both of us fell asleep until I woke up this morning. All in all the day yesterday was fantastic and very relaxing. When life is so stressful at times all you want is a very easy going day and that is what day two was all about. Stay tuned for the update on Day 3. No telling what this day will bring, but as long as the family is together then I can't ask for anything more.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Spring Break Chronicles 2011: Day 1 - Part 2
The first day of spring break was a GREAT!! The whole day was about family and fun. We ended our day with dinner, a little play time, and a movie. The movie my son chose to watch was Happy Feet; which is a nice family movie. Of course we were all tired from the days events so when I woke up it was a little after 1am and the movie of course had finished. So I proceeded to cover up my children (who fell asleep on the floor) and went to bed.
Who knows what day 2 of spring break will bring, but that's the beauty of not having a plan. While I am a planner by nature I have learned from my husband that sometimes the greatest things happen when you have no plan whatsoever. So that strategy will prevail for the rest of the week. I still have an idea of what I want to do, however, when I do it is not set and it is also possible that I change what I may want to do if something pops up.
For all of the parents out there who have the opportunity to spend spring break with their kids I encourage you to just have fun. Don't worry about what you are going to do or when you are going to do it because the bottom line is that God has blessed you with the time to spend with your child so make the most out of it and make the most out of EVERYDAY!!
Who knows what day 2 of spring break will bring, but that's the beauty of not having a plan. While I am a planner by nature I have learned from my husband that sometimes the greatest things happen when you have no plan whatsoever. So that strategy will prevail for the rest of the week. I still have an idea of what I want to do, however, when I do it is not set and it is also possible that I change what I may want to do if something pops up.
For all of the parents out there who have the opportunity to spend spring break with their kids I encourage you to just have fun. Don't worry about what you are going to do or when you are going to do it because the bottom line is that God has blessed you with the time to spend with your child so make the most out of it and make the most out of EVERYDAY!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Spring Break Chronicles 2011: Day 1 - Part 1
Today the schools here in Leon County started their spring break and so far day 1 has gone quite well. I got to sleep until just after 8am. I was woken up by a 16 month old crawling over me so she could jump on me like a pony. After a regular morning routine, with my kindergartner home this time, we took a quick trip to Wal-Mart where we picked up some supplies for the afternoon and the rest of the week. When we got home and discovered that the hubby and daughter left for the afternoon walk we called them and then used our internal GPS to locate where in the neighborhood they were. A brisk afternoon walk with the family was followed by meat sandwiches and goldfish for lunch (the adults had chips). After a pretty normal lunch my daughter took a nap and my husband played on the internet while myself and the boys proceeded to work on a paper mache project.
We took toilet paper and paper towel rolls then put masking tape over one end. After which we put rice inside each one and taped up the other end. The next step was for me to make a paper mache paste using 1 part flour to 2 parts water while the boys cuts strips out of the paper they decorated earlier in the day. Then we proceeded to the back porch where we took the strips, dipped them in paste, and wrapped them around the rolls. My second oldest has worked on this kind of project with me before, however, my oldest proceeded to work on the project while at the same time saying "mommy this is messy". After pointing out that we were still having fun he altered his statement to say, " this is messy but it's fun".
Once the paper mache project was set in place to dry we all got ready for the best part of the afternoon. All of us, except for the youngest who was taking a nap, had a family water gun fight. Me and the boys got our medium-small sized guns, filled them with water, and got ready to squirt each other with water. After a few minutes the husband comes out of the house with a super soaker. So now instead of the three of us squirting each other we all had to gang up on the hubby with the big gun. All in all it was a great afternoon. In one word I would describe it as PRICELESS!! The next time you are planning what to do for spring break, or a family vacation, or just an afternoon with the kids remember that it doesn't take hundreds of dollars to have a great time. All you need is a little imagination and a lot of love. Stay tuned for more to come in Spring Break Chronicles 2011.
We took toilet paper and paper towel rolls then put masking tape over one end. After which we put rice inside each one and taped up the other end. The next step was for me to make a paper mache paste using 1 part flour to 2 parts water while the boys cuts strips out of the paper they decorated earlier in the day. Then we proceeded to the back porch where we took the strips, dipped them in paste, and wrapped them around the rolls. My second oldest has worked on this kind of project with me before, however, my oldest proceeded to work on the project while at the same time saying "mommy this is messy". After pointing out that we were still having fun he altered his statement to say, " this is messy but it's fun".
Once the paper mache project was set in place to dry we all got ready for the best part of the afternoon. All of us, except for the youngest who was taking a nap, had a family water gun fight. Me and the boys got our medium-small sized guns, filled them with water, and got ready to squirt each other with water. After a few minutes the husband comes out of the house with a super soaker. So now instead of the three of us squirting each other we all had to gang up on the hubby with the big gun. All in all it was a great afternoon. In one word I would describe it as PRICELESS!! The next time you are planning what to do for spring break, or a family vacation, or just an afternoon with the kids remember that it doesn't take hundreds of dollars to have a great time. All you need is a little imagination and a lot of love. Stay tuned for more to come in Spring Break Chronicles 2011.
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