Free Stuff and A Confession

First, the free stuff. Yesterday, my mom came in and told me that our neighbors had a playhouse in front of their house labeled “free.” I had wanted to get the boys a playhouse, but I was waiting for our big move to buy one. Free is good. I knew that it was pretty much brand new since I had never seen the little girl play in it. When Bruce and I went to get it, I noticed a tricycle on the side, too. Woo Hoo! I had also been looking to get them tricycles. The thing that had been stopping me was that there is no real place for them to ride a tricycle. The free one could be pushed around the yard. They were all very excited by the house and Evan and Bobby loved riding on the tricycle. I’ll have to snap a picture of them in the house later. Funny thing is that my Dad and I found the same house (minus a few parts) for my cousin about 15 years ago in the garbage. It was quite a sight to see, I’m sure. We began walking the house home from the inside. People driving by saw a walking house!

Now for my confession. It’s been brewing inside me for a few weeks now. My high school is having a 25th year celebration next month, and I’m having all kinds of feelings about it. Mostly, I worry that no one will remember me. Of course the teachers have had many students before and after me, so I really shouldn’t expect much (especially since I was just the quiet good kid). My “friends” won’t be there, so there goes that hope. But, this is something deeper than people I knew 14 years ago (gulp!) remembering who the hell I was/am. It’s been bothering me that I’m just not someone that anyone notices much. I try to be always pleasant and courteous and thoughtful, but it doesn’t seem to matter. Even being the mother of triplets doesn’t make me stick out in the minds of workers at places we frequent. The pizza guy doesn’t remember me (he remembers Bruce, though), the lady that we buy our weekly pretzel from at BJ’s doesn’t remember me (but she remembers Bruce)-see the pattern? Even when I’ve “been there” for a friend or acquaintance, more times than not, they’ve credited another person for helping them through. I’m tired of being invisible. What I have decided is that the celebration will be a good time for Bruce and I to enjoy a meal together that’s hot and (hopefully) doesn’t have hands stuck in it! It’ll be some much needed just us time.

New Stuff

The boys have some new things going on lately. They are big fans of Vanna White, and thanks to their daddy, they call her "dish." Daddy happened to say she is a "snappy looking dish just like Mommy." They love to see what she is wearing each night, and as the show starts Will begins calling an "M." They also sort of enjoy Jeopardy which they call "Jeoperly."

Will had begun using a new word-"damnit." He used it several times in rapid succession fairly appropriately. I'm troubled, but it's not the worst he could say and it doesn't come out too much.

There are probably a ton of things I'm missing, but the loss of the nice weather has really screwed with my brain.

Last Day of Magic

Day 8
It was our last day in Disney. I had arranged for a character breakfast in Animal Kingdom at Donald’s Breakfastosaurus. How could we not go back to Animal Kingdom? They had been talking non-stop about the “trucks” and the animals we saw. So, we got there a little later than we meant to and had to wait on the entrance line instead of going in through the breakfast line. We were going to be late! Ack!

We got through the gate, and the old me kicked in. We were about to do a “Speed Animal Kingdom” tour!! Of course, it would have been nice if Bruce had told me he had no idea where we were going, because I sent him ahead as he was in front of me on the line. It led to me getting aggravated BIG TIME. Then, we got caught at one of the in-famous not open yet ropes. Fortunately, we told a cast member we had breakfast reservations and got through. I raced ahead and checked us in. When I got back to Bruce and the boys, we got them together and got our family picture taken. It turned out to be the first even okay picture of our little family.

Once inside, we were pleasantly surprised by a blast from our past visitor. Pat, from RWJ Hospital, came by to say hello!! She was one of the head nurses while the boys were there and was a real sweetie. As she visited, our waitress announced that we would be singing Happy Birthday to the boys, so she stayed a few moments longer to sing with us. It seemed only natural since she was there on their actual birth day. It ended up being a really crazed meal, and the characters were not as wonderful as the day before at Crystal Palace. We left a little disappointed and not very full. I did, however, manage to grab a few mini muffins for later on.

We went on merrily back on the safari and along the wilderness trails. After the boys had a nap, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom for two last rides on Small World and the Jungle Cruise. At some point as we were walking right near the Castle, I heard an announcement that families were about to be selected by the Castle for a parade. I was shameless. I got us into that parade! We met a nice young lady who instructed us and another family on waving banners and waving at the crowd. She also gave us directions for dancing in the grand finale at City Hall! The boys were given little American flags to wave in their strollers. It was amazing!! I waved, I danced, I choked back a little tear. Then, when we got to City Hall, I silently gave thanks to my grammar school music teacher, Mrs. Quish, for teaching me the great patriotic songs and belted out every last word! My father later asked if it cleared the park. There’s a critic in every bunch, I guess. I only wish there were pictures.

Sadly, our trip had come to an end. We left the park-somewhat appropriately-as the evening fireworks began. I promised the boys through near tears that we would be back soon. We had such a nice trip, and I was sorry to see it end. We left the next morning and headed for a mostly uneventful trip home (except for our last day when two of our little munchkins came down with a tummy flu).

Cookies!

When does the boring Mommy gene kick in? I noticed it particularly yesterday morning. My mom came in with a yummy loaf of Italian bread for us and three shamrock cookies for the boys. Now, the old me would have broken open the bag and fed the boys cookies immediately (I probably would have even given it to them as breakfast). The boring Mommy me, though, immediately thought, “Great! They can have the cookies after lunch if they eat nicely.” Then I thought about the mommy thought and was shocked at myself for having changed into a mommy so completely. For a moment, I almost wavered and gave them cookies. They did have breakfast already at least. The after lunch rule stuck.

As a side note, we happily have Baby TV back. Our satellite TV people tried to make it a pay station, but it apparently didn’t work out for them. It’s baby friendly programming full of learning and parent tips for actively watching with said baby(ies). The boys are enjoying their morning milk and watching it now. Welcome back Baby TV!