Having a Birthday Party after a Hurricane

Last week we left on Wednesday to avoid the storm. We stayed in a little town named Ozark Alabama. The second town we stayed at was in Tory it's about two hours outside of Florida. It has the busiest traffic I have ever seen.  The good side I found a coffee shop I absolute love. I don't know what they put in the coffee but it's delicious!

https://www.facebook.com/VillageCoffee.Troy.Alabama/

When you order a drink they give you a chocolate covered expresso bean. It's because of them I have been drinking coffee all week. I haven't had coffee since May. I would move there just for coffee it's that good.  Once we were able to see our house had no damage it was clean up time. Clean up the branches from the yard plan Popsicle's 6th Birthday party which by the way isn't the best thing to do after a Hurricane. There was No School on Monday we handed out invites Tuesday then I dropped my phone so there was no way I could get calls or text.  I had so much anxiety about no one showing up. It turned out well we had twenty kids show up.

Christopher was having a blast!

It was a Mario Party at the last minute. I swear  he changes his mind like his underwear. I was so happy and excited when I saw the cupcakes the baker now thinks I love him. It might have something to do with the fact that I said it. Publix did an awesome job on short notice. 

 Thor wanted to go on the slide too so he had to stay in the kitchen. He looks sad! I gave him two bacon treats inside. It kept him busy for a minute.

                                     
        You never know when Life can change make it great every day you can. Sending lots of prayers for all that were affected by the storm.

The air show and Cajun Feastival

I love living in Florida. Especially when I can spend the morning with my boys laying on the trampoline taking pictures watching the air show. We spent over an hour just chit chatting with each other I even took a nap. It was just a beautiful day yesterday. We ended up at the park to finish out the show which is just amazing to watch. It's loud as can be which the kids don't mind at all.

A few years ago we went to the museum to look at the old planes up close. They even have a few planes the kids can get into. Then you walk out to the airfield to watch the air show. We live right on the strip the planes use to go to the airport. Next year I want to try to sit on our roof to watch it.


Summer is here it's time to put the jeans away bring out the shorts and tank tops till November. We went for a run my Popsicle made good time even after he was told he has asthma two weeks ago. He ran a mile with us in 16:10 instead of our 12 minutes flat which is still really good. My oldest Justin has it too but since our move to Florida he has seem to have grown out of it. I hope the same will be for Christopher. I don't want him to think this will minimize anything he wants to do. It will just change the way he does things only a little. I won't let him use it as a crutch.

I wish I had pictures to show of the planes but my battery died on me. That's what I get for not charging it the night before. 

We had a busy day on Saturday Justin was a hit with the ladies at the Cajun Festival. He was a walking magician. He has to volunteer two hours in order to stay in his magic club. He is doing really great. I love how he can just walk up and start a conversation with anyone. The feedback was amazing from the people he showed magic tricks to. I even had one guy ask if Justin did parties. He definitely takes that from his Father. Hubby could sell you anything even if you didn't need it. 

So the idea of eating crawfish was a hit until my boys seen it. I have to confess I have never eaten it. They both made a comment that they didn't want to eat anything that had eyes looking at them. I did however get them to try Jambalaya which was not an easy task to do since it has pork in it. We don't eat red meat at all. They put a brave face on to taste a spoonful. 

We tried to wash it down with  a cupcake that was just gross. I never thought it was possible to make a gross cupcake. Well now I have seen everything. Overall when talking later at home when I asked what was the best part of the day my boys said meeting new people. When asked what they didn't like the response was wasting money. I had to laugh at this which Christopher told me it wasn't funny to waste money. Yes, I have been on this life teaching skills with them this month along with being Irish (#12monthstolearn) on my fb page. I'm glad they are picking up on it. Six dollars for the Jambalaya and three dollars for the cup cake besides that it smelled of sea food which we probably never eat again. We still had a great time. I love these moments in time. 

Justin and Rain

He started his bucket list. Only a week out of school and he's bored. It started raining cats and dogs today its Florida it's going to every day now. Justin thought it would be a good idea to go wash the car in the pouring rain. The mom in me started to say no. Then I realize I have to take advantage of the situation he's wanting to watch the car and it's one less thing I have to do before our trip. I let him took pictures and videos. He was laughing the whole time. He was a little bummed out because he still had to go get the hose to rinse off the car because it stopped raining so hard. Christopher opt out of it he didn't find it to be funny or exciting. The things we do to stay entertained in the time of boredom. After Justin wash the car and rinsed it. I pulled into the garage dried it then did the interior. I even vacuumed it I just have to keep it that way over the weekend.

I love these moments because we might not have them again. I love being a mommy!  

Universal Studios

NO FEAR

It was hot,fun,and very entertaining.There is a lot to do as you can tell from my picture above my kids have a sick sense of humor. They are screaming and pretending their guts are coming out. They are too funny.  A spur of the moment trip out of nowhere my hubby says let's go. Before I could ask he was printing off the tickets. Not that I don't like his plans I just wish he would give me a ten minutes heads up or something. With my hubby that's impossible part of the reason I fell in love with him. His sense of adventure is off the chart. Our boys are the same way like let's go climb a wall. Why not it seems like the only logic choice to do after we filled our tummy's with ice cream. Maybe ride a roller coaster with Mom but don't tell her that is what it is. Yes, That was me on the Mummy Roller coaster.

Yes, Pure fear I'm screaming my head off. I'm not a roller coaster person this has all the proof. I thought I was going to die. I didn't feel that bad when I seen the picture Justin's my son was hiding. 

In this picture with Daddy he is straight down praying. He wanted to sit on the side to see the tracks only thing this coaster is in the dark. I was scared but I loved it. 

Hubby tried for Fear Factor in spandex which was a little sexy on him. He didn't win it was set up for one person to win the bragging rights. Our boys were excited and scared which in turn had poor Popsicle in tears when Daddy was hanging in the air. 

A random trip turned into a great day. Make sure you measure your little one before Popsicle was a little short at 38 inches. Most if not all rides kids have to be at 40 inches. We were turned away when it came to the Transformers ride which Popsicle really wanted to ride. They have a room off to the side for parents to switch. We were a little mad that we waited in line for an hour to be turned away. Justin and I had a hard time enjoying the ride because we all couldn't go. It was fun maybe next year we will have to do this again. Popsicle did get to take a picture with Optimus Prime outside the show. They cut his body off. It was pointless to buy the picture I just took one. 

I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted my camera with the bag is a little heavy to carry. The pictures I did get are awesome. It's about $96.00  dollars a ticket even for our boys it was $90.00 a ticket just for the day. It's a little expensive unless you rush with the park passes. It takes a whole day to see everything and still I think we missed a lot. Take your time travel light and have fun. I did get a heads up from a friend on the Jurassic Park ride at Adventure Island is a huge roller coaster just in case my family try to pull a fast one on me. I think I will do my homework before hand.

Sea World Trip

My Popsicle has been bugging me for two months to go see a dolphin. Here comes in at # 2 on my bucket list going to Sea World. I was a little hesitate about going because of all the drama surrounding this place with Black Fish. Now, I still feel a little guilty going because all the animals are in small cages. I don't agree with it but they still have to make money. Sea World does help animals it's not cheap to do it. It's like a catch 22 you in order to help with anything there is always a downside to it. We had a really great time however I don't think we will go back until Popsicle is much older. The workers seemed to rush us when we were deciding on what pictures to buy from the dolphin, sting rays, and shark feeding. They seemed to be unhappy too maybe it was the heat!

This picture above I'm using in my portfolio for Patricia Photography Company I'm starting. Something new I'm taking on.

It was a great chance to see what my camera lens can actually do.

It was extremely hot here last Sunday it was nice to cool off in the aquarium. Our boys loved sitting there watching the fish. 

Just an F.Y.I to avoid make sure you don't try to eat the fish you are feeding to the dolphins like my little one tried. It's really gross taking it out of his mouth. He did this all day long sometimes I wonder about my child. I think he does it just to see me react with a disgusting face. Each time he would laugh,smile and reply "I'm just joking Mom!" 

The only downside to this place is even after you wash your hands you still smell like fish all day. Thanks to Popsicle in the hot blazing sun after he wiped his hands on me the smell gets a little strong. In Justin's case his little brother thought it was a great ideal to play catch with one of the dead fish then afterwards toss it down his brother's shirt. He tends to be the jokester in the family with NO help from Dad while he is on the ground laughing. At least he didn't try to make me kiss the fish that was Dad's job. We had a blast when it came time for the Shamu Show.

I was able to get this picture after taking 30 of them. It was a little loud for us as well as Popsicle he hates loud stuff. A pair of earplugs is necessary for little ones! The animals seemed fine and performed great! 

Keep in mind if you take a trip to Sea world!

1. Take a change of clothes there are water rides.

2. Don't bring a purse get a backpack. It will be easier to carry.

3. Wait to you leave before you buy anything. Just so you don't have to carry it. 

4. When you sit in the seats at any shows. Look for the signs that say "Soak area" that means you will get wet!

5. We also learn that if you buy any photos from the feedings or the first picture they take of you when you walk in. Save the receipt instead of paying $20.00 for each picture it becomes $10.00 with the proof you already paid for one earlier. That would have helped eight pictures in. They don't tell you we were lucky. 

6. There is a kids playground but water everywhere. Bring a swim suit. 

7. Have fun!!! 

Disney World Christmas Eve

                                                 Bucket List markdown here we go.

                                      37. Take the boys to Disney World for Christmas.CHECK

I didn't think we would be able to do it this year but I'm glad we did. It was even better that my sister,mom and my little niece Eva were able to share this Journey with us. My sister has never been I was surprised my baby sister had a great time!

She is a big kid herself she was really excited calling everyone telling them where she was at. She was a total spaz she was more excited then the kids were. It was a blast! A little cold during the morning hours it was a jacket pants kind of day. The shops were insane it reminded me of New York tons of stuff you can buy. Just an F.Y.I wait to buy your stuff at the end when you are leaving which leaves your arms free all day. That's what we did.

We had to stop by and see Buzz. It was funny how my little one just carried on a conversation with him like he knew him for years. We had to dance with Frozone  I believe was a women inside the suit.

Justin and I got down but Eva not so much danced the super hero dance.

 Tea cup ride we are holding on for dear life

as my hubby tries to make us all dizzy with the help of our other son. 

Boys with the little mermaid Christopher was being funny as you can see his eyes are closed. He just saw the movie the lady in this picture kept in character. I liked that everyone who was at Disney had very high energy. It was great!

We had to fight aliens!

Love the Castle! 

The castle was beautiful in with that saying it was over crowed. My hubby almost got into a fight because some old man about 50 or so thought it was a good ideal to push his way though the crowd to try to get past our son. The man started talking trash which lead my hubby to tell him to show him. I almost had a heart attack for as long as we have been married I have only seen him get mad once. Again at another old man who pushed our son in our house not a good thing to push our son then when he was two or now that he is ten. I made him count to ten and breath we all had to. My sister almost dropped my niece thanks from an adult who two handed push her and others to get through the crowd. Thank god the stroller saved her from the concert because that wouldn't have been good for the adult. There wasn't a place where you weren't elbow to elbow or butt cheek to butt cheek with someone waiting for the fireworks to start.

Still not a stroller place there were too many people pushing the stroller I felt bad for my niece who was in an umbrella stroller and my Popsicle who was in a jogging stroller. The adults there were the worst of all.You would think they would get the hint that it's a kids place. Christopher had to be saved by me at the end of the night from being trampled on by adults. Hubby had to save him once again by another adult from falling on him as we were leaving. It was insane at the end of the night. There where just way too many people other then that it was a lot of fun. Thinking about next year already. My advice pick any other day beside Christmas Eve to go to Disney World if not leave before the castle lights up with fireworks. It's a lesson learn I guess if I had to do it over we would have just picked a spot up by main street to sit and wait for the fireworks to start.  Over all My mom had a blast she loved it made her feel like a kid again. She was able to go on rides with her grandkids and be silly.

Super Dad to the rescue!!!! 

Things to know for next time
1. Bring a jacket in December it will get cold once the sun goes down.
2. Be aware of stupid people mainly the ADULTS who have NO common sense that it's a children's place.
3. Get a spot up by main street if you want to watch the fireworks and stay don't leave till the crowd leaves.
4. Buy your stuff at the end
5. Take a backpack to put all your goodies in
6. Take a camera
7. Have fun
8. Be a kid again

The Gasparilla Invasion

Some random people we later seen at the bike show. I asked If I could take their picture. He was drunk his wife I'm guessing held him up.

Pirate Invasion in Tampa bay. Sounds like fun and kid friendly right? Wrong anything but kid friendly as my hubby and I found out after we paid ten dollars to park,thirteen dollars for chicken fingers and I guess what was chicken pita wraps that came to thirty dollars with drinks. It is a place to get wasted or drunk to your bones can't stand. I wouldn't want to forget the half naked women with signs that say" She wants to have her cherry pop because its her 21 st birthday." I just sugar coated it for you the words of the real sign made my hubby fall over. It was that bad. I'm so glad I can read fast enough to step in front of my nine year old before he had a chance to read it.
Let's add to this in the first half hour we were there. You have a bunch of church going people holding up signs talking though a speaker of God's words. I guess they thought a bunch of drunk half naked people would want to save their sins that day! I'm not sure how many people took them up on that offer. I do hope it turned out well for them.

The best part of walking back though the one million people starting to pour in the streets of bay shore was the deep fried snickers and oreo's we spent another thirty dollars on. This time it was well worth it. They are not very good for my get fit plan but hey It was my cheat day. Just look at these they will make your mouth water.

We were all very pleased with our treat. As we stuffed our face with all the goodness we came up to the ship of Gasparilla in the bay.

 He attack the bay now Tampa celebrate it by a get drunk all day festivities. If this is what you look forward to by all means have fun. I think next year we may move my mom down so we can take a walk on the wild side with the half naked drunk pirates. Overall this is a adult event so keep the kids at home. If you would like to know the whole story click on the link below. It's very interesting.
                  .            http://gasparillapiratefest.com/invasion.shtml

Bike Show

This weekend after our Gasparilla event we heard about a bike show. There were lots of awesome bikes. We seen the blues brothers with an awesome band beforehand that played some old rock. I haven't heard since I was little. I think that is one thing that I have kept going from my childhood is the love of music. Justin and I danced in the streets with the rest of the people that were there. My hubby and I rocked back and fourth signing.It was a lot of fun as you can tell from the video. If I can get it to post.
I  encourage  my hubby to buy a bike of his choice. Which he did I'm really happy he is happy! I guess you can call it an early wedding present from me. I'm awesome I know. My hubby is adrenaline junkie. It's so hot!! I can't wait to say I Do to him again later this year.

My Hubby's New Hayabusa Motorcycle

Our boys painted their hands on a bed sheet that is getting sent to our troops. Which I thought was a very thoughtful idea.
We picked up a jacket for my beloved hubby.

The night was completed with fireworks. We met a tattoo artist that will complete 14 hours of artwork on my hubby's back soon. I don't know if I will be present for that. I'm a worried that will shy me away from getting mind on my shoulder. We had a whole lot of fun. My hubby made me laugh so much my face hurt. We have never been happier!

  

  

A Day full of fun

We decided to take our boys to The  Florida Aquarium. As you walk in you come up to a large tank filled with sting rays. When we were in Panama City Justin touched a sting ray a few times. Both my hubby and son caught many of them fishing but let them go. Today was my first time touching them. I have to admit it took me a few times before I put my Hands in the water. When I did they felt slimy. It was weird yet calming. Our adventure today was amazing. We sat in front of this tank with sharks and tons fish it was breath taking to view these creatures up close. At that very  moment looking over at my boys holding my hubby's hand I realized how bless I am in my family and life.  Living here in Florida has been very easy. I believe it was our best move yet.

Afterwards we took a drive looking at some of the most beautiful houses here in Tampa. I think I found my dream house. We found ourselves at Hogan's Tampa Beach
Restaurants. If you have ever watch wrestling back in the day of course you know who Hulk Hogan is. Turns out he was at his restaurant the day before. The food was good more of a seafood/ beach meanu. Things here in Florida are different like a man walked in half naked while a woman took off her shoes to eat and another one came in without shoes. That would never fly in Michigan. It seem to be more of an adult atmosphere with an outside bar. A place you could play volleyball and it was connected to a hotel. It has been awhile since I had to let someone else park the car with valet parking. It was nice just like I expected with valet parking. It was the same as in downtown Detroit when my hubby would take me to the casino. Which we did often when we lived in Michigan. I still had a fantastic time yesterday. It was amazing to just let go of the week before. Our boys had a blast we ended the night with a movie. 
Resident Evil: Retribution was a little intense but you have to watch all the ones before to get this one. A little werid in the start of the movie. Just go pee beforehand or put on pause to make sure you get all the information. It was a all around fun filled day with my family. I loved every minute of it!