We're going to Disney World!

I briefly mentioned in my last post that our family would be going to Disney World this summer. In fact, we'll be going in 2 months 1 week.... but who's counting?!? Chase is beyond excited about our upcoming trip. I really didn't know if three would be too young and although I doubt he'll remember specifics from the trip we have decided that 1) he is at that magical age where he will just be in awe of everything and who wouldn't want to experience that, 2) he will have pictures, and 3) his rockin' Duchess is giving us this trip so who could decline! In fact, not only is Duchess taking us, she is going and so is Uncle Will, Jennifer, and Miss Madison. Are we going to have fun or what?!?!

Our trip is planned for June 6-14th and this will be Chase's first time on an airplane. He is so excited. Chase loves to pick Duchess up at the airport and she told him a long time ago that she would take him on a plane, he has not let her forget that. The fact we are going to see Mickey on that airplane just makes his double exciting for him. During our trip we will be staying at the All Star's Movie Resort, which I've heard is awesome. I've checked it out on http://www.disneyworld.com/ and it looks like we are going to have some major fun at this place. We are also planning on some character dining while we're there and I've already set up one meal and plan on setting up a breakfast this week. Chase talks about the trip daily and it is always the topic of conversation on the way to the sitter's each morning.

Jeff told me yesterday that he does not know who is more excited, myself or Chase. I agree, it may be a tie. ;o) I can't tell you how badly we need a vacation, but it's B.A.D.L.Y. Of course it's not near as badly as Duchess needs one!

Due to the timing of our trip we are delaying IVF#4 by a month. I've had a few people asking if we were going to give it another *try* and yes,we are, but not until after we've had some fun and enjoyed some much needed family time. Still not sure how we're paying for this, but we'll figure it out between now and then. Boy, I so don't look forward to those shots.

Anyway, off of the depressing IVF stuff and on to the exciting stuff. If you've got suggestions on what to see, what to take, or what to do at Disney World, please send them our way. Jeff and I have not been since our honeymoon in 99, so I know things have changed since then! Thank God this school year is almost over and my kids are where they need to be because I have a feeling it's going to be a tough 9 weeks to concentrate!

A 13 year old trapped in a 3 year old's body.

You know how teenagers like to do their own thing? For example they get their headphones, listen to their music, and totally ignore you for the entire dinner. Well, as it turns out, we apparently have one of those teenagers right here among us. Chase is a music junky just like his father. Not only does he love music, but the louder it is, the better it is. You routinely hear the words, "Make it louder" in our vehicle while driving down the road.

Months ago we upload the Cars and Shrek 2 soundtrack on to the iPod for Chase's listening pleasure. Now, while I do enjoy hearing a good song a time or two, hearing that same good song 10 times in the same day can get a little old. Last night I decided to upload The Doodlebops and Dan Zanes on to the iPod in hopes that we could maybe persuade our little guy to expand on his favorite tunes. Sure enough it worked. However, when we were going to meet Duchess for dinner tonight Chase wanted to wear the headphones and the iPod into Joe's Crab Shack. I agreed thinking that he would promptly hand them back over as soon as he saw Duchess and we sat down. Boy did I get that one wrong. I don't think the child said more than two words the entire evening. I'm not sure whether to be thrilled that I perhaps found a way to entertain my toddler and keep him quiet or if I should be offended that he would rather listen to his music than talk with us. I swear, it was like having a teenager.

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Now, I am excited and pleased to announce that we are going to Disney World. I believe that this topic deserves it's very own post, so I'll safe it for later.... but I just had to get it out!

Happy Easter!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter in 2008! We celebrated w/Duchess and Kahla's family and then today w/Memaw, PawPaw and Jeff's family. Chase was very spoiled by several Easter Bunnies and loved dying eggs, decorating Easter cookies, and mostly egg hunting. In fact, he enjoyed the egg hunts so much that he asked to hide them again. As soon as I have pics uploaded I'll made sure to post some, so check back soon!

Dinglehoppers

Yes, I know that I've been away *forever* and the fact that I am currently wrapping up my week of Spring Break makes you think that I would have blogged like a maniac, but what can I say? Well, I can say a lot, but basically I have been fighting some kind of chest something or other for what seems like weeks (gotta love the little germies I catch from teaching), we are *still* trying to get everything moved from the old house to the new house, and up until yesterday we still had the dino-dialup going and I just couldn't get logged on. However, now we have high speed so watch out world! ;o)

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What is a Dinglehopper you ask? No, it's nothing like Dingleberries, which I'm sure is what you immediately thought of upon reading that. A "Dinglehopper" is also known in Texas as a Mosquito Hawk. For those of you not familiar with Mosquito Hawks, they look like a gigantic Mosquito, but do not give you that lovely bite that Mosquitoes do. In fact, I've been told they eat Mosquitoes, but I've yet to see that in person. Now, how did a Mosquito Hawk become known as a Dinglehopper in our house? Well, apparently kids associate things in a way we never would. If you've had the pleasure of watching The Little Mermaid (for a zillion times like we have) there is a part where Skuttles explains to Ariel that a pipe or a comb, can't remember which since it's all just a huge blur by this point, is known as a Dinglehopper. This particular object apparently reminded our little one of a Mosquito Hawk because they are now known as Dinglehoppers. Nothing like opening the door at night and Chase yelling, "The Dinglehoppers are coming in, smack 'em!!!" Boy, kinda makes you wonder what the neighbors are thinking.

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I am still having a tough time coming to terms with the fact that my tiny baby is no longer that, and is now a Big 3 year old... although the lovely independent state that we are in quickly reminds me of that fact on a daily basis. He has his three year old appointment today and we got the all clear from his head to his toes. He checked out perfect (we knew he would) and although he refused to talk to the Dr., until we were leaving, he has hit every milestone that he needed to (and the some). He is now up to 32 pounds 10 ounces and is 36 1/2 inches long. Thank God it appears that he has his father's metabolism, Lord knows that he does not need mine! Oh yeah, I do have his three year pictures, but have yet to figure out to resize on this laptop, so that will take me some time to get them up. Now, you must excuse me, we are being invaded by Dinglehoppers and I need to clear them out. Oh, gotta love Texas when summer's on its way.

Life's Sweetest Chase - 3 Wonderful Years

My Dearest Chase,

As I sit here typing I can hardly grasp the fact that it has been three years since you arrived into my life. Three wonderful, but passing oh so quickly, years. I thought I knew what "love" was before you became a part of my life, but you have taught me that love is so much more than what I thought. Every day you make me want to be a better mother, a better teacher, a better person. Your innocence takes me back to care-free days and your deep belly laughs that I would give anything to hear take me back to times that were so much easier than this grown-up world that I now live in. You make my heart young again, my soul young again. You make me truly happy.

I never realized how quickly three years could pass and how much I wish I could make time slow down. I keep thinking that every stage is the best, how could the next possibly be any better... but it always is. Some days I wish I could freeze time and keep you just the way you are, but I know that this is simply a wish that can never happen. You are growing up so fast. Too fast. You constantly amaze me with the things you say and do. Just one short year ago you were still such a baby, now you are a big boy. You have entire conversations with people and remember things that happened months ago like they were yesterday. You have the most wonderful imagination and can entertain yourself, and us, for what seems like an eternity. You are such a funny little guy and every day you come up with new things that make us laugh and smile. I'm sure all of my friends think I'm the most bragging Mommy they have ever met, but all it takes is meeting you one time and they know why.

I can see so much of your father in you and that makes me very proud. You have his kindness towards others and his love for fishing and animals. You are very laid back like your Daddy and most of the time, that is a really good thing. I hope that you grow up to be just like him, then I will know that I have done my job as your mother. I can see a lot of myself in you too. You have your stubborn moments, but you are very determined. I hope that stays with you as you grow and you learn to never give up because you really can do anything you put your mind and heart in to.

Even if I wasn't your Mommy, I would think that you are one of the sweetest little boys in the world. You are so caring and loving to those around you and have such a kind heart. You have become so polite and even on your bad days, you are still really good. Whenever you are with friends and family they always comment on how well behaved you are. I would have to agree. Yes we have our moments, but you truly are a really good little boy.

Sometimes when I glance at you I can still see my chubby, little baby in your eyes but then you say or do something and all too quickly I am reminded of how you are now a toddler. However, in my heart, you will always be my baby. I never, ever want to forget these wonderful days. I hope that you will always know how much I love you. I would do anything in this world that I could for you and would lay my life down for you without a moment's hesitation. You have taught me what love is.

Happy Birthday my Dear Sweet Doodlebug. You truly have been my life's sweetest Chase.

Love,
Mommy

Chase's Big Mickey Mouse Birthday Bash!

All I can say was it was a HUGE success. OK, I can say more than that and you know I will, but that is a pretty darn exciting thing for me to be able to say. Friday night I made 18 individual Mickey Mouse cakes. They turned out adorable and were well worth the 7 1/2 hours (yes, you read that right) that it took me to make them. I would do it again in a heartbeat for the smiles that they produced... probably. I started the big cake and Duchess arrived in time to finish it for me. I think it was pretty darn adorable too, but I'm biased since it was for my Doodlebug after all and I know that. You can tell me what you think.

We arrived at the zoo, got set up, and the party was in full swing. The zoo was well worth what we spent to have the party there, only too bad that 10 people either no-showed (nice when family does that) or cancelled last minute. But hey, what's $70 in tickets that can't be refunded and were only good for that day. OK, I see myself heading down a really nasty path, so I'm going to move away from that subject and back to the good stuff.

The weather was perfect, the kids had a great time, and Chase had the most wonderful day. He loved every minute of it and has asked to do it again several times. His smiles were worth a thousand words and you could tell that he was having the time of his life. Nothing fills my heart w/joy like his belly laugh and smiles when he is that happy. He went full speed and was so tired that he actually slept until 10:20 this morning! I guess he really did wear himself out with all the fun!



We did visit the zoo after the party and came across the funniest thing. There is a cougar exhibit and by it there is a plate that tells about it. Under diet it lists: small mammals, large mammals, etc. Next to that someone had drawn in a stick figure person. I got a picture, but will have to upload it. Now that is my kind of humor. "People.... it's what's for dinner."

Boy, hard to believe that on March 7th, my baby will actually be THREE!