My Life is NOT My Blog

Lately I admit I have had no desire to write, blog, share. PERIOD. When the sudden change of life events happened I haven’t even had a chance to digest my options, weigh pros and cons, the event horizon landed and now I am left to deal with my spinning.

I talked with my sister the other day (GASP, I know…we may fight but she’s still my sister) and we both agreed on one thing (GASP…I know, we agreed) which is we could shut our blogs down and say “Who gives a fuck.” Because really that is who I am. Â I came to the conclusion that my writing has been driven based on what my audience wants to read, what would be “PG blog material” for PR or whomever. Why do I give a shit about that? I DON’T!

My life is NOT DEFINED by my blog, my blog defines my life.

My writings talk about my feelings, my life, how my life is like everyone else. Struggling to sometimes get through the day feeling unappreciated, alone, at times feeling unloved with the effort and hard work we put into our homes, working an ever thankless job that is glorified to be some great fucking experience. Not everyday is a picnic.

Granted, motherhood has MOMENTS that are to be cherished. When Grant told me when I was 6 months pregnant with the twins and as huge as a house and we went to a wedding, he told me how I looked like a princess. I melted. When the twins told me for the first time “Lub yoo,” I got teary eyed. But other moments and days are robotic, insane, going through the motions of day-to-day.Â Seriously, we can take a licking and keep on ticking.

I also began to ponder how asinine the parent-child relationship is defined. I mean, our children can hit us with no repercussion but if we spank them, child services is banging on our door calling us “abusers.” Do you see the insanity? I am not suggesting we go wail on our children, but come on, the suggestion just screams what the shit. Â I digress. Back to my rant.

Someday’s I find I would rather not blog. Being a mother of twins is challenging. To say the least. Sharing how dealing with two toddlers wears away at every inch of you brings on nay-sayers about “Well I have two toddlers…and they aren’t twins….I can do it.” Good for fucking you. When you deliver two at the same time either through your vagina or an intricately cut incision into your perfectly uncut skin, then let’s talk. It’s not a damn competition…

And that’s where I find myself lacking motivation. The constant judgment of you are only as good a mother as you share on your blog. You are only as good as your blog. I can’t access your blog, blah blah fuckity blah. Let me say this again:

MY. LIFE. IS. NOT. DEFINED. BY. MY. BLOG. MY. LIFE. IS. DEFINED. ON. MY. BLOG.

Which leads me to the fact that if you don’t like that I drop the “f” bomb, don’t read it. I try to limit my use, but why? It’s my blog, these are the feelings and thoughts in my head and really, I use the work fuck as a proposition, noun, verb, adjective, hell, even as a conjunction in my sentences when I talk at home. *GASP and yes….in front of my children. I would rather they hear the word from me than from Billy down the street, then I only have myself to blame for my child telling sixth graders they are “fuckers” and throwing rocks at them in a taunting fashion.

So I beg the question, why worry so much about what other people think? About the language used? Because Barbara Bible-thumping Bozo doesn’t like it? Well go pray for me Barbara. Because some Linda says I won’t get opportunity. Cry me a FUCKING river Linda and write some letter in your basement, since opportunity does not motivate me to write. Or my audience does not appreciate what I am writing about….the fact that my kids do not shit rainbows and sunshine, singing like harmonic angels, and I with my perfect hair…I am just missing some pearls to top off the air of perfection right?

Get the hell outta here. I find that my audience is not who they used to be anymore if in fact my audience even exists. Well, Ellen I know you are reading this, so big hugs to you woman. I am finding I am sick of being like everyone else and their damned canned sunshine, or no, sorry, bottle of sunshine with Xanax or whatever fucking concoction your doctor prescribed with this medicated mommies bullshit. Really? You are proud to be hyped up as a way to deal? Shit…then by all means blog. I have no bottle of hype, I have no medication. However, I have great stories, I have great experiences, I have lots to share that have not been touched on because God, Allah, Buddha, Higher Power, forbid I offend, scare, or not play by the rules. Heaven forbid I admit that some days my life feels like a pile of shit and the people who are my friends abuse my kindness. That some days I want to blog about how my husband could do me the fucking favor of putting the butter knife used to make his sandwich in the dishwasher that is three feet away, rather than leaving it on the counter for HOURS. Other days I want to scream about how my twins are Tasmanian devils when they float from room to room making messes and I wish they would just sit and play with me because I won’t be able to do that later in life with them. Why I do care about these blogging rules and playing by them. I never played by them in real life. So why should I play by the rules now?

April 1, 2010April 15, 2018

Goodbye Stay At Home Mom

For the last four years to be exact I have been blessed with the opportunity to be with my child and then with my children at home. Watching them grow, watching my belly grow, and then watching as I delivered two more people into our home who have brought that much more joy.

I watched as Grant was transformed from a troublesome, often busy, and quite the handful toddler into a mellow, funny, loving, infectious to be around little boy. At first I dreaded the thought of staying home with him. I would be the entertainment, the playmate, the food handler, everything I had PAID someone else to do for me while I worked. While I enjoyed my time as a singular individual working in a professional office with professional attire, having professional conversations.

Dear God, I would now be the (dun dun dun) “stay at home mom.”

*Gasp! I cannot do this, I would not do this. Granted, sleeping in would be freaking fabulous. But what do I know about potty training my oldest and only child at the time, keeping him on a schedule, snacks, ABC’s, 123’s, what the shit was I thinking when I said, “Oh sure I can stay at home and work at home at my leisure.” I must have been on crack.

But I managed. I kicked the ass of my prima donna self, learned that wearing jeans everyday and a t-shirt (well, a hot fitted, not your average stay at home mom t-shirt) would be fine. I also managed to teach my boy Spanish along with his colors, alphabet, numbers and the “F” bomb that he would drop once while taunting some sixth graders. Yeah, that in and of itself is a blog post. However, I managed to be a stay at home mom juggling my son and maintaining a near perfect home.

Until we agreed to have another child.

What the hell am I thinking with these grandioso ideas? Oh right, we planned on trying to conceive ONE child, not a TWO in ONE deal. Silly Karie, twins are for…other parents. Again I was blessed. I continued to nurture and grow my bond with Grant and I nurtured and grew my surprise of a pregnancy.Â The dynamic in my home was changing again and now with The Chad working out of the house EVERYTHING was really changing.

The birth of the twins brought new challenges, drawbacks, pitfalls, enjoyment, and moments of hiding in the closet to cry. I never wished for anything in my life to be different. Knowing I was the only one in my family with the courage, sanity, and strength to tackle motherhood in such a unique fashion. I fully embraced the embodiment of what motherhood is as a job, as a joy, as a frustration.

Especially now as I am standing on the edge of a dawn of a new chapter in life. So much has happened in such a short time with bidding a sorrowful goodbye to child rearing today The Chad goes in for his vasectomy. A bittersweet moment brushed over me as I knew I would never smell a new baby born from my womb. My moments of motherhood frozen in time with photos and my impeccably solid memory (like an elephant really) will forever cherish those once in a lifetime moments.

Yesterday I received a call that changed everything. While I had not been looking for a job, since I have the unique opportunity of working from home, as I wish, generating income whenever I want, I had submitted by resume for shits and grins. Not hearing anything for months except for the typical “Come sell insurance” scams, I all but abandoned any idea of working out of the house and was pleased with feeling rejected. For once in my life!

Until I received the call offering me an unbelievable position with an even more unbelievable company that offers health insurance for our family that currently LACKS healthcare coverage. I would have a 401k again, lunches undisturbed, adult conversation, professional conversation, time out of the house and moreso than just a trip to Whole Foods and Costco.

But then I sobbed. I sobbed alone in my kitchen, in my bathroom, on my couch. I am still sobbing. Bawling like a baby, weeping the death of a life I felt so tragic to live. Who the hell wants to be a stay at home mom anyway. I did, I do. I held my composure long enough yesterday to visit a pre-school and childcare center the twins will attend and Grant will attend in the summer for summer camp. The twins were glass eyed and eager to see other gnomes, playmates, a new environment for their budding social personalities. I saw a germ infested, non-organic, styro-foam cup using facility that made my OCD cringe.

However, I know, and knew, in my heart that the twins will be fine. The facility is less than two blocks from our home, the staff is kind and loving, and the job I am offered and have agreed to take will yield money for our family that we need to provide the best for our kids. Even if only for a few years, which by that time the twins will be school age and yet another milestone in their life.

So with a heavy heart I take my fabulous new opportunity and bid farewell to the opportunity I so dreaded just four short years ago. I know this is best for my family, for our finances, and for my sanity, but ever so heavy on my heart. Goodbye to being a stay at home mom.

March 20, 2010March 20, 2010

Heres To You Mrs Robinson

“…Jesus loves you more than you will know.”

The song makes me want to smoke a doob, hang out on bean bag chairs, eat fondue, and just chill. Feelings of an easier time. Memories of a safer more easy going way of life. The Chad and I just sat singing the song together as we snacked on our sushi. Agreeing at our almost telepathic thoughts of how the song was written and sang in a time with less troubles. Albeit we did say that each generation had their own struggles, but that the times were simpler.

The times reflected a sense of family, patriotism, we were a village, one nation under the now controversial “God.” Â Laughing at the thought that the two of us are truly the end of a certain generation. A generation of children who would run home when the street lights came on at night. A generation where youÂ barbecuedÂ with neighbors, their kids walked to school with you, you actually knew the names of your neighbors and saw them daily.

I find myself saddened that my children will never know the luxury of sitting in the back hatch or window deck of a car on a long road trip. Gazing for miles at seemingly endless road and terrain. My children will never know the meaning of “when the street lights come on” as the signal to get your arse home or that dinner would be on the table. Hiding a house key under the front door mat. Borrowing a cup of sugar. A pen pal.

Have we lost all touch with our community? Have we really stepped away from the “it takes a village” mentality? Or do these things still happen except for in rural areas? Small towns?

Seems like today our world is so much hustle and bustle. A level of disconnect where we no longer connect with people but more of ideals, grandioso ideals at best too. I watched a video this evening of fellow Americans throwing money at a man with Parkinson’s Disease who is for healthcare reform. Have we evolved into a world, community, nation of every man for himself? Am I alone in this feeling? Just seems like the time was not so long ago that we were kids, in a different time. When did the world grow up and tell everyone to eff off and worry about themselves?

March 18, 2010

The End of An Era

The long road to parenthood. Trials, tribulations, struggles and heartbreak led us to ourÂ beautiful gift. He was so aptly named Grant. Our gift. We sputtered as new parents,bumbling at times, our decision was “no more kids” for some time. Until we jointly agreed (albeit we were suffering from honeymooners syndrome while at a wedding) to try for another baby to complete our family. Shortly after this decision we found we were pregnant…with twins.

Laying naked upon an operating table as my uterus suddenly becomes a treasure chest to root around in for the prize, we again made the decision for “no more kids.” However, not but a month later as we sat oogling the miracle of our twins we began to gaze into one another’s eyes. I let the following statement fall flat, out of my mouth, “You know…we could just have one more?”

Wait was that a statement or a question looking for justification. The Chad looked at me and said, “Dude are you nuts!? How many twins have we been pregnant with and delivered?” and just when my postpartum tears began to flow he chimed in with, “Babe…I have thought about another baby too…” and he let his words hang.

Flash forward two years, past an entire YEAR of tandem breastfeeding, tremendous weight loss and weight gain AND weight loss again, teething, crawling, walking, talking, and now peeling the paint off the walls. Bold escapes, kindergarten, going from mama to “mom,” we have reached yet another milestone as a family.

On Monday March 22nd we will close a chapter, the end of an era, I am and will endure a small bit of grief as we move forward in our lives, as The Chad visits a urologist. Yes. A urologist. The trodden track to say goodbye to his ever powerful little swimmers. No longer will the crew (semen) of the Navy ship “Joey” swim my sea of “Freeda” to resuscitate my drowning gametes. No longer will my uterus be host for a beautiful little parasite. We are done having kids.

I am relieved and saddened all at the same time. I am sad that I will no longer experience the joys of a first smile, the first tooth, crawling, first steps, no more firsts. Because motherhood has become so much more to me when I had the twins. My great feat was to have children. With the birth of my first, Grant, I was overjoyed, when we decided for a second we really got a double! But the first feeling that waves over you when you hold your child after birth, that first is one that I will cherish for each pregnancy, child, no longer will I feel that feeling except as a memory. Bittersweet and grateful for my elephantine memory.

But we know this is best. We have agreed that if we do not follow through with this decision and we do get pregnant, we might as well call aÂ TVÂ network. We had better start working on getting pregnant again because after, one singleton pregnancy and delivery, three twin pregnancies and one full term twin delivery is statistically proof enough that we will have more twins and enough to tell us we are NUTS if we do not go through with this decision. So on Monday we have a consultation to bid farewell to his boys.

Ever so grateful that we can count our chickens as they have all hatched. Forever we shall be “The Five Fish” and I could not be more happy and thankful for my family just as we are.

March 17, 2010March 17, 2010

Mini MacGyver

Humans are ever resourceful. Truly children though are BY FAR the most resourceful, creative, creatures with endless ingenuity. I knew when Grant was born that he would capable of great feats of genius. So much so that at the ripe age of two heÂ maneuveredÂ his way out of the house. Many times. Now I do not mean unlocking the deadbolt and walking outside, clearly he mastered this by the time he was walking.

No I mean The Chad and I installed a fail safe, no way in hell you can get out the front door, to stroll the neighborhood with the two dogs, operation. We installed slide bolts at the six foot level. We installed door chains (like the ones you see in older hotels). We so much as even installed deadbolts that you need the key. And. The. Key. Is. Hidden.

Alas, our attempts to keep said boy in the house failed.

Let me remind you, he was TWO when he picked up the broom out of the laundry room and lifted it into the air to slide it between the door chain and the door. He slide the chain to the keyhole opening to pop it out of position thus unlocking the door chain. Grant then placed the broom back onto the hanger from where it was resting, opened the door into the garage, snatched another broom to push the garage door button, and was well on his way.

Crafty little devil.

When Thing 1 and Thing 2 came along I thought, “HA! Best of luck midgets, Grant got me good…no way you two will out do the boy!”

Then I ate my words.

Broccoli – Used as a weapon ofÂ assÂ mass destruction
A colander….is now a step stool.
A toothpick….can unlock any bedroom door allowing for a carnival to take place in my bathroom where at least a half dozen rolls of toilet paper are used for dunking….in said toilet.
Toothpaste….the newest carpet cleaner.
Batteries….the 9V are used for fun. Place on tongue. Ensue giggling.
The recycling bin…a great place to recharge off just a few drops of the left over smidges of Pepsi Max in a crushed can.
The laptop? Used for a memory game. Mom….can you remember where all the letters go on your keyboard. (I kid you not!)
Vacuum attachments are used to knock things off counters, sweep counters forÂ wanton items, oh and they make great swords.

Have fun Storming the Castle!

March 16, 2010October 6, 2014

Empty Nest

Boy on beach, San Diego, thefivefish.com

We stepped out of the overcrowded room, onto the open walkway overlooking the pool and began our journey back to the car. Hand in hand with little people who could hold no more than a single digit we walked along the balcony style breezeway to the stairwell. Quiet. The only sound was the pitter patter of the small feet that struggled to keep up with our pace. As we all descended upon the stairwell the silence was finally broken, “I feel like we are forgetting something…someone. A feeling that just is not right.”

I looked back in his direction to see the same expression of sadness and relief. Relief we FINALLY got out of a hotel suite that clearly could not accompany three adults and eight children. The sadness as if we just left or abandoned our child. As we both spoke aloud saying, “He will have a good time….he will have fun” much as if we were trying to convince ourselves that letting our oldest child venture on a vacation without us is perfectly acceptable. The seven days that he will be gone, not to wake in our presence, ask incessantly to play his tauren on my WoW account, his sweet requests for dinner, are gut wrenching.

My air way closes off, the burning and blurring of my sight as tears well and I fight the urge to cry. Not even when I was in pre-term labor or when I delivered the twins was I ever away from Grant this long. While I know in my heart he is having fun and enjoying his spring break vacation with his grandmother and cousins he sees only on rare occasions, I cannot help to worry. I cannot fight my bit of empty feeling. Â A somberness passes as I accept that my baby is getting older and he will want to spend less and less time with his father and I and his younger siblings.

I see the future that one day my boy will be a man and I can be thankful I spent the best years letting him spread his wings. Departing on small adventures on his own. Allowing him to find himself, his individuality, and finding happiness that we never held him back. The world is his playground and we are there to catch him if ever he should fall. We cannot wait for you to come home, we love you, miss you and hope you are having tons of fun on your vacation Grant!

Love,

Your Overprotective Mama and Encouraging Dad

March 12, 2010March 12, 2010

Judge and Jury

A conversation took place yesterday that really stirred a fire in me. Feelings of disappointment and frustration and general what the hell. The conversation was about how a judgment and rather several judgments have been made about me in many fashions. The verdict was clearly out by my family and the sad part is that I have to present proof otherwise, ALL. THE. DAMN. TIME. Sad really to have to present your own case to the ones in life who should know you best. Secondly I watched as some vicious idiot judged me publicly and without a conscience on the Internet. Bad move moron, and yes, that is my judgment of her.

But what I find more damning is that people claim to be “open minded” and “not judgmental” all the time, yet they make claims that clearly exhibit a form of judgment. More or less they have predetermined a person, situation, fuck it lets just say they assumed for the sake that theÂ euphemismÂ of assumption is fun. Mainly because we can say ASS and we are not referring to a buck toothed cousin of a horse.

What I am amazed by is not by the act of judgment, we all pre-judge to some degree in life, I am amazed by the wicked passing of judgment. The fact people will vomit malevolent statements based on their own ignorance. We were raised by a certain set of ethical standards and morals, or okay not WE, but a vast majority of people were raised in this fashion. These morals and ethical standards began to evolve as we grow through life. Sometimes the evolution means skewed lines or obtuse views or even the idea that these “rules” are tossed aside and ignored completely. However, others are so tightly gripped to their narrow guidelines that their worldly acceptance is so unswerving.

Yes that was my judgment that I think those people are ignorant. I pass judgment, we have all passed judgment, but to judge the PERSON is a separate act than to judge the situation, the person’s beliefs. Albeit judgment does NOT mean we have to destroy an individual, violate their boundaries, assassinate or crucify them in any fashion.

For example, many loved ones in my life CHOOSE to live a different lifestyle than me. More specifically, The Chad’s uncle is a gay man, openly gay. I commend him for his openness in a world that is so cruel and judgmental. His lifestyle is not for me, probably because I am a woman, however we do share a common penile infatuation. Ergo if I was a man, I would be gay. But I do not tell him that HE or his life is wrong, nor do I judge anything else about him or his lifestyle, because his life is not wrong, nor is his love. He is a helluva good man, and good cook might I add! Another example is my mother who has been together with her “spouse,” the man I refer to as my father (step-father for specifics people), they have been together for over 20 years and have not exchanged vows. Do I judge my mother for this, nope. Have I made a judgment regarding living together and marriage and all that “conservative” minutiae about traditional “marriage” and “living in sin?” Sure, but my view is, “Different strokes for different folks.” Considering I am married and have been married for 1o years I can see how my mother may not want to marry again, I can totally see and understand. So I do not judge her, I accept her decision and do not judge to be wrong.

Maybe the fact remains is that people judge so harshly based on his or her own fears, insecurities, bold jealousy, or the flat fact that they REFUSE to accept that other people have a way of life very different from his or her own. Thus they shove their opinion and “their way” down another’s throat, going as far as to violate boundaries, destroy relationships, exhibit public humiliation, and failing to find the even keel to say “I agree to disagree, your life, your decisions, not mine, no bearing.”

I know I have played judge and jury. I was young, still am if you ask me….my 30s are like my 20s only stronger, hotter, and way smarter. But I was very immature and made judgments about people and rather than making a judgment about a choice. I have since paid due to right my wrongs and display a level of neutrality and openness, hence my registered Republican voting card, choice of a democratic president, ALL FOR same sex marriage, and family values. Isn’t that a cluster fuck…

So I ask you, why judge so harshly? Â What are we teaching our children with these actions? Have you ever judged so harshly and thought “Why be like the rest of the cattle?” or are you on the opposite spectrum “I am right and the way I know is right and so damn you and your (*insert actions, beliefs, etc)!” Why is agreeing to disagree about views, opinions, and a way of life so hard to do? Does judgment have to do with control? Trying to control others and their actions? What’s your verdict?

March 10, 2010February 24, 2020

Care4Hire

Do you recall your last date night OUT of the house? Do you know the last time you actually HIRED someone to watch your children? Pets while on vacation? Or maybe even hire a housekeeper to take a stay-cation from housework?

As a mother I have a hard time finding a sitter for my kids. Even when our kids were just THE kid (Grant) finding a sitter to keep up with his high energy and could be responsible was rather difficult. We have a pool and even though the pool is locked and no one can access but The Chad and I we would carry a heavy conscience with “strangers” watching our children with a pool. I relied heavily on my mother and to some degree I still do rely heavily on her to watch my children when I ask. I trust her fully. She is ACLS certified so CPR has got nothing on her, not to mention she is grandma, so the kids love when Grandma Sandy comes over.

Now that the twins are not infants and I am not breastfeeding The Chad and I would like to do a lot more as a couple. Date night, a movie, shopping, or just a break from the kids to gather our sanity. We tried an online sitter service before and the process was awful. Interviewing children (13+ year olds) basically to watch my children. Children should not be watching other children. PERIOD! A hormonal teenager does not have their wits or right mind about them to watch a toddler and a six year old.

Enter Care4Hire.com.

Care4Hire.com is a caregiver service that meets your various needs such as a quality babysitter, housekeeper, tutor, companion/eldercare, pet sitter and Miscellaneous care such as a personal assistant, gardener, party planner, whatever your needs may be. The service provides you with the tools you need to hire the right individual in your home. You can search the expansive database 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by zip code.

Care4Hire.com has been in the industry since 1987 which means they have been time tested and understand the needs of families as they have evolved. The organization also shares affiliations with Nannies4Hire.com a nanny service for families looking to hire a full-time, part-time, summer, or night nanny, or to meet the needs of the family. Both organizations service Canada and the United States.

In addition to sharing the information of this wonderful service I am able to offer ONE (1) lucky reader a one year membership to Care4Hire.com. To enter leave me a comment and tell me what you need Care4Hire.com for in your life? Housekeeper, babysitter, pet sitter?

Extra entries:

Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect or tell me you do
Subscribe to my feed
Follow me on Twitter
Tweet this giveaway with unlimited tweets, no double comments: Win a 1-year membership to @Care4Hire from @KariewithaK for babysitter, pet-sitter, housekeeper. Ends 3/25
Follow Care4Hire on Twitter, Fan them on Facebook

CONTEST ENDS MARCH 25 @ 11:59PM

March 9, 2010August 2, 2015

Legoland Adventure

Spring break starts for so many families right about this time of year. Our family wanted and needed to take a vacation. BADLY! We wanted to go somewhere within driving distance,Â preferablyÂ near the ocean, and definitely not any place cold. Clearly the only choice is and was sunny Southern California. The next option was what theme park or entertainment would we arrange for the kids so they could lose their silly minds? We thought about the “traditional” theme park and were dissatisfied with the fact that the entire family would not be able to enjoy the fun.

Until I researched Legoland. Can I tell you that Legoland is THE best choice for kids ages two(2) to oh let’s say probably 13. I scouted the park out virtually through their interactive website and saw all the activities directed specifically for kids. Shows, rides, characters to take photos, play areas with splash pads (water play), playground areas for tots, and let us not forget the almighty roller coaster!

I think that was the best part of the park for myself, The Chad, and Grant was that we could all ride the coasters. He was tall enough to ride by himself and even if he wasn’t, as long as he had a friend or adult tall enough to ride they could go together allowing him to enjoy all the fun. How super cool is that idea? The twins were much the same as well for the rides. Because they are 36 inches tall they could ride a good majority of the rides, but some, and definitely not the coasters, they could ride with The Chad or myself. The first traditional fun ride that Grant went on with The Chad was Aqua Zone and it is THE very first ride you see when you head into Imagination Zone from the entrance.

I personally LOVED this ride because of the spectator involvement. On the platform that overlooks the ride you see six colorful posts with buttons. Little did I know those buttons control air cannons that spout off water in a high powered blast to the wave riders of Aqua Zone. So another mother and I were watching our boys and we decided to gang up on them and fire off as many cannons as fast as we could and as fast as they would recharge. Needless to say we soaked our families and a few others and I was laughing so hard my ribs hurt.

What we really enjoyed about the rides and the entire park is that Legoland reminded us of the biggest carnival that merged with a super cool theme park, minus all the ugly creepy carniesÂ seen at a carnival.

Also do not think that Legoland is just for “boys” because this theme park is a hidden treasure for girls. After taking Grant on his very first roller coaster which was the Lego Technic, which was awesome as he cried in fear and The Chad had to calm him. AWESOME! We headed up the hill from The Imagination Zone into Castle Hill and I started to lose my mind with Sara as we saw princess dresses and face painting. Now this is NOT your typical face painting, imagine your entire face as a canvas of beautiful, girly, glittery color.

More coasters awaited as Grant and The Chad went on The Dragon coaster and I took the twins over to Explore Village and Playtown as they were getting fairly antsy to play themselves. We went on the Legoland Express…SEVERAL times, raced down the slides, played with the Duplo blocks and raced down the slides again. The two of them were having such a ball that I did not think that taking them on any more rides would top the fun they were having at Playtown. I could not stop snapping pictures of them playing with all the fun they were having. Because really this trip and the park is made for kids the same age as my kids. The age where everything is new and full of imagination. After about the 100th time on the Legoland Express and I noticed that the sky began to grow a bit darker we moseyed our way back to the entrance of the park where we enjoyed some quiet fun and relaxation.

Legoland has the Sea Life Aquarium attached to the park and can I tell you…AWESOME! The perfect way to end an exciting fun filled day of rides and running around is by walking through the dimly lit aquatic paths where you feel like you are actually swimming with the fish.

The aquarium is all indoor and truly amazing. The sea life is plentiful and many of the exhibits are right out of the California landscape and they are replicated in a way to mimic the movement of the tides and water at the shore and sea level. Truly fascinating. We wound our way around to a room where we were completely surrounded by fish! The kids were in awe. We were in awe. Again the experience was breathtaking and relaxing. We walked some more where we came upon an area that resembled what would look like an above ground tide pool and a wonderful gentleman who urged us to touch and play with the sea life. Well I could not resist the temptation and began my sea exploration of touching starfish, sea stars, sea cucumbers, which are the COOLEST to touch based on how they look. Grant, the chicken that he is, we coaxed (forced his hand really) into the water to touch and feel as well. Just a really neat experience and very educational.

Legoland in our “fishy” opinion is GRADE A the best for kids. The park is eco-friendly (lots of recycling), far from crowded, has a really great atmosphere, no waiting in lines, the staff is exceptionally easy breezy. Considering that our kids almost got us removed from the park. Just look at them…failing to follow the rules:

Yes all three of the kids…going head first down the slides. In fact Grant was chased by the staff for failing to sit on his behind while going on the Dune Raiders slide.

Way to go guys!

Needless to say if we lived in California we would definitely invest in the yearly membership for our kids to visit Legoland as often as possible. Now that we also know how much fun they had we will be sure to plan more trips and include Legoland in our fun. Thank you so much to the staff of Legoland for a wonderful experience.

**The Five Fish received complimentary media passes to Legoland which were a one day park hopper that included admission for four to Legoland and the Sea Life Aquarium.*

March 6, 2010October 6, 2014

Twin Family Vacation

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Your life changes when you have kids?” Â Well DUH Sherlock! Have you ever heard the phrase, “You must (or sure do) have your hands full?” Yes, like all the time from people about my life as a mother of twins. I knew I had my hands full when I had Grant, they just happened to be able to hold two more when I had the twins.

Our life changed drastically with the twins and that included family vacations of any sort. When we had Grant and Grant alone, trucking around a single child in the airport is a breeze compared to a child and two toddlers. Not to mention any public place or venue that I take all three kids. Needless to say I understand why people, or parents with multiples do not venture into public very often, because the outing is an ordeal.

But The Chad and I were presented with a unique situation where he would be on business in San Diego for half the week. With San Diego being only a six hour drive from home, we thought, let’s make this a family vacation. The kids can see the beach, we can catch up with family, what is stopping us?

Not much stopped us and can I tell you that the worst part of the vacation was the packing, unpacking, and maybe not having enough for the kids to do while in the car? Otherwise, venturing into a “vacation” with twin toddlers and a six year old was totally doable.

I will say that having enough for the twins to do and having another adult to help is a MUST! I was thankful that The Chad was able to help with the twins because they were like Thing 1 and Thing 2 at some moments where each was going in his and her own direction and I did not have enough hands. I will also say that I braved the beach with all three and I am EVER so glad I did as I set them free. Each did his or her own thing and were completely content.

But as with all good things, they must come to an end, however, we are ever so glad they did come to an end. We could not be happier that we are home. In our beds, our house, our comforts of home. Now if we could just move home to San Diego we are set. No but really, we are thankful to be home and we cannot wait to share about all the fun we had! Honestly, I thought I was going to die on this trip. I prepared for the worst and at the end of the day, I got the absolute best because I was relaxed and I didn’t stress with my kids. I guided them from harm and let them just enjoy their time and their experience and we all healed our souls with this trip. Now, I must do some healing for my eyes as I get some much needed sleep to tell you all about our trip.