Monster Bites

The doctor's appointment was going so well.  My sons were perfectly behaved, and having such a fun time taking turns getting measured.  It was his 4-year appointment, so Xander even got his hearing tested and blood pressure taken.  Will was right at his side saying, "My turn, my turn."  Xander got a vision test, and Will was standing right to his side, covering one eye, and saying random letters and shapes, just like he thought Xander was.  I thought it was a pity that I hadn't brought my camera to document such a great time.

Until it was time for immunizations.

In the past, it hasn't been too bad... well, nothing that candy couldn't fix a few seconds later at least.  This time I decided to have Will go first (he needed 2) and Xander go next (he needed 5).  William's shots weren't too bad (it's never fun- but I had a purse full of candy, and he quickly forgot).  Then, Xander was up.  I had already told him about the importance of shots, and how they help us to not get sick later.  He had shots a year ago, but I wasn't sure if he could remember.  I sat him on the table, and was trying to decide if I should just catch him unexpected, or prepare him mentally for it.  I decided I'd prepare him, so that he didn't feel betrayed by me, so I said, "Xander this is really going to hurt, but just for a second and then it will be over."

  

Remember those words, and never use them on your own kid- because it caused him to start panicking and screaming immediately.  The nurse instructed me to hold his top half down, while he held down the lower half, all the while Xander was crying and screaming his head off and trying to get away.  I immediately wanted to laugh from the scene that he was making, and cry at the same time because he sounded like he was being tortured!  I mainly just had to stay calm myself, and talk him through it.  Will started crying, from being so scared from Xander's reaction.  

Finally it was over and I placed Xander in a chair, where he curled up in a ball.  I apologized to the nurse again and again that I'd told Xander it was going to hurt, but I didn't want to make eye contact, because I had tears in my eyes.  The nurse left and I thought it might be good to talk with Xander.  "So did it feel like a pinch, or a bee sting?" I asked.

Still whimpering, and with a sad little voice, he said, "It felt like monster bites."

The Happiest Place on Earth

Last week at this time, we were at the happiest place on earth- 

D i s n e y l a n d!

M-I-C-K-E-Y

Will was all tuckered out after a couple days without naps.  We stopped for a break and he fell asleep at The Golden Horseshoe on a pile of napkins for a pillow. 

                                     Teacups

My mom and Xander on Xander's favorite ride Buzz Lightyear. His other favorites this year were the Matterhorn, Toy Story, and Star Tours.

My best friend Tiff (who lives in CA, and has a season pass to Disneyland) met us with her hubby and girls on our last night.

We went on Indiana Jones together, and the ride malfunctioned halfway through.  It just stopped, shutdown, and all the light went out right before the best part.

We had to wait for staff to bring a step ladder, then we all got down and had to walk out in a line.  Oh well- I guess we got a back tour of the ride that most people don't get.  Good thing I'd already been on it earlier that day with Blair.

Indiana Jones himself.

Talk about fun.  It's Halloween-time too, so Disneyland was all decked out with their cute decorations.

SeaWorld

We actually went here for our 1st stop on our CA visit, a couple of days before Disneyland.

Getting ready for some 3-D entertainment.

Check out these piranhas.  It's weird but they don't even look like their fins or tails are moving, like normal fish.  They just look like they're frozen still... just waiting for someone to put their arm in and see if they're real, I guess :)

Feeding the stingrays.

My mom and Xander on a ride.

They had a whole new kid's section this year with rides and lots of fun things for the kids to do.

La Jolla

In between Seaworld and Disneyland, we stopped in La Jolla.  Here we all are.

We saw all the seals on the beach.

The kids and my dad ran around on the nice green grass, and the rest of us just sat and enjoyed the ocean breezes.  It was sure nice to have my parents along for the trip. There's nothing like an extra pair of helping hands. 

Another fun vacation.

Sticky situation

It was mighty quiet in the kitchen after Will went in today.

I went to investigate, and this is what I found:

Look at the mischievous little smile on his face.

Who knew that maple syrup could be so fun.