This and that

When we were on the airplane coming home from Florida I was looking at my sweet little boy looking out the window and wanted to always remember that image of him. So innocent and so full of wonder...the older boys call him a momma's boy and a suck-up because he's forever hanging on me and telling me he loves me. He's been that way with me from birth, but part of me wonders if having diabetes makes him feel both vulnerable and grateful at the same time. One time recently he said he wanted me to show him how to give himself boluses with his pump, but I told him that all I wanted him to do right now is live his life and be a kid, to let me worry with all that (most days it's almost like I have diabetes!). His response was one of his tackle-bear-hugs he gives me several times a day. He's very good about checking himself, and letting me know the minute he starts to feel hypoglycemic, but in terms of having to make decisions about eating and insulin, the time will definitely come when he'll have to do all that. Our focus has always been on his having the best possible blood sugar control so that he can enjoy the same good health as the other kids, but we also try to keep things as normal as possible in terms of just being a little boy. I'd love to see him get his black belt one day, or become a zoologist, which is his current dream. He's very tenderhearted when it comes to all living things, and wants to rescue animals some day. Oh, we were at a fishing activity on Thursday at a nearby park, and we went to the girl helping put crickets on the kids' hooks (I don't do crickets, just worms!). When she was demonstrating to Zach where you put the hook through the cricket as it wriggled Zach said, "Oh, this is SO BAD!" It broke his sweet little heart.

The other picture of Nathan was from the other day when we kept baby Luke for a bit while Kit was at a stained glass appointment. Nathan, too, loves animals, but has also always loved babies, and they love him, too. Luke was so relaxed in his arms he drifted off to sleep, it was just precious.

this is what I do!

"earthschooling" - "The new generation of eclectic schoolers considers the entire earth their school. We don't stay at home. Some travel the USA or the world or have a classroom outdoors. We may "homeschool" part-time or full-time or we may be involved in after-school or weekend enrichment activities. What we all have in common is that we base our schooling on the needs of our family & we create our own "ideal school" from the many varied resources available."

Disney 2009

We're back from our trip to Orlando with my parents (but Jon couldn't come). They were so generous, we got to stay at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and I have to say we felt a bit out of place! But it sure was nice to feel pampered and to have such plush accomodations, with 2 very nice swimming pools and a jacuzzi to enjoy. Here's how our week went:

Monday: Arrived and stayed at Disney's Pop Century Resort. Mychael spotted poop in the bottom of the overly crowded swimming pool, we think. Went to Downtown Disney to eat and check out the LEGO store, thoroughly mind-boggling and overwhelming to the boys. Even Jordan found some pink LEGOS to take home!

Tuesday: After breakfast in the room, loaded the cars and headed to Grand Floridian to leave cars and pick up the monorail, first stop was Magic Kingdom! I highly recommend staying at a resort on the monorail system, so convenient. After securing a stroller, we practically walked onto everything, including Buzz Lightyear, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Country Bear Jamboree, Thunder Mountain (even Jordan rode, and loved!), Splash Mountain, and the Carousel. Then we headed to the hotel to check in, and then we all took a two hour nap (ahh, air conditioning). We went back to Magic Kingdom where we ate dinner at Tony's, then did Mickey's Toon Town, the Grand Prix Race Track, Thunder Mountain, and some other things I can't remember...then got ice cream, caught part of the parade (Jordan was so into it, dancing and waving her arms), then got back on the monorail to make it back to the hotel to watch the fireworks. We had a great view of the fireworks from the marina, it was a perfect end to a perfect, magical day.

Wednesday: Lazy morning, Mickey waffles, pool, jacuzzi. Then my mom, Jordan, and myself had afternoon tea, it was wonderful. Headed to Downtown Disney again for dinner, then over to the theater to see Up...awesome movie.

Thursday: Breakfast, pack up and taken to cars by bellhop on a golf cart (mandatory at this place), then over to Animal Kingdom. Dad, boys and I rode the Everest roller coaster, great ride. Very hot, lots of crowds. Supposedly it was gay day...so not a big deal, looked more like family day. Went on a safari, pretty cheesey. Very hot, lots of crowds. Ate lunch, went to It's Tough to Be a Bug. Dinoland, very hot. It's unanimous, time to head home!