Hollywood - Universal Studios

We were happy that we included Universal Studios Hollywood on our trip. We spent the first and last day of our trip there. There was plenty to see and do since the kids and I have never been there.

We ran into to some fun character meet and greets for Carter. Ashlynn does not like to be around anyone dressed up in a costume that she can't see their face. So, she just sticks with the princesses.

The studio back lot tour was really neat too. We got to view sets that were used in movies and TV shows. We went through a 4-D movie that included Hong Kong and dinosaurs..it made you feel that you were really there. I have to admit that Ashlynn and I were slightly scared during the show, but it didn't last long so we were fine.

The kids always want to have their face's painted at Lagoon, but I never let them. So, they asked again here and I gave in since this was a special trip. They were in heaven that their faces were painted. People gave them looks at the airport when we flew home. They were so funny.

The kids including Matt had fun at the Curious George playroom. It was a huge playroom with very soft balls that you could put in guns and shoot others around you. We saw lots of 4D shows that were really neat as well! We had a great time at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

Then, when we got home we spent the next few days recovering from all the walking and running around in California. We had the best time!

A quick Trip...

While the kids were off track from school we took a quick trip to Anaheim and LA. I found an awesome deal on flights to Long Beach that I could not pass up. It was cheaper to fly than drive the 12 hours to Disneyland. We also saved because we didn't have to stay very long due to the short hour and half flight. So, we flew out at 5:00am on Monday morning and came home on Wednesday night at midnight. It was the best busiest trip ever...we were up early and went to bed late every night. There wasn't time for down time unless we were in the rental car going to another place. It was great!! Every minute was well spent! When we got off our plane, we picked up the car and drove to Universal Studios in Hollywood. We spent all day until closing and then headed to our hotel back in Anaheim. Amazing enough that we made it back to our hotel in time to swim in the pool. Then, we woke up bright an early the next day to get to Disneyland at 7:00am then stayed there for a full 16.5 hours straight. That's right..we didn't leave the park once. I guess spending hours at Lagoon the kids are used to long days at amusement parks. The lines and weather were great! No complaints!

We loved this roller coaster! It shoots you up so fast at the very beginning of the ride.

Ashlynn's favorite was the new "Little Mermaid Ride" she could of rode it over and over. She also loves "Small World". Poor Carter very much dislikes the ride, but did his best to get through it for Ashlynn.

The "World of Color" show in California adventure was so amazing! Matt surprised us with reserved seating that came with a meal that put us sitting in the very front of the show. We could feel the mist of the water, feel the fire on our faces and the best part was that the kids didn't have anyone in front of them. It was a sneaky and fun surprise from Matt.

Carter's room makeover

We finally were are able to make over Carter's room. He has been asking for a skateboard/extreme sports room.

Here is what we did:
1) Painted the walls a cement blue color to resemble a skate board park. Matt saw this paint sitting in the oops paint shelf last summer and grabbed it thinking we could use it somewhere in the house, the best part was it was only $5. It turned out to be the perfect color to paint Carter's room.

2) Spray painted his furniture and bed a high gloss black with metallic shiny knobs. They all turned out so crisp looking. The down side is you can see the dust collection really well.

3) Matt made some very nifty shelves that resemble a skate ramp that are above his bed and wrap around to the window. They turned out so perfect for the room. Matt also made some thicker shelves for another wall above his dresser to put more of his boy stuff up. He has so many team pictures and trophies that these shelves are perfect to show off his rewards.

4) I also added some skater and bmx bike wallies to his wall. It made the room look more put together with our theme.

5) I am in the process of finishing a curtain and making a window seat cushion to make a reading area for him.

We all are pleased with the results of the room makeover.

Valentines Day

What a day it was to celebrate Valentine's Day. Matt and I went out for lunch and then I headed to the kids school to help with both of their parties. I just went back and forth from the classrooms. Good thing they are just down the hall from each other.

Carter's class learned about manners and how to escort a girl appropriately. They had to take their arm and walk them down the hall. Then, the boys served the girls some salad first before they could get their own. It was so cute to watch and there was some giggling going on around the classroom. Then they played some fun games. To end the party their class combined with another class and had a dance. The kids were paired up with a partner to dance with. It was so fun to watch. Carter just pulled his dance partner around the dance floor.

Ashlynn's class made passports that contained fun stories about how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world.

We also had a quiet evening at home. It is very rare that all of us are home at the same time. Matt didn't have church meetings, I was off work, Carter didn't have scouts and Ashlynn didn't have Dance. It was so nice to just enjoy dinner together, exchange valentine gifts and watch our recorded shows. We had upside down pizza and chocolate volcanios for dessert. It was a great night!

Lost a tooth & added a feather

Parry's Perch

Parry likes sitting in the family room with us so Matt made him a perch to sit on. It has a swing and other fun toys to play with and some yummy millet for him to snack on while watching the TV. I can't believe that the bird just sits there and doesn't fly away. One morning we all the left the house and forgot to put Parry back in his cage. When we got back there he was sitting on his perch just taking a nap. I wonder if he is just scared for his life.

Parry the parakeet

Yes, I know most of you are thinking how a pet got into our house. I am the one that is anti-pet for just about every animal, but Carter has been wanting a pet for a while. Matt and I thought this would be a good time since Carter has been stressed about his new hearing aides that he has been trying out. We thought pet therapy would help him, since animals seem to make him happy.

According to his recent hearing test his hearing is continuing to decrease from last year. Although, others and we do not notice any hearing problems the test still shows he has moderate to severe high frequency hearing loss now in both ears. Last year it was just his left now it is both ears. Carter has been to several doctors, had a sedated MRI and several hearing exams and he seems to puzzle everybody. So, we are trialing hearing aides to see if Carter notices anything different. The poor kid was so nervous to look different.

So now you can see how I would do anything to make him feel happy so... We have been visiting pet stores quite frequently looking at all the pet options and I just couldn't bring myself to have an animal in the house. I like to look at them at the stores and then walk away, but the kids and Matt are the exact opposite they want to bring everything home with them. On a funny note, Matt has been missing a few times in the pet store and we can now always him with cats.

So, I had a softened heart and said yes to a bird. This was the best option because it is low maintenance, not that messy, small and can be kept in a cage when not being played with.

Carter named the bird Parry the parakeet and he is very docile, quiet and likes to hang out with Carter. The bird just watches Carter with what ever he is doing. Matt is confident that he is going to get the bird to talk because we learned that parakeets have the largest vocabulary than any other bird.

Carter is happy that he finally got his wish to have a pet.

Now for an update on the hearing aide trial: Carter doesn't notice anything different he is just annoyed that his and other voices sounds like their talking in microphones. He says they are itchy inside his ears and can only handle them in his ears for a few hours. Not sure if this is the result we were looking for, but he has them for a month and we will see how he performs with a hearing exam in a few weeks. Carter is doing very well and keeping his spirits up during this trial.