{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Disneyworld edition

{Pretty}

 There is nothing  better than this view!!!  Driving in gets me more excited than anything!

 Disney was all ready for the Halloween holidays.  

 LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

 I loved that these kids were so willing to wear these ears.

 Disney is the best with parades, fireworks and everything.  They take care of all the little details to make it magical!

{Happy}

{Funny}

 Our condo had light switches all at James' height, so we had lots of fun with that.

 Trick or Treating at the Park, and William was super excited each time he said thanks!  

{Real}

 Yep, even at the Happiest Place on Earth there can still be pouting and meltdowns.

 It was all new to James, and he was enthralled on each ride and show we saw.

 James was VERY wary of the characters, and would go near them very reluctantly.

 And even William sometimes needed a little help getting in photos.

 Thank goodness Daddy is our own Superman, and can carry those sleeping and tired boys.

 Tommy got his movie debut at the Indiana Stunt show as an extra!

 Waiting for a parade: and these two were the ones who were always ready to go!  James was awake the longest almost every night!

And sometimes, we just wanted them to be locked up.  :)  

It only took 11 years to make it back

11 years ago, Tommy and I spent our honeymoon at Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Florida.  It was a beautiful and relaxing place to be with my new husband.  Our family took a little trip this past weekend to Florida to celebrate Tommy's birthday, and he decided to celebrate at the hotel with dinner at his favorite Italian restaurant, Mamma Della's.  It wasn't quite as nice as when we were there, since we had all 4 kids with us, but it was so nice to take a walk down memory lane.

Dinner was delicious, and we were serenaded while eating.  It was lovely to be back, and one day we will be back WITHOUT kids.  :)

I'm not sure I would classify this in the "Two's" stage

When I am talking to James (who understands quite a lot!) and I tell him that he can't have something, or can't do something, I get this "ynot?" (pronounced: i-not).  He cocks his head to the side and his super expressive face says so much.  It just makes me giggle!

Some others:
"James!  I need you!  Come here!"
"One second, Mommy!"

Um, excuse me?

He's also super polite, even in the middle of a temper tantrum in your arms.  "Please down!  Pleeease down!"
And he will always say "'Scuse me" when he runs in front of you, or between your conversations, or after he toots or burps, and is always the first one to say "'Scuse you, Daddy" when he does anything similar.  We aren't raising savages over here, which makes me feel better.

Grandma Reynolds Update

Hello to all my prayer warrior friends!  I wanted to give a quick update about my MIL.  She was having a lot of trouble breathing, blue lips, and just very uncomfortable.  She went to the hospital last week, and they decided to keep her, and to move her surgery date up.  She had valve replacement surgery on Tuesday and everything went really well!  The cardiologist said the MRSA infection she contracted last time caused a hole in her valve.  Tommy spent the day at the hospital, and  was able to see her when she finally woke up.  In true Mom Reynolds fashion, she woke up asking about everyone else: the nurses (that she knew by name), the grand kids and the kids of our favorite nurse who is also a Knight of Columbus and a friend of the family.  She was able to leave ICU yesterday and was sitting up and eating.  The nurses have put in all precautions for MRSA again, since she had it last time, though she has been tested and re-tested to be sure she was without risk before this surgery.  She is such an amazing woman, and touches so many lives with her love and goodness, and I am just overwhelmed by the love that has been poured out for her.  We are still praying for a swift and safe recovery!  Thank you for all your prayers!

ETA: She is home!  God is so good!  She came home on Sunday, 10/13!  Pink cheeks and pink lips!  We are so relieved!

It's School Picture Time!

This is the first time I have allowed the kids to get a "different" background for their photos.  Naturally, I probably chose the wrong ones, since they are always telling me "you should have...." But, I am super proud of them.  I love that we can mark the milestones with photos!

Grade 5

Grade 3

Kindergarten (!!)

7 Quick Takes Friday, Early October, Health, and Family

--- 1 ---

My mother-in-law's surgery has been moved up to next week since she has been having trouble with fluid around her lungs.  We are very nervous, and appreciate all the prayers.

--- 2 ---

October is upon us, and the kids and I have no idea what we are going to do about costumes.  We have to have them a little earlier since we are doing some Halloween partying early.  It's a little easier when they are little, and don't really care what you put them in.  Unfortunately, I think even James will have a say in what he wants to wear.  He is so very two.

--- 3 ---

We live in the DC area, and my husband works for the government.  The government shut down has given my husband some extra time to do some jobs around the house.  He has cleaned the house, organized the garage, cleaned up the basement, and has been chopping up the huge tree that fell on his parent's garage to give them firewood for the winter.  The next job he will have may be Mr. Mom if I can go to work next week and make some money to pay the bills.  

--- 4 ---

We had a family photo session!  We have not done anything like that in about 2 years!  The kids were super cute and I think we got one good enough to actually put on the wall.  This is a  really big deal, especially in our new house.  When I finally put it on the wall, I will share it with you.  I don't want to spoil Christmas cards either.  :)

--- 5 ---

I have gone to volunteer at the school a few times, and this cute little girl in William's class (who is one of his "best friends") always asks me, "Are you SURE you're William's Mommy?"  I must be doing something different with something, since I recently went to a party at a friend's house and a young girl asked me if I was the babysitter.  I'm sure when I am older I will appreciate those comments.  Maybe.

--- 6 ---

Sigh.  To have the problems of an 8-year-old.  Emma came home yesterday and said she is having troubles at school.  She has too many friends and doesn't know who she should hang out with.  Huh.  I wish I had those problems when I was in 3rd grade.  We tried to tell her it is a good thing and, and to be friends with everyone, and be sure they are ones the bring her to Jesus, but, oh my.  She is so much like her Daddy. 

--- 7 ---

We are still waiting on a date for my sister's surgery.  It may be a while, but we are so glad that the doctors are taking care of her.  My father-in-law's surgery went well, thank you!

(I realize these are VERY quick takes, but I am very distracted.  Lots going on and I hope to keep the kids busy and doing homework with 3 kids.  It's time for the saint projects to start coming in!)

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!