So, once again this year I convinced Owen to leave the Easter Bunny a note requesting something other than candy—I told him it went so well before that it might work again. So, Owen wrote this note:
And the Easter Bunny left this note:
And gifts!! Along with a very few hidden eggs with gummy candies, Owen got a Nexo Knights costume, Katie got a Lego birthday cake, and they got a Pokémon Magikarp hat to share!
Some Tivo peeps met for breakfast before flights out…
Trying out each other’s lipsticks before heading out to lunch! Neither of us liked the colors on us but liked the colors on the other!
In Occoquan! Nancy and Eddy gave us grief over the name and called it something different every time they said it which was hilarious. I think Khakakan was our favorite.
Our lunch that took forever and a day. Excellent food, awful timing.
Uncle Eddy showing off the awesome portrait camera setting on the iPhone 7+ (blurred background). I want it badly but the phone is just TOO big.
Katie put her skirt on right away (it actually even matched what she was wearing) and they LOVED the candy in the bunny egg.
The Mitchells were going to be in Virginia visiting Amanda (getting the nursery ready!) so they had planned to come visit us…but since we were going to be close to them after flying, we met for lunch!
Today was the day I got to cross something off my bucket list—skydiving!! Or at least a close enough approximation of it to satisfy me!
We had about a 15-minute prep class where we saw a video on the basics, saw a brief demonstration of proper form, and learned the hand signals that they would use (since you can’t hear anything in the chamber).
There were only a few hand signals and basically you relax in the tunnel while bending your arms and legs a little and keeping your chin up. Easy, right? Of course! (Until you step into the tunnel, but I’m getting ahead of myself.)
After the class, it was time to get suited up. We all got jumpsuits, plastic goggles, ear plugs, and a helmet. I asked how to best wear my hair and was told braided or in a low ponytail so I took the easy way with the ponytail (I actually tried a quick braid but it wasn’t working and we didn’t have THAT much time to suit up). And I have to say: What a joke. They really should have stressed wearing a braid, wearing a cap (which I would have gladly done), or at the very least putting the ponytail inside the helmet. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
We were each slated for two one-minute flights, plus Tom and I had added a “high flyer” package which meant the instructor would take us up higher towards the top (instead of staying at or below chest/head level); it also came with a photo.
There was a group of about 10 of us and we filed into the chamber. Katie was the youngest and there were a few older than us—and everything in between. A set of grandparents and a granddaughter went before us. The granddaughter was a previous flier because she started out with a bit more advanced moves which was fun to watch. Soon it was my turn—and as soon as I stepped foot into the wind tunnel my mind kind of went blank. How was I supposed to bend? What were my arms supposed to do? What did the hand signals mean? It’s amazing what 120-180mph winds will do to your brain as you’re being blown around like a leaf! 🙂 (I never once felt unsafe—the instructor is RIGHT THERE with you and your jumpsuit has handles on it for the instructor to grab—but it was FREAKY.) It probably took a good 20-30 seconds to calm down (maybe less, but time almost has no meaning in there) and start thinking more clearly, but by then you’re on the downswing of your allotted time. Needless to say it was VERY, VERY cool and I had A LOT of fun and my first minute was over too quick.
Katie was next and HOLY COW she REALLY flew around like a leaf! (They can adjust the wind speeds on the fly, so they probably calmed them down a bit for her once she got in, but she took off like a shot!) She did very well and appeared to be having a good time…but after her turn was over, she said she didn’t want to do her second flight, so I would use her time instead and get a two-minute flight for my second time!
Then it was Owen’s turn. He actually did better than I expected, considering he’s generally afraid of anything out of the ordinary.
Then it was Tom’s turn. Then it was time for the second set of flights. And let me just say that two minutes practically feels like an eternity in the wind tunnel! But, since I was now somewhat experienced and was getting the hang of it, the instructor let me do some hand movements that made me spin around. It was completely amazing how the tiniest of finger tilts could send you spinning around and around—tilt to the left, spin to the left; tilt to the right, spin to the right. It was also super cool to be zoomed to the top of the chamber with the instructor—we did that two or three times in fairly rapid succession (as seen in Tom’s video after mine below).
Then it was Owen’s turn again, and he didn’t have as good of a time on this go-round. His legs were like spaghetti and he just couldn’t seem to get them under control. Again, there was no danger and he didn’t seem concerned or scared, but the instructor pretty much had his hands on him the entire time.
Then it was time for Tom’s second flight. This is a picture from his instructor-assisted high fly as they came down to the bottom of the chamber:
So, you may be wondering why there is no good picture of me. Funny story, but I’m getting ahead of myself. 😐
So after all the participants were done flying, we filed out, received our certificates, and eventually disrobed.
We also took some pictures. 🙂
And it was at this point that I realized my hair had a big knot in it—I had tried to take out the ponytail to wear my hair down (we had plans to meet friends for lunch afterwards) but it was nothing I could fix with my fingers so I just put it back up in a pony tail and honestly didn’t think much of it.
Of course they had a sales pitch at the end as well, offering more flight time at a pretty good discount. With the assurance that we could use it at ANY location…and since there are three in the Chicago area…we went ahead and bought it. The kids aren’t interested, but I certainly am. Tom might or might not—he enjoyed it, but it really messed with his back (though he thinks that if he stretches out more ahead of time it might be better).
So we left and I was excited to get home and check out our photos and videos—remember, our package had come with one video for each participant plus Tom and I each upgraded to the high fly which came with a photo. But first we had to go meet friends for lunch…
And you will have to keep reading to find out what happened with the photos and videos…
Birthday party fun—spending a token on my favorite “game.”
That’s what Katie said when we asked her to get up but this was happening. This dog has become a major lap whore—she literally follows you around and waits until you sit in this chair. She sat next to me at the computer this morning until I got up and moved to my chair.
As it was, she was in for about an hour today.
Charlie only lasted about two minutes being pulled around, but that was longer than I predicted!
Post-dinner dancing.
Damn they take good pictures!!
It was a gorgeous day so we spent some time outside with our friends at their house.
It was a bit chilly but the sun felt nice.
Katie doesn’t quite have a grasp on how long hours are… We told her our friends would be coming over in three hours so she was waiting at the door for them. 🙂
We were at a friend’s babysitting and Katie had to put on Liam’s new gecko costume.
I know I am not alone, but please reassure me: I feel like I need a vacation from my kids because everything they’re doing lately is annoying me and I feel like all I do is get upset or frustrated and I’m becoming that mom that yells or gets mad at everything and I feel bad and I’m tired of it. #parentingishardletsgoshopping #parentingishardletsdrinkwine
This morning it was Katie practically screaming trying to turn off Alexa unsuccessfully six times in a row. Which I could hear clear as day from upstairs in my room.
And Owen not getting in the shower when I asked and then blaming Katie for bothering him (wasting 10 minutes).
And Katie wanting to play songs on Alexa but picking songs that irritated me.
And Owen needing me to wash his lunch container RIGHT NOW because he didn’t take care of it the previous night like he’s supposed to do. And his backup container is also dirty because he hadn’t taken care of that one, either.
And Owen forgetting AGAIN that he needs to let the dog outside as soon as he lets her out of her crate (we’ve told him this 427 times). I told him if he can remember every thing about every Pokemon he can remember to let the dog out.
And Katie whining when I told her her iPad time was over (after she’s been watching all morning from probably 6:30-8).
And Owen moving as slow as molasses in everything when he’s running late even though I keep telling him he has X minutes until his school alarm goes off and he has to be out the door to the bus.
And Owen waking though the living room holding the grapes to put them away. WHY?! HE WAS LITERALLY FOUR FEET AWAY?! Oh, probably because he didn’t immediately see me and freaked out wondering where I was because that’s what he does which makes me INSANE on a good day.
And Owen needing to hunt for his socks after his alarm has already gone off.
And that was just from 7:45-8:45.
The day continued with almost everything that Katie did or said annoying me. Including her being nosy in my bedroom and ruining two Easter surprises because she couldn’t stop looking in bags and drawers—even after I warned her! (Which then resulted in lots of whining because she was upset that she ruined her surprises.) Lather, rinse, repeat.
As soon as Tom walked in the door I was off duty and pouring myself a big glass of sangria. But then of course Daddy doesn’t do the playground (and it was nice out) so I was back on duty. 😐
Thankfully days like this don’t happen too often but when they do they really really suck.
I may have catnapped for a few minutes while Katie played.
Katie was trying something new for dinner. We always ask for a thumbs up, thumbs sideways, or thumbs down.
Katie: I wish I had three thumbs so I could put three thumbs up.
One of Katie’s chores is to feed the cats. I noticed this morning that their bowl was empty.
Me: Katie, the kitties need food.
Katie: Aww, I’m sorry little one.
Owen was telling us about the fun run [the boys were the spectators while the girls ran, and vice versa].
Katie: All the ladies had to get claps from the boys.
I told Katie she may have to take a nap to catch up on some of her sleep.
Katie: So I have to put ketchup on my eyes?
I asked Katie to fill the pets water bowl. She was excited.
Katie: Owen! Look what I get to do for the first time. Omigosh. I get to put in kitty cat water.
Cuddling at her request.
Heading back from the playground.
Trying to trace Maggie’s feet. She got one circle done before Maggie took off.
So Katie is pissed at me because I turned off the TV because she was being rude. Her response? Whining loudly: “You hate me. You don’t want me in the family anymore!”
Heaven help me during her teenage years if she’s already acting like this at 4.