The Amelioration

I pretty much could recap the whole trip, but I think I will just post some of my favorite pics. It's hard to take pics and handle kids, so we don't have a ton. I have some videos too, but I am still deciding what to post. My brother came with us the first day to Disneyland and we had a lot of fun. Plus it was so nice to have another child wrangler!!! Props to anyone who does this alone with small kids. (actually when we were in California Adventure some random guy came up to me with his just turned 4 year old and asked if we would take him in a show with us because his daughter was asleep in the stroller. Uhhh. I just hoped he wasn't ditching his kid with us after I agreed. The little kids was so scared and on the verge of tears. Hello, complete strangers. I did my best to make him feel better but that was so weird. So no props to that dad)
We had a good time being nostalgic for Disneyland when we were a kid and literally got on every ride we wanted with almost no wait. The stars were aligned for us. It was great. We stayed until 10pm. The kids had had a little power nap and I think they could have made it another hour. I couldn't believe how great they were. Our favorites were for sure the Buzz Lightyear laser ride. Ben was literally trembling with joy to get to shoot Zurg. We did that twice. Amelia got to drive the car in Autopia and she loved that and we even took the kids on Pirates of the Caribbean. Ben was excited until we dropped into darkness then said, "I would like to get off now" but Jared convinced him that pirates were cool and he soon was having a blast. Amelia hid her head and covered her ears the whole time. We left to pick up Phil (who had to work Friday so he took the train down to meet us for Saturday) after the fireworks and and a few more quick rides on the teacups and carousel. Great day.
The next day Phil joined us for CA Adventure. Kids got a chance to see some of their favorite characters which made their day. Ben was so excited to see Woody and a army man until he got up there and then saw how big he was and changed his mind. Amelia was a little reluctant too. Then we heard Jessie was coming out so we sat and waited so she could see Jessie. We had a clear shot for her to give Amelia a high five and out of no where a little girl swarmed her and then people started coming up so she just walked away. It was a little disappointing to me, but Amelia was so happy that Jessie waved at her, I guess I couldn't be too bugged. In the pic you can see her next to her hat. She loves looking at that picture.

Amelia was getting to be a little daredevil. She was putting her hands up and loving it in this teacup ride. Ben on the other hand hated it. Look closely at the middle pic in this series. Sums it all up. Our favorite ride was also the Toy Story Mania ride. You get to go through in 3D and shoot carnival type games. It was very fun and it sprayed air and water on you and let you stay and play for a good amount of time. We were lucky to get on it right away so we didn't wait the first time, but the whole rest of the day it was a 45 minute wait. But it was so good we did it again.



Amelia's favorite ride was the Jumping Jellyfish. She did it 3 times and loved it. You basically sit on it and it takes you up and then gently drops you a little then back up and down 3 or 4 times. She had no hands and was looking over the edge laughing the whole time. When I went with her I wanted her to hold my hand and she said no because she wanted to put her hands up and feel like she is falling. What!!! Where did this come from. This child as a baby would scream if you pretended to drop her or throw her up in the air. Now she is putting her hands up on rides. Phil was loving it too.

We ended the night with some good seats to see the World of Color show (a water fountain and light show) The kids (and me) loved that. On our way out we got to see the fireworks from Disneyland again and thought about forcing the kids on some rides, but they were sleeping so soundly we just decided to go home.
I'll have to post some videos later.

I would like to drop Amelia off for a playdate or bring her somewhere new and not have to hand over one of these!!! A 4 inch long epi pen along with an inhaler and pre-dosed benadryl packs. Then I hold my breath that they won't back out as I watch the blood drain from the adults face as they see the size of the epi-pen in relation to Amelia and then even more paleness as I try to be as upbeat as possible and explain, "you will have to stab her in the leg then call 911 and if it's not working, stab her again. But you will be fine". Since they are freaked out enough and swear to keep all food from her, I don't go on to say, "she will resist you and you will probably have to use force, and don't let those chicken legs fool you, she is strong. And did I mention she might throw up all over you too!! But the upside is if you are using the epi-pen, she probably won't be able to scream once the swelling gets too bad." I like them to think that the procedure will be something like this picture. An adult lovingly and slowly taking the time to teach the child how to do it themselves. I can just hear her say, "Good job Joey. I like the way you are ergonomically holding that epi-pen to avoid wrist strain. Don't forget to stab it into your upper, outer thigh using slight force. On the count of three. Ready, 1......"

More than once I have heard, "aren't you afraid it will go right thru her leg????" Haven't thought about that until now, but now that you mention it, you should try not to break the needle in her leg or stab it in her bone. Oh, and try not to stab yourself. It is made to go through clothes and known to go completely through fingers. But you'll do fine!!! (lots of big smiles and pats on the arms or backs) Good luck!! See you in an hour or 2!!!

Now maybe it makes more sense why I hesitate to leave her anywhere or ask people to watch her!!! It's kind of a big favor to ask someone to make sure you keep my child away from all food, and if in the unlucky event something slips through the cracks, you will have to be a nurse and administer this huge needle to her while trying to remain calm and not traumatizing the other children around you while they have to watch this unfold! And if I can't get to you quick enough, you will have to load up in the ambulance to go with her to the hospital. I feel like a bad person asking someone to take on that responsibility, but I realize she needs friends and opportunities, so I am getting better about letting go. Little bits at a time. Maybe by the time she goes to college I will be ready!!
If you have been one of the people that have watched Amelia, you are the best!!! And I am so glad no one has ever had to endure the fiasco of an epi-pen yet!!!

When I decided to write this, I got on epi-pens official site because I wanted a pic for this post. Also, they updated the packaging and directions and I was curious what they had to say about it. I found myself watching the instructional video on how to use it (you know, to keep myself up to date on using this monster) and then was horrified to see the needle being pulled out of the person's leg and it seemed like it just kept going. This is the still image but if you are curious and WILDLY bored (seriously, you have got to get a hobby if you are willing to read this let alone, watch this video!!) you can see the video and see what I am talking about. The orange part is the needle case. BIG. So I guess I should be concerned about it getting in her bone. Yikes!!
But seriously, I'll do fine!! Someone come pat me on the back now.

I wanted for my birthday cake this year either something really decadent and chocolately or cheesecake. I didn't get my butt in gear in time to get all the ingredients and a pan for the cheesecake I wanted to make, so I thought why not this cake from Costco. Besides, I don't know if you are supposed to make your own birthday cake, right?!? This cake was huge. Hence the pic of it next to my hand. HUGE. I got rid of half with my class at church and then we picked at it for a few days until we had chocolate overload. I decided I was going to cut up some portions of it and freeze them and then I would have a little slice of cake on hand for those days I need a chocolate overdose. (it lasted 3 more days. Apparently I need a chocolate induced coma on a regular basis. But I did get some help with it so don't be too disgusted). Anyway, I literally turned around for 2 seconds to open the freezer, and then I hear Amelia screaming, "look at Ben". I look around and find this little monkey dipping his hands in my cake "Pooh Bear style" (like a paw in a honey pot) trying to get as much as he can before I notice. When I did notice, he just laughed and went in for a double dip!!! I think he knows it was pretty cute. I guess he needs a chocolate fix once in a while too.

Amelia's had her first dentist check up today and it went really well. Dentist said her teeth looked great. Amelia was really good. All they did was count her teeth and look for cavities. No cleaning or anything hard. The only problem we had was she was taking deep breaths when she was nervous and it kept fogging up the mirror and little camera. I would say that is a pretty good problem. It did help that we heavily bribed her with money to buy a bathroom set for her dollhouse. It worked like magic. It also helped that the dentist was really friendly and gave both the kids a bag full of prizes AND let them pick out a toy. They were so excited and Amelia can't wait to go back. Now if only I could convince her that getting shots isn't that bad!!!