my three sons

Sorry Target

2012-02-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

Today at Target Larry decided he did not want to use the restroom. In the past I've let this go then regretted it five minutes later when there's pee everywhere.

Larry's choice of time-out locations. I eventually had to move him because customer traffic became heavy.

Or let's never forget that unfortunate night in December when I decided to shop first, bathroom afterwards. In the FARRRRRRR back corner of the store Larry pooped his pants. Then it rolled out of his pants and onto the floor. He exclaimed, "I poot, Mama!"

I swear to you if Tod hadn't been present I would've grabbed that kid and run. Instead Tod picked up the poop and the child and walked both to the front of the store for proper clean up. I looked everywhere for a hole to crawl into without luck.

He stayed here until I asked if he wanted to look for some puppies...in the bathroom. We were shocked to see there were none. But he went.

baking with a belly

2012-02-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

I am such a mess.

Oh and Jamie...there are no words.

these used to be pants

2012-02-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

While Larry sleeps every afternoon Lennon likes to try on ten million costumes. Usually a superhero, when he walked out in this old thing I couldn't stop laughing. Which wasn't the reaction he was looking for but it reminded me of my favorite Halloween costumes yet. I wish I could get them in adult sizes.

In other, annoying news, the ice-chewing portion of my pregnancy is officially underway. Tod may need a place to sleep until April. If I could, I would eat bowls of Sonic ice as meals. Plus chocolate covered pretzels and clementines. We finally gave the Thai food at Archi's a try last weekend (blech) and I ate more crushed ice than yellow curry.

You wouldn't know it by looking at me, however.

And one last thought -- why DO I watch The Bachelor? A.D.E. texted me the other day, "Why do I keep watching The Bachelor" and I texted back "mindless entertainment" but really? I'm not a big fan of Ben and not just because he slept with a supermodel in the ocean while 10 other girls hoped for a hug. I think that's a pretty safe bet on most days. So why do I look forward to Monday nights in the most unhealthy way? Is it for Rachel's bangs or Kacie B.'s hard-to-control-curls in humid weather? Not sure. But today is Thursday which means only four more days...

I'm sorry, did I just call Courtney a supermodel? I meant model hopeful.

My almost daily conversations with Megan usually involve discussion over why Ben keeps "the poor one" (Jamie, above) and is inevitably followed by an argument over Lyndzie (below). I declared she was the prettiest one left. Megan argued that her skin and lips were gray and she looks "like a chain smoker...at least a pack a day" (real quote). WHAT???

Would YOU play baseball for time with Ben? I'd like to think I wouldn't.

monorail trash

2012-01-30T16:15:00.000-08:00

The next time you come over and can't find Larry, look in a corner...on the floor. Because lately he's spent most of his days in time-out. His favorite word is no and hitting me in the face is now a weekly event.

Despite his recent decline in good behavior, we took the boys to see the lions at MGM Grand followed by a monorail ride through downtown. Thanks, Nat.

Things were fine and then we hopped on the monorail. There was some cheerleading convention in town so in steps a grandma, her daughter, her daughter's cheerleader eight year old, then some straggler they had with them who was drunk. It was noon. And his button up shirt was unbuttoned, no undershirt. He was probably 21. First time drinking maybe? Pretty sure Grandma was footing the bill for his crazy cheer weekend in Vegas.

So we spent the entire northbound ride listening to this guy spit out one lame thing after another.

"HAHAHAHAHA we're in VEGAS BABY! If you want to know how to have a good time just ask the drunk single guy on the monorail!"

"HOLD ONTO YOUR PASTIES!"

"I'm gonna keep drinking out of this bottle and you can't even arrest me for it!"

"What the hell is that place...the Palazzo (his pronunciation: pal-a-zo)? Sh#t I don't even know where we are anymore I am WASTED!"

and so on. So Tod asked Lennon, "Hey Lennon, can you spell TOOL?"

But the boys had fun.

lately

2012-01-24T15:31:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend Tod took Lennon to the gym. Later, Lennon informed us that some older boys were making fun of him because he thought 5+5=6. Tod's advice:

Next time tell them, 'Go easy on me guys...I'm an American too.'

That'll shut them up.

Speaking of Tod, sitting in church he leaned over and told me my hair looked really pretty....................like a helmet......................a thin, thin helmet.

Today Lennon announced if the baby is a boy we should either name him Blizzard or Donny Gill. If it's a girl...Taylor Swift.

Not relevant just wanted a record of this

And today I spent 45 minutes scrubbing something in the boys' room. If I posted a picture of the mess there would be three people calling me tonight horrified. Let's just say I was dry heaving and wishing I spun signs on street corners for a living.

Could not get this thing to rotate

But then I checked the mail and on the back of the BYU magazine we throw away every month were these guys. I'd rather be me.

they're baaaaaaaack

2012-01-19T14:02:00.000-08:00

Has anyone else ever left the gym so hungry that they ordered a smoothie for themself then a kids' pizza for their two year old at Tropical Smoothie but then ate the child's pizza only to have to return to the drive-thru to order him his own?

Sick, me neither.

Larry, in the good old days

Speaking of Larry, I thought I was some genius mom who avoided the terrible twos altogether until the holidays ended. It started when January began and hit hard. Like the other day when we left a fun sword where it belonged at a friend's house so Larry decided to lay on the ground - belly down - and scream outside their front door. So I did my go-to trick of, "Okay, well then I'll see ya later Larry" and walked away but he continued the tantrum. So I yelled louder, "OOOOkkkkkaaaaay, I'm leaving now...getting in the car..." and he didn't move. So I started calmly walking towards him to talk this out. When he saw me approaching he ran to the neighbor's front door and started banging on it. Hard. Screaming. I have never even spanked the child but anyone watching probably assumed I beat him regularly and torture him with fire on occasion. I scooped him up (ouch, back) and threw him over my shoulder. This is when the child started punching me in the face. Screaming. And so on and so forth.

Terrible twos are here. They are real and I am going to assume (don't correct me if I'm wrong) they're not my fault because Lennon eventually grew out of this. I'm just hoping Larry does too...before April 8th.

magical unicorn ride

2012-01-12T19:51:00.000-08:00

The other night:

Me: Hey, tonight I'm going out with a friend so Dad's going to hang out with you boys.

Lennon: REALLY? You mean we get a break from you? I mean...not that we don't like you Mom. We really, really do. It's just that...sometimes, boys like me...or Larry...need breaks from their moms. Don't panic, we just need a break.

Me: ----

Don't panic?

Just for that, I'm posting this brief video demonstrating Lennon's tendency to want anything Larry has. Even front seat on the creepy unicorn at the park.

who can I hire to do this for me next time

2012-01-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

I decided to potty train Larry in November. I remembered that Lennon potty trained quickly but still took months to become independent at it. It's hard enough taking Larry to every public restroom in this city; the last thing I need is a huge, heavy, crappy carseat in tow as well. So we did it.

I've never been a fan of pull ups or taking six months for a kid to slowly learn to use the potty. We took his diaper off in November and he hasn't worn one since. This method is great in many ways but requires a lot of patience and involves a lot of accidents. Most days I felt like a zoo keeper...wiping up pee, scooping up poop, sanitizing and repeating. I HATE POTTY TRAINING. When we started, Larry's favorite thing was to sit on a toilet for 20 minutes with nothing, just to have me take him off, start my grocery shopping, then pee everywhere. Or decide that Barnes and Noble was the best place to have a diarrhea attack in the Biography aisle. The worst part was I still had to make my purchase...mortifying.

Good news: He's gotten better each week. In fact, it's rare he has an accident now. However, we are part of a babysitting co-op group. Four couples who take turns watching all the kids on Saturday night so the others can go out minus paying for a babysitter. One particular family is so nice. They are just NICE. Their house is so clean, and they are so sweet to everyone, and their house is so clean. This is where Larry has chosen to poop on the floor. Twice. The first time (last month) we figured it was a fluke...apologized profusely, talked to Larry about it, moved on. Then on Saturday night we dropped them off and I broke my own rule about ZERO PULL UPS just to save them the trouble in case he did it again. Oh he did it again. But pulled his pants down first. I am not kidding when I say I wanted to die when we found out. I asked Tod to dig a hole for me to crawl into but he just kept driving instead. Why Larry. Why.

Although his accidents are not exclusive to their house. Just this morning Larry decided that playing with his trains was more important than going to the bathroom and we soon heard Lennon screaming, "LARRY POOOOOOPED HIS PAAAAAAAANTS!" So I sent Tod.

Our conversations have evolved so much over the last nine years. We used to talk about our future together. We talked about the kind of family we wanted, how the other person was so perfect and how could we be so lucky to have found each other?

Conversation this morning:

Me: How bad was it?
Tod: Not toooo bad...it wasn't rock hard but it was sort of gooey.
Me: Okay, okay enough.
Tod: Gooey's not the word. I'd say the consistency was comparable to peanut butter with a little flour mixed in.
Me: OKKKKAAAAY stop!
Tod: Peanut butter, flour, then I'd guess maybe a tablespoon of water? It was somewhat grainy yet runny.

I hate potty training.

really important post

2012-01-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

Kelli sent me this and made my day

Because no matter how trashy you may feel at times someone out there is worse. Much, much worse. I wish I could draw because I'll bet I know what this guy looks like down to the goatee.

Something else that made my day:

A stranger at the gym predicting I'm having a girl because

"When you're having a girl you get bigger here (pointing to belly) and bigger here (pointing to butt)."

My reaction, "Oh great news, thanks, haha, what was your name again?"

I appreciated the affirmation because lately I've been feeling so cracked out and sometimes worry I'm not BIG enough to be 27 weeks pregnant. Thanks stranger at the gym, I guess I am!!!!!! :) :) :) :)

27 week belly/butt, my unmade guest bed and apparently a baby girl. My popped knee makes me feel better about the whole picture.

And in other news, Tod's wallet was stolen. In fact, it was sitting on a counter a few inches from him and a man (accompanied by his two children) spotted it, grabbed it, then enjoyed a $1,000 shopping spree at grocery stores and gas stations on the Wevers. I hope they had a lovely Christmas. I just want to know why he'll get away with it? Despite surveillance videos, a police report and bank records, the man will (most likely) never be caught for this. Sort of disturbs me.

Luckily Tod has a nice wife who cancelled his cards and ordered new ones. Now his wallet looks like this

And one last note on Tod. His new thing is to call the boys "Hulkamaniacs." Not sure how this makes me feel yet.

the holidays are over plus pornographic push ups

2012-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

I am so happy the holidays are over. I've decided I love having a schedule, my own bed, and even jobs to do around the house. Nerd.

Although it was great seeing family over the holidays.

We look like a family of rabid bats...those eyes...

And even 12 hour road trips with kids have fun moments like when we pulled over so Mom could use the restroom and Tod observed Lennon's sweats/boots combo and called him a Russian and Mom almost peed her pants.

We got back and I met up with two of my best friends (including long lost Canadian Megan) for a sleepover at Red Rock. They upgraded our regular room for this massive suite. Too bad we don't drink because it really seemed like the thing to do in there.

Lennon found a hat just Tod's size on New Year's.

Speaking of New Year's, Tod's first question to me in 2012 was, "So what was the story with Punky Brewster anyway? Didn't that old man find her in a garbage can or something then raised her?"

Does anyone remember because I don't.

And finally, some motivation for all of us out there with fitness resolutions. I'd watch the guy on the left. Seems like he's having the most fun.

2011: A Thank You Note

2011-12-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

Dear 2011,

Last year I wrote this letter to 2010 asking for a little more sunshine in 2011. It wasn't instant but as the year began, the sun started to come out. Slowly. And after a year of clouds, sunshine felt better than I remembered it. We got rid of a couple people this year and added some people this year and the changes have been unreal. Tod's skin no longer has that grayish color and our conversations at night involve more laughter and less tears. Life isn't perfect but fear and anxiety have subsided.

Thank you for bringing us Firehouse Subs this year.

This year I learned to find my dad in little things and now I can laugh about memories and feel happy for him most days. My mom has healed a lot and has never been more beautiful. We spent some time near the ocean, some time in tents, Karic got married and we even took a break with friends . The boys are healthy. We have another one (boy? girl?) on the way. And my best friend since preschool is going to marry the love of her life. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

Larry - Thanksgiving 2011 and his perfectly placed guitar

You weren't easy on everyone, though. People we love really struggled with you. Please tell to 2012 to go easy on them. Now they need some sunshine. Please send some asap.

Finally, thank you for a job. Thank you for the boys. Thanks for cars that run and a house that's warm. Thank you for health and little tragedy this year. Thanks for everything; you came just in time.

Christmas 2011 - worlds away from Christmas 2010. Knock on wood.

- Holly

Quick poll

2011-12-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

Please help us out.

Santa is having a hard time deciding if Santa wraps
presents or has them set up and ready to
go Christmas morning...

What do you think? Settle this please.

Wever Christmas Card

2011-12-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

This year I sent out Christmas cards for the first time. I felt so festive and organized. Until dinner with some friends who informed me that ordering only 25 Christmas cards was weird and too few. No wonder it felt so fast and cheap. We ordered so few that I sent one to my mom and told my siblings to take a good look at hers because they weren't getting one.

You have to start somewhere.

So for those who didn't make the short, short list, here it is.

Merry Merry Christmas.

I hate to ruin Christmas but

2011-12-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

...she's engaged. So sorry Len.

But congratulations to A & A.

Future BSU Cheer Captain

2011-12-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

This entire week I thought of last year at this exact time. Larry was in the hospital over night with horrible croup and Tod and I woke the morning of his birthday cramped on a hospital cot with a sick, sick boy. I reread this post tonight and it made me thankful for regular life. Day to day with nothing to report. Except that for Tod's birthday, I bought him his dream car:

Actually our friends Matt and Karlee rented it and put a huge red bow on it for his birthday. We walked him outside and started screaming and cheering that he had a new Challenger...to which he responded, "I don't want a new car." Good thing it was a joke. But he enjoyed peeling out at lights all night and being a total tool. In a Challenger.

We saw Cirque du Soleil's new Michael Jackson show. Being avid Cirque fans, we were thoroughly disappointed. Ask Tod what he would've done differently and plan on at least an hour of listening time. He thinks that Michael grabs himself in his grave everytime they perform. Did that come across the right way?

Larry accompanied me to Lennon's preschool Christmas program where Lennon asked Santa for a Captain America shield and Larry asked for a shark. We'll see what happens.

And finally, I found Tod's favorite college team t-shirt in Lennon's size online and it arrived today. Although the picture online didn't show the puffed sleeves and feminine neckline.

Maybe someday he'll cheer there.

Happy Birthday Tod. Glad we didn't spend it in a hospital room this year.

Which is worse

2011-12-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

I'm probably quitting Facebook again

2011-12-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

I have said this before (see HERE) but Facebook is annoying. It is not sincere, it is not accurate, it is not reality. I use it primarily because I'm 500 miles away from any family members and many of my closest friends live on the other side of the country. I enjoy keeping up with them. But for the love of Christmas, if I could have one wish it would be for people to be real on Facebook or to just shut up altogether. And for my kids to never, ever scream or fight. That was one wish split into two parts.

Unrelated picture I posted on FB...I've been mourning the days when I could wear/look acceptable in jeans. Unfortunately that night I forgot a status update: "Night with Garth Brooks and the hubby at the Wynn...doesn't get much better than that!!!!"

My friend Catherine posted this article on (what else) Facebook today and I appreciated the validation. I realize it's my fault for looking, it's my fault for reading, it's MY FAULT I'm on there. It's like annoying blogs I read...I told Tod about one particular story (which I will not reveal here but call me and I'll tell you all about it) I read on a popular blog this week and his response was:

"That is annoying. But it's even more annoying that you read that blog."

True, so true.

Tod also says tabloid magazines and blogs are like girl porn. Which I also agree with...while they're not necessarily filthy or full of distasteful images, they do waste my time, they do leave me feeling worse than before (how many blogs have you been referred to about a couple who lost their baby/toddler/four year old in an accidental drowning/choking/car accident?) but I always come back for more. Why WHY WHYYYYYY?

I realize many of us are voyeurs by nature and want glimpses into others' lives. Which is why Facebook/blog "stalking" makes even less sense...they do not represent reality. They're glossed over or sometimes completely fabricated versions of a person's existence.

I'm thinking about quitting Facebook for good. Who's with me? Think of all the books we'll read, the laundry we'll fold, the board games we'll play with our kids and the new recipes we can try...or we can complain about it a lot and act like we're better than it then spend another hour browsing people's photo albums...either way.

I'd say more but I need to upload this blog post to Facebook.

okay but I want unemployment

2011-12-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

The other day in the car Lennon fired me. He wanted me to take them out to lunch but I told him we were going home for lunch so he replied,

"Well, then you're fired."

I took this as a compliment. I'm reading a book called Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and in it the author compares how Western parents (me) raise their kids compared to Chinese parents. Turns out, we're pretty wussy and give in to most of our kids' desires. And since raising spoiled kids is one of my biggest nightmares, I like the book. And want to be a semi-Chinese mother. I'm not going to make them practice the piano six hours a day but if I say no, that's it. And if we save enough money to go to Disneyland, don't even think about Mickey ears or a stuffed animal at the gift shop. And if you do all your chores every week I might, MIGHT get you an ice cream cone at the end of the month. One scoop. No toppings.

The Chinese would say I'm still spoiling my kids.

I've never had a problem saying no to the boys but something about pregnancy sort of softens it. I become lazy and most of the time don't feel like fighting. Okay fine...you can have chocolate milk instead of water. Okay fine...you can watch TV until bed. Okay fine...

But this book has me feeling motivated again. The mom who has weekly dialogue with her kids at the store:

Lennon: Hey Mom, can we buy some gum?

Me: Do you have any money?

Lennon: No.

Mom: Then it looks like we can't buy any gum.

Lennon: Don't you have money?

Me: Yes, but only enough for these groceries. We are very, very poor. But if you get a job and earn your own money, you can come back and buy some gum.

So today when Lennon fired me I felt sort of happy inside. Yesterday in church a lady told a story of her parents who swore they'd take away Christmas presents if their kids were naughty. The kids were naughty. So on Christmas morning those kids donated EVERY SINGLE PRESENT to homeless kids at a shelter.

Heroic, if you ask me.

pirate with herpes

2011-12-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Lennon, it's Mom. Just wanted to say I'm sorry (again) for giving you my Thanksgiving Cold Sore. Your dad and I believe the transfer occurred sharing a water bottle while driving home from Thanksgiving. And although we've lied to you all week telling you that your lip was cut, it's actually herpes I've given you. But these herpes, like most, were given with love. All my love.

Kisses...but not until we're healed...Mom.

thankful

2011-11-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

We had a nice Thanksgiving. I was thankful for a mom who accepts my kids...dressed or not.

My kids were thankful for my mom who allows this for breakfast:

Also thankful for a mom who lets us stay with her all week and doesn't mind us trying on all her pajamas and taking pictures/laughing.

Thankful for siblings who love my kids and a brother who took Lennon to his first college basketball game. Did I mention the boom box (remember those?) he got the boys for Christmas plus a Cool Mix CD with their favorite music? Thanks Tommy.

I was thankful for my Thanksgiving Cold Sore that showed up just in time for the holiday. Because you never want to feel too cute.

Speaking of looking cute, I'm thankful for Facebook who allows anyone to tag you in any picture even if you feel/look fat or have said cold sore for all to see:

Family 5K. I totally won.

Cold sore/no makeup pic -- TAG!

Thankful for a husband who will ride the overpriced Christmas train at the mall when Mom feels the entrance may be a bit too snug.

Happy Thanksgiving.

disturbed

2011-11-18T08:31:00.000-08:00

A few disturbing items today:

Tod asked me to run a Craigslist ad for a new office leasing agent. The results were scary. Does anyone here graduate from high school?

This particular applicant whose user name was pimpinthesehoez and email was hateonit8@something.com offered a puzzling objective:

Seeking to obtain a full time position result oriented individual dedicated to receiving

customer satisfaction as well as meeting or suppressing company expectations.

We weren't looking for anyone to receive customer satisfaction nor do we want anyone suppressing our expectations so I had to pass. Maybe next time, Pimpinthesehoez. Maybe next time.

Next on my list -- my rear now sticks out as much as my belly. Did this happen last time? Don't answer that.

20 week belly

Also a couple weeks ago in the car, Michael Jackson's PYT came on the radio and I turned it up. Tod immediately changed the station. I was a little bugged but became fully irritated when his station surfing ended on Grease's "You're the One That I Want" instead. Just when I think I know someone...

Speaking of Michael Jackson, I've introduced Lennon to his music. While listening to Billie Jean yesterday, Lennon asked me where he is now.

Me: Michael Jackson actually died.
Lennon: Did he get sick like Papa?
Me: No, he took too much medicine.
Lennon: Has he met Papa yet?
Me: haha I hope so that would be cool.
Lennon: Would he have liked me and Larry?
Me: [pause] [pause] [pause] Why are you asking me that?
Lennon: I just want to know...would he have liked little boys like us?
Me: You know what, they say he did, so.............yes.

someone's in love

2011-11-14T21:03:00.000-08:00

Conversation at Disneyland a few weeks ago:

Me: Lennon, are you going to try Space Mountain?
Lennon: Is it fast and scary?
Me: Yeah but the best roller coasters are.
Lennon: I don't think I want to.
Me: Huh. Okay. Space Mountain is Alana's favorite ride, did I ever tell you that?
Lennon: It is? She's been to Disneyland?
Me: Oh yeah. Alana's favorite thing to do is ride big roller coasters.
Lennon: Dad, let's go on Space Mountain.

Conversation tonight at dinner:

Me: Lennon, eat your pasta.

Lennon: I don't think I like this kind.

Me: Hmmm okay. I mean, Alana loves this kind but anyways...

Lennon: Does she eat the tomatoes too?

Me: Ohhhhh yeah, that's her favorite part.

He eats every bite.

Questions I get on an (almost) daily basis:

"Mom, does Alana like orange juice?"

"Mom, did Alana go to preschool too?"

"Mom, does Alana brush her teeth?"

yes yes and twice a day. thanks lane.

[hormonal] halloween rant

2011-11-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

I just want to say that next year, if a 10 year old girl knocks on my door Trick-or-Treating in a Hooters outfit (cleavage, booty shorts, fishnets) I am going to hold on to her candy until I find out who funded such a costume.

Also, next year if that same kid rings my doorbell and decides to charm me with his original, "Trick or Treat...smell my feet, give me something good to eat...if you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear," I will not be putting candy in his bag. When he did it this year I was so bewildered that when he finished I said loudly (parents are out on the street), "You want me to SMELL your FEET? And you're saying if I don't smell your feet you'll PULL DOWN MY UNDERWEAR? That's sort of a weird thing to say..." Next year I'll be more hardcore about that kid. No candy. Get off my porch.

Hopefully next year I won't be pregnant so I can eat the stuff I usually enjoy. This year I binged on blue tootsie rolls and sweet tarts which made me think I was someone else entirely.

And next year I'm going to remember why this year was the best Halloween yet...because we celebrated it ON HALLOWEEN. Our ward Trunk-or-Treat was cancelled which made me sad for half a second until I recalled past years of my kids trick or treating ten times before Halloween even arrived which left me burnt out and bitter and them sugary and spoiled. This year we celebrated Halloween for one day (like in the old days, remember?) and I felt much better about the holiday overall.

Pictured here: The Old Days

But Happy Halloween everyone, I hope it was fantastic.

more kites

2011-11-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

While we were in California we spent a day at Huntington Beach. Our family visited that same beach three years ago when I was pregnant with Larry. I think I wanted to go back to remember being there with my dad.

We had a couple kites in our trunk so the boys spent the afternoon flying them. It reminded me of the first time Lennon flew a kite the week my dad died. And how in my last conversation with him I told him all about it and he was so proud. This recent day on the beach, for one of the first times since he died, I felt like maybe he really was nearby. It would've made him so happy.

Then:

Now:

The tangled knot that eventually ended the fun. Although Tod tried pretty hard to unravel all that.

It's so sad but so good that life goes on.

happiest boys on earth

2011-10-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

We did it. And yes, I made my family run from the parking lot to the park to beat the crowds. Yes we had a schedule and yes we ate our meals in line. But thanks to the Bells and their expertise we made the most of this trip. One phone call to them in Houston proved helpful:

Me: "I don't think we'll take our stroller...it will probably get in the way and the boys don't like riding in it anyway..."

Melissa: (Who first yells [laughing], "Q, they weren't going to take a stroller!") to which we hear Q respond, "Whoa, huge rookie mistake...You're taking the stroller. Make it a double stroller. Bring your cooler, too and don't forget a backpack."

What?

We did everything they told us to and Disneyland finally felt worth the time/effort/money.

Eating in line

A soaked Lennon amazed to see Winnie the Pooh in person

Me and Lennon right after Splash Mountain. I can't believe he did it.

While we did great making it to all the rides, I was a piece of crap parent when it came to pictures. No pictures with Mickey, no pictures with Woody, no pictures in front of any Disneyland sign. However, here we are at the gates...

Some highlights of the trip included short lines, the new Star Tours ride and visiting California Adventure for the first time...I think the low point was when my mom told me my $30 stroller from Craigslist looked like the Beverly Hillbilly's car...

And here is Lennon who took the dare and rode Tower of Terrors...Tod said he was the only kid on it which just made me even prouder. I want my kids to love roller coasters like I did.

Larry relaxing after day one...minus pants.

Both kids liked the Madderhorn. Hopefully the baby did, too.

Lennon studied maps all day long

Not pictured: 9 pm - Day Two. We had just stood in line for an hour waiting for the 30 minute water show at California Adventure. Tod had Lennon on his shoulders and I had Larry on mine. When it ended I tried walking but something inside me decided no more. I was done. Tod kindly wheeled me out to the parking garage (this took over an hour BTW)(crowds, a few detours where we maybe got totally lost) in the double stroller I'm so thankful we packed. Strollers are incredible; I'm shocked kids resist them at all, ever.

I got a few dirty looks from people who (I'm guessing) were jealous they didn't think of it first.

Until next time, Disneyland.