Spring Break Cruise 2011!

We had a great spring break - we went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It was AWESOME!

Of course there were some bumps in the road. First, Mazatlan's port was closed due to security issues so we were going to spend two days in Cabo San Lucas, but there was a medical emergency causing the ship to turn around only three hours out of port which subsequently cost us a day there. Also, Tessa got a bladder infection so one afternoon was spent at the ship's doctor's office getting medicine for that. I admit that I was most concerned over the fact that as we walked in to the medical office I looked around and I began thinking to myself, "I know he serves at the buffet" or "that is the server at the table next to ours" or "they clean our rooms!" so I quickly avoided looking around not wanting to know what they were at the medical clinic for. Lastly, our flights were unknowingly switched for the trip home which caused some minor confusion, but still...it was fantastic!

You see, no matter what happens on a trip, if at some point my boys can put their arms around each other (without it being a choke hold or strategic wrestling move) then I will count the trip a monumental success. And incidentally, they got along almost the WHOLE time. I know....it must be something about the sea air. :)

Chilling by the pool drinking some delicious concoction.

This picture is just in to bug Emma. :)

Formal night - Tessa was the designated photographer.

Man, if I could just learn to fold towel animals maybe my kids would be happy to tidy up their rooms. I'll have to look into that....

Hot tubbing after dinner. Of course followed by another dessert. Can you ever have too many desserts? I didn't think so either. Just sign me up for my sansabelt pants right now -

Cabo San Lucas - taking a glassbottom boat tour around the arch and of Lover's Beach. They kept joking that one side of the beach was called "Lover's Beach". The other side had much more turbulent water so they called that "Divorce Beach."

For sure the highlight was just playing in the ocean. The kids were in heaven - and I loved just having the sun out! Man, I miss it in the winter!

Next day, Puerto Vallarta. We did an excursion to a beach called Las Caletas. It was AMAZING! Her we are, and note that we are all happy in this picture.

This is how Tessa sat for the one hour boat trip to the actual beach. She was mad that we didn't sit at the very front of the boat. She kept that sour face the WHOLE time. The other passengers were laughing and thinking it was hilarious. Ted and I ignored it. It wasn't quite as adorable to us, but it didn't spoil our trip.

Lunch at Las Caletas

Now that Tessa has found her a personal servant to swing her in the hammock she was happy again.

Here the kids are getting ready to zip line at Las Caletas. The age cut off was 11 years of age, and Emma was pretty bummed because it looked like a lot of fun, but she played on the beach, went snorkeling, and had fun also.

Lincoln just bugging Tessa by wearing her swim ring. I guess no matter what climate you are in some things never change. :)

Waking up each morning and laying on the window sill to watch the water go by - a favorite for Tessa.

Tessa's favorite towel animal.

Stinker or not, Tessa had won the attention of the servers at our table and those around us. Each night at dinner she would have origami animals, paper flowers, and napkin bouquets waiting for her.

Again - too many desserts? Are you crazy!!!???

Lincoln tuning Tessa's prized souvenir: a ukelele (or as Tessa called it: a Kukulele).

All in all - an amazing trip. However, there really is no place like home. When we walked in the door Ted said, "Why did we ever leave?" The next day we had piano, soccer, track, laundry, groceries, gymnastics, and the rest of real life waiting for us. I love being home, but I definitely remembered why we needed the break!

Emma is 14!

Seriously?? Wasn't I just posting about her 13th birthday?

This year's gifts were pretty straightforward - clothes and Just Dance 2. Also, there were no wacky requests for cake design - just homemade frosting. That I can manage.

Her favorite dinner was prepared with a great deal of effort and love - homemade lasagna. Ted was totally excited because it is Cassandra's recipe, and he loves it. Emma politely (she was nice about it) told me later that she prefers the frozen Costco lasagna because "the spices are different." 400 dishes later I think I may agree with Emma.

However, her favorite gift came just a few days before her birthday.... She got her braces off!!! (Man that girl is lucky - she only got them on just before school started!!)

Happy Birthday, you beautiful 14-year-old!

Pinewood Derby 2011

Well, try as he might, Ted couldn't convince Sam to do a "brick" pinewood derby car like Lincoln did last year. Instead, Sam knew exactly what he wanted. A blue racing car with a red stripe down the middle and two yellow racing strips next to the red. I think I, I mean Sam, did a great job painting the car! :) Sam was totally thrilled with his #32 Racing Special. He won several races, and couldn't have been more happy. I, on the other hand, was not very happy about their choice of weight. Yes, those are bullett casings (I think that is what they are called - I didn't exactly grow up with a hunter). I didn't think it was entirely appropriate, but all the scouts and male leaders thought it was a great choice.

I guess, try as I might, I will never truly be able to think like a boy scout. :)

To Be or Not To Be.....

Lincoln's fifth grade class put on a Shakespeare play "Twelfth Night" which really has nothing to do with the number 12 or being at night, but that's not the point. :) They did AWESOME. I was seriously impressed. They were all pretty excited, and here is Lincoln delivering his speech - he did such a great job. I had imagined that they would get up there and mumble their way through the lines, but they were all animated and entertaining - it was great! Good job, Linc!

Here they are all taking a well deserved bow.

Deep thoughts from the Wagner household

This is the picture: We are all leaving church and heading out to our car. The kids are in the car still being polite and kind to each other, and we all head home quietly discussing how church was, what we learned, etc.

That is the fantasy picture in my head.

Here is the real picture: Lincoln insists on touching Tessa - only because it bothers her. Sam is laughing maniacally practically exploding from being quiet and still for three hours, and coming up with absurd "what-if" scenarios that we silently tune out. Emma is egging on Lincoln, all the while acting innocent when she gets in trouble too. Tessa is screaming at the top of her lungs that they need to "keep the noise down because it makes (her) SO ANGRY!" All the while Ted and I are figuring out what the fastest way to get a nutritious meal on the table is before the ravaging of the pantry takes place.

Amidst all of this mayhem there happens to be one moment of semi-silence, wherein Sam says, "what if your nose had saliva and your mouth had mucus?" Tessa then responded in her most irritated voice, "Sam, then your food would be covered with boogers!"

Yep, you never know what deep thoughts you may here at the Wagner household.

Superbowl Traditions

It was tradition - one of many. Every Superbowl Sunday we got together, made some hot wings and all the yummy food that you could think of and we ate, watched, the kids played, and we had a great time. However, moving out of state put a crimp in that tradition.

This year, however, Frank and Suzanne were able to come up for a quick visit and we got to relive all the Superbowl fun - just like old days except without the half-time wardrobe malfunctions. :)

We loved having them here, and the kids were in heaven. Carly couldn't have gotten rid of Tessa if she tried. Sam and Chase were like two peas in a pod, and Logan and Lincoln were thrilled to get to play and not have little brothers always around them. Although there weren't any kids for Emma, that was okay too - she likes hanging out with Suzanne (who doesn't?) and we all had a great time.






We cannot wait for another visit. Thanks, guys!

Valentine Shmalentine

Ted & I had a nice date and I love, love, love spending time with him - always. He is and always will be my sweetheart.

But then we came home and I had to help the kids get their valentines ready, and I'm not feeling so lovey now. I say phooey with all of this love stuff. I'd like to take a new route with Valentine's Day and share 10 things I hate about my kids. Yes, you read correctly.

1. I hate that my 8-year-old will NOT under any circumstances hold my hand, hug, or even acknowledge that he is my child unless he is forced to do so under threat of grounding.

2. I hate that my daughter can wear my shoes and accessories. Wasn't she just wearing dress ups and costume jewelry?

3. I hate that we are coordinating weekend activities instead of just knowing everybody would be home with us.

4. I hate that when they think of which girls to send valentines to, dear old mom is not the first person they think of.

5. I hate that instead of hearing, "Mom, can you help me...." I hear "Mom, can I please have some privacy?" Wasn't I just bathing them?

6. I hate that when I'm dropping off the kids at school they don't want me to hold their hand and walk them in. As a matter of fact, they barely want me to slow down the car and they DO want me out of there as quickly as possible.

7. I hate that they won't yell "love you, mom" from the bus stop to our house like they used to. Now it seems they don't want to whisper it from the doorstep to the front door.

8. I hate that I have to compete with electronic devices for their attention.

9. I hate that they don't want to snuggle with me in my arms but would rather be out playing.

10. I hate that they would rather read their own books than have me read to them.

In short - I hate that they are growing up. Try as I might to stop this, it is still happening. I hate it straight across the board from my 13-year-old to my 4-year-old - they are all defying me and growing more independent and strong. Some might say this is a good thing, but on Valentine's Day it made my heart ache to realize how quickly time is flying by, and how quickly they are growing up.

My heart just wants to burst open wide when I think about my kids. I love them so much. I could wallpaper my house with pictures of them. As much as I love a trip or date with my sweetheart, my heart is just happiest at home when we are all together - and they are growing up way too quickly. Time is moving by at warp speed, and I don't like it one little bit.

So, for now, I say phooey with all of this love stuff. My heart just can't take it.