traveling superhero

We went on a trip. I should clarify, my husband and I went on a trip with his company. We left on Wednesday morning along with 500 or so fellow co-workers and their guests to travel to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

This would be a good time to point out that we have never left the country before. We hadn't even really taken a honey moon. The number of times that we have flown on one hand and that would include both of us added together.

This trip was exhausting! I had to pack for us, plan where the children would be and when, pack bags for them and make sure that anything they could need would be there. We needed passports, signed over medical consent for the children and even wrote a will so if the worst should happen the children would be provided for.

We packed an entire drug store on the advice of others when they heard that we were traveling to a third world country.

As the date got closer, the children misbehaved more. they knew we were leaving and I can only guess that they perhaps felt we may not return. I truelly believed that once on the plane, I would be able to relax. That was not the case. I will save that for the next blog. I can tell you that nothing terrible happened. We all survived and will live to travel again.

Super shopping powers emerge

I am proud to report that I took four children under the age of four on a shopping trip to Ikea( which is two hours away) and I lived to tell about it. What is the trick? I wish I knew. I had to get the shopping trip finished, I had to go alone. I think that there was a lot of mind over matter. Mainly my mind over their matter.

I have found that when children are challenged, they will rise to the occasion. They like to feel important. They like to know that you are proud. If you set out those guidelines for them they will follow.

Ikea was a true test of my will and their patience. We drove two hours each way. We made our way through the maze of Ikea furniture. We ate the Ikea lunch. We then checked out only to discover that someone mis stocked the the shelf and one of the things we got was the wrong size.

Thankfully we noticed before we drove two hours home. So we waited at customer service only to discover that what would have taken an employee five minutes to do, would take me 45 with four children in toe and more line waiting. And lets not forget the two hour drive home.

All in all they were good. And my child controlling powers emerged a little stronger that day!

Perhaps next week we can tackle the Mall of America!

Trick or Treat

Really, what else did you think that I would dress up as. This is the first year that we all dressed up together. We have previously dressed up, but not as a group. As a matter of fact the year I delivered Max I was the oven, my belly the bun and my husband the bun baker.

These were some of the easiest costumes I ever made. They were not quite warm enough, we all had layers underneath.

We had a great time and got some great comments. Several people wanted to see my husband lift a car! And one women said that we were "Awesome".

The kids thought it was great that we dressed up too. They were so proud that we did this together.

P.s. Lily, who really looked more like Dash, said she was a second Violet. Anything to keep the peace.