2nd Annual Back 2 School Bash

Remember last year when we decided to have a Back 2 School Bash for the kids?? Well it's that time of year again, and this Ormeo Family tradition is here to stay. Just like last year, we didn't tell the kids what we were up to or that it was even time for another Bash, we wanted to keep it a surprise.

So after a slow start (another post for another day), we were headed to the beach! Fun in the sun always turns that frown upside down right?? RIGHT except Mr. Sun wasn't making his appearance!

By the time we headed out to St. Augustine, it was time for another Florida afternoon storm. After driving around for while, we decided to park to figure out our next step. We didn't want to waste the not-so-short drive out there! But God is good and He knew exactly what we needed to cheer us up and put us back in the mood to party! We ended up at Ripley's Believe It or Not! where they had a 2 for 1 special for admission, plus a free Enzo, so we decided to drop in!

Our kids are at a really great age right now to do 'stuff' and we don't have to chase anyone down or have to haul a stroller (although once in a while Enzo still opts for it and I don't blame him, I would too if I could!). PLUS everyone is potty trained! The kids even got to commemorate our Back 2 School Bash with a waxed hand. Each one got a mold of their hand so we can all look back and remember how small and little everyone was!

First they lather lotion all over your hand and have you dip your hand in ice for 20 seconds. Then they repeatedly dip your hand in 140 degree wax until they get the thickness just right. Oh the kids loved it! I haven't taken a picture of the finished product but Enzo did a peace sign, Lizzie signed 'I love you', and Ethan did 'Rock on!'

By the time we were done, the rain had stopped. Outside the museum, they had a radio station with a few vendors with fun kid stuff. The kids were so excited to get goodies and balloons and they even got to play with djembes!

Mr. Sun eventually made his appearance so off to the beach we went! And the kids were so excited!

This day which started out so grumpy turned out way better than we planned! The kids had a blast, now we're ready for a new school year. Till next year...

PS. Click here for more pictures from our 2nd Annual Back 2 School Bash.

the Big 5

It's an Ormeo tradition to always wake up to this huge birthday cake blow up on your birthday (at least for the kids).

First item on the agenda was to pick out a cool birthday cake since the night before was a total meltdown because he couldn't decide on cupcakes or cake, and vanilla or chocolate. Who knew choosing a cake could be such a stressful event!

The second and probably the most important item on Enzo's agenda was the trip to the store to pick out his birthday present. After carefully examining each and every box in the Disney Cars section, he finally decided on 2 of his 'favorites'.

Enzo was so excited to have found the perfect birthday cake that didn't cause anymore stressful and indecisive outbursts! It was a Transformer minicake with cupcakes PLUS the minicake was chocolate and the cupcakes were vanilla! Thank you Lord for having exactly what Enzo needed to make his day!

Thank you family and friends for celebrating Enzo's 5th birthday with us and thank you for all the cool presents! You guys sure do know how to make a kid happy. ;)

PS. Click here to view more birthday pictures.

2 more sleeps and he's 5!

We posted this so long ago, he was 3 at the time.  Enzo's almost 5!  He's actually very anxious about his birthday.  Not so much excitement, more anxiety because he doesn't know what to expect. He doesn't like change and he doesn't like surprises. He always has to know what's next. so whenever we ask him what he wants to do on his birthday or what present he wants, he greets it with anxiety and "NO NO NO!" Go figure!

I thought every kid looks forward to their birthday! Actually, he was excited about his birthday up until a few days ago. We went from 10 sleeps down to 4 sleeps, then he just decided he's not so sure about this whole turning 5 and having a birthday thing....haha he's still cute as ever!  Hopefully he'll greet his birthday with more joy than what he's been stomping around here lately ;)

Enjoy!

Zoo Day

Last Friday was $2 Day at the Jax Zoo, so the Ormeo Zoo plus one took a trip in the heat and enjoyed a the day in the sun (which of course ended nicely with a torrential afternoon downpour).  Actually the heat wasn't too bad, maybe because there is a lot of shade and trees at the zoo.

Of course only my sensory overload child would be bothered by the sun and smell that the zoo had to offer! But he quickly got over it once we got moving and saw animals everywhere!

Every trip requires great tour guides, and these two were the best tour guides ever! Thankfully they weren't too cool to hang with me and the "little" kids.

The weather wasn't all bad for an August day in Florida. It was overcast most of the day, which I'm sure helped with the heat.  The mist was still a great way to cool off, esp for Lizzie who usually doesn't get to really 'play' in water.

After having lunch underneath a breezy spot, the kids wanted to cool off in the Water Park. Justin backed out because he didn't want his eczema to itch more, so he hung out with me under an umbrella. Poor guy was itching in the heat!

Lizzie was so excited to get to play in the Water Park. She doesn't get to do a lot with water because of her trach, but this water park had no standing water and no big splashing to worry about! Enzo was a little too excited that he had to sit in time out a couple of times for running. I couldn't let him run because a few kids had slipped and fallen on their backs just walking or standing in place.

Lizzie and Enzo wanted to climb this rope ladder to the top of the treehouse. I'll be honest, I really didn't think they could do it. They both proved me wrong! They were determined to climb up like the big kids and the 2 Kuyas (big brother in Tagalog/Filipino) were waiting up top encouraging and coaxing them till they made it.

We all had a great time! Lots of giggling and laughing, not much whining! (Can you believe that?!?!!?) We can't wait to visit again...

PS. Click here to view the rest of our zoo pictures.