Breakfast with Santa

Santa and Edmund

My birthday was this past Saturday, but with a husband in residency, I knew to expect that the day would be much like any other. Steven was on call (read working all day and night), so my celebration will have to take place at a later date. Fortunately, a few weeks ago Steven sent me an email detailing a fun Christmas event at Spice Street, a local restaurant. He thought it would be a good way for Edmund and I to get out and celebrate even if he would have to sit this one out.

Last year you may recall we went to a fancy breakfast with Santa at the Carolina Inn. This year's event may not have been held at a 5 star hotel, but was very similar and dare I say, better. The Spice Street event is open to anyone, but since it is sponsored by the hospital, most of the attendees are hospital affiliated. We didn't have to make reservations, the cost wasn't astronomical, and the breakfast buffet was phenomenal.

The breakfast was drop-in and since I'd never been before I decided to get there early. We arrived at 8:30, a little later than I planned, but things weren't busy at all then. Edmund was very excited to see Santa sitting by the entrance when we walked in. We decided we would visit the big guy after breakfast. One of the things I absolutely loved about the event was it was also a way to help Edmund be involved in giving. In order enter the event we dropped off a Toy Story truck that Edmund had picked out on his own to donate to Toys for Tots and also two non-perishable items for the food pantry. I loved that this event wasn't just about getting, but giving as well. Some of the breakfast proceeds also went to the hospital, but I liked that Edmund could have a tangible way to see how we were helping other people. He asked if he could pick out a child at the breakfast to give the toy we brought to. This led to a discussion about how we were helping children who might not have much and how the volunteers would bring his toy to just the right child.

After dropping off our donations Edmund asked to have his face painted. Never mind the Christmas choices on display, he wanted a purple and blue butterfly. The color choices I understood. Those are his two favorites, but the picture choice baffled me. Then I realized that the only thing he has ever had painted on his cheek at school events are butterflies. I'm assuming this is because they are easy, or maybe this is all he ever asks for. Either way,the volunteer did a splendid job. My hat goes off to her as I stay as far away from the face painting table as I can. Cheek donned with the unseasonal butterfly, Edmund was ready for breakfast.

As we headed to the dining room, Edmund told the hostess that he wanted eggs and bacon. I told Edmund that might not be a choice, but she told him he was in luck. We were about to sit down by ourselves when a friend of mine from a medical spouse playgroup I attend invited us to sit with their family. They have 11 month old twins and a 3 year old boy whom Edmund loves. It also worked out well as all the adults were able to take turns hitting up the buffet.

Normally Edmund is all about his food, but he worked quickly so we could take our turn with the guy in the red suit. At our breakfast last year we wandered the hotel for nearly 2 hours waiting for a turn with Santa. Here we simply walked up. A few other children lined up behind us to watch, but there was virtually no waiting. Edmund was a little shy at first. Who wouldn't be? Eventually he made his way onto Santa's lap. Santa was having trouble getting Edmund to talk. Edmund shook his head yes when Santa asked if he wanted a variety of things including a "knuckle sandwich." At the end of the visit Edmund quickly said he wanted a ball. A very easy request to fill I might add. We got an adorable picture with a smiley child, and for simply the cost of printing.

While we waited for our picture to print, Edmund and I headed over to the craft table. Edmund, with lots of mommy help, made a "Santa." Later we realized we forgot his beard, so perhaps it was simply one of Santa's elves. Edmund also had fun coloring a picture of Santa as he talked to a few other children at the table. This event had enough activities to keep both Edmund and myself occupied, but wasn't overwhelming. I'm thinking we have a new tradition!

Edmund the Astronaut Rides Again

The Trick-or-Treaters

I believe this has been the longest I've gone without posting. For those of you still following our adventures (and I hope there are a few of you), thanks for waiting. We've had quite a few mini adventures since the last post. Edmund moved out of the 2 year old room at his new school into what is called the "big world." Most of his friends remained with him, and he loves his new teacher, Ms. Stef. Edmund began pedaling his tricycle all by himself and can almost make it to the playground by our house without any help from mom or dad. We went fishing in the pond by our house and Edmund caught his first fish with his Cars fishing pole. We baited the pole using Grannie Nave's fishing recipe for success, a bit of hot dog. It never fails. We are required to throw the fish back into the pond, but it's probably for the best.

And now for our big adventure. Last night Edmund went trick-or-treating. Never mind the cold rain; nothing could stop him from getting candy. Edmund donned his astronaut costume yet again this year. It still fits and he is still into astronauts, so we lucked out. We headed out with two families in our neighborhood. One of the families has a 6 month old baby. The other family has a 3 year old boy, J and 2 year old girl, A.
We all brought umbrellas, but the kids saw no need for them. Edmund and J immediately took off for the first house, splashing in puddles with their canvas shoes all the way. This year Steven and I held back and let the kids do the walking down the driveways and the ringing of the doorbells by themselves. They had no problem figuring this out. After trick-or-treating at the first house, Edmund, J, and A could not contain their disbelief. "We got candy," they squealed over and over. The two boys took off as fast as lightning for the next house, with A lagging shortly behind. It didn't take them long to catch onto the concept of Halloween. Last year Edmund could barely walk down a driveway without complaining he needed to be carried, but this year his adrenaline kept him going.

Steven had left candy on our porch while we were out. When the kids arrived at our house, we told them to take one or two pieces. As fast as they were returning from the porch, we believed this to be the case. To our surprise we found most of the candy in J's and Edmund's pumpkins at the end of the evening. No harm done, as Edmund was none the wiser when the candy went right back into the candy bowl for the later trick-or-treaters when he went to bed.

The kids quickly finished trick-or-treating at the houses on our cul-de-sac. This was perfectly fine with the parents as it was raining and the kids had certainly racked up the treats. This is no exaggeration. Their pumpkin buckets were overflowing and we only hit up 10 houses. We ended our Halloween adventure at J and A's house and had the kids pose for the requisite photos. Edmund let his disdain for the photo op be known by declaring, "There's no time. We must get home and eat chocolate." And so, after some very adorable photos, we went home and did just that.

What is Heartbreak?

A couple of evenings ago, Steven was reading to Edmund from his children's Bible. As he read the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, Steven came upon the word heartbreak. Edmund asked, "Daddy, what is heartbreak?" Steven replied, "that's when something makes you really sad." Edmund looked up at Steven and said "when I cry because I miss my daddy, my heart breaks." Now doesn't this story just break your heart?

The Queen City

Edmund and the Jellyfish

After working ridiculous hours for nine days straight, Steven was blessed with five days off. We took advantage of this rare opportunity and took a trip to Charlotte, NC. It was far enough away to be considered a real getaway, but close enough, the drive with Edmund wouldn't be torturous. Our trip was a story of adventure, stardom, and loss, and will not soon be forgotten.

Like we did on our trip to Boone last year, we decided to make the drive more bearable with a stop in Greensboro,NC. Our first stop was the Greensboro Science Center. It was a lot like the Museum of Life and Science in our great city of Durham, but had much more animal viewing outside. Oddly enough, this seemed to be more of a bonus for mom and dad. We were having a grand time watching some gibbons swing from their ropes, when our young tour guide (Edmund) informed us "we have to move on." The museum had a petting zoo with your typical goats and sheep, but I was in heaven when I discovered the alpacas. I don't know what it is, but I am in awe of these creatures. Again the tour guide let us know we must press forward, but Steven pointed out that this animal was one of my favorites. I suppose you can't argue with that.

The outside viewing area also had otters, wolves, a giant anteater, and another of my personal favorites, meerkats. You had the choice of viewing the meerkats through a tunnel which you could crawl though, making this viewing experience even more pleasurable. But forget the animals, Edmund was all about the jumping fountains he saw while we were making the outdoor rounds. Who needs wildlife when you can get wet? Not Edmund.

After lunch and exploring the dinosaur and health exhibits inside, we decided to hit the road. Edmund slept almost the entire way to the hotel in Charlotte, which was a blessing. Edmund was incredibly excited to arrive at the hotel. I was in awe. Steven stepped it up for this trip. There was a flowing fountain in the lobby and an entrance guarded by lion statues. If you know how we usually roll, the lions were a big deal. That night we hung out in our room and went swimming in the unbearably cold pool, yet had a relaxing time nonetheless.

The following morning, we got up bright and early (read 8 am) and had a delicious complimentary breakfast. With tummies full, we headed into downtown Charlotte, to check out the big children's museum, Discovery Place. Being Sunday, the museum didn't open until 12, so we took a leisurely stroll around the city. Edmund and I walked through the Settler's Cemetery while Steven parked the car. This led to a conversation about respect and death, a very difficult concept to explain to a 3 year old. We still have some work to do, since Edmund informed me, he wants to "live" in a cemetery when he gets old. At least I haven't scarred him.

Finally, opening time arrived. The museum is incredible, and free to members of the Museum of Life and Science (score!). We checked out exhibits on building and design, where we built a shelter, and Edmund designed a football field. While Daddy was working on a skyscraper, Edmund and I wandered off to catch a show nearby, entitled, "Will it Glow?". When asked for volunteers, Edmund enthusiastically raised his hand and was called on to be the second volunteer. When asked his name, he said "Edmund" giddily into the microphone. Steven recognized the squeaky little voice, and made it to the show in time for Edmund's big star turn. Unfortunately, we didn't get much video, but Edmund was definitely a pro. When asked what the item was he uncovered, Edmund confidently said "rock." Then when asked if it would glow under the black light Edmund jumped around enthusiastically chanting "yes." He really got the crowd going. Edmund's guess was correct. The rock was phosphorescent. Now, Edmund may have simply been saying yes to anything, but I'd like to think it was all that learning we did at the museum the day before, where we had also seen phosphorescent rocks. I'm sticking with my genius theory.

There were many other neat exhibits, but the big hit after lunch was the early childhood exhibit, KidScience. Edmund, er mommy, was enamored with a giant Light Bright. I think Edmund's favorite thing here may have been the build your own car and racetrack. He didn't care who won as long as car was "super fast." Since we were pressing on without naptime, we decided to hit Discovery Place's small aquarium before pushing our luck. For those of you who don't know, Edmund is beyond fascinated with jelly fish. He lovingly draws us pictures of them nearly every day at school, and knows more factoids on jellyfish than I can count. So we can't pass up any opportunity to see them up close and personal. Edmund saw some at the Fort Fisher aquarium, and several that had met their demise on the beach, but here he was able to look uninterrupted. We also got an incredible photo of Edmund with the jellyfish and the glow bracelet he got for volunteering earlier in the day. After our short visit to the sea, pre-meltdown whines began, so we wrapped up our visit. We finished with a trip to the gift shop, where Edmund finally got his very own jellyfish (pretend of course).

We spent the rest of our evening relaxing and meandering in the hotel. The next morning we hopped to it at 7:30 am sharp. We packed up and headed to the town of Spencer to visit the NC Transportation museum. The Museum of Life and Science membership again came in handy. We got in here free too. We arrived just in time for a ride on a train pulled by a steam locomotive. Edmund wasn't sure about this at first, because he's a little wary of tunnels, but after telling him it would be just like a monorail, he got on board, literally. We took a short ride to the roundhouse. This is one of the few still operational roundhouses around today. We even got to take a ride on the turntable, just like Thomas.

We learned more about the differences between steam engines and diesels, as well as why roundhouses began to be phased out when diesel engines came on the scene. For the reason, you can contact Edmund. The rest of the morning we toured the roundhouse where we saw a variety of steam and diesel engines, train cars, and cabooses. There was more information than I could take in our short visit, so I resigned to taking part in Edmund's production of "Mommy and Daddy Ride the Caboose." Even though I couldn't read everything, I still felt like I learned more about trains than I did, and Edmund felt like he had stepped into an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine.

We ended our short getaway and got home with enough time to play that evening. However, it was at bedtime that we discovered our loss. "Polar Bear", one of Edmund's favorite stuffed toys, and who is known to eat "mummus" (a spicy applesauce), was nowhere to be found. We called the hotel and the Olive Garden, to see if they had seen Polar Bear. Unfortunately, no one had seen him. We are 99.9% sure that Polar Bear is still in the hotel room, perhaps stuck inside the pull-out sofa, but I guess we'll never know. I have to admit I shed a few tears over the missing bear. However, yesterday afternoon when I finally told Edmund the news, he was perfectly fine. In fact, I think he was a little envious Polar Bear was still living it up at Embassy Suites. Since the loss of Polar Bear was no fault of Edmund's, he is now excited about choosing a new stuffed friend who can correspond with Polar Bear in Charlotte. Although my view is often clouded by 3 year old chaos, I have to say the kid has some imagination and an incredible outlook on life. Thanks Edmund for making this trip another great one.

Did You Hear the One About...?

Headshot for Booking

Practically overnight, Edmund has decided he should be the "Last Comic Standing." This night at dinner Steven and I were treated to a comedy show. Following is a rough transcript.

Edmund: I have a joke.

Mom and Dad: We can't wait to hear.

Edmund: A puppy was walking down the street and bumped into a paint can. (followed by hysterical laughter)

Mom and Dad (quizzical looks and chuckles)

Edmund: Do you know a joke about a cinnamon roll?

Mom and Dad: No, let's hear it.

Edmund: A cinnamon roll was walking down the sidewalk and bumped into a flower. (more hysterics)

Mom and Dad: (knee slaps and more chuckles)

You can look for the comic stylings of Edmund Jack at a comedy club near you. He'll be telling these jokes and more all month.

Mini Golf Pro

Hole in One

Every year since Steven and I were engaged, we've gone to Holden Beach. Steven's family holds a reunion of sorts there every July for a week. Sometimes we stay all week, and sometimes we only get in day or two of sand and surf. This year Steven used his vacation for the full week, so we got in lots of swimming. Edmund's swimming lessons the two weeks prior really helped...not with the swimming so much as conquering his fear of the water. Edmund still refuses to blow bubbles in the water, but he doesn't scream (as much) when his face gets wet. He got in the ocean on Day 1 this year. Even if the waves were still "scary," this was a big accomplishment.

The beach involves swimming, reading, shell hunting, game playing etc. Since you get the gist, and in order not to bore you with minutiae, I've decided to focus on one annual beach tradition..miniature golf, or putt putt if you'd like. Each year we head over the bridge onto the mainland to play golf at Treasure Island. The last three years we've left Edmund asleep in his bed. This year, we decided he could handle it, and off we went along with Aunt Alison and cousins, Ian, Susie, Andrew, Emma, and Drew.

When we arrived, Edmund just had to ride on some quarter operated vehicles. He was lucky Ian was there with a quarter to spare or he may have missed some mail truck fun. After all that excitement we went to pick out clubs. Edmund was excited to get his very own toddler sized one. We showed him how to putt on the first hole and to our surprise he picked up the concept in no time. You may notice from these photos, Edmund has perfected his own signature grip, and we learned quickly you don't mess with the master.
We decided against keeping score for Edmund, but perhaps we should have because he was getting the ball in the hole in 3 and 4 putts. This was even better than his daddy was doing :) Edmund couldn't contain his excitement and quickly completed each hole. Before he got to the 18th hole we prepared him for the tunnel that takes balls to the land of no return. We weren't sure if there would be a club throw down. Fortunately, Edmund was fascinated by the tunnel. Since he completed the course first, he was kind enough to let his aunt and cousins know about the tunnel's existence. He didn't want them to be disappointed.
Edmund was a miniature golf natural. It's too bad we don't have a course for him to play closer to us, or we'd have him out practicing his swing. Edmund ended this excursion with a ride on the carousel that made it's debut appearance at Treasure Island this year. Because what is miniature golf without a ride on a painted horse?

Big Boy School Update

Bilibo Play with a Friend

Edmund now has one full week of "big boy" school under his belt. He is transitioning better than I could have imagined. He has three "old" friends to pal around with in his new classroom. According to his teacher Ms. Katherine, he and one of his Infant/Toddler Site friends, Maya, are inseparable. The two of them didn't play much together in my classroom, but they must have realized they were in this thing together.

Ms. Katherine is amazing, but unfortunately I feel like I don't know what Edmund is doing most of the day. This is not because Katherine doesn't let me know. She writes emails and sends pictures like you wouldn't believe. It is simply that I went from knowing everything to knowing very little, and Edmund likes to shrug and say "I don't know," when asked about his day. Fortunately, I've gotten many reports that Edmund is as happy as can be when various parents and friends see him at the other site. He always seems to be having a great time at pick-up, so I can't complain too much.

Edmund and I have also started planning fun, healthy snacks to make at home, since he no longer gets an afternoon snack at school. Edmund is "so hungry" when I arrive at school, and waiting until we get home will just not do. He enjoys sitting on the bench outside the school and snacking. Sometimes he'll have his snack with his old pal, Rita. On Thursday, the two of them were jumping in the monkey grass after snack, and Edmund disturbed a nest of yellow jackets. It was then he had his initiation into the painful world of bee stings. Rita's mom was so helpful getting us something to put on the sting, but Edmund couldn't be calmed. We went to the hospital to see daddy, who gave us some ice, but the screams continued. In fact the screams continued for two hours. Edmund took a small break from his cries to let me know he wanted to read his Babybug magazine. In one story Kim and her bunny, Carrots, make cookies. I suggested we make our own cookies. Guess what? Making cookies is the ultimate bee sting cure, and we haven't heard about the stings since.

*Pictures courtesy Ms. Katherine :)

Kuplink, Kuplank, Kuplunk

Is This a Big One Mommy?

To celebrate the start of summer, our whole family headed out to pick blueberries. There is a blueberry patch no more than a mile from our house. I learned about the blueberry patch a little late last summer, so Edmund and I got in one small picking before the season ended. Since about February, every time we pass the blueberry patch Edmund says, "are the blueberries ready yet?" Last week I finally spotted a sign that let us know the blueberries were indeed ready. When I told Edmund we would have to wait until Saturday to pick blueberries, the question became "is it Saturday yet?" This question, although constant, was also a great way to introduce the days of the week. This morning when Edmund said "is it Saturday yet?" we had to let him know that "yes it was, but it was not 7:30 yet." I'm sure you can guess what the next question was, and so began our lesson in telling time. After all that waiting, the big moment arrived. Fortunately, Edmund's second blueberry experience exceeded expectations.

It is still early in the season, but there were a fair number of ripe blueberries. Edmund got a special, kid-sized pail. We explained that we only pick the "blue" berries and set Edmund free. He immediately started dropping blueberries into his pail. As he did so he said, "kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk," and informed us he was Sal from Blueberries for Sal. However, he was quick to assure Steven and I that we wouldn't meet any bears on our excursion, just some chickens.

The picking continued famously. Surprisingly Edmund only put one unripe blueberry in the basket, and even asked me when he wasn't sure if he had a "blue" berry. I commented on the humor in this, as even I at times find it hard to distinguish an unripe blueberry from a ripe one. If you'll recall we came home with a lot of green strawberries, and the ripe ones are pretty distinct. Perhaps Edmund is older and wiser now, after his experience with those bitter strawberries.

We picked blueberries for about thirty minutes before calling it quits. Other families had bucket loads of berries, but as a family we don't consume much. We decided it best to eat some, make a few recipes, and use them all up. We had such a great time, we plan to return next week, and may even come home with a pile of blackberries too.

Edmund: Our Newest Graduate

Edmund with Fellow Graduates

Yesterday marked Edmund's last day at the infant/toddler site. He'll be going to our preschool site across town starting next Friday. I feel like I should be a wreck, so perhaps the fact he'll no longer be with me hasn't hit yet. I truly wish both schools were combined so I could be near Edmund. But am I upset I won't be his teacher anymore? In truth, not really, though I'm so glad I was able to be with him during his first three years. I won't be in control of his day to day happenings anymore, and that makes me a bit apprehensive. However, as much as I like control, it's probably a good thing I'll have to learn to let go. Also it has gotten to the point where Edmund screams and pounds on the door when I go in to get something at school. He won't use the potty for anyone but me at school, and refuses to pull up his own pants. It may be hard at first, but eventually he'll do this for other teachers when he knows I'm not around. I help other kids achieve independence all the time away from mom and dad, so I'm looking forward to this aspect of our time apart. I'm also thinking how much sweeter our afternoon reunions will be. All in all I think this milestone will be good for both of us.

Because yesterday was the last day at the infant/toddler site for our entire class, Jennifer and I decided to plan something special for the kids. In the past teachers have done mini graduations, but that's really for the parents. And come on, how many two and three year olds do you know who want to sit still to receive a piece of paper? I've written before about one of Edmund's favorite places, Locopops. It's a local business that sells popsicles made from local ingredients, and is conveniently (or sometimes inconveniently) located within walking distance of my school. I've gotten to know one of the employees, Mr. Kevin, a little since we frequent so often and talked to him about having our graduation party there. Unfortunately we learned Locopops doesn't open until noon, nap time, so we thought Locopops was out. However, Jennifer and I took a chance and emailed the owner, and she said "sure she'd open up for our graduation party." This is one of the perks of working with a local business. Yesterday we were thrilled to see that Mr. Kevin was our "host" for the party, as he's gotten to know several of the other children too. Apparently, we're not the only family who craves cold popsicles after school.

The graduation was perfect. Almost all of the parents were able to come out and enjoy a popsicle on a sweltering day. Steven even caught up with us post-call to enjoy a tasty treat. Jennifer and I did go ahead and give out "certificates of excellence", to appease the parents. Edmund got an award for most witty sense of humor, and quickly handed his certificate back to me. He was all about the popsicles. After many photo opportunities, and wiping the splattered popsicle juice off the floor, we headed back to school. It was truly a fun end to a great year.

Disney Adventure

Our New Pals

It's been a full two weeks since our return from Disney World. I've never taken a trip to Disney without wishing the magic would continue, and this trip was no different. We had a blast from beginning to end, even with the to be expected dinner time meltdowns (it's your guess as to who had those meltdowns). This is a long post and I'm simply giving the highlights, not a full play-by-play, but I hope you are able to look past the length and experience the Magic of Disney along with the Pattishalls.

Day 1: Airplane Ride and Downtown Disney
Grandma and Grandpa joined Steven, Edmund and myself for this latest Disney excursion. We began our journey on a Southwest airplane, Edmund's second ever plane ride. In the month leading up to the trip, the plane trip got almost as much attention from Edmund as Disney itself. Edmund did great, but decided there would be no napping on this plane. Our first stop after landing in Orlando was Downtown Disney, a shopping area with various stores and restaurants. We decided to have our first meal at the T-Rex Cafe. There's no better way to acclimate a toddler to rides than having him eat in a restaurant surrounded by animatronic dinosaurs and indoor meteor showers that occur every 20 minutes. After the first meteor shower, Edmund decided it best to retreat into the bathroom for the following one. Going to the bathroom became the excuse Edmund used the rest of the trip anytime he wanted to leave something, which was bit humorous since he'll generally "hold it" to avoid leaving something. The restaurant was a hit, especially since it had a little area for Edmund to go digging for fossils. After fueling up with food we headed to the Lego Store. We never made it inside because Edmund spent most of the afternoon racing a little Lego car. He'd send it down one side of a racing track, retrieve it, then do the same on the other side. He had a blast and would have stayed there for hours if he could have. We finally pulled him away and ended our first day by taking a balloon ride on the world's largest helium balloon. It was a peaceful if
somewhat windy trip, and we were able to begin our vacation by surveying the Magical World below.

Future Paleontologist

Day 2: Magic Kingdom
We got up bright and early for our first day in the parks. Edmund wanted to head straight for the castle and so we did. He didn't seem to mind there wasn't anything to do in the castle, and simply took in the view. After walking through the castle we came to the carousel. Edmund has always loved carousels and will now finally sit on a horse. You may recall that last summer Edmund was all about the carousel benches. He's finally taking a few risks in life. From there it was on to Dumbo, a must-do. The line was long so Steven, Grandma, and Grandpa took Edmund to the teacups, which had a very short wait, while I staked out a spot in line for the coveted Dumbo ride. Based on the reports it is safe to assume Edmund loved the teacups and fortunately made it back just in time to ride with mommy in a large elephant. The nice thing about Disney is that children can ride in parents' laps. This really enabled Edmund to enjoy the rides more. If you ask Edmund what his favorite ride at Disney World was, you'll most likely get the reply "Dumbo", with the teacups getting thrown in there occasionally too. The next two attractions may or may not have established Edmund's whole outlook for the rest of the trip. First up was the 3-D movie "Philharmagic." As soon as the movie started Edmund began screaming "it's too dark." and "it's too loud." Somehow we made it through the movie, but we decided there would be no more movies the rest of the trip. After that we tried a Pooh Bear ride. We thought it would be child-friendly enough, but this was Pooh on the blustery day. Again darkness and an inside ride. Scratch "It's a Small World". Steven and I did get to ride "It's a Small World" while Edmund finished dinner with Grandma and Grandpa in a restaurant overlooking the ride. He had fun waving to us as we went off in our boat. I guess I can't blame Edmund for not wanting to ride on it. It took me years before I would ride anything that went through water in a building including "It's a Small World", and I have no idea what started that fear in the first place. Edmund rode several more Dumbo type rides, such as the flying sleighs, er magic carpets, at the Magic Kingdom and loved them. We ended the day on a high note and hit up the spinning teacups again. The day was a success.

Whee!

Day 3: Animal Kingdom
I think this park often takes too much slack. It's one of my favorites and can easily be covered in a day. I absolutely love animals, so maybe I'm biased. We began our day with a safari. The safari ride is really neat in that you get to see a variety of African animals up close. Disney works their magic to make it seem like the animals could come right up to you, but in actuality uses natural barriers to keep the animals enclosed. As long as we distracted Edmund from the ride's bumpiness he really enjoyed himself. After the safari we walked through the African animal exhibits, which is much like a zoo on Disney steroids. One of the best parts of the day was seeing the meerkats here. We learned about the meerkats' "changing of the guard." This happens quickly and is unpredictable since it is simply determined by the current "guard" needing to rest. Amazingly we were able to witness a "changing of the guards," a once in a lifetime experience. For two days Edmund did without a nap and it was showing. Grandma and Grandpa kindly took Edmund back to our townhome, which left Steven and I free to wander the park on our own. We were able to enjoy a fun African themed lunch and ride on some of the faster roller coasters. We also went on a rapids ride and got drenched. We apparently picked the wrong seats. Edmund is still telling people about how mommy and daddy got wet. He just doesn't understand why we would want to do that. After Edmund's nap and changing a flat on the rental van, Grandma, Grandpa, and Edmund returned. They found a wonderful, dinosaur themed playground that Edmund couldn't get enough of. A perfect end to the day, and because Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks, we were able to go home and rest up for the next day's adventure.

Safari Trek

Day 4: Universal Studios and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Steven and I went to Universal Studios alone while Grandma, Grandpa, and Edmund did some family history exploring in a nearby Florida town and cemetery. For our 5th anniversary I wanted to go to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal, and this is how the whole Disney trip came into fruition in the first place. Steven and I had a blast. We got to eat some delicious English food (if indeed English food can be described in this way) and tasted Butterbeer, a drink much like cream soda. My favorite part was wandering the halls of Hogwarts to get to a rather fun, yet motion sickness inducing ride. We did a few other things at Universal, but mainly were there for the Harry Potter experience. We left in the early afternoon which gave us time to quickly explore Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) that evening. The place we wanted to take Edmund the most here was the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground. Edmund enjoyed this almost as much as the dinosaur playground at Animal Kingdom. The movie this attraction is based on is a bit dated now, but the concept is fun no matter what your age. Edmund loved sliding down the large leaves and exploring the oversized toys. His favorite was the play-doh. However, he was a bit confused by the large roll of Kodak film and kept asking what it was. It's a bit difficult to explain film to a child born in the digital age, but I kept trying. After the playground, Steven, Grandma, and Grandpa went to a car stunt show while I decided to beat the heat in "The American Idol Experience." I was surprised when Edmund and Steven greeted me at the end of my show as the stunt show was supposedly longer. Apparently Edmund lasted a whopping two minutes before the shouts of "it's too loud" ensued. Strangely enough, the rest of the evening he kept asking to return to the car show. Oh well! Our time at Hollywood Studios was short-lived when a large thunderstorm hit. We decided to weather the storm at a restaurant, but this particular storm would not let up. It was for the best though, as Edmund decided this night was perfect for a dinner time meltdown. We got back to our vacation digs and were able to get a good night's sleep while listening to the soothing sounds of rain.

Sliding Down a Leaf

Day 5: Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center was a nice change of pace from the crowded parks. While the rest of the Pattishalls had been there already, it was a new experience for both Edmund and me. We especially loved the large outdoor "rocket garden." Edmund was able to see what it was like to sit in a cramped space module and had fun running down the ramp that allows astronauts to enter the shuttle. After this we took a bus tour to see the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), shuttle runway, and other assorted space things. Edmund has been very into tour buses these days, so this bus ride made his little heart flutter. If you ask Edmund about the space center he may tell you about the "huge doors" (raise hands in air for emphasis) on the VAB. I have to admit they were impressive, but even more impressive was the length of time it takes to simply open the doors. Another fortunate happening during this trip was being able to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor on the launch pad. Edmund may be a bit young to realize the significance, but when he's older he'll get to say "I was there when...". The rest of our time we explored the Saturn V rocket, touched a moon rock, and even saw a Space Snoopy. We were hoping to get to see the launch of the Endeavor on Monday, but it would have been cutting it too close with our flight home. We did, however, get to hear the Endeavor from our townhome and Edmund probably watched the launch forty times from every possible angle on Grandpa's IPad. Edmund's a space boy, so this day was a special treat for him.

Astronauts in Training

Day 6: Epcot
The Magic Kingdom is special, but I've got to say this is another park that needs a little more loving. I never feel I have enough time at Epcot. Between the World Showcase and all that Innoventions has to offer, one could easily spend three days here. Edmund found a fun game at Innoventions called "The Great Piggy Bank Adventure" which sends you on a spending/saving adventure with your own piggy bank in tow. Edmund decided to save for a college education (smart boy), but even with Grandma and mommy helping out, we didn't quite reach our goal. We'll have to work a bit more on diversifying. Another game that the entire clan did together had to do with recycling. Edmund and mommy worked together to push the very heavy recycling truck from station to station where we each helped participate in planet saving challenges. We all did a pretty good job on this one if I do say so myself. We decided to take Edmund on a ride at Epcot about living off the land. All I remembered from our last trip was the amazing fruits and vegetables being grown in greenhouses. Apparently that's all Steven remembered too or we wouldn't have gotten on with Edmund. Of course before showing these amazing fruits and vegetables, one must be shown the way the earth works to produce plant life. This means thunderstorms and darkness. Edmund had a fit and starting saying "where's the station?" This became mine and Steven's catchphrase the rest of the day anytime we rode a ride that was a bit dark. "Where's the station?" we would say. Just so you know, we did these rides without Edmund and chose no more dark torture for him the rest of the day. Edmund got to have fun on other things such as two small playgrounds built for the Epcot garden show. While with Grandma and Grandpa he also may have had the most fun of his trip playing with the jumping fountains. I think the pictures Grandpa got here capture Edmund's excitement better than any I've seen. What a great way to end an incredible trip! I leave you with the following picture to sum up Edmund's very first Disney experience.

I Love Disney World!

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You: Disney World

I promise you all that sometime in the next week you will be privy to all information regarding Edmund's first visit with the famous big-eared mouse. If you are not sure which mouse I am referring to, I will assume you've been living under a rock. Since returning from vacation we are finally catching up on work and getting used to a new rotation. Things are slowing down for me, hallelujah! Soon Disney World with Edmund will get all the write-up and fanfare it deserves. I can't wait to share with all of you.

Strawberries for Edmund

Strawberry Picker Hard at Work

Clearly I haven't made good on my promise of lots of posts as there wasn't a single post in April. Steven was on a difficult rotation and I use my free time as an opportunity to write. Unfortunately I was sick, sick, sick from the end of March until the beginning of this week, which meant most of my time was spent in bed. The whole family got this last illness and I'm truly hoping it's the last as we move into warmer weather.

Yesterday we were all feeling well enough, Steven just barely, to go strawberry picking at Jean's Berry Patch. Steven and I went berry picking here shortly before we got married and hadn't gotten back. It seemed so far away when we lived in Carrboro, but it's just a hop, skip, and a jump from where we now live in Durham.

Steven made the mistake of asking Edmund if he wanted to go strawberry picking. Of course he got the typical two year old response..."NO." Edmund has been very into the story "Blueberries for Sal" as of late and I coaxed him into the car with the promise of his very own bucket just like Sal. That did the trick, and we were off.

Jean's Berry Patch is very large and well organized. We got our very own row of berries from which to pick and Edmund got his own bucket. There were so many red, juicy berries to choose from. Edmund ate many of his pickings right off the plant. His hands were a bright red by the time we finished. Mommy and daddy quickly filled their bucket with big strawberries, but Edmund's bucket was much more shallow with many a small, unripe berry to be found. He discovered when we got home the green berries were not to his liking and decided to partake of mommy and daddy's pickings instead. We had warned him about the green ones, but were sympathetic and shared our slightly more appetizing red berries with him anyway.

Edmund loved strawberry picking and didn't want to leave. We could have stayed much longer, but since we leave for vacation next week we didn't want to get too many berries. Fortunately for Edmund the fun didn't end too soon. While daddy was paying for our berries Edmund and I discovered a small play area. There were two small handmade see-saws. Due to safety issues you don't see many of them anymore, but I still think it's a childhood right of passage. Edmund got to try out his first see-saw with mommy. Don't worry, I didn't catapult him into the berry patch. After his see-saw ride, Edmund couldn't get enough of the sandbox and sand toys. We lured him away by promising him time in the sandbox at home. Isn't it funny, however, that the home sandbox only held his interest for five minutes. Children are mysterious creatures.

Edmund's first strawberry picking adventure was a success. We know strawberry season is short, but Steven and I hope to fit in one more picking excursion before the season ends. And next time we know we'll have no trouble getting our fledgling berry picker to oblige.

It may be a couple of weeks, but be on the lookout for a post about Edmund's first trip to Disney World. We leave soon and are hoping we may get to see the shuttle launch as well.

I'm a Big Boy

In the last two weeks Edmund has shown me he isn't my tiny baby anymore, but, as he will inform you, is now a "big boy." For some reason Edmund has determined that if one is a "big boy" he can not be anything else. For example I may ask, "are you funny?" His reply, "nope I'm a big boy." And he is a "big boy" Less than two weeks ago I had determined I was going to have to hold Edmund back from kindergarten because he just didn't understand this potty thing, Thus, I did something I was at the time ashamed of, but now am so glad I did. I took Edmund's beloved diapers away. I was sure I scarred him for life, but in a matter of days he was almost fully potty trained. Edmund's been accident free for three days now. I know this potty training thing isn't quite over yet, but Edmund "gets it" and is so proud of himself.

Today was a big milestone for me as well as Edmund. We went to tour the school Edmund will attend in June. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, as it may be time to cut the apron strings, my school's 3-5 year old program is located across town. I was impressed with how well the children interacted with each other, but was overwhelmed with the sheer size of the school and independence the children were given. Edmund was clearly overwhelmed too, as he openly showed his distress by crossing and uncrossing his fingers. However, he did seem to have fun while exploring the two playgrounds, playing with play dough, doing puzzles, and playing with the train table. I know he'll do well, but it will be hard to have him out of my sight for several hours every day.

When we got back to Edmund's current preschool the children ran to the gate to greet him. They all excitedly asked "did you go to the new school." Edmund assumed a cool stance by crossing his legs while leaning against the fence. He said as nonchalantly as possible "yep, I had fun. I played on the big playground." I know inside he's a little nervous, but he wasn't about to lose his composure in front of his friends. And he has such a big heart I'm sure he wanted to ease their fears too. So far I've been able to keep my composure as Edmund hits his "big boy" milestones, but I have a feeling I'll be bawling after dropping him off for his first day of "big boy school." Fortunately, I have two more months to prepare myself.

A Short Post for a Short Month

Artist Hard at Work

The Pattishalls have had quite a few adventures since the last posting. Since Steven has had what I consider to be a very light load in the pediatric ER, we've been enjoying every moment of family time we can get this month. Unfortunately that leaves you loyal readers wondering what we've been up to. Steven's schedule is about to get more hectic, which means I'll be writing more to pass the time away.

Following are some February highlights:

Edmund cooked, built, crafted, and directed traffic at the Chapel Hill
children's museum, Kidzu. All three Pattishalls followed this outing with a trip to Sugarland, a gelato shop/bakery on Franklin Street.

I overcame my fear of driving to Northgate alone so that Edmund and I could join Elmo for his yearly birthday celebration. You may recall we went to visit Elmo on his birthday last year. Can you believe it? Elmo turned 3 yet again. Someone is lying about his age.

Edmund, Steven, and I made several walking trips to Locopops after school to celebrate a few potty successes (Edmund's, not ours). These popsicle excursions were followed by visits to The Children's Store (a local toy store which has recently relocated to the Locopops shopping center).

Thanks for keeping up with our happenings. I look forward to filling you in on March's adventures soon.