It took two days to celebrate 8 years

School Birthday
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Much like their mother's birthweek extrvaganza, the kids' birthday celebrations are now spread over multiple days. Not the 7 or 8 days their mother gets, but 2 days is still more than one. Michael's multi-day festival of fun started with his party on the 16th. Next was his true birthday, which was kicked off by the opening of presents at dawn. The celebration concluded with cupcakes (gluten-free) with his classmates at the end of the school day. It took two days to celebrate 8 years, but every second was worth it.
RAP

The Pumpkin Hunt

The Pumpkin Hunt
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of my favorite innovations for Michael's birthday party is the 'Great Pumpkin Hunt;' it's an Easter Egg style hunt, but with plastic pumpkins instead of plastic eggs. Inside each pumpkin in our patch (aka the backyard) is a small toy or candy provided by the Oriental Trading Company. Most of what is inside is junk (in my opinion), but don't tell that to the children! From my perspective, I think the adrenaline rush of the competition is the real prize for the kids. It is quite a sight to see them take off in frenzied, chaotic rush.
R

Alex has an October birthday, in addition to his November birthday

We Got The T-Robo
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the benefits of the proximity of the boys ages and enthusiasms, is that Michael's birthday presents make Alex very happy. After all, they pretty much share everything, and any gift for Michael is a gift for Alex. As witnessed in this image, this present from Uncle Billy made Alex very excited; I think he exclaimed, "'We' got the T-Robo!" It seems that Alex has an October birthday, in addition to his November birthday!
RAP

Less than 72 hours, but they were Good Hours

Splashdown
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our final day in Orlando was our pool day; we swam, slid and played water volleyball. Afterwards, Jenny and the boys road a swan paddle boat that Michael had wanted to sail since the first morning we arrived.

That mid-morning we ventured to Downtown Disney (DTD) for breakfast (no way we were eating at breakfast at the hotel again -- 66 dollars on the first day was more than enough!). While walking at DTD we came across a LEGO store and the boys had a blast. They built, played and admired all the creations around them. That concludes the recap of our trip; it was less than 72 hours, but they were good hours.
RAP

Thing 1, 2, 3 And 4

Thing 1, 2, 3 And 4
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our vacation was only three days long, so their was no time to relax! On our second day in Florida, we voyaged to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It was a really good park, full or attractions that we had never seen before. Again, the first ride of the day was rough for Michael; it was the Spider-man ride and it was very cool. 3D villains all around you; when they use flamethrowers you get hot, when they jump on your vehicle it shakes. It was tres cool.

After that, Michael loved every ride (even the ones that were much scarier than Spider-man) even roller coasters that went high and fast. In fact he wanted to ride the Dr. Doom ride that went 200 feet in the air; thankfully he was too small. Alex was scared to go on some rides, but we pressed him into it, and he loved them. He especially enjoyed 'The Flying Unicorn,' a simple fast roller coaster for kids. Both boys claim they enjoyed the Dr. Suess and Jurassic Park Islands the most. It was a fun day, and I suspect in a few years we will be back.
RAP

Epcot

Epcot
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We arrived a tad before midnight on Tuesday, but that did not stop us from sailing over to Epcot as soon as I completed my rehearsal Wednesday morning. Michael was bit tired and got freaked out on Soarin'; he really should not have, and later admitted that it was fun. He should have gotten freaked out on Test Track, but that ended up being his favorite attraction. He also dug the World of Energy because it had Bill Nye the Science Guy, who Michael finds amusing.

I had to leave them in the middle of the day to give my speech; they hung around the park for a while and then returned to the hotel for a break (we were on the Disney property). After my speech, we returned to the park and focused on the country exhibits. The boys loved Mexico, but weren't crazy about Norway. Both adored the fireworks and lasers; Michael kept saying 'Amazing!' as the sky was illuminated.
RAP

Stunned by his Moxie

Cake Walk
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our first stop at the Fall Festival was the cake walk; it was early and not every spot was full. Michael won a cake right away; of course he went ahead a made a point to explain that he could not eat it, but he was happy to win anyway.

Alex continued to try, and on one iteration they called number 7 after the music stopped. Ever astute Alex noticed that no one was on number 7. Being a cake enthusiast and quick witted, he ran across the room and jumped on number 7. Stunned by his moxie, they declared him the winner.
RAP