♥ Marissa's Sweet Joys ♥

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Richard Petty Driving Experience {Try New Adventures Thursday}!

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For Christmas, my mother {who is the QUEEN of creative gifts! Seriously...she's awesome!} gave me a gift certificate to the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Orlando! She is so frugal, too. She scored it from a sweet Groupon deal! It sounded really cool, but to be honest, I had no idea what to expect or if I'd ever have the time to use it. I was still nursing Nam and lets face it, it certainly is not easy commuting to an adult event with 4 kids! In March, we decided to go to the Disney Marketplace for our daughters 4th birthday, and my mother scheduled in my Driving Experience for that morning. It worked out beautifully and my sweet parents even got there early to make sure I had a spot!

Our caravan arrived with our 4 children, grandmother, and Aunt who was visiting from Alaska. And oh my gracious, it was LOUD! So much so, that our then 2 year old son had a really hard time at first. He sat in the stroller with a panicked look. I got shuffled through the doors, asked to change into the uniform, was quickly briefed on the rules, and then directed out to the track.

It was CRAZY watching the cars race past at light speed! I could barely hear anything as they put my helmet on. They lead me to the car, buckled me in, and we were offffffffffffff...

The first lap around the track I could not even move. It reminded me of the StarShip Enterprise warping to light speed (yes, yes...I am a Treky). It was as though all the air was getting sucked out of me as we reached 165mph!!!! By lap 2, I really started enjoying it and could look around. And by lap 3, my final lap, I was yelling "faster! FASTER!" It was an AMAZING experience and I am so thankful my mother gave this as a gift! She also created shirts for the boys that read, "Junior {insert our last name} Pit Crew! Sooooo cute.

Getting suited up!

Woohoo!!! Ready to go!

Striking a pose. I think the person who designed these uniforms had a wicked sense of humor :p

Posing with the birthday girl!

With my oldest!

There's no door...I had to climb in through the window!

I had SIX buckles. I was cracking up as the dudes reached over to buckle me..."Do. I. Know. You!?!?!"

Ready to go!

"Try not to vomit in your helmet."

And we're off!

WOOHOO!!!

I turned into Ice from Top Gun by the time I got out!

"I HAVE A NEED! A NEED FOR SPEEEEEED!"

I was a dancin' fool!

Family photo!

My boys in their new shirts!

So adorable!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wordless Wednesday 6.15.11

Linked to 5minutesformom for Wordless Wednesday! If you're stopping by, please say hello and leave me some comment love and I will return the favor!

These are beautiful Sunflowers my father gave me for my birthday on Tueday. He grew them in his garden! Aren't they gorgeous!?

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sunday Supper Meal Plan 6.12.11

Aaaaaaaahhhhh...school is out, spray parks are open, Watermelon is now a food group in our home...Summer is here, my friends! {I guess it's time to take down my Easter Wreathes, huh? hee hee} We've had a wonderful start to Summer full of swimming lessons, playground playtime, meeting new sweet babies, volunteering in the Church Nursery...and just fun, fun, fun!!! Certainly a slower pace compared to the previous 2 weeks which included the End-of-Year MOMS Club Banquet, end of school for ods {and all that come along with that...and more}, Summer Camp Orientations, ect. :o) Below is my Meal Plan!

Floaty boy! haha

Stuck ;)

Sunday Supper Meal Plans

Breakfast: Cold cereal, eggs, waffles, and smoothies!
Lunch: Leftovers, grilled cheese, turkey and cheese sandwiches with fresh fruit, applesauce, or yogurt
Dinners:

Monday: Pineapple Chicken Skewers {mmm...doesn't this sound delish!?} served over Jasmine Rice and watermelon. And my sweet husband is making his famous Watergate Cake for my birthday!!!
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday-ole! Tacos made with Turkey Meat and all the fixin's served with Jasmine Rice and Corn.
Wednesday: Homemade Seasoned Turkey Burgers on buns served with Jasmine Rice, black beans, and watermelon
Thursday: BLT's made with Turkey Bacon served with homemade Peach Applesauce from Laurel's Health!
Friday: Kids Choice! :o)
Saturday: Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry {from Alicia's Homemaking!} served over Jasmine Rice.
Sunday: Leftovers and Tomato Soup.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The NEW Trampoline!!! {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

I am linked to Try New Adventures Thursday!

Last month, Thao turned 3 and for his BIG birthday present, my parents wanted to get him a trampoline! What a great new adventure for the kids!!! We attend Open Gym and all the kids love jumping on the trampolines! We all searched for:

1. A SAFE Trampoline: When it comes to tramps, I go ALL out with safety. My Mom used to be a trampoline coach and I will never forget her story of her friend who got double bounced off, broke her neck, was paralyzed, and passed away a few short years later. Safety Recommendations are there for a reason and I abide by every single one of them. I refuse to be that mom, with that child who is now broken in ER simply because I took the easy way out and cut corners when it came to their safety. Sorry...can you tell I am passionate about safety!? :o) Ours has the nets on the side, too so we don't need spotters on the sides.

2: A small trampoline that we could fit on the back patio. I wanted one that I could be inside prepping food, feeding the baby or doing learning time with 1 kiddo but still be able to have full view of the trampoline.

3. Something affordable!

My parents found the perfect trampoline at Sam's Club!!! My dad snuck in in through the back the night before and he and my husband put it together.

The Trampoline Rules are:

1. You must ask Mommy if you can get on.

2. ONE person at a time.

3. No toys are allowed.

4. You must be completely dry (since it's on the patio near the pool).

5. If someone is waiting in line, you must be gracious and limit your bouncing.

6. HAVE FUN!!!

My mom created a scavenger hunt for Thao! He had to wear his special "Spiderman Sunglasses" in order to see the Trampoline! My mom is so crafty!

The trampoline!!!

"It's like Open Gym!!!"

Everyone taking their turns while the Paparazzi snap away! haha

The view from our kitchen and table of the corner of the patio. It also blocks the neighbors who are 6 feet away. ;o)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Boys Birthday Party!!!

We had a birthday party for our 3 sons last month and it was AMAZING!!!! Our oldest turns 8 in July and has never had a friends party (besides his 1 year old party). It was always too overwhelming for him and just the idea of a party with attention focused on him completely stressed him out. However, this year something shifted and he declared that he "wanted a friend party just without any attention on him!"

hmmmmmm I was determined to make this work somehow.

We came up with the idea to combine a party with his two younger brothers who were turning 1 on May 5th and 3 on May7th...he LOVED the idea, I loved that he loved it, and the party planning commenced! After tossing around a lot of ideas, we decided to rent the local Water/Spray Pool for 2 hours on a Friday night. And can I just say...it was a perfect event.

The weather was perfect. The food (pizza's, watermelon, grapes, and chips) was perfect. Everyone had an amazing time!!! Including our 8 year old, who in "I don't want any attention on me" form, did not want happy birthday sang to him...he splashed, played, ate, and had a marvelous time! Along with his 3 year old brother and 1 year old brother! This will most likely be the biggest party we will ever have for the kids...but it was worth every penny!!!

Getting all set up!