Daousts: The Whine Cellar: Diving In

Today I decided to brave my first trip out of the home with all three kiddos on my own. I was debating going even as late as this morning but, as Mr. Sloth said, I have to do it sometime.

The real motivator was the underwater aquarium exhibit at the mall which is usually $18/person was only $5/person for homeschoolers and today was the last day to get in on the offer. I'd been wanting to take the kids for years but not at $18/person. So this morning I woke up around 7:30am (an hour earlier than the past week or so) and started my usual day I had decided to go and was pleasantly surprised to find out some of my homeschooling friends were going as well. I kicked it into high gear to meet them there. I must say I did an awesome job (as will be the theme this post) at getting everyone ready in record time. It was pretty easy getting the kids dressed since they got new clothes last night and were eager to try them out. Pax was up late with Mr. Sloth last night so he was all about sleeping and I managed to find clean fitting clothes and pull of a good outfit if I do say so myself. I even remembered to pack everything, diapers, change of clothes, sippy cups, baby carrier, double stroller, cameras...

Off we went. We were even there before they opened. Turns out, offering a 75% discount to homeschoolers really brings 'em in. We waited a half an hour just to buy our tickets. So instead of $18/ticket I paid $12 for all four of us (Pax didn't count). I thankfully discovered yesterday that Pax actually liked one of my baby carriers so I was able to logically manage the kiddos. Pax slept in the carrier the whole time and Demand and Happy rode in the double stroller. After doing the aquarium once we headed for lunch. Here's where I continue to get awesome. The Sloth go out for lunch almost every Saturday mainly because we are out and about running errands that day. Eating at the mall with Demand and Happy has always been difficult for me AND Mr. Sloth this time I was +1 kid, -1 husband. Yikes! I bought a piece of pizza and bread sticks for the kids to split and then sit them at a table right next to where I wanted take-out. Happy was awesome and sat in a big boy seat eating his lunch peacefully while I bought my food (Panda Express, Yummy!). Oh, and by the way, it being a feast day the Sloths were free to eat meat today which made it all the more easy for me.

The kids ate peacefully and then we packed up, had a bathroom break and headed back for another round of underwater adventure. I was more nervous this time because the clock was ticking and I was afraid of breakdowns. Would Pax wake up? Would Happy have a breakdown? It was even more fun than the first time. The kids were really into it and I even let Happy out of his restraints towards the end. He did a pretty good job too. He only ran off a few times, and much to his loss he ran in a dark room full of mirrors. (That was actually fun to see...only because he didn't get hurt of course)

Then we headed home. Pax woke up and cried the first few minutes in van but then fell back asleep. Happy was asleep by the time we got home and transferred to his crib just fine. Pax then woke up to nurse and fell back into a deep sleep.While Demand and Happy peacefully played, I spent the entire afternoon super-cleaning the house. We're talking pre-baby nesting energy. It was FANTASTIC! I even managed to improvise an awesome snack for the kids. Apples and carmel dip in honor of the Feast of St. Therese. (Demand is still wondering how carmel and Carmelites are related)

Mr. Sloth came home to a clean home, happy children, and of course and awesome wife.