5/30 - We are Moving!!

So I mean this in two ways:
1. The blog address is moving because blogger is being retarded and even though I deleted a bunch of posts (dozens actually), it still says I don't have any space left. So our new address is: http://thehoytfamilyhappenings.blog.com (no blogspot.com). I will have a post up later today.
2. We are also moving to Alabama soon. We went house hunting last week and found a pretty cute place in Prattville which is northwest of Montgomery.

5/14 - Disney Vacation - Part 1

So I had been planning to go to Disney without Brad but since he's back for a bit, he came along. We went down there on Sunday afternoon after naps. In the first picture, you can see Brad and the boys in the parking garage. My camera was focused as close as possible but they were pretty far away. They went out "exploring" while I set the room up. They always have fun in the most random places.

We were ready for Disney on Monday morning. Here are Aiden and Brad in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom. We took the monorail and Aiden thought that was a cool "ride." I guess we didn't even need to buy tickets to Magic Kingdom. We could have stayed in the parking lot at the resort and just rode on the monorail (which you don't even need a ticket for) and the kids would have been happy.

We went on Peter Pan first. Aiden was scared and this is how he went through this ride and most other rides. He seemed to do okay if he put his hands over his ears and just blocked out the noise and tried to look at everything else. Since he suffers from sensory problems, it was interesting but we knew that before we went.

Our friend told us to get some water fans. What a good idea except when the kids get a little carried away and either soak themselves or everyone around us walking. I am glad we had them though. Here is Eli cooling himself off.

After the morning and a couple rides at Magic Kingdom, we went back to the resort (which was awesome and had 6 pools I think). The boys took naps and then as we started to head back out to the shuttle, it started to rain and nothing about being at Magic Kingdom with rain and 2 kids (with no rain gear) sounded fun. The boys agreed to stay at the hotel and go to the splash park they found while I was checking in. To buy some time before the rain stopped, we took them on exploration and let them play on the luggage cart.

This [pretend] castle was at the resort. It was quite awesome. We walked around for a long time and once they opened the pools back up, we got dressed and headed to the splash park. They had this area that looked like an old pirate shipwreck which was cool.

The boys are all ready to go swimming: 

The boys loved the splash park. The one in the blue shorts is Aiden and we were so proud of him going through and getting wet. That's a big deal for him. Eli had a blast too but we expected that. He loves water.  

There was a lazy river and zero entry pool right next to this splash park. All of the pools were heated which was awesome. Here are the boys playing in inter tubes from the lazy river.  

On Tuesday morning, we went to Animal Kingdom. Here you can see Eli (also dressed at a super hero with a cape), Blaise, and Aiden playing with the matchbox cars unfolding things. 

Aiden said he wanted to go see Tigger, Pooh, and Eyeore. Brad and I laughed when he said that but went ahead and let the boys go down. Eli was skeptical but did pass out a few fist pumps. Aiden wanted nothing to do with any of them. NOTHING.  

I'll have to post more pictures in a bit. Google tells me I've run out of "free storage space" so I need to figure something out. I think I'll delete some old posts to make more room and finish telling you about our trip to Animal Kingdom and then back to Magic Kingdom on Wednesday. Stay tuned....

5/6 - An update

So it's been a while. Things have been ... crazy. To make a long story short, I had to go to the hospital for a week and Brad didn't feel right about not being here and taking care of the kids or being here to support me. So, unbeknownst to me, he came back to the states and surprised me by showing up at the hospital. Some of these I took before I went to the hospital. Since Aiden isn't in occupational therapy anymore, I've been trying to do more stuff at home but I don't have as much success with him as Ms. Lisa did. Eli likes to do his therapy stuff though! Here is Eli picking up cotton balls and finding jewels in the putty.

Here is Aiden drawing smaller and smaller circles but he's holding his marker incorrectly (yes those are Pip Squeeks Ms. Lisa). He did putty to and used the harder color which means it's more stiff.

Here is Eli being cute with daddy. We are not sure how long Brad will be home. Another week or so we should find out if the medication I am on is working. We've been taking it very easy and Brad has been a HUGE help with the boys.

The boys are glad daddy is home, even if it's just temporary.

This picture just makes me smile.

Aiden loves the iPad and we have bought a handful of educational games for him.

The boys are getting so good at playing with each other. All the effort of being a referee is paying off. Aiden is really starting to use his imagination which is fun to listen to.

I was planning on taking the boys to Disney while Brad was gone but since he's here, I'm gonna drag him along too. I'm not sure how long I can hold up at Disney but we'll find out.