The Greatest Place on Earth (a.k.a. How To Usher Seven People Through Disneyland Without Losing Your Marbles)

On Monday we visited "The Greatest Place on Earth" to celebrate the birthday of our king youngest. As we were tramping countless miles through masses of humanity, overpriced culinary temptations, and more flashing lights than a normal human being can possibly handle without seizing I though, "This would make an amusing blog post." And here it is:

Tip #1: Plan Your Visit for the Most Random Weekday Possible

We have learned from experience that one has to be an insane psychopath to visit Disneyland in the summer or, heaven-forbid, at Christmastime. During that week between Christmas and New Years they will have somewhere in the vicinity of 70,000 people in the park per day. Yes, you read that correctly. Don't do it. Consider yourself warned. January 24th was a perfect day as all the kids (college included) were back in classes. Yay for homeschooling!

Tip #2: Never Pass Up an Opportunity to Have All of the Children Contained in an Enclosed Environment

Call it a photo op. Call it a chance to pretend you're in a movie. Call it whatever you want. But revel in the few moments of having them in an inescapable position.

Tip #3: Let One Person Dictate What Happens Next

Seven people = seven completely different opinions. You will be quickly driven to insanity if you allow everyone to share their opinion about what to do next. "Pirates! Snow White! Haunted Mansion! Splash Mountain!" Since we usually are celebrating a birthday when we are at Disney, the birthday boy/girl chooses the itinerary. Even if they're 4 and don't know the difference between the Matterhorn and Space Mountain. I am happy to call the Matterhorn Space Mountain, if necessary. 

Tip #4: Definitely Get the Birthday Button

Because when you are the youngest of five you need all the help you can get in the attention department!

Not that your inflated ego needs too much help.

Tip #5: Do Not, Under Any Circumstances, Pass Up an Opportunity to Have Everyone Use the Bathroom

Seriously, my kids think that I have a problem, but if we pass a public restroom we use it...no matter what. Don't tell me you don't need to go, it will fall on deaf ears. Because Mommy will respond in a less-than-gracious way if you spring on her that you have to go potty when we are 3 people away from getting on the Dumbo ride. Trust me, it is NOT pretty!

Tip #6: Bring Advil

Because you WILL need it and you WILL NOT want to walk all the way over to Magoo's Tattoo to buy 2 pills for $1.57. Trust me.

Tip #7: Pack Seven Water Bottles, the Camera, Sunscreen, Snacks, Ponchos, Sweatshirts, and Sunglasses into One Gigantic Backpack and Give it Your Teenage Male Offspring to Carry

It levels the playing field a bit and slows him down enough that you can keep up. Plus, you don't have to buy seven water bottles at $3 a piece.

Tip #8: Definitely See The "World of Color" Show at California Adventure

Despite the cost of getting "reserved viewing" status, waiting for one hour while sitting on the cold concrete, trying to come up with games to keep the slightly-less-than-enthused under 14 crowd occupied during said waiting period, answering all the questions of the "chatty Cathy" sitting next to you, it was well worth it. Ah-May-Zing!!!!

Tip #9: Let Your Strong, Manly Husband Carry the Conked-Out Birthday Boy the 247 Miles Back to the Car

I offered to empty the stroller so that we could push him back and Gustav said, "No Way. I want to carry him." Yep. That's my man.

Tip #10: Be Thankful That the Lord Has Blessed You So Very Richly.

Because He most definitely has. And I most definitely do.

thirteen

Thirteen years ago today two people were born - a baby and a mother. A young 22 year old mother who did not know what she was doing, but trusted the Lord did. You were a wonderful addition to our family. You were wanted and loved. And you grew into a precocious, humorous, special boy.

We gave you nicknames - Earnest (because you had a serious, earnest face) and Nicholas Pickolas Pumpernicholas (because it was fun). You loved playing outside and maps and memorizing little seemingly useless tidbits of information...just like your daddy. Your ability to know an Ankylosaurus from an Archaeopteryx and a Utahraptor from a Velociraptor at the age of four was stunning. And your ability to draw for hours on end amazed this new, green mama.


Time went by and you were suddenly the oldest of three. And we expected you to do more than you could. We were new at this, and a little overwhelmed, and you were our guinea pig. We've apologized for that before, and probably will again.

But you handled it well, maturing and growing into a strong and helpful boy.

And a funny boy.


A very funny boy.

We hit milestones - diapers came off, teeth fell out, stitches went in. And you took it all in stride. The stalwart first-born. You were a neat freak (still are) and a stickler for being on time (still are) and a sweet, deep-thinking little guy (yep, that too).

We moved often and you were a flexible helper. Really. A big helper in a little body. You loved donuts, peanut butter and jelly and making up stories.

You became good friends with your little sisters and seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time with them, playing in our big back yard. You would work so hard raking the endless, crisp fall leaves into piles so that you could all jump in them. 

Now that we have moved far away from your lifelong friends, you keep in touch with letters and phone calls. What a special thing. What a special boy. But you're not really a boy any more. You're a boy-man, on the cusp of something new and different. One foot in the child's life, one looking forward to what the Lord would have for you.

We love you, Nicholas. You have been a light in our lives, shining the love of God on us. Our prayer for you as you enter this pre-man state, is that God would grow you into a Truth-loving, God-exalting, servant-hearted man. 


Welcome to thirteen.


Love you most.


Mom

Three

I distinctly remember the day I found out you were coming, amid packed boxes, closing documents, and moving trucks. The dichotomy of emotions - sorrow to leave, joy that you were coming. That summer was difficult as we traveled across the country, like hermits, and we lived without your daddy for weeks at a time. I was tired and sick and anxious about our future.

When fall came we settled in Los Angeles. I slowly unpacked the boxes and smiled when I came across the things for you: crib bumpers, mobiles, and tiny little onesies. I set them aside lovingly to wait for your arrival.

And then, before we knew it, it was time for you to join us. We arrived at the hospital and nine hours later you were born. You came in screaming.


We took you home and you became the prince-ling of the Hoyer home. Four older sibling to love you, hold you, kiss you, smile at you. Life was good.



Not that you were always happy. Sometimes all that attention was downright annoying.



But for the most part you handled it well.


We learned of your penchant for escaping, and acted accordingly, from purchasing a crib tent to burying you at the beach.


You grew into a boy defined by his curly, surfer-dude hair. I cried the day it was cut. It was just so...you.

So now you are a talking three year old, lover of Thomas the Tank Engine, painting, Play-Doh, lollipops, and sausage. I adore you. I can't imagine life without you. I am so thankful that God knit you together in me. What a blessing, little boy. Happy birthday.

eleven

I love that you were the first girl on both sides of the family, bringing all things pink and ruffly and feminine into our midst.

I love that you cried so much in your first year, because it forced me to trust God for strength and peace.

I love that you are so contemplative, seeking answers about the big questions and the small.

I love that you knocked your teeth out when you were four, creating that adorable toothless smile that graces all your pictures from ages four to seven.

I love that you are a faithful and devoted friend, who is willing to give friendships the time and attention they need.

I love your passion, even when it swells against me. It shows me that the Lord has created you to do big things in your life, hopefully for His glory.

I love your ability and desire to read so much. I am amazed by your ability to block out the din of a house of seven and focus so completely on the words on the page.

I love our conversations as you get older. I love that we can talk like friends.

I love your desire to get married and have a large family when you are grown.

I love that you are mature and innocent at the same time. That is a gift.

I love that you are not lured by the world and its clothes, music, and stuff.

But most of all, I love you and the great God who lent you to me for this short time.

Happy birthday, Little Pearl.
Enjoy eleven.

Six

Some fitting sentiments from our dear friend, Mr. Milne:

"When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly Me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now that I'm Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever."


Happy birthday, my little big man.
You bring us joy and smiles every day.
You are our "Sparkles."
Thank God for you.

Love, Mom

nine

Our beautiful Lillian turns nine years old today! We thank the Lord for His gift of this sweet, funny girl in our family. Here are nine special things about my special little girl:

(1) Until she was 5 years old, she called herself Yiwian. Those "L's" were a bit tough.
(2) She has a dry sense of humor that keeps us all laughing.
(3) She is such a wonderful little mother to her two little brothers. She really has a servant heart.
(4) Her need to be different from everyone else in the family. She definitely is an individual!
(5) Her love of my cooking. What can a mama say? All her favorite foods are things that I make. You gotta love that! (So today we are having strawberry bread, warm potato and sausage salad, and mommy pasta :-)
(6) She's a daredevil! When she's tall enough, she'll be my riding partner at Knotts!
(7) She's such a solid friend. She writes letters and saves seats and just really cares about people.
(8) She can, and frequently does, laugh at herself. What a gift.
(9) She is celebrating her last ever single-digit birthday!

I really, really love you Lillian! We all do. You are a gift from our Lord. Here's to many more birthdays and a life that glorifies Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer!

(Oh, and by the way, she and Daddy are out right now picking out a brand new puppy!)

Universal Studios

We recently went to Universal Studios to celebrate Nicholas' 12th birthday. Universal Studios is not our favorite place (Gustav & I), but our children adore it, so off we went. One of our favorite parts of the whole park is the statue as you walk in , seen in the picture here. Looks like a great statue of a filming scene, right? Well, let me tell you, looks can be deceiving. That man on the right there, with his hand in his pocket...see him? He's real. Yup, he stands perfectly still for a few minutes and then just up and walks to the other side of the display, scaring those who've never seen it before and delighting those who knew it was coming. I don't envy his job, standing in the Cali sunshine with who knows what kind of crazy paint/makeup on, but he sure entertains our family!

We had a fun time on the rides. Gabriel could go on the Jurassic Park ride 500 times in a row without getting bored. We only went on it 5 or 6 times on this trip. The bigger kids just love The Simpsons Ride, even though they'd never seen the characters before in their lives. And Gustav just loves the studio tour and the special effects show.




Here's Nicholas participating in the national pastime of twelve year old boys: stuffing his face! I know it gets worse. Everyone with older boys tells me it only gets worse, but I would rather not think about it. My grocery budget is already bursting at the seams. I remember fondly the days when a $20 bill could feed all of us at the drive-thru. No longer. I will choose to live in the blissful ignorance that this is as bad as it will get. Thanks for indulging me.




We took in one of the fun animal shows this time. We cracked up as these amazingly trained animals did all sorts of hysterical things. What a hoot!




Kurt loved his time in the Curious George area, designed for the littles who are too small to go on any of the rides. There are balls, slides, swings, and all sorts of super-fun things to do. And isn't he so stinkin cute? All matchy-matchy with his shirt and shoes. Come on.


Don't get Gustav started about the parking situation at Universal. You can pay $12 for stinky parking or even more for actual close-to-the-park parking. It makes his blood boil every single time we go there! I even prep the kids: "Don't talk to Daddy while he's parking." heh-heh.

All in all, a great day for the Hoyers. Lots of fun time spent together gets an A+ in my book!

A Little Story

Once upon a time there was a boy.

A boy who liked donuts.

And, believe it or not, sisters.


He was a handsome boy, full of spunk and laughter.



And his parents marveled that the Lord would entrust him to them.



He was so special that his Grampa always rubbed his head for good luck.



His first dog taught him to love...


...and to grieve.



And that boy, he grew and he grew and he grew.

He still loved donuts. And all his siblings. But now he also loved dinosaurs, World War II, and making movies.
And the Lord. He especially loved the Lord.

And his parents were happy.

Well, that boy, he turned twelve. And his parents still marvel at what a blessing he is. And they love him more than ever.



THE END.

TWO!

Tomorrow our little Kurt turns two. It's shocking, really. I can't believe he is already so big, and yet I can't remember what life was like without him. He is my California baby. He's never even seen New England, what I consider to be home. So many of my most beloved friends have never even met him! In honor of his birthday, here are

Ten Things I Love About Kurt

(1) His hair. I mean, come on. The Beach Boys would be proud.
(2) His utter and complete obsession with trains. He even sleeps with a (clean) pair of underwear in his crib because there is a Thomas on the bum.
(3) The way he rubs and pats my back when I hold him.
(4) His sunshine-y temperament. He frequently hums to himself, and is always there to wave and yell "hew-woh" to the letter carrier.
(5) That smile. The one that gets him out of all the trouble he should be in.
(6) The way he gags every time I make him eat something new. Hey, it's worth a shot.
(7) He loves to dance. Especially to the Kung-Fu Panda soundtrack which we have listened to about 5 million times, give or take.
(8) His uncanny ability to name all of his body parts. Yep. All.
(9) The fact that he just walks into the nursery at church. No separation anxiety for him.
(10) He is a constant reminder that the Lord's ways are above our ways. Gustav and I would never have planned to get pregnant just before selling our home and traveling like gypsies across the country for 3 months before settling in La-La Land. What a blessing that our Lord is sovereign, because I can't imagine being without my little Kurt.

I love you, sweet stuff. Happy birthday.