Never Did I Ever

So there is a game/ice breaker that people play called "Never Have I Ever". The goal of the game is to learn about your friends (or make new ones) and laugh regarding topics that typically don't come up in normal conversations. For example, someone could ask "Never have I ever snuck out of the house at night." Anyone who has done the activity must sit down or lower a finger (if giving 5/10 opportunities) and is out of the game. The winner is the last one in the game.

Ok, now that I just gave you an icebreaker for your next gathering...my big NEVER HAVE I EVER IS..."had a BLAST with a 4 and 5 year old boy!" I am shocked at just how much fun I had! It was a wonderful experience taking Alex on his first flight and watching him interact with his cousin Ryan.

So here's the detailed experience...

The primary goal of Never Have I Ever is to learn about your friends and have a few laughs, so explore topics that don't typically come up in normal conversations. As an example, ask questions like, "Never have I ever sneaked out of the house at night." If your goal is to win, choose questions that keep you safe and penalize many other players, such as a girl declaring, "Never have I ever shaved my face," during a game with several boys.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_4450702_play-never-have-ever.html

provides a great opportunity to learn about your peers and have fun in the process. The game also breaks the ice with new acquaintances and helps you make new friends.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_4450702_play-never-have-ever.html

provides a great opportunity to learn about your peers and have fun in the process. The game also breaks the ice with new acquaintances and helps you make new friends.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_4450702_play-never-have-ever.html

Airport arrival

Walking thru the airport like a PRO! He was walking in front of me like he knew where he was going. When security asked him his name, he responded and when they asked him my name, he responded as well. He responded like are those supposed to be tricky questions.

Closest he'd ever been

Enjoying the moving sidewalk. Again way ahead of me. I think he liked hearing the sound of his suitcase on the grates (I don't know what you call them).

Some random pose

In our seat. He looked for seat 18 and then entered the row.

I never buy candy...in his presence. However, I purchased this EXPENSIVE bad of Sour Patch Kids in the airport as a way to get (and keep) him chewing during take off. Success! No ear trouble. However, I forgot about the decending. He did feel the pressure then and by then didn't really want any more candy. Hahaha. So we talked about yawning. Which worked!

Wonder what he's thinking?

However, I did write down some of the things he said as we took off...

"Whoa this is amazing!", "Up, Up & Away", "Look at those teeny cars.", "I love going up into the sky."

"Mommy, Thank you for taking me on an airplane and someday I'll take you somewhere."

GREAT 1st FLIGHT!

10 mins into the car ride...he was asleep!

That night Ryan and Alex created a Halloween Gingerbread House.

You can see Ryan (yellow), Alex (green), Rob, Ashley, Tameka (red) standing at the door.

Charles and Alana were already in VA, but Charles wanted to hear his reaction when he found out what he was going to be dressed as.

Reaction to hearing what his cousin Ryan would be!

Happy Trick or Treating!

From Bumblebee and Optimus Prime

We went to a great big neighborhood for trick or treating. Alex is just now getting into candy (he prefers chocolate) so this was his first time trick or treating.

Isn't Super Mario great there also!

I've never been trick or treating with so many kids or people. The kids rang the doorbell at one house and the man jokingly went back inside b/c about 12 kids were at his door.

On Sunday, we went to Aquatica, Sea World's Waterpark.

And boy did we have FUNNNNNN!

This little (not really) play area right here was too much for me! It was HUGE. Too much "random" water shooting out. I told Rob he had to handle this one by himself.

Ryan came down the slide.

Then Alex, then Rob

Chilling in the wave pool, with their goggles and life jackets, you couldn't tell them anything.

Cousins for life!

Never Did I Ever think I would have so much fun!!

Winding down together...literally. In the same chair. Why? Do you see all that empty seating. Hahaha

As we boarded the plane, he said to me "seat 18 right" (that's just his memory) and I explained no we're on 20 this time.

Thanks Florida! You Rocked!

As did Rob, Ashley and Ryan for having us!

EXCELLENT TRIP

So you say...Alana didn't go to Florida?

Not this time!

 

She and her daddy were hanging out in VA. Seeing family, eating good and getting lots of rest

And don't forget getting her hair done by Nana! 

We are trying a little more each month to get her use to sitting down and letting someone do her hair. How's it going....<insert side eye>. Hahaha Sike it's not that bad. She's getting better.

Now before we left for Florida, we did do a couple of things like GO TO THE STATE FAIR!!!

I'm pretty sure this was the first time he tried a candy apple.

But please believe this was not the only thing he ate...

2 corn on the cobs, 1 candy apple, a couple bites of the big turkey leg, some funnel cake and some a couple bites of a pickle. Why not right?

After the fair on the way to pick up Alana, we told Alex about his upcoming airplane ride to Florida to hang out with Cousin Ryan. This picture doesn't even capture the joy and excitement that was expressed. I remember him saying "WHAT I get to go to Florida and see Ryan and play with his Transformers."  Charles and I just looked at each other and shook our heads.

Here's Alana just hanging around on a Sunday afternoon. She knows hats go on your head.

She allowed her brother to sing her to sleep.

This is the Frog birthday card that I referenced in the last blog post that still makes her smile even now.

Well that's probably it until after Thanksgiving! Catch ya later!