For the past three years we have taken a trip down to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in October for their annual Halloween party - Howl-O-Scream.  Aside from their usual rides, they have Halloween-themed shows, dining options, and… Haunted Houses.

This year they did things a bit different. Instead of having creatures scattered about the park, they had a few scare zones where creatures roamed. And they had bypass areas where folks could avoid them. I think this took a bit out of the scares since you knew where they were. Even if you decided to go through the scare section.

But they usually have great haunted houses to visit too. They have five haunted houses this year.  They are the walk thru type, which always freaks me out, and they each have different themes.  The lines this year were INSANE, so we only did three - Bitten (vampire theme), Deadline (poisonous gas in the subway turned people into zombies) and 13: Your Number’s Up (13 popular phobias).

The first one we went in was Deadline, and I actually liked this one.  It was a long one. I would say it took us about five minutes to walk through it.  It had the usual ghouls and goblins that would jump out at you from where you least expect it.  Busch Gardens is really clear in that none of the actors will make contact with you, but that doesn’t stop them from LOOKING like they will!  The subway car was creepy… dead bodies, body parts, blood, and zombies at every turn.  Finally we make it out, and I’m thinking:

“Ok, they always have someone at the end waiting. I better be prepared.” I figured they would be near the door, so I moved away from it, and BOOM there he was.  Totally got me!  Roy and the boys got a kick out of that one.

Then we headed to 13: Your Number’s Up. I had high hopes for this one.  I saw the number 13, and immediately thought of Friday the 13th - my favorite slasher movie.  But I liked the concept of this one.  They took 13 phobias - Doctors, Dentists, Going to bed, the Dark, Dead things, Death itself, Spiders, Bats, Insects, Snakes, Heights, Funeral Homes, and Torture. And they gave each one a special room.  I do have to ask: is there someone out there that isn’t afraid of torture?  I mean, isn’t that one a given?  This one didn’t have as many people hiding out in it, which made it a good one for the kids.  They got to look around a little bit and see the ‘scary stuff.’  And I now know what it is like to go down the birth canal!

What? You might ask.  The finally fear is the fear of death.  This room was basically you going down a dark tunnel that seems to close in on you.  It was some sort of vinyl material, so it had plenty of give, but it was just weird.  Roy and I likened it to being born.  Just weird, but I thought this was a pretty tame one overall.

Bitten was one that they did last year, and the line for it this year was crazy!  I think we waited in line for about an hour and 20 minutes.  The kids wanted to give up, but by that point (about 45 minutes into it), I figured I had put in the work. I was going in the house dammit. 

Sadly, the wait wasn’t worth it.  I have always enjoyed the vampire myth (not the Twilight, we sparkle in the sunlight myth, but the scary creepy type) and this one was one of my favorites last year, but it just didn’t have the same punch this year.  Probably because we were all tired from waiting in line. I don’t know!  Hayden didn’t seem to mind this one, though he did have a death grip on my hands.  Dean was with Daddy who protected him from the ‘bad guys.’ And Addi just waddled along behind Roy.  Lots of coffins and victims, but nothing truly scary.

They had a werewolf-themed house last year that was really awesome, but this year they had the werewolves out in a certain section of the park.  Cool costumes, but I missed that particular haunted house.

By the time we were done with Bitten it was about 9pm, and everyone was just worn out.  We were walking back towards the entrance, when Dean reached for my hand.  He was actually sitting in the wagon as Roy pulled him.

“Hi, Baby!” I gave him my hand, which he rubbed on his cheek.  I bent down to talk to him, “Are you ok?”

“Mama, You not stupid.  You awesome.” And he reached out to take my face and pull it to him for a kiss.

I smiled… “Thank you sweetie!  You are awesome too.”

But now I wonder.  Did someone say I was stupid?  Did Dean originally think I was stupid, but now he thinks I am awesome?  This will probably keep me up at night.

We plan certain things in advance.  With seven schedules to deal with and juggle, some things require advance planning - the birthday outing for Hayden the other day, a trip to Busch Gardens, a weekend camping excursion, or a family vacation (that one can require SERIOUS planning). None of that is easy with seven people.  Roy might need to take time off work, I need to check with the kids’ teachers to make sure they aren’t missing anything, appointments might need to be rescheduled, etc..  And on the day of the event, tensions might be high.  If we have a long drive ahead of us, I want to start EARLY.  So, I get up get ready, and then run around trying to get everyone else up and out the door.  Because of all the planning and maneuvering, expectations are high.  At Busch Gardens we try to please all of the kids - going on roller coasters for Corey, Joey, Roy, and I, looking for rides that fall somewhere between death defying and boring for Hayden and Addi, and then finally a little something for Dean.  Everyone expects to have a good time, and we usually do.

Some of my favorite memories of the past year are from family outings to Busch Gardens.  Hall-O-Scream is a big deal down there.  Haunted Houses are set up, shows are reworked. Even the stores have special treats.  A few years ago we went and I clung to the back of Corey’s shirt while we walked through a haunted house.  I screamed with delight, and the boys all laughed at and with me.  When Corey tried to take off and leave me stranded, he didn’t count on me holding on to his shirt collar.  I ripped it, but when we got outside, we all laughed about it.  This past year, Corey made sure Joe knew it was his turn, and Joe made sure to wear an old shirt.  We walked through the house and I clung to Joe, I laughed when he tried to “throw me to the (were)wolves.” He pretended to comfort me as we walked around corners and down dark alleys.  Addi clung to me, and Roy carried Dean.  Hayden walked with Corey, and the two of them laughed and pointed at all the ‘scary monsters.’  It was one of the best Halloweens in a long time.

But again, that was planned.  The idea that we were going to have fun was so firmly planted in everyone’s mind that the kids expected nothing less.  When we go camping, I try to plan things - not over plan as I have learned that causes more headaches than it is worth, but I try to plan things so that everyone will have fun. We will get to have new experiences, and some old, reliable ones as well.

But it is the little things that make me happiest.  This past weekend was a dreary one.  It drizzled all day Saturday, it was cold and no one wanted to do anything.  I was sitting on the couch watching something.  (Pretty sure it was The Vampire Diaries.) Dean was sitting next to me, curled up into my side, and Hayden was playing with Legos on the floor.  Addi was on the computer, and Joe came running down the stairs and flopped on the couch.  

“What’cha watching, Mom?”  I told him, and he snorted.  He then proceeded to sit on the couch making snide comments.  Nothing ridiculing or insulting. He just tried to make me laugh.  Hearing this, Addi came over and joined in.  Hayden not knowing or really understanding what Joe was saying started laughing simply because I was, and Dean giggled when Joe tickled him.  And in that moment, I felt such joy.  The everyday problems were forgotten, the bills that needed to be paid were pushed to the back of my mind, and instead I sat on our couch and laughed with my boys.

Sunday we were eating dinner, and Addi made some silly comment.  We all laughed, but then Roy made a comment under his breath - a little risque, and the younger three didn’t really get it, but Corey, Joe and I did… and we cracked up.  Roy took one look at my red face and burst out laughing.  Hayden tried to join in, but didn’t really understand why we were laughing, so whatever comment he made was even more hilarious.  Joe had to stop eating less he risk choking, Corey was about to fall into my lap he was laughing so hard, and I was getting a great ab workout from all the laughter.  I don’t remember what was said, I just know that was one of those moments, when we were all on the same page.  We were all in on the joke.

There are times when my house is crazy - chaotic doesn’t begin to describe it. And yet, it is moments like those that make me realize… I have never been happier.

Yes, okay, it’s a Phineas and Ferb song. If you don’t know who Phineas and Ferb are, let’s just say you’re missing a pretty rockin’ cartoon that comes on the Disney Channel. I think it’s actually one of the few cartoons the older boys can tolerate. Anyways, I have always enjoyed a good scare. A movie that makes you jump at a certain moment, haunted houses at amusement parks, a scary story, or maybe just a dark and stormy night - I dig them all. I think I enjoy the adrenaline rush, and for me an adrenaline rush from a scary movie is about as safe as they come. I have five boys and a husband. I don’t want to risk bungee jumping, but a scary movie? We can handle that!

We have season passes to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Every October they transform the park into a haunted playland. Walk-thru haunted houses, themed shows, and even food that fits the season. The kids love it, I love it, and even Roy loves it. So, we made plans to head down there this past Friday - everyone had been looking forward to this for weeks. We checked out the shows and the haunted houses that the park was hosting this year online, and Corey couldn’t wait to go into “The Catacombs,” a haunted house based on Paris’ famed underground cemetery.

Now, I admit it… for some reason these haunted scenes freak me out. I don’t think I am the type of person that is easily scared, but walking through a carnival haunted house, I jump at every boo. I scream every time someone jumps out at me. The older boys laugh and joke with one another. Corey will tell Joe it’s his turn to walk me through. Joe says Corey should do it, and on and on. Well, for this first haunted house, I grabbed Joe, Hayden was behind me, Roy was holding Dean, and Corey and Addi were hanging together. I grabbed the back of Joe’s sweatshirt and look at the floor. I kept telling him to walk slowly, walk slowly! I didn’t want to trip and heaven forbid I have to touch the walls to steady myself! I think I screamed the entire two minute walk. Every person that jumped out got me. Joe even told them to scare me, that I was being a wuss! We finally saw daylight (well, nightlight), and I ran forward bursting out into the bright, cool air. Everyone else was out at this point, and they all laughed at me. I was out of breath from screaming so much! Even I had to laugh at myself. I know they can’t touch me, I know it’s all in good fun, but I had the best time being freaked out! Why? No clue! But the kids all loved it, and we were ready for the next one.

We headed out to Oktoberfest where they had two haunted houses right next to each other, as well as a haunted harvest field. We got in line for “Bitten,” a vampire themed house. This time I actually paid attention to what was going on around me, though Roy did say there was someone up in the rafters trying to scare us, and I actually missed that one. This one didn’t freak me out too badly. I loved the costumes - the men were in traditional vampire costumes (well, some were) and the women had on beautiful, though bloody, English dresses. The atmosphere was spot on - dark, dreary and even a little damp and musty. I enjoyed this one. In fact, I was a little bummed when this one ended, but the kids were excited and urged me forward.

The Haunted Harvest Field was pretty cool - little tableaus were set up all over the huge field. A witch’s cauldron was bubbling over, and she was just waiting behind a hay bale to scare us, swamp monsters were reclining on the ground, mummies moaned and groaned, and men with vicious looking weapons gave us the evil eye. Before I knew it, we were upon the next haunted house, “Hunted.”

“What’s this supposed to be about?” I asked anyone.

“Ohh. Werewolves.” Corey answered.

Ok. Cool. Two of my favorite horror movies are werewolf movies (An American Werewolf in London and Dog Soldiers). Let’s do this! We got in line and look ahead of us to see “werewolves” waiting to scare us. Addi and Hayden attempted to engage them in conversation, though I think they half wanted verification that it was just pretend. And finally, we got to the entrance. This strange netting was everywhere, and the werewolves were hidden in the walls. I was determined to look around me and get the full effect this time, and up ahead I saw someone slide back into the wall. I laughed and buried my head in Joe’s hood, knowing I had this werewolf’s number. But I foolishly didn’t think they would have “scares” so close to one another. So I turned my head away as we approached the creepy creature I just saw hide and started laughing. I was about six inches from the other wall, when I opened my eyes and not 2 inches from my face was a snarling wolf! Freaked me out! I could hear Roy laughing at me, and I pushed Joe forward. Werewolves came flying down from the ceiling at us, they hid in walls and tried to claw their way out as we walked by, and they waited around every turn to scare us. This was easily the most effective haunted house - well for me it was, and I loved it!

The last haunted house was called “Cursed.” The line for this one was HUGE, but it moved quickly and in we went. I think the idea here was that archeologists opened something - a tomb, a crack in the rocks, and something escaped. I liked this one because it was open. There was room to move around, and this relaxed Hayden a bit. He held my hand, and we walked together - past creepy hotel clerks, deserted rooms, and into the field that held “the dig.” One thing I thought was particularly effective was a monster on a simple dirt mound. The young man that did this was great at crawling around, sort of scurrying and running at us, and then backing away as he growled and hissed at everyone walking by. The strobe effects were rough, as my eyes are very sensitive to light, but we made it out and had a good laugh.

Scattered about the park were actors dressed up as witches, evil butchers (well, that’s what I called them, though I think they were more like Leatherface), werewolves, chainsaw toting fiends, and other monsters. They would wait on the walkways and jump out scaring unsuspecting guests. One got Corey good on a bridge, and he jumped, grabbing Joe’s arm as I laughed out loud. There were even some creepy guys wearing metal gear that allowed them to slide across the pavement towards unsuspecting guests. All very cool and frightening stuff!

The little guys, Dean and Hayden, enjoyed themselves too. All of the fun rides along with the craziness of Halloween, the lights, the treats, the fog, the shows. Of course, I have to admit I was a bit jealous of little Dean, who got to be carried by Roy through all the haunted houses, though I can’t imagine the looks we would have gotten if Roy carried me through them.

We all love Busch Gardens. It’s a beautiful park, clean, beautiful decorations and great rides. Sure the food is expensive, and we always spend a lot when we go down there, but it is so much fun that for us it’s worth it, but this Friday was the best day I’ve had in a long time. The kids were all pretty well behaved, no one complained about having to stick together - in fact all the kids seemed to love hanging out with Roy and I. The older boys took the little ones on some of the rides, we laughed together, we ate overpriced food together, we even had a great time at the Sesame Street Dinner show we went to (yep, even the older boys posed with Big Bird for pictures and clapped to the music). I don’t think I have laughed this much or this hard in a long time, which makes all the missing dollars from my wallet which were spent on food and treats that day so very worth it!

Thanks for giving us a great day, Busch Gardens! Can’t wait until the next visit!

I’ve been sick and that’s why I have not been posting regularly the last week or so.  It started last weekend, we had this great family trip planned, a mini vacation if you will.  We rented two hotel rooms, and grabbed our season passes - we were heading to Busch Gardens.  Normally, I love this place!  The rides, the shows, the food, the silly games, but I felt like dirt.  I figured I could muddle through it, the kids were looking forward to it, and then I got pink eye.  And Addi got pink eye, and Dean got it… SO much fun!  But we pressed on.

Aside from the pink eye, I think Addi and Dean felt okay.  The itchy eye really bothered Dean, but he had an appetite and was dancing to the German music at BG.  We spent Saturday walking around, going on the rides, and having a good time (OK, I will go on record and admit I was cranky… and I fussed at everyone.).  The park closed early, so we just ran to Taco Bell and took it back to the hotel.  The kids settled in, and I hit the sack early, only to wake up to my poor baby’s swollen eyes.  Luckily, I was able to reach our awesome doctor, who called in a prescription to a local pharmacy.  We had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and ran to Target when it opened.  Roy and I were thrilled that the drops seemed to work, and just a few hours later Dean’s eyes were already looking better.  But that didn’t improve my raging sinus issues.

I think I was in a moderately better mood on Sunday, so we hit the park with Hayden praying he was tall enough to go on the Loch Ness Monster.  Throughout the entire day all he wanted to do was ride “the big, yellow roller coaster.”  Happily, he was just tall enough, and he ran to get in line.  I figured he would freak out!  The Loch Ness Monster has two loops, but he loved it, so much that he got right back on with his older brother, Corey.  The weekend flew by, and before I knew it, we had packed up the van and were heading home.

This past week was rough for me - being a sick stay at home mom is never fun!  Roy can only do so much as he has to work, and I can’t just stay in bed all day to rest as the kids need me to get things done.  And that is what sucks - stay at home parents don’t get sick days.  What takes Roy two days to get over takes me 10.  I suppose I could nap, but then who watches Dean?  And before I know it, he is stuck on the top shelf in the pantry eating Oreos!  If I am in really bad shape, Roy will get up with the kids in the morning, but I don’t like asking him to do that because he is a night person and needs to be on top of his game for work.  So I stumble out of bed, usually smack into the wall once or twice, and wander downstairs.  At least the older three boys can get their breakfast and throw a lunch together, and by the time Hayden wanders downstairs, I am awake and able to function at around 65% capacity - which is about what I need to be at to get Hayden’s breakfast, lunch, and pack him a snack. 

I know my husband and my boys think I moan and groan a lot when I am sick, but that is one concession I allow myself.  I don’t call in sick, so darn it… you all are going to hear about it.

(remembered from July 2009)

I hope my oldest doesn’t get all over me for this one, but it was just too cute. My husband and the boys love to camp. I am all for it, as long as I get something out of the deal. So one weekend in summer of 2009, we decided to pack up four of the boys (Joey was with his biological father) and head to Williamsburg for some fun at Busch Gardens. Now, I LOVE amusement parks, and Busch Gardens is no exception. It has four, yep four, amazing roller coasters, little rides for the kids, shows, you name it. But with four (or five) kids, it is exhausting. Corey is too cool for the roller coaster in Sesame Street Land, and Hayden is barely tall enough to ride the Loch Ness Monster (or the “big people roller coaster” as he calls it) yet - We just recently went again, and Hayden loved the LNM so much he went on it twice! In any event, to keep things fair, it always requires some bargaining, some finesse and some fussing, but we usually have a good time.

So back to summer of 2009… We got to the campground on Friday and set everything up. I, of course, was just riding Roy to hurry up. The Griffon (BG’s newest roller coaster) was seriously calling my name. Before I knew it, the tents were up, and we were on our way. What followed was about six hours of roller coaster rides, overpriced gummy treats, and lots of giggles and smiles. Too tired to go back to the campground and cook, Roy suggested we just grab something quick. On the way back to our campground, we decided to hit McDonald’s.

It was crowded. We weren’t the only tired amusement park tourists to hit this particular fast food joint. So we placed our order and sat down. I was exhausted and just wanted the boys to behave. I figured if we could get through dinner, we could relax at the campground for a little while and then blissful rest!

“What is taking so long, Mommy? I am so hungry!” Hayden whined.

“Honey, I know. Daddy is checking on things right now.”

“Dad should just shove up there and demand our food! A big bald guy would get some results.” Corey added. Corey is enamored with his dad. My husband is a big guy. He looks imposing, is smart as hell, likes video games, and let’s face it, he indulges his boys… to a 15 year old boy he is the epitome of a “cool dad.”

“Corey, who cares if your dad’s bald? I love it.” While I appreciate, and even love, that he thinks so highly of his father, the fact that he is always talking about Roy being bald is just silly.

“Yeah, shut up Corey. You’re bald too.” Hayden defended his daddy.

Corey started laughing.

“No, honey. Corey isn’t bald. Look at all Corey’s hair.” I corrected Hayden.

“Duh, dork. I’m not bald!” Corey retorted.

“Yeah, well… you have polka dots all over your face!” Hayden threw this back at Corey, and I sat there stunned - though I admit I was about to die laughing on the inside.

Corey was 15. He was and is right smack dab in the middle of puberty - and pimples come with the territory. I am sure that the heat didn’t help the matter any. I wondered if he was going to get mad at his little brother, but to my delight, he simply laughed.

“Yeah? So! Just you wait, little man… in a few years, YOU will have polka dots all over your face, and then I will laugh at you!” I didn’t miss the affection in Corey’s voice. And thinking back on it, how telling is that? His little brother embarrassed him in public. He teased him about something Corey is sensitive about, but instead of getting angry and attacking back, he laughed it off and teased his little brother with open affection and love. Those are the moments when, as a mom, I feel the best. I am trying to raise boys that can brush off the little things, even though I don’t always do this myself. And this just reminds me that, sometimes, the lessons stick.

“Ok, food is here!” Roy put down two trays, and the kids all dove for their food.

“Daddy! Corey has polka dots on his face!” Hayden shrieked at Roy.

My husband looked at me with a question on his face, “What?”

We all just laughed and ate our fries.

…for three straight days is exhausting!  We have season passes to Busch Gardens, and we all love it!  The park is beautiful, there are plenty of things for all the boys to do (lots of coasters AND kiddie rides), the food is tasty (expensive, but yummy…) and the shows have something for everyone.  We took four of the kids down there this past weekend, and made it a mini vacation by camping at one of the local sites.

Anvil Campground is in Williamsburg and let me say there are good and bad things.  The campground is moderately well taken care of, and the people that work there are very friendly and helpful.  The site we stayed at was plenty big enough for our two tents, but then we have the one con I can think of…it it is a BIG ONE.  Around 3 am a train drives right by the site.  I don’t mean within a few miles, I mean that my kids can walk right over the tracks if I was an irresponsible mom.  And not just any train, but the longest train in existence.

Now, I am used to waking up during the night-2, 3 and 4 am feedings and diaper changings were just a part of my adult life for more months than I can remember.  To say I am a light sleeper is putting it mildly.  Added to that the first night we were there, D had a rough night.  He had fallen at the park and just wanted to be held by mommy.  Next I find out, R is too tall for the smaller tent and he offers up that he will go into the big tent, and D and I can sleep in the smaller tent that night-so, I am without my teddy bear (for those of you NOT in the know that would be my husband), without my bed (though I did have a perfectly inflated air mattress), I am sleeping with my youngest son who loves to flop and turn all night, and somehow preferred my hip or my chest as a pillow….needless to say, I had some trouble sleeping.  JUST as I am about to doze off, the longest train in the world comes by…the ground was rattling, my teeth were chattering and I was praying that D did not wake up (He didn’t, so that was a good thing!)

But despite the world’s longest train, we had a great time.  We spent Saturday morning at Water Country USA and H had a blast going down the water slides.  We left the park, grabbed a quick (overpriced)dinner at Golden Corral, and headed back to BG where we saw The B-52’s in concert and rode on a few rides.  LOTS of fun, and I can’t wait to do it again next month…

Though I am trying to convince R to buy an RV… just a small one, maybe 28 feet or so… with AC, cable TV, soundproofing…