Our trip to DISNEY!

Disney heard that Luke & Maran were returning to the Magic Kingdom but they still weren't prepared.  Seven days of Geezer's at the parks was just about all Mickey & CO. could handle. 

While I am not one to PLAN details for a vacay I must say that this trip was different.  I am the type that goes on Vacation and the plan is "TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.  Daddy decided that we were going to go to Disney and chose the time frame.  He told me that he chose the week that is typically the least crowded during the summer.  OK that made no sense to me but I said OK.  I mean Summer, Disney Least of the crowds? He then tells me that he must have read it wrong but that we are going on one of  the most crowded weeks of the summer.  REALLY?  You plan for us to go to DISNEY first of all during the summer and then on one of the most crowded weeks?  My feet already hurt thinking about it and I was already ready for every stroller to be thrown out of the park  of course except for ours... after all it is our vacation right?  It is about us right?  Yes it is and in fine Disney fashion the cast of Walt Disney World made us feel like it was all about us and the thousands of others that were there with us.  We were just one big hot sweaty family running over small children and grandmas with strollers.  Merrily we stroll along!

We opened up the park two mornings and closed it down one night.  The Disney EXTRA MAGIC HOURS (EMH)...you know you have to be in the proper lingo.....did us right.  Who says it can't be fun waking up at 6:00 am during the summer & while on vacation to open up the Magic Kingdom? All Disney property residents get to go into the park an hour early on certain days.  It is a cool concept but you have to plan. 

Since our "WE ARE GOING WHEN IT IS SLOW" turned out to be the opposite Daddy downloaded a DISNEY GUIDE for me to look at.  Immediately this "I SEE WHAT POPS UP ON VACATIONS AND TUCK & ROLL" kind of girl became somewhat short of Nazi about this trip.  Park plans were downloaded, new sneakers were broken in, complete Mickey attire donned and the adventure begins.  One EMH morning we had ridden six rides in 35 minutes & had acquired a Fast Pass for the coveted SPACE MOUNTAIN RIDE.  Turns out Luke & Maran loved it...despite us not knowing if they would but that wasn't going to stop us.  We were ALL going on that ride as we knew it would be cool us down.  It did ...as good as it could for somewhat smelly sticky water.  Hey... Disney can make you happy and want to tap your feet and make you have a nice you know what eating grin on your fact and you don't know really why.... but they couldn't take the heat away.  It is darn near impossible to go to Disney and not have fun.  If you can do it...then I question if your pulse is even working.  So for as much fun as we had riding many things numerous times and waiting in very few lines on one of the most crowded weeks the heat was tolerable and the $4.00 diet cokes were worth every cent we paid for them.  (Yes we did take our own stuff into the park but sometimes you just have to have a drink with ice in it...at least to keep my world happy you do).

We braved the rain that came down in sheets every day.  We covered the kids but chose to get wet ourselves (Like we had a choice).  Just can't understand those who want a rain poncho on them when it is 100 degrees outside and raining.  I have a limit to the amount of STICKY that adheres to my body and a rain poncho in sweltering heat doesn't come anywhere close to making the cut. We quickly realized that EVERY TIME we have been to Disney it rains so it was only appropriate for us to get a new Mickey antenna adornment.  Now Mickey has on a rain hat and jacket and rides on top of Gangsta'.

We laughed, played, got wet and rode lots of rides.  We had pirate and princess makeovers and we strolled around in strollers. Although I personally think five year olds are too old for strollers, this rule does not stick at DISNEY.  In fact, the kids can be 18 and I will have a stroller just to haul around the "STUFF".  My passive aggressive mommy stroller tactics had to come out and stay out at Disney but that's OK.  It was the worst of any issues we had so be it. 

Princess Make-Over

GRRRRR....

aargh...Matey!

We had so much fun that we left it all at the park.

We can only hope that Mickey is a part of your future plans.  It was so much fun and well worth the 'we are exhausted feeling' once we got home.  We look forward to doing it again in the colder months.  Until then we will "SEE YA REAL SOON" and keep a song in your heart and have a

ZIPPIDY DO-DA DAY!



Lil' Miss Sassy turns 5!

We woke up on the morning of Maran's birthday & the disbelief that she is 5 is unreal.  I tell her how I can't believe she is 5 and that she is growing up so fast.  She looks at me and says ........

"Mommy, it will be OK, you know I have to grow up...otherwise how can I ever become a Heart Doctor".   Well, there you go.  Happy Birthday to a cute 5 year old.  May a smile always be upon your face and love in your heart. 

Luke's GOTCHA DAY -- Five Years Later!

Today is GOTCHA DAY FOR LUKE --- the five years has flown by (well a larger majority of the days have so that's a good thing). The precious needy baby that we brought home is now independent for many things but still willing to give out more cuddles than imaginable. He is a very inquisitive five (almost six) year old and is so tender hearted. He still loves to hold doors open for others and say "after you" and grin. He is also still "all about Daddy". Trains are in just about every thought of his. We have moved on from Thomas but we are now into pointing out steamies and diesels and asking Daddy about how his NORFOLK & SOUTHERN Stock is doing (thanks to Poppop's generous stock gifts). He still wants to be an Engineer and work with trains. Next month he will start Kindergarten. He is excited about going to the school that mommy went to and the fact that it is across the street seems to be really cool for him right now. (I am sure that will change pretty fast though like it did for me).

For all the LOVE, HUGS, KISSES, SMILES and wonderful LUKE-isms we have gotten along the way we can still say that there is no other 'son' for us. He is as much a part of us as one can be. We are excited about the years to come and will continue to celebrate Gotcha Day every year. Today we went to get a PIRATE costume for our GOTCHA DAY GIFT and Luke chose CHILI'S as his dining place. He ate more salsa tonight than ever. FINALLY....the spicy Guatemalan side is coming out! Mommy has been waiting for him to 'love spicey' and it's coming.

To the next five years........ oh how they will fly by!

With Love and Hugs!!

July 26, 2007

July 26, 2012

We lost our First Tooth!

Yes, we are still here and doing very well.  Sorry it has been so long since we have posted.  LOTS of excuses... some of them good...most of them not.  Will try to do better.  Life has been a roller coaster for a number of months with most of the hills being good ones.

Maran lost her first tooth last night July 23, 2012. Daddy called me while I was shopping and asked "What happened to her tooth"?  I didn't know what he was referring too.  Apparently she lost a tooth and no one knew... NOT EVEN HER.  So it must have been a crunchy nugget.  That's all I can think.  NO tooth doesn't mean the tooth fairy won't still come with pixie dust in hand though!  (the gap on the left side of her mouth has always been there so that is NOT a missing tooth but it sure looks like one).

Stay tuned... we are FOR SURE going to catch up... that's a promise!!

SO MUCH CATCHING UP TO DO....

Just because you take a hiatus doesn't mean you are more organized or have better control.  WE ARE BACK THOUGH.... I wanted to make a NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION that included BLOGGING ONCE A WEEK but... It is April and this is the first.  OH WELL...another reason I don't make resolutions.

IN A QUICK UPDATE:

1.  School is going well.

2.  WE LOVED the holidays and had a great time.

3.  We enjoyed a long weekend in New York City for Mommy's birthday...(PICTURES TO FOLLOW).

4.  Follow up Dr. visit with Maran shows foot doing as well as it can but the bones need to grow some more and hopefully straighten up which means we wait and see. 

5.  Our house is for sale as we have found another one that we love.  Mommy and Daddy spent six weeks going through all the "STUFF" and it is now on the market.  (Basically we have the essentials left in the house and have all but packed it up).

6.  Maran LOVES DANCE.

7.  Luke and Maran are on the same T Ball Team (The Yankees)

8.  We went to Carowinds for the first time.

9.  We had a spend the night party with Aunt Peggy and Cousin Tefie.

10.  Maran's recital is coming up real soon and we are all ready!

Pre-K is going well.  Both of their little minds are like sponges.  Amazing how fast they learn and what they choose to retain (or at least admit).  Maran enjoys spelling and typing on the computer.  Luke still loves trains more than life and can tell you all about steamies and locomotives. 

Mom and Dad are still enjoying the innocence of this stage of life.  Each day is a blessing full of hugs, smiles, laughs, giggles and some tears.  Maran will one day make a good actress (actually a soap star) as her tears can come on like a light. 

God truly knew what he was doing when he made "FAMILY".

Hugs to all!

We are on a Cruise...

Be back soon with lots of pictures and stories!

Love and Hugs,

Mr. Snickerdoodle and Miss Sassafras