Last Disney blog. I promise.

I had so many friends who recently visit Disney pass along their words of wisdom. Here’s the most useful:

(1) Buy the basic trading pins at Target/WalMart. The Disney staff HAVE to trade with a child if they request. Get the lanyards too and put your child’s name & phone # on the tags.
(2) Strollers for the BIG ones. You can rent them, but we drove, so it was easy.
(3) Breakfast & dinner at the condo. Lunch at the park. Save some serious dough.

(4) FAST PASS for the hot rides. You go to the fav ride, punch your ticket, and you get a return time so you don’t have to stand in line.

(5) Bring your insurance card.

(6) Take a day off in the middle of the week. We swam, drank and regrouped.

(7) Have a back-up camera.

(8) For the character signing, buy the autograph book, bring your own pen.

(9) Don’t travel w/o a grandparent or two.

(10) Most importantly, book your princess dinner or character meal 3-6 months in advance! (407-WDW-DINE)

The Magic Kingdom at last!

The opening show at the Magic Kingdom, hosted by Mickey & Minnie.

One tired girl and 1 tired mama. I didn't run a single day in Disney, b/c this was my workout.

Our lifelines. Don't leave for Disney w/o them.

A little love during It's A Small World boat ride.

It's A Small World still exists after 35 yrs. But not for long. Apparently Disney will tear this ride down. Dave suggested allowing people to ride it one last time with a gun & taking some serious anger out on the little people...for $1000/pop. Give me strength.

Goodbye Disney! For now.

Happy Birthday Shane Jacob Rodgers!!!!

Today, Aunt Steph had baby boy #4!!! He arrived at 1pm, weighing 7#, 2 oz. Everyone is doing well and healthy. Strike that-mom & baby are doing well & healthy. (I won't speak for the 3 sick boys and the two tired grandparents.) Anyway, these are the pictures Steph & John sent us.

What's left to say?

What an amazing week! We arrived home last night in about 10 hrs. The kids are still jacked up on their Disney loot, but Julie & I are in the 'day after Christmas' mourning. As Leo so eloquently put it, we liked our 'new home in Disney' the best.

Happy Birthday Grandma Holly!
(And Happy Birthday, Daddy-O yesterday!)

Day of Characters

We all loved Hollywood Studios so much we decided to go back. The kids got the biggest kick out of the character signing. Cameron was giddy when he saw Buzz and Woody. And you should have seen Hunter’s crazy dance when the Incredibles finally came out. For those of you who are going to embark on the Disney adventure this year, the Toy Story Mania ride is a must. It was EVERYONE’s favorite.

This was Julie & Leigh on the Toy Story Mania ride. It's a 3D ride where you shoot lasers at moving targets. Even the babies enjoyed it!

Day 3: Animal Kingdom

I'll get back to Day 2: Magic Kingdom. But in the interim, here's our amazing, but rainy day at Animal Kingdom. Highlights were the safari jeep ride & the Lion King show. The kids were happy with the rocking popscicles found at all the Disney parks.

All 4 in front of the Tree of Life.

Respite from the rain- Lion King musical. My personal favorite of the day.

Dave's favorite was the dino playground for obvious reasons.


Like father, like son. CMan was not afraid of the big slide.

The last of the princesses, Michelle Kwan-a-hantas, signed JBird's autograph book.

Horseshoe or frisbee?

Day 5: We all had a great day at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. The safari ride was a blast! Some of us enjoyed the Bug's Life show, some not. For me the stink bug was a big hit. Miss Julie had difficulty tolerating the bug/hair spray reality. Cameron had spells of intolerable fear, followed by an urgent need to resume the 3D thrill. The Lion King show was amazingly true to the movie & very cool. It rained today & we didn't melt. D was in her glory w/ animals & rainforests everywhere. Leigh-O took a nap in the rain, while Hunter & Jackie donned ponchos to splash about. With Allison at the helm & Mr. Chad her loyal subject, a terrific day was enjoyed by all.

We had plans to close out the evening at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Unfortunately, we had to punt when one of the children mistook a plastic horseshoe for a frisbee. It could've happened to any of the kids & we all feel horrible that two best friends were on the sending & receiving ends. Hunter had seen Jackie make end-zone fingertip catches in the past so why any different today? Timing. She zigged when Favre expected a zag & whammo! The rest is history. Both are well & fast asleep; one w/ as many stitches as years on this earth, the other likely having deeply disturbing dreams of injuring his best buddy, his wife. Sleep tight little bugs. Tomorrow will bring bright sunshine, laughter & forgiveness. Love, Daddy.

Night 1: Dinner with the Characters

We got the Mack Daddy dinner party with the princesses. ALL the major princesses showed up for the momentous occasion. You should have seen The Bird's face when Belle walked us to our seat. Leo went crazy for The Little Mermaid.

Unfortunately, the boys only got Chip & Dale.

Day 1: Epcot

Let the magic begin!

We made it! 10 hrs & 11 hrs, respectively, but we're here. Today we are off to Epcot.


Happy birthday, Aunt Steph!!!!!

To Disney We Go!!!

The plan is to leave tomorrow AM at 6:30. I'll let you know if that happens. As our drivers (Dave & Chad) are snoozing away, Julie & I are frantically trying to pack half our houses in 2 cars. I'm so excited to see the kids experience the magic for the first time!!!

We had some great weather this week. Yes, Dave is riding in early February in shorts.

Cameron can't wait to go for a ride w/ Daddy-O.

JBird & Mia

Sebastian climbing the tree between our houses.

Sickey

Jackie told me today that I lost my voice (I am completely hoarse) b/c I'm sick and I drank too much soda.

Disney update: SATURDAY early departure!!!!!!!

The other Mouse

I can't wait to tell y'all about the dead mouse I found in my car this morning!

My little gypsy

Not only does Jacqueline choose her own clothes, but she also does her own hair now. And she is so PROUD! Thankfully, she goes to a school where she fits in with all the other 5-yr-old gypsies.

The results are the same...

You know how the gymnastics plan goes: I put all the kids names on a piece of paper with my phone number and we all go across the street to drink.

Dave & Chad took the kids to gymnastics this week. Jackie came home with Dave's cell phone number on her thigh.

February: The month of birthdays

There are lots of family & friends birthdays this month. On the way to school today I asked Jackie what she wanted to get Grandma Holly for her birthday. She replied "A fruit cake. Grandmas love fruit cakes. I just know it." So Grandma Holly, I apologize in advance for this 'gift'.

Secondly, you'll all notice the lack of pictures lately. My camera is at Nikon getting an overhaul. Not the best timing, as we are leaving for Disney in TEN days! Thankfully, we have a spare camera, or two.

Why we do gymnastics

Let me be honest about why Julie, Linda and I go to gymnastics on Thursdays. I mean why the kids go. Yes, the kids. Once the kids are in the gym running & jumping like tazmanian devils, the adults recruit other wayward moms (& some dads) to go across the street to drink. Wine, beer, food, whatever it takes to enjoy a girls night out. Beforehand, we run around like crazy trying to get our families fed, bathed, medicines, etc. to get to gymnastics on time. Which is WHY we need to drink. Once we get to gymnastics, we give the teachers a cell phone number with a list of 8-10 kids we are leaving behind and they give us a disapproving glare. Good times.

Cameron is becoming quite the ham lately. He was searching the house for a ‘fire dog’ which is a Little People character when I heard him say “There you are fire dog. Good hiding spot.” And the other night I heard him say to Jackie as they were falling asleep “Hold my hand, Jackie.” Of course, she did. And they fell asleep that way. It was precious. Tonight, however, was a different story. Cameron kept poking JBird in the shoulder just as she was about to fall asleep. She whined ‘Stop it Cameron!’ and he replied ‘No Jackie! Do it!’ This discussion went on & on until HE finally slapped her. We’re proud of our Southern gentleman.

P.S. Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

You know it’s a good party when someone barfs.

Unfortunately, it was a little kid. But surprisingly, not one of mine. Other than that, it was a lot of fun and louder than I imagined possible. We even had a live band!

Lilly pre-barf. We should have read the warning signs.

Luke and the other little kids preferred the quiet toys to the rock band.

Ellie & Ian were the lead singers. Cameron started the mosh pit.


Grace, the guitarist.

Ian was all rock & roll.