Disney | The Angel Forever

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Disney Anniversary Dreaming Again

Posted on October 24, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It has been almost two months since we had to cancel out 10th Anniversary trip to Walt Disney World. TechyDad and I had planned a five night stay in Orlando without the kids. When we finally decided to splurge and go to a location for our ten year anniversary, Disney just seemed natural to us. A magical honeymoon and subsequent trips back with the kids made it a quick and easy choice. We were going to bring the kids to stay with Bubbe and Grandpa while we went to Disney alone. Then, as I wrote after the case Mother Nature had other plans.

Looking back at the trip that never was makes me sad. I see people Tweet and talk about restaurants that we had advanced dining reservations for. What was harder at the time, I saw pictures from people at the parks Labor Day weekend and the Magic Kingdom was decked out in fall decorations. Each time I saw a picture, a piece of my heart crumbled more and more. Of course, as time moved past the trip, I was ok. I knew that we made the right choice. We were responsible adults. Then, as school started, there was no time to dwell on what could and should have been. I was focused on getting the boys back into the swing of things. We had to adjust to nursery school five days a week and life in third grade.

Now, it is almost November and my heart is heavy again. I long for a time to get away with TechyDad.

We are trying to see if we can figure out a time that will work for us to get away. It will probably have to wait until the kids are done with school because their crazy schedules really do complicate things. Nothing is really set in stone yet, but I think about it often. I wonder when we may finally get a chance if we will be able to get reservation to California Grill in time for the fireworks. Will we be lucky enough to snag a time to eat at other places that were on our agenda? I suppose only time will tell. Until then, I know that we were safe during the storm, and that we will one day have a magical adventure to our favorite destination again.

P.S. I am not the only one that wrote about our trip that never was. TechyDad also did a Travelogue of the Trip That Irene Canceled – Part 1 and Part 2.

Categories:
Disney dreams looking back me moments photos TechyDad weather

The Where’s Goofy Game

Posted on October 20, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As you have probably figured out long before now, my family really likes Disney. My parents are probably the reason that I have such a love for Walt Disney World and most things related to Disney. For my Father’s Birthday, we looked for something to get him. Dad really likes the artist Jim Shore. They have some of his pieces, but did not own any of his Disney items.

While shopping online, I found something really perfect on Amazon. It was Disney Traditions designed by Jim Shore and Goofy! I will admit that we had a hard time picking between Goofy and a few others, but in the end the boys wanted to get Papa Goofy. Why a Goofy for a planter? Well, this photo will probably help to explain it. Here are Papa’s babies:

Yes, my father loves African Violets. He actually goes to a semi-local place that had an African Violet greenhouse, called Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses, to get new variations. Taking macro photos of these has been really fun, but today I am focusing on Goofy. More African Violets coming soon. Since my father got Goofy, he seems to vanish. Yes, one day Goofy will be here:

Here’s a close-up of the sneaky little Goofster:

The next day, if we happen to arrive at Nana and Papa’s house – Goofy will be in a completely different location.

Yes, “Where’s Goofy” is the name of the game. When we walk into the house, the boys love to search and find him. The funny thing is that I think my parents actually hide Goofy on each other.

Categories:
Disney family flowers and plants fun interesting photos

Personalized Princess Time at Disney

Posted on October 17, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Growing up, people would always ask my parents why we would go time after time to Walt Disney World. I never really understood why people would ask these questions. The reason: it was a place where our entire family could enjoy our time together. We were able to leave the real world behind, be carefree, and see/experience something new no matter how familiar we were with the parks.

As an adult, I get it. I now understand the magic of a Disney vacation on a different level. Before we go, I have everything planned. We have our entertainment built in, our resort has many options to offer, and even meals are booked and with the meal plan only tips need to be paid. By the time we arrive in Orlando, we have paid for everything except some souvenirs and ready to enjoy our time there.

Back in March, when we were planning some dining reservations I told TechyDad that I had a request. In all of my visits to Walt Disney World, I had never eaten with the princesses. Yes, this mother of two boys wanted to see Belle, Ariel, Arora, and other important ladies in Disney history. TechyDad was not entirely sure that it was the best thing to do with two boys, but I insisted. NHL and JSL were young enough to appreciate the experience without complaints about mostly girls in their princess gear being there.

We were able to snag some lunch reservations to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. We had a magical experience. We had our photo taken with Belle before we were seated. Then, each of the princesses came around to meet and greet every table. What impressed me the most was how the characters interacted with the boys. Check out how Ariel noticed something in the autograph book and talked about pirates.

A magical moment that we captured and can show back to the boys when they are older. Of course, we can also show JSL the goofy smile that he was sporting most of the trip when it was time for photos.

While we were waiting for our dessert, I pulled out the video camera and asked NHL what he thought of the experience. I figured it would be interesting to see what a seven year old boy, with no sisters, had to say about dining with Disney Princesses. This is what he had to say in the very distracted environment.

I do believe that we made the right choice going to this restaurant on our March vacation. I know it was a magical memory that will live with us for many years to come.

If you have any magical Disney moments to share, I would love to hear them. As always, if you have any questions about Disney – just ask away.

Categories:
decisions Disney food glorious food fun interesting jsl looking back milestone nhl photos TechyDad travel vacation video yummy

Video Cameras 1980’s Style to Now

Posted on October 10, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I am a child of the 80’s, although I was born in the 70’s. I remember the birth of cassette tapes – although I still recall using the 8 track player that my father had to listen to the Muppets Show soundtrack.

My aunt and uncle had a VCR before we did. I would go over there and spend hours watching a tape they made especially for me of Barry Manillow in concert. You see, I would blush because he was singing just for me. We eventually got our own VCR (it was huge and heavy) and life definitely changed in our house. Thank goodness I grew out of my Barry Manillow video thing, and matured into his cassettes and ditched him for Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul Simon, and even the voiced behind Milli-Vanilli when CDs came onto the scene.

We eventually got our first family video camera. This bad boy was huge and I remember my father lugging it to school for my elementary school lip sync show. Not sure if my mother ever used it or not. I do not think so since it had to be balanced on the shoulder and weighed so much. Oh, did I mention there was also a separate bag that held the machine that was recording the video? This dinosaur should have been in a museum. This is a photo of my father with that camera (I think). You can see the cords running from the camera to the bag on his other shoulder.

Fast forward to March 2011 when TechyDad and I decided to buy our own video camera. We had been given a hand-me-down from my aunt and uncle, but digital cameras were not the norm. We were going to Disney World and wanted to be able to have something to capture those memories that we had missed over the years, or were on the video option on our point and shoot cameras. Oh and I was already looking at vlogging and video review options for my blog. We asked around and decided against the Flip and went with the Kodak.

I am in love with this little camera. She has gone with us to Disney Social Media Moms Celebration where I captured one of my first videos of Susan Egan and Georgia Stitt performing. We also caught the boys running up to Tigger and Pooh, meeting with the Princesses, opening their first Vinylmations, and more magical moments.

My handy dandy camera has also been tossed into my purse for blogging adventures, conferences, and school functions. Since she is so easy to use, I also have learned to love using her for recording fun messages on my blog and of course to review items. Another perk, she is small and light enough for the kids to use – should we want to let them take a try at making a video down the road.

Thanks to my recent experience at SheStreams, I plan on using her a lot more. Hmmm…. perhaps I should name her. So I am asking all of you for some assistance. What should I call my amazing little camera? She has many more adventures ahead and we have so many things to accomplish now that my goals have been reset and revamped. So please let me know your thoughts and please keep it rated PG. I refuse to talk like a hockey player about a cute little camera.

P.S. Don’t forget to enter my three current giveaways (1) Real Steel prize pack, (2) Star Wars Cereal and $25 gift card pack, and (3) Three copies of the book The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes.

Categories:
Blogging Conference Disney DisneySMMoms looking back me moments milestone photos TechyDad

My Disney Drummer Boy

Posted on October 8, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

Back when school started, you came home with a band sign up sheet. I had forgotten that this is the year that you can begin to take lessons in school. When I asked you what you wanted to play, you did not hesitate and said drums. I filled out the form and asked the band teacher a quick question. He e-mailed me back and told me that you were the first to sign up for percussion, so you were good to go.

We rented the set to see how you would like this before we invested more money. After about a week, your percussion set arrived at school. This bag is big and VERY heavy. Here is a photo of the day it arrived next to the sliding door in my car.

This week, you had your second lesson and are in love with it. I am hoping your interest will continue. We need to set a routine for practice time when JSL will leave you alone to play. The best part was that Nana and Papa brought you a special gift on their return from Walt Disney World. They called me to see what I thought and I said it seemed fun and very different. Here you are with them:

Yes, while at Animal Kingdom Nana and Papa saw drum sticks with Mickey animal prints on them. You loved them and immediately asked to test them out. We are waiting to do that until after Yom Kippur. Then, we will break out your items and let you put on a show. I look forward to listening to you show your musical side and can not wait to see how this continues.

Love,

Mommy

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