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Disney on the brain

Posted on January 9, 2010 11:09 pm by TheAngelForever

If you have been following my blog long enough, you probably know that I am a HUGE fan of Walt Disney World. I have been there so many times over my life that I can not keep track. (Mom and Dad were not too helpful either.) I actually opted to take a family vacation to Disney World last May in lieu of going to BlogHer ’09 in Chicago. The deals were just too good to be true and the timing was right for us.

I sat and watched as BlogHer ’09 came and went. Then, everyone was talking about TypeAMom while I sat at home. This week, I heard rumbles about a Social Media Mom Celebration that was going to take place at Walt Disney World.

HELLO!!!! Could anything be more perfect for me as a first time conference? I think not! For more information, please head over to the fabulous post on 5 Minutes for Mom.

TechyDad and I talked about it as I waited for my invitation to arrive. Thursday afternoon it came. Without looking back, I booked the event. That night, we decided to extend our stay at Disney. Why not, right? We’re already paying for the airfare and who knows when we may get another chance to spend time in Orlando. By Thursday evening, I had plane tickets for all four of us and we were trying to get quotes on hotel/tickets/dining for the rest of the week. Friday, the little guy and I went to a travel agent and I put in a call for quotes from AAA. This morning, TechyDad and I tried out the new (for us anyway) online Disney advanced dining reservation system. Even with short notice, we were able to get some very nice Table Service meals. One favorite from our trip in May and a few new places for dinner and character breakfasts. Once those were made, we went back and booked the rest of the lodging/dining/park admission. In 24 hours the hotel booked up the standard room, so we had to go premium. Not thrilled about that, but we love Pop Century.

As I sit here sipping some decaf coffee, I am in disbelief. This is so unlike us to plan and go someplace so quickly. Still, as you will read on the 5 Minutes for Mom website, it was too good to pass up. TechyDad and I are looking forward not only to Disney World, but also meeting in person so many people that we have "met" online over the last 3 years. Another interesting item to note, my 3 year Blogoversary is days before we leave for this trip. Hmmm. . . perhaps that is what I should say I’m celebrating while visiting.

Now I am going to relax for a few days as more details come in about the #DisneySMMoms event. Then I will try to figure out what we need to pack for the trip. I have been to Disney a lot, but have never been in February before. This is all new to me. So in advance, I apologize if Disney is on my brain a little too much, but well I’m a kid at heart and can not wait!

P.S. Is it bad that I never finished blogging about our trip in May? Guess I may have to finish some of that up, especially JSL’s actual 2nd B-day while we were there.

Disclosure: Our family was provided with a discounted price for the days of the actual event. The additional days for our surprise Disney vacation were purchased at our own cost since we are long time Disney fans. All opinions about this event are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

Categories:
Disney fun TechyDad travel vacation web fun

My little Bob the Monsters Inc. Builder

Posted on December 30, 2009 10:04 am by TheAngelForever

Categories:
fun jsl laughs photos play time Wordless Wednesday

Hockey on Christmas

Posted on December 28, 2009 11:24 pm by TheAngelForever

Since we are Jewish, Christmas day is just another day for us. The only difference is pretty much everything is closed. Thanks to this, we must entertain ourselves at home or with relatives until we get Chinese food for dinner. This year, TechyDad opted to go into work on Christmas and use the vacation day for another occassion. He figured he could get a lot of work done when everyone was out.

The boys and I were invited to spend the day with my parents. Nana and Papa made us breakfast. The boys loved their blueberry pancakes. After that, we played for a little while before we all watching the Disney Christmas parade. The boys loved this since they remembered so many of the places that were shown at Walt Disney World. Of course, it left me feeling a little sad. It was just about a year ago now that we officially decided to book a trip to Disney World for May. Ah, the memories.

Once the parade was over, the boys played while Nana made lunch. After that, Papa pulled out a hockey game that he had. The boys were pretty intrigued by this. At first they sat at the kitchen table with Papa to play.

Soon the boys packed up and moved to the dining room floor. They kept playing here for quite some time. It was hilarious to watch them interact. Everything NHL did, JSL tried it moments later.

As fun as this game may be to play, the sounds can certainly grate on adult ears that have to listen for an extended amount of time. Here are the boys playing for a short segment. Please note the number of pucks in use.

Eventually, the boys stopped playing and it was time for JSL to show us his new Santa hat wearing technique. Apparently, he is into the western style of Santa hat wear.

At the end of the day, the boys and I packed back up to head home. We met up with TechyDad and opted to order in Chinese food. Then, we had some delicious pie that hubby had gotten from work for being there on Christmas. Yum!

Categories:
brothers family fun holidays jsl laughs nhl photos play time video

Gingerbread house building

Posted on December 25, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Wednesday was NHL’s last day of first grade for 2009. To help celebrate, the kids all helped to bring in supplies for a tasty craft and party. As one of the room parents, I saw the list of items and immediately knew what they would be making. The class was going to construct gingerbread houses using graham crackers, frosting, lots of candy and their imagination. Of course, as a teacher, I knew that NHL’s class would need more adult hands on deck to assist with the group.

JSL and I went into the classroom. I was afraid that he would be all over the place. Luckily, he was content watching the kids, while munching on a few M&M’s.

Meanwhile, I had fun dishing out extra frosting and supplies to the kids. It was interesting seeing those that had never made a gingerbread house (like my NHL) compared to those who were seasoned professionals.Here are some photos of NHL making his first gingerbread house. He was quite into it, but also asked his teacher numerous times if he could nibble on some of the candies. Needless to say, this was a common question in the room of first graders.

NHL had a blast adding frosting to his creation and then putting all of the different candies it. Take a close look at his face above, there’s even some frosting on him. Here are some views of his first ever gingerbread house:

Eventually, NHL stopped adding things to his house to go and read on the rug with his little brother. JSL was already surrounded by a gaggle of first graders!

While they were on the rug, I went around looking at all of the different gingerbread houses. One of my favorites was made by a little girl. She had made many of these in the past. Check out the view from the front and back:

So my question to you this week is inspired by the first graders:

Have you ever made a gingerbread house before? If not, you are not alone . . . I do not recall ever making one. If you have what are your favorite items to use as decorations?

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.