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Mother’s Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Everyone was very tired after our dinner at Chef Mickey. We decided to call it an early night and head back to Pop Century. Our luggage had arrived in the room and we got the boys settled into bed. They faded quickly.

The next morning was Mother’s Day. We had planned to go to Disney Hollywood Studios. My parents went to use some snack credit on our dining plan for their breakfast. The boys and I took extra time putting sun lotion on. We opted to take some oatmeal bars for a breakfast on the move. As you can see…the lines were sparce when we arrived for the buses. 

Bus area before leaving for the day

We arrived at Disney Hollywood studios an hour before the park opened. This gave us time to make a plan for when the park opened. JL was going to take all of our tickets to walk quickly to Toy Story Mania. We would make our way there to the line for a ride. It was neat seeing the park so quite before everyone was there.

Before the park opened

Quiet street before opening

They finally opened the main gate for everyone to see the spiel that they do at the opening of the day. JL made his way to the front. When the director said action, he was off to Toy Story Mania. Mom, Dad, the boys and I quickly found our way to the Pixar area. JL already had our Fast pass tickets to return, so we opted to go onto the standby line. Within 5 minutes we were on the ride. The people that designed this attraction did an amazing job taking you inside the life of the toys. You are immediately transformed into a world from Toy Story.

Toy Story Mania


About the photos from top left-right and bottom left-right. 1. The entrance of Toy Story Mania, 2. Giant Candyland, 3. Monkey along the way, 4. Toy Story Mania, 5. Fabulous game/ride – Toy Story Mania, 6. Happy to try Toy Story Mania, 7. Ready to ride and play the game, 8. Nana and Papa ready to go

After riding Toy Story Mania the first time we decided to wander to the Muppets area. This took us along the back lot. Mom took a photo of the four of us and then some kind people took the only photo that we had of our entire group. 

With the boys 

Our only photo with all 6 of us

Just around the corner from NYC, we found ourselves surrounded by familiar Muppet friends. We wandered around and then went to see the show. 

Muppet Time!

 1. Time for the Muppets, 2. Ready for the show, 3. Glasses a bit too large, 4. Outside Muppet Vision 3D

Upon stepping out of the Muppet theater, we quickly saw that they were opening up the area to meet Lightning McQueen and Mater from the movie Cars. We waited for the photo opportunity. NHL and JSL were not too sure. We actually had to switch sides since Mater’s loud noises were really bothering the little guy.

Time spent with Cars

After we said goodbye to Lightning and Mater, we went back to Toy Story Mania to ride with our Fast Pass. When the ride was over we parted ways with Nana and Papa. They went to explore the park and get a Fast Pass for Dad and I to go on the Rockin Roller Coaster. The boys and I opted to try out the Playhouse Disney Show. This was a cute show. The only negative in my mind, as an adult, is sitting on the floor scrunched next to a ton of people. It was well worth the sleepy legs since both of the boys loved seeing familiar faces. 

The Super Sleuths  Goofy and Mickey Mouse

The Playhouse Disney show

By the time the show was over it was already time to use our Fast Pass for the Rockin’ Roller Coaster. Dad and I went on line and the boys and Nana went to get fast pass for the Tower of Terror and look for a place to have lunch. Fifteen minutes later we were off the coaster. It was absolutely amazing! It was the first time I kept my eyes open and enjoyed a coaster. It was fast, smooth, and the light show made it even more fabulous. It took us a while to get a hold of the rest of the gang. They had found a restaurant that was inside and had a decent menu. We walked over and had lunch while JSL slept.

While walking away from the restaurant after lunch something happened. I suddenly felt my glasses shift and was queasy. Sure enough the nose pad on my glasses was gone. There was no hope in finding it. This was not a good start to the vacation since I had no clue where or how to get them fixed. Papa, JL and NHL went off to the Tower of Terror. JL refused to do this on our honeymoon, but this time did not want to be out done by his five year old son.

Brave little Tower of Terror boy

 1. The ride that NHL wanted to go on, 2. Before Tower of Terror, 3. What goes up . . .

Meanwhile my mother and I wandered with sleeping JSL to get a spot to watch the Beauty and the Beast show. This show had major memories from the last visit I had with my family. I was able to get an apple for JSL to have while waiting for the show. When the boys arrived we went to our seats and enjoyed the beautiful show. As you can imagine the boys were mesmerized and barely moved during the performance.

All of the favorites from Beauty and the Beast Belle and the Beast

After the show Dad and I decided to go back on Rockin’ Roller coaster since the line was very short. This time the boys and Nana waited in the Aerosmith store for us to come out. Lucky me, since it meant that JL was able to capture the photo from our ride. 

First time on the coaster with my father Amazing ride - best coaster I have ever been on 

Family at Disney Studios

At this point there was not a lot of time before our dinner reservations at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. We decided to walk over to the Voyage of the Little Mermaid to enjoy the show sitting in a nice air conditioned theater. 

Waiting to see the Little Mermaid 

Ariel The face of real trouble

Finally it was close to dinner time. We all walked toward the restaurant. NHL stopped to see some topiaries and JSL enjoyed walking with Papa.  

NHL looking at the Snow White topiary

Papa takes the little guy for a stroll

Our meal at the Prime Time Cafe was very good. We were on the dining plan, so each of us was able to get a beverage to start. JL, Mom and I all had Berry Smoothies, Dad had a Diet Coke Float and NHL wanted milk. The boys shared NHL’s macarroni and cheese, JL had a Tuna meal and the rest of us had an amazing salmon dish. The antics of the server are well worth the visit. We also had yummy desserts with our meals before heading out of Disney Hollywood Studios. 

Mother's Day Meal Memories 

1. Boys trying to be sweet, 2. Back to before I was here, 3. Mother’s Day dinner, 4. Our wacky server

Rather than go right back to Pop Century we followed my parents to Downtown Disney for a little while. NHL was curious to see the monster World of Disney store and we were all curious about Goofy Candy Co.

Quick trip to Downtown Disney 

1. The boys outside the Winnie the Pooh Store, 2. Stitch spits at you as you enter, 3. Mirror fun time, 4. Never did buy anything here

Quickly we realized it was time to go. We had been away from our room for over 12 hours and we were all getting cranky. By the time we got to our resort the boys were ready to recline in their stroller. 

Resting in the rented stroller

Then we walked back to our room in the 80’s area of Pop Century with the glow of the Rubics Cubes lighting our way. 

Heading back to room after a long day

As expected the little guy was fast asleep by the time we made it to our room.

Night-night little guy

All four of us quickly fell asleep as we caught some Z’s before our big day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

TheAngelForever

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Happy Mother’s Day 2009

I wanted to make sure to wish everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day. I hope that you enjoy this special day with all of the mothers in your life. Growing up we would always get together with our extended family and have a special meal out to celebrate the amazing women in the family. This year, the boys and I are lucky enough to be with my mother to celebrate. Last year we had JSL’s 1st birthday party on Mother’s Day and were with many members from both sides of the family. Of course, the year before that I was miserable on Mother’s Day. All I wanted to do was stay in bed. I was VERY pregnant and wanted to sleep. My body clearly knew that I needed this rest. The next morning my little guy decided to arrive.

Ready to pop!

Thank you to all of the mother’s (my mom, grandmothers, aunts, great-aunts, cousins, sister-in-laws, friends and all in between)in my life. Without all of you, I never would have become the mommy that I am today. I love you all!

 TheAngelForever

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Matz- Oh Nuts!

We do not live in an area that has a lot of kosher for Passover food options. We pretty much have one main grocery store that has the largest selection of items. The problem with this is they often run out of food that people want early, or the cost is extremely high. Of course, we have the option to travel a few hours away to areas that have more kosher for Passover resources. With two little kids  travel is not always feasible.

Back in December I happened to catch a Tweet from @OhNuts about their Chanukah candy and options. It intrigued me greatly and I looked at things. They also had lots of goodies for Purim. JL and I both browsed the Oh Nuts! website a few weeks ago and were salivating at the amazing assortment of items that were kosher for Passover. Not only did they have nuts for Pesach, but they also had a large assortment of dried fruits, candies, and cakes/cookies that were all Kosher for Passover.

JL and I placed our order the weekend before Passover started. The following are the items that we ordered when they arrived two days later. 

Our Oh! Nuts order for Passover

We loved everything that we ordered. The dried apricots were so plump and juicy. The ones we can get here in containers are usually shriveled and hard to bite into. The three boys love the chocolate covered raisins and nonpareils.  The Elite Toffee was devoured by NHL while we went to shul over the holiday. The sugar free Must gum helped me to not miss my Extra gum quite so much. Around here we can only find  Bazooka gum with sugar, not friendly to those watching things and being kind to their teeth. Today the boys will probably have some of the mini chocolate bars with lunch. We also had to contact Oh! Nuts because of a slight mix up on our order. We did not technically order the Toffee that came. The customer service was amazing! They immediately saw the problem and told JL that they would send out the proper item that same day. Wednesday before the Seder the package arrived. Kuddos to Oh! Nuts for their great customer service.

For one of our Seders my grandmother sent a marble cake that she had ordered online. It was delicious and one would never know that it was for Pesach. We just found out that she ordered it from Oh! Nuts when she did a search online for another product. Now that we know this we will probably order some cakes  from there when Passover rolls around next year.

I also plan on ordering something that is not for Passover in the near future. Oh! Nuts has a candy that brings back fond memories of my childhood. They carry Swiss Petite Fruits that I used to get at Disney World when I was little. A treat that will bring back a little from my youth.

TheAngelForever

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