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Magical vacation memories

Posted on May 8, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Timing really is everything. Today a package arrived with two pairs of Mickey Mouse ears for the boys. I happened to win a giveaway from MousekeTIPS, the vidcast for Destinations in Florida. Their first weeks giveaway was for a Walt Disney World package that included Mickey Mouse ears, a Pirate Donald stuffed friend and a surprise. Guess what we did when we saw the Mouse Ears? Here is a clue:

Of course, we all took turns. . . even the kids at heart!

Can you tell we are basically ready for Disney World?

So my questions for this week are inspired by our upcoming trip:

What was the most magical vacation that you have been on? Have you ever been to Walt Disney World? If you have, what was your favorite experience.

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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 Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #47

Categories:
Aloha Friday brothers Disney fun jl jsl laughs nhl photos travel vacation

It’s alive again!

Posted on May 7, 2009 8:14 am by TheAngelForever

I am happy to report that I am typing on my own working laptop. JL took my computer to work yesterday and let scans run on the side. No matter what was done, he was not able to make certain things work. In the end, we made sure that all of the last backups had everything that I needed from my computer. At that point, my laptop was wiped clean of everything that was on it. it was a last resort, but it worked.

Lesson to all –> Be sure to back up your important files (especially digital photos) often! We were very lucky that we do this frequently.

Boy is my computer empty, but it works so smoothly . Several key items are still missing, like Microsoft Office since we can not find my CD for it. I feel much more connected today. Clearly the last two days were a sneak preview of what life is going to be like while at Disney World and I am unplugged from the internet world. Of course, at Disney World I will have so much to keep me busy. I will no longer take my laptop for granted and will cherish my time with it. Here it is when it traveled with me to my old room while the boys and I stayed with my parents a while back.

I will definitely not take my laptop for granted again and will most definitely miss it while away, but going to Walt Disney World is worth it!

Categories:
decisions Disney jl losing my mind photos

Pre-Disney travel stress

Posted on April 30, 2009 8:15 am by TheAngelForever

We head to Disney World very soon and there is a ton that need to get done. Lists need to be made and items need to be bought and packed. If I sat and really thought about it long enough I think my head would start to spin.

Can you tell a big family vacation is new to this mommy of almost 6 years?

Seriously, I know I just need to sit down with JL and we have to make a "game plan" of sorts. The lists of items to pack has to be done. From there, we will determine whether we have all of said items. Then I have to get my rear in gear and pack things. Thank goodness we are going on an airline that still allows two checked pieces of luggage per passenger. That means IF we wanted we could haul eight suitcases stuffed with things. Of course, that is not my plan. I would like to stay with 4 or under. Please realize that one of them will likely be filled with diapers, wipes and breakfast supplies/snacks. The great part of that is it will be ready to load up with items we take home from Disney.

I must admit that our Vice President, Joe Biden, did not help matters this morning when he went on the Today Show and basically said he would not advise his family to travel by plane anywhere these days. Thanks Joe!

*shaking head*

I can not wait to see the damage control that comes out of the White House on that one.

Seriously, Swine Flu is in the back of my mind since we are traveling to a place that packs in a ton of people, including many international visitors from Mexico. Of course, I worry more these days about JSL and another ear infection on our trip since it will be a little over a week after he is done with his antibiotic. I won’t even mention my fear of bedbugs at hotels since those are raging out of control all over the country.

So, for those of you that have traveled with kids a lot. . . how do you stay settled and make sure you pack everything that you need? Any words of wisdom and thoughts on items that are a must to take for the vacation, or to entertain the kids on the airplane, would be greatly appreciated.

Now I am off to think about the fun we will have exploring Disney World with the boys for the first time.

Categories:
Disney jl losing my mind photos real world news travel vacation

Change within hours

Posted on April 20, 2009 9:33 am by TheAngelForever

Last week Kindergarten Kid was on Spring Break. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the nice weather. We even went to the park a few times

Who would have known that with these smiles on Saturday morning, so much would change in a small amount of time.

Not even two hours after these photos of the boys were taken so much happened. We had an uncontrolled fever with JSL and my FIL called with the horrible news about Grandma. Saturday night and all day yesterday we fought to keep JSL’s fever down. Thank goodness last night as I sat on a bed in my old room, JSL was covered in sweat. I am pretty sure we are now fever free. It looks like the 3 doses of the antibiotic may be kicking the nasty ear infection. Now we are just waiting to see when we need to go for a follow up check. Pretty important since the infection was so bad and our Disney World trip is just around the corner.

Now I am off to see if the little guy will eat something that is at Nana and Papa’s house. JL took the train yesterday and is with his family. Grandma’s funeral is this morning and he will be coming home tomorrow afternoon. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and condolences that you have left. Sorry I am way behind on replying to everyone. I think you all understand that a lot is going on right now.

Categories:
bad news family jl jsl nhl photos sick kid weekend

We love you Grandma

Posted on April 19, 2009 8:21 am by TheAngelForever

Yesterday afternoon just before 1:30 the phone was ringing. I was on my cell phone and told Aunt M that I had to get off because I thought it was the doctor calling back about JSL. Then my heart sank. I saw the phone number and it was my in-laws. My in-laws NEVER call during shabbos.

I answered the phone and my FIL asked me to guess why he was calling. I immediately asked what was wrong with Grandma since I knew she had been sick and to Urgent Care the othe day.

A little history: JL’s grandmother, my FIL’s mother, has been living with my in-laws for several months now. She had not been doing well at her new complex and went to stay with them temporarily. That changed when they realized she needed assisted living. Rather than put her into a nursing home she moved in permanently with them.

My father-in-law floored me. He quickly told me that Grandma had passed away. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I put JL onto the phone to talk to his father briefly. The details were sketchy. Apparently my father-in-law had gotten home from shul and had my mother-in-law make sure Grandma was up for lunch. She went to the table to eat some lunch. Suddenly she told them she didn’t feel good. Those were the last words from her mouth as she passed away at the table with them holding my mother-in-law’s hand.

Grandma was 94 years old in October, the last time the boys and I saw her. We went to celebrate her birthday with the entire extended family. JL saw Grandma when he made a trip alone to see her at the start of February. He wrote about seeing her on his blog.

Grandma’s funeral will be tomorrow early afternoon. We are still trying to figure out the details of JL getting there. Right now we are battling a very high fever with JSL. We went to Urgent Care yesterday afternoon and he has a raging ear infection. With Motrin and Tylenol in him last night we were struggling to keep his temperature below 102. Scarry range since it was exactly three weeks ago that he had two febrile seizures in a 30 hour span of time.

JL will be at his Grandma’s funeral one way or another. I also know that NHL and JSL will have all of our beautiful photos to remind them of the times that they saw and spent time with their very special Great-Grandma M.

Hamming it up with Great Grandma