Once upon a time, we went to Walt Disney World. We had a magical time, then we came back home and I never talked about it again. So it would seem, right?! Really though, we came home and it was illness and Thanksgiving and Christmas choir (What? You didn't know I was a choir director? Yeah, I am. But use that term loosely, please. I'm kind of faking it. Don't worry, they already know that.) and redoing rooms in our house. Basically, I can only juggle 398024 things at once. 398025, and I'm sunk.
But alas, I thought it time to come on and say hello (again). I will have you know I have been spending hours on photopass pictures (whittling from 400 to 250 or so, cropping, adding borders, placing orders, etc), videos (all edited and ready to go), and am in the middle of getting my snapshots ready too. I had 1600+, but don't worry. You only have to sit through about 600.
Anyway, I wanted to have all of those particular ducks in a row before starting my "trip report", but it would seem I'm going to be harassed until I acknowledge our trip. So acknowledge, I will... but just with a teaser. I promise though, I'm working on it. A lot.
Thoughts on Departure Morning:
1. I love Mountain Dew. And my trip ritual of drinking said beverage.
2. Will I regret not having said beverage on the plane (per my usual ritual) because I'm drinking it on the way to Columbus, instead of buying it after we get through security?
3. Man, I'm thankful we bought a soft roof bag instead of something different. I really think we're going to have to take it (we did) in case we end up with a rental car with too little luggage space (we didn't).
4. Hmm... I hope the roof bag fits in one of the carseat bags.
5. I wonder if we should check in at the hotel as soon as we can, or as close to the official "check in" time as possible for best results regarding location requests, etc? I wonder if I'll ever figure this out, since I am still wondering on my dozenth trip? (Hey, dozenth is a funny-looking word. That wasn't a thought then, just now.)
6. I'm so glad I embraced my neuroses and didn't try to shower last night so that I could "sleep in" this morning. We all know I can't do that, and now my hair looks pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.
7. Nobody is going to see my hair, because I'm never in pictures - especially on travel day.
8. I don't have a problem with that.
9. What is the best way to feign thinness in pictures? I wonder if I'll ever figure that out, since I'm still wondering on my dozenth trip? And having now been NOT thin for most of them.
10. I wonder what I should do differently with this "trip report"? I'm pretty sure people should be getting bored of me. Seriously, it's just not the same as being there.
And with regards to #10, let me just add one more thing. Oh, how I wish I could have had a video camera for eyes. I know people get all awkward and pretend to not enjoy home movies, but MAN my girls are cute. And funny. And seeing Walt Disney World through their eyes again, as toddlers who could fully anticipate what was next, was just as magical as every other time. I wish you could have been there. All of you. Though admittedly, I wouldn't want to try and tour WDW with all of you at once. That would just be a disaster, and I sort of like the groove we have ;)
More to come.... I swear!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Hello from WDW!
Ok, so I'm not really writing from Walt Disney World. But I'm checking in with you and giving you yet another glimpse at what we're up to, doesn't that count for something?!
Anyway, today we're moving to our second Home Away From Home. Some of you may recall on facebook my minor freakout when this became available for part of our stay. We have enjoyed this resort before, and just know the girls are going to be blown away. Can't wait to share more!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Disney-bound
Barring any major alarm malfunctions or Home Alone style disasters, Zach, Hartley, Emmersyn and I should be on our way to Columbus to catch our flight!
You know we'll have a ton for you when we get back, but until then adieu!
"See" you soon!
Next: Hello from WDW!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Disney Family Day #15 (a,b,c & d)
Yeah, we got a bit carried away on the final Disney Family "Day". We wanted to do a general parks send-off, but just had too many things to choose from! As it is, we were only able to nix a handful... so a 4-part DFD was born.
Thursday's "Animal Kingdom Party"
Friday's "Epcot Party"
Sunday's "Studios Party"
Tonight's "Magic Kingdom Party"
No real activities to photograph, just park-specific music and a park DVD each night.... and we're all just about as excited as we can be for our early departure tomorrow. Here's hoping any (or all!) of us sleep! ;)
Next: Disney Bound
Disney Family Day #14 - Finding Nemo
Our second-to-last Disney Family Day was one I had been looking forward to for a while but, of course, had to separate from our Little Mermaid party for potentially obvious similarities. Yes, I put that much thought into scheduling these things. Yes, I know I'm a giant nerd.
SO.... the day finally arrived this past weekend, and we had our "Nemo Party". Hartley and Emmersyn were quite excited, and we had a really fun afternoon.
First, we made paper plate jellyfish.
Next we watched the movie, which the girls thoroughly enjoyed (minus the (several) parts we skipped, because wow there are some scary ones!). After the movie, while I finished dinner, Emmersyn, Hartley and Zach made their "Tank Gang Treats". Don't worry, I got to make mine earlier - so I didn't miss out on the fun!
Finally it was time for dinner (yeah... I seriously couldn't come up with anything better than fish sticks, despite how wrong that is. Don't worry, there is a worse one coming up in one of the final DFDs....).
By the way, we leave for WDW in one week! We've certainly had fun thus far with our new "countdown"!
Disney Family Day #13 - Tinkerbell
After a late-season lineup change (including having to unwrap and switch out movies from the Christmas stash), our thirteenth Disney Family Day was Tinker Bell themed!
I was going to let the girls dress up in their Tink costumes, but didn't have the energy. Don't worry, they would get to the following day - and you'll get to see them in the following post. But for this day, it was Fairies shirts and Tinker Bell socks. They were happy enough with that. :)
First, because in Pixie Hollow Tink and her friends are responsible for nature and the changing of the seasons on "the mainland", what better materials to work with for an art project than that which is pretty much the symbol of our current season - leaves! We did leaf prints, and Emmersyn and Hartley thought they were so cool. I think these might hang on the window for quite a while!
I was going to let the girls dress up in their Tink costumes, but didn't have the energy. Don't worry, they would get to the following day - and you'll get to see them in the following post. But for this day, it was Fairies shirts and Tinker Bell socks. They were happy enough with that. :)
First, because in Pixie Hollow Tink and her friends are responsible for nature and the changing of the seasons on "the mainland", what better materials to work with for an art project than that which is pretty much the symbol of our current season - leaves! We did leaf prints, and Emmersyn and Hartley thought they were so cool. I think these might hang on the window for quite a while!
Dinner was good enough, but you have to use your imagination on some of the abstract connections.... ;)
Disney Family Day #12 - The Incredibles
Next on the list was our "Incredibles Party"!
First up, as you might have guessed by now (you smarty pants!), was coloring pages. Let's be fair now though, we haven't done them every DFD. And besides, the Emmersyn and Hartley practically live to color. Am I justifying this to anyone but myself, anyway? :)
Dinner was simple but effective (if you asked me, which you did by coming here ;)), and we had a good time introducing the girls to characters they really knew very little about before the "party".
First up, as you might have guessed by now (you smarty pants!), was coloring pages. Let's be fair now though, we haven't done them every DFD. And besides, the Emmersyn and Hartley practically live to color. Am I justifying this to anyone but myself, anyway? :)
Then we watched one of Zach's favorite movies, The Incredibles. I'd like it much more if it weren't literally more than 2 hours long. It's just really hard to not push the limit with a 2-hour animated movie. During dinner, Zach and I figured out exactly which scenes/stories/details/characters should have been cut in order to reduce it just ~15 minutes but improve the overall film by probably at least 27.924%, but that's boring. Unless you're Zach and me.
Dinner was simple but effective (if you asked me, which you did by coming here ;)), and we had a good time introducing the girls to characters they really knew very little about before the "party".
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Disney Family Day #11 - Aladdin
I'm so far behind and have to "catch up on my charting" (as Zach aptly related) before vacation, so at least they'll be done. You're probably tired of reading my picture-less rambling anyway, right?
So way back on October 9th, we had our 11th Disney Family Day. 11 of 15, if you were keeping track, and we've done more since (and have one today). What does this mean? We are REALLY freaking close to vacation. Just so you know.
But on October 9th, the theme was Aladdin - and the girls fell in love with the story and the characters even more than they previously were. And why not? It's a great movie!
We had all had a very busy day before, so this was another low-on-activities sort of party. The girls colored beautiful pictures of Aladdin and Jasmine on which they worked very hard (I can't tell you the number of times we heard, "I'm still coloring!"), then we watched the movie and ate dinner.
So way back on October 9th, we had our 11th Disney Family Day. 11 of 15, if you were keeping track, and we've done more since (and have one today). What does this mean? We are REALLY freaking close to vacation. Just so you know.
But on October 9th, the theme was Aladdin - and the girls fell in love with the story and the characters even more than they previously were. And why not? It's a great movie!
We had all had a very busy day before, so this was another low-on-activities sort of party. The girls colored beautiful pictures of Aladdin and Jasmine on which they worked very hard (I can't tell you the number of times we heard, "I'm still coloring!"), then we watched the movie and ate dinner.
Dinner included Brochette of Chicken, a recipe from Restaurant Marrakesh at which we have reservations in a few weeks - so of course we'll be trying it! It was delicious if I do say so myself, but I'm really interested to see what it was really supposed to be like! ;) I was too busy lazy scared to make Baklava, so instead we had Abu's Monkey Bread - a stretch, I know. Still, fun night!
Next: Disney Family Day #12 - The Incredibles
Friday, November 5, 2010
"See you after the papers are all gone!"
This one will get it's own entry, even if just picture now that I've told the story prematurely. Yesterday, we started a paper chain countdown for our trip to Disney World (in 35 days!). We went to Columbus over the weekend and had to distinguish the "Little, Columbus hotel" from the hotels we've been talking about for weeks that will be our home in WDW. In over a month. Which is an eternity to 2-year-olds (and their mama).
It took 1 explanation for Emmersyn and Hartley to understand the chain. Every morning we take down a piece of paper, and when they're all gone we go to Disney World.
This morning, 930834 times and counting, they have called various characters including, but not limited to: Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Chip, Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. In each conversation, they say, "Hello? [Cinderella]? Yep. See you in Disney World. See you after the papers are gone. Bye!". And no fewer than 4 times already has Hartley gone up to see that, in fact, the papers are still there. After which she proceeds to tell me, "Emmersyn, Hartley, Mommy, and Daddy go to Disney World when papers are all gone. On lots and lots of different days after sleeping.". Hmm.... I think that means she understands. Time will tell.
It took 1 explanation for Emmersyn and Hartley to understand the chain. Every morning we take down a piece of paper, and when they're all gone we go to Disney World.
This morning, 930834 times and counting, they have called various characters including, but not limited to: Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Chip, Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. In each conversation, they say, "Hello? [Cinderella]? Yep. See you in Disney World. See you after the papers are gone. Bye!". And no fewer than 4 times already has Hartley gone up to see that, in fact, the papers are still there. After which she proceeds to tell me, "Emmersyn, Hartley, Mommy, and Daddy go to Disney World when papers are all gone. On lots and lots of different days after sleeping.". Hmm.... I think that means she understands. Time will tell.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Disney Family Day #10 - A Bug's Life
Five more DFD's until our vacation! But who's counting?
Today we had a fairly impromptu "A Bug's Life" party. We're leaving for the weekend (off to exciting Columbus while Zach attends a conference) and thought it would be just as easy to move it forward a few days than backwards.
I'd say that, for literally under an hour of prep (including a 5-minute menu design), it turned out kinda cute!
We went with a picnic theme, and enjoyed Flik's Fried Chicken, Princess Atta's Potato Salad, Heimlich's Fruit Kabobs, Francis' Strawberry Ladybugs and Dot's Dirt Dessert. Yummy, and I hardly had to do any of the work! ;)
The girls thought it was awesome, though admittedly it seemed to pale in comparison to the aforementioned dessert.
Today we had a fairly impromptu "A Bug's Life" party. We're leaving for the weekend (off to exciting Columbus while Zach attends a conference) and thought it would be just as easy to move it forward a few days than backwards.
I'd say that, for literally under an hour of prep (including a 5-minute menu design), it turned out kinda cute!
We went with a picnic theme, and enjoyed Flik's Fried Chicken, Princess Atta's Potato Salad, Heimlich's Fruit Kabobs, Francis' Strawberry Ladybugs and Dot's Dirt Dessert. Yummy, and I hardly had to do any of the work! ;)
Since we had watched the movie before (and during... shh.....) dinner, we had just enough time after to play our first ever game of Cootie.
The girls thought it was awesome, though admittedly it seemed to pale in comparison to the aforementioned dessert.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Disney Family Day #9 - Monsters Inc.
Yesterday was DFD #9, and featured Monsters, Inc. I couldn't believe that Emmersyn and Hartley hadn't watched this one with us (though admittedly we just started working through feature films this summer), because I just thought they would love it. Aside from a few scary parts, they really did. They are in the bathtub as I type this talking on and on about Mike, Sulley and Boo.
For the occasion, I picked up these Monsters, Inc socks from the Target dollar spot. "Put your feet next to Sissy's," I said. "Well, that'll do."
For the occasion, I picked up these Monsters, Inc socks from the Target dollar spot. "Put your feet next to Sissy's," I said. "Well, that'll do."
When the party started, we first started out designing our doors. I wasn't sure this would go over all that well, but the girls got a kick out of it and I think they pointed out each and every door they saw from the opening credits of the movie to the very end.
Next was movie time,
followed by dinner, which turned out ok despite not mixing the right proportions of icing colors to make the Sulley cupcakes the way I had planned. And only having a few minutes to care. :)
Next was movie time,
followed by dinner, which turned out ok despite not mixing the right proportions of icing colors to make the Sulley cupcakes the way I had planned. And only having a few minutes to care. :)
Next up: A Bug's Life!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Disney Family Day #8 - Cars
In addition to our run, last Saturday was our eighth Disney Family Day. The movie du jour was Cars - one of our favorites, for sure!
Technically, the girls had seen this one before (and I wasn't trying to repeat yet). I had forgotten though because it was when we were all sick several months ago, so we justified it by saying they hadn't really paid much attention anyway. Yeah, that's it. Besides, the food was adorable and I had found decor in the $0.50 clearance bin at Factory Card Outlet weeks before. So Cars it was!
First things first, snack time which - since there was an abundance of desserts (and I'm not ashamed in the slightest because they were a-dorable) - was also themed.
Technically, the girls had seen this one before (and I wasn't trying to repeat yet). I had forgotten though because it was when we were all sick several months ago, so we justified it by saying they hadn't really paid much attention anyway. Yeah, that's it. Besides, the food was adorable and I had found decor in the $0.50 clearance bin at Factory Card Outlet weeks before. So Cars it was!
First things first, snack time which - since there was an abundance of desserts (and I'm not ashamed in the slightest because they were a-dorable) - was also themed.
Then we played "Where is Lightning McQueen?!", also known as "Memory". Hartley caught on quickly, and Emmersyn had fun, too ;)
Dinner was simple buy yummy (Lightning's Speedy Sandwiches, MACK-aroni & Cheese, Frank's Garden Medley (Frank is the combine. You're welcome.), Fillmore's Traffic Light Treats ("I'm telling you dude, every third blink is slower..."), Luigi & Guido's Chocolate Tires and Mater's Motor Oil Sundaes) and we had a great time!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Disney Family Day #7 - Mulan
The seventh of our Disney Family Days was Mulan-themed... so we really should have invited Aunt Addy, since it's one of her favorites!
We had a busy day prior to the party (details from our Apple-picking adventure to come), so thankfully it was quite laid back. First the girls helped paint an egg carton dragon (so cute, if a little lot abstract) --
And then it was movie time and, what else, Chinese take-out! :)
Hartley immediately decided to eat her noodles with her 'sticks. She tried the rice that way as well, but had a bit more trouble. Emmersyn mostly played with them...
Definitely a fun "party", and one they have been talking about all week!
Disney Family Day #6 - Lilo and Stitch
Aloha! Time for DFD #6, with Lilo & Stitch!
Leis all around...
some Limbo fun...
a great movie and some coloring...
... and a most-delicious dinner, if I do say so myself!
Disney Family Day #5 - Toy Story
"To infinity... and beyond!"
Our "Toy Story party" was a blast (no pun intended). Because I never got around to making the Mr. Potato Head activity, we opted just to play with ours instead... which the girls loved. It had been a while since the whole family played with them together! Hartley insisted on her Mrs. Potato Head joining her beau on the island with the food, but then wanted her back before I could snap a picture. This one will have to suffice, instead :)
"Cheese!"
We also played the Toy Story Mania video game (very poorly, considering 2/4 of us are probably a bit young). Emmersyn and Hartley got a kick out of seeing both their names and some of their favorite TS characters on the screen.
No coloring pages today (what?!), because the "event" was rather short. We did watch the first movie in the franchise though (that is 15 years old... can you believe it?!), and the girls really enjoyed it. Probably not as much as they we all enjoyed the cookies, though!
Next up, Lilo and Stitch!
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