Disney Trip - February - Day 2 and 3

Although the trip actually started on Saturday, I consider Monday as "Day 2" because it was the second actual day in Disney World - the first day of solid driving doesn't count.  The drive wasn't terrible - just long!

Okay, so Day 2 was also my first day of my conference.  So, the rest of the crew (John, Mom, Mel, Jocelyn, Lizzie and Liam) went to Animal Kingdom while I sat inside all day attending presentations.  While I love Animal Kingdom, if I had to miss one whole day this one was the best to miss.  I love the Safari, Expedition Everest, the Flights of Wonder show, Nemo the Musical and Festival of the Lion King (which wasn't even showing during our trip) - but Animal Kingdom is a shorter park day and I'd rather miss that than anything else.  The crew had lunch at Tusker House and got to see Mickey and friends.  I made Jocelyn an autograph book before we left and she had a blast getting all the characters to sign on their page (I made a specific page for each character that I knew or at least thought we'd see).   The only one we didn't get that Jocelyn was on the hunt for was Belle - we saw her once but her line was already closed and she wasn't at Cinderella's Castle when we ate there (she's always at Akershus - but we didn't eat there this time). 

I was done with the conference for the day at 4pm and we all met up at the hotel and then headed to dinner at O'hana at the Polynesian!  I had always wanted to try this restaurant because I heard how amazing it was - and it was tough to get a reservation.  I was up at 6am, on the computer on our 180 day mark getting this reservation (along with some other tough ones).  Totally worth it!  The food was excellent and plentiful!  

Day 3 was another conference day - but I was done at 2:30 and headed over to Magic Kingdom to meet up with everyone else.  We rode a few rides and then had dinner reservations at Be Our Guest.  I was so excited to try this restaurant and go inside - it looks amazing from the outside and even cooler on the inside.  At lunch time, Be Our Guest is counter service restaurant but at dinner it is a table service restaurant and it was packed.  They were not taking any walk-ups - reservation only - and we still waited an extra half hour.  This is also the only restaurant in Magic Kingdom where you can get an adult beverage - beer and wine.  The food was excellent and the atmosphere was amazing.  When they call your name they bring a Lumiere for you to carry to the table - it talks.

Jocelyn was scared of the "West Wing" (a dining room designed as the west wing of Beast's castle with torn tapestries, the enchanted rose is there and it's a little dark) so it's good we weren't seated in that room.  After dinner and on your way out you can meet the Beast.  Jocelyn was disappointed that he didn't do autographs - but with those giant paws he couldn't hold a pen (although I'm not sure why he doesn't have a stamp like Buzz Lightyear does).  Oh well - the babies liked the Beast too. 

What a fun day.  Day 4 was another Magic Kingdom day and I only had to go to 1 presentation in the morning that ended at 9am so I was able to spend the whole day with the group. We'd also be switching over to Ft. Wilderness and staying in a cabin which I was really excited to try since I've never stayed there before. Stay tuned for the next installment - Jocelyn gets transformed into a Princess! 

Disney Trip - February 2014 - Day 1

We took the whole family to Disney World in February this year.  That's right - John, Jocelyn, Lizzie, Liam, Ya Ya, Aunt Melanie and me.  We made the trip by car this time (except Melanie, she flew from Mississippi and met us at the hotel) and we broke it up into 2 days, spending the night in Tallahassee on the way there.  It was a surprise for Jocelyn, so she didn't know where we were going until we drove past the sign.  It took her a few minutes for it to really sink in - but she was really excited. The first half of the week would be spent at the Yacht Club for my work conference (Sunday to Wednesday) and then we'd switch over to the Ft. Wilderness Cabins for the remainder of our stay (Wednesday to Sunday). 

Jocelyn loved the new magic bands and that it could open the door to the room - she always wanted to be the one to unlock it.  We loved the Yacht Club for it's location to Epcot (where we headed right after check in) and because it's a really nice hotel.

After checking in, we headed to Epcot and ate lunch at Liberty Inn (quick service at the American Adventure).  Jocelyn was too excited and just wanted to go and ride some rides!  We were also still waiting on Melanie who would be arriving via Magical Express in a couple of hours. 

We, of course, had to enjoy some delicious drinks from the World Showcase.  Here is John drinking a Grey Goose slushie - mom, Mel and i had a Gran Marnier Slushie.  Yum Yum.  That night we would be eating at Rose and Crown in the United Kingdom.  Jocelyn ran around and played while we waited.  I love the World Showcase - Disney does an amazing job of getting the details so right that you actually feel like you're in that country.

Stay tuned for Day 2 - everyone, except me (I'll be at my conference), goes to Animal Kingdom!

Liam and Lizzie are 1

Hard to believe a whole year has passed since these two cuties came into the world.  They are so wonderful and bring so much joy to our lives.  This year would have been much more difficult without the help of our family - special shout out to YaYa (aka - our new roommate) and also Pam for helping out so much with Jocelyn and her school. 

Liam is walking ... almost.  He takes lots of steps really fast and then falls.  He'll get there soon.  Lizzie stands so well and has great balance but she isn't quite taking steps without holding on to something - she seems a little scared of the falling.  Doctor's appointment is tomorrow, so we'll see where they are on the growth chart.

Why Such a Big Party?

One of my favorite things to do is plan birthday parties' for my kids and help out with parties for other friends and families.  It is my creative outlet and yes, I tend to take on too much and perhaps go a little over the top.  But I enjoy it.  


In 2 days we're having the twins' first birthday party and I've been busy the last few weeks getting it all put together.  The theme is Survivor (well, because we survived the first year) and I have all these ideas in my head of how I want the party to look and how the activities will go. Sometimes my ideas take up a lot of time and I get a bit in over my head.  Just yesterday I had a new idea of making a volcano (non-working), just for decoration - and being the kind of person I am, I had to go to the store (Hobby Lobby) immediately and get the materials to make this volcano.  We'll see how it turns out.


I've read several articles/blogs lately that in a nutshell puts into question these over-the-top party planning activities (assuming my parties even fall into this category) and the effect that has on kids.  Do the parents feel obligated or pressured to do it?  I really don't - I actually really enjoy it.  I'm not competing with my neighbor of who can do it better.  Being a lawyer day to day, dealing with mundane contract language and dealing with people who always have something tiny to complain about, I need something fun to do.  It's one of the reasons I enjoy doing improv.  I don't have to be serious - I can let my imagination run free.   I do think that I've already set up for Jocelyn the idea that she will always get an over the top birthday party and she even pretends, almost daily, that she is throwing a birthday party for someone (Mommy, Daddy, YaYa, etc.) - its always someone's birthday at our house!


No I don't go on pinterest every day to find an idea for day to day craft activities or little gifts for Jocelyn's classmates on Valentine's day or for end of the school year.  I don't have time for that.  I would probably really enjoy that - but I have to pick and choose. 


Will I throw these types of parties for the kids forever?  I don't know.  Maybe I'll stop when the kids get sick of it - but then there are my murder mystery parties I throw for myself.  I don't think I'm raising spoiled or entitled kids just by throwing an elaborate birthday party, with homemade decorations and lots of attention to detail - at least I hope not.  I think I can harmonize the two things.   On some level I hope that I am teaching my children how to be creative and how to bring ideas to life. 


I'll also keep taking my kids to Disney World as often as I can because I love it and its awesome.  Will they remember every single trip? No, of course not.  But I will.


Stay tuned for pictures of the party!