Day 4- Magic Kingdom Round 2

What can I say, Disney World in all of its glory is fantastic. We hit most of the major rides and attractions. Which is a bit accomplishment with a group of 8! Some of the highlights include....

*Sylvie met the real Ariel. We happened upon the line to meet her and geared up with cameras and backup because Sylvie has decided she is brave enough for scary rides but not brave enough to meet the characters. We both sat alongside Ariel as she discussed very important things like how long Sylvie has had her fins and how to avoid the Sea Witch. Sylvie’s life’s dreams are now complete:)

*Breakfast with the characters. We came away with full bellies, a group photos with all of us having eyes wide open, and a whole bunch of pictures with the characters. I love that they are not huge beings, the characters are very sweet, funny and loveable. Logan really enjoyed getting autographs.

*Sylvie’s first roller coaster. I think it was called the “Barn-twister” or something. The boys dragged Logan on. He was quite upset and really did not enjoy it. Sylvie decided, a bit later, that yes, we must go on the roller coaster. So we did. And she freaked out a bit after that first drop. And when we got off she told me “I only closed my eyes to watch the movies behind my eyes for a bit” and “I like roller coasters, but I do not want to ever go on them again.”

*The fireworks show. How could you not love it, it’s fantastic every time and the music moves everyone. Sylvie was so sweet, she saw Tinkerbell and held her flashing, glowing Tinkerbell toy up as high as she could, like a beacon for Tink to look down upon and know that she, a princess herself, was here watching. Logan found a Mickey Mouse Light Saber and thoroughly enjoyed all of his new toys that Daddy is now playing with alongside him.

Day 3- Carpe Diem

As a mom, I’m one who thinks it might be a good idea to give the kids down-time at the hotel or some naptime if they so choose. But I didn’t make these vacation plans, and honestly, the kids are troopers- they are adjusting well to our breakneck speed adventure.

Day 3 began at Animal Kingdom (without poor Jorge!). The Tree of Life is gorgeous, and we all got stinky and wet at the Bug’s Life adventure. We hit the dinosaur roller coasters and the kids wanted to go on twice. The best thing was Sylvie’s sweet demeaner has returned. Despite the longer days, she really was acting out because of the changes, the transition, the triple sets of parents. Day 3 she was attached to Reena and sweetly reminded me first thing in the morning about the promise I made during the temper tantrum she had the day before. If she still wanted that puppy like Logan had the next morning, we would get one. So we did and Pluto and Camila/Rosco (who changed names through the day) joined the family.

The safari was awesome and we saw a ton of animals. Logan and Sylvie took pictures on their pretend cameras. The park closes at 5 so we “seized the day” and used our ability to “park-hop” by returning to Epcot for the evening. I enjoyed sniffing perfumes in Paris and Josemanuel directed us to one of the longest lines in the park, the one coming out of the French Bakery. Sylvie picked her own treat- a chocolate eclair. There was no mistaking the sheer delight when she proclaimed it “Oh, yummy!” For the next two hours or so, while Logan napped in the stroller Miss Sylvie was our evening entertainment. She danced her heart out near the Moroccan entertainers, ran around and around and around, and was so funny. Call it a chocolate high or just being happy to have all of our attention, it was something to remember with a smile:)

So just when the day could have ended over-full and happy, we journeyed on by boat over to a show called “Hoop-de-Doo.” Arrive at 9, wait in the cold until 9:30. Without blankets we made do. The alcohol was part of the package and the kids liked the cornbread, so all was good by 10:00 pm. The show was great, Logan said it was his favorite part of the vacation so far. But nothing beat when they started including Paco into the act. Paco in his typical hilarity was making faces and building a fan club. Throughout the night they kept referring back to him and he fit the part well. By the end, honest to goodness, the whole audience was cheering “Paco, Paco....” and taking photos with him. Oh. My. God. I turned red and flush when they arrived at our table, and when we arrived back at our room around 11:30, I was still flush with laughter, happiness and of course a bit of embarrassment! What an end to a crazy day. And to think if I had planned it, Logan never would have experienced his “Favorite part” of the trip.

Day 2- The one that ended with a Bang!

Day two started with a sweet little “exploring adventure” with Logan. We explored the hotel and found a new stuffed animal friend- his first Webkinz. We met up with everyone and immediately Sylvie wanted her own stuffie, so we went and she picked out a unicorn and cut the tags off. Ten minutes later, Sylvie was face down on the floor screaming about wanting the same stuffed animal Logan had. After those 10 stressful minutes were over, promises and threats were made, we all headed out to Epcot.

My favorite part of Epcot was around mid-afternoon, in a sunny Italian “piazza” sipping a glass of wine and the kids were watching an entertainer. I don’t remember liking Epcot all that much when I was young, but I think as we get older, the idea of being in a place like Italy that you may not truly experience in your adult life is more appealing. Lunch was a great tepan dining show- fun! At one point Jorge and Logan went into a line to get pictures and autographs with all the characters. Logan loved the autographs, and Sylvie liked drawing her own pictures in her autograph book.

We went to a special late-night dinner show on the property. It was part stand-up comedian, part dancing with Minnie Mouse and Goofy. Logan was cutting a rug, doing the robot dance and happily participated in the storytelling on stage. Sylvie held back, wanting to be part of it, but afraid of the chaos, people and characters. When dinner was over and the music was on, both kids were running a amok alongside other kids dancing their hearts out, and Sylvie was happy as a clam.

The Illumination show was amazing. My favorite was the fireballs that jumped on the water. After that, nothing could compare. I have to hand it to Walt Disney, he may not have designed the Epcot show, but he sure set up the tone, level of perfection, and beyond typical standards that you find everywhere.

Back in the room, all happily asleep, we had our second set of fireworks from poor sick Jorge. We’ll see what is in store and if it’s a food-related thing or a virus we’ll all be getting. But for now, I sure did use my share of hand sanitizer on any surface he may have touched in the room!

Day One- Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and a Boat!

Day One- Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and a Boat!

The day started at 4:30 with the alarm ringing and the scramble to get up and out. I dressed, woke Logan and he was even groggy. Sylvie wanted to sleep in a nightgown so I was trying to dress her through screaming and fighting, and then- wham, she actually processed that today. was. the. day. The day her dreams would come. true. And she was much more helpful after that!

Around 5 am we were heading to the long-term parking lot at the airport. Picking a spot not too snow-entrenched, we unloaded and quickly realized that -1 degree feels really really cold when you’re barely awake! We RAN to the train. Did I mention we were dressed for Florida in fleece and no gloves? A half mile away, we got inside with teeth frozen, hands quivering from cold exposure, and ready for round 2. The train.

And then there were the highlights from the airplane. Security double-checks, a lovely glass of o.j. graced my lap and Sylvie refused to enter the airplane restroom. She has a newly well-timed, well-developed fear. Of restrooms. Did I mention we’ll be gone from home for a week? And the best part was when I heard the pilot mention “It is now 38 degrees in Orlando.” Wait, what?!? Logan said “Why is the weatherman so wrong?”

On to another monorail to get to the shuttles. On to a motorcoach to get to the hotel. By then everyone was done sitting in moving vehicles but we needed to charge on. There was a serious mission to be accomplished. Operation Princess Lunch needed to be attended and time was tight.

After a stop at the hotel, a run up to the room to drop off anything we didn’t want and pick up the tickets, we hopped back onto a boat and headed to the theme park. Oh. My. Goodness. I don’t think -1 Chicago degree had anything on 38 Florida degrees in a boat wearing fleece with massive winds on a boat in the middle of a lake.

We’re here! DisneyWorld! The Land of Happiness! Except your disney card is being denied, someone or something screwed up, so you are destined to the land of “Guest Relations.” Still trying to get to the Princess Mecca in time for our reservation, Josemanuel, Reena, and I (who had working tickets) RAN. It felt like the Amazing Race, out of breath, dodging balloons and people, and pumped on adrenaline and no sleep, we made it to the castle! They giggled at our effort and promised we could have lunch, and did the birthday girl want a chocolate cake and a happy birthday song? Oh, yes she DOES.

Insert sappy tears here while we all watched Sylvie meet her idols, the Disney Princesses. We all agreed Snow White was most in character, her voice, her mannerisms, and her aura were pure Snow White. I think I was 4 again for an hour or so. Sylvie was her typical reserved, shy scared exterior, but you could tell she was jumping for joy inside. She had her own set of paparazzi as we all took a million pictures. She even took a quick break in the princess loo. After 2 times of thinking about it, but thank goodness.

Then it hit us. We’re in Disney and it’s still 38 degrees. So we stocked up on fleece blankets and mittens and extra layers. First stop, Swiss Family Robinson, Pirates of the Caribbean (Sylvie decided she likes pirates, but not those pirates, Logan cheered when we went down the drop-off). A typical disney day with a few rides and a the castle at the end of the day was absolutely stunning sheathed in lights and color.

We ate too much for dinner, and both kids fell asleep at the table, and we’re ready for Day 2!

Life + Snow

Just taking a moment to document how much more intense life gets when you throw in some snow!!!! Some of the things we've dealt with over the years.

*Wake up to the furnace not working- eeeek! Luckily we got it fixed.

*Our radiant floor in the family room works on a boiler, whose pilot light is finicky. To fix it, you need to squeeze into a spot on the floor in the basement. Lay down on concrete. Grab a candle lighter. Turn a knob, get the gas to build up and come at the pilot with a flame lit. Turn the knob and hope it stays. Then jump up because once it catches, it kind of attacks with blue flame and you better not be too close! Repeat every few days.

*Getting to the stores isn't as easy. Lots of snow, slush, a detached garage means bringing bags back and forth in your boots, setting them inside the door, and yelling at the dog to get her nose out of them.

*And then there's the alley, which is gravel and not plowed. And all the intersections where cars get stuck. And the second car of ours that is not as good in deep snow as the SUV.

*Walking Logan into kindergarten means parking, walking about a block through an unplowed playground, and for some reason it's a wind tunnel. Twice Sylvie has had a meltdown crying about her fingers being frozen. Today we bought heavier gloves for her finally.

Seems like everything about winter takes longer, is more difficult and more intense. Between intensely cold days you don't want to leave the house to waking up at the crack of dawn to shovel, it's a lot of work! So when we hear snow is coming, the kids get all excited, and I just want to hybernate!

My Baby Girl is turning "4" !!!!!!!!

She was originally due to arrive on Christmas day. Even being born January 6, I was a bit concerned that her birthday might get shoved to the side so close to all the holiday hooplah. I don't know what I was worried about. We have found reason to celebrate each year of this little girl's life with gusto. This year we survived more stages, heard precious stories, and watched her pictures are becoming so detailed and even a few first stories to go along with them.

At age 4 our Sylvie Alecia is quite the little lady, loving anything girly and quick to claim anything her brother loves for her own. She is creative, imaginative, spunky and bright. She has her own light and our little "Chivilina" as we call her makes our days full and funny and fantastic. She is learning ballet and fiercely practices her athletic moves at "My Gym" until she masters them. She can bend her legs more than I could ever hope to! She's in preschool and making new friends.

I love you little Sylvie, you have "a way about you" (in Billy Joel's words) that we could see from when you were little and I love it. Thank you for being my daughter, my confidante, my shadow while I do all things girly, my extra pillow in cold nights and for all the spontaneous hugs and "I love you's" that come from nowhere. Can I put them in a box and take them out for later as needed?

Kisses and Hugs,
Mommy

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her

She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason
Anyway

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin'
Anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around

She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'

She's got a light around her
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her
Everywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
Anyway