Days One and Two

So... Monday I was at rosary praying for my flights not to be cancelled when I got an email telling me that because the upcoming storm might impact my flights I could now change my flights for free. 

I looked at the option for leaving later that day and it was possible. So I called Husband. He was quickly on board with the plan because we had already kinda looked into it and opted not to pay the crazy amount asked. So I booked the flight. We actually got a credit because we were no longer getting our comfort+ seats for the first leg. 

Then I booked the hotel. Last trip we stayed overnight at the Hyatt at MCO and it worked out beautifully. We opted for that again, especially since we would be getting there so late. 

I wrapped up rosary and then went to work for a bit to get all my ducks in a row there. Then I went to get the kids. Their teachers knew they'd be gone the rest of the week but only had a few hours notice that they'd be leaving earlier than expected. Neither kid was super thrilled about leaving school early but I had packing to do. 

Husband came home from work. We went over everything. And we loaded up to go beat the storm! 

Heading into our little airport with not a flake in sight. Let it be known that Husband was the one who was adamant we fly from here and not drive to Chicago for significantly cheaper flights. He was right, because we wouldn't have been able to be as flexible nor would we want to drive the 2.5 hours there or back. 

The first flight was uneventful. We were in the very back two rows but it was a non-issue. 

At the Atlanta airport we waited an extremely long time for Chick-Fil-A. C had about run out of patience at this point since it was already bedtime, he hadn't eaten dinner and there was a whole extra flight to go.  

Everyone was happy to eat and get on the next flight which was basically empty. We were still the furthest back row of passengers but there were empty rows behind us and there were so many empty seats on the flight. This plane was big and had the screens to watch shows which was a novelty and made the kids happy!

I myself watched some favorite moments from Mamma Mia! The Wedding Planner and Frozen before I switched to flight tracker. 

Hello Florida! 

We got off the plane and headed to the hotel. We checked in, got the kids in pajamas and they were asleep within a half hour of the plane landing. The MCO Hyatt isn't the cheapest option but it's convenience could not be beat. 

We weren't in a rush Tuesday morning as we weren't initially planning to arrive in Florida until 1:00 in the afternoon. So we slept as long as we could... it wasn't too long. And we headed out! 

We stopped to look at the planes because why not?! Then we took a pit stop at the airport mural before we went downstairs to catch a bus. 

As luck would have it there was a bus ready and waiting so we just walked right on. We were the second to the last people on the bus and before we knew it we made it to Walt Disney World! We had a really great bus driver, his name was Gregory Moore and C still talks about him. Sometimes it's the little things that make a big impact. 

We checked in and a room was available which was awesome. And we turned around and GOOFY was there and he hit the final check in button for us! So... that was kinda cool. I didn't get a picture of that though because I wasn't anticipating needing that. We ditched our bags at bell services so we could eat breakfast without all the stuff. 

After we were fed and some of us were caffeinated, we went back to bell services to get our bags and the grocery delivery I had waiting. And we made our way to our room. We stayed at Art of Animation in a Little Mermaid room. 

And we were all happy to finally be at Disney. Hours earlier than we anticipated. So the kids went swimming. We knew that it was going to get cool the next two days so if they wanted to swim at Disney this was their chance. It was cloudy pretty much the entire time we were in Florida but it was quite temperate. 

I read my book. It was a swell deal.

After swimming, we changed and went for a Skyliner ride to Hollywood Studios! 

M took a picture with a palm tree because she was so happy. 

Then we took a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's a resort I have never been to and while I am no stranger to resort hopping Colleen's adventure made me want to see the giraffes too!

We enjoyed exploring the resort and seeing the animals. I think if I were going on an adults-only trip with minimal park days I would stay there. It was very peaceful. 

After exploring the resort pretty thoroughly, we boarded a bus for Magic Kingdom! 

Then we got on the monorail for the resort loop. 

We got off at the Polynesian because we had dinner reservations at 'Ohana. (That we had booked 60 days prior so this wasn't copying Colleen though it sure seems like we were. I attribute this to great minds.) I think it's one of my favorite restaurants. The noodles. The steak. The dumplings. The bread. The dessert! It's all so so good. We loved this live musician too, and the kids even knew all the words to one of the songs that I am quite sure I've never heard before. Sometimes these two amaze me. 

We had breakfast there our last meal of the last trip. This was meant to be the first meal of our trip. As it turns out, our first flight out of home wouldn't have been canceled with the weather, but the original flight out of Atlanta was delayed so much that I don't think that we would have made our Ohana reservation. So I am glad it all worked out well. 

Oh! AND it was a snow day so the kids didn't even miss school. We kept joking that it was the best snow day ever! 

While we were at Ohana a big storm came through. We told the kids to eat slowly because we wanted the rain to be over before we left. That worked out, it was just drizzling as we monorail-ed to MK and bused back to AOA. 

We had one more surprise up our sleeve... one of our favorite friends from home was also at Disney World and staying at AOA so we "happened to bump into them." 

M was delighted. Then the kids all played and the grown-ups chatted and it was really great to see them. 

After we checked out their room, a Little Nemo suite, we said goodnight to them and headed to bed so we could get ready for our first park day! 

Ahoy There!

So in the last week, our little corner of the world has been hit with record snow and cold. You know me, I am always up for a blog post about the weather... only thing is, we didn't experience it at all. 

Turns out friends that I had previously scheduled our vacation for January 9-15. On Monday the 8th Delta sent an email that the storm might impact our flights, and we were able to change them to that afternoon. So we jumped at the chance, pulled the kids from school at noon, and went home to finish packing. 

Our land and sea trip began a day early and we got back home so late on the 15th that it was already the 16th. But it didn't matter because while we were still in Atlanta we got the information that school was cancelled for the crazy cold. 

I wasn't sad about that. We got a day at home to reconvene and prepare ourselves for real life to start again. I am still sad that this morning they're at school and I am at work and life marches on. But... it was a really great vacation and I am excited to tell you about it! 

A Quiet Weekend

We had a very low-key weekend. That's my favorite kind. 

We went to Staples for some supplies. The kids were very whiny about this idea and then found a bunch of things they wanted. 

I was delighted two find to "Grab and Go" board games, Monopoly and Clue on clearance for $2.46 each!!! I snagged them and told the kids their classroom Secret Santa for next year was done. 

I spent some time in quiet with my friend Jesus. Sometimes I do that. It's good for my heart. 

This made me laugh yesterday so I sent it to my friend, our secretary! I let her know Joe was praying for her! 

We are supposed to get a big snowstorm and everyone is hoping for a snow day. I am meh on the whole thing but I can't control it. So we will see! 

First Friday of the Year!

Well, we made it. The first Friday of the year. That sounds dramatic I know but these past 3 days have really kicked my butt. 

This made me laugh but also... SO true! I am very glad it's Friday even though there are a million things to do this weekend. And still today to be honest.

We've been trying to keep the Christmas spirit by playing games and having fun together. M got Rummikub for Christmas so that was a fun evening. 

I got my dad a Bird Buddy for his birthday. He's had it since July I think. (It was back ordered.) This isn't an ad, just a story about something I actually bought. 

Well, my dad really loves cardinals. He calls all male cardinals "my Cardinal Buddy" and it was really bugging him he couldn't get one to come to his fancy feeder. He got a bunch of other birds and that was fun, but he was holding out for a cardinal. 

He even ordered himself the perch accessory attachment. (Which was unfortunate because I was going to get him accessories for the next upcoming gift-giving events and he beat me to it... but he can do what he wants!)

Anyway, yesterday I got an email with the subject line: FINALLY

And just this picture attached. 

He was very excited about it!! 

And that's about what I know. It isn't much I am afraid. Have a good weekend!

Back To It

After 13 fantastic days of... well actually a lot was packed into those 13 days but nevertheless... we are back. 

Admittedly, I am not sure anyone was particularly thrilled about this. But here they are, in my office, waiting to go line up with the rest of the school. 

Extra supplies in hand. Except for the loose-leaf paper, partly because I forgot about it. Partly because I have yet to see M use loose-leaf paper which makes me hesitant to go buy another pack. But they both have the fresh markers, crayons, pencils asked for and M has the Clorox Wipes (though Amazon brand because I am fancy like that) tissues, and paper towels asked for as well. 

So now I should probably stop writing and get back to it myself. Happy Wednesday! 

Come on Barbie, Let's Go Party!

For M's birthday, we gifted her lunch at the Malibu Barbie Cafe at the Mall of America over our Christmas break. The entire experience was absolutely the best and totally worth it. M wore her "In My Barbie Era" shirt. I should have planned a pink themed outfit for myself but I didn't. It was okay though, plenty of people were not in pink. (Though there were absolutely whole groups decked out too.) 

This is what it looks like from outside in Nickelodeon Universe. 

Once inside, there was a little shop for merchandise. And this photo op. But it was the only section you could go in without a reservation. 

Luckily, we had one! (And had since September.) The hosts were turning people away right and left. This is only a pop-up and will only be at MOA until January 14. It's kind of genius how they're doing it since you have to order your food when you buy the tickets so they know EXACTLY what food to order. Yes there were some apps and some dessert choices but for the most part that would make it incredibly easy to order cases of food. 

While we waited for our 90 minutes in the cafe to begin, we got to sit in the waiting area and take some pictures. 

It's a bit of bummer that SpongeBob is in the picture too... but that's the reality of the situation. 

The hopscotch was a good way to use energy. We liked to look at the Barbie "History of the Beach" scenes too. 

Once we got into the cafe, the photo ops didn't stop. 

This below is my favorite picture... we got seated early and the other tables hadn't filled in yet. So you can see the whole scope of it. And it just makes me so happy. The whole cafe was so darling! 

We had a nice chat the two of us, and we ate our food. M had the pink pancakes and I had a beach burger. We both got pink lemonade too because... obviously at the Barbie cafe a pink drink is necessary. 

After we ate, M went rollerskating. The skating rink portion was teeny tiny, but it was for the experience not to show off your excellent skills. She had a good time. And I think only fell once. 

Husband came to the mall with us and he did his own thing. But I sent him a text and he met us by the rollerskating part. (It was the only bit you could see from Nickelodeon Universe.) I was able to hand him our doggie bags, so he got a lunch out of it too even without a reservation or joining us inside. But then he also got to delight in watching M roller skate too. 

We had to sign a waiver about all the injuries: we opted for a helmet and wrist guards for the experience. Knee pads and elbow pads felt like overkill for the size of the space. It was funny to me that some of the girls were wearing wrist guards upside down... and they wouldn't have helped prevent a wrist injury. 

I once broke my arm roller skating so I felt like wrist guards weren't a bad option. And I think she looks cute in the helmet anyhow. 

Even the skate return was cute! 

I may have taken a picture of M by everything in the whole cafe. No shame. 

She wasn't amused that I took a picture in the bathroom but look at the mirror?! It's adorable. And true.  I hope she remembers that forever. 

Even the elevator was decorated. (We took the stairs up and the elevator down so we could say we did it all!) 

I am thrilled we went. Spending a little one-on-one time with my girl doing girly things was the best. I love Barbie. I loved playing Barbies when I was young. I love the Aqua song. I love that M loves Barbies too. (I actually watched the movie from my living room yesterday. I don't know how I feel about it. I didn't love it. And it obviously wasn't a factor towards going... And this wasn't a movie tie-in which I am glad about. Just Malibu Barbie.) 

What was neat was that it wasn't just young girls at the Cafe. Though there were plenty. I saw Moms, Grandmas, and mother/daughter pairings of all ages there to enjoy Barbie. To be fair, there were some dads and brothers too. M did say she was glad C didn't come since the grumpy brothers were ruining it for the sisters. She's astute that girl of mine. 

If you ever get a chance to visit the Malibu Barbie Cafe, I'd say it was worth it! It is a good one-time experience for sure!