Monday, February 28, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

...rainy and gray.  I am very much missing the sunny Florida days last week.


I am thinking...

...about how in the world my first baby is now 8 years old?  I had him on my 24th birthday, so you can do the math to see how old I am too.  We celebrated our birthdays with breakfast in bed and ice cream at the airport.  Phil's family had a cake for us On Saturday while we were in Maryland, and John-Paul will have another party this weekend with my side of the family.


I am thankful for...

...precious vacation time together as a family.  Eamon said it best "this is the bestest vacation EVER!"  We wholeheartedly agree.  We are also thankful for my parents who gave us a place to stay in FL, Phil's parents who gave us some spending money, and two people (who wish to remain anonymous) who helped us out with DisneyWorld tickets.  There is no way we would have been able to take this vacation without all the help :)

From the kitchen...

...the menu for the week includes: roast chicken and mashed potatoes, ravioli, veggie burgers and salad, pizza, and chicken divan.


I am wearing...

...Brown maternity pants, a white Maternity button-up shirt, and brown boots.  The shirt accentuates the bump :)


I am creating...

...a baby. 


I am going...

...to stop eating ice cream every day - geesh!


I am reading...

...nothing.  I just read about St. Gianna, and I'm about to start a a book called Burst to review in the future.


I am hoping...

...that although we are keeping this baby's gender a surprise, I will be able to tell what he/she is just from looking at the screen myself.  Not likely, since I usually can't even differentiate between the head and the belly. 


I am hearing...

...country music on the radio.  Why does it always make me cry?




Around the house...

...Phil ran around like a mad man when we arrived home yesterday and unpacked all our clothes.  Then he went grocery shopping for the week with Maggie while I stayed home with the boys.  I can not say enough wonderful things about my husband, and how helpful he is!  Plus, he's a hottie...I mean how lucky can one girl get?


One of my favorite things...

...blog friends.  Sarah had her baby, and I feel as though I am missing out on not seeing her in real life, even though we've never even met IRL.  Another blog friend, Lisa, is coming up to visit and go to the Mom's Day Away hosted by Faith and Family with me.  I am so excited!


A few plans for the rest of the week:

~Ultrasound on Wednesday and a dinner date with Phil afterward to my favorite restaurant.  They give you a free meal and dessert to use on or around your birthday!
~A wake (Tues) and funeral (Wed) for my boss's father that passed away this weekend.
~A pool party for John-Paul and my niece, Katie's birthdays on Saturday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing:
None, I have already posted a zillion vacation photos over the last couple days. 

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The End of Vacation: Tired Kids and Burnt Legs (mine)

 If you saw this little runt walking around by the pool, how could you not smile?


 The boys.


 The girl.


 The birthday buddies...breakfast in bed!


 Down time ~ watching tv before some MORE swimming.  We swam every day except one.  It was 85 and sunny each day.  Thank You God!



 Driving home from the airport - sleepy heads.



I got this sunburn on the last day in FL (of course!).  My sister the dermatologist is so going to yell at me...sigh!

We had such an awesome trip.  We ate ice cream every day, swam and walked around a TON, and laughed together like crazy.  There were a few meltdowns (ahem...Maggie) but overall the kids did extraordinarily well.  We are saving our money to go back in five years (hopefully!).

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Disney World: Day 2

My Dad, "wearing" his sunscreen.  So punny:


AH, Maggie...so dramatic!


This nice guy, working at the Buzz Lightyear ride, stopped to talk to Eamon who was wearing his new Buzz Lightyear hat from Gammy.  He discovered that Eamon is a HUGE fan of Buzz Lightyear, and gave us a pass to come back anytime and skip the line.  So Eamon got to go on his favorite ride three times!

The boys thought their great laser skills on the ride were actually the reason the Zurg was imprisoned!


Sometimes she's nice...


Snow White...that's for you, Laura:


Dopey...that's for you, Mom:


The sword in the stone:



Splash Mountain ~ John-Paul and Andrew in the last row, Phil, Eamon & Maggie in front of them:



So I have one bone to pick with Disney.  Not only do you have to wait in line for rides (understandable) but you also have to wait in line to meet the characters.  I think they should have the characters waiting by the rides with the long lines, so that halfway through the line-ride, you get to meet the character.  Makes sense, right?



Enjoying our tropical soft serve and pineapple floats..mmm!



Dumbo.  The longest ride we had to wait in for the worst ride.  But the littles wanted to do it :)




Eamon's Buzz Lightyear hat glows in the dark, so on every ride that went inside, he would take off his hat and look at it with pride.  So cute!


Shooting The Evil Emperor Zurg:



The Making Dreams Come True Parade:



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Disney World: Day One

The Magic Kingdom Castle (for Lilly, my niece):



Grandpa and John-Paul go for a spin:



Phil, Andrew and Eamon are speedsters:



Maggie LOVES Minnie Mouse:



The Mad Tea Cups:


We happened to walk in front of the castle right before Mickey's show was going to start.  It was awesome!





Waiting in line...



Waiting for the parade:





And here it comes!!!









On the ferry ride back to the car:




A story: A little girl (about 3) lost her Mickey balloon when she got on the ferry.  She was crying hysterically, and we all felt so sorry for her.   The balloon flew off, but had a weight on the bottom of the string so it was dragging across the water and up onto the coast.  A Disney worker jumped in his speedboat and raced off after it across the water and beached his boat, hopped off, and ran up the coast to catch it.  He got it!  Then he drove his boat to where we were getting off the ferry and gave it back to the little girl.  Everyone on the ferry was watching the exciting chase scene, and cheering loudly for the heroic balloon catcher.  It was great!