This Is what I want to remember

I picked Kinley up early from school today.  Just after she ate lunch.  It's cold and windy and cloudy outside and if I'm being honest, I didn't feel like leaving the house again today to go get her.   She was so happy to see me and chatted the entire way home.  This afternoon we danced and sang songs and she took her dolls for numerous trips around the living room in their stroller.  We had a lollipop and she told me to stop doing my homework when I got distracted with my planner.  

It's now well past nap time but I told her I would rock her for a bit.  She fell asleep almost instantly but still, I sit here.  

These days of rocking and naps are numbered.   I realize that.  So I sit in the chair that used to be my Mimi's and Pappy's and my thoughts drift to them as I rock my last baby  and my furry baby stands guard. 

I write these things down so that I can remember them some day.  I hope it works because it doesn't get much better than this.  

Home Again, Home Again

We returned home late last night after a day of traveling that, in truth, went well.   We were told that our flight from Orlando would be bumpy, and it was, but not more than we could handle.  

We stopped around 9pm for a bite to eat.  Even though we were just 15 minutes from home, we had no food in the house.  So, over our last restaurant meal of the week we reflected again on our trip.  How much fun we had,  our favorite food,'our favorite day, favorite rides and there were more tears about going home.  This time from Cooper.  The poor kid is so tired and has cried silently all day.   He just wants to stay a few more days.   It seems to be a recurring theme with the kids and in truth makes Earl and I feel good and bad at the same time.  Of course we don't like to see them cry.  When Cooper rang the traditional cow bell at the resort one last time as tears rolled downs his cheeks it was all I could do to keep myself together.  But at the same time we know that they wouldn't want to stay if they weren't having a great time.  That makes all the hard work of Disney worth it. 

Today it's back to reality, though the thought of a whole weekend looming before us is blissful.   Between the unpacking and grocery shopping and Penn State football, I intend to soak ip a little more time with my family before the magic of our vacation completely wears off.  

Our Last Day

It's after midnight as I write this.  Today I spent my 36th birthday at the Magic Kingdom with my family.   We has dinner at the castle, where we dined like "royalty".  

We met with fairies....

And had a dance party on Main Street.

We rode rides together,

Laughed together and 

Made so many memories. 

People often ask why we keep coming back here.   The truth is, that it really is magical for us.   Our time here is so precious to us in ways I can't put to words.  

Tonight as we walked out of the park I noticed McKenna was crying.  She is not my crier but I figured she was upset because she didn't get the carmel apple we had talked about for days.   Her tears weren't because of the apple but because she didn't want to leave.   She said at dinner when we wished on stars she wished we could stay just one more day. Me too sweet girl. 

I will always, always cherish our magical time here together.   

Another Magical Day

We were up and out early this morning.  I love to be at the opening of the Magic Kingdom.  
The crowds at the parks have been really manageable, making it ideal for meeting characters.   Kinley wasn't sure she wanted to meet Peter Pan at first.   She was nervous that Captain Hook might be lurking around nearby. 

I found these two cuties on Main Street.  Apparently they belong to me, although they look way too grown up.   I'll keep them though. 

Cooper and I couldn't miss a trip on Goofy's roller coaster.   We were spectators at a few shows and the afternoon parade today.   We did some more rides before coming back jus after supper.   This year has been challenging as far as rides go.  We have three kids with three very different likes and abilities.  Kinley and Cooper want to greet characters.  McKenna wants to watch shows.  Earl can't ride anything that goes in a circle.  Sigh.  Luckily Magic Kingdom offers the biggest variety of rides that we can all agree on and ride!

We have been enjoying the newly renovated Fantsyland.  Today we stopped for a picture in front of Rapunzel's castle.  Pretty cool. 

Tonight is the last "warm" evening we will

have.  Tomorrow's high is only 65 and the forcast is for lots of wind.  It's not quite what we were hoping for but it's not rain or snow and so we will take it!   As I write the kids are enjoying one last swim. I haven't had it in me to get in the water this week.  Instead, Earl and I sit poolside in our sweatshirts and watch the kids continuously come down the waterslide.  How they have an ounce of energy left for swimming at the end of the day is beyond me!

We are off to a character breakfast tomorrow, followed by Epcot and hopeful some shopping in downtown Disney.   Hard to believe we have just two days left.  I'm trying my hardest to enjoy the magical time we have left.  

All Worth It

For months I been planning and strategizing and packing and stressing over our Disney trip.   Not in a bad way, but I like to think of everything.  So far all of my efforts are paying off.  We are having the best time. 

These photos aren't the greatest since they are quick snapshots I took with my iPhone.  But they are worth blogging. 

McKenna and Cooper are seasoned Disney park travelers and have been great.  Kinley is the one who has shocked us the most though.   She is having a blast and we are loving watching her take in every minute of it.  She has been a trooper in just about every aspect.   We just pray it keeps up the rest of the week!

For now, this mama is going to get some rest.   We all know it's few and far between at Disney. 

Let's Try This Again...With Photos This Time!

Warning : You probably have read this post already, only without the pictures.  If so, feel free to skip the content but not the action shots!


As of this past Saturday, Cooper's first season of flag football is officially in the books.

I wish I had a better picture of Cooper and Coach Paul.   From day one Cooper gravitated to Paul and claimed him as his favorite coach.  For his part, Coach Paul did the best job of encouraging Cooper, praising him and celebrating his victories. 

Regrettably, Cooper didn't score any touchdowns and his team didn't win a single game.  Ask him if he cares...He will tell you he doesn't.  We are happiest that if nothing else, he had a great time, made some new friends and showed a lot of improvement throughout the season.  He played his little heart out, never gave up and never once cried.  This is a big one when you're dealing with five and six year olds playing football.  Trust me on that one.

 

McKenna and Kinley are not sad to see football be over.  The last game was COLD and pretty much solidified McKenna's loathing of all things flag football.  God bless her though, she was at just about every game and practice.  I suppose she's allowed to be glad that it's over.

Pappy Richard gets the Pappy of the Year award for attending EVERY.SINGLE.GAME!  Even Mommy and Daddy can't say that we were at every game.  Mimi came in a close second, missing only one.  Needless to say, they set the bar pretty high, sometimes traveling alomst an hour to watch this cute little guy learn to play the game that our family loves.
Great season, Coop!  We love you and have loved watching you play!

Show Me the Money

Last Christmas, Grammy Musial got us a nifty change jar.  It counts the money as you deposit it in the jar.   During the summer the kids started to collect change to fill the jar.  They loved putting change in and coming to announce the dollar amount.   We decided at that time to let them see how much they could collect.  Whatever was in the jar come November would be theirs to take to Disney for soveniers.   The kids really got into it and soon even family members were bringing them change for their jar. 

A few weeks ago we sorted and wrapped all the change.  Saturday morning we took our bag of loot to the bank to cash it in for the big bucks.

Cooper was the most interested in what was going on behind the counter.  He wanted to make sure they were counting it right!  Really, I think he was most interested in the total.  

The kids split the money three ways and now they each have just over fifty dollars to spend on what they want at Disney.  I can't imagine what they will come home with or more importantly how many hours will be spent while they deliberate on how they will spend their money.  I am going to go out on a limb and predict that McKenna will spend all of hers and Cooper will bring most if his home.  Regardless of what they decide I hope this was a good lesson for them in saving money.  And incase you're wondering, our jar is already back to $3.96!