Disney - Day #1

 Normally when we go to Disney World, we max out our first day.  We get up at the crack of dawn and head to the airport right away, rush to the parks and try to spend our first half day at one of the parks getting some rides in.  This year we decided to do things differently.  We wanted to relax a bit instead of rushing around.  So we planned our first day to be at the hotel.  The kids LOVE the pool and are always asking when we're going to swim, so we decided to spend our first half day swimming.  We ordered a late afternoon lunch to the pool, Ryan and I got a few drinks and we just relaxed.  It was amazing!!!!

Then, in true winging it style, we got dressed and walked next door to The Beach Club Resort to see if there was a table available at Beaches n Cream.  I have totally been wanting to get one of the Kitchen Sink sundaes for the boys, but it has never worked out on our previous tripos.  Today was our lucky day because right as we got there a table was opening up and we were able to sit.  And look at this sundae!!!!!!  It's hard to even gauge the size looking at the picture, but it was huge!!!  Not something to be easily forgotten!!

Even with all five of us sharing this one sundae, we still couldn't finish it.  Although I think we made a pretty good dent in it.  ;)

After our bellies were entirely full and happy, we decided to call it a night.  We were exhausted and wanted to get a good night's rest leading into our first full day.  

Once we were back at the hotel, showered and ready for bed, I got a text message from Sarah on my phone.  It was a picture of her and Stacey in the lobby of our hotel.  She had been hinting about coming to Disney the same weekend we were here, and joked with Joe about sneaking into his suitcase...so you can imagine how excited he was when he saw they were actually here.  Can't wait to hang with them tomorrow...but for tonight, this crew is off to bed!

Disney - Travel Day

 Today's the Day!!!!  All our bags are packed (Marie Kondo style) and we're ready to go.

We made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

While we were waiting to board the plane, Joe was sitting in the window and waved at the pilot.  He in turned pointed to Joe and motioned for him to come see him.

When we walked onto the plane we told the flight attendant what the pilot did and she directed us to the cockpit.  I don't know if this is some secret we never knew about or if this was just our lucky day, but the pilot took all three boys into the cockpit and let them each sit in his seat.  As a grown adult I thought this was a super cool experience, so I can only imagine how the boys felt.  When I was little, all I got was a pin with wings on it!  ;)

Truthfully I felt a little nervous traveling, espeically flying on a plane, during COVID.  But I was tired of being cooped up, had read how safe planes were, and honestly just needed to get away.  I was pleasantly surprised with all the changes the airline had made.  As you walk on the plane they give you a sanitizing wipe to use for your seat, tray table, arm rests...whatever you feel needs it.  And when it's time for the beverage cart to come by, they give you a prepacakged bag with a bottle of water, a bag of pretzels, some cookies and another sanitizing wipe.  You can also ask for another beverage to go along with it.

The boys are so used to having snacks at school that they were great at taking a bite and then pulling their masks back up.  It's crazy to think that it's just how they're used to doing things now.

After a relatively uneventful flight, and a few movies later, we made it to Florida!!

Fully Vaccinated!!

 We leave for Disney tomorrow and it's official....I'm fully vaccinated!  Yes, I know it takes a week to fully take effect, but at least it's something.  Fingers crossed I don't have too many side effects from the vaccine.  Although it would take a lot to ruin a Disney trip for me.  ;)

Puppy Snuggles

 I don't know if I will ever grow tired of the kids snuggling with Dottie.  In case it isn't clear, she is 100% under the assumption that she is a lap dog.

Apologies

 This morning Owen and I were having a disagreement with his math homework.  When he gets frustrated with a problem, he shuts down and doesn't want to listen.  We were both getting super frustrated with each other and I've learned that sometimes you just need to walk away and both calm down.  I left to go run an errand and he knew I was upset.  When I came back, I walked back in to find this note.  He had completed the problem and apologized.

It was such a sweet gesture and makes me so happy to know that he truly cares about people and is able to apologize when he feels he was wrong.  

As I looked closer at the problem, I realize what I gave him was truly unsolveable because I had made a mistake in my math creating the problem.  Turns out we both learned a lesson.  I owned up to my mistake and apologized to him as well.  Even adults can make mistakes. ;)

Morton Arboretum - Part 2

Miles and I had so much fun at the Arboretum the other day, that we decided to bring the rest of our crew back to enjoy it with us.  Once again, it didn't disappoint.

Morton Arboretum with Miles

 It won't be long before Miles will be in full day school and these little outings of ours will be a distant memory.  So I'm trying to soak it up as much as I can.  The Morton Arboretum continues to be one of our favorite places to go.  It's such a fun place with so much to keep him busy!!  Ponds, frogs, things to climb on, suspension bridges, mazes and so much more.

Miles and I both walk away feeling a lot more zen.  :)

Yoda Lover

 I'll give you one guess what Joe's favorite character is right now?

Brookfield Zoo Visit

 Today was the perfect day for a quick trip to the zoo.