Hollywood Studios

The next day was reserved for Hollywood Studios.  It was going to be a big one.  Animal Kingdom closes earlier than any of the parks, so we had plenty of rest the night before.  We were set to close this place down.

It was another beautiful day.  It might have been the warmest day we had.  The first thing we did was buy a small stroller near the entrance.  (Jesse spent a little too much time on my love's shoulders the day before.  I am the unprepared mother of the year.)



I have never been to this park either.  I remember walking in and not knowing which way to go.



I didn't read the Disney book on this one...or any of them really.  Who really has time for that anyway? I do not have a picture of the kids here.  I must have been walking with a large map in front of my face right at this point.  I knew I needed to find the big rides.  The place felt pretty crowded, and that wasn't expected on this Monday.



We found the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster after another pit stop for hats at Planet Hollywood.  (At least they were buy one get one half price.)



We took turns riding with Jonah.  This ride is just so cool and if you are an Aerosmith fan, then it is icing on the cake.



While I was waiting my turn to ride with Jonah, Jesse and I entertained ourselves in different ways.



She made silly faces in her new ride and new hat.



Oh my.



And she was super patient when Jonah just HAD to go ahead and ride the Tower of Terror next.  There was some pouting.  She thinks she should be able to do everything.



Ok, so we shopped some too.  This is Marie from the Disney movie Aristocats.  She loves her.  Gosh, I have a lot of pictures of her during this time.



I was just excited thinking about Jonah and my love and listening to the screams coming from the Tower, and looking forward to riding with him myself.

I had a special moment with Jonah on his second free fall in the Tower.  There was a nice couple in front of us in line.  We learned that they were on vacation without their little ones.  I remember the man's facial expression when Jonah told him his name.  I remember the man asking Jonah if he knew the story about Jonah and the Whale.  I remember Jonah's grin when he said yes.

Jonah proceeded to tell them all about the ride ahead.  He was talking so mature as if to prepare them not to be scared.  They played along (as if they had not ridden it before) and listened to all of his advice accordingly.  By the time we were at the top and strapping down in our seats, the "guys" were yelling at each other making jokes.  I can't remember the exact conversations, but watching him interact with this couple was enlightening.  I remember the way he held his hand out and asked the lady to go in the elevator first.  I remember how confident and brave he sounded.  He was a young man.  He was a young man riding the Tower of Terror with his hands in the air.  It was a great, proud moment.



There were special moments with Jesse as well...like finding the perfect lollipop and remembering to grab one for her brother too.



It was her turn for some adventure though, and she chose the Beauty and the Beast show.



It was really neat and she enjoyed it so much.  The boys...well, that's a different story.  Jonah went from mature, young man to pouty toddler in like two seconds.  "But why do we have to watch this?"  He had just hit the biggest, best rides of the park, and he was just too high to sit through this, but he did.



I'm so glad.  I do believe Jesse was glad he and her Dad were there.



The music and the story was really great.



Somehow I can lose myself in these shows and really feel it like I have no idea how it is going to end.



But...you know how it ends.



The Beast is actually this guy with the strange looking wig that I am now noticing but didn't so much during the show.



I wish I had a photo of Jesse's face lighting up as she saw Belle in her signature dress.  It was impossible with her in my lap, but I can still see it in my mind.

I believe we left the show and went straight to Toy Story which was just so dang fun.  It is a 3D interactive experience that's a must do.  Then, we walked around a little.



Water was blasting from this truck, and of course that drew the kids to it.



Who needs live shows and roller coasters?



There was some sort of Muppet Show experience or show here we missed out on.  I thought we would make it back, and we didn't.  Hope to see it one day.



Look!  It's a Jonah statue standing in front of a fake San Francisco.  This picture makes me laugh.  It's the awkward smile and stiff pose I guess.  So sweet of him to stop for me though.



And we were pretty dang excited about Star Wars.  I knew we all could ride, and I knew it was going to be great.



It was also a 3D experience.  This was a highlight and one of our favorite rides.  I mean who wouldn't love a trip through the galaxy with their family?  It rocked.



It was a dream come true.



I did not expect this though.  The Indiana Jones show blew me away.



Ms. Kelly had made the kids a list of things they must do and this was on it.



It was a live stunt show.



They included the audience and showed us how it all happens, but sitting back and watching the action was the best part.



The flames from the fire warmed our faces.



Backdrops would move and collapse and suddenly there were airplanes and more fire.  It was out of this world and a must see.  (This was M's favorite.  I think I'm going to start calling him M...even though he will always be my love...maybe a little of both.)

You know, we were pretty much a thrill seeking family on this trip, but slowing down for the shows from time to time was a treat.  There was only one show where our little family split up, and that was this one.  Jonah was aching to ride the coasters again, and Jesse was aching to see Ariel.



The Little Mermaid...what is it about a Princess singing that always makes me cry?



Ursula the mean.  "We do not like her!" Jesse said.



We were near the stage and were sometimes splashed with soft sprays of water.  These Disney people really know what they are doing.



Oh, the happy endings.  More tears.  I loved sharing this with Jesse.  It will always be high up there on the mother-daughter experiences.

We ended our night all back together at Fantasmic.  I took mostly video of the night show.  If I was good at editing video, I would show you some of it, but honestly, it wouldn't do it justice.  You just have to see that one.  It will knock your socks off.  You will walk out in pure amazement and joy.

Wow, I even narrowed that down.  That was it!

We headed to the hotel way after dark and rested up for the Magic Kingdom the next day.

To be continued...

Animal Kingdom

I really wanted to share these.  I loved looking back at our Disney Vacation from back in the Fall...hope you enjoy.

This was the the first morning of the first full day at Disney World.  The backpack was packed with necessities.  I had my brand new sling camera bag wrapped around me like a true geek.  My kids were already loading up on sugar.  We were ready.





We stayed at a Hilton on Disney property.  Their buses took us where we needed to go.



Jesse can hardly contain her excitement.  I'm worried about this kid.



Our first stop and first day was at Animal Kingdom.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.



Sorry I made you guys stop and smile...I couldn't help myself.  Oh, I don't regret it.



We literally walked in as they opened the gates and went straight to the safari.



I have a couple of animal lovers who were thrilled about this place.







This was my first trip to Animal Kingdom.  I was amazed.



It almost didn't seem real.



But these animals were definitely real and roaming freely around us.



The even blocked our way one time.



We went exploring after the Safari and found this guy.



Beautiful.



Somehow I remembered to stop and get a family photo from time to time.



And Jesse stopped to try on hats.  "Do you like my hat?" (Name that book..."I do.  What a hat!  I like that party hat!  Good-by!  Good-by!)



I had no idea how much Animal Kingdom had to offer.





We were on a train here heading towards the petting area.



Jonah walked around and met the animals and pet them nicely.  Jesse chased them with that brush as if she was getting them all ready for the ball that evening or something.



Mt. Everest...Jonah was so pumped about this ride.



You see him in the above picture?  He's looking at me way down on the ground.  "I see you Jonah!"



And down he soon came while Jesse and I watched.  She was not happy that she was not tall enough for this one.  Next time baby girl...next time.



She was tall enough for Kali River Rapids and oh my, my, my.  We did get wet.



We stopped for the shows as well.  The Festival of the Lion King was amazing.



This is such a small example and really doesn't do it justice...but you get the idea.



I loved it.



We did so much more.  It's Tough to be a Bug in the base of the Tree of Life here was a really cool experience.   Oh, and the Dinosaur ride was great!

I feel like I was just there all over again.  Thanks for hanging in there while I relive this!

It was a perfect start to our week.  Next day was Hollywood Studios...I'll share that next time.

I was so Mad

I have written so many posts through the end of 2012 and never published them.  It just didn't feel right.  I think my heart just wasn't in the right place and it didn't feel real, so I took a break.
...

Have you ever read that book "I was so Mad" by Mercer Mayer?  Mayer has an entire collection of children's books about this little critter going through typical child like scenarios.  Jesse loves them all, but this story especially.  I love reading it to her because I really know how the little critter feels.  I love how the story starts.  "I wanted to keep some frogs in the bathtub, but Mom wouldn't let me.  I was so mad."

I get that. (I highly suggest reading this to your child if you've had a bad day.  Boy do I get into the "I was so mad" parts and Jesse loves it.)

I was just mad about some things toward the end of the year.  I was mad about those sweet, innocent lives lost.  Pretty pictures and silly stories about my life didn't seem to matter.

I was mad about work.  It's hard lately.  Free time for this little hobby is slim.

I am still mad sometimes that she's not here to scream at the ref during Jonah's basketball games and to make Jesse's birthday cake next month.  Sometimes I get mad no matter how long it has been, but even that felt stupid to say.

Anywho...lots of things can make one mad.

It is a wonderful world though, and I am sorry I waste time being mad about things I can't change.  I am human though, and these things happen.  I keep thinking I am going to find my super human power.  I am still waiting on it.

Just kidding.

Not really.

So this is what I do till my powers surface, I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.

Hey yo...it's a new year, and the kids are back in school tomorrow.  Yikes.

Happy 2013 folks.

I went through some pictures recently and these made me smile.  I'm sort of behind.





Gosh, back from Halloween.  I can't believe I never went through all those till now.



I posted the family Halloween shot on Facebook in a moment of weakness.  I was just so proud of it.  Thanks for the shot Aunt Kelly.



I adore these photos.



Bright yellow is just what I need.



Big smiles and bright yellow flowers.



I do love them.



If Jesse had her way, we would have dug them all up and brought them home.  I need to find some to plant in our yard for her.



Jonah climbed a tree while she was picking flowers.



And she will not let him out do her in anything I am afraid.  So my love hoisted her up there too.



Oh, the people I love.  These were great days back in the Fall.

I have so enjoyed sitting at my computer and going through photos again.  I think not making time for it is a very bad idea.  I think I need this for some strange reason.  It really does help remind me of the wonderful moments that outweigh the hard times.  I believe that was my intention wasn't it?

I worked on our vacation from back in September the last few days, and I think I'll share some of that.  Maybe I'll get to Christmas in July?

Dusting myself off.

How does that book end? I believe the little critter's Mom says he could play with friends, and he replies to her, "I'll run away tomorrow...if I'm still so mad."

That's a good idea.  Chances are that there will always be more good than bad and more happy than mad.  Don't you think?

Candy Cigarettes and a Famous Encounter

Do you guys remember candy cigarettes?  I remember two different kinds from my childhood.

The first and favorite ones I remember were actually pink, bubble gum sticks wrapped in white paper.  On the end of each "cigarette" was a white, powdery substance.  If you blew on the cigarette, the white powder (which was some form of powdered sugar) would flow into the air.  Once you were done "puffing" your cigarette, you would unwrap the thing and chew it just till it was old enough to grab another.

The second kind I remember were just the white, thin sugar sticks.  These you had to be a little more creative with while you pretended to smoke.  The poor design just led to not pretending at all and just gobbling up the sticks.

Sorry, I grew up in the south.  I rode my bike to the country store and bought a lot of candy.  I am not ashamed.

Anyway, tonight, as I rummaged through Jesse's Halloween candy, I found a little cardboard candy box that was unfamiliar.  The box had an Avengers theme.  I opened the little box, and low and behold, inside were the white, second rated candy cigarettes!  Except, they were not labeled cigarettes....no, no...they were just called "candy sticks."  They tasted just like they used to though.

Boy, that really took me back.  All of the sudden, I'm riding down the road on my bike, one hand on the wheel and my candy cigarette in the other.  I was a model kid, that's for sure.

I am so behind on this blog, and I choose to talk about candy cigarettes.  I do not plan these things.  I am sorry.  I am just so thankful that I never felt the need to smoke the real ones, and more so that my daughter doesn't even know what a cigarette is.

Anyway....

We met someone!  We met someone on a Monday night in the city!  I drove Jesse all the way into town to meet my friend Heather and her darling son, Miles (Jesse's buddy), and we met her!  We were so excited.



Guess who?



Guess who was at the Little Shop of Stories signing her new Christmas themed Charlie book?



You got it!  It was the one and only Pioneer Woman!  She was so fabulous in person.  She is just like she is on her cooking show and exactly how she is on her blog.  She's the real deal, and she looked beautiful.



Jesse was thrilled to meet her.  She watches her on the Food Network with me and has always loved her first Charlie book.  She couldn't wait to get the new Charlie Christmas book and meet her in person.

Jesse wrote her a letter while we were waiting in traffic to see her.  She was so thrilled to give it to her.



We waited a long time for this opportunity.  I believe we got home around 11:00 that night.  It was so worth it.



But I have to say, being there with Heather and Miles topped it all.

Thank you Heather for hanging in there with us after our long day of work, and for reading stories to our sweet, patient kids while I nervously awaited seeing Ree in person.

I had so much to say to The Pioneer Woman.  Like, "I love your photography!"  "I dream about your mashed potatoes."  "I think your blog is fabulous, funny, and incredibly entertaining."  Or even, "Can I please visit the Ranch some day?"  But, all I said walking up to her with Jesse was, "She loves Charlie."

That's all I said.  That's it.  After all that time, that's all I said.  I'm such a goober.

If I could talk to her tonight, I would ask her if she remembers those candy cigarettes.  She would say "Yes!" We would talk about it for hours, and she and Heather and I would be best friends forever.

It's a fun thought anyway.