We love you Mickey, oh yes we do. . .!

I have been procrastinating writing a post about Disney World. I don't know what to say that will do it justice! For those interested, I will give a little summary of our trip, though words can't express how great it was!

We spent 6.5 days in the parks - two days each in Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, one day in Animal Kingdom. Highlights from the parks: For my 7 year old - the Star Wars ride in HS. He would have ridden it all day long (Disney is very sneaky/very smart also - as you exit this ride, you must pass through a store full of Disney-Star Wars toys/souvenirs. Some of us found this very difficult to just pass through!).
The fireworks at Epcot, as well as the wonderful food and princess dinner were amazing. The Spectro Magic parade and fireworks at the Magic Kingdom were fabulous. In Animal Kingdom, The Lion King show was out of this world. Truly Broadway quality.
As I said, words cannot express how truly "magical" it really was. Before we left, as excited as I was, I would have scoffed at using the word "magical". But after experiencing it all, there really is no better word.

A few words to the wise:

The dining plan is WORTH IT! We ate fabulous meals, and had plenty to choose from. We had a delicious sit-down dinner every day, plus a fast-service meal and snack. If you know my husband, you will understand that for our fast-service meal, we did not eat hamburgers. We sought out wonderful places that served unique food. I'm sure we all gained ten pounds during the trip (being pregnant, these pounds do not count for me. I completely stop paying attention when I am with child).

The 3-D shows are SCARY! My kids (and me, too, sometimes), were totally freaked out. My 7 year old, who is normally pretty brave and rides the "big" rides, was burying his face in my shoulder, almost hysterical, during "It's Tough to be a Bug" in Animal Kingdom. These movies are a full-body experience. Beware.

Two words

I will steal my sister's idea for this post. . .

Disney World.
Most amazing.
Kids' faces.
Wonderful weather.
Mickey Mouse.
Princess Mania.
Star Wars.
Still exhausted.
Insane laundry.
More later.
Must nap.

Shall we dance?

We do a lot of dancing at our house. The kids love to dance to funky 70s music with Daddy at night before bed (great wind-down routine, by the way - all the experts recommend wild activity before bed), we do dances when we are happy, proud of each other etc. Maybe you do a lot of dancing at your house, too.

But I'm sure only some of you participate in our most common dance.
The ancient tribal potty dance.

This dance consists of wild jumping and stomping, turning in circles and possibly grabbing at body parts, depending on the intensity of the dance. The dance always ends with the ancient tribal yell "I gotta go potty!!!!". The dancer then pounds down the hallway toward the toilet.

For those of you reading whose children are grown, please remind me that I will miss this dance and the announcement of the coming of bodily fluids that inevitably follows.

Ambidextrous?

A friend recently asked our four year if he was right-handed.

Puzzled, he replied he was not, and held his palms upward. He said, "I'm two-handed!"

Michael Landon, why?

The other night, we were watching a Little House on the Prairie DVD from the library. It was a Christmas episode, and the final scene showed the exchanging of gifts by the Ingalls family. Due to some secrets, Laura sold her horse to buy a stove for Ma, but Pa made a saddle for Laura to use on her horse. Very Gift of the Magi-ish. Laura is sad that her horse was sold (to Nellie Olsen, of all people), but more sad that Pa made a saddle that now cannot be used.
Why am I telling you this?
Because it says something about me. I am crying while watching this. Not just a few tears trickling down, but actually weeping. Michael Landon, why did you insist upon making such tear-jerkers?!?

While we're on the subject of the Ingalls family, a friend from high school recently commented on a picture of me on Facebook. She said that I hadn't aged at all since high school. This made me laugh out loud. I told her that I have aged quite a bit since then. Every time I take my hair out of a ponytail and it falls down around my face, I am reminded of Ma Ingalls taking her bun down at night (and preparing to brush her hair the requisite 100 strokes). As I do the same, while looking in the mirror, all I can think is that I am OLD. Just like Ma.

Seize the teachable moment

Last night, my daughter had to learn the sixth commandment and its meaning for memory work. In case you're scrambling to remember which one that is, I'll tell you. It is: You shall not commit adultery.

My husband was not home last night. It was all mommy.

Who?

My seven year old said this morning, "Do we have another snow day today?"

I told him no.

He said, "Oh yeah. I forgot. It's Martin Lutheran Day".

It all depends on your perspective, I guess!