I think I'll give you a little bit each day this week so I have plenty of blogs to write and I can keep you all in such suspense as to how our trip went. I know it was only a 2 day trip but I have a lot to say! ;)
Friday night we checked into the Holiday Inn SunSpree. It was an okay hotel. It had some nice features but a Disney hotel it was not. Dh commented on how dirty it was (I never noticed) and how there were people smoking everywhere (did notice that). It had a kid's movie theatre, arcade, kid's pool and regular pool, and "basketball court" (maybe a quarter size one- out in the parking lot). It also had a kid's check in desk where they could get goodie bags although all I saw were some coloring pages and single crayons. The rooms were called "Kid Suites". They were a slightly larger than average hotel room with half of the room partitioned off into the Kid's Suite. Our KS had bunkbeds, a toddler bed, and a TV and desk/dresser area with 2 kid size chairs. #1 problem- it was dark in there but we could live with that. #2 and major issue- the bunk bed ladder was loose as was the top protective railing! We had Logan sleep in the bottom bunk and Ian in the toddler bed. We brought Bella's pack n play so she had her own familiar bed. There was also a small kitchenette in the room. We had a king size bed that was no lie- ROCK HARD. We would have slept better on the floor. Both dh and I are complaining about back pain from sleeping there. We did nothing but toss and turn. Horrible. Dh says never again will we go stay somewhere that's not Disney. I say we'll just find a better hotel or a condo. Here are some pics of the room...
There were 2 chairs and a small table as well as the tv stand/dresser across from the bed.
The TV and desk are off to the right
Kitchenette. The safe was under the counter.
Decent size bathroom- the whole right side was mirrors. The sink is behind that wall.
Bella hanging out on the king size (and royally hard!) bed.
Just popping in to blog a bit about our day. Wouldn't want Melodie to win our contest. ;) We went to Disney's Hollywood Studios this morning. We didn't get there exactly at opening despite being ready but we made it there shortly after (drove the wrong way out of the hotel). The StormTroopers were very cool up on top of the turnstile area. They were all over the park today too. We got to see Chewbacca (Logan line jumped- oops!), Jawas and more. I'll post pics when we get back. Man it was HOT out! We also got to ride the new Toy Story Mania. Awesome!!!!! So much fun!!!
We walked back out to our car and as I went to put Bella in her seat the guy parking in front of us (going the wrong way!) backed into my car, not once, but TWICE!! I thought dh was going to flip out on the guy. He apologized up and down and no damage was done thankfully. I'll blog more about it later though. We're off to go swimming!
That's me! Well obviously not at the moment but I need to get a blog in before we leave. I've been non-stop since this morning packing and double checking that we have everything for our mini vacation. I've got nearly everything into one big suitcase so that's good! I packed up our pack n play and the stroller is in the car. I've got batteries for the Squeeze Breeze fans and stroller fans, rain cover for the stroller and ponchos for us (a must for those FL thunderstorms!), cameras and diapers....I hope it's everything! Now I just have to do a few chores like dishes (blah!) before I'm done. Think I can fit a nap in somewhere??
I tend to be an overpacker. I want to make sure I have everything I need just in case. You know, Bella is a breastfed baby thus we have a lot of blowouts so I need 5 extra sets of clothes and 20 diapers. We may forget to change Ian and we need an extra pair of shorts. I can't decide what to wear so I bring an extra outfit. Or maybe we'll come back to the hotel hot and sweaty and want to go out later, so of course I need another outfit. ;) I think it may drive dh a bit nuts but I just can't help myself. It's the way I'm wired.
I know some people who are minimalists. They bring just what they need and that's that. I don't want to have to do more work on my vacation like laundry so doing a bit more leg work beforehand just works!
We're taking the boys to Star Wars Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) on Saturday. We're going to go up Friday night so we can be there at opening and see the StormTroopers' skit they do. I am just as excited as the boys. I should have kept my mouth shut though. All I've heard the past 2 days is "Is it time to go? I want to see Darth Vader, I want to see the Ewoks". Oh and this is all coming from the little one, Ian. He's so excited to go. He and Logan love Star Wars. Logan plays the Star Wars Lego game on the PS3 all the time. They have SW legos too. And you can't forget the movies. They've seen them all. I think their eyes are going to light up when they see all the characters this weeked!
I just want to say thank you to all my friends both IRL and online for the support. Yesterday was so hard. At one point, dh started crying again which made me cry again. Logan asked me why I was crying (he doesn't understand she isn't coming back no matter how I try to explain it) and then said "Please don't cry momma." and gave me a hug. Awww. He's such a sweet boy.
We ended up taking the baby gate down that was keeping the dogs in the kitchen area and let Trouble roam. I think she's so used to staying in there though that she's a bit weird about coming out. It's like she thinks she'll be in trouble. She'll come when we call her but then return after a few minutes. I'm sure she'll get used to it eventually. For my friends who come over, I'll put the gate back up when you/your kids are here.
My dear pup has gone onto the Rainbow Bridge. I'll see her again one day. I know she's in a better place and she's happier. I wish I could have been there when she left this world but she'll always be in my heart. I hope she knew she was loved and didn't think we abandoned her there. I miss her so much already. It's just not the same without her here.
Since my last 2 posts have been downright depressing, I thought I'd post a more upbeat one. I lost another pound this week! (WI was Friday actually). I've been working out on my Wii Fit 2-3x a week for about 30min.
20lbs to go until my pre-pg weight.
And for some laughs... Jeff Dunham and Peanut (warning- foul language)
Dh decided to shave Bandit this morning. It's just easier to clean her up if she has an accident (which she did at 5:30am). So he brought her back in after shaving her and called me over. She has what looks and feels like a HUGE cyst/lump/tumor on the inside hip area of the leg that's working the worst. She also has a sore on her side which may be from her chewing on herself or worse. I'd love if it was treatable but at this point she's so old and I think the damage is so far gone, I don't think it will be. I'm not sure where we'd find the money to treat her either unless we borrowed it. Ugh.
Dh and I have come to the conclusion that we will more than likely be putting one of our dogs down. Our poor baby has been having some hip problems and in the past few days it's gotten bad, today being the worst. She can't stand up at all, she's whining because she needs to go out and can't. She's soiling herself. It's heartbreaking to see her like that. She's the sweetest dog ever and I don't want her to live like that. She's still eating and drinking but what kind of life is it when you can't move. I can't physically pick her up, she's just too heavy. She really doesn't even wag her tail very much anymore. So please pray for us because this is one of the hardest things to do. Unless the vet has a shred of hope, I think this is the last weekend we'll have her. We'll miss her greatly. I've had her since she was born. Her sister will miss her too. They are lifelong friends. I know she'll be in a better place though.
Right now we have her outside in the shade. Dh has to rinse her off out there since she keeps having accidents. There is a beautiful yellow/black butterfly that landed on her and has stuck around- until we brought her back in and it left. When we put her out the second time, it came back. I think it's God's way of letting us know she'll be okay- whatever we do. Dh took pics of it. I'll upload them later.
A post on the NBBC reminded me of this. Someone was talking about how they love tracking numbers. I could have written her post. I heart tracking numbers. I love tracking my packages across the country and on the day it's supposed to be here, being anxious to get it so I can open and explore whatever I've bought. I know my package from Amazon (a gift for dh for Father's Day) will be here on Monday. I checked on it yesterday but I also checked it this morning for kicks. I want to know where it is right NOW (it's in Jacksonville and will probably say in transit to Tampa by tonight). UPS rocks for tracking.
Now, if you're sending something by USPS, don't even bother with a T.N. They are so worthless. It could have been shipped days ago and their computer won't be updated. The package could be here before they update it. Ugh.
I will give them props for one package(although tracking still sucked). It was sent from CA on Monday morning priority mail and I had it in hand by Wed. That's the quickest I've ever seen them move!
I finally got Bella's birth certificates in the mail and her name is spelled wrong!! Dh was in charge of looking over the BC paperwork and he swears it was right which means the state screwed up and I'll be out $40 + postage after it's all said and done. Plus the time to fill out the amendment form and then I have to go to the SS office so I can get her SS card fixed too. What a pain!
It took a little fiddling around (it called for 1 cup of flour initially but I had to add more) but these came out yummy! Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes 1- 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1- 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 TBSP applesauce 1 TBSP sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup milk, fat free 2 bananas, very ripe and mashed (I used ones from my freezer- defrosted) 1/2 cup chocolate chips, mini
Mix dry ingredients and add wet ingredients. Mix until just blended. If it's too thin, add a bit more flour. Use approx 1/4 cup for each pancake (I actually used an ice cream scoop). Makes 12 pancakes (2 per person).
I think this deserves a post today. What a tragic story. I'd never even heard of this before today and it scares the hell out of me but at least I know what to look for.
maybe i should...do some housework I love the smell of...coconut suntan lotion/shampoo/body wash People would say I am...quiet, nice I don't understand why...my kids have to talk to me the minute I'm on the phone. When I wake up in the morning...I love to hear Good Morning mama. I lost my willpower to try and change...the time I'm on the internet Life is...beautiful! I feel blessed. My Past...made me a smarter more confident person. I get annoyed when...I get a stupid song stuck in my head! (ie: the Wonder Pets are on right now, guess what I have in my head) Parties are...a great way to get some ME time and not worry about mom duty. OTOH, kid parties are just another stress. Dogs...are great for scaring off salesman. Cats...are nice to have curled up in your lap. Tomorrow is...another beautiful day. I have a low tolerance for...stupidity. (motorcyclists without helmets and school speed zone speeders come to mind) I'm totally terrified of...something horrible happening to my family. I wonder why...cats gravitate to people who hate them. Never in my life have I...actively done drugs. (I've been in a room with them though) High School was...fun but I wish I could do it over. When I'm nervous I...stutter over what I'm trying to say. One time at a family gathering...I don't have an answer for this one... Take my advice...enjoy your little ones while they are little. They grow up so fast! Making my bed happens...never I'm almost always...checking my email or message board posts. I'm addicted to...Starbucks Chai Frap Light (I've learned how to make my own cheaper though), Coach bags, the internet, tv I want someone to...sell my husband a WINNING (as in jackpot) lotto ticket.
