Thankful for...

i'm thankful for...
1. Here's The Thing and Fresh Air podcasts helping me stay the course of my 3 mile runs
2. sentences from my 1 year old. "thank you mama", "stop it lala", "nope", "beest. scary. raaawr. belle [smiles]."
3. reflecting on the imagery of my kids packing a suitcase of "things" acquired at home in the short time they live here. if you haven't read ashley's inspiring post, read it here.
4. note from teacher including "he's terrific!"
5. garage sale earning $800! whohoo! (possible post to come including tips)
6. husband declaring it mother's day week & subsequently relieving me of daily duties! the best.
7. it's green again folks! i can no longer see anything beyond my backyard because of tree cover and the blooms appearing around the property and village make every morning feel like Christmas morning this past couple of weeks.
8. craigslist. new, never used to buy. good condition with much life left to sell.
9. hand-me-downs. my baby girl wearing her sister's clothes is a gift in many ways. not the least of which is: the reincarnation of my big girl in the form of her little sister. sentimental bliss!

10. kids dressed and outside on their bikes before my eyes are even fully opened. the safety of living on the end of the cul-de-sac
11. finding a hiking path and beach nearby
12. Nana keeping the girls entertained for hours while I made a dent in my online class
13. moleskin. making running with blisters possible.
14. spray paint. making it just right.
15. "This High Priest of ours understands our weakness, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Heb 4: 15-16  (NLT) (1996/7 Bible Quiz-Holla!)





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do you love how you spend your days?

because life is too short to have weird food rules

Do you love what you do every day? 
In my opinion, what you don't love about your life falls into one of two categories:
requisite or easier than procuring what you'd really love to do.
Decide which category suits you at your discretion.

As long as our bills are paid, the children are loved & their best interests considered, I'm up for pretty much any unconventional leap of faith in the effort to find satisfaction in this one futile life we have to live.
If you've been reading for a while (thank you!) and if not (welcome) you know that I strive to hear and obey God's voice when discerning the best use of my days. Remember this post?
I heard an interesting clip on Fresh Air, heading home from the gym the other day.
In the clip, Laura Linney, playing the role of a suburban mom dying from cancer, quits her teaching job. She hijacks the high school PA system and says good-bye.
Listen to it here. (a couple minutes is worth it)
Press Play. Then Skip to 7:50 (slide the bar right until you get there) and listen until 11:00. I hope you've listened to it because it's just not the same to read it. But in case you didn't here's the transcript:

"Today, today is the day that I say goodbye to teaching.
Many of you may know that I have cancer, but that's not why I'm leaving...
I'm quitting my job today because I recently had a conversation with someone who really loves their job, and I realize I don't love mine. I never even really wanted to be a high school teacher. It's something my dad pushed me into because he thought it was a low bar I could clear, but the truth is it's a high bar, and I'm falling short.
And you may never remember the battles I told you about, the facts, the dates, the wars, but maybe by my quitting today you will remember to be your best self. You find something you love doing. You do not take the easy route...
You know, I've always really cared about my students. I really love you guys. But I'm going home. I'm going to spend more time with the young person whose adorable cheeks I just, I want to squeeze every time I see them, my son. And I'm going to go do things I love. I'm gonna finish learning how to play "The Entertainer" on the piano, which I was doing until my dad stopped paying for lessons because he didn't like to hear me practice.
And I'm going to eat a lot of my favorite pie from Kowalski's because life is too short to have weird food rules. And I'm gonna finally finish writing an appropriate epitaph for a lovely dog. Ha! So, here I go to do my thing. I think my antidepressants just kicked in."

When we moved to NY, it was to take a great opportunity that came kinda out of nowhere & not at the best time to live nearer to our extended family. We weren't sure how long it would last, but it was too good an offer to refuse, even if we did love our lives in beautiful Virgina.
The scripture that swirled in my head was Psalm 90:12 "Teach us know the brevity of life, that we may grow in wisdom." (NLT)
After listening to that clip from The Big C, I read Ecclesiastes. You know, the "everything is meaningless and life is futile" themed book in the Bible. After going through the futility of work & pleasure and more I liked what The Message version of Eccl 3:9-14 had to say:

"But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I’ve had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he’s coming or going. I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift.

I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear."

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Disney World Dining Tips & Tricks

DISNEY WORLD DINING TIPS

I recommend the Disney Dining Plus. 
1 Quick Service (QS), 1 Table Service (TS), & 1 snack, per person, per night of stay. There is PLENTY of food for the day.

BASIC DINING PLAN DETAILS:

·      Each meal (TS & QS includes an entrée, dessert, & non-alcoholic drink)

·      Credits are applied to your account, accessible by your Magic Your Way card (also room key & can be a credit card, if you choose).

·      Use credits however you choose from check-in until midnight on the day of checkout. Meaning, if you are staying for 6 nights, you’ll have 6 QS & 6 TS & 6 Snack credits (per person in your room, over age 3) Eat all 6 snacks one day, if you wish, or spread them out, it’s up to you. Cast members are very helpful & knowledgeable regarding the DP.
-A few locations will require 2 dining credits per guest, this was always indicated to me upon making the reservation as well as at check in.

Dining TIPS:

·      TS credits are designated as Adult or Child according to your party. QS are not. We ordered an adult QS meal for our kids to be sure there was enough for the baby. One adult went up to order all of our food, to avoid the kids being required to order from the kid’s menu. It never came up so I’m unsure whether or not this was necessary. There was always PLENTY of food.

·      Guests under 3 are complimentary when TS dining. The cast members are very gracious regarding them in my experience. No sneaking necessary.

·      Every meal QS & TS comes with dessert. Dessert can often be fruit or something easily transported, so keep that in mind when ordering. Ask if they have carryout containers for the irresistible cupcakes!

·      If you’d like to get your dessert a bit later, ask. The cast members do whatever they are able to satisfy you. We were accommodated on several occasions, especially at the resort.

·      I had each kid grab a banana or an apple from the buffet at breakfast to bring out in the park with us for later.

·      I brought along a few sandwich size Ziploc bags to store the barely eaten bag of crackers or Cheetos. Perfect for waiting in lines or for parades.

·      Ask for to-go coffee or beverage from your server. (*milk for the baby to pour into an insulated cup)

·      When making your TS reservation, be careful as some of them require 2 TS credits per person (LeCellier was one we did. Steak was outstanding & it was a date-no kids-so it was worth it) I’ve heard good things about Narcoose’s  (for seating with view of the MK fireworks if timed correctly).

CHARACTER MEALS:   

(you can use TS credits!) 

Akershus Storybook Princess breakfast at Epcot

Characters come to your table, pose for family photos & sign autograph books in an orderly fashion. Cast members & characters do parades & activities with your kids too. My kids were all over this! I found this to be the time for grown-ups to eat. 
They only guarantee certain character appearances. Check the WDW dining page or call 407.WDW.DINE.

*PHOTO TIP: Sit with your back to a window so that your subjects are facing the light when you're taking photos. 

TIMING TIP: Character breakfasts booked first thing in the morning are a great way to get into the park early. We chose 8am reservations. If you cancel within 24 hours or do not show up you are penalized $10/guest= extra incentive to get up for that 5:30am wake up call!

One of us heads to get FastPasses for 1 of the most popular rides & the rest of us went to the restaurant. This meant that when we were done eating, we were allowed to grab another fast pass. (The time you are allowed to get another fast pass is printed on the bottom of the last one you were issued. It is typically 1 hour later.)

This plan allowed us to ride all of the big hit rides before lunch!

Okay, that’s enough reading, go book your reservations online or by calling 407.WDW.DINE, like NOW! No really. Why are you still reading?!

 Our TOP picks

Character meals:

OHana. (Polynesian Resort) Mickey & friends breakfast (We met Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, & Stitch) You’ll get a Hawaiian lei greeting at check-in!

We adore the family-friendly atmosphere & service at OHana. It’s a quick Monorail ride from Magic Kingdom.

Akershus: (Epcot) Storybook Princess breakfast. We met Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, & Sleeping Beauty. Combination buffet & table-served meal.

Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios) breakfast. Disney Jr. We met Jake, Oso, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins) Helpful & happy service here.

We also ate at Crystal Palace: Magic Kingdom. Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit. We had dinner, which is Buffet-style. Tasty food. Nobody was overly impressed but no big Pooh fans in our party. Nothing bad to say though.)

I’ve heard great things about these too:

1.    Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary Resort, take the monorail from MK) Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy) Booked-up quickly.

2.    Tusker House breakfast (Animal Kingdom). Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy)

3.    1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian-princess meal)

Favorite Table Service Meal: 
OHana (Polynesian Resort) Hands down favorite family meal. I recommend it for a no park visit day. It’s a TON of delicious food, all you care to eat. The servers were enthusiastic and attentive. This was perfect for our first night, with their first 4:30 reservation, we were back to the room early enough to settle for a park visit with an early start the next day. It is hard to get a reservation here, call NOW!

Le Cellier (steakhouse at Epcot) What a steak! The NA pina colada was yummy too. Reserve dinner in enough time to make it out for the Illumination show, viewable from just outside the restaurant. *2 Dining Credits per person. We checked our kids into a kids club nearby for a date. Sandcastle Club at Beach & Yacht Resort is a ferry ride from the World Showcase, making it easy to slip back in for the pleasure of touring through the countries sans kids.

Favorite Quick Service meals: 

Be Our Guest Restaurant, Fantasyland Magic Kingdom

Be Our Guest: (MK) eat inside the Beast’s castle! We ate in the West Wing, where it frequently thunders. Outside the ballroom windows, it snows! It’s magical in there. The line gets long quickly for QS, and reservations are hard to come by for dinner, I hear.  Kids ate Croque Monsieur (no Bechamel) and we had steak sandwiches w/arugula. 
(photo source)

Pizza Planet. (HS). *Kids loved this restaurant/arcade.

Turkey legs. (Epcot, Futureworld) in a cart

QS Mexican food looked very good in Mexico

Captain Cooks (Polynesian Resort), off the swimming pool. My crew gobbled the juicy Angus burgers, & my grilled Chicken sandwich was tasty (Dole Whip, qualifies as the dessert in your QS meal)

Pecos Bill: (MK, Liberty Square) American fare, Cosmic Rays (MK, Tomorrowland), Casey’s (MK, Main Street) are favorite QS stops too.

Yak & Yeti (AK) does Asian-type QS & I’ve heard good things.

Snack Credits: (Identified by a decal on the menu) 
Scoops. (HS) Homemade chocolate cookies & vanilla ice cream. Hot fudge sundaes.

Dole Whip. My favorite.  I found it at MK (Adventureland, Aloha Isle), Epcot (a pineapple stand near Canada), and at Captain Cooks at the Polynesian

Sleepy Hollow refreshments (MK, Liberty Square) chocolate chip cookie & ice cream, floats (they had a Nutella & fruit topped waffle that looked decadent. Not on the snack plan.)

Resort QS spots: gelato, smoothies, scones & other baked goods, dirt & worms cups for the kids.
Cupcakes! (photo above from disneyfoodblog. How about a cupcake crawl.)

Mickey ice cream bars & sandwiches were my kids’ favorites

Main Street Bakery (MK) was closed for renovation (Strabucks is coming) otherwise it’s a favorite.

*MORE detailgalblog DISNEY WORLD SERIES: 
MAKING THE MOST OF THE MAGIC: DISNEY WORLD TIPS & TRICKS
DISNEY PLANNING TIPS 
DISNEY WITH A BABY/TODDLER including PACKING LIST

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Disney World with a Baby or Toddler tips & tricks

Wanna have a magical time at Disney World with baby in tow? This is a guide to make meeting their needs convenient and your time magical!

Like many families, we have children that are “old enough” by conventional standards and one who is not. Do we wait until all kids will remember it fondly, or at least know where they are or make Disney memories with them all now?

IF you have a young infant, sun safety is important. After that, ask yourself: will you end up isolated from the group, meeting the baby's needs or will the other adults in your party share the responsibility? This may be a recipe for resentment & wasted money.

For us, the deciding factor (besides having no childcare option) was the Rider (baby) Switch Pass! Wait 'til you hear about this!

The Rider Switch pass (pictured above, left) allows one parent to ride with older siblings WITHOUT waiting in line twice.
It's FREE. It works with a FastPass and without. It is available on rides with height restrictions. The cast members are happy to hand it to you. Simply approach with your entire party in tow & ask for the pass.

Baby/Toddler positives:

1. They’re FREE! Kids under 2 can fly FREE. Kids under 3 get FREE admission into the parks. It’s not like they aren’t getting your money’s worth!

2. Dining Plan. Get it! For many reasons including $ saving & stress-relief, as well as under 3 is FREE to eat at table service meals (incl. character meals) The cast members are great about it; no sneaking from your plate necessary!

*We ordered our children's QS meals from the adult menu to provide enough for the baby. 

3. No car seat needed if you stay at a WDW resort, with FREE transport to/from airport & within the World.

4. Early park arrival is among the most widely-advised MUST DOs, and I agree. Babies often wake early anyway, so you’re used to starting your day at dawn!

5. Baby Care Centers (BCC) are in every park. A/C rooms with private areas, changing tables, sink/heating elements for food, and supplies for sale. They’re marked on park maps. Perfect place to nurse/feed your baby and meet their diapering needs.

6 Tips for conveniently & efficiently meeting baby's needs:

1. Backpack & Cross body bag  
When you park your stroller (which is often) you want everything valuable in a bag you can bring with you. You also need easy access & security for your Magic Your Way cards, Fast Passes, & photo pass card.

Bring a unisex backpack & a small cross-body bag & nix the diaper bag.

Backpack holds your camera (& other necessary valuables) along with diapers/wipes, change of clothes, snacks, water bottles, etc.
Small cross-body bag (with zipper close for extra protection) holds your phone & provides easy access to your Magic Your Way cards
This Camelback (hydration pack removed) was perfect & has ventilation along your back. Bonus: my husband wore it when it wasn’t hooked on the stroller.

2. Shipping.

WDW resorts will accept packages on your behalf. Ship your baby’s needs: diapers, formula, shelf-safe Organic milk, fruit pouches, bottle brush, etc to your resort ahead of time. I used Amazon for free shipping. Just add your name & reservation # & date of arrival to the shipping address for the resort. Call your resort to confirm address & details.

3. Stroller. (& infant carrier)

You must return your stroller before you leave the park, if you plan to rent from Disney (not convenient for transport to/from resort)

Several outside rental companies are available, and will deliver to your resort (Google it!)

We (are SO glad we) brought a BOB double stroller. It was perfect considering my 4 & 7 year old rode often needed a ride too (getting places quickly in crowds, all 3 asleep, leaving an 11pm night show & parade, etc.). We checked it at the gate in the airport, using bungee cords to secure it.

The Baby Bjorn carrier was perfect for both my husband & I to carry our infant around, hands-free on other trips.

4. FastPasses are the key to getting the most magic into your day (more on FastPasses here). FastPasses become more valuable when you have a baby in tow. Rides that don’t have a height requirement, don’t generally give rider switch passes (Toy Story Mania (HS), Peter Pan’s Flight, Little Mermaid Ride, Dumbo, It’s a Small World (MK) for example) so you can bring them alone with you, with a FastPass you can skip the line.

FastPasses are also available at Town Square Theater (MK) to meet Mickey & Minnie & Princesses (Rapunzel, Cinderella, Aurora). 

*More on Character meeting here and Character meals here)

5. Feeding 
See Baby Care Centers above.
Ship shelf-safe organic milk like I did. Most WDW rooms have mini-fridges and if not in room, microwaves are in the food courts of your resort. Consider single-serve powder &/or pre-mixed formula. ½ Gal milk is available for purchase at resorts. There are grocery delivery services in the area, if you need enough to justify the fee. *Get a refill on milk at TS meals to fill an insulated sippy cup to-go. We grabbed a banana or apple from breakfast buffets for snacking in the park.

6. Sleeping
Pack-n-play or cribs are likely available in your WDW resort room upon request. Check w/your resort as to which is available & verify any fees.

Does your baby sleep well in a stroller or in an infant carrier? Or will you need to leave the park for naps in the room? Do you need a suite (Art of Animation is a fun, new hotel comprised mostly of family suites)?
At home, our kids sleep in their own rooms, with blackout shades & noisemakers. We were in one standard room together. The baby slept in bed with us. It wasn't a wonderful night of sleep but it wasn't bad either. We were all so very tired by the time we reached the room each night.

What to pack:

1. Entertainment: bubbles, lolipops, glow sticks (check $1 bins at Target & $1 store) Cast members give stickers freely.

2. Snacks. You'll have plenty to share with your little one if you buy the dining plan for yourself. But, be prepared with a stash. We like goldfish crackers, cereal bars, applesauce (fruit) crushers, etc. Consider shipping these & other dietary needs (see #2 Shipping above)

3. Bottle brush & travel size dish soap (also for Resort Refillable Mugs)
4. Noisemaker for sleeping. We like this App also (just be sure to plug in your phone during use)
5.Muslin blankets. Lightweight, easily packable in a backpack for sun protection & added warmth in a cool weather.

6. Shower curtain liner & clips if the forecast shows high chance of rain. I thought this advice a bit much, but wished I had something during a downpour for much of one day in the park. 

7. Sun protection: cooling mat, extra sunshade, misting spray fan, sunscreen, sun hat

8. Insulated sippy cup. Bottle/baby food insulator. bottles & utensils

9. 
10. Stroller and/or infant carrier
11. Milk, formula, baby food & utensils
11. Swim diapers, along with diapers & wipes
 

Enjoy the simple moments!

baby enamored with big sister's autograph book

Strip the baby down to a swim diaper & let her splash over by The Barnstormer while the big kids ride. Watch his fascination with the mist in the Coke cool spot by Test Track.

Sitting with my little one on a bench with bubbles and playing on one of the shaded playgrounds (Splash Mountain has a nice one) was part of the experience.

We do not regret bringing our 1 year old and were pleasantly surprised by how much she took in as opposed to just being along for the ride. She marveled at attractions & buried herself in characters’ arms.

Our older kids getting to go at their current ages was worth any extra hassle of having baby in tow.

Enjoy!

*MORE detailgalblog DISNEY WORLD SERIES: 
MAKING THE MOST OF THE MAGIC: DISNEY WORLD TIPS & TRICKS
DISNEY PLANNING TIPS

DINING TIPS & TRICKS & DINING PLAN SIMPLIFIED

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Disney World Planning Tips

Your savings is bursting & you're ready to spend it at Disney?! 

*MORE detailgalblog DISNEY WORLD SERIES:
MAKING THE MOST OF THE MAGIC

DISNEY WITH A BABY/TODDLER-INCLUDING PACKING LIST

DINING TIPS & TRICKS & DINING PLAN SIMPLIFIED

 

LET'S GET THIS PLANNING STARTED!

1. Choose your week.

Consultcrowd-trend calendars (like this one). Peak & Off-peak times contribute notonly to how many will be packed into the bus or pushing you for primeparade-viewing real estate, but affects resort pricing as well. (Everyone hasoff that holiday week too. Consider carving out time while others around thecountry are occupied.)

2. Transportation. 

Flying. Booking a nonstop flight limits delays & stress. Book the earliest available, to condition your party for an early wake ups throughout your trip to maximize the magic!

Driving. Not necessary, unless it's best for you. 

You do not need a car (or car seat) if you stay at a WDW resort (FREE transport everywhere you need to go, including the airport)

3. Stay "INSIDE" at one of the WDW Resorts

CATEGORIES INCLUDE: Value, Moderate,& Deluxe (Campground & Deluxe villas also) 

• FREE transportation to/from the airport,along with FREE baggage delivery to your room. NO visit to baggage claim orrental car necessary. It’s smooth & hassle-free. You can even check-in& check your bags from your resort for returning home, if you wish. (you’llreceive bag tags from Magical Express, if you choose this option, prior to yourtrip to identify your bags along with instructions).
• FREE transportation to/from parks &resorts during your stay. Buses, ferries, and monorails run often, early &late each day. A welcome break from the independence of a car, considering cost& crowds affiliated with parking. NO CAR SEAT necessary.
• Extra Magic Hours (EMH) certain parks,daily, open either before or after regular park hours for resort guests. EMH are published in advance.Consult calendars before planning your itinerary & making diningreservations)
• Dining Plan. Resort guests only. Saved usmoney & stress. Plenty of food. Easy & convenient to use. You will notbe hungry. (More on Dining here)
• FREE souvenir delivery to your resort room from the parks. Go ahead & buy that breakable or cumbersome item. If there's enough time before you are checking out, they'll deliver it.
• Entertainment. Nightly outdoor movies & pool activity coordinators during the daymake breaks from the park highly entertaining. Some even have campfiresnightly. A weekly schedule is available at the front desk.
• FREE Refillable mug. Soft drinks, coffee,hot chocolate. Refillable at your resort only. Very nice for morning coffee andfor days spent at the resort.

Choosing a Resort: 

Budget first, of course. 
(People per room restrictions, suites, villas, etc.)
Transportation. Certain hotels are on the monorail, some are accessibly by ferry, or bus. They are all accessible from every park and you can get anywhere within the World using FREE transport, but some are more direct routes than others. Consult your plans, consider how important convenience is to your party, book what you can afford.

I found this website to be an excellent resource for choosing a resort.

You can findvirtual tours of resorts here on YouTube.

A few things of note on lodging:

• Fromwhat I’ve gathered, the Standard Rooms are pretty similar regardless of theclassification of the resort. While size varies, they’re all pretty smallish,with no frills, yet sufficient, considering room-time is limited.
• TheValue hotels do not have water slides in their pools as the rest do from whatI’ve seen & read. 
• MyValue Resort Pick: Art of Animation. Newest. The pool area is fun (under wateryou can hear characters & music) & it’s zero entry at one end. Familysuites are available, for much more than the other Value resorts per night. Thestandard (Mermaid) rooms book up quickly, as there are fewer of them thansuites. 
•  MyDeluxe Pick: Polynesian. Delicious dining choices (incl Mickey at breakfast),monorail access, fun pool & sandy beach with nightly campfire and views ofthe castle make this my choice. My husband pointed out that it even smells likeHawaii in the lobby. I can’t recall what Hawaii smelled like 10 years ago, butI trust him. The pool activity leader kept things entertaining. They also havethe Neverland Club: themed kids activity center for a night in Disney withoutkiddos, knowing they’re having just as much fun. 

4. Draft an itinerary

Reservations forTable Service meals, (including character meals) start booking up to 180 daysin advance. They book up more quickly than you’d imagine.

Depending on howfar in advance you are planning, you may wish to secure reservations and planaround what is available.

If you’re nearly180 days from your trip, you could lay out which parks you’d like to visit onwhich days and reserve dining accordingly.

Draft an ABSOLUTELY MUST DO list.

First, research park rides & attractions. Read descriptions, reviews, watch YouTube videos of rides & attractions. Consultheight requirements.

a. Each member of your partyshould do this individually.

b. Make a master list fromthese individual lists (make each person’s a different color or font ifequality is important)

*Note FastPass availability. (more on FastPasses here)

*Note which have high traffic volume,but no FastPass (Belle’s Enchanted Tales, for example, does not but is verypopular & WORTH waiting in line! And you know that’s saying something fromme. It’s an interactive story telling with Belle, herself. My son was chosen toact as the Beast & danced with Belle. Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot isanother big hit.)

Beforearriving at the park:identify which rides to run to immediately for FastPasses (Soarin at Epcot, ToyStory Mania-HS, all of the Mountains & a few Fantasyland rides (MK), forexample) Hop on high volume rides early with no wait, if you’re there at parkopening & ride others nearby if it fits. With a plan in place for the MUSTDos, the schedule will feel quite loose & free-flowing, once you arrive.The WDW app & Undercover Tourist apps are very useful for lines, maps, etc.while in the park.

With kids: what do they want to do more than anything? Consider doing it first to avoid a recurring soundtrack of "when are we gonna _____?" at another park. For us, that was Tower of Terror, so we went to Hollywood Studios first.

5. Schedule Sufficient Downtime
One day in the parks, and oneday out, and so on is ideal.

Sample six night plan

Day 1: No park. Explore your resort, Downtown Disney and let it sink in: YOU'RE @WDW!

Plan an early dinner at anexperience-type dining option (Chef Mickey’s to meet the Fab 5 (ContemporaryResort) or our favorite, OHana (Polynesian Resort)).

Day 2 & 3: Parks (carefully weigh late night shows & early Extra Magic Hours back to back based on your party. Read: don't do it if you have kids. We skipped Fantasmic at HS in favor of being at MK at 6:30am the next day, sticking around for the incomparable 11pm Celebrate the Magic show & Electric Parade)

Day 4: Day off at Resort.

Day 5 & 6: Parks.

Date of departure: you canswim, shop, & use up the Dining Credits you’ve been hoarding away if bookyour flight out as late as possible the last day. Magic Express transportationwill likely p/u 3-4 hours before flight departure.

6. Character Meet & Greet
Characters are highly accessible, and meeting them is handled in an orderly fashion, whether you meet them in thepark or at your table. Consult WDW site to locate your favorites.

Meet & greet times are listedon the map & updated regularly on the app. 
Characters draw a crowd, which means waiting in lines. Skip lines like we did & get your magical momentwith every one you wish.

Here’s how:

1. Character meals (usingyou’re your Dining Plan credits)! More on my love for character meals to come.

2. Town Square Theater. (MK,near entrance on Right) Fast passes available to meet Princesses: Rapunzel,Cinderella, & Aurora. Mickey & Minnie too. (A separate line forPrincesses & Mice)

*Rapunzelwas available only at Town Square Theater in April '13. 

3. Epcot! The WorldShowcase is chock full of characters.  The Storybook Princess breakfast (held in Norway) is ajackpot. We met Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, & Sleeping Beautyhere. (We were let into the park before it opened to make our 8am reservation,which meant we were nearly alone in the park & rode rides with no lines atall after eating.)

7. Photos.  
What is photopass? 
Bring the "big" camera or just use your phone?

With 3 kids in tow, I streamline what I need to bring into the park. I brought both DSLR & iPhone & used both. You'll want video clips too so consider this when making your choice. Clear your photo storage on your phone prior to your trip & bring an extra SD card or two. This way you can shoot away without reserve & edit later.

What's the deal with Photopass?

It's a FREE SERVICE. Disney photographers, situated at most prime locations in the park (incl. some meals, character greetings, resorts, etc. ) will take your photo & hand you a PhotoPass card with a unique barcode that you will enter to view/buy your photos. You can continue to hand this PhotoPass to other photographers throughout your visit or collect new ones at each spot.

The photographers I encountered were happy to take a photo using my camera. Even going out of their way to get a great shot on their own accord.

The BEST VALUE is to pre-purchase a CD of your photos for $119.95 using this link. 

They are yours to share online, print, etc. 

I wouldn't rely only on the PhotoPass, as there are personal moments to capture when there aren't photographers nearby.More on photopass on mousesavers.
*Consider taking a picture of the barcode on your PhotoPass for security.

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Disney World Tips & Tricks: Making the Most of the Magic

A Disney vacation can be magical! No matter your age, you can be swept away in this place. Each attraction is as thrilling as the next and nighttime shows are dazzling. It’s worth the hype and whittling wallet.

At the same time, on a Disney vacation you are waking up before the sun to get to the park when it opens, strategizing fast pass retrieval & use, scurrying to make dining reservations, walking for miles through crowded paths, dodging rain one minute & overheating in the sun the next.  If you don’t know the tricks, things can quickly go from dreamy to dreadful. 

MAKE THE MOST OF THE MAGIC TIPS

1. FASTPASSES
You should know this if you know nothing else!

• A FastPass is a “reservation” for you to ride without waiting in line! 
• They’re free with park admission. 
• Each rider must have one to ride.
• Available on certain popular rides & attractions, indicated on map. Complete list here.

To get a FastPass: Insert your Magic Your Way card (park ticket) at the ride's Fast Pass Distribution kiosk (near ride entrance or ask the castmember at the ride for location) Receive your FastPass!

Your (1 hour) time frame is printed on your FastPass. (*They stick to BOTH the beginning & ending times now) You will walk in a separate entrance, pass all the people waiting in line & go on the ride! 

• Continue collecting them. On the bottom of the FastPass will be a time at which you are able to get another FastPass. Someone in your party (with everyone’s MYW card in hand) should head over to get a FastPass. I set an alarm on my iPhone to remind me that I could get another FastPass.

With the Rider (Baby) Switch Pass the tall enough kids rode every ride twice, without waiting in line! (More on Rider Switch Pass in Baby post to come)

2. GET THERE EARLY. 
It’s vacation, I know. And a 5:30 wake-up call is anything but. I get it. TRUST ME (& the hundreds of others proclaiming the benefits) you will be rewarded.

Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom prior to park opening, including EMH (photo brightened-it was dark!)

The park is all yours for the early hours before the crowds arrive. Walk on rides that will have a 1-2hour wait before you know it & ride it again if you love it! Arrive with a list of the top 5 rides, attracting largest crowds in each park, that you want to ride. You'll hit these rides right away, grab FastPasses for the others, hitting nearby rides in between.

The idea is: get there early & make full use of the morning, crossing your party's MUST DOs off the list early. This way you are free to roam the whimsical streets & enjoy rather than being stuck in lines because you simply can’t visit WDW & not do “X”.
You won't feel bad heading back to your room for a rest when the big crowds are just entering, in the midday heat. Come back for dinner refreshed, visit more rides & attractions until the park closes, all pressure-free because you did most of your "MUSTs" before noon!

TIPS FOR GETTING THERE EARLY: 
1. Book Character breakfast meals for earliest reservation. If you don’t show, you are fined per person (incentive to get thyself up!) One of us ran to grab FastPasses while the rest of the party checked in at the restaurant. This meant that by the time we were done eating, we were allowed to grab another FastPass!

• There is a special line for character breakfasts if the park isn’t open 
• Check with your resort for when you’ll need to be out for transportation p/u. 
• More on Character Meals to come

2. Pack the bag & stroller with everything you’ll need for the next day the night before. (more one what to pack coming soon)
3. Shower the night before & go au natural in the morning (Wait! Does that mean no panties?) By this I mean: little makeup or hair fixing in the morning. (Admittedly, it’s a bummer for me to look at photos & see myself looking less than beautiful, but worth it.)
4. Get to bed at a reasonable time the night before (use good judgement with nighttime entertainment at the resort or in certain parks).
5. Get a wake up call. Put the phone to your sleeping child’s ear: it was Mickey on the line! Makes it impossible to be grumpy when getting dressed before dawn.

*I’m not a morning person. In preparation for this, I began waking at 6am every day for 2 weeks prior to our trip to avoid the inevitable adjustment period. Worked like a charm, especially since coffee wasn’t in my hand until hours after I woke up!

*Jedi Training (at Hollywood Studios) accepts limited participants & begins handing out spots at park opening.

3. AVOID HEART-SINKERS.
Yes, they allow outside food. Yes, water is free. Yes, you have to return your rented stroller BEFORE you leave the park-you can't tote your sleeping children back to your resort in it or hop between parks with it. No, gratuities & alcohol aren't included in your Dining Plan.

Be prepared for:

• Photo overload: clear smartphone storage & bring an extra SD card for your digital. *don't forget the chargers
• Blisters: switch between 2 pair of shoes to avoid hotspots & pack moleskin
• Rain: bring ponchos, one per person per park day. The $1 store is a good source.
• Parade crowds: if you want good pictures or for your little one to see clearly get there early & ask a castmember if you're in an approved spot before you count on it.
• Character meals don't guarantee all appearances, be sure to check which are sure to be there before promising your little one. 
• Check the official WDW site for temporary closings on attractions & restaurants or resort construction.

If you're counting on it, check on it. disneyworld.com FAQs are helpful and you can always call. 

4. SAVE $. 

Be sure you can afford this vacation. This vacation requires strategy, involves waking early, making FastPass deadlines & reservations, and walking miles in the heat, adding penny-pinching to the mix is not recommended. 
Save enough $ for a stay "inside" the WDW resorts & buy a dining plan, so you can relax & enjoy the convenience they provide.

I'm all for pre-packed snacks & refillable water bottles, limiting souvenirs & buying glow sticks & apparel at more affordable prices before your trip (we did all of that). Consider implementing a way for your kids to earn spending cash & asking for Disney gift cards for Christmas or birthdays.

Worrying about prices will put undue pressure & stress on your trip. A credit card bill you can't pay off may tarnish memories.

5. SPLIT UP. 
Most likely, your family does not spend every waking moment together in any given week. Why make 24/7-togetherness mandatory on vacation? One on one time is a great way to make lasting memories, while meeting individual needs. 
For example: At Hollywood Studios by 1pm my girls (4 & 1) were tired & “done”, waking at 5:30am. Good thing is: we’d had a day’s worth of fun already! By 1pm, we'd met characters, rode on Toy Story Mania(2x) Tower of Terror (2x), saw Beauty & the Beast, and more. My son stayed with dad to ride Rock‘n Rollercoaster and participate in Jedi training while I took the girls back to the resort to rest & swim for a few hours. We rejoined for dinner & a few more rides before park closing. It was a great day.
I had some of the most magical moments focused on just one of my children’s reactions to a parade, a ride, a character greeting. 

*Date nights at Disney. We reserved our kids a spot at The Sandcastle Club at the Beach & Yacht Resort for a date night at Epcot mid-vacation. Early breakfast reservations with the princesses in Norway meant our kids had their fill of Epcot by 2-3pm. (Great place to meet characters, by the way) The Sandcastle Club is just a ferry ride away from the Epcot’s World Showcase. We ate at LeCellier Steakhouse (Canada) & explored the countries together, capped off by the Illumination spectacular over the water. At 10:30pm, when we arrived for p/u, the kids didn’t want to leave the Sandcastle Club! They were busy with beads & other crafts, video games, toys, etc. It was a win for everyone. (*Your MYW packet may include a 15% discount for these clubs as ours did. Just don’t forget your coupon like I did. Oh, but if you do, your receipt & coupon presented at your resort desk will fix it. Just don’t forget to do that, as I did!)

6. KNOW WHEN TO SAY WHEN. 
Yes, you’re spending a small fortune & this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but don’t make it miserable by pushing your over-stimulated, exhausted kids to squeeze every moment out of the day. DON’T. Mom, you know when your kid is “done”. The parks are open quite late: MK was open until 3am while we were there! You will get your money’s worth, even if you leave for a few hours midday. Your time will be much more magical this way.
Don’t think you need to go back to the resort? Find a shady spot or a place in the A/C to rest. Ask a cast member for guidance. There are little playgrounds in the parks. We hung at the one near the exit of Splash Mt (MK) & in Oz playground near World Showcase in Epcot.

7. GET THE APP. CONSULT THE MAPS.

My Disney Experience app is free & will make access to your reservations, itinerary, and most park info convenient. 

Undercover Tourist app is also free & a good resource for line length, tips, & more from an unbiased source.

Save time & energy by being familiar with the park maps. If you have a baby, notice where the Baby Care Centers are located (full Disney with a baby post coming soon!). Walking from one end of the park to another & back again all day isn't the best approach, especially with little ones.

 8. BE FLEXIBLE. Other than being in the park at opening and arriving for our dining reservations, all of our carefully-drafted plans were flexible. Simple as that. I’m telling you, especially if children are in your party, be flexible. It’s about making memories.

9. BE THERE!
Resist social media updates and checking email. I know everyone requested photos and that's sweet. But, you're at DISNEY WORLD! Be there! Before you know it you'll be packing to go home. Soak it up.

*MORE detailgalblog DISNEY WORLD SERIES:
DISNEY PLANNING TIPS

DISNEY WITH A BABY/TODDLER-INCLUDING PACKING LIST

DINING TIPS & TRICKS & DINING PLAN SIMPLIFIED

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everything is in the process of becoming

He said it well last night on TV. "I love Spring. Everything is in the process of becoming."

I was outside most of the day, basking in the sunshine & shorts-weather, after what has seemed like a year of Winter here in NY.
We bought this house last May. It stood out among the others for many reasons: tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac, large, dense tree-lined backyard providing the illusion of living in the middle of nowhere. The trees were full & green like the shrubs in the flower beds, teaming with colorful hydrangeas & rose bushes. I started to doubt that it ever looked that way.

I'm having a hard time seeing it. 
How can this become....that?

Time.
Patience.
Seasons change.
Bringing with them new wonders and trials too.
You can't see it?
Wait.
In due time.
You will.

I'm quite sure I believe in the proverbial "good things come to those who wait" but my inclinations are far more along the lines of: good things come to those who go get them.
Wait?
I'd rather do & try & create & figure out how to make it happen, like now.

But, something about my backyard has given fresh perspective on the value of time & waiting.




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easter

"Because it's not about trying, it's about trusting. 

It's not about rules, it's about Grace: 

God's free gift-that cost him everything."

-Jesus Storybook Bible 

"God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners"

(Romans 5:8)

"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

(1 Corinthians 5:21)

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

(Eph 2:8-9) 

image source

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Operation Tooth Fairy: Fail

Operation Tooth Fairy: fail.

My son lost his first tooth yesterday after church. He has anticipated this experience for a while now, being pretty late in the game at 7 y/o.
The tiny tooth was put into a resealable bag and placed under his pillow.
Late that night, the "tooth fairy" crept in to retrieve the bag & leave the goods without waking the sleeping toothless one.
Safely out of his room, the "tooth fairy" discovered the bag was empty & it was opened slightly! AH!
Does "the fairy" go back in & risk blowing the magic off his first experience by waking him?
No. Too risky.
The tooth is tinier than my pinky fingernail; surely it will be inconspicuous in the bed sheets & the loot will distract him immediately.
Nope.
This morning dear son came in holding the tooth in my face.
"Mom, the tooth fairy forgot my tooth"
thinkquicklythinkquicklythinkquicklythinkquickly
"Oh. Really? I think that reminds me...the tooth fairy leaves the first tooth for you to keep. It's a special memory."
yes.that's good. is he buying it? 
"Oh."

Moments later I heard him repeating the scenario with my husband.
GREAT! Dan will definitely blow the cover. He's too transparent. Dangit! Why did I have to marry such an honest man?
Miracle of miracles: I overheard Dan say "Oh, she let you keep it?! That's good."
Phew!

Over Cheerios, my suspicious little guy said,
"there's one more thing, mom. the dollar was folded. the tooth fairy doesn't fold dollars. She delivers them flat. So tell me. Just tell me. Was it you that put the money there, mom?"
Snap.
"Carter, the tooth fairy put the money there."
Lie. Ish. I'm the tooth fairy, so it doesn't count, right?

MidKid didn't want to be left out of the teeth photos. Hopefully I can get it right with her. Pin It

Winter's bright sides & a winner!

I can hardly wait for this "silver white Winter" to "melt into Spring!"

The first days of Spring here in NY have been marked by snowfall & bitter cold wind.
Most days, I can ward off Winter blues with the anticipation of warmer temps at Disney World next month.
This morning, freezing my tail off at the gas pump, I began compiling a list of reasons to be thankful for the cold to keep myself from spiraling into an ugly "enough is enough" frenzy. 

The Bright sides of a lingering Winter:
1. still getting dark enough for kids to go to bed at 7:30
2. no mosquitoes or other pests
3. milk & frozen goods survive in the trunk, no need to plan ahead running errands
4. kids are in school
5. no lawn care or weeding the flower beds
6. less hair-removal maintenance pressure
7. no frizz or humidity sabotaging blow-outs
8. more time to tone up before donning swimsuits & shorts
9. not plagued by pollen & other outdoor allergies 
10. did I say, kids are in school?

Did I miss any???

Congratulations to Commenter #10: Nina! 

You have won the 8x8 Shutterfly Photobook, including FREE shipping!

photo via Pinterest

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