Waiting for the Fast Pass time

Here I am, waiting. I really wish I was sleeping. It was that kind of day. The kind that makes you think, "Surely it's Friday!" But no. It's only Wednesday.

I'm waiting on Disney. Yes, I'm the crazy one, among thousands of crazy ones, waiting to book my Fast Passes online tonight. Disney's website says midnight, but that's eastern time. So really, I only have 26 more minutes to go. I thought, why not put it to good use!

We are so lucky to be heading to Disney again. I love Disney. My kids do too. I think secretly J does as well, though he won't really admit it. He does love Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I think it's because those aren't quite as thematic as the Magic Kingdom. We are headed there for 1 day. Yes, only one. We weren't even supposed to be going, but thanks to a silent auction, we are! The trip really centers around heading to my uncle's house at the beach. THAT will be relaxing. This will be exhausting, but so worth it.

A, C & I sat around the computer tonight making a list of the top 3 rides at each park we are going to:

Hollywood Studios:
Toy Story Mania
Rockin' Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror

Epcot:
Soarin'
Test Track
…I'm secretly excited about the countries. They'll be able to appreciate them a bit more now that they're 4 years older from the last time we went. And J has already said that's where we will find a good spot to sit down for lunch.

Magic Kingdom:
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Snow White mine ride
Pirates of the Caribbean

I think we have a pretty good list going! The best part is, they would be completely satisfied if we went on these rides and nothing else. I love thinking about their reactions when they go on these rides. For the most part, these will all be new to them since they're taller. They've been talking about the Rockin' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror the most.

We are so so lucky to have the means to do these things with our kids. I feel so grateful to have things like this trip to look forward to! Even if it means visiting Disney for only one day!

I'm a lucky girl

Yes, I am. Know why? Because of this guy:

Yes, that guy. Tonight he surprised me with my present for my 35th birthday. Here I was thinking it was a day at the spa (in my dreams!) or an overnight with him to somewhere (I had hinted at Chicago again). But no. He surpassed all of that with something even bigger. Something I NEVER would have thought about.

He said, "Close your eyes. No peeking, Nans style! Ok, open."
I open to see a suitcase.
Ok...we're going somewhere! Sweet!
"Any guesses?"
"Not really. It could be anywhere!"
"Ok, close them again. Now open."
I open and see When Harry Met Sally and Serendipity sitting on top of the suitcase. "No way. New York?!"
"Yes, New York!"
He surprised me with a 4 day trip to New York City.

I'm going here.

And here.

Yes, hopefully here too.

All because of him.

I am one lucky girl!

I'm leaving, on a jet plane

Tomorrow!

I can hardly wait to get out of town with this guy.

Heading to Chicago for the second time ever and we're trying to make it different than the first. You know how you go places over and over because they're your favorites? Yup. That's me. I'm a creature of habit. I know what I like (yummy pizza from I can't remember where in Chicago-starts with a G) and I stick to it. I know we'll go here

and probably back here

just because we I loved them both. I know J loved "The Bean," but could probably do without dessert. Ahem...he's married to me, so we'll have dessert. Just to make that clear.

But I also know we'll try some new places. Fun places. Places I'll want to go back to the next time we go. Whenever that is...

But we're leaving, and I can't wait! I am ever so thankful to grandparents who are close. But more than that, who LOVE having our kids. So thanks, Mom & Dad, for taking the kiddos this weekend! Not sure who will have more fun...

I wish I was at the beach

Because just look...

Don't you wish you were there too? We had a blast. More to come...

Road Trip

Road trips are fun. And funny. Very funny when you have two 5 year olds in the backseat, interacting in conversation with each other. Of course there are moments. There are also movies where I don't hear from them at all. But the funny times...oh those are really funny. I'm not sure if it's because we're in the car without escape; because we're delusional and tired; I suspect it is a combination of both.

This road trip took us to Kansas City for the weekend. It's a pretty quick turnaround and a very short time of actually being there, since it takes about 6 1/2 hours to get there. Bottom line: 13ish hours in the car over the course of 60 hours is a lot of time in close quarters. Let me share with you some funny things that happened on this trip:

Saturday Night Live
Are you familiar with these people? If you watch SNL and stay up for (at least) Weekend Update, chances are you've seen them. Better yet, heard them. Our children can be Garth and Kat. Really. One of them starts singing and they look at each other, trying to figure out what the other is singing, and joins in. It's hilarious! To J and I at least. And to any of you who know what I'm talking about. It's happened more times than just this weekend, but in the car it's even better because they have no where to go and stay engaged with each other!

The Landscape
Upon entering Iowa on the way home, C looks out the window as we cross the boarder and says, "Mommy, Iowa sure looks a lot like Africa." "Really buddy? How do you know what Africa looks like?" "Well, I dunno. It just looks like it." A: "You're right! It actually does!" My guess is the reason they thought this is because it was brown and wide open, like they've seen in pictures and on movies. Funny! Guess we don't have to go to Africa if we've been through Iowa in the winter (without snow!).

The Movies
This isn't my favorite part of the trip. I'd like to think we would be able to travel like we did as kids: books, hand-held games, Invisible Ink books (MY favorite!), 20 questions, the license plate game, the alphabet game, etc. But, we're in that whole "technology age," so here our kids enjoyed 2 movies on the way down and 2 movies coming back. The funny part about them watching movies is seeing their faces. Most times they have the same expressions at the same times. Maybe that's funny to me only because they're twins. But it is funny to me. I also love when they giggle at the same time or are scared at the same time.

Road trips are pretty fun with my family. I'm glad we have 2 kids that travel well. They look forward to stopping for gas to see what treat might lie ahead. They know we (usually) stop at McDonalds, which is a treat for them because we NEVER eat that at home. They entertain each other...and us...at the same time! Let's see...where can we go next?