Planning for a trip around the world....

So I finally convinced my loving wonderful husband that it was time to take Boogie for a trip around the world.  Walt Disney World that is.  Boogie will be 4 in October which is about the time that I went to Disney for the first time and I still remember parts of that trip, so I figure it was time for her to go too.  I was born and raised in Florida, growing up in the shadow of  "The Mouse", we went to Disney at least 4 or 5 times a year.  I looked it up and the first year that I went to Disney it cost $9 for a child, we shucked out 30 times that to get Boogie's ticket, now that is inflation people.  However, I love, love, love Disney, it is pure and simple magic, especially for a small child.  Jon on the other hand would rather be covered in honey and laid in an ant bed, then step foot on the property of Disney.  I secretly think that this is why god saw fit to give us two little girls.  Hee hee.

Anyway, I finally just told Jon that both of her cousins had been to Disney so now it was Boogie's turn to go, and that we were going to go the way I always wanted to go.  So when I got my yearly bonus I bought our park passes, and decided to wait for the hotel, because buying the park passes about killed me. I bided my time and looked and looked and looked, and finally Disney offered me a good deal...40% off a club level room here.....

The Contemporary hotel, I have always wanted to stay here, I mean what is cooler then a train that goes right through your hotel.  I have tried to play this feature up to Charlotte but she is not that impressed, I keep trying though.  The other feature that I like is that you can simply walk to the Magic Kingdom from the hotel.  This will be a great feature for us since on Boogie's birthday I booked her a 8:05 appt to get all dolled up at ...

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside of Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom.  This early appointment means that we get to go into the park before it opens.  We can stand on Main Street and see the castle without all the crowds, Boogie is VERY excited about this.  I am getting her dress and everything before hand for her to wear in, and so it makes the hair and make up a good bit more reasonable.  To see Boogie get treated like a princess all day on her birthday is well worth the cost of the experience to me.  After her appt we will have all day long in The Magic Kingdom for rides pictures and parades.  One of the rides that she is most looking forward too, other then the roller coasters are these.....

The Tea Cups were always one of my favorite rides at Disney and I can not wait to take Boogie on them.  In regards to the roller coasters you have to be 40 inches tall to ride,  so at least once a week we have to measure Boogie against the wall to see how tall she is getting.  The other night Jon had to do this and he told her she had shrunk, it was not a pretty site, and Jon had to do some quick back paddling.

For dinner her birthday night we are heading over to 1900 Park Fare to have dinner with...

It's not Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle, my wallet about died when I looked at the prices to eat there but apparently this is one of the better dinners because not only do you get to see Cinderella and Prince Charming, but the Tremaines show up as well.  Now Boogie for some reason is simply fascinated by the villains in the Disney  cartoons, so to be able to meet Lady Tremaine and her daughters might out way the excitement of meeting Cinderella.  I just can't wait to see her face when she gets to meet them all.

The other good thing about our room is that it will face the Bay and from our balcony each night we'll be able to watch the Electric Light water parade.  We won't be able to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the room, but there are balconies in the club lounge that face the Magic Kingdom so we can just trot down and watch them from there.  I may possibly be at least as excited at the birthday girl, and October just seems so far away.

Since October is so far away I have put in place a few Fairy Godmothers to keep the excitement up.  Just yesterday, Boogie got her very first postcard from Mickie and the Gang.  They told her they were very excited that she was coming to spend her birthday with them and couldn't wait to see her.  They also said they would keep in touch until her visit.  Boogie got to take it out of the mailbox and her face just lit up.  There will be more postcards in the weeks to come, and I think they are a great idea to get a little one excited and tell them little secrets about the trip.

So for now we just keep planning and saving and looking forward to the trip.  I keep telling Jon that once we go for the first time there is no turning back, all the blood drains from his face every time I remind him.  I just hope that Disney can  work its magic on him, and he will see the park in a whole new way, through the eyes of a 4 year old little girl.

The woman behind me....

This is my mom....

My girls call her Mimi, a great name for a young grandmother.

She is a fabulous woman who has always supported me in whatever I wanted to do. (My dad did to but that it another post)  She carted me an hour each way when I decided that I wanted to take voice lessons.  She and dad helped me pay my way through college to get a Vocal Performance degree.  She supported me when I married my husband right out of college, and moved to Boston for more vocal training and didn't bat an eyelash when I said I was going back to school for an accounting degree.

She loves all her grand kids to distraction and she is a survivor.  My mom almost didn't get to meet any of her grandchildren.  In July of 2006 she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and while it was in an early stage this is an ugly cancer.  I was pregnant with Boogie at the time and hoped that her first grandchild would give her some strength to make it through what lay ahead for her.  She spent months in the hospital getting treatments, and battling the cancer.  She missed the baby shower that she was throwing for me, but she moved heaven and earth to be there for Boogie's birth.  Actually one of my favorite pictures of her and my dad is from that time.

Just shows how good spirited she was in spite of everything.  She was appreciative of the wig, but said it itched like mad, so dad took it off her hands for a little while.

Her hair eventually grew back, although it did come in darker then before. I love this picture because Boogie is only a month and a half old but she has more hair then mom does. She finished up her treatments and was declared in remission.  There was a celebration at our house for sure.  The best news is that as of this July she has been in remission for 4 years, another huge milestone for my mom, and her resiliency.

Now all of that being said was just to show how tough my mom is, and how much she supports and fights for herself and for us.  When I told mom that I was going to run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon she didn't bat an eyelash, and said she fully supported me.  She also said that she and my dad would be there to cheer me on, no hesitation.  I had lots of hesitation my mom had none.  I started training and quickly realized that cheap shoes while good for somethings, are not good for running further then say to the end of the driveway.  However finances being tight with two cutie pie girls and just coming off of maternity leave, new shoes were not in the budget.  In steps my mom, my very own Fairy Godmother, and Cinderella got a new pair of shoes.

Aren't they gorgeous, just like glass slippers only its probably not a good idea to run 13.1 miles in glass slippers.  I love the colors, silver and diva blue, perfect.  So thanks to my wonderful, loving, gracious, fabulous, beautiful mommy, my shins will no longer be screaming in agony after trying to out run a rain storm. My feet will be beautifully and comfortably encased in breathable mesh and gel padding. My legs will be cushioned by the special plug thingies that they put in the heal to absorb impact and my high arches will be properly supported for all 13.1 miles. While I doubt this fabulous shoe is going to turn me into a running god it will keep me from dying in agony at the end of every run around the neighborhood.  Thanks mom, for everything, the love, the support, the trips to voice lessons, for beating cancer with a big ole stick and most recently thanks for the fabulous shoes!!  When I run in February it will be nice to know that on my feet are shoes given with love by my Fairy Godmother.

Wordless Wednesday

Sisters..sisters..there were never such devoted sisters.

         Boogie 5 months - Jellybean 4 1/2 months                                    

First looks....

Loving hugs....

 Photo ops....

Storytime....

Love....

Running, running, rain!!!!

I haven't said anything about my running lately and that is because last week was a bit of a down week.  Belle got stuck closing camp every night last week so that canceled our evening runs, and my other running partners husband got a job (woo hoo!!!) so she is taking care of the kids.  I can run by myself but its just not as much fun, but if I have to I can.  However, being the loving supportive husband and father that he is Jon said he would run with me.  I was so excited I could barely contain myself, so Tuesday we put both the girls in the double stroller (not a jogging stroller mind you) and headed out.  Now there was a 55% chance of rain when we left the house, but the clouds didn't look so terrible and really what is 55% phfft nothing to keep you from  running.

Let me tell you what 55% really is...it's 5% in favor of the rain, is what it is. We got 1.25 miles into our run/walk and the skies darken, the wind picked up and the thunder began.  I panicked because we had the girls, and I have been very nearly stuck by lighting before.  Jon suggested we run into the gas station and grab a bottle of water and then book it back to the house.  Well the clerk in the store was new and alone and had no clue how to run a debit card, so with 6 people in front of us, and the clouds getting uglier I headed back and Jon said he would catch up.  Poor Jon, it took the clerk 10 minutes to get to him and I was not walking slowly, so by the time Jon caught up I was about a quarter mile from the house.  Jon ran almost the whole way to catch up. not sure how he did it since my legs were about the consistency of jello, but he did.

Now let me stop a minute and say that Jon used to run but hasn't in a long long time.  I am an aspiring runner, so neither one of us have good running shoes. Bad, bad, bad, I know my legs have told me this every time after a run/walk.  Well we are now both looking for good running shoes to save our legs, this little adventure just put us over the top.  Jello legs and shin splints, which Jon inevitably got from all the running, have convinced us that it is time for the right shoes.

So anyway we got back to the corner of our neighborhood and the heavens opened.  Luckily the thunder and lighting stopped, the rain was fairly warm and the drops were those nice big summer drops.  That being said little Ms. Jellybean was NOT HAPPY with the situation AT ALL!!  Boogie thought it was like a sprinkler which equals cool in her mind, but Jellybean was screaming like her toes were being pulled off.  So, Jon being the fabulous dad that he is, grabbed the stroller again and ran the rest of the way home with the girls.  My legs were jello by this point and I was hot and sweaty so I was just enjoying the cool rain.  Luckily I made it home before the thunder and lighting started up again and the rain got harder.

So the moral of the story here is....if there is a 55% chance of rain that is 5% on the rain's side, so pack an umbrella, or just stay home. Hopefully this week, Belle will be free in the evening and we will be back to our running schedule.

Oh and just cause their all cute, here are a few pictures....

Getting a lift from Daddy

Boogie and Jellybean, the cutie pie sisters!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

This is what a great little girl daddy looks like.

Thank you my love for 11 years of marriage, 15 years of companionship and two absolutely beautiful little girls.  I love you, you're the king of my world.

Wordless Wednesday

SUMMER!!!

Flying Kites with Daddy...

Catching a nap outside in the shade....

Swimming in bright blowup kiddie pools....

Finding fun new ways to cool off...

and beat the Atlanta heat.

Wordless Wednesday

The Princesses

Princess Boogie

Sleeping Beauty

Princess Mommy

(I think this will be my 1/2 marathon tiara!)

Princess Uhhhh...ummmmm...yeah!!

(I sure do love him, he's a good little girl daddy!)

The Basics for Running...

Before I start this let me again say that  I am not a runner, I am trying but I will not put myself in that class yet.  I will say I am a walker that walks really fast and when inspiration strikes I run. :D

So Belle and I have been meeting for a couple of weeks and run/walking 2-3 times each week.  The neighborhood that we use is VERY hilly which I guess is fine since apparently there are a few hills on the course in Florida.  Hills in Florida who knew?  So today we did great, we have steadily improved our time and today was no exception.  We did 2.1 miles and averaged a 14 minute mile, which is a minute better and a mile longer then last week.  Seems slow but we still have 8 months until the big event so if we keep this up we should be well on our way.

Towards the end of our route I had a small mishap, my ankle started stinging.  It's GA in summer so I figured I just received one of many mosquito bites, but when I looked down I saw I had been attacked.  Well attacked by some one's rose bush, but still it did a good one on my ankle.

See doesn't look horrible, but man does it sting.  Also I would not recommend getting into a nice hot bath full of Epsom salt with a mark like this, talk about eye opening.

May not be much, but its my first war wound and I will wear it proudly.

Now as I alluded to there are some things that are good to have when running.  Shoes are pretty important, but I am starting with just your run of the mill (no pun intended) pair of Wal-Mart special sneakers and I have to say right now they are working well.  Plus I like the colors. :D

They have worked well thus far, even without socks.  I do really need to get some socks, but I never wear them so I don't own any.  I know I need to get some socks or get a couple of blisters, I guess socks are a running must have, next to the shoes.

I also found this little handy dandy doo dad...

Not the phone obviously but the app.  I love this app, actually I am a little obsessed with this app.  It tells you everything, and it gratifies my need to know tendencies.  The app is simply called Runner and it is great.  Maps you used GPS, draws a map of where you've done, tells you miles, speed, lowest and highest speed, calories burned and other stuff too.  I love it.  Not a necessity, but really nice to have.

Comfy clothes are probably important too, but I don't have any so I am still wearing maternity clothes to run in.  I will be getting some new running shorts as my maternity yoga pants are  getting to big.  Woo hoo!!  In honor of the Disney Princess Half Marathon, I found some Disney running shorts that I will be purchasing.  They are simple but cute and look nice and comfy, definitely import if your going to be wearing them for 13.1 miles.

Here are my most important running implements, something that I just can't run without.

It seems obvious doesn't it, of course you need feet to run, duh, but how much time to we take to prepare them?  I am horrible about my feet and in training for this 1/2 marathon I promise to be better about pampering them a bit.  Please notice but don't notice the horrible pedicure that is wearing off; I really do need to take better care of these very important running tools.  So I am off to give them a little TLC, but now then later right?

Oh and just because I promised, here is one of those Goofy Smiles.....

Want another one just for good measure and to hold you over in case I get lazy again. Well here you go...

Dont' you just love it. Okay gotta run!

Ta ta for now.....Cinderella

One Neglectful Mommy

So in all my hype over starting my 1/2 marathon training I have realized that I have left my girls out of these posts for way to long.  Although I do have some killer run/walk stories to share, but back to the girls.

They are my little princesses, and we have some great stuff planned in the future.

This one just steals my heart....

I can't help but want to squeeze those chubby cheeks.  She's a little serious but that goofy smile breaks out pretty fast.

I promise I do have a picture of that Goofy smile somewhere I just have to find it.  By the way these PJ's from Gymboree and fantastic, so cute and comfy.

This is the best big sister in the world right here.  She always has a smile for her baby sissy.

Sometimes she doesn't have a smile for her mommy, but always for Baby Sissy.

She's a little goofy (notice the nice shiner in  this photo, she had a run in with a doorknob.)

DEFINITELY her daddy's daughter.  They have so many of the same body postures that its scary.

She is also my little thrill seeker, the faster it goes the better.  She can't wait to get on Big Thunder Mountain at WDW (I just hope she grows enough by then).

A definite little mermaid wanna be.

And above all else the love of my life, and my heart.  She is my princess (even if her shirt does say I blame my parents)

This one is just my little love bug, along with my big love bug.  She could win you over with just one goofy smile and a giggle.  I'll find some of those goofy smiles for you in the next post.  This one was kinda all about Boogie who will be 4 in just a few months.  I just don't know where the time went....Jellybean, don't grow so fast and that's an order. :D

1st Day of Pre-Training Dawns...

Well today is the day that my 1/2 marathon training officially begins.  Like I mentioned before I am not really a runner, so actually today begins my pre-training.  Apparently I need to be able to run for 30 minutes straight before officially beginning my 1/2 marathon training.  So this summer is dedicated to Pre-training, and then as September rolls around I hope to be able to say I am officially "training".

This evening barring any of the horrible thunderstorms that we've experienced the past few days, my friend Belle and I will be running.  Well to be honest probably walking and running, but I am going to try to run as much as possible.  I have no pictures right now to post but I will snap a few to post sometime this weekend.  I think the first training day is definitely picture worthy.

So the quest has begun.  Keep your fingers crossed that September will bring, a more conditioned me, my first pair of real running shoes and an official training timeline.

Ta ta for now.....

Cinderella :D

Wordless Wednesday....

THANK YOU FROM A GRATEFUL NATION.....