Five Little Foxes

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Can it Really Be?

How on Earth can it be 2 days until February already?!? I'm daily flabbergasted by the continued acceleration of time as I get older. I haven't done any real New Year's Resolutions. I haven't completed our yearly budget, but I know that we've already completely blown the dining out category that I arbitrarily set. Blame the kitchen (or lack thereof) for that one. I haven't even gotten comfortable writing 09 on checks and such!

Well, it's time to get crackin! Preschool admin stuff - step aside! Kids fighting and crying - figure it out on your own for awhile, this Momma's got some life-plannin' to do!

(She says while glued to the computer screen...)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Kitchen Status

Ok, wanna see? This is the latest. The countertop guys are on the way to measure for the granite installation, then we can do the floor and install the appliances. Woo hoo!

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Trip - a Recap

Whew! It was a quick trip by all accounts, one we would have love to have extended. But, we managed to fit in most of the things we wanted to do and still had a little time for R&R.

We left Friday after Laney's school morning and drove to Florence, SC, our halfway point and a place to spend the night. Saturday evening after a stop at the Outlet Malls we arrived at our condo in Orlando. How beautiful! And a working kitchen to boot! Hooray!

Sunday our friend Tim escorted us to the Magic Kingdom where we played the day away, and we left the park in time to make it to dinner in Downtown Disney at the House of Blues. Great food, and very kid-friendly!

Monday and Tuesday we spent with Patrick's parents in Lake Placid as well as with their son Dennis and his wife Diane, who Mia adored. It was a nice relaxing time and we enjoyed the company.

After a quick kids' pirate treasure hunt at the resort, we headed back to Downtown Disney on Wednesday for a lunch treat at TRex and to look at the Legoland sculptures we had eyed earlier in the week. Who knew that they would be closed for renovations! Oh well, it was nice to have an afternoon to do some more outlet shopping and just hang out at the resort and enjoy our place.

Thursday we ventured out to Disney again, this time to the Hollywood studios. We really loved seeing the Beauty and the Beast show, but the rest of the park lacked the interesting activities for the girls. However, while Laney napped in the stroller, Mia got to get out some of her extra energy in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. That was fun!

We left early and headed back to the Magic Kingdom just in time for dinner and parade watching, and completed the day watching and dancing to the fireworks. Patrick even caught a glimpse of Tinkerbell flying down from the castle!

Friday, our last day there, turned out to also be our warmest day, peaking at about 68 degrees. (Yes, it was historically cold in Florida last week. Seems we took the cold weather down with us, and brought it back here with us upon our return.) We swam in the pools in the morning, and had a fun playdate with our friends The Remleys in the afternoon. We had a big feast at Outback with our friends and then ended the night back at our condo full and sleepy.

Saturday and Sunday we again spent driving, and now here we are, back in our Little House (My Home! as Laney calls it) and we're a little road-weary, but happy we had our little adventure.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Getting Ready

Well this week I celebrate a birthday. One that is making me feel downright OLD. How can it possibly be 12 years since I graduated from Tech? How can it possibly be 16 years (!!!) since I graduated from High School?! I tell you, it just goes faster and faster.

But, one thing I AM looking forward to is our trip to Florida next week. We will be spending some time with Patrick's parents in Lake Placid, and spending some time with our friends, Tim and Erika and their children, in Orlando, and of course fitting in a trip to Disneyworld. I'm hoping we can squeeze in a day for SeaWorld as well, but we'll have to see how busy we are.

For my friends with little girls - have you heard of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Well, last year we saw all these little princesses all done up in sparkly makeup and buns and tiaras in their hair, decked out in Disney princess regalia. We thought maybe they were in some special show / competition or something as we all know those things take place in Orlando on a regular basis (I seem to recall going to Devon's cheerleading competition at Disneyworld a few lifetimes ago.) But no, the hair and makeup and costume can all be bought for way too much money at a little salon called the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, located in the castle in the Magic Kingdom or in the one in Downtown Disney. I almost decided I wanted to do this for the girls, pocketbook be damned, and then I noticed you have to be at least 3. So, they will have to wait. Besides, my girls HATE to have their hair brushed, let alone put up in a bun. But check it out, it's really a cute idea. I guess the staff at Disney have to address you as princess and bow to you if you are wearing the BBB sash and hairdo. Can you imagine?!?