Today

Today we are not Democrat or Republican, black or white, old or young, rich or poor.  Today we are American.  Today so many dreams for so many  have come true.  Today I am filled with hope.  Today I know that anything is possible.  Today I am so proud to be an American.  Today I find myself crying the happiest of tears, the kind a mother cries when meeting her child for the very first time.  Today I feel that we can see the future.  Today I know that although this seems so much bigger than any of us, it is that because we are Americans that we will rise to this new standard set before us- to fix what needs fixing, help those that need our help, and love those that need loving.  Today I am not afraid.  

Today I am inspired.  

In case you were wondering...

... I am The Meanest Mommy EVER!  Me!  Who would have thought?  And all because I insisted at noon today, after my 3 children had finished their lunch, that everyone (*everyone*) takes a nap this afternoon.  And only because I am tired of looking at them.  

There.  I said it.  I am tired of looking at my children today.  I love them to bits, but they are driving me crazy right now.  They are on a school holiday and it is cold cold cold outside... and I am still catching up on vacation laundry.  So we are all cooped up inside and I have grown tired of hearing them fight, cry, scream, whine, holler, etc... 

So now that I know everyone is safely tucked away in their beds for a few hours of rest, I am going to excuse myself to eat my two little turkey sandwiches on mini-bagels.  And maybe take a nap.  

New Ears!

First, a birthday picture of Maggie.  We celebrated her 6th birthday while on vacation at Disney World last week.  We originally had plans to dine with royalty in Norway (we had reservations for dinner in the Norwegian pavilion at Epcot- featuring all the Disney Princesses)... but since Birthday Girl was under the weather on her big day we celebrated with just the 5 of us in our hotel room.  

And next, what trip to Disney World would be complete without a new set of ears to show off?  

maggie, the pirate princess

lydia and her blinged-out princess ears

and lastly, big jack shows off his very first set of ears

Dreaming of Florida...

At 3pm when I drove out to pick up Maggie from school, the temperature gauge in my car registered a very cold 24 degrees.  I was in Florida last week with our little bunch and the weather was perfect (well, except for one rather rainy and damp day;  can't have everything now, can we?).  The temps there were 70-80 degrees with some of the most gorgeous blue skies I have ever seen and sunshine a-plenty.  

We spent most of our trip at Disney's Magic Kingdom, which happened to still be very much in the holiday spirit the first day we visited... it was glorious! 

the covered portico where you can wait for the train or watch the parade roll by

one of the many decorated lamp posts on Main Street, USA

oh, christmas tree!

On trips past, we have stayed at the Disney Boardwalk.  This time we decided to switch things up a bit (because we are nutty like that) and we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge.  I loved it- it was so rustic and our stay made me feel a bit nostalgic for childhood vacations to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State.  

We had a wonderfully relaxing week and discovered that it is indeed possible to return home from your Disney Vacation without feeling like you need another vacation just to rest.  We arrived late Monday afternoon and spent Tuesday at the Magic Kingdom. Wednesday was a designated "sick day" for our crew- Maggie and Lydia both woke with fevers and nasty coughs.  This actually worked in our favor because this was the aforementioned rainy and damp day.  It was also Maggie's birthday though, so it was unfortunate that she felt so yuck that day, but we made the best of it and I think she enjoyed her big day (she turned 6!).  We ordered room service for dinner and had cupcakes from the bakery for dessert.  Lydia and I shopped in the gift shop for her presents- a pretty little charm necklace and a small Minnie Mouse plush toy- dressed as Sleeping Beauty.  

One terrific advantage of staying at the Wilderness Lodge is that you are a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom.  We had planned it this way- we knew ahead of time most of our trip would be spent there.  Thursday, once everybody was feeling better after their day of rest, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom for more fun.  This was the last day of our vacation... and we had a great time.  

I think we learned this trip that it really isn't necessary to "do it all" during your stay with the mouse.  We approached our day at a nice, leisurely pace and I think it certainly paid off at the end of the week.  The kids were all in great spirits during our stay- I have to brag and let everyone know that we didn't experience one meltdown.  Not a one.  Promise.  And I think it was because we weren't rushing around like our lives depended on it, trying to get every last bit of Disney World in, hoping that it would satisfy us until our next trip.  We did skip over a few favorite rides- Peter Pan comes to mind- but you know what?  Peter Pan will be there next time.  Promise.  

Today is Maggie's Birthday!

She is 6 years old today!  6!  Would someone please tell me how that is even remotely possible??!!

But what is worse than being sick on your birthday?  

Anyone?  

If you asked Maggie she would probably say:  being at Disney World, sick on your birthday.  Poor sweet girl is miserable in bed right now with a chest cold.  She even asked if we would please skip the Princess Dinner at Epcot that we had planned so she could stay in bed.  :(  

Lydia is a bit under the weather as well- she was up during the night burning up with a fever and sniffles.  

Fingers crossed please that both girls are feeling up to enjoying the last day of our trip tomorrow...

We are so outta here!

We are on our way to Disney World!  Our house is just buzzing right now:  Is it time to go to the airport yet?  How many more minutes?  Can I go wait in the car?

I am looking forward to some warm and sunny days... it is supposed to rain/ sleet/ snow/ ice here in the Memphis area this week.  We are more than happy to be missing all that mess.  As it is, the area is under a "Winter Weather Advisory" until noon.  

M-I-C... K-E-Y... M-O-U-S-E!

Look who came to visit yesterday

A peacock!  We found him in our backyard yesterday afternoon.  The land behind our house at one time was a wildlife park of some sort and when the owners sold the land and moved away, they left a group of peacocks behind.  In the summer you can hear them call to each other, but I have noticed in the fall and winter they tend to stick pretty close together and just sort of stroll the neighborhood.  They are so gorgeous- this picture hardly does him justice because it was a cloudy day.  After taking a peek into our yard and visiting for a moment, Mr. Pretty Bird jumped up on our neighbor's rooftop and then up onto ours.  

How many people can say they had a peacock on their rooftop yesterday?