Magic Kingdom Day #2

WARNING: Seriously cheesy tourist photos to follow!!! Proceed at your own risk!


Yes, I really do exist. I know there isn't much photographic evidence, but there it is, folks! No, I'm not the Goofy hat on top of Mason's head...I'm the one on the left. No really, that's me.



Thank goodness for PhotoPass people! I, being the professional photographer of the family, forgot to charge the camera battery the night before. So, the photos you see on this blog post are the photos I have of our day at Magic Kingdom. They were taken by random people and no thought or love went into them. Only I can tell, though.




I DID take this one. It was my first shot of the day...and one of my last. I must admit that it was very liberating to not have to capture every bit of an exciting day on camera. The only part of the day I was seriously disappointed was at the fireworks display. Words really won't do it justice, but it really was amazing.



Brian had to get in on the Goofy statue action. Aren't my boys handsome?



Teacups. I was forewarned about the teacups. Luckily, I know my limits when it comes to rides. Anything that repeatedly goes in a circle I put the kybosh on. No questions asked. The boys had a good time in them. Let's go to Space Mountain, shall we? You really can't go wrong with a roller coaster that is completely in the dark. In a word: AWESOME!

Sometimes It's Okay to Follow...

Check out the new gadget on the right-hand side of this page...Google has done it again! Nothing wrong with adding a little social networking to my social networking, right? Thanks to Kelly sBlog for making me so envious that I had to seek it out!

Animal Kingdom: Day #1

This tree is called The Tree of Life and it's the first thing you see as you wind your way into the park along a tree-lined trail filled with parrots and other animals. You can't really get a perspective on how massive this tree is until you take a step back from it...


Wow!


The entire thing is made from some kind of resin and there are animals carved out in every nook and cranny. Truly amazing! We all had fun picking out all of the animals. Later in the morning, we were inside of the tree for a 4-D show of It's Tough to be a Bug. I won't reveal any details, but it's not a show for the faint of heart!


Fans of The Lion King: This show is a must-see at Animal Kingdom! There is something for everyone in this show – singing for the music-lovers, dancing for the Broadway show lovers, characters for the kids and acrobats for the dare-devils!


The animatronics in this show were not stellar, but the live performers were AMAZING!


The costumes were beautiful and really eye-catching. I'll let you in on a little secret: Brian enjoyed this show. I know! So, go see this show...NOW!



After an amazing show, it was off to see some characters! We didn't stand in line too terribly long for any characters and it was tons of fun for Mason to collect their autographs! Of course, it was tons of fun for me to collect photos of Mason collecting their autographs. What?


While Mason and Brian stood in line for Chip and Dale's autographs, a park employee was striking up conversation and asked them if they wanted to be in the parade at 3 pm. Really? What kind of question is that?! So, we went where they were told to go shortly before the parade began and we were escorted backstage to where all of the floats were lined up. We were on a float right in front of Minnie Mouse! This was our view from backstage. I will post the photos from our view during the parade later.



Snack time at Disney is no small feat! With so many options, you can't really go wrong...especially with ice cream. The weather in Orlando was outstanding, so an ice cream treat in 80º weather was just the thing to cool us down. **Note that Mason is biting the strawberry bar with the side of his mouth since he has 3 loose teeth in the front**



Brian doesn't like to admit it, but when he's in the mood for sweets, he has giant eyes! When I took this photo, he had already eaten half of that cereal snack...and look at how much is left! For the record, I had an ice cream sandwich that was shaped like Mickey's head...it was delicious!



Performances were held throughout each park and we happened to be sitting in the snack area while this was going on. Music and dancing while you eat...how can you go wrong?


What is an animal park without a safari? Disney did a pretty good job making it look like the African plains, yes?



We saw lions, ostrich eggs, cheetahs, alligators and more!



A far-off view of Expedition Everest...the only ride I wasn't able to convince Mason to go on. Next time we visit Disney, it's first on my list!

The Happiest Birthday...

Here's a sneak peek of our very first day in Orlando. At check-in, they gave Mason a "Happy Birthday" button to wear during his visit. This proved to be quite beneficial throughout our stay...more on that later. Enjoy the birthday song!

See You Real Soon...

Despite Mickey Mouse's grammar issues, the family and I are heading to Disney World for the next 5 days. I promise to post a lot of photos when we return (including Mason's missing tooth)!

Tap, Tap...

I feel like I'm talking to myself...anyone out there?

I Love You Cards

Just in time for Valentine's day! Heidi was featured on Daily Candy for her I Love You cards. Get yours here!

Valentine's Day Fun...

For the last few years, I have designed Mason's Valentine cards that he gives to his classmates. Last year, I did something a little more traditional...these were printed on 4x6 photo paper. Mason wrote his classmates name in one square and his name in another. These were a big hit with mothers in his class; I'm not sure how well received they were by his classmate...I forgot to take a poll.



This year, I went off of a childhood memory of my own...cootie catchers. You've all seen them and have even played this game. This is the unfolded version....



Here it is all folded up. Look familiar? Yes, I reused our Christmas card...I was a lazy designer for my not-so-favorite Hallmark holiday. To get to the inside, the player chooses one of the heart squares and the other counts the number of hearts while moving the folds back and forth.



Numbers on the inside...the player chooses a number and the other player counts the number while moving the folds back and forth again...




...and the third time, the player chooses a number and the other player lifts the flap of the number chosen...




...inside is a fun surprise!




Unfold all of it and you get an even BIGGER surprise! Mason's little face wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day! Awe!

PTSC Fundraising Duties...

As a member of the fundraising committee, I find myself designing a lot of flyers for various events. I have designed flyers for the Garden Party, Monkey Joe's spirit night, volunteer flyers and the like.


I never have been big on the Hallmark holiday of Valentine's Day. Being that Brian's birthday is ON Valentine's Day has always given me an excuse to bah humbug the day for what other people see it as, so designing this flyer was more of a challenge for me. Above is version #1.


Then I had my first set of revisions from the powers-that-be. On the tear-off portion, they wanted to have more lines for children. I often forget that there are people in the world that have more than just one child. Funny how I get wrapped up in my own little world that revolves around my single child. Logical changes, I thought. No problem.

Anyone else out there bah humbug about Valentine's Day? Mason's Valentine's card coming soon...

I Believe Aretha Franklin Put It Best...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It's the word of the week for Karate and an overall theme for live in general. Respect for your things and respect for yourself and others. I like his karate classes more every time we go. Such good life lessons.

Honor and Self-Control...

If you had asked me earlier in the year about how Mason was doing in school, I might give you a response like, "Well, he does so well in his subjects, but he really struggles with keeping his hands to himself." After a few visits with the school principle, Brian and I really struggled with finding a solution for Mason's behavior. One of Mason's after-school teachers had suggested that we get him into a sport and thought that Karate would be a good fit for him...


I must say that Tae Kwon Do has been the type of discipline Mason has needed in his life. He looks forward to going to class 4 times a week. Mr. Bell stresses the importance of honor and self-control – not for only Tae Kwon Do, but for life in general. Mason just gets it...finally! We have seen a vast improvement in his behavior over the last few weeks and we could not be more pleased. Keep up the good work!

Super Callie...

Our dog, Callie (short for Calloway...guess who picked that name), is a rescue dog. She came to live with our family early in the summer of 2008.

To the best of our vet's knowledge, she is part Pit Bull terrier and Yellow Lab. Isn't she beautiful? I really think she could be the next big mixed breed. She's just the right size for our little townhouse and family. She has the sweetest demeanor, also.

Callie lives the good life. She gets up early with Brian, jumps into a freezing cold truck before dawn and works at a golf course. Yes, she has a function on the golf course – she chases the geese away. I think she actually enjoys her job.

The golf course is not all work, however. She also gets to ride around in a golf cart, swim in the ponds and chase squirrels and deer. When it's cold or Brian is spraying chemicals, Callie hangs out in the office. The crewmen like to feed her Mexican food...which could explain a lot.

Blogworthy Weekend...

It's getting to be that time of year again. You know, the Mason's birthday is coming up and I better take his picture, time of year. I wanted to play around a little to see what I could get inside, 'cause dangit, it's cold outside! This is one of the first shots I took.


And slowly I lose his interest.


Whoa Nellie! Look at that set of chompers! Those two baby teeth in the front are finally loose. I really thought Dr. Andy would have to pull them. Dodged a bullet there, didn't we?


...and here is the last shot. Notice the pouty lips and the desperate look in his eyes. Note: from the first shot to the last shot was a total of about 5 minutes. Boys...they never want to stand still long enough for a good shot!

Watch Your Back, Chuck Norris...

We missed Mason's regular class on Monday, but he got to practice with the white belts instead. It was a good thing for him to go back to basics for a little rehash. Before class begins, each child grabs their attendance card and sits criss-cross on the mat. Mason waits pretty patiently (except for the evil eye he's giving me for taking his picture).

Mason finally learned to raise his hand before speaking! He DID know the answer to the question!


Kiai (気合) (pronounced key-eye)! Left-upper forearm block, SIR!


Right front-kick, SIR! Open those eyes...how are you supposed to see your target?


Side-kick, SIR!


Chamber...


...kick. Chamber...kick. Good practice!

Covert Rescue Mission –

On an average Sunday afternoon, the family and I went to Boston Market for lunch. As usual, Mason's best friend Bear tagged along. We don't mind because he never fusses about where we go to eat or that Mason is touching him or breathing funny.

We had a delicious baked chicken lunch with the usual comfort food sides and headed out to run some errands...and left Bear sitting in his chair. Because Bear is so laid back, he was left in a restaurant to defend for himself. Poor kid. All he had to do is call out!

We had gotten all the way home before we realized that Bear was missing. I knew exactly where he was. Of course, Mason was in tears. It seriously felt like someone had ripped the heart right from my chest. So, we headed back to Boston Market. Mason, being the intuitive kid that he is, asked me, "What if he isn't there?" Again, a tug at my heart. I had to explain to him that there ARE honest people in the world and that hopefully someone did the right thing by not taking him home, but if he did go live with another family we hope that he's happy.

Boston Market is about a 20 minute drive (with traffic) from our house. That was a very long drive, especially for a little boy worried about his friend. When we arrived, we looked in the seat that we left poor Bear all alone. Bear was no longer sitting there. I felt a twinge in the pit of my stomach. As we walked up to the counter to ask one of the employees about Bear, I saw a very familiar face sitting there. It was Bear. Thank goodness! The look of relief on Mason's face was enough to let me know that he had learned his lesson about keeping track of his things.

Mission successful!

I will not shed a tear –

As President Bush prepares to leave the office he has held for the last 8 years, I will celebrate the coming of a new administration. Although a great achievement, I will not be celebrating the election of a black President, but a new President with a fresh set of eyes. What a great time to be an American!

Good Eats Tuesday:

Brian went to watch the K-State/KU basketball game with a friend last night, so Mason and I had the big screen all to ourselves. We LOVE to watch Food Network, and MY favorite show is Good Eats.

Mason caught me taking his picture and rolled to the side. Sneaky. Anyway, Alton Brown, the host of Good Eats, is an Atlanta resident. Alpharetta, to be exact. I secretly hope that every time we go to Whole Foods that we will run into him taping a show or shopping. I just love that guy.


Nothing like a little liquid refreshment to make a good show more enjoyable.


AH!


"Mommy, give me a hug," he said. I will miss the days when he will demand random affection from me. I will thoroughly enjoy it for now, though.

Karate Mason:

New Life Academy, the elementary school Mason attends, offers karate as their physical education class. He liked it so much that Brian and I decided to enroll him in regular classes. Yesterday, was his first class and he was in with kids that were a bit older than him. They were practicing punches and even kicks! Above is a short snippet of Mason's first attempt at a round-kick. Tee hee.

He got to be the leader of his line and give it the first whack!


Cheering on his classmates and waiting patiently for his turn. Yes, that kid is really THAT much bigger – it's not just a camera angle.


Mason is getting a little personal instruction on how to move his body toward the Wavemaster. Much needed after it kicked his butt earlier!

And the Oscar goes to...

Angela and I went to see the movie "Doubt" last night, and I must say that if Meryl Streep doesn't sweep the Oscars, I will be amazed!