So my main purpose in keeping this blog is to be sure I don't forget the little things. I do this since I'm no journaler, or scrapbooker, or other person to record the little things about us that I know we're likely to forget. So here's a few things I want to remember....
1. The way Erin says 'Child' when she's playing make believe that she's the mom and we're her kids. It's more like 'Chiiiiile....' with a southern twang that cracks us up every time.
2. How often Erin says "I love you" -- she says it all the time. In the middle of swimming class, when we're in the car, when I'm mad at her, any time it crosses her mind. Sometimes she'll say it spontaneously and others it seems like she considers it after I've done something for her (like help her on with her dress-up clothes) and then it hits her how much she loves me (or Pat, or Sean, or her grandparents, aunts, cats, stuffed animals....). She's also taken to saying "I love you towards your heart." I know there will come a day when I'll have to bribe her to say it, so I'm enjoying it now.
3. Sean's smile. He literally smiles all the time. How does he do that?? He's the happiest kid I've ever seen. Thankyouthankyouthankyou to the powers that be on that one!!
4. Erin in the swimming pool. I have to get this on film, but she absolutely comes alive as soon as she hits the water. Gets that from me!
I know I'll think of more.....but until then....
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
How sharper than a serpent's tooth....
Last Night:
Me: Erin, it's bedtime, give your daddy a hug and a kiss.
Pat: Come give me a kiss sweetie.
Erin (grumpy look on her face): No, Daddy.
Pat: Why not
Erin: Because you're a boring masterpiece!
Me: Erin, it's bedtime, give your daddy a hug and a kiss.
Pat: Come give me a kiss sweetie.
Erin (grumpy look on her face): No, Daddy.
Pat: Why not
Erin: Because you're a boring masterpiece!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Stupid and Boring
It's funny how kids latch on to word, and Erin LOVE words. Her latest are stupid and boring. They are, to her mind, the WORST thing you can say about something. She does not, however REALLY know what they mean. This morning she told her dad not to tickle her because that 'was boring.' She's also latched onto the number 16 and San Francisco. Everything in her life will happen to her 'when I'm 16.' This is the magical age when she will no longer be afraid of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney, when she will be able to go off the diving board at the pool and when she won't have to sit in her booster seat in the car anymore. And that storm the other night....it came from San Francisco. She's turning into a fish - such a good swimmer just in the last month!! And Sean is crawling up a storm. I have a sneaking suspicion that we'll need to do more childproofing with this one. Whoever said gender differences were the result of environment, never had a boy and a girl to compare. They are just wired differently. I look forward to seeing how it plays out. Hey, chasing him might just help me lose the rest of my baby weight!!!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Last Disney Thoughts
So as you can see, the trip to Disney just keeps on giving. It's amazing what you can be suckered into buying by the Disney marketing juggernaut. But you know, you do it willingly. How do they do that??
For any who are considering Disney I have three words of advice:
1. Start Saving NOW
2. Go in November, or January or March, not summer.
3. Stay somewhere easy to get back to in the middle of the day
We'll go back, but not for a while -- but I'm looking forward to it. I'm a Disney sucker and you know, they are building a Harry Potter themed park, so that will be a MUST SEE when we returned. I'm currently re-reading the Order of the Phoenix in prep for the movie and then will re-read Half-Blood Prince to be all caught up for the new book!!!
For any who are considering Disney I have three words of advice:
1. Start Saving NOW
2. Go in November, or January or March, not summer.
3. Stay somewhere easy to get back to in the middle of the day
We'll go back, but not for a while -- but I'm looking forward to it. I'm a Disney sucker and you know, they are building a Harry Potter themed park, so that will be a MUST SEE when we returned. I'm currently re-reading the Order of the Phoenix in prep for the movie and then will re-read Half-Blood Prince to be all caught up for the new book!!!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Disney Post #3
OK - now the park itself. Let's face it. Disney World is great. As much as I hate to succumb to marketing ploys, I'm a sucker for it. They craft a complete experience and craft it well. No litter, no peeling paint, no algae in the water, no weeds in the flower beds and EVERY SINGLE employee is polite, helpful and cheerful. How that happens is beyond me but it is cult-like in its pervasiveness. They must fire people who are rude; in fact, I'm sure they do. But what it all adds up to is a magical place where you can really forget the real world and just be.
Now, I do have my gripes. The main one being that they are now pushing these autograph books on all the kids who come so they can get the autographs of the characters. Great idea. In theory. The problem is that there is only one place some of the characters ever appear and Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella are in the same place. The line was 90 minutes as soon as it opened and still 45 minutes late in the evening when we returned. I just got a survey from Disney and they asked about it and I slammed them. If they are going to push kids to get autographs of EVERY character, then they need 10 Cinderellas and 10 Sleeping Beauties stationed all around the park. Even the characters who were just out in the park had long lines. The remedy, of course, is to go in November, January or March and not June. This is what we'll do next time, even if it means taking the kids out of school. God help the people coming over the summer.
Otherwise, however, we had a grand time. It's a Small World, the teacup ride, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella's Carousel, Peter Pan, Country Bear Jamboree, all were great.
And did I mention that Disney should manage all airports? They should. Especially having flown back from Atlanta yesterday - the TSA knows NOTHING about crowd management and Disney knows everything about it. Except for the lines for the characters and a couple rides, it was wonderful.
I can't wait to go back when the kids are older. Better start working out now to keep up with them.
Did I mention Sean is getting his bottom teeth AND he slept for 11 1/2 hours last night??? Life is good......
Now, I do have my gripes. The main one being that they are now pushing these autograph books on all the kids who come so they can get the autographs of the characters. Great idea. In theory. The problem is that there is only one place some of the characters ever appear and Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella are in the same place. The line was 90 minutes as soon as it opened and still 45 minutes late in the evening when we returned. I just got a survey from Disney and they asked about it and I slammed them. If they are going to push kids to get autographs of EVERY character, then they need 10 Cinderellas and 10 Sleeping Beauties stationed all around the park. Even the characters who were just out in the park had long lines. The remedy, of course, is to go in November, January or March and not June. This is what we'll do next time, even if it means taking the kids out of school. God help the people coming over the summer.
Otherwise, however, we had a grand time. It's a Small World, the teacup ride, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella's Carousel, Peter Pan, Country Bear Jamboree, all were great.
And did I mention that Disney should manage all airports? They should. Especially having flown back from Atlanta yesterday - the TSA knows NOTHING about crowd management and Disney knows everything about it. Except for the lines for the characters and a couple rides, it was wonderful.
I can't wait to go back when the kids are older. Better start working out now to keep up with them.
Did I mention Sean is getting his bottom teeth AND he slept for 11 1/2 hours last night??? Life is good......
Monday, June 11, 2007
Disney Blog #2
OK - today I'll talk about our hotel. We were at the Port Orleans French Quarter. I would HIGHLY recommend it for anyone heading down there. It got great ratings in several of the guidebooks I looked at. The room was pretty basic but there is a good food court with very family friendly fare AND they serve beignets. Not as good as Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, but still a tasty treat. The best family feature, by far, however, was the fantabulous pool. A waterfall, waterslide and fantastic lifeguards made it a great way to spend the afternoon when we needed a break from the heat of Disney. The hotel also has a boat that goes back and forth to Downtown Disney which is great fun. As do all Disney hotels, it also has shuttles to all the theme parks. All in all a great location from which to explore the wonders of the happiest place on earth. Did I mention the beignets?? They had them. mmmmmmmm.......
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Disney Blog #1
Lots to talk about with the trip to Disney, so I'll split it up into several entries. First, let's cover traveling on planes with children. Don't do it. As Giz says - the motto of the airline industry has become "Welcome to xxx Airlines. Shut up and get on the plane." On both of our trips, they had not put Erin and me together. Who they thought would want to sit with a stranger's 3 1/2 year old, I don't know. Going we got it switched before we got on the plane. Coming back they essentially said 'Yeah, you'll just have to work that out with the people around you. Good luck with that." Top that off with a child who understands a lot and has even better hearing and you get lots of questions like "Mommy, why would we need a life jacket??" "What are those masks for??" "Why do we need to know where the exits are?" "What are the slides for?" and her sweet. sweet statement to me in the bus on the way to the hotel "Mommy, if we need the masks, I'll let anyone put one on me...don't worry." Flying is a scary thing to a youngun' and with the horrible conditions on planes and in airports (did you know flight attendants now have to clean the planes, too??) I just don't plan to get on a plane with a kid for a while. Plus, your chances of getting to your destination on time and with your bags is apparently approaching the odds of winning the lottery. Which reminds me, I need to buy a PowerBall Ticket! I promise my next post will be more positive, but I'm just thankful for a child who is so remarkable that she didn't completely melt down on the trip. I would have, in her shoes.
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