Day One and Two...Disney

*** I will be posting about our trip in thirds; day one and two, three and four, five and six. Each third will be done individually. Day One and Two: Got in to Orlando around 11:30 and after a LONG wait to get our car, made it to the hotel. It's a nice place with a separate room for the kids with bunk beds, their own TV, etc. Nice to have some separate space! It was 80 degrees and gorgeous. We decided to spend a few hours by the pool and then got cleaned up to go to Downtown Disney. We had never been there before and had a good time shopping and eating. The boys even made their own lightsabers (didn't bring camera...big mistake). Saturday we ventured out to Animal Kingdom. We did some things we hadn't done before including the Lion King Show and Flights of Wonder. The lines were amazing. It was like the first year we went (when it wasn't Easter week) and the longest we waited was maybe 15 minutes. It was great. Weather was perfect, high 70's. While taking the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Noah was asked to assist the conductor and say “all aboard” into the microphone. He received a certificate stating he was honorary conductor for the day. I did not get a picture….it all happened so fast! I knew the thousands we spent on Thomas the Train *crap* wonderful toys in his early years would pay off! Our favorite "ride" at Animal Kingdom is the Safari Ride. You get up close and personal with the animals in open-air Jeeps and they pretend poachers are killing elephants and we get to be part of the hunt to find the evil men! Our favorite show at Animal Kingdom is Finding Nemo with The Lion King a close second. Amazing musical shows and we discovered Connor really likes the shows. He couldn't remember much from the previous year so it was like he was seeing everything for the first time! Kind of funny. For supper we ate at Yak and Yeti, and Asian restaurant. Best ribs (made with hoisen barbeque sauce) Mike has ever had. I enjoyed Beef and Broccoli...yum! Day one and two....a success!

Forever Six

Connor David Budach is SIX today! Can he just be frozen in time now? This is what six looks like at 6:30 in the morning... We wake him every March 18th at 6:30 AM to memorialize his birth. I figure since I had to go through the pain and agony that day, he should have to go through pain and get up early each year. Just kidding. That's what time he gets up every school morning. He was born at 11-something in the morning. He had his first "kid" party this past weekend at the bowling alley (limited options in MN in March). Everyone had a blast. It was a MN Twins party. Getting a little embarrassed with the "Happy Birthday To You" singing: Tonight we met our families at the local pizza buffet for supper. Did you know that sticking out your tongue helps you to open birthday cards? I can't believe he's six. Six is a big deal. Six means full time in school. Six means access to every organized sport. Six means catching up with your brother. Six means reading books to me instead of the other way around. Six means being tall enough to go on every ride at Disneyworld in 2 days. Six means homework. Six means no more little boy. My sweet boy, enjoy your day! LB

Pot of Gold

Sorry it's been so long (Barb, I know...thank you for being a loyal fan and not giving up on me. But if I had created a new post, Rachel might have missed the fan/glove picture!) but my life has been crazy busy. Just think...planning for a FLORIDA vacation and trying to get grades done for 120 students while working full time and dealing with "life". Not easy. And doesn't leave much time for blogging. We are looking forward to 6 fabulous days in Orlando. We will visit a few parks and sit by the pool a few days too. My birthday is the 24th and if you have been watching the commercials, I get into Disneyworld FREE that day! That saves major cash-o-lah! We are very tempted to drive to Fort Meyers to see the Twins in spring training camp, but it's a three hour drive one way. That would mean 6 hours in the car on my vacation....I don't think so. Punto will have to wait to see me in Minnesota on June 4th when we take my entire school to an afternoon game. I did want to show you what I found at the end of the rainbow today. I think I hit the jackpot.... Happy St Patty's Day! LB

Wordless Wednesday