What's with the birds?!?

So, after last weeks birdie snow globe, I had a close call with a bird myself.

Yesterday, as I was driving to the grocery store, a bird swooped in front of my car.  It hit my antenna and kept going, but I certainly hears the thump.  I think the little birdie was OK, at least I hope so.  There were no feathers flying, so I took that as a good sign.

Seriously.  What is with the birds around here?

Weekend Workout

Since we had a long weekend (made even longer by hubby taking 2 vacation days!  Hello 5 day weekend!), we decided to get a bunch of house projects done.

Hubby cut the grass and put together a shelving unit for the garage.  We got the garage organized so that hubby can now use it for his car, instead of stuff.

We also have this rock retaining wall that Sweet Pea has almost launched herself off of several times.  So, we transformed it (with a little more swearing and arguing than I'd like to admit) into this:

It's a fairly temporary solution, since we have plans to have the retaining walls redone next year (come on tax refund!)

Then, I painted Sweet Pea's room, so that it looks like this:

Throw in planting flowers near the deck, dishes, laundry, cleaning out my car, trips to several stores, and some 4th of July fun with our neighbors and we've had a crazy busy holiday weekend.  Mini Me even managed to see fireworks from her bedroom window.

Oh, and who could forget our trip to an amusement park that the kids did not find so amusing???  Mini Me *insisted* we ride this spinning turtle ride and the screamed to get off as soon as it started moving.  So, we went on the whale ride (sort of like Dumbo) that she LOVED when we were there a few weeks ago.  She freaked out!  I don't know what was up with that.  But, I made her stay on (ha ha, bad mom) and she settled down halfway through.

Also, Sweet Pea would not go on anything except a tractor ride.  She wouldn't even get on a boat or train.  But, we did get to meet Curious George, so that was fun!

Sweet Pea was just in awe of the princess:

It was funny, but it wasn't.

I love animals.  I really do.  (Well, except the slithering variety.)

And, I never want to see an animal injured or killed--but, I still found myself giggling a little bit today when the car in front of me hit a bird.

No, not one that was on the ground.  But, a bird that flew perpendicular to the road.  It happens all the time--they swoop right in front of you and then out of the way before you can even think of doing anything.  But, this poor bird must have been having a bad navigational day because he did not make it out of the way.

So, why was I giggling?  Because it was just like a scene from a cartoon where a bird explodes and feathers fly everywhere.  It was kind of like driving through a snow globe.  I just had to laugh a little. 

Disney Planning

Since there's not a whole lot I can do until the park hours are posted and our Advance Dining Reservation window opens up, I've been working on some other stuff to make the trip fun.

I ordered some goodies for the kids.  When we arrive, I'm going to have hubby distract the kids in the lobby while I secretly run to our room to set up a "welcome" from Mickey & the gang.

For Mini Me, I bought personalized princess ears, a personalized lanyard with a set of cupcake trading pins (I thought since it was a birthday celebration, the cupcakes would be fun!), and an autograph book.  I also bought her a special Tinkerbell February Birthday pin as a birthday present.  That one will not be a 'trade' pin.

For Sweet Pea, I bought personalized Minnie ears and an autograph book.  

I'll also be checking the dollar stores and dollar bins for random Disney stuff so that Tinkerbell can leave a little gift for each of them each day.

The other things on my agenda:  planning activities for the car ride, figuring out how we're going to reveal the surprise, and outfit planning.

I've also been "planting" the idea of going to Disney.  We've been watching a bit more Disney shows & movies, than the usual PBS stuff.  We've also talked about when hubby and I went to Disney, and showed her some pictures.  Mini Me has started to talk about wanting to go to Disney someday and Sweet Pea is loving Mickey & the gang now.  

Seriously, the planning (even though we aren't really do a whole lot of structure when we're there-other than meals & special experiences) is so much fun! 

The messiest kid in the universe

So, while I was doing all that cooking, my little ones were snacking and doing some art.

Sweet Pea decided to decorate herself:

And, the floor:

Nothing says bed time like...

Nothing says bedtime like spraying your screaming kid with Pam.

Sweet Pea went to bed after a long day.  She wasn't entirely happy about it, but nothing too crazy.  Until I heard this awful scream and thumping coming from her room.  I ran upstairs-convinced she had climbed/fallen out of her crib- only to find her with her leg, past her knee, wedged through the slats of the crib.

I tried to turn her in different ways to no avail.  Hubby came to help, but no luck.  So, when in doubt...

I ran downstairs, flung open the cabinets and grabbed the Pam.  A few squirts and poof!-her leg was free.

So much for an early bedtime.....

Feed Them Fridays

This weeks plan for getting ahead in the kitchen focused on breakfast & morning snack stuff for the girls.

I made 27 pancakes (some regular, some blueberry), a banana bread, and a dozen oatmeal raisin muffins.


It all looked a little something like this:

And, left a mess like this:

Next week, the plan includes:
Cornbread
Corndog muffins
Chicken & Rice Wraps

Disney Planning

So, as some of you may know, Mini Me is turning 5 in a mere eight months.  How can that be?  I have no idea, but, it's happening.  And, since I was pregnant with her, I have had this dream of taking her to Disney for her 5th birthday.

It's time to start planning!

We have decided that against my long held, super strong emotional attachment to walking into the Magic Kingdom for the first time ON her actual birthday, that we will go earlier in the month.  I won't go into the myriad of reasons, but I am slowly coming to terms with this.

Regardless, this is still a birthday celebration trip!

Here's what I've got so far:

We are driving.  Yes, we are crazy.  But, it's the best option for us.

Saturday:  Arrive late morning.  Check in to Animal Kingdom Lodge.  (We're getting a savanna view room!!!!)  The plan is to just hang out at the resort this day.  I'm not ruling out heading to a park, but there should be plenty to keep us occupied at the resort (you know---like animals right outside our window!!!!)

Sunday:  Heading to Animal Kingdom.  Hoping to get a reservation at Tusker House for a character breakfast.  Not sure if this will be a full day or not, but we will spend any remaining time at the resort, soaking up all the deluxe goodness, because...

Monday:  Check out of AKL and check in at POP Century.  We've stayed here before.  It's nothing fancy, but think it will be fun for the little ones.  Once we really start hitting the parks, I think they'll be too tired to really appreciate all the deluxe resorts have to offer.  So, this makes more sense for us.

We don't have park plans yet for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

I'm waiting for the park hours to be released (hopefully sometime next month) in order to get a better plan.

Originally, I was thinking we would skip DHS, but there are several things there that the girls will love:  Cars M&G, Disney Jr., etc.  So, maybe we'll make a half day of it.  Mini Me wants to eat at the Sci Fi, and we're going to surprise her with lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table.  I mean, what birthday celebration for a princess be would be complete without a meal in the castle?!?!

I'm also planning Sweet Pea's first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street-they do a cute little package.  And, Mini Me will also be getting a little princess hair treatment too.  I'm hoping to plan this for right before lunch.

At this stage, all my "planning" is hypothetical- reservations can be made 180 days in advance, so I am anxiously awaiting that date in August.  Woo Hoo!

And, this shouldn't surprise anyone who knows me, I've already started thinking about Sweet Pea's 5th birthday trip.

Oh, and remember:  Mini Me doesn't know about this!  Shhhhhhhhhh, it's a secret!

The Resurrection

But, you know.  Not in the Jesus rises from the dead way.  Just, hey there!  Haven't used this blog in quite some time and thought it might be fun to get back into blogging-kind of way.

Anyway, I'm back and have a slew of posts brewing.  I'll update the tickers  ::side eyes the long overdue birthday tickers::

I'm going to be making a new attempt at some weekly features including the 1001 Things project, Disney Planning, Cooking, and of course the crazy antics of 2 adorable kids.

So, grab some popcorn and see you real soon!  (No, really.  I promise I'll be back)

Jump. Laugh. Climb. Rinse and Repeat.

Couch cushions and storage ottomans have provided HOURS of jumping entertainment for the girls over the past couple of days.