Best line of the day
Driving home from the library:
Matthew: "I am so confused. I can't remember which hand is my "force" hand and which hand is my "light saber" hand.
it's so great having a Jedi in the house!
A couple of Disney photos
Part of the magical Chip and Dale experience
Me and my pal Mickey Mouse
The happiest boy on earth
In stitches
I got stitches for the first time ever yesterday! Basically, in my rush to get to the garbage can before the garbage truck, I leaned against the garbage bag with shards of glass in it--large pointy shards. One ended up in my leg, a few inches about my ankle. I yanked it out. I bled for a long time, cried in pain and then had enough sense to call Sherry. She quickly came over and assessed the damage. It was decided that stitches would be in order. She advised me to call a Dr. and try and go to the office rather than the ER.
I called the plastic surgeon who had repaired Sammy's chin a year ago when he split it open. He saw me that afternoon and sewed me up. I assured it him there was just the one piece of glass so we didn't have to do the ER thing for x-rays. Now I have to put off my return to the gym until Sat. (I froze my membership during the tonsillectomy, Disneyworld etc.) Oh well. My favorite part--showing Mark my wound. He hates stuff like that! However, he has been so good at pampering me during all my illnesses and now my injury. And he's such a good vacuumer! Thanks honey!
Magical moments
Ah, 2 days after we have returned from Disney World. I just can't seem to motivate myself to do anything (except unpack and do laundry). The boys are playing with their mickey lightsabers so I thought I'd take a minute to record some favorite moments. And maybe I will post pictures later if I can motivate myself...
Most magical moment this morning: Matthew singing "I Just Can't Wait to Be King"
Best new attraction at Magic Kingdom: We loved Mickey's Philharmagic....Matthew loved the Monsters, Inc. show
Kathryn's freak out time: Hating Hollywood Studios at about noon
What saved the day at Hollywood studios: Matthew was first to be picked for 2:20 Jedi Training Academy
Family's overall favorite ride: Toy Story Mania (my high score: 111,200)
Best show: Finding Nemo the Musical
Leaving Something to Go Back To: Asia in Animal Kingdom
Most pleasant surprise: How much I enjoyed animal kingdom
Best character meals: Tusker House Breakfast (AK), Crystal Palace Dinner (MK)
Josh's reaction to the surprise news we are going: A mellow "Really? Really?"
Best parade: Animal Kingdom
Best nighttime entertainment: Wishes at MK
Most creative fast pass obtainer: hands down Mark
Best character moment: Matthew and Sammy walking hand in hand with Chip and Dale at AK
Sad but true moment: Caroline is over the princesses
Crazy event: 2 hour plane delay--had to switch planes. Still got to Epcot by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Best room: All Star Music--we had a suite. We were in it from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day. That's it. Glad we didn't spring for something nicer. It was perfect for what we needed.
Most souveniers: Matthew scored. Buzz blaster, Mickey light saber, Mouse ears, Jedi training academy t-shirt, star wars figures, a stuffed donald duck
Funniest waiter: George from the Prime Time 50's Cafe at HS
Bravest: Caroline Newman for multiple rides on Splash and Big Thunder
Scariest mommy moment: Sitting in last car on Everest. I was freaked out! But it was fun.
Biggest worry now that we are home: What is Mark going to spend his time planning now that our Disney vacation is over and done with!
Most disney-esque thing: Selling Chip and Dale together
Most go with the flow: Sammy for just hanging in there with us all.
Most Insistent: Kathryn (we will have no breaks!--we stay until it closes!)
Most careful with his souvenier money: Josh
Caroline's biggest regret: Even though she didn't care about meeting princesses, Caroline saw many girls with their hair all done up. There's the new Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique in the Castle where for just $54 your little princess can get all dolled up. Hair, nails, makeup etc. It would have been fun to have treated her to that, but I assured her we could replicate it at home. For a mere $14 we picked up a lovely light up tiara.
Best peace of mind thing: We could park our stroller with our gear and snacks and never had a worry that it would get taken.
Most annoying: Stacy from the disney promotion video running continously at the hotel. The kids loved to watch her show while they were getting ready each morning.
Best way to communicate with spouse while separated at the parks: texting
Friendliest: Matthew, esp. when making friends in line, meeting characters, telling everyone he is a Jedi now
Most embarrassed by his family: Josh (esp. when Matthew was making friends in line, and Kathryn was jumping up and down waving, trying to get Mark's attention when was looking for us after obtaining fast passes.)
Rides we rode 2 times in a row: Winnie the Pooh, Magic Carpets, Triceratops Spin
First and last time attractions for Kathryn: Country Bears, Tiki Room
The wrap up
Well, things are getting back to normal.
Utah was amazing. I was truly blessed to be there. I reconnected with all of my Baer family--aunts, uncles, cousins--and when we weren't crying we were laughing. It was a wonderful weekend and I am so glad I got to go. Emilee's life was amazing and I admire her so much. The services were truly a celebration of her life.
My throat is slowly healing, and traveling didn't help it that much--although it helped me greatly in the mental department. A plane ticket is definitely cheaper than therapy. I am trying to take it easy, and so glad we are 2+ weeks out of surgery. Much much better.
The pinewood derby turned out so well. Those who were with me in Utah knew that we were having some drama about the car. The "pepperoni" (pizza shaped car) turned out great. Josh won 2 of 8 heats so he was happy and then as a bonus took 3rd place and a trophy for most artistic. It was a good night.
You can tell spring is in the air and that's a happy thing.
Now onto the next thing
Thank you for all your nice wishes. The tonsillectomy went well. And I am glad it's 9 days later and I can now basically eat whatever I want (even popcorn!) and am taking just plain tylenol. My favorite tonsil food was smoothies, made with just sorbet and soymilk. Yum.
It's been wonderful to have Mark and Peggy's help with everything, and many thanks to those who brought meals and had the kids over at various times. We could not have done it without you. I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong--it was bad. But I am doing so much better now and looking forward to life without diseased, nasty, enlarged tonsils.
On a sad note, I am headed to Utah tonight to say goodbye to my darling cousin Emilee who passed away on Wednesday after a six year battle with cancer. She is just six months younger than me, and leaves behind a husband and 3 sons. I am so glad I feel well enough to travel and be with my family at this time. I will just be there a brief time and won't have time to do/see anything/anyone not family related. We are very sad. She was a remarkable woman and mother. I am grateful she doesn't have to suffer anymore.
And when I return, we can just be a normal family again, right?
