Disney Dreams

I have been waiting for this day for the past 3 weeks.  Why, you ask???  Because today was the day that I could finally apply to be a part of the Walt Disney World Mom's Panel.  In case you didn't know, I am a Disney FREAK.  I truly believe that Disney is the happiest place on earth, and if the hubs would allow it, I would probably move there.  For-EVER.  But anyway, our bi-annual trips are a good second...for now.  I have big plans to retire to Celebration, FL, but that's a post for another day.  Anyway, this morning, I applied to become a panelist along with 19,999 other hopefuls.  I won't hear anything back from Disney unless they would like me to move on to the next round of interviews, and if they did contact me, it wouldn't be until the week of November 14.  Yup - two months from now.  Sooooo, while I wait, I've decided to share with you a little montage of my favorite WDW memories from the past 6 years or so.  (I've spared you the pics of me with my bowl haircut circa 1992.  Ugh!  Thanks again, Mom ;) )

Row 1 L-R:  Our honeymoon at the Grand Floridian, Sporting Our Yoda Backpacks at Hollywood Studios, Family Trip with mom and sis, P’s first trip @ the Playhouse Disney Show.

Row 2 L-R:  P’s first trip asleep with Baby Mickey, P and Pregnant me 2009, P and very pregnant me @ Beaches & Cream, Bean’s First Trip Dinner with the Princesses.

Row 3 L-R:  Chef Mickeys for Bean’s First Time, P and his best Buddy Celebrating P’s birthday, Bean excited for the People Mover, Bean as Princess Minnie.

Row 4 L-R:  Bean letting her inner Tink out, P loving Mickey, P becoming a Pirate, Bean with Mickey hands.

One Super Expensive Shopping Trip

Going to Walt Disney World is like going to one really expensive store.  Every where you look there is a gift shop - each grander than the next. 

Almost every ride empties into a gift shop.  Every attraction has a gift shop attached.  The hotels have gift shops.  (Yes, shops).  And, if you don't feel like taking a break in an air conditioned shop, you can stop and buy something at one of the multiple outdoor vendors that you are likely to trip over if you aren't looking where you're going.

Here's the thing...I like the shops.  They might be my favorite part of Disney.

Evidence - this isn't even half of my kids loot...



 Yes, you read that right.  Not. Even. Half.

It helped them that their grandparents were along for the trip and really can't resist their cute little faces like I can.  But, seriously, I am just as bad in Disney.  Why not spend $75 on a cute little outfit like this...

Or $85 for an awesome pirate getup, complete with makeup and tattoo...

Or maybe these $25 Mickey Ears make you happy...







Heck, they make me happy!

So, what was my favorite part of Disney?  Clearly, spending more money on stuff that we do not need because my children have been to Disney more times than years they are old and they could practically stock the gift shops from their playroom.  But, hey, we were making memories.

My name is Nancy, and I'm a shopaholic.

Strollin' Through Walt Disney World

Well, we are home!  We have made it back from a very hot, humid, EXHAUSTING, trip to Disney in one piece, and now I have claimed a weekend off!  (Not exactly, but the hubs has both the kids at P's soccer class right now, so I at least have an hour or so off ;) ) 

Anyway, I recommend that you never travel to Disney with a 3 year old and 1 year old without your significant other!  My parents and sister were with us, and although my sister was an amazing stand in husband, and my parents adore my children and help in anyway that they can, sometimes you just need your partner. 

For example - being the only person in your party that knows how to work your ginormous double stroller...not so great.  Just sayin'.  This blog is NOT called "Stuff Mom finds incredibly frustrating and aggravating" so I won't bash my stroller too much, but let's just say, after this trip, Mama's in the market for a new one.  Preferably one that is MUCH easier to fold, unfold, & carry. 

I've always been obsessed with strollers, but Disney is like the Mecca of stroller viewing.  You can't go more than 5 feet without having to move for one, be hit be by one, or trip over one left in the way.  They are EVERYwhere!  So, I spent a good portion of the trip watching other people push, pull, fold, carry, and maneuver their strollers to try and figure out if there really is a stroller than you can easily travel with...especially to a place like Disney where you are lugging it on planes, trains, monorails, boats, buses and automobiles, every few hours.

Here's what stood out to me.

First, let me tell you that in Disney you can rent these beauts for around $20/day or get an equally beautiful double stroller for around $30/day.

They look about as comfortable as they are stylish.  :/  Let's just say I passed on those.  I'm not even sure how parents who need a double stroller made it in to the park in the first place!  I would die without my stroller in the airport!  It's the only thing that keeps my kids restrained!

So, one of the first strollers that I saw in abundance was the City Mini Stroller by Baby Jogger.



I have always been intrigued by these strollers, and the City Select is very high on my list of potential replacements.  These strollers were everywhere!  I was chatting with some parents on one of our many boat rides who had the single City Mini and I was asking them how they liked it.  They had a 2 year old, and one on the way.  They told me that they were in love, and that they were planning on buying the double for the new little one arriving shortly.  Apparently, they had rented the stroller from a company in Orlando and had decided that they needed one of their own.  Watching how easy it was for them to fold and unfold the stroller made me extremely envious.  I also loved the sun protection that they shade offered and that the rear was vented.  It was hitting about 112 F when we were there, so anything I could do to keep my kids cool when they were napping would have been welcome!  Granted, I did not get to try the stroller with my kids, but those parents pushing their Baby Joggers around looked a heck of lot less annoyed than I did.  :/

I also saw a lot of strollers that I had never seen before.  One that really stood out to me was the iCandy Apple stroller. 

Surprisingly, I only saw one person pushing this stroller on our trip, but it definitely caught my eye.  Isn't she pretty?!?  iCandy is certainly an appropriate name.  I love how this particular one is called "Grape" and is part of their "flavour" collection.  :)  I didn't get to learn very much about these strollers as the mama who was pushing this did not speak very much English, but, I will be researching this more and I'll share any info I come across. 

I also saw a Zooper double for the first time, and a few Cybex umbrellas that are on my list of strollers to check out.  I have read up on the Zooper line before and it is another contender for a permanent possition in our house. :)  I will share all that I have learned about these two in another post.  And of course, pics of our trip to come.  My hour of quiet is almost up, and I have yet to go back to sleep like I planned.  Stay tuned...

Ooo, and don't forget to comment and tell me what stroller you can't live without!  Oh man - just heard the hubs car pull in...time to pretend I'm sleeping!

Looking for a hat...

One month from tomorrow, the kids and I will be Orlando bound!  This is the first trip I have taken with the kids - without my husband, and I know I will miss him terribly.  But, luckily for me I have the best family in the universe and my sister, and parents will be along for the ride.

This will be Bean's 3rd trip, and P's 5th....4th for Bean if you count the time I found out I was pregnant in FL.  <3 The difference is, this will be the first time I have two walking children with me.  (At least I hope so, Bean is still trying to figure it all out, but by then she will be 14 months, so we'll see!)

So - anyway, the last few times that we went I was able to keep the little one in the stroller for the most part, and keep her out of the sun with this amazing sun shade by Kidpotomus.

This sun shade is fabulous!  It folds up small and flat, and then springs open to easily attach to the stroller when you need it.  I love my double stroller, but I never liked how little sun protection it gave my kids.  (More on that another day...)

Now, I have no idea how to keep my kids protected from those August FL rays...especially their heads.  I drench my kids in sunscreen and we reapply frequently, but I just don't feel like it's enough.  I can get P to wear a hat...if it has a superhero on it...but I cannot get Bean to leave one on.

Has anyone found a hat for their daughter (or son!) that they love and that their baby is comfortable wearing??