I am counting down the days until we leave for Disney World – 47 to be exact. Not exactly around the corner, but not too far away, either.
It feels very far away, because it’s still freakin’ cold outside. A balmy 20 degrees today. My car fishtailed on the way to work – I had heart palpitations for about five minutes afterwards. I HATE MARCH. I know I’ve said it before, but as far as I’m concerned it bears repeating multiple times – I HATE MARCH. The weather forecasters predict warmer weather by the weekend, but I’d bet my hat that it won’t last.
So, I’m dreaming about vacation. I’ve tried several times to make dinner reservations at Disney World. To no avail. Here I am, thinking the economy is tanking, but the shows and restaurants are booked. Go figure. I’ll keep trying because I’m nothing if not persistent. We are booked for a character lunch, however. So all is not lost. At least Sophie is guaranteed a hug from Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Lots of snow today. No school. Juggling work and play. The morning was a bit hectic, but the afternoon calmed down. Especially after Chloe left to go sledding with a friend and Sophie took her nap.
I hate the month of March. The weather is almost always horrible and cold. Even though spring is around the corner, the month is a big tease.
One might dare to hope that today’s storm was the last snow we’ll see until next winter. But I’m not holding my breath. It’s going to be freezing over the next couple of days. I can’t wait until spring – the real spring, not the March 21st spring. As I get older, my genetic makeup is changing. I’d be happy never to see winter again.
My girls don’t need to be in Ireland to have fun dancing. All they require are some plastic popping bubbles and shoes. The result: a tap dance as enjoyable as it is funny.
My husband celebrated his 40th birthday today. We spent a quiet weekend (i.e., without the girls, who were with my mom) sleeping late and relaxing. As far as my best half was concerned, this was just what he wanted. We also bought a new LCD TV. His big birthday present. You only turn 40 once, right?
Not right away. In April. Staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins. Mom is joining us.
Announced it to the girls the other night, because I was in need to see wondrous little-kid grins from my girls. Economy be damned. We haven’t taken a vacation in two years. Needless to say, Chloe and Sophie didn’t disappoint. When we broke the news, Chloe’s eyes went buggy, and she smiled as wide as the dining room – at least it seemed that way. Sophie doesn’t know what the hell Disney World is, and she has absolutely no concept of time, but when she heard she’d get to meet Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and her favorite princesses – let’s just say that she was jumping up and down like a kangaroo.
I’m looking forward to this escape. My company just laid off about 8% of its employees yesterday and it sucks. My husband’s company is talking about another round of layoffs as well. When will it end? I figure, worst-case scenario, this will be our last nice trip for awhile. Might as well just live your life, right?
This is a photo of Chloe channeling Dracula visiting Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Rather, the mousse au chocolat factory.
It really was pretty gross. But super funny. Soon after, the rest of the mousse was accessorizing her shirt. But no mind. It blended in. Sophie tried to emulate Chloe – but to no avail. She decided that she’d be better off just licking the plate.
The girls finished the mousse tonight. I’m glad. It was very messy.
I couldn’t resist posting the continuation of Sophie’s reading marathon. She’s quite talented, actually – she has no problem reading a book that’s upside down.
No, I am not talking about the movie where Kate Winslet plays an illiterate Nazi prison guard who seduces a teenage boy. I am talking about our dear Sophie Bear, who decided that Papa’s book would make good out-loud entertainment.
See for yourself. Next thing you know, she’ll be buried in the Harry Potter series too.
Sophie spent a little more time than usual with her Papa today because our Friday babysitter came down with a stomach bug. Sophie loves her father very much. And loves to give him presents. Kind of like a cat that loves to give its owner dead mice.
Sophie is not interested in dead mice, but she did the cat species one better today.
“Papa I have a present for you,” she said with a mischievous smile. She then let out a big fart. And laughed. A lot. “I made a ‘proute’ [that’s French for fart] present for you, Papa!” she exclaimed with evident pride. I really love my girls.
As most of you know, Chloe likes words. She reads like a fiend, enjoys helping me with Scrabble and has found a new favorite word game in Bananagrams.
Apparently, during the course of a Bananagrams game with her Grammy the other day, Chloe decided to show off her anatomical knowledge.
She confided in me yesterday, with a hearty giggle, that one of the words she put down was penis. She was very proud of herself. My mom clarified that she spelled it ‘pennis,’ but no matter. My 8-year old made her point. Perhaps she’ll try for vagina next time.
A Mom's Ramblings About the Marvels & Mishaps of Parenting, the Joys of Family Travel & the Writing Life