Disney World Moms Panel

So today is the day. Once again, Disney is looking for 10 experts to help guests with planning their trips to the Walt Disney World Resorts in Florida. If you have the skills, head to www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010 to complete an application.

This time a year ago, I was thinking how my first 9 months on the inagarual panel had been so magical. Myself and 11 others started out giving advice to guests who asked us to help them plan their trips to WDW. We were sprinkled with so much pixie dust, I could barely answer the door without another magical treat coming my way. The biggest being able to experience the magic with 11 amazing folks.

Now two years ago, I was being prompted by my husband to enter the panel. Yes I helped others plan their trips. Yes I gave advice to guests in the parks. Yes I had been to Disney 28 days in the past year. But would that be enough magic? I guess it was because they picked me. My only regret was missing my parent's 40th wedding anniversary to participate in the training. But I know my parents would not have wanted me to miss this journey!

Good luck 2009 Moms Panelist!

School Year 2009-2010

So it is back to school already! Jess is headed to 8th grade and Nicole is off to 6th grade! Wow!

Jess was raring to go to school. She was up and out and even came home and started homework last night with no fights.

Nicole was a little more hesistant. She changed her clothes six times and her hairdo. I really think it is the realization that she should have come school shopping on Sunday instead of watching tv at Grandmom's than nerves. I am not sure she likes her class but it is what it is.

I on the other hand was nervous and sad. It is the last first day at Floral Park-Bellerose. While I have had my battles there, at least it is territory I know how to fight on. I have LOVED serving on the PTA and being in the school with the children. The teachers have been amazing to my girls and some I will always be in touch with. For the nerves, who knows why but I am sure it is because of the amazing trip we are going to take this year together.

So happy 09-09-09!

I'm Back!!

So I am back! I start my next three month adventure with Disney's Moms Panel. While I had extra time not answering questions every week, I realized how much I love Disney and helping people enjoy my family's favorite vacation spot!

So if you have a question, click here!

A sip of soda

I love soda! Or I should say a sip of Jim's soda!

It is widely known that I rarely finish a drink unless it is Jim's. I love just a sip of his. It taste so much better than if it were my own.

I think I developed this "sip" from when I was little. A sip of my mom's ice tea was my favorite refresher in the summer.

Now any drink, non-alcholic, that Jim has, one sip is mine!

Finally Summer

So we are all done with school for the year! Jess has survived 7th grade and did really well.

Nicole is now a 6th grader and had a great year too! It is the last year at Floral Park Bellerose which will be a hard to go there for only one more year.

The girls are off to Grandmommy and Grandpoppy's for the week. I will miss them but they will have a blast!

Out with the old and in with the new!

Hi everybody! Jess here. You're probably wondering where my mom is. She said I could write a "guest" post. So anyway, drumroll please... we bought a new car! It is a Mini Cooper Clubman, Pepper White, and brand new. I was the first kid, first passenger, first person to sit shotgun, first girl and first female to sit in the car. I might even be the first student driver! We usually name our car, but we haven't decided on one yet. The choices are Bonny Lass, Peppermint Patty and Snoopy. Please decide on your favorite, and we're open to suggestions. I hope you loved this guest post. Please tell me what you thought.
Signing off,
Jess

What's up!

Okay so we have been busy. I try really hard to do the blog thing but it is tough with two girls and a husband who works until 8.

I decided it was time to be more fluid. I am going to model the blog more like my friend Dan's blog which I love. Congrats to Dan, Minna, Hannah and Jane for welcoming a new baby girl into their family.

So we returned from Disney and Jim turned 42. No birthday gift for him because he really needs a new car. Luckily, our friends, the Schlectherberries, and our cousins, Rick and Erin, lent us a car to use. Jim's beloved Rodeo went to car heaven. The power steering was gone. We bought this truck a week after Jess was born so it will be sad to see it go. But a new car should be wheeling into place any minute!

Nicole was in her school play Annie. She as a maid in the Warbucks household. With over 120 children on stage, the show was a lot of fun to watch and see. I had the pleasure of being a costume maiden to all those stars.

Jess was finally able to go back and ride Pie. She even got off the leadline which was a big accomplishment. She is looking forward to spending more time this summer riding her heart out.

As for me, I am trying to stay out of trouble. I know my friend Bri would be disappointed at that statement but hey I have to be an example. JetBlue continues to be busy and I will be soon ramping up again for another round of the Disney Moms Panel. I have been finding my cousins on Facebook which has been awesome. I have over 40 first cousins of which I hardly see. Now at least I see them virtually!

Mouse Ears

While shopping for shirts, Jim decided to visit La Chapeau for a hat. When the girls and I arrived, he discovered the new Mouse Ears. With the new Mouse Ears, you pick a beanie, two ears and then add jewels, patches or your name. Well we all decided to make our own Ears - Nicole made two pairs! My ears glow in the dark!

The nice thing about this souvenir is that you can easily spot your child in a crowd because the combinations are endless! The price is about the same for traditional ears.

Of course, I became a fanatic for having the string not showing but this did not stop Jim from hiding his!

My Wish!

I got my wish by being in Magic Kingdom for New Years Eve. By 10:00 pm Main Street was closed except for you to leave! They were even escorting guests out of the park through cast member only areas!

We watched the fireworks in Frontierland which was empty! I made my annual midnight call to my mom which she always takes! We then proceeded out the front.

We needed to make two stops so I took Nicole and Jim took Jess. Once we exited the park, the front gate was PACKED! I was glad I only had Nicole. We new the monorail was not going to be an option so we had planned on walking back to the Polynesian.

However, as we made our way to the paths, the boat launch was working so we got on line. Jim and Jess were ahead on line but of course my morals got in the way and we did not cut the line. Two boats later we were headed to the Polynesian and in bed by 1:00 am!

Cinderella's Royal Table

Because we knew the park would be at capacity, my idea to eat at the California Grill in the Contemporary was shifted to New Years Day. We ate with Cinderella and her friends! It was a fun meal with wands, swords and magical deserts!

Magic Kingdom - New Years Eve

One of the reasons we picked this week to go on vacation in Disney World was because I have always wanted to be in the Magic Kingdom on New Years Eve. I got my wish along with 74, 996 other guests (okay maybe not their wish but they were there!).

We started the day eating at Crystal Palace. Nicole even got an autograph book for autographs! We went on our favorites only once for most especially considering Space Mountain broke down! It was a magical day!

Best Friend

One of my favorite memories was having my picture taken with Jess and Towmater! I love Towmater because he is what a friend should be. I hope I am that kind of friend to my friends and eventually my daughters when they are older!

Disney's Hollywood Studios

We love this park because of the rides-Rockin' Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and of course, Toy Storymania! We fell in love with Toy Story in Disneyland and could not wait to ride it here. Of course, with the larger crowds, we needed to wait 15 minutes for a FastPass and by 10:00 am all of the FastPasses were gone so only one trip for us!

We skipped Tower of Terror much to the delight of Jessica and myself and could only ride Rockin once which was not going over well in our house! We usually ride this at least three times a visit! Except for the main rides, other lines were quick!

We did get to enjoy the Osbourne Family Lights and had dinner at the famed Brown Derby!

A Star is Born

Jim has always wanted to be in the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios. However, Nicole never lets him volunteer. She would throw a crying fit if he raised his hand and would force it down. However, this year she let him go! So Jim is in the stripped turban on the far right hand side of the picture in Cairo. The above shot is the souvenir for being in the show. We did ask Nicole why she would not let him go and she said she was afraid he would not comeback! Very sweet but she has seen the show at least 10 times and know they come back!

Hook and Loop

Jess and Nicole got to be a part of a show which taught about the wonders of velcro aka hook and loop. They were contestants in building a block tower cover with hooks and loops.

Jim was a part of the show too. He had to diaper babies and carry them on his apron! Very funny!

Nicole's Take on EPCOT

Do you think she could sell this as stock material? Not bad for a little point and shoot picture!

EPCOT

We spent almost two full days in EPCOT. The bonus at EPCOT during the holiday season is that they tell stories in all the countries about how they celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa or New Years Day. We enjoyed listening to all the stories. We also got to eat in two favorite countries - Canada and Japan. Jess of course stayed true to her French and had French ice cream every chance she could.

With the additional crowds, FastPasses were gone for Soarin, Test Track and Mission Space by 2:00 pm. The queue for the ride in Mexico featuring the Three Callberos was all through out the attraction. Spaceship Earth which was update posted a 30 minute wait time. We all enjoyed the new features in Spaceship Earth but a lot of the original still remains.

One highlight in EPCOT was seeing my friend Laura who now works for Disney. She invited us to a taping of a video in America. My friends Gary and Pam were there too, and we even got to be in the video! Okay, we held a sound screen so that when Angela Bassett recorded the video you could not here the air conditioner! We did get to meet her and her husband, Courtney Vance. She was very sweet. We then got to listen to them read the Candlelight Processional. I was not sure I was going to enjoy the show again because I had experienced it last year. However, the show takes on a different feel depending on who is reading it. I think I enjoyed it more. Jim really loved it and would gladly go again!

I think EPCOT was my favorite park during the holidays!

Hello Polynesian!

We were very lucky to spend the week between Christmas and New Years at Walt Disney World. This was my reward for working with the www.disneyworldmoms.com for the year. We stayed at the Polynesian which was a new experience for us. We loved being on the monorail and our room was near the main building and pool though we only swam New Years Day.

We took Magical Express, another first, and arrive around noon to our hotel. We were greeted with leis as is the tradition in the Hawaiian islands.

We quickly unpacked and headed to EPCOT for the start of our vacation. We even got stuck on the monorail for about fifteen minutes and overlooked Spaceship Earth with its winding line another first!

Christmas Day 3

Since we could not go to PA with our family, they came to us on Saturday. My parents, sister and nephew all drove up to see us.

Jessica really wanted a fur hat and Grandmommy came through. She proceeded to scooter on her new wheels with her hat.

We played Wii and ate pot roast along with Jim's mom. We are very lucky that the parents live 90 miles away or we would never have a babysitter as they would all be vacationing together!

I think my dad was surprised I could cook!

Christmas Day

So just so you do not think I am not like the typical American mom who only makes gifts, we did splurge and get the girls the iPod Nanochromatic for Christmas.

While we thought they would be handy on our trip flying Delta, the girls played with their DS instead.

However, they were dancing with them the whole day!

Since Jim was working, we spent the day in New York. We ate Chinese with him at the hospital. While we were feeling sorry that we could not be in PA with the rest of our family, we discovered a series of 911 quilts in the atrium of the hospital where we ate dinner. One of the quilts was about a friend of Nicole's dad who died in 911. I will never be so grateful to eat dinner in the hospital again.

Christmas Day

This year Jim and I made the girls a present. These are known as Linus Blankets. They were orginally made for children in hospitals to have something of their own while they were getting better. Nicole received one from her friend Emma but she wanted another. Here are the instructions to make a no-sew polar fleece blanket (we used 2 yards of fabric)

Christmas with the Choisez's

Since we have family in two different states, Christmas is celebrated over a long period of time. Christmas Eve is celebrated in New York. Since Jim's family comes from Germany and Switzerland, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with them at his brother's Ken's house.

Since we both had to work, the girls went to their cousin's house, Brendan and Kelsey, to visit and get ready. They headed to four o'clock mass at their parish which I attended as well. Only problem, they were downstairs and I was up.

We met at Ken's about 5 and waited for the rest of the family to arrive. The kids opened their gifts before dinner starting with the youngest, Kelsey. We ate and then waited for Jim to arrive around 8.

That is when the fun began. The adults do a "Gift Card Exchange". Everyone buys a gift card and wraps it. Then we draw numbers to pick the order we choose our gift. From there, a lot of stealing and plotting begins but everyone has a good time.

From there, it was off to home to place cookies and hot chocolate out for Santa. I still had to wrap Jim's gifts but it was a fun evening!