Mickey and Friends

Mickey at the Tusker House lunch at Animal Kingdom.

Pluto at our hotel breakfast!

Donald!

...and Daisy too!

Princesses? This girl is GA GA for Daisy and MINNIE!

We used our third FastPass at the Animal Kingdon to meet MINNIE! Marly had been asking to meet her at least ten times a day since we met Mickey the first night. She couldn't have been happier to meet Minnie. She was almost as excited to see Minnie in her RED polka dot dress with her trademark YELLOW shoes, from across the plaza, greeting guests, on our next visit back at the Magic Kingdom.

Notice Minnie in the background below at Epcot. Marly "might" have brought home Minnie sequin ears, this dress with pink ears, a Minnie key chain for her backpack (and a second one with Daisy), a Minnie pillow pet (from Nana), and a Minnie stuffed animal (purchase with the last of the birthday money she brought,  on our LAST day, just before heading to the airport). 

Just say'n

Goofy is a cool cat (dog) too. Not to be confused with Pluto (the other dog). We told the kids we would buy them ONE stuffed animal at Disney, and one t-shirt. Dean picked Pluto for his stuffed animal. Marly picked the lovely Lady. I wonder if the various dogs is a twin thing? When I was kid, mom and dad bought me Chip, and Brett picked Donald. 

Hugs from Mickey are the best!

Mickey and Minnie topiaries at Epcot for the Spring Flower Show!

Donald and Daisy, Mickey and Minnie, and so many friends at the parades!

Mickey for a snack.

Just Mickey's ears.

Mickey for breakfast!

And finally, you can even find Mickey on the man hole covers!

So long Mickey and Friends! We will miss you, and hope to return again!

Disney Magic!

Let me begin by telling you I was completely nervous and terribly anxious for our vacation destination this winter. The build up, the cost, the lines, the peek season crowds, the reservations you are recommended to make months in advance, the smartphone apps, the huge guide book devoted entirely to perfecting your family's trip to this ONE MASSIVE PARK. It had me in a bit of a tizzy!

Our destination - Walt Disney World!

This spring break, we got to experience the true MAGIC of Disney on a family vacation with Nana and Papa! And indeed, MAGICAL it was... just like everyone assured me.

Departing  Sunday, we faced multiple delays and missed flights attempting to leave Minnesota. Despite landing in Orlando way after 1 am, then checking into our hotel way after 2 am, the kids were at the pool by 10 am on Monday.

Papa and Nana spent a wee bit more time resting. But by late afternoon, we had boarded the hotel shuttle, picked up our pre-purchased passes at the gates of Disney, then hopped on the ferry to the Magic Kingdom!

 What an AWESOME vacation Dad and Nana!

No longer tired, we were all giddy, giddy, GIDDY! We didn't get more then 20 feet inside the park before Marly found the sparkly Minnie Ears she wanted. Moments after we witnessed our first MAGICAL parade, as Mickey, Minnie and more floated right by. Yes - THE Mickey and THE Minnie Mouse!

Then we took Sheldon and Michelle's advice and got our first Mickey snack - the carameled apples. At the counter, I asked if the apples could be sliced for us. Of Course - 4, 6 or 8 slices?

Then it was time for our first family photo in front of the castle!

Soon after, Dean found the perfect LED Mickey ears! Look at the sheer joy on his face.

Our first ride? "It's a Small World" of course! (also our first experience using Disney FastPass plus, picked from my smartphone, before we even picked up our official tickets or entered our thumb print. I am sure when Marly and Dean return as adults, they will tell their children about the now antiquated technology we used on our trip.)

Just one problem - Dean lost his rather heavy LED ears in the water before getting on the ride. But guess what??? By the time we got off, a cast member had fished them out.

The one more problem - The ears didn't light up any more. But, guess what??? A cast member presented him with a yellow carbon copy certificate for a replacement. At a nearby gift shop, Dean stood in line to get his new ears. He turned in the plain yellow copy, and the lovely lady at the counter said, "We hear your first pair of ears took a SWIM without you! Enjoy your new pair and have a wonderful visit!"

MAGICAL indeed!

After the sun set, we rode the tea cups, were mesmerized by the parade of lights (like Holidazzle on steroids with every cool Disney character and princess), and stayed for the awesome fireworks going off over the castle. Dean's LED lights changed color in time with the parade and fireworks.

...and then (could it get any better), as we were leaving the park at 11 pm feeling happy, happy, HAPPY, I noticed there was but a mere ten minute wait to meet Mickey's Magic show. A chance to meet Mickey in person, our first night? Heck YAH! The next thing we know, Mickey is chatting with Marly and Dean, and showing them a magic trick.

I cannot even describe the MAGIC of seeing Mickey tell your kids a joke, then pull them close in a hug that leaves your precious 7 year-olds mystified, mesmerized*, amazed, happy*, and in complete AWE!

The perfect end to our perfectly MAGICAL first day at Disney's Magic Kingdom!

(Marly's only concern - WHEN was she going to meet MINNIE!!!)

*Yes - I ran out of adjectives and need a thesaurus for my Disney posts!

Happy Valentine's Day/Happy Birthday!

Happy Valentine's Day to You! Happy 39th Birthday to me!
A play by play of the day...

 Dressed in red and ready for Valentine's Day.

 Funny faces!

 Marly and Dean were ready for the school party with Pop Rocks and custom labels from an Etsy seller.

Mom was ready to help host Dean's school party and prepared with the craft

For the craft project, I traced hearts on white vases from the Dollar Spot at Target. The kids decorated them, made a label for a loved one, and got to add mums to take home. Dean brought his home for Dad.

 Back at home, I had my own beautiful tulips from Mark.

 Friends arrived, we hired a babysitter for 6 kids, and we headed out for a Valentine/Birthday dinner at Maverick's.

Cheers to me!

More February Birthday's

The month of February is FILLED to the BRIM with birthdays in our family.
-Me
-Kelly
-Rachel
-Chris
-Marly and Dean

And so one Saturday in February, Kelly, the kids and I celebrated with the Thompson's. First I took new mom Kelly for birthday mani/pedi's at Taj here in Brooklyn Park. Mark took care of baby Declan while we were pampered.

 We had a glass of champagne as our toes-ies soaked in the warm tub. Meanwhile, back at the ranch Mark  prepare by favorite, decadent/rich pasta dish, with sausage, fresh basil, heavy cream, and peas.

We had a fun family gathering...

 ...with cake...

 ....smiles...

...and cutie cousins!

The "Friends" Birthday Party

Have I ever mentioned I HATE kid birthday parties. Ask anyone, there isn't much that I "hate". I truly dread them. I try and get into it. I try and get "excited" by going on to Etsy and choosing a custom invite to print, then spend another $3 to purchase the "icon" to add to the treat bags and cupcake toppers and such.

And then I print the invites and help the kids add the names, and I DREAD the expense and the chaos - the CHAOS!!

Dean wanted a bowling party, because 'ya know... he had so much fun at Alex's and so and so, and so and so, and you get it. Marly consented, because she didn't have a better idea in mind.  I suggested MANY alternatives, and still it was BOWLING.

I called around and settled on an independent bowling alley called Classic Lanes in Coon Rapids. Last year, I nearly LOST MY MIND when I took Dean to a Brunswick Bowl party, and needed to STAY to assist him due to the parent/plus family/plus school friends ratio. At one point ALL THE  KID PARTIES up and down the lanes were lead in some obnoxious song and dance together.

 OH NO!!! There was no WAY I was paying for one of those mass audience parties. Please note,  I have NO OBJECTION what so ever to any parent  who hosts one for their child. Invite my kids. They will be thrilled! I just don't like being at them myself, which is why I cannot bring myself to host one, because I would be required to stay. (I will probably eat my words next year. I get it)

And so I booked someplace less "cookie cutter". I brought in cupcakes and balloons, and beads, and popcorn treat bags to take home, and sippy cups labelled with their names, which was filled from countless pitchers of Sprite, giving them a massive SUGAR SURGE!

And the CRAZY kids bowled, ate pizza, GUZZLED more sprite, opened gifts, and ate cupcakes.
Oh yes...and Dean questioned WHY we weren't at Brunswick... the "cool" bowling alley!

Marly with her bestie - Izzi

Then they bowled a bit more, while I checked the time on my cell phone incessantly, counting down the minutes 'til the parent's would arrive to pick up their children, and we could pack up.

I looked around and wondered if anyone would notice if I ordered a pitcher of beer for Mark and I (or maybe a cocktail would be more discreet?). For all we spent, surely the bowling alley could  throw in a complimentary pitcher for Mark and me in sympathy and support??? (better make it one pitcher EACH!)

Two Hours of my life and Two Hundred and some dollars later that I will NEVER get back, and it was FINALLY over. ($200 does NOT including the invites, cupcakes, name labelled sippy cups, balloons, or popcorn treat bags)

PLEASE remind me NEXT YEAR we will are going some other route to honor their birth, because this was like some sort of corporal punishment for choosing to give them life.

...and to endure some sort of mass party with too many 7 (or eight) year olds will surely set me OVER THE EDGE if  I were to endure it again, and would just need to bring my own FULL bottle of wine and set it there right out in the open!!!

Go ahead parents - you go ahead and judge me!

SEVEN

SEVEN years ago 7-27-07 our Twinners entered the world at about 7:57 am.
And here are our Twinners now!!!!

Marly weights in at 48 pounds and 46 inches tall
Dean weights 49 pounds and is 49 inches tall

Outside of school and Dean's karate, they spend most of their time together, and prefer it that way. They still sleep together in the upstairs guest room. I fear their dino and butterfly bedrooms will no longer be "cool" when they actually take up residence in them.

This year we hosted a Thompson February Birthday supper, a Melberg family & friends party with the usual crock pot of shredded turkey, and a BOWLING party with TOO many seven year olds.

Dean has never had an Angry Bird birthday cake.
Marly has never had a princess birthday cake.
...and they couldn't care less.

 I always wonder when it will dawn on them how special they have it in their "twinness".

For now, they remain steadfast and true to each other. They know the world in no other way - which works for us.