Experiencing The Force

Disney's Hollywood Studios held within it's gates Noah's favorite ride - Rock'n Rollercoaster and his favorite movie characters -- those being any from the Star Wars movies. It happened to be a Star Wars weekend while we were there... very interrresssting....

Emily experienced the force of the Tower of Terror and vowed that she will never go on it again. One of my most memorable moments happend on that ride. Emmy was unable to get a scream out during the entire ride, and then when the ride ended and the "elevator" doors opened to the face of the "bellman" who would let us off the ride, Emmy let out a scream of all screams. It was so funny. The poor thing. And I think she gave the poor boy who was acting as the "bellman" a slight complex. Ahh, good times, good times.... and I guess I'll mention the not so good times in Disney World tomorrow...

Wild Thing...

How cute is this little guy? Or girl - forgive me if it's so..

Animal Kingdom is by far the most beautiful of the parks...

And also my LEAST favorite. I cannot stand how the park is laid out. And I'm sure there is a very logical reason for why it is the way it is, but I don't like it. One word. Claustrophobic. Of course, we still go every time we visit Disney World, and every time we leave I say this same thing. So now you know, too.

Tomorrow it's all about the Lights, Action, Cameras, baby. Catch ya on the flip side...we'll do lunch. (well, not really - that's just my Hollywood Lingo - you knew that, right?)(and I don't want anyone to be offended that I called them 'baby') (okay, I feel better) (yeah, okay, I'm outta here...)

Every Person Comes Out Tired...

E.P.C.O.T.

What does EPCOT stand for exactly?

Is it Every Person Comes Out Tired?

Every Parent Carries Out Toddlers?

Every Pocket Comes Out Thinner?

According to one of our bus drivers it actually stands for Every Paycheck Comes on Thursday, cause that is when the WDW employees get paid.

Actually, it stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

But to me it stands for

FUN!

And in answer to yesterday's post, EPCOT is where that picture was taken... in Paris to be exact.

There is a new attraction for kids in the "countries" section of EPCOT that was really fun and interactive for the kids. It sends kids (and teens and adults, actually) on a "Kim Possible Mission" to save the world from bad guys. Totally up Noah and Emmy's spy kids alley. They were sent to different countries with an interactive cell phone and told/shown what to look for.

Watch out, "bad guys"!

When they found the things they were told to find, they pressed a button on the phone and it would cause things to happen. For example, they had to find a particular lantern in Japan, and when they did, it lit up. Another time a waterfall started, music played, the Eiffel Tower lit up, etc.

It was great because they really got to see more of the countries and they didn't find it "boring". The only down side was that there were ALOT of people playing so you could here the cell phone sounds all around the countries. I don't think it bothered any of us that were playing, but I heard some complaints from people who didn't know what everyone was doing with these cell phones!

Tomorrow we'll go someplace really WILD....

Working Our Way Through the World

In answer to the question to the last post.....

Yes, we were on the teacups... and by "we" I mean Noah and Emily. Because of all of the rides in the Magic Kingdom, Keith and I find this to be the most scary. For real.

Okay, next question... Where are we here?

A Place To Rest Our Heads

(An aside: I love when they do this...)

Hmm... where did we stay while in Disney World?

It was woodsy...

It had great transportation to the parks...particularly Magic Kingdom

Any Ideas??

I'll tell ya...

We've had the opportunity to go to Disney World many times, and each time we've stayed at a different resort. This one wins for ease of transportation and location. At least for the season our kids are in right now. It is also very aesthetically pleasing. But if you are planning to spend a lot of time poolside, this may not be the right place. It is very pretty, and there is a water slide ( a must for my kids), but because of the layout of the pool it always seemed extremely crowded. Thankfully, on this trip, Noah and Emily weren't as interested in the pool as they were in the parks.

Hmmm.. Let's play a game...it will be more fun sharing the pictures this way. To make a guess, just click on "Comments" and share your answer.

Where are we in this picture?

Check back tomorrow for the answer, and more of our adventure - should you care to subject yourself to such things...

First Stop...Senior World

Noah and Emily were under the impression that we were going to Florida to visit my mom and dad at their new home in The Villages. And we were. That was our first stop. They picked us up at the airport late Friday night, and we had a laughter filled ride back to their home. What Emmy and Noah did NOT know was that my parents would not be taking us back to the airport on Tuesday morning, but dropping us off at the WDW resort. Surprise!

The Villages is a very impressive "Over 55" world made up of little neighborhoods, lots of golf courses, many pools, rec centers, and lots of restaurants and shops. It was very fun, if not a little surreal, to be a part of this lively community for a few days. I think my mom said there are something like 75,000 residents, but you wouldn't know it because it is so large, and there are so many things to do. I can understand why my parents enjoy spending time there. Noah and Emmy enjoyed riding around in the golf cart most, followed by the all you can eat pizza at CiCi's. For Keith and I -- probably the people-watching at one of the town squares, during the nightly live entertainment and dancing. It is definitely an experience going to "Senior World".

We'll continue the journey tomorrow..in Disney World.

Exhausted!

We're Baack! And feeling very tired~

And yes, we were in Disney World! We actually got back on late Saturday night, had a birthday party for Noah on Sunday and then celebrated the last day and 1/2 of school - which meant Room Mom Me had ALOT of running around to do to prepare for the Last Day of School Class Party. But the clothes are unpacked, the laundry is done (well, for today, anyway), the mail is sorted and we are getting back to our regular routine...so let the blogging commence!

Actually, there is so much to share it is going to take several posts, I think, so bear with me...

Meet Herb

Now when you read the title, did you say the "H"? 'Cause I have never understood why a guy named Herb isn't pronounced the same as

Herb. Basil, to be specific.

Here are my cast of Herbs for this summer starting from the top row: cilantro, chocolate mint (yes, you read that right, I wasn't just trying to hide some chocolate in the post...) parsley, next row: thyme, basil, and more basil.., bottom row: rosemary and sage. I also have regular mint on my kitchen windowsill. I forgot to bring her outside for the picture.

My herbs are receiving a lot of TLC this week while we are away. Emmy's "camping buddy" is caring for my herbs and our garden this week. It is so nice having a dependable neighborhood friend that will care for our plants while we are away. I wonder if she says the "H". I'll have to ask her when we get home.

But now I wonder...am I supposed to say the 'H'? Do you say the 'H'? Is it a regional thing?

You Say It's Your Birthday!

Happy Birthday My Boy! I can't believe you are 9 years old. I remember when I was 9 all too well. How can you be 9 already? Thankfully, I won't be thinking on it too much today, because we are too busy having fun on vacation! And that is how it should be.

Nice self-portrait, by the way. Good thing you're wearing a tux. It distracts one from looking up your nostrils...

Workin' The Crowd

Two hours may be a long time for some 7 year olds to watch a Little League game, but not my Emmy. She loves to go to Noah's baseball games and watch him play, cheer him on, show her support.

Umm... Emmy the game has started, come watch your brother...

Really, Sweetie. Your brother is playing his game now....

He's up to bat! Come watch!...

Emmy! Did you see that out he made?

Wow! What a pitch! Wasn't that great, Emmy? ... Emmy?

Oh, that's right. It's in my fantasy world that my children are overflowing with excitement and anticipation for their sibling... Sorry about that. I get confused sometimes.

We are missing 3 of Emmy's games while we are away this week. I know Noah is as disappointed as she is because he LOVES to watch her coach-pitch games. Oh, ...wait...

When You Wish Upon A Star

Noah's "Plan A" is to be a professional baseball player when he grows up...

At a game on Mother's Day Weekend, he got to pitch the last two innings of the game...

And sealed the deal on the team's FIRST WIN of the season...

The team went crazy and they wanted to do a "Pile-Up" on Noah. Thankfully, they didn't because my boy's crazy mother would have had to pull them all off by their ears to get them off her first born!

It was a very refreshing win for my Noah.

He did a "Brad Lidge" pose for me after he ran back to the dug-out. (For you non-Phillies fans, Brad was the pitcher that ended the World Series last year with a win for the Phils and he posed like this after he pitched the last ball)

I don't know what God has planned for you, my Noah, but whatever it is, professional baseball player or otherwise, I pray you stay in His wake, and seek His will for you. I know His good and perfect plan will be Awesome!

Why did I pick this to post today? 'Cause today's hint as to where we are can be found is in the title of this post, and in the title of the post on June 5th... Hmmm...It's almost Magical how you figured it out! Can't wait to share with you all the fun we are having. Not looking forward to sharing with you all the weight I'm probably gaining....

PS. Noah's Plan B: Sports Commentator...

A Hint and Some Recipes

While I'm away, I thought I'd share two of the delicious recipes from the brunch several weeks ago. Both very delicious, very wonderful Brunch menu items. (sorry I don't have a picture of the Blueberry Croissant Puff - we must have eaten it too fast or something....)







Asparagus Tomato Quiche (compliments of Christie Marino)
10" pie shell
4 large eggs
3 TBL Flour
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 C Half-n-half
2 C grated swiss cheese
10 Asparagus spears, washed and trimmed(I used a few more)
1 large tomato, cut into 1/4" slices

Preheat oven 375. In a med. bowl, beat eggs with flour, paprika, salt and
mustard. Add half-n-half slowly, beating well. Stir in cheese. Saving 6
aspargus spears for the top, chop rest into 1" lengths and lay on bottom of pie
shell. Pour in liquid. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and quickly arrange
tomato and aspargus on the top of the quiche in a wagon wheel pattern. Bake
another 20-30 minutes until firm when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Serves 4-6.



Blueberry Croissant Puff (compliments of Anne Marie Solomon)

3 lg croissants, cut up
1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
8 oz cream cheese - can use low fat
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c. milk

Place croissant pieces evenly in 10 (1/2 c) ramekins. Sprinkle with blueberries.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in med bowl with electric mixer until well blended.
Gradually add milk, beating until smooth. Pour evenly over croissant pieces. Let stand for 20 minutes.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until set in centers and golden brown. Serve warm sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Alternative: Make puff in one baking dish. Mix cream cheese batter as directed; pour into 9" square baking dish. Let stand 20 minutes. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until set in center and golden brown.



Where Are We? Hint: We will have the opportunity to sample foods from countries around the world. Hmmm... Last Hint tomorrow.

Second Star to the Right

Well, I would have mentioned it sooner, but it was a surprise. For Noah and Emmy. We aren't home, we are on our way somewhere. Wanna guess where? I'll give you a hint...











It is NOT here.


No, this is where I went a few weeks ago with Maria - again. Back to Terrain. One last 'hurrah' before the kids got out of school. It was wonderful...I got the Falafel Burger with Harissa and Tzaziki....



And Maria got the bay scallops with a salad of mixed green and prosciutto...

But I digress.. This is not where we are now. Now we are on a plane - hopefully, not one like this! The kids are missing their last full week of school. Shameful, I know. But worth it. Always worth it.

Another hint tomorrow. Maybe a real one.