Super Secret Trip Bag

SHHH! We are taking our kid on a super secret trip tomorrow. You'll never guess where. I've been super-secretly bursting with excitement for a month! As such, I needed a way to channel my energies without spending all our money prior to arrival :) So without further ado, I give you my WDW Bag:

I designed it myself. Because, while there are many, many things The Dis can do for a dedicated fan like me, try as I might, I never can find the perfect bag. I realize this is a very personal need, so I decided to make one for myself.

First of all, it had to be cute. Cute in that I'm-a-hip-momma-and-I-love-me-some-Mickey-Mouse kind of way. So when I found this adorable Heather Ross canvas (Far Far Away II series) I knew it was the fabric I needed. (Isn't it a fantastic coincidence that Disney is releasing Tangled this Thanksgiving?)

Secondly, it had to hold my Passporter, my Nikon DX40 (protected from other trinkets), my pressed penny books, maps, tickets, pressed pennies, a water bottle and sunscreen (so they don't get other things wet), my refillable mug, cell phone, and an XL sweatshirt. And of course, I didn't want anything bulky. So this is my design, and I am damn proud of myself.

(the map, ticket and pressed penny pockets on the outside for quick access)

(the roomy, and divided, interior)

(the back, and a great view of the print)

(the side mesh pockets for water and sunscreen)

I am in love with this baby! I'll let you know how the trip goes. I may not sleep tonight!

Perfect Morning

Yesterday was just the perfect morning. The recipe for a perfect morning, you ask? Fall must be just around the corner. It has to be cool enough (finally!) to sit outside and knit, barefoot, in jeans, with a mug of hot tea. And the mug really should be a mug you purchased in Disney World. It makes the tea, and you, so much happier. And you really should have your old-fashioned, transistor radio, tuned eternally to NPR. And the knitting on your needles would be a darling little baby sweater from the softest cotton ever. Because without any one of these components, the morning would be slightly less than perfect. And that just wouldn't be right, now, would it?

You Know You're A Disney Girl When...

. . . your sole motivation for working out is the prospect of going back to Disney and being able to stay late, because you are not so tired you think you might pass out.

Oh, and while you walk on your treadmill in the complete and utter seclusion of your closet (because it's bigger than the kitchen in your first apartment and you are positive no one could actually walk by and see you huffing and puffing), you have a map of World Showcase (in Epcot) taped to the wall so you can imagine yourself walking there (as a fit and trim person, of course) instead of your closet. And the music you blare (even at 10:00 at night, even if you are sure the people next door can hear it) is the Millennium Celebration from Epcot.

I'm just saying. ⁰0⁰

Like Mother, Like Son

We are departing tomorrow for one of our favorite vacation spots: Walt Disney World! As a child I was never able to sleep the night before we left. Who am I kidding? I still can't. It's so exciting thinking about all the great stuff we are going to do, all the laughter that will happen, all the silly experiences we are going to have, all the memories we'll be making.

No big surprise here, but my boy is pumped up so high tonight I fully expect to see him in the morning wide awake, having slept not a wink. I can't say I blame him. There is far too much fun to be had I tell you. How can you sleep on a night like tonight?

Mark Your Calendars

For more than 10 years now I have been dreaming about having "my wedding." I know, I know, I've been married for (almost) 13 lucky years. And I know I couldn't be luckier. But as most of you are aware, we were married at the courthouse. Perfectly fitting for the people we were then. I'm so glad I made that choice. But shortly thereafter I started a manilla file entitled "Dream Wedding." I've thrown that file out several times (which also means it was created again and again).

I have had this very specific wedding in mind. It's a thought I clearly cannot shake. And it's so cliché! I want a Disney wedding -- not the Cinderella's castle wedding that readily comes to mind. No pumpkin coach here. But to be married in the French Pavilion in Epcot...the little garden near the canal...a gorgeous brunch at the Bistro de Paris with that fabulous 3 piece electric band, Bella Fortuna, that used to play in the Italy pavilion in Baroque costume. I even have a very cheesy song picked out from the Millennium Celebration album (which I will leave you to guess as it is far too self deprecating to actually admit which one it is). This is my dream, my recurring dream. I've only really shared it with two people until now. E - I love you for not laughing at my insanity.

The thing is, I found out that I could actually do it. It's for real - they really allow it and they even have a price for it (naturally - I should have realized that anything and everything at Disney can be arranged for a price). It could be doable for our 20th! I've always imagined that I'd have to haggle with some horribly made-up, 50-something, toothy wedding planner at Disney to make my dream come true. Apparently it would be much easier than that, in true Disney fashion. 

So I'm putting it out there for the universe (and you) to know. I'm planning for this as an actuality. Mark your calendars for May 1, 2015. We'll be celebrating our anniversary with my fantasy Disney wedding. You're certainly welcome to come. I'm pretty sure Mickey and Minnie will make an appearance. Oh, and if you too have the wild hare to do something this crazy, check out this fabulous Disney wedding planning site. I know I'll be back. (and back, and back....)

Oh the Fun of Photoshop!

I am really getting into all of the possibilities of photoshop. I subscribe to this fabulous podcast: Adobe Photoshop Elements Killer Tips. In it, I learned how to make photo silhouettes. It has been so much fun! Check out these images:

So this morning, Richard and I created a new header for his blog about Disney. Be sure to check it out. I am proud of it, if I do say so myself.

Disney Retreat

We suprised Hayes with a family vacation to WDW recently. Can't tell you how glorious it was to be together and enjoy a place all of us adore. We used the dining plan this time and it was FABULOUS! Would totally do it again. And the All-Star Resort was surprisingly nice. I would try all the All-Star themes. It was perfect for Hayes. So many things to look at, and climb on, and don't even get me started about the arcade! He must have spent hours in there (and many dollars to boot!). Loved it. Here are a few shots I took while there. As always, it was so nice to get home and sleep in our own beds!

Disney Paper Art

For all you Disney Fans out there, I ran across this really fun site. You can make a model of several of the Disney icons from paper! This Space Mountain model rates a medium on the difficulty scale. You can bet I'll be trying some of these.