Highlights, Part 4

In sharing our Disney highlights, I can't skip the...

RIDES!

Some people go to Disney to meet princesses,

but they must have girls.

We went to Disney for the rides.

And they certainly did not disappoint.

When asked by a friendly (they're all friendly) cast member,

Jake announced that his favorites were...

The Tower of Terror

and

the Rock-n-Roller Coaster.

"How old are you?!"

"Eight."

No wusses here!

And you know the best part?

There was only one that Camden couldn't ride.

And they gave him a special pass to go to the head of the line next time.

When he's grown that last half-inch.

And now, for a final highlight...

Disney World has the most entertaining LINES and WAITING AREAS.

That's right,

I stood in them all.

And bailed out to wait.

Next time, Camden and I will both ride every ride.

Highlights, Part 3

Next, we bring you...

Jedi Training Academy

The boys were accepted (we raced to sign them up first thing in the morning) into the prestigious Jedi Training Academy, where they were taught the ways of the force, how to handle a light saber, and finally, the correct light saber battle moves to defeat Darth Vader.



He even showed up.

And all the dads - especially ours - were very excited.

"The force is strong in this one."

Vader really said that about Camden.

He was right.

Just check out that jump at the end - had to use the force for that one!

"I've been waiting for you."

Yep, he really said that to Jake.

A comment like that from Vader would have made me awfully nervous.

But Jake just took it in stride.

'Ol Darth couldn't get under his skin.

My boys have some serious Jedi skills.

And the diplomas to prove it.

Highlights, Part 2

Our next hightlight would have to be the...

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

In which Della (my dad) got shot.

Repeatedly.

He may not follow directions well

- he was specifically instructed NOT to fall to the ground -

but he sure does put on a good show!



Della scraped up his leg and lost the sole of his shoe during his big moment.

But the grandkids thought it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen.

So worth it.

Highlights Week, Part 1

I thought this week I'd share a few of the highlights from our Disney World adventure.

So, without further ado, I give you...

The Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour

Because where else do you get to see your Daddy star is an action adventure movie?

And not only get slammed by a thousand (really in truly) gallons of water,

But then, just as he thinks it's all over...

Get slammed again?

And, as if that wasn't enough to bring the joy into our day (and it was!),

We got to see Uncle Clark's ship hit by a torpedo.

It was all very awesome.

Guess Where We Went

We went on vacation.

Can you guess where?

It was pretty far away,

...but it wasn't New York.

Or San Fransisco.

We didn't go to Mexico,

...or on an under-sea adventure.

We weren't on an African safari,

...or in a galaxy far, far away.

Need another hint?

We spent some time with Indie,

...and Captain Jack Sparrow signed our swords.

We were accepted into the Jedi Training Academy,

...and went below ground to get a taste of a bug's life.

Still not sure?

One last hint...

We went to a place so magical, we didn't even mind getting totally soaked in a torrential downpour.

Because we did it all with old friends.

That's right!

We went to Disney World!

And it was wonderful.

I Caved

I told Jake he couldn't read the fourth Harry Potter book until he turned nine.  Starting with number four, these books get steadily more intense and scary (and I LOVE them).  I just didn't think he was ready to deal with some of things in this next book.

But this afternoon Jake told me the story of the Iliad.  And when he calmly and matter-of-factly described - in great detail, mind you - the death of Hector, I started to rethink my previous stance.

I caved.  And I don't think we'll be hearing much from Jake for the next few days.

The Greatest

You know that feeling you get when you do something really well?  It's the greatest feeling in the world, isn't it?

Nope.  Almost, but not quite the greatest.

The greatest feeling in the world is watching your children work hard and accomplish hard things.

I am awed by these little boys who can do so much.  They work so hard.  And they accomplish great things.

And as I sit on the sidelines, watching and cheering - whether they're reading the longest book they've read yet, eating a whole dinner without complaining, or winning swim races - I am so grateful to be their mom.

Disney World post(s) coming soon, Bob.  I promise!

Coming Home

Sometimes, when you come home after a week away, you find things like this.

And sometimes, you find twenty.

Twenty ginormous squash, that is.

Who knows how many carrots.

The Virginia summer did us in about a quarter of the way through.

There'll be more tomorrow.

I'm thinking we're looking at over a hundred when all is said and done.

(That's the carrot count.  And the temperature.)