Disney for Dummies

So this past June, I finally talked the hubby into going to Disney with the boys.  And crossed my fingers that we would have a good time.  We didn't.
We had a great time!
But here is why...
1. The family suite.  If you can afford it and you have more than one child, get a family suite.  Even in the value resort like we stayed in, it provided a separate area for the kids and parents.  We had the ability to shut the door.  Read.  Watch tv other than cartoons.

2. Go when it rains.  Ok, let me specify.  Go when there is a freakin' tropical storm sitting on top of the Walt Disney World Resort for your entire trip.  Though soaked to the bone, our kids didn't mind.  And therefore we didn't mind.  The lines were minimal, 15-20 minutes tops.  And for those that were too long (60+ minutes) the Fast Pass took care of it.  Remember, you have to grab your Fast Pass early in the day because they run out.  Go to Job Lot before you leave, purchase $1 ponchos, or in Mudge's case, use a garbage bag.
3. Go Meal Plan.  We did the Quick Service meal plan that gave 1 snack and 2 meals each day per person staying in the room.  It included a drink, entree and dessert.  But be weary that you need to know what places are quick service versus a sit down dining place.

4. Pack a food bag.  We had one bag dedicated to cereal, granola bars, bagels and peanut butter.  That way we didn't have to worry about using the meal plan for breakfast.
5. Get the refillable mug.  Use your mug at meal time and stow away the bottled drinks that come with the meal for when you go to the theme parks.
6. Dessert does not meal chocolate cake.  They have apple slices with caramel and other things that aren't as calorically challenging.
7. Buy a waterproof camera (or case).  See #2.

8. Accept that your child may not want to meet the characters.  Booger had a breakdown in the Muppets 3D movie adventurer when one of the characters comes out into the audience.  He couldn't grasp/believe that "they were real" and that "they are not supposed to be real, mommy!"  With tears streaming down his face, we had the talk.  For the logical/spirited child, its ok that you tell them that it is special effects.  Plus it saves the hours you could spend in line to meet the characters.
9. Know ahead of time, the height limits.  It can save a lot of aggravation and tears if you bypass the things you cannot ride. A crazy overwhelming place of which you will not see every detail and hope that you can go back again another day when the children are all above 48" tall.
 10.  Go back for a nap or quiet time.  Almost everyday, we went back to the hotel after lunch, rested, then went back on the bus to a different theme park.  Worked beautifully for our kiddos who are 6 and under.

Boon Bag-a-polooza

I am sure you are all aware of the children's story song, "Ten in the Bed".  I am quite confident that if I were to redo the story, it would more accurately reflect the "Fifty-four in the Bed" that Mudge has.  In fact, he has so many that they take up close to three quarters of the surface of the "sleeping" space.  Luckily he is so short that it doesn't matter too much.  But frankly, when sheet-cleaning-Saturday comes, I grumble under my breath.

But today, oh glorious today, my saving grace arrived.  The Boog Animal Bag.  It doesn't look like much, but it is a brilliant little addition to each of the boys' rooms.  The Boon Bag is a stuffed animal storage bag rated for 18 months and up. It is a 100% polyester, machine washable container that 'when full' is 24" x 22" x 12".  It doesn't seem like much, but behold the glory!

 Before

After

 Mudge fit 50+ animals in.  I lost count.

"These things are the best things evvvvaaa!"

Boog fit 40+.

And now, instead of their beds being the stuffed animal zoo, the Boon Animal Bag is the special place where the stuffed animals belong.   Not only that, it turns the plethora of cozy creatures into a chill out spot for the boys to read or watch tv.

Retail, it goes for $48.  However, being a saving junky at times, I found them on Kohls.com for much less.  And bonus, if you have a Kohls charge, you can always search for coupon codes.  I managed to these bad boys for $30 with free shipping. 

So if you suffer from the overwhelming need to burn the stuffed animals, wait.  Get one of these or its cousin the Boon Bag Otto (around $85) or the Boon Trio (around $100).  And you can always tell the kids whatever doesn't fit goes to charity.  

For Truth, Justice and the Sickly

I was thinking the other day about I haven't been inspired to write.  And I don't know if it is inspiration versus laziness, but call it what you will.

Over the past few months, I have switched my "free time" to training time as I prep for my Tough Mudder.  Running, exercising, and whatnot.  The boys are so amused by this.  They ask to go for runs or they claim to do their "exercises", which incidentally if it what I look like during my work outs, thank god I have blinds on my windows....

And for the most part, most of us have been healthy. But with this unseasonably warm weather here, the germs never died.   So now I am home with one recovering and one beginning illness children, fighting fevers and boogers with my Super Mommy Powers.

A working mom by day, Super Mommy dons her illness patrol patch, in hopes to combat any of Viral's men from entering her dwelling.  On her utility belt is a box of tissues, hand sanitizer and a plastic bag to help fight the crime of the Boogie Man.  With her stock of magic medicines, Benadryl and Ibuprofen, forever dwindling, Super Mommy must travel through sleet, snow, rain, and the best sunny days the Earth has to offer to retrieve them.

But reality kicks in.  Get the barf bowl.  Hopefully not to be used.  Fill 17 trashcans with snotty tissues.  Wash hands until dry and cracked.  Eat mac and cheese for breakfast, because frankly you just don't care.  Have the children play outside to get some "fresh air" but really to wear them out so they will actually take a nap.  Watch way too much TV and play way too many electronic games.  Don't put make up on, because I know I am not leaving the house.  Wear puhpuns (or pichou as the French Canadiens call them) and robes.  Laugh hysterically as your child blows caterpillars out his nostrils, landing in multiple piles on the floor.

Ah, the joys of motherhood.  Luckily, I actually kind of enjoy it.