It’s the Time of Your Life!

So we arrived at The Happiest Place on Earth Sunday afternoon.  As a family we have already seen eight princesses (that includes Jasmine twice), “Mommy and Daddy Incredibles”, Lotso, the Little Einsteins, two parades, and two fireworks shows from the safe confines of our balcony.  There is a reason that we got a Magic Kingdom view room at the Contemporary Resort.  It is in our best interests to stay out of earshot from any fireworks displays, of which Disneyworld has around 176 per day.  Neither girl is a big fan, so we are able to turn our television to Channel 20 and hear the music synchronized to the show.  This place really is a spectacle to behold.

We went to Hollywood Studios for a few hours, and saw Disney Playhouse Live, Beauty and the Beast on stage, several characters, and one parade.  We got there in early afternoon, had lunch, and began the festivities.  Afterwards we went to Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner, which was awesome – again.  We went there last year, and even though we wanted to try new places, Boma was my choice to return to this time.  Boma is a buffet specializing in African cuisine, and it is unlike anything anywhere – the main reason it gets my vote.  At one point Miss Giggles was begging me not to go get another plate because I would “get a big fat belly”.  I had to wonder if her concern was really over my figure, or her desire to leave.

Yesterday was the day we all looked forward to.  The Magic Kingdom and breakfast with Cinderella in the castle.  Shockingly enough, we were a few minutes late, but only because we are four stops from the Magic Kingdom on the Monorail.  But, upon returning we are the first stop – which comes in quite handy when the meltdown monster rears its ugly head. It is always a difficult task toeing the line between slap happy and complete meltdown. Thankfully, we were successful yesterday.

Our visit to the Magic Kingdom was cut short by a rain shower around 4:00. However, we were in Tomorrowland and were able to navigate through some indoor attractions and under shelter – it was a great place to hide from the rain. In fact, during the Monsters Inc show, Miss Giggles and Miss Lala were profiled on the audience cam as the little girl “Boo”. We thought that was pretty cool. We were hoping to stay for the Electric Light Parade, which begins at 9:00. But, I think the rain may have been a blessing in disguise, as we were all quite exhausted. So, when the rain let up just a little, we hoofed it back to the Monorail, weaving our way through the Main Street U.S.A. shops to stay somewhat dry. We grabbed a

quick bite to eat at the hotel, took baths, watched the fireworks, and got into bed. Miss Lala did not make it through the show, passing out as soon as she was able to remain still. Miss Giggles was able to finish and was out almost as soon as the first hair hit the pillow – I’m talking seconds people. It was unprecedented. Even I was victim to a similar fate, watching the Boise St. & Virginia Tech game while beginning to write this post. I made it about halfway through – struggling with my command of the English language, and unable to utilize my extensive vocabulary satisfactorily. See what I mean, no way could I have written that last night. So, I thought I would just close the computer, finish watching the game, and finish this post tomorrow. Well, I woke up to find out that Boise St. ended up winning the game, and it is now about 8:45 and both girls are still asleep. Our theory – let Sleeping Beauties lie.

Today, we are on our way to Epcot, for what I like to call “Daddy Nobucks Day”. I love Epcot, it is a combination of some of my favorite things: technology and foods and beverages from around the world. Of course, there will be some character stops throughout the day. We may even try to have breakfast with the princesses again. In Epcot last year we were able to walk right in, and it is only one credit a piece on our dining plan – quite the value in my opinion. But, if they don’t wake up soon, I know two Sleeping Beauties that may miss breakfast altogether!

JAX '10

So, we've been to both Atlantic and Jacksonville Beach and seen the Cats whoop the stinkin' Cards.  I would say our time in Jacksonville has been a success and as I type, The Boss is packing for our trip down the Florida "Toll" parkways to Orlando.  Hopefully my coupon clipping wife has mapped out a way to make this trip as cost effective as possible (as if any trip to Disney World can be such).  We have had a wonderful time in Jacksonville catching up with our friends and their lives at home.  Matty is apparently the "hot doctor" in town, and Bowers is on the hot track in the engineering industry.  Both are doing very well and I am proud of them both personally and professionally.  It is fun to see all of us in our roles as daddy - my how things have changed!  Here is a picture of our kids together tonight.  We like to call them collectively the University of Kentucky Class of 2029-2035.

Today before the game we went to the beach and walked along the shore collecting seashells.  I will post pics pf our trip throughout so bear with me.  They may be random, but they are the ones that I like.  If you don't like them go to Picasa and you will see the collection.  Miss Lala is not a big fan of the beach in general as she has a fear of the sand and the ocean/waves.  Not a good combination of fears in this state.  She stayed in the stroller the entire time and had it made.  As for yesterday, we stayed at the beach for about two hours, neither girl entering the ocean above their big toenail.  As for Daddy Nobucks, I did ride some sweet waves, as Hurricane Earl passed some love my way during my day at the beach via large waves and lots of seashells for the ladies.  Sweet on both accounts!

After a walk on the beach, we decided to walk on the pier and see what was happening.  I have always been a sucker for the action on the pier.  Apparently I must not be holding my mouth right, because I can't catch a cold.  The Boss claims I haven't caught anything since we've been married - eight years and counting.  That sucks.  The problem is I catch everything when she isn't with me.  Sure, you say, I have even taken pictures with my current cellular technology.  She suggests that it is someone else's fish.  In my world it is quite emasculating having one's wife tell them they cannot fish.  I just tell her there's a reason they call it fishing and not catching. Anyway, we saw a guy catch a small hammerhead shark. My theory is that Mama is around somewhere, and a shark is a shark is a shark.  I have to ask myself, "am I a true man"?  And I answer - "Hell Yeah"!  I cook, I watch the Today Show, and I LOVE The Price Is Right.  If I had a Facebook page I would add them.  Is there something wrong with that?

Anyway, we leave for Disney tomrorrow and need some sleep.  I will try to update as much as I can.  Apparently Disney charges for daily internet access so I may be out of touch.  Maybe The Boss will find a way to cut some corners! 

Are We There Yet?

So, we made it to Jacksonville last night at about 1:30 A.M.  We left home at around 1:45, so twelve hours of travel time is not too shabby.  The girls were pretty good travelers too, considering we did not break up the trip at all.  We only had a few meltdowns fromm Miss Lala, which consisted of an arching back when being placed back into her seat.  It is not the most pleasant of tasks forcing your surprisingly strong nineteen month old into the confines of her seat.  We stopped in Columbia, South Carolina for what The Boss calls my "obligatory dining wild goose chase".  I am a big fan of South Carolina BBQ, which has a mustard based sauce, that is sweet and gooey, and oh so delicious.  The place we went to last night was called "Little Pigs" and was a buffet with "all the fixins" - green beans, collard greens,baked beans, cole slaw, mac and cheese, hash, BBQ pork, brisket, fried chicken, chicken livers, and on and on.  It was great.  I stumbled on this place looking for a place I had visited before that would give your party a 10% discount if you cleaned your plate.  As an eternal member of the "clean plate club", I remembered this and tried searching for it.  I recognized the pictures on the internet, and called the restaurant for directions.  I also asked them if they were the same place I remembered.  The man replied with a chuckle, and said "No. . . well yeah but that was 20 years ago".  I felt sick.  What a punch to the gut.  I have become old enough to refer to something I remember over twenty years ago - when I was a teenager!  Shocking and stunning.  So, I called my dad and told him, so he could also wallow in my self pity.  So, now we have invaded Matty's, surprisingly well decorated (according to The Boss) bachelor pad, and it may never be the same.  With my two girls, Matty's three year old son, and Bowers' three year old son, we are in for quite a frenetic weekend.  I have a feeling that the fury of Hurricane Fiona will be nothing compared to what we are about to witness.  Hopefully they'll occupy each other between the hours of 3 and 8 tomorrow night so we can watch the Cats whip the stinkin 'Cards.  But, for now it's off to the beach, and I will try to post with some pics from Atlantic Beach later.  In the meantime - GO BIG BLUE!!!

A Tale of Two Haircuts

Take off a little here, but not too much...

So, now that we all have new haircuts, we are ready to brave the Florida heat.  As long as Tropical Storm Earl stays away, we should stay dry.  However, The Boss is starting to get concerned with the potential for Tropical Storm Fiona developing in the Atlantic.  For those of you that are unaware, my wife is, what I would call an "Armchair Weather Warrior".  I caught her watching Hurricane Central on the Weather Channel tonight, and she is currently viewing the Satellite Imaging from the National Hurricane Center's website, looking for any developmental changes that she can decipher.

Ahhh, this is the life

Anyway, back to the hair.  The events could not have been more different.  First, we got Miss Giggles hair done, and she loved every minute of it.  The only one that didn't enjoy it was The Boss.  Here is a picture of her trying to explain what she wants done.  Turned out she explained more what she didn't want done.  It was pretty hilarious to watch and listen as she bumbled through what she wanted.  It reminded me of Miss Teen South Carolina's infamous rant in 2007 - no rhyme or reason, and no solid answer.  I think the hairdresser may have been scared to touch her.  So, with that we ended up with sone trimmed ends, and maybe a few strands of hair on the ground.  In the end, it was much more of a big girl time for Miss Giggles than a productive styling session.  But, she had a lot of fun and that's all that matters.

Take me to my happy place

I cannot say the same for Miss La La.  We took her to Cookie Cutters so they can bag the hair, print a certificate with a picture, and everything else associated with a first haircut.  Well, Miss La La was not having it.  No one could calm her down, and thankfully, all we were having done was trimming her bangs.  Of course, I can't really blame her for being somewhat timid.  A stranger dangling big silver shears in front of your eyes might be rather frightening for an eightenn month old.  After a tense ten seconds of hair hell for Miss La La, her ordeal was done and it was time to take her picture with the new do.  Well, still no calming her down, so we got a nice shot of a crying Miss La La.  It's just as well though, might as well remember the event how it happened.  It's also a good thing this place has a slide in it.  They need to have a movie theater too.  It took forever to print up the first hair cut certificate, and our stay was prolonged quite unecessarily.  So, Miss La La made the most of it, and snapped out of her funk, and got silly on the slide.

Space Mountain, here I come!!!

With that, the haircuts were taken care of and everyone was happy.  It was time to head home and chalk up another day down 'til we invade the Happiest Place on Earth. 

Coach Nobucks and The Draft

So, we are now less than one week from the big trip and The Boss woke up today with a fire in her belly.  I guess she felt rejuvenated after her haircut, and the time is now ticking down.  Of course, yesterday, I found out that I will be coaching Miss Giggles' soccer team, which I am very excited about.  The only problem is the draft is next Thursday night.  I love that there is a draft for an under 6 soccer league. However, I have a few questions about this draft, which I will be missing unfortunately due to the C.F.D.W.P.P.E.  What about trades?  Will cash be offered in lieu of a player to be named later?  I'm also wondering if I have to pick my own daughter, or does she come with me by default?  I think we can get someone to help us, and I am just wondering if I will need to confer via cell phone while my team is "on the clock".  Enough of the sports references, I want to get down to business with an update on the vacation readying process progression.  However, it is late and I am tired.  So, I will post tomorrow with some pictures of the girls' new haircuts, and a story or two to go along with them.  Nighty Night.