Epcot

 

Did you ever look at a picture and instantly realize you were watching the last moments of childhood slip away?

L was so excited for the princess breakfast.  Poor J is surrounded by so many girls, he also couldn’t wait. We got to Epcot very early,but it paid off as we strolled through the park almost alone and were among the first to be seated.  We were right by the door where the princesses entered.

After a delicious breakfast we parted ways just as the park was officially opening.  When it comes to Disney, I am a crazy planner.  I read all the books and websites,and we entered each park with a plan to help everyone get the most out of their day. Of course by Wednesday,it became clear the plan included everyone but Mama whom became a little resentful, but Brian has promised a return trip where I can see all the parades.  We will probably be ancient before then,but oh well.  I have to admit that by the end of the week I felt those whom instilled the fireworks fear should have been dragging J onto rides explaining over his screams that no fireworks were inside.  The same applies to the Halloween party where we got caught in the show and had to restrain J like a wild animal.  Other than these relatively small issues, the plans worked like a charm.

Big kids headed to rides and little kids and I searched for characters.  We kept our autograph books ready for any chance encounter.  J could smell a character 1/2 mile away.  For L, characters,shows and of course water were the trip.

We met back up to do Nemo and Turtle Talk with Crush.  Due to Disney magic of course, an animated version of Crush, the sea turtle, can interact with the audience.  L got to squealing VERY loud and high and Crush commented on the guest who could speak “whale.” 

For lunch we headed around “the world.”  The food and wine festival was going on, and Brian,Dawn and I would have happily just snacked away the afternoon,but….  After a little searching, Brian found a fabulous pizza place at the back of Italy.  He just smiled and said “It’s Eat Pray Love, we have to eat here”  Gotta love a man who pays attention to the reading habits of his women folk.  It was excellent.

Playing drums in the amazon.  B picked out several architectural features around epcot, allowing Mama to feel relieved that something of world geography was sinking in. 

Characters and gift shops caught us on our way out.  By this time L was completely toast.

 

But who can resist Stitch!

Old Key West

 

We did something different this time and rented someone else’s vacation club points to stay in a condo on Disney property.  It worked great for us.  A washer and the ability to cook are just mandatory for us.  That’s right, my crock pot made the trip!

Finally, L was getting to head to the swimming pool!

And what a great pool it was.  The water slide was a huge hit!

The sand play area was pretty good too.

L can balance on her back and swim from Mama to Daddy!

The view from our patio.

Disney World 2010- The trip down

 

Could you ever guess from this picture that our trip down to Orlando was nothing short of crazy??  In other words, just a normal day for the Celsor family!  We had very good intentions of leaving right from school,and we were close until Brian’s forgotten ankle brace meant a trip back to Holland and then on the road again.  L started signing “swim” before we crossed the Tennessee line,and J was sure Disney World was no further than Bowling Green.  They were delightful traveling companions.  J had stepped on a piece of glass earlier in the day and by the time we stopped for the night, it was obvious a piece was embedded in his foot and we had considerable bleeding.  Brian had researched our stop options and made a great choice. 

The next morning started with Advil for all and a great hot breakfast until we realized L was stinky.  Umm… so began a series of stops due to some kind of stomach bug, in a state that has not improved its public bathroom situation since that ill fated college spring break trip I try so hard to forget.  No changing facilities or even hot water most places.  Thank you Ray Croc and Truett Cathy.  Some days McDonalds and Chikfila are on my most wonderful things list.  Well, that and the pepto bismal we started popping like candy.

Summer Scenes

 

Gotta love girls softball- pony tails, silly socks, pink bats and cheerleader chants with words like scoot your bootie back all sung with plenty of twang  We had an awesome season.  There was plenty of controversy in the final 2 games,but Brian handled it well and we were blessed with great parents and girls.  I especially love the smile on Brian’s face despite his very swollen, purple black ankle from a fight with a calf!  My favorite moments of the season were when H wasn’t hitting and made a deal with her coach/Dad. “I promise to pay attention and hit the ball if you will let me hit left handed.” (She is a righty)  Much to her mother’s chagrin, deal made, ball hit.  And of course the night they just seemed sluggish and Brian yelled to the dugout to “talk it up.”  H always took the lead here and jumped right into some chant.  Her coach from travel ball had stopped by and laughed as he said “H is just such a great cheerleader.”  How he nailed it.  Sorry Dad.

Better late than never

Spring of 2010 brought us plenty of rain. The same storms that flooded Nashville got us as well. I had always assured the girls that we lived “on top of the world” and nothing but a Noah type flood could get us. Never underestimate ground water. The water and rains came fast and furious. Brian and Michael finally just started tearing fence down in hopes cattle could get themselves to higher ground. Our basement flooded as the saturated ground could take no more and the water came in around the drains. By morning the above bridge had water across it for a short time.

This is the view of the river from behind our house.

Of course the ramifications of flooding like this don’t end overnight. I did a horrible job with pictures, but the whole summer was influenced. Our dock at the lake was completely covered- even the stairs. You can only imagine how comical we all looked trying to get out to the boats. There were several canoe tippings and plenty of mosquitoes but on we went.