tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14070359510976088352024-02-02T12:11:23.405-06:00 Adventure In The Great Wide SomewhereTips, tricks and trip reports to turn any reluctant first time cruiser into a Disney Cruise Line Oceaneer.
Join me, a vegan, homeschooling Mouseketeer mother, as I set out to sea and approach both magical vacations and everyday life with a spoonful of faith, trust and pixie dust!AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-70175252852854295292015-07-14T19:00:00.000-05:002015-07-14T19:00:15.232-05:00This Is Really Magical | Wordless Wednesday Welcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers!<br />
This week Deb at Focused on the Magic invited us to share something really good, Wordless Wednesday style. I'm sharing the Eastern Caribbean, Specifically San Jose, Puerto Rico.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15975257166" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2715 (1) by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2715 (1)" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8653/15975257166_0637741375_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castillo de San Felipe</td></tr>
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Thank you to <a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/"><span style="color: #bb213a;">Focused on the Magic</span></a> for hosting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/search/label/The%20Disney%20Wordless%20Wednesday%20Blog%20Hop" target="_blank"><img alt="Focused on the Magic" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/debs_pics/DWWBHop_Focused-on-the-Magi.jpg" /></a></center>
AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-17366346590671402362015-07-13T08:14:00.001-05:002019-08-12T13:06:09.253-05:00New SiteEDIT TO ADD: No longer available on WordPress. That site is defunct.<br /><br />If you're looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere, I'm moving to WordPress at www.adventurermom.com<br />
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See ya real soon!</div>
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-8759725619195240252015-07-12T19:22:00.000-05:002015-07-12T19:22:01.643-05:00Whistle While You Work...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm in the middle of making some changes around here...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What on earth is she up to now?</td></tr>
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Stay tuned!</div>
AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-31123227068967850222015-07-10T18:37:00.002-05:002015-07-10T18:37:50.583-05:00I Love My Erin Condren Planner!To get the non-legal-ese out of the way: I have no financial relationship of any kind with Erin Condren. I don't receive free products or any form of compensations. I just really, really love my planner.<br />
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Almost to the end of last year's LifePlanner</td></tr>
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I squeaked with delight when I scrolled through the options for shiny new LifePlanners in mid-June. There, hidden in plain sight among the beautiful, inspirational covers sat the only option I could consider. <br />
"Create Your Own."<br />
I spent half the day designing my cover only to discover that the computer/bandwith/website did not want me to upload pictures. Banking on the fact that it was the first day that the 2015/2016 planners appeared, I vowed to try again the next morning. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the smell of office supplies in the morning.</td></tr>
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Around 5 am the following morning, it uploaded straight away! I loved the picture I'd uploaded and was super excited for my box day to arrive...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box Day!</td></tr>
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I opened it up to discover:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free gifts!</td></tr>
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Almost too lovely to open!<br />
Almost.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Launch bundle with lovely pens and stickers.</td></tr>
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I went through all of the new stickers. <br />
I love that they're color coordinated with the planner already.<br />
And I love the bubble wrap.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mother in Law's first venture into the world of planners.</td></tr>
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Diana picked a lovely rainbow fleur de lis for hers this year.<br />
Me?<br />
I opted for something more me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's not to love?</td></tr>
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Then set to work copying in the last half of 2015 and our vacation plans for 2016!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, looks like I have a blog hop post due next week!</td></tr>
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Minnie-me loved inheriting the last half year of my 2014-2015 LifePlanner "but next year I would like my own, mommy."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWvI3vr3lt5KlLLww3tFndv9gpMbLV4kbhGW5Pn1XOGlAylOUvYiRMTubOzJZHO282SOuvCZrXro7zq-fU9-tgOY-v0rl1YiDWY2lMDJd9R8vk9iCrU3Wyz7fvkjjvJdY8ow1vQ0fwFg/s1600/hand+me+down+planner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWvI3vr3lt5KlLLww3tFndv9gpMbLV4kbhGW5Pn1XOGlAylOUvYiRMTubOzJZHO282SOuvCZrXro7zq-fU9-tgOY-v0rl1YiDWY2lMDJd9R8vk9iCrU3Wyz7fvkjjvJdY8ow1vQ0fwFg/s640/hand+me+down+planner.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First order of business, declaring her own holiday.<br />
July 20 shall henceforth be known as "Original Hipster Day."<br />
Yes, that's how Kylee dressed herself one morning.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What do <em>you</em> do with the extra half year after you copy all appointments into your new LifePlanner?</span><br />
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-90016754538630786352015-07-10T07:37:00.000-05:002015-07-10T07:37:20.093-05:00How Things Move | Three MousekateersThe sun rose cool and clear on our first day of the <a href="http://www.disneyyouth.com/our-programs/education/sp/individual-enrollment/program/ie-how-things-move-wdw/#categories-individual-enrollment,interests-applied-sciences,ages-elementary,locations-WDW">Disney Youth Education Series</a> Program. Day six in the parks with an 8:15 meeting time?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16295782859" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7430/16295782859_f79e7109ad_k.jpg" title="Early Morning meeting for our Disney Student Seminar | How Things Move" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good morning! Good morning! It's great to stay up late!</td></tr>
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No problem.<br />
We were even early enough to use the wash rooms and plop on the ground to invent our very own version of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16481095482" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8633/16481095482_a14a97142d_k.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do Dalmatians beat fairies? The world may never know.</td></tr>
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We met our group leader who lead us in to the park and straight for a restroom break (just in case!) and then introduced our merry band of six kids and their adults to Main Street U.S.A as you've never seen her before...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16294620970" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8565/16294620970_43cf4ee066_k.jpg" title="Magic Kingdom before park opening." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waving hello to the cast members as they ride down Main Street in the morning quiet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16295791719" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8680/16295791719_10412d503b_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Street, U.S.A. slowly wakes up as the cast members call merry greetings in a way that makes the whole "transported to 1900" even more real.</td></tr>
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The kids searched high and low to fulfill their first mission: to count how many kinds of moving machines they could spot in our walk to the hub. Trolley cars, old time cars and the crane? All fair game. We followed our fearless counselor past the cast members who would be guarding the ropes near the Cheshire Café to keep eager park goers at bay until rope drop. We stowed our cameras as instructed as "the park may not be show ready this early" and headed over to a pre park opening ride of Winnie the Pooh. The kids each got handed a slinky or gear toy or piston to try out different forms of mechanical energy and did a brief show and tell on how the item they received worked. (One shy kid wanted the counselor to explain instead and she was more than happy to oblige.) <br />
After that we scampered off to Dumbo the Flying Elephant just as the park opened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15861929893" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day - Dumbo" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7425/15861929893_c0f779e461_k.jpg" title="How Things Move | Hydraulic Power" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylee and our counselor </td></tr>
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Kylee was super happy to ride with our counselor and Chris, after being odd man out (and the only one old enough to ride single) enjoyed re-riding with me. She explained how hydraulics and air pressure helped Dumbo fly us to the sky. All of the kids (5-8 years old) managed to understand and were warming up to asking and answering her questions. This is a very age appropriate introduction to physics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16482048785" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7342/16482048785_063ac6e904_k.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris made sure his included a FastPass+ queue. #FutureImagineer</td></tr>
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After Dumbo we headed to the Storybook Circus tents to let the kids draft their own rides on paper in crayons and present to the group. (Again, one of the shy girls sat out, but it was no biggie!) After talking some more about the different types of energy, we headed for Goofy's Barnstormer (the only ride with a height restriction).<br />
After a little walk to Tomorrowland and fun playing with magnets, we hopped on the Peoplemover for the last ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" data-header="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16482046755/in/album-72157649377572319/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day"><img alt="Magic Kingdom Student Seminar Day" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/16482046755_9ef752f144_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fearless leader!</td></tr>
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We did not get FastPass onto any of the rides, but there weren't any lines to speak of either. At two and a half hours long, this fun, educational start left plenty of time left to explore Magic Kingdom! <br />
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(I also blogged about <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/02/dollars-and-sense-walt-disney-world.html">saving money on park tickets through the Disney Student Seminars</a>, open to both homeschoolers and traditionally schooled students.)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />This is Part 16 of the world's longest ongoing Trip Report </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Mousekateers"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Three Mousekateers." </span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional sections will be found on the </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trip Reports</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> page after they are posted! </span> <br />
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-30216187203903581952015-07-07T19:00:00.000-05:002015-07-07T19:00:04.570-05:00Wild Rides After Dark | Wordless WednesdayWelcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers!<br />
This week Deb at Focused on the Magic invited us to share our favorite Wild Rides, Wordless Wednesday style. Given that my kids just crossed the 44" mark, our definition of wild rides is a bit different than most people's.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16222316329" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom ALLLL day long. by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom ALLLL day long." height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8627/16222316329_cbe63cdaff_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16404967241" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom ALL DAY by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom ALL DAY" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7398/16404967241_0920c8a1fe_o.jpg" title="Dumbo the Flying Elephant" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I see an elephant fly!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16382570686" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Magic Kingdom ALLLL day long. by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic Kingdom ALLLL day long." height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7398/16382570686_5785393c66_o.jpg" title="Prince Charming Regal Carrousel" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dream is a wish your heart makes.</td></tr>
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Thank you to <a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/"><span style="color: #bb213a;">Focused on the Magic</span></a> for hosting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/search/label/The%20Disney%20Wordless%20Wednesday%20Blog%20Hop" target="_blank"><img alt="Focused on the Magic" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/debs_pics/DWWBHop_Focused-on-the-Magi.jpg" /></a></center>
AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-79907453805766939762015-07-05T17:08:00.003-05:002015-07-06T13:33:02.269-05:00Classical Education | Video Game Scope and SequenceWe all wish to give our children a well-rounded education. In our house this means exposure to Beethoven, Aesop's Fables, the Bible, history, manners, phonics, cursive, reading all manner of classics, learning foreign language at a young age, singing, basics of piano, music theory and video games too.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLGTyxc1O-v652ndggdP-6y4NOQ27jYO-29WZ78QtwuPHjQuLFegd2736tdkOX_wtP39lzVDDN28zKSyf-hBpBYNqsKES1LI_lIcRLQisRn0PEaHQGV3li1OMgiIrH5FekVe6UhZovLY/s1600/retro+gaming.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Retro Games Every Kid Should Play" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLGTyxc1O-v652ndggdP-6y4NOQ27jYO-29WZ78QtwuPHjQuLFegd2736tdkOX_wtP39lzVDDN28zKSyf-hBpBYNqsKES1LI_lIcRLQisRn0PEaHQGV3li1OMgiIrH5FekVe6UhZovLY/s640/retro+gaming.png" title="Scope and Sequence | Video Games and Homeschooling" width="396"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which games are worth pulling out of storage and which are better left in the eighties?</td></tr>
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I grew up right along with the Nintendo. My grandmother gave us the Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas when I was in kindergarten and the Super Nintendo came along when I was eight. The Nintendo 64 came along just in time for high school with the GameCube accompanying my college days. <br>
My son's birth fell within months of the premiere of the Wii, ushering in a second generation of console gamers. When kids are increasingly comfortable with Minecraft, surfing Netflix via the PS4 and unlocking the old iPad to play a few rounds of educational apps (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teachme-1st-grade/id355940964?mt=8">Teach Me!</a> is their current favorite) is there any reason to pull out the retro games?<br>
I'm going to argue that behind the catchy tunes and brightly colored pixelated graphics, lurk lessons in problem solving, mastering a steep learning curve with good old fashioned grit. For <a href="http://www.babble.com/babble-voices/7-reasons-why-your-kids-should-play-video-games/">7 Reasons Why Your Kids Should Play Video Games</a>, visit Babble.<br>
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A few of our favorites (all rated E for everyone or the game rating equivalent to rated G):<br>
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<strong>Donkey Kong, Tetris & Pac-Man</strong><br>
These arcade classics require problem solving, planning and immediate attention. Each is a good starting point as the goal and game mechanics are easily understood, even by small children. If you no longer have a working NES, select from the plethora of app versions of these games. For bonus points, try out <a href="http://games.disney.com/wreck-it-ralph-fix-it-felix-jr">Fix It Felix Jr.</a> then enjoy Wreck-It Ralph for a family movie night.<br>
No reading required.<br>
To round out the arcade experience, assign independent study with a few rounds of Space Invaders, Ms. Pac-Man, Asteroids and Pong. <br>
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<strong>Super Mario Bros.</strong><br>
A wonderful introduction to the wide world of platform gaming and arguably the best video game of all time. This game opens up the gaming experience with the process of learning and memorizing increasingly difficult maps.<br>
No reading required.<br>
Independent Study Assignment: Investigate Super Mario Bros. 3 without a game FAQ. Discover at least two warp whistles.<br>
Bonus points if a parent or a sibling play alongside as Luigi. <br>
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<strong>The Legend of Zelda</strong><br>
"It is dangerous to go alone! Take this." Without further ado, Link sets off to rescue Zelda from the clutches of the evil Ganon.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll take "Swords" for $400, Alex. </td></tr>
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As the first in a long line of action adventure sagas, this game offers opportunities to wander and explore in a more open ended fashion than the previous video games. With far more extensive maps than the previous games on this list, we do a fair amount of instruction on cardinal directions and handedness. (Use the candle on the third bush in the northeast corner of the map.<br>
Minimal reading. <br>
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<strong>The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past</strong><br>
This well-balanced game frequently <a href="http://www.ign.com/top/snes-games/1">ranks number one</a> game offered on the Super Nintendo Entertainment system. (This 1991 offering <em>still</em> comes in <a href="http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59381/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-2-the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past/">ranked highly in lists of the best</a> video games of all time over twenty years after it's initial release.) Taking Link on more challenging adventures thorough subterranean dungeons, puzzles and mazes and setting up many of the standards for future Legend of Zelda games. This single player adventure can by found on SNES, Gameboy and digital download on the Wii.<br>
Light reading.<br>
Summer reading assignment: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Zelda-Box-Set/dp/1421542420/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436129818&sr=8-2&keywords=legend+of+zelda+comic">The Legend of Zelda Box Set</a> by Akira Himekawa <br>
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<strong>Myst</strong><br>
A graphic puzzle video game based more on powers of observation, inference and curiosity rather than reflexes. This is a game entirely stripped of physical violence or attack. You will not die or even know where to go as you figure out by exploring and patiently collecting clues. Although it is possible to reach a "bad" end to the game, this is for the most part a beautiful puzzle.<br>
Heavy reading. <br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myst involves varying scenes of dazzling beautiful scenery and fascinating involved puzzles.</td></tr>
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There is a library of books on the main island and in order to understand the backstory, plot and many of the puzzling book worlds, a cursory ability to read the books is necessary. Some of the books are in a calligraphic handwriting.<br>
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<strong>Civilization II</strong><br>
Build your very own epic civilization complete with wonders of the world, colonizing, exploring and defending your fledgling empire. While you can go the historical route, who says the Egyptians can't be the first to discover America? This is a fun game for any kid with a general sense of world history and the will to engage in diplomacy and aggressive negotiations with equal enthusiasm.<br>
Frequent reading necessary to understand gameplay.<br>
If you are using the PC version, basic PC skills (mousing, keyboarding) also necessary.<br>
Bonus Points: Come out of the game not only with a better understanding of history but also how each technological advance builds on others.<br>
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<strong>Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga</strong><br>
This block platformer (in 3D) let's you select your characters to play through the first six episodes of the Star Wars saga. <br>
In hilarious brick format naturally. <br>
Warning, if you play this as a multiplayer cooperative game, expect your child (or wife or mom or sister or pet unicorn) to accidentally shoot you to death. You will likely explode into a dozen legos more than once. Thankfully you rebuild on the spot and proceed with no consequences.<br>
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Bonus points: Playing as a team of two renders the youngling to enjoy playing with the Master Jedi in the house as each helps the other through this colorful, fun romp through a classic franchise.<br>
Minimal reading in game menus. Frankly, there is hardly any speaking, let alone reading.<br>
Stretch assignment: write your own ideas for what happens after Episode VI is over. Older kids might enjoy reading Timothy Zahn's classic Star Wars: The Thrawn trilogy beginning with "Heir to the Empire." My very young padawans enjoyed reading the "Star Wars: Jedi Academy" series by Jeffery Brown.<br>
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<strong>Wii Sports / Dance Dance Revolution / Just Dance</strong><br>
Consider these PE for those days during monsoon season when you just can't leave your home. If you can get your entire family in on any of these flailing jumpy games, it creates enough good cheer to get you through the nastiest thunderstorm.<br>
Extra credit: also counts as PE if you stand up, jump around and embrace the spirit of the games.<br>
Minimal reading.<br>
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<strong>Kingdom Hearts </strong><br>
<strong>(E 10+ due to Fantasy Violence)</strong><br>
Take the platforming honed in Mario and Star Wars and the puzzle solving mastered in Myst and the Zelda franchise and throw in a dash of the lightning relexes from Wii Sports and Zelda and you will be ready to tackle a truly fun and fairly modern adventure series. <br>
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Kingdom Hearts introduces the Square/Enix epic storyline in a fun candy colored environment chock-filled with friends and foes from your favorite Disney movies and cartoons. <br>
Medium reading necessary to understand plot.<br>
Reading assignment: to delve further into the complex plot of this (currently seven game) plot arc, try reading the Kingdom Heart comic books.<br>
Further games: Upon completing Kingdom Hearts (and possibly it's sequels) enjoy trying out some other classic Square Enix games. (Final Fantasy VII is a must for any gamer.)<br>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What games did you grow up playing?</span></strong><br>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br>
Supplemental reading list:<br>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Got-Game-Generation-Reshaping-Business/dp/1578519497/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436133422&sr=8-3&keywords=got+game">Got Game: How the Gamer Generation Is Reshaping Business Forever</a> by John C. Beck<br>
Consumer Reports did a list of <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/12/5-top-video-games-for-kids/index.htm">5 Top Video Games for Kids </a>if you want some modern games to add to the mix.<br>
For parents looking for a screen free option, Patch blogged<a href="http://patch.com/maryland/catonsville/five-games-every-kid-should-know-how-to-play"> Five Games Every Kid Should Know How to Play.</a>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-75347490854517339622015-07-04T16:18:00.000-05:002015-07-04T16:18:26.797-05:00Three Mouseketeers | Side TracksThe three mouseketeers took our brand new <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-three-mousekateers-squirrel.html">Senior Wilderness Explorer badges</a> and hopped a bus to Magic Kingdom. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15854010484" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MK_TSFAIRIESACHAR_7178603603 by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="MK_TSFAIRIESACHAR_7178603603" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7305/15854010484_900be9612e_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faith, trust and Pixie Dust!</td></tr>
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We swung by Town Hall to meet Tinker Bell courtesy of a FastPass+ then mixed in our first ride on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin to "de-girl-ify" the afternoon. Then I got to pick the next ride, so Carousel of Progress! The kids enjoyed the surprise (as they had no knowledge of the ride going in) but they liked it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15861822653" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day- Rose Garden" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8681/15861822653_9202bf0a3f_b.jpg" title="Cinderella Castle Crane 2015" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylee in the Rose Garden</td></tr>
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We headed back to Main Street, U.S.A. to meet Mickey (our second FastPass) then wait for our last FastPass, reserved viewing for the Festival of Fantasy parade. <br />
But first snacks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16294229328" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day - Plaza Ice Cream Parlor" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7366/16294229328_1142cb7c05_b.jpg" title="Mickey Ice Cream Cone" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As much as I'm a Dole Whip purist, everyone must visit the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for a parade snack.<br />Waiting with his (regular) ice cream cone until his sister received her special dairy free cone?<br />
So sweet.</td></tr>
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Thankfully we planned a little extra time for Kylee's ice cream cone and our FastPass held our place for the parade. I think that the temporary location for the parade near the flag pole was pretty interesting as you could see the whole of the parade coming at you down Main Street. I'm eager to see how the new hub FastPass area compares next trip.<br />
We followed Mickey's float around the flagpole and ducked into the Firehouse to pick up our Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards for the day. (Did you know that you can pick up a new set of cards for each member of your party at Merlin's recruitment center each day of your vacation?) The kids quickly divvied up their cards and headed off to New Fantasyland to finish off Maleficent. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16294230558" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7321/16294230558_7bf08bf897_b.jpg" title="Hiding in the Shadows of the New Fantasyland Arches " width="431" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorting and swapping.</td></tr>
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A few more swaps later and the were ready for a bit more.<br />
A bit more Sorcerers of course!<br />
This whole day, child led aside from the three FastPasses, involved lots of snacks, side quests and general merriment. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455947316" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8653/16455947316_1f9d4cb9df_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fighting Doctor Facilier in the Liberty Square/Frontierland Area</td></tr>
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After a filling casual dinner of lively dinner discussion with the table of locals next to us (mostly speculation on the when and where of Star Wars expansion in the parks) we skipped out of Pecos Bill. <br />
We battled Scar and the hyenas through Adventureland until happy but satisfied, we headed back to the central hub just as the sun set and the crane was lowered to prepare for the evening fireworks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16483519211" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MK_ROSEGRDN_7179097386 by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="MK_ROSEGRDN_7179097386" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7344/16483519211_434c2a71fb_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinderella Castle at Twilight</td></tr>
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Kylee fell asleep on the way to the bus and despite the excitement of our first Disney Student Seminars the next morning, Chris passed out on the bus.<br />
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<strong><u>Park Hop Day by the Numbers<br /></u></strong>Characters Met and Greeted- Four and a parade<br />Wilderness Explorer Badges- <br />
Spell Cards Received- Fifteen<br />Magic Portals- Two Dozen or so<br />Park Hops- One<br /> Hours in Park- Ten<br />Moments Spent Spontaneously Exploring- Too Many to Count<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />This is Part 15 of an Ongoing Trip Report </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Mousekateers"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Three Mousekateers." </span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional sections will be found on the </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trip Reports</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> page after they are posted! </span> AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-38519206313817215572015-07-03T10:21:00.000-05:002015-07-03T13:47:11.048-05:00Top 10 Family Friendly 4th of July Movies<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0">Independence day means celebrating America! </span><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0">Barbecue (barbeque or BBQ, depending on the region), family, fireworks, watermelons, swimming and general merriment abound. After a day or two, my family needs a little downtime, so we fall back on our favorite kid friendly movies about the revolution, patriotism and American apple pie nostalgia.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nwMCJdOGXDnZpqLzDmjITRKT4UUZ2dwzMFWm55l0k2ee2Ox8AtJwrV_Lk251rl1bxeUipjKOK9Pz6Q1CPP4zTXbTynAkSAyGAvlPzp8ZFfgh2GFim-bqL7kn7ZbtDALf4KFmEcdMwb4/s1600/Top+10+Patriotic+Family+Movies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Best movies for Independence day" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nwMCJdOGXDnZpqLzDmjITRKT4UUZ2dwzMFWm55l0k2ee2Ox8AtJwrV_Lk251rl1bxeUipjKOK9Pz6Q1CPP4zTXbTynAkSAyGAvlPzp8ZFfgh2GFim-bqL7kn7ZbtDALf4KFmEcdMwb4/s640/Top+10+Patriotic+Family+Movies.png" title="Top 10 Patriotic Family Friendly Movies" width="502"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten kid friendly films perfect for Labor Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July</td></tr>
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In no particular order:<br>
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<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0" style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>The Top Ten Family Friendly Fourth of July Movies</u></strong></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><br>
<br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text17:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text18:0"><strong>Ben & Me</strong></span><br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text19:0">Passed<br>
The classic film short following the mouse behind the man. See Benjamin Franklin's adventures from inventions to the Declaration of Independence. <br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><strong>Disney's American Legends</strong><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text12:0">Direct to DVD - I'd rate it G</span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0">James Earl Jones introduces the legends of John Henry, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan and Casey Jones. Try watching these without reminiscing about elementary school movie days. Not really possible is it?</span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br><strong>
</strong><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text10:0"><strong>Yankee Doodle Cricket</strong></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text10:0">TV Movie - I'd rate it G</span></span></span>The gang from "A Cricket in Times Square" join up to aid in the American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson and Paul Revere needed a little bit of help during the early revolutionary war!</span> </span><br>
<br>
<strong>A Salute to All Nations, But Mostly America</strong><br>
Yes, it's a short clip from the attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios.<br>
Yes, it is still mandatory Independence Day viewing.<br>
<br>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qr2NaNHN-To" width="480"></iframe><br>
<br>
You're welcome.<br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text13:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text14:0"><strong>Liberty's Kids</strong></span><br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text15:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text16:0">TV-Y7</span></span></span></span></span><br>
Benjamin Franklin recruits a few spunky kids and a young woman who act as "on the spot reporters" for the events leading up to the American Revolution. From the Boston Tea Party to meeting George Washington and John Adams, this television series bring history to life.<br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><strong>Pollyanna</strong></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text2:0">Approved</span></span> </span></span><br>
This 1960's gem features a girl on a mission: find something (anything!) to be glad about and in the process love everyone she meets and spread around pure joy and inspiration. Aside from a very brief scene of "America the Beautiful" there is nothing overly "American" about this film. Think of it like Main Street U.S.A: lovely, wholesome and American as apple pie.<br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text4:0"><strong>Johnny Tremain</strong></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text4:0">Approved</span></span><br>
Taken from "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" this film follows Johnny Tremain as he gets swept up in the revolutionary war. I'd hold off on letting the kids watch this one until after they have the chance to read it as some parts could be considered disturbing,<br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><br>
</span><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><strong>Raiders of the Lost Ark</strong><br>
PG</span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0">Fancy celebrating your "Indy-pendence"? These are fun old fashioned films and worthy of a movie marathon. Fighting Nazis? Definitely American.<br>
<br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text5:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text6:0"><strong>Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi</strong></span><br>
PG</span></span><br>
Follow along on a different kind of revolution as a ragtag band of mercenaries, politicians and smugglers band together against an evil empire and win! I can make an argument for watching all of the original trilogy, but Return of the Jedi made the list.<br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br>
<strong>Captain America: The First Avenger</strong><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0">PG-13</span><br>
Steve Rogers is willing to do pretty much anything for America and when that means stepping up as a mascot of sorts or going hand to hand against the Nazis or Hydra. <br>
<br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text21:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text22:0" style="font-size: large;"><strong>Honorable Mentions:</strong></span><br data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text23:0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text24:0"></span></span></span><br>National Treasure<div><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text24:0">Schoolhouse Rock: Shot Heard Round the World</span></span></span><br>
<br>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rZMmPWTwTHc" width="459"></iframe><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text16:0">Happy Fourth of July (Peanuts)</span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mDFJwR67VNA" width="459"></iframe></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br>
</span></span><br>
<br>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br>
<span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1u.1:4:1:$comment1634543070124529_1634619983450171:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0"><br>What are your family's go to patriotic movies?</span></span></span></div>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-69808120376825874072015-07-02T11:00:00.000-05:002015-07-03T05:42:10.229-05:00Ten Easy to Follow Steps to Reach the Final Round of the Disney Parks
Moms Panel<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text0:0">Last year by late June, the #DisneyMP twitter tag enjoyed a workout as all of the #2015Hopefuls proceeded to begin the annual process of waiting and hoping for pixie dust emails know as the Disney Parks Moms Panel Search. The aura of mystery around the selection process keeps us hopefuls coming back each year to wish on a star for this year to be "our year" on the panel. </span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2FOit3NWsgZvM_M9hUJdUhyphenhyphen7tKCl1DE5UZ7knIcS0kw_idcHOE8AiOXCMQS0eMvh4FWE8Adw-mk9Z7bg6wWcKBL8jHOwWM8Al-MGQXB16zsIEMiAW5WweJ__ED_f4pRPcU_ozJh7trI/s1600/Finding+Panel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2FOit3NWsgZvM_M9hUJdUhyphenhyphen7tKCl1DE5UZ7knIcS0kw_idcHOE8AiOXCMQS0eMvh4FWE8Adw-mk9Z7bg6wWcKBL8jHOwWM8Al-MGQXB16zsIEMiAW5WweJ__ED_f4pRPcU_ozJh7trI/s640/Finding+Panel.png" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just keep writing. Just keep writing. What do we do?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Somehow last year, I *did* manage to make the final round(s) so I feel well equipped to tell you roughly the proper process to make it through to the finals.<br>
<br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text0:0">1.) Notice round 1 dates are announced on the Disney Parks Blog, Twitter and/or other forms of social media. (Approximately end of August) </span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text1:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text2:0">2.) Apply as soon as applications open. (Around Labor Day week.)</span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
3.) Read over your essays. Spellcheck. More than once. Be mindful of proper nomenclature. (I'm embarrassed to say that this takes me an hour or two depending how much "assistance" I get from my two kiddos.)<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMEArUzYjdjtLrUqMZ2YbqOVBRSQDtN1AHj9abPA_NJ3gdjxdsnsTHgFvEeLi0emRiEcjZDhcuVA8IXXH1rlDYmwwttaxpuBYc_K835IHttArWKhsIE4tIC3QWpBNkSZPPOSVBur6etA/s1600/B0eqmgqCUAALsrH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMEArUzYjdjtLrUqMZ2YbqOVBRSQDtN1AHj9abPA_NJ3gdjxdsnsTHgFvEeLi0emRiEcjZDhcuVA8IXXH1rlDYmwwttaxpuBYc_K835IHttArWKhsIE4tIC3QWpBNkSZPPOSVBur6etA/s640/B0eqmgqCUAALsrH.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On your mark.<br>
Get set.<br>
Spellcheck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$text4:0">4.) Develop patience. (They review the applications for a month to a month and a half.)</span></span><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text1:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text2:0"> a.) Swear off social media because it isn't helping with patience. </span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text3:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text4:0"> b.) Tell your husband, BFF and dental hygienist about your commitment to/hatred of the </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text4:0">Oxford comma. </span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text5:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text6:0"> c.) Reread essays. They're perfect. </span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text7:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text8:0"> d.) Wake husband/BFF/etc. in dead of night because you had a nightmare about spelling </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text8:0">and nomenclature. </span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text9:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text10:0"> e.) Over breakfast husband/roommate/pet hamster insists you rejoin social media as a support </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text10:0">group. </span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text11:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text12:0"> f.) Rejoin social media. </span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text13:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text14:0">5.) Announcement Day! (16 hours) </span></span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxwg2YZvQzwq_rBF1TlPS8opS3TJQoDZRbP4tFyIPBAX-lhXQArIRA6ctMgR6KOCAnaRK2jc3khhyTgmnr0E8zpYnh2rJbLR4QaoETt_ghzi3na94wtz8v04A6mtNaQwfGbR5MQjG7Kk/s1600/Refresh%2521%2521%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxwg2YZvQzwq_rBF1TlPS8opS3TJQoDZRbP4tFyIPBAX-lhXQArIRA6ctMgR6KOCAnaRK2jc3khhyTgmnr0E8zpYnh2rJbLR4QaoETt_ghzi3na94wtz8v04A6mtNaQwfGbR5MQjG7Kk/s320/Refresh%2521%2521%2521.jpg" width="286"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refresh. Refresh. Refresh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text14:0"></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text14:0">6.) Find out if you make the next round (five minutes). You feel (pick one):</span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text15:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text16:0"> a.) Elated</span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text17:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text18:0"> b.) Gassy</span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text19:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text20:0"> c.) Somewhere in that zone.</span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text21:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text22:0">7.) Repeat steps 1-5 for round 2 going into the final round. (About one month.) If you did not make the second round, you still stick around to be a ch-EAR-leader for all of your friends!</span></span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text24:0">8.) Last round is just before Thanksgiving with a very, very quick turn around. (One week or so, but it feels MUCH longer!)</span></span></span></span></span><br>
a.) Re-read your essays from round 1 and round 2. You still like your answers, but wish you could tweak them.<br>
b.) Make lifelong friends with other mouseketeers.<br>
c.) Phone interview and maybe a little something for a surprise. (Fastest 15 minutes of your life.)<br>
d.) Re-read your essays. It's a bad idea at this point, but you can't resist going back over it again.<br>
e.) Know that whoever makes it, you will end up crying. Each one of the other hopefuls is an amazing person and you feel blessed to hang out together online.<br>
<br>
9.) Ten minutes of internet silence as all of the final emails go out. Wish a hearty, "Congratulations!" to the new panelists. Reset the countdown to next year's applications for the other finalists. (Eight months until it starts all over again!)<br>
<br>
10.) Plan a consolation/celebration trip to Walt Disney World. If it's not your year, use this trip as your "qualifying trip" for the following year!<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifNMdR9K5xlM0cOWCUoe2GPyy_0zib0DRCI3RwyxcDtT50-TjzY76MSM6O0A7Avd_-n9FQhvn13akgJQk26hGjNrLSs7mlH9IEq4aevUDlyPXAjlugu9aVddbgzsut5I65qzJNEhrPIs/s1600/Disappointed+Princess.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifNMdR9K5xlM0cOWCUoe2GPyy_0zib0DRCI3RwyxcDtT50-TjzY76MSM6O0A7Avd_-n9FQhvn13akgJQk26hGjNrLSs7mlH9IEq4aevUDlyPXAjlugu9aVddbgzsut5I65qzJNEhrPIs/s640/Disappointed+Princess.png" width="486"></a></div>
<br>
How do you actually make the panel?<br>
I haven't the foggiest.<br>
I'd imagine it involves the right combination of research, nomenclature and just a pinch of magic. <br>
<br>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Are you planning to apply to the Disney Parks Moms Panel this year?</span></strong><br>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text25:0"><span data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text26:0">For what not to do see:</span><br data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$text27:0"><a data-reactid=".90.1:4:1:$comment695004263966355_695016883965093:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F08%2Fhow-not-to-apply-for-disney-parks-moms.html&h=RAQHYcH5f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/.../how...</a></span></span></span></span>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-41120904074735744312015-07-01T11:00:00.000-05:002015-07-01T11:00:12.062-05:00Wordless Wednesday | July Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can I just stop for a moment and say how shocked I am it's July? Deb, am I right that this year is going super fast? </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJHa_qEVHhXAWDzJ_n5KVQUIw-N5_iVwDwSCgPhi3ngaHTFVFh03EPeAreEKCsp_q-h2UHnr4LxZvwpwqeJyKARKzOVI-cGQQc5oHcRiEQ0DSbzVCvkqYOvtKsW7tjchNGDUadfP3X9A/s1600/July.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Magic Kingdom train station." border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJHa_qEVHhXAWDzJ_n5KVQUIw-N5_iVwDwSCgPhi3ngaHTFVFh03EPeAreEKCsp_q-h2UHnr4LxZvwpwqeJyKARKzOVI-cGQQc5oHcRiEQ0DSbzVCvkqYOvtKsW7tjchNGDUadfP3X9A/s640/July.png" title="July calendar image" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom swapping cards before rope drop.</td></tr>
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Do you have any Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fans among your mousekateers?<br /> Thank you to <a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/"><span style="color: #bb213a;">Focused on the Magic</span></a> for hosting!<br />
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<center>
<a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/search/label/The%20Disney%20Wordless%20Wednesday%20Blog%20Hop" target="_blank"><img alt="Focused on the Magic" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/debs_pics/DWWBHop_Focused-on-the-Magi.jpg" /></a></center>
AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-65228089042761410702015-06-29T11:00:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:00:00.432-05:00Disney Social Media Moms Celebration "On The Road" AustinEarly Friday morning, I tried to avoid all of the controversy on Facebook. In case you hadn't heard, they banned the selfie stick from all of the Disney Parks locations and the Disney discussion was running rampant. Just before I shut off my phone, I checked my email.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/19030234630" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="#DisneySMMC #KeepAustinGoofy" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/326/19030234630_76e85ae23d_b.jpg" title="Disney Social Media Moms Celebration "On The Road" Austin" width="577" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love pixie dusted email!</td></tr>
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I squealed.<br />
I jumped up and down.<br />
I hopped onto Twitter and tweeted my disbelief.<br />
Then I hopped back onto Facebook and discovered my Disney BFF, Casey who blogs at <a href="http://www.mommy2allgirls.com/">Mommy to All Girls</a> got in as well!<br />
We'll do our best to #KeepAustinGoofy and report back after the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23disneysmmc&src=tyah">#DisneySMMC</a> conference in August!<br />
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<h3>
FAQs:</h3>
<strong>How do you get invited?</strong><br />
Please visit <a data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneysmmoms.com%2F&h=LAQGa-4Xd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.disneysmmoms.com</a><span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"> and add your email to their email list! You'll get notified when it's time to apply for future "On The Road" events. No one really knows how the selection process works, but you can never g wrong following Genie's advice to, "Just BEE yourself!" The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is a magical conference that happens in early May and is also invitation only.</span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"><strong>Congratulations! Is this that Disney Moms thing you applied for last fall?</strong></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0">Nope! </span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0">This is not the same as the <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/disneymp.html">Disney Parks Moms Panel</a>. Disney Social Media Moms is a really cool group of ladies (and a few select gentlemen) who love sharing online through Pinterest, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any form of social media and love the magic of Disney! Read more <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/15/us-disney-moms-insight-idUSKBN0OV0DX20150615">here</a>.</span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"><strong>Oh. Well are you still going to try for the Disney Parks Moms Panel?</strong></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".7a.1:4:1:$comment960081270710345_960088984042907:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0">I'm still planning on throwing my mouse ears into the ring again when applications for Disney Parks Moms Panel open up in August or September. The panel selection is generally completed right before Thanksgiving. Send pixie dust!</span>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-22473089336168487602015-06-28T19:10:00.000-05:002015-06-28T19:10:00.551-05:00The Three Mousekateers | Squirrel!After ending <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-three-mousekateers-kwaherini.html">the day Saturday</a> with twenty Wilderness Explorer badges, the kids voted unanimously to head back to Animal Kingdom for more. The badge stations opened a little bit later than park opening, so we ducked into the Tree of life to warm up while we waited.<br />
Guess who was coming out just a we left the world of the bugs?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16476550155" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="AK_OUTFITTERSCHAR1_7178290316 by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Wilderness Explorers Club House Meet and Greet" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7336/16476550155_0a822e87e3_b.jpg" title="Meet Dug and Russel from Up! at Animal Kingdom" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our fellow Wilderness Explorers, Russell and Dug greeted Christ and Kylee. The kids told them all about their mission to become Senior Wilderness Explorers. Russell wished them well and signed their Wilderness Explorer Handbooks.<br />
We hiked off to the Maharajah Jungle trek through the quiet of the morning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455937176" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day | Wilderness Explorer Badges" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7327/16455937176_36ed619244_b.jpg" title="Maharajah Jungle Trek | Asia | Animal Kingdom" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful and fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tigers weren't out yet, but the badge guides were.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16295682149" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day | Senior Wilderness Explorers" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7418/16295682149_dc908af155_b.jpg" title="Animal Kingdom | Asia | Maharajah Jungle Trek" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking tiger with their badge guide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hopped one of the first trains out to Rafiki's Planet Watch and the kids faced their biggest fear...the petting zoo. The badge guide insisted that the kids had to go into "Affection Section" (aka the petting zoo) in order to wash their hands and earn their badge. With much squealing and careful avoidance of the goats and sheep, Kylee made her way through. Nothing would stop her from getting her badge, because she's got grit, gumption or plain old stubbornness depending on your point of view. All the same, I'm sure she'd rather have ridden Expedition Everest again instead.<br />
Thirty badges in hand, we stopped by Tamu Tamu Refreshments for a lunch of <strike>Dole Whip number four</strike> another pineapple soft serve and vegetable curry lunch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16480193711" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Senior Wilderness Explorers!" height="360" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8658/16480193711_9bd0772aa6_b.jpg" title="Wilderness Explorer Call" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caw! Caw! Roar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We headed back to the bridge to Discovery Island for the kid's final badge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455937126" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day | Animal Kingdom" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7409/16455937126_51ab2c07b9_b.jpg" title="Senior Wilderness Explorer Badge | Animal Kingdom" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wilderness explorer is a friend to all, be a plant or fish or tiny mole! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wilderness must be explored!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Part 14 of an Ongoing Trip Report </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Mousekateers"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Three Mousekateers." </span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional sections will be found on the </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trip Reports</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> page after they are posted! </span> AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-6082255885169677252015-06-25T21:17:00.000-05:002015-06-25T21:17:13.628-05:00Hibernating and Other Summer Fun | Homeschool Diaries<em>Sonlight is having a </em><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/2015/04/april-blog-party.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><em>monthly blog linkup</em></span></a><em> this year, in honor of their 25th anniversary. Find out </em><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-youre-homeschooling.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><em>how we decided to homeschool</em></span></a><em> in the February hop and my </em><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/03/let-it-go-homeschool-diaries.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><em>best advice for new homeschoolers</em></span></a><em> in March and in </em><em>April shared a <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/04/go-distance-homeschool-diaries.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;">day in the life of my homeschool</span></a>. Last month, I admitted complete ignorance to the whole convention scene and instead blogged about <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/06/our-summer-reading-list-mountains-of.html">our summer reading list (so far).</a></em><br /><em>Now for June's prompt: </em><br /><em><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/2015/06/17029.html">Share your favorite summer reading and learning activities</a>.</em> <br />
Ah, the lazy days of summer...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaIP4kNMsrLLG2LLsaOrblVdHh37MQvJnAKVsSPxNJeHysDS0q7DExJkWfXCjGmXNviTnN36rN4yj1fyJ9vLlDOIH4Fvw2qoRmFk2DOGoTetIPLSBotBR_XfHu6JenlXfd43g5agBQzQ/s1600/Hibernating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaIP4kNMsrLLG2LLsaOrblVdHh37MQvJnAKVsSPxNJeHysDS0q7DExJkWfXCjGmXNviTnN36rN4yj1fyJ9vLlDOIH4Fvw2qoRmFk2DOGoTetIPLSBotBR_XfHu6JenlXfd43g5agBQzQ/s640/Hibernating.png" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAUTION:<br /> Three consecutive weeks of swim lessons may induce napping.<span class="fbPhotoTagList hidden_elem" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
or not as much, in our case.<br />
One of the many perks of homeschool is that when it is center of the sun hot (which in Texas, can stretch from June well into September) we hibernate. <br />
Now since we don't live in a cave (or under a rock) hibernating is quite pleasant and even dare I say fun in it's on way. What do we do to hibernate?<br />
<h3>
Read. Lots.</h3>
Which means our library card gets quite the workout (as can be seen in my previous post on our <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/06/our-summer-reading-list-mountains-of.html">summer reading list</a>). This year we dusted off Narnia and read through The Magician's Nephew. We'll probably keep going and read through the rest as well. Chris and Kylee eagerly squirreled away their <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool/resources/summer/">summer reader sets</a> the minute they saw the Sonlight box on our stoop. Chris is finishing up Jake Drake while Kylee is part way through The Elevator Family. I'm busy reading <em>Unoffendable</em> by Brant Hansen, myself and working through Angie Smith's <em>Seamless</em> with the ladies Bible study group I help run. I've got my eye on a reread of The Giver series by Lois Lowry later this summer for myself, but we'll see if I prioritize that or not.<br />
<h3>
The Classics</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEAI6lOrHN4xdRTE72bfznM-TWzSds39WqceKWozWEIBEZCPleWdDfzDLP5QD0Tf9hiJ1ENvOatRJB_IMjo3GB_GeDb9bHXmlJsfijL6n0jWsuv_tGAoW-JYDrRtAF6A-Y3McRexpPro/s1600/My+Gameboy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEAI6lOrHN4xdRTE72bfznM-TWzSds39WqceKWozWEIBEZCPleWdDfzDLP5QD0Tf9hiJ1ENvOatRJB_IMjo3GB_GeDb9bHXmlJsfijL6n0jWsuv_tGAoW-JYDrRtAF6A-Y3McRexpPro/s200/My+Gameboy.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Gameboy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the summer we spend a fair amount of time letting the kids study the classics, which in this case means listening to Beethoven, reading Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes comics and even playing their way through the SNES Classic: Link to the Past. <br />
<br />
He's starting to really learned a lot of gumption sticking to this one game and trying again and again. Watching his face light up over retrieving the Master Sword? He runs straight to me and has to reenact the whole thing in great detail. When Ben comes home from work he gets the same enthusiastic retelling. <br />
<br />
I think the comic books provided a big hook for the Legend of Zelda games this year, Chris read and re-read and re-re-read these nine manga despite them being with the original unflipped artwork. So he can read in either right to left or left to right as it is indicated by the work. I think discussing the Japanese order of reading was the first time he really understood how big the difference is between languages. <br />
<h3>
Boredom. Lots.</h3>
Necessity is the mother of invention, or so the saying goes. Therefore I let the children get bored. They can figure out what to do and often come up with the most creative ways to amuse themselves. Chris spent a fairly large amount of time the other day writing out a rules and instruction guide for his very own new board game.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZbfH-hpdKVg_yfW2DUNDCIVeTNx4foPVBN2btv1m4H-2vnieuWQnjjaruTOVUSLkVYvJxr_VJL3VHXjitEtBkYgYHvC4f6kT5qtxQSG9x8Q28WV9_uEctx8Ptg3C7zJQ0cOkwTk3W4I/s1600/got+game.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZbfH-hpdKVg_yfW2DUNDCIVeTNx4foPVBN2btv1m4H-2vnieuWQnjjaruTOVUSLkVYvJxr_VJL3VHXjitEtBkYgYHvC4f6kT5qtxQSG9x8Q28WV9_uEctx8Ptg3C7zJQ0cOkwTk3W4I/s640/got+game.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Board game creation in progress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today he was cutting out and designing the cards and pieces. I'd say it's a win-win situation. If they figure out something they want to do they've learned to self amuse. If they say they're board, they can come help me with chores or we can curl up and read.<br />
<h3>
Movies. Some.</h3>
We're keeping up with our homeschool as we ease our way past the one third mark of Core C. With large portions of our early morning devoted to school and large amounts of swimming, our movie nights offer a welcome respite from the heat and activity. I've slipped in a few of my favorite films set in or around the middle ages, since that's what we're studying. Sword in the Stone is a classic pick, but there are many more family friendly options to pick from including Robin Hood (Disney or many other versions), Sleeping Beauty, The Black Cauldron, Merlin, Camelot and The Princess Bride. (Some of the movies in that list are PG, so parental discretion is, of course, advised. Netflix came to our rescue when I ran out of family friendly films about Vikings after the "How to Train Your Dragon" series. They currently run the VeggieTales classic Lyle the Kindly Viking as well as several different documentaries on Vikings (one about whether and when they could have reached North America.)<br />
<h3>
Stay Active </h3>
The Father Daughter Sock Hop kicked off our summer season. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsStaNe1DZkjunuG6o6d5LXX0HKZ0ThPGl8X93Su35f__njk8PEsE5K3yPO7ttrfEE7kAa_aXumhvNT7JP_GpsbQ7GQpO_aaFSv2Tra50X2z872hrjgtRt6RV2197gBr1xCUqiTH9sSI/s1600/Sock+Hop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsStaNe1DZkjunuG6o6d5LXX0HKZ0ThPGl8X93Su35f__njk8PEsE5K3yPO7ttrfEE7kAa_aXumhvNT7JP_GpsbQ7GQpO_aaFSv2Tra50X2z872hrjgtRt6RV2197gBr1xCUqiTH9sSI/s640/Sock+Hop.png" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
It seems that we never really slowed down that much during this summer! I go for a run, the kids swim in the indoor pool or they attend Kid's Zumba while I take a BodyFlow class at the Y. The kids love to visit the local indoor trampoline park, skating rink and rock wall but we save those for once in a while to reduce expenses. We spent almost all of April under torrential thunderstorms or flood warnings, so we played a ton of time playing Just Dance! as a family. The kids play at the indoor climbing structure with the nursery workers during my Bible study. I already survived my third year volunteering at VBS, but we still have several other upcoming church camps.<br />
<h3>
Learn a Foreign Language</h3>
Both kids cajoled and wheedled about learning Spanish. We finally bit the bullet and bought a Rosetta Stone online subscription. I am playing it and so are the kids. Since it's summer we have plenty of time for me to brush up my (sadly rusty) Spanish and Chris and Kylee love that they are allowed thirty minutes of time playing on my Surface anytime they want. Since we homeschool we can let them visit and revisit subjects as they show interest, so for now it's Spanish.<br />
<br />
School during the summer gives us ample time to run around vacationing, visiting the zoo, meeting up with friends at the park and just enjoying the weather in October and November when it is a lovely, cool high of 80.<br />
<br />
If you need me, I'll be hibernating!<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /> For more homeschoolers (and their favorite summer reading and learning activities), visit<a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/2015/06/17029.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"> the June blog party</span></a>!<br /><br /> To join up next month, check out the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/25th-anniversary-blog-party?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_source=Party%20Blogger&utm_medium=Button"><img alt="Sonlight Blog Party" src="https://cdn1.sonlight.com/images/sonlight-blog-party-large.png" /></a>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-13164719478751915722015-06-19T13:18:00.000-05:002015-06-19T14:56:44.065-05:00Inside Out ~ Meet the Little Voices Inside Your HeadAfter spending all day Tuesday waiting out #TSBill, the rain cleared just enough for me to go brave minor flooding and meet up with a friend for a girl's night out. Our film of choice: Fathom events presentation of Insider Access to Disney Pixar's Inside Out. Not only would we get to watch the long awaited Pixar film, but enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the Pixar studios. It's always nice to get some girl time and getting to view the latest Disney film uninterrupted was a real treat.<br />
As a Disney/Pixar fan, the tour before the film was worth the fathom ticket pricing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/18955206382" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Insider Access by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Joy, Disgust, Anger, Sadness and Fear" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3935/18955206382_909281ce66_b.jpg" title="Insider Access to Disney Pixar's Inside Out " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet the Little Voices Inside Your Head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Inside Out SPOILERS warning!!!</strong><br />
<span id="goog_1374767421"></span>If you don't want any spoilers, go watch the movie (bring Kleenex!) then come back.<br />
<br />
<br />
Joy is not the first Pixar character that made me both laugh and cry. <br />
(Frankly, between <em>Up</em> and <em>Finding Nemo</em> and <em>Toy Story 3</em>, the mere sight of the Pixar logo is something of a warning sign for me to double up on the Kleenex.)<br />
<em>Inside Out</em> is the first Pixar movie to blatantly play with your head and jerk around your emotions. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkujwhnAkOaU6JiI8DQIUAfwpq-2ZBrYudxv0gRZdHn7pIkwE6xOazfLVfyZ65if-hyjB-uWZ5qR00euT9JYqYADPOx84XRH85hU4P76b1OOEJeSPYkJbHu64SoLov94fr7n6adOxXys/s1600/Pixar+Problems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Forgot Tissues" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkujwhnAkOaU6JiI8DQIUAfwpq-2ZBrYudxv0gRZdHn7pIkwE6xOazfLVfyZ65if-hyjB-uWZ5qR00euT9JYqYADPOx84XRH85hU4P76b1OOEJeSPYkJbHu64SoLov94fr7n6adOxXys/s1600/Pixar+Problems.jpg" title="Went to a Pixar Movie" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally a thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Actually, I guess the emotions are Riley's.<br />
The whole premise of <em>Inside Out</em> is that young Riley is born with one emotion, Joy, followed a few seconds later by sadness. Each new emotion helps Riley and is part of her. Disgust shows up to protect a high chair bound Riley from the dangers of broccoli. Fear protects her as a rambunctious toddler from the imminent danger of tripping and lava floors. Anger kept life just and fair. Joy never really found out the purpose of Sadness, but Joy does her best to suppress Sadness and keep her away from the controls and core memories.<br />
Through the drama associated with working in headquarters, Joy and Sadness accidentally get dumped into the maze of long term memory and must learn to work together (with some help from her childhood imaginary friend) to get Riley's core memories back up to headquarters before Fear, Disgust and Anger run away with Riley entirely. <br />
And this is where things get really Pixar.<br />
Mixed emotions, trains of thought and the subconscious? Joy is clearly not in Kansas anymore. There are moments of this movie that made me ugly mom cry. <br />
When Joy is rescued from the Abyss? <br />
Yeah. <br />
Total waterworks. <br />
Never mind at the end of the film when Joy and Sadness create the first mixed emotion as Riley is reunited with her parents. I think that is when I realized why the movie feels so melancholy. It is a movie about putting childish ways behind. About how growing and refining emotions change us in ways we don't quite expect.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Should I take my kids?</span></strong><br />
The mom in me was torn between two opinions.<br />
<ul>
<li>I want to take my children to see this movie today when it opens, (if only because this movie builds a bridge to discuss how our emotions shape us). It is a beautiful, funny, real way to look at life. If you took Cranium Command, from back in the days of the Wonders of Life pavillion at Epcot, added a dash of tongue in cheek humor and coated it in the serious nature with which children view their world, you'd be hard pressed to replicate the magic of this film.</li>
</ul>
and<br />
<ul>
<li>I want to protect them from the inevitable sadness that overly sensitive children will feel when watching this movie. The imaginary friend from Riley's childhood who rescues Joy from the Abyss does not make it out of the Abyss himself. Sadness and Fear and Disgust are approached as real emotions and that means Riley is really sad, fearful and disgusted.</li>
</ul>
and<br />
<ul>
<li>Why is it PG? "Mild thematic elements and some violence."<br />I'd like to point out, for the record that <em>Big Hero 6</em>, <em>Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Brave, Tangled</em> and even <em>Planes: Fire & Rescue</em> are rated PG. <br />Compared to <em>Monsters University, Cars 2, Winnie the Pooh </em>and <em>Toy Story 3 </em>which received a G rating. I personally feel that<em> Toy Story 3</em> is a much darker more frightening film.</li>
</ul>
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In the end I will be revisiting <em>Inside Out</em> later this weekend and taking my husband and kids too. In this movie, sadness isn't the villain (actually, there is not a villain). Nor is Sadness purposeless, to be stuffed and sidestepped and avoided.<br />
Sadness helps Riley. <br />
She helps her mourn her losses. <br />
She helps Riley move on and grow. <br />
Without Sadness, Joy wouldn't matter quite as much would she?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">_______________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Will you be taking the journey <em><strong>Inside Out</strong></em> this weekend?</span>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-22801224798750595202015-06-17T17:30:00.000-05:002015-06-17T17:30:01.102-05:00The Royal Treatment | A Tale of Two ShipsWelcome to this month's Magical Blogorail Blue loop. Today we are sharing what you can expect from some of the club level experiences at Disney Resorts and on the Disney Cruise Line.
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Have you ever dreamed of cruising concierge? <br />
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What about in the royal suite?<br />
Last year offered up a boatload of <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/disneymp.html">moms panel excitement</a>, <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html">trip planning</a> high spirits, beginning of<a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/adventures-in-homeschool.html"> homeschool</a> jitters and also a ridiculous amount of pixie dust magic! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15999789652" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Boarding Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Boarding Day Verandah Disney Fantasy Royal Suite" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7574/15999789652_b24a3c6b52_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toes in the wind and off on an adventure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In January, our family cruised in the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Wonder to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary and our daughter's fifth birthday.<br />
Then in November, we <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/03/pixie-dust-and-stateroom-upgrades.html">upgraded at port</a> to the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Fantasy.<br />
Just for fun.<br />
(TONS of pixie dust, y'all!)<br />
So what's the difference between one royal suite and another?<br />
<h3>
The Disney Wonder</h3>
Disney's classic ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder feature nearly identical Royal Suites. Located on deck eight slightly forward of midship, the Walt comfortably sleeps seven between the two bedrooms, two and a half baths and ample living and dining space. There are three unique sleeping areas (two bedrooms and a sitting area) which can all be closed off individually to allow for quiet and privacy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/11870037304" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The Royal Treatment by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="The Royal Treatment Disney Wonder" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3828/11870037304_b552f8cdda_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although the Wonder's verandah is quadruple wide, the bump out narrows it at the center..</td></tr>
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The quadruple wide verandah is very wide, but not any deeper than a standard verandah. Oh and you get a butler pantry in case you bring someone with you who enjoys butling from time to time.<br />
<h3>
The Disney Fantasy</h3>
Disney's Dream Class ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy host two royal suites each, with minor differences in layout beyond the mirror imaging across the ship. They are far forward on deck 12, only steps away from the concierge lounge. The Walt sleeps up to five in one master bedroom suite with a large open living space. During turn down, two murphy beds fold out into the living room each in it's own curtained area. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15815305437" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2209 (2) by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Disney Fantasy Verandah" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7485/15815305437_1425e5f09a_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the aft of the verandah are two loungers, then a breakfast nook, the two forward loungers then a private hot tub.<br />
Child for scale.<br />
I've stayed in staterooms smaller than this verandah!</td></tr>
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The spacious dining and living areas flow seamlessly onto the ample verandah including a hot tub (or as Kylee put it "our own little pool"). The second washroom in this suite features a shower so that the kids can shower off at the same time that I took a soak in the master bath's Jacuzzi. Aside from the massive living area, there is also a full kitchen stocked with glassware, dishes, a full refrigerator with freezer and even a dishwasher, if you're so inclined.<br />
<h3>
One of these Suites is Not Like the Other</h3>
Dive right in with me to compare the best staterooms on the high seas! Sounds "pretty suite" to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWfQmyVn69U9WhGchOg7NSAmDf6JAS6Jgd8MwgcNv7J1uCZmnnVRoF_zBOPGIXGpH203OmHPJUWw5nExbNuRmjQ_7zGoQ-AoqrjZmKXu7CQlaONky1Z5b6MHCd8irpACwneVADPS-5yQ/s1600/Living+space.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Disney Wonder vs. Disney Fantasy" border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWfQmyVn69U9WhGchOg7NSAmDf6JAS6Jgd8MwgcNv7J1uCZmnnVRoF_zBOPGIXGpH203OmHPJUWw5nExbNuRmjQ_7zGoQ-AoqrjZmKXu7CQlaONky1Z5b6MHCd8irpACwneVADPS-5yQ/s640/Living+space.png" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Spaces<br />
Disney Wonder on the left, Disney Fantasy on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On first entering the Disney Wonder's royal suite, Kylee promptly took off her shoes and shut them into the butler's pantry. It took us ten minutes to find them because there were simply so many places to store things. Each of the two features enough nooks and crannies to store everything you could ever possibly bring and then some. Both feature entryway closets, walk in master closets, and pretty nearly every shiny wooden surface conceals a cabinet or drawer to tuck away everything from ball gowns to swimwear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/11871089946" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The Royal Treatment by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="The Royal Treatment Disney Wonder" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5502/11871089946_a8af4f8d49_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney Wonder Walt Disney Suite Master Bedroom<br />
Snug and cozy!<br />
We loved having our own separate bedroom and bathroom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15974690386" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Boarding Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Boarding Day Disney Fantasy Master Suite Royal" height="143" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7570/15974690386_2c19a62671_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney Fantasy Walt Disney Suite Master Bedroom<br />
The Roy features the bedroom by the windows, as shown on the DCL site, but the Walt had our bedroom on the interior. <br />
We loved the star lights over the bed twinkling on and off!</td></tr>
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Both suites are large enough that you can (and occasionally do) lose someone in the suite itself. Before we knew that Kylee's shoes were missing, Ben spent several minutes by the kid's room calling for me and peeking around before he located me (unpacking toiletries in the master bathroom. I had not heard him. He was too far away and the sound proofing is simply too good.<br />
It's just that big.<br />
We occasionally spent a few minutes rustling up the kids for dinner. (Silly as it may sound, you can walk a complete circle on the classics from front hall through the master walk-in through the master suite to the media library and back out through the living room to the front hall at the same speed as your child and spend quite a while looking for them. Yeah...)<br />
<h3>
Pixie Dusting</h3>
So what magic awaits you in the royal suites beyond the wonderful concierge services, luxurious surroundings and the perks of receptions with the rest of the concierge guests?<br />
The first obvious perk is square footage. Space at sea is a commodity and in these suites, particularly on the Fantasy, you have it in spades. We loved both of these suites so much that we spent hardly any time at all in the adults only areas. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15814824787" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sea Day 3 by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Sea Day 3 Private Royal Verandah" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7493/15814824787_84090264e1_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why would we hit the adults only pool deck when we could lounge on our own private hot tub and watch the ocean drift by?</td></tr>
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The second is the perk of an extended room service menu. If you'd like to order up any of the full sit down restaurant meals, you are more than welcome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16000507125" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="St. Thomas and St. John by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Palo in Pajamas" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7563/16000507125_728757f339_b.jpg" title="Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | Tale of Two Ships" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some light antipasti from Palo.</td></tr>
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If you'd rather eat Palo in pajamas with your kindergartener, that's also a possibility, so long as you order Palo for room service through your concierge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15998621761" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Disembark by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Disembark" height="138" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7486/15998621761_73b29df721_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like sunrise on your verandah.</td></tr>
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The last perk of staying in the Royal Suite is the pixie dust. From free unlimited internet, to the concierge finding a last minute cabana massage (or even cabana) to Mickey Bars magically replacing themselves in your freezer, this suite is saturated in nothing short of the perfect Disney touch. Come time to disembark, you may seriously consider stowing away!<br />
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To hear the full story, check out our adventures on the <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-royal-treatment-throwback-thursday.html">Disney Wonder experiencing the Royal Treatment</a> or our <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-new-ship-throwback-thursday-trip.html">surprise concierge cruise on the Disney Fantasy</a>!<br />
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Here is the map of our <a href="http://www.blogorail.com/club-level-stays-at-disney"><strong>Magical Blogorail Blue | Club Level Stays at Disney</strong></a> Loop:
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<ul>
<li><strong>1st Stop</strong> - Capturing Magical Memories | <a href="http://www.capturingmagicalmemories.com/disney-dream-concierge/">The Disney Difference | Disney Dream Concierge</a></li>
<li><strong>2nd Stop</strong> - Rolling with the Magic | <a href="http://www.rollingwiththemagicblog.com/kilimanjaro-club-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge/">Kilimanjaro Club | Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge</a></li>
<li><strong>3rd Stop</strong> - This Roller Coaster Called Life| <a href="http://thisrollercoastercalledlife.com/2015/06/17/club-level-beach-style-at-the-paradise-pier-hotel/">Club Level Beach-Style at the Paradise Pier Hotel</a></li>
<li><strong>4th Stop</strong> - Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere | <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-royal-treatment-tale-of-two-ships.html">The Royal Treatment | A Tale of Two Ships</a></li>
</ul>
<img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.blogorail.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MB-Blue-Logo.png" width="388" />AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-77022612945043695232015-06-17T05:00:00.000-05:002015-06-17T05:05:43.521-05:00Wordless Wednesday | Disney DadWelcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers!<br />
This week's focus is on our favorite Disney dads. No offense to Goofy, Mufasa or Darth Vader, but my favorite Disney dad is my husband!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIjXRJzfgfjzBTpJLWrK3NwGdW3PfLG5xfo7ayPdlosfqgpQqTtStshKgp7dvx4_HpgM-s6v1CH5CoAhruljZHkUyUtBxSYZzSAd26Rm9EKvsidWGOySPfu110bdePaDO903BgHoPES8/s1600/Favorite+Disney+Dad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIjXRJzfgfjzBTpJLWrK3NwGdW3PfLG5xfo7ayPdlosfqgpQqTtStshKgp7dvx4_HpgM-s6v1CH5CoAhruljZHkUyUtBxSYZzSAd26Rm9EKvsidWGOySPfu110bdePaDO903BgHoPES8/s640/Favorite+Disney+Dad.png" title="World's Best Disney Dad" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gingerbread house construction in Animator's Palate; Mickey Bar on the Verandah; Meeting Donald; Castaway Cay 5K; Outside Enchanted Garden. </td></tr>
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Thank you to <a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/"><span style="color: #bb213a;">Focused on the Magic</span></a> for hosting!<br />
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-57532476633803142462015-06-15T11:00:00.000-05:002015-06-15T11:00:01.418-05:00Sleep, Eat and Launder<a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/06/doofenshmirtz-and-three-mouseketeers.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;">Previously on the Three Mousekateers</span></a>, Agent K foiled the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz, my daughter found her Voice and my son upped his defenses. With four days of magic on the books, we were very much in need...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16480927742" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7419/16480927742_9399f957c9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some time to take a breath and appreciate the details.</td></tr>
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Of a little bit of a break!<br />
Groundhog's Day crowd level predictions for the parks were medium, so we decided to take a day to kick around the resort and Downtown Disney and just rest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455882446" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8667/16455882446_e760dde111_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing cars at the Lego Store.</td></tr>
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After <a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-three-mousekateers-to-all-star.html">returning Susan's iPhone charger</a>, we played at the Lego Store for a while, then window shopped and the kids collected another few pressed pennies from the various machines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16481879585" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7347/16481879585_17b47b4fbc_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend, the Lego Dragon!</td></tr>
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When we started to get hungry, we headed back to the Downtown Disney buses. It was time to resort hop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15859355814" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7333/15859355814_f798cc9fca_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney's Beach Club is a lovely place for a break.</td></tr>
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We arrived at Beaches and Cream with plenty of time to wander a bit before our ADR. Kylee and I split the falafel while Chris ordered the hot dog. They were lovely, I'm sure, but we really came for the ice cream!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16295977807" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest and ice cream!" height="480" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7421/16295977807_5b254fac92_b.jpg" title="Vegan Banana Split, Courtesy of Beaches & Cream!" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice Dream Banana Split!</td></tr>
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Mickey Sundae going...<br />
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Going...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455889826" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="200" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7352/16455889826_4fc60a8d0a_b.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Gone.<br />
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We took the long way home. We walked right up to the dock as the FriendShip to Hollywood Studios arrived and again in the Hollywood Studio bus stop when the All Star Movies bus arrived. We stopped by the room and the kiddos slipped into their swimsuits while I gathered the laundry. I popped in our clothes then the kids swam and played pool deck games and shivered and squealed. (I don't like swimming when it's that cold, but it's never stopped the kids. <br />
We all flipped the laundry into the dryers then took the children up to the room for hot showers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16295629689" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7295/16295629689_e99ef5fcc8_c.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duffy conked out before the end of High School Musical 3.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I picked up some pizzas from the food court and we enjoyed a movie night with pizza. After all of the previous days pixie dust wore off, not one of us made it through the end of High School Musical 3. Did Troy and Gabriella end up back together?<br />
The world may never know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16294456020" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Day of rest by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Day of rest" height="480" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7390/16294456020_ca2fef4791_b.jpg" title="A Day of Rest in the Middle of Our Walt Disney World Adventures." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong><u>Day of Rest by the Numbers</u></strong><br />
Characters Met and Greeted- Zero<br />
Smashed Pennies- Twelve<br />
Ice Creams - Two (one split)<br />
Naps- None<br />
Hours Asleep - Twelve plus<br />
Loads of Laundry - One<br />
Pixie Dust and Happy Thoughts- Too Many to Count<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Part 13 of an Ongoing Trip Report </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Mousekateers"><span style="color: #1d72a1; font-size: x-small;">"The Three Mousekateers." </span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional sections will be found on the </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1d72a1; font-size: x-small;">Trip Reports</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> page after they are posted! </span><br />
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-84188849630098103602015-06-14T14:27:00.002-05:002015-06-14T14:27:53.484-05:00Silent Sunday ~ Disney Star<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16480981932" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Split Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Split Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7334/16480981932_2bce8e5376_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Performance in a Leading Role</td></tr>
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#SilentSunday<br />
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<a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/search/label/Silent%20Sunday/" target="_blank"><img alt="Silent Sunday" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_cWM71V52E/Tb1vGakfogI/AAAAAAAAAow/qEKx76PhlQ8/s200/silent-sunday-lens-2.jpg" /></a></center>
AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-14731681716959755692015-06-12T15:23:00.002-05:002015-06-12T15:23:29.237-05:00Doofenshmirtz and the Three Mouseketeers<a href="http://www.magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html">Previously on the Three Mousekateers</a>, pixie dust rained down, younglings completed their training and we just barely escaped Akershus unscathed. With food in everyone's belly and alacrity returning to the mouseketeers, the promise of pixie dust hung in the warming afternoon...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16291649610" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot might just be your elementary age kids favorite park." height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7441/16291649610_a1fd1bde3b_b.jpg" title="Epcot in bloom" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time three intrepid Mousekateers set out to take on the World one Dole Whip at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Christopher directed us toward Spaceship Earth after his near brush with the princesses. As luck would have it, we arrived at the FastPass+ queue just as a large tour group also entered the line. Thankfully with the continuous loading, we got to go straight back into the history of communication with hardly any hang ups. <br />
The kids just finished up learning about the ancients and loved seeing all of the different animatronics of Egypt, Rome and especially the Phonecians. (I don't know why they love the Phoenicians so much, they just do.) Anyway, they asked us to squeeze three across so we all shared a row.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15858968073" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7309/15858968073_143f13df2f_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agent P's World Showcase Adventure: Recruitment Center at Odyssey Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After that, we were recruited and Agent K was off to the United Kingdom to foil the Evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16479077015" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7433/16479077015_368d50cccf_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the message on their spy phone.</td></tr>
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This mission took all the stealth, cunning and observation skills my two could muster and they loved every second of it! With each mission lasting thirty to forty-five minutes and seven pavilions hosting missions during our vacation, we easily could've dropped the rest of the afternoon's plans and played secret agent well into the evening. <br />
Instead, on their fourth day of theme park walking after gathering up several of the Kidcot stop stamps, both kids insisted we needed to take a seat somewhere. We headed into the American Adventure pavilion intending to enjoy the impressive audio animatronic show only to discover the Voices of Liberty wandering into the rotunda. We sat right at the edge of the circle on the tile for a front row seat at the very beginning of their set.<br />
If you've never heard the Voices of Liberty stop and do yourself the favor of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qWimRxkfyw">listening to them here</a> or even singing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mr_l_slH7k">Let It Go</a>.<br />
I'll wait.<br />
<br />
Okay, so they are amazing.<br />
<br />
My daughter sat spellbound until one of the singers came right in front of her, knelt to her level and sang right to her:<br />
<br />
Lost my partner what'll I do?<br />
Skip to my Lou my darling.<br />
<br />
I'll never find one as cute as you.<br />
I'll never find one as sweet as you.<br />
I'll never find one as quite as pretty as you.<br />
So I'll skip to my Lou my darling.<br />
<br />
The group leader pulled her into the center of the circle after the verse to chat.<br />
What's your name? How old are you? Where are you from? Do you have a boyfriend back in Texas? Would you like to come up here?<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16453069166" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8599/16453069166_72698e743f_b.jpg" title="Skip to My Lou with theVoices of Liberty" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylee and the Voices of Liberty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know, just for fun.<br />
Kylee talked about it for <em>weeks</em>, y'all.<br />
Even if you never get picked, right around the circle enjoys the best acoustics, so it's worth sitting on the floor. Refreshed from sitting and listening, the kids voted for snack. <br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15856539244" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7320/15856539244_b0c9635432_b.jpg" title="Kidcot stop souvenirs." width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agent P and Duffy chilling out in Italy.</td></tr>
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We Kidcot Stop Hopped Through Italy and stopped in Germany for the kids pick, the Mickey pretzel. <br />
The kids loved watching the entertainers in Italy and Germany and I picked Reflections of China for the kids first Circle Vision movie. My mother got to visit the Great Wall with her mother back in the late seventies and she always loved taking me to Epcot to see the film and the architecture and reminisce.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15856431953" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="EPCOT_WSCHI_7176649656 by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="The China Pavillion" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8677/15856431953_a22875379d_b.jpg" title="Meeting Mulan in Epcot" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylee meeting one of the last princesses she hadn't met, Mulan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got goosebumps taking my own children to the pavilion and telling them about their grandmother and great grandmother touring China. Back in the day, we would've followed this up with a ride on the Maelstrom and reminiscing about my dad's parents and grandparents, who were Norwegian. As it was we enjoyed playing spot the troll around the pavilion.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455803506" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Norway Pavillion Epcot" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8603/16455803506_b20220ce66_b.jpg" title="Stave Church in Norway" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Viking visits the Stave Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Christopher picked up his very own shield in Norway. (I started wondering if all of his souvenirs would be forms of weaponry. Since he bought it with his own money, I only insisted on no projectiles.) We ventured off to Mexico for a ride with the three caballeros and then off to what would be on my kid's top ten rides, Journey into the Imagination (aka the Figment ride!) Since we still had time to spare before our reservation, we headed off to pick up another of the princesses, Jasmine. The wait wasn't too bad and Kylee made fast friends with the two Brazillian teens in front of us. They thought it was adorable that she tried to speak Spanish to them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15862740244" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="EPCOT_WSMOR_7176873762 by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="EPCOT_WSMOR_7176873762" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7442/15862740244_2854dd9207_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylee and Jasmine and Aladdin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Aladdin should be commended. He kept up a running banter and even briefly played hide and seek with Christopher (who would not go near the princess for love or money.) Christopher told Aladdin he felt much braver with his shield and Aladdin commiserated that royalty can be pretty scary sometimes. Jasmine briefly pulled out the sass in response.<br />
<br />
The sun set as we walked into Spice Road Table. Everything about this restaurant from the lighting to the furnishings is warm, inviting and somehow cozy.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16481791745" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Morocco Pavillion Epcot Kid's Meals" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7409/16481791745_7c760fffea_b.jpg" title="Spice Road Table Kid's Chicken Kabob with a side of fries and hummus" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You might be a #BloggerKid if you're used to being told to wait a second before you eat. <br />
You know, for documentation's sake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chris enjoyed his chicken kabobs, fries and hummus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16294084748" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Hummus with Olives and Mediterranean Vegetable Platter" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7306/16294084748_605898611d_b.jpg" title="Spice Road Table Morocco Pavillion Epcot" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan(ish) smorgasbord.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chris wasn't interested in our three hummus given that he had his own, but Kylee dug into our olive selection. She dubbed the harissa hummus fries crunchy and delicious. I suspect the grape leaves had a yogurt sauce in them so I only sampled one and kept Kylee away from them entirely but the baba ganoush was delicious! The quinoa, though unexpected was perfect. The two of us easily split this with some leftover but it'd make an excellent appetizer sampler for a family as well.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16291381198" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Morocco" height="480" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7344/16291381198_7f49951314_b.jpg" title="Morocco Pavillion at night." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spice Road Table and Morocco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After meandering a bit to let our meal settle, the kids wanted to try out Ellen's Energy Adventure. No such luck, as it closed early. Duffy decided we should go on Test Track and Mission: SPACE Orange. (Yes, again.) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16480047001" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7292/16480047001_8720d5ef5a_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Test Track at night reminds me of Tron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since both children voted with Duffy, it was three to one in favor of adrenaline...so we found ourselves strapped back for another trip as test dummies. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16292820809" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Night" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8577/16292820809_ca0ced65d7_b.jpg" title="Spaceship Earth, Epcot" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spaceship Earth at night is mesmerizing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After one last Mission: SPACE orange trip, we headed out to the buses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15856546474" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7316/15856546474_b45542037c_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy mouseketeer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kylee was asleep before the bus was full.<br />
<br />
<br /><strong><u>Epcot Day 1 by the Numbers</u></strong><br /><br />Characters Met and Greeted- Ten (Eight Princesses, one Bear and one Street Rat)<br />Kidcot Stops- Eleven<br />Kidcot Stop Sticks Misplaced (I'm betting they're in the Mission:SPACE storage bin.) - Two<br /> Naps- None<br /> Hours in Park- Twelve<br /> Pixie Dust and Happy Thoughts- Too Many to Count<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Part 12 of an Ongoing Trip Report </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Mousekateers"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Three Mousekateers." </span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional sections will be found on the </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trip Reports</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> page after they are posted! </span> <br />
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-71063542397049281532015-06-10T06:59:00.002-05:002015-06-10T06:59:20.622-05:00Wordless Wednesday | Pixie DustWelcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16205808357" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Travel day! by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Travel day!" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8657/16205808357_6d8058d5bd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixie Dust Pin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-three-mousekateers-hot-pepper-dance.html">Read the story</a> behind this picture along with the kids' first hot pepper dance.<br />
Thank you to <a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/"><span style="color: #bb213a;">Focused on the Magic</span></a> for hosting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.focusedonthemagic.com/search/label/The%20Disney%20Wordless%20Wednesday%20Blog%20Hop" target="_blank"><img alt="Focused on the Magic" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/debs_pics/DWWBHop_Focused-on-the-Magi.jpg" /></a></center>
AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-83710303006785704612015-06-04T17:41:00.002-05:002015-06-04T17:41:38.128-05:00Our Summer Reading List | Mountains of Books<em>Sonlight is having a </em><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/2015/04/april-blog-party.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><em>monthly blog linkup</em></span></a><em> this year, in honor of their 25th anniversary. Find out </em><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-youre-homeschooling.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><em>how we decided to homeschool</em></span></a><em> in the February hop and my </em><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/03/let-it-go-homeschool-diaries.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><em>best advice for new homeschoolers</em></span></a><em> in March and in </em><em>April shared a <a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/04/go-distance-homeschool-diaries.html">day in the life of my homeschool</a>. </em><br />
<em>Now for May's prompt: </em><br />
<em>Share your best homeschool convention tips and experiences.</em> <br />
<br />
I'll be honest, between the three local (very active) homeschool groups I belong to, I've not gotten around to attending the (humongous) Texas Home School Convention (practically in our backyard.) Therefore instead of pretend an answer, in honor of our first homeschool-iversary (is that a thing?) this past Tuesday and Kylee's kindergarten graduation this past weekend, I am doing our recent reading lists!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32k6Sn8i5NKR8ST1EgR7RSBnOLAdea7vC0EpFRqR1we_AbY4bEjFH-2X2X8lqsKKamOuBrRw1WoS0Qx9UP2B3pJ_wht09nyxIlBQ2mfzZWNdSsj8vcLvKpk1BokTYdYLvQv23SZPjEHk/s1600/Summer+Reading+List.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32k6Sn8i5NKR8ST1EgR7RSBnOLAdea7vC0EpFRqR1we_AbY4bEjFH-2X2X8lqsKKamOuBrRw1WoS0Qx9UP2B3pJ_wht09nyxIlBQ2mfzZWNdSsj8vcLvKpk1BokTYdYLvQv23SZPjEHk/s640/Summer+Reading+List.png" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books on Every Subject!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong><u>Core C Books</u></strong><br />
The Bible (mostly the gospels and the book of Acts)<br />
The Awesome Book of Bible Facts<br />
Usborne Book of World History<br />
Window on the World<br />
Geography<br />
Medicine News: The Germ of an Idea<br />
Red Sails to Capri<br />
The Aesop for Children<br />
Cornstalks: A Bushel of Poems<br />
Sir Lancelot the Great<br />
Sticks Across the Chimney<br />
Maps and Globes<br />
Time Traveler<br />
Eric the Red and Leif the Lucky<br />
A Child's History of the World<br />
Castle Diary<br />
Tales of Robin Hood<br />
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!<br />
The Minstrel in the Tower<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Chris Library List</u></strong><br />
The Water Hole<br />
Stephen Biesty's Incredible Explosions, Incredible Cross-Sections, Castle<br />
World Atlas<br />
How to be a Roman Soldier<br />
You Wouldn't Want to (Be Tutankhamen, Sail on the Mayflower, Be a Roman Soldier, Be a Viking Explorer, Be a Ninja Warrior, Sail on the First Submarine, and Sail on the Titanic)<br />
The Berenstain Bears (and the Double Dare, Too Much TV, the Messy Room, Don't Pollute (Anymore), Trick or Treat,Get Their Kicks, Trouble With Money, New Neighbors, the real Easter Bunny, the Bully, Get the Gimmies, Too Much Pressure, Lend a Helping Hand)<br />
The Stinkly Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales<br />
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch<br />
The Frog Prince, Continued<br />
Not Your Typical Dragon<br />
The Marshmallow Incident<br />
Franklin's Class Trip (and Goes to the Hospital, and New Friend and the School Treasury)<br />
Amazing Buildings<br />
The Magic Schoolbus Shows and Tells: Archaeology<br />
Star Wars: The Complete Saga<br />
And several others...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/18057806430" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kindergarten Graduation by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Kindergarten Graduation" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7791/18057806430_79aceeea65_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've been slowly reading through the Chronicles of Narnia as a family for fun.</td></tr>
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<strong><u>Kylee Library List</u></strong><br />
A Dictionary of Dance<br />
A Child's Introduction to Ballet<br />
Beatrice Doesn't Want To<br />
Dooby Dooby Moo<br />
Pinkalicious: Fairy House (and The Royal Tea Party)<br />
Ballet School<br />
Becoming a Ballerina: A Nutcracker Story<br />
My Ballet Book<br />
First Lessons in Ballet<br />
Prima Princessa Ballet for Beginners<br />
Dancing Through Fire<br />
Marie: An Invitation to Dance<br />
Gooney Bird and the Room Mother<br />
Arthur's Valentine (and Teacher Trouble)<br />
Fancy Nancy and the Too Loose Tooth (and At the Museum)<br />
Adventures in Ancient China<br />
Disney's The Little Mermaid<br />
The Berenstain Bears and Mama's New Job (and Get Their Kicks)<br />
Robin Hood and the Great Coach Robbery<br />
Amelia Bedelia<br />
Dance<br />
Franklin's Holiday Treasury<br />
Angelina and the Royal Wedding (and Angeline Ballerina and Ice Skates)<br />
You Wouldn't Want to be Cleopatra<br />
Hi! Fly Guy<br />
Etc.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
I'm a big believer in letting the kids pick out their own books (within reason and guidance.)<br />
<br />
My reading list lately has consisted of:<br />
Pre-reading Seamless by Angie Smith before leading it at our summer Bible Study<br />
Unoffendable by Brant Hansen<br />
and for the opposing view Reclaiming Anger by David Dorn<br />
Love Does by Bob Goff<br />
<br />
and I just started reading<br />
The Trouble with the Truth: Balancing Truth and Grace by Rob Renfroe<br />
<br />
What's on your reading list?<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
For more homeschoolers (who actually have tips about attending conventions), visit<a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/2015/05/may-blog-party.html"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"> the May blog party</span></a>!<br />
<br />
To join up next month, check out the link below.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sonlight.com/blog/25th-anniversary-blog-party?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_source=Party%20Blogger&utm_medium=Button"><img alt="Sonlight Blog Party" src="https://cdn1.sonlight.com/images/sonlight-blog-party-large.png" /></a>AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-86986026779524165002015-06-03T13:27:00.000-05:002015-06-03T13:27:19.664-05:00Worldess Wednesday ~ Something LovelyWelcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers!<br />
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AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-20996857340713791002015-06-02T17:53:00.000-05:002015-06-02T11:31:46.911-05:00The Three Mousekateers | AkershusEarly to bed and early to rise meant that we reached Epcot almost a full hour prior to Epcot opening so we hopped aboard the kids favorite ride from their first trip to Walt Disney World.<br />
<br />
The monorail.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16478109972" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/16478109972_541cf6481f_b.jpg" title="Timon and Pumbaa remind us to follow the rules of the jungle on the monorail!" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild About Safety cards!<br />
“Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas!"</td></tr>
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They asked the conductor of the monorail if he had any of the transportation card. Not only did he hand over a few monorail cards, but he hooked my kids up with half a dozen of the "Wild About Safety" cards too. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16453066836" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/16453066836_c5ccdf89f2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the smell of monorail in the morning.</td></tr>
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They opened the park a bit before the scheduled opening and we were on Test Track before 9.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455803526" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16455803526_1a92dbba8e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris did the engineering, Kylee did the decorating.</td></tr>
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There's nothing quite like the wind whipping through your hair first thing in the morning or designing your dream car without any wait. <br />
#OffSeasonRocks<br />
Before the adrenaline rush wore off, we headed over to Mission: SPACE. The cast members measured Kylee twice at the entrance to the line (mostly because she was super excited to go on Chris' favorite ride from last trip) and tried to talk her into the Green line but she wasn't having any of it. <br />
Kylee and Chris had fun talking to a lady who was scared on her first trip on Mission Space. (She was seriously considering taking the opportunity to work at mission control until Kylee said she could borrow her Duffy if she was scared of going to Mars.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16455801386" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/16455801386_d79ae12871_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting our launch assignments. Duffy did not get his own launch assignment.</td></tr>
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Kylee did not need any reassurance from Duffy during the ride itself and dumped him unceremoniously into the storage bin when we loaded into our space craft. The kiddos agreed Mission: SPACE orange is an awesome experience even despite (because?) Kylee screamed like, well, a little girl for all of the launch sequence. They wanted to ride on it again immediately. <br />
You know how they tell you not to look to the side during your ride experience?<br />
Kylee screaming her head off during the launch meant I looked sideways to grab her hand. I don't recommend looking sideways. Under any circumstances. A touch of vertigo meant that heading to "Living With the Land" was in order before another rocket launch. Kylee spent most of Living with the Land keeping a sharp eye out for the ghost pepper (or Gary's hot pepper dance fame). <br />
Thus recuperated, we headed off to Soarin' for our FP+. <br />
The kids ducked the golf ball and giggled but they prefer rides with a bit more adrenaline.<br />
We wandered off toward the World Showcase just as Duffy was leaving his meet and greet. He stopped momentarily when he saw Kylee snuggling her Duffy. She told him her Duffy went to Mars with her and he gave them hugs then wandered off.<br />
We booked one of the last breakfast reservations available at Akershus as an early lunch. Anna and Elsa had tested at the restaurant the day before, but I knew enough not to promise the Arrendele duo. <br />
Chris noticed all of the girls in princess dresses. Then he read the sign over the banquet entrance. Princess Storybook Dining?<br />
What kind of fast one was I trying to pull on him?<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/17042351077" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7675/17042351077_5a4811a9fc_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not just a southern county of Norway, but also the place to meet and greet tons of princesses!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I assured him that if he took a picture with Belle in the entry hallway that:<br />
1.) He could stick his tongue out if he wanted.<br />
2.) It would never see the light of day or Facebook.<br />
3.) He could eat all he wanted.<br />
And most important:<br />
4.) He did not need to take photos with any of the inside princesses.<br />
<br />
So we enjoyed a brief tour of the buffet offerings and the chef agreed to bring Kylee and I some vegan pancakes.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16294360560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/16294360560_f8601c485f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who cares about princesses? <br />
I've got a whole plate of cinnamon rolls and cheese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kylee enjoyed parading around the dining room with the princesses while Chris tucked into the buffet. <br />
To each their own I suppose.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15861673783" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/15861673783_30343ded96_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylee and Snow hang out.</td></tr>
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Kylee wanted to know if there was anywhere to meet "the good Snow White" and she and I talked for a long while before I figured out she meant bandit Snow from Once Upon a Time with her bow and arrows. The princesses seemed amused that Chris had no interest in meeting or talking to them.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16480049291" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/16480049291_463d8aa09d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ariel trying to say hi to Chris.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Particularly Ariel, who wouldn't take "he's happier hiding under the table that taking a picture" as a no. All of the princesses eventually gave him his space and Kylee was told by Ariel to make sure to say hi to her bestie, Jasmine in Morocco.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/16291650520" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Epcot Day by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Epcot Day" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/16291650520_f30688e92b_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duffy liked Akershus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Would I bring my son to a princess meal again?<br />
You'd better believe it.<br />
Despite the lack of pictures with the princesses, I would not trade the laughter and interactions with the princesses for anything.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />This is Part 11 of an Ongoing Trip Report </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Mousekateers"><span style="color: #1d72a1; font-size: x-small;">"The Three Mousekateers." </span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional sections will be found on the </span><a href="http://magicalfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/p/trip-reports.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1d72a1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trip Reports</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> page after they are posted! </span> AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407035951097608835.post-47245279817507516692015-06-01T11:01:00.000-05:002015-06-01T17:21:57.459-05:00More To Do Than Can EVER Be Done | My "Next Trip" List Have you ever:<br />
Found out that an attraction is closed for refurbishment during your vacation? <br />
Left Walt Disney World only to discover on Pinterest or a blog something crazy amazing that you missed? <br />
Skipped an attraction because of height requirements your munchkins don't quite reach? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureinthegreatwidesomewhere/15850612620" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Finally 44 inches! by Lorelei Ketcherside, on Flickr"><img alt="Finally 44 inches!" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/15850612620_68d6794f65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even with Minnie Ears, she's not quite 48".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course you have! <br />
<br />
Walt Disney World is far too amazing and vast to do everything interesting in even the longest of vacations!<br />
<br />
<h3>
Next Trip List</h3>
<br />
<strong>Attractions</strong><br />
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage<br />
Fantasmic!<br />
Wishes<br />
Splash Mountain<br />
Muppet Vision 3D (We love it, but the kids tired out at Hollywood Studios last trip.)<br />
Everything for the 48" and up crowd. My youngest is also my daredevil, and she loved all the 44" rides last trip.<br />
<br />
<strong>Foods</strong><br />
Fried Wontons - Thanks, <a href="http://heidi-strawser.com/fried-wontons/#comment-11885">Heidi</a> for the heads up!<br />
Cronuts - Shawn reviews them <a href="http://disneydaybyday.com/favorite-food-friday-cronut/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>Restaurants</strong><br />
Be Our Guest- Breakfast<br />
Boma<br />
Sanaa<br />
Coral Reef<br />
Cape May Café<br />
<br />
<strong>Resorts</strong><br />
Beach Club<br />
Animal Kingdom<br />
<br />
What's at the top of your "next trip" list?AdventurerMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619062726003992399noreply@blogger.com0