The Trip of a Lifetime

When we had not one set of grandparents, but both call and say they wanted us to join them in Orlando for a Disney trip we JUMPED at the offer!
Both mine and Nate's dads are Dentists and it just so happened that the ADA convention was taking place in Orlando.
Let me warm all you out there. Disney/Universal worlds are NOT a vacation. You will wake up, EARLY! Take a shuttle get to said theme parks and RUN like mad. We didn't fully get the whole fast pass theory til the end, but we still got to go on almost all the rides we wanted to!

We drove to Philly so we could fly out of there. Liam had been "chosen" to bring the class bear Teddy along for the trip, so there will be a bunch of photos documenting Teddy's adventures as well.

We stayed in this totally chic Residence Inn. Who knew they'd become so Shabby?

Next is was the puddle jumper to D.C. (don't even get me started. YES we could have driven there instead. Hindsights a Beast!)

Day 1: HARRY POTTER WORLD!
This was what Liam had been talking about non-stop for the last 6 months. He was ready to enter the wizarding world and join his calling as a real Wizard. He had us pack his robe, glasses and wand just so he could prove how committed he was. Oh and as a added bonus, Universal is also home of Scooby Doo his second passion.

Is it just me or is he beaming?

We  then met up with ALL the family and our ADVENTURE BEGAN!

This was also during Owen's "happy face" era!

We zoomed straight to the back of the park to make sure Harry Potter World would be first thing.

Hogwarts Express

(sad that they didn't have this be an actual ride. Just a display. Owen really wanted to ride it!)

They did the most amazing job making you feel like you were really in the book. This is Hogsmeade. You couldn't see any of the other parts of Universal cause the buildings were so high. It was so realistic.

Honeydukes Candy shoppe. This is a display of the chocolate frogs.

The Three Broomsticks

Olivanders

Hogwarts Castle

This is the coolest thing. There is a ride built inside the castle. You wait in line (FOREVER) for this ride but instead of it being just switch backs, you walk through different places and passages of Hogwarts like,

 the botany school where you listen to madrakes scream, They have this huge hallway called the portrait Gallery, full of moving pictures and they tell stories, then you walk through Dumbledores office, the Defense against the dark arts classroom, the Gryiffindor common room, and the room of requirement. It made it so much more bearable to wait for 2 hours when there were things to entertain you! Even Owen took a snooze. Thanks to all the family there we got to share the dead arm wealth of having a 30lber sitting in your arms.

We didn't let Liam go on this ride, and I am glad we didn't it was SCARY! Even for me. They have a room where you can switch with other people in your party so the kids are being watched.

This ride was crazy! You are in this 4 person carriage with shoulder restraints, this is hooked to an arm that can rotate you 36o degrees, forwards and backwards. Then they have you in this prjection movie so you really feel like you are flying. Weird sensation, and then the rest you are dodging death eaters and spiders. Was totally creepy and super worth it. We only went once, but I would totally go again!

We then took Liam on the flight of the Hoppogriff roller coaster. Where you get to see Hagrid's hut.

He sat in the front seat and LOVED it!

Next we went to Olivanders. Makers of fine wands...

This line wasn't long, but moved REALLY SLOW! They only let about 20 people in at a time. Once inside you are in the wand shop and there is a wandkeeper who choses ONE person to be fitted for a wand out of all 20 people that walked in. We found out this info after waiting for ages and Amy was trying to do what she does best and get her Nephew chosen. The attendant said she didn't choose them and that it was the actors choice once inside. We got lucky cause they stopped us to be the leaders of the next group so we were first in line.

As soon as we walked in we asked the actor if he would mind taking a picture with Liam. He obliged and then started talking to Liam about his costume and how he liked being a Wizard. 

Next thing we knew, the lights dimmed and the task of a wand choosing Liam began!

Here he is having Liam test drive a wand that has a core made of Birch wood. This shot off a spark when Liam performed the spell, Then he got a little scared when the guy said that the next one contained Dragon heart strings. Liam said he didn't want a dragon coming out and kinda started crying, so he said it was OK not all wizards are ready for a wand containing dragon and they moved on.

He then was told that this particular wand was made of Holly Berry Wood and had strings from the pony tail of a unicorn in it's core. 

Liam grabs a hold and this bright spotlight shines down on him and out of those vents comes whooshing air that billows his robe. And the TA_DA music sings. Liam looks up in utter shock, and then is told that THIS wand has chosen him and only him. This wand can only be used for good, not to be used for evil, and could Liam do all this. Liam bug egged nods a yes, and we are then ushered to the exit where we are told we can purchase this wand for $30.

OK props to Universal. What parent is going to be able to walk out of having a wand chose your child and NOT buy the wand? Unfortunately for us, dad had the money and was off riding a coaster, but da da daaa, Aunt Amy comes to the rescue and we walk out of there with one happy little boy.

Who still believes that his wand can do magic, but only when at Harry Potter World. 

This is him testing out the Nimbus 2000.

My Dad and Corinne missed the show too, because they went to get us a butter beer and it was SOOO good. it's this frozen drink that has some apple cider qualities, but sweeter?

Owen was a fan.

Nate and I and a couple of other brave soles (Kristin and Justin), bounded of to the REAL roller coaster the Dragon Challenge.This is a ride that consist of a pair of dueling coasters, the Chinese Fireball and the Hungarian Horntail. Supposedly this is the only inverted dueling coaster in the world...we had to be in the front seat or you don't get the "whole effect". Throughout the ride you just miss hitting the other train with the long legs of the Poulson's it was inches between them and the other passengers feet. It was exhilarating and totally worth it. This wasn't as long a line so we went twice!  

All I can say is Harry Potter World was totally worth it and to be honest I am sure we will visit again before the boys get to old!

Our only NON parental family visitor in 3 yrs.

Ok so unlce Justin helped us move here so that semi counts, and we have had several friends come for a visit or two (But not many. SHAME ON YOU ALL!)

But really it's you all who are missing out. Hershey is truly the sweetest place on Earth!

This time it was a quick visit from aunt Seyza! She was in Annapolis for a friends wedding, but added an extra day so she could come say hi. I flew into Baltimore the night before. (I had just been to see a dear friend who had just awoken from an 8 week induced coma.) Got home at about midnight and the next morning Nate and I drove back to Baltimore and grabbed this LOVELY lady!

And YES our first stop was chocolate world like always! Who doesn't want free Hershey's candy and a tour of how chocolate is made???

Never mind the strange Asian lady in the picture.

The "cow ride"

Taking it easy at the Hershey Hotel

And loving the flowers ~ yes we meant to match.

Owen and Liam "sleeping" in the chases.

Did I mention the flowers?

And we got to enjoy watching the boys play at the park. (OK. Watch Owen torture Liam.)

Seyza was here less than 24 hours and it has been some of our favorite 24. 

Have I enticed you to visit yet? I am sure I have, but I won't hold my breath. 

To the Lake we go.

Lake Tobias, where really there is a "lake" that the animals can swim in or drink from, but really it's a Wildlife park that a man decided to start after he brought home a few wild animals and the neighbors all wanted to see.
It was a hot day, but the boys loved every second of it.

I have to say I am a fan of the Zonkey!

Owen had to hug EVERY animal at the petting zoo!

I think we know what animal Liam's hair most closely resembles! 

The BIG 2 or 2.5

I try to get photos of my boys around their birthdays. Unfortunately I am finding it a much more difficult task with Owen who's birthday is in January. It's normally freezing cold and covered in snow, so instead we ended up taking them around 2.5. He was TOTALLY into Thomas and all things trains at this point (it seems to be heading in the super hero era now days.)
So off to the Middletown train station we went. And I have to say these are some of my most favorite pictures ever.
Even through the photographer and I got a stern scolding by one of the workers there. She said, "You know you are teaching him a horrible lesson in safety. He'll think he can just run and play on any train tracks he sees."
To which I totally agreed with her, except that I had to mention it's not a "functioning railroad" it's  only runs for tour rides and on certain days of the week and times. We had come during after hours while the trains weren't going and no one (except her) was around.
Not only that, but did she seriously think that I just let me kids freely play in and around train tracks while I go off and have a diet coke? I DON'T THINK SO!
All the while Wendy was clicking away and I am so glad she did.
Here are a few of my favorites!

OK so this one looks a little scary if you didn't know that train was stopped.

I loved this with the 2!

Oh my boys and their baby blues!

See we were all about safety!

This is his "Hoot Hoot" He'd walk around all day sounding like a train and she captured it perfectly.

And yes I waiting for a call from Ralph Lauren himself. Seriously who wouldn't eat him up?

Happy 2.5 to our BIG guy!

It's begun!

Liam has started Kindergarten.
He has been so excited to go. Especially to ride the bus. I have NOT been counting down the days, but am so excited for him. I remember my first day of Kindergarten. Riding the bus, leaving my mom at the curb, and starting the upward climb to adulthood.

HOW DO I STOP IT???

I didn't cry. (This time.) He had a "trial" run over the summer and as the bus drove away. That time I sobbed as I watched his tear streaked face in the window saying Mommy. 

But NOT this time. He was ready. He had gotten over the fear that the bus driver wouldn't know which one his house was and that I wouldn't be out there waiting for him. (In fact I wasn't. It was Nate.)

Out here Kindergarten is only half day, so it's not a huge change from pre-school, just that it's everyday.

Enough to break a Mother's heart! Owen was NOT happy that he wasn't going too!

The thing I swore NEVER to do. Buy a themed backpack for my children. That lasted all of two seconds when I put him in charge of choosing.

My stomach got sicker as it got closer.

He hopped on and away he went, off to a place I couldn't follow. I couldn't be on watch, protect him, fight for him and kiss him when he got hurt. 

Owen and I walked back home to a quiet house. (OK not really we all know Owen.)

I gave Nate strict instructions on the time to be there to get him off, to take pictures, and ask all about his day. (I was working at the office that afternoon.)

This was the picture Nate got of him coming home:

He looked OK to me. Seemed happy and excited about his first day, and was super excited to tell me I had homework, not him, that night!

As of now, he is a great student. He is reading, writing, spelling, drawing, making new friends and loves it.

I just don't know how ready I am to let him keep growing up!