So, many people think that I, a grown adult, am straight up bananas for loving Disney so much. But loving Disney isn’t a choice I made, it’s in my genes… I was born for Disney!
Since I was recently chosen by Disney to host a #disneyside @home celebration, I thought I’d share a little about my Disney history.
In the early 70’s, before I was even a thought, these fine looking people (aka, my parents) visited Disney on their honeymoon. At that time it was only the Magic Kingdom, and they stayed at the Contemporary Resort.
Then I came along. One thing I remember clearly about my childhood was watching the Mickey Mouse Club and dreaming of the day I would meet my favorite mouse. That day finally came around 1980 when my parents tricked me into getting on a plane and making me think we were chosen to test out some new luggage system for the airline. SURPRISE! We ended up in Orlando where my dreams came true.
We left my sister home for this trip, but took another a few years later, apparently during a zombie apocalypse… (that’s us in front of the Crystal Palace) and the decade of photo bombers (who’s that guy sneaking into my character pic?)
So I may have gone a little over our vacation budget this year. After many years of consideration, I finally splurged on tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was worth it! Lucky for us kids 3 and under are free to the party and all the Disney Parks and Hotels, so why not take advantage while we can, right? Ok, I’ll stop trying to talk myself out of the guilt now.
Ms. Rylie insisted she be a pirate, but she refused to wear her pirate hat. Oh well, still cute.
You just can’t beat trick-or-treating at The Magic Kingdom, and they don’t cheap out on the candy. My favorite stop was the Werther’s Originals shop. Caramel candy with apple filling… count me in!
After the Hallow-wishes fireworks, we closed out the night with a Monsters Inc. Dance Party where Rylie proceeded to strip down to her tights. She had enough of that darn tutu, it was time to party!
This was my first fall visit to Disney World. The weather was so perfect, not a drop of rain until the day we left, warm but not too hot during the day and chilly evenings made for the most perfect trip. I can’t wait to go back!
Ahhh, an oceanfront home in La Jolla Beach for a whole week, all to ourselves. Sounds like a dream, right?
I imagined action packed days and relaxing nights on the patio watching the sun set with my husband while drinking fruity cocktails. Didn’t exactly play out that way. I spent the majority of my days bonding with this little lady while daddy did his homework. LOTS of homework. And let me tell you, keeping after this toddler has really become a workout.
I’m not complaining, I loved spending time with Rylie. We did lots of exploring, chasing birds, taking walks, and destroying the house. I just wish Harris could have enjoyed more of it with us. I’m not going to lie, it was a really lonely week for me, I was beginning to feel like a neglected Real Housewife of the OC….or the SD in this case.
The house was AMAZING. A little too amazing for an independent little girl who wants to explore. Next time we go for a more family friendly home. Overall though it was great. It was fit for a queen. I’m such a lucky girl.
There wasn’t really a beach near our house, it sat above cliffs that dropped off into the ocean, but the view was amazing, waking up every morning to watch the surfers rushing down to catch the big early morning waves. It’s a lifestyle I’d have no problem adopting.
Bird chasing…a new favorite pastimeA hug from buddy Ethan at the zoo
Our final sunset
It was tough keeping up with Rylie on this trip, Im certain I told her no more times than I care to say in her whole life.
No Rylie, don’t throw your bottle off the third floor balcony (when I retrieved it later, both the bottle and I were covered in slugs)
No Rylie, please don’t drag your toy across the scratchable wood floor
Rylie, close the cabinets and put the glass bowl away
No Rylie, you cannot fit through the bars on the balcony railing
Please do not run into the ocean by yourself!
Stop touching the glass vase!
Don’t eat the dice!
Please don’t tear the pages out of that book!
I’m somewhat relieved to be home now. Living the fancy life isn’t exactly our style. Baby proof home sweet home is the perfect place for us at this stage in our lives. I guess it’s back to reality for the Gardner family!
