Theme Parks and Random Thoughts This New Year's Eve

We returned home last night after spending three days in theme parks at both Disney and Legoland. Our friends, The Smiths, met us in Orlando and it was a great decision as they were like our personal tour guides; they pretty much planned each day and the rides we would all take, even FastPassing us through long lines at the more popular rides.

Family trips can be stressful, right? Have you ever taken a family trip where there wasn't even a smidgen of stress? There's the packing, the driving (or flying), and if you're driving with kids there's the what do you do to entertain them for several hours of driving.

Our trip was stressful for me because one, I was really moody and extremely sensitive. Two, I didn't get to leave Atlanta at the time I wanted. Three, I wanted us all to wake up early every day and take full advantage of the theme parks, but that is really hard to do when the majority of my family likes to sleep in. And fourth, the parks were more than crowded which added to my impatience, and I felt "under the microscope" every time I took a picture, which, to be honest, was a lot. I love taking pictures; I admit it, but it can annoy my family. It does get a bit aggravating each time I stop my family and ask them to pose for a shot and...yada yada yada.

On our long ride back home, The Hubs and I talked about our trip and what we could have done to make things more enjoyable. We agreed we need to manage our expectations better and clearly communicate so that everyone has a good time. We also compromised on taking pictures...looks like I will be taking lots more candid shots from now on. And you know what, that's okay too. So here are some of the photos from our trip. Despite the drama, we did have periods of fun and good times. We've already talked about visiting Disney again, but during off-peak times!

My feeling moody during our Orlando trip over what seems really trivial now was made crystal clear today.  Earlier I went to Chipotle to get something to eat.  The line was really long, as it always is...I even timed my wait. I stood in line for 21 minutes and 34 seconds. Seriously, but it's always worth the wait. Anyways as I waited in line, I happened to look outside when I noticed a SUV pull up into a parking space. Sitting in the passenger side was a woman. I couldn't tell how old or how young she was, but her hair was completely gone and she was frail thin as if she was suffering from a life threatening illness, possibly cancer.  It took a great effort for her to muster enough energy to cover her head with a hat and then make her way out of the car. I looked at the driver, her mom possibly, and my heart went out to her. Not in a pitiful way, but in a manner that understands no human being should ever have to suffer. And worse, as a mom myself, I never want to imagine what it's like to watch your own child endure such a thing. This really helped put things in perspective for me.

As far as New Year's resolutions go, I don't make them. I don't think you need the start of a new year to make changes in your life. You can and should make changes at any time. I did see a post on Facebook that I liked. A friend posted that he, too, doesn't believe in resolutions, but he wanted to live his life by the four principles in the book, The Four Agreements: Be impeccable with your word (use your words to speak love and the truth). Don't take anything personally (nothing others do is because of you). Don't make assumptions (communicate clearly and ask questions to avoid misunderstandings). Always do your best (whether you are sick or healthy just do the best you can at that moment).  I think these are wise words to live by, and I think I need to read that book. I also need to continue to work on me becoming a better person.  

What are you up to this New Year's Eve?  After spending all day yesterday on the road stuck in a car for seven hours, and the last three days at theme parks, this girl is just happy to spend the night at home doing absolutely nothing. You feel me? And that's exactly what I did.  Our neighbors came by (with yummy snacks, thank you!!!) and we just hung out.  Here's most of the happy bunch; they really do have a lot of fun together.

Happy New Year and may you have your best year ever in 2015!

The Rollers Are On The Road

Which do you prefer when it comes to road trips? To travel by day or night? I prefer the day time.  I love to check out the scenery and be fully alert and awake.  For this trip, I really really wanted to be at our destination like right now.  I wanted to settle in, get a good night's rest and be really ready for our big day tomorrow.

The Hubs, on the other hand, prefers to travel at night without the glare of the sun.  So that's why we are still a few hours away.

Earlier, this was me and an excited Buddy Roller ready to go.

We're getting closer now,  and I can't wait until tomorrow!

How Much Is Too Much?

Do you buy a lot of presents for your children at Christmas? How much is too much? Do you have a limit on how many presents your children receive? What message are we sending our kids by giving them way too many presents?

Truth be told, I'm struggling with these questions this Christmas.

Going in to Christmas I thought The Hubs and I had an understanding. I was wrong.

The plan was to get the Roller a few presents. Period. We don't want him to have the wrong idea about Christmas. It's not about the presents and material things. It's more about the birth of Jesus and giving to others. That's what we discussed. But somewhere between our discussion and a few days before Christmas, something changed.  Someone went a little overboard (and it wasn't me) and got Buddy Roller a lot of presents... a bike, a bow and arrow set, shields, and a Lego set...to name a few. That combined with gifts from family and friends equaled a lot more presents than we had planned for.

But I wasn't mad. How could I be? I know The Hubs loves his son, and he wants to shower him with presents. And the look on Roller's face was just priceless after opening each of his presents that he really loved. His faves, by far, were his bow and arrows and his new Lego Marvel Superheroes set. He has spent most of the day, so far, putting it all together. One thing's for sure...The Hubs really knows his son.

In the past when we had no control over how many presents Buddy Roller would get at his birthday party, for example, we would not let him open all the presents or we would re-gift some of them. Earlier today as he was opening some of the presents, I could tell it was excessive. And yes I know it's all relative...to some this would have been no big deal.

Some presents he opened and there was absolutely no reaction, and then it was like he was on auto-pilot and on to the next package. You know what I mean? I'm sure your kids have that reaction as well.  As the day comes to a close, I feel really fortunate that we are even able to give Buddy Roller a Christmas that he won't soon forget...at least for a few days.  I think as parents we want to give our kids the world, we want them to enjoy life, and we want them to have a childhood as good as we did, if not better. But at what cost? I'm sure a minimalist parent would just cringe at the sight of the obnoxious amount of presents some kids get. And maybe, just maybe, they have a point in the "less is more" way of life.

By the way, we had a lovely, casual low-key Christmas with my sister and brother-in-law.  They always make the holidays special.

Tomorrow The Rollers are hittin' the road! Our destination will be a first time experience for all three of us. I'm excited, and I cannot wait!