Disney World Family Trip (Part 1)
We FINALLY made it to Disney World!
We are that family that says every year, “THIS is the year we are going! We are ! We REALLY are going to do it this year!”
Then that time comes and goes and we say, “So!……………Next year?”
Well, this one kind of just happened.
Z and I had planned on going and taking advantage of the Holiday weekend recently and decided to
ship the kids off to my mom and dad’s and take off for a Romantic weekend to the Mountains.
BUT!
Because we are the CRAZIEST, COOLEST, MOST AWESOMEST parents in the world…..
we decided to go to Disney World instead.
Not only that,
we convinced the babies that THEY were going to the Mountains too.
The morning we were leaving, we decided to let them in on the little surprise.
At first, they were shocked,
then they were in disbelief,
then my little one told me that it was ok!
We could just go to the Mountains after we go to Disney World. (How nice of him and his Large Bank Account!)
We made a pit stop in Savannah for the night and then the next day, we were off to “The Happiest Place on Earth!”
Since this was the first time we were doing this, I had to ask for help.
I didn’t know anything, so I turned to some friends who then gave me the sweetest travel agent’s info.
Her name is Kimberly Hill with Mouse Tales Travel.
I thought she would have tips for us, but I had no idea how much she would actually do for us!
(More on that later!)
Her company specializes in all things Disney. Whether you want to go to the Parks or want to do a cruise, she can plan it all for you.
Did you know they even have Disney Trips to other countries?
Might try that out when the kids get a few years older.
If you want, check out her site here.
On the way from Savannah to Disney, I was trying to get the kids excited about getting there, so I decided to video tape them.
If only I didn’t have to deal with my crazy husband…
Here is the video I took.
Try to make it to the end…… it’s worth it!
Now that you see how crazy my husband can be, let’s move on. : D
We stayed at The Art of Animation.
Our hotel ROCKED!
Even though I don’t really have anything else to compare it too, I think you can agree that anything “themed” is a win win for Families!
The hotel was themed in Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Cars, and The Little Mermaid.
We stayed in The Lion King suite, so our whole suite looked like it.
The kids got such a kick out of everything being so BIG!
Just in case you can’t see what they are doing….
What?
Oh! You didn’t know they were over the top models?
PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT !!!
SPIRIT FINGERS, LEE!
WHERE ARE YOUR SPIRIT FINGERS????!!!!!??????
(*I swear I’m not a “Stage Mom”????)
They even had an “elephant boneyard” to climb and explore in.
This was perfect for my climbers.
This one especially! She climbs on EVERYTHING!
I definitely wouldn’t want to run into one of these guys while out strolling around.
OR! One of these!
Since, we didn’t get there early enough to really enjoy one of the parks that day, we decided to go to Downtown Disney.
It was VERY COOL! They had a Lego Store where there were so many Life Size Characters all made out of ….. you guessed it…..Legos!
ROAR!
No wonder they call this the Happiest Place on Earth! This was my happiest place!
Well, that was our first day!
I’m going to break this up into a few more posts because there is so much to cover.
I promise I will try not to be boring.
Well, atleast not too much!
-Esther
No Comments
Lavender Sugar Scrub
I think everyone needs a good Scrub.
Sugar Scrub that is.
Whether you are a Dude or a Dudette,
we all get dry skin in the Winter ,
AND
for some of us, Summer too! (Umm, yeah that would be me.)
I have an easy home recipe here that takes less than 5 minutes to whip up.
Most of the ingredients can be found in your pantry.
The only ingredient that most do no have is the essential oil.
Other than that, it is just Sugar, Olive Oil (I have Extra Virgin), Chamomile Tea, and your favorite Essential Oil.
The Essential Oil will give you your scent. I used Lavender which gives a Soothing quality so if you are going to bed afterwards, it really helps to calm you.
Lemon is a great scent too!
I almost did Peppermint, so when I run out of this one, I’ll probably do that next time.
You can find Essential Oils at your local craft store, but I bought mine at my local Health Store, called Bay Naturals.
Here is a link to their store: www.bay-naturals.com
The best thing about this is the fact that it makes your skin feel SOOO smoothe when you are finished.
You will have a glow to your skin and who doesn’t love that, right?
Recipe: Lavender Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
– 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
– 3/4 Cup Olive Oil
– 1 Chamomile Tea Bag
– 1/2 Teaspoon Essential Oil such as Lavender
Directions:
– Cut open tea bag and pour into medium sized mixing bowl.
– Add Sugar and mix well.
– Using 1/4 Cup at a time, add Olive Oil to Sugar mixture until it is the texture of “wet sand”.
– Add essential oil. *If you would like to use more than recipe suggests, that is fine. Add to your liking, but be careful! A little goes a long way and may end up being too strong if you are not careful.
– Store in air tight container.
In shower:
– Wet skin and using scrub, gently massage onto body.
– Allow to sit on skin for 2 to 3 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.
*Be careful, shower floor may be slightly slippery afterwards, so use caution and REMEMBER: A little goes a long way!
Have fun with it! Try your favorite essential oil!
( * This was not a paid advertisement for Bay Naturals. I simply bought my ingredients there. )
No Comments
Herbed Chicken Parmesan (Picky Eater Style)
I consider myself pretty lucky.
I have children who aren’t that picky when it comes to food.
Well, 2 of my 3 children aren’t that picky.
My four year old is actually in the “picky” faze right now and I’m counting the days until it passes.
While I hold my breath for that,
I decided to try a version of Chicken Parmesan that he and the girls might like.
I call it Herbed Chicken Parmesan…… Picky Eater Style!
I figured anything over Colorful Bowtie Pasta for my little ones is a Homerun any night.
Usually, I will have a little bit of left overs when it comes to most meals.
This, however, had nothing!
Not a crumb!
Not even an itty bitty bowtie.
When my 4 year old cleaned his plate, I knew I had a winner!
So, if you have picky eaters, try this recipe.
Even if you don’t, you’ll love it!
AND! It’s done with Chicken tenders, so Portion control is easy!
Recipe: Herbed Chicken Parmesan (Picky Eater Style)
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Dry Breadcrumbs
1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
1/4 Teaspoon Salt, Divided
1/3 Cup Grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese, Divided
1 Large Egg White, Lightly Beaten (I use Egg Beaters)
1 lb. Chicken Breast Tenders
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 (14.5 oz) Can Tomato Sauce
2 Teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/3 Cup Shredded Provolone Cheese (I folded 4 slices in half twice, then sliced very thin)
Directions:
– Preheat broiler.
– Combine 2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese, Breadcrumbs, Parsley, Basil, and 1/8 Teaspoon Salt in a shallow dish.
– Place Egg White (Or Egg Beaters) in another shallow dish.
– Dip each chicken tender in Egg White, and then dredge in Breadcrumb mixture.
– Melt butter in a large Nonstick Skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, making sure not to over crowd the pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Chicken should be golden brown.
– Transfer Chicken to a broiler pan or oven safe dish large enough to hold all of Chicken Tenders. Set aside.
– Combine 1/8 Teaspoon Salt, Tomato Sauce, Vinegar, and Pepper in a microwave-safe bowl.
– Cover with plastic wrap, and vent on one side.
– Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Spoon over Chicken. Do not discard extra sauce.
– Sprinkle evenly with remaining Parmesan Cheese and Provolone Cheese.
– Broil 2 minutes or until cheeses melt.
– Serve over Tri Colored Bowtie Pasta, drizzled with Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper.
*I say do not discard the sauce because everyone wanted extra to go over their chicken. 🙂
Side Dish Idea: Roasted Herbed Zucchini w/ Parmesan
– 3 Zucchini
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil
– Dried Italian Seasoning
– Grated Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
– Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
– Cut off ends of zucchini.
– Cut zuchinni in half length wise.
– Drizzle a little olive oil over zucchini halves.
– Sprinkle each half with dried Italian Seasoning.
– Roast for 20 minutes.
– Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese on top of zucchini.
– Turn oven to broil.
– Allow to broil until cheese is melted and golden brown.
Enjoy!
~Esther~
No Comments
Shrimp and Grits Casserole
So lately I’ve been trying to get back into my “I have to put a bathing suit back on in a few months” kind of mindset.
I mean, let’s face it.
I live at the beach, and since that isn’t going to change anytime soon,
and my family lives at the pool and beach during the warmer months, I figure I better start…..
~LIKE YESTERDAY~!!!!
Here is an alternative recipe to my other Shrimp and Grits.
This will allow you to not kill yourself the next day at the gym because you have “eaters remorse”
from your meal the night before.
I guess you could say, “It’s easy on the hips!”
Plus, it feels lighter too!
Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole
– 2 Cups Reduced Fat Milk ( I use Skim)
– 3/4 cup Fat Free, Less Sodium Chicken Broth
– 1 Cup Uncooked Quick-Cooking Grits
– 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
– 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
– 1/2 (2 oz.) Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
– 1 (3 ounce) package 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese
– 3 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley
– 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Chives
– 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
– 2 Large Egg Whites ( I use Egg Beaters)
– 1 Pound Peeled and Deveined Medium Shrimp, Coarsley Chopped
– Cooking Spray
– Hot Pepper Sauce (Optional)
Directions:
– Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
– Combine milk and broth in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
– Gradually add grits and salt to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook 5 minutes or until grits are thick, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat.
– Add Parmesan cheese, Butter, and Cream Cheese to pan and stir until smooth.
– Add Parsley and next 4 ingredients to pan.
– Stir just until blended throughout.
– Spoon grits mixture into an 8×11 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
– Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until set.
– Serve with hot pepper sauce, if desired.
Side Dish Idea:
Roasted Broccoli – Spread 2 cups Fresh Broccoli Florets onto a cookie sheet sprayed with Cooking Spray. Roast at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until slightly crisp and brown, tossing once during cooking. Sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese and allow to cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer.
No Comments
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
You must be logged in to post a comment.