Disney World

We arrived home from Disney World last Sunday, a week ago. It was our first real break together as a family in five months, so much needed. It was a five hour drive, but it took seven hours on the way down and six on the way up. Isaac used to enjoy car rides, but not anymore. Those days are long gone. Oh, how I miss the days of him falling asleep in the car or being occupied by a toy for an extended amount of time.

Thankfully, my parents let us use their timeshare for the week, which saved a great deal of money. We saved on the hotel, but also on meals since I was able to cook two out of three meals every day. Also, Disney gives a discount if you go to more than one park, which was nice. As a result, we were able to take Isaac to five different theme parks.


Isaac was worn out by the end of every day:

He also loved going swimming in the kiddie pool downstairs.

We visited three water parks: Wet 'n' Wild, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach. Each one was fun, but Typhoon Lagoon was definitely our favorite. By the end of the week, we were pros at going to a water park. Lather up with sunscreen at the hotel. Buy a ticket, find a spot to park the stroller/cooler, and then enjoy the day. While Isaac took his nap in his stroller, Wes and I took turns riding different things.

We also went to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom was great, because Isaac was able to ride on our lap on all but maybe one ride. I figured he might get fussy from the heat and all the noise around him, but I never guessed that he would cry because he was having so much fun! The ride would come to an end, and Isaac would either say, "More" or "'Gain" (Again). We'd get off the ride, and he'd cry because he wanted another turn. Finally, after lunchtime, he understood how the whole thing is supposed to work.

Isaac also had fun meeting Mickey Mouse, one of the few Disney characters he actually knows. He would see Mickey on the signs and say, "Mou! Mou!" (Mouse). And he did the same thing when he saw him live. He wasn't scared of him at all. Instead, he smiled and laughed with him.

Animal Kingdom was short-lived, since we waited until Sunday to do that. By the time we got through the baggage check and bought our tickets, it was already close to 10:00. We went through all of Asia and Africa and scanned a few other things, but that was it. It was nice though, looking at all of the animals. Isaac surprised me by saying tiger and deer. I'd been trying to teach him those words, but that was the first time I heard him actually say them (and without any prompting). Before we left, we ate some very yummy African food, and then we made a beeline for the car so we could head home.

It seems like I blinked, and my summer is over. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Isaac has learned so much - from reading books and doing things around the house, but also from taking him to so many different places. I can't keep up with all the words he knows now. He's learned many animals and the sounds they make, shapes, colors, a few letters, types of transportation, and on and on.

We were playing together in his nursery earlier this week, roughhousing a little bit. I was just laughing and having the best time with him, and then it hit me. This is our last week together. I cradled him in my arms for a few seconds and told him, "Isaac, this is our last week together for a little while. Mommy has to go back to work next week." He looked so sad. I think he understood. But now with the furlough, I have two more days before I have to go back. I'm not thrilled with the concept of furloughing teachers, but I am happy to have a job. And I'm also planning to make the most of it with Isaac and Wes.

Back from PA

Isaac and I arrived home on Sunday afternoon. We had the best time while we were gone. The last time I had been to Pennsylvania was in 2000. I was able to see most of my family and some of my friends while I was in town. I knew I missed everyone, but I just didn't realize how much until I saw them all again. It was great to catch up with old friends and family.

Isaac did very well on his first plane ride. After he ate lunch, he enjoyed looking out the window, reading books, and playing with the suitcase full of toys that I brought for him.

On Tuesday, my former karate instructor, Sensei Joe, picked us up from the airport. We stayed with him, his wife Cindy, and their daughter Beth that night.

Beth really enjoyed having a new playmate.

My parents decided to drive up to PA, so I met up with them on Wednesday afternoon at Uncle Steve and Aunt Christine's house. Then on Thursday, we went into the city (NYC) for the day. First we drove to Princeton, NJ, and then took the train the rest of the way. I tried my best to occupy him, but Isaac didn't enjoy the train ride so much.

After we arrived in NY, we met up with my friend Bruce, and he showed us how to get to the Museum of Natural History.

We spent about four hours in the museum looking at many of the exhibits.





From there, we walked to Central Park, where we decided to go on a horse carriage ride.




It was raining when we first got to NY, but the rain subsided by the time we left the museum. Unfortunately, by the end of the ride, it came back. So we made our way back to Penn Station, where we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then the next train home.

Friday was a much welcomed day of relaxation. We spent most of our time sitting around catching up with one another. My cousin Eddie drove in from NY with his two kids, Courtney and Christopher, on Wednesday. Aunt Marlene flew in from Kansas on Thursday, and Jean Ann (Eddie's wife) took the train to PA on Friday. Isaac had fun getting acquainted with everyone.

Courtney took a real liking to Isaac, and vice versa.

Amber, a friend of mine, also stopped by with her two girls that afternoon.

Saturday, the 4th, was the big family reunion. My cousin Allison came in from Philly, and the rest of my dad's sisters and their husbands came in from NY. Here's a picture of the whole family, or at least everyone who was there.

The next one is a shot of all of the (living) brothers and sisters, from oldest to youngest. (L-R: Aunt Barbara, Aunt Marlene, Aunt Joanie, Aunt Titi, Uncle Steve, and my dad)

My dad is the youngest of seven, so it was like Isaac had four more grandmas that day. Below, he's with Aunt Barbara, the eldest of the siblings. Doesn't she look great for 70?

Aunt Marlene, the second oldest, enjoyed taking Isaac off my hands on more than one occasion.

This next photo is of me and my sister with our cousins that we grew up with, Allison and Steven.

And my friend Jacque also stopped by for a visit that night.


Although I had a great time while I was gone, it is nice to be home. For a little while, anyway. Next week, Wes and I are taking Isaac to Disney World. At the grand age of 16 months, Isaac has become quite the world traveller!