Time, Calories & Melancholy

Well it’s that time of year again when the much-anticipated holidays are over. It’s a new year, now what?

For me, this New Year started off with some after Christmas glum.

I think because instead of happy thoughts of what the New Year will bring, all I could think of was…. “It’s over?!  It’s already time to take down all the decorations?” L.

Why is it that it’s much more inviting putting everything up? Everyone wants to join in when it’s decorating time, but when it comes time to pack it all away, nobody wants to help. I guess putting up the decorations is just a bit more fun because we get to reminisce about each ornament and it’s story. Each year I get a new ornament for each one of my kids so that when they are grown and on their own, they will each have their own set of ornaments to put on their first tree. I use to wrap each ornament when they were younger but now it’s not so exciting, I get the “is this another ornament?” which resulted in that present getting pushed aside for something more sought after like an electronic gadget. At first I was crushed that the search for the perfect ornament wasn’t as cherished for them as it was for me, but I have come to the realization that they are kids and kids just don’t get the sentiment behind it all. Someday, when they are older, they’ll get it.  Now I just purchase them and put them on the tree without them realizing so when the next year rolls around and we are putting up the ornaments again the kids are happy to see a new one that they had never seen before…. Genius idea!

So pretty much everything is put away, except the icicle lights hanging up high on the outside of the house…waiting for Dylan to come home for that! Hopefully my neighbors won’t mind that they are up until the last week in January.

So now that Christmas is all packed up it seems depressing around here. While taking down the tree Dutch begged that I leave it up: “It makes this room look so pretty, why would you want to take it down?” he said with such concern. I just explained that it will make it all that much more appreciated when we get it all out again next year.

I left 2010 feeling full; literally and figuratively. Full from the massive amounts of food & drink that I consumed but also happily full of time spent with great friends and family! I wish it could always be that way with the friends and family but the holidays always provide an excuse for me to eat what I want and calories don’t seem to count during this time of year. (who am I fooling?) When we get together with friends and family everyone always brings and makes such yummy scrumptious food that its hard to not want to sneak a taste! Well no more of that in 2011, the gatherings Yes, the food No, at least not until the holidays roll around again!

And so it goes…..I’m overwhelmed with melancholy, The holidays are over, the great company as well as good eats and drinks are done, no more splurging on gifts, and another year is behind us.

It's 2011!!…What does that mean?

All it means to me is that I am getting older, the kids are growing up (which makes me sad), things are getting more expensive and life is just going by way too swiftly for me. I want to make a considerate effort to find more time in my everyday life to photograph my kids. Most of my time is spent photographing everyone elses life, I need more time with mine. I also need more time with my husband, as with most people I am sure there’s never enough time in a day to have time with just each other. I plan on making that a priority this year!

My resolution for 2011…….No more Melancholy, fewer calories, and the gift of Time.

Happy New Year everyone.

Disney's Aladdin Musical going away! :(

I am sad today to learn the AMAZING Aladdin Musical at Disney's California Adventure is coming to an end. :( The TOYS are taking over! As much as I love the Toys, this show is one of my absolute must do's each and every time we go to the the "Magical Wonderland". Although I have seen it many many times, I am so in love with this show, It will definitely be missed!

Each and every time I have seen this show it has brought more excitement and laughter into our otherwise mundane lives.

I can't explain why its so wonderful, perhaps its because of all the Disney magic that seems to spill into everything they create. The show is very much like a Broadway show. Its not just for the little ones, Its for everyone of all ages. In my opinion it's worth the price of the entrance ticket alone just to see the show. The Genie makes it absolutely hillarious with his current-event jokes or pop-culture references that bring the audience to their knees roaring with laughter! The sets are so elaborately done and the elephant walk is an amazing sight to see. My favorite part of the show is the parade, it comes out of nowhere and the children in the audience are so drawn in by the dancing camels that come right up to them and the carpet flying right over thier heads. AMAZING!

Disney does such an amazing job at creating shows that evoke such wonderful emotion. People will stand an hour in line, in the rain just to see this show!

I realize that the show can't go on forever, but it saddens me to think that my children wont be able to take their children to see such an amazing show. Its been our tradition since it first started. I wish Diseny could find a way to keep it and make room somewhere else for the Toys! As the Genie would say.. "there's an APP for that!" I WISH!
I highly encourage anyone who hasnt seen this absolutely spectacular show to get their butts over to Disney's California Adventure and see it! It comes to an end sometime in August.
Such great memories! Thank you Disney for a job well done!

Disney Fever

It’s a contagious longing sensation brought on by thoughts of magical happiness and a mouse. My love for Disneyland is immense, I can’t even begin to explain the emotions that overcome me each and every time we go or even plan to go. Just thinking of that magical place puts a smile on my face and gives me goose bumps.

In our house we get what we like to call “Disney Fever”. It comes along once a month or so when one of us in the family starts talking about Disneyland. When somebody in our home gets this “Disney Fever” its time for a therapeutic trip to Disneyland. So before we know it, we start planning our next adventure.

I can never seem to get enough of it! I tear up every time I walk onto Main Street USA. It smells the same, looks the same, and it reminds me of special memories that will be treasured forever. The music, the smells, the decorations, everything just takes me away. Disneyland is a connection to the past and the future for many. For me it helps me to remember happy times, even though in reality they were seemingly bad times. When someone in our home gets Disney fever it usually means something sad is currently happening, or life is getting too stressful and Disneyland has a magical way of taking all that away. Maybe it’s tradition, maybe it’s familiar or maybe it’s just simply the enchantment of it all but whatever it is, it works! It takes away your pain or your troubles even if for just one day. Disneyland feels like home. The greatest thing about Disneyland is that each time I go back, the magic is still waiting for me and there is a memory around every corner!

My absolute favorite thing is watching the excitement in my children’s eyes when they see a character or view the fireworks…ohhh the fireworks, nobody compares to the special fireworks performance that Disney presents. Just the firework theme music “Remember the Magic” makes me cry, its’ amazing!!! If you have ever been around Christmastime, its even more amazing, because at the end of the fireworks show it starts snowing everywhere on Main Street…cue the “make-you-cry” theme music! Again, I get all teary-eyed. My children who have never actually seen a real snowfall think that this is so miraculous.

Our magical adventures involve many traditions. We always take home a souvenir, we always have to get a Mickey shaped ice cream sandwich and a trip to Disney would not be complete without wearing the ears!!! Disneyland is always thrilling for the rides but its also a thrill just doing the unique experiences that undoubtedly create a little bit of Disney magic for all of us. Dutch loves to become a Jedi Knight and Save the Star Wars Universe or Play pirates and become lost on Tom Sawyer Island. Alexzandra loves to become a Princess and Go to the Royal Ball (Princess Character breakfast) or the fairy world kicks in, she puts on her wings and she swears she hears Tink fluttering somewhere nearby. Whatever the attraction is, whether it be a ride, or a special food, or a hug from the mouse himself, Disneyland excels at creating a lifetime of magical memories for young and old alike. I am thankful to have the opportunity to help create wonderful magical memories for my children to pass on to their children.

Everyone needs a happy place and the place with pixie dust will definitely always be our HAPPY PLACE.

I think I feel a fever coming on!!