Disney Cruise: Castaway Cay

  Castaway Cay: Disney's Private Island

 It sounds exclusive and it feels exclusive.  

It was a dream.

 In fact, if the water had been 5 degrees warmer, I would declare Castaway Cay the most idyllic place on the planet.  

 And while a bit chillier than we would prefer, the water was gorgeous.  Crystal clear.  The kids had never seen such a thing.  It was adorable to hear their awe at sight of their toes in the water. 

New Jersey, while wonderful, might not be known for her ocean. 

 Also, water slides and jungle gyms smack dab in the middle of the ocean are nothing short of radical.

Case in point: Ryder on the ropes.

Tessa coming down the slide.

 And that sunshine dancing on our skin: it was like the perfect back scratch.

What I mean is, we were one happy, satisfied bunch.

 To add to the magic of it all, we rented bicycles and pedaled our way around the gorgeous island.

 I was a little (a lot???) rusty, but dudes, I RODE A BICYCLE.  Disney really is magic.

One of our bike-riding expeditions led us to this look-out tower.  

The view was positively splendid.

While on the island, we also enjoyed a yummy BBQ, lots of ice cream, and some silly games.

 Completely, positively 100% idyllic.

 Disney has got the bliss business down.

Disney Cruise: Miami

It's taken us over 8 years, but we've finally figured it out.  

The part where we vacate winter and soak up sunshine.

The part where we give ourselves something to look forward to all of January and actually escape to in February.

The part where we are winning.

Because while January is the Father of misery, February is his evil spawn.

Presenting: The great trade of snow for sunshine 2015.  In the Bahamas.  Via a cruise ship.  Of the Disney variety.  And let's all proclaim, the very best variety (I mean, did you see this article???)

The kids knew we were going to spend 5 days abroad.  We told them Florida.  Because we ported out of Miami.  And they were missing three days of school. 

They had no idea, however, that Florida was not actually our final destination.  Or that Disney would be involved in any way.

So when we pulled up to the port: we, the most amazing parents in the whole world, legitimately felt it.

We spent 4 nights on the Disney Wonder sailing through the Bahamas with a final stop in Key West.

And dangit if Disney doesn't do everything right.  

Ev. Ry. Thing.

 Day One we simply settled in.  Had lunch on the boat, got into our rooms, toured the ship, ate dinner (at Triton's, a Little Mermaid Under the Sea-esque themed restaurant.  It was as adorable as it sounds.), then watched the Golden Mickeys: our live entertainment show of the evening.

 And people, those evening shows were chill-makers.  

Broadway but better because we were on a freaking boat in the Bahamas. 

And not a bored child in sight.  In fact they were on the edge of their seats with excitement sparkling in their eyes.

I'm telling you: magic.  

Every single moment was magic.

Good gosh this is going to be an outright gush-fest.

Let's go.

January iPhone Dump

January was a doozy.

As January's always seem to go.

 Eden killed her front top tooth.  Dead and sad and gray.  So there goes everything.

 Common were days too cold to do anything other than snuggle.  And wish I could swear.

Super Bowl supporters.  Boys against girls.  The girls lost.  But the boys are cheaters, so whatever.

Also, this was technically February 1st.  So I guess I'm a cheater, too.

 Taking advantage of the awful that was January.

Bless them for not realizing this is completely inhumane.

There was a pinewood derby.

This is what 4th place looks like.

Also, Allen and I are still married, so really, this is what success looks like (because pinewood derby's are no good for this relationship).

Ryder has been asking for a mustache car since his derby days began 3 years ago, and as this was his last and final derby (HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!), his father obliged.  

The mustache car was not legal, so it did not race.  But it did make that boy super happy. High fives to his father (even if I wanted to punch him throughout the duration.).

 The kids performed in their winter piano recital.  And per the norm, they killed it. My awe at their confidence will never cease.  Some quick 15 second clips:

And then came the flu.  Of the stomach variety. 

This is where I want to say lots and lots of very bad words.

Eden, Linley and Allen were all hit.  Hard.  

Knocked down dead.

It was 6 days of gross.

I hate you January. Year after year after year I only know loathing for you.

We should try something new next year.

On Procrastination

I should be doing laundry.  The good heavens knows I am up to my eyeballs in the stuff.  And the unmatched socks.  They need to go to, well, not the heavens.

I'll get to it tomorrow.  When I wash the sheets.  Which probably also should haven happened today. Sad face emoji.

The past 5 days have brought two snow storms.  The first one arrived quietly on Saturday; unadvertised but strong.  And snow-filled.  

 It turned what was slated to be an incredibly chaotic Saturday, into a tranquil one.  And I loved it.  We all loved it.

Postponed is all the chaos. Not erased.  Just procrastinated. 

I am becoming a real pro at procrastinating chaos.

 The second storm, arriving Monday and departing Tuesday, was of celebrity status.  Hyper-hyped with promises of epic, record breaking snow fall.  We were going to be buried in feet of snow.  Two, three, six?  The meteorologists couldn't be sure, but it was going to be more snow than we would or could or have ever seen in our lifetimes.  The snow stuff of legends.

 We got six inches.

 But lo, there is no shame in a busted blizzard.  The New Jersey went quiet.  Calm.  Hunkered and happy.  

I quite liked our snorepocolypse.

Buuut, the DMV shut down for the storm that wasn't, and I really needed to renew my license on the exact specific day and it didn't get done, and now I am expired.

I'll renew next week.

Procrastination: it pays.  Or maybe will make me pay.  Please remind to drive the speed limit until next Wednesday.

 Also, my roots.  I really should have made an appointment last month so that my blond may remain rootless, but, I am certain I was far too busy with far more pressing matters.

And then dinner.  Every. Single. Night.  

They always want dinner.

Good gosh I need a dominos in this town.

NYE 2014!!

We partied hard on December 31.  With some of our favorites.

The festivities began with the delivery of pizza for the small people.

Then, for the more discriminating palates, large quantities of food arrived from our favorite local restaurant and from our favorite sushi spot.

At faux midnight (10pm), we enjoyed a 3 minute countdown with King Julien (of Madagascar, for the uninformed variety; Read: those without small, obnoxious children).

The music was loud and the dancing lively.

As hard partying should be.

At the 3-2-1, balloons fell from the ceiling.

And more music and lively dancing ensued.

As hard party-ers should do.

 The evening concluded with a toast, cheers-ing to a fabulous year gone by and an even better year yet to come.

And then we draaannnkkk.

Because, ahem, we party hard.

2014, you were a dream.

Let's smooch.

Hitting the Slopes

 Over Winter Break, Allen earned himself major daddy points by taking the kids snowboarding.

 Tessa loved ski school.  She's begging to return.

Linley and Ryder both did snowboarding school.  

Linley came home and asked for a snowboard for next Christmas.

 After 5 minutes, Ryder was moved up to the intermediate class.  It's pretty thrilling to see him so comfortable on a board.  Any board.

It's also pretty thrilling to see him fall.

 Linley had two of her buddies in her class.  Definitely didn't hurt the enjoyment factor.

 Look at my cute little snow bunnies.  Are boys bunnies?  Probably not.  He also probably wouldn't appreciate being labeled cute.  Or little.

Whatever. Boys suck.

 The Group.

 As soon as their school session was over (it was 3 hours), Ryder and Linley went to Allen begging for more.  They got themselves on the lift and did a couple runs solo.

They're so cool.

 Eden and I stayed nice and cozy at home.  Also important to note, Allen "accidentally" took the keys to my car with him. 

Sooooo, Eden and I stayed nice and cozy and stranded at home.  

I'd say we're all ready for the next trip.