I WANNA BE LIKE YOU

And just like that, another play under my belt! Back in April, I had the opportunity to direct The Jungle Book Kids with my #5 in the role of Silly Monkey. This cast was, hands down, the largest I have worked with yet at 76 3rd and 4th graders in total. When all was said and done, we had three FANTASTIC performances and I couldn't be more proud of these kids!

BUNNY DAY

Belated Easter pics. Simple day. Struggles with one. But I got my photos.

DISNEY CHAPERONE - CHOIR

At the end of March, I had the opportunity to travel to Disneyland with my oldest on a jr high choir field trip. To say that our experience was eventful is an understatement. Our trip began with discovering that the travel agency used in booking the trip had made errors in money management, so a friend and I (both well-versed in Disney) immediately set to work finding a solution for the group. Then, to the utter and complete shock of us all... our charter bus hit a semi truck while driving full speed on the interstate. AMAZINGLY, no one was injured. But it did take us 2 hours to get off the bus and created a 5 hour delay in arriving in Anaheim. My group of boys (which didn't even include my own son as he had been asked to switch buses at the start of the trip) entertained themselves at Chipotle and Five Below in Indio while waiting for our backup charter bus. Once IN Anaheim, things ran relatively smoothly. We had two full days in Disneyland and California Adventure - with a brief pause for classes through Disney's Imagination Campus. I buddied up with my good friend, Kim, and, in two days, we rode over 30 rides, walked 28 miles, and ate a million snacks. At one point, we combined with a THIRD group and had a Super Group of 20 people. It was seriously such a blast! 

YESTERYEAR

When students are in 5th grade at our elementary school, they have the opportunity to participate in an event called YesterYear. YesterYear is a day dedicated to engaging in activities similar to those of the pioneers crossing the plains. Students eat "buffalo" stew and biscuits, decorate tin quilt squares, learn how to square dance, ride on a wagon, pan for gold, practice shaving, make beaded bracelets, play pioneer games, and are taught quilt making. Clad in bonnets, aprons, and vest, the student spend an entire day taking part in YesterYear activities and often walk away with positive memories from the event. This year, I was able to volunteer as a group chaperone. I enjoyed following my daughter around as she participated in the various activities and learned more of what life was like as a pioneer. So grateful for our incredible school and the phenomenal teachers who go above and beyond for their students!

WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY

At the end of last summer, I became a Disney travel agent with Castle Bound Travel Co (I posted about it HERE). I applied for the position with the thought, "I am just putting this out into the universe to see what the universe has in store with me" and I was honestly shocked when I received notice that I was being hired! My entire approach with this new undertaking has been along the same line; I'll put myself out there and see what comes back to me. It was, again, with this attitude that I opted to attend the 2023 annual Castle Bound Travel Co travel agent retreat in Florida... And what an INCREDIBLE experience I had! I asked a sweet friend to join me on the trip and it was nonstop smiles and laughter for the both of us. We crammed so much into 5 days, but the highlights include:

staying at Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter ● gluten free beignets from Scat Cat's! ● riding the ferry to Disney Springs ● fish and chips from Cookes of Dublin ● getting treats from Erin McKenna's Bakery (that I never ate because housekeeping accidentally threw them away) ● scanning magic bands and walking into the parks the first time (Hollywood Studios) ● walking right onto Mickey's Runaway Railway ● Toy Story Land and Slinky Dog Dash ● Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster ● Tower of Terror ● last minute reservation for a new-to-me restaurant, Mama Melrose's ● finding Kermit the frog ● spontaneous decision to hop to Animal Kingdom for Expedition Everest ● last minute reservation to Nomad Lounge and getting gluten free churros! ● riding Rise of the Resistance before dashing out of the parks ● dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe with my Castle Bound team and mentors ● giant ice tea ● being put in "jail" during dinner ● our server, Lisa, who was incredibly hilarious ● going to Beaches & Cream after dinner and ordering the Kitchen Sink ● staying at the beautiful Disney's Beach Club ● our retreat conference - just... all of it! ● unexpectedly winning the Social Butterfly award ● meeting up with my friend after lunch with my team ● the Magic Kingdom castle ● buying cute, little girl Minnie Mouse socks for my poor blistered feet ● catching the fireworks show right before dinner ● eating cheese bread and chicken at Jungle Navigation Co. ● walking from our resort next-door to Epcot ● finding a chalk artist with my name! ● THE NEW GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY RIDE! ● doing a small group workshop for social media growth ● my exclusive cocktail hour with the company owner (for being one of the award winners) ● our company doing a dessert party for the Harmonious show ● hitting the last few rides at Magic Kingdom ● last minute reservation for lunch at the Plaza Restaurant ● ending the trip on Haunted Mansion