Walt Disney World!

I wish I would have blogged about our awesome trip to Disney World as soon as we got back home rather than waiting three weeks...  back then I was still on the "vacation high" and probably had lots to say.  Now though I just feel hurried... boo!

We had such an awesome time in Orlando!  The weather was perfectly "Florida hot" and sunny our entire trip.  

Friday we arrived at Old Key West Resort.  Our room was so charming!  It was right by a bus stop to all the theme parks and just a short walk to the pool, club house, restaurants, etc.  You know Disney, they go all out to make you feel like you are actually in the area of the country represented by the resort, so even though I have never been to Key West I sure felt like that's where I was staying.  

Our first evening we headed to Downtown Disney via boat to eat and sight see and then took advantage of the late pool hours to swim.  Saturday morning we were up and at 'em early, early to get to Magic Kingdom when it opened.  We spent all day going from ride to ride to ride making sure we did every little thing Max wanted to do, and even a few things he didn't want to do (ahem, Carousel of Progress...).  Four years ago he was in love with Splash Mountain but this year he's favorites were easily Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain.  Those were ridden several times in a row.  There were a lot of things that Max thought were "too babyish" for him though.  He is a thrill ride kind of guy!  Even so, we were at Magic Kingdom from open until close and saw/did it all!  The day ended with the electrical parade down Main Street USA.  Max chose a Goofy stuffed animal as his souvenir and held him tightly as he watched the parade go by.

Sunday morning we decided to give Epcot a try.  Last time we were in Orlando we did Hollywood Studios so this time we thought we'd do something different.  (Afterward we wished we had done Hollywood again though)  At Epcot Max got to meet Goofy and ride a ton of fun rides.  We soared over California,  visited Space a couple times, designed our own simulated roller coaster using physics, and so much more.  We also explored all the different countries in Epcot and decided Germany was our favorite because they had so much great candy!  Max had a caricature done in France that was really fun and I think was the highlight of the day for Chris for some reason.  The only thing we didn't get to do was ride the Chevy Test Track as it was closed.  Dang.

Monday was our pool day at the resort.  And we were there alllll day.  We rented a pedal boat (what a leg workout), spent the day swimming, and Max got to participate in a lot of fun games on the pool deck as part of the day.  A "cold front" came through that morning so it was only 80 degrees that day, too.  Joy!  I think one of our favorite things was getting those drink refills a gazillion times.  Had to get our moneys worth, after all!  Later that night we took the boat back to Downtown Disney for dinner and shopping and fun at the Lego store.  Fun place!  

Tuesday morning we headed back to the airport and said goodbye to our vacation.  Max cried.  It was hard to go back home.  We had such a great trip and made many memories!  We are looking forward to the next time we can get away...

Here are MANY pictures to look at, in no particular order (again, because I feel too hurried to organize)

Spring Break 2013 - Destin, FL

Ahhh... spring break.  Man, we needed one this year.  It is April 5th and it's STILL winter in Ohio.  Max had his winter coat on for school today, I had to wear winter running clothes including gloves and ear warmers, and not a flower or leaf is in bloom.  We have had winter since October, for real.  (remember the sleet on Halloween folks?)  So for a trip to spring weather, we were ready!

We left after school on Friday and made our pit stop in Nashville.  This time we decided to stay for two night so we could catch a Vanderbilt baseball game on Saturday evening.  Chris had a great time showing Max where he played, telling him about the differences to the field now, and even running into an old teammate while we were there.

Sunday we left for Destin... destination, the Plasiers.  We always have a great time with them.  The kids play so well together and Max and Brody are just one year apart, so they have a lot in common.  Plus Carrie and Eric know all the unique, local things to do and are just great hosts, always!

The first three days in FL were chilly (but better than the snow that arrived at home) so we did non-beachy things... we had fun getting in a "spring training" hitting and baserunning practice for the boys at a field in Destin, took them to The Track where they got to drive go-carts, race bumper boats, crash bumper cars, play mini golf and more, visited friends staying at a nearby condo for swimming in their heated pool and even got to be the very first kids EVER to be allowed to visit the Meyer Skimboard Co. in Miramar Beach- the kids got to pick out and paint their very own skimboards (in which they put to good use on Thursday and Friday at the beach).  We also spent a day at Baytowne Wharf where Max did the unthinkable and climbed a really tall ropes course all the way to the top and rang the bell.   It was really fun!

Max out on the plank, ringing the bell!

The latter days of the week were PERFECTLY warm.  We spent lazy mornings playing video games and getting ready for the beach.  On Friday we even set up an egg hunt for them in the sand using eggs they colored earlier in the week as well as plastic eggs buried with coins so they could use Brody's metal detector to find them.  Then we spent all afternoon just lounging in the sand while the boys kayaked, made sand castles, threw a football, learned to skimboard, etc.  Ahhhh.  If only I lived there!!!  

Thursday night the three of us headed to Watercolor Inn and Resort for family photos taken by Red Stone Photography.  I was relieved to give control over our pictures to someone else.  No more setting a timer and running for me! :)  We spent time exploring the cute little town and beautiful resort as well as shopping a little bit in Seaside then met Carrie and the kids for dinner at a fun place called Elmo's on 30A.  

us, jumping at sunset

On Saturday it was time to head home but we convinced Chris to let us have one more beach morning. So from 9:30-12 we beached it again!  Then we went home, showered, packed up and headed north to Nashville for the night... wishing the whole time we could turn back and spend more time with our friends.

It was a much needed break.  We came  home with a lot of memories and a little sun... and proposals of doing it all over again next year.

Now... just 30-some days till Disney and only 8 weeks of school left!!!  Wow!  Here comes summer... (wonder if Ohio will have a spring first?)

Fishers, IN Mudsock Classic | January 11-13, 2013

Max's first big travel meet!  He was so excited to stay in a hotel with the team.  Only 5 of the 8U boys attended this competitive meet and Max did a fantastic job!  He swam his heart out and earned 7 ribbons (swimming personal bests in nearly every event) and was the third highest point-earner on our whole team!  It's so fun watching him as he excels...

Four meets left over the next month and a half before short course season ends.  Then a short three week break before long course starts in April.  Swim, swim, swim!

 Max out in front on the 50 free

 The 8U boys watch the 10U kids warm up

 Breast stroke.  His least fave.  He has improved this stroke 1324x over!  Lookin' GOOD!

 Leading the heat in breast.

 50 backstroke. One of his favorites due to the unique flip turn he gets to do.

 Four of our Sharks in the fastest heat for the 100 Free.  Personal bests for all! (Max is the one in focus... with the long name on his cap near the top of the photo)

 And they're off!

 Coach Lee and Max discussing a few things during warm ups.

Coach John and Coach Lee with the 8U team.

Sporty Weekend

Basketball season officially began for Max this past weekend.  We were up early on Saturday for his 8:00 game at Springboro Intermediate.  The scoreboard wasn't operating properly but we won 62-14, or something like that.  The highlight of the game for Max was when the other team's coach approached Chris and asked "Who is that tall kid on your team?  He is a great shooter!"  It's kind of amazing to see how far the kids come in a year's time.  Rebounding and passing has improved big time making it even more fun to watch.

 Max and his buddy, Nathan

 He shoots and scores!

 The team... Max looks like a giant!

 Rebound!

 Dribbling down the court.

Playing D and blocking the shot.

On Sunday Max had a swim meet at Cincinnati Country Day school.  This was his best meet by far!  He knocked seconds off every single one of his strokes and earned a mass of ribbons.  His favorite event of the day was the 100 IM.  He won his heat and got 4th overall, and this was a meet chock full of super fast kids.  We are all looking forward to his meet next weekend in Indiana... a sleep over meet!  It's going to be highly competitive and really fun to watch.  Go Max!

 Backstroke

 Waiting in the clerk of course

 Backstroke

 Breast stroke

100 IM