Why is it that when you are waiting for your Walt Disney World vacation to begin, the two week countdown slowly drags by but when you are actually at Walt Disney World for a two week vacation that same period of time scoots by like a scuttlebug cuttin’ a rug?
We’re home. And, yes, even after two weeks at the Mouse house I was sad when our vacation came to a close.
We had an absolutely magical time though. Here’s a breakdown of the good:
– not one but two Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties to attend
– seeing and touring with my SIL who flew down from DC to join the fun
– delicious meals in some of Disney’s signature restaurants
– visiting both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach (Disney’s water parks) for the first time
– not worrying about planning for, preparing, or cleaning up after two week’s worth of meals
– tasting foods and wine from around the world during the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot
– being invited to attend a sneak preview of the new Tink movie (which by the way comes out on Disney DVD on October 28th).
– the opportunity to hang with my peeps when all but one of my Moms Panel crew (plus our beloved Disney Cast Member friends) flew in for the Expedition Everest 5K at Animal Kingdom
– and speaking of the EE5K, did I mention I was participating? More on that later…
In spite of being surrounded by pixie dust for two whole weeks, we did encounter one or two less-than-magical happenings. Luckily this list is much shorter than my first:
– bickering kids. It seems that with only 13 percent of the square footage we’re used to having at home the 380 square foot hotel room was a tad cramped once we crammed all six of us into it.
– weight gain. I came home five pounds heavier. Yeah, um, apparently the fact that my running shoes, shorts, and sports bra were hanging out in the suitcase didn’t do much for the toning and trimming of the mom bod. Whatever.
– ER visit. No, not the filming set. Jayce developed a sudden onset of croup eight nights in that landed Jeff and I in the hospital with him from about 3am until 7am. And wouldn’t you know it was the night before that 5k I was supposed to be running? You can imagine what that did for my athletic stamina.
I’m proud to report though, that in spite of that little medical emergency, I did in fact not only complete my first ever 5k, but I did far better than I thought I would. I anticipated that I’d walk (power walk that is) about 50% of the course. In all my training I never was able to come even close to running 3 miles. Of course, that training did take place here in Arizona where, believe it or not, we do actually have some elevation. In case you haven’t heard we also have heat. So that training I did in the heat and altitude apparently really helped because when it came time to run through the Animal Kingdom I was pleased as punch to find that the humidity wasn’t all that hard to overcome.
And my Torri? Well let me just tell you that she is one HQP my friends. She was all prepped to babysit that night but when Jayce suddenly developed the inability to breathe she stepped right up and agreed to be my running partner instead. In her black low-top Converse shoes btw. And her short shorts. She ran right along side me in spite of not having trained at all.
See? Total HQP.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
And I promise to work hard at catching up with my overflowing email inbox and bloglines feeds. Yes, I am totally dying to hear what you all have been up to over the last two weeks! I hope you’ll forgive my absence and lack of commenting. I’ll make up for it! ;)
Oh, and if you’re the least bit interested, check back this weekend for pictures and highlights from our Summer Send-Off Bash at the Beach Club!
Toodles.
It was so fantabulous to see you again, and to meet your wonderful family. They are ALL HQP, I assure your dear readers.
Wow what an eventful trip! Minus the croup, glad you had a fabulous time and finished the 5K! You are an amazing inspiration!
;)
Welcome back, missed you!
Sounds like you had a blast (minus the fighting and croup!)
Wow, sounds like a great trip minus the ER visit and illness.
Can’t wait to see more pics. The one you just posted is really great!
I bet you had a blast!! I can’t wait to see all the pics!
Steph
WOW, what a couple of amazing girls you are, so proud of the both of you!!
Yay, Darcie’s back! I am so impressed with how well you did in the marathon…you rock! Can’t wait to see more pictures.
I can’t wait to see the pictures! Welcome home. :)
Welcome back! Have been thinking about you. Sounds like the trip was god overall:)
Welcome back! Sounds like the good outweighed the bad – so I’m glad you had a great trip! Can’t wait to hear more and see photos. :)
Welcome Back! :)
Welcome back! I hope Jayce is feeling better. Torri certainly gave you a happy ending to the EEC story. She is a great girl! I am looking forward to hearing about your Summer Send-Off. Take care!
Glad you’re back safe & sound. Sounds like a good time was had by all. I know Ashley said she had fun and was glad to see everyone. Congrats on the race – proud of you & Torri. Jeff doesn’t remember but he had croup a lot when he was about Jayce’s age. I spent many a night with him in the bathroom with the shower steaming it up in the middle of the night. It’s such an awful sound – like a dog barking – and there’s nothing you can do. Glad Jayce is better now. Give him a kiss for me.
Love you too, Momma! :]]
YAY!!! Congrats to you and Torri on the 5k!
It’s so fun to hear about your trip. I’ve been thinking about you a lot over the last few days. Looking forward to seeing those pics!
GLAD YOU HAD FUN! GLAD YOU ARE BACK! WE MISSED YOU!
Good job on the 5K! I’m glad that your vacation went well, minus the croup. I’m fairly certain the croup has to be the worst of the childhood illnesses!
Welcome back and congratulations on the 5k! That’s it. I’m going somewhere at sea level to run! ;)
Congrats on the race! Woot!
The Disney pics look fabulous. And happy to hear that pesky ER visit didn’t ruin the mood of your vacation.
LOVE the Tootles part! We watch Mickey’s playhouse just about every day!
My friend linked over here from Kellie at La Vida Dulce’s blog and told me tonight at church about you running the Expedition Everest Challenge. How cool is that because SO DID I!!!!! Wasn’t it great? I try and run a race a month, and it was truly the best race I have EVER run even over the WDW Marathon which I ran almost 2 years ago (the race was good, but the torture on your body was not). Anyway, so I browsed around Kellie’s blog and found you. I just thought that was really, really cool!!! Congrats on your first 5K!! My hubby just started running in March and loved this race. In fact, he loved it so much he wanted to go back to Orlando and run in Tower of Terror. We have already committed to do something at church so we aren’t able to go. Oh well. Soo, when is your next race? I would love for you to check out my blog, as I posted a few pictures of the race as well.
Girl I am so in for Expedition Everest Challenge next year. I can’t wait. In January my hubby and I are actually going to sign up for the Goofy Challenge for 2010 – is the the 1/2 marathon on Sat. then the full marathon on Sun. The saying is you have to be goofy to do it. I can’t believe we are going to sign up. I am running the Princess 1/2 marathon with my little sister who ran in EEC also in March. I have been trying to come up with a creative outfit for us. I can’t wait.