It’s taken me a while to write this post. Partly because I’ve been consumed with sewing and partly because I wasn’t sure what my message was. For Jason’s second birthday we took him to Magic Kingdom, thanks to Disney’s Give a Day Get a Day Program.  He LOVED the Buzz Light Year ride, but I think we all would have just as much if not more fun at the park with perhaps a trip to the Disney Store to pick out his Buzz and Woody action figures (which he too loves). So, rather than tell you not to take your toddler to the most magical place on earth, I’m going to tell you how to ensure you have a good time.

Do yourself a favor and take the day off to go on a weekday. Although Disney goes to great lengths to entertain in the lines, it soon falls on deaf ears. Hit the park early, be there 45 min before the park opens, allowing you to park, get tickets and take the ferry or metro rail over to the park.

You can’t do Disney without a plan. Check out the Magical Beginnings website and see what rides and attractions are suitable for the little guys. You can go here and customize a free full color map and they will mail it to you.

Bring your own lunch and juice/water. A lunch from home would have been more tasty and less expensive than what we picked up.  Check out the dining available and if you plan on eating at a restaurant, make reservations.

My suggested plan: Hit Fantasyland first. It’s where you’ll see all the scaled-down classic Disney attractions. After hitting up Tomorrow land’s Buzz ride head back to sit down near Pooh’s playground have some lunch play a bit and let them crash in the stroller (or head back to the hotel if you have one), relax on a shady bench or check out the air-conditioned Tinker Bell’s Treasures shop at Cinderella’s castle. From Fantasyland, stroll over to Mickey’s Toontown Fair. The parade is at 3pm and they have shows prior to that in front of the castle. If you can’t make it that long in the park, head over to Downtown Disney for some fun shopping, legos and even some dinner. Again, don’t think about dining without a reservation.

We missed out on Disney’s Harmony Barber Shop on Main street and got his hair cut a week later, but I’m sure that is probably the best place ever for a first haircut, although its hard to top watching Buzz in a Taxi.

I hope this helps. We’ll probably go back when he’s 8 or when he asks whichever comes first.

Brian and I were talking at dinner about one of Jason’s words we haven’t been able to decipher, Ala. As were thinking of what it could be, Jason is rolling around on the floor with his fire hat with more baby babble. Then he starts repeating kabala. Brian suggested if he is in fact saying allah and kabbalah and says torah next, we should start listening more closely. He was trying to say cowboy (who says a cowboy wouldn’t wear a shiny red hat?) at dinner, and still no idea what ala is.

Today Jason got his first haircut. We went to Cool Cuts 4 Kids and it was a blast. Jason sat in a taxi and watched Toy Story(there is a glare but its on). Before we knew it it was over and he played on a train station while I paid. It helped that I spray him with detangler all the time and have taken scissors to his head before, but these people know what they are doing. Brian actually goes to a similar place, Sports Clips. It is a sports themed environment and the guys get to watch sports while they get their hair cut. Now, if only I could get the style channel while I get my hair trimmed we would be all set.

I hope that you find what your searching for. If you’re lucky enough to already have it, hang on tight.

My Mom took this photo on a recent visit. Its such a treat to see her so frequently and for her to play with Jason. I love this photo, Jason has his full palm on the ball, one foot in the air ready to take off across the court.

In a courtroom last week, a judge asked the State of Florida and myself if we had any problems with the reunification of a mother and her son, and I was lucky enough to be able to say no. It was a great case to get my feet wet with, I know that they will not all go that well. Nearly 31,000 children in Florida are abused neglected and more than 6,300 of those children do not have a Guardian ad Litem. If you are interested in becoming a Guardian ad Litem volunteer please contact 1-866-341-1425 or visit the Guardian ad Litem website at GuardianadLitem.org.

Qualifications of a Guardian Ad Litem

• You must be objective and non-judgmental and be able to interact with people of various educational, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• A sincere concern for the well-being of children.
• You must be able to complete 30 hours of training to ensure that you are ready to carry out your role as an informed and knowledgeable child advocate.
• You must be able to pass a criminal background check.
• You should be able to commit about 8-10 hours a month to working on your assigned case. My experience has been way less, I am sure that there will be a case that requires more.

What exactly does a Guardian ad Litem do?

• A Guardian ad Litem investigates, writes reports, speaks to the judge, and testifies in court.
• The Guardian ad Litem has a great responsibility to protect a child from further victimization by spending his or childhood in multiple, unfamiliar, and temporary placements.
• The child needs someone to advocate quickly for a safe and permanent home.  There is an undeniable personal fulfillment of ensuring that a child is not forgotten.

We’re just waiting for Jason to wake up to head over to hang out with some friends and family. I have cupcakes, wings and potato skins all packed up and waiting for my sleeping prince.  I must admit that I didn’t know who was playing until I went to Publix this morning and saw all the balloons and after discussing it with Brian, GO SAINTS!

Here are some fun Superbowl XLIV Coloring Pages. They have a ton of teams in addition to the Colts and Saints. I printed out the Bucs and the Dolphins too. And for the adults…here is a fun drinking game.

BOA is helping us save our nickels and dimes by giving away general admission to participating museums, zoos, science centers, botanical gardens and more on the first full weekend of each month. Just by presenting any Bank of America Card. Just visit Museums on Us for more details.

We are BOA users, but the closest thing to us is St. Pete. Luckily we will be headed to Miami on the first weekend in March for my Momma’s birthday and hope to take the troops over to the Miami Children’s Museum.

I am enjoying sitting at the machine working on the last items for my Etsy Store. These were a recent gift for a new mom and good friend. The front is 100% cotton and back a terry cloth. Even though the cotton can be washed, I would use the front as a drool catcher and the back for eating. I don’t have anymore of this fabric and I may or may not incorporate applique on the next batch, I like how the new fabric looks without. If I can get my hands on the same fabric there will be more of these in the future.

The Sunday before last I helped my niece clean out her room. I wish I would have done before and after shots with the room. She did a fantastic job of sorting and getting rid of things she didn’t need or want. She donated a TON of stuff. I would give her bins of sorting assignments and fill them up when she was done. I would quickly ask “keep or toss?” before throwing the item towards its new fate. I found her Jesus bear, which I knew was similar to Jason’s Mine in that she loves it and slept with it for many years. Clearly her dog got to it. When i picked it up I saw her look at it to which I said “repair or toss?” Repair! she said with certainty. So above is the before and below is the after. I looked at two Joann Fabric’s (including their catalogs) and a Walmart to find the same fabric and I couldnt. So I picked my favorite fleece and gave it a Jesus shirt and pocket(the original had a back pocket in the same spot). I hope she likes it.