Orlando, Disney and Universal (Harry Potter heaven!!)

poolside and courtside - so fun!

What a trip! We just spent 10 days in Orlando and I could have written a blog every day - even for those nice down time days we planned for in between theme parks and excursions. We had so many questions before we left, specifically about Disney and Universal; was it as busy as they say? Did we have to have every moment of our day and all of the rides planned out? Was the Express pass at Universal worth it? Did we need two days or one? And as with most things, we learned best by doing - and now I have answers! It was my first trip to Florida (I grew up in BC), and my first impressions were more about the culture and just how different it is in the USA (it's been a while since I've been stateside). We stayed at a villa - a giant new-build house (that made me appreciate the solidity of our 130-year old home, doors and all) - in Kissimmee in a community called Westside at Windsor. It seemed a bit out there, not being close to downtown Orlando at all, but it actually wasn’t too far from theme parks, and with a pool (complete with lazy river and hot tub), a basketball/tennis court, and an arcade room, the amenities were great for families. 

first butterbeer!! and walking in diagon alley.. love love love

talking portraits in the forbidden journey

it was like being in the movies... incredible!

hanging in the three broomsticks & the knight bus

self-knitting needles - magic!

more magic... all! day! magic!

We arrived late on Wednesday night and spent Thursday hanging out with family and getting settled before a full day on Friday. With his sister’s family and his parents, Steve took Alana and Jordan to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Hendrik and I made for Universal Studios with a two-day park-to-park ticket with the intention of getting our fill of all things Harry Potter. The drive there and parking were a breeze, and after we picked up our tickets at Universal Studios (not Islands of Adventure) and unlimited Express Passes (we splurged!), we walked into the park early! We thought we’d have to wait until 9:00 but were in the park around 8:15 and on Escape from Gringott’s at 8:30 - !! It was an amazing ride and everything is recreated in such detail… it was fantastic. And so is the rest of Diagon Alley. We spent most of our morning wandering, exploring the shops, drinking butterbeer (we sampled hot - too sweet, and cold - delicious), selecting a wand (after much deliberation Hendrik chose Sirius Black’s - I thought he was going to go for Harry’s) and practicing magic. Eager to visit Hogsmeade we took the Hogwart’s Express - another incredible adventure - and after more spells settled down for lunch at the Three Broomsticks. We rode the Forbidden Journey and after a rounds on the Flight of the Hippogriff (a very short ride) we decided to venture further afield and explored the rest of IOA. We both had fun running around the Jurassic Park playground thing, but Hendrik passed on the River Adventure ride; we also passed on Skull Island and Toon Lagoon but you better believe that we sat in the front seat on the Incredible Hulk coaster… it was intense. We rode twice in a row and I needed a break, so we did a few other rides (I think one of them was Spider Man which wasn’t that great) before heading back to the Hogwart’s Express and Diagon Alley. There may have been a few more trips back and forth, but we didn’t double up on many more rides after that (I don’t think) - day two was a different story though! There were some great areas for younger kids (younger than Hendrik, who is 9 as of Thursday) - like the Dr Seuss area. The park did seem geared towards older kids and adults, and Hendrik and I kept commenting on how the attractions weren’t really right for Alana and/or Jordan. (The Forbidden Journey was intense! A warning to younger riders is in order - a friend gave me this good advice, so we were both somewhat prepared.)

we had a few great meals at the three broomsticks - with butterbeer, of course!

fun behind the wheel :)

SO fun, so magical

It sounds like the Disney crew had a great time too, and even Jordan enjoyed some of the more intense rides like Splash Mountain and Space Mountain. Alana and her cousin Lennon met Ariel, and I think the themed rides were a hit… yay. Hendrik and I missed the light show on Hogwart’s (we were both cold - and tired after a full day of walking and rides) and the other crew didn’t stay for fireworks, so we met up at home around 8:00 and shared stories about the day before an early bedtime for everyone.

cousin crew

mini-golf FUN

and more mini-golf fun - there were alligators there!

Saturday and Sunday were low-key pool days, and we only left to go mini-golfing (followed by a delicious Mexican lunch and a trip to Target), so we were ready for a full day trip to the Kennedy Space Centre on Monday. And it was amazing! We did the bus tour first which took us to several different launch pads and an outbuilding that houses the Saturn V rocket (the largest rocket ever flown... it was HUGE). The many buildings and exhibits are fantastic, and the kids were engaged and the adults were engaged - there were fun and interesting things for all. (My favourite part was the Apollo building - but I didn’t watch the 3D IMAX stars show, which the kids really enjoyed!) We spent the whole day there, and could have taken more time and done more, so it is a good idea to get there on the early side. Traffic was slow on our way home, so we stopped for dinner at a Cracker Barrel - a first for me and a nostalgic stop for the Brinkmans (who would stop here on road trips on Florida road trips when Steve and his sister were kids… I think). 

you better believe I got my hands on this donut! I shared.

Tuesday was another recovery day - we hung out by the pool and at the park and at the beach volleyball court - and Wednesday Hendrik, Steve and I went back to Universal and IOA for day two. I think we could have done what we wanted in one day, but it was great to come back and experience Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade again, and we really enjoyed the rides on day two. I think we rode Escape from Gringotts five times in a row and we were definitely more able with the wand and spells. We didn’t make it onto the new ride (we beelined for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures coaster as soon as we got there, but the park didn’t open early (we went to IOA first) and the ride was delayed, so after waiting in line for 45 minutes we bailed - and wait times were almost three hours later in the day) but did Jurassic Park River Adventure twice (fun) and the Incredible Hulk coaster (always in the front seat) at least three times. SO MUCH fun! We drank lots of butter beer (frozen was the best - it lasted the longest) and enjoyed another fish and chips lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Our only other purchases were sherbet lemons and some candy at Honeydukes. And guess what? Steve is now reading the first Harry Potter - yay! The books are so good, and I wish we’d binge watched the movies before we visited the parks. (There were lots of people dressed up in capes and full Hogwarts apparel which was amazing - families, older couples, kids… so fun!)

It was a rainy start but a great day at Disney!

Disney cousins (H and I were drinking butterbeer)

As always, there is more to write about and I need to get started on another blog (Hendrik turned 9!) so I’ll get this one up and hopefully get started on another. Happy December!

coming late... Halloween and Beautiful BC!

Hi hi! These days I seem compelled to start each blog with a "I can't believe how long it's been" but maybe I should just set some new standards or goals for myself with a once a month post (could I do twice a month?). Life is busy - almost to the max - and I'm wondering how I'll do it all next year when I'm working full time. Balance... I'll keep striving for it and do my best to keep a no stress attitude! Here are a few pics of the last few weeks (or more) of our lives...

We watched Steve play hockey last week - super fun!

candy!!!!

Halloween 2019! Alana dressed up as a unicorn, I was a mommy unicorn (found a cheap adult-sized costume at the thrift store), Jordan was a robot (homemade costume by Steve the costume master), Hendrik was Harry Potter and Steve was Darth Vader... so fun! It rained all day and wasn't looking good for the evening haunt, but the weather cleared up and everyone and everthing (the candy!) stayed dry. Alana, Jordan and I spent some time at a friend's house before heading out, and after a short circuit Jordan wanted to head to Liz's to help hand out candy and warm up. I took Alana, Abiella, Audrey and another friend out and about and Steve went out with Hendrik, Owen and Owen's mom and met up with another family... and they hauled in the goods! It was fun to see everyone spread out their loot, both under the table (Alana) and at home (all!).

face painting - getting ready

on our way out early

all dressed up

candy dump!

pumpkins and faces :)

at work scooping pumpkin guts

I also haven't blogged about our trip to beautiful BC! Jordan and I spent four days visiting my parents in Comox a few weeks ago, and we had a great time. The weather was amazing, and it was such a nice change of pace to just hang out and explore the local beach, see family, eat great food, and spend some one on one time with Jordan. We left Thursday and came back on a Monday, and then it was back to life as usual with school for me and for Jordan. Next week is my last week of classes and then I'm in a grade 2 French Immersion classroom for three weeks before Christmas break (which, for me, is one week longer than the kiddos). Time, as usual, is flying!

donuts after an afternoon stop at the bakery

tractor riding with Grampa... love!

low tide beach walks

beach walks with mom 

gorgeous views in Comox, BC

a blog: started last weekend, finished this weekend!

I am so out of the loop of writing that I'm not keeping track of what I should be blogging about! And we've been horrrrrrible at taking photos - is it because we don't have a functional standalone camera? I'm thinking no - cell phones are always close at hand (but often ignored or hiding somewhere unknown). Anyways, I'll post what I have and go from there?

Jordan loves working at the craft table - and works in his planner just like his big sibs... so cute!

homework time

before (with carpet & lots of wallpaper!) and after (with J) - Steve did a great job!

We spent (last) weekend finishing some things and starting others. Hendrik wrapped up a tryout for a select baseball team and started a volleyball program, and I had my first Western women's game. Steve spent the weekend in Manitoba with the McMaster team and Bob and Marg were here to help with the kids (hurray). Before he left, Steve finished the front entryway - no more carpet and wallpaper! The next project is undetermined, but there are many to choose from. We've had several contractors through to get the ball rolling on the attic conversion (from an empty space to a master with a bathroom), but people are so busy we've only heard back from one guy - and his quote was significantly higher than expected. So we'll wait! I just finished my first practicum of year two of teacher's college, and it was fantastic - I'd rather continue teaching at the school than go back to classes! The best way to learn is by doing. It was great getting to know the students and staff at the school, and I'll definitely go back and visit. I start school on Tuesday for six weeks, and then it's another short practicum before Christmas holidays - already! Time is flying, as usual.

growing up - and fast!

We're in Bowmanville for Thanksgiving weekend, and the kids are loving it! We went for a nice walk this afternoon, and will enjoy a big meal with family tomorrow... if only Comox and Kamloops and Denver weren't so far away! Jordan and I are heading out to BC for a long weekend in a few weeks, and I am really really looking forward to seeing my parents. The bigs are a little jealous, but we are going to Orlando in November - so I can bring that up (and the fact that they're missing 8 days of school) to effectively douse any jealous concerns. I'm sure there's more to write about but since I started this blog last weekend, I'll just get this posted! Maybe with practicum finished and school only two days a week, I'll be better at getting posts posted... but maybe not! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Halloween costume almost complete! and he's ready for Universal... YAY!

September & Summer catch-up

I can't believe I haven't written about the first day of school yet! We've made it through the first two weeks, and everyone is much happier and much more at ease... day one was a little rough! Well, week one was rough. It was an adjustment for me with earlier mornings and making lunches (those lunches!), and for the kids too. Hendrik is in a grade 4/5 split with a few of his friends, and he seems to be loving school (though he won't admit it); getting a two-inch binder was exciting, as was getting a recorder - bah! It isn't driving us crazy (yet), but we have had to kibosh some of the 7:30 a.m. practice sessions. Day one for Alana was hard, despite a very sunny start. She is in a grade 2/3 split and none of her close friends are with her, so she was quite upset and very reluctant to accept her fate. We know her teacher and love her - she had Hendrik for both grades 2 and 3 - so we knew it would be a good place for her (even though we do wish she was with some other girls she knows!). Day two was a little better, and now she seems to be in the swing of things, hurray. Jordan started preschool last Thursday and was sad and teary to say goodbye to Steve, but has improved with the dropoff and now seems to be loving it. I got home from school on Wednesday and told the kids that their swim couldn't be too long as there were thunderstorms in the forecast, and without missing a beat Jordan said "when there's hot air and then when there's cold air and they go together there's thunder and it goes BOOM!" I was amazed! I'm mostly in the swing of things as a core French teacher helping teach grades 4 through 8 at a school in Old South - which isn't too far away from where we live. I'm learning a lot and am having a great experience, so here's to hoping my last practicum is as good as this one!

Other big news is our girl's birthday! We had a double celebration - a birthday end-of-the-summer barbecue on her actual birthday, and then a pool party with her friends a week later. There were amazing treats, great presents and of course, fabulous company! She has a great group of friends, and we celebrated summer with an amazing group of families ... maybe we can make it an annual tradition? Yes!

And it seems as though putting in 12 hours at Canada's Wonderland is becoming an annual summer tradition - we did it again! Towards the end of the summer we took a break from unpacking and renos and spent a solid day at the amusement park. Hendrik was so excited to go on the newest and biggest coaster, the Yukon Striker - and since Steve is too tall and Gramps wasn't interested, I got to go on it with him! It was pretty intense, especially the part where the coaster pauses at the top of a huge incline right before it takes a 90 degree turn and plummets straight down. Hendrik wanted to sit in the front seat but we were in row two which was fine by me... though next year he says we have to get there even earlier, so we can walk right on and be at the front of the line to have our pick. We'll see!

Jordan's Run the Runway is another annual tradition, and we did the 5km race last weekend at the London Airport. This year all three kids ran too, and Hendrik and Alana did pretty well overall. Jordan ran and got a medal, and he is very proud (he calls it his necklace still... cute!). I bid on tickets to the London Airshow, so that's what we're doing tomorrow afternoon after a morning volleyball practice for me and an engineering club program for Hendrik. As always, there's more to write about but I'll leave it at that. Happy Friday!!

at the airshow... HUGE plane!

we didn't take any after pics without the furniture! the top two are the same room and the bottom two are the same room. wallpaper remains in both closets... as a reminder of what once was! 

with wallpaper and old carpet (R) and without (L)

(last Friday's post!) news and new house

I’m finally writing! We have had such a great summer so far (it’s not over yet!) and I thought I’d finally make it a priority to get a post written and posted - there has been so much going on. 

Thanks to Steve’s parents - and some good timing with meetings - we went camping! We spent four nights in Rondeau Provincial Park and the kids LOVED it. Days were spent outside on the beach, outside eating, outside cooking, outside doing light shows (with dollar store glow sticks)... it was fantastic. Steve, Jordan and Hendrik bunked up in the tent, and Alana and I stayed in the tent trailer with Grandma and Gramps. We had great meals (as usual), fun-filled days of swimming and playing in the sand, and, for the most part, good sleeps - everyone was tired! There were some crazy rainstorms in the evenings, but the last day was all clear… good for a sendoff back home. 

The biggest deal of the summer, without a doubt, is the new house. Possession date was supposed to be the 15th but because the previous owner’s family worked so hard to get things ready for their move, we were able to get in on the 2nd. I’ll post some photos of before, because the after sure is coming along. We lucked out and found an electrician who was able to start almost immediately (to replace the knob and tube) and then attacked the wallpaper. Even the kids were enthusiastic about helping, so they put in several hours of work in two of the three rooms. Hendrik’s room was covered in four layers of wallpaper (grey stripes, antique boats, teapots and cakes, brown and orange flowers), our room had just the one pink layer (to match the pink carpet and pink curtains), and Alana and Jordan’s room had two layers. We found plumbers to come replace the antique and sparsely used pipes, a plaster guy to skim coat and sand the walls, and carpet goes in later today. Steve and his dad have done SO much work there - priming, painting, replacing things, ripping up flooring - and replacing an entire wall in the front red shag carpet room. And Steve’s mom and aunt (Tante Sis) have been crazy hard at work too - painting, cleaning, cooking and childminding. We get a moving truck on Sunday, so between now (Friday afternoon) and then many things have to happen, including clean up (and packing - !). Anyways, the kids have been loving the pool, and we are excited for more space. I will definitely miss our house and our neighbours but at least we’re only a block away.

some of the main floor spaces

bedrooms and upstairs bathroom

so much wallpaper!

helpers

I’ve been in Toronto coaching all week (something I committed to long long ago), and it’s been great. I love being in the gym, but I’m excited to get home and see the kids. I stayed with Val, a teammate from the World Masters Games team, and that has also been fantastic; we’ve had some great meals and good chats, hurrrrray! I’m sure, as always, that there’s more to write about but I’ll try to get this posted before times gets away on me again.

Hopefully everyone is enjoying their summer!