Tag Archives: Disney World

Mommy 101

Top Moments of 2018

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The days, months, years as a parent fly by, as much as we focus on just getting through a day and look forward to trips, events and making memories, sometimes those achievements and milestones all start to blend. So, since today is the last day of 2018, I decided I want to reflect on some of our top moments in the past year.

Texas – For Spring Break we traveled to Texas and visited family and friends in Dallas and Houston. We watched a Dallas Mavericks game, went to the Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston and Kemah Boardwalk. It’s great to be able to expand their minds, show them new places and watch as they explore.

Baseball – From our farm ball team, to summer league, taking in several Oakland A’s games and ending the year with winter baseball camp, the boys definitely have a love for the game.

Photo Shoot – We booked our first lifestyle print modeling gig together, as a Mom and two sons! It’s easy work for them…they had to play with toys for the gig.

California Adventure – I had a work trip to Anaheim to check out Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort, and I was able to bring the boys along for the ride! It was a quick one day trip for them, fly down to SoCal in the morning, then last flight back home at night… I had to explain to them, that’s not “normal,” and that they were very lucky to have that experience.

Pre-K Graduate – Isaiah successfully completed preschool and couldn’t wait to join his big bro in elementary school.

Hawaii – The Hawaiian Islands are probably my most favorite places to visit, and this year I was able to take the boys to Maui to get their first taste of aloha. They loved it, and they think this will be a yearly adventure now!

4th of July Parade – Every year our city has an Independence Day parade and for the second year in a row, the boys were in it!

School – This fall, both of them started at the same school on the same schedule. I have a kindergartener and a first grader, seriously…this is when I’m thinking time needs to slow down!

 

Green Fish – The local swimming pool association where we live offers free KinderSwim lessons for kindergarteners in the spring and fall. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for the kids to really get comfortable in the water and swim with classmates. My boys each took it a step further by earning “green fish,” which means they can torpedo across the pool, front and back and also tread water for 5 MINUTES! I’m still beyond amazed at the accomplishment.

Disney World – An October trip to Florida gave me the opportunity to make a quick stop in Orlando to take the boys to Disney World and Hollywood Studios. We stood in line for nearly 3 hours and endured 2 rain delays while trying to get on the Slinky Dog roller coaster in Toy Story Land. I think the fact that my boys actually endured the wait and saw it through to actually get on the ride is HUGE in itself.

Turkey Trot – For the second Turkey Day in a row, my boys participated in the Oakland Turkey Trot fun run called, “Stomper’s Stomp.” There was an absolute downpour as soon as the race started, but it didn’t stop my love bugs from being the first to finish!

What a year!! And now- time to do it all again… more memories, milestones and Mom-life!

 

Mommy 101

Too Young to Disney?

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I recently started contemplating on when is the right time to take my boys to Disney. Well since Isaiah is still an infant, I wasn’t necessarily thinking if it was right for him, but I decided to wonder aloud on my Facebook page to see what my circle had to say about it! Raef is officially a toddler now at 16 months, and I am so anxious for him to experience all the fun perks of being a kid and I definitely look forward to all the great places I can take him…Disney being one of them! Plus, of course I’d like to take advantage of the “free” admission while he’s underage! 😉

At any rate, a great conversation ensued with parents weighing in on with first hand experience and insight on when to “Disney,” and I’m sharing some of the best responses below…

Sharmin – I took my daughter at 4 months old. We took her on almost every ride. We took her several times before she was two. My favorite was at 18 months when she was able to walk on her own and explore. She loved it! I think any age is okay for Disneyland

Larissa – My daughter’s first visit she was 6 months my son about a year old, even though they don’t remember it taking pictures is what counts…. I say you are never too young or too old for Disneyland

Marissa – We took Enzo every year…his first time at 18-months. We founds that the year he was 4 was the best year because he could remember everything and articulate what he wanted to do. But when he was 5 (almost 6) we went again and he could go the entire day (literally 8 am to close) without stopping and wanting to go back to the hotel to nap!

Monique – Good thing about before 2 is it’s free:-) you can watch the shows, go to the rides like dumbo and toon town:-) its great for memories of pictures

Amy – I’ve taken Zoe every year since she was born, wouldn’t change it for the world. The first year watching her just taken in the lights and her little smile was so precious! Do it! We even started a pin collection for her.

Reina – we took miles when he was 28 months old, which was just right for him to articulate what he experienced (well in 2-word sentences). i think younger than 2 would not be worth it, albeit memorable for you as a parent. sorry to be a party pooper… lol.

Michelle – It’s going to be a lot of work for you with no memories for them – go to a small fun park like pixey play land or fairy land in northern cal, I’m sure they have something like those in southern cal. Best ages for us were 3 & 5 and ever since then;) If you’re the one who really wants to go, then by all means go!

Alex – Daughter was a few weeks shy of her first bday when we took her and our 6 yo son. She was all smiles on several of the rides and especially loved the bird show in the Tiki room. We were there four days BUT we stayed at the Grand Californian and that makes ALL the difference in the world when doing Disney with a baby.

After reading all the feedback from my friends, I actually decided I will hold off another year until making a trip to Disneyland or Disney World. Although everyone makes a great case for going and I’m sure the photos are a lot of fun, but since I have 2 in tow, it would be a lot of “work” and I figure I can take them to a petting zoo or local park with a few rides, and the smiles would be just as big!