Disney

While we were there in Florida on spring break acting like tourists with all the crazy people, we just figured we would go ahead and go to Disney World.  Because let's face it, our kids could not possibly be more perfect ages.  Nine and eleven.  No strollers.  No piggy back rides.  No "I'm too cool."  No whining.  Barely any whining.  Perfect.

We spent one day at Magic Kingdom a few years back (WITH piggy back rides), so we decided to try Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM)

and our all-time favorite, Epcot.

 Both were wonderful.

Our favorites (in no particular order):

dancers with a ridiculous amount of bounce in their step

a ride that's a video game

very cool stunt show

Tower of Terror

Indiana Jones stunt show

Fantasmic light show

flower and garden show at Epcot (I did not drool even once, but I thought I might!)

Nemo and friends

visiting the countries to get passports stamped...

and pose for a photo in ethnic attire 

(seriously, the kids came up with this one--not that I wouldn't have helped them out!)

being romantic in front of the Eiffel Tower

And did I mention the flowers?  Oh my.

Bountiful indeed!

Spring Training

Here's the reason we intentionally went to Florida during spring break 

when everybody and their brother would be there:

There is only one place and one time of the year you could see your three favorite teams play in one day.   (This particular day being St. Patrick's Day.  Home team in green.  Who knew?)

So we walk into the Tiger's stadium, and the big dude Miguel Cabrera was signing a few autographs before he headed out to first base.  We were right behind him the whole game.  I loved that he was so kind to take a few minutes out for the kids.

The Tigers were hosting the Twins, and it's hard for me to cheer against the Twins.  But for Ben's sake, I was happy the Tigers won.  Normally when we see the Twins and Tigers play, Ben is rooting against the home team at the Twins stadium.  But this time all the Tigers fans were cheering for the home team!

Here the Twins were, trying to strategize their comeback, but to no avail.

A few more autographs after the game, and we were
off to see the Braves play at Champion Stadium.

This time we were right behind third base, where Ben's lifelong hero Chipper Jones was playing.  There were no autographs happening, but we were thrilled to see Chipper back after a season-ending knee injury last year.  He had planned to retire, but he is BACK.  He wanted to go out swinging.  I was so glad Ben got to see him.

He even hit a homer.

After the game the kids got to run the bases.  Ben is, of course, the blur rounding third.  (I wonder if he intentionally found any of Chipper's footprints to step on.)  Bethany had time to slow down and wave.

The perfect ending to a fabulous day.

Water Fun

The first thing the kids wanted to do when we arrived in Florida was swim.

 Who could blame them?

 We enjoyed the blessing of staying with friends who had a pool.

As luck would have it, the kids made up a contest where you had to
retrieve a torpedo and then come up and pose for a picture for Mom.

Have I mentioned that my kids rock?

Then Ben made up a little contest of his own.

We also made a brief stop at the beach.  

Really, I don't think beach and spring break

belong in the same sentence together, but we were so close.