The Happiest Place in the World

I absolutely love summer as a teacher! Yes, we have to do professional development so that we are prepared for our year of teaching, but we get all this time to relax and recuperate from the year. Sometimes I think, what else would I do if I got laid off from my job or there were no need for teachers. I know that is a crazy thought, but you have to wonder sometimes. I know what I would do! I love to plan trips and I love Disney, so why not combine those two loves and plan Disney trips for people? I love to make magic for people while we are at Disney (just ask my friends about our trip from 2012). Here are my top 10 things to do in each park. Remember them if you are planning a trip to Disney or you will be joining me next year for my birthday!

Animal Kingdom

I like to do Animal Kingdom at the beginning of my trip. It has the "least" amount of things to do but I love this park! If you are going in the summer, you will need to make sure that you drink plenty of water and wear lots of sunscreen. I think it is the hottest park of all 4! The foliage makes it really humid. Here are the things that I love to do: 

1. Take a picture with the Tree of Life and look at the tree! There are animal carvings on this wonderful tree! 

2. Finding Nemo the Musical - The creative geniuses that work at Disney have turned the beloved movie into a stage musical. You will not be disappointed when you see this amazing stage production! Get there early to ensure you have a great seat. Remember: Just keep swimming! 

3. The Festival of the Lion King - If you love the movie you will love the show! Every time a new character comes out my jaw drops. The talent is out of this world. Sing along and enjoy the show! 

4. Kilimanjaro Safaris - If you are in the mood to see animals don't forget to get in line for Kilimanjaro Safaris. The animals are roaming around while you are in a jeep with a driver. The giraffes come right up to the cars if you are lucky. 

5. Expedition Everest - I am not a roller coaster person but at Disney I like all the attractions. Go on the hunt to find the Yeti! 

6. Dino-Land - There are lots to see and do in Dinoland! Don't forget to ride Dinosaur. 

7. Camp Minnie Mickey - I love going to this part because you can meet some beloved characters and watch Festival of the Lion King. 

8. Character Meet and Greets - You can meet some characters that you won't find at other parks! This was one of our favorites from 2012. 

9. It's Tough to Be a Bug - Turn into a bug and see what life is like for them. Be sure to take a picture as an honorary bug!

10. Yak and Yeti - Chinese food, enough said. Best restaurant at Animal Kingdom! 

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios takes you into the movies! See some shows and become part of the show. There are many things to see and do at this park. 

1. Fantasmic - This is a must-see show! What happens when Mickey has a nightmare? An epic show of good vs. evil! Get there VERY early for the best seat. They have bathrooms and snacks inside. If you haven't had dinner you can eat while you wait for the show. If there are 2 showings for the evening go to the later one and you won't have to get there 90 minutes early. 

2. Tower of Terror - You drop 13 stories. You will have a different ride experience every time! 

3. Toy Story Mania - Interactive 3D attraction. Worth the wait. If you can score a fastpass that is the way to do it. If you must wait in line don't worry! There is lots to see while you wait and many photo opportunities. Don't miss the interactive Mr. Potato Head. 

4. Streetmosphere - Characters just show up where you are walking. Stop and take in a quick skit. You won't be disappointed! 

5. Great Movie Ride - Journey into the movies! 

6. Muppet Vision 3D - If you are a fan of the Muppets this a great 3D show. 

7. Lights, Motors, Action - My dad's favorite attraction. Learn how all those car chase scenes are shot!

8. Voyage of the Little Mermaid - This is my favorite Disney movie put into a 17 minute show. 

9. American Idol - You get to help pick the winner. Catch the last show of the day to see who the winner is for the entire day! 

10. Indiana Jones - See the beloved character come to life. 

Epcot

Epcot is divided into 2 sections: Future World and World Showcase. Learn about the world of tomorrow in future world and then travel to different countries in World Showcase. This is the adult park of Disney World. Try different drinks from countries and learn something new! 

1. Character Meet and Greets - If you love meeting characters and taking pictures then you must meet the characters here. You can see the princesses in their "home countries" around world showcase. 

2. Spaceship Earth - Takes you on a communication journey. Learn how communication started and where it is going in the future. 

3. Soarin - Get on a hang-glider and see all of California. The Orange Tree farms is one of my favorite scenes! This attraction usually has a LONG wait. Try to go there right away! Get a fastpass then get into line. You can ride it twice then and not have to wait long! 

4. Test Track - Fast Pass this attraction! 

5. American Adventure - Of course Disney gives America the best show! The music from this show actually helped me pass my American History classes in college! Also, catch Voices of Liberty before the show. They are an amazing singing group. They sing American folk music and patriotic songs. Don't miss their performance! 

6. Journey into Imagination - Not what it used to be when Dream Finder was involved but at least they now have figment. I have 2 figments in my classroom... my students have no idea who he is! Such a sad day :( 

7. Fountain of Nations - This fountain has water from all the major rivers around the world. There is a show every so often. Don't miss it! 

8. Maelstrom - You can find this attraction in Norway! 

9. Illuminations - See how the earth was formed and all the changes it has gone through. From a world of fire, then the rains come, then plants, animals next and then humans. This is a beautiful show to honor what Epcot is for. 

10. MouseGears - My favorite store in Disney World. You can find so much!

Magic Kingdom

I have saved the best park for last. Magic Kingdom is what makes Disney World magical. Here you can become a kid again. You can meet your favorite childhood hero, the princesses, and see your imagination come to life. Leave your worries at home and have a Zip-a-dee-doo-da day! 

1. Meet your favorite princess! 

2. Cinderella Castle - What dreams are made of! 

3. New Fantasyland - There are new characters to meet, rides to ride, and food to try!

4. Splash Mountain - One of the best attractions in Disney! 

5. Pecos Bill Cafe - I love this place because it has a toppings bar! Yes, it is just park food but it is delicious park food! They have some different options you can choose to eat including a Taco Salad. 

6. Pirates of the Caribbean - It is a cheesy ride but I love it. My dad made it extra special as a kid and it has stuck with me. 

7. Lady Tremaine and the Step-sisters - One of the best meet and greets of my trip. They are interactive and funny! My friends and I had Mickey Ears on and Lady Tremaine said "There is an infestation here in the park." One of my favorite memories from 2012

8. Wishes - I cry every time I see this firework show. It is the embodiment of what Disney stands for! "A dream is a wish your heart makes" and "When you wish upon a star". 

9. Dole Whips!!! Pineapple soft serve made with real pineapple juice. 

10. Transit Authority - A great afternoon break! It is in the shade and dark. Perfect on a hot day! 

If you made it to the end let me know what your favorite things to do at each park are!

Et tu, Brutus?

I love doing fun things around town. I'm sure everyone does! Do you like to paint but you aren't an artist? So do I! In August my almost sister-in-law introduced us to Sip-n-Doodle. This place is AMAZING!  You get to pick out a picture to paint and the instructors help you recreate it with your own artistic abilities. You can bring your own beverages and just de-stress with friends and new friends! Here are some pictures of how our paintings turned out!

I'm also part of a fantastic book club that has grown from the original 3 to now 6 (8 if you include the new babies in our group!) We just read Devil in the White City. The parts that I finished were really great and now that it is summer I will actually finish it. 

I am also incredibly lucky to know the Hanvey sisters! Yesterday (June 12) I went to Ft. Worth to the Shakespeare Festival at TCU. We saw Julius Caesar on its opening night. I am more of a musical gal but the acting was great and the stage was incredible! I got to usher for the very first time ever and I LOVED it!! In the show there is a lot of blood from the fight scenes! You can imagine that when an artery is hit with a sword the blood with burst everywhere! It was a fantastic show and I can't wait to go see Taming of the Shrew! I'd never seen Shakespeare live before but I have seen 10 Things I Hate About You (my favorite movie from High School because of Heath Ledger) so I'm sure I will love the play. Here are a couple of shots from after the show :) 

Blood! 

Me with the Hanvey Sisters! 

More fun happenings around the Dallas area to come later! Thanks for reading!

Summer Goals (I guess it's really a to-do list)

As I sit here in my apartment cleaning out my DVR and being very unproductive I am thinking about having some summer goals or making a Summer To Do List. I need to have something to work on this summer so I don't get into a TV rut! I have already been to the pool today to read and get some sun but it gets so hot so fast! So, here are my goals/things to do this summer! Can you keep me accountable?

1. Finish planning/booking summer vacation. So many hotels in so many places! Ah!

2. DEEP clean my apartment -- get rid of clutter! I'll be hearing Stacia's voice while doing this so that I can get rid of things I don't need!

3. Clean out my garage -- I need to get the light fixed so I better call maintenance to get that taken care of!

4. Exercise in the morning and evening and get through Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred! Jillian Michaels in the morning and then a short 20 minute routine in the evening!

5. Cook! Learn some new recipes and cook healthy! More fruit, veggies, complex carbohydrates and lean protein!

6. Make stuff for school -- Team Leader stuff, Workshop things, etc. This is the fun stuff! I will have to wait until the end of July for curriculum documents to be uploaded :)

7. Finish Disney trip Scrapbook -- Yay Disney!! (Does anyone need a Disney World trip planned for them or advice? Send me a message!)

8. Read books -- I will be reading all 7 Harry Potter books again :)

9. Hang out with friends (this should be an easy one!)

10. Plan wedding shower. Having so much fun! Just wish my mom was here so I can ask her all the questions I have! At least I have 2 amazing sisters that are helping with the planning!

10 things shouldn't be hard to do! I'll start tomorrow. ;)

Summer time!

Well, I have one more day of work but no more kiddos to teach. My 4th year of teaching is done and I still can't believe it! This year has been so difficult but so rewarding. I have lived the life that I feared so much last year and that is a school year without my mother. When I was having difficulty she was there on the other side of the phone. She would pray for my students and just listen to me talk about them as if they were my own children. I have to admit that it was hard, but not as hard as I ever imagined. I had some great students, parents, and co-workers at school and at home I have the most wonderful family and friends. My family was always there to help me in my classroom when I needed them. My dad came every time I asked! He cut out stuff, put stickers on books, moved furniture, unstapled fabric from walls, and moved a bunch of stuff from 104 to 105! I don't know what I would have done without him this year. My sister Christy helped out so much this year in so many ways. She was especially good at snow cone runs ;). My brother and almost sister-in-law helped take thousands of staples out of the walls. And I can't forget my friends who were up at school until 8:30 helping me organize my classroom and purge some stuff I really didn't need! Celeste and Stacia -- I don't know how I will repay you for helping but I will find a way! 

Now for the not so "deep" stuff! Summer is here! I love summer but I feel like this one is going to be super quick! What does a teacher do during the summer? CLEAN HER APARTMENT!!! Does anyone have a carpet cleaner I can borrow?? Also, there is a little crafting, getting things ready for the next school year, pool-time with friends, and a little bit of travel (but that is a surprise for later this summer).

So if you are a teacher, congratulations! We made it through another school year without losing our kids or losing our minds. We have gained some new tools in our toolboxes and used pintrest to enhance our lessons. Here is to finding some new ideas on pintrest this summer to use next year!! If you are not a teacher -- congratulations! You have a regular work day on Monday while I am on a raft in the pool reading a good book!

I am going to steal Ellen Degeneres' sign off: "Be kind to one another!"

I'm having Disney Withdrawals!

 Hi, my name is Michelle and I am addicted to Disney. The first step is admitting you have a problem. I don't want cured, but I need to unload some Disney thoughts. So, why not give some unsolicited Disney advice right before summer! To all those going to Disney World in the near future let me just say that I am jealous. Have you been before? Awesome! No?? Why not?? The first thing you should decide is when you are going. Oh, you already know when? Then the second step is WHERE are you staying? This blog today focusses on the different resorts that I would recommend.

Where are you staying??
I LOVE staying on property when going to Disney World. I have stayed at hotels in every category and I don't really have any complaints! The busses can be a hassle sometimes, but they are FREE (or at least included in your overpriced hotel room.) They are convenient. Here are some of my favorite places to stay -

8. Art of Animation Resort - Let me first say that I have not stayed here YET. This is one of the newest value resorts on property. They have the regular room that would sleep a family of 4 with young kids or 2 adults comfortably. They have 2 double beds (not queen). The cool thing about this resort is that they have 2 bedroom family suites that will sleep 6 (I think only 4 adults would sleep comfortably.) This is the resort that I am planning on staying at next summer for my 30th birthday celebration!

7. Caribbean Beach Resort - I like this resort because it is divided into many sections based on islands in the Caribbean. When I went I stayed in a Pirate Suite. I loved the theming of the room. The only real complaint I have is that it is far away from the main building where the pool and food is located. This is considered a moderate level resort. The rooms are a little larger.

6. Grand Floridian Resort - This is the epitome of Disney luxury. It is I believe the most expensive resort on property. It has many good restaurants inside including 1900 Park Fare. This buffet is a character dining experience. Breakfast is themed with characters from Alice and Wonderland and Mary Poppins. Dinner is themed with characters from Cinderella; including Prince Charming! To get to the parks you can catch a bus to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. To Magic Kingdom you hop on the monorail. There are beautiful pools and you can watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the resort. This is considered a DELUXE resort.

5. Coronado Springs Resort - This is a Mexican themed resort. The pool has a Mayan Temple with a water slide. The food court is really great here. This is considered a moderate resort. I have not stayed here in awhile  but it is my Aunt's favorite hotel.

4. Boardwalk - This resort did not make my top 3 picks. I always get a resort mug so that I can stay hydrated and there are unlimited refills. This resort is hard because it does not have a coke machine inside. You need to visit the surrounding shops to refill your mug. This can be hard because they have to give you a cup of soda and then you pour it into your mug. I think this is a waste of materials... Oh well, just my preference. This is considered a Deluxe resort.

And now for Michelle's Top 3 picks for Disney Resorts!

3. Fort Wilderness Cabins - I LOVE the cabins! There is a bedroom with bunk beds and a queen bed. There is a murphy bed in the main room. You also have a full kitchen! It was so nice to be able to cook breakfast in the morning, make sack lunches, and have cold water to bring to the parks. The busses are pretty fast and you can catch a boat to Magic Kingdom. You get the camping feeling without having to camp! There are many outdoor activities offered at the resort (at an additional cost) and there are stores/restaurants on site. This is in the Moderate resort category.

2. Pop Century Resort - A value resort makes my top 2?? I have to say that I don't usually like the value resorts because they are loud and the busses usually take longer. BUT, I had a wonderful experience here for the Marathon weekend. I wish I had more time to enjoy all the sights of this resort. We stayed in the 1960s section which was close to the pool and main building where the food and busses are. It wasn't too loud. Pop Century shares a bus route with Art of Animation. The food court was really good. There are many meeting places if you have a big group. The pool bar was really nice as well.

1. Beach/Yacht Club - If I won the lottery this would be the resort I would stay at every time! I love that you can WALK to Epcot or take a BOAT! The friendship boats go from the resorts to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is nice not to have to wait for a bus every time you want to go to the parks. The rooms are spacious. The hotel is beautiful! The pool has a sandy bottom and there is a slide out of a pirate ship. You can also walk or take a boat to the Boardwalk where there are many shops/restaurants. There is also fun entertainment along the walkways. If you can afford it, this is the resort to stay at!

Stay tuned for the next blog - Animal Kingdom!

Population 817

So, you have Good Friday off... what do you do with your day? Clean, do laundry, take a walk? Not this girl! You get in the car with one of your best friends and drive 45 minutes to the small town of Celeste, Texas. Why would you go to such a small town on your day off you ask? Let me back up a second. 

My goal is to make it to every capitol building in the United States. If you know me, you know the importance of this goal. If you don't know, I will explain it in a future post. Now, I have the BEST friends a girl can ask for! They are willing to drive 3,000 miles in 5 days to help me reach my goal. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't support my friends and help them check off bucket list items? 

That brings me to our journey to Celeste, Texas. My amazing friend Celeste wanted to visit the town with her same name. Instead of sitting on our butts and watching TV or eating Bon Bons, we hopped in the car and took off. Celeste, TX is about 45 minutes northeast of McKinney. 

In this small town we saw the "downtown strip", First Bank of Celeste, the City Hall/Police Station, Quilt Merchantile, Boot/Saddle Repair, Celeste ISD schools, the Football Stadium, and the library. It is a typical small town with very few shops, one gas station, and farms! Here are a few pictures:

Downtown Celeste, TX

Post Office!

Boot and Saddle Repair

It was closed...

The Football Stadium in the background

Library...

Celeste Schools

Last but not least we saw this really cool stack of Hay on the way into town. We just had to stop and take some pictures. It was such a beautiful day! I love Texas!!