A Few of Life's Lessons I Learned at Disneyland

Lesson #1:  If you are 5' 9" tall and you go to Disneyland with 5 highly entertaining ladies who are 5 feet nothin' or shorter, you will look like a freak of nature.  You will appear to be the tallest woman in the world.  

Lesson #2:  Even if you slouch down to try and mesh with the group, you will still look gargantuan.  

You'll simply look like a giant who has bad posture.

Lesson #3:  Wanna make the males in your life happy?  Bring them home a cool Star Wars character car.   A surefire winner.  

(I still look massive...even sitting down :(

Lesson #4:  There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing 4 "Tower of Terror Virgins" wait in anticipation for their first ride.  Randee, Summer and Cheryl were terrified but G'ma was quite oblivious to what was about to take place.

Lesson #5:  Never be fooled by a person's size.  My friend, Randee, is itty bitty but sat next to me on Tower of Terror and about broke my arm.  See the joy she has on her face?  She squeezed my arm with the strength of a boa constrictor.  I still have no feeling in my fingers.

Lesson #6:  I should join the circus.  Freak....

Lesson #7:  Huge personalities can be packaged into little people.  Here are Summer and Paige, Randee's sisters.  Summer was our accountant/park navigator/line leader the entire trip.  She talks a mile a minute has a TON of spunk and was loads of fun.  While Paige is more laid back, easy going, and the peacemaker, she is hilarious and has a zest for life.

Lesson #8:  Males of all species are the same.  Even Briar Bear was trying to pick up on a pretty little lady.

Lesson #9:  If you are going to attempt a tricky dance maneuver (because you're consumed by the beat of the music and you have an empty stage), make sure you stretch first.  You might pull a hamstring or groin muscle and end up in pain.  I apologize for not having a picture of the actual dance move described.  Rest assured, it was diva-licious.

Lesson #10:  Avoid standing behind smelly teenagers who want to audition for American Idol while in line.  But, if the need is warranted, sing back at them to put them in their place.  Be aware that it doesn't really give you much street cred and it could possibly shake your future chances of being invited on a Girls' Getaway.  Sorry, Randee.  I will behave next time and keep my broadway musicality to myself.

Lesson #10:  Volcanoes are not just in Hawaii.  They are also found in Downtown Disney.

Lesson #11:  When the new Toy Story ride has a 40 minute wait, just jump in the Single Rider line.  15 minutes and you're on one of the coolest new kids' rides out there.

Lesson #12:  My friend Randee really is my soul sister.   She's even called us twins separated by 10 years.  We have so much in common and are both Disneyland fanatics.  She's dang cool and can rock a Pirate's dew rag. 

Lesson #13:  Snow White had several additional, altered dwarfs that are pictured here with me: Sassy, Zippy, Mellow, Smiley, and Snazzy. 

Lesson #14:  You can NEVER be overenthusiastic!!!!!!!!

Lesson #15:  Apparently I vacationed with a pregnant gangsta'.  Paige, are you flashin' a sign? 

Lesson #16:  You can fall in love with a little, green balding creature.

Lesson #17:  I'm a modern day Annie Oakley.

Lesson # 18:  Disney makes a boatload of money getting people to buy up souvenirs while caught up in the magic of Disneyland.  Imagine waking up the morning after returning home from vacation and thinking, "Where the crap am I going to wear this?"

Lesson #19:  Pregnant women can enjoy Disneyland to its FULLEST!  Paige received the complete and total go ahead from her doctor to go on ANY RIDE SHE WANTED!  17 weeks along and she went on everything.  She was awesome.

Lesson #20:  The musty, damp air of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is good for the soul.  I could breathe it in all day.  Smells can be so nostalgic.

Lesson #21:  When in doubt, buy it.  And if you're on the fence, Cheryl will make sure she pushes you over to the purchasing side.

Lesson #22:  Yoda has my back.

Lesson #23:  I will never travel without these.  They are a life saver.  Winnie the Pooh is not the only one who gets rumbly in his tumbly.

Lesson #24:  You can verbally be adopted by a circle of sisters.  That's exactly what these fun and lively ladies did with me and I appreciate them all.  I had a blast and it was awesome to be surrounded by such diverse personalities and to be included so warmly.  Thanks Randee for the invite and thanks Summer, Paige, Cheryl, and G'ma for letting me tag along.  

Until next time, Punks!

Shaw's Favorite Playground

Please don't judge me by the neatness of my cupboards.

(Disneyland recap will be coming soon...)

I've Got a Date with Mickey

See you Monday.  

Words Cannot Describe...

Go see it.  Even if you have to walk all the way to Broadway to do so.

Call me and Kennedy and I will walk with you.  

We'd love to see it again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Seeds

Sniffle.  Sneeze.  Sneeze.  Sneeze. Sneeze.  Sniffle.

I'b got allewgies.

Spring will do that to me.  Workin' outside gets 'em going good.

But seeds must be planted in spring for summer's benefit.

I can't have a bland summer, can I?

Another favorite flower - zinnias.  Bold, vibrant, old fashioned, and a lover of the hot, hot sun that hits my west facing house.

These are show stoppers and conversation starters.  They are truly beautiful.

 

{While I boosted the picture's color to show the intensity of zinnia's gorgeous colors, it turned my house blue.  Nope, I don't have a blue house.  My house is gray with white trim and cranberry colored shutters, thank you.}

I have planted zinnias in front of my porch for years.  A good friend of mine planted these zinnias (pictured above) for me last spring.  In the past, I have always planted them using starts.  While I was in the hospital with Shaw's birth, she planted zinnia seeds without me knowing.  I will admit I was a bit skeptical.  I've always used starts with my flowers.  Seeds have only been used in the garden.  But, sure enough, these giant and dwarf varieties grew into the bold statements they were meant to be.  Thanks, Patricia!  My fingers are crossed that the seeds I planted today will have equal success.

Mother Nature's Therapy

{photos by moi}

AHHH!

It's planting time again.

My favorite part of spring.

In winter, I miss the smell, texture, and other earthy pleasantries of the soil.

Planting does my soul an abundance of colorful good.

My front porch pots are boldly displaying my favorite flower.

These gerber daisies make me want to sing.

What is your favorite flower?

Me No Speaka the Spanish

I've been running for the past several months training for a race in June.  My iPod has been stocked full of songs that keep my feet movin' and my mind occupied. Pounding the pavement would not be endurable without my earbuds pumpin' out the base.

I've come across a couple of new songs that I really like.  There's only one problem.  They're in Spanish.  I took French in school.  If it's in Spanish and it's not on a restaurant menu, then I don't have a clue what it says.

Except la cucaracha and chihuahua.  I understand that.

So, answer me this:  What if I'm guessing there's a hint of questionable lyrics in my new fave songs? If I can't understand them, does it mean I can still listen to them even if the lyrics are naughty?  I don't know for a fact that they are sassy, but I'm suspecting they are.

Are they telling me to do things that wouldn't be appropriate to share at Enrichment Night?

Are they describing things that would make me shudder if my kids heard and understood?

Do they suggest I buy a new couch without my husband's permission?

Are the lyrics stating other spicy and equally distrubing things?  

I don't know!

Ignorance is bliss I suspect.  So if you listen to these and know what they say, then I commend you on your multilingual abilities.

And I hope your ears aren't burning. 

Click here and here to listen.

 

Brittan's 15 Minutes of Fame

This story was printed in the Clipper - 

Davis County's newspaper.

{click to enlarge}

My Minimalist Husband

The other night Jeff was observing our well worn and tattered couch set.  We've had it for over 13 years and it has survived 3.33 toddlers.  It has weathered spills and drips and filthy summer feet. It was been a bed for the sick and afflicted and a front row seat for our Gregson family movie nights.

It's also been a place where fannies of all shapes and sizes have come to sit and visit.  Perhaps your own fanny has rested itself on our sturdy Broyhill.  

I've been loudly hinting for quite sometime that our couch and it's buddy (the "chair and a half") have seen better days and that, perhaps, a replacement might be in order.  Jeff keeps putting me off.  "Just buy a slip cover," he states knowing that I'll never do it.  I've never met a slip cover that I like.  I don't trust 'em.  They'll wrinkle and sag and do exactly what their name states...slip!   

So, when Jeff was noticing the frayed edges and the lack of fabric piping on the front of the cushions (that was cut out and discarded months ago...it had poked through and was stabbing unsuspecting deriers) I thought, Finally!  He's seen the light and will agree that we are long overdue for some new furniture!  Oh, happy Spring day!  

But true to form, Jeff rubbed the worn out fibers of the cushion, looked at me and said, "Now THAT is awesome!  Not many people can say they have completely worn through their couch cushions!"  Not quite the reaction I was looking for.  

This is my minimalist husband.  He is completely disgusted with our nation's gluttonous overindulgence.  He's all about using it up, making it do, buying it cheaper, and making it last. He'd love to be completely self-sufficient and live off the land.  He's not impressed by homes with 5 car garages.  He doesn't buy into big toys and lavish lifestyles.  He's simple and uncomplicated - do with what you've got and be grateful that you've got it. 

He's disappointed that I don't sew.  

But I'm disappointed that he can't build me a house.

So, we're even. 

It wasn't until our old iMac was completely out of memory (we couldn't save a blasted thing nor print anything) that he agreed that we should get a new one. He proudly boasted that we had used up every last byte of memory in our 9+ year old computer.  

I also have a vacuum that is almost 16 years old - an original wedding gift.  It weighs 127 lbs. but it still cleans up the floor so it's still around.  My chiropractor is happy that I use it.

Use it up, make it do, buy it cheaper, make it last.

  

Never a truer statement was writ:  Opposites attract

A Teenager Has Landed

{Kennedy's Easter Birthday - April 12, 2009}

13 myths about a 13 year old

  Myth:  All teenagers are ornery and mouthy.

Fact:  Mine is not.  Our fingers will remain crossed for the next 6 years.

Myth:  A 13 year old can't survive without a cell phone.

Fact:  Kennedy is still alive despite her lack of cellular convenience.  Texting is not a basic food group (although she'd like to convince us otherwise).  Don't even get me started on the subject...(!!)

Myth:  A teenager can go a day without music.

Fact:  Mine cannot.  Between her iPod, car stereo, kitchen stereo, computer stereo, bedroom stereo, entertainment center stereo, and singing - there is ALWAYS music playing when Kennedy is around.

Myth:  A 13 year old young woman LOVES shopping.

Fact: Sadly for me, Kennedy HATES shopping.  She likes cute clothes she just doesn't like trying anything on.  No fun mom and daughter trips to the mall yet. It's usually me dragging her out and bribing her with a stop by Claire's jewelry store.  She'll grow out if it, right?  RIGHT?!

Myth:  A 13 year old is always asking for money.

Fact:  Kennedy loves her monetary independence.  It pleases her to be able to pay for her own movie tickets, pair of earrings, or strawberry milk at the local Chevron.  She babysits regularly and has been good to save her money for something big.  She is paying her way to a Kelly Clarkson concert with a friend in June.  She spends her own money on birthday and Christmas gifts that she gives too. 

Myth:  Teenagers take themselves too seriously.

Fact:  Kennedy and her group of friends haven't bought into the whole "we need to act like 16 year olds" theory yet.  They are goofy and silly and like to have FUN.  They dress up, have dance offs, laugh till they're delirious, and speak in very loud and energized tones.  

Myth:  A 13 year old usually escapes to their bedroom and doesn't resurface.

Fact:  Kennedy likes to read in her room, but spends the rest of her time among the family.  However, I wish she WOULD retreat to her own living quarters when getting ready for the day.  Instead, she resides in our bathroom and feels she has free reign over my stuff.

Myth:  A teenager won't talk to her parents.

Fact:  Kennedy is very open with us.  I know who she has a crush on (even though her friends don't).  She talks about concerns she has with her friends or kids she knows at school.  She expresses frustrations and stresses.  While she isn't as chatty as she was even a year ago, the lines of communication are still open and we're listening intently.  Again, we'll keep our fingers crossed for the next 6 years.

Myth:  You have to keep on top of a teenager's school work.

Fact:  Not always.  We have never had to remind Kennedy about homework.  EVER!  Since she was in Kindergarten she has always been a completely independent self starter.  She gets in and gets it done without any prompts from us.  It has paid off this year - she is in the National Junior Honor Society.  She's got her eyes on a scholarship to BYU.  

Myth:  Teenagers are young and can survive on little sleep.

Fact:  So NOT true for my daughter.  She could easily sleep until 11:30 a.m. or later on the weekends (if we let her).  While Kennedy has always been a self starter in the homework department, she has never EVER sent herself to bed on time.  We have to push and push and push to get her to sleep.  She loves to manipulate the bedtime routine by plunking herself down by us and starting a conversation (and she knows I'm always up for a good girl chat) rather than heading upstairs and hitting the pillow.  Jeff will get upset with both of us because we'll be chatting away an hour past her bedtime.  She knows my gift of gab and will use it against me to stay up later.  Little stinker!

Myth:  Teenagers are too cool for affection.

Fact:  Kennedy will come and put her arms around me randomly throughout the day.  I love it!  She loves to snuggle with her dad.  She feasts on Shaw's ultra soft jowls.  However, she prefers that her other brothers not touch her at all.  Not even with their pinkie toe.

Myth:  All 13 year old teenage girls are high drama.

Fact: Nope.  We've continued to have little to no drama around here.  She just doesn't buy into it nor does she enjoy watching it around her.  She can see through it and avoids getting caught in the middle of it.  She does like to milk an injury for all it's worth, but other than that, we're in the clear.  The majority of her good friends have always been boys.  Boys = No Dramatics.

Myth:  It's easy to buy a birthday gift for a teenager.

Fact:  HA!  Kennedy had no suggestions for birthday gifts this year.  I had to dig deep for ideas.  But, as luck would have it, we got her the PERFECT gift for her launch into teenagedom.

   

Tickets to see WICKED!

Gum is one of life's essentials for Kennedy.  Taiden bought her a minty variety.

We love our Sunshine Girl!  

Happy Birthday, Kennedy!

Happy Easter

{Photo by Kennedy}

"Thank you Easter Bunny, 

bawk bawk!"

Blame It On the Fumes

I wore a pickled sash with french fried rivers today.  My piano cried because the buttermilk hiccuped and the calculator threw a corsage out the window.  But what do you say when a book hugs a walrus?  "Chaka Khan!"

Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic

(OK, my pity party was on hiatus for the day. Just one day. 

I'm sure it will return tomorrow with full force. 

But today was a good Spring Break day.)

10 Things of Utmost Importance:

1.  Cancel your plans for tomorrow.  

2.  Drive your kids down to Happy Valley.  

3.  Go directly to the Museum of Art on BYU campus.  

4.  Enjoy the highly entertaining, immensely creative, and whimsically magical art exhibit of Walter Wick

(you know - the guy who does the I SPY and CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? books)

5.  Enjoy watching your kids freak out over the optical illusions and get excited when they recognize pages from their own Walter Wick books. 

6.  Check out the other art exhibits.  Who knew art could include such random things as packing peanuts and fans, floating garbage sacks, and thousands of packets of duck sauce.  Very COOL stuff!

7.  Stroll on over to the bookstore and pick yourself up a few BYU items.  (Yes Randee and Trisha, that means you too.)

8.  Eat a piece of fudge from the candy counter.

9. Marvel at the beautiful mountain range that is home to the Y.

10.  Go home and spread the word about the incredible art exhibition you saw.  Anyone with kids needs to see it.  Well worth your trip (even if it is on enemy territory).

Walter Wick's display will be there until August.