Way to excited to sleep!

Yes I did steal that from one of my favorite commercials, and it fits me perfectly right now. I am 6 hours and 24 minutes away from a car ride to Midway airport where I will be whisked away to my favorite vacation destination Walt Disney World. I am lucky enough to say this will be my fifth trip there this year and my third in the last four months. This trip is unique though and oh so special.

Unique because I made no flight arrangements, booked no hotel, did not call for one ADR, renew my annual pass or any of the other steps that I happily do for our trips. This trip I will be an extremely proud and humble guest of Mr. Mickey Mouse and his wonderful staff. As one of sixteen very excited individuals who were selected to serve on the 2009 Disney Mom's Panel, our adventure officially begins tomorrow at 4:30pm EST when we will gather with stars in our eyes and butterflies in our stomachs to embark on what I am positive will be the most exciting and fulfilling year you can imagine.

Special because of the knowledge that there were approximately 20,000 applicants for this position and I was lucky enough to be selected. Disney World means so much to me and my family. So many people ask why we continue to return not only once a year but two and three times a year. It holds so many special memories for us and the excitment level for each upcoming trip never ceases. The moment we first see the Walt Disney World gates, step onto Main Street, see TinkerBell fly from Cinderella's Castle, bite into our Dole Whip and so much more never loses its magic. It brings a smile to my face and often a tear to my eye every time. The beauty and wonder of every detail is appreciated and marveled over every trip.

I am honored and thrilled to have this opportunity to share my love and passion for Disney World while helping others experience the wonder and joy. Lastly, all of my friends, who are not nearly as passionate for the mouse as me, are so glad that I have a whole new set of friends to obsess with.

I can't wait to share this adventure with you and I am still WAY TO EXCITED TO SLEEP!

Santa is breaking the rules

My three boys make me laugh everyday. It is amazing to watch their personalities change and take shape each and every day. Matthew, the six year old, is an extreme child. There are no in-betweens with him. He loves at 110% and can change instantly and is 110% devil. There is no gray with Matt, it is all about the rules and he informed me last night that Sanat is breaking the rules. He is not happy about this!

This all started this past Saturday. We were listening to a local radio station that is playing Christmas music all the time. A caller was describing her family's Thanksgiving. Part of her family's traditions involve celebrating their big holiday on Thanksgiving. They exchange presents and she explained how Santa comes to hand out all the gifts and celebrate with them. Matthew and Jacob immediatley discussed this and decided it was not fair that this family gets to spend time with Santa himself. The kids are not suppose to be able to see Santa and get the presents right from him. After an attempt to explain why Santa was visiting these kids early and spending time with them, the matter was dropped....or so I thought.

So fast forward to last night. We were out at the mall and Matthew was very interested in seeing Santa. He was determined that we could not leave until visiting Santa, so off we went. I thought nothing of Matthew's interest in seeing Santa until he approached him and the first thing out of his mouth' "Hey what is the deal Santa, don't you know there are rules about handing out gifts and letting kids see you" Matthew continued to give Santa the third degree about breaking the rules. I tried to explain but could not stop laughing. So please Santa-for Matthew's sake-stick to the rules.