Being Mary

My DH (Disney Husband) and I returned from a 10 day vacation to Walt Disney World a few weeks ago. Still settling into reality! I actually didn't get the Disney Blues this time when we returned but I have a bit of them now. I am just trying not to think of what the next few weeks will bring (beginning another round of IVF) so I'm going through all my pictures from our trip. I'm a bit of a photography nut so I take almost 1000 pics each trip! I think I have a picture from every angle of the Castle!

On our first day of our trip, we always start with dinner at Epcot and we love the UK pavilion! We stepped out of the tea shoppe and almost right into Mary Poppins! I literally gasped and squealed and yelled Mary! There were several girls about my age or a wee bit younger and we all started to follow Mary down the path! We were all giggling and skipping and just have a Jolly Holiday!

I find it interesting that after all these years, going to University and getting a degree in Elementary Education, that I am a nanny. I find this interesting because if you ask me what my two all time favorite movies are, I will tell you Mary Poppins and Sound of Music. Now it could be because I am a Julie Andrews fan. But I think it goes deeper then that. There is something about giving yourself to a child. In the class room, this is limited due to the size of the classroom and all the expectations put on a teacher these days. You spend most of your day teaching to the standardize tests or trying to get through the unreasonable expectations put on our teachers. But as a nanny, you become part of the family. You are there for every exciting new discovery and every boo boo and every temper tantrum. There is something magical about being able to be a part of a child's life in this way. It is heart breaking when you leave one family and go to another. I feel what Mary does as she leaves Jane and Michael.

About 6 months ago, I said goodbye to one of my families who moved away. I shed tears that day that were so deep that it felt like my heart was breaking. And in a way, it was. I met TH when he was 6 weeks old and was with him until he was 1 1/2 years old. I was there through every milestone in his life. TH is about to turn 2 years old. And I am not going to be there for this milestone and I feel my heart breaking all over again.  I don't just miss TH. I miss his parents too. There is a bond with them that goes beyond my being their nanny or being friends. We have become a family. I won't be there in person for this milestone, but I will be there in spirit. Happy Birthday TH! I love you little man.

Social media does bring people together

In the past, I have not been very personal on this blog. I have kept it to ideas and links for kids and Disney. But I wanted to share this story. For those of you who have been following me, I have been off the blog for awhile. My wonderful husband and I had a very hard year trying to start our family. We have been going through fertility treatments, and all 5 were unsuccessful. With the support of family and friends, we feel that it is time to start again and we will be starting this month. In the past year, I felt like I was under a cloud or in a fog. It didn't feel real and I didn't feel like myself. The people around me have helped me to find myself again.

One of those amazing connections is one that I can hardly believe. In 2001, I was a teacher. My first real classroom. One of those families and I became very close. After 2 years of teaching at that school, I left and we stayed in touch every Christmas. Since my days teaching, I have moved twice. I received a Christmas card some time in January as it went to an old address. Inside were photos of my student standing in the Capital Building. I couldn't believe it as I live just minutes from DC! I read the letter - did the math as it must be mathematically impossible that my student is old enough to be in college (its not - the math is right!).  And not only is she close by but so are her parents! I hopped on facebook and found my former student and then connected with her parents and we spent quite a few wonderful summer days together in DC! It was wonderful to be connected again!

I have a new blog design and my logo at the top was designed by former student!  Sara is one of the most brilliant and beautiful girls I know! Her mom Sherry is one of the kindest and most generous giving women I know! And I am so blessed to have them both back in my life.

I find it amazing how in your time of need, God has a way of bringing people together. With this big world we live in and how fast things move, its easy to get lost or loose people. I know the social media world is a scary one. But if it wasn't for world wide web, I wouldn't have found my husband or be able to stay in touch so easily with my brother who lives 3 time zones away. Or find friends from long ago. It does have its advantages!!! I am so grateful to have found Sara and Sherry again! Thank you Sara for the beautiful new logo!

3 great Groundhogs Day projects

In honor of Punxsutawney Phil, here are 3 Groundhog's Day projects to do with the kids!


How about a Phil Phruit Snack!


http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/

Coloring Book Page

Pop Up Phil


http://familycrafts.about.com/od/groundhogsdaycrafts/ss/PeekABooGroundhog.htm

Thinking about Valentine's Day???

Hi everyone!

It's hard to believe that Valentine's Day is about a month away! In preparation, I have two cute and "sweet" ideas for you! Again, I found these ideas on Pinterest. Love Pinterest!!

Here is a great project that children of all ages can participate in making!

http://tiffkeetch.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-much-card-and-kid-canvas.html

And for a "sweet" treat - a great twist on the peanut butter kiss cookies!

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chocolate-heart-peanut-butter-cookies/c678af5d-a2d3-4fa7-bf21-61cfbab296cb

Great and easy ideas for Valentine's Day!

Enjoy!

With love,
Carey

Winter Indoor Activity

Now that winter is upon us (well, we got a 1/2 inch yesterday so i'm declaring winter even though it will be 50 today!), I am in search of some fun indoor activities to do with children of all ages. I came across this idea on Pinterest and fell in love with her blog!

http://hartandsew.blogspot.com/2010/12/make-believe.html

We all love dressing up but costumes can take up so much space. This is a fun and easy way to take a cold winter day inside and turn it into a magical day of make-believe!!

Check out this great DIY animal ear headband idea!!! Its cute and fun!!!

The Magic of Pinterest

Hi Everyone,

If you haven't seen the new social networking craz, its Pinterest. Basically, it is one website, where you can create as many boards as you like, and then you pin ideas to those boards. Think back to when your favorite magazine and catalog came in the mail. You would take your highlighter, or marker and circle things you wanted to remember. Or you would rip the pages out and file them in your "idea" binder. Well, Pinterst is virtual way of doing that.

So why is it so amazing? 1000's of people pin their favorite ideas on Pinterst. You can either pin your own idea or just repin someone else's! It has 1000's of ideas for anything you can think of! Crafts - they have loads of ideas! Teaching tips and tools - yep, have that too! Looking for a receipe - they have so many you will be cooking for years!

If you have not gotten onto pinterest yet, please send me an email and I will send you an invite. It is a lot faster then waiting for them to send you the invite.

Here are just a few of the ideas I have gotten off of Pinterest:

A school supply cake for the teacher!

Do you have a Scrabble lover in your life? A great DIY project for a gift!

Or how about a DIY Disney Countdown calendar! I've already picked up my Disney paint chips from Home Depot!!









So many ideas - so much fun! If you haven't already, check it out!!!!

New Children's Creative Movement Class

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!

I hope 2012 brings us all much peace and happiness!

I have a friend who is opening a new studio tomorrow! I am very excited as she is an amazing talent!!

Her studio, Local Motion, located in Alexandria, specializes in both Creative Movement classes for children as well as a wide variety of classes for adults (with onsite childcare)!!! Oh - also - there is onsite parking!!!

The link to her studio is below. There is a list of classes as well as prices. 

http://www.localmotionstudio.com/index.html


There will also be a Grand Opening Party on Saturday January 7th. All are welcome!!! There is free yoga from 3 to 4 and from 4 to 6 there will be light refreshments, face painting, explore the space and meet the staff.

Follow on Facebook and you can also see a picture history of the Studio!

Address	2377 South Dove Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 · Get Directions
Phone	917-331-2176
Website	http://www.localmotionstudio.com

Totally cute for the little girlies!!

Hi everyone,

I have a fantastic friend and she makes the most adorable hair bows and head bands for little girls! With the holidays upon us now, this is a great gift idea, as well as a must for your little girls!!!

http://www.facebook.com/katelynnskloset

Thanks for checking her page out!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

ZOO LIGHTS IS BACK!!!!

Hi all!

Mark your calendars! Zoo Lights at The National Zoo!

5-9 p.m.

November 25-December 11
(Friday through Sunday nights)

December 16-January 1
(Every night except December 24, 25, and 31)

ZooLights. It's Wild . . . It's Free!

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/ZooLights/default.cfm

Busy times ahead

Hi Everyone,

Its coming up on that time of year - the busy holiday season. There are so many wonderful activities out there to do with the kiddos. I will try and post daily some ideas and activities that are going on. Here a few that you might want to put down on the calendar.

Polar Express:

http://mountainrailwv.com/choose-a-train/polar-express

Knuffle Bunny:

http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=KMTBD

ICE! at National Harbor:

http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/christmas-on-the-potomac/ice-experience/index.html?intcmp=gn-pl=banner-cid=cotp-ice


Disney on Ice:

http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/

Sesame Street Live:

http://sesamestreetlive.com/

Twas the Night Before Christmas at Adventure Theatre:

http://www.adventuretheatre.org/