We live on the Kansas/Missouri border so both are equally close/far. A few years ago we also went to WDW and hated it. We were sitting on the floor of a building with a/c on the first day wondering why we didn't go to Universal Studios instead. It was a big disappointment. I can't do the 3D rides because they make me feel like I'm going to die. I sympathize with your wife! What other things do you like doing in Southern CA? I've never been.

Or getting into your car at the airport with the empty car seat in the backseat. Or packing up and not knowing what to do with those little tiny pajamas that still smell like wonderful toddler. *sob* And coming home to the empty bedroom.

A few years ago my family went to Universal Studios in Orlando to see the Harry Potter stuff and had so much fun. The weather was miserable. We've also heard that is even more crowded now than it was before. We have been talking about going to California instead and just wondered how that compared to Florida with respect to how many rides they had and how the weather would be. Has anyone been to both? Would you recommend one over the other?

Yes! I live in the midwest and we have a large Latino community in my city. That said, those kids are going to speak Spanish and English much more fluently than my kid ever would with five or six years of Spanish classes. Those are the kids that will (and should!) be hired for the jobs that require being bilingual.

Please thank your DH for all he does. It is so appreciated by those of us that couldn't do it. :grouphug: :grouphug:

I studied Spanish because it was practical. I would use it so much ... wrong. It is one of the few educational regrets I have. I would have preferred to study German or French because I love the culture and the people but that just wasn't practical. I have never used my Spanish and have at this point forgotten most of it. On the flip side, I have had tons of opportunities to use French or German (travel, books, business) and am now slowly trying to teach myself. Huge regret. Encourage the kid to study French if it's her interest.

I literally might throw up over this. Awful. I just can't imagine.

Wow. This is the kick in the bum I needed. I love walking. I need to lose a few pounds. My life just feels more "put together" if I get a nice long morning walk in. I'm going to do it!

Thumbs up for Chik-Fil-A! A great example of acting what you believe.

I haven't been on the board lately but I remember your stories about what a remarkable and lovable man your FIL is. I'm so sorry to hear that he is passing. I found myself sniffling as I read your post because I know that losing a man that wonderful will be hard. ((HUGS)) I will say my Rosary for your FIL today.

Hello friends. I have not much book related to check in with but I had to come say hello because I've had such an exciting day and I want to tell you about it. We are still over the pond and on day eight of our trip. We have six days left until we go home and it already seems like it has gone by too fast. Today was a particularly fun day though because we got to spend it with mumto2's family! She is just as lovely and fun in real life as she is on the Internet. Her whole family came down and gave us a personal guided tour to York. According to my pedometer we walked about 7 miles and I can't say that there was a moment of silence during the whole trip. Her husband was awesome also. He discovered talking to my husband that he liked the Romans and took him to see some ruins which made his day. I have warned Sandy that we had such a good time that we plan to come back and visit them again. Sandy and her husband are on the outside of this picture and her two children are the tall teenagers. John is riding on Kevin's back and Sophia is in the black trench coat. I'm the lady in the purple sweater.

Has she solved any mysteries yet? :lol: (She's beautiful!)

I'm like that too. I could never read anything naughty in the library or in public because I'd start trying to act "overly normal" and make a fool of myself.

To date this is still one of my favorite read alouds. I can't wait to do it with DS when he gets big.

My dad dropped out of high school when he was 17 to join the army because he was concerned Vietnam was going to end before he got a chance to get over there. My family has a long history of military service. DD once asked if Grandpa had any problems (I'm sure she meant PTSD but didn't know the name for it) because he had been in the war. DH answered that he didn't because Grandpa enjoyed every minute of the war.

Checking in from the suburbs of Kansas City. My favorite breakfast is biscuits and gravy and it's easy to get around here. I haven't heard of chocolate gravy but I'm interested.

Lots of books. Lots of read alouds. Playmobils. (Still a big hit here with 12 yo DD). Summer camps. Adventures with mom and dad alone like going to lunch during a weekday. Audiobooks while coloring adult coloring books has been a huge hit. Playdates with friends.

I just hate it when I forget a book! At least you were able to find a good solution. I'm checking in but haven't read/finished anything in a long time. DH and I are self employed and we've invoiced as much this year already as we did all last year. It's been crazy busy. Oh and the Chews-on-Books is full of energy and he doesn't want me to sit and read when I could be paying attention to HIM. It's a lovely but high energy phase. We are leaving for vacation in three days. I'm so excited and planning on getting some reading done then. And this is the part I'm really excited about ... the aggieamy family is going to meet the mumto2 family!!! Eek. How exciting. DH is going to get tips on how to not run people into ditches while driving in England from Mr. Mumto2 while Sandy and I chat about books.

Re: Packing Cubes These are the kind my family uses. http://smile.amazon.com/eBags-Packing-Cube-Medium-Peony/dp/B01729J48U?ie=UTF8&keywords=ebags%20packing%20cubes&qid=1463931499&ref_=sr_1_15&sr=8-15 We have a bunch of the medium sized ones and I can tell whose clothing is in just by looking in the mesh. That said, each person only has one packing cube. DD and I wear dresses and then either go bare legged, wear leggings, or tights so that makes it light packing. We will share one packing cube for our accessories. Here's a sample packing list for DD and myself on a two week trip: 5 dresses 2 undies (http://smile.amazon.com/ExOfficio-Womens-Give-N-Go-Bikini-Briefs/dp/B0036S3U28/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1463931680&sr=8-4&keywords=exofficio) 1 skirt 1 blouse 2 leggings or tights 1 pair of pants (sometimes) 1 lightweight nightgown 2 pairs of shoes (good shoes! I'm taking these two pairs this time. We do a ton of walking. At least 25k steps per day so comfort over high fashion for us.) http://www.zappos.com/dansko-lulu-black-nappa-leather http://www.zappos.com/earth-wanderlust-black-calf-leather Things DD and I will share: 3 scarves 3 cashmere sweaters 1 large black fashion belt 1 skinny red fashion belt We also leave our bulky or frilly dresses at home and go with a more simple elegance plan.

I love this brands of purses for travel. http://www.kipling-usa.com/handbags-crossbody/#uuid=&display=85&sz=99 I like that they are lightweight, easy to clean, and fits a ton of stuff even though it isn't huge. Maybe not big enough for knitting but I can carry my wallet, snacks, two diapers and a small package of wipes, two kindle paperwhites, DS's little kindle fire, and some small toys for the plane. Some of the larger ones can probably carry knitting too.

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370035 Another recommendation for this bag. It's splendid. Right now three are sitting in my room half packed because we are doing two weeks in London, England, and Ireland. One dad, one mom, one 12 yo girl, and one 2 1/2 yo boy. DH and I both have completely filled bags and DD just has a half filled bag because it gets too heavy for her. My tips: Use packing cubes All accessories must match all outfits and even better if they can switch between people (DD and I will share all sweaters/scarves/belts) Mostly neutrals with a few pops of color (we have lots of black and grey with a few dark purple and reds thrown in - this also makes us look awesome in group pictures) Take a decent sized purse to put your on flight entertainment in Take the undies you can wash in the sink - 1 to wear and 1 to wash Plan on buying toiletries when you get where you are going - rather than taking a bunch of diapers we are only taking two days worth since we can get them there. Same with shampoo and stuff. Pack any toiletries that you can in as small of containers as possible Only bring two pairs of shoes and don't skimp on comfortable shoes! This will be out third trip like this. We only do carry on. Once we went through the customs line with our eBags and the customs officer told us we had to go get our luggage first. We told him that was our luggage. He repeated that we needed the bags that had our clothes from the trip. Yep. On our backs. It was an awkward exchange.

That is so awesome. What a creative kid! I hope my kids grow up to be close like that.

What a cool story!

Stacia - Lots and lots of hugs. I'm sorry you have such a stressful life right now. I second this suggestion! This review makes me so happy. VC and Jane are two of the coolest ladies I know ... complete with berets and books older than my grandmother.

That's gross! Yuck!