Disney Detox

<span style="font-size: large;">We made it home from Disney World a few days ago, and I've been trying to recover ever since. It was a wonderful, fun-filled trip, but I'm glad to be home. The old saying: "I need a vacation from my vacation" definitely applies.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I returned home to find a flower bed full of weeds, so I've been trying to rectify that situation despite my innate lack of gardening skills. In between mulching and planting, I've been catching up on some of my favorite blogs and finding some great new ones (or new to me at least). While perusing one of the newbies, <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/04/21/orange-airplanes-not-girly-shared-boys-bedroom/">Ashley Ann Photography</a>, I ran across the most spectacular bedroom she recently finished for her three boys.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXiwf3hlGYAWQBssiDiLApAtwoasySHhq5j8bj4Ro2KflIyKEVlWWR_LV2rbGsXb1YposNmuosXC-88RSgNVIMwgpEpnr2T6bdkcT2kHl6OdNbaNcrxNMdfWO5wBJBtd9xxc6l7jokfg/s1600/4.10boysroom-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXiwf3hlGYAWQBssiDiLApAtwoasySHhq5j8bj4Ro2KflIyKEVlWWR_LV2rbGsXb1YposNmuosXC-88RSgNVIMwgpEpnr2T6bdkcT2kHl6OdNbaNcrxNMdfWO5wBJBtd9xxc6l7jokfg/s400/4.10boysroom-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her boys had three requests: orange, airplanes and not girly. I think she delivered in spades. I love the gray walls with the pops of orange. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU9gnWXI7cHWwCU9ku6zf88i_03lncZrPcDpKpXWv2lxvqxvpcAemVYBtNhdigP8dZfDajmu7I5eH_SDMQ0g3alZQ4fMQvcM3f13l1L11ep7T3NoisgaoQeNAy-WGjxL7fJI9zQRXDz4/s1600/4.10boysroom-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU9gnWXI7cHWwCU9ku6zf88i_03lncZrPcDpKpXWv2lxvqxvpcAemVYBtNhdigP8dZfDajmu7I5eH_SDMQ0g3alZQ4fMQvcM3f13l1L11ep7T3NoisgaoQeNAy-WGjxL7fJI9zQRXDz4/s400/4.10boysroom-03.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Putting pencils in the light fixture was an inspired touch. And, by the way, she made the airplane art panels herself. Talk about talented. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8gREvvPL1hqV4HFaUHTsUZVRtqZ89oF2HDDKFv7AEbFiXWaylmeRwBp3D_DYj1L3Bv-Tx7U3T_koU3F9z3dQk6ukKAmwEIa5V18wswDuN8hFak0LPQSR0hTGJvE3q6qCAUz6x9I_i7g/s1600/4.10boysroom-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8gREvvPL1hqV4HFaUHTsUZVRtqZ89oF2HDDKFv7AEbFiXWaylmeRwBp3D_DYj1L3Bv-Tx7U3T_koU3F9z3dQk6ukKAmwEIa5V18wswDuN8hFak0LPQSR0hTGJvE3q6qCAUz6x9I_i7g/s400/4.10boysroom-06.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX3I-wzmJeKESEhQ_LG5ITmgYmP1Pi3XTk8UnbdoKg4tkAW7hFffGHFnpfx5GLLk4m25LU5Gg2uCzcQyjOatRuGBkb2ne1zDpw2kEpEJyWscaoB6IoWWanarHV672GSik_QUIZDdnU_Q/s1600/4.10boysroom-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX3I-wzmJeKESEhQ_LG5ITmgYmP1Pi3XTk8UnbdoKg4tkAW7hFffGHFnpfx5GLLk4m25LU5Gg2uCzcQyjOatRuGBkb2ne1zDpw2kEpEJyWscaoB6IoWWanarHV672GSik_QUIZDdnU_Q/s400/4.10boysroom-08.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The details really make the room so fun and personal. You must check out her <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/04/21/orange-airplanes-not-girly-shared-boys-bedroom/">blog</a> to read the genesis of different pieces and ideas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4go52x8bZk57VbkvFSxrTKa4ZQn6Z8f4oTKJITsrKfnA74vD26xt4vIXKPezDtlyKKb-ahSg-t0_kXxAdUgwtiEHwK8OmfLbMnpAkARp84ifrGFyISQ60ENruQBG2Otz8Iln708dC1k/s1600/4.10boysroom-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4go52x8bZk57VbkvFSxrTKa4ZQn6Z8f4oTKJITsrKfnA74vD26xt4vIXKPezDtlyKKb-ahSg-t0_kXxAdUgwtiEHwK8OmfLbMnpAkARp84ifrGFyISQ60ENruQBG2Otz8Iln708dC1k/s400/4.10boysroom-09.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Gjve-jWaSNay5Cyoepg3NcDnfZVUs3249jouthCibSwaEW0Q7-jUSbGjeBVPhBhvagl9pXl0UldAvcdgOZNRpynj5AT2mVfDItGvczl8PY6K0rbYT46S9UBiIJhWYn9kHdqdWhw6uxQ/s1600/4.10boysroom-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Gjve-jWaSNay5Cyoepg3NcDnfZVUs3249jouthCibSwaEW0Q7-jUSbGjeBVPhBhvagl9pXl0UldAvcdgOZNRpynj5AT2mVfDItGvczl8PY6K0rbYT46S9UBiIJhWYn9kHdqdWhw6uxQ/s400/4.10boysroom-12.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7AEFRQwzHaSboUv3bL5NQOZuFFttiWpor8gzwIu-c-aPjXJmlDl0S0BTXgzHZmzGBjzyeEEyCm2yVldSAVtCd-D6CmDBqCIIOBIX1q2uVExYWVBpQ8aA8G2RQKFuY-cYokDwvyJZ8UU/s1600/4.10boysroom-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7AEFRQwzHaSboUv3bL5NQOZuFFttiWpor8gzwIu-c-aPjXJmlDl0S0BTXgzHZmzGBjzyeEEyCm2yVldSAVtCd-D6CmDBqCIIOBIX1q2uVExYWVBpQ8aA8G2RQKFuY-cYokDwvyJZ8UU/s400/4.10boysroom-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceDg22rZzAG45T6cU9AuxKvP5svYW8y-tghQfWcfCerAnjMPGTTK1q9yWwKNcc6mOEBqtsfqhiPLO3awgvp_jEHs_usTyUGlyiwWlUePjHdEp_OmCDizb54L8ySk_9YSnH53f3dUfpxc/s1600/4.10boysroom-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceDg22rZzAG45T6cU9AuxKvP5svYW8y-tghQfWcfCerAnjMPGTTK1q9yWwKNcc6mOEBqtsfqhiPLO3awgvp_jEHs_usTyUGlyiwWlUePjHdEp_OmCDizb54L8ySk_9YSnH53f3dUfpxc/s400/4.10boysroom-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaS5LrjbB6mji5wKa4gEevputZekJ98qp5PKGcK3-rdzrERLMqVqR9Tnva3cxXhjh8qQ-9mL-8FPD0LxxtAmsKVKHwYqpp2l75dhUdEmNHXGnqMsd6K9D9oCqf-nJ3vNZqOnYAZCsNtY/s1600/4.10boysroom-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaS5LrjbB6mji5wKa4gEevputZekJ98qp5PKGcK3-rdzrERLMqVqR9Tnva3cxXhjh8qQ-9mL-8FPD0LxxtAmsKVKHwYqpp2l75dhUdEmNHXGnqMsd6K9D9oCqf-nJ3vNZqOnYAZCsNtY/s400/4.10boysroom-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think displaying photos on clipboards is genius. I might be stealing this idea soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please check out <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/04/21/orange-airplanes-not-girly-shared-boys-bedroom/">Ashley Ann's blog</a> for the skinny on all her great ideas and sources. I couldn't get enough. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>All photographs courtesy of <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog">Ashley Ann Photography</a>.</i></div>

Disney Detox

We made it home from Disney World a few days ago, and I've been trying to recover ever since. It was a wonderful, fun-filled trip, but I...

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Let the Magic Begin

<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sorry I've so lax about blogging lately. This past week has been crazy with my children's end-of-the-year festivities AND preparing for our Disney trip. It's true. Today's the day. We're leaving for Disney World! </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOLc3upeuhXhvmVenJidyhBb9mPC9WcP8YKcC5FTxHbtxTuBGVWH2tN45i0Q8BqmiYwYQiXrzLWeZbHgdeIFSnnsOGA4Fl0K0gzaZPY9UOln2Hh_yoRy7VLKIaYbDqX0Y0I5pjleBpA8/s1600/WDWRAIL_1_998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOLc3upeuhXhvmVenJidyhBb9mPC9WcP8YKcC5FTxHbtxTuBGVWH2tN45i0Q8BqmiYwYQiXrzLWeZbHgdeIFSnnsOGA4Fl0K0gzaZPY9UOln2Hh_yoRy7VLKIaYbDqX0Y0I5pjleBpA8/s400/WDWRAIL_1_998.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The kids are so excited they can hardly stand it, and so am I. My excitement is just tempered with the usual anxiety that accompanies traveling with children. This will be the first flight for my son, and the first my daughter remembers (we flew when she was 18-months-old).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We'll be gone for six days, so hopefully I will return with some posts the following week. Until then, wish me luck. And if you have any tips about Disney, please feel free to share them as this is our first trip there with the kids.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Watch out, Mickey, here we come!</span>

Let the Magic Begin

I'm sorry I've so lax about blogging lately. This past week has been crazy with my children's end-of-the-year festivities AND pr...

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Another Good Mail Day

<span style="font-size: large;">Once again, I came home to some good mail. Not one of those junk mail days. Oh no. First, was this package:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSIkDIEJCktpNm0yxhJpvKj_CvBkyvWi2L4bIgRGwDyyKxBSsls6uFpiKO701vhhpB0-Qbf0lGX16Mr1UiuVkbxwIInhClwf3pbbGexW99xtoxbxmMxwaZc0NQKcy_enyBgvu3KrFMiU/s1600/IMG_4986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSIkDIEJCktpNm0yxhJpvKj_CvBkyvWi2L4bIgRGwDyyKxBSsls6uFpiKO701vhhpB0-Qbf0lGX16Mr1UiuVkbxwIInhClwf3pbbGexW99xtoxbxmMxwaZc0NQKcy_enyBgvu3KrFMiU/s400/IMG_4986.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you remember that giveaway I won about a week ago? It was a piece of jewelry designed by <a href="http://www.monkeygrasshill.blogspot.com/">Julie at Monkey Grass Hill</a>. So, what was in this super cute pink package?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88JH0ACowgeH49uXx4673SpCcnM7aS15rkMNp2gD-E6O5LpmMHDxzj7aXOvTsexyNosXZ7npqXMCm5-mdGxhLwD-r3HebBIRdyulyCIK56upERsvwMgpDcxpDfcFJ7TSNvyxOfFKJu7Y/s1600/IMG_4988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88JH0ACowgeH49uXx4673SpCcnM7aS15rkMNp2gD-E6O5LpmMHDxzj7aXOvTsexyNosXZ7npqXMCm5-mdGxhLwD-r3HebBIRdyulyCIK56upERsvwMgpDcxpDfcFJ7TSNvyxOfFKJu7Y/s400/IMG_4988.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This beautiful necklace! The stones are a dark gray, with just a hint of blue. After just a few emails back and forth, Julie suggested this unique design that I will treasure for years to come. Thanks so much, Julie, you really made my day!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, what else showed up in the old mailbox?  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIhzsoXVYEC8s0gmNtB-TWlzsW_H75uMq0rj7eH4oQQlJirlxE2a2jLjSzHS1LuBZYmIHtH7k3fZ5XSnF6g5htyXRDOT0GJYTwB8TBP9MBp0uyOoeFsjOzMKrLZhiwYYJcBtjKu6Qzpo/s1600/IMG_4990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIhzsoXVYEC8s0gmNtB-TWlzsW_H75uMq0rj7eH4oQQlJirlxE2a2jLjSzHS1LuBZYmIHtH7k3fZ5XSnF6g5htyXRDOT0GJYTwB8TBP9MBp0uyOoeFsjOzMKrLZhiwYYJcBtjKu6Qzpo/s400/IMG_4990.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A package of travel documents and park hopper passes to . . . you, guessed it . . . Disney World. Yes, we're taking the kids on their first trip to the land where dreams come true in just a few weeks. I'm a little anxious because, well, because it's Disney World. It's a bit overwhelming, but the children are beyond excited. Luckily, the grandparents are accompanying us to provide<strike> money</strike> back-up. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and I got a Ballard's catalog . . . </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about you? Good mail day?</span></div>

Another Good Mail Day

Once again, I came home to some good mail. Not one of those junk mail days. Oh no. First, was this package: Do you remember that giveaway I ...

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