Ringling Bros: Dragons #RBBBATL

One of Amelia's favorite "books" is the over-sized program we received from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Think Big! last year. She loves to flip through the colorful photos, telling anyone with ears of the excitement we saw at the circus.

I did not need a moment of thought before saying YES to the circus again! This time, the show is Dragons! A "once in a millennium event celebrating the Chinese Year of the Dragon." Phenomenal acts include Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, charging Cossack riders, magnificent Asian elephants, Siberian tigers and the frenzied motorcycle Globe of Steel!

New wonders, reborn

My daughter's birth now seems long ago. The memory is disjointed, some parts sharp and other fuzzy. She was a wonder, a joy. She was something that scared the heck out of me. Raising a human being? Creating a personality? An actual PERSON? I had no certainty that I was up to the task.

Married for a decade

Wow, it is our TEN year anniversary today. On January 25th in 2003, around 3:30 in the afternoon, I became a wife. Steve's wife.

We had an adorable wedding in a historical chapel and a quaint reception in a lovely home from the civil war era. Our DJ mispronounced "Stephen" when he announced us into the reception. I danced with my dad, Steve danced with his mom, and we smiled at some sweet grandparents who are no longer with us. I spilled vodka cranberry on my dress. Steve joked with college buddies who flew in from many states. We departed that evening with sore cheeks from too many smiles, and we stuffed our faces with reception food in the hotel.

A hunting we will go...

House hunting, that is!

We have been following the area housing market for several months and it seems to be coming back. In our Atlanta area, there are a few outstanding public schools that drive home buying competition and pricing. We have narrowed our search to a couple school areas and, after living in our home for 10 years, we know exactly what features we need and want.

Time has come... blog announcement

I guess this Balancing Mama is not balancing so well anymore. I need some free time for my brain to be quiet. Part of a true life balance, I believe, is down time. Time to just be me with no deadlines, worries, or pressures. I am sticking to my word for 2013.

#WW: Funny faces

Last month we snapped dozens of photos as we gathered with various family groups for Christmas celebrations. To inject a bit of personality beyond the typical stand-in-a-group-and-smile shots, we asked everyone to make a funny face.

The verdict: We have an utterly crazy family!

The adults and teenagers in the family have forbidden me to share the pics. The world will never know just how ridiculous we can look... oh well. 

A glamorous & tasty #Atlanta activity

Ooh, I am loving the sparkle and glam of the Pink Pastry Parlor, now open at Phipps Mall in Atlanta. What a pinkalicious party or special dessert spot for girls and their friends (and their moms!)

 

 

 Pink Pastry Parlor is one of the newest additions to Phipps Plaza and is a premier party destination for young girls in Atlanta.

The Pink Purpose:
To celebrate the pink power in all of us through pampering, friendship, and great dessert!

Visit them on the web at pinkpastryparlor.com 

And if you visit in person, bring me some cupcakes!!!  Yum.

Sunday Story: 10 Famous Lines

Eleven weeks come to an end today. Posting a few hours early to call it complete - Sunday Story was fun!

This series was based on an incredible prompt list from Daring to Live Fully, and now I have a complete list of 100 things I love. So much to be thankful for in this world!

10 Favorite Movie Lines
(from my generation) 

Not like the others

Like most of you, I grew up with Sesame Street. I still remember many of the songs and videos they played over and over again.

Today, this one is running through my mind:

"One of these things is not like the others,  
One of these things just doesn't belong,  
Can you tell which thing is not like the others  
By the time I finish my song?"

#WW: Magic Kingdom adventure

I recently shared what to bring for a day at Disney World with a few photos of our magical fun. Also some photos of the fantastic Lion King family suite where we stayed two nights.

Everything at the Magic Kingdom is lovely, fun, and exciting - so I cannot resist sharing a few more!

We're here!

Make your own gummies!

Is your winter weather gray and depressing like ours? If you are looking for some fun indoor activities with your kids, check out the make your own candy kits from the nice folks at Glee Gum.These are easy for kids to follow along, educational, and have a yummy result.

Sunday Story: 10 Writers

Week number ten of eleven! Sunday Story - based on an incredible prompt list from Daring to Live Fully, where I will eventually have a list of 100 things I love. Almost there!

10 Writers

• Shel Silverstein. I have expressed my love for his entertainment a few times on this blog. I am a forever fan.

Mama's bag for Disney World

Early morning - take advantage of resort Extra Magic Hours!

Just before Christmas, we took our little princess to Disney World. This was her second visit and my fifth. It was especially exciting this time because New Fantasyland, the largest Magic Kingdom expansion in the park's history, officially opened 14 days prior. There were new things to see for all of us!

A word for 2013

It has been a while since I joined Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop, but I am back this week! Since I am not really a resolution kind of person, this prompt was a perfect way to reflect and look ahead:

Instead of a resolution, some people choose a theme word to live by for the year. Choose a word for 2013 and tell us why you chose it.

I could select from a long list of theme words, but one forces its way into the forefront of my mind: SLOW. I need to allow myself to slow down. I am rushing through life and parenthood because there is always something to be done.

#WW: Walt Disney World! Room fit for a (lion) king

No more secrets from our sweet girl - we went to Disney World!

Our first night, arriving after a long afternoon drive from Atlanta:

"What do you mean there are no Little Mermaid rooms left?!? Our daughter wanted a mermaid room - that's what we booked!"

"Free upgrade? A suite? Lion King? You say it's bigger and better? Well, okay...."

Table that hides a pull-down bed!