Lemonade Stand Joy

Yesterday we FINALLY had sunshine here in our part of Ohio and we put on a Yard Sale to raise some money for our upcoming Disney getaway. The kids had been BEGGING to have a lemonade stand forever so we figured since we'd be having traffic anyway it would be the perfect day to do it.

They had fun decorating the sign together and it was such fun to watch the joy on their faces as each customer would approach. Lauren was halarious at first, determining how much change she would give back based upon how nice the people were- giving a few customers free lemonade (until Luke found out about it and insisted on their need to turn a profit : ).  They earned $10.00 to split for the trip which they were thrilled about. Thanks to all who came out to buy a "refreshing glass of lemonade for only .25 cents! 
I hope you enjoyed some sunshine this weekend too!

Not as Planned

We had our Spring Break a few weeks ago and we headed to Kiawah Island South Carolina for a week on the beach. In years past we always had wonderful weather full of sunshine, bike rides around the island and tons of beach time- this year it didn't go quite as planned. There was rain in the forecast every single day, one day they broke a record low temperature of 40 degrees and on the sunny day we had at the end of our vacation there were 40 mile per hour wind gusts on the beach.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. We enjoyed some good family time despite the weather, taking in a Children's Museum:

(My adorable nephew Ben)

(They had the coolest grocery store)

(Tim prisoner on the pirate ship)

(Luke performing a puppet show for us)

We had fun exploring Charleston's bakeries on the rain and found some incredible cupcakes and keylime pie to keep us happy despite the 40 degree temperatures and pouring down rain that day. We had an amazing lunch at Poogan's porch in Charleston, which if you are ever there I HIGHLY recommend, YUM!

We still were able to get 2 days in on the beach, although freezing and cloudy, we enjoyed watching the kids play and explore and having our feet on the sand and looking from treasures from the ocean:

(our sand castle creation, decorated with shells by Lauren)

(Tim showing Ben how to dig in the sand)

(a father daughter dance on the beach)

(mom and dad on the beach)

(super Luke)

(My brother Dave, his wife Barbie and son Ben strolling on the beach)

(Ben exploring)

We got to spend a lot of family time together in our beach house, and it was nice time that I know I will always cherish. Was it the most ideal situation? No! Was the vacation all we had invisioned, NO! but did we have great family memories together despite what mother nature handed us, ABSOLUTELY!

My favorite memories of the trip were the Amazing Race Scavenger hunts we created as a family. We would set out on bikes on the cloudy drizzly mornings in teams of 2 (my mom  and my kids were always on one team, sometimes my dad joined them) and then Tim and I were on the other team with Dave, Barbie and Ben. We would take turns being the clue leaver and the clue finder and the team who was searching had to text pictures of the clues found in order to get the next clue. The hunts took us all over the island and we all had fun doing it- I especially loved the thrill it gave Luke and Lauren.

On the last day, the sun came out and although it wasn't a beach day, we enjoyed some time in the sun on the back patio:

(Luke and I enjoying the sunshine)

(Tim and Luke soaking in some rays)

(Ben)

So, Spring Break 2011 will always go down in history as a wet and soggy beach vacation, but for me it will be one that I cherish on a different level because of the creativity it involved and the family bonding that ensued................good times : )

Things are going GREAT!

So it's been about a month now since aligned with Pixie Vacations and became an independent travel agent. www.destinationmagic.com (my own personal travel agent website) is going strong. I am LOVING planning Magical vacations for people. I've only been with the company a month and I have already booked several vacations for people to Disneyworld and even my first Disney Cruise Line booking. Tim has been such a help and support helping me get the website up and running, I think it just looks great and am so thankful to have such a supportive husband by my side. He was so encouraging during this entire process and was like my own personal cheerleader!
I just love working with my clients to do their personalized itineraries, dining reservations, entertainment reservations, etc.  I had a lot of questions when promoting my business these past few weeks - no one seems to believe that I do all of this for free at no cost to them- but I do. It has been such a fun outlet for me.


The other exciting thing is that my new column at DisneyDispatch.com has been doing well. It runs every Friday and I now have 3 columns under my belt. Here is a direct link to my column home page: http://www.disneydispatch.com/content/columns/happiest-tips-on-earth/  I've had a lot of people approach me at work encouraging me saying how great it is that I stepped out of the box and finally acted on my dream- I must say I am thrilled this time has come too- it is a very rewarding feeling.
As a family we are anxiously awaiting our first sailing on the DisneyDream in June and our first stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge- can't wait to experience new Disney things ourselves, especially after planning so many fun trips for others these past few weeks.
Thank you to all of my friends and family who have helped me promote destinationmagic and my services these past few weeks and who have read my column and posted replies- thank you your support means SO very much to me!

-Lesley

Follow Your Dream!

So....... a few weeks ago at church there was a sermon on following your passions in life and instead of sitting by to actually come up with a plan and act on them.........I was INSTANTLY inspired.
As those of you who know me are fully aware, Disney is a  huge passion of mine.  I enjoy our Disney trips, planning others trips and writing trip reports more than words could express. I have been planning so many trips for people lately and always ask myself (and Tim), why don't I do this for a living!?!  Now, I am fully aware that my true gift is education and teaching my students on a daily basis and I have NO intention of quitting my day job but I wanted to pursue something on the Disney front. I am SO happy to report that not only have I followed my Disney planning dreams but I have taken it a step further.
I have aligned with a travel agency and have taken online courses and Tim helped me design my new website: http://www.destinationmagic.com/    The site has only been up one week and I've already booked my first vacation and it's just gotten more exciting from there.
Starting on Friday I will have my OWN COLUMN on http://www.disneydispatch.com/ entitled "The Greatest Tips On Earth". This will be a weekly column and the owner of the site will also reference my personal travel website within it. I can't tell you how exciting this is for me. I am so excited that instead of standing by and hoping for things I have actually started taking action to watch my dreams come true. I hope you will tell others about http://www.destinationmagic.com  if you have friends/family who are planning Disney travel (or ANY travel) and that you will also check out my column this Friday on http://www.disneydispatch.com/ .
Thanks!!!!
Lesley

Iron Chef Luke

Luke's latest obsession is with the Food Network. If you ask Luke about any show on that channel he could go on for hours talking about the latest Iron Chef, Diners Drive In's and Dive's,Chopped,  Man vs. Food, etc. He watches the channel when he first wakes up and as he falls asleep at night. He dreams of going to culinary school and learning the tricks of the trade. We decided since hs is so passionate about it we should start teaching him the physical skills of the kitchen.
A few nights ago the guys decided to prepare a meal for us and Luke was the chef, here are some pictures of him in action:

He had Tim as an OUTSTANDING teacher:

Luke was so excited during the entire process and was soaking in every bit of information Tim gave him. They did a great job preparing a yummy Italian dinner, they even finished it with a delicious desert. Here are my Iron Chef's:

Luke took great pride in setting the table (notice the candle to make it romantic : ) 

Tim created score cards for Lauren and I to rate him on presentation, taste and originality - I think he was pleased with his scores . This will just be the first of many adventures in the kitchen with Luke (we have some more fun cooking challenges planned).  I am a firm believer in going with your child's interests and helping them to build those skills in order for them to gain confidence. I realize he is only 9 (almost 10) and his interests will definitely change over the years. Maybe Luke will end up being a chef some day, only time will tell, but he will remember that he got his start as an apprentice of Chef Tim in our kitchen : )

-Lesley

Happy New Year!

Life is good.................... no......... REALLY good ! I am truly blessed and so thankful for all that 2010 has brought to me and my family. I am thankful for too many things to put into this blog, but let it be said that I am one happy girl. I am so thankful to the good Lord for all that 2010 has brought us and anxiously await all that 2011 will bring. I will admit it is a little scary to think I will be a mom to a 10 and 8 year old in 2011, where has the time gone!?!

Here is a bit of a year in review via pictures for you as we say goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011.

I hope that 2011 brings you health and happiness, live each day as if it is your last,soak it all in......I know I do.



HAPPY NEW YEAR!



-Lesley

Changes

We have had a BIG change in our household this week........... Tim has gone back to work. The economy finally hit us with all of my courses cancelling at the University I teach at. I am SO thankful that my children and myself have benefitted from the years of hard work and dedication Tim put into running our home and taking care of the kids. This time also allowed him to dedicate time and energy into establishing his successful DJ and DVD production businesses as well.
As with any new venture anxiety did ensue at first but I am so proud of him for his smooth transition back into the work force outside of home. I did have to hustle and try to find after school care for the kids (he went in for a hiring conference on Wednesday and his first job was Thursday!) and found it through an amazing neighbor who is going to watch them from the time they get off of the bus until Tim or I get home from work.
I am so thankful and feeling so blessed right now, this could have been a difficult transition for all of us,but it has been so smooth. It's incredible how the Lord provides for us ALWAYS.
-Lesley