Disney Cruise!

I'm not sure if I would refer to this trip as a vacation but the kids called it "Best Vacation Ever!"  It was heaven for them.  From the moment we got on the boat until we docked back in Florida it was non stop excitement and chaos - exactly what my kids love. They got to meet the Disney characters, swim in a Mickey shaped pool while watching Disney movies both classic and new. They played detective games, watched magic shows and incredible theatre productions every night, they made Flubber and cupcakes in the kids club.  They swam with Dolphins & Sea turtles, played at the Beach on Disney's private Island, went for numerous rides on the Aquaduck water slide, ate ice cream everyday, got to dress like Pirates, got to sleep in a bunk bed... Like I said it was heaven for my kids.  

Iain and I did try to get a little "vacation time" in for ourselves as well.  One afternoon we went for a couples massage which was very relaxing - and believe me we needed it!  On the last night we went for a dinner in one of the private restaurants where we feasted on an 8 course meal prepared by a french Chef.  Soooooo delish!! This was a trip I'm sure the kids will remember forever.  I will not be jumping on another cruise anytime soon but I'm so grateful for the experience. Seeing those 3 beaming faces everyday was totally worth it.  :)

Ty & Vanessa on the Aquaduck water slide

The kids all took turns sleeping on the top bunk

Our first port stop - Grand Cayman

Swimming with the Sea Turtles in Grand Cayman

Favourite things of 2012

I always like to look back on my year and remember my favourite times... here is my list for 2012.

Song -  Breathing Underwater by Metric

TV Shows -  Don't trust the B in apt 23,  New Girl and The Mindy Project

Movie -  Life Of Pi

Book - I've got your number by Sophia Kinsella (was really into easy reads this year)

Meal in a Restaurant - Clink in Boston with Iain- the seafood in Boston was incredible.  

Clothing purchase - A very tall pair of beige wedge sandals that I can just barely walk in but they look so good I don't even care.  :)

Gift received -  Absolutely hands down the Roomba I received for Christmas from my parents.  

Moment with friends -  In June Iain and I took the kids to Scotland to visit his family but also for a friends wedding in a castle in Northern Scotland.  There was a moment at the wedding a large group of us were all dancing and having a blast and when the song ended there was a brief moment of silence when on of his friends yelled "we're dancing in a fucking castle!!" It was such a great moment, we all burst out laughing and continued to dance the night away... in a castle!! 

Moment with Iain - Watching the kids open their Christmas gifts this year was so exciting.  Iain had set up a big scavenger hunt for our kids to follow around the house and it ended with them getting a Disney Cruise.  I was so excited for them I could barely sleep Christmas Eve and Iain planned the whole thing from the scavenger hunt to booking absolutely everything on the cruise.  It was very nice for him to get to share his love to travel and get away in such an exciting way with our kids.  

Moment with Ty - 2012 was a tougher year for Ty as he has had such a hard time getting over being cut from his rep hockey team.  9 months later and he still mentions how much he misses his old team and wishes they would have chosen to keep him on the team.  He has continued to play hockey at a house league level and was chosen to play on a Select team made up of 9 and 10 year olds.  It was so nice for him that during their first tournament on the year Ty was given an MVP award.  

Moment with Vanessa -  Vanessa's dance recital was definitely one of my favourite moments with her.  She loves being on stage and she even had a small solo were she did front walkovers across the stage with the biggest smile on her face.  I love seeing her so confident and having so much fun.  

Moment with Troy - Troy has kept us laughing all year with his silly faces, dances and his amazing sense of humour.  We had a very sweet moment though one morning I asked him if he remembered the passcode to my ipod because he was trying to unlock it.  His answer was " if I wiggle my head around a bit my brain will remember it.  My brain makes me remember passcodes but my heart makes me remember that your name is Mom"  I don't even think he really realized what he was saying but it so innocent and genuine.

2012 has not been my favourite year for many reasons BUT it was not without its wonderful moments. It's nice to remind myself of those times and it makes me look forward to more wonderful moments in the New Year.  I will always look forward to the adventures that are yet to come.