Going Green

 Ever since we visited Ireland in 2001 and met the jovial countrymen, traveling the backroads through the lush green meadows, I have been drawn to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  I love to make corned beef, we've found some great Irish soda bread on the market and everything about this day is worth celebrating-- maybe its because against the backdrop of winter gray -- the bright green is a welcome sight. 

But more than that --I think it is because Charles Artie Bell II was born just hours before March 17th!

 We  kicked off the week with a family dinner of corned beef and cabbage Sunday night with the whole Good clan as Jim and Jan were in town.  Sydney asked to sleep over on Wednesday night and invited Jack to come along.

 Bethany and I had visited the Greenwood Rising Museum earlier on Wednesday and it was inspiring and convicting at the same time.  Sydney and Jack wanted to sleep over and as she dropped us off both kids had plans for what we could do next.   Sydney wanted a scavenger hunt --Jack wanted to make a Leprachun trap.  He asked if I'd ever caught one -- I had to confess I hadn't and had never made a trap.

He worked for over an hour and made the perfect one.  He said there had to be coins to entice him.

Seeing that he sincerely thought he could catch one -- I decided to plant one in his trap after he'd gone to sleep that I had bought as we were leaving Ireland.   

Jack woke us up yesterday morning so excited that he'd caught a leprauchan!  He was being cautious because he was afraid that it would vanish.  I assured him it wouldn't.  Since he was upside down - Sydney thought we should put ice on his head.  When he examined it closer -- he could see that it was only a stuffed toy. The look of disappointment on his face was gut-wrenching.  He said quietly,  "I prayed for one last night".  Way to go, Nana!

Yesterday afternoon we got to celebrate Charlie's 5th  birthday with a cousin birthday party.  

Last night we enjoyed corned beef and cabbage at Bethany and Mat's and loved watching all 6 romp and play for hours.  The older Goodlett's each look after the 3 little Bells so well oftentimes pairing up one-on-one.  Campbell looked after Calvin and swung him on the swing for hours.  He was definitely taken with her.  Jack dressed them all up in super hero capes.  Yes, they truly are OUR superheroes!!

This verse from Psalms 103 spoke to my heart today:

But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—

with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

Disney Adventure!

 

Sometime last Fall, Marshall texted and asked me if I'd like to go to Disney World and then reminded me that I had earlier told him that Disney World is the trip I'd like to take again.  We were with the little ones on Christmas morning when they found out that they were going to Disney World.  In the weeks that followed they watched all sorts of videos with Momma on what all was in store for them at Disney.

Marshall had scheduled everything to a "T" including meals, passes and hotels and Katie learned from a "Disney Pro" all the ins and outs of navigating the parks and transportation.

We kicked off the Week on Saturday the 5th with sewing lessons for Katie, Clara and Charlie.  They all became pros -- Katie on her machine and Clara and Charlie on a tiny machine that Clara had just received.  I forgot how much I enjoy teaching sewing lessons.

Sunday we lunched out at Quail Springs Country Club and then Terry headed for home with his favorite dishes that Katie had prepared ahead of time for his meals while I was away.  

 

 Early Monday Morning the kids were up bright and early - loaded their backpacks and we headed to the OKC Airport

 

The 3 C's (Clara, Charlie and Calvin) are the best travelers. They are always up for an adventure and wear their masks and walk their little legs off when they have to.   We boarded at 7:15 and finally arrived in Orlando at 2pm and made it to the hotel by 4. . . without a single complaint!

Our hotel the Swan Reserve is a new hotel at the outer perimeter of the Park with quick access.

We had an wonderful dinner of fresh catch at Todd's Blue Zoo - a 5-star restaurant near the hotel.

Tuesday morning, bright and early:  Off to Magic Kingdom

We enjoyed the most attractions in the Magic Kingdom:  Buzz Light Year Spin, Dumbo - the Flying Elephant, It's a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Winnie the Pooh Adventures, Pirates of the Carribean, The Magic Carpet Ride, Tomorrowland Speedway, Under the Sea, the Carousel

Nana's first ride -- never mind that my legs got stuck in the seat belt getting in!!!

                                                 

A certain little gal loves Ariel.

You can't go to Disney and not ride the carousel!

The Tea Cup -- Nana doesn't do dizzy twirls

The People Mover that stopped for 20 minutes with promises someone would come to help us.

. . . .And then came the RAIN as we drove the speedsters! 

Katie ordered lots of ponchoes 

and antibacterial spray -- so we were all set

As a child - Dumbo was always Marshall's favorite movie!

WED: Hollywood Studio - we must have worn a half dozen pair of 3-D glasses

                                                            Star Wars was a big hit

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Toy Story Mania

Slinky Dog was high on Clara's bucket list

WED afternoon:  Animal Kingdom

Meet the Characters Luncheon was ahuge hit in the Moroccan Section of Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Safari

My favorite in Animal Kingdom was the dense foilage and the attraction "It's tough to be a bug".  Calvin sobbed, Clara wailed and Charlie cried.

THURSDAY:  Epcot

We lunched in the China sector

We enjoyed a scrumptious Mexican Dinner in a restaurant just across from this Mayan pyramid.

 We rode busses, trams, and this ferry and put in lots of pavement time walking 23 miles!

And on Thursday night - it was back to the Magic Kingdom for a Special Finale ---

Dessert Party

Firework Extravaganza

22 attractions -- 4 parks -- What a full week and a fun adventure with the most delicious food for 3 little Bells mommy, daddy & Nana!  

Then early Friday morning, it was back to the airport and heading to OK.

This momma and daddy deserve a week off to REST.

I'm not going to lie -- this Nana did get tired from time to time -- but Marshall and Katie made sure there were plenty of breaks, Katie kept us all hydrated and there was always lots of good food! This was me at the end of Wednesday when I'd worn the wrong walking shoes all day. (my best walkers got wet the day before)