"I Want To Go Back!!!"....a Sept 2010 PTR(upd 10/12-TR Started!)

[jenny105]

We are going out of nj with Spirit, in September. But, we bought our tickets before April 6 so we don't have to pay for carry on bags. We were grandfather in.

I wish I would have bought them sooner. No big deal. I think I'll be ok without a carry on!

 

[Dancegrl624]

That's a good idea to use a suitcase for souvies! Maybe I'll check an extra, somewhat empty bag and use it for that on the way home. Always thinkin, you are!

Some of the hipsters are on sale, certain colors. I saw one I really liked, I forget the name of the print but it's brown and pink. That would match a lot of what I have!

We have a tendency to go shopping crazy at WDW!!! Madison has her own bank account under my DH's name (allowance, holidays, etc). So, she gets to buy what she wants, but she used her own money for it.

I have a hipster in Pink Elephant (retired print) but I need a new one. Since it's a mostly black pattern, it's pretty faded from 2 trips to WDW last year and multiple trips to the zoo, mini golf, etc. I want the new Call Me Coral color!! Our 8 year wedding anniversary is Tuesday, Mother's Day is coming up and my birthday is in June. I really hope I get it for one of those occasions!!

For the Halloween costumes, since it will September and warm, you could do a shirt with DISign that is Alice inspired. Like a picture of the Mad Hatter's Hat for DH on a shirt and the Queen of Hearts for your shirt. Just a thought...

Shoes: We are Keens fans and alternate them with flip flops on days we do not wear them. So we will be packing them for sure. I actually want to get a new pair of flip flops and need to get on that so I have time to break them in before Disney. I have ON ones now but I have heard good things about Reef ones so I think I am going to try those next.

I know you have your tickets already but have you ever thought about the autotrain? not sure if it is close to you or not but i have read great things about it.

I am trying to think of costumes that won't make us too hot. Thank goodness Alice wears a short-sleeved dress! My mom (a very talented seamstress) could make her the Alice dress out of a very lightweight material. I actually found a Queen of Hearts costume awhile ago that I want. It's a bit short, so I might need my mom to help fix it a bit. Either that or I can show her a picture of it and have her duplicate it.

Queen of Hearts Costume
No, I will not wear shoes or stocking like that!!!! If I can get my DH to even wear a Halloween t-shirts, it will be a miracle!

I've never heard of the autotrain. We must not have that around here.

Meghan, your Disney day sounds fun! Maybe reminding Tony of how great Alice in Wonderland is will inspire him to want to dress up for MNSSHP! I think that is SUCH a cute idea!

It was a great day! I may have to bribe him to get him to wear a costume. I keep telling him that he's not going to see anyone he knows!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Madison has Spring Break this week so we did a bit of shopping yesterday. I wanted to look for more vacation shirts and I really would like a new pair of denim shorts. I was also looking at cute summery dresses and bathing suits. So, we went to JC Penney's, Target, Old Navy and Kohl's. I didn't have any success with shirts, shorts or dresses, but we did get new bathing suits!!!

This is from Old Navy. The past few years, their bathing suits haven't fit me very well, but this one is perfect!!!

Here's a close-up of the pattern. It's really cute!

MADISON

The one on the left is from ON and we just bought it yesterday. I love the pineapples! The other one is from Target and we bought it awhile ago.

These are both from Kohl's. Madison really needed a new swim cover-up and this one is so cute! The shirt on the right I just couldn't pass up. I think Madison is going to wear it to Cape May Cafe!!!

Like I mentioned before, Madison is on Spring Break this week. Monday we had a very nice lazy day until our dentist appointment in the afternoon. I found out a need a filing patched up and Madison has 3 cavities!!! She has my teeth, unfortunately. The cavities are in baby teeth, but she'll have them until she's 12, so she needs them fixed. After the dentist, we went out to Texas Roadhouse where her school was having a fundraiser night. It was delish!

After our shopping extravaganza yesterday, we went and played mini golf. Madison got 4 holes in one!!!! She did such a great job. I then had to bring her to dance team practice with me (Tony had class, my sis was teaching dance and my parents are in Fort Lauderdale). Today, I have to do some and go grocery shopping. Then, I'm going to see a ballet tonight!!! One of my friends I use to dance with in HS is in the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet company. They are performing at the University of Buffalo's Center for the Arts tonight and I'm so excited! She is a beautiful ballerina.

Tomorrow (Earth Day) I think we're going to see "Ocean's". Madison loves animals and we both really want to see it. Tony isn't into animal/documentary films, so I thought we'd go see it without him. I then have practice again tomorrow night. Friday I think we're going shopping with my older sister. We need to go buy some wedding gifts for our cousins who have bridal showers coming up in May.

Saturday is going to be a sad day. As you all know, I dance for the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team. I've decided that this is going to be my last year on the dance team. I've been dancing with the Bandettes (that's what we're called) for the past 5 seasons. I plan on helping out a lot next year (and many years to come) but it just won't be the same. The energy you feel when dancing out on the field in front of 18,000 fans in amazing and cannot be dulplicated. The girls on the team are my best friends and we've had so many great times together. The whole team plans on going to the post-game party and I'm really excited about that! Madison is staying over at my sister and BIL's house so Tony can join me after the game.

Since I won't have any Disney updates for awhile, I guess you'll have to deal with me doing life updates instead!! The rumor remains the FD should come out on May 3rd (maybe April 29th for Disney Visa holders?) and MNSSHP tickets should come out around the same time too. Thanks for sticking with me!

 

[tinkgurl]

Those are cute swimming suits! I love all the stores you went to!

Ugh, I hate going to the dentist. That stinks for Madison. I'm sure she'll do well though!

I really want to see Oceans too!

 

[swwake]

Cute clothes! I love the top for Madison and I am envious of you in your string bikini! Wow, y'all are busy this Spring Break week. It seems so late in the year to me. Ours was around March 12th. But I bet your schools don't get out as early. Ours get out June 3.

I would love to hear about Oceans. How bittersweet about leaving the Bandettes. Enjoy your week with Madison!

 

[Disneychix]

Cute shopping trip finds!! That's so nice that you and DD are able to spend time together while she's on vacation

My DH was NOT going to dress up for MNSSHP. My mom and I were Mouseketeers and DS was Tigger. I bought DH a cool Nightmare Before Christmas (his fav) t-shirt to wear. The last night before our trip I went to Target and on a whim got him this Ghostbuster's costume. It was just a jumpsuit and had an inflatable 'pack' to wear, you know the ghost sucking packs? Anyway he reluctantly wore it and he got the MOST comments on his costume the whole night! People kept telling him how awesome his costume was and singing the Ghostbusters song!
So my advice would be to just bring a costume for your DH and have Madison work her charm to get him to wear it!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wow, great shopping finds!! Those suits for Maddie are SO cute! Yours too.

Sounds like you have a really fun spring break week going! How nice for the two of you.
I'm sad for you ending your tenure with the Bandettes! I loved hearing about it! Too bad you weren't traveling with the team - you could have come to MN when they played the Swarm! I know you talked about another baby, so I'm guessing that maybe part of it for you. I know you'll always be dancing though, so try not to be too sad!

Do you have the Disney Visa? I will cross my fingers that you get Free Dining!

 

[klacey1]

Love your ON bathing suit! I have a ton of bathing suits from there that I tend to buy at the end of the season-- I got a black bikini for around $12 (both pieces!). Madison's pineapple suit is adorable!
DBF's brother works at Kohl's and has a 25% discount, so we've picked up some great things there. I love their Vera Wang/Daisy Fuentes lines! The jewelry is great, too.
What made you decide to quit the Bandits?? I know how you feel-- it's so tough to decide to leave something you love doing (especially when you don't NEED to leave, technically). I work at a leadership camp for high schoolers for one week each summer and it takes up SO much time during the year (I do administrative stuff). I know I have to force myself to leave this year-- but it's so difficult since I really believe in the program and I'm sooo close with my co-workers. The thought of possibly never seeing them again is just terrible.
Enjoy Oceans! The commercials make it look super cute.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh girl!! Don't be sad!!! Just keep thinking how blessed you are to have been able to keep doing it this long after you graduated and got married AND had a baby!!! Ha!!!! You are just moving into a different season in your life....I would probably still cry Saturday tho' Great wisdom,huh?!!!! Life is so full of Bittersweet times.... I will be thinkin about ya!!!!
Loved all the new stuff...again...feel blessed you can wear that bathing suit and look good!!!! I only wear 2 pieces in my backyard where I can tan....of course, without company here either!
Hope your discounts come out soooooon...How is Madison's dance schedule for summer? Do they take summer breaks, or do they compete year round?We have ballet recital the end of May...I am always ready for the break when it gets here.....I only wish we did recital every other year....those little costumes and recital fees add up!!!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Those are cute swimming suits! I love all the stores you went to!

Ugh, I hate going to the dentist. That stinks for Madison. I'm sure she'll do well though!

I really want to see Oceans too!

Thanks! I love being so close to all of those stores. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else! I'm sure Maddie will do fine at the dentist. I'll probably go first so she can see that I'm just fine. "Oceans" looks great, but we may have to wait until Friday. The first show is too late in the day tomorrow and I need to be able to get home, make dinner and get ready for practice.

Cute clothes! I love the top for Madison and I am envious of you in your string bikini! Wow, y'all are busy this Spring Break week. It seems so late in the year to me. Ours was around March 12th. But I bet your schools don't get out as early. Ours get out June 3.

I would love to hear about Oceans. How bittersweet about leaving the Bandettes. Enjoy your week with Madison!

Thanks! I love finding cute kids clothes. I dread the day that Madison won't let me shop for her anymore! We're trying to keep busy this week. The weather is nice, so I hope to get outside and pull weeds from the garden too. I'm NOT a gardener and I wouldn't have a garden if it was up to me. The previous homeowners were definately big time gardeners, so I just do the upkeep! They planted tons of perennials! It was kind of fun last year seeing what would pop up each month!

Our district (and most around WNY) decided that Spring Break would always be the 3rd week in April, no matter when Easter fell. Madison's last day of school is June 22nd (we start the Wed after Labor Day).

Cute shopping trip finds!! That's so nice that you and DD are able to spend time together while she's on vacation

My DH was NOT going to dress up for MNSSHP. My mom and I were Mouseketeers and DS was Tigger. I bought DH a cool Nightmare Before Christmas (his fav) t-shirt to wear. The last night before our trip I went to Target and on a whim got him this Ghostbuster's costume. It was just a jumpsuit and had an inflatable 'pack' to wear, you know the ghost sucking packs? Anyway he reluctantly wore it and he got the MOST comments on his costume the whole night! People kept telling him how awesome his costume was and singing the Ghostbusters song!
So my advice would be to just bring a costume for your DH and have Madison work her charm to get him to wear it!

I LOVE it when Madison is off from school! We have so much fun together.

I will keep trying to talk him into wearing a costume. If not, I'll probably just buy him a Halloween t-shirt from ON.

Wow, great shopping finds!! Those suits for Maddie are SO cute! Yours too.

Sounds like you have a really fun spring break week going! How nice for the two of you.
I'm sad for you ending your tenure with the Bandettes! I loved hearing about it! Too bad you weren't traveling with the team - you could have come to MN when they played the Swarm! I know you talked about another baby, so I'm guessing that maybe part of it for you. I know you'll always be dancing though, so try not to be too sad!

Do you have the Disney Visa? I will cross my fingers that you get Free Dining!

I love Madison's bathing suits. She still has 2 that fit her from last year, but kids need a lot of bathing suits!

Last week, 8 of my teammates took a trip to Florida (they stayed at one of the girls condos in Tampa). They took an overnight trip to Orlando to watch the Bandits play the Titans!!! They met the other dance team and had a lot of fun. I usually take the trip to Rochester since it's only an hour or so away.

I do have a Disney Visa. Tony has decided to let me start using it for gas and groceries so we can get more reward points! I must say, they have the worst reward program...1 point for every $100 you spend is crazy.

Love your ON bathing suit! I have a ton of bathing suits from there that I tend to buy at the end of the season-- I got a black bikini for around $12 (both pieces!). Madison's pineapple suit is adorable!
DBF's brother works at Kohl's and has a 25% discount, so we've picked up some great things there. I love their Vera Wang/Daisy Fuentes lines! The jewelry is great, too.
What made you decide to quit the Bandits?? I know how you feel-- it's so tough to decide to leave something you love doing (especially when you don't NEED to leave, technically). I work at a leadership camp for high schoolers for one week each summer and it takes up SO much time during the year (I do administrative stuff). I know I have to force myself to leave this year-- but it's so difficult since I really believe in the program and I'm sooo close with my co-workers. The thought of possibly never seeing them again is just terrible.
Enjoy Oceans! The commercials make it look super cute.

Thanks! Having a discount at ON makes me spend more money than I make! I like their jewelry at Kohl's too. I actually bought a necklace there yesterday. I can't wait to see "Oceans"!

Oh girl!! Don't be sad!!! Just keep thinking how blessed you are to have been able to keep doing it this long after you graduated and got married AND had a baby!!! Ha!!!! You are just moving into a different season in your life....I would probably still cry Saturday tho' Great wisdom,huh?!!!! Life is so full of Bittersweet times.... I will be thinkin about ya!!!!
Loved all the new stuff...again...feel blessed you can wear that bathing suit and look good!!!! I only wear 2 pieces in my backyard where I can tan....of course, without company here either!
Hope your discounts come out soooooon...How is Madison's dance schedule for summer? Do they take summer breaks, or do they compete year round?We have ballet recital the end of May...I am always ready for the break when it gets here.....I only wish we did recital every other year....those little costumes and recital fees add up!!!!!

Being on the dance team has been amazing. It has let me keep on performing which I absolutely love. We gave up a lot of family time for me to be able to go to practice twice a week. I will definately be holding back the tears on Saturday.

Madison's last dance class is at the beginning of June. Irish dancing is very different from dance studios. They have a class feis (fesh - competition) in the middle of May which acts as their "recital". They get judged and get to do fun activities too. Competitions run all year long, but the majority of them are in the summer months. She will take the 6 week summer course to keep her steps up. Our dance studio tries really hard to keep costs down. We have one of the lowest tuitions in WNY and we try to keep our costumes prices down. However, that is getting really hard when the costumes companies keep raising their prices.

BANDETTES
I thought I would talk about my time with the dance team and why this is my last season. I tried out back in the fall of 2003 and I actually made the team. However, I had to back out that year because I was teaching dance on Thursday evenings (practices are Tues and Thurs nights). I couldn't try out in 2004 because I was still teaching on Thurs. The next year, I talked to the studio owner and we were able to switch my classes to Wed nights. So, I tried out again in 2005 and made the team!

We have always had 2 captains on the team. We usually have 14 girls and they are broken up into 2 lines (7 girls on each line). We dance on the field 4 times per game (pregame, between the 1st and 2nd quarters, halftime and between the 3rd and 4th quarters). While the game is going on, we break up into our 2 lines. One line usually goes and does the t-shirts toss, visits to the suite level, etc. The other line dances in the "tunnel" (in a hockey arena, it's where the zamboni comes out). We do what we call stingers/sidelines. They are little dances that only consist of 4 eight counts and we repeat them until the captain calls "5,6,7,8". During the 2007-2008 season, we added co-captains and I was one of them! We then took turns with the captain calling out our sideline dances.

I have now been a captain for the past 2 seasons. It has been a great experience and a lot of added responsibility. I've choreographed dances the past 4 seasons (mostly kickline dances). I've seen many girls come and go, but quite a few of us have been together for awhile. I always feel like a "big sister" to the rookies, especially when they're a lot younger than me (we have two 18 year olds, a 19 year old, and two 20 year olds this year).

This will be my last season dancing because we'd like to have another baby. Being the constant planner that I am, I would like to have a baby next July. June is a crazy month with my dance recital, the end of school, numerous dance competitions for Madison, etc. I obviously can't dance next season if I'm pregnant. I hope to be able to help out with tryouts, practices, games, etc next year. I can't just completely cut ties with the team. It's been a huge part of my life. I've gone to girls weddings, baby showers...we're a family. As we say...they are my Bandette sisters. Two of my good friends are the directors this year, so I hope to sit down with them soon and go over plans for the future.

 

[swwake]

The Bandettes sound like lots of fun. I had a girl who worked for me for a couple of years after she graduated from college. She had been on the dance team in college. At our firm, we are very busy in the winter, but she tried out and made the dance team for the arena football team we had here. Somehow it worked out perfectly with her schedule. Plus, she was able to stay in shape, have fun doing something she loves, and do some philanthropic work at the same time!

 

[Dancegrl624]

The Bandettes sound like lots of fun. I had a girl who worked for me for a couple of years after she graduated from college. She had been on the dance team in college. At our firm, we are very busy in the winter, but she tried out and made the dance team for the arena football team we had here. Somehow it worked out perfectly with her schedule. Plus, she was able to stay in shape, have fun doing something she loves, and do some philanthropic work at the same time!

It's been a blast! My older sister was on the dance team for our short lived arena football team. She was also a Buffalo Jill (cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills) in 2002. I guess it's in the blood!!! However, my little sister took the field hockey route.

 

[LaurenMic]

I just got all caught up!! The clothes you got for you and Madison are all SO cute! I love planning outfits to go with what you are doing that day! It looks like you do a really good job of staying cool and looking cute at the same time!

That is sad that you won't be on the dance team next year, but super exciting that you guys are going to be trying for another baby!!

 

[vamassey1]

I got behind but I'm caught up now.

Love your clothes. I wish I could wear stuff like that it's just not to be. I'm too old and too large. My daughter Michelle gets to wear cute clothes. She like wearing sun dresses at Disney too. Your bathing suits are so cute. I like to plan out what I'm going to wear when too. Lucky for you Madison still agrees with you. I have to battle with Danielle.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I just got all caught up!! The clothes you got for you and Madison are all SO cute! I love planning outfits to go with what you are doing that day! It looks like you do a really good job of staying cool and looking cute at the same time!

That is sad that you won't be on the dance team next year, but super exciting that you guys are going to be trying for another baby!!

Thanks! I love shopping for Disney trips. It's so much fun to figure out what to wear on each day. I am sad that I won't be dancing next season, but I'm starting to be ok with it. It's time for new girls to step up and my leaders on the team. I've had my turn. Madison has been asking for a little sister for a few years now (I have to remind her that you don't know what you're going to get!). She'll be such a great big sister.

I got behind but I'm caught up now.

Love your clothes. I wish I could wear stuff like that it's just not to be. I'm too old and too large. My daughter Michelle gets to wear cute clothes. She like wearing sun dresses at Disney too. Your bathing suits are so cute. I like to plan out what I'm going to wear when too. Lucky for you Madison still agrees with you. I have to battle with Danielle.

Thank you. I'm having so much fun picking out what clothes to wear. Madison battles me a little bit (especially about dresses), but it's not too bad. I remember having constant arguments with my mom about what to wear when I was Danielle's age.

 

[lexmas]

I love the bathing suits! Very cute.

Yikes about the dentist. DH has bad teeth, and I am the craziest teeth brusher for my poor kids. We don't have dental insurance, so we have to pay out of pocket for all of that, so I can do what I can! I hope Madison is good with dental work!

I'm sure it will be bittersweet to leave the bandettes, but it's exciting to start a new chapter! I take it you got pregnant fast with Madison since you think you can plan it out to the month! But I do hope it works out that way for you! DD was planned out to the month, but it took us a year for DS! I think the big age gap will be fun...my siblings are 7 and 9 years older than me and I really love the big age gap. I hope to have another when DD is between 8 and 10, that's how much I loved it! I think it's great that Madison got to be an only child for a long time, there are so many benefits to being an only child. I know people don't think that, but I really think it's so true. She'll love having a baby around too though! Things didn't work out that way for us but I think it's ideal to have big spaces! Okay, okay, I'm rambling. But I'm excited for you, and I'm always happy to see families with the big spacing that I love! Now the only real question is, will your next one have that gorgeous curly hair?

 

[Dancegrl624]

I love the bathing suits! Very cute.

Yikes about the dentist. DH has bad teeth, and I am the craziest teeth brusher for my poor kids. We don't have dental insurance, so we have to pay out of pocket for all of that, so I can do what I can! I hope Madison is good with dental work!

I'm sure it will be bittersweet to leave the bandettes, but it's exciting to start a new chapter! I take it you got pregnant fast with Madison since you think you can plan it out to the month! But I do hope it works out that way for you! DD was planned out to the month, but it took us a year for DS! I think the big age gap will be fun...my siblings are 7 and 9 years older than me and I really love the big age gap. I hope to have another when DD is between 8 and 10, that's how much I loved it! I think it's great that Madison got to be an only child for a long time, there are so many benefits to being an only child. I know people don't think that, but I really think it's so true. She'll love having a baby around too though! Things didn't work out that way for us but I think it's ideal to have big spaces! Okay, okay, I'm rambling. But I'm excited for you, and I'm always happy to see families with the big spacing that I love! Now the only real question is, will your next one have that gorgeous curly hair?

I'm so happy I found a bathing suit that I love and it fits perfectly! I've been getting cavities since I was little like Madison. I was told that I have soft teeth or something like that. I also wore braces for 4 1/2 years (it was supposed to be 2 years, but I didn't always do what I was told). I stopped wearing my retainer shortly after I got my braces off (bad idea) and my teeth have shifted back to the way they were before. I looked into invisalign, but it's WAY too much money right now.

We have loved having Madison as our only child for 7 1/2 years. We've gotten to do so many great things together. My sisters and I are all 7 years apart (little sis just turned 21 last month, my older sis turns 35 on April 27th and I'll be 28 on June 24th). We fought like crazy growing up, but what siblings don't? Now, we're the best of friends and love hanging out together. Madison will be such a great big sister and a wonderful helper. I really wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I know a lot of people have their kids close together, but that was not what we wanted. Besides...we lived with my parents after we got married until Madison was 2 years old. There was no more space for babies. We got married very young (18 and 19 years old), so we definately wanted to wait quite awhile to add another child. I think up until last year I didn't want anymore kids (they say you forget all about labor after your baby is born but I definately DID NOT! I remember it all quite vividly and I'm dreading it). But, I changed my mind. Having lost 3 of my grandparents, it reminded me how important family is. I saw how my parents and their siblings bonded together through tough times, and I don't want Madison to be alone if anything were to ever happen to us.

Ok...enough of my rambling!! I decided we did have time in our schedule today and we just got back home from seeing "Oceans". It was incredible!!! I could seriously watch dolphins and whales swim for hours on end. There were also many creatures I've never seen before. It was such a great movie. I highly recommend it to anyone.

 

[cdotla]

Ooohhhh....you've seen Oceans already!!??

We were supposed to do that for my daughter's B-day party Saturday, but the theatre is undergoing renos and couldn't book the party room. Then we will be leaving for Disney. I hope we have time to see it when we get back before it is finished its run in theatres. I have a feeling this is one that would be much better on the large screen!

Congrats on the decision to go for Baby #2. And what a great helper you will have this time around with your daughter!

Yay as well for finding bathing suits!!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

We just got back from seeing Oceans too! It was great, wasn't it? I was worried that the girls would be bored, because they never want to sit through nature shows on TV, but they really weren't.

What a big step it is, ending this chapter of your life and starting another one. But planning for a new baby will be so exciting, and you'll still be able to contribute to the team in other ways. It sounds like this is the right time for you to do this. And I have a close girlfriend with a big age gap between her two girls, and she says she wouldn't change it for the world.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Ooohhhh....you've seen Oceans already!!??

We were supposed to do that for my daughter's B-day party Saturday, but the theatre is undergoing renos and couldn't book the party room. Then we will be leaving for Disney. I hope we have time to see it when we get back before it is finished its run in theatres. I have a feeling this is one that would be much better on the large screen!

Congrats on the decision to go for Baby #2. And what a great helper you will have this time around with your daughter!

Yay as well for finding bathing suits!!!

"Oceans" was great!!! We saw the preview for the next Disneynature film that comes out on Earth Day 2011. It's called "African Cats"!!! It looks awesome! We also got to see the long trailer for Toy Story 3 and it looks hysterical!!!!!

I know that Madison will be a great big sister. I'm hoping it won't be a hard transition for her. You see, she's currently the only grandchild, niece, great-niece....you get the idea. You should see how much stuff she gets on her birthday and Christmas. It's ridiculous! I've been trying to talk to her every now and then about it. She won't be the center of attention anymore, but everyone loves her just the same.

I love finding bathing suits that I love AND for a great price. They weren't on sale, but I get 25% off at ON. I think I paid less than $40 for both of our suits. Not bad!

We just got back from seeing Oceans too! It was great, wasn't it? I was worried that the girls would be bored, because they never want to sit through nature shows on TV, but they really weren't.

What a big step it is, ending this chapter of your life and starting another one. But planning for a new baby will be so exciting, and you'll still be able to contribute to the team in other ways. It sounds like this is the right time for you to do this. And I have a close girlfriend with a big age gap between her two girls, and she says she wouldn't change it for the world.

Wasn't it a great movie! I knew there would be lots of kids there (Spring Break week), but it was SILENT through the entire movie. Weird because it's pretty much a documentary narrated by Pierce Brosnan. You would think that kids would get restless but that wasn't the case.

This Saturday, I just want to savor every single moment. I don't want to think about it being my last game. I want to enjoy myself and have fun with my teammates. If anyone mentions the whole "last game" thing to me on Sat, I might have to hit them. (totally kidding) I did get a little weepy on the way home after practice last night, but I don't want to cry on Saturday. I'll ruin my makeup!!!

I think I would have lost my mind if I had kids close together. I did not want to have 2 kids in diapers. That just wasn't for me. The age gap worked out just fine for my family growing up (although we weren't planned out that way), and I'm sure it will be fine for us.