You want to go to Disney with the kids what next. ...

You want to go to Disney with the kids? what next....

My husband and I went to Walt Disney World with 3 kids in January 2014 (I was also pregnant with our 4th).  He knew lots about Disney, and I knew nothing.   We kind used that trip as a learning process and went back to Disney world in 2016.  Here is what we learned..

1.Get excited! Your'e going to Disney!

2. You can book room/Campsite on Disney property (room only reservation) 400 days in advance so pick a date.   I love to download a free Disney count down app.  Everyday you get to see how much longer to your next trip.  Helps build the excitement for me.. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.naildriven.disneyworldcountdown&hl=en

3. As long as your downloading apps get the Walt Disney World or Disneyland free app. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/download-disneyland-mobile-app/  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/mobile-apps/ So much info on there play around with it.  You can see height requirements for rides, restaurant menus,  and even restroom locations.

4. Start reading Disney articles and see what other people suggest.  I like the articles on the following Facebook pages:
Disney Dining (https://www.facebook.com/disdining/)
and Disney Questions. (https://www.facebook.com/DisneyQuestion/?fref=ts)

5. Start General planning of your trip.  Even if you hate planning, it's a really good way to get the most out of your Disney trip. There is so much to do that if you don't have a plan, you will miss out on what you really want to see.  You can book dining reservations if you are staying on property at 180 days out and Fastpass reservations at 60 days out.   How I start planning is to write out the days.....

Jan 1st travel day
Jan 2nd Day 1
Jan 3rd Day 2
Jan 4th Day 3......
Than start with basics like add in which park each day (Magic kingdom,  Epcot,  Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom)
If you are making dining reservations that is next thing to decide. You can book sit down restaurants (Disney term is table service) 180 days in advance so knowing that will really help.   We love eating at "The Wave". It's located at the Contemporary Resort which is just a Monorail ride from Magic Kingdom.
At a Quick Service restaurant you order at a counter and take food back to your table yourself.  At these restaurants you can't make reservations, but if you find one you really want to try make sure to add that to your plans.

6. Print off maps of each park you plan to visit. 
This will give you a visual to look at when planning your day.  I try really hard to do all I can in one area of the park and then move on.  Save on all the extra walking.  Also don't forget using the Railroad as transportation around the Magic Kingdom park or for a nice break.

7. Start to plan each day at each park.  

I know sounds like a major drag, but you will be so happy you did.   With kids, the last thing you want to do is run them from one side of the park to the other.  The less steps, the better for all.  Plus you can always change plans after you arrive if there is something you want to add to you list.  The worst thing for me is getting off a ride and going "Ok, now what?" and taking time away from fun to figure out what to do next, or where to walk to.  Having a plan made the trip SO much more enjoyable.  

Things to keep in mind when planning days. .

A. Which park will you be visiting which day

B. Any dining reservations or restaurants you want to eat at.

C. Any shows you want to see (check show times if they are available).

D. Try to do everything you want to in one area of the park before you leave it.   (Example: at Magic Kingdom in Frontierland you can meet Chip and Dale,  ride Big Thunder Mountain,  go to Tom Sawyer Island, get on steam train, get some press coins, County Bear jamboree, and get wet on Splash Mountain)

E. Be realistic with times. plan on at least 60 minutes to 2 hours per attraction depending on time of year you go. This includes travel time to the attraction, waiting in line, and experiencing it. Obviously, Spring Break times or other holidays the crowds will cause you to have a longer wait time.

F. Think about general times for Fastpasses, although you will not know what rides and times you get for sure until 60 days beforehand.

G. Put everything on the plan.  (We keep saying I am sure we will get on steam train at some point and keep it in the plans, and we only rode it once in our first 10 day trip) if you want to do it put it on the plans somewhere, otherwise it won't happen.

H.  If the trip is not a surprise ask the kids what they want to do.... meet characters, ride roller coasters, see parades, see shows, take a train ride...?

Example day...

Friday 1/8/16 Day 1
8am Get to Magic Kingdom 
8:45 Opening show
9:05 to 10:05 Fastpass for Space mountain (non riders meet Buzz Lightyear)
10:05 to 11:05 Fastpass for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
People MoverTrain ride to Frontierland Lunch at Tom Sawyer Island
12:35 to 1:35 Fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain 
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tiki Room
Dole Whips
Meet Tinkerbell
Done in park
Chip and Dale Campfire at Campground

8. Book dining reservations 
Book dining reservations 180 day before your trip. There are so many options from dining in the parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs. Even if you don't think that you will need them, you have a plan to go there and experience it.

9. Book Fast Passes 60 days before your trip.

You can book up to three attractions that have Fastpass every day. If you are staying on Disney property it's 60 days in advance, if you are staying off site its 30 days. There are other sites that go further in depth into the Fastpass program than I ever could, so check those out.

10. Knowledge is power.  Keep doing research and tweaking plans.  You might find something else you want to experience, a recommendation you like, or a attraction that is opening after you made your plans. Keep you plans fluid enough that you can change them before you leave

11. Print off your plans and cut into note card size. Keep them in your bag you plan to take to parks. Sometimes its hard to remember all you have going that day, and its is a stress reliever to see what you have going on with just a quick glance.

Making plans is the best way we got the most enjoyment out of our Disney Vacation.  Good luck!  

How to divide and conquer Disney

How to divide and conquer Walt Disney World while still having a great family vacation

What happens when part of your party can't ride a "big" ride?   Do you do ride swap?  Do you just skip that ride?  I had these questions when we took our first Family Walt Disney World vacation.  We had 3 kids at the time and two were tall enough for most the rides but one was not (I also happened to be pregnant with #4)   I felt like lots of my day at the parks was trying to keep a toddler occupied while my husband had all the fun and got to ride all the rides with our other kids.   I was annoyed and after paying all the $$$$ to go to Disney I knew we had to figure something else out.  So we devised our Divide and Conquer plan.  I am a super planning freak!!!  So naturally we made to make some adjustments  to our plans.  First my husband would only go on "big" rides when there was something for me to see or do.  For example:  He would ride space mountain at 11am when the Parade was going.  That way I was still experiencing something at the parks.  We would only be apart for one or two rides a day the rest we could do as a whole family but it was nice to each get to experience something we were hoping to do.

Here is a list of things to do with baby/toddlers at each park that are close to a Thrill Ride:

Magic Kingdom

Fantasyland Ideas by Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:  Height requirement is 38 inches

Winnie the Pooh Meet and Greet

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Interactive Queue

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Ride (any height)

Mad Tea Party (Any height)

Meet Alice and Mad Hatter 

Castle stage show (not as close to ride)

Afternoon Parade  (not as close to ride)

Make a press coin (multiple machines all over the park) 

Frontierland Ideas by Big Thunder Mountain: Height requirement is 40 inches

Woody and Jesse Meet and Greet 

Play area under railroad bridge by Splash Mountain

Chip and Dale Meet and Greet

Sit on rocking chairs by water and play checkers (BTMRR exit)

Ride WDW Railroad (20 min round trip)

See Country Bear Jamboree

Castle stage show (not as close to ride)

Parades (they pass through Frontierland)

Make a press coin
Nikon Photo Spot for Big Thunder Mountain. (Located by exit for Big Thunder Mountain) 

Frontierland Ideas by Splash Mountain Height requirement is 40 inches

Woody and Jesse Meet and Greet 

Play area under railroad bridge by splash mountain

Chip and Dale Meet and Greet

Sit on rocking chairs by water and play checkers

Ride Walt Disney World Railroad

See Country Bear Jamboree

Castle show (not as close to ride)

Parades  (they pass through Frontierland)

Make a press coin 

Tomorrowland Ideas by Space Mountain:  Height Requirements 44 inches  

Buzz Lightyear Meet and Greet
Ride People mover (any height)
Ride Buzz Lighter Space Ranger spin (any height)
Ride Astro Orbiter (any height)
Make a press coin
Go to Monsters, Inc. Laugh floor

Castle stage show (not as close to ride)

Parade  (not as close to ride)

Incredibles Super Dance Party

Ideas for Tomorrowland Speedway Height: Requirements 32 inches
Buzz Lightyear Meet and Greet
Ride People mover (any height)
Ride Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (any height)
Ride Astro Orbiter (any height)
Make a press coin
Go to Monsters, Inc. Laugh floor

Castle stage show (not as close to ride)

Parade  (not as close to ride)

Incredibles Super Dance Party 

Storybook Circus Ideas for Barnstormer: Height Requirement 35 Inches
Ride Walt Disney World Railroad

Castle stage show (not as close to ride)

Parade  (not as close to ride)

Ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant (any height)

Play in Dumbo Indoor Play Area
Meet Minnie, Daisy, Donald, or Goofy 

Play in the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station

Animal Kingdom

Ideas for DINOSAUR:  Height Requirement 40 Inches

Play in the Boneyard 

Ride Tricera Top Spin
Meet Goofy and Pluto

Ideas for Primeval Whirl: Height Requirement 48 Inches

Play in the Boneyard 

Ride Tricera Top Spin
Meet Goofy and Pluto

Ideas for Expedition - Everest: Height Requirement 44 Inches

See Finding Nemo Musical 

Ride Kali River Rapids (38 inches or taller) 

Go on a Maharajah Jungle Trek 

Ideas for Kali River Rapids Height Requirement 38 Inches

Go on a Maharajah Jungle Trek

Epcot 

Ideas for Mission Space: Height Requirement 44 Inches

Advance Training Lab (at exit of Mission - Space

Ellen's Energy Adventure

Innoventions

Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders

Ideas for Soarin': Height Requirement 40 Inches

The Circle of Life 

Living with the Land 

Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

Journey Into Imagination With Figment 

ImageWorks - The "What If" Labs 

Meet Baymax
Meet Joy and Sadness from Inside Out 

Ideas for Test Track: Height Requirement 40 Inches

Advance Training Lab (Mission Space exit)

Ellen's Energy Adventure

Innoventions

Project tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders

Hollywood Studios 

Ideas for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith: Height Requirement 48 Inches

Watch a street show 

See Disney Jr. Show

Meet Jake

Meet Sofia 

Ride The Great Movie Ride

Meet Pluto, Chip 'N' Dale, Daisy, or Goofy

Ideas for Star Tours: Height Requirement 40 Inches

See Muppets 3D 

Star Wars Photo Opportunities

Ride The Great Movie Ride

Meet Pluto, Chip 'N' Dale, Daisy, or Goofy

Ideas for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Height Requirement 40 Inches

Watch a street show 

See Disney Jr. 

Meet Jake

Meet Sofia 

Ride The Great Movie Ride

Meet Pluto, Chip 'N' Dale, Daisy, or Goofy

5 Ways to eat Organically on a budget

5 Ways to eat Organically on a budget

5. Eat seasonally 

Simple as that. Just eat what is in season. It will be so much cheaper.  

4. Costco 

Costco is the #1 nation wide seller in organics.  Some things at Costco you can't even buy non organically.  If you have not checked them out for Organics, please do so.  Yes, they have membership fees. But you will get that money back fast with the savings.  They have so many organics from produce, meat, dairy, all the way to canned foods and vitamin kids gummies.

3. Grow your own / Canning 

Starting a garden of your own can seem like a lot of work, but its SO MUCH cheaper than always having to pay someone else to grow the produce you want to eat.  Start with simple things to grow like tomatoes and spices.  And canning is making a come back.  Canning is NOT hard but it does take a lot of time.  Start out simple with some salsa with things you grew in your garden.  There is some initial start up costs (jars, lids, tongs, etc) but in the long run it's worth it.

 2. Eat less meat

Meat is one of the most expensive parts to any meal.  We buy our whole chickens from a local farm for just under $20 a bird.  Hard to swallow that price.  However if we can use that bird for 3 to 4 meals then it's not so bad.  Also when I would cook a meal like tacos, I was using 2.5 pounds of meat.  I started cutting way back now we are down to 1 pound for tacos.  I fill the hard shell tacos before moving them to table and then there is lots more room for the veggies.  Try to do Meatless Mondays, and soon it will be easy and you will be enjoying many meatless meals you love.  

1. Get a CSA box 

I was skeptical about getting a CSA box. It seemed like a big price tag for a summers worth of produce that I was not even picking out.  I was a really picky eater when it came to produce, so I thought for sure I would end up trashing half of what was given to us.  Plus I am a crazy planner and I like to plan my meals out for the month so not knowing what is coming at first put a cramp in that.  However I am so pleasantly surprised.  I feel so good about supporting a local farm in raising locally grown organic produce.  If anything comes in the box that I have not cooked with before I just type it in on Pintrest and get all kinds of yummy ideas on how to cook it.

Chia Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Chia Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes 

I love this recipe for Pancakes.  You don't need a box mix to have fantastic pancakes.  This recipe is my go to recipe.  We have breakfast for dinner A LOT and this is my kids favorite!!!

What you need:

1 cup Flour

1 cup Milk

1 beaten egg

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (if possible use aluminum free) 

1/8 cup chia seeds (add more or less I normally just dump some in)

This recipe double or triples or if you have a big family like me quadruples nicely.   

Add all ingredients to mixer but make sure the butter is last or it may not be melted when you go to mix.  Less is more when it comes to mixing.  I only mix a few seconds with the electric mixer.  After that i use a rubber scraper make sure all mixed in from bottom of the bowl.  Then let the pancake batter sit while griddle warms up to 350 degrees at least 5 minutes.  When griddle is warm pour batter on to desired size and add blueberries as few or many as you like.  

Should look something like this

When the blueberries are almost hidden and the edges are starting to look a little dry time to flip.

At this point I like to add a nice piece of butter to the top then remove it from griddle. 

Ready to enjoy.  

Camping activities to keep your little campers busy in campsite.

Camping activities to keep your little campers busy

There are times when camping with kids that you just need them to keep themselves busy.  Like trying to cook on a hot fire.  I took a trip to the dollar store and found things around our house for our four kids to do when we are camping when not out exploring.

1. I filled a shoebox with books. This is great to have them sit and page through the books in their beds for a little quiet time..

 2. Make your own look and find jar.  I put things I had around the house such as pom poms, plastic bugs, beads, and popsicle sticks.

 3. We had this small foldable train track and a few engines, perfect for camping.

4. Mr. Potato head!  All his parts fit inside so great for camping.

5. Puppets!!!  Our kids had a ball putting on a puppet show for us.  The kids also love watching a puppet show. Lots and lots of laughs.

6. Make some patterns with Legos that they must complete.

 7.  Got this little basket at the dollar store, great for keeping all our bags together.

 8. For each of my children I made up a "Monster" bag.  I added: pom poms, glue, wiggle eyes, feathers, and a tp tube.  Then I asked them all to make the tube into a monster.

 9. My kids love to have there own "stuff" so I made a bin of random stuff for each kid.  Found all of this at dollar store.  Stickers, sun glasses, a bug bucket, glow stick, and net.

 10. Using another tp tube (I never throw these away and I have family members saving for me)  Write all of the letters of alphabet.  Then do the same on a sheet of stickers.  Have your child match them up.

11.  More handy stuff to buy from dollar store!  Bubbles, Play dough, balloons, frisbee, markers, and alphabet activity book.  The biggest score from this stuff was the play dough. It was only one dollar so we let the kids use it on the picnic table while we were cooking our meals. It got gross and we didn't mind tossing it after the weekend.  The kids got some acorn shells and made imprints in it so on...

12. Sorting beads.  I thought this one would have been their least favorite, but boy was I wrong.   This was my 6, 4, and 2 year old favorite thing to do.  They actually did it a few times in one trip they liked it so much. My oldest got the idea after sorting to make me a bracelet using the beads and pipecleaner. 

She was not really "sorting" but it still kept her busy!  

Thanks for reading. Love comments and pins.  :-)

Chicken, Chia Seed, and Gravy Sandwiches with Broccoli Risotto

Chicken, Chia Seed, and Gravy Sandwiches with Broccoli Risotto 

Tonight I made one of my family favorite meals.  I thought I would share it with you.  Hope you try it.  Its soooo yummy!!

First you start by baking a whole chicken.  I got our chicken from a local farmer.   Dominion Valley Farm.  Here is there website http://www.dominionvalleyfarm.com/index.html  We just LOVE them and what they stand for!

Start with: olive oil, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper 

Place your chicken in a Large roasting pan

Cover it with olive oil.  

Olive oil inside and out.

Now cover it in the spices.  Again Inside and out.   

Should look something like this.  

Cover the roasting pan.  We let it sit now for about 30 minutes before cooking. 

I bake @425 for an hour. Than I turn off the oven but don't remove the chicken for another 30 minutes

After 30 minutes I move it to cutting board to cool.  Then remove bones and shred meat. 

Now using a strainer dump the juice from the  roaster pan into a large frying pan.  This will make all the difference in the flavor. 

To finish the gravy you will need: 1/2 cup Chia Seeds, Chicken stock, 1 cup milk, 1/3 cup cornstarch, Italian seasoning packet (found by the salad dressing), garlic salt, salt, and pepper. 

  

In the frying pan with juice from roasting pan add chicken stock 

Add italian seasoning 

Mix Cornstarch and milk with whisk 

Add generous amount of all seasonings and 1/2 cup chia seeds 

Turn on High let come to a boil 

Add in Cornstarch and Milk mixer 

Let it come to boil while whisking 

Turn off heat and add Shredded chicken.  

Broccoli Risotto 

What you will need: Chicken stock, Olive oil, half of an onion, arborio rice, Lots of parmesan cheese, and frozen broccoli.

Dice the onion and add to large pot with olive oil.  Over Med heat cook the onions till they are soft.  

Add 16 oz of rice.  Stir and cook for a few minutes 

Add a few cups of room temperature chicken stock.  You will keep adding chicken stock as it is absorbed.  I used almost 2 boxes.   

Meanwhile steam the broccoli. 

Keep constantly checking stirring the rice.  Adding more chicken stock still rice in soft.

When broccoli is cooked and rice in soft mix together 

Should look something like this now.  

Add a ton of parmesan cheese.  At least a cup worth.  

Add salt and pepper.  Mix it in and you are done! 

I used a Sheboygan Hard roll for my sandwich but any bun will do.  I buttered it and added a thick slice of cheese.  Enjoy!  

P.S. If you have extra gravy left over you can add it to Broccoli risotto or make mash potatoes.  Both are really yummy.