A Splendid Day at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Last Friday I finally got to experience the Food & Wine Festival at Disney's Epcot with a friend of mine.  I have lived here for over 10 years now and I can't believe it has taken me so long to experience this festival.  C'mon, I am someone who LOVES food and really enjoys wine so what a perfect place to hang out.

I arrived somewhere around 10 o'clock in the morning.  I came on a Friday during they day to beat the crowds. I have to say it was quite odd not having baggage and extra tow.  It was a teacher holiday so I was able to take some much needed "me" time.  While I waited for my friend, I decided to hop on the ride "Test Track". I honestly can't remember the last time I rode a non-kiddie ride but I have to say it was quite thrilling!  When my friend arrived, we decided to head over and purchase wristlet gift cards so it would be more efficient in getting our hands on our yummy food and drinks!

Canada

I began my delectable journey in Canada with some Neige Icewine.  Glad it was a small portion because of course it was quite sweet.  We skipped over to Ireland and I enjoyed the Lobster & Scallop Fisherman's Pie.  I have to say it was pretty delicious.  We then jetted over to France.  While I was tempted to snatch up some Escargots, I decided to sip on some Chardonnay, Bouchard Aine & Fils instead.  We stopped at the next booth which was Belgium and I scarfed down some Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream and a Baguette.  Wasn't so impressed with it but it satisfied me for a bit.

Ireland

France

Belgium

As we passed by Portugal, I peeked at the menu and saw Calamari Salad with Fennel, Smoked Paprika and Olive Oil but oddly I was already getting full.  We went ahead and did some exploring in Morocco.

New Zealand caught my eye with their Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara-Red Curry Puree and Apple Radish Salad (you can guess I'm a seafood girl) but I was still trying to work up an appetite.  After exploring Japan's large wrap around store, we headed over to Italy for some Capellini con Gamberi Piccanti (Capellini Pasta with Spicy Shrimp).  Ummm, I can still taste the yumminess in my tummy.  We stopped over in Germany so I could quench my thirst (not really) with some Selbach JH Riesling Classic.  In South Korea I had the Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw.  Talk about messy deliciousness.  We explored China's interesting sculptures before skipping the rest of the countries.  I was definitely ready to have a nice tall glass of beer.  I went safe and got a 22 oz. of Purple Haze since I didn't want to get something and hate the rest of the 21 oz. of it.

Italy

Germany

South Korea

Exploring China

Exploring China

Craft Beers

Hawai'i

As we reached our starting point we decided to take another round (hell I had to finish my beer!) because I wanted to find a dessert.  And I had to swing by Hawaii to enjoy some much desired Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chip.  No not a dessert but yes there was lots of awesomeness going on in my mouth.  After looking and looking at the menus, making pit stops to rest from the beating sun and break the seal, I ended up finalizing my delectable journey in Australia with a Lamington, which is a Chocolate and Coconut Cover Yellow Cake.  And what a good choice it was.

Australia

So I hope that within the next few weeks I can make my journey around the world with my hubby and check out more of the deliciousness Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has to offer.

The gradual beginning of tabFoto Photography

Today I took my first real step forward to taking my photography to the next level.  I have placed an advertisement in the local St. Cloud newspaper for the intent to register my fictitious name "tabFoto Photography".  It is currently on the St. Cloud in the News website but will be out on print later this week on 10/19/11.

Next step?  Registering my fictitious name with Florida Department of State of Corporations then eventually (meaning maybe in 6 months, a year or maybe longer) getting a business license.  I definitely want to increase my skills and knowledge before stepping into another field.  In addition to my full-time job as a SLP in the school system, I work a couple hours a week at a private practice, and am also a self-employed subcontractor for home health care companies.   On top of that I have a 2 1/2 toddler I adore.  So you can imagine I don't want to jump into "too" much at once.  Of course I will still keep my full-time job (I enjoy the flexibility and variety being a therapist provides me) but being able to do photography, even as a part-time profession, would be so much fun too!

tabFoto photography: Homemade Headpiece Props

tabFoto photography: Homemade Headpiece Props: Today I thought I would try to get my creative juices flowing by making some props. I went to several blogs, youtube videos, and DIY sites ...

Underwear? Over there!

This past week, my 2 1/2 year old son has demonstrated success at preschool with potty training.  He has been dry for most (if not all) of the days this week.  It is funny because we just came back from a cruise and you would think that he would have regressed a little.  But I have to thank my 3-year old nieces for helping make my job a little easier during that time.  Everytime they went, he usually wanted to "follow the leader"  and go as well.  Yay!  No more pulling teeth to try to get him into the bathroom, let a lone sit on the potty.  One tip I read from a book about potty training (I'm idling on Chapter 3... I'm a BUSY mom!) and what I have learned is not to ask him if he has to go, just take him when you know he has to go... "Let's go potty!"  And I try to make it a game or fun so he's interested.  So far, so good!

Last Thursday he went 34 hours with a dry/clean pull-up.  The accident occurred while we were out shopping.  I took him to the potty after thinking I smelled poop.  He was clean but he went pee-pee.  I asked him if he needed to go poo-poo and he said no (guess I should have said, "Let's go poo-poo!").  Usually he will tell me he's not done and will go.  Needless to say not even 5 minutes from leaving the bathroom he went poop.  I should have guessed  what was going on when he started hiding in the clothes (he likes his privacy).  

This weekend I have him in an underwear because his teacher would like him in one on Monday.  I figure I will see what we are working with.  We started off great, gave him the spiel on keeping our underwear dry, etc and off we went.  I set a timer to go off 1 1/2 hours later to go again and he went pee-pee.  Of course I forgot to set it again, we had lunch and he had a full cup of milk.  He was standing beside me, looking down and said, "Uh-oh go pee-pee."  I knew it was already done.  I took him to the potty, he finished and went poop and again showed him the "wet" underwear and the "dry" one.  As of now he is taking him nap.  It's been a while since he went potty.  I am hoping he didn't wet the bed.  I was thinking of putting on a pull-up but I'm trying to put trust in him. I'm sure once he has enough accidents I will change my mind.

But being the mommy that I am (that is thoughtful and cheap...) I printed  iron-on transfers to be put on some whitey tighties.  We already had some Toy Story 3 undies so I decided to buy white ones and print some other favorite characters of his to kind of encourage him and keep the positiveness going.  I'm definitely excited that we will be saving on purchasing boxes of diapers however its bittersweet that my son is growing up so fast.  

Little Einsteins, a skunk (for my stinker) & Wubzy

Backside

Cuardony Vacation- Royal Caribbean Bahamas Cruise

My family (minus my brother-in-law and my husband) went on a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas with our kids this past week.  We left from Port Canaveral, FL and traveled to Royal Caribbean's private island Coco Cay and then to Nassau, Bahamas.  It was quite an interesting trip especially for me, since I actually got some GI illness before even getting on the ship.  Overall it was enjoyable and semi-relaxing.

Day 1- Monday, Sept. 26
We arrived in our tiny interior cabin consisting of 2 upper bunks and a king size bed for me, my son, my sister and my niece.  My stomach was not feeling too well and I was quite nauseous too so I passed on lunch at the Windjammer Cafe.  My family returned to the cabin to pick me up before our Muster Drill, thankfully we didn't have to wear the life jackets.  As I stood there, at Muster Station #5 I thought I was going to fall over holding my 30+ pound squirming son.  I felt so weak.  Thankfully one of the staff members saw me and lead me inside to a chair and I had my blood pressure and oxygen levels checked.  Normal.  It's nice to see a caring staff.  I headed back to my room with Julian and decided that I was going to pass on dinner and get some more much needed rest.  Later that night I was able to get out of bed and walk around the shopping area and enjoy some Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream with my son.  I hoped tomorrow would be a better day.

Day 2- Tuesday, Sept. 27

Being cell phone-less and having no immediate access to daylight, I woke up disoriented to the time.  Nausea was gone but I was still taking Imodium like clock work.  We made our destination to Coco Cay in which we were tendered to the island by a small boat.  As we arrived on the island we noticed the dark clouds in the distance.  Definitely not looking forward to meeting them.  There was not much to do on the island for those with kids so we just enjoyed hanging out on the lounge chairs before lunch was served.  Then, all of a sudden the wind picked up and the sky got dark.  You would've thought a strong storm was coming.  We took cover under a vacant meal service building.  Thankfully it wasn't as bad as we expected.  After it passed, the kids went back to enjoy a few more minutes of beach time before the next storm arrived and we packed up to head back to the boat.  I was able to take the time and explore the upper decks with my mom while Julian took his afternoon nap before the Captain's dinner.  After dinner, I think the illness made its way back in my system because I started to feel chills and I felt extremely bloated and uncomfortable.  But I guess eating all that food for dinner didn't help the cause as well.

My parents on the boat ride to Coco Cay

Coco Cay Beach

Riding the Jet Ski

Nap time

Relaxing view

Day 3- Wednesday, Sept. 28

We docked at Nassau in the AM and made our way off the boat after a late breakfast at the Windjammer Cafe.  Traveling with so many people made it difficult for us to figure out what to do for excursions so we did not have anything planned.  We got off pushing the strollers around the town through the outside markets and in/out of air-conditioned stores (whew it was a HOT day).  Finally after miserable crying from kids from boredom and restlessness we decided to take a cab ride to the beach by Atlantis.  We rented an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs and hung out enjoying the beautiful sight of crystal blue skies and endless ocean.  After a while we headed back to the boat on an "adventurous" cab ride with a crazy driver and entertaining passengers.  Later that night, my sister watched Julian and I got to enjoy the casino for an hour or so.  I started off with $20.  When I was down to my last 3 quarters and won most of it back, I called it a night before my luck run out.  I cashed out at $19.75.

Senor Frogs (or Leap Frog according to Julian)

Beach Panorama

Lola relaxing under the umbrella

My sister enjoying the view

Me and my son

Lili chillaxing in the water

Jillian loving the water

My brother and his family

Day 4- Thursday, Sept. 29

It was our last full day on the ship, and our full day out to sea so I was hoping to enjoy more of what the ship had to offer.  My sister and I had spa appointments later that morning so we got up and took the kids to breakfast.  For some reason Julian was digging whole apples, something he never had.  It might have to do with his cousins eating them all the time as well.  Then we went around not realizing what time it was (again, disoriented to time because I am cellphone-less and watch-less).  We decided to head toward the spa to find out what time our appointment was and came to find out it started 15 minutes ago.  Whoops.  Thankfully my brother was with us and my mom was about to be done with her appointment so we left all three toddlers with him.  My massage was nice and relaxing (caught myself snoring twice) but the facial was so-so; expected a little more than what I got.  Guess it should have been called a mini-facial vs. a cleansing facial.  After meeting back up with the kids, we decided to hit the pool deck.  I found out that only potty trained kids were allowed in the pool and no one with a pull-up or diaper was allowed in the pool.  Well, since Julian was actually in the process of being potty trained, I went ahead and chanced it.  Of course I took him to the bathroom frequently so there wouldn't be any accidents.  He did enjoy himself but he refused to "swim" in the deep end which was fine with me because I couldn't even stand in the deep end.  After the swim we rushed to get some lunch from the Windjammer Cafe (can you tell that place is where to go) and ate.  Julian fell asleep easily on the lounge chair.  I took this opportunity to finally go for a jog around the ship.  My actual plan was to go for a run every morning but of course I wasn't expecting to get sick.  I started my jog on Deck 7 and went for about 20 minutes.  Wow, it was nice.  Jogging on solid ground and having the ocean as your scenery was serene.  I wished I was able to enjoy it longer but I knew dinner was around the corner and Julian was bound to wake up soon.  During dinner I excused myself to take a shot of the sunset, something I've been meaning to do the whole trip but was unable to due to our timing of dinner.  I have to say it came out pretty spectacular.  After dinner we enjoyed a game show at Boleros called "Finish that Lyric" with the kids in the back playing their MobiGos.  I was grateful to be able to enjoy another evening out (thanks to Lola for watching my boy) and went to Karaoke night with my brother and sister as well as donated $39.75 to the casino.  I grabbed a few pizza slices to eat at Sorrento's and ended my night content.

Exploring the boat on Deck 7

Jenny and Jillian after the pool

After our last dinner on the ship

Kisses to Daddy

Lori and Loralei

Lovely sunset over the Atlantic Ocean

Another vacation has come and gone.  I'm glad Julian got to experience it.  Will he remember it when he gets older?  Probably not.  But I know he enjoyed the "big boat".  The afternoon we got back, we were driving in the car and he said, "Lets go mommy's room"  which is in reference to our room on the ship.  When I told him we weren't on the ship anymore he gave me this pouty face and whined about going back on the ship.  At least he will remember it for a little bit.