Almost a year has come and gone since my last posts, which were all about Walt Disney World, and ironically here we are less than a month away from our next Disney vacation. I've always said I would never go to WDW for Spring Break so of course that is exactly what we are doing. It's going to be fine. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself. Here is a quick rundown of our trip: 8 days, 7 park days, staying at Pop Century again, quick service meal plan, a few fun extras (Early Morning Magic at Hollywood Studios, Storybook Dining at Wilderness Lodge), and to ensure our car doesn't break down, leaving us stranded like last time, we are not driving all the way to Florida (take that, Universe!). Since the flights out of Nashville cost more than we were willing to pay, we decided to drive to Atlanta and fly down from there. If we were to have any issues, we would only be about 4 hours from home once we land back in Atlanta. I did get a new car in October* so really we could have driven with less trepidation but Lilly gets carsick and I have a bad leg so this plan makes sense for us.
*Someone rear-ended me which ended up totaling my car. We replaced my 2005 Toyota Camry with a 2019 GMC Acadia, which I love, but isn't cheap. Thanks to my parents generosity, we haven't had a car payment in years. So needless to say, this purchase is throwing a kink in our finances. But I am working full-time again* so if there had to be an accident and that accident had to total my car, the timing couldn't have been better.
*After a year working before-care at the girl's school five mornings a week, followed by working at the day school at my church Monday-Thursday, I decided/knew without a shadow of a doubt that that life was not for me. I am still working before-care but at our new school (we were rezoned to a newly built K-8th a few miles from the house), mostly out of convenience, but where I am also a Special Ed Teacher Assistant. This job is probably also not the life for me but... car payment. And I get to take both girls to school and I get to see Lilly multiple times a day, including lunchtime. There's a lot of good in the situation. (Which is something I have to keep reminding myself.)
Ellen is missing her friends that went on to Heritage Middle but I think it all worked out for the best. She is in the orchestra at Thompson's Station Middle. Didn't see that one coming. Pro tip: people who play the viola are very offended if you mistake their instrument for a violin. Or at least this offends one person I know who plays the viola. :)
Lilly is enjoying 1st grade. Her transition from HES to TSES has been very smooth. And we love Mrs. Carpenter!
Both Ellen and Lilly are active in their respective youth groups at church. It keeps them busy, Ellen especially, but in the very best way. On that note, Lads to Leaders practices are in full swing. Phillip is helping coach Lilly's puppet team again this year. In case you were wondering, he's still the best. :)
There is so much more that could be said, like Ellen has braces and Lilly wears glasses and I am listening to the Anne of Green Gables series to preserve some of my sanity, but it is past my bedtime so those things will have to keep for another time.
