Wand Video

Mark took a video of Emily's wand choosing.  Check it out:

Beach Day

Drove over to the Atlantic Ocean today, our last full day.  It was cool and breezy when we left (60ish), but when we stepped out onto the beach, it was cold & blustery!  Water temp was 64 so no swimming.  We were determined to spend some time on the beach so the kids did strip down to their suits, but I never did.  We were in the Canaveral National Seashore, so lots of wildlife preserve areas to explore.  We hoped to spot an  alligator, dolphin or sea turtle, but no luck.  We drove to a spot where manatee gather and saw a couple, so that was good. 
By mid afternoon we were ready to head back to Orlando, but when we went to start the rental car, it wouldn't!  The check engine light had come on earlier so we were a little concerned...with reason.  We were able to find someone to give us a jump & that worked.  Thankfully, we were back on our way, but as soon as we turned of the car (back at our resort) it didn't start again.  After a call to our rental company, another car was delivered to us a couple hours later.  Strange!
We're mostly packed and ready to be on our way tomorrow morn around 8:30.  I'm not ready.  I'd like to stay for a few more days...or weeks.

More Universal Pics

The Chosen One

"The wizard doesn't choose the wand.  The wand chooses the wizard."

Or so I've been told by the Harry Potter experts I'm traveling with.  One thing Emily knew she wanted to do at Universal Studio's "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" was to visit Ollivanders, the wand shop in Hogsmeade.  We knew a little bit about the process-small groups are brought into the dark workshop (after about a one hour wait!) and one child is selected to come forward.  Ollivander asks the "wizard" to try a couple of spells to determine which wand is for them.  Emily, in her Harry Potter shirt and Deathly Hallows symbol earrings, was quickly picked to come forward. After the 3 minute demonstration (with some magic), Emily was handed her very special wand, made of birch and unicorn hair, and guided into the shop where we could finish this magical experience with $35.  Evan picked out one as well- BellaTrix Lestrange's wand for those of you Potterheads. 
It was a pretty cool experience-Emily smiled ear to ear for quite a while.

Rain

After a long day on our feet yesterday, the kids slept in until nearly 10:00 this morning!  We had planned to have a down day today.  The forecast called for rain most of the day and they were right. Mark and Emily managed to get some basketball in this morning (they've been trying to play every day) before it started raining.  After lunch, we decided to head over to an outlet mall nearby, but even that wasn't so fun as we had to run in and out of stores in the rain.  It's a good thing we have a nice spacious resort unit- lots of space to spread out.  We all had our noses in books at one point and it's also nice to have several TVs for varying interests.  We have a full kitchen stocked with snacks so it was pretty much like a Saturday at home for us....just relaxed and hung out.  (What are we reading, you ask?  Today Mark finished "Ender's Game," I finished "Divergent" and Evan finished "Inside Out."  All series books and Evan is the only smart one who brought Book 2 of his...Guess Mark and I will swap books. Emily is reading a Harry Potter extra book called "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.)
We may head out to enjoy some of the St. Patty's Day music at Downtown Disney, but the radar shows lots of green (rain).  At least it isn't BLUE like the radar I saw for Wisconsin!  Snow?!?

Tomorrow is a big day.  The day Emily has been waiting for.  Harry Potter Day.  Can't wait to tell you all about it.  Stay tuned.

Epcot

Had a great day yesterday at Epcot.  Although there were some "that was kind of  boring/lame" moments at the park known for it's "educational" angle of fun, overall, the kids loved it.  Captian EO, the 3D movie starring Michael Jackson & still in it's original 80s format, for example.  Lame, by today's standards.  I remember it being pretty awesome when I came here in 1990 for my high school band trip. 
When I asked the kids what they liked most, they both agreed that it was the food as we ate our way through the countries.  fish n chips in England, creme brulee and chocolate mousse in France, guacamole and chips in Mexico, hummus and all sorts of other things I can't pronounce in Morocco, and a craHad a great day yesterday at Epcot.  Although there were some "that was kind of  boring/lame" moments at the park known for it's "educational" angle of fun, overall, the kids loved it.  Captian EO, the 3D movie starring Michael Jackson & still in it's original 80s format, for example.  Lame, by today's standards.  I remember it being pretty awesome when I came here in 1990 for my high school band trip. 
When I asked the kids what they liked most, they both agreed that it was the food as we ate our way through the countries.  Fish & chips in England (some ale for Mark & I), creme brulee and chocolate mousse in France, guacamole and chips in Mexico, gelato in Italy, hummus and all sorts of other things I can't pronounce in Morocco, and a crépe back in France.  Yum. 

BINGO!

I think Evan was thinking cash prizes....instead winner gets a little wood treasure chest you can decorate.  Oh boy!

Poolside Fun

It's sunny and 80 degrees so we (& thousands of others) are enjoying the pools.  Where ever you turn, there's fun to be had.  Evan's looking forward to bingo later and Emily had to have a hair braid put in. 

Orlando

Its the end of Day 1, Spring Break 2014.  We're settled back into our comfortable resort & Evan just made microwave popcorn...his nightly snack. 
To catch you up, yesterday our flight out of Milwaukee was delayed but luckily we found out even before we left home.  Our whole trip needed to be re-booked & we ended up flying out of Green Bay.  It worked out great! 
We are soaking in the warm Florida sun.  Was 77 today.  We went to Downtown Disney, had lunch at Planet Hollywood, swam at our resort & ended up the night at a resort bar for their Sunset Trivia Contest.  Our team came in 3rd place...not bad.  We had one bad round that took us out of the running.  (Round 2 was "Superheros."  Evan got every answer correct.)

Our plan for tomorrow is to just relax & hang around the resort.  Lots to do here.

Flying South

We're more than ready to head towards warmer weather and sunny skies.  On Thursday we're headed to Orlando for a relaxing spring break week.  Follow along on our adventures if you'd like!