Eagle in a Spring Storm

Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure in Florida

                                          For all the Dr. Seuss Fans

I absolutely love Dr. Seuss. His imagination and rhymes have often been used as inspiration and many have tried to duplicate his style but never succeeded as well. He was one of a kind and his quirky world has lived on at The Islands of Adventure in Florida. 

In a portion of this park they have created a world dedicated to his books and illustrations called Seuss Landing. There are no straight lines in this area and it is colorful and bright.

1. Get your picture taken with the characters

2 Eat at Circus MaGurcus

3. Ride the rides

There are several rides but the trolley was my favorite because you could see all of Seuss Landing from above. It also goes through the ceiling of Circus MaGurcus. The rides are geared towards the younger crowd but people of all ages can enjoy them.

4. Visit the gift shop.

Here you can get everything Seuss. Everyone needs a Thing shirt! Also, see the tiny door to the right, it is adorable and a must do to make your experience complete. 

5. Make sure you explore and take it all in!

A couple of things that didn't work out for us: If you have a photo connect card you can get your picture taken in line for the and they add a Seuss character to it – even though we tried twice, these pictures did not show up on our account.

The other thing we didn't get to try was green eggs and ham which I hear they have. I will have to go back and explore some more.

I read Dr. Seuss books as a child, then to children I looked after, then to my own child and am currently holding onto my collection to read to any future grandchildren I may have. If you have a Dr. Seuss fan in your family then this is one of the places in Islands of Adventure that you will definitely want to visit.  

Check out these post as well:
https://shyopinionated.blogspot.ca/2017/06/tips-for-visiting-sea-world.html
https://shyopinionated.blogspot.ca/2017/06/busch-gardens-vs-animal-kingdom.html

A 20's Bucket List for my Daughter

                                 

When I turned 40 I had no issues, no breakdown about how old I was getting or any of those things people warn you about, but when my daughter turned 20 it was a completely different story. I had never felt so old. I also felt like I had wasted so much time in my 20s and I wanted her to live her life to the fullest and so with that in mind I started to compile a list of things I wanted her to know. Then I found several lists online, ones that people had written for themselves, ones from older people and younger people and all walks of life and I would see things on them and be like oh yes, that applies as well so a list that started out being a list of 20 things to do in your 20’s turned into this very long 20’s bucket list. I worked on it for a couple of months, adding, subtracting, changing and rearranging. Some of these things I have done in my own life and others are things I wished I had done in my life or earlier in my life. This is the list I gave my daughter on her 20^th birthday at her 20’s themed birthday supper.

Bucket List

If I Could Redo my 20’s

1. Take weekends off.
2. Keep a journal.
3. Be content with where you are – for everything there is a season.
4. Live in the moment – turn off technology for periods of time. Disable call waiting.
5. Stop a negative habit.
6. Meet new people.
7. Travel, travel, travel.
8. Always keep your internal dialogue positive, it shapes your reality.
9. Dance.
10. Take care of yourself – vitamins, get enough sleep, drink water, see the dentist and eye doctor regularly.
11. Exercise, practice yoga and take walks.
12. Make your birthday special. Give yourself a birthday gift every year.
13. Pay it forward. Give away things you no longer need. Occasionally give away money even when it doesn’t make financial sense.
14. Be open-minded. Allow people one quirk.
15. Take a class – something out of your comfort zone.
16. Move somewhere new, this is the time in your life to do it.
17. Take photographs – you won’t always have the memory you have now.
18. Explore your own town, county, province. Go on a road trip.
19. Try new things.
20. See live music and concerts. Play an instrument.
21. Decorate your bedroom – make that space really you.
22. Don’t underestimate the power of a hug.
23. Do some DIY projects.
24. Host a dinner party.
25. Plant a tree – or do something for the environment.
26. Run some sort of race.
27. Buy your own car and don’t let it become a pig sty.
28. Do 30 days of something – a 30 day challenge.
29. Travel somewhere you’ve always wanted to go – spend a year planning it.
30. Read great books.  Pick out a list and start working through it.  (For example, read all the Pulitzer Prize winners.  Then read all the Newbery Award winners.) Build your own personal library.
31. Pay attention to what makes you smile and do more of that.
32. Meet with God every day.
33. Get out of debt.
34. Learn another language.
35. Go on a mission trip.
36. Get married.
37. Have a kid or two or more. Don’t wait too long to have them.
38. Buy some original art and hang it up in your home.
39. Listen to classical music.
40. Climb a mountain, swim in the ocean, walk on the beach in moonlight. Spend time in nature regularly.
41. Do something crazy – zip line, swim with dolphins, run with the bulls, etc.
42. Decide to marry only the Right Person in the Right Way at the Right Time.  Don’t settle for anything else.
43. Adopt something, a team, a child, a pet, a human in need.
44. Go to Europe.
45. Read through the Bible several times and get to know what’s in it. Memorize Bible verses.
46. Make true friends and find time for them.
47. Recycle, and start a compost pile.
48. Paint, draw, write, sculpt, and create.
49. Know what you believe and why.  Truth matters.
50. Pay off your credit cards every month.
51. Thank your teachers.
52. Set up some way to save money – invest in yourself and your future.
53. Find a church and get involved there. Tithe. Encourage your pastor.
54. Visit your grandparents and parents. Discover your family tree.
55. Mentor someone younger than you. Find a mentor for yourself - it is good to really listen to someone older than yourself.
56. Plants some roses or tulips or rhubarb or anything and then learn to take care of them.
57. Vote.
58. Send hand-written thank you notes.
59. Visit your friends where they live now, and enjoy the time catching up.
60. Join a local sports team.  And play nice.
61. Come up with a realistic and workable filing system so you know where important things are and you can find them when you need them.
62. Clean your refrigerator and your bathroom regularly.
63. Volunteer.
64. Know where the best parks and used bookstores are in your town and visit them frequently. Get a library card and use it.
65. Camp out every once in a while, and sleep under the stars.
66. Celebrate holidays for the real reasons they were created. Make your own traditions.
67. Watch sun rises and sun sets often.
68. Keep a “People and Praise” file so that when you get notes of thanks and affirmation, you can keep them for when you’re feeling blah.
69. If you’re single, invite over your married friends; if you’re married, invite over your single friends.
70. Attend community theater; see a Broadway show.
71. Start a book club or join one.
72. Have manners.
73. Sew together a blanket out of all your old T-shirts so you don’t have to throw them away just because you don’t wear them anymore.
74. Throw a surprise party for someone.
75. Try to develop the habit of eating meals at the same times each day.
76. Graduate.
77. Go to free art shows and pretend you’re at the Louvre.
78. Bring doughnuts or bagels to work for your coworkers every now and then.
79. Sing and read to your kids before they go to bed.
80. Don’t pass up an opportunity because of fear.
81. Learn to cook. Have one recipe that is your specialty.
82. Enjoy the little things. Be grateful.
83. Add more things to your bucket list…

Super Moon November 2016

Christmas Bucket List

This squirrel is just too cute!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is fabulous, we have stayed here twice and loved it. Friends of ours have been there several more times and even though they have tried many other places, this is the resort they return to time and again. I mention this because they have a lot more experience here than us, going to Disney at least once a year and sometimes twice. One thing I love about this place is that although it is huge, the way it is laid out and the landscaping makes you feel like you are in a smaller place.

This is what you see when you drive in. Then you check in here,

The lobby is large and beautiful with lots of woodwork, pineapple accessories and friendly staff. Unfortunately my photos of that area have become corrupt so you will have to take my word for it.

The food court area is colorful and there are a lot of food choices.

This picture is coming up to the food court area. You can eat inside or outside.

In this building there is also a restaurant, Shutters, where I  heard staff singing to help settle a young child at another table – and it worked. If the timing is right and you are near a window you just might get a glimpse of fireworks, we did and it was magical.

There is also an arcade and a large souvenir shop there.

Close by is the pool area which is usually quite crowded but worth trying out at least once – but not to worry, each section of the resort has its own pool which, in our experience, has rarely been busy.

 

These stairs lead to the water slide.

There is also a children's area.

Here are some pics of the other pools, not themed but they do have lots of seating and even some umbrella covered tables where I have eaten breakfast on occasion. There is a building by the pool with laundry facilities so if you have a lot of little ones this is the perfect place to keep them occupied while you keep up with this chore. There are a few sections of the resort, each has their own pool area.

After a long day in the sunshine a night time dip was cool and refreshing. We did that more than once. Here is a couple of pics of the pool at night.

The cleaning and maintenance staff here are kind and helpful. One morning we were walking along the water early in the morning and they were driving in together in their carts, singing and they gave us beads. Some days they also make these delightful characters from facecloths and towels. 

One day I came back to this little scene in my front window and it brought me joy.

Here are a few pics of the inside of our room. This is a moderate resort and so it isn't as spacious as some but it has everything you need.

There are other things to do here as well such as a bonfire and movie on the beach and now fishing, we haven't tried any of these. The first time we went we tried the boats from the Warf but i don't believe they offer this anymore.

On the way to the food court we always walked through this little area called Caribbean Cay. it was a beautiful little oasis and there was a small children's play area here as well.

There were some beautiful little spots to have a seat, take in the scenery and relax.

Here are a few pics of the flowers.

And here are some pics of the resort. If these don't make you want to stay here, I don't know what will. I want to go back just putting this together.

This is definitely a resort I will come back to.

Check out this post as well: 
https://shyopinionated.blogspot.ca/2017/06/busch-gardens-vs-animal-kingdom.html
https://shyopinionated.blogspot.ca/2017/06/tips-for-visiting-sea-world.html
https://shyopinionated.blogspot.ca/2017/03/seuss-landing-at-islands-of-adventure.html