Mickey Mouse is in the House #DisneySMMoms

I have arrived in sunny Florida and been transferred into another world . . . the world that is Disney. We checked into our hotel and the conference and had some hugs and snuggles and a story with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too!

What is it about wonderful characters and big hugs that make you smile? My kids were smiling all afternoon and I was elated. The kids took a quick dip in the pool and I headed to the welcome reception to listen to Leanne Jakubowski, Meg Crofton and Chris Powell.

Leanne Jakubowski, Director of Social Media for Disney Parks and Resorts kicked off our evening and made introductions. Meg Crofton, the president of Disney Parks relayed to us her thoughts on the wonder of social media and how it has transformed Disney's reach. Chris Powell spoke to all of us briefly on weight loss and the act of setting realtistic goals for ourselves. He also stated to not be so hard on ourselves as we go through our days.

We had dinner at Epcot World ShowPlace Events Pavilion and danced and partied with the #DisneyTryIt Family Celebration. We were treated to an evening of fun food, interactive games, activities and some more Disney characters.

TryIt! is part of Disney's Magic of Healthy Living that inspires all us parents to get our kids to "try" new food and activities. I saw gaggles of kids trying new foods and moving around to all the wonderful activities all evening.

After dinner we all celebrated the IllumiNations Dessert Party and had front row seats to glorious fireworks. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was really wonderful. My children were so intrigued by the floating Earth. We headed back to the hotel and sat on our patio and enjoyed the  water parade and ended our first day.

disclosure: I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Conference with my family and received discounted rates and tickets to various events and attractions. All my magical opinions are my own.

I'm Ready For Mickey Mouse! #DisneySMMoms

The Disney Social Media Moms Conference is truly a lifetime experience. Frankly, I happen to think each and every time I have visited any Disney park, it was a lifetime experience. In March, my family and I had the opportunity to see Disneyland in Paris, France and we did not get near enough time there. We are all excited, elated ecstatic, euphoric and exhilarated to be returning this week to Disneyland in Florida and my children can enjoy the Disney Parks as a VIP. Instead of leaving my family behind as I attend this conference, we will all be making wonderful memories. {well, not all of us, my husband can't make it this time around and is insanely jealous}

I am even more elated that I am an attendee of the conference and will have the opportunity to interact with world class speakers and be truly inspired. I really do take away a wealth of information from this conference. I'm ready to see some dreams come true and really figure out what all those clues were about! I will mingle with old friends, while making new friends. Honestly, I can't wait to connect with as many fellow bloggers as possible.

I will be staying at Disney's Contemporary Resort during the conference and then moving on to Disney's Art of Animation. I chose this hotel based on all the recommendations from past conference attendees. I'm so elated (there's that word again) too see some sun and swim in pools with my kiddos.

Please follow me along while I am there, I will be posting on twitter, facebook and Instagram. Be sure to follow the hashtag #DisneySMMoms on twitter for all the wonderful information that the attendees will be soaking up. I'm bringing my laptop, my tablet, my phone and my camera, so keep an eye out for all the fun we will be having. We intend to stay after the conference to enjoy Florida weather and the parks.

Let the memories begin . . .

Classy Dollar Bin Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6th through May 10th and I wanted to give my children's teachers a bit of something to let them know we appreciate all their hard work. We do homeschool, but my children attend a consortium one day a week and have wonderful teachers who work so very hard. My son has six teachers and my daughter has five teachers, so it is a bit expensive for me to purchase gift cards for 11 teachers.

I thought I would create a little something for Spring to bring a smile across a busy face. My original idea was to purchase a pot and plant some herbs as I have done previously, but I really didn't have time to 'plant' 11 pots with herbs. I simply went to a home improvement store and looked at herbs and seeds and purchased packets of beets, kale and radishes for $1 each.

I then searched in the dollar bins at a local superstore and couldn't believe my luck. Sitting in the bins were garden gloves and gardening tools, as well as these adorable red watering cans. I was also able to pick up a roll of bakers twine.

I searched for an appropriate tag and couldn't find one that would fit my new theme. I downloaded one that was somewhat similiar and simply edited it to my likely and the gifts were complete. The children had fun placing the watering can together.

So easy!

So adorable!

So economical!

So appreciated!