Spring #DisneySMMoms,

It is now mid April and we have seen a couple of 80 degree days, but unfortunately residing in the Midwest means you can pretty much guarantee there will be one last snowfall. Which we just had this week. So it's really hard to think that Spring is here.

I clipped all my daffodils and hyacinths the day before it snowed and covered my garden with a couple of tarps. In my giddiness over 80 degree weather a couple of weeks ago, I do believe I jumped the gun by planting our garden. I felt so smart by finally doing something on time and actually it was more likely one of the silliest mistakes I have made to date! I should know better - I've lived in the Midwest my entire life! Basically I have just shot my own foot, right?

Anyway . . . What is a bit of Spring without spring break vacation? The past couple of years we had opted to remain at home for spring break, namely because, well, I just wasn't up to traveling with three little ones. It's tough! It's really hard! I pack for everyone, I pack everything, I take care of everything . . . the clothes, the toiletries, the snacks, the toys, the books, the games, the entertainment, the house sitter and on and on and on. My husband makes sure the oil is changed and there is gas in the car (well at least for this trip because we drove), otherwise all the has to do is pack his own suitcase because I stopped doing that for him after my second child was born(he's still mad about it).

This year we planned a two week vacation in FL which overlapped with a spectacular little conference and I have to say that I could really use some of that heat and sunshine right now as I sit here and listen to the freezing rain pelt down on my roof!

Disney Social Media Moms Celebrations Activities Day 2 #DisneySMMoms,

The day started out bright and early. I dressed in the dark in our room as my family was still snoozing away in the glorious beds at The Grand Floridian. I went downstairs to breakfast at Citrico’s, which was delicious and a great start to my day. I headed over to the conference area for what I knew was going to be an amazing day of speakers.

I was able to locate a table and sit with fellow Chicago bloggers. Some I had met and some I had not yet been introduced to. It was great to meet so many wonderful locals to my area and make connections.

The speakers on day two of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration featured Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort; Matt Jacobson, head of Market Development for Facebook; Rene Syler, author of The Good Enough Mother, blogger, and former news anchor for CBS News’ The Early Show; Fran Capo, motivational speaker and world’s fastest talker; Chris Brogan, President of Human Business Works, social media author, and consultant; and Susan Egan & Georgia Stitt, musical talent.

Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resort was the introductory speaker and let us know that Walt Disney World has 62K employees (which I was so impressed with). A couple of other little notes I jotted down were that WDW goes through 9K pounds of food for the animals and drives 20 million miles a year with their vehicles. Amazing!

We also heard from Matt Jacobson, head of market development for Facebook, who was the 8th employee of Facebook. He was very relaxed and quite personable. He let us in on a little secret . . . The web is being rebuilt around people . . . but guess what - we all knew that already! He spoke about separating your work and personal identities and I am happy to say that I never joined the two! He went over a few key points in using facebook to build your brand and I am happy that I am utilizing all the tools that facebook is offering at this time.

Rene Syler, author of Good Enough Mother, blogger, & former news anchor for The Early Show was next up. I had never heard of her and don't remember her on The Early Show. That being said, I was hugely impressed by her absolute gracious nature while speaking with us women. Just delightful and raw. "Real Growth Hurts" ~Rene Syler and yes, yes it does.

We also heard from the world's fastest talker and I liked a couple of things that she said: "Just say yes and figure it out later" and "When the door opens, just go through it". These are two statements that I would not ever do . . . really . . . I am quite conservative and a planner . . . but I will make an effort to push myself to just say yes and figure it out later!

“How is easy to answer. Why is tricky. Ask yourself “why” all the time.” Chris Brogan was also very personable and approachable and real. He offered wonderful little tidbits about bloggers and branding and about the business of bloggers. Use your community is his advice and I shall take it along with looking for scraps of time to blog and promote my blog. I donot manage my time well . . . I need to work on this one.

Champagne (apple cider for me) and listening to Susan Egan(what a voice!!), Broadway star in Beauty and the Beast and from the movie Hercules, along with Georgia Stitt(WOW-what a pianoist!) rounded out the afternoon with an amazing concert!

My family had spent the day enjoying the pool and beach at The Grand Floridian and I was able to join them on the beach for a bit before we all headed to a  private party on the stage of Lights, Motors, Action! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The party was hosted by Disney Junior. What an amazing evening!

When we returned to our room at The Grand Floridian I decided to take my two oldest children to Magic Kingdom . . . the little one stayed in the room with daddy and they had a tea party. I had an awesome evening with my two oldest . . . we stayed until closing!

A HUGE thanks to @disneysmmoms and the entire team. I paid for the conference and transportation at a discount and was given discounted accommodations. My opinions are my own.

Disney Social Media Moms Celebrations Activities Day 1 #DisneySMMoms,

 . . . at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration . . . I was so elated to have been able to attend such a wonderful event AND even more so that my family was able to attend. Attempting to balance mommyhood and bloggyhood is not always the easiest (at least for me) and this conference was the perfect balance for my life right now.

We arrived bright and early Thursday morning at the Grand Floridian to pick up my packet of information (Jennifer explained everything so perfectly for me letting me know what to expect for the weekend) and check into the Grand Floridian Hotel on the Disney properties. The hotel is stunning and we are all very excited to hop right on over to Magic Kingdom. We spent the day at Magic Kingdom but about 6 minutes into the parade, my camera battery died. I was sad because I had left an extra camera with the luggage. Thankfully my husband had brought along an extra (old camera so I was able to capture some photos).

We left early so I would be able to attend the Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Soiree. Our luggage did not arrive to our room so I was still without my lovely Canon and I smelled of sunscreen and sweat (sorry to the ladies who sat by me).

Everyone was ushered to the chapel area and let me just say . . . I am so sad I did not have my camera . . . it is beautiful! We all heard Michael Shettel the VP for Alfred Angelo speak, who showcased one of his most gorgeous wedding gowns! We learned that Disney is adding destination weddings in Hawaii (Oahu specifically) to their list of locations and ceremonies at sea aboard the Disney Dream! The "Bring the Fairytale to Life" campaign was discussed. We met a lovely couple who had been married in the very chapel were were all sitting in and who were one of the first couples to share their love story during the new campaign.

Carley Roney from The Knot and The Bump joined us to pass on a bit of her insight on blogging. Her focus was to let us know that our audience is key and should be absolutely everything to us. I learned to make my audience my obsession and give them what they want and they will keep coming back. I already knew this, but I forget is last year I think. I was reminded to ignite my passion and I would be able to ignite my readers as well. David Tutero also spoke, host of My Fair Wedding (and sadly I have to say, I had never heard of this show, BUT he looked like he smelled really good AND I liked all the points that he covered).  

We were all caught off guard by a vow renewal - really quite spectacular. If I were to get married again - - I would totally dance down the aisle too! And Cinderella's Coach drove the couple off to the castle I am sure. When the Platinum Wedding Soiree was over, we met our families back at the beach area to enjoy a lovely dinner, fabulous mingling with bloggers and fun games on the shore of the beach next to the Grand Floridian.