The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This Spring Break we decided to go all-out and take a trip to Disney in Florida. This is our first full-fledged Disney vacation and we were all very excited. The boys (and I!) were very excited about the new "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" section of Universal Studios and planned this for our first day in Orlando.

Trey has read the entire Harry Potter book series three times and has seen all of the movies. I've read the series (just once) and watched the movies with him. Joshua has read the first three books and seen the first three movies. Trey and I went on a Mom/Son date to see HP7 when it came out and have another date planned when the final movie comes out this summer. Nate has no interest in the books or movies but loves us so he was happy to spend some time in Hogsmeade with us!

Our hotel had a package that included an early admission to the Harry Potter park so we were able to get into all of our favorite shops and see the town before the crazy-packed-crowds arrived. Here are some of our favorite stops:

Entering The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Searching for Sirius Black

Hogwarts!

Shopping at Zonko's

Nate and Joshua in Honeydukes

My boys and me with the Hogwarts Express

Here we are in Hogsmeade

Shopping for a wand in Ollivander's Wand Shop

Hagrid's Moster Book of Monsters

Trey with the TriWizard Champion Teams

The park is beautifully done, the shops are authentic, and we even got to eat in The Three Broomsticks! Huge kegs of butterbeer were throughout the park and the rides were amazing. It was a trip well-worth-the-effort and one we'll always remember!

Comments

TORCH and ADVON

Photo: ADVON returning from a year-long deployment. Okay, I have to admit that after 15+ years as an Army wife, I don’t know what ‘TORCH’ and ‘ADVON’ stand for. Something about advanced party … but there’s no ‘p’ for ‘party’ … so I just don’t know. I do, however, know what it means. It means your Soldier comes home FIRST!! We’ve never had the honor of either of those designations. My husband somehow manages to get himself into the ‘stay-behind-and-make-sure-all is-well-out-here’ job and comes home late or last. Not that I’m complaining, though, as I am happy these TORCH and ADVON folks get here and get the place ready for everyone else to come home. In a way, it’s reassuring to me. The wheels are turning, the process has begun … our unit actually is coming home and coming home soon! Homecoming becomes reality, not just a long-sought-after dream. It’s good to see our unit patch and our unit Soldiers back at home, on U.S. soil and on our Army installation. It’s heartening to w...

Keto Ham Soup

Using my Virginia country ham, I made a Keto Ham soup that I've been enjoying all week. Ingredients 2 x Kettle and Fire - Bone Broth Chicken - 16.2 fl. oz. each 2 cups Broccoli, raw, chopped 2 cups Cauliflower, raw, chopped 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup diced country ham 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. black pepper Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, diced green onion, chopped bacon, hot sauce, pico de gallo, etc, Instructions In large stock pot, boil both containers of bone broth. Add chopped, raw broccoli and cauliflower. Cover pot and steam for 5 - 7 minutes until soft. Use hand-held blender to mix vegetables. Add cream and spices. Slowly add in shredded cheese, stirring to help melt evenly. Once soup is blended and smooth, add diced ham. Serve with desired toppings.

The Change of Command Ceremony

Last Friday, my Family and I participated in the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division change of command on Fort Hood, Texas. Hubby became the battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment and joined a wonderful group of "Red Dragon" Soldiers and Families. It's a dream come true for us ... one of those things you hope in the back of your mind you'll get to do one day, but know realistically that the chances are slim you'll get to do it. When I first saw his name on 'the list' that the Army publishes, I was elated for him. No one knows more than I do his passion for the Army and for the Soldiers in it. He is a wonderful leader and cares so much. We both knew that this would be the adventure of a lifetime. We explained this new job to our two boys (ages ten and six) as best we could and they kept saying, "We'll have 500 new friends on Friday!" as their summary of the discussion. =) The ceremony was amazing,...

Fabulous Army Life

Search This Blog