Take Your Child To Work Day 2009

Well today was "take your child to work day" so I put Ally to work. She has been coming to Mommy's office for a while now, so she pretty much knows the ropes. No going in late and leaving early...it's a full day of work. And I had a ton of work for her to do. (see below) She did a great job; although she needs to learn how to pace herself. She got things done way too quickly. I wasn't a total slave-driver...when she finished all the work I had for her, I did let her do a puzzle and color...

Hopefully she enjoyed the day. Although, what's better then not having to go to school and getting a paycheck for it??

Hole punching and organizing files....

Fun with filing...

Making perfume sample boxes...

Doing her puzzle...

Fun times with the Dave Matthews Band!

Last night was an extrememly fun time. Dave Matthews Band opening night at Madison Square Garden with my dearest friends Melissa, Marissa (celebrating her 10th show), and her husband, Craig. Although Ron was deeply missed since he volunteered to stay home with the kids. : (

A great set list, lots of singing, dancing, giggling, and picture taking (See below) made for a great time.

I look forward to the rest of the concert-going season. Ron and I try to get to as many shows as we can every year. Next up: The Dead in Philly on May 2nd! Pictures will certainly be up after that one as well.

We're home from Disney!!!!

Well, we made it...a fun and most importantly stomach virus free trip! We had a great time. Although I have never seen it so crowded (they closed Magic Kingdom to the public because they reached capacity everyday) it was still a good time. We missed out on a lot of rides b/c they had an average of a 90 minute wait (one was 140 minutes), and i didn't get to audition for the American Idol Experience in Hollywood Studios b/c auditions were full by the time we got there. But we know we'll be back...next time not during spring break.

Patrick was hysterical. He LOVED the characters. Whether he knew who they were or not, he ran up to them and just hugged them all. We enjoyed the character dinner with the Winnie the Pooh characters (at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom) so much that we got a reservation for a character breakfast with Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy at the Animal Kingdom.

The Wilderness Lodge was beautiful. On our last full day (Saturday) we had our character breakfast and then decided to have a relaxing day at the resort. Ron and Ally rented a 2 person jet ski and had a great time with that. Then we all went swimming, ordered a pizza, and hit the arcade.

I think Patrick is the happiest to be home. It was a little overwhelming for him. Allyson said her favorite part was the Animal Kingdom Safari ride. It was certainly worth all the planning and we can't wait to go back in a few more years.

The Hing Family Vacation Curse

It must be stopped!! After last year's Virginia stomach virus horror, we were certainly hoping a repeat would not occur. Here we are, 4 days before vacation, and Ally has a stomach virus. Could it be? Could the curse be true? I admit it...I am in a total panic state right now. Ron thinks I'm crazy. Every window in the house is open...I have bleached every door handle, light switch, toilet bowl, remote, mouse, keyboard...and anything else I could think of that Allyson could have touched. And I put her in quarantine. She has been in her room the entire day and night. We set up a tv and vcr in her room and she can come down when she needs a drink or a saltine. (Which we hand her over the safety gate and send her back upstairs. I know it may sound harsh, but if you could have seen the site of the 4 of us sick...stuck in a hotel room together in Virginia...it was pathetic. I wrestled with everyone taking turns giving her a big kiss and drinking out of her cup today so we could just get it and get it over with before Tuesday, but I couldn't do it. So instead, I banished her from the first floor.

So everyone...we are begging for your prayers and postive thoughts that we have a HEALTHY trip to Disney. Otherwise we have decided that this will be the last planned vacation for us.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Today in our Hing Family History was the day Ron got down on one knee and popped the question. Feels like soooo long ago. (in a good way)

Well last night was Ally's first soccer game on her travel team. Unfortunately, they were destroyed. I believe the final score was something like 8-1. But they never gave up...they kept on fighting. Travel teams are usually really good....our team is young and inexperienced. They need A LOT more practice.

And what we thought was just a quick spring league actually goes until June. So this should make for some fun times shuttling between soccer and basketball in the summer. Hopefully they won't overlap too much. Can't wait to add Patrick's sports schedule into the mix one day. (We already have the tennis club lined up for him....we know he'll be a natural.)

Other than soccer, we've been getting things together for Disney. We can't wait to go!! Hoping Patrick enjoys the flight and doesn't become "Jeffrey" from the Bill Cosby skit.
2 1/2 hours can feel like a lifetime with a screaming child. I know what you're thinking...'Not sweet little Patrick'...but those of you who are thinking that way have obviously not seen the lovely tantrums that he's begun to throw when things don't go his way. So please, everyone, say a prayer for us. (and pray that we are all healthy and do not have a repeat of our last family vacation to Virginia when we all had the stomach flu together the entire trip)