She’s a tiny Buddha covered in pink.

by

Field day at school back in the ATX.

School field day in the ATX.

The other morning the child and I were hanging out and taking it slow.

I lament her early rising (she’s up by 530a without fail) but the busier she gets the more Im enjoying the fact we *always* have time in the morning to BE.

By way of full disclosure– this was not one of my best mornings.

I was a little tired.  A lot distracted (by her stuff. camp stuff.  but that made no difference to her.).  And a slathering of sad.

As we sat on the floor playing Baltimore’opoly she stopped for a moment, jumped to her feet and grabbed the framed photo above.

Mama I miss this time. We need to take more pictures of you and me smiling.  We need more smiling times.  We should make smiling times.

It surprised even me my initial reaction was *not* to grow defensive & launch into a longass list of all the fun stuffs we’ve done recently.

I heard what she said.

I took what she said at face value and as merely information.  Neither good nor bad.

It didnt matter if every.single.second. of her past seven years had been smothered in smiles—-all that mattered was how she felt in that moment.

Another full disclosure?

Ive probably leaned on that poor child a tad too hard over the past five months.  It’s not so much Ive turned to her for support—Ive just been very very transparent and honest.

Ive told her how much I miss Austin and each time she patiently responds:

It’s ok.  Lets just pretend we are still in Texas.  Just think in your head youre still in Texas and you wont miss it.

Shes my tiny Buddha covered in pink.

And, in celebration of that, Im kidnapping her.

We’re heading off to re-find our smiling-time hopefully in a way which is lasting.

To my delight this trip—unlike the last—she has absolutely no idea we’re leaving town.

  • Ive packed her carry-on & have her favorite stuffed animal & blankey ready to go.
sock monkey contortionist.

sock monkey contortionist.

  • My carry-on is packed.
I kid. I kid.

I kid. I kid.

  • Ive procured us a BAG FULL of skull beads for on-the-plane necklace making:
braceletnecklace HEAVEN.

bracelet & necklace HEAVEN.

  • The kitchen is stocked with frozen pizza healthy snacks to satiate the Husband till we return.
ahhhh organic.

ahhhh organic.

Im snagging her from school tomorrow & we are off to the airport.

To a place where appropriate attire is this (except the elder will don a shirt) and which rhymes with SCHMANAHEIM:

carla-2

 She’s been this for years:

Shes like MERIDA

Thats right, Sister!

It’s time she finally sees her (finger-quote) homeland (unFQ)!

 

  • Have you been to the place which rhymes with Schmanaheim?  Any must do/must see tips for our less than 48 hour whirlwind tour?

 

Im not bringing the laptop but shall be unable to resist instagram’ing Im sure.  This trip has been seven years in the making and, while shortshort, I plan to photodocument the whole shebang.  

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Comments

  2. We took the sweet girl (age 7) there this spring break. GREAT trip. It was my first time. Taking the advice that I got and adding my own…

    1. Go early
    2. Go to the back of the park and start back to the front…fewer people, fewer lines, more enjoyment.
    3. Stop and buy MM ears right away…so much fun to walk around with them for the day rather than “just” a souvenir.
    4. Fireworks at the end of every day is well worth it.
    5. It makes for a long day so we had a nice sit down meal about 3 o’clock. Some of those require reservations…which you can make ahead or on that day by stopping by the restaurant.

    There is a place called the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique where you can get a princess makeover. It is toward the front of the park. We thought it was a little expensive and the sweet girl was more into running around than getting her hair done so we didn’t do it…but it is there. You can do packages that range from hair and sash to full costume, hair, crown, etc.

    Excited to hear how you both like it! So fun!

    • PS. I was shocked at the number of choices for MM ears. If I remember corrected some even had pink and skulls. You will love it. 😉

  3. HOW FUN!!!! I wish my mom could kidnap me so we could have smiling times. Am I too old for that? I hope not. Time with mom is the best time EVER and I can only imagine that time with daughter is even better. I hope hope hope one day I can have my own little pink buddha. Have a wonderful time!!!! And SMILE!!!

  5. Ahhh your tiny Buddha will have so much fun! We have been there, why do I not remember any highlights to hit? Maybe because it was all highlights. Enjoy smiling time!

  7. I love how you appreciate your daughter as she is.
    You make me want to be a mother.

  8. YAY!! Enjoy your time away!

    Mackenzie has said things such as that in the past. I felt this immediate guilt like I don’t do enough and then I take a count in my head of all the fun things we do/done. But even still feel a tad sad like I’m not doing enough.

    Your words above put it in perspective for me so for that I thank you.

  9. It struck me when you said it was just information.
    I tend to personalize everything and end up hurt and angry.

    Have a great time.

  11. Love this! you must snap a picture of her reaction when she learns you’re off on the adventure. I’ve only been once and that was for a work conference, so I didn’t see much! Have a ball!

    • I SERIOUSLY CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW HER MIND WILL BE BLOWN 🙂
      the car is coming to pick us up and zip us to the airport and Im not telling her were we are going…till she realizes on her own.

  13. Tiny Buddha indeed! How wonderful the two of you have such a close relationship. Enjoy the 48 hrs in Schmanahiem. We’ve not been there but visited Schmorlando – bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Oh yeah – and don’t forget that camera for all your new smiley times!! Have fun!!

  14. It’s amazing how much we learn from our little ones (in my case siblings). I find they really bring you back into the moment. Right here. Right now. The present. Life.

    I can’t wait to follow your trip and see all the smiles you and The Tornado will be sharing with us…In turn, it will make me smile even more 🙂

    p.s. I know not of this Schmanaheim…or perhaps I do but I can’t for the life of me figure it out lol

  19. YAY! I WILL BE THERE LABOR DAY WEEKEND and you gals WILL come ride the teacups with MEEEEEEE 😉 (hubby is a wuss) xoxo

  21. Oh, the Big D!! How exciting! We used to go every other summer as a kid. I’m pretty sure what kept my mom’s sanity was making sure we would come back to the hotel for a few hours in the afternoon to nap/relax, swim in the pool and just rest our feet before heading back out in the evening. I cannot wait to see pictures….I WILL be stalking your IG this weekend! 🙂

  22. Y’all are going to have so much fun (and so many smiles!!!).
    I love the fact that you surprise her with such cool things – the memories y’all are creating now are priceless!!!

  23. forget face time.. we need SMILE TIME> I love her. Her little buddha wisdom! Have a BEAUTIFUL time rekindling that smile.

  24. You make me think so much that my head hurts!!! 😉 What an amazing post Carla!!! LOVE!

    OK< you are headed my way – right? You did not tell me!!!?? I know, a short one for Tornado – I understand!! Will get you next time!!! 🙂

  25. We are about 45 minutes from Schmanaheim. And went to that happiest place on earth just 3 days ago 🙂

    Adelyn has great advice. If you’re staying in a hotel that has ‘magic morning’ early entry to the park, MAKE sure to go. Not that the early riser part will be a problem.

    Get a “First Visit” button from the City Hall right as you get there.

    Have an amazing time!

  26. No way! How exciting for you guys! I’m so glad you’ll be photo-documenting…can’t wait to follow along. Have an awesome trip! 😀 So glad you have each other.

  27. wait, are you ALSO going to bust out with the Anchorman quotes on me!!?? oh, Carla. the FUN we will have <3

    I am so excited for you two and Schmanaheim!! I have not been in far too long (parents took three of us kids when we were teenagers – what a crazy time THAT was…). Cannot wait to hear of your adventures.

  29. I can’t wait to see the photo of her surprised face when she realizes where she is!

    My advice? Make sure you let yourself be a kid that day! Ignore the lineups and ooh and ahh over the gift shop trinkets (I dragged m kids out too quickly…)

  31. Character breakfast! Totally overpriced and totally worth it! We didn’t wait in long lines in the park to see Minnie because we knew we’d see her and all her friends at the breakfast. They come to each table for a photo op and a visit. BEST.DECISION.EVER!

  33. My husband and I have season passes. We always bring food (sandwiches, etc.) and a camelpack filled with water. They have allowed this through security many times in past. Surprisingly they have lots of fresh fruit and veg available at snack stands too! But you can also take monorail out to downtown Disney to eat.

  34. What a fun trip. She will be walking on air with this ‘surprise’. Yes lots of pictures with BIG smiles 🙂

  38. She’s going to love this! If you’re planning on dining at the park book your reservations NOW. Even with a dinner res. you may be kept waiting a bit.

  39. My brother has lived in California for years! Most of his real friends there are from where we were raised in the Midwest, but now live in Cal.

    Maybe they have an Austin club out there, or at least UT grads?

  41. I love how close you and your daughter are! When I was that age my mother was never home, neither was my father, so I hung out with baby sitters. When my mother finally was home more often, I turned into a rebellious B-OTCH, which led my to go to boarding school… Where I then revolted again only because I actually wanted my parent’s attention – I’ve got some issues, AHH HA HA HA!

  43. At this time, I reserve the right to enter the “sock monkey contortionist pose” and go hide from my childrens.
    Can’t wait to hear more about the trip. You girls are gonna have such giggly-fun

  44. I visited Schmanahiem last year with my little sister and spend good time over there. The tiny Buddha is quite fascinating and a memorable thing for me. I will go again and take some snaps to keep my family album.

  45. You are raising one special, intuitive and caring little human!!! Have a wonderful time with your little pink adorned buhdah!! Hugs to you both. Safe trip to the place that rhymes with ‘schmanaheim’. Rhymes with “house” ears for all!!!

  49. You are the best mom ever. What a fun idea that she will never forget. It’s one thing to go on a fun trip that you KNOW about but to have one be a complete surprise, that is so special. I think you are raising a beautiful young girl and you should be very proud of yourself. Can’t wait to read more of your updates.

  50. Please give Minnie my love!

    And have a fun time with your smiling Pink Buddha. I love the place that rhymes with Mannaheim!

  52. Sounds wonderful – I’m sure I will be smiling the rest of the day thinking of the fun you two will have. My (college-aged) Buddha will be home tomorrow and I cannot wait to share some smiles with her. 🙂

  53. When we used in live in SoCal we went to the place that rhymes with Schmanaheim all the time. Oooh how I miss it. Enjoy every minute.

  59. OMG- I loooovvveeees me some D-land. It truly is my happiest place on earth. I know your Tornado will love it!
    Honestly if you just do what you like as you go you will find that the day(s) will end up magical.
    I will be there too the day after Memorial Day and I just went in March. So you see that I just cannot get enough. And I currently live in Seattle, so yeah I have an addiction and I need to move… 😉

  60. Ugh, your little Tornado tugs at my heart strings, tiny Buddha indeed. You.are.the.best.mom.ever! Enjoy your time together, definitely lots of smiling pictures!

    P.S. Share any park tips you may garner, we’re heading to D-land later this year.

  64. My tip: Get that pass that lets you get in line at a specific time. You’ll save time in the end. And do the submarine Nemo ride. It’s really fun, even though fairly staid. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was too scary for my kids when they were her age.

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