Still an Angel in Heaven

Please read my last post FIRST before this one.

Kel,
Just wanted to tell you that I will hold you to "The Breaking Dawn Ticket".
You were the first person that I contacted about a ticket.
I will keep your seat right beside me as we were always going to do.
You will still see the movie that we waited so long to see.

I just cannot believe that this has happened.
I will not be there to say goodbye.
But I will definately cry many, many tears here for you.

You were such a beautiful person and such an amazing mum to your 2 young children.

AND TO EVERYONE ELSE........

Life is short.
You can leave at anytime.
There can be no warning.

Smile and love life everyday.

Kel had just begun to find inner peace this year.
Please search for yours if you have not already found it.

Make a difference to those around you by leaving a happy memory of someone who lived and loved their life.
Someone who was content.

In memory of Kel, Amelia's Project will be assisting those beautiful children left behind.
Just wish that I could be there right now to give them a HUGE hug.
As Kel always did to Amelia.

Our "trip of a lifetime" WILL continue because you did SO much to assist in the fundraising.

I adored you and now I will of my memories.

Love you forever and ever.

xxx

An Angel In Heaven

With so many tears of sadness I wish to notify everyone that one of Amelia's Project Angels passed away on Monday night.

She was truly one of the kindest and caring people you would ever meet.

I met Kel Wintle (mum to Tyler-8 and Riley-6) when Amelia was at Baxter Primary.
Since we left, the friendship has grown to be one that is of "true friendship".
We had a very honest and open friendship where we discussed our inner most feelings and thoughts.
She helped me get through so much and Scott and I helped her with some personal issues she wanted to address.

Apparently her death was due to pneumonia.

Thank you Kel for the friendship that opened my eyes to a whole new world.

I will always, always be there for your beautiful children.

Love Amanda
xxx

Big Kid Day !!!!

Today as we got ready for our first "character breakfast" I told Scott to go back to sleep.
My "me" day was yesterday and Scott was running himself into the ground so I told him to stay home and sleep.

So the kids and I began with breakfast at Paradise Pier Hotel called "Surf's Up with Mickey".
It was awesome.
There was a man singing and dancing with characters every 20 mins and then those characters would walk around the room meeting the diners.
Amelia and Tom had their "autograph books" from disneyland and we took numerous photo's.

Then we took the 15 minute walk across to Disneyland.
We were SOOOOOOO much more relaxed there today.
We just wandered and looked.
Today was a public holiday here so it was extremely busy so we just named rides we want to do before Saturday.
We managed to get into "pixie hollow" and meet Tinkerbell and go on a beautiful train ride.

Then Ann met us at the entrance and took us to a Disney Warehouse Factory Outlet I wanted to look at. Unfortunately not as good as I believed.

Now we are resting before we witness a "NIGHT PARADE" at Disneyland.
Then Amelia, Scott, mum and dad will come home.
Tom, Stuart and I plan to stay for the fireworks and some rides.

Tomorrow we have a breakfast with Minnie and friends and dinner at Goofy's Kitchen.

Exhausted just reading ???!!!!!

I asked Scott how his day was and he said "awesome".
I think he is definately rejuvenated !!!!!

Now for the many photo's of today (in no order!).

xxx

Amelia LOVING the famour teacup ride

A famous American "school bus".

A car that I thought looked so "mexican" in a parking lot. Hanging on the rear vision mirrow is an American flag and Christ Cross.

Braekfast Time !!!

Pluto !!!!

Minnie !!!

Daisy !!!!!

Stich !!!!!!

Tom had his face painted at Disneyland.....

Tinkerbell !!!

Shopping, swimming and Downtown Disney.

Before I begin tonight's blog I will apologise for any spelling mistakes, sentences that make no sense and the fact that I may fall asleep on the keyboard any minute now.

Today I shopped and shopped and shopped.
I left here at 9:30am and returned at 3pm.
I have swollen blistered feet but I only returned because I couldn't possibly carry any more bags.

THE OUTLETS ARE AWESOME !!!!!

But you have to look at the sales and clearance items for the day/week.

I have come home with 8 items of clothing and 3 pairs of shoes. All from Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, H&M, off Broadway shoes and Levi's.
I spent $300 on clothes and shoes that I would pay at least 3 times more for at home.
So......now I wait till Las Vegas to shop some more.

The kids had a fantastic time with Scott swimming in one of the hotel pools and just having a "down" day.

Tonight we all went to my first special "booking".
Unfortunately it did not turn out as I had planned.
The Rainforest Cafe may be beautiful and fascinating but I did not realise what was on the inside.
Fire couldrons at the entrance, a massive snake head coming down from the roof, waterfalls everywhere, loud animal noises and finally THUNDER.
Anyone that knows Amelia will understand her hysteria.
She was petrified.
She was screaming at me to leave.
So my dad (beautiful poppy) took her on an adventure around Downtown Disney while we had a meal there.
When we came out she was giggling about how much fun they both had.
Tom and I loved it anyway (I think Scott, Nana and Stuart could have skipped it!).

So as I go to bed....exhausted I post 2 photo's from today.
We have a special breakfast at 8:30am in the morning.
Hopefully it is calmer than tonight.

xxx

Me getting home.

Tom at the Rainforest Cafe

Ann (ex Arena) and Felippe Lugo are amazing !!!!!

Today began with a yummy buffet breakfast downstairs.
We were all a lot happier and more awake than the previous two days.

Then we began our BIG day nice and early - 9am.
Ann hired a van and drove us.
Felippe drove Ann's car.
So, eleven of us set off for Seaworld in San Diego.

It took us two hours to get there.
For those of us in Ann's car we had the most incredible commentary.
The scenery was spectacular and seeing places we have seen for years on television was so exciting.

The Nuclear Power Plant was terrifying.
Huge and so open.

The 7 lane highway was fast and driving on the right side is hard to get used to (thank goodness Ann was driving !!!).

We spent 4 hours at Seaworld.
The highlight was definately "Shamu".
A killer whale.
We were able to see him performing in a grand show and then in his own pool later.
It was also exciting to see the polar bears and Beluga whales.
Very, very hot though (for us Melbourne people !!).

Ann and Felippe dropped us off and went and did their own thing in San Diego.
After they returned to pick us up we went to Laguna Beach.
I describe Laguna Beach as Lorne (in Melbourne).
Mum said it is a Toorak / Lorne.
Everyone was beautiful, immaculately dressed and there were so many very spoilt dogs !!!!
There was also lots of volleyball (girls I took a special photo just for all of you !!).
Unfortunately I lost my handbag there and was very lucky someone had handed it in to one of the places we had visited.

On the way home Ann took us through extremely wealthy suburbs and shopping strips.
It was fascinating !!!!!
I loved seeing bonfires on the beach with lots of people around them (just like all those teenage movies we used to watch !!).
After getting home at 7:30pm, we ordered room service and all collapsed in front of the TV.
Thankfully Ann is going to take us into Los Angeles to meet Hannah Mermaid on Wednesday and we will get to have a special tour of Hollywood as well.

Tomorrow I am having a HUGE shopping day.
Scott and the kids will stay here and swim.
Dad and Stuart are coming with me for a while (I am so excited that I do not think they will keep up with me though!).

Tonight I managed to book Amelia's Princess Experience and Tom's Knight Adventure.
It is all happening at 8:10am on Thursday before we have brunch at Ariel's Grotto.
Amelia will walk out with full gown, shoes, crown, makeup, nail polish, portraits etc etc etc.
Tom will depart as a knight in shining armour.
Cannot wait !!!!!!!

Today Tom behaved beautifully and Amelia's energy levels are astounding ALL of us.
If she is not coping, the agreement is we slow down.
But she is doing better than Nana, Poppy and Stuart !!!!
I think sitting in a wheelchair a lot of the time is making a huge difference. She is not using as much energy as at home.

Now for the photo's of the day.

xxx

The show stage where Shamu performed

Shamu performing later in HIS pool

The Kids at Laguna Beach

One for the girls - buff men playing volleyball !!

Tom's very blue icecream at Laguna Beach (yes. His face was blue afterwards!)

Scott and Amelia enjoying their icecreams

Ann with the kids after bring us home

Disneyland Day 1

We slept in !!!!!

After such a long flight with no sleep, my parents and brother spent the morning banging on our door, searching the hotel for us and ringing our mobiles.
NONE of us woke up until 10:30am.
So the day started a lot later than originally planned !!

But lets REWIND ..........

Yesterday afternoon a "welcoming package" arrived for us, ordered by someone else.
Mum, dad and Stuart did not get it, so if it was someone on here.....thank you. It consisted of lots of chocolate, biscuits and a free inhouse movie.

Then my friend Ann arrived (who lives in California) with a huge amount of groceries. Lots of soft drink, snacks, bread, water and juice. She even gave us vegemite and snap lock bags !!!!
We needed it this morning seeing we missed Breakfast in the hotel !!!
Asleep by 9pm.
That means we ALL had 13 hours sleep !!!

When we finally arrived at Disneyland it was overwhelming.
The place is awesome.
But I think we may have only adjusted to the atmosphere today and will be more ready for the amazement next time.
We only went on 1 ride because of the heat and the queues.
But we still did SO MUCH.
We left at 12pm and arrived back at 7pm !!!!

Tom had MANY meltdowns and I think he was just more outward about what we were all feeling inside.
Amelia and I settled after we did some MAJOR shopping.
You could (and we will) go crazy in purchases there.

As the day continued more and more people arrived, so you definately have to get there for the 10am open.

Tonight we have had Mexican for dinner where the kids had balloon crowns made.

Tomorrow Ann is taking us all to San Diego where we will go to their Sea World.

I have also just finished booking all of our character dining over the next week. 5 bookings !!!!

I will finish off tonight with lots of photo's.
Thank you for all of the beautiful messages.

xxx

Entrance to Disneyland

Once again at the entrance

The entrance to Fantasy Land (where the Princesses are !!)

The Princess part of the parade (there was heaps !!)

Amelia buying her AWESOME Minnie Mouse Slippers !!

And to ALL the Langwarrin Primary people LOOK who we happened to cross paths with. Of all the millions (and there are alot!) of people inside Disneyland we happened to pass Mrs Pepper and her family !!!!

Dinner time and still smiling !!

And at 7pm as we headed home for bath and bed look at how very HAPPY these two were.

We are here !!!!!

The first blog from America .......

The hotel, weather and customer service in Los Angeles has been amazing all day.
After taking so long to choose a hotel that "ticked all of the boxes" we are extremely happy with our final choice.
It is beautiful.

But lets rewind back to the 4am alarm on Thursday 6th October.
Not much sleep THAT night.

Then our Limo arrived and it was AWESOME.
And our magnificent neighbours came out to wave us off.
Everyone loved the experience.
Scott and I just questioned each other the whole way about anything we may have forgotten !!!

Here is photo of Amelia and Tom with our gorgeous limo driver.

The 14.5 hours on the plane I am going to appreviate.
Short and simple because I am already starting to forget about it.
- worst seats on the plane.
- couldn't move AT ALL.
- 4 hours into the trip Tom projectile vomits all over himself, me, Scott, his seat and the floor.
- no new t-shirt for Tom so he wears one of mine for the next 16 hours. (gets a lot of looks for the looooong pink t-shirt.)
- children get cranky because they are so tired.
- Amelia wakes up crying every 45 minutes saying "I want to go home".

So it is now 4pm and I have been awake for 30 hours straight.
No sleep.
Scott, Amelia and Tom got a few hours on the plane.

We always knew we were going to have to grin and bare the plane trip.
We just did not realise how bad it was going to be !!!

Moving on .....
arrived to a 10 seater limo at LAX Airport.

had to wait 90 minutes for our room, but we did not care (even though we all smelt like vomit !!).
We had sunshine, starbucks coffee and the most beautiful hotel lobby to wait in.
But most of all.......
The plane trip was over !!!!!!

We have all been out for lunch and tomorrow is HUGE.
Our first visit to Disneyland.

xxx

(and I have just finished typing to discover everyone around me sleeping!!)