Jim McIntosh

Merry McChristmas

This year the McIntosh asked for a trip to Disney for our Christmas present. In early December we took off from school and work and headed back to Orlando for our second visit to the DW. We stayed in a new location this time, the Polynesian Resort, which turned out to be very nice. We played in the pool and visited the parks – basically had a good time al around. We also found out that one of Ellie’s friends from school was going down to Disney at about the same time and we coordinated our trip so that we had some time with friends while we were there.

Highlights of the trip were pool-side games at the hotel, seeing snow on Main St. at Hollywood Studios, Ellie overcoming her fears and riding Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mia getting pictures with Micky and Miny, fun with the Damson’s at the German Beer Gardin and staying up late to go to our first real luau party.

Have a Merry McChristmas and a Happy McNew Year from the McIntosh’s.

My daughter Mia graduated from her Early Childhood education program today. Kelly, Ellie and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Check out the video and see how well she walks across the podium.

• Thursday evning we had Mia’s official family birthday celebration. See the video above and the pictures in the photo section of the site.
• Friday evening we had Kelly’s parents and brothers over for the Tschohl version of Mia’s 5th Birthday. She really enjoyed the evening and had fun playing with the cousins.
• Saturday morning we packed up the car and drove to Indiana Beach (2 hr. drive) to meet Grandma McIntosh.There we played and road rides all day. It was good to see Grandma. Lake Shaffer is pretty cool too. It was the first time I’d seen it.
• Sunday was Race Day (the Indy 500). This was our first time being in Indy for the event. Who knew they were going to black out the race on local TV.
• Sunday afternoon we visited the Stump’s for a fun filled afternoon of bounce houses, listening to the race on the radio and playing on the slip and slide. I think there were 15 kids there and 5 families.
• Monday afternoon we all went to Grandma and Grandpa Tschohl’s to visit once again with family and take a ride around the lake with the kids.
• Tuesday, I’m back to work for a relaxing day of building software.

I woke up this morning at 6:30. I’m now conditioned to listen to the noises in the house to see if the girls are up or not. This morning I hear that TV on in the kitchen. Ellie had gotten up, how early I don’t know, gotten dressed and was down stairs watching TV in the kitchen waiting for me to wake up.

This was kind of like the first night the child sleeps through the night, or when they learn how to get out of their room on their own. It’s just another sign that she is growing up.

Meanwhile, Mia and I were both slow to wake up. She takes after me there.

This morning made me remember when my mother (Hi Mom) showed me how to make my central in the morning by myself. This must have been after I got up early on my own and just went about my business. She would fill up a bowl of central and put a small cup of milk in the refrigerator for me to mix in when I wanted breakfast. I just wish Ellie liked the this kind of breakfast. I’d have to teach Ellie to use the toaster, skillet and microwave for here oatmeal.