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Self Distancing Disney Activities PART 2 - Learning to Draw with Disney Parks
For years as a child I wondered what it would be like to draw like a Disney Animator. Could I draw Mickey? How did I figure out how far apart his ears should be?
On one of our first visits as a family to Disney's Hollywood Studios park, my questions were answered. We ended up drawing Winnie the Pooh, and each and every one of our drawings, even the kids, looked amazing.
We are fortunate that Disney's Animation Academy made videos on the "Disney Parks" YouTube channel. We thought this would add a little creativity while you were working from home today.
There are lots of videos in the 25 minute range. Little ones may find these trickier, so it is best for kids in the school age group and up. Moms, dads and grandparents love these sessions too!
Once you're done, don't forget to showcase your drawings on your windows to brighten up your neighbour's day.
Keeping your family busy during school closures: Gardening Inspiration with a Disney flair!
Unfortunately, due to the virus that shall not be named, we have postponed until summer and will keep the family home safe and sound while it all works itself out.
But what do we do now? Our 3 sons will be home while they wait out the 3 weeks of school closures, and all that they want is to be basking in the Florida sun at their magical "home away from home".
So, I got to thinking. In those very few quiet moment before I went to sleep, and after helping our clients postpone their magical adventures, what can I do to lift their spirits?!
Besides experiencing all things Star Wars, our kids were the most excited to get back to the International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. They love to learn and Epcot is full of innovation and wonder at this time of year.
This year they were hoping to try Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt. During the hunt they would searching for Spike the Bee and learning all about the flowers Bees like to pollinate!
So, we thought what cool ways could we bring a little of the education and fun of Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration home? Time to get googling!
In my searches, I found these fun options that should be just the right fit! I am sure we can substitute some of the items from around the house, or order something online to get crafty. Here's some of my favourites:
OUR INSPIRATION: Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival
Well, what can we say. We’re disappointed. This year has brought some incredibly difficult moments, and most of them have been life changing. Our family visit to Walt Disney World was to be our first during the busy March Break Season. Our bags were packed, our hopes of the best cure in the world for a saddened family were high. BRING ON THE MAGIC!
Unfortunately, due to the virus that shall not be named, we have postponed until summer and will keep the family home safe and sound while it all works itself out.
But what do we do now? Our 3 sons will be home while they wait out the 3 weeks of school closures, and all that they want is to be basking in the Florida sun at their magical "home away from home".
So, I got to thinking. In those very few quiet moment before I went to sleep, and after helping our clients postpone their magical adventures, what can I do to lift their spirits?!
Besides experiencing all things Star Wars, our kids were the most excited to get back to the International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. They love to learn and Epcot is full of innovation and wonder at this time of year.
This year they were hoping to try Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt. During the hunt they would searching for Spike the Bee and learning all about the flowers Bees like to pollinate!
So, we thought what cool ways could we bring a little of the education and fun of Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration home? Time to get googling!
In my searches, I found these fun options that should be just the right fit! I am sure we can substitute some of the items from around the house, or order something online to get crafty. Here's some of my favourites:
For those kids that want some indoor gardening and crafting fun, we love this Winnie the Pooh Behive Birdhouse. I am sure we can substitute twine or yarn for rope. If you have an awesome idea on a hack for this craft, we'd love to hear it.
For the kids that are a little older in the family, try using their favourite Disney mug to plant some fun indoor flower plants. They can care for them while they wait to go back to school. Your grocery store and garden centers may have some plants already, or maybe you have some "forever" plants hanging around. Don't forget to ask if they deliver to minimize social mingling:
Maybe you're hoping to use some of the cool arts and crafts stuff you have lying around the house? Well these fun DIY "forever flower" topiary templats are just the trick!
If your kids are like mine, they will be getting alot of Disney Plus time (mamma has to help people get to Disney this summer!). Movies like Avatar, The BFG, and Odd Life of Timothy Green are fun options that feature nature as part of the film experience. *Some of these movies may be rated higher than PG.
Those are only a few of the many many options I found, and they were so much fun we had to share! Now it's your turn. Let's hear about your favourite Disney Garden tips! Does your family have indoor or outdoor family gardens?
Don't forget to share our list with your friends! Doing these crafts on hangouts or facetime with their friends might just be the ticket to kicking these "virus that shall not be named" blues!
VLOG EP2- Travel Support with the Finocchis with Alexis WiIlms of "And a Touch of Gloss"
Ladies and Gents, it is time to figure out how we can take care of our skin before, during and after a vacation. There are so many myths out there, that we knew we wanted an expert to help us support you in the way that you need! Alexis joins us with years of experience in the makeup and skin care industry, as a mom to 2 lovely children, and wanderlust in her heart.
If you have ever wondered whether you should exfoliate before your trip, how to cool down irritated skin, or how to match your face and body once you’ve washed that tan away, Alexis is here to send us her support and this video is for you.
If you want to reach out to Alexis, you can reach her on facebook by searching for Alexis Willms, Her facebook page “And a Touch of Gloss” or her instagram page @andatouchofgloss. You can also email her here: andatouchofgloss@gmail.com
Thank again Alexis!
What IT'S all about
Today was a special day. We were touched by something and it stayed with us all day. We just couldn't shake it.
As a family of 5 we raise our kids, stress over the future, work on our marriage, say lots of prayers, and spend time trying to make magic happen with our business.
We are the couple that others look at and wonder…what are they all about? Well, we are both children of Italian immigrants who continue to marvel at what an amazing country we live in.
Our little family is our whole life. We have seen those we love pass away suddenly and it rock us to our core. We love the magic of the holidays, and wonder at our three boys while at the same time shaking our heads at the new world they are growing up in.
Through it all we believe in magic. That adults are better people if that creative piece of their childhood isn't stripped away, but instead nurtured and allowed to hang around as the nucleus for who we should be.
Our love of travel comes from a curiousity we both harbour and have refused to let go of. Growing up has not meant a stiffer upper lip, or leaving dolls, animated movies and our favourite collectibles behind. They continue to remind us of who we started as, and where that little person wanted to be at our age.
Marco loves the fun of discovering new things while visiting favourite places over and over. To feel like he has multiple “homes” around the world where he can become part of that community. You can bet if he has visited once and liked it, he will visit again.
I love discovering new things, especially in places where art and history have shaped how we see the world. I want to walk where the Romans have, and not for a day, but for a month. I love a Disney vacation but not to complete the checklist of all that is new, but to breathe in that energy of constant change, creative history, and fun!
This quote reminded us of all of that today. It lifted us up. Snapped the proverbial fingers in front of our faces.
This is why we do what we do.
Love what we do.
Live what we do.
We hope that it stirs a memory of your younger and more adventurous selves too. What are we all waiting for? If it isn't on the list below, it's time to reevaluate, “wake up, and live”. We NEED magic!
Travel Support with the Finocchis - Episode 1 - Caroline Barrett of Mommy Run
We are so excited to amplify our travel advice with SUPPORT by sharing videos with you that will help to enhance your vacation experience, and hopefully make things easier for you. These are busy times for your family, and since we are in the thick of it with you, we hope that we can be of help to you as we navigate this time together.
This episode, we are chatting with Caroline Barrett of Mommy Run and Barwood Concierge. Her Mommy Run services helping moms with their daily task lists, and our loved ones who have reached an age where a day companion, or errands with Barwood Concierge are the perfect compliment to our concierge travel services.
We are one of her clients and cannot be happier with her services. We are super excited to share what she does with you, and hopefully give you access to another way we can help your vacation be truly relaxing.
You can find Caroline at www.mommyrun.ca and our video below!