I woke up today, looked at the gloomy morning, and figured out if I should write about Cars 3 or Taco Tuesday!?

Obviously Cars 3 won, but have no fear – Taco Tuesday can be next week? There’s always going to be time for tacos. Cars 3? Well, we shall see. If you’ve been following along even halfway, you may have noticed that Des is in love with Pixar’s Cars franchise. It happened in early 2016, and no lie, it was maybe a month after we stayed at the Art of Animation Resort in Walt Disney World. We had booked a Little Mermaid room, but stayed in a Finding Nemo suite as a surprise to the kids. There are four sections of the resort – these two and Lion King and Cars. Well, we stayed there for five nights and didn’t even VISIT the Cars section! We didn’t know! I was kicking myself.

So this year we remedied that and it was glorious.

(Des looking at the Radiator Springs sign like, “I have found my people!”)

I need you to know that I have followed along with this obsession INSANELY. I spend way too much money on way too many toys, in a house already overflowing with toys. We booked a Cars 3 movie theater birthday party for Des because the movie comes out a few days after his fifth birthday. We stayed at the resort twice on my dollar! And get this – I had NEVER seen the movie until last night! That’s right. Last night. It’s fantastic, by the way. Laugh and cry and feel good. You know Pixar. They clearly know us. “You don’t know me, Pixar! Wait, yes you do. Sob.”

Even Scarlet is in on the act! Cassidy must want to stuff his ears with cotton.

Months ago when I had heard that there was going to be a Cars 3 event in Boston, I knew we had to go. I figured, though, that it was one of those many dreams I have that races out of the cannon until it loses steam and momentum. Then it never picks itself up off the ground. I do that a lot because I’m prone to changes in mood, with changes in weather, exhaustion, patience, tolerance for hearing “Mama” “Mama” “Mama” 17 times in a row, and acceptance of Boston traffic and four hours in a car with two kids, etc. The thing is, though: WE SO DID IT.

I thought it would be quiet and no one would know about it because they’re not big geeks like me. I WAS WRONG!

We waited on line for over an hour to get in, but the kids were calm. Des wanted me to carry him like a baby, but Scarlet kept him in line. She also packed snacks/water and thought we were irresponsible for forgetting them..

And in true Disney fashion, they entertained us while we waited in line!

..Still looking at the ice cream truck instead..

Finally, we were in! The event was free even though I had my hand reaching for my wallet because I’d totally throw more money at Pixar. You could watch a trailer for Cars 3 inside a truck. You could play games and win prizes! Scarlet won toothpaste (BOO!) and Des won a sheet of Cars 3 tattoos (YAY!). There were free smoothie samples, coupons, recipes, and artwork. The big deal for us – worth the long wait – was “meeting” Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, and Jackson Storm. We told Des they were sleeping and that’s why they weren’t talking to us or racing. Also, Scarlet believed that too and that this was REAL LIFE. WIN for ages 4 and 7!

We look like happy, happy dorks.

We weren’t in there long, but the kids were elated. After that we went for ice cream with my friend, Bev, and her family, hit LEGOLand Boston for the store (throwing more $$ away), and went to an urban playground.

It confounded my country kids just a bit, but they caught on fast.

Thanks for bearing with my geekery and my iPhone pics. You KNOW I’m all about camera pictures, but I was contending with enough! Then we drove home to the smooth sounds of Sia Radio Pandora. Until next time, Boston!

Do any of your kids’ passions make you geek out too?