Monday, May 31, 2010

Highlights From Disney

We did so many things this week outside of just going to the parks that I thought I would give you the highlights of the week. Sorry....lots of pictures, but more will be posted on Picasa these are just a few.

Chef Mickey

Monday morning we went to eat breakfast at Chef Mickey's. It was a delicious breakfast and it was so nice that Katie got to met so many characters. Micky, Minne, Donald, Goofy and Pluto all stopped by our table to say hello and sign their autograph books. It was so nice to have them come to us and not have to stand in long lines at Magic Kingdom to meet them. Well worth the money for the breakfast. :)


We had a great view of Cinderella's Castle from our table....you can barely see it in this photo.

As I mentioned earlier Bree is was not a fan of anyone in a costume...she didn't realize Mickey was right behind her and when she did...man she cleared two chairs trying to get away from him. It was so funny...not to her but to us. Mickey tried to make amends with her, but she was not having it.

So she did the next best thing....stay safe in Nana's arms.


Katie had no problems meeting all of her new friends. She loved it
Donald was a funny little guy...he kept knocking Katie's Mickey ears off of her head and she would just laugh. She wasn't sure why he was doing that then daddy told her it is because Donald always aggravates Mickey. Donald heard Chris tell Katie this and he came over and gave us two feathers up


Downtown Disney
Tuesday night we headed to Downtown Disney to check it out and to get some dinner with the entire family. We decided to eat at Planet Hollywood.


Chris and I at Planet Hollywood
Tried to get a family photo but Bree wasn't being to helpful
I learned that when Bree goes without a nap for a few days she gets super, super silly. She kept sticking out her tongue and making faces all night long during dinner. The music was really loud at PH and she kept standing up dancing. She had us all and others around us rolling with laughter. I am thankful that silly is what happens when she missing naps and not total meltdowns.

The girls outside Planet Hollywood
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Wednesday afternoon had made a reservation for the girls to go to Biddidi Bobbidi Boutique at Cinderella's Castle. They get their hair, nails and make-up done to look like a princess. Before we went my mom bought the girls a Cinderella dress and shoes, since we would be eating dinner with them later that evening. When we arrived at the Boutique the girls got their "royal invitations" and then were led to a changing room to put on their princess dress and shoes. Then they each were taken to their beauty chair were wonderful ladies fixed their hair. They got to choose from three different hair styles, Fairy Tale Princess, Diva Princess and Pop Rock Princess. Both of my girls went for the Diva look.....I laughed because I knew as soon as I saw the choices they both would go for that. The Diva look, allowed them to choose hair extensions so they go to pick what color they wanted. Bree went with Belle's color, brown and Katie picked pink. I have to say that it was well worth the money for the experience they had while they were there. It was so much fun watching them get pampered princess style and I have to say they looked absolutely beautiful when they were all done.

The first thing they do is they have to get their hair in a ponytail on top of their head and then they braid their hair so they can pin it down to put the hair extensions in. It is amazing to me they can get their hair on top of their head like they did.

Getting her make-up on before you go to the ball.
Hair in and time to tease and spray
Our very own Cinderella
The back of Katie's hair

It was amazing to me they were able to get all of Bree's hair up on top of her head. They kept brushing and pulling it up. I thought for sure she would want them to stop and get down but she sat there being so patient and let them finish.
Can't go to the ball without your make up on.
The hair is in and time to tease and spray.
Bibbid Bobbidi Boo dust....to make all their wishes come true.

The big reveal.....they made her close her eyes and then they turn her around to the mirror. She just kept smiling and looking at herself. I don't think she knew what to think of seeing herself all dressed up and her hair that way. The back of Bree's new do.....she looks so funny with long hair like this as she has never had much hair in the first place.


The girls all dolled up in front of the castle before we head off to dinner.



Dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming....oh yeah and those other mean step sisters and step mother.
Wednesday night we went to the Grand Floridian to have a character dinner. The girls go to met Cinderella and Prince Charming. They also had the mean step sisters and step mother. Everyone was saying how beautiful they looked all dressed up as Cinderella.





Bree didn't like to get to close to any of the mean characters from any of the Disney movies, so she opted out of getting her photo taken with the Step Mother.

The girls who play the step sisters were so funny, and had their personalities down. They had the girls laughing when they came to our table.




Bree has only had one nap so far this week, remember when I said she gets super silly when she is tired. This is just a little glimpse of how she can be.



Katie decided to join in on the fun....they had everyones attention in the lobby.


Pool Time

We had a pool and hot tub in our back yard at the house we rented for the week. So of course each day we had to take use of it. The girls loved being able to come home and put on their swim suits and go outside and swim. I have to say it was so nice to have it, as we didn't have to walk to the clubhouse pool each day.

Matthew, Kevin and Brandy doing what they do best.....making our girls act silly. Katie and Bree loved having their cousin Matthew and Uncle Kevin and Aunt Brandy with us for the week.
Matthew and my silly girl Katie
More swim time...we had beautiful weather each day. Hot, but beautiful.
Bree became a little fish during this week. She has no fear of the water. She will run and jump in. She had so little fear that I told her she had to make sure she had her floaties on before she did that. She didn't even care if anyone was there to catch her, she would just jump in and take off swimming.
Katie loved the waterfall from the hot tub to the pool, she just kept saying how "cool" that was. Here she is just chilling in the water.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Disney So Far

We are three days into our Disney Trip and all have to say it is has been AMAZING!!!!! The girls are having a blast. Our first full day here on Sunday we hit Magic Kingdom. We got to the park at 10pm and it took us almost two full hours just to get back to the rides. Not because of the crowd but because of so many things going on, characters to meet, a awesome parade. Finally, we got back to Fantasyland and were able to ride some rides. I wasn't planning on us being at the park almost all day but the girls were having such a good time, that we just hated to make them leave. So finally around 4pm we headed home for some down time, and some swimming in the pool. Then went back that night for the lighted parade and fireworks. The girls were dead asleep on us by the time we were walking out of the park. I would have to say it was a succesful day of fun.
Monday had breakfast at Chef Mickeys and got to spend some time with Micky, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. Bree is not a big fan of any character in a costume, but Katie was beyond excited to see them all. The breakfast was wonderful and it was so nice for the characters to come to us and not have to wait in line. After breakfast we headed back home for some more swimming and naps and then went back to Magic Kingdom that night to ride more ride and meet some princesses. We waited in line about 45 mins but it was well worth it for them to meet Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Ariel. They both just walked from princess to princess with big smiles and not many words.
Today we headed to Animal Kingdom to check out some animals. We rode the Kilamajao Safari ride first and it was exactly what I expected. Such a great ride, amazing to see animals so close and in a "jungle" enviroment. We also caught the Lion King Festival show, which was really great also. The girls loved it. We also checked out Downtown Disney in the evening and ate at Planet Hollywood with the entire family.
All in all we are having the time of our live. We have taken lots of video and pictures and my dad has loaded his camera with pics also. So pics will come later, but for now you have an idea of how are week is going.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Disney We Go!!!!

So about 8 months ago we started to plan our trip to Disney World with the girls. I knew I really wanted to take the girls while they are still in the princess and mickey mouse phase. The hardest part of all of this is having to keep this secret for 8 months. If you are a parent of small kids you get the whole " how many more days" repeat. I wasn't about to live through that for 8 months so Chris and I decided to keep it a secret until we were leaving. So over these months we have had lots of spelling or code words for Disney if we where having a conversation about it when little ears where in range. There have been a few slip ups, but thankful no one caught on. So for the be unveiling of the trip, I decided to do a scavenger hunt with the girls the night before we leave. I made up 5 little clues and placed them throughout the house. At the end was a surprise that would hopefully help clue them in. It was so much fun to watch them run around from room to room, while I helped read the clues. I put pictures on the clues to help them figure them out. At the end I believe Katie was still in disbelief or it didn't really hit her yet where we are going. I am sure once we land she will understand exactly where we are at. I video taped the hunt so here is the link. Hope you enjoy and I will be posting lots of pics and stories.

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=afa4e69a0b1e6b3cb0f2b4&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Cubbies Award

During the school year at church on Wednesday nights they have a program called Awannas. Kids can start when they are 4 years old and the they start out in the beginner level call Cubbies. It is a class they attend and they have a book they work through throughout the year. They learn parts of bible verses and have to repeat them each week, they do crafts, play games and have bible lesson. As they go throughout the year reciting bible verses they earn little patches they they can put on their vest. When they complete the entire year and all verses they get an award. Tonight was the award ceremony for all Awanna kids and Katie got her Cubbie Bear. For a 5 year old she has a great memory and could have the verses memorized only after a couple of times repeating it.

Getting ready to go to the awards program. See the "c" on her vest. She earned all of those patches in this past school year. She earned them learning her bible verses, attending Sunday School and always bringing her bible.
Her she is getting her certificate and her little Cubbie Bear to put on her vest.


So proud of her certificate....she is an amazing little girl.


Here is a link to the video of the 4 and 5 year old group getting their certificates and singing their Cubbie Song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DERUSQ6-0O8

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mother's Day

I have to say I had a great Mother's Day Weekend, not just a day but a the weekend. I got to spend lots of time with my girls and Chris. I also got to take two nice long naps, one on Saturday and then on Sunday and a bonus was the Chris made sure him and Katie were out of the house during nap time so it was quite for me, and for Bree as she napped.

Chris made a wonderful seafood dinner for me and the girls Saturday evening. While I was napping him and Katie went to Reasors and picked up lobster tails, crab legs and shrimp. Katie also picked up some flowers for me from her and Bree. The dinner was great, Katie and Bree at all the crab legs between the two of them, that was 2lbs of them. Chris and I couldn't crack the crab legs fast enough for them. They also ate almost all of the shrimp. Neither of them are big fans of lobster so that was left for Chris and I. Even though the meal was great, little did I know what would come later that night.

Around 4am Sunday morning Bree wakes up crying. I go in to check on her and she tells me her back hurts. I lift up her pj's to rub her back and all I feel are these huge bumps. I turn on her light and she is completely covered in a rash. Not sure what was causing this, Chris and I decided that it was best if I take her on to the ER. By 6:30ish that morning the doctor comes in and looks at her. He then ask if she had strawberries, peanuts or seafood in the last 24 hours. I told him of our flew blown seafood dinner we had, and he said that was the culprit. I didn't at all think it was the seafood because Bree has had shell fish on numerous occasions, but evidently it take several times before an allergy can develop, so seeing how much of her was covered in the rash the doctor gave her a steroid shot, and a prescription to take at home.

We were done at the ER by 8:30am Sunday morning and both Bree and I were pretty hungry so we met up with Chris and Katie at IHOP and had a Mother's Day Breakfast. Then it was off to home where Bree and I both crashed for a few hours. Thankfully the shot Bree got at the ER worked fast as when she woke up from her nap, the majority of her rash was gone.

I have to say that even though Mother's Day is the day that mom's are supposed to be "off duty" I wouldn't have had my day any other way. Laying in the bed with Bree at the ER she looked up at me, all pitiful looking and said " I love you Mommy" and then gave me a hug and a kiss. My heart melted, as that is what it is all about. Being a mom, is a thankless job, but I know for me when I get those sweet "I love you's" or hugs and kisses. That is all the thanks I need. I am so thankful to be the mom of Katie and Bree. When I think about the two beautiful girls that God planned for me to have I just smile and think of how blessed I am that he chose me to be their mom.

I hope all of my mom friends and my wonderful mom had a great mothers day. Being a Mom is the hardest, most rewarding job that any of us will every have.

Creative Play


Saturday we had our neighborhood garage sale. We did pretty good, got rid of some toys, clothes and junk. Made some extra cash and then all the stuff that was left over went to Good Will. It felt good to have the extra storage space back in the garage. The girls however found a new use for all the empty storage bins we now have. While Chris and I were cleaning up they were having fun playing with the bins. I got some video of their creative playtime.

First, they made this into a bed and pretended to be sleeping.

Then they moved on to a game of cover you up and bust out of the bin. Here are some videos of them playing.





Friday, May 7, 2010

Muffins with Mom


This morning the girls school had Muffins with Mom to celebrate Mother's Day. When I dropped off the girls I got to spend some time with each of them having a yummy muffin and juice. Very nice morning, not just the normal drop and say good bye, but got to sit down, eat and talk. The girls were very excited that I hung around longer with them. I know I am so thankful to be their mommy.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Spring Program

Last night was Katie's spring program at church. The theme this year was Strong Tower and how we need to put on the full amoror of God to be able to face the world each day. As always the program was really great and the pre-k kids did so amazing. The kids program is so much fun to watch. Trying to get a group of 4 and 5 year olds to stand up, focus and sing is always fun. You have to keep a check out for a little boy in a blue polo on the end near Katie. Towards the end of the video you will see him break out his dance moves. So funny!

Here are the videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI6wXz-tR7A


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gmuv8TIFb4


After the program was over Katie and them got to have a pizza party and on the way home we decided to stop and get some ice cream at one of our favorite places, Braums. So yummy!
Quick photo of the girls, I thought they both looked so cute that night, well they always look cute. :) That's just my opinion.