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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.