disney: day one

After a couple days of beach fun it was finally Disney day!  Woot!!  While Drew took the kids to the pool in the morning I packed our bags and set out their outfits, magic bands, and new pals to surprise them with the news.

Hadley wasn't sure what it all meant, but this guy was SO excited!

Since we were coming from only an hour away we decided to drive at nap time and arrive at our hotel in the afternoon.  We didn't have park tickets for this day, but figured the room would be ready and we could head right down to the pool for some swimming fun before our dinner reservation.

I got to sit in the back of the mini next to this guy and, let me tell you, it was the best seat in the car.

His enthusiasm was contagious.  

We stayed at the Contemporary Resort this time around and had an amazing view of Cinderella's Castle!  The Contemporary is right on the monorail so it's a great choice if you're looking for an easy way to get to and from the Magic Kingdom.  We may or may not have ridden the monorail for fun.  ;-)

After swimming we hopped on the ferry boat for a trip to dinner at a neighboring resort.  We could have taken the monorail, but thought the kids would get a kick out of the boat ride.  They loved it!

I didn't get many pictures of swimming or dinner (sorry, blog) but both were a lot of fun!  By the time dinner was over we were all pooped out and ready for bed.  Hadley was so tired she didn't make it back to the room before she fell asleep, bless her heart.  The rest of us powered through a little longer so we could see the fireworks from our balcony.  Disney certainly doesn't do anything halfway.  Amazing!

Up next:  the Magic Kingdom!   

florida fun: beginning and end

We took the kids to Disney World for 2 days in the middle of our visit but the beginning and end were spent having the kind of fun you can only find in Florida!

Our first morning we woke up to rain, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits.  Warm rain means you can splash in puddles without boots or coats!  #winning

After the rain cleared off we did a lot of swimming.  This girl is completely fearless and will surely be the death of me.  

Daddy is in charge of swimming with her because the sudden jumping in and diving face first gives Mommy a heart attack.  And gray hair.  

But she's so brave and that makes me happy.

Asher loved swimming too!  We are still working on getting him out of the puddle jumper and swimming by himself, but he's the opposite of his sister and said a pretty clear "no way jose" to that idea.  Guess another summer of swim lessons is in the cards for this boy!

Since it was still in the 30s at home it was pretty exciting for me to bust out some spring clothes and dress the kids up for dinner.  They are good sports about pictures for the most part.  Gotta love some fresh-from-the-shower slicked down hair.  ha!

You can basically put those 2 things - pool and eating out - on repeat for our whole trip.  We also squeezed in some beach time but it was really windy most days so I didn't risk taking my camera down there.  After we got back from our days at Disney the kids were excited to still have a few days left to go back to the beach and swim at the pool.  I think going in the middle of our trip was a great plan - after Disney we still had fun to look forward to!  

Asher got a "bubble gun" as his Disney souvenir and both kids loved playing with it.  It lights up and has been a major hit ever since.

We love visiting Papa Gene and Grammy Linda in Florida!  Next up…Disney Day 1!

march happenings: week one

March started out on a high note with our trip to Florida and…Disney World!!!  The kids knew that we were going to Florida, but since we weren't hitting Disney until a couple days into our trip we didn't tell them about WDW ahead of time.  They were thrilled to death just to be going to Florida on a plane so we left it at that.

My people heading to our gate.  Love them.

Hadley was a big fan of air travel.  I can't figure out why.  #iPad #snacks #hellokitty

The only bummer was that Southwest destroyed our stroller while gate checking it.  Like, Drew saw them THROW it from the plane door to the ground through his seat window.  It was totally non-functioning when we got it in Florida and of course they refused to do anything about it.  So frustrating and not the best way to start a vacation where we really needed a stroller.  Oh well.

We shook it off and got to Drew's parent's house in time for sunshine and warm breezes.  All was well.  

Next up…Florida fun and Disney!

february happenings: week four

We finished up February with more snow!  Well, it was a lot of snow for North Carolina at least.

It's good that snow isn't pink or we'd have lost Hadley for sure.  ha!

Don't you scooter in the snow?

A few days later it was a lot warmer and we put on some spring clothes at raise our spirits.  Love this spunky girl!

To end our month Asher had a dentist appointment and totally rocked it!  He sat in the big chair like a champ and let everyone do the cleaning and check-up.  He's getting to be such a big, independent boy.

No cavities - woot!

february happenings: week three

I've been trying to get a picture of the kids together every Sunday.  Sometimes they go for it and sometimes it takes an M&M bribe.  Either way I like to see them together.  When did Asher turn into a teenager??

I finished my last project before the move!  I packed up my machine so I wouldn't be tempted to do "just one more thing".  ha!  This cute set makes me so anxious for spring!

Drew surprised me with the prettiest ring for Valentine's Day.  I wasn't expecting anything and was tickled that he picked out something special.  It needed to be sized so my little helper came with me to the jewelry store on Monday to get it set up.  Thanks iPhone for saving us thousands of dollars in toddler-jewelry store damages!

We had some nasty weather here this week.  Lots of ice, freezing cold temps and a little snow.  The boys took a snow day nap which is exactly what they should have done.  Good job.

Happy birthday Drew!  We celebrated his special day a little early since he had to travel for work, but no one seemed to mind.  The kids helped me make his chocolate cake with peanut butter icing and couldn't wait to dig in!  Asher asked so nicely if he could help Daddy blow his candles out.  "He can do half and I can do half, Mommy.  It will be fair sharing"  haha - never mind that it's Daddy's birthday.  Now is the time to be fair.  

selfie photobomb by yours truly - sorry.

Hadley has loved this tiger costume that used to be Asher's ever since we discovered it in an old clothes bin last fall.  When I saw this tiger Cabbage Patch baby I couldn't resist.  I mean, 2 tiger babies?  Come on.  This is pure gold.  

Snow day in North Carolina!  We had exactly 2 hours of school this week because of the weather.  Sigh.  But the roads were icy for one of those days, so I get it?  Either way the kids thought this "snow pile" was awesome, which makes me kind of sad for them.  ha!

"Mommy!  Take a picture of my legs!"  Fancy footwork, party of one.

Happy Friday!

valentine's dress, year two

One of the things I love most about having a little girl is that they can get 2 years of wear out of dresses!   Last year I made Hadley this Valentine's dress and this year she wore it as a top.  Woot!

These eyes kill me - so soulful.

I can't decide which I like better, color or black and white.  I'm usually a complete sucker for b&w so that's the way I lean but this one is so sweet in color.

Oh man, that tiny, chubby arm on the window sill.  Love her!

And a little model action with the wind (heat duct) blown hair  ;-)

Happy Hadley.  :-)