It was MAGICAL!

Jack's first trip to Disney World was truly magical! It exceeded our expectations and we had the best time! It is still amazing to us how much goes into the entire production of the parks and resorts to make it so special! The parades, the characters, the shows, the details, and all of the fun! We took it all in! We are all VERY exhausted! It was a busy trip and we fit in as much as possible!!! So....for a few of the details (And to document some of our memories!)

The trip down and Day 1....

We had a great trip down and were happy to get to stop at Mimi's to sleep on Tuesday night! Miss Lucy stayed there and did so great! She loved having all the attention! We headed out early Wednesday morning for Disney World! We did have to make one unscheduled stop..... Mommy and Daddy forgot to pack any shoes for Jack! Thank goodness for all the outlets in Orlando! We spent the afternoon in Magic Kingdom! It was so fun to see Jack be so excited to see everything! Jack rode the Haunted Mansion and kept saying, "That's just a little bit spooky!" and he would hold up his fingers to show "just a little"! We rode a few other rides, but the highlight was the Celebrate your Dream parade! He loved seeing the characters and he was in a great spot for lots of waves and high fives! We spent the evening at our hotel.  We ate our dinner outside by the beach and cuddled up to watch the Lion King under the stars! It was a really special day!

Jack's Snack Bag for the trip!

Mickey sent me snacks, an autograph book and a new movie for my ride!

Pulling apart the last ring on the ride down to Disney World! (from our countdown)

Here we are!!!!

Our first boat ride from our resort to the Magic Kingdom

Look! Look! I see the castle!

Mommy and Jack on the tea cups (only one ride for this family...Mommy and Daddy can't handle the spinning!)

Jack getting excited about the parade coming!

Hey Pluto! Jack got lots of high fives during the parade!

Getting on Pirates of the Caribbean ride for the first time (we rode it multiple times! One of Jack's favorites!)

Roasting marshmallows on the beach at our resort the first night! (Aren't the outfits so cute! BIG thanks to Nunno for making all the super cute shirts!)

Happy boy to be in Disney World!

Mommy and Jack snuggled on the beach watching The Lion King on the big screen!

Day Two - Animal Kingdom

Our second day was spent at Animal Kingdom. We got up and were at the gates when the park opened. We started on the safari ride and then went to Camp Minnie and Mickey to meet lots of fun friends! Jack met Meeko, Mickey, Goofy and Chip & Dale.  We had lunch at the Tusker House with Donald, Daisy, Mickey and Goofy. We spent the afternoon in Dinoland USA. Jack rode the flying Triceratops ride and DINOSAUR (this was a pretty intense ride and Jack did great! He would say, "That's just a little bit scary, but that's alright!") We got ice cream and found some shade to hang out.  There was so much to see there and all the plant life was amazing! We saw a 3D movie there about Bugs.  This was not his favorite. He loved the beginning but there was a mean bug at the end and he got scared.  However, he has talked about this movie about as much as anything. There was a stink bug that tooted on us in the movie and he thinks that is the funniest thing! We came back to Wilderness Lodge and had some good pool time! It was a little chilly to us but Jack thought it was so fun! That night we didnt have much planned so made reservations at T-REX restaurant in Downtown Disney. Jack fell asleep on the bus and we just about couldnt get him up...BUT he did get up and loved eating around all of the HUGE dinosaurs! It was such a neat place to eat. We walked around and shopped a little....got some treats at Goofy's candy store and headed home!

Happy boy on the safari ride! (Safari Mickey on his shirt! Ready to go!)

Look at that giraffe!

Our (almost) 4 year old smile! A little forced these days!

First character that Jack met was Meeko!

LOOK!!! There is Mickey! Jack was so excited to get a hug from Mickey Mouse!

Hey Mickey!

Family photo with Safari Mickey!

Hugs from Goofy!

Jack was SUPER excited about Chip & Dale. We didnt know he loved them so much!

Waiting on lunch!

Hey Donald! Jack barely would turn around to smile...he liked giving them big hugs!

Mickey was at our lunch too! Jack was telling Mickey that he had a shirt with a safari hat just like him! Mickey was excited and clapping!

Daisy stopped by to say hello too! Jack had corn dog nuggets at lunch and LOVED them! He ate a ton!

Jack had fun meeting Pluto too!

This is Jack getting five from Pluto...Jack did "Up High, Down Low..TOO SLOW!" and Pluto thought it was hilarious! Jack is still talking about how hard Pluto laughed at his joke!

A little break for a snack!

Having fun!

Look at this HUGE Dinosaur!

Dressed to go to Downtown Disney!

Cute little man!

Power nap! Fell asleep on the bus!

Perked back up for a fun dinner at T-REX! It was really cool!

And why not one more treat before the day is over?!

Day 3 - Magic Kingdom and the Luau!

We headed over to Magic Kingdom on Friday morning. We were there when the gates opened and headed straight to meet Mickey and Minnie! It was so fun! They were so happy to meet Jack! After that we went to the Crystal Palace to have a YUMMY breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and Friends! Jack met Pooh, Eeyrore, Tigger and Piglet! We saw an older kid near us that didnt want to get up and hug the characters. It made me smile to see our young excited little boy standing next to his chair jumping up and down waiting for them to come to our table! We spent the day watching some parades and shows, riding lots of rides and scouting out a plan for the next day! We got smarter with each day about how to time everything! We left and had a little down time before we headed to the Polynesian for the Spirit of Aloha show! Once again, Jack fell asleep literally in his plate of food. We could not keep him up! We took turns holding him while he got another power nap! He woke up just in time to see the big show and the fire dancer! The food was amazing (Best of the trip) and the show was fun! We left there and headed back to Magic Kingdom to see the fireworks show, the Electric Parade and we rode the Aladdin magic carpet ride! What a fun night!

Jack with Mickey and Minnie!

Family photo!

Classic shot in front of the castle!

Jack's breakfast plate...yes, that is pretty good!

Jack meeting Tigger! He loved when he bounced around the restaurant!

Waiting on Piglet to get to the table! SO excited!

Jack really HUGGED every character! Notice the arms all the way around!

Hugging Pooh!

Another Parade! Jack loved them! This was the Street Party parade! Everyone could join them in the street to dance!

Watching a show at the castle! Peter Pan and Captain Hook came out too!

Loving the show!

Fast asleep at the Luau.... we do actually have a cute picture of us when we were walking in that they took. We ended up buying it! (I know... but we didnt have any of us at the luau..we just didnt have ENOUGH pictures! Hahahahah!)

Waiting on the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom

On the Magic Carpet Ride. Jack liked it to go really high and stay high!

Jack got a light stick for the Electric Parade show at night!

Day 4 - Magic Kingdom and Pirates and Pals Firework Voyage!

Our last day was our smartest say at Magic Kingdom (we figured out how to get the shorted lines and what times are best in what lands!) We went straight to Adventureland and rode Pirates of the Caribbean again, the Jungle Cruise AND the boys rode Splash Mountain! Mommy sat that one out! I am not crazy about big drops! Jack didnt mind the drop at all....but he didnt like getting wet. It was a little chilly that morning and he was more concerned about getting splashed than the five story drop! The fun surprise about Splash Mountain is that Woody and Jessie were waiting at the end of the ride! Jack was so excited to meet Woody! Then we headed back to Fantasyland and rode Peter Pan again, Winnie the Pooh, the Carousel, and saw the Mickey 3D movie again (this was by far one of Jack's favorites! We loved it too!).  We got hotdogs for lunch and watched another parade! It was just so magical! Everything was fun and exciting and new to us! We sadly left Magic Kingdom and had a little down time before riding the boat to Fort Wilderness to look around and play. Jack LOVED playing the bean bag toss game and got it in the hold 35 times (yes, we were counting and getting excited with each one!) Jack had another power nap while Daddy and I ate pizza and had a beer on the dock.  Jack woke up in time to head to meet our pirates for the boat ride to watch the fireworks! Captain Hook and Mr. Smee greeted us adn we got to meet them! The boat ride was fun and Patch the Pirate was our guide! Jack won a pirate water gun for knowing a trivia question (What is the name of the Indian princes in Peter Pan? TIGERLILY!!!) The fireworks show was great from the water! We had fun and Peter Pan was waiting for us on the dock when we got back! We got one last character greeting and quickly headed back to sleep! I think we were all about delirious by the end of that night!

And this is how you wake up in Disney World.... Lay in bed and eat a Pop-Tart! Tough life, huh?!

Excited about going on the Pirate ride again!

Jack and Daddy on Splash Mountain!

Coming down the big hill!!!! Jack is hidden behind that man's arms!

Excited boy waiting to meet Woody!

BIG hugs for Woody! (I wanted to thank Woody for helping potty train Jack! Buzz and Woody were on our pull ups and that is how Jack got to know them!)

Jack with Woody and Jessie!

3-D Mickey movie...AGAIN!

The Carousel in Fantasyland

Again...what a tough life! Stroller, snack and a drink waiting on another parade!

Mommy and Jack waiting on the parade!

Jack playing a bean bag toss game at Fort Wilderness (That is where Daddy grew up going and staying in Disney World!)

Love this picture! He was so excited everytime he got one in the hole!

Captain Hook and Mr. Smee!!!!

Patch the Pirate (Jack wasn't too sure about him but he was really funny!)

It was chilly on our boat ride!

Watching the fireworks!

Meeting Peter Pan!

So....how do you leave Disney World?????

...with Mickey pancakes in bed!

...a new movie to watch with a friend!

....and asleep an hour after we pulled out!

It was a really special week for us! We had such a great time with Jack and really loved all of our time! Jack's favorite things were the characters and the parades. His favorite rides were Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean! And he really loved the 3-D Mickey Philharmagic movie! We made lots of fun memories and hopefully will do it again one day! Miss Lucy will love it when she gets a little biggerer! We are grateful for everyone that helped make it so special! If you want more (after this CRAZY long post... feel free to check out all the PICTURES!

....this time next week!

We are sooooo excited about our fun Disney trip coming up! Our long countdown is getting shorter and shorter! The weeks have flown by and it feels like it is sneaking up on us! We have stayed pretty busy this month with birthday parties, Tee-ball starting and some projects around the house!

Jack and Lucy are doing so great! Today when we picked them up from school...Jack's teachers told us that he was Star Student today! He was the flag holder and he called out to his teacher that she used one of their sight words (but)! He got a special treat for recognizing it! Jack is up to about 40 sight words and LOVES going over them. He talks about them and points them out in books and on signs. He will say them and then spell them to you! His teachers have told us that is really excited about learning them and he likes telling us about it too! It's so fun watching him learn so many new things! Lucy continues to keep us laughing! Her teachers told us today that she did a lot of dancing and smiled all day! She gives us the craziest looks and is pure entertainment (I am sure that this might not be quite so cute when she is older)! She is trying to talk more ... EVERYTHING is "Uh-oh" to her! It's cute but we are trying to teach her that if you do something on purpose, then it's not an "uh-oh"! She tries to Moo like a cow but only gets the "Mmmmm" part! She makes the funniest face when she does that! She and Jack and playing so well together. Jack really helps her with things and begs her to play with him. She takes all of our singing Easter bunnies (yes, we have several..thank you Grandbubba!) to Jack to turn on for her! I just love that she wants him to help her! We really are having so much fun with them right now!

Here are some new pictures!

Lucy heading up the stairs in her slip and bow!

Jack and Lucy playing on the stairs (Lucy LOVES to sit there and play!)

Happy girl!

Jack's first T-ball practice!

Swing!!!

Jack getting help from Coach Eric!

COUNTDOWN! Jack has enjoyed his ring countdown!

Look! Another day gone!

Big brother giving a push!

Hamburger night!

I love hamburgers!

Jack and Lucy playing outside! I love seeing them play together! They were gathering crepe myrtle berries and putting them in the hole in the table!

Pulling off more rings with Daddy's help!

Celebrating LOVE!

Jack came home yesterday from school (with a ridiculous amount of treats and cards in his Valentine decorated box from his party) telling us that Valentine's Day is about celebrating love! It is also apparently about lots of Valentine cards and treats! I recently read a very funny blog about "over" doing holidays.  I am guilty of this (not quite as over the top as some... but we do enjoy traditions!) Valentine's took a lot of preparations this year. Both school parties required Valentine's for all classmates, a small gift, a decorated box and treats for the actual party.  Jack addressed all of his Valentine's for his friends and signed his name on each one! I am so proud of him and LOVED that he did this! However, I am not sure he "enjoyed" this little tradition as much as I did. Well.... to be honest I dont think either of us enjoyed it.  It took three different sessions and lots of bargaining to get him to do it all. There were LOTS of them and it was a lot of work! He was very proud of himself when he was done and loved showing Daddy all the hard work he did! We also have a tradition of having a "festive" breakfast for dinner on Valentine's day. Jack has been talking about his pink milk and grits since January! I could not disappoint! So.....after a long day at work, I ran in the door, finished getting one dinner ready and running it over to a friend that just had a baby, then I was rushing to finish our "perfect" and "festive" meal! Lucy was screaming at her high chair (She is INTENSE about eating!) and I was promising that it would just be "one more minute!!!" We finally sat down and it was worth it! We all ate every bit of our dinner and even had seconds! It was so yummy! We took the kids up to get ready for bed and were ready to settle into a nice little night just the two of us.  A bottle of wine and searching for a fun movie! Doesnt it sound nice?! Steven poured the wine and ran to take a quick shower. Did he find his wife smiling and patiently waiting for him to start a movie and drink our wine? NOPE! He found me half asleep and already apologizing for not being able to stay awake. I was asleep before 9pm and passed off my glass of wine to Steven (If you know me...I dont usually leave wine in a glass!) Romantic, huh? Real?? Yes!

It takes a lot of work to raise two kids, maintain a healthy marriage, exercise, cook dinner, go to work and get it "ALL" done in between.  It takes a LOT of work to fit in a few extra things too...decorations, traditions, sewing, photos, etc. And there are times that it all seems a little much.  Does it really matter if it's not all perfect and not always all done? It doesnt....as long as the most important thing remains the four of us and our time together..... WITH THAT SAID...... Jack ran into school this morning and started yelling at Lucy's teacher, "You know what?! You know what we had for dinner last night??!! PINK MILK AND PINK GRITS AND HEART SHAPED PANCAKES!!!!! THAT IS SO GREAT!!!"
And so..... it was all worth it! And I guess it is time to start the Easter decorations!

There is a LOT of love in this house and we had a good time celebrating it! The real, the great and the ugly!

Here are a few pictures of our fun times!

Sweet Lucy! Mommy made my Valentine's dress! (you know...the extras!)

Lucy opening a Valentine card!

Jack opening a Valentine card

Mommy and Jack making Valentine's cookies!

Excited about his fun dinner!

Valentine's Breakfast for Dinner!

Typical Lucy face

What? Do I have something on my face?

Sweet babies!!

Brotherly love?!

Mimi and her babies before church!

Love those babies!

A Day at the Zoo!

We are trying to take advantage of the fabulous February weather! We went to the zoo yesterday with Mimi and some good friends! Jack is always so excited to be at the zoo! He was yelling, "We're at the zoo!!!" as we pulled into the parking lot and told us that "all the animals are my favorite!" It was lots of fun and we packed a lunch too! Lucy really enjoyed seeing everything and had lots of fun at the playground! Thankful for fun days like this!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

I had a really special birthday (it was great turning 25 again! Hahahah!) Steven and Jack brought me a balloon and a really special birthday card yesterday morning! I had a great day at work and even got a balloon there too! Poppa and Nunno came down last night (after battling some bad Atlanta traffic!) to bring dinner and eat cake with us! It was a really nice night! My sweet babies gave me lots of big hugs (yes, I mean Steven too!) and made me feel really special!

My sweet card from Jack and Lucy

 

Mommy loves cookie cake!

My little man (patiently waiting for cake!)

Can I just have one taste?!

Sweet picture of Miss Lucy after church last week! Mommy wore that dress and sweater too!

And here are a few pics of our Valentine's Day decor that Mommy and Jack made! Jack has a big Happy Valentine's Day banner in his room! And we have a table runner, placemats and heart cups (not made by me! Hahaha!)! We like decorating around here!