Disney Day 4

Today I cashed in on my one and only birthday present! I got up early and went for a massage and fascial at the Grand Floridian Spa. AWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! Relaxation at its best! Thank you, JM, for the best birthday present ever!

While I was at the spa, JM got the kids fed, dressed, and "delivered" to Animal Kingdom. We really did not plan on going to Animal Kingdom, because 3 years ago to kids really did not enjoy it. But Tyler has been watching the "Must Do" channel at Disney, and he discovered a few fun roller coasters and rapids that we had to go try! I met the family at Animal Kingdom. JM had already done the petting zoo and the Safari with the kids, so I was just in time for the Nemo Musical and to watch them try the great rides!

Tyler and Corynne loved Expedition Everest and the Rapids. Two kids were soaked after the rapids!!! I do not remember how many times they road Expedition Everest!

While the big people enjoyed the rides, the little ones found a great spot in Camp Mickey & Minnie to dance with a few woodlands characters. Then we heard a store by Pocahanas.

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe as we were leaving the Animal Kingdom. The kids were so hungry even though it feeling like al we do is eat on this Disney dining plan. Dad let the kids have their favorite dessert to end the day, but the kids were a little disappointed that it did not come out with the flaming sparkler!

It did not slow them down....they attacked!!!!

After we got back to the cabin, the kids put on their swim suits for a night at the pool. They swam and swam and swam.

Disney Day 3

Our third day at Disney began with a Princess Breakfast at Epcot. These early breakfasts are great because you get into the parks early, eat a great breakfast, and get to the rides while most people are just going thru the entrance gates! The down fall is getting up early on vacation!!!

The girls had a great time seeing a few more princesses, then we were off to explore Epcot. First stop was the character greeting station. We walked right up to all 4 characters without a wait! Awesome!

We all went on the Nemo ride and explored the "water area" together. The big kids and Dad love the Test track and Soaring.

We had a great day of rides and shows before we decided to leave Epcot. We returned to our little cabin in the woods (Ft. Wilderness). Everyone was exhausted, so we decided to get pizza and relax!

Disney Day 2

Our 2nd day at Disney started with breakfast at 1900 Town Fair (aka the Grand Floridian). We dined with a few characters and enjoyed the smells of the HUGE Gingerbread House.

Next stop was Downtown Disney for a little slow paced playing, shopping, and dining. First we rode the newest and highest Disney attraction. It was a tethered helium balloon.

The girls had appointments at the Bibbity-Bobbity Boutique for their Princess Makeovers! I have never seen kids sit so still without complaints or tears while someone tugged and pulled on their hair! The fairy godmothers do have a little bit of magic!!!!!

Tada.....presenting our princesses!

While the girls were being beautified, the boys rented a boat to play around in the water!

Disney Vacation

We left for Disney on Thursday after the kids got out of school on Thursday. It seemed like a slow start because it took us forever to run the last minute Montgomery errands (like the bank) before we headed out of town. We were only on the road for a little less than an hour when I look over at the car gauges while JM was driving and talking on the phone to a possible trauma recruit. I noticed the check tire pressure light was on. A year ago in our old Suburban that was a common malfunction, but it had never happened with the Suburban. I told JM to not over look that at the next stop. Well, I few minutes later I noticed a strange sound, and this is what we discovered!

Wow! It was 5pm in Troy, AL. Not a single tire service open, so we are forced to change this tire ourselves. Here we go...pull out the owners manual because we can not find the jack. About 5 minutes into our laughter because under stress you can either break down or laugh, "Mr. Goodwrench" from the local Chev dealership just happened to stop by the convenience store. He offer his assistance, and we did not refuse! Within 15 minutes, we were back on the road! Wow! It really helps when you KNOW what you are doing! The kind "angel" as we will call him refused to take anything for his services. What a blessing he was to us! It was a great teaching moment for us and our kids!

After a very LONG night, we arrived at our Disney resort at 3:30 in the morning. JM scheduled an 8:15 breakfast, so this is going to be a short night!!!

The kids were up early and ready to go. Lyndsey was so excited to go to Mickey's house, Lauren and Corynne were just ready for a day of fun, and Tyler was ready to skip the small stuff and get to Space Mountain!

We took the Monorail to Magic Kingdom.

Lyndsey's first rides were Snow Whites Adventures, It's a Small World and Dumbo! She loved them!

Get ready to spin Daddy!

And then we met a princess...awwwwww!!!!

Tyler is not as strong as he thinks!!!

Dad takes some things way to seriously. JM let your son win the BUZZ Lightyear ride just once! Well, not this year :(

Now, it was time to give the big kids some fun! Here we come Barnstormer, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, etc, etc

What a magical day...I am exhausted!!!

It's My Birthday!

OK. Reality is that I am a 36 year old mom of four, and when your birthday falls in the middle of the week WHO CARES because life and activities must go on!

Today I sent Lauren off to school for her Thanksgiving Feast! Yes, sweetheart I will see you in a few hours!

As room mom, I helped organize this event for her first grade class. I did the decorations and organized the other moms to bring food and help. It was a sweet time for the kids, and much to our surprise they ATE alot of chicken strips, green beans, corn, bread, fruit and dessert!!!! (FYI to family - her cousin Thomas is standing right next to her in the group pic)

Next stop was to send Corynne home to the babysitter with Lyndsey while I took Lauren to her end of season soccer party. The girls had a great time playing at the park together. The AYSO gave each participant a trophy (even our girls who never won a game)!!!!

The day continued with Lauren's speech class, carpool, and dance before we ended the night at the girls' school for the Fall PTF program. The girls did a great job with their class performances. The 4th grade were Monks. They did a Bible Passage at the beginning with candles and a number song later in the program.

1st graders preformed many cute songs.

Good times with good friends!

Now it is 7:45pm and we are heading to Olive Garden for my birthday dinner because I am not cooking after a day like this!!!!

Girl Time

While the boys where away at a tennis tournament this weekend, we found time to splurge! It was a last minute decision after lunch today! We decided to stop by the nail shop. I told the girls that we would only go in if there was NO line. Just our luck...no one in line! Corynne and Lauren have done this a few times, and they were so excited. I had no intention of Lyndsey participating, but she picked out a color and jumped into the chair. Corynne was caught off guard because that was HER chair. Being the sweetest sister, she moved over to the grown-up chairs. Still I was not planning on paying for Lyndsey, but she kept asking for water at her feet and her turn. I did finally give in to the paint. Sweet Miss Rosie ran a little water for her to soak her feet without charging me for a full pedicure! Wow, this 2 time a year treat is going to get expensive when girl #4 arrives!

No pics of mom's pedicure because Mom DID NOT GET ONE! No time, no patience, and out of $. Maybe next week I can go without my precious, pampered princesses!

Learning a new trade

My little craft queen has been wanting to learn how to sew. I found a lady who offers beginning sewing classes at Hancock Fabrics, and we signed her up. Yes, I know how to sew. Yes, I could have taught her. This is the easy way out I know! She took my sewing machine to class. I must admit it made me a little nervous to see her handle MY sewing machine. I had to take a step back and take a deep breath! Granted I DO NOT have a fancy machine. It is a bottom of the Brother line from 1995, but it has done everything I have asked it to do! Is she going to take care of my old machine?!?!

Corynne had a blast! They learned how to fill a bobbin, thread the needle, and how to sew a straight line. They started on a pillow case. Over the next few Saturdays, they will make a tote bag and pajama bottoms. When I arrived to pick her up, she looked up and asked me why I came early. I told her I was not early and the class time was up. She was shocked that 2 hours went by so fast. Time flies when you are doing something you enjoy!!!