The Boots are Back

I did not pack the "boots" for our Florida vacation.

Your wardrobe choices were VERY limited (to what I wanted you to wear).

We were home for less than 10 minutes when you walked out of your room dressed like this....

Boy did you ever miss your B-O-O-T-S!

Good-Bye adorable sundresses, matching hair bows, and summer shoes.

Welcome home boots~

Our 1st Grader

Andrew,

You have been extremely emotional this week about leaving the comfort and familiarity of kindergarten and Mrs. N.

Yesterday after school, you ran to me, and the tears began to flow.

Mrs. N shared with me that you commented, "I just want to stop crying!"

I hoped to post a photo of you with your beloved teacher, but that proved to be a little too emotional for you today.

So....we came home and welcomed summer by playing in the sprinkler.Followed by a celebration at Red Robin. This is how your sister dressed....ice cream shirt, ice cream shorts, and green flower barrette. There is ABSOLUTELY no convincing her that it doesn't match. I love you first grader!

Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studios-DAY 5

Andrew, about 6 months ago I realized that you were the only boy on your Upward Basketball Team that had no idea what "Star Wars" was all about. I came home and ordered the first movie in the series and began our father/son passion for Star Wars. We were both very excited to find out that we would be at Disney during "Star Wars" weekend.

We learned a valuable lesson that you cannot get out of a line and hope to get back in line at the spot you left. Oh well, a very nice lady took pity on my sad boy and decided to select you as a Padawan (Jedi Trainee) for the parade. You did a great job following your Jedi Master.

We had a great day riding rides, but the highlight of our day was meeting the "Star Wars" characters and getting autographs. Queen Amidala thought you were a great Padawan.

We were both super excited to get our picture with R2-D2. You made me hold your light saber since you were embarrassed that you chose an evil color

Luke and Princess Leia I was lucky enough to get my own picture with the princess

Darth Maul liked your red light saber

We finished our day with a clone warrior. We were just too tired to wait in the hour and a half for Darth Vader's autograph. Oh well, there is always next time. Thanks for the memory. I will never forget it.

Girls' Day at the Magic Kingdom-DAY 5

Dad and I decided to split up on the fifth day.

The boys participated in Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studios while we girls returned to the Magic Kingdom in search of Snow White and Ariel.

We started the day by watching "Dream Along with Mickey".We rode Cinderella's Carousel, Snow White's Scary Adventure, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I searched (and asked questions) until we just so happened upon Snow White herself. I love your body language (sheer excitement) in this photo.

We then watched Mickey's PhilharMagic 3D Sym"funny" show.

It was fabulous!

You were then transformed into a princess kitty!

We rode The Barnstormer again and visited with the fairies.

They were delightfully friendly, but you were REALLY shy around them.

The day did not end well....you were so very tired, hot, and Cranky (notice the capital C).

You ended up throwing a MAJOR tantrum down Main Street.

I wish that I would have taken a picture, but I was too busy trying to calm you down.

If you think that I am exaggerating, just ask the security guard who approached me as we were leaving the park.

I am pretty sure that he thought that I was trying to kidnap you.

Yes...it was that bad! Needless to say, we didn't see Ariel or buy that stuffed animal that you so desperately needed.

Life lessons....gotta love them!

Maybe I should have packed your boots!?

Disney's Magic Kingdom-Day 4

Today at Magic Kingdom, we were invited to join a dance party being held in front of the castle.

Dad and I were excited, but we couldn't convince the two of you to join us.

We decided to watch Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.

When entering the theatre, we overheard the attendant tell a family, "If the laugh tank doesn't fill up, the exit doors won't open."

This brought A LOT of stress to our super-serious Andrew. He stressed and stared at the laugh tank the entire show. Thankfully, the laugh tank was completely filled and the exit doors opened.

Olivia and I decided to track down Snow White and watch the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade while the boys rode Space Mountain and Lilo & Stitch. We located Snow White at the wishing well, but we were the first ones turned away.

Boy...that Snow White is a busy gal. Here is a photo of the 2 of us in front of the castle before the parade. (It was H-O-T!) It was so magical watching the princesses parade by us in front of the castle. We were both mesmerized.

I loved the expressions on the faces of Cinderella's stepsisters, and the costumes were exquisite.

If you look closely, you will see Scott and Andrew across the street.

The beautiful Ariel blew Olivia a kiss which made her face fill with excitement!

After the parade, we rode Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and managed to meet the spaceman himself. This was the first day that I carried my Nikon. Needless to say, I took a lot of photos. Olivia decided to take a much needed rest while waiting to ride Dumbo The Flying Elephant.

This was by far one of my favorite moments of the day.

The sun was setting as we flew high over the park in our baby elephants.

We did wake our princess so that she could enjoy this beautiful moment too.

We also had time to experience Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, and the Haunted Mansion.

You both picked out a souvenir.

Andrew bought a pirate's sword, and Olivia picked out a personalized bright pink umbrella. It was a memorable day!

Thanks for sharing it with me!

Mom

Disney's Magic Kingdom-Day 3

The day FINALLY arrived for us to visit and explore the Magic Kingdom. We located a map and began our magical exploration. While on Main Street, we were greeted by a colorful, vivid parade. What a welcome! I can't decide whose expression I love more...Andrew, Dad, or the Disney cast member.

We visited with Aladin and Jasmine (so cute). We also soared high on the flying carpets, took a voyage or 2 on a pirate ship, experienced Splash Mountain, loved chugging along on the Thunder Mountain Railroad, snooped through Mickey and Minnie's cottages, drove race cars, swirled in beautiful tea cups, crashed through a barn in Goofy's airplane, and met our three favorite princesses (Cinderella, Belle, and Aurora).

Belle, Cinderella, and Aurora signed O's hat.

She was in heaven!

Andrew loved visiting his favorite princess, Cinderella, too.

(I don't think that daddy minded too much either!)

Andrew took this photo of us in Mickey's flower garden.

We ate dinner at the Crystal Palace with Pooh, Tiger, Piglet, and Eeyore.

In the middle of dinner, we were asked to grab our napkins and join a marching parade.

Giggles filled the air as we danced along with Pooh and his friends.

We stayed for the Parade of Lights and the fireworks above the castle.

Absolutely beautiful to say the least....

It was a great (exhausting) day!

Olivia..."My favorite was Goofy's airplane ride because it went fast."

Andrew..."My favorite thing was Thunder Mountain Railroad. It was my favorite ride in the whole place."

(I won't mention the 2 1/2 hour wait for a bus to get to our hotel....not so much fun.)

Disney...Day 2....Animal Kingdom

If we had this trip to do over again, we would have visited Magic Kingdom on day 2 instead of Animal Kingdom.

You were both so excited and ready to visit Magic Kingdom, and it took away from the Animal Kingdom experience.

We took the animal safari (which was really cool).

However, my favorite thing (and I am sure dad would agree) was the Finding Nemo show! We also watched the 3-D show, "It's a Bug's Life".

You were both somewhat afraid of the flying acorns and water.

We also met Flick!

With much effort, we convinced Oli to ride the "water" ride. She got S-O-A-K-E-D which added to her misery.

Andrew enjoyed the Everest roller coaster, but it made his stomach hurt. Here you all are on the baby dino ride.

This was the right speed for the day.

We also met the "dogs" (Goofy and Pluto).

Before leaving the park, we picked out silly hats.

Andrew purchased a goofy hat. (I chose this exact hat 20 years ago.)

Olivia decided on princess Mickey ears, but she was too done for a photo. We ended the day with a swim in the pool, and a trip to the snack shop for milkshakes in our pjs.

Disney-Day 1

We started our Disney vacation on Tuesday.

Of course...our flight was delayed several hours which cut our time at Epcot REALLY short.

Here are some photos of the 2 of you sporting your super cool shades while waiting patiently.

Trust me, the practice came in handy. I was and still am in awe of the beautiful garden characters. This is a photo of one of my favorites. We had dinner at The Garden Grill. Mickey Mouse, Chip, Dale, and Pluto paid us a visit, signed autographs, and posed for photos. Olivia...you were very shy and reserved, but super excited. You really loved the revolving floor (a.k.a. "the magic floor"). We learned how to tell Chip and Dale apart.

Andrew...you drew a picture of Mickey on the plane, and he posed with you and the drawing.

We ended the evening by watching a spectacular laser and light show.

The only thing missing was a small American flag to wave during the fireworks.

We were all super exhausted already!