Disney 2009 - day three

On Tuesday we got up and headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios.  This was our first venture on a bus - we had been using the monorail which is super convenient for families with strollers.  I packed the stroller up and we headed to the bus stop.  We were less than thrilled to find out we had to fold up the stroller.  We had about 10 different small bags, water bottles, fans...I grabbed both kids and boarded the bus with as much stuff as I could carry while Brian wrestled with the stroller and the remaining items packed inside and out - it was a disaster and took about 5 minutes - everyone on the bus was less than thrilled having to wait on us!  After feeling VERY overwhelmed and disorganized, we arrived at Hollywood Studios - the kids were ready to have fun and Brian and I were ready to pull our hair out and go back home.  To add to it, Brian had misplaced his Disney card that had his park passes and dining plan on it, so we had to go to guest services and get a replacement before entering the park.  Thankfully, Disney has a way of transforming any mood and it didn't take too long and we were having a blast!

Olivia took a seat on Brian's shoulders for a good view of High School Musical performing.

Meeting JoJo and Goliath

Meeting Leo and Annie of the Little Einsteins

We saw the Mickey Mouse club house, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and Pooh and friends on stage.

For lunch we went to Hollywood and Vine

Jack meeting Leo

Olivia posing with June, but Jack was not impressed!

These were three actors on the street doing a little skit while we waited for the block party to begin - they were absolutely hilarious!  We laughed our butts off as they started up their own on-the-road band.  They started getting on each others nerves and would make jabs at each other, then they would make-up, only to start fighting again over something silly.

The block party was absolutely fabulous!

Our favorite attraction at HS was the Toy Story Mania!

While in Hollywood Studios we also watched the Muppets 3D and the Voyage of Little Mermaid.

Disney 2009 - Day two

We were super-excited and woke up early on our first morning in Disney.  We decided to put on our swimsuits and check out the pool at the hotel.  

This is the Volcano at the pool

At night, the volcano lights up and has a mist that comes from the top, there is also a slide that starts at the top, goes through the volcano and drops you into the pool below.

Jack and Olivia playing in the water

This is the beach outside our hotel and the view of the Castle in the distance.

After swimming at the hotel we went to Magic Kingdom.  I was finally able to capture the picture I have had in my head for sooo long.  This is in memory of out baby Jesse.

Family pics in front of the castle

Olivia watching the parade

We ate lunch in Cinderella's Castle - before lunch, we had a photo shoot with Cinderella

During lunch we were visited by Snow White

Aurora

Belle

and Jasmine

Olivia got a birthday cupcake and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her

Jack learned to swallow swords in the Castle

We visited a knight in shining armor before leaving the castle.

We spent the rest of the day playing in Magic Kingdom.  We enjoyed several attractions: Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin where we boarded a space cruiser and used our laser cannons to blast away the Evil Emperor Zurg; The Barn Stormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm (little airplane roller coaster that busts through a barn); Brian was "that guy" at Monster's Inc. laugh floor; Peter Pan's flight; Olivia was able to keep her hands up on the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster; we spun until we got dizzy in the tea cups - these were just some of our favorites!
We definitely wore ourselves out before leaving the park!

Disney 2009 - day one

We flew out of Chicago early Sunday morning dressed in pants and sweatshirts and curled up in blankets.  We landed in Orlando and could feel the heat and humidity as soon as we stepped off of the plane.  We arrived to our resort, The Disney Polynesian.  The resort was amazing and we felt as if EVERYTHING was taken care of by Disney.  We were going to be celebrating Olivia's birthday that week and they gave Olivia her birthday button to wear all week.  Every cast member throughout the rest of the trip made it a point to tell Olivia Happy Birthday which made her feel like such a princess.  In addition to this, she got a cupcake with every sit down meal and they would sing happy birthday to her and she blew out her candle.

After taking a brief rest in our hotel, we got ready and went to Magic Kingdom.  Upon our arrival, this is what we saw

The Disney Castle with a beautiful rainbow to the right of it.  I honestly had tears in my eyes as I walked down Main Street USA.  I was completely amazed at the details that go into the store fronts, streets and costumes - it's just such a magical place!

We got to enjoy the "Celebrate" parade on Main Street USA and Olivia and Brian danced in the streets with the cast members.  Disney definitely knows how to put together an awesome parade!   After the parade we went to dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern where Olivia was treated to her first happy birthday song and birthday cupcake and candle.  After dinner we were captivated by the most magical fireworks show in front of Cinderella's Castle.  After the show, I was ready to go enjoy some rides and stay up really late - the park was open that night until 11PM, but Olivia was tuckered out by 10 and requesting to go back to the hotel so she could go to sleep.

Disney

We had an amazing trip to Disney last week, it was both of our kids first trip to Disney and the first trip for Brian and I since we were children.  The trip was magical in every way and we had the best time.  We also celebrated Olivia's 5th birthday while we were there.  I plan on posting a lot of pics from our trip, but today I just wanted to post one special picture, in memory of our baby Jesse

I love when kids fall asleep while eating!

Not so sure why I like it so much, but there's just something so cute about watching a child fall asleep while eating.  Both of my kids LOVE their sleep and they LOVE their beds.  Outside of their beds and the car they rarely fall asleep anywhere - once they're tired they usually ASK for bed.

A couple weeks ago we went to a summer festival and got home pretty late.  I was feeding Jack his cereal before putting him to bed and he was soooooo tired.  He started rubbing his little eyes and I knew I had to grab the camera...I couldn't miss this POSSIBLE once in a lifetime photo shoot.

It always ends with a head-nod that wakes you up...this is as his head was falling!

Sometimes it's the little things in life that bring us the most joy!

1st day of school

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

I give you a little wink and a smile

as you entered my room today.

I know how hard it is to leave

and simply walk away.

You've been together for several years.

You've been a loving guide.

But now the time has finally come,

to leave your child by my side.

Just know that as you drive away

and the tears may start to flow, 

I'll love your child as I would my own

and help your little one to grow.

So place a favorite picture here, 

and cherish it in your own way.

And know your child will be safe and loved

as we work and learn each day.

(note sent with the parents from the teacher)

Olivia was eating breakfast and seemed a little annoyed that mommy already had the camera out!

She was having a little trouble keeping the backpack on her shoulders (we forgot to tighten the straps)

Being silly, acting too cool to smile at mom!

She couldn't keep the cool look going for too long - she ended up laughing =}

Such a beautiful girl

Daddy held her hand and walked her to the building

Olivia in her room - The Garden Room

One last pose before I had to leave her..........and cry!

I made it to the parking lot before the tears started flowing and the letter from the teacher didn't help!  It's nice to know she's in good hands and her teacher loves her, but it's still not momma!

Olivia, 

Mommy and daddy are so proud of you and the little girl you have become.  We wish we could keep you small forever, but we know that this is just part of life!  We pray that you'll always be surrounded by God's arms of protection and that you always know you are a true princess and loved.

Love,

Mom and dad