Birthday at Disney World

My boss at work sent me on a Disney Trip for a conference. The conference was not the important part of the trip. Family time was number 1. We decided it would be the boys birthday gifts. Where do I begin to tell the story of our trip. It was a 7 day vacation. Our first as a family of 4. The kids did great on the drive down. It took us 12 hours and we stopped three times - breakfast, lunch and a bathroom break).

The kids had so much to do in the car. We gave them new movies, new toys, and Aha even joined in by giving us happies to give them through out the drive.

We left at 5 am

Stopped in Tallahassee for lunch

Fun car decorations from Aha

We made it!

The first night we went to dinner in our hotel and Goofy and Pluto were there to greet us. It was fun to start out the birthday with characters. Andrew was all about them and Sam liked them from a far. But Sam did warm up to them for the rest of the trip.

We stayed at the Swan and Dolphin and they had Christmas events too. The one we were able to take part in is meeting Santa on vacation. He was a great Santa. We also played on hammock's and explored the hotel. It was a pretty place.

 Our first morning we met up with my college friend Dara and her family for breakfast. That was such a treat!!

 

Then we headed to Animal Kingdom. Andrew rode his first and last roller coaster. He was scared and Owen ended up getting sick on the roller coaster, so we stayed away from them...but luckily there is SO MUCH more than roller coasters.

 



Both boys were such troopers. They didn't know what to expect on anything but went on everything and anything.

The next day we went to Magic Kingdom on Monday, Epcot on Tuesday and then Magic Kingdom that afternoon for the Very Merry Christmas Parade, Wednesday we went to Hollywood Studios, and then to an Orlando Magic Game. Thursday we did Magic Kingdom and Friday we went to Hollywood Studios. It was a good trip.

Our favorite restaurants were Hollywood and Vines and Chef Mickey's. That is where we saw most of the characters.

Some fun things we did that were special are the boys had a Jake the Pirate Make Over. That was too fun and then we went to the Very Merry Christmas Parade. It was the same floats that came on ABC's Disney parade on Christmas. In fact one of the singers was filming the day were at Magic Kingdom.

Sam loved riding the carousel. The night of the Very Merry Christmas Parade we ate at Pinocchio's Village and the boys had a birthday serenade.

 

One of the most fun things we did was not even at Disney. We went to an Orlando Magic game with Owen's friend Scott Polk. The boys had the best time. We were able to sit in a suite and there was plenty of food and fun for the boys. A definite highlight for all of us.

 

 

 

The week was too much fun. We loved spending quality time with our boys. We loved their "let's go" attitude.

 

Every ride drops you off into a gift store. We told the boys that on Friday (our last day) we would go to downtown Disney - this is where a huge toy store is. They looked every day for their toy. It was fun to see them change their mind. Andrew stayed true to his wish list which was a the "real "buzz light year and a pluto dog. Sam changed his mind a lot. But in the end wanted the Star Wars characters and got a Simba stuff animal.

 

The ride home was good too. We were just ready to get back. The boys were great in the car on the way home too.

 

Over all it was such a fun week and a great way to celebrate their birthdays. We now have a 5 and 3 year old.

 

 

Our last night at Disney - Playing with their new toys :)

Andrew is now a "whole hand"

Andrew is now FIVE years old!!!! Which is crazy to believe. He was so ready to be a five year old. We counted down the days. He woke up at 5:20 am ready to see what his birthday present was. He got a game and a ninja turtle set from Sam. His big gift is a trip to Disney World. So much fun and so much to look forward to.

His class went on a field trip the day of his birthday. They went to the Christmas Train in Columbia MS. It was a fun day and I was able to spend it with Andrew.

Andrew and his 6th grade buddy - Eli Bridges

Pulling the train horn

Hudson Moore and Andrew - born 2 days apart

Andrew is funny, silly, serious, smart and loving. He is becoming a big kid right before our eyes. He loves dinosaurs, ninja turtles, spider man and all things boy. He likes to pretend. He asks so many questions. He has a great memory. He is starting to read (recognize words). He loves being at home. He likes watching tv and playing games on the ipad. Sam and Andrew get along well. They like being near each other but competition has set in a little. They wrestle all the time. I can tell they love each other. Andrew also LOVES Ralphie. They have a bond that is strong.

Andrew is in the 58% for height and 73% in weight. He had his ears and eyes checked at his well baby appointment and both are perfect!!

He is a joy. He is fun. We love him so much and this age.

Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the family time. I love the time off of work. I love the weather. And I love watching all the rivalry football games.

We stayed in Hattiesburg and went to the Munton's for lunch. Owen's cousins and their families all came too which makes it extra special. The kids have so much fun playing with each other.

The pictures are priceless! We have a lot to be thankful for. It has been a trying time this past year but good things are happening and I am so thankful.

It was a really fun day and again we have so much to be thankful for.

Sacred Heart Angel Tree Concert

The Pre-K classes at Sacred Heart were the entertainment for the start of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. They classes have been working on this concert since the start of the school year. It was on a Friday and then the kids had the rest of the day off.

We were very proud of Andrew. He knew all of the words. He was good and did what the teachers asked of him. Aha and Mick came with us too. We all met at the food court and had lunch before the concert.

Sam doesn't stop

Sam is all in on the weekends. Refusing to stop and rest even though we all know he needs to. On occasion he gives in and falls asleep in mid play. Sometimes he comes and curls up with me. He is quite the character.

We met Santa

Apparently not impressed with Santa

Newpointe Shopping Center had its open house the first weekend in November. We went to meet up with Santa and to get the boys pictures. They did not seem impressed with Santa. After that we rode the train around the shopping center and then met Aha and Mick for lunch. It was a nice Saturday!

Laser Tag

One of Andrew's soccer friends had a birthday party at Gatti Town. They played laser tag. This was Andrew's first time. Owen played too. Sam and I watched. Andrew was not sure of the game and played one game of three. It was a fun party.



Caroline and Andrew - best buddies

Andrew LOVES the ninja turtles...he had a blast getting his face painted. When we were home we washed it off. But the blue would not come out of his eye brows. It was so funny (or creepy) to see him with blue eye brows. Luckily it did come off in the bath.

Fun day for sure!

Mick's birthday

Owen's dad had a birthday on Sunday. We took his parents to Bay St. Louis to celebrate. Andrew called the van the "party van". We had lunch on the beach. The boys ran around the marina and Owen and his parents reminisced about his dad's family. They came to Bay St. Louis/Kiln area in the 1800s.

We had a great day. The weather was perfect.

When we were at the marina...the water was moving. Sam was convinced we were moving too. It did feel like we were on a boat. It was windy...with the slates of the wood we could see how he thought we were actually moving. :)

Sam's potty training update

Do you remember when Andrew was potty training? Do you remember the couple of posts about when is it going to click with Andrew? Will Andrew be able to go to Pre-K if he is not potty trained? Yes, those thoughts are still so fresh in my mind. But then there comes the baby. Our baby Sam. He is a different child. Everyone tells you children are different. But do you believe them?? The answer is YES - you do believe them because it is true. Every child is different.

I have not posted about Sam potty training because well...he has been wearing underwear to school since this summer. He takes naps at school in his underwear. He has had maybe 3 accidents at school.

He wears pull ups at home b/c Owen and I are not good at remembering to take him to the potty. But this tide is turning. I have noticed over the past few soccer weekends that Sam is telling me when we are out in public that he has to go to bathroom. I have noticed every time we come home his pull up is dry.

He is not good at #2 on the potty but still good for a 2 1/2 year old. It just takes too long for this busy bee child of ours. He doesn't like to sit still.

Sam is also my big milk drinker. So I have started a new tactic at home with him. He can only get milk if he goes to the bathroom. Surprisingly this is helping with me remembering to take him to the bathroom at home (because he wants milk 50 times a day). Pull ups are not off the Wal-Mart list yet...but we are moving in that direction.

He is a smart child and we love him.