Happy Birthday Logan and Papa!

Papa’s 60th birthday was the main motivation for going to Disney World, but it also made for one amazing 5th birthday for Logan. She chose a princess dinner at Epcot for her celebration, and while we didn’t think our kids would want to meet the princesses, it turned out Benjamin was quite smitten.

Both of our families posed for photos with Belle on the way into dinner. Somehow Papa managed to avoid these photos.

Once inside, the princesses made their rounds to our table.

Abby who was more interested in eating her meal, gave each princess a glare to make sure she knew not to mess with this chica’s food.

Where the magic begins…

As we drove under the Disney World welcome sign, I had to blink back a few tears. It wouldn’t be the only time that week that I found myself feeling a little silly about the sudden emotion. Neither Jeremy, nor the kids, had experienced Disney before, and I was beyond excited to make memories there with them. Disney, while exhausting and at times stressful, truly feels like a magical place. I wanted them to experience special moments like the ones I still cherish from childhood. While I plan to record as many memories as possible from the trip, there were two moments that stood out in my mind as absolute highlights.

As we were riding on the monorail into Magic Kingdom, we caught sight of Mary Poppins waving to us from a nearby steam train. It was then we realized dozens of our favorite characters were waving from the row of cars, heading to the main station to welcome guests with singing, dancing and fireworks as the park gates opened. We arrived just in time to catch the end, and I half ran through the gates, pushing Benjamin and Abby in the stroller and dragging Jeremy. As we rounded the first curve, we slowed to parade down Main Street, which was lined with Disney employees singing and waving hello. Abby and Benjamin waved from their stroller, and I had to put on my sunglasses so no one would notice my eyes were a tad misty.

The castle was up ahead, and all around us people were soaking it all in… and then making a mad dash to the rides they wanted to see before the crowds made the wait lines too long. So, admittedly, I didn’t want to stop for a family photo. Later in the day, when the kids were a bit cranky, we did the best we could…

 

My second favorite memory was visiting Mickey Mouse. I don’t know why it was so emotional, but for my kids to actually meet the mouse they watch on a weekly basis, was precious to me. Benjamin was in awe. Abby, who is obsessed with “mowww,” warily watched from Jeremy’s arms as this talking Mickey Mouse greeted her. After posing for a few photos, Mickey asked Benjamin if he wanted to do “The Hot Dog Dance” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Benjamin was so overwhelmed, Mickey decided to stop partway through and gave him a hug goodbye instead.

See ya Ohio snow!

If we had done nothing at all while in Florida, escaping the freezing temperatures and piles of snow from this harsh winter would have been vacation enough!

Thankfully, we had wonderfully warm weather, and wonderful adventures in Jacksonville and Orlando too.

On Thursday night, we packed the kids into a mini-van we borrowed from Jan and Joe, and drove all night. While the kids woke up during quick stops for gas, they went right back to sleep and never left their car seats the entire drive to Jacksonville. We arrived, and Jeremy (who had driven all night while I dozed) went straight to bed, while the kids and I visited with the Antrim family and Grandpa Hilty (who was breaking up his winter in Florida and Colorado.)

They had so much fun playing active games, like basketball inside, football in the park, laser tag around the house, etc. Also, there was a great playground nearby, at which the boys discovered a lizard, and caught it so Benjamin and Abby could touch it.

If given a choice, I think Benjamin would have skipped Disney World and moved in with the Antrim family for a while. Abby had fun too, though I think four boys running around tired her out. She also was recovering from a double ear infection, so she still wasn’t back to full speed.

While the kids hung out, Jeremy and Aaron worked to put together the fastest possible derby cars for Saturday’s Awana race. They were debating the best way to make the wheels spin quickly, without using grease or other banned substances. I believe I heard a suggestion of ear wax at one point, though I think they ultimately settled on polishing the wheels with some tool Aaron had. The result paid off. Benjamin came in third place, and Levi won best designed Awana car. Days later, Benjamin still is toting around his trophy.

It was sad to say goodbye, but we were very grateful to have those days to relax and spend time with family before heading to Disney. On Sunday, we hit the road, stopping at Flagler beach on the way to Orlando. It was cold and foggy, so this trip lasted all of ten minutes. Still, it was a good stretch break for the kids.

Then, it was off to Disney World!

Merry Christmas 2013

Papa came down to visit on Christmas Eve, and we all went to the early church service at 2:30 p.m. The kids did really well sitting through their first church service, though we had to rely on the ipod for Abby during the second half. We came home and ate lobster tails and crab legs, both of which the kids liked! It was a nice evening, during which I failed to take any photos! So, here we are Christmas morning, instead. Abby was in a mood, and she didn’t want her picture taken…or even to be looked at.

Here she is hitting her brother as often and as hard as possible. It is a new behavior that is getting to be a bit frustrating for us to curb. While it was not a Hallmark Christmas morning, once we calmed her down, and protected Benjamin from her ire, everything went much better.

Benjamin was super excited to get a Marble Works, as well as a Matchbox ramp to be used in the bath tub. I think that ended up as one of his favorite gifts, and it is now difficult to get him out of the bathtub. He also got a Busytown Mystery game, which he has really enjoyed playing.

Abby got a baby stroller, in which she likes to place Minnie and Mickey Mouse, given to her by Aunt Christy and Uncle Mike in preparation for the Disney vacation. She also got a Minnie Mouse Bowtique, where she can put shoes and bows on a plastic Minnie mouse, and a very simple game for toddlers. The kids love playing together with their new stash.

From Papa, the kids received a family pass to the Cincinnati zoo, a new suitcase for Abby and his retired ipad. The kids are so excited to have their own ipad, though they would play with it all day if I didn’t set limits!

For Breakfast, we had waffles, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then played with the new toys… and electronics.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos from the end of December.

Benjamin is getting a kick out of Abby’s new toys, even if he won’t admit that he likes playing with a doll house. I think he preferred the box, though.

Abby has an obsession with naming parts of the face. If you aren’t careful, you will find her fingers poking your eyes, or jamming into your mouth.

I have been putting these two to work, but then of course, we have more space to play. We are looking forward to an exciting new year!