Cruisin' with Mickey

After nine nights in Disney World we headed to Port Canaveral to board the Disney Dream for four nights.  It was a great idea to do a cruise AFTER a trip to Disney because we needed a rest, and we actually got one.  The food was amazing, the pools were amazing, and so were the shows.  And best of all, the CHILDCARE was incredible.  The girls actually begged to go to "Pixie Hollow" and when we would go to pick them up, they wanted to stay.  I can't blame them.  They did a talent show with Tinkerbell, danced with Lilo and Stitch, and Storytime with Snow White.  No other child care will ever compare.  We took Noah a few times but mainly to keep him out of the sun when we were on the pool deck.

And the girls had a blast on that pool deck.  Leah was amazed by the huge movie playing over the pool where she could swim and watch tv - her two favorite things.


But that pool water was cold, huh Dandy?


Noah enjoyed sitting with Mimi before he went to the nursery.


We also found them some swimsuits that have mermaid tail coverups.  I couldn't resist and had to buy these for my princesses.  Now maybe I don't have to make them a swimmable mermaid costume like Leah has been begging for.  :)


We stayed on the boat for our first day at port which was Nassau and loved that decision.  Pool time, adult time, and a lovely dinner was perfect.  Since we were eating in the Royal Palace restaurant the girls dressed up in their princess attire.


And got pictures with Princess Minnie


Our second port day was to Disneys private Island, Castaway Cay.

We enjoyed this day immensely.  A beautiful beach with turquoise water and no waves, umbrellas and chairs everywhere, and a lunch buffet made for a dream day.  Even Noah enjoyed a nice long nap under the umbrellas.  It was hard getting back on the ship, but we had to get ready for Pirate night!





With all crew members and most guests dressed as pirates, it was quite a fun evening.  After dinner we went up to the top deck for a pirate show and fireworks.  Disney is the only cruise line that can set off fireworks at sea.  And we loved it.



We spent our last day at sea playing on the ship and letting poor Noah take a nap.  Packing up was really hard this time.  4 nights is just not long enough.

We departed the ship bright and early.  Matt and I headed back to Disney World for one more night (stayed in the Little Mermaid room at the Art of Animation which the girls loved).  We got to enjoy Magic Kingdom once again and do all the things we didnt get a chance to do, see some characters we didnt get to see.



Magic Kingdom closed early that night, but it was a cool day, minimal crowd, and very little wait times if any.  It was a great way to end our trip.



And as we were headed out of the park we got one last frozen lemonade - our favorite Disney treat and said goodbye to Mickey.


We HAD to stop and take pictures with every Little Mermaid statue at the hotel, and finally crashed after a long day so we could be up at 445 to catch the shuttle to the airport.


It was a great trip.  And we are truly blessed to have wonderful parents who would treat their kids and grandkids to such an amazing experience.

The BIG Disney Trip

After a year and a half of planning, the BIG Disney Trip has come and gone.  We had a blast but part of me is a bit depressed about this.  Last Christmas Matts parents turned what we thought was going to be a long Disney World vacation into part Disney/ part Cruise.  Best gift ever.

We flew down this time around.  After our trip in May we decided we could not possibly drive down again with a newborn, even 4 months later and splurged on the flight.  Heaven.  The girls were almost as excited about flying as they were about Disney.  No clue why Hannahs smile is so weird here.

All ready for takeoff

Noah was a bit trickier this trip but still did great.  He did not fall asleep as readily in the baby carrier this time so I did walk around Disney holding a sleeping baby.  My arms are super strong now.

To cover some highlights...

On our first day in Magic Kingdom we got to go behind the wall of construction to see Belles Storytime, a new attraction not quite open in Fantasyland.  It is adorable.  All kids who want to participate (and a few adults who may not want to) can, as they help reenact the story of how Belle fell in love with Beast.  Leah played Phillipe, Belles horse, but really just wanted to give Belle the flower she picked for her outside the attraction.  Hannah was happy sitting by mommy.


 And of course we saw many other princesses and characters, gave kisses to some... even danced with a few.  And we got everyones autograph.  Again.  Some we got duplicates even.
                   

              

Yup... we stand in a lot of lines for those autographs. All worth it so the girls can see their "friends".

The girls celebrated their birthday while in Disney, and got to have breakfast with the princesses in Norway. I am glad that it was so early and we were rushed because I did not have very long to cry over the fact my babies are five years old.  But, for one that normally goes all out for a party every year, it was nice to just have breakfast with the family, and the princesses visit the table.  The girls got to do a princess parade around the restaurant.  Leah knows how to do it... she held Ariels hand the first time and Auroras flower basket the second.

Add caption

                   For their birthday dinner we ate at our all time favorite,
                                         Ohana's.  even the men wore their leis



















                                            One of the favorite rides...and another where I got soaked...

And a little cooling off...



So many wonderful moments and the week FLEW by... and then it was time to pack up.  Sad.  And get on the Disney Dream Cruise Ship.  Oh So Happy!

An early birthday party

We did a little celebration for my girl's 5th birthday early with my parents because we would be in Disney on their actual birthday.  It was a great low key little dinner.  And it was good to prepare me that their birthday was actually just around the corner.

And I cannot believe I did not take a picture, but I had Publix make the cake.  Since there were only a few of us I just wanted something small.  I asked the girls what they wanted on their cakes.  Hannah wanted blue and orange with a butterfly.  Leah wanted blue and purple with a mermaid (specifically Melody, Ariels daughter.)  After about 30 minutes of explaining to Publix what I wanted and told them in no way does it have to be perfect, they agreed to do a small cake and do it in halves.

The result was hilarious but totally fine with me.  They did the mermaid as asked ... but forgot the arms.  Well at least they got the sea shells and belly button?  How did I forget the picture?



Behind their presents.  They got just what they wanted.  Dream Lights from Lala and Jason and new bikes from Nana and Papa!





Noah participated in the festivities as well.


Ok Lala may be mad at me if she ever sees this picture but I found it hilarious.  She was holding Noah posing for a picture and he suddenly started screaming.  Maybe she accidentally poked him?  This was her immediate reaction.  He broke her heart.


Almost 5.  Say it isnt so.  They will always be my babies.

Noah 5 months

5 months old pictures
He was a happy baby but way more interested in the stuffed animals sitting next to him this go around.






At five months Noah has started becoming more engaged.  He is still rather lazy which I am fine with.  He started rolling to his back frequently but he doesnt roll back over so he is waking up at night often, which part of me hates and part of me doesnt mind because I won't get those midnight cuddles forever.  Overall he is a happy baby and still a snuggler.  Its amazing how much I love this little boy.

Day at the park

Sometimes the simplest of days bring the most joy.  The first taste of fall with mid 70s temperature, low humidity, and a perfect blue sky meant we had to be a part of it.

The girls start gymnastics

This year the girls are taking dance and gymnastics and they are thrilled about it.  They did a trial class and surprisingly chose to try two different ones.  Leah wanted " real gymnastics" and Hannah wanted to do tumbling.  (Hannah changed her mind after this class and they are both now doing gymnastics).


Awful picture but I just think they look so grown up here