Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Violet's ballet recital {Harlequin Dolls}

Violet had her third dance recital last night!! She was a Harlequin Doll and she did such a super job! She always works very hard to get her dances just right. This year she had a few parts where she had a partner and they did fabulous as well! My heart is always so happy when I see her up on stage smiling big and having fun!
 Before they went on she was a ball of nervous energy and kept asking me to watch her dance!!

Sweet friends!!

 All lined up and ready to go!!


 Weston looks unimpressed!.. although he really does enjoy watching the show, but it was getting a little past dinner time for him! He did great :)

Way to go my little sweetheart!! We love watching you dance! xoxo!!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Violet's Preschool Graduation

Can it really be true? My baby girl is now ready for Kindergarten!!
Today was Violet's last day of preschool and we had a very special graduation last week! I really and truly can't believe it. I remember 2 years ago saying, oh we have SOOOO much time until we are done with preschool. And now, here it is!... :( 

I am sad, but I am happy too. I am looking forward to this new chapter of elementary school. And watching Violet try new things and learn new things! When I asked her in the car the other day what she loved most about school she said "learning" and when I asked her what she liked least about school she said "having to leave"!! I think it's safe to say that her sweet, yet determined little spirit will LOVE kinder next year :) 

They all walked in to the graduation march.

They said the pledge to the American flag and then to the Christian flag. Violet was chosen to be a flag holder and she was SO CUTE giving me a thumbs upright before!! I love how she always makes a special event even more special :)

Violet's class sang the cutest song "What a Miracle am I"

Ms Jessica the director called each student up one at a time to receive their diploma!!

My sweet little graduate!!

 And then we had a reception in the classroom afterwards 


Violet had very special teachers this year. She has loved every single minute of school!! Today was a hard day saying goodbye to Ms Trina and Ms Wendy and all of her sweet classmates. We hope to keep in touch with them all over the years!!

Way to go Violet! We love you!!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Disney World is the BEST!!

Did you know that Disney World is the best?!! 
It really and truly is!! 

We had the MOST FUN family vacation a couple of weeks back in Florida. The weather was cool and nice (except for rain a few days) and the lines weren't too long. The food was good everywhere we went and the gift shops abounded. We got to see so many fun Disney characters and shows! We rode the old classic rides as well as some brand new ones! Violet got to dance with the Beast (just like Belle) and Weston hugged and loved on Winnie the Pooh many times!! We had an unexpected amount of energy to go-go-go! And all four of us loved it and can't wait until we can go back! My friend Shay at Mix and Match Travel helped us immensely with recommendations and booking. She secured all of our character meals far enough out that we got to do every single thing we wanted to do. It was so great and very seamless!!

It seemed like almost every day, every moment is magical at Disney World. I, in turn, became extremely snap happy!! Uh oh, 1500 pictures later!! But I have LOVED sorting through them and I narrowed it down to my favorite 200 and will be posting probably too many from that group :)
 So get ready to see entirely too many photos of my kids with lots of characters!! (they loved meeting them all)


My princess and prince on the Prince Charming Regal Carousel!!

On the lovely Main Street USA!!


One of the many rides on Dumbo!!


 We ate breakfast with the Winnie the Pooh characters and Weston was in heaven!! They are by far his favorite!

 


LOVE these two!!

Tinkerbell was so sweet!! I loved how all the characters took so much time to talk with the kids and really stay in character. It was really special!

Violet loves fairies!!

 
Meeting Jasmine was huge for Violet! She looks so cute and speechless in this picture :) Weston decided fingers in mouth was going to be his signature look for Disney pictures.... :/
Aladdin and Jasmine were so friendly!

Riding Jasmine's magic carpet ride

 Meeting Ariel in her Grotto!


Dinner with Cinderella + stepsisters and mean old mother!!




These two live wires running back to our room after a long day!!

And our messy wonderful nightly family campout!!


We had breakfast with Chef Mickey and all of his pals the next morning! Super cute!!






When Pluto put the autograph book on his nose to sign Weston was cracking up!!





 
Then we spent the day at Epcot seeing the world (and lots more characters!!)

 Super sweet!! First Violet helping Weston towards Daisy..
 and then Weston giving her one of his best hugs!!









These two locos in Mexico!!






Violet and Weston taking a photo in the same spot where I have one from long ago with Jenn!!


Love his expression and his little toes :)

We ran into Sleeping Beauty just as our very own sleeping beauty decided to take his nap :)






So while he slept Violet put on a little show for us and we took a breather :)

And as we were walking around we practically bumped into Mary Poppins!! She let Violet hold her umbrella and I think that just about made her year!!!


(Daddy really loved seeing her too, really :)






Keeping busy on the bus ride!


We took a picture of our kids every morning as a safety precaution, but they ended up being some cute pics too!


Off to Hollywood Studios!!

We had a blast at a Disney Jr Live show and then ran into several characters...



Loved the Toy Story ride in 3D!!

Had an awesome time in Honey I Shrunk the Kids... but I was more worried about it becoming honey I lost the kids, so we were quick to get out!!


And after we watched a Beauty and the Beast show we ran into a green army man!



That night we had dinner back at Magic Kingdom at Be Our Guest, the Beauty and the Beast restaurant. It was fabulous!!



Violet dancing with the Beast after dinner!!


And afterwards went to Belle's Storytime Show where the kids get to act out the Beauty and the Beast story for Belle. Violet was Mrs. Potts and then at the end got to take her picture with Belle.


Any chance we got we stayed late in Magic Kingdom and rode Small World and Peter Pan a few last times when there were no lines :)



 The next day started off at Animal Kingdom with the Lion King show and a Safari...


And Weston going crazy on the drums any chance he got!

The Finding Nemo musical was amazing!!

And yes, that evening was more princesses back in Epcot!!
And Alice :)

And we ran into Pooh in England which was a huge treat!!
It's love!!

 The next morning Violet had a special makeover at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique!
She decided to wear her Belle dress. They did hair, makeup, nails, glitter... anything and everything the a princess could need!





 It was a bit rainy, so naturally Disney has hair protection for princesses!!

We ate in Cinderella's castle that afternoon and yes, more princesses!!




And we finally found Merida and Weston happily went right up to her!! Although Merida was the only princess Violet was not sure about meeting...

And that same day finally found Rapunzel and Weston wouldn't even look at her!! It was SO CUTE!! He was so shy... Carter said he has a special place in his heart for Rapunzel :)


And finally made it over to Tomorrowland...


And rode the Carousel of Progress :)



Our last day we spent doing our favorite things from the week and that meant staying in Magic Kingdom and having a ball!!



These two couldn't get enough of the big mouse!! :)


One of the faves :)


More faves :)


Watching a circus clown!!




This girl is a big helper when it comes to fast passes!!

And we saw the MOST GORGEOUS RAINBOW!! God has a special way of reminding us who really makes the magic happen :)
Violet was Mrs Potts again in Storytime with Belle!!

I wanted to remember HOW STINKIN CUTE these two were in their rain ponchos. I love the tops of their sweet little heads :)

And lots and lots of It's a Small World on the last day!!
(Peter Pan, too, but it's impossible to take a picture in there...)

The next morning getting ready to head home we were SO sad to go (Weston trying to climb out of his stroller so he could stay!!) It was such a special vacation, special family time together, special memories made!! We can't wait to go back sometime and experience it ALL over again!!

If you made it THIS FAR here's a special video just for you!!