Officially self-diagnosed "Disney-Crazy"

This past April we took Collin & Grace to Disney to celebrate their 4th & 2nd birthday.  We didn't even make it past guest relations & into the first park without owning our very own Annual Passes.

Months prior to the actual trip, while researching & planning, I distinctly remember telling a friend, "We are going all out on our trip because we will never be one of those Disney-Crazy families with passes who go all the time!"

Well, trip #1 came and was fabulous, and ever since then we have been hooked.  I guess I am now a "Disney-Crazy" momma :). Four trips later and I think it's official!

It's hard to explain why I love it so much - especially since I haven't even been on a single roller coaster or thrill ride (unless you count Goofy's Barnstormer), but seeing Disney through the eyes of the kiddos literally gets me teary :). 

Seeing Collin run up to Donald, and Grace to all things Princess...watching Collin LOVE every single second of the Toy Story rides...Seeing Grace's face when Belle walks out on stage...experiencing how excited and thrilled by every parade float that goes by...it never gets old (at least not yet)!

We have 5 more months of Disney memories to make & we plan to take advantage of all we can!

There is truly something magical about that place :). It is such a blessing to be close enough to make quick trips as Son's work schedule allows.  While Texas will always be my "home" I am taking full advantage of my Florida-Resident status & this is one perk that is hard to beat!

Have a Magical Day!

(Okay, that was cheesy, but I love it so it stays :))

Happy Halloween

These have to be the cutest Trick-Or-Treaters ever!

We had a fun family night and collected way more candy than we can ever eat!  Including the three bags I purchased to hand out...then not one person came to our house!

Collin was so brave and walked right up to the tables we visited...Grace was terrified by any adult in costume and clung tightly to mommy.

Their favorite parts of the evening included:

1.  The man dressed in a gorilla suit chasing the older kids :). Collin loved watching...Grace was terrified.

2.  The glow sticks I bought them to carry.

3.  Seeing all of the other kids' costumes.

4.  Candy, candy, and more candy!

In Grace's Words

"Mommy, I love you more than a bear!  A bear is scary!"

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Grace came inside from playing with Son & Collin...

G: "mommy, come outside"

Me: "in a minute"

G: "but you are a girl and I am a girl.  And the boys outside are playing football!"

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Big Girl

I cannot believe how quickly by baby girl has grown.  She was looking especially grown-up today wearing a messy bun hair-do left over from a trial run in her Princess Sophia costume.

She is growing into a stunning beauty.

This picture is of her waking from one of the last naps she will ever take in her crib.  Her "big girl bed" was delivered today, mommy is not ready for this!

Sweet Big Brother Moment

Something that melts my heart like nothing else is Collin being a sweet big brother.  

Perhaps it is because I never had a brother or an older sibling, or maybe it's just because I love both of them so dearly, but my heart bursts in moments like these.

I had finished baths and asked Grace to sit in her chair and wait for me to come read her a book.  I was cleaning in the kitchen and heard Collin go into her room and ask, "do you want me to read you a book?"

Priceless moment :). I love these two!!

And yes...I did stop them mid-book to remove the blanket from the back of the chair because it didn't match the chair ;). Then continued taking a million pictures, creating memories for them!

Trick Riders

As the weather cools we are spending more and more of our "stay home" days outside, something that we all love.  Collin and Grace both love riding bikes/trikes, and one of their favorite activities lately is "doing tricks".

They love putting on shows and performing together.  Collin reminds me of myself because he makes detailed plans of exactly what each person will do, then gets upset when the other "actors" do not follow his script.

Collin has many trick moves that he loves to incorporate into the shows:

Standing on the back of the big wheel & turning the wheel with his hands...

Anything with no hands...

Standing on the trike on one foot...this picture looks much more dangerous than the actual trick did at the time!  Mommy should have asked him to get down instead of snapping pictures!!

And don't forget about Grace, who is never more than a few steps behind big brother :)

Trying to turn the wheel with her hands...she couldn't quite reach.

Standing on one foot...again, bad mommy failing at safety watch!

Last, but not least, riding off the (very gently sloping) curb...

Love these babies and their "tricks" :)

Trike-A-Thon

This week Collin & Grace participated in their first ever Trike-A-Thon at their school!  They had a blast and mommy was able to watch the whole event.  We talked it up before at home, so they were both really excited to "race"!

Gracie's group included all of the two's classes at the school.  She ride her tricycle for half of the event, and then switched it up by pushing a baby stroller in the second half :)

 Her teacher made them all team shirts and gave them matching sunglasses - of course Grace had to be purple!

Taking a "thirst aid" break with sweet friend Braxton.

Class picture - we LOVE Mrs. Rice!!

Collin's group was next and included 3 of the Pre-K classes.  He stayed on his bike the entire time and was more serious than his sister.

He had a blast weaving in and out of his little friends trying to go faster and faster. He is my competitive little boy :)

Waiting not-so-patiently to get back on his bike after the lemonade break.

VPK Lunch Bunch Class Picture :). We LOVE Mrs. Padgett & Mrs. Acree!!

What a fun day!