Summer is Underway...

...And we have been busy marking things off our "bucket list". 

We had a play date with Wil, Emerson, Alex and Gavin at the splash park.

They had the best time. Even with the day ending with a certain little girl running around the park bottomless and Wil getting sick all over me in Wendy's....

We made homemade chocolate chip cookies with a certain someones help. 

Pardon the helpers attire...she prefers to be nude so at least she has one piece of clothing on...even if it is boys underwear.

The helper has a mighty cute little tushy. 

We have also been boycotting naps. She seems to find things to fill her time in her bedroom for at least 2 hours so I can't complain too much. 

On this day it was every single stuffed animal that she owns. Y'all, that's a lot of stuffed animals.

Or she plays dress up.

And stickers are ALWAYS a good way to pass the time.

Sure hoping this boycotting is just a phase.

We got a new "pool" for the backyard or more like a water activity. Nonetheless, it is the best $40 we have spent. They both love it.

We have been taking late baths or not taking them at all. Doesn't swimming during the day in some type of body of water count as a bath during the summer??? We think so...

We have been eating LOTS of popsicles. 

And everyone enjoys every last bite.

We have also made another trip to the beach. This time with the Glover's. 

He's not there for the sand or water, he goes for the food especially oreos!

Deep sea fishing for the 2 daddies in the group.

Two peas in a pod.

We are enjoying our busy but carefree days of summer. 

The Last of the Magical Place

We were at the right place at the right time to catch this wonderful parade at Magic Kingdom. 

Can you tell someone was super pumped about it?

And Ford thought it would be best to catch a couple zzzzz's during this part. 

Sissy had every reason to be excited because Snow White AND Cinderella waved at her and tugged at their hair bow telling Olivia that hers was cute!

How magical...a dream come true for a tiny little girl.

Why aren't mine and Hays' biceps the size of Texas after toting these two around the entire park???

It was HOT and they are heavy!

This is a picture of our car ride on the way home. This is a picture of a very successful Disney trip!

Some of us are in withdrawals of the magical place. 

We will settle for the stuffed Mickey until next time...

Meeting the Important People

You can't go to Disney without meeting a few of the most important people there and that is exactly what we did. 

We had plans of Olivia getting dolled up in her brand new Cinderella ball gown that even lights up but before leaving she had a little (or BIG) meltdown in the camper saying that it was itchy. After much persuading, she still wasn't convinced to wear it so we bypassed the dress with a cute smocked Cinderella dress. No big deal. 

So then we ventured to downtown Disney to the Bippity Bop Boutique to get treated like a princess with hair, make up and the whole nine yards before going to have dinner with the princesses. We got there and checked in only to hear Olivia say she didn't want to have her hair and make up done. After much persuading (probably 30 minutes of sweet talking), she still wasn't convinced so we opted to browse the toys instead.  All was right in Olivia's world to meet Cinderella. Mommy, on the other hand, was being taught a good lesson of patience.:)

The little princess and the big princess.

Olivia was beside herself to see these princesses in person. She just kept saying they are so so nice! She even got to hold Ariel's hand during the princess parade at the end of the dinner. It was truly a magical night in a 3 year old's eyes that even ended with fireworks right outside the restaurant. 

Instead of an autograph book (like normal children), Olivia had each princess sign a piece of paper with a picture on it that she and little Hayes had drawn. This will be going in the baby book. Props to little Hayes for the superb drawing of a princess. :)

And this little guy just took it all in. The dinner was scheduled right at his bedtime but he was so very good. He just sat and observed everything and let his sissy take in her special night....

....As long as the fork was always making its way to his mouth, that is.

And then we got to meet the adored Pooh Bear. Do y'all remember a few posts back that Olivia had been searching for honey all day because her tummy was rumbly like Pooh Bear's? I thought she would die with excitement when she saw him. Which she did, through the window! When it was time to take pictures with him she wanted to sit tight in her own seat. He was a bit big and fuzzy but oh, so sweet!
Ford didn't mind getting a few snap shots with the cuddly bear or even a few Eskimo kisses!

We really thought taking Ford along with us on this trip was going to be a mistake but my goodness, he enjoyed himself! He LOVED all the characters and had the BEST time.

Playing high-five with Tigger.

You can't forget about ole Eeyore. 

Miss Priss decided that Piglet wasn't too big or scary to get in a picture with and that's exactly what she did. 

I'm assuming this Pooh Bear was just the right size and had just the right amount of fuzziness. He even received her sacred Micky Mouse sticker afterwards. 

The last night was wrapped up the chef Mickey. We had a small bobo mishap before hand but when Mickey and Minnie rounded the corner all was good.
Minnie Mouse, the guest of honor.
Mickey better watch out, looks as if Ford was trying to make a move.:)

And the other guest of honor, Mickey Mouse!

Can you tell the moment was magical?

Leg 2-Where All Dreams Come True...

...Disney World!

Y'all, Disney World is HOT, tiring, exhausting and crowded but we would do it all over again to see the excitement on Olivia's face when she saw Cinderella for the first time,  hear the squeals when she met Winnie the Pooh and the nonstop talking about Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Hays and I saw how this place is truly magical through a 3 year old's eyes. 

 

Sister had a smile on her face almost the entire time.

And Boo Boo just took it all in. He rarely made a peep unless he was hungry or just plain tired. He was even able to ride all the rides Olivia could. 

Our homestead for 4 nights. We have decided to not mix camping and Disney in the middle of May ever again. I'm sure many people are chuckling right about now and saying I told ya so.

Nonetheless, the kids LOVED the camper. They slept like rocks each night. 

That's some good sleeping right there.

Even got the bed hair to prove it. Sweet boy.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse got special treatment in the camper. They're the only ones that got turn down and tuck in service.:) They were, after all, the guests of honor.

This is what happens to a one year old after only a couple of hours at Disney. 

Wore slap out.

Like sissy, he did enjoy the Nemo show and aquarium.

Only at the end of the first day and she was already tired of the photo ops.

At least she had Mickey and Minnie to take cover with.

The camp ground had a great pool/splash park and we had to drag both kids kicking and screaming out of it. Not sure why we spent all the money to go to Disney when they get just as much pleasure out of the pool.

Some serious sliding was going on by both of these.

The Odom's, the best friends to choose to venture to Disney with in a camper.
Hands down, they didn't run when they saw the tornado known as the Collins coming.
We seriously had the BEST time with them and hope that a camping trip together will be a yearly tradition for us.

Hayes and Olivia were best buds the entire time. He was so adorable and sweet to her even when she was acting like a 3 year old. 

Hayes sharing some much needed wisdom.

Finding Nemo is by far one of Olivia's favorite movies and she was beside herself to see the show and aquariums. I think we went back at least 3 times. 

Can we say rotten???

Who pays $10 for a balloon?

Daddy's do!

Dumbo was another big favorite.

So much so that at the end of the trip when she was able to choose one toy to get, Dumbo is what she chose. 

The giraffe on our "safari" ride in Animal Kingdom.

It was so cool to ride through and see these animals roaming freely.

My man doing what he does best.

This is at the end of the second day. Two tired ducklings.