Reflections on Disney

Ryan and I took Emma for her second trip to Disney World last week. It was a magical experience but I knew it would be because I ADORE disney world. It truly is a magical place and I have so many memories already from there. Taking Emma alone with Ryan only added to the Magic. You lose track of days there so I will try and break our trip down into days.

DAY ONE

We left early Saturday morning but Emma woke right up because she knew where we were going. As we landed in Atlanta Emma yelled at the top of her lungs," We are in Disney World!" However we still had an hour layover and another plane ride! We made it to the next plane and Emma was hitting her nap time, but who can sleep when you are that excited. After grabbing some lunch when we landed and catching the Magical Express our vacation had begun. We arrived at the hotel and while Emma and I watched Mickey cartoons in the lobby Ryan checked us in. A luggage guy gave Emma eight stickers and she proceeded to put all eight on her outfit. The room wasn't ready so we headed to the Magic Kingdom. The first ride....Of course Dumbo!
After riding quite a few rides and meeting Rafiki we headed to dinner at the Wilderness Lodge. At this point I had a very Tired two year old on my hands who was also very hungry! Poor girl....she did not make it to dinner but passed out right before our name was called.




She slept through the entire dinner (and this was a very loud restaurant) but woke up when we got to our room, so we ran to the food court and got her some Mac, N Cheese and Corn in a mickey plate. She then passed out ready to see Characters the next day!

DAY TWO

We woke up early....When two year olds are excited they wake up early....kinda like Christmas, went and ate a Mickey Waffle and headed to The Animal Kingdom. As we were going over the bridge towards the Tree of Life I saw Tigger and Pooh, and there were really no kids waiting in line so Ryan and I asked how to get there and headed in that direction. We found them and walked right down what would have been a 2 hour line and had about 5 minutes with Tigger, Eeyore and Pooh! It was so sweet. Emma hugged each one of them and told Pooh, "Hold on Pooh, My daddy has my book for you to sign. Let me get it!"> She Hugged on Eeyore and Bounced for Tigger! Magical!
We then went and Daddy rode Everest and we Saw Lilo and Stitch, Chip, Dale, Donald, and Mickey before heading toThe Tree of Life to see the Bugs. This was a little too scary for Emma and we had to bail on that show the Spiders and Bugs in 3D were a little much for her.
We decided Kiliminjaro Safari would be better and headed that way. Emma missed this ride again, the last time we were here she fell asleep as well. Oh well maybe next time. We then headed back for an afternoon nap and to get ready for our Princess Dinner in Norway. After much needed sleep we headed to Epcot to See The Princesses and I had my first bad experience with the Epcot birds. One of them Pooped in my hair. A LOT! Gross! I then had to go and wash my hair out in the bathroom sink....more on the birds later. We headed to Nemo since we had some time before dinner. Emma loved this ride 1. because she got to see Nemo and 2. because when you exit the ride you are in a HUGE aquarium. We got to see Dolphins, real nemos and Dories , Manatees and lots of other fish. Emma loved standing at the glass and having the dolphins swim past her. It was time for our reservation so we headed to Norway. Once we got in the restaurant we were greeted by Belle and got to have our picture taken with her. Then we sat down and ordered and waited on the other Princesses. That night Jasmine, Aurora, Ariel and Cinderella were there. Emma was most excited about Jasmine and Cinderella. When she saw Jasmine across the room she whispered "Boobies to Ryan and I" ( This is a joke because when Emma would look at the pictures of the last time she met Jasmine she noticed the girl was well endowed and became obsesses with saying this and falling down laughing when she did. I told her NOT to say this to the girl but that she could whisper it to us) She did, every time she saw her! Too funny! Cinderella she loved and even got down and hugged by herself. She also sang to her a portion of the song from Cinderella that the mice sing. She was so proud because Cinderella told her she sounded just like her mice. As a side note this was the best buffet we had of all the Character meals. I would definatly eat there again. We finished dinner wandered through Mexico and the Three Cabelleros ride and then decided to call it a night.

The next few days I will get to as soon as possible.

Cuteness!

The other night Emma Ryan and I were coming back from Park plaza in the car. Emma was in the back seat with her daddy and he asked her if she wanted a cookie.....She promptly responded, "Thank you please, don't mind if I do!" Hearing that grown up statement come out of her mouth her daddy and I cracked up.
Where she learned it we are not sure but it sure was cute!

Beautiful day

Today has been a beautiful day! I am PAST ready for spring...just not a winter sort of girl. Honestly I would rather sweat that shiver and since I am a southern girl we don't sweat we glisten. At least that is what a GRITS ( Girls Raised in the South) book says. Neways I have taken the opportunity to get outside with Emma. We went to Mimi's and played on the swing set they got her before Christmas. We had a great time and even had a picnic outside. Emma is now napping and Ryan and I are going to attempt our longest run yet 10 Miles when he gets off work. Yikes.....I am trying to mentally prepare for it and with this gorgeous weather it is fairly easy. I will let you know how it goes.

So last weekend we went with the guys on a duck hunting trip. No...we did not hunt. The boys did but there were no ducks in site so needless to say it was a duckless weekend. We did have a great time in the Lodge we stayed at. When we first drove up I was a little afraid. It was a tin shack in the middle of farm land, but turns out the inside was very nice. All the walls were cedar lined and it had twelve bunk beds. Huge living area with pool table. Big Kitchen and a pool table. It was nice to get away and just hang out. Plus we had the lodge to ourselves.

Here are some pictures of the trip.

My little Princess!

Often when Emma plays with me she calls me Cinderella and she either Belle or Ariel. It is really cute . Her Daddy is Prince Charming. I hope she always views us this way. The other day she asked where her Prince Charming was and I told her work. She quickly let me know she needed her Prince Charming that his Princesses were waiting on him. Her future husband has big shoes to fill!

Emma in a Big girl Bed!

PRAISE THE LORD! Emma has been sleeping in her bed for 14 days now. ( actually 15 but the first night was so rough I don't count it) I know I know you are probably thinking how in the world have they let a 2 year old sleep in your bed and if you don't have kids you are thinking I would never do that, but don't judge till you have been there. I have thought some of those very same things before I had a baby and we did it to sleep. Guilty as charged. This was our last major hurdle. We have suceeded in all other fronts Bottles, Pacifiers, Potty training, but now we have had sucess in the bed! I am so excited!

She fell out of her bed for the first time last week. It was too cute. We heard a loud thud and both of us were headed to her room. She only fell about a foot and only 1/2 of her fell off but she laid there to make sure we knew she had done it. Honestly if she didn't have 15 stuffed animals in the bed she would probably have had more room but that is what gives her comfort so we are letting her have as many as she likes!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Ryan and I wanted to start Traditions for our family and I already had quite a few with my family so we have added to them and come up with our own traditions for our Chrismas Eve and Christmas Day! We started by baking Jesus a birthday cake and making Christmas cookies the day before Christmas Eve so we can take them to share with all our families!

We get up on Christmas eve and head over to the Brownings. Hang out there and eat lunch and then head out to my grandma Jeffers for the Jeffers Christmas after Emma's nap. We then go caroling! This tradition started a few years back and has continued on. Some years it has been very painful as we have lost two family members of our own. Jae Lynn and Then Paw. This year as we were caroling I closed my eyes at the first house and envisioned their voices there with us still. Jae's Cute Warbly voice and Paws deep Baritone! It brought tears to my eyes but I have a feeling they were singing in heaven right along with us! This year we were able to carol some old neighbors of ours the Snows and it was wonderful to brighten their Christmas! We then head back to Mammaws house and eat nontraditional Christmas food. This year was Taco Salads Yummy!!!

After dinner we gather in the living room and read the Christmas story then open presents. It takes a while because the tradition there is to open one at a time and for everyone to see what you get. I love this way of opening but if you are new to it it can take some getting used to.

Ryan Emma and I head out first usually since we have the youngest and get home to put out our cookies and carrots and get in bed so Santa can come.

The next morning we wake bright and early! We are talking 6:00 am. and we see what Santa has brought us and open our presents and stockings. Then we started a new tradition one I hope that will carry on of cooking belgium Waffles ( thanks to the waffle maker my Mammaw Venable gave me) THen we play with gifts and get ready to head to our parents houses. Since we live so close we spit the day with each. This is such a blessing to be able to do this. In a few years we may try everyone coming ot our house as Emma gets older.

By the evening we are tired puppies and come back to our house to get in bed and rest because the next day we have new things to play with!

Things I am thankful for: I am a little late on this post but still thankful none the less.

Ryan: Thank you for loving me all the time, not only when I am nice but mean and whiny! Thank you for helping me around the house and never complaining even though I am super messy and you love things neat! Thank you for being a Godly man who loves both God, Emma and I unconditionally! Thank you for working so I can stay at home and raise Emma! Thank you for doing laundry and keeping me organized! Thank you for being a wonderful Daddy to Emma and letting me watch you play with her!

Emma: Thank you for teaching me how to play again! Thank you for showing me how determined I am about getting my way! ( You are so like me in this) Thank you for teaching me shyness! Thank you for loving me unconditionally and thinking I am Cinderella! Thank you for sparking my imagination!

My momma: Thank you for loving me all the time and always being there to listen! Thank you for encouraging my parenting skills and helping me know I am not a bad mom! Thank you for being there always to watch Emma and love on her and being everything a Mimi should be. Thank you for sewing clothes and teaching me how to be a momma. Thank you for always being there to Rat around town with!

Daddy-O: Thank you for loving me and being the first man in my life to love me unconditionally! Thank you for showing me how a Godly father leads his family! Thank you for your emotional and financial support through many years of school! Thank you for teaching me how to ALWAYS see the good in poeple and never think the worst of others! Thank you for being a wonderful Papa to Emma and playing with her when she comes over. ( Especially showing her snakes in the woods :) )
To you both: Thank you for showing me love and grace and patience and How to love each other as a couple!

Mammaw: Thank you for being the best Mammaw in the world! Thank you for little debbie mornings, avon bubble baths and shotgun dan pizza nights!Thank you for draggin us in wagons and playing softball in the yard even after a hard days work. Thank you for watching Emma while I run and letting her have so much fun with her Baby Mammaw. Thank you for Ratting with momma and me! Thank you for four generations of stubborn women!

This is just the beginning of my thank ful list I have so much more! My cup runs over! I will keep adding to this but tonight I have to stop! Tears of joy for the good things God has blessed me with in my life!