A Great Day at Chick-fil-A...

Reece's birthday is this Sunday, March 21st. We had not planned on doing a birthday this year because we went to Disney last week and also because we are crazily busy with our church plant. Reece has been trying to plan her own party and wanted all her little friends to come. I started feeling really guilty that we were not having a party. So, some of Reece's dear friends (Kate and Grace) from preschool asked us to go to the local museum yesterday. I ended up buying some special cookies and juice boxes for each of them and we had a mini celebration at the museum for snack time. They knew Reece's birthday was coming up and both brought Reece presents (a Little Pony and a bunny stuffed animal). Daddy also came to the museum with us. After about 2 hrs. of playing we invited the families to Chick-fil-A for lunch. Tony had already arranged with his marketing director, Lu and staff that we were coming (I did not know this). When we got there they had reserved tables for us and had it all decked out with tablecloths, balloons on every chair, party favors and plush cows for all the girls, Kid's Meal toys and they even gave us full service. After our meal, Tony offered to take the girls on a behind-the-scene tour of the kitchen. The kids thought this was the coolest thing. They got to see how the food was made and watched for a few minutes (and this was during our busiest time of day so the kitchen was bustling). Then, they gave each of the kids ice cream for dessert. Reece felt very special. Tony and his crew had outdone themselves to make this a very special day for Reece!!!! Thank you Daddy, you are the best!!! When we got back into the car Reece said, "Mommy you are the best mommy ever and this was the best birthday celebration ever!" I told her, "No, you need to be thanking Daddy for the best party ever." She then replied, "Y'all are both the best." :) So, she ended up having "a party" in her eyes. And it got better. We were keeping our neighbors/friends down the road last night for a sleepover. We switch off every month and this was our week to keep their kids. Reece thought this was planned for her and that her two bestfriends (Amy and Bethany) were coming to have a birthday sleepover. So to her, the birthday celebration continued through the night. :) We plan on going bike riding later today because the weather is gorgeous and then we are going to take Reece out to dinner for her birthday tonight. And then tomorrow (on her actual birthday) we are going to have her Aunt Abby, Uncle Joe and cousins over for dinner and cake. Reece will then celebrate her birthday at school on Monday with cupcakes. So, this is ending up being a 4 day celebration. I guess since she is turning 4 this is appropriate. :)

The only downfall, I forgot my camera yesterday so I do not have any photos from the museum or lunch at Chick-fil-A.

Goodbye to Disney...

On Saturday, March 13 it was time to say "goodbye" to Disney World. We were very sad to leave but we made many memories that will last forever and have lots of photos too! We drove straight back in one day (10 hrs.) and the girls did really well. They watched lots of DVD's. What did we do before movies!!!! We lost an hour of sleep due to Daylight Savings time so we were pretty exhausted on Sunday.

Disney Trip - Day Six...

On Friday, March 12 we spent our final day at Epcot. We had another cold, rainy day. It literally rained ALL day. The girls were troopers (yet again) and we had fun in spite of another yucky day. Our highlights in Epcot were Soarin' (a simulator ride that makes you feel like you are hang gliding over California) - we rode this twice b/c it was so cool, we also enjoyed Living with the Land boat ride, talking to Crush the Turtle in The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Spaceship Earth - which is a ride in the big ball - which Riley referred to as the "big golf ball," and eating pastries in France. We also enjoyed the amazing firework/light show at the end of the night. We spent 12 1/2 hrs. at Epcot and did not get home until 10:30 pm. I was amazed the girls made it all day in the rain. Reece had her only breakdown of the week at Epcot but finally konked in the stroller and was fine the rest of the evening.

Epcot had a flower/garden show going on so there were topiaries all over the park of all the Disney Characters. It was really neat.

Mommy and Reece riding the Nemo Clam mobile ride.

The girls enjoyed this play area in the Nemo section. Here they are sitting in the mouth of Bruce the Shark.

Here are some of the Lion King Topiaries - they were amazingTony learning how to drive a Segway in Innoventions.

Riley enjoyed playing the videogames in Innoventions.

Enjoying pastries in France. Regan said this was by far her favorite Country and Riley is giving us a thumbs up. Reece missed out on the pastries b/c she is konked in the stroller.

The girls talking to Belle and the Beast. Belle is asking them about their shoes (Crocs) and wondering why they have holes all in them. She told the Beast the girls need some more shoes. The girls thought this was very funny.

Reece is not in this picture b/c she was still napping and woke up when Belle was talking to the girls and she was looking straight at the Beast. He was the first thing she saw when she woke up and she freaked out. He is pretty scary looking! But, Regan and Riley liked him and even gave him hugs.

Riley and Regan with Marie the Cat from Aristocats. Reece was still sleeping during this photo.

Riley loves Jasmine and we had been looking for her all week in Disney. We finally found her in Morroco. Riley was so excited to finally see her. Check out Riley's wet pants. We were all soaked from the rain.

The Epcot ball at night - beautiful.

Here is a topiary of Belle and the Beast.

Disney Trip - Day Five...

On Thursday, March 11 we went to SeaWorld. It was a cold, rainy day so it was good we saved SeaWorld until the end of the week. We were able to see four shows and walk around most of the area all before 3 pm. We saw the Dolphin and Bird show, "Clyde and Seamore Sea Lion and Otter Show," (this was very funny), the Shamu Show, and a Pet's Ahoy show. The pet show had dogs, cats, mice, birds and pigs so the girls enjoyed that a lot, especially Riley. We also saw Dolphins in dolphin cove, the sea lions up close, penguins, sharks, sting rays, sea turtles, manatees, octopus and lots of fish including Nemo. It was a fun day eventhough we got really wet. Right after we left the park it started thundering so we made it just in the knick of time. We spent Thursday night at Downtown Disney and ate dinner at a neat place called, "Earl of Sandwich" and then went to a Lego Store and let the girls build stuff. All geared up for the rain - here we are at the sting ray tank where you can touch them. Dolphin Cove - you could pay to feed the dolphins but we chose not to because it was pouring down rain and they said we had to remove our ponchos while feeding the dolphins. Plus, it was pretty expensive. So, we just watched them play instead.

The Clyde and Seamore Show. This was a very cute show.

A very huge Walrus

The Shamu Show - "Believe"

Before the show this whale was going around splashing everyone. He was not even being commanded too he was just doing it on his own. It was pretty funny.

This whale is sticking out his tongue

Disney Trip - Day Four

On Wednesday, March 10 we spent a second day at Magic Kingdom. It was a beautiful, warm day. The park was a little busier today but we were still able to ride most of the rides with little wait. We rode several things over again and did a few new rides. Our favorites were the Astro Orbiter (much like Dumbo but much higher, faster and it tilts. Regan and Reece were afraid to go on it but we made them go anyway and they both ended up loving it), the Buzz Lightyear Ride, Mickey's Philharmagic 3-D show, the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor show, and we waited in line for an hour to see Tinker Bell and her fairy friends and 45 mins. to see Ariel. We had longer waits to see characters than we did on the rides! We did not think we would spend another whole day at the park but we did not leave until 6:30 pm.

This trash can was a bubble blowing trash can. The girls loved it.

On the Tea Cups again - UGHH... Mommy would not ride with daddy and the older girls again b/c they made me so motion sick the day before. So, Reece and I rode together and it was much tamer.

Reece riding with me - she was much kinder to me.

Waiting for Mickey's Philharmagic 3-D show.

Reece with the Walt Disney Statue.

The girls with fairy Rosetta.

The girls with fairy Silvermist.

Waiting for the Carousel - being rather silly.

On the Carousel again and again....

Riley attempting to remove the sword from the stone.

Regan's attempt...

And Reece's attempt...no success