We're back and we have some new residents

We have returned!

Disneyworld was great. We could have stayed longer, but it is nice to be home too. There is just so much to do there, that you always feel like you could do more. We didn't plan in as much down time this trip, so we came home a little more tired than last time.

The girls had a great time, and Lily did so much better than our trip last May. We did several character meals, where she just lit up, which is good because she refused to have her picture taken at the rest of the "photo op" places. For example, we don't have a picture of our family in front of the castle. Oh well. (if you are a Facebook friend, you will notice a few pictures of her boycotting the picture)

Abby loved all the rides. Well, except for one. She was all excited to ride Tower of Terror and then it scared the bejeezus out of her. I really thought she might cry while we were on it, but we made it through. I think we found her limit. She DID love Big Thunder Mountain, though. Lily (and Abby, too) LOVED It's a Small World.

We did come home with a few new residents, however, who are receiving lots of love and comfortable accommodations in little girls' beds. Lily picked Stitch (after our breakfast with Lilo and Stitch, he quickly became a favorite), and Abby picked Bolt, the dog. We also bought Perry, the platypus (from Phineas and Ferb), for both girls but Lily thinks he is hers. Luckily, Abby is understanding and Lily is sharing well.

Beauty and the Beast

This last weekend, we took Abby to see Broadway Across America's Beauty and the Beast. It was wonderful and Abby loved it (we all did). It was a very late night for Miss Abby. Who are we kidding? It was a late night for me too! But it was wonderful and we again had fabulous seats thanks to our friends at church.

The first three pictures are from my phone, of course, in horrible lighting, but they capture us at the show. :) The last picture is a stock photo I found online of the song "Be Our Guest," which was one of the best numbers. We also loved the song "Beauty and the Beast," where they dance and Belle is in the iconic yellow dress. So fun.

Toothless Wonder

In celebration of Abby finally losing a tooth and having several more loose teeth (she thought it would NEVER happen!), we bought the book, "Junie B. Jones Toothless Wonder."

Junie B. is quite the little character. Very fun to read, but I'm glad I have my Abby instead of Junie B. She's nuts.

Here is a synopsis of the book:

Yikes . . . It's a looth tooth!
One of Junie B. Jones's top front teeth is loose! Only Junie B. is not that thrilled about this development. Because what if she looks like toothless Uncle Lou? And even worse . . . what's all this tooth fairy business? Like, who is this woman, really? And what does she do with all those used teeth? So many questions, so little time.

Being Elmo

I happened upon this on Pinterest (of course), but it looks really good. It is a documentary about the puppeteer who created Elmo. The trailer has me really wanting to see it. Here it is. What do you think?

Smile!

I'm smiling about the weekend, my husband being home from a long business trip, and upcoming excitement.

What's making you smile today?

Made this today

Made this today for my Mom's Group snack. Yum!!!!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Carrie on Pinterest

(For the recipe, click on the 'source' link.

I didn't use the milk powder, and I used m&m's, delish!

Abby made me save her some for her afterschool snack.)

Beauty Shop

Nothing like being able to play at the real thing. WAY better than pretending it all.

Cartwheels

Abby has almost completed her first session of gymnastics, and has done very well. I think one more session of the beginner level and she'll probably be ready to move up to the next level. She has learned so much.

In the nice weather this week, we have spent a little bit of time outside and she practiced her cartwheels. Here is a video:

AND, here are some pictures of her teaching Lily how to do a cartwheel. :)

A heart full of sprinkles

I saw this cool idea on Pinterest this week and decided that I wanted to try something like it for lunch yesterday, but I wasn't sure how.

Source: ohhhmhhh.de via Carrie on Pinterest

Plain butter seemed nasty to me, peanut butter didn't seem like it would work, and then I came up with my idea! Grilled cheese! Hmmmm, but how to make it work exactly?

I cut out the heart first and toasted it, then peeled off the heart, then poured in the sprinkles. Lily was mesmerized when I gave it too her.

Fruit Loop Necklace

Many mornings around 10:00 to 10:30, Lily is ready for a snack. I usually don't want to give her too big of a snack because we eat lunch early, but she usually whines too much to wait so I have to give her something small.

Yesterday I got creative. I've been wanting to do this, but have been too lazy. Like it's hard (not really). I ran upstairs and got the dental floss (which sadly I have plenty of because I stink at flossing) and poured some fruit loops in a bowl... We worked on our fine motor skills with the lacing and then she ate them right off the string (plus all the leftovers in the bowl!).

Disney Excitement

In preparation for an upcoming Disney World vacation, I have been collecting Disney inspired images on Pinterest. The girls LOVE looking at them. Here are some of our favorites:

Source: bri-chan.deviantart.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: thedisneyprincess.tumblr.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: cassiesclosetinc.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: s1133.photobucket.com via Carrie on Pinterest

A sign?

This little gem has been on my iPhone for a bit, and I keep not getting around to posting it...

Okay, so you know how sometimes there is a story on the news about how someone sees Jesus in a potato chip or something? Elvis in their pancake?

Well, we found a random music note (eighth note, to be exact) on our back door. What does it mean?!?!?!? Where did it come from?!?!?!

So, seriously, that is weird, right?

Blessed

Happy Sunday!

Source: yes-butno.tumblr.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Firetrucks and Ambulances!

Last night, the Gymboree where Lily and I go for Play and Learn classes, hosted a special event where the local fire station brought in a firetruck and an ambulance for the kids to explore. They gave a demonstration of their gear AND we got to have ice cream. Ice cream, too? Does it get any better?!

The girls loved it.