Disney World - Day 3...Pool and Dinner with Cast of Cinderella

Since everyone got to bed so late last night it was wonderful that both Julia and Andrew slept in until almost 10:00.  I knew Julia would sleep in but I had my doubts about Andrew but I was so thankful he did.  It was great that today we had planned to spend a relaxing day at the pool but first we enjoyed breakfast in our room.  Daddy went to the store for a few things and surprised us with breakfast from Chick-fil-A.

And Julia put on a little show for us with Mommy and Baby Minnie Mouse.

All ready to check out the pool.

On the way to the pool we pass the beach so we had to make a pit stop and play a little...Julia just LOVES the sand.

Daddy and Andrew relaxing in the hammock.

Andrew wasn't keen on how the sand felt on his feet and it took him a little to get use to it.

But once he did he loved playing in the sand just like Julia.

Julia and Daddy went ahead since Julia was practically running to the pool and Andrew walked a bit slower.  My excuse to take some photos of my little guy.

The pool was lots of fun and I should have taken a picture of it...it was a pirate ship with lots of fun things for the kids to do.

Looks like he's waving.  Having just the best time in the water.  This was really his first time in the water when someone wasn't holding on to him or he was trapped in a tube and he absolutely loved every minute of it.  Looks like we're going to have a blast at the pool this summer.

Having fun together...hopefully they continue to enjoy each other as they get older.

I loved watching them have fun in the pool and taking photos of them enjoying life.

Playing with their floaties.

Andrew LOVED the slide and did it over and over, again and again.  Love his expression!

In the morning we told Julia about our special dinner with the cast of Cinderella.  After we got showered and cleaned up from the pool we headed over to The Grand Floridian for a special evening.  The first to visit our table was Prince Charming.

The look on Julia's face as Cinderella came into the room.  She was thrilled to meet her favorite princess.

A bit too excited to eat at the moment.

Julia meets Cinderella for the first time.  Before we went to Disney World Julia would also ask me if we were going to meet the 'real Cinderella' and my answer was 'yes, the real Cinderella.'  We loved seeing Julia enjoy her dinner with the cast of Cinderella.  When you ask her what was her favorite part of our Disney trip she says having dinner with Cinderella.  So glad we were able to do this for her.

Two beautiful princesses.  Julia and Cinderella.

Of course a good-bye hug.  So sweet!  Cinderella really is such a kind princess and we loved meeting her.  One of the magical moments from our vacation.

The mean stepmother.  Julia wasn't all that excited about meeting her...can't believe she even smiled for the picture.

Cinderella's stepsister Anastasia.

Her other stepsister Drizella.

Julia and Andrew having some fun outside after dinner. Love these two kids to pieces!

Daddy and his very own princess.  What a magical experience for us as parents to see our daughter meet one of her favorite characters and definitely a dream come true for Julia.  Got back to the room early and to bed at a respectable time so we can enjoy Animal Kingdom tomorrow.

Disney World - Day 2...Magic Kingdom

Our first full day in Disney and we decided to head to Magic Kingdom since that is after all the original park and probably the best...in my opinion.  It really has the most things that Julia and Andrew would enjoy.  So excited for Julia and Andrew to experience the magic!  We drove the first day to the park and learned our lesson.  It's much better to take the bus at the resort since it drops you off right in front of the gates.  We drove and then we had to take a tram and then either the ferry or the monorail.  The kids enjoyed all the different modes of transportation so I guess it all worked out. We had some trouble with our tickets the first day and it took us longer to get into the park than we hoped but we made it.

Of course seeing the castle for the first time walking down Main Street USA is awesome.  Before going Julia often asked if we were going to see 'the real castle' and my response was 'yes, the real castle!'

Family photo before we walked any further.  Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse are in the photo...they kinda got dragged all around Disney World with us.

Once we got a little closer there was a show that just started on stage and we got to see lots of characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora and the princes.

Yes, Julia stayed up there for the entire show so she could get a better view.  I remember sitting on my dad's shoulders when I was young so I could see better too and now it was my turn to give Julia the better view.  I love being a mommy!

Our first ride...It's a Small World.  It's such a classic, you've got to love it!

It's a small world after all...It's a small world after all.

Next ride...the carousel.  Julia wasn't all that interested in sitting on the horse but felt much safer with a seat belt...such a safety girl.

Andrew on the other hand loved the carousel...probably his favorite ride. Looks like we'll be going on the carousel at our local mall a bit more often.

Julia and Daddy on Dumbo.  Julia said this was her favorite ride.

Pure Disney happiness!  She loved the Mickey and Minnie Mouse stuffed animals.

Afternoon parade.

We loved seeing Cinderella and Prince Charming!

The Beast from Beauty and the Beast.

Another magnificent view of the castle.

Totally wiped out from all the fun activities!

Taking the ferry back to our resort for an afternoon nap so we can stay up super late to see the Electrical Parade and fireworks.

All rested and ready to head back to Magic Kingdom.  Can she get any cuter?

Julia and Daddy ready to go.

This time we took the monorail just because it's fun.  Andrew loved it and would have rode it all day.

Julia and Mommy ready for some more fun.

We went on the carousel again since we passed it and Andrew really wanted to go on it and there was no wait so why not.

This time I decided to ride on a horse too.  It looks so pretty with all the lights at night.  We went on lots of other rides too like Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Under the Sea, and Peter's Pan Flight. 

Some fun toys that spin and light up for the parade and fireworks.

Julia of course picked out the Minnie Mouse one.

Julia and Andrew enjoyed being next to each other in the double stroller that we borrowed from a friend.  Having fun enjoying a snack and waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Andrew was totally passed out in the car on the way home which is no surprise since this picture was taken at 11:30.  Such a fun day and looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow.  

Disney World - Day 1...Arrival

On Sunday, May 5th we went on such a magical vacation that we're never going to forget...Disney World!  We had such a great time and I loved seeing the excitement from Julia and Andrew as they experienced Disney World for the first time.  I have many fond memories of going to Disney World as a kid and I was so glad to experience the magic with my own kids.  We were especially glad to be leaving Georgia since it was rainy and unusually cold for the beginning of May and heading south to warmer weather in Florida.  The drive takes about seven hours without kids but for us it took eight hours which isn't bad at all.  We stopped a few times to let the kids run around and stretch their legs and we ate breakfast and lunch in the car while driving.  We turned Andrew's seat around for the trip since we thought it would help keep him happier and I think he enjoyed facing the same way as the rest of us.  He's almost two so I was going to turn him around soon enough.  The car was packed and we were ready and so excited!

Julia was practicing writing her letters on a doodle board.  Try to do something educational instead of only watching movies...but we did plenty of that too on our eight hour drive.

Andrew is munching on some Cheerios as part of his breakfast on the road.

When we got to the hotel there was a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on the bed for Julia and Andrew (yes I put them there before they came into the room) and they were so excited about their new stuffed animals and carried them around with us all week...it was super cute!  Julia already had a little Minnie Mouse from when she was a baby but now she has the Mommy Minnie Mouse.

Andrew really loved his Mickey Mouse and you'll often see him carrying it in the photos.

Going for a walk to check out our resort.  We stayed at the Disney Caribbean Beach Resort and it worked out great for us.  The resort was beautiful and the room was a basic room but it was clean so I was happy.  The resort had a great pool and even a beach.

On our walk with Minnie Mouse too.

Checking everything out and so happy to be in Florida.

Andrew and his Mickey Mouse...I just love this photo of my little guy.  He loved walking and running around as we checked out the resort.

First family photo in Disney World at our resort.

Happy as can be!

Julia was so excited to play in the sand...that's about all she wanted to do at first!  She's my girl...a beach girl!

Andrew was a bit hesitant about stepping in the sand which didn't really surprise me since he doesn't really like the feel of grass either.  

With a little help from Daddy he touched the sand with his feet.  We're definitely ready for our week vacation in Disney World and so glad to be together.

Looking Cool in Shades

On Monday Andrew had a fever so rather than bringing him in the school while we waited for Julia at speech...we hung out and waited in the car.  He found his sunglasses in the car and decided to wear them on his head.

Such a cutie and styling with his shades!