Hot weather and princesses

About six months ago a girl in one of my mom's groups mentioned a race that sounded really fun. It's a 1/2 marathon at Disney called the Disney Princess. At the time I had just run my first 1/2 marathon and wanted to run more. So I convinced my husband that we NEEDED to go see his family in Florida. =) (The race pics and info are on my personal blog.)

Last week we loaded up the car and headed down for a week of fun in the warmth and sun. I don't have very many pictures to show for all of that fun. Mostly because we were too busy having fun to bother. But also some of them are probably still residing on the cameras of our family members.

We were blessed to have family who works at Disney and was able to get us into all of the parks for free. Every day my children impressed me and warmed my heart. They weren't perfect, but they were pretty darn close. It might have been the incredible contrast between the spoiled entitled brats all around them. But mostly it was because my kids just plain rock! Despite the hours of walking and standing, despite the unseasonably warm weather they were so good. It warmed my heart!

 I shall try not to bore you with too many pictures. We really enjoyed our experience and I want it in our book for memories. But the most important part of our whole trip was spending time with our family. Disney was just a sweet bonus!

Dancing in the street at Magic Kingdom. Dominic really got into it. 

Caitlin was a bit uncertain.

 The more sedate carousel was more her style.

 Racing cars was an experience. I might still be suffering from whiplash. Baby girl has quite a bit to learn before we unleash her on the roads. But Dominic seemed to do fairly well.

 The girl that always gets motion sick in the car was really enjoying making her mom nauseous. =)

For several weeks before we got to Disney we talked about Caitlin seeing a princess. So all morning she'd tell me about the different princesses she was seeing. It only took me a second to realize she was talking about the little girls who dressed up to go to the park. 

When we walked into that room and she saw a life size "real" princess, she about fainted. We were in there for about 15-20 minutes and the dazed look never left her face. It was hilarious!

 Even at Disney, she gets her hair clips fixed. Now she can say a real princess helped fix her hair.

 She was smiling, but it was this cautious, "Is this for real?!" smile.

 The kids loved this chair at the resort.

  Playing the drums.

My handsome little man!

 Viking girl.

 I'll let you guess why he's laughing about the troll nose. =)

 After getting to meet different characters all day, 

Caitlin was more unfazed and her typical smiley self.

Duffy is apparently Mickey's stuffed bear. See Gramps popping in for a picture?

 She loved all of the flowers in Epcot!

 That brother!

 We also went to Animal Kingdom. Caitlin couldn't ride one of the rides because she was a bit too short. It really upset her, because she learned that she likes roller coasters. So Aunt Bonnie got her a snow leopard as a consolation prize. She's still sleeping with it almost a week later. She loves it!

She was so tired in this picture. We hadn't stayed for the lights ceremony in Epcot before because it's so late in the evening. But on our last night there we decided to stay. Caitlin wasn't complaining, but she was walking slower and slower. All week she was Miss Independence. So I knew she was tired when she agreed to let Gramps carry her instead of walking.

 Aunt Sue smiling at a very tired little boy. We FINALLY wore the little guy out!

 Caitlin was so out that we couldn't wake her up when we stopped for a milkshake supper. Dominic, however, perked up enough to eat most of his. =)

We also went to see the Manatees, went out on the boat, went kayaking, had a picnic, ran a race (at least I did), and spent time with our family. It was a magical week!

Princess Ballet Camp

I gave the kids their choice of which camp to go to this summer. They had about 20-30 to choose from, but it wasn't a hard decision for either of them. As soon as I finished reading the lists, they both shouted out the very one I guessed they would pick.

Caitlin's choice was princess ballet camp at Stage One.

All week Caitlin kept telling me about the dances they were working on for their performance.

And she would bring home something relating to a princess that she had made during class - a wand, a necklace, a crown. 

On Friday I picked up Jon from work (he'd taken the bike to work) and we went to her dance performance. They made the crown and tutus in class that week.

There were four dances and it was absolutely precious.

Probably being a bit of a proud mom, but Caitlin was the cutest and best dancer out of everyone there! =)

 Sitting with her class for a final picture.

 This girl has one amazing Daddy. He took off work just to come watch his little princess.

She adores her Daddy, but someday I hope she realizes just how much he loves her.

Princess slippers

The kids were out riding bikes with Jon this morning.

Jon sent Caitlin in to get some different shoes.

When I saw why, I told her I was throwing them away.

She was so distressed. 

Apparently she thinks they are just fine and 

wants to keep them because they make her feel like a princess.

So I took some pictures, promised her some new shoes and ditched them.

Secret Weapons

There are four wild and blood thirsty boys in my back yard. The weapons and ammunition they've accumulated is astounding.* The shrieks and blood curdling screams are enough to scare the enemy way before they could see the massive amounts of weapons. 

Caitlin is a VERY slow eater and finished long after the battle had started. So when she went out to join the boys at their game she was a bit intimidated and overwhelmed with the sheer volume and energy. She ran screaming back into the house - "I'm not playing that. I don't want to die."

But moments later she returned with her secret weapon.

"Here I come guys! I have my magic wand that makes bats. They are boy eating bats. They are going to eat you, so you'd better run!"

That's my girl!

*Don't freak out. They have some plastic silver wear that is doubling as knives and assortment of water guns, sticks, chop sticks, and gumballs.

Marker Queen

Caitlin opened her gifts last night after we returned from the party. One of the gifts was this lovely princess dress. She loves it!

 A couple of gifts involved markers, crayons and coloring books. Perfect gifts for my budding artist. Today she sat coloring in her princess dress. It's rather puffy so I couldn't see her from my seat. But I did notice when she got up with an open marker and headed behind the chair. I called to her to come out and she began crying. It certainly wasn't something to cry about so I knew something was up.

She came around the corner with a very red arm. I stripped her down and we headed to the bathroom to remove her new sleeve.

I first tried soap and water. But it just wasn't all coming off. The list of ingredients that then went onto my daughter's arm in the attempt to rid her of red before pictures tomorrow is a bit embarrassing - magic eraser, alcohol, nail polish remover, toothpaste, regular soap, baby oil, canola oil, and sunscreen. None of them worked very well. Then I tried baking soda. That seemed to work the best, but had to be scrubbed on. Her arm was still a bit pink, but I wasn't sure if it was from the scrubbing or the marker. After a bit of a wait we confirmed that 99% of the marker is now gone. 

It's a mistake that, after that scrubbing, will probably not be made again. Baby girl was not thrilled that she'd lost her sleeve, but even less thrilled with the almost hour long bath on her arm. 

Update: I wrote this yesterday and this morning I found more marker on her legs that I had apparently missed in my dismay at her arm. Thankfully that can be covered up with pants. Because I'm letting it wear off on it's own.

Spoiled rotten

My children are very spoiled.

Caitlin loves the little princesses that she got for going potty.

She wants to sleep with them and carries them everywhere.

We were coloring on the couch and one must have fallen on the floor.

The next thing we knew Sarah had chewed a leg off.

Caitlin picked up the pieces and tried to make her princess "all better."

But there wasn't anything we could do and she sadly threw her away.

She kept saying "Bad Sawah!" over and over again.

It broke my heart and I told Jon about it at lunch.

He went to the store that night and bought her a replacement.

We had a very happy little girl that evening.

Date Night

Jon and I take Dominic on date nights.

Jon usually takes Dominic to a basketball game or something physical.

This last time was my turn and I took Dominic to a new skateboard shop that just opened and then we went to a new frozen yogurt shop.

I failed to take pictures so will have to try again next time.

The yogurt place is so cool. You pick the yogurt and then can add any topping that you want. It's as big as a small buffet restaurant. I couldn't believe all of the toppings. Then you pay by the oz. 

Pretty cool. 

A couple of days after our date Dominic asked me why we never took Caitlin on a date.

We do. It's just at the same time as the other parent is taking Dominic so he doesn't notice.

That night Jon stayed home with Caitlin and played Sack Boy on the PS3.

She was in heaven and talked about it all evening.

But this got me to thinking. We usually just spend some quality time one-on-one with her. But only once have we actually taken her out like we do her brother.

So when I dropped off Dominic at gymnastics on Wednesday I hurried with my errands so we could get to the Children's Museum in time for the princess party.

There was a craft to make a princess crown.

Then we headed to the throne to try out the crown and scepter.

 

Then on to the princess tea party. It was very difficult to get all of the little girls to sit at one time.

She may be a princess, but she has an older brother. 

So she appreciates the cars.

Caitlin and I had a great time. 

And since it happens every Wednesday we will most definitely go again.

All Boy - All Girl!

This morning I was doing laundry when I heard a little voice in the hallway.

"Hep pease." (Help please)

I came around the corner to find Caitlin with one of her princess gowns half on and stuck.

She hadn't taken her shirt off before trying to put it on and it wasn't working well for her.

Once I took the first picture she wanted me to take a picture every time she tried on another dress.

Dominic sat down beside me to watch her playing dress up.
So I had her sit beside him and took their picture.

She may be all girl and he may be all boy, but she copies everything her big brother does.
She's trying to be in the same pose as her big brother. It's not working as well.