Summer Camps...

Today both of my kiddos went to summer camp for the day.  

This little fella was not very excited about going to preschool camp.  Sometimes I just don't get kids because, Drew's camp was at church... with several of his friends... with teachers that he sees on a regular basis... but he still was a very sad camper when I left.  Lucky for me and for himself, he snaps out of the whinnies and had a great day.  The kids are learning about the seasons and Drew was happy to tell us after camp, they talked about Spring,  rainbows, and butterflies.  After preschool camp, the boy who NEVER takes a nap on a regular basis, slept for 3 hours. 

 

On the flip side, this pretty little girl woke up bright and early ready to go.  She came down the stairs with her clothes and a big smile.  Addie is going to Camp Renaissance for the week from 8-5!!!  She gets to repel, tube, swim, shoot a BB gun, archery, rock climb, explore a cave, zip line.  She came home today very tired and very hungry but ready for more tomorrow.  Her favorite thing about camp so far... spending the whole day with Aubree!  The funny for today's camping experience... Aubree lost her shoes at camp and Addie "came to the rescue" with her extra pair. 

So what did I do with no little people??

I found out my class list for this year... went to the Doctor for a check up... did some retail therapy... cleaned the floors in the kitchen... three loads of laundry... and talked to three friends uninterrupted.  

Spring Break Fun...

Spring Break came and went.  It was nice to just be.  No dance, gymnastics, or soccer.  No school or work.  Just time with my favorite people.  We had a great road trip to Chattanooga and the Mountains.  We did some swimming at the hotel... the highlight of the trip and then took in the aquarium.  

 Drew's favorite part was running up and down these rocks outside the aquarium... boys will be boys!

We can always find a Nemo...

They do love each other...

 Addie is still in love with the penguins.

After visiting Chattanooga, we headed up to the Mountains to stay at a cabin for the weekend.  We went hiking, ate pizza, rode the Sky Lift for the kids, and watched some movies in the sleeping bags.  

We hiked up Laurel Falls.  The last time we hiked up this trail, Addie was almost 3 and Drew was in my belly.  Kyle and Poppa carried Addie the two miles.  This time around Drew rode in the stroller and Addie hiked up the trail.  She was not excited but liked the end result of the hike.  

After our weekend trip, we stayed close to home for some fun.  I took the kids to the zoo for the day.  We rode the train... looked at the elephants and giraffes (still our favorite)... and had a lot of fun just the 3 of us.  

When you wish upon a star...

Yep, Addie's wish finally came true because we did Disney!

We have been planning this trip since March and we were able to keep it a secret from Addie until the day we left.  After we dropped off Drew at Granny Franny's house (yes we are the parents that left the 2 year old with the grandparents but do not worry because he was fine and dandy with the situation!), we told Addie we were going to Disney World.  After the shock and getting over the fact that we were not going to the mountains, she was totally excited. We had a rough start with flying and Addie's nerves.  She threw up 3 times the day we flew... once before we boarded the plane, once on the plane (in the bathroom), and once more that evening while we were swimming.  I was worried we had a stomach bug... AT DISNEY... but lucky for us we were fine.

 

Having fun at the airport.  This is the only picture we have with Mickey.  It does not matter where you take this girl, she still does not like characters in costumes.

The first day we went to Animal Kingdom.  Addie loved the Animal Safari ride and still talks about the hippos fighting with each other and how that is not nice to do.  

This picture was Addie waiting for her first roller coaster ride.  She was not all smiles at the end of the ride.  On Expedition Everest, a "Yetti" comes after you and Addie did not like this one bit.  She kept saying, "I am not going on that ride with the "Eddie" ever again!

Kyle being silly with the gorilla skull.

Going to Disney was not the only surprise for Addie.  Just imagine her surprise when she walked into a restaurant and found her best friend?  

Or get to ride and watch shows with your most wonderful kindergarten teacher?

Day 2 we headed to the Magic Kingdom... the best place for kids... according to Addie.

We were there bright and early to see the Welcome Show, ride Peter Pan (the 1st of 6 times), It's A Small World, and the Carousal all before 10am.  

And of course we tried to get the Sword Out of the Stone!

We had lunch with Winne the Pooh and the gang at The Crystal Palace.

It was yummy and one of Addie's favorites because they had cheese cubes on the buffet.

Addie really did enjoy the rides...

Every morning Addie started the day with a Mickey Waffle...

Here we are at Epcot.  Addie was asleep in the stroller, so Kyle and I took a date around the world at the tour of nations.  

Addie's ultimate wish was to go to the Bibbti Bobbi Boutique and be transformed into a princess.

This woman is the ultimate Fairy Godmother, because she was able to get Addie's hair into the tightest bun I have ever seen.  

Princess Addie

 

We love our 3-D glasses...

Addie loved being a princess but only for a day... she said the hair hurt too much and she just wanted to be Addie again.

Silly girls...

Meeting Mary Poppins.  

Addie loves the pretty ladies dressed up as her favorite characters.

Loving on Daddy at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Merdia from Brave giving Addie all she can handle.

Addie's Ultimate favorite ride

The Wishes Fireworks show.  

What a firework show it was.  At one point, Addie said it was like daytime it was so bright.

Not even Jake could charm his way into Addie's heart...

It is totally different going with your child to "the happiest place on earth"  but it is a vacation we will never forget.  Addie running through the rides, looking at the princesses, going through the stores, eating all of the special treats... even the meltdowns (because there were some)... memories I will cherish forever.

Addie showing off her souvenirs and telling all about her trip.

Drew getting his presents...

I know we made the right choice not bring him because Disney is A LOT to take in but I cannot wait to go back with him.  I think we will go back when Drew turns 5 but Addie says, " How about when Drew turns 4?  I just can't wait that long!"  and I think I am with her.

Chatta"hooga" Fun...

Last weekend we decided to have a little getaway with the kids to Chattanooga to visit the Tennessee Aquarium, The Incline Railway, and the Choo-Choo. Lately, traveling with our little ones has been a challenge, but isn't that the way it is with preschoolers and toddlers? We left Friday at lunch in the hopes that a nice snooze would quickly follow full little tummies. Well... Addie got the memo as usual and was asleep about 50 mins into the ride. As for Drew.... he fell asleep as we were entering the city limits of Chattanooga 2 hours and 15 minutes after our departure. We try everything to entertain him, food... books...DVDS... and nothing makes the ride better for this little boy. To look on the bright side of things at least he did not throw up in the car... but I know that is to come in the future.

Kyle decided we needed to stay at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel. The old Train Depot has been transformed into a wonderful and fun hotel that is perfect for families. Addie and Drew had a great time playing in the gardens and fountains.

Addie knows when we are in a different city on a trip because we cave to her wishes.

Drew giving us the "What you taking about?" look.

After an ice cream treat for Addie and four trips back to the room/car trying to find Drew's precious sippy cup... which was found in the trash can placed their by guess who.... we went on a trolley ride. Addie still thinks it was a train ride.
The trolley was used in the 1920s until the 1960s.

Our very nice conductor who helped us with all of our loot.

Addie in front of the "Train" car.

Catching a ride on the Choo-Choo.

Back to the kiddie rides before getting a bite to eat.

Another Chattanooga must for kids...

Not a mile I would like to hike ANY time soon.

After the Incline, we took the crew back to the hotel to take in a swim before hitting the hay. Our plan... to make Addie and Drew so tired, they would have to sleep. Well, another lesson has been learned. The pool was so cold, I could hardly stand in it. Drew did not like the cold one bit and was in and out, thus Kyle was chasing him around the pool. Little fish Addie was happy swimming in the Arctic waters. Kyle and Drew went in for a bath while Addie and I played around in the pool a little bit longer. Once Addie's lips were blue, I decided it was time to go get warmed up with a nice hot bath. By 10:00, Addie was sleeping beside me and Kyle was still wrestling our night owl Drew. By 11:00 all is well in the room and we are settled in for a long night's sleep right? WRONG!
Around 12am Kyle woke up from a dream saying "Sorry Drew!" over and over. He had a dream that Drew had fallen off the bed. Luckily, I was the only one that woke up.
Then around 2:30 am, Addie woke up wanting water and complaining that she was thirsty. This was my little blessing to get away from Addie. Before I could really get of of her pillow, she was throwing up in the bed. My guess for the vomit is drinking the pool water which has been an issue this summer. So here we are in the hotel with vomit in the bed (lucky for me at the bottom and on a blanket that can be taken off), Addie's sleeping bag and pillow that she must travel with at all times, and all over Addie. A quick bath (with Addie half asleep) and a pioneer style washing of blanket and pillow later we are back to bed until 7 am.
I told you traveling with our youngsters has been adventuresome lately.

After a great breakfast and a little exploration of the hotel lobby,
we were ready for the aquarium.

The pretty dome of the hotel lobby.

Addie and Drew playing in the telephone booth at the hotel.

The aquarium was great and Addie absolutely loved it! She just soaks up everything right now and can rattle off so many ocean and river animals.

Kyle touching the sting rays... Addie did not like to touch just look.

I loved the butterfly garden and Drew was fascinated with the mist that was spraying to keep the area moist and humid. As for Addie, it was a little to tranquil for her, so we quickly left.

Drew trying to catch a butterfly or pointing to the butterflies...
it is still a guessing game with him.

Addie's 1 minute observation of the butterfly.

The next floor had Addie's favorite animal of the day
PENGUINS!

Look how loving and still this penguin is for a picture:)

Addie finding Nemo...

Drew looking at the sea turtle with no back legs...

The shark that scared Addie really good coming from the corner...

Going back to visit the peguins one last time before leaving...

Playing outside the aquarium in the "creek"...
next time we will be more prepared.

On the road again...
this time with children that are so tired they slept from Chattanooga to Dickson.