Pink Pig and SANTA!!!!!

Today was a big day for us!  It was our annual trip to ride the Pink Pig.  We went with some of our playgroup friends and had a ball.  When we first arrived Handley and Avery were comparing and complementing each other's dresses, shoes and tights.

Then it was time to ride.  It was VERY cold today, so everyone stayed bundled, but that didn't stop us from having fun.  Harper was a little reluctant to ride, but once we got going she had lots of fun too.

After the the ride it was time to visit Santa Claus.  Handley has been talking about this moment for weeks now.  We'd done a lot to prepare for our visit.  She made her list last week and probably asked me at least 10 times this morning if I remembered to bring it with me.  Her "list" includes: hula hoop, tools, toe nail polish, scooter, and a cash register.

The girls also had a "Be Merry" Badge to show Santa.  It explained that they were good girls and gave specific instances of nice things they had done.  If anyone plans to visit Santa at Lenox, check this out: Be Merry Santa. Our friendly Elf on a Shelf, Elfie, brought the girls their badges this morning, straight from Santa himself.  (The orange circles you see them holding are their badges.  Santa gave them a special sticker for it and a Christmas silly band).

Handley walked right up and climbed onto Santa's lap.  She showed him her badge, her list, and began telling him that she had been a good girl.

I wasn't sure if Harper would go without a fight or not, but I asked her if she wanted to go give Santa her badge and she walked right up to him.  She didn't smile, but she didn't cry, so I consider that a success.  She was very interested in just looking at him.  Handley made sure to tell Santa just what Harper would like for Christmas too.  They both walked off with Candy Canes and big smiles.  I was SO happy.  Santa was so special and so sweet to the girls. He spent lots of individual time withe each child, listening to their requests, and even reminded them to be sure to leave milk and cookies for him on Christmas Eve.

Overdressed

The original outfit Handley had picked out last night to wear to school didn't quite appeal to her as much this morning.  Instead she wanted to wear a different Christmas dress she found in her closet.  She told me, "Everyone will think I look so cute in this dress." Who was I to complain.  And, because I like for them to somewhat match or coordinate and because they have tons of Christmas outfits to wear and only a short amount of time to wear them, I decided to dress Harper up too.  They may have been a little overdressed for a regular ol' Monday, but who cares when they look this cute.

These two are inseparable these days.  They are so sweet to each other and play together SO well. It makes my heart happy.  Just when I think they can't be come better friends, they do.  Handley is constantly watching out for Harper, teaching her how to do things, and being a loyal big sister.  Harper adores Handley, asks about her every few minutes when she is at school, and tries to copy everything she does. This weekend they were so funny together. Handley comes up with some very elaborate scenes that they act out (such as going to Kindergarten on the bus, going on a hunt and hiding from coyotes or taking their babies on an airplane trip).  Harper just goes along with whatever Handley tells her to do and is just happy to be included.  

Christmas dresses and our decorated tree

Since just after Thanksgiving I've been dressing the girls in Christmas clothes every day.  They also have been wearing their Christmas PJ's so the other night as they were putting them on Handley told me, "We should get out my Christmas panties."  I just laughed out loud.  We're getting out everything else Christmas related...why not panties too! HA!

Today we got a very special delivery in the mail from Mimi (my mom).  It was the girls' Christmas dresses that she's been slaving over.  I SO appreciate that my mom not only knows how to smock, but that she makes time in her very busy schedule to make them dresses.  She also included a very special note.

Tonight we decorated our Christmas tree and the girls had so much fun going through the ornaments and deciding which ones should go where.  We don't have a designer tree, but rather one that holds ornaments from mine and Robby's childhoods, trips we have taken, special ornaments that have been gifts for the girls, and of course the hand-made ornaments.  It's like a walk down memory lane when we decorate our tree.

Disney - Day 2

We started off first thing on Saturday morning at made it to the park just as they were opening the gates.  That meant we got to ride a few rides with NO wait and we were some of the only ones on the rides.  First up was the Aladdin Magic Carpet ride.  We rode it 4 times in a row and by the 3rd time the operators let us know we didn't have to get off, go through the exit, back through the entry gate and onto a "carpet" each time...so we just stayed put for ride number 4. 

Next might have been the highlight of Handley's Disney trip...getting to meet the real Princess Tiana (from Princess and the Frog), who happens to be one of her favorites!  We waited in a very short line and when it was our turn Handley went running to give her a big hug. She got to talk to Tiana and Prince Naveen for at least 5 minutes and was smiling from ear to ear the entire time. :-)

We rode a few other rides that day, but mostly, she wanted to see the characters again.  On day one when we left the princesses she told them, "See you tomorrow!" so that's just what we did.

With Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother. 

The girls even ran into their good friend, Annabelle at Disney World. (Really, we knew we'd be there the same day and decided to meet up so they could say hi and ride at least one ride together).  What a small world!

Saturday night we got to visit with Robby's grandmother and Aunt Sharon who live in Orlando.  They came to our hotel and went to dinner with us.  

For dinner we were celebrating Uncle Ryan's birthday.  We went to Universal City Walk and it was such a busy place!  It had been a very long week, but the girls held up pretty well.  They got balloon animals made for them from a man walking around the restaurant on stilts and while we were waiting for our table out front Handley got to hold a giant parrot on her shoulder. She wasn't scared at all.

They won't let you take pics of the birds, so this is a picture of a picture. 

Possibly the most fun the kids had that evening was walking on the moving sidewalks.  Who knew they could provide such excitement?!?!

It was a wonderful trip, but because we were so busy all week long and the girls didn't get as much sleep as they are used to, we were all ready to get home and get back on our normal routine.  Robby and I loved getting to take them to do all of these wonderful things though and know we all made memories that will last forever!

Disney World - Day 1

Our Disney World morning started off with a surprise donut breakfast from Daddy and if that weren't enough fun, the day just got better and better.

Waiting on the bus to Disney

We made it there!

The first ride Handley wanted to go on was the carousel.  She loved it, but Harper wasn't so sure.

Next up was Dumbo, the Tea Cups and then the Race Cars.

A glimpse into my future...oh my!!!

Obviously, Harper warmed up to the idea of going on the rides pretty quickly. :-)

 While Handley did enjoy the rides, what she loved most was getting to see all of the characters.  She would run right up, give them hugs and just stare at them. Harper liked the characters that were real people, but not those with masks or big heads on them.

Handley enjoyed any opportunity to be able to see the characters, including the show that is performed in front of the castle everyday.  Here is was watching on Robby's shoulders so she could get a better view.

While waiting on the parade to start she joined the other kids and the Disney employees who were "parading" around.

We chose to skip nap time, but luckily Harper was able to rest in the stroller for a little bit...she was pooped! 

All the kids waiting on the bus with their souvenirs Gigi bought for them. Rylan got a Pirates of the Caribbean gun, Harper choose a Minnie purse, and Handley got Minnie!