Disney World Day Two

Day Two in the World of Disney was a little crazy.  We had a semi-plan, but nothing concrete and that didn't really work in our favor.  Everyone was starting to get tired and cranky.  It took us most of this day to figure out that KJ couldn't walk everywhere Mommy and Daddy did without getting completely and totally worn out.  That was a smart parenting moment.  :) 

We started our day off with breakfast with some of the Disney Junior characters in Hollywood Studios.  Looking back through the pictures, this could be named "Character Day".  We got a lot of autographs and hugs!

 Here we are with Special Agent Oso.

Handy Manny also came around.  Cole wasn't quite sure what to think of all of the characters!

 One of Kennedy's absolute favorites, June from Little Einsteins.  She's a ballerina and loved KJ's shirt!  Jake from the Neverland Pirates was there, too, but I didn't get a great picture of him.  If you are thinking of a trip to DW, I highly recommend doing a character meal or two.  It is really the only way to prevent standing in line to see them for hours. 

Dustin had read that Hollywood Studios is where quite a few of the characters hang out, so after breakfast we stalked where we thought Minnie would be in a few minutes.  It paid off!  Kennedy was first in line!

I love this picture!  I think it is going in Kennedy's room.

We also had fun with Donald and Daisy before we left the park.

After watching a couple of shows in Hollywood Studios, we had lunch and headed back to our hotel for a little rest.  At this point Cole was refusing to sleep in the stroller, so our only chance at getting him to nap was in the room.  Once we got up we decided to end our night at Animal Kingdom.  We didn't even think about getting there after dark and not being able to see many (any) animals.

 This is where Dustin finally got smart and rented KJ a stroller.  It never even crossed my mind.  Whew!  What a lifesaver!! 

At Animal Kingdom we watched the Lion King show then waited in line for about 45 minutes to see the big guy. 

Cole wasn't too impressed.

I'm sure Mickey is used to it.  Cole warmed up to him a little bit.

It was such a fun day meeting new friends!  We all couldn't wait to see what Day Three had in store!

Disney World Day One

So, is that really true?  It's been almost six months since my last post??  Wow.  I guess the new face of this blog is going to be in keeping up to date with the biggest things going on around here.  One of the latest happenings of the Matthews family was a much needed family vacation to Disney World.  I had wanted to take Kennedy for a few months and right around Christmas we pulled the trigger and booked it.  We were there for three full days, so I'm going to break down the updates that way.  So, grandmas, this one is for you.......

Our day started off with a trip to Magic Kingdom to see Cinderella's Castle.  After wandering around a bit, we found a couple of fairy friends to meet.  Welcome Terrance and Vida, part of Tinkerbell's gang!

Terrance was asking her if she had enough fairy dust to fly back to Oklahoma.

 Vidia asked if her baby brother was annoying like Tinkerbell. She said no. What a good big sister!

Watching Mickey's Castle Party with the best seat in the house. Love this!

Cole wasn't quite sure what to think about Mickey's party...

The highlight of Day One was KJ's visit to the Bippity Boppity Boutique.  Here she received the "Royal Treatment".  She was very good at waiting patiently.....

 She finally got some one on one time with her Fairy Godmother in Training, Ursala.  Yes.  That is her real name. 

  Let me tell you a little something about Ursala.  She had been working in the Bippity Boppity Boutique for 25 years.  You read that right, TWENTY FIVE YEARS of doing little girl hair and nails.  She stood on her feet 8+ hours a day and was wonderful!  What a sweet, nice lady!  If you go sometime in the next 5 years, see if you can get Ms. Ursala.  She said her magic wand is going into retirement after that.  :)

Here she is doing KJ's makeup......

And hair.....

 
And finally the finished product!  Love you Ms. Ursala!!!!  The whole process was well over an hour.  Incredible transformation into Princess Aurora!

We capped off the night with a trip back to the Magic Kingdom for the Magical Light Parade and Fireworks Show.  Her reactions were priceless!  Just watching the smile on her face was enough to make this momma happy. 

That is Day One in a nutshell.  Days Two and Three to come........

Confession Number 100: Big Changes are Underway

Wow!  Confession Number 100!!!  I can't believe it, really.  You've been with me through building our home, a complicated pregnancy, the trials of raising a three year old, being snowed in, the sleepless days and nights that come with an infant.  You've even stuck with me through the conversations on poop.  I guess it is very fitting that on this, my 100th confession, I am able to announce some big changes in our life!

This blog started as an outlet for me to connect with family and friends that we left behind when we moved to Grand Lake, but it was also a creative way for me to use my brain....something I craved once I started staying home full time with, then, our only child.  A lot has happened since the first few days of this site.  We survived 9 months in an 800 square foot apartment, we added Baby Brother and now there is one more big transition coming for us.  I am returning to work! 

It is only a part time gig, but it is just about exactly what I dreamed of.  Dustin and I have known since those first few months of me being at home that my professional life was something that was important to me and even though I have absolutely loved my time at home with Kennedy and Cole, there was still a hole that could only be filled with working to improve the lives of other children through education.  Quite a few months ago I started praying that God would help resolve this tug of war inside me between spending time with my own children and returning to work.  With the encouragement of Dustin and some close friends I emailed the Superintendent here in Grove, Mrs. Harper, to volunteer my services in the field of testing analysis and school improvement.  I told her I wasn't looking for a job, but that God was laying it heavy on my heart that I was to reach out to our local school system with the talents He had given me. 

Within 30 minutes I had a reply.  Long story short, in a couple of weeks I will begin working three days a week as the counselor at the Early Childhood Center and as a testing data analyst.  Yes, you read correctly, the ECC.  I will be working with 4, 5 and 6 year olds.  Start praying now!  :)  This is a huge change from the 17 year olds I'm used to working with, but the way this all fell in place, I just KNOW this is His plan for me, for our family, right now. 

So, yeah.  There are some big changes for us right now.  Getting out the door by 7:30 in the mornings, Cole going to Ms. Terry's a few days a week, Kennedy having longer days at school to accommodate our new schedule.  I keep reminding myself that millions of families do this everyday and we used to do it perfectly, too.  Finding that balance in life during this transition period I know won't be easy, but by Thanksgiving we'll have it down pat!

I'm so excited about this opportunity professionally.  I'm excited to get in there, get my hands dirty and help make Grove Public Schools the best in the state!  I know we have the leadership and vision to do it and I'm pumped to be on the inside working hand in hand with our administrators to get us there.  I'm even excited to work with the little ones some.  Scared, but excited.  Who knew the thought of 25 five year olds in one room would send me into cold chills like the thought of going through another 3 hour glucose test?!  It is a good scared, though.  I know that I'm there to make their lives better and to help those little guys who can't quite help themselves, yet.  I've changed a lot staying at home with Kennedy and Cole and that is what gives me the ability to do this job well. 

So, pray for me.  Pray for our family.  Pray for the kids that I will be working with and that I can be an element of change and success that our schools need. 

And pray about a new name for the blog.  Seriously, this one just doesn't work anymore.  :)

Confession Number 99: I Have Goals

I've always been a goal setter. Since I was a teen I had a clear idea of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do once I got there. It has always worked for me to have something to work toward, to strive for.

This weekend is really no different. Dustin is headed south for the weekend to spend some time with his folks. He could use a break and I think he and his dad have plans to do all things golf. So, while Daddy is away the kids and I are going to enjoy a great weekend. Here are some of the things I hope to get accomplished the next few days....

1. Make it to the pool. Three days in a row.
2. Eat foods Dustin doesn't like. Meatloaf and Chicken Spaghetti are already on the menu.
3. KJ and I are having a Mommy Date Night. Early bedtime for Cole, Rio via pay per view, and popcorn with M&Ms. Can't think of anything better!
4. Planning the finishing touches for her big upcoming birthday. I see yards of tulle and mermaid skirts in my future.
5. Invest a little in myself by reading my first book on my iPad. I bought "The Help" this morning. Hoping to have it read by Monday evening so I can go see the movie with the girlfriends. We'll see how I like this whole flipping virtual pages thing.

So, this is what I'm up to this weekend. What are your plans?

Confession Number 98: I'm Not Sure What to Do

Summer vacation has officially come to an end in the Matthews household.  Kennedy's first day of Pre K at the Academy is today.  She was so stinkin' excited!  It was after 11 before she finally gave it up and fell asleep. 

We are so excited for her to be able to return for one more year with Ms. Judy and Ms. Cheryl at The Academy.  It gives her some consistency, but opens the doors for tons of fun opportunities.  She is going four days a week this year while she only went two, then three days a week last year.  She will start reading and will have more "homework" which is pretty amazing.  It is incredible how much our little girl has grown up in the past year.  Here she was on the first day of preschool last August...

And here is how our big girl looked as she took off for her first day today...

What a difference a year makes!

Not only is it a big day for Kennedy, but it is a big day for momma, too.  I have found myself fumbling around the house this morning, not quite sure what to do.  Oh, I have plenty to do, I just haven't quite gotten it in gear enough to actually do much.  I've thrown in a load of laundry here and there, Cole and I have played and read and he enjoyed a bottle and a couple of cat naps, I've even made a to-do list! 

I just can't seem to get over the quiet!  Right now all I hear is the hum of the computer and the waves crashing sound from Cole's swing.  God has even sent us a slow, steady little rain.  Ahh.  So, for now I'm going to sit back and enjoy the quiet...and the rain.  I might get something accomplished today, I might not.  3 o'clock will be here before I know it and I'll be so excited to hear all about her first day of Pre-K!

I'll worry about getting things accomplished tomorrow.

Confession Number 97: I Love Our Small Town

Over the last two years, I have come to absolutely love our small town life.  Summertime is an amazing time to experience Grove and Grand Lake at it's best.  There are about a million reasons why I love it here, but here are just a few I've captured in the last week or so.

I have a hair lady who doesn't think I'm crazy when I say I need my three month old's hair cut. 

She loves my kids and they pretty much think she rocks!  I think you rock, too, Tanya!

There is a lady who delivers farm fresh eggs to the bank each week.  They are shades of tan and brown and they are beautiful inside and out!  Some are even speckled.  I'm in love.  With an egg.  Kinda sad, huh?

We have this incredible public pool!  This picture of Kennedy in her swim class doesn't even do it justice.  There are two huge slides and a shallow part with a splash structure for little kids and two incredible diving boards.  I hadn't gone until this past weekend and now KJ is taking two weeks of swimming lessons there.  I'm totally hooked!

We have some pretty amazing friends.  Dustin, KJ and I all have individual friends, then there are family friends.  Friends with kids, friends without kids.  Friends to play with, friends to talk to.  Friends, friends, friends!  They are really what makes this town great!  This is one of KJ's BFF's, Hannah.  They were playing at Rotary Park which is right next to the splash pad.  So much fun!

I could go on and on.  A brand new state of the art hospital, doctors that rival the care we received in the big city, a library that puts some metro systems to shame, beautiful lake views, a great mix of the young and old.  I can't even begin to list all of the great things about Grove here.  Seriously?  One of the best small towns in the country! 

Now if we only had a Chick Fil A......

Confession Number 96: Unintended Intentional Summer

A few weeks ago my friend Megan over at Sorta Crunchy wrote about the challenges and joys of parenting her six year old and shared some insight from Allison at Gentle Christian Mamas.  While my girl isn't six, but only three, I saw a LOT of similarities, and as I read this Survival Guide to Six I knew that there were some ideas I could use to turn my summer of Almost Four into a fun one, not a stressful one. 

I know that Kennedy loves a schedule.  Sort of.  Dustin and I are VERY easy going parents.  I'll drag my kids just about anywhere.  We made a decision while I was pregnant with KJ that our kids were going to fit into our exsisting lives as much as possible, and they have, for the most part.  My kids are well practiced at napping on the go, being pushed around town in the stroller and both are really quite flexible.  I *know*, however, that KJ really thrives when we have a plan for the day and she knows what is coming next. 

I thought more about this when Megan wrote about their summer schedule.  While I am not really a schedule person, I knew I had to have some goals for the summer, or we would both be bored and would slowly go crazy over the three month break.  So here is how we are spending each day intentionally.  Each day with some purpose.  I decided we would spend some time each day doing something that fits into these areas:

1.  Being Active- Sometimes this is swimming, sometimes it is chasing bubbles, sometimes it is walking around our neighborhood.  Whatever strikes us for the day.  Kennedy would spend all day, everyday, inside if I would let her.  I have to make it a point to have some active, outdoor time each day.  Besides, my summer tan is in need of some serious help.

2.  Creativity-  Kennedy loves being creative!  On some days this is sidewalk chalk, on others it is baking.  We are currently doing a scrapbook together of her year in preschool and she loves looking at the pictures of her friends!  It's nothing crazy good, but it is special to us.

3.  Educational- From practicing letters to reading library books, we are "practicing school" a little bit each and every day.

So, maybe this isn't a schedule.  It is a plan.  Each day at breakfast we talk about what we are going to do that day.  I have realized that if that particular day includes a nap, she is much better about doing it if she knows in advance!  She knows what is coming next and it is giving her some sort of aspect on time without being tied to a clock.  Today is:  TV time, getting ready, picking up the house, lunch, swimming at the pool, snack, reading and/or quiet time.  Then it is a night with the sitter because Mom and Dad are having a much needed night out!!  What?  No creative time?  Well, maybe she can do some drawing and stickers while I get things together for the sitter.  See?  We are nothing if we aren't flexible!

So, what are you doing on a daily basis this summer?