Disney: Day 2: {Hollywood Studios}

We aren't ones to stay out "late" at Disney, especially with a 4 year old.  Dylan was asleep that first night by 8:15pm.  We were up and at 'em and at our first character breakfast at 8:05 the next morning!

Favorite of the day: Everything

Honorable mention: Voyage of the Little Mermaid show (he asked to watch it again so he could kiss Ariel)

Disney Junior Play -n- Dine at Hollywood & Vine!

{Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, & June from Little Einsteins}

{Jake and the Neverland Pirates and ME!}

We felt a bit like novices this day.  We were using the new magic bands on our trip, which are basically your room key, park pass,  dining plan, fast pass, and credit card!  They are waterproof and Dylan loved wearing his, but not every spot in Disney has converted to this new technology.  So, after a bit of confusion, Jonathan went to guest relations back at the front of the park (he rocks) and got us more fast passes than are actually possible for the rest of our day!  Yippee for those "magical" Disney cast members!

We watched the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Disney Junior Live on Stage, Lights Camera Action Stunt Show!, and went on the Studio Backlot Tour.

Disney Junior Live!

The stunt show was super cool!

Jonathan and I took turns riding Aerosmith Rock'n Roller Coaster and Jonathan also did Tower of Terror.  Dylan was too small for these rides.
We enjoyed Toy Story Mania which is the most popular ride in the park.  Wait times were two hours in November!  Thankful for our fast pass on this one!

One of my favorite pictures!  He was READY to get his book signed!

I took one for the team several times and waited in line for Dylan to meet characters.  He loved meeting characters and wanted all of them to sign his book.  He would see them from the stroller (if you have a smaller child don't forget to TAKE YOUR OWN STROLLER!) and yell, " I want them to sign my book!"  We met:

 Sophia

 Mike & Sully

 Buzz & Woody
Told Woody: "We just rode your ride and I have cowboy boots like you!"

The Incredibles

His first Mickey ice cream treat!

We were headed to the backlot tour.  Everyone needed to rest their legs and have some sit down time!  This dude was tired!

 

We had dinner at the Sci-Fi Drive-in Theatre. Disney doesn't miss a beat! 

We ended our day with the early showing of Fantasmic. We didn't stay for the while show because of a tired 4 year old! 

Beauty & the Beast float at Fantasmic!

Oh, the ears!

He was asleep in less than 4 minutes! 

Disney: Day 1: {Arrival & Epcot}

I am going to have to document Dylan's first trip to Disney by day.  (Read: Yes, I took way too many pictures for one blog post to do it justice).

Favorite of the Day: Soarin' at Epcot

You know, everyone talks about Disney being the most "magical place on earth."  Well, they are right. It might sound extremely cliche, but our trip was magical.  Everything was truly magical to Dylan.  I personally think "4" is the perfect age.  You are still a believer in the characters, you still want to ride all of the kiddie rides, but you are able to walk, talk, and potty all by yourself!

Mickey, here we come!

As we took off from Little Rock:
"I see the places you were talking about!  Florida, Africa, and North Caroline!" He giggled the entire time as the plane took off the ground.  He was a fabulous traveler, especially with my backpack full of sticker books, new colored pencils, and snacks!

We got to the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge around 3:30.  We stayed in the neatest little cabin.  We quickly headed out to Epcot for the afternoon.

  The weather was perfect, even getting a little chilly at night!  We met Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy first thing!

This Mommy didn't cry, but I won't lie, I choked up a bit at this moment. 

To Mickey: "You are great at writing!"

 He even kissed "sweet Minnie" on the cheek!

We enjoyed our late afternoon and evening at Epcot.  We rode Soarin', The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Livin' the Land.  We had a great dinner at Sunshine Seasons Food Court and we even had to put Dylan's sweatshirt on as we walked back to the bus to take us to our villa!

Caleb's Party {Mr. Fox & Other Forest Friends}

Caleb has such a happy, laid back, calm personality.  He really likes the little foxes in his Bible that we read every night.  So, we went with a forest friends theme for his birthday party!

{October 26, 2013}

He got a new "fo-lee-ler" from Mommy, Daddy, and Caleb before the party started!

 He got a skill saw from Pop & Mawmaw.  He sure does love it!

 He got several new car transporter/carriers, tractors, books, and puzzles.  It was a super fun time with family and friends!

 Playing with his buddy, Beau!

 Look at ALL these boys!  My goodness!

 It was so nice to have a little baby girl at the party! Baby Tessa is a doll!

 Mr. Fox & Pop!

 Another Mr. Fox, Carter!

 I love that sweet smile!  He sure does love his Uncle Craig and he is a super fun playtime buddy!

A little snuggle time with Pawpaw!

 Showing us his singing skills, "Read your Bible, pray everyday, and you'll grow, grow, grow!"

He's 2!!!

 We are pretty blessed to watch this little boy turn TWO! After my struggles with getting pregnant with each boy, to the 10+weeks of bed rest with Caleb, we do not take the miracle of life lightly. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. 

Here's to Caleb William!!!!

Milestones:
-Running and galloping are your favorite ways to move!
-You love to sing!  You pump your left fist with the beat of the music.  Fav songs include:

• The Lord's Army
• Light the Fire
• "-Accheus" (Zaccheus was a Wee Little Man)
• Read your Bible, Pray Everyday (-you SCREAM this!)
• Beat of the Music by Brett Eldridge

-You have started sitting in a booster at the table more often that your clip on high chair.  You also are doing great at feeding yourself a full plate of food using a fork and spoon!
-You still use your right hand for some things, so I am not sure what you will end up choosing.
-You love cars, tractors, diggers, dump trucks, etc.  You love to play with small hot wheels and matchbox cars.
-Favorite books:

• Tractors
• Biscuit visits the Pumpkin Patch (you call him "Bis-it")
• Tommy Quiet Book from Bible Class
• Trucks (from Aunt Judy for your birthday)

Fun phrases:

• "Fo-lee-ler" (four-wheeler)
• "Want mores" (more is always plural)
• "Do it  myself"
• You always tell me your "Thank you's" during bedtime prayers.  I say, "What are your thank you's"  The other night you said, 
• "Tank you.....Mama, Mamd howd (hold) you, Mama sit in lap, Daddy, Daddy sit in lap, Nana, Pawpaw.  Also Poppy, Poppy twuck, Mawmaw.
• "Mama howd (hold) you me." (You are starting to use your pronouns correctly.)

-You still love to be outside in the backyard.  You like to get Nelli out of her pen before you do anything else.

-Blankie and papi are now officially for naptime and bedtime only.  You have done great this go around with the transition.

-You love to say, "I see cool bus!" "I wide it!" You want to "wide" (ride) everything!!!

-You love Mr. Fox (stuffed animal) that Mawmaw got you for your birthday.  You told me, "Mawmaw gave to me."  So sweet!

-You have started playing more with your brother.  I love that he is your built-in best friend.  He also babies you, maybe the worst out of anyone in the family!  

-You can most definitely turn on him though.  We caught you trying to bite him hard the other day and you had your first official time-out!

-You have found the word NO and you like to say it often, even if it doesn't fit the conversation.

-You created your own phrase that sounds something like, "Hey, boom neller!"  You started saying it and everyone laughed, most especially Dylan.  It is a common phrase around the house now!

-Someone described your eyes as "deep".  You do have deep, beautiful blue eyes.  They almost reach to your soul and speak.  I love to look into your eyes and think about your future.  You also get away with some things because of those baby blues!

-You are a huge easter!  You love love love to eat.  You are feeding yourself cereal in the morning with milk and a spoon.  Yes, its messy, but you love to do it!

-You will cram huge bites in your mouth, but you will not spit them out.  You are determined to choke them down no matter what. 

-You still love to cross your middle and pointer finger.  We have been asking you how old you are and you say, "I two!" And you hold up those two fingers all crossed together.  It's funny!

-You have a funny personality.  You keep us laughing.  You are still so laid back but are showing signs of a two year old on occasion!

We love you to the moon and back!  We are so happy and thankful that God put you in our family!  You are a blessing to us all!