A day at the beach

Day two we woke up and guess what? Minnie visited! They were pretty excited about this every time. Minnie knew we were going to be in the car for a while so she gave them a travel game and quiet book. (Note: I didn't take anymore Minnie pictures. The girls headed straight to them in the morning and as soon as we returned from the park. I wasn't fast enough. They received shirts to wear, glow sticks for night time, a stuffed Minne/Daisy, and a small Ariel/Aurora and a book every night to read. It was fun to do. Next time I think I will only do it once a day.)

Loving these curls

We hopped in the car and drove to Tim's Aunt Sue's house in St. Petersburg. As soon as our hellos were completed the girls headed outside to her personal mini beach. She had sand toys already for them. We chatted with Sue and Tim's grandpa Al, while the girls built castles. Sue taught me to make Turkish coffee. Then so sweetly packed me up a special pot, coffee and cup/saucer set, so I could make it at home.

 

After playing outside Sue had little party for Addison's birthday. I mean she spoiled all of us. Addison and Lilah both got Frozen bags filled with lots of Frozen toys and Lilah got a special doll and book. When Addison was a baby Sue gave her a bear and book, so this was carrying on her tradition. 

Of course all this new stuff and what do they really want to play with? A vintage Tupperware set. Hint grandparents, aunts or uncles this would be a good Christmas gift. Lilah even tried to sneak this in her bag to take home. Haha

 

Lord only knows what she is doing here. I am sure it was some sort of Addison production, probably Let it Go. 

 

After a quick lunch it was time to hit the real beach. This was a first for Lilah. Addy went to the beach as a baby but didn't really remember it. Both girls LOVED it. The weather was perfect and we all had a blast. 

Back home to continue the celebration. Of course Sue had a Frozen cake to continue the theme. Addison loved it.

Thank you Aunt Sue for a wonderful day. We all had a fantastic time.

Florida Bound

Originally, I was supposed to be in Florida at a work conference. It was going to be great. I would be there and Tim would bring the kids. We would spend time with Tim's family and go to Magic Kingdom to celebrate Addison's 5th birthday. The timing seemed to work out great. So when I quit my job a few months ago, it was undecided if we would still go to Florida. Turns out my new employer is pretty awesome, and they allowed me to take the vacation. So on Saturday morning we headed to Florida. The girls were pretty excited to fly. As added excitement, which I realize they don't need anymore because it's Disney right? But I tend to go overboard at times, thanks other bloggers and Pintrest. I decided the girls would get Minnie Mail from Minnie Mouse while they were there. I also told them that Minnie had sent them a gift to give them when they got to the airport. I mean how cute are these little backpacks! They both thought they were pretty big girls pulling their backpack around the airport. So off we went with cute frozen backpacks in tow.

 

We spent most of the first day flying to Florida, getting our rental, driving in circles, getting a few groceries at a ghetto Target, and finally finding our Disney property, Saratoga Springs. That evening we rode a boat over to Downtown Disney to eat. We were all pretty tired so we ate at the first place that had no wait. We ate fast and headed home for bed. While we were out Minnie dropped off a gift. She did that quite a lot. As I said Minnie may have gone a little overboard, but the girls thought it was awesome and Tim gave me a "good mom" pat on the back so it was worth it. Before we left I told the girls they had to decorate a gift bag because Minnie comes while you are out or asleep. Sort of like a stocking approach. It saved Minnie lots of wrapping!

 

 

Tonight's Funnies

Tim and the girls love egg nog. Lilah insists it is called Ding Dong

Every night when tucking Addison in bed she begs for me to go watch her on the monitor. Her actual request is "Can you watch me? Can you watch me right now?!?!?" In an effort to remain as truthful as possible I usually reply with, "I will after,,," I finish a task (ie wash my face, do the dishes, clean the living room, etc.). Sometimes if I am headed straight to bed, which actually seems more and more common these days, I will respond with yes. Tonight was a yes response. However, on my trek from the girl's bedroom to my own I decided a nice bath would be nice. As I am just getting in to the bath in walks a little blondie and says, "Does this look like you are watching me?". I burst out laughing. She is hilarious. Then it was followed with 15 "Go to beds", "Find your own buddy", don't you realize your mother is naked trying to take a bath alone, and finally as I got out of the bath tub she went to bed. Oh kids, there is never a dull moment.

20 Questions: Addison 5 Year Old Edition

1. What is your favorite color? Light blue and light purple

2. What is your favorite toy? Pop Up Doll

3. What is your favorite TV show? My Little Pony

4. What is your favorite animal? Cats

5. What is your favorite book? Big Bible

6. What is your favorite song? Snuggle Puppy and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

7. What is your favorite drink? Egg Nog

8. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Valentimes Day (that's how she pronounced it)

9. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Breakfast Pizza from school

10. What is your favorite outfit? Skirt and cardigan from Aunt Jenny

11. Who is your best friend? Molly, Hadley, Mackenna and Madison

12. What makes you happy? To do something funny 

13. What makes you sad? To be mean

14. What do you want to be when you grow up? Cheerleader

15. What was your favorite part of your birthday? Going to Disney World

16. What was your favorite birthday present? Robe and Leap Pad Ariel Game

17. What is your favorite food? Spaghetti

18. What do you like to do with your family? Make good activities with glitter

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hot Dogs

20. What is your favorite game to play? Hi Ho Cherry-O

Just for fun here is the 3 Year Old and 4 Year Old 20 Questions

Addison: 5 Years Old

Oh my sweet sweet Addison,

Today you are 5 years old!  It seems hard to believe that you are five, yet you are a mature girl that also seems five. Over the past year I feel we have really bonded and become best friends. We are continuing to learn more about your personality everyday. You are our first born which means we are blazing this trail of parenthood together with you. I feel over the last year we have learned more about how you react to certain situations, the best way to discipline you and how you feel love.

Addison you are the life of the party. You continue to be outgoing and talk talk talk. You are a leader and are learning how to deal when people don't want to be led. Like your mama, you can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to be bossed around by you. ;) You will do great things someday with this skill. I pray you continue to develop your leadership skills and become a kind, compassionate, and honest leader.

You are the best big sister Lilah could ever dream of. You are her protector and she follows you absolutely everywhere. There are a few times you don't want to be bugged by your little sister but 95% of the time you are more than happy to have your little shadow by your side. I watch you with her and you are tender, sweet and loving. You comfort her when she gets hurt and encourage her when she is learning something new.

You continue to love music, dancing and singing. Never a day goes by where I don't hear several songs from your sweet voice. Lots of times it is songs from school. However, there are times when you are playing and you are just making up songs as you go. It is usually a detailed account of what you are doing, but it is all done in song. You continue to enjoy dance, but have mentioned a couple of times you want to go back to gymnastics. I think  you are missing your old gymnastics teacher. She is a cheerleader at dad's school, so I think seeing her makes you miss gymnastics.

Speaking of cheerleaders you love them. You have been a good little cheerleader for daddy's football players this year. You are loved by all the cheerleaders and make sure to talk to them several times during the football games. When we are at the games everyone knows Addison. You make friends fast and have lots of them. You have been a very good little girl at games. Games last very late on Friday nights and you have handled it all very well. I can't really even think of an incident you have not behaved well. You enjoy all the socializing and cheering with the cheerleaders.

Another thing you love is arts and crafts. You color nearly everyday you get home. During your free time at school you are coloring, cutting, and creating. You have gotten very good at it, and I am impressed with your "staying in the lines" ability. We put up an art wall in your playroom and you quickly filled it up. Of course you still love dress up, playing with your doll house and the occasional baby.

Over the past year and really most recently I have learned your love language. Of course you are a little bit of all of them. What child doesn't love gifts, hugs/kisses, words of affirmation and acts of service? However, you truly beam when you are given quality time. Now that my work is a million times less stressful, I make sure to spend some real quality time with you. I have noticed changes in your attitude and behavior. You love to have mommy/Addy or daddy/Addy dates. It doesn't matter what we do. You beam when we do it.

My oldest child, I love you so very much. Words could never really describe it. You will never actually know until you have a child of your own. You are the most perfect first child I could imagine, and we thank God for you everyday. Please know that you are loved by so many people. You are one very lucky girl. Have a happy birthday sweet princess!

Love you forever,
Mommy, Daddy & Lilah

Addy stories
- You have been telling us you do not need to hold our hand when crossing the road now that you are five.
- Halloween was the same as the past couple of years. All kids getting candy and Addison striking up conversations with the people passing out the candy. What cracks me up is she is the one initiating the conversations. She is asking lots of questions about the home owners dogs, decorations, cats, or whatever else catches her eye. I love that she is so talkative.
- During the parent appreciation dinner this year Addison was again working the room. This time she created a little gang as we referred to it. She circled the room collecting other kids she knew and they would just march/skip/walk around the room. Of course Lilah had to follow suit so she and her friends had to "help" Lilah play with the big kids.
- You are very independent. You want to pour your own milk, help in the kitchen, pick out just the right outfit (apparently my choices make you look "wierd"), buckle your own seatbelt, and anything else that you could possibly perform on your own.
- You are so very smart. Thanks to your school you have learned so many things. One thing that just seems crazy to me is that you know your left from your right. Your coloring and cutting skills are great. You received a "school" toy for your birthday. It has already gotten lots of use. You enjoy being the teacher, of course.
- The other day on the way home from school you were giving me a run down of the plan for when we got home. You very seriously and matter of factly told me what we were going to do. Then you said mom "Do I look clear?" I nearly lost it. I said "what?". You responded, "you know like dad says". (Do I make myself clear?). Oh you hear and remember everything.
- When we do something that annoys or you don't approve of, you respond "REALLY?!?!". Another thing you learned from your dad.
- You are my weekend morning coffee buddy. Although you just have a tinsy bit of coffee, you love it.

I think I may have ruined Addy on pictures when she was young. Now a days she isn't a big fan of taking pictures. She makes it tough on her mama to capture all her wonderfulness on film. I realized last Monday that we had not had an "official" Addison birthday shoot. About 4:00 on Monday I realized it was now or never. Tuesday was supposed to be super cold. Addison not only is tired of pictures if it is a tinsy bit cold well now it's over. So after work I zoomed over to school picked her up and told her we were going some where special. When she found out it was pictures lets just say the car was pretty noisy, not in a good way. I tried to make it as fun as possible by telling her we were exploring the Christmas lights at Rhema. Basically she ran around trying hard not to be captured by my phone (yes didn't even have my camera) with her hair a frightful mess from a long day of school. It was a bit painful but here is my 5 year old wild girl. She is wearing her current favorite outfit. She loves cardigans, just like here mama! Of course, what outfit is complete without a pair of sparkly white shoes. And her hair, if left up to her always down flying all over the place. Gosh I love this girl. She is one of a kind.

 

I love this one, if only the wind would cooperate. Pure happiness!

Here she said she was pretending to be a cross.

Feeding the ducks

Those were a few still pictures, but this is mostly what was happening!

Addison's 5th Birthday Party

This weekend we had a small party for our 5 year old princess. We had a lasanga dinner with salad of course, one of Addy's favorites. The theme was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We are gearing up for an upcoming adventure. It was a fun get together celebrating Addy. She had a blast decorating and preparing for the evening. Then had even more fun celebrating. The day before we got a surprise phone call that Pappy would be coming through for an evening. It just happened to coincide with Addy's party. She and Pappy had the best time decorating. Of course, Addison wore a dress for the ocassion. And there was even a wardrobe change mid party. She is a diva.