It isn't uncommon for us to hit the beach on St. Patrick's day... in Florida. However, this March has been tropical and we even hit the beach on our 80 degree St. Patty's day. If I recall on our last trip to Florida in March, it never got much over 70.
Laura in her green Shamrock shirt. She's making a leprechaun trap.
The ice went out on Prior Lake on St. Patrick's day, but Anna was disappointed we wouldn't let her swim, even though she brought her swimming suit.
Anna loves her ballerina outfit. Here's she's practicing some dancing.
I obviously can't only paint Anna's room. I asked what style room she wanted, and naturally she decided on Cinderella. My first idea was a bed made of old rags and to move the washing machine into her room. She doesn't appreciate my sense of humor.
Laura's bedroom with her new carriage bed and painting. (Yes, the alternating vertical bars are paint... LOTS of tape went into this project.)
Laura in her Cinderella dress modeling the room.
Laura's happy with her bed.
A great place to sleep.
She even gets to sleep under the cover of a veil. Fit for a princess.
We decided to take advantage of our fine winter weather and hit the slopes. About a week ago Emily drove the kids by Buck Hill by our house, and the kids got really excited, so we had to take them.
Anna's first time down the hill. Since Anna knows no fear, this came about as natural as can be. She did have the sense to hold onto me, at least for the first few runs.
Laura's first run. Laura took a ski class ahead of time and learned some valuable fundamentals.
Laura kept insisting that she can do it herself.
Anna and I cruising down the hill. I really need eyes in the back of my head. Once Anna saw Laura going by herself, she insisted on doing it too.
All in all, a very successful trip. Both the girls had a ton of fun, and are ready to go again soon.
Well, we thought it was about time to take the princesses to Disney World in Florida. Mostly for selfish reasons, we decided it would be best to surprise them, and tell them about it as we were driving into the Magic Kingdom. We were so successful, that they were asleep when we got there.
Welcome to the place where dreams come true! Which is convenient, since you are already dreaming.
It didn't take long for Laura to perk up. It's a small world, Peter Pan, and the carousel made for a great start.
And of course, a lollipop.
Make that 2 lollipops.
Disney knows how to show off, even a Grinch like me is impressed by the Castle.
No trip to Disney is complete without a visit with Mickey!
Given that our girls are princesses, their #1 goal was to meet as many as they could. First off was Aurora/Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty/Princess Scary Blue Eye Shadow.
Of course, Belle in her castle ball gown.
Laura made a point to tell Cinderella that she played HER in her preschool play.
The girls' favorite princess is Rapunzel, so he had to endure a very long line for her. Rapunzel was great, and who knew, the kids loved it.
BTW: They could rename Disney World to 'Line World' or 'Queue World'. I am pretty sure they have a team of psychologists on staff who study how to make you sit in line and tolerate it.
You have to ride the teapots, and the ladies loved it.
Even Mimi enjoyed them!
Dumbo was ok. If was just a 35 minute wait for a 1 minute, it would be ok. However, it made it tougher that some other girl in line purposefully poked Laura in the eye when she told her she wanted the pink dumbo, while the responsible(?) adult just watched. Come on, we're trying to have a civilization here!
Well, the highlight of the trip was dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table INSIDE the castle. The girls were bouncing off the walls, to be sure. Here snow white stopped by to make sure she was having a good dinner.
Aurora with another visit.
Ariel! Anna was really looking forward to a visit with Ariel.
And a visit by Belle in her peasant dress (I guess the formal gown was just too much to wear all day)
The Animal Kingdom Safari was really cool. I vote they could use more animals at the Animal Kingdom, but that's just me.
Baby Elephant getting a drink.
They got to visit with Pooh.
Emily's favorite, Eeyore
And Tigger.
Laura got to visit with Jasmine and Aladdin.
But Anna was a little sleepy.
Back at the room, they kids took turns sleeping in the Bayou.
2 Birthdays and a trip to New Orleans. Whew, glad that's done, just in time for Christmas, which usually keeps the kids on an even keel.
Anna was very excited to show off her new ballerina clothes and coloring book.
Look dad, boxes!
They each got to decorate a cake themselves, and blow out the candles.
My attempt at a mickey mouse cake. Not bad, but from this angle mickey may have had one too many Mickey's before the party.
Laura showing off her ballerina dress.
Emily and the kids made a gingerbread house, Anna's eating the gingerbread man.
Emily did a great job with the house, look at those bows.
The next weekend Laura got her first 'Friends' birthday. 11 Preschoolers plus some school age cousins makes for a VERY full house. We survived, and managed to avoid tears. Here Anna is pinning the belly badge on the care bear. (My knowledge of Care Bears has gone up dramatically in the past year.)
Laura's clothes included a flowery dress and a care bear cape. She picked all her own clothes.
