Car conversations

I love talking to the kids in the car. There is something about a car that gives kids the convidence to tell you all kinds of things. Maybe it's because you aren't looking directly at them. I don't know. 

So today, Gillian and I ran some errands (just the girls). On our way home, Gillian asked "Are you going to die?" I tried to laugh it off and say "I wasn't planning on it." She didn't get my joke. So I said "No. Why do you ask?" She said "Cause parents die." Perhaps she has watched too many Disney movies. I said "Sometimes, but Mommy isn't going anywhere." She said "So you will be around to drive me places?" I said "Of course, until you are able to drive me." She said "But I don't know how to drive." I laughed and said "Don't worry, I will teach you." She said "OK, good cause I don't know how to drive." And that was it. She changed the subject. 

Look who's back

Our Elf on the Shelf returned the day after Thanksgiving.  When we were in Disney World, I asked Aunt Betty to check our mail for us.  She went to the house the Friday after Thanksgiving and found Buddy sitting on the couch eating M&Ms and Oreos and drinking soda.  She took a picture and sent it to me.

When the kids saw the picture, John said "Ask Aunt Betty make a letter to Buddy and let him know we are in Disney World!"  Gillian said "Him spilled his nemems!"  Aunt Betty let us know that she left Buddy a note and that she would check back later to make sure he wasn't making a mess.  John told Aunt Betty "If he isn't there tomorrow then we will let you know if he is in our room!"  The next day Buddy wasn't in our room.  But Aunt Betty searched our whole house and finally found Buddy.  He had a little message for the kids.

  The next day (our last day in Disney), Aunt Betty went to our house and found Buddy with a note.

 

John was very curious, he kept saying "I wonder what's inside the package!"  And "I can't believe that Mickey sent him a letter!" 

 

On Monday, December 2nd, when we arrived home from our trip, Buddy was waiting to greet us. 

 

 

John was so excited to see Buddy and even though Buddy was high above him, he said "That's what was in the box!  Mickey sent him ears!" 

 

On Tuesday, December 3rd, we found Buddy with all the new toys that John and Gillian got on their trip.  Buddy was still wearing his Mickey ears.  Daddy and I think that Buddy was asking the toys if the kids were good on their vacation.

 

 

The next day, the kids found Buddy in the kitchen.  He made a little swing.  Gillian said "Him made it out of toilet paper!"

 

 

On Thursday morning, the kids found Buddy.  He was having a race with some cars and toys.  Buddy was in the lead!

 

 

 

Opening the Magic Kingdom

On our first day at Disney World, we went to the Magic Kingdom.  Since we were staying at a Disney Resort, we were able to enjoy magic hours and get into the park at 7 am.  It was an early day, but it was totally worth it.  We arrived and waiting for the train to arrive with Mickey Mouse.  He arrived with Minnie, Pluto and Alice.  He welcomed us and  then lead us in a countdown and the park was opened with a bang!

 

 After Mickey, opened the park we were able to get our day started.  We took a few family pictures and then we got to meet Pluto and Minnie Mouse!  Gillian was a little unsure about meeting the characters at first.  It was early in the morning, and they can be a bit overwhelming.  But I will tell you by the end of our visit, she wasn't afraid!  John was super excited to meet Pluto.  Before we left, we asked him who he wanted to meet the most.  He kept telling us "Pluto!"  We were very lucky to meet Pluto within 10 minutes of being inside the Magic Kingdom.  Below are a few videos of the kids meeting Pluto and Minnie Mouse!

 



 

 

Back to the routine

Today was our first day back in our routine. Eve though we put the kids to bed early last night, it was hard to wake up the kids this morning. I woke up John first, he said "But I don't wanna get up!" I gave him a few extra minutes to stay under the covers and I went to wake up Gillian. Gillian didn't say anything, she just rolled over and ignored me. I was only able to get her up by asking her, "Who are you going to bring to school?" She jumped up and said "I bring Princess Minnie!" 

Both kids had good days at school. I think they were very excited to tell their friends about their adventures in Disney. Everyone ate their dinner and there were no arguements at bedtime. I think they are still exhausted from our trip (I know I am).  I will post later about our adventures, but right now I am just thankful to be back to our routine. 

the little things

We are lucky to have some amazing kids.  I don't have a big or funny story to tell you tonight just a few little stories.

This morning John got dressed in our room.  He told me "If I had a TV in my room, I would watch the news in the morning.  Or even the weather channel." 

I gave the kids each a mummy cookie for dessert.  Gillian held it in her hand and said "This cookie is amazing!"

We received our Magic Bands for our Disney trip today.  John was inspecting his band and said "Look!  He put our name on the inside."  I said "Who?"  He said "Mickey Mouse!"

After bath, I dressed Gillian in her Ariel pajamas.  She said "These are boring!  I can't wear these!"

The fire whistle went off tonight shortly after the kids were put to bed.  Gillian, who has come to terms with the whistle (see blog posts:  Whistle Not Nice and Whistles and Babies ), started to scream.  Daddy went to comfort her.  She kept saying "It scared me!"  Daddy calmed her down and once the whistle stopped, I heard John say "That whistle was killin me!" 

The whole thing

Since John started first grade, Daddy drops off Gillian at school every day except for Wednesday. Daddy told me his secret to a successful drop off. They listen to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse radio on Pandora in the car on the way to school. I took Gillian to school on Monday (because Daddy wasn't feeling so good) and we listened to the Mickey Mouse station on the way. As we pillows in the driveway for school, Gillian said "U want to hear the whole song!"  And we had to sit in the car until that song was over. Today I picked her up from school. About a block from our house "Five little monkeys jumping on the bed" came on. Again as I pulled in our driveway Gillian said "I want to hear the whole song!"  And we sat in the car until the song was over. I love that she wants to hear the music but one of these days I'm not going to have time to sit and the car and sing along with her. But for now I'm enjoying my time with my favorite little lady.