Happy Birthday Noah!

Oh My Gosh...my baby is ONE!

Noah turned one on Thursday, April 18.  This past year just flew by.  It seems like just last week I was walking those darn hills at the zoo to get that baby out - and it didn't work!

40 weeks - to the day

Noah was my fastest labor and delivery - just over an hour!

We celebrated with family last weekend.  I chose a Rainbow theme - I have never really decorated for any of the kids' birthday parties, but this was the last 'first' birthday - cause for celebration!  Of course since I don't have a creative mind, I stole all of my ideas from Pinterest (except the rainbow jello - old family friend recipe).

Noah's smash cake

I made the tissue paper poms and 8 different rainbow photo garlands

Rainbow buckets and goodies for the kids

Noah's gift - white butcher paper with ribbon  (basket weave)  Pat gave me a hard time about it, but I love the way it turned out (and I think he did too)

Noah had no interest in his cake - he was happy to rock in the traditional Baby Tenda

On Noah's actual birthday, Noah had a doctor's appointment - his one year checkup.  Noah weighed in at 23.4 pounds and 29 inches.  His length is starting to catch up to his weight - maybe this summer once he starts walking/running he will thin out a bit!

And since Noah had an appointment, I was able to take the day off of work.  We spent park of the day getting pictures taken and part of the day at the zoo.  We finished our evening at the blue park, opening gifts and singing "Happy Birthday"

A whirlwind of a day...and a year!  Happy Birthday to my baby boy, Noah!

Leah's Dance Recital

Leah had her very first dance recital last Friday night at the YMCA.  She was a beautiful ballerina and tap dancer!

Leah picked out her own make-up

Daddy trying to be a ballerina

Leah and her best girlfriend Natalie

the class

Ms. Bailey was Leah's teacher - I was a little worried at first - but Ms. Bailey was an excellent teacher!

Daddy helping Leah change into her ballet shoes

Here is a video from the tap portion of Leah's recital:

 

Here is a video from the ballet portion of Leah's recital:

Disney Day #6

Day #6 - Coming home

We had a great week in Florida - had perfect weather until Wednesday night and it rained on Thursday while we were at the resort packing our bags.  We had some down time before we needed to be at the airport, so in between rain showers, Pat and I took the kids over to the Cars section of the resort, the Art of Animation, for some pictures.  We had a great flight home - thanks Noah for snoozing for the first hour!  Our flight was at 5:00, landed at 7:00 and we were home before 9:00 - not too bad!

A special thanks to my parents for a great trip.  It was their dream to take all of us on this special vacation - we are so greatful and fortunate to have the best parents - and grandparents - thanks Mom and Dad - aka Memaw and Hippa!

View the Disney Day #6 album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115723208197711508322/albums/5864245424869702737?authkey=CIKopPeTj5rD5wE

Disney Day #5

Day #5, Wednesday.  Hot and HUMID! 

We spent our fifth, and final, day at the Animal Kingdom.  We enjoyed some African music, met Minnie Mouse and went on a Safari and saw a lot of animals!  We also did a short walking tour and went to the Hippo Pool, where a huge hippo appeared in front of us out of nowhere.  It was awesome! 

I felt that we should end the trip as it began, at the Magic Kingdom.  So we traveled by bus and the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom for the afternoon and evening.  It had cooled down, but rain was looming.  We had a few sprinkles here and there, and by the time we left it was raining.  We were going to stay to see the Electrical Parade for a second time, but we were pooped and the rain was not worth it, so we headed back to the resort and the kids just got to play (I think Noah was just happy to be out of a stroller!).  While we were at the Magic Kingdom, we were able to ride the Winnie the Pooh ride a second time and do a little shopping.  And we were able to enjoy a parade/dance party in the street.  A perfect way to end the trip!

View Disney Day #5 album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115723208197711508322/albums/5864198454703019489?authkey=CPHrpMG14fSHrAE

Disney Day #4

Day #4, Tuesday, was all about being a princess.

We spent the day at the Magic Kingdom.  We started off with a train ride, then it was off to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which was inside the castle, where Leah and Addie would be transformed into Cinderella and Arielle.  Tuesday was by far the hottest day since our arrival, and the busiest with people.  I don't know how Leah and Addie wore their dresses and shoes all day, but they did!  We rode a boat in Small World and Aladdin's carpet (and a camel spat at us!) and we ate like royalty at Cinderella's Royal Table, which was inside the castle.  The girls were treated like real princesses.  They first had a 'photo shoot' with Cinderella herself (pics of that are not on my computer yet) and the girls received a special Wishing Star and wand.  Max and Noah also received a Wishing Star but got a sword instead (not a good idea to give Max a sword at the dinner table!).  During dinner there was a special "Wishing Ceremony" where the kids closed their eyes, waved their wand/sword over their star and made a wish.  At the end when they were allowed to open their eyes, lights were flashing everywhere.  It really was magical.  Throughout dinner several princesses were introduced and came to each table.  Max was particularly fond of Princess Jasmine, and she gave him a special kiss!  After dinner, Leah rode the teacups with Uncle Christopher, Pat got us a seat for the electrical parade and the rest of us rode a Winnie the Pooh ride.  Then we stayed for the Electrical Parade (pics blurry due to night and lights).  It was a magical day and Leah really enjoyed herself.  It was by far her favorite day.  And I thought her hair would be glued to her head, but it actually wasn't too bad getting all the crap out!

Visit the Disney Day #4 album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115723208197711508322/albums/5864177994608177681?authkey=CISrp5jolMLNzQE

Disney Day #3

Our third day, Monday, was a split day.  We spent our morning at Disney's Hollywood Studios, mid-afternoon at the pool at the Art of Animation Resort and late afternoon and evening back at Epcot.

For breakfast, we ate at Hollywood and Vine, a diner-style buffet where we were able to meet the Disney Junior characters Jake, Handy Manny, June from Little Einsteins and Oso.  After breakfast we enjoyed the Indiana Jones show and walked throughout the park.  Leah wanted to spend some time at the pool, so my mom, Leah, Noah and I headed back to the resort.  Pat, Max and my dad stayed to watch a car stunt show and Jamie, Christopher and Addie spent some time with the Toy Story characters.

Leah LOVED the pool - she was perfectly content just bobbing up and down in the water.  Noah had a great time at the splash pad and Max joined us later and had a blast.  His lips actually turned blue and he was shivering so bad he couldn't talk!

We went back to Epcot for the evening for dinner at the Coral Reef, where an entire wall was an aquarium.  It was awesome!  Afterwards, Pat, Jamie and Christopher took off to find a ride or two and the rest of us walked around the lake visiting the various countries.  Max liked Mexico and Leah enjoyed a Japanese treat (which looked just like a snow cone).  We stayed to watch the fireworks and laser show over the lake.  A busy day meant a night of kids sleeping peacefully!

Enjoy the Disney Day #3 album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115723208197711508322/albums/5864173165147851761?authkey=CIvdjfOHpcGBKg

Disney Day #2

We spent our second day at Disney, Easter Sunday at Epcot.  But before we headed over to Epcot, Mickey Mouse was poolside that morning greeting children and handing out Easter goodies (which looked more like a Halloween bag full of candy!).  Sunday also marked when an intestinal bug started to go through our family.  Leah was the first victim, then me, then Pat and my mom and finally Addie.  But we were in Disney and we were not going to let it stop us!  So we loaded up on meds and to the park we went!

Leah, Max and Noah all participated in Easter Egg Hunts (Noah's first!) and we dined in Canada at Le Cellier Steakhouse.  Our waitress was even a real Canadian!  Pat and Christopher also stopped by the UK for some beverages and Jamie ate a little Moroccan dish.  We found several Disney characters throughout the day and had pictures taken and received autographs.  Noah received a special kiss from Snow White - she was so sweet with Noah and Noah was so bashful with Snow White - it was a special moment (Jamie, I hope you have better pics of this!).  The kids enjoyed some time at a little splash pad.  We were able to ride a Nemo attraction which ended in an aquarium, which Max really enjoyed. 

View Disney Day #2 album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115723208197711508322/albums/5864161421548573313?authkey=CL-146L02fee7wE

Disney: Day #1

We spent our spring break week at Walt Disney World, thanks to my parents, whose dream it was to take their children and grandchildren on this amazing vacation.  We spent our week at the Art of Animation Resort.  It was an awesome place to stay for a week.  We were in two family suites.  Each suite and three beds and two bathrooms and a small kitchen.  The main bed was in its own room.  A second bed was a pull-out sofa and the third was a kitchen table - murphy bed.  And we had a pack n play for Noah - and we still had plenty of room!  There was a large 'cafeteria' in the main building and each section of the resort had its own pool.  We stayed in the Nemo section, which was by far the best.  It had the largest pool, a splash pad and a playground.  It was also the closest section to the main building and buses.

We were up at 3:30 am Saturday morning for our 7am flight to Orlando.  Leah and Max were so excited to fly and you would never know there was an infant on the plane.  Noah slept during take off and was entertained throughout the flight.

We were welcomed by sunshine and warmth!  We had to wait a couple of hours for Christopher, Jamie and Addie to arrive which gave us time to explore the resort and eat lunch....and then we were off to find Mickey (Max thought Mickey would be waiting for him at the airport...so it was important to find Mickey ASAP!).  We went to the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and were greeted by an Easter Parade and a Celebration Parade.  And we saw Mickey in the parades.  I literally had tears in my eyes watching Max seeing Mickey for the first time.  And  I know my dad, Hippa, did too.  We flew high with Dumbo (and played in the 'big top' while waiting in line), had a delicious dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, saw a third parade, purchased some ears and then called it a night - we were pooped!

I can't wait to see Jamie's pictures - she does an awesome job - but mine will do for now.

View the Disney Day #1 album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115723208197711508322/albums/5863898952286784881?authkey=CNiSlZ3cyrnoeg