Disney Day 1

We woke up early and picked up mom/dad then headed to the Birmingham Airport.  Let me just chime in here how much I LOVE flying Southwest!!!   They offer cheap flights, a friendly/funny crew, and free bags.   Plus other services many aren't even aware of.   LOVE!!!!!
The bad thing....they don't fly out of Huntsville.   OH well a short drive is worth it.

This was Ava's first time to fly.  I admit I was nervous for her (and me with her).   Dad hates to fly and we managed to talk him into it (well forced more like it).   They both did great!!!!  Dad has bad sinus issues so he was scared his ears/head would hurt.  It did but not bad.  Ava was nervous when we got in and took off. She didn't realize she had to be in her own seat and I couldn't hold her.   After she calmed and realized it was ok we played with her sticker book and looked out the window!!!!

 After she realized it was fun.

Before she got comfy and used to it :)

We arrived at the Airport and Disney's Magical Express picked us up.  We were on our way!!!!!
We arrived at our resort, Disney's Art of Animation.  This resort just opened up in May of this year.  The weekend we arrived was the first weekend the standard "Little Mermaid" rooms were open.  So YEAH for a nice clean NEW room.   My only complaint was the walk from the main hall to the actual rooms.  Since we didn't drive we had to rely on the bus pickup which was located outside the main hall.  

Notice the different outfit....I didn't take pictures the first day.  Don't ask why???

WOW words can't even describe how cute this place is.  KID HEAVEN!!!!!!   Its so animated and kid friendly.  They offered so many things just at the resort that you could stay there for days on end and not leave.   They had 3 pools, a splash type pad thing, and then 2-3 more playgrounds.   So neat!!!!!!  In the main pool you can hear music underwater.  I don't even have words for that.....

Dessert at Cape May

So after getting settled in we HURRIED to a reservation at Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort at 5:30.  We didn't make it to closer to 6.  Nobody told me how LARGE this place is.  It takes time to get to where you are going.   Oh but worth it.  It was a buffet and SO good.  It might have been one of our favorite meals.  There was seafood, braised ribs with gnocchi, corn on cob, pastas, cheeses, potatoes, breads, carved meat, etc.  Then the kids had their own buffet of the regular mac and cheese and nuggets.  Then the ultimate dessert buffet.   There were so many selections I couldn't decide or list them.  I think I had a chocolate mouse.

Then we headed over to Magic Kingdom for some fun before the park closed!!!  This was Ava's reaction to the Castle the first time she saw it....

Priceless....I am so glad I caught it.

So we walked around a bit then caught the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Ava was mesmerized by the floats, and mostly the characters (that up till this point she has seen on TV and in books).

So after a long day we headed back to the room to rest and await our first FULL day in Disney!!!

WALT DISNEY WORLD

I just have to warn you that I took over 200 pictures on my phone plus another 200 something on my Disney   photo card (they have professional photographers that take your pics).
Pics to come.

We had the BEST time.  Ava was the perfect age.  It was to say the least "Magical".   We all had a great time.  Adam told me one night it was the best vacation we have ever been on.  I looked at him weird and was like "Better than Maui"?   You know to know our love affair with Maui.  He said WAIT totally different trip.  Maui is a restful Me and him type vacation.  This vacation was all about AVA!!!!
And that is was.

We went from Saturday, Sept 15- Thursday, Sept 20.  Word to the wise.   You need a lot of time in this place.  I thought Oh I will fit all this stuff into everyday and we will get to see/do it all.  WRONG!  Even planning good we didn't even make it to the Animal Kingdom and a lot of other areas in the parks.

I am going to write specifics of our days in another post.

Happy birthday Adam!!!!

Just wanted to wish my sweet hubby a Very Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

Love you!!!!

Just life and getting ready for Disney

We are not even a week away from our Disney Trip.  I think I might be more excited than my kid.  Is that bad?  LOL   I have had my suitcases out since Labor Day :)   I am pumped about using my new suitcases too.  Its one of those things I wanted to buy for a while but never did.  So I found a great deal a while back on some awesome luggage and I am so excited to put them to use.

Lately we have been dealing with Ava having a hard time with preschool.   We are in the 4th week of school and there are still meltdowns every morning full of tears and pleading.   It literally makes my day so crappy, for lack of a better word.   I worry the whole day until mom gets her and updates me.
She is excited at the end of the day and loves telling me about her day.  It seems she enjoys it after she gets over the meltdown.   She doesn't want to go though.  She will start asking me the night before if she has to go to school the next day.  Its exhausting!!!!!   I know its good for her, and I know she is being taken care of well.   That doesn't make it easier to hear her cry or get upset about going.
I thought after a week or so she would get the routine down and be fine.

Any tips from all you fellow moms who have experienced this??

So here is a picture recap of the last few weeks.

 Ava at a swimming party

 Playing at Bridgestreet

 Playing in my clean sheets

 On a rainy Labor Day making a picnic for her and her buddies :)

 A great night when I saw this on TV.  I sung like every song word for word , while Adam stared.  All the while knowing he knew them too but wouldn't admit it :)

 Just posing

 Playing around

Ava helping me in the kitchen!!  We made cheesecake stuffed strawberries and apples.  Man, they were good!!