DISNEY and Mal's Wedding!!!

I AM SO EXCITED to blog about this trip! There is so much fun stuff to cover, it may take me two days to finish it all!
To start, I was so apprehensive about this trip, simply because Mason HATES the car. I thought we would be driving with him screaming the vast majority of the way. So, I was meticulous in finding fun things for the kids to do in the car. With a 6 month old, this is tough haha. So, here are a few things I came up with for my 2 year old:
DVDs (of course)
Several NEW books, especially books that tell a longer story
Disney sing a long music (again, of course)
"busy bags"- ziplock bags that contained various items: stickers with stickerbook, pen and pocket calendar (she loves to write in one for some reason), dry erase board and markers or crayons, mini play doh, mini dora characters, mini doll w bottle and change of clothes, and several different snacks. Bridgette is really into miniature things right now.
For Mason:
IPad movies (because he has to face backward for 6 more months)
a large calculator that lights up (a hit)
a night time wall light display (plays music and displays a scene on the wall) We had a TON of fun with this one--we made shadow puppets, made the scene tiny, then really big, etc.
picture board books
a maraca that he could slam against something and make lots of noise
teethers of course.
Tad the singing frog (never leave home without it for roadtrips)
All in all, pretty good planning on my part that equaled ONE (that's right) meltdown by Mason. I am pretty proud haha. Of course I was in charge of entertainment and Travis was in charge of getting us there safely--and he did a terrific job.

Moving on, we broke up the trip into two days each way, spending the night over half way. The first night Bridgette was unhappy in an unfamiliar place. She cried and said she wanted to go home, please. "Where are we? I am scared", etc. Kinda heartbreaking. We tried several different sleeping arrangements during the trip, all of which ended up being mistakes, hahahhaa. I have no idea what would have worked, short of packing several different beds/cribs, etc. Eventually she settled down, but it was a LONG night. We wearily began our second leg of the journey to Orlando.
Nina and Marshall (Trav's Mother and Step father) have a time share condo in Orlando (very nice) that they shared with us for the first two nights there. We stopped there, unloaded, picked them up, then headed straight to Epcot. Bridgette had not napped at this point and was pretty tired, but determined to stay up to see "Disney". She liked the Nemo ride and the 3 Cabelleros (sp?), but mostly just needed a good nap, so we strolled around the world (hehe) and she slept, as did Mason. This is a good time to point out that we took a double stroller (sit and stand that had two seats) and this was very nice, but terrible for napping. UGH. So we carried them a lot when they slept. A learning process.
Anyway, as she had a mini meltdown during dinner due to exhaustion, a German band began to play some polka music. And because I am an awesome polka dancer (right), I grabbed her and took her to the dance floor. The next 20 minutes were the funniest and most light hearted moments--she danced so hard, kept yelling "HEY" with her hands punching the air, and found some "big girls" (4 year olds) to dance near. This was super cute.

On our way out of Epcot (so we think)
we see the Character Spot with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy. 45 minute wait. I think NO WAY. Bridgette says PLEASE I want to see Minnie!! So, with Mason asleep in our arms, we wait in the line. The entire time I am thinking that she is going to hide behind my legs once we actually get to see the characters. Boy was I wrong! I will admit that seeing her sprint to Minnie Mouse with her arms wide open, huge smile on her face, then not wanting to leave her, but just staring adoringly at her, was one of the best moments of my whole life. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, because it was SO precious. She was so happy and so awe struck that she was actually seeing these characters! She kissed and hugged them ALL! And then asked me where “Pete” was! How funny- she wants to see the villain. It was worth every second of waiting!

On to day 2, Magic Kingdom

I always feel so exhilarated walking into the Magic Kingdom. Travis and I have always loved coming here together and we were especially excited for Bridgette to see Cinderella’s castle. She had been telling us for weeks that she was ready to go and see it! J We finally got there and rode all the rides in Fantasy Land. I think she probably liked Winnie the Pooh best. Then we had lunch at the Crystal Palace with the Pooh characters. I will say this was the biggest hit with the adults. Nina and Marshall and Malerie graciously accompanied us to help with the kids (and enjoy Disney!) and we all agreed that this food was fantastic! Bridgette was very happy to meet the characters, too! We really had a great time. Unfortunately towards the end of the day, rain came and we all got soaked. Then we had a hard time leaving the park, but all in all, a terrific time!!

From Orlando, we headed out to St. Pete to get ready for Malerie’s wedding. Bridgette LOVED the sun and sand. Mason, not so much. The wind was really upsetting him. Needless to say, I didn’t make much showing on the beach L. One of those things you don’t really hear much about is that when you have young kids, vacation isn’t quite as relaxing haha. I did have some MOH duties with Mal anyway, so I had a great time with that. It was really fun having the entire family down at the beach. We had tons of help with the kids. We really missed Granddaddy Reid, though, who was back home recovering from a stroke, and doing much better.

Here is where I am going to talk too much about the cute kids and funny things they did and said. J A precious girl, Allie McNabb, latched on to Bridgette first thing. Allie is about 7 years old and just loves kids. Bridgette felt like she was a “big girl” because Allie was playing with her. Seriously the happiest I have ever seen Bridgette. Keira Thatcher played with them too and all three were the cutest girls!! I told Bridgette that she would be a big girl like them someday and she replied with full sass “We ARE big girls together, Mommy!” Allie cared for Bridgette like a mini Mommy. How cute.

Then there were Robert’s nephews, Cooper and Anderson (ring bearers). Anderson was the older and would just sling his brother wherever he wanted him. Both seemed enamored by Bridgette she was with them! She and Cooper held hands a lot and even kissed!!! Bridgette was the flower girl and went down the aisle pretty well, but stopped halfway and dumped out her flowers…turned over the basket and just shook it. It was hysterical. Anderson tackled Cooper coming down the aisle, because he was starting to veer off. The ceremony was beautiful and very sentimental (as was the reception). The real fun began at the reception. Our Gommy (Margret Smith) turned 90 and they honored her. There was an “Oldest married couple contest” that my Sparks Grandparents won. There was so much fun. I overheard Anderson tell Bridgette, “Cooper has something he wants to ask you!” Then quickly followed up with, “He wants to know if you will dance with him.” How cute is that? She danced the night away, but would NOT dance with any grown ups. Ah- she is getting so sassy J. I had a blast at the reception, and being the great daddy he is, Travis took the kids to the room and let me stay awhile longer.
All in all, a fantastic trip! Lots of memories and laughs. So happy for Malerie and Robert!!! And now, SO GLAD TO BE HOME!

Adventures in snot land

Unfortunately, we have all been sick. BLECH. Bridgette has had the worst of it, with a terrible cough and congestion. Thankfully Mason hasn't been too congested. Of course I have it too. So, needless to say, some sleepless nights followed (not that Mason and I have been sleeping great anyway). My mothering motto: this too shall pass. I have learned that every time something seems to be working really well, it changes (another tooth, a cold, a wrench in the plans so to speak) or vice-versa. The minute I don't think I can bear another sleepless night, Mason gives me a long stretch. Amazing. Have to just thank God for every moment...I KNOW it all passes so quickly. Bridgette has grown into a sweet little girl so quickly. I am cherishing every moment I cuddle sweet baby Mason. :)
Here are your stats:
Mason, 6 months (approx)- 26 3/4 inches, 19.5 pounds.
Yes I know, he is a BIG boy. :) He eats enough haha.
Well now that we have unclogged his pipes, he is a much happier baby. He is eating some breakfast every morning (but I have eliminated the oatmeal/rice cereal), so he is eating a fruit or veggie every AM. He LOVES to eat and he is VERY good at it. I am proud hehe. Travis is VERY proud hehe.
He is sitting up very well without support. He loves certain toys...an alphabet spinner toy, his rainforest jumper, his giraffe teething toy, and anything that Bridgette is playing with of course. He is very likely teething- he is drooling all the time, biting, and fussy sometimes for no reason...Bri got her first at 7 months, so he is close. He is not in love with reading like Bridgette was..he likes interaction. He is VERY observant and watches everything his big sister does. He smiles a lot and I love it. He is sleeping in 3-4 hour intervals and strangely enough, he has started enjoying being swaddled (I use a sleep sack that has a swaddle built-in so no covers near his precious head). He can wiggle his arms out, but falling asleep he wants to be bundled. HUM. Bridgette loved to sleep next to me and cuddle. Not Mason- he wants to nurse then get right back in his own crib.
On to Bridgie-Bridge...
She and I have been doing lots of crafts and activities in the afternoon. She LOVES to be messy--what toddler doesn't? So, we paint, throw glitter around (clean up before Daddy gets home hehe), play in rice, noodles, water, etc. The biggest hits have been a huge tub full of rice that she can sit in and play like sand and a bathtub full of different kinds of noodles. She loved that! I am always looking for other really fun things if you have a suggestion!!
One super cute and funny thing she does- Daddy has an action bible, comic book form, Bri loves to read it, "And Jesus was afraid of the kion, but Mufasa told them to get on the boat with Simba and they lived happily ever after..." and she will stop and ask, "mommy, who's this troll?" Everyone with a beard is a potential troll...I reply with the straightest face "That troll is Moses", etc. Trav n I laugh our heads off.
Her favorite books are "Morris goes to school", "Lady and the Tramp", "Classic Disney Stories" of all varieties.
She still loves the Lion King and sings "Hakuna Matata" all the time. So cute and so funny. Another funny thing-- Mason cries, (even at 4am), Bri will reflexively start singing "Twinkle twinkle little star". She is the BEST big sister. They jump and kick and laugh together. They make me so happy. :)