Magic Kingdom (Day 3)

After driving to park at Disney, and then finding out we couldn't ride the monorail yet (And thus had to ride the ferry to Magic Kingdom), we made it to our first reservation of the day.  

We had breakfast with Pooh Bear and friends at the Crystal Palace.

Benjamin did fairly well with the large characters.

HE wasn't much in the mood for posing though.

Winnie the Pooh hugged us.  Benjamin didn't quite know what to think.

Don't touch me!

He started trying to bop Tigger on the nose.

After that we went on the Safari Cruise.

We watched a parade on Main Street after that, but Benjamin was starting to get sleepy.

We strolled around a bit and sure enough...

We scanned out the location of his haircut that would come later.

It was October, and they had everything decorated for Halloween.

Benjamin was oblivious to it all.

I took a few before pictures of his hair.

He wasn't a fan.

Then, it was time for his haircut!  The lady started by putting stickers all over him to get his attention.

He also had a buzzy light up toy to entertain him.

He enjoyed chewing on his hairbrush from home.

He tolerated it fairly well.

Then, he got his first set of ears!  They say "My 1st Haircut" on the back.

The new "do."

We went to see Mickey after that.

Benjamin was awake for this next parade.  We had picked up his 1st Visit pin by this point too.

We had the most delicious Chocolate covered ice cream Mickey ears.

Then, it was time for It's a Small World.

After that we waiting in line for the Winnie the Pooh ride.  They had neat interactive stuff for the kids.

Black lights anyone?

After that it was time for yet another nap.  Again, those were the days...He had a shirt change after the Mickey Ears if you noticed.

I had read something about labeling the stroller with your name to pick it out from the sea of strollers where you have to park it.  It helped!

After all of that it was time for dinner.  

Benjamin woke up in time for dessert.

This was some of the new theming that had added since we were at Disney last.

We went on the Little Mermaid ride.

These were up by the evening.  They were candy stations for the Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween party.  We opted not to do that on this trip.

Benjamin was in good spirits by the end of the day, but obviously getting sleepy again.

All in all it was a great day!

Arriving at Disney (Day Two)

If you recall, I once started blogging about our trip to Disney on Fall Break 2013.  Installment one was, here. I came across these drafts, and thought I would polish them up and post them.  I can't believe my baby has already changed so much!

We took advantage of the free continental breakfast at the hotel.  A couple next to us enjoyed him as well, and they had a good laugh when he showed his tushy a bit by shoving things off the table deliberately despite our verbal guidance otherwise.

I did some hand sewing on the ride to Disney.  I took this thrifted GAP shirt, and added a little Mickey flair with some buttons.  I will have to get a stabilizer for if I attempt this again because it was a pain to sew the buttons onto the stretchy knit.

I made a sippy cup leash for Benjamin's stroller using ribbon and elastic.  Thanks to this tutorial found on Pinterest.

Benjamin took a nap, of course.

When we arrived we when straight to Olivia's Cafe at Key West Resort.

Benjamin colored a bit.

I thought the fans were really neat.

Note the Mickey shaped plate his kid's pizza came on.  Picky Pete decided he didn't like pizza that day.

We still had some time until check in so we went to the Polynesian Resort...

...for Pineapple Dole Whip, of course!  Some of the best stuff out there folks, really.

Again, Benjamin who loves pineapple and at the time loved ice cream didn't want any of it.

You can get Pineapple Dole Whip at Captain Cooks, the quick service at the resort.

The Polynesian is a stop on the Monorail line, so we hopped aboard their free transport system to let Benjamin experience his first ride.

We headed to Bonnet Creek (or the store?) after that.  I sat in the back, and I got him giggling.

By the time we were at the resort he was napping again.  Those were the days...

I set him on our awesome king size bed.

Something I picked up for the store that I thought was great was these...They microwave for about 30 seconds, and then they're ready.

(I'm foggy as to when we went to the store that evening, but it happened.)

We finished off the night with a bath for Benjamin before his first haircut the next day.  

Obviously, he enjoyed it.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband and also my own Daddy!

Benjamin made Josh a hand print craft for Father's Day...with a little help from me.

Note, when making any craft that you plan to frame, keep in mind not to write your text on the very edge due to frame overhang!  Oops.  Also, if you notice, I nearly forgot draw the hook in the picture.  Kind of important since it says, "Hooked on Daddy."  I had to take it out of the frame and draw it.  :)

Noting the date today...Benjamin will be 2 years old in just one month.  Where has time gone?

Picture Day -- April 2014

So how do we get such an adorable picture? Well it started at Children's Place when we were trying to get an outfit picked for Benjamin's picture day. We won't go into the horrible, horrible time we had since I had the great idea to try to take him shopping when he needed a nap, and I didn't think to bring a stroller in with me. Oh, the tantrums.  But...He can totally rock a Fedora, I discovered..

This is the one we ended up picking.  

To go with this shirt and pants.

He tried it on later that night.  (After a nap)

I had to chase the little turkey around the house to get him to smile.

And, these were the other professional pictures that went along with the bunch.

We are very fortunate that the daycare I used to direct (and my parents are still employed by) lets Benjamin join in on their picture days.  It does help them out in that it is a fundraiser for them as well.  My mother graciously takes him while I am at work.  The photographer worked in our favor this time since he had both a Mickey Mouse as well as some balls...both favorites of this little boy.

These were by Teddy Bear Portraits, btw.  We came in to view them the evening they were available, took one look, and said, we'll take the whole package.  lol.  Can't resist a face like that.