disney world

Dear Sophia and Charlie ~

Your dad and I have always said that we wouldn't take you to Disney World until you were old enough to remember it, welp last Friday there we were, with a double stroller totting around a 3 year old and a 5 month old.  One of the reasons that we decided to go is that we were going to West Palm Beach for a week with your Pap and Aunt
Sara, Uncle Bill, Mary and Nancy.  West Palm is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Disney and your cousins were spending a few days at Universal and Disney, so we thought, Why not?, we can spend one day and one night in the most magical place on earth.

So since you won't remember it, I'll break it down for you.

We started off early in the morning getting in the van and driving to Disney.  All was going smoothly until you (Soph) said, "mommy my tummy is full", even though you hadn't eaten anything yet, followed by "I'm uncomfortable will you cuddle me".  Your dad and I looked at each other and knew we were in trouble, you were sick!"  We stopped at the next rest stop and I got you Children's Advil and Ritz Crackers.  We gave you the ipad and turned on a movie and hoped for the best.

As we entered the Magic Kingdom you perked up.  I felt better knowing that at least you were still excited.  We got to the room and gave daddy is birthday cards (you are lucky to have a daddy that would spend his 31st birthday in Disney) and headed out to meet your cousins.  You were happy and excited.  It took about half an hour before we finally met up with them and by that time you were fading fast.

Aunt Sara asked if you wanted to ride the Little Mermaid ride and although you looked half asleep I said we should.  After 5 min of waiting in line and you tugging on my leg asking me to hold you, we decided it wasn't a good idea.  10 minutes later you were sleeping in the stoller with a light rain falling on your head.  We decided it was best to go back to our hotel room.

Your daddy and I ordered room service after cleaning up your throw up and putting you to bed.  You (Charlie) were the best baby, happily tagging along with us the entire time.

 After a four hour nap we got you up (Soph) and although you were still a little grumpy we didn't want you to miss your princess makeover with your cousins.

As we walked toward the castle I couldn't help but feel giddy.  I'm not a huge amusement park fan or Disney fan but you can't help but feel like a little kid in Disney.

We arrived at the castle where Mary and Nancy were anxiously awaiting your arrival.  You quickly rushed towards the dresses to decide which princess you were going to dress up to be.  You decided on Princess and the Frog (which made me happy because it was the one dress you didn't have!).  Your fairy godmother took you to the dressing room and with a "bippity boppity boo" she opened the dressing room to show you your outfit.

You were thrilled with the results of your makeover, and who could blame you, you looked like a real princess!

 

We only had a few hours left before it was going to be bedtime but we got a lot in!  We (Sophie and Mommy) road the tea cups (which were my favorite when I was little), watched an amazing light show on the castle, and had a birthday dinner for daddy.

 

Although you probably won't remember your first trip to Disney I know that your Daddy and I will never forget it! There is nothing that makes us happier than making you happy and cherishing every moment of your childhood.

love you forever

Dear Sophia and Charlie ~

Yesterday was one of those days that I stopped dead in my tracks and thought "this is everything I have ever wanted!". 

It was almost nap time (I love how you now take an afternoon nap at the same time!), we were in Charlie's room and I was changing him.  Phia, you were looking through all his toys and making a mess like you do, when you picked up the book I got both of you for Christmas "Love you Forever" by Robert Munsch.  You asked in your baby angel voice if we could read it on the rocking chair.  With both of you in my lap I read it.  It is an incredibly cheesy book (did she really just rock a grown man?) but I had the hardest time holding back tears.  I just kept thinking, how did I get so lucky to have two beautiful healthy amazing children!

We then went to your room, Phia, and got you ready for nap.  I put Charlie on the floor (sorry Charlie, until you sit up you're going to have to spend a lot of time there!) and you started to show Charlie how to roll.

As I put you in bed you recited the words from the book, "I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my MOMMY you'll be" all the while Charlie, you were laying on the floor making your beautiful baby noises and smiling.  It just doesn't get any better.

happiness

Dear Sophia and Charlie ~

I am currently reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin.  Although I think that I am a pretty happy person, I always strive to be happier and more grateful.  My main goal is to be the best mom that I can be and I figure if I'm happier, my happiness will rub off on you and I will make your lives that much better.  In the book she gives 7 tips for being a more light-hearted parent.  I was excited to see these tips because I know at times I can get frustrated at silly things throughout the day like running late to school or when Charlie is crying and I'm trying to get somethings done around the house.  So here are her tips, I hope that they will help me to be the best mom that I can for you!

1. Laugh - At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter.

(so easy to do and so much fun, I love hearing the sound of your laughter!)

2.  Sing in the Morning - It's hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood.

(this reminds me of your Grandma Fiore, she would always sing and hum around the house, she once told me she did it so that her kids and grandkids would know where she was around the house)

3.  Get Enough Sleep Yourself

(I'm pretty good at this!)

4.  Most messages to kids are negative: "Stop," "Don't," "No," Try to say "Yes," "Yes, we'll go as soon as you've finished eatingg."

(I love this one, I can't imagine how many times I say "No" during the day!)

5. Say "No" Only When It Really Matters

(The other day Sophie, you were taking my necklaces and hanging them all over my room, I really wanted to tell you no because it was making a mess but I saw how happy it was making you, and thought, is it really a big deal if she makes a mess?)

6.  Repetition Works...with kids, so use the school mantras: "Sit square on your chair," "You get what you get, and you don't get upset."

(I like this idea, I need to come up with some more!)

7.  Remember: the age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy is fleeting. The days are long, but the years are short.

(So true, I want to cherish every minute with you....)