Insight on Our Trip to Disney: Turning Three

It's always been a dream of mine to take my children to Disney World (I never went as a child). With the combination of 'free under 3' when I'm used to paying double for everything & their love for all things Mickey & Friends and princesses, we decided this was the best time for their first trip, and if I may say so, it was the perfect time. There is a fairly small window between being old enough to know the characters & being able to handle the exhaustion excitement and being young enough to truly believe & be wowed by all the magic, which was the best part to witness.  You'll see...

Warning: extremely photo heavy post - and this is actually highly paired down!

If you want tips and details on how we planned our trip, head over here.  

To see behind the magic of it all...

We drove in on a Saturday night, after their birthday party, so we decided to stay our first night in The Castle Hotel (much less expensive than staying on property, yet a seriously great start to our trip) It looks like a white castle & all the staff referred to The Kraze as 'Princess' the entire time, what more could you want?!

We slept in to recover from our road trip and party madness the day before... ate breakfast by the pool, opened a few presents from Grammy & Pops & got a good nap in before heading to Disney.

Day 1: Epcot (half day)

Walking into our first park, the cool touristy mom, with my camera and map ready game face on!

*Tip: I totally recommend making a stroller sign to hang on the handle bars so you can easily spot yours in the sea of strollers.

We decided Epcot would be the perfect park to start off with just a half-day, as there really isn't much for their age group here, but in my opinion, the best way to set the tone for the trip.  Starting with a meet & greet with Mickey & his friends was absolutely perfect. 

I mean just look at this beaming smile!

Day 2: Animal Kingdom all day

*Tusker House

You might notice a theme throughout: Kara Rose is being held in almost all the character photos.  She absolutely loved them... until they got close. Then she would hide behind us.  She'll literally tell you, "I'm just a little bashful."  That's ok my little girl, you own it!

Zoe's little thumbs in the corner of this pic...

My best attempt at getting a photo of our shirts I made.

Not surprisingly, she favored the rides, and would say "Higher!" "Faster!"

And this is how they felt about me taking their picture by the end of the day... and by that, I mean after lunch.


After nap (yes, we got naps in every day!)...

Look at that brave girl going to Baloo all on her own...

King Louie really wants a hug from you too...

Aaaaannnnd... she ran, but was happy to pose for the picture as long as someone held her!

But wait!  When she's in her element (pretty much anything to do with singing & dancing), she's as brave as they come.  She was actually IN the show and went around the entire stage on her own!! 

I cried I was so proud and happy for her! 

Again, no shocker, she favored the shows & Festival of the Lion King was probably our favorite.

He was thrilled I made us shirts!

Best attempt at getting them to both smile for the camera together before leaving Animal Kingdom.

*Tip: These bags were perfect for carrying their autograph books & pens!

Day 3 (AM): Hollywood Studios 

Anxiously awaiting her breakfast with Doc @Hollywood & Vine

A surprise dance party with her very favorite, Sophia!

This smile is what I was talking about. I mean Zoe = cloud 9!

Holding out her princess gown for Sophia

Sully & Mike Wazowski are consistent faves so we just couldn't miss them while we were here!

Where else would we be with this level of excitement but the Frozen Sing-Along?!

How can I not include a pic of Daddy kissing one of his girls?!

Sometimes he's just as difficult as the little ones!

Day 3 (PM): Magic Kingdom

Of ALL the things to do at Disney, the carousel was one of their favorites.

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare

She was quite smitten with Prince Charming! Kara Rose was too "bashful".

I mean the utter joy...

*Tip: If you're celebrating a birthday, wear your birthday badge everywhere you go & you'll get one of these - breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Her name means 'life' and she's full of it. Her favorite person to make laugh is...

her sister - her biggest fan.

Day 4: Magic Kingdom all day

After 4 days and 1,000 pictures later, this was the best I could get... and it was only breakfast (which happened to be our favorite)

We had to carry that cupcake umbrella around with us the entire day (yes, even at breakfast they get cupcakes at Disney).

 Then Pluto came up and wanted a bite...

He just got it all over his nose, then thought my face would be a good place to wipe it off.

But was nice enough to clean it off for me... The Kraze definitely thought it was funny.

The Tea Cups were definitely a favorite - I lost count how many times we rode them.

I'll just say, you only know how funny this is if you know my dad. I'll also say, grandparents will do just about anything for their grandchildren, especially this Pops.

*Tip: The Birthday Badges got them in every show they wanted to be in.

We went to the pool back at our resort for lunch & fun before nap time, since we knew it would be a late night...

Dinner at Chef Mickey's!

This is real life guys... bbq sauce on my elbow and didn't even know it... or that Mickey was right behind me.

Zo obviously really enjoyed her gazillionth cupcake of the trip.

This was right before Wishes started at 9:45PM, and they were still going strong(-ish), thanks to all the continued excitement... and sugar from the cupcakes.

Day 5 (Last Day/Half Day): Magic Kingdom:

*Speaking of the birthday badge, Peter Pan noticed them from the stage & shouted Happy Birthday to them in the middle of the show!!

This was the best thing we just happened upon! 

You should actually schedule it in so you don't miss it!

Tinkerbell had to have been our favorite character.  She really interacted with the girls and took a lot of time with them.

We ended our trip with a relaxing picnic on the lawn while the Festival of Fantasy Parade (in the background) went by.

There's no way you'll squeeze everything into one trip, which is really great because you leave feeling filled with happiness but plenty more to look forward to for next time... in a couple years. Whew!

The Kraze celebrating three at Disney see what I did there? was truly a dream come true for all of us!

For tips on planning your time in the parks (how we didn't wait in a single line more than 10 minutes) & how to make the happiest place on earth even more magical, stay tuned for the next post!

?Do you have any special Disney memories or tips to share? Please let us know in the comments (I'm sure this won't be our last trip)!

Valentine's Day Party with a Purpose: Sharing the Love

I happen to love Valentines Day.  I LOVE love and love the reminder to set time aside to show those we love the most. Of course, it's easy to show our children how much we love them, but are we teaching them how to love others?  There are two things that 3-5 year olds totally understand: 1) Superheros and 2) wanting to feel loved. I'm a sucker for the children in children's hospitals and their parents, and it was easy to explain that there are children in hospitals that have real battles that they bravely fight every day, which makes them REAL Superheroes... and we want them to know they're not alone & they are loved.  We're so thankful to Henri's Bakery for hosting us and their ah-maz-ing treats.  Keep scrolling to find out what they were and see all the love-ly details.

Don't tell anyone... I pulled this off in 4 days... largely in part due to Paperless Post, which is my go-to for beautifully designed, customizable online invitations.  Pretty sure this step (which is pretty crucial - there's no party without guests) took a total of 10 minutes.

To be sure everyone was in the spirit, we started out with fun place settings for each child and of course just a little sugar. 

The good thing about children is that sometimes the simplest things are the best things, so I didn't overthink it with the drinks - the juice boxes were huge crowd pleasers.

Yes, those are candy bracelets holding the napkins!

These shortbread cookies were the perfect treat for the occasion because they're not messy like traditionally having cupcakes & I knew we didn't need sticky fingers for our craft we were about to make.  Did I mention how good they were?! We literally had to go buy an extra dozen.

The only thing I pre-made were the backs of the badges, which you can just print on cardstock, cut out with a 3.5" circle punch, and glue a pin to the top. 

Oh, and I pre-cut the strips of ribbon as well, easy-peasy.

Cupcake liners in order from large to small to keep it easy for the little ones to just go down the line and choose one color at a time.

We have the exclusive download for this version of the Love Never Fails print here!

This is the original print and was given to all the moms who took the time to bring their children to our little get together.  à la Sparke has the free download, along with a couple Valentine cards too!

You might wonder how it went when I told these 10 children (a few not pictured) what we were about to make was for other little boys and girls and not them, that we would have some push back... not a single one. All we heard were lots of questions about these little heroes & how they hoped the children would love what they made for them.

* "Love Never Fails print design: LovedBabyDesigns

A Transformation of Faith

I've kept myself from posting this for two reasons: (1) I felt it would be misunderstood that I thought my struggles were worse or harder than yours, so here's your disclaimer: I've decided to write this, not for my own pity or selfish desires, but the pull on my heart is that someone else might need to hear read this (in fact I know this & I know some of you, what you've been through & my heart aches for you... know that I love you).  In all honesty, I did not learn or come to this conclusion on my own, but from merely being a spectator of someone else's struggle (which was absolutely much tougher than mine), which brings me to my second reason: (2) I've had to mourn the loss of this person.  I celebrate the fact we knew him & he changed my life through what he called his journey, (not struggle - that's my word), but deeply mourn the fact that the Kraze will not know him, however hope they indeed will by what I hope to carry on through my life and pass down to them.

My journey still feels too personal to share the details with you - maybe full transparency will come with time - but I'll tell you my faith has been tested in insurmountable (to me) ways since the Kraze was born.  While I'm choosing to hold tight to the specifics for now at least, I'll share some thoughts I've had along the way...

• "Why when we ‘needed’ more did we all of a sudden have less?!" 
• "Lord, in the midst of feeling emotionally drained, I at least needed my health."
• "How could this be?!  Did I not pray hard enough?!"
• At this point, I wanted to stop asking why & was just angry.
• **In the midst of these struggles, we found out God had chosen not to heal the most Christ-like man we’ve ever had the privilege of knowing and calling our friend, Mack - "WHY oh why, God?!"

Mack's precious wife shared this verse months ago, which I needed at the time more than I realized, but wasn’t until later that I allowed it to penetrate my heart: “… In this you greatly rejoice, though now, for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith OF GREATER THAN GOLD, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine, and may result in praise, honor and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

During this time, Zach and I continued to watch Mack's journey from afar and felt completely inadequate in our faith. We witnessed him never “growing weary in doing good… and not giving up”; he never wavered in his faith.  We heard him say more than once, "God is not mad at me. He loves me." Because of this witness, I’ve come to a place of thanking God for believing I’m stronger than I think I am and seeking the purpose in it all… His purpose.

So here’s what's been impressed upon me:

Your pain is probably not about you, but for the greater good, possibly of someone else.  Someone in particular whose life could literally be saved by turning to Jesus because of your story.  Isn’t that what happened on the cross?!  God didn’t allow Jesus  (who was truly perfect) to endure the pain & suffering of the crucifixion because He was being punished or because God didn’t love Him anymore (His own Son).  That very pain & suffering (sacrifice) is what saved the world… the ENTIRE world… if we’ll just accept Him.

Right now, I don’t know who our story will touch or how it could change lives, but my hope & prayer is that we’ll hear His calling and use it for good (hopefully to be a good example for my girls). My prayer is that I can be an example of how “hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40. 

I've titled this 'A TransformATION of Faith, not TransformED (past tense) because I'm still walking through this journey, one step at a time a little further down the path from Plans for Good.  I still don't have answers, I don't understand, but I now understand it's not about me... it's about honoring a God that loved me (and you) first by following in Jesus' and Mack's footsteps of allowing God to use me to transform lives... to bring people to Him.  

Casting Crowns new song, 'Just Be Held' speaks to this so well & I feel like I can relate to every word:

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong    as a mom this couldn't ring truer
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when youre tired of fighting
Chained by your control
Theres freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when youre on your knees and answers seem so far away
Youre not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
Im on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
Youll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
Youll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, youll understand
Im painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where youll find Me
And where you are, Ill hold your heart
Ill hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who wont let go

In honor of Mack, I'd love to share a few of my favorite ‘Mack Hannah Quotes’ that I will forever carry in my heart:

1. “I'm not your example bc I drop the ball more than I carry it but I can tell you my journey/experience / share my story.”
2. “Choose the next right thing.”
3. "I'm just a begger telling another begger where I found some bread."
4. "I don't want to do His job, I just want to do His work.”
5. "I'm not in competition with anyone but Satan.”
6. "I know I'm not what I should be, but I praise God I'm not what I used to be... one day at a time.”
7. "Never focusing on the past but looking ahead and focusing on the goal.”
8. “Because of Jesus, when I need someone to lean on, he's always there. Some may say it's a crutch, but when you’re crippled you need a crutch & I'm crippled.”

Kraze-isms

A Testament to the TWO SHADES

I should have started doing this a long time ago.  They've been saying "Aw man!" and "No way!" since they were 18 months old; but lately, they have really been cracking us up, and when people ask what they can say now, there is nothing they can't say!  I absolutely adore them coming into their own, so I just had to write these down and save them!

For those of you who know them (or think you do), see if you know who said what!

1. Climbing through the jungle gym to find the slide, to a total stranger: "Hey boy, help me." 
2. Only to me... almost every day: "I will always be your angel."
3. When she accidentally hurts someone: "I am so very sorry." If it's on purpose, good luck getting an apology.
4. "I'm a big giiiirrl ( beeg grrrr)!
5. "That is so sweet of you to share!"
6. When you say, 'What's up?' or What cha doing?': "I'm just here."
7. "You're a good friend, Mommy."
8. Affectionately to her daddy, or anytime she sees him, really: "Daddy's a big boy!"
9. If I get upset (even if I'm not crying): "Want me to wipe your tears?"
10. "It's ok... I'm right here."
11. "I'm workin' on it Mom"
12. She likes to smell things & say: "Mmm... That smells delicious (da-wish-ous)!" it can be a flower, food or a piece of paper
13. Whether you've offered help or not: "I do by self." yes, by self
14. "What cha doin' Dad?!"
15. EVERY time the wind blows: "My haircut's gonna blow away!"
16. Anytime something is shocking or exciting: "O. MY!"
17. "Mommy told you not to do that! You better listen to Mommy!"

Answers below...

 1. Zo 2. KR 3. KR 4. Zo 5. KR 6. Zo 7. Both 8. Zo 9. KR 10. KR 11. Zo 12. KR 13. Zo 14. Zo 15. Zo 16. KR 17. KR

St. Patty's Day Lucky Clover Craft

I'm finally getting around to sharing another craft project with you.  I haven't posted one since last Easter!

First, we started the day with a super complicated 3-element St. Patty's Day breakfast:

1. Green Banana Bread Muffins Should I trust you with sharing this recipe??
2. Green Scrambled Eggs - It's just food coloring people!
3. Bowl of Lucky Charms

You may think the green eggs look unappetizing, but Sam-I-Am actually thinks they're quite delectable and so does the Kraze!  

Here's what you'll need for your Shamrocks:

• Printer & Paper to cut out your silhouette
• Pencil & Scissors to trace & cut out your image
• Cardstock (holds the weight of the glue & paper better)
• Green napkins (what I had lying around the house) or tissue paper
• Mod Podge or any glue you'd like (for the crumpled version)

I cut my napkins into 1 inch squares (approx. - doesn't have to be exact) and crumpled them up. The rest is pretty self-explanatory.

Truth time: I did help fill in some gaps (again, they're 2... and I'm a bit of a perfectionist (AND I needed a completed project for the pictures right?!).  Does this make me a bad mom?  
Zoe did ask me to do her stem for her - which was before she insisted on UN-crumpling the paper and wanted it to lay flat.  She's actually much smarter than I am, because her version was much more age-appropriate than mine - her version took half the time of my crumpled version!

*Zoe's paper-mache version:

• After letting Zo put the paper all over, I turned it over & cut off the edges, so it would look like a shamrock again.
  
  
  
  
• I Mod Podged over the napkins as well & I'm super happy with the way hers turned out too.

At the end of the day, they are so proud of themselves.  Every time they look at their shamrocks, they say, "We made a craft!!" 

I especially love these because they are yet another example of experiencing the two shades of the Kraze (as mentioned in my First Blog Post Ever)!