Disney World, Day 1

I was so excited to take the kids to Disney World. I knew Ezra and Elliott probably wouldn't last too long at the park, but I also knew that Eliza and Robert would have the time of their lives.

We stayed at a hotel on the resort so we could have access to the buses that go back and forth to the Magic Kingdom and not worry about parking. It was a good decision. Our hotel, Disney's Pop Century, had a pretty interesting set up. We were in the 80's decade themed hotel rooms and the view from our window consisted of our giant trike, giant foosball men, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. 

Eliza insisted on hugging Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head anytime she saw them. She couldn't quite figure out how to wrap her arms around their ginormous bodies, but she tried.

The first night we stayed at the hotel, she and Robert yelled out the window, "Goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head!" Like I said, they really liked them.

The next morning, we left early for the park.

It was a Tuesday, so I had hoped it wouldn't be too crowded. I was seriously wrong. The park was overflowing with families at 9 AM! Marian and I mapped out our day, and we decided to meet some of the princesses first and then send Eliza and Robert off to their appointments at Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique and the Pirate League.  Both kids were awestruck by Rapunzel, Aurora, and Cinderella. I realized that Eliza isn't as extroverted as I thought she was because she was unable to talk or form any coherent phrases when the princesses talked to her. She stared at them in disbelief and started the strange new nervous habit of sticking her entire hand in her mouth. Classy.

Eliza and Robert each had an autograph book, and I think it made them feel special to get signatures from the various characters. They were so proud of their books and kept showing Marian and I that they had the actual signature from Rapunzel!

Eliza then decided that she had to find Jasmine or her life would be over. We found her and Aladdin and again, both kids were awestruck.

Aladdin and Jasmine were so nice. Eliza didn't want to leave Jasmine's side and decided she had to have a Jasmine costume immediately. I have found almost all of her costumes at garage sales, and I have yet to see a Jasmine outfit. She was pretty disappointed when we didn't produce the costume immediately. Maybe she would have been fine with just the clothes and no trip to Disney World?

After we tore her away from Jasmine's arms, we consoled her by letting her go on her very first ride: The Magic Carpet Ride. The kids could have gone on it 10 times in a row if we let them. They loved it!

We took the twins back to the hotel and left them with my mom so they could nap. I would really recommend not bringing small children (especially three small children: Ezra, Elliott, and Jacob) to Disney World. Jacob did a lot better than the twins, but Ezra and Elliott just wanted to sleep and hated sitting in their stroller. They loved running around the hotel for a few minutes before their nap, and it was obvious they really love their freedom and hated being strapped into a stroller all morning.

Nathan and I met Marian (who had the older kids) at Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique for Eliza's princess appointment. My mom spoke with a friend at her office who really recommended the boutique experience. Essentially, the little girls check in, meet their fairy godmother, and get a makeover. Doesn't that sound adorable? Well, it was.

When we walked in, their were at least 20 little girls in salon chairs getting their hair and nails done. After seeing several little girls dressed like Jasmine, Eliza was a little sad she was a fairy and not a Arabian princess, but she still had a really good time.

 Robert then had his pirate appointment, and we were left with the two cutest kids in the Magic Kingdom. Everyone thought they were twins, and people couldn't stop staring at the pirate and the pixie fairy. A couple of people asked to take their picture, and while Robert cooperated with a smile, Eliza remained pretty serious and wary of strangers.

We ended the day a little earlier than we wanted to because the kids were so exhausted. They immediately fell asleep on the bus, which is out of character for both of them. We really wore them out!

We had planned to go back to the park that night for the fireworks and light show, but the kids were just too exhausted to join us. Instead, Nathan, Marian, and I went back without kids and rode Space Mountain.

We're real mature, I know.

My sister and I would have gone on Space Mountain all night, but Nathan's stomach couldn't handle it. I guess we'll leave him at home next time :)

First (Real) Words

Ezra and Elliott jabber all the time. They are constantly talking and going off on these rants that Nathan and I cannot understand. We both agree that these vocal outbursts remind us of Joe Pesci in Home Alone when he is muttering incoherent phrases after being beaten up by Kevin McCallister. I hope that gives you a clear representation of what we are dealing with :)

Two words are very defined, though: Mama and Dada. Ezra and Elliott have been saying those two words for months, but we haven't really heard another clear word other than that.

Today, on our way to Charleston, both boys spoke a new word! Ezra said "dog" (with a Southern accent much to Nathan's dismay), and Elliott said "cracker" perfectly clear. It was pretty amazing that they each said a new word on the same day.

Ezra has been obsessed with dogs since we got to South Carolina. My grandmother has a tiny poodle, my brother has a dog, and my cousins have dogs. So, he has been exposed to these furry animals for the first real time, and he is absolutely captivated by them. It's no real surprise that he happened to shout, "Dog!"

Nathan insists that this does not mean we are getting a dog anytime soon. I agree.

In other news, check out these gorgeous homes from our drive. They are in Cheraw, South Carolina (a tiny town of less than 6,000 people) and date back to the Revolutionary War. I have loved them my whole life and decided they were worth a tiny detour to show Nathan. History is pretty wonderful.

North Carolina Visit

Any trip home wouldn't be complete without a visit to North Carolina. My parents are from the same town near the North Carolina/South Carolina border, and all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents live in the area. Growing up, I hated living so far away from the rest of our family. Now, as an adult, I realize we were so lucky to only be two hours away from everyone we loved.

Once again, the kids were showered with a lot of attention and love. We only make the trip home once a year, so this is the only chance my family gets to see us all. That being said, I am always touched by the outpouring of love and the time everyone spends to make our trip a memorable one. There is just an unparalleled feeling of nostalgia and familiarity.

Eliza was in heaven as she played with her cousins outside and took turns walking my older cousins' dogs.

My cousin Shannon's two children, Mason and Lilly, were so nice to Eliza and the twins. I couldn't believe how well they played together.

I am lucky to have such a great family. I especially love my great aunts. These women have called me on my birthday every year for as long as I can remember. They have sent me cards for nearly every event in my life, and they took me for weeks during the summer to stay with them. I was so happy Eliza was able to meet (again) two of my favorite ladies.

Although all of my cousins couldn't make it this time around (the others were in Hawaii, working, and graduating from law school...how rude of them!), I was glad I was able to see Jason, Naomi, and Shannon. I don't have many cousins, but the few I have are definitely loved.

First Few Days in South Carolina

There's a song about South Carolina that says, "Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning." After being home for a couple of days, I agree.

We have been at my dad's house the past few nights, and he and my grandmother have absolutely loved being around their grandchildren (and Nathan and me). My grandma met us with a smile on her face and a box full of my old toys for Eliza. I nearly cried (well, I did cry) when she opened the lid to the box and there sat my precious Quints Dolls. I've always called them my Quincy Dolls and that is what Eliza immediately started calling them. It was pretty great.

Grandma also unearthed a pair of sunglasses circa 1989 that belonged to my brother Hudson. Ezra was fascinated with them and couldn't stop putting them on and taking them on. Sadly, they didn't last too long at the hands of our 17 month old, but at least they got to live again, right?

My dad has a huge backyard and the kids and their cousins loved running around in the water and splashing in puddles. I love how easily entertained they are once they are outside. 

Everything made them happy in the warm outdoor weather--especially playing with a giant pink ball and Uncle Hudson.

Eliza and Robert have already become best buds. They have shared iPad games, discussed their favorite movies, and watched Wreck-it-Ralph three times together already.

 As for Nathan and I, we are enjoying being around loved ones. My grandmother also had a surprise for me as well: one of her legendary chocolate cakes.

I may or may not have eaten 4 slices in one day. I'm on vacation, so I am going to use that as a valid excuse. We also have enjoyed my dad's 3D television. He insisted that we watch Avatar, or as my grandmother calls it: "The crazy movie where they have tails," and we loved it. We couldn't make it through the movie when we tried watching it a couple of years ago, so I was pretty surprised that I liked it so much. The 3D really made the movie.

I'm with my sister again, sleeping in my childhood home, and eating good Southern food. There's much to be happy about. 

Mushroom Problems

Overnight, mushrooms grew in a planter my father had in his living room.  When I woke up this morning, I immediately noticed them because they were at least 6 inches high. SIX INCHES!!

I waited for my dad to wake up to show him the mysterious visitors and then asked him what he thought about it.

He agreed that it was rather strange. Being a curious person, Nathan decided to look up the kind of mushroom it was. A few minutes later, he looked up with a shocked expression on his face and said: "Umm...I am pretty sure those mushrooms are called the Destroying Angel and the deadliest fungi in North America."

After looking at a number of pictures, it was apparent that he was correct. We immediately took the plant outside, dug up the mushrooms, and then left the planter outdoors. I was a little unsettled that the kids were playing near the plant all morning and kept thinking, "What if?" which really does nothing good for my anxiety.

Moral of the story: It's always good to do a little mushroom research...and holy crap, deadly mushrooms can grow in your indoor plants overnight!