A few favorite pics from the Disney trip

Best Trip Ever

Here are the words I would use to describe our Disney vacation: fun, eventful, busy, tiring, exciting, thrilling, happy, amazing, wonderful, but mostly…MAGICAL!!! Seriously, there is no place like Disneyworld, especially when you have a 3 year old in your presence. So you might be thinking, did Sawyer enjoy it? Oh my gosh, he could not have enjoyed it more! He blew away my expectations with how much he loved everything Disney. He loved everything about it (minus the fireworks)! He loved the airplane rides, he loved the characters, he loved the parades, he loved the park rides, he loved the shows, he loved the beach and he even loved the tram rides from the parking lot! Although I was a little hesitant to take him at such a young age, I have absolutely no regrets. He could not have loved it more! My favorite part of the trip was just seeing him get so excited to meet characters and see them in the parades. It was like he was meeting celebrities over and over again. I loved that we were able to do this for him. This face pretty much sums up the trip…



Here is a quick rundown of what we did during our week in Florida

Day 1 (April 30, 2011)
Flight to Orlando (Sawyer’s first time to fly, loved it!)
Rental Car fiasco, got upgraded
Checked into our HUGE condo

Day 2
Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney
Highlights-Lion King show, First Parade, Loving characters, Scary Bugs Life 3D show that prompted Sawyer to bring back an imaginary friend that happens to be a purple spider named Poohka (more on that later)

Day 3
Epcot
Highlights-Meeting more fun characters, Sawyer loved the Space ride, Layne got sick on Mission Space, Sawyer got his ears, Sawyer hated the fireworks show, Didn’t even make it through the countries…too tired, but still a super fun day 

Day 4
Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios Fantasmic Show
Highlights-So many fun rides for Sawyer, Space Mountain for Mommy and Daddy, Finally met Buzz Lightyear, 2 more parades, Fantasmic show was incredible

Day 5
Daytona Beach, Outlet mall, Giordanos
Highlights-Sawyer wasn’t so sure about the beach, but ended up loving it, fun in the sand and sun, Crazy big outlet malls in Orlando, got to eat our favorite pizza ever…Giordanos!

Day 6
Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom Electric Parade
Highlights-So many fun things here…Disney Junior show, Beauty and the Beast show, more parades, Pixar Place, meeting Woody, and the Electric Parade was A.W.E.S.O.M.E (that is where the picture was taken of Sawyer’s super excited face), trying to get out of the park after the electric parade and before the fireworks started was not quite as awesome (no lights, people everywhere, nobody moving, slight panic on my face)

Day 7
Magic Kingdom all day, Hollywood Studios at night without Sawyer
Highlights-Doing whatever Sawyer wanted to do, loved the Pirates ride and Jungle cruise, rode It’s a Small World again (not mom and dad’s fav, but Sawyer loved it), Sawyer got a kiss from his princess, accomplished all the must do’s at Disney, Mommy and Daddy date night at Hollywood Studios including Tower of Terror, Aerosmith Rockin Roller Coaster, and dinner at the first place we ate at on our honeymoon 9 years ago…great way to end the week.

Day 8
Sawyer drama in the airport, made a scene walking through security, all ended up well with a smooth flight home
Whew, what a fun and busy week we had! I wouldn’t trade it for anything. A special shout out to my mom for braving the trip…we are so glad she went! So many memories were made and we will cherish them forever.

Disney Lovers,
Chris, Layne, and Sawyer

The little floppy ear

Most of you know, or have probably noticed, that Sawyer has a cute little floppy ear. We have known all along that we would have to probably get it fixed and yesterday we had our first consult with the specialist. Basically he said that since he is so little that we would need to wait until he is 6 and it is best to do it before Kindergarten so that it doesn't cause any social problems. Basically each ear has something different wrong with it, but both ears need a little "fixing." Because of this we have confirmed our decision to hold him back a year before starting school so he can grow a little and get his ears all taken care of. I will be sad to get them fixed because I think he is so stinkin cute, but I understand why it needs to be done and he will be so thankful for it one day. The best news of all is that Insurance will help pay for it...it is not considered and elective cosmetic surgery, but an actual congenital defect. Yay for my pocketbook!! So that is the scoop.

Funny story...
When we went to the doctor Sawyer was confused and said, "I not sick mommy." I told him we were just going to get his ears looked at and that seemed to please his curiosity. After the appointment we were in the elevator and he said, "that doctor was great, my ears don't hurt at all!" Oh how I love him!!! :)

Rain Rain Go Away

It has been raining for days!!! Sawyer is so tired of it. He goes to his window every morning and looks out and says, "the sun not come out today mommy." But today he went to his window and said, "it not raining, it not raining!!!!" Yay for a break and a little sunshine! :)

I think maybe possibly...

I don't want to jinx it but I think we are maybe possibly, dare I say it, POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!
Last Thursday I was off work for the holiday weekend and I decided that it was time. We got up that morning and said "no more pull ups!" I made the committment and was not turning back (although there were moments that I second guessed myself)!! It was very rough at times but we persevered and I think as of today we might just be, for the most part, TRAINED!!!
YAY, YIPPEE, WOWEE, WOO HOO, and any other exclamation you can think!!!!!!!!!!

We are so excited and proud of our big boy.

Jesus and the Funny Babbit

I love Easter, and I am pretty sure Sawyer does too!! We had so much fun this year going to Meemaw and Peepaw's church egg hunt, getting surpises at their house, getting a visit from the "funny babbit" at our house and Nanny's, playing with the K's, and learning all about Jesus and the meaning of the special celebration.

I did have a little trouble trying to explain to Sawyer about Jesus's death and rising from the grave and then talking about the Easter bunny. I really think I confused him and after opening his basket on Easter morning he said, "The funny babbit brought me a tractor and Jesus brought me a train, I so happy!" I laughed so hard!! He says the cutest things and makes me smile every day. Here are a few pics from the fun filled weekend...

A "Super" Birthday!!!

Wow, I can't say thank you enough to everyone who helped to make Sawyer's birthday AMAZING!!! It was so much fun and he had a blast all day long! It started with presents from mom and dad, birthday pancakes, lots of playing with our guests, and then a super hero birthday party that he totally loved.

Here were my favorite moments of the day:

1. After we put his "Super Sawyer" cape on him he was standing against the wall contemplating what was about to happen, then to all of our surprise he struck his best Superman pose and took off "flying" very fast and very seriously through the park. It was hilarious and made my heart so happy to know that all the work I put into the party was about to totally pay off! Wish someone would have gotten it on video!

2. Sawyer had no trouble blowing out his candles all by himself, which is a huge improvement from last year when he was terrified of them!

3. So many family and friends came from all over the state to celebrate this day with us. Wow, Sawyer is so very loved and we are so very blessed.

4. We all got to enjoy breadsticks and pasta at Olive Garden after the party, that is always the perfect end to a perfect day.

5. 5 days later he is still SOOOOO excited to go home and play with all his new birthday toys. I love that he loves to play with toys instead of watching tv all the time.

I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!!!!!!