Magic Kingdom Part 1

Mommy and Cara on Main Street
Cara on the railroad
The 3 of us on the Transit Authority ride
In front of the castle
Mickey and Minnie bonsai trees
Grandpa and Grandma walking with Mommy and Cara

What is there to do in the middle of the afternoon, in a tiny hotel room, but blog about our day prior to nap time. Daddy and Cara are catching some zzz's while Mommy kills time on the computer. So here is a sampling of our day so far. A big highlight was meeting Mickey and Minnie and getting our picture with them, although it was taken on the disney photopass so I don't have it to post on here. Cara was so cute she was nervous but intrigued and I think if we go back (and wait in line again), she will be more eager to see them and not be afraid. This evening we are eating dinner in Cinderella's castle with the Fairy Godmother and hitting more rides before concluding our night with the lighted parade. Hopefully Daddy and Cara are well rested for a busy evening.

Cute Cara story: last night after running around so excited between our connecting rooms, we told Cara it was time to go night night. So we headed into our room and shut the door between the two rooms. Cara went straight to the main door and said "daddy come on, car?". She was ready to get in the car and go home to go night night. We finally convinced her this was "home" for the next week.

We're Here!

Checking out the airplane, hmm...who's sitting behind us?
Shortly after take off and until we almost touched down, this was Cara
A clue to where we are....Disney World!

After an EARLY morning start, an uneventful flight with a sleeping Cara, we arrived in sunny, hot Orlando. Grandma and Grandpa F have joined us for the fun vacation. We took the Disney Magical Express, which picked us up at the airport and dropped us off at our hotel, so we didn't even need a rental car. After checking in and checking out our room, we headed to the food court for some lunch. Cara thoroughly enjoyed her mickey shaped rice krispie treat. We spent the late afternoon shopping at Downtown Disney, dinner at Planet Hollywood, and a quick evening swim once back at the hotel, although our swim was cut short due to lightening. Tomorrow we are off to the Magic Kingdom.....stay tuned!

Graduation means the school year is officially OVER

Cara passing out programs at graduation, too bad the ceremony was half over the she was doing it during speeches

Cara and Mommy

Cara working hard at Daddy's computer in his office

Yeah, running around the band room is so fun, plus this is picture shows off her dress, which looked so cute on her!!

School has been out for over a week, but now it is officially over since another graduation has come and gone. A busy day for grad parties and saying goodbye to another year of seniors was on our agenda for Saturday! Cara did so well at graduation, even though it was SO hot in the gym, that is why her cheeks are so pink in these pictures!

So now that summer is officially here guess what time it is???? VACATION time! We're headed off in the morning to Cara's first official vacation-plane ride and all! Come back often as we hope to post lots of pictures during the trip!

Yummy corn on the cob

We had some friends over for dinner on Thursday and one item on the menu was corn on the cob. Cara loves corn so I had shaved some off a cob for her to eat, but she thought it was way more fun to eat it straight off the ear after Daddy and I got one started for her. How cute is that?! Our big girl just amazes us everyday!

Being Silly

Cara was enjoying the latest Motor Trend magazine while sitting on her potty chair (fully clothes), note that her feet are down in the middle of the seat

The other day Cara and I were playing on the floor in the family room and she started grabbing the pillows and a blanket and told me to "go night night". So we had a little cuddle session! Daddy couldn't resist capturing the moment!

Look Daddy's guitar! Cara loves the guitar, probably more than Scott!!

Driving my car, last time Grandma and Grandpa A came for a visit they brought this fancy red car for Cara to use at our house. The radio plays music which she loves to drive and sing to all around the house!

11 years of Teaching

Mommy and Cara "cheesing" for the camera

Daddy thanking his graduation seniors for a terrific year

Cara wanted to get up close and personal to Daddy while he was talking

Not the best picture, but her dress is so cute in the front and this is the only picture I have


As I was getting the pictures for this blog post I noticed this same date (5/23) from one year ago and thought I would share! What a difference a year makes!

Friday night was the Fine Arts Awards dinner for the seniors! Scott is graduating his 11th class since he started teaching. He has been at his current school longer than any other school, so it was weird to see these kids graduate since he had them since middle school. Cara was so good during the dinner and all the awards. Everyone in the audience enjoyed her yelling out "Daddy" while he was up making his speech. She really does a good job of entertaining!!

Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone! Thanks to my friend Gigi and her cousin, we were able to attend the 500 Parade in the VIP seats today. Cara was in awe of all the floats, ballons, and people! Daddy and Mommy got a bit sunburnt, thank goodness we sunscreened Cara! What a fun day! Silly Mommy forgot the camera, but it was nice just to sit there and enjoy and not worry so much about getting "the shot".

Birthday Present

Cara got an early birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa A, a sand and water table! Cara helped Grandpa put it together. It was a little too cool today to play with water, but she was having so much fun with the sand it didn't matter. This will provide hours of fun this summer! Thanks for the early birthday present!

Being Silly

Cara playing with the seat to her potty chair! We have had a potty chair for a couple of months now and she shows interest in using it at times, but usually with her clothes on! The other day she went missing and I found her in the bathroom sitting on the potty (fully clothed), with a book in hand. So cute, I went to grab the camera and of course she got up and would not recreate scene. She is quite the ham as evidenced by this picture!

Busy Weekend

The jazz band on stage at the 1940's Musical Revue, Scott is playing trumpet standing in the back row

Cara sitting with Grandma and Grandpa A during the show

Cara thrilled to finally see Daddy (it had been since Sunday that they had seen each other)

Mommy and Cara on the bridge, Grandma F, Great Grandma E, and Grandpa F after the show

The 3 of us after the show


We had quite a busy weekend! On Friday was the first performance of the 1940's Musical revue. We enjoyed listening to tunes like In The Mood, Summertime, and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. The jazz band was absolutely phenomenal. Scott worked about 16 hour days all week, so he put Cara to bed on Sunday, and that was the last time they spent together all week. So she was so excited to see Daddy on stage during the performance, she kept yelling "Dada" at him. When they would close the curtain between acts she would yell "bye bye Dada". Everyone in the audience was enjoying her shout outs! Grandma, Grandpa F, and Great Grandma E came with us and we met up with Grandma and Grandpa A for dinner before the show. Cara was in awe to have all her favorite people in one place together.

Saturday was a day off for the show, so Mommy and Daddy took advantage of having Grandma and Grandpa A in town, and spent the day working in the yard. Got all my flowers planted, the beds weeded and remulched, and the lawn mowed! It was a gorgeous day out. Cara got to go on a picnic with her grandparents down to the pond in the neighborhood.

On Mother's day, not only did I get to sleep in a bit, I got woke up to my favorite breakfast-pancakes! Yummy! Daddy and Cara surprised me with roses and a nice spa gift certificate for some pampering! Yeah! I also got a great surprise that day that I was canceled for work, so I got to spend the evening with my family. Scott had another performance of the musical that afternoon, so after that he took us out to eat at Ted's, one of my favorite restaurants! What a busy weekend! No wonder Cara and I were so lazy on Monday!!

Happy Mother's Day 2008

I can't believe I get to celebrate my second Mother's Day! I thank God every day for the giving me the gift of motherhood to this precious miracle who brings such joy to my life. I still have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming. I love hearing her call me Momma. I love that she wants me when she is hurt or sad. I love that she cuddles and gives kisses. I love her with all my heart, so much that is aches at times. Thank you Cara for being in my life! Your presence is more than any gift I could ever hope for!

My mom and I, 1976

I was about 2 1/2 when this picture was taken, so a little bit older than Cara is now, but I can definitely see the resemblance between the 3 of us. Happy Mother's day, Mom! Not only are you a wonderful Mother and Grandmother, you are my best friend. Thank you for everything you have ever done in my life!

To my mother-in-law, Steph:
You did a terrific job of raising two wonderful, caring, generous, and loving children. My husband is a better man because of it, even if he won't admit it :) You are also a wonderful Grandmother and I know when Cara is old enough to type this herself she will tell you. Thank you for all that you do for the 3 of us.

To our grandmothers:
Although we don't see you as often as we like, know that you are always in our thoughts. We wish you a very Happy Mother's Day from all of us!

To any other Mother reading this blog entry I hope you have a terrific Mother's Day!

Great Cara Story

Last year for Cara's birthday she got this placemat of all the US presidents. We have been slowly introducing them to her, so far she knows (can say and point to- Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush). We of course think she is so smart that she can remember them and point to them. So last weekend Scott had some money on the coffee table in the family room, and Cara walked over, picked up a $5 bill and said "Lincoln". So then we held up a $1 bill and she said "Washington" (well- she says "washwa" but we know what that means). We always thought she had memorized the place and name on the placemat, but to see her name the money was incredible. Every parent wants to think their child is really smart, and we are no exception :)


Sorry for the lack of posts this past week, Scott and I were both busy with life but nothing blog worthy! The musical at Scott's school is next weekend and we will be so relieved when it is over as our schedules will get back to normal! Then school will be out for the summer before we know it!

New Hair Do

With some inspiration and advice from my friend Kitty, I finally figured out what to with Cara's hair to keep her bangs out of her eyes

Am I a bad Mommy if I have to bribe her with candy every time I want to do her hair?

Daddy wasn't quite so sure about this look, but Mommy thinks it is so cute

And wasn't it nice not having to push her bangs out of her eyes even once while we played outside in the wind

Picking a flower off the magnolia tree

Visiting our puppy friend. He lives down the street and Cara asks to go visit him every day. We don't know his name so we just call him Buddy. Maybe someday his parents will be outside and we can ask his real name.

My First....

Scraped Knee!!

Ooowiiieeee! See my boo boo!

I fell down on the driveway yesterday, boo hoo! I insisted on wearing this skirt when I picked out my clothes for the day! Bad idea when I decided to run up the driveway and my sandal edge got caught making me fall down! Nurse Mommy fixed me right up!

New Lawn Mower

Pushing her new bubble lawn mower to try it out

Helping Mommy to mow the yard

She pushed this mower almost the entire time I mowed the front yard

Whew, this is hard work, I need some water!!

The trees are in full bloom for the Spring, how pretty!

Our Week in Review

Cara holding Ali's hand to guide her into the store

Kitty showing Ali and Cara a book

Hmm....what did I find here??

Someone has found the Candy bowl on the counter....

And she thought she needed to clean out the drawer or kitchen gadgets


On Tuesday we met Kitty and Ali at the mall for story time at Pottery Barn kids. I think Cara enjoyed seeing all the kids more than the books that were read. We met in the hallway outside the store and waited for the store to open. Once it did I told Cara to hold my hand and Ali was holding Kitty's hand to walk in. Well, Ali was being a bit slow walking in, so Cara kept grabbing Ali's hand to move her along. It was so cute.

Then on Wednesday I was doing some house cleaning. Cara was busy playing on her easel in the kitchen. I got all the toys picked up and started vacuuming the main floor of the house. After I did the last room I walked into the kitchen to find Cara standing on her chair, opening multiple pieces of candy from the bowl. We had old hershey kisses, candy from Valentine's day, Easter treats, and other misc. items in there. She opened at least a dozen pieces, most of which had just a small bite missing. She was enjoying sampling her goodies and was quite mad when I made her get down. Those chairs were so cute and great until she learned how to scoot them everywhere to get whatever she wanted.

We have also been thoroughly enjoying the warm weather. Bubbles everyday! Lots of walks and also spent time helping Mommy clean up the flower beds getting them ready for spring flowers!