A Magical Vacation!

Last week we went to Disney World and there is no other word to describe it but MAGICAL! The weather was absolutely perfect and everyone had a wonderful time. Rafe and Stella Ross flew in an airplane for the first time but you would have never known. They both acted like old pros. Rafe enjoyed sitting with Daddy and Pop and playing his DS. Stella Ross enjoyed sitting with Mommy and Gram and watching Dora movies with a big sucker! Once we arrived in Florida ( a hour and a half later - that was NICE!) we headed straight to the Magic Kingdom. This was our life for the next 5 days. I personally thought Rafe was at the perfect age. He was tall enough to ride everything, and he did, but still young enough to enjoy the magic in the smaller rides and have just as much fun on those, too. Stella Ross, although she will never remember this trip, had a blast too. She came out of her rides singing their songs. SO cute. I am already planning a return trip next year. (I haven't mentioned it to Cory yet!!)

Here are some of our favorites:

Magic Kingdom -

• Rafe - Space Mountain, Mickey's 3-D show, Haunted Mansion, Tea cups, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean, Monster Laugh Floor
• Stella Ross - "No" White, Peter Pan, Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiki birds, Magic carpet ride, Pooh's ride, eating lunch with Pooh and friends, the parade

Animal Kingdom -

• Rafe - Expedition Everest, Bug's Life 3-D, African Safari, Finding Nemo, Lion King show
• Stella Ross - African Safari, playing the drums, monkeys, flying dinosaurs

Hollywood Studios -

• Rafe - Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast show, Toy Story interactive ride, car stunt show, Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
• Stella Ross - Little Mermaid (she never took her eyes off the stage), Toy Story ride, parade, Playhouse Disney, Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground

Safety First!!

So ...... I have come to the conclusion that comparing Rafe's toddler years to Stella Ross's toddler years is like comparing apples to oranges. You just can't! I expected to have a wild, adventurous, crawling on the table little boy... but I didn't. I have a wild, adventurous, crawling out of her bed little girl. Rafe NEVER attempted to crawl out of his crib and, quite frankly, would probably still sleep in his crib if we would let him. He loved his bed. Stella Ross, however, loves to sleep in her bed but the minute she wakes up she is screaming, "I want to get out!!" I have heard about, read about, seen crib tents but I honestly thought we were past that. Stella Ross is 2 now. If she hasn't tried to climb out by now she won't. WRONG! Here is the story:

We had a wonderful 2 bedroom condo while we were in Disney World that we shared with my parents. The only disadvantage (or advantage in this case!) was all 4 of us sleeping in the same room. Stella Ross slept great in her pack-n-play for 2 nights, but things quickly changed on the third night. I don't know what woke her up but I know what woke me up at 2:00 in the morning, Stella Ross opening up the bedroom door and walking into the kitchen. I was so out of it that it really didn't hit me for a few seconds and then I was completely freaked out! How did she get out, did she get hurt, is she going to do it again? I wasn't the only one scared. Stella Ross did not want to get back in her bed and slept the rest of the night with me. (something she has never done) She did sleep the last two nights in her bed, but I woke up every hour checking to make sure she was still in there. Needless to say I couldn't get to Buy Buy Baby fast enough to buy this..

I will sleep better tonight! AHHHHH!

We're going on a bear hunt!

Stella Ross and Rafe LOVE to go on scavenger hunts and play hide-and-seek. Before we went to Disney World we played these games inside A LOT because it was too cold to play outside. Rafe takes his leadership roles very seriously, telling Stella Ross exactly what to wear, what to hold, wear to shine the flashlight, etc. It is really cute. I loves these games because the teacher in me jumps out and I get Stella Ross to find various colored objects and unique shapes. Rafe LOVES helping her. Who doesn't love a little adventure????

It won't be long.......

until we are having fun with these friends!!! We can hardly wait.

A Work of Art!

Stella Ross brings home the cutest pieces of artwork from her one day at "school". She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES crafts and is really excited and proud to bring home her masterpieces. (This is what FINALLY made Stella Ross actually walk into school without tears after 4 months!) She now has the biggest smile on her face when I pick her up and can hardly wait to bring it home and display it. These are treasures I will hold on to forever!!!

This is one of my all-time favorites. This pretty much sums up her

attitude towards school in the fall. So funny!

Crossing my fingers!

I am crossing my fingers Stella Ross and Rafe's year slows down! I still cannot believe she is already 2 YEARS OLD and Rafe is SEVEN! sigh

New Year = New Haircut!

Rafe surprised us all when he decided to get a buzz cut. He was so "proud" of his hair and was adamant he did not want to look like his Daddy. Well, guess who changed his mind?? We all LOVE it! What a handsome boy he is!

Silliness!

Chef Stella Ross

Stella Ross made me breakfast yesterday and it was the BEST Pop Tart I have ever had. What a wonderful cook!

Ready to go!

Stella Ross was busy packing yesterday morning. When I asked her where she was going, she said, "Disney World!" We are ALL ready to go! 19 DAYS!!!!! YAY!!!