Frozen Summer Fun

 When we were planning this trip my friend Lori shared a link on her Facebook page about the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package. Lori also happens to work for TMC Travel-The Mouse Connection so she has the inside track on all the fabulous things going on at Disney. The timing of Lori sharing about this Disney add-on and our trip couldn't have been better. When Dave got home that night I showed him what she had posted, and he agreed that we definitely needed to do our best to make this event happen for our family. He consulted with his parents to make sure they were game and then made a call to Disney. Amazingly enough the customer service person he spoke to (who had also just learned about the Frozen Summer Fun package when he arrived at work that day) was able to book it for us that day. It was a total score as we learned that they sold out of these packages within one week! I'm so glad that we didn't hesitate at all. We knew we were in for a treat but we had no idea how stellar this day would be until we experienced it for ourselves. And what a day it was!

After we checked in and were given our credentials we had a wee bit of time before the opening parade. We arrived at the snow playground and the six of us were totally in awe! The girls (being the good New England girls that they are) just could not understand how it was possible that there was snow in hot Florida in a building! 

In the snow playground each group of kids was given ten minutes to play. When their ten minutes was up these two guys would appear and rake the snow! What a sight!

 We didn't skate but we sure had fun watching the zamboni clear the ice!

A family picture and then it was time to head back for the parade. 

 We arrived back in the VIP seating area and quickly discovered that not only did this package get you great seating it also got you free refreshments (in this area) too! There was a frozen lemonade stand in this area and Dave and his Dad went over to get a couple. It was then that they learned that the frozen treats and water were free! Totally perfect as we were definitely in need of something to help us cool off! Just about the time we all finished our frozen lemonades the parade began. 

 Kristoff!

 It was the moment we had all been waiting for- Queen Elsa and Princess Anna arrived (and this mama got choked up for the first time this day)! The crowd went wild! 

 Once Elsa and Anna were on stage we in the premium seating area were invited to get practically at stage level. Talk about incredible! I have no pictures of the girls seeing them at this point as they were right there at rope level and I was farther behind (but still had a visual on them, of course). 

 Along with premium seating and refreshments, we were also given a choice of which Frozen Sing-a-long to attend. We chose the first showing as we figured it would be a fun way to cool off in the early afternoon. We arrived for the show on the earlier side as we had heard that seating was first come first serve.  There was only one other couple there and we got to chatting with them. Turned out one of the guys was an art teacher by day and Disney expert at night. We all hit it off and before we knew it we had hatched a plan to meet up the next day at Magic Kingdom to meet Elsa and Anna. 

 More awesome seats and more Disney magic. The looks on the girls faces just say it all. 

 The narrators. 

 Grace and Emma were both completely transfixed! 

 And yes, for those wondering we all sang, we all laughed (this mama once again got choked up) and at the end it even snowed! Truly magical. 

 In between the parade and the sing-a-long we headed over to one of the shops to purchase princess dresses for the girls. They couldn't believe it when their Grandma Joan asked them if they'd each like a dress. Would they?! She didn't have to ask them twice! We agreed that they definitely needed to wear them when we returned for the VIP party and fireworks that night. 

 This is easily one of my most favorite pictures of these two (in general and from this trip). From the moment we stepped on Disney property (to the moment we left) everyone who saw them in their dresses greeted them and bowed. "Hello Queen Elsa! Hello Princess Anna!" At firs the girls really didn't know what to make of it, but by the end they had totally gotten used to it! 

 We arrived and checked back in at the premium package area. We knew that there would be "decadent desserts and beverages" but this we did not imagine! Disney truly knows how to throw an amazing party! The food and drinks were in endless supply! 

While we ate and socialized there was a really awesome cover band on stage. The name of the group escapes me but they were fab! They played 'till dark and then it was time for the show and fireworks to begin. 

(Photo by Dave's Dad)

Elsa and Anna returned to stage, there was more singing, more snowing, more tears (on the part of this mama) and the whole night was capped off by some truly incredible fireworks. 

Ever since that day I have been trying to find the right words to convey how truly amazing the entire day was. It was more than we ever could have imagined. The four of us adults kept remarking that this package was worth every additional penny (it truly was). Just when we thought it couldn't possibly get any better it would! The wonder, the magic, the attention to detail, it was beyond our wildest dreams! This day will be on that I carry with me forever. Thank you for such a magical day, Disney. xo

Don't forget to check in later today to see our post about what we were up to today. 

Moments From The Beginning Of Our Trip

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single  photo few photos- some words- capturing moments from the beginning of our trip. Simple, special, extraordinary moments. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful Labor Day weekend! xo

Their first time seeing the sunrise. 

At Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

In Epcot. 

Chatting with Grandpa Ron. 

(Not) Back to School

This morning at the lake. 

Just another beautiful school day for us!

The arrival of this week brought with it the start of a new school year for the school kids in town. We haven't shifted into our new rhythm just yet as we are taking this week to "just be" after our very busy week in Florida last week (we hope you've enjoyed all of our stories and pictures so far. There's still much more to come). Instead, we are using this week to bask in the glory of our world -and our usual haunts- no longer being crowded. We're preparing and planning for all the fun we'll have in the days, weeks and months that lie ahead. We're replenishing things like glitter and googily eyes and stickers, and sharing our hopes and dreams for all that we'll learn together. But mostly we're just rolling as we usually do, seeing where each day takes us and the teachable moments that we'll encounter along the way.

This morning, while the girls were still sleeping and the house was it's most peaceful, I came across this blogpost that a friend of mine had shared on Facebook. It resonated deeply with me, and so many of Rachel's words could have been my own. And gosh, isn't every day fairy day (or gnome day) in everyone's homes?!

For a wee bit of humor during this not-back-to-school week I share with you this post. I've been giggling about it ever since (and I also love how much my mom loved this one too)!

And finally, it's always exciting when we come across homeschoolers in the things we love most. Case in point the character of Hazel in Dolphin Tale ("I'm homeschooled that's why I'm such a chatterbox!") and Martin and Sylvia from Sparkle Stories. We were thrilled that one of the current free back to school stories (scroll down to "Butterfly Gifts") is about Martin and Sylvia making gifts for their teachers- their mama and papa! Listening to the description of what homeschooling looks like in their family is like listening to what homeschooling looks like in ours, and for this reason the girls were even more enchanted with these sweet stories and characters than they already were. It really is such a treat for them to hear that others live like we do, especially at this time of year when it's all about back to school.

I've got some ideas bouncing around in my head about how we can celebrate the beginning of our new school year next week (here's to hoping that the items I ordered arrive on time). Regardless of whether they arrive on time or not we'll continue as we always have- living, learning, laughing and loving together each and every day. xo

Be sure to scroll down to see our post from this morning about another part of our Disney adventure last week. 

Twelve Years

August 17th. A gorgeous night out celebrating twelve incredible years. Here's to a lifetime more! xo

Be sure to check back later tonight for pictures from our adventure this morning. 

Peach Picking

Since our first attempt at peach picking didn't pan out we figured we'd try again once we got home from our trip to Florida. With the weather looking divinely summery today, and a local farm where it was $1.00 per pound for pick-your-own peaches we figured now was as good a time as any to go. We went first thing this morning so as to beat the heat, and we were excited to have the orchard to ourselves. Before long the boxes in the wagon were overflowing with peaches, and our work there was done. Now, just to wait for them to get a wee bit more ripe and then the canning of them can begin! xo

Be sure to scroll down and see the beginning of our Disney adventure if you haven't had a chance to read about it already. 

Our Disney Adventure Begins

 Sunday brought with it our first trip to the Disney parks. We decided the night before to begin our Disney adventures that day so that we could take a day off midweek to just hang by the pool (a brilliant idea courtesy of Dave's dad). Epcot is pretty much my favorite of the Disney parks, and with how much the girls love learning about the countries that make up our world Dave and I knew that it would be a hit with them too. It was the perfect first park for them and the perfect way to begin this next leg of the adventure!

 First up: a family picture in the UK!

What a treat to get to chat with and meet Mary Poppins! 

 I just adore this picture of the girls walking in to France. Everything about it is simply wonderful. Someday, sweet girls, we'll see France for real. 

Looking very relaxed with her ice cream in France.  

 Chatting with Grandpa Ron while enjoying her mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

 Since we got a later start on Epcot we didn't do all that much this day. We did head to The Land before heading back to the resort. We knew that the girls were adore The Land and I am so very glad that we got to take them on it before calling it a day that day. 

With so much of Epcot left to visit (and Dave and I with a dinner reservation that night since it was our anniversary) we decided that we would head back later in the week to spend another day there. I am so very glad we did as it allowed us to see the rest of the countries and to visit The Land again (blogpost on both our anniversary dinner and second visit to Epcot to come)! Epcot really was the perfect beginning to our Disney adventure! xo 

Be sure to check back later tonight for pictures from our peach picking adventure this morning.