Back at Epcot

 Thursday had us heading back to Epcot to explore more of the World Showcase and to attend the Behind the Seeds tour at The Land. The tour was amazing! 

 The girls loved the Living with the Land ride so much (they rode it a total of three times while we were there) that we knew that they would love to get to go behind the scenes in the greenhouse.  What a truly neat experience for all of us! 

 This is Stanley the Plant. He closes up his leaves when touched. The girls were quite enchanted by him (we all were). 

 The plants in the greenhouses are all grown using various types of hydroponics. Check out the tomato tree!

 Since Grace and Emma were the only two children on the tour Hannah, our tour guide, invited them to help her release ladybugs before she concluded our tour. What a wonderful surprise! 

 Releasing the ladybugs. They were a little tricky to get out of the vials. 

 Emma in Grandma Joan's hat during lunch. 

 Morocco. 

 While we wandered through the World Showcase the girls made sure to get their fans stamped and a flag added to it from each of the countries KidCot spots. This was such fun, and we highly recommend this to all who go to Epcot with littles! 

 Into Germany. 

Heading into China.

I'm so glad that we spent a full day at Epcot. There is just so much goodness there (and I don't just mean the food)! The girls really enjoyed Epcot, and I think that if they could ride the Living with the Land ride all day they would! Watching them release the ladybugs was really so very special, and is a moment that I will treasure from this day always. xo

Be sure to check back later tonight for a ltitle glimpse into what we were up to today! 

Scenes From The Labor Day Parade

As we do every Labor Day we walked down to the parade. It was rather warm out today so we found a lovely shady spot that allowed us to watch the parade without being in the bright sun the entire time. We only stayed about an hour but we were happy to be there to see each branch of the military, and the lovely Hallamore Clydesdales, come by! For those in America we hope that you had a lovely holiday weekend and a relaxing Labor Day today! xo

Be sure to scroll down and see pictures from our day at the pool while we were down in Florida. 

A Day At The Pool

After all the fun we'd had the first half of the week we decided to spend Wednesday at the resort having a much needed pool day. There were many adventures down the lazy river, and much time spent just hanging out in (and by) the pool. It was divine! And as you can see Grace's hair was still in the bun from the day before. That hair-do could easily withstand a torrential downpour I tell you! xo

Be sure to check back later tonight to see pictures from today's Labor Day parade! 

Live In Harmony

It's rare that I post pictures of scripture to Instagram or Facebook or this blog (in fact, I do believe this is the first time I have done so) but this one from today's worship service just resonated so deeply with me. Regardless of where (or if) you worship or what you believe I think this is a message that we can all get behind. Live in harmony. Do good. Be kind. Love. Take care of each other. Live peaceably. The world really could use way more of all of these things right now. It surely has been a rough summer for the inhabitants of this planet of ours. My hope is that autumn's arrival will bring with it a little more peace than we've seen the last few months. xo

Greek Festival Deliciousness

It wouldn't be Labor Day weekend without our town's Grecian Festival. We wait all year for the delicious Greek food (the baklava sundae truly is a little bit of heaven), the wonderful Greek music and dancing, and the chance to support our friends and their lovely church. Thank you, Saints Anargyroi, for putting on this festival year after year! May this be your most successful one yet! xo

Be sure to scroll down to see our Magic Kingdom Adventure! 

The Magic Kingdom

 Knowing full well that we would not be able to top the incredibleness of the day before headed off to the Magic Kingdom the next day. We had a surprise up our sleeve for the girls for that afternoon but before that it was all about doing some classic rides and taking in the magic of the Magic Kingdom. 

Cinderella's Castle. 

 It's a Small World. Grace was not a fan of this ride at all but at least she can say she's experienced it. 

 The Hall of Presidents was a total hit with the girls. They were both so fascinated: "Are they real?" was asked many times throughout the show and even afterward. Their minds were just boggled!

 The Country Bear Jamborree. 'Cause ya just gotta do it. 

After some more rides, and some lunch, it was time to head to the Hall of Princesses to meet up with our friend from the day before. He worked his magic and was able to get the girls a meeting with Elsa and Anna with only a five minute wait time (as opposed to the two hour wait that was listed)! Truly incredible and something that we are eternally grateful for. The kindness of strangers....a true blessing. Now, if only we could have convinced him to take the thank-you gift we bought for him. He wouldn't hear of it, he said it was his pleasure to do this for us and for that we are beyond grateful. 

After that it was time to head to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Our appointment was at the one at Downtown Disney and it occurred to us while we were in the Magic Kingdom that we should have brought their dresses. Dave, being the amazing papa he is, raced back to the resort to get them for the girls. Meanwhile, Dave's parents, the girls and I navigated our way to Downtown Disney. 

 Emma and her fairy godmothers. 

 Grace and hers. 

 Pixie dust being added to Emma's hair. 

 The big reveal. And her smile says it all! 

 As does Emma's!

One more picture before heading back to The Magic Kingdom to bask in their princessness. Our time at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was so much fun! I am so glad that we were able to experience this while we were there and know that the girls look forward to doing this again the next time we are there (though next time at the one at Cinderella's Castle, perhaps). Oh, to be a kid again! 

And just like that another magical day comes to a close! xo

Be sure to check back later tonight for a post from the goings on of today. 

Peach Day

Today we're canning peaches (and no, their outfits weren't planned). It wouldn't feel like August if we weren't elbow deep in peaches and so it's only fitting that on the last Saturday of August we'd finally get to our peach canning. Now, just to figure out a time to make tomato sauce....xo

Be sure to check the post below about our Frozen Summer Fun adventure!