April 2016

After coming back from Disney, of course we don't slow down.  The girls go on a date with Daddy to the Daddy/Daughter Dance.  They swoon over getting new dresses and go dancing with Clinton.  Seriously is a topic of conversation ALL. YEAR. LONG.  We also got Jocelyn's ears repierced and went ahead and did Phoebe's while we were there.  Random last minute decision, but hey, we are good like that.  

 Yes, Jocelyn sleeps with the beast all the time.

 One afternoon I came into Phoebe's room, and all three girls had their new Princess dress on and was playing with their Harry Potter wands.  Even Phoebe was right along with them.  Crazies.

 Beautiful getting all dressed up.

 All matching outfits

 Jocelyn did so well at this.  she didn't cry.  Phoebe only cried for a second.

Day 7 - Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom was pretty neat.  The next time we go, we are going to make sure it isn't raining that day.  Or at least, not pouring down rain that day!  We had breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe before we began.  None of us had eaten there, so we thought we'd give it a try.  It was yummy.  We had dinner at Tusker House, which was different.  It wasn't everyone's favorite place, but it was still good to try.  Since we finished fairly early (being like 6 or so), we decided that most of us would go back to the Magic Kingdom for the last night to see fireworks and the light show.  Definitely worth the trek.  We went on the Tram, which was pretty neat.  

 Jocelyn picked our princess ears while we were waiting for one of the storms to pass.

 Daphne kept going back and forth between R2D2 ears and these ears, but decided she wanted "different princess" ears.  I didn't want to hurt her feelings and tell her those were bride ears.  haha!  More of a funny story in the future.

 Phoebe in her new ears

 Daphne rode on the Himalaya ride.  She was scared to death!  Jocelyn was mad she couldn't ride.  It went backwards and none of us really knew that, so it was a fun surprise for all of us!

 The Tree of Life is just amazing.

 Lots of character visits

 Magic Kingdom at dust is a breathtaking sight.  Magic Kingdom at any point in the day is really a breathtaking sight honestly.

 Right as we were coming back down

 Exhausted at the end of the day

 Sad it was our last night

Daphne and Caitlin caught Tinkerbell!

Overall this trip was indescribable.  We can't wait to go back!

Day 6 - Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios may have been my favorite place because we got to see all the most important things for my girls.  Daphne loves all things Star Wars and not only did we get to see a Storm Trooper, but she got to make her very own light saber.  Jocelyn got to use her Easter money to find that "perfect" present to herself, a Beast stuffed animal.  She also got to see the play of Beauty and the Beast.  It almost brought me to tears watching their excitement.  We are a house of girls (and a daddy), so the Frozen Sing Along thing was necessary, and they loved it.  All four kids are at the age of loving Disney Junior, so we got to have lunch with all the major Disney Junior Characters.  We also got to see the very last performance of the stunt racers before they closed down that set.  The only downside we had was by the time we got to Hollywood Studios (a few minutes before 10 mind you), the schedule for the Jedi Training Academy was booked solid for the remainder of our trip.  It's more of a reason as to why we need to go back soon! 

 Working on building their own light sabers

 Daphne was in heaven.  She tried to ride on this thing before we noticed you weren't supposed to get on it...oops!

 Daphne wanted a picture in front of the stunt cars

 Frozen Sing Along

 ...it even snowed

 Jocelyn and her new Beast.  She spent the whole week looking for that "perfect" thing to spend her Easter money on from the Easter Bunny.  Daphne spent hers the first day on a necklace that had beautiful charms on it.  Jocelyn NEVER holds on to ANYTHING.  She usually uses hers fast and then expects others to help her out (ie Daphne).  Not this time.  That Beast still gets carried around my house like a celebrity, along with Belle.

 Edge of their seats watching this play.  I think I MAY have watched 5 minutes of this play.  The rest of the time was just watching these two faces.

 Bob the Builder in their matching "Thing" shirts we got from Universal

 This was too funny!  This sums up our trip perfectly.  Traveling with four children is very interesting, can be stressful, but in the end, worth every minute.  Nothing could be forced, only enjoyed.  Mimi and Paw have matching Thing shirts with the four kids.  Daphne is Thing 1, Jocelyn is Thing 2, Jace is Thing 3, and Phoebe is Thing 4.

See, even the Beast had to get into family pictures.  He's a solid member now.

Day 5 - Universal Studios

Another jam packed day!  We had breakfast at Chef Mickey's, and then spent the rest of the day at Universal Studios.  Chef Mickey's was great.  After much debate, Mimi stayed with Jocelyn and Jace for the day.  They were all so exhausted and mom didn't feel great, neither did Jocelyn.  Jocelyn and Jace also weren't tall enough to ride anything, so that was more of a reason for them to stay at the hotel and played.  Boy did they have fun though!  It was also good for Daphne to get to spend some time with most of the big kids.  Phoebe had to tag along too since mom went and she was still little.  One of the two best parts of Daphne's trip (even though she says she didn't have a favorite because everything was her favorite) was getting to see Hogwarts and riding the Harry Potter stuff.  Unfortunately she didn't get to ride many of those rides, but she still had the best time!  (No particular order again)

 Daphne with Chef Goofy.  She had to wear her headband proudly as long as she could that day.  It matched all the other big girls one with "I solemly swear I'm up to no good."

 Daphne got to meet Spiderman.  She was really hoping to meet more of the superheroes, but they were at other parts of the park. She did ride the Spiderman ride with only being a little scared.

 Watching the big kids ride one of the rapids type rides.  They got wet!

 Before all the water!

 Hogwarts!

 Daphne, Caitlin and I went into Dr. Seuss world and hung out for a good long time.  Daphne had to get new clothes after the Jurassic Park ride because she was so wet and so cold.  It wasn't the greatest weather in the morning, but cleared up for the afternoon.  She now has a whole new matching Universal Studios outfit.

 She loved having that mostly one-on-one time with us.

 Jocelyn and Jace had an amazing time playing in the pools and at the beaches at the hotel.

 Gringotts.  This was so cool.  Daphne and daddy also went into Olivanders to pick out her and Jocelyn a wand.  The store was set up exactly like in the movies/books, so that was awesome.  The only downside we had to this (besides Daphne being a little short), was that this area was packed.  The next time we go, we will have to make sure this part is a little less crowded.  We did get to have some good Butterbeer though.

 Daphne got to meet Gru

 Jocelyn was obviously exhausted after playing all day at the pool with Jace and Mimi.