::knock knock:: anyone home??

Can you hear all these crickets in this blog like I can?? I have to get back on the blogging train.  No better time like the present!  Just what have we been up to the past month…

*Sesame Street Live

Slowly getting more blond with each salon visit.  Me, not Teagan, though her curls are coming in :)

Fab fab seats

Parker really was having a blast.  The blinding light of the phone flash has her looking dazed.

Good show all around.  Parker really got into the mood and started shaking her thing in the aisle.  Teagan was THE wiggliest worm in the world so Kris and I were busy passing her back and forth.  Out of the corner of our eyes we saw the larger than life Cookie Monster sprinting, literally sprinting, down the aisle with utter disregard to our 39 inch 30lb dancing machine.  No exaggeration, Kris swooped Parker up mere seconds before the inevitable collision.

During the next song we asked Parker if she wanted to dance again.  She politely declined. 

*Disney vacation all set? Check!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas-- Kidani Village, Savanna view, will be the place we call home for a week in September.  Our balcony will look out on the savanna where the animals roam free.  Zebras, flamingos, giraffes and more, right outside or own personal balcony.  Add the incredible views to one of the top rated pools of the Disney resorts and I am beyond ready for this trip.  

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas-kidani/rates-rooms/
 

The hotel!

Loving this lobby.

Yes please!

I’m also excited to see how it is to stay onsite. We debated for a long time where to rest our heads, at a Disney resort or non-Disney hotel but at the end of the day all the perks Disney offers won us over.  From the around the clock transportation options (key with two little ones and two bigger ones who may need naps), the new FastPass+ (allows you to make reservations for up to three attractions per day, encompassed in a fun bright wrist band that also functions as your credit card and room key so you can keep that wallet away!), the extra park hours, free shuttle service and baggage pick up/drop off to and from the airport, the ability to give our souvenirs to a Disney member who will deliver the gifts to our room, how could we possibly pass that up?

Next round of to dos will be to book the must dos:  a meal in Cinderella’s Castle (my alarm is all set to wake at 545am on Monday when the reservation window opens--a must because this fills up, and fills up fast) and definitely  Bippity Bobbity Boutique (where the girls will have their hair and nails done by Fairy Godmothers all while in a princess dress they pick out).  From all your seasoned Disney vets, what else is a must experience or must eat that we cannot miss out on?

*In addition to Disney, Kris and I were planning on a couples only trip.  First it started out as a week in Hawaii.  Then fear took over me—the distance away from our girls—so we thought maybe something closer like the Caribbean for a week.  But then the fear took over me—an entire week?!—so we thought maybe a long weekend away.  Right now we’re at a standstill so we’ll see what happens.  I’m obviously a big chicken when it comes to leaving those lovely ladies for days on end.  Though with temps still in the single digits and snow still falling on the regular, a beach getaway sounds pretty appealing!

Exhibit 1 for what's preventing a couples trip: the cute curtsey

Exhibit 2: the princess wave

Exhibit 3: cuteness overload

*Parker’s still enjoying dance class very much and mama bear is looking forward to her June dance recital. Speaking of dance, her dance studio was recently featured on the TV show Dance Moms! This exciting footage is hanging out on my DVR right now so I’m looking forward to checking it out soon.  In addition to moving and grooving, Parker will also be kicking and running next month.  Yeppers, she’s starting soccer! Rochester has a great and popular soccer program so we’re lucky to have her enrolled with such a successful group.  I’ve heard a handful of horror stories of three year olds and soccer but we shall see how baby girl likes it.

Parker is also learning at lighting speed.  Not only can she recognize and trace all letters, but she is also able to tell you words that start with certain letters--A for apples, C for cat, etc.  P is also able to trace numbers and recognize some of those as well.  Keep learning baby girl!

*Teagan turned 17 months old and her sweet yet bold personality is so ever apparent.  Bold like if you take a toy I yank your hair, sweet like I'll smile after I do it. We're in the repeating everything phase.  If I say daddy, she says daddy.  If I say where's your belly, she lifts her shirt.  More on that soon!

*Kris is traveling to France for work next week and I’m very excited about this. Why you ask? Is it because it’s easy juggling two little ones on my own in addition to a full time job? Including one little one who is in the “if you sit me down I will scream bloody murder and forever make you regret that decision” phase? Or that I love pushing 70lb+ trash bins to the end of the driveway in the never ending snow? Or that I obsess about robbers breaking into our house so every little creak has me busting out the metal bat? None of that.  My excitement is all due to Kris’ promotion which isn’t as travel oriented as his current role.  Yippity do da!

Parker making sure everyone is tucked in.  Even Sydney, or "Ni-nee" according to Teagan :)

*Next month we’re looking forward to another getaway to Great Wolf Lodge.  I’m sure this trip will be even more fun than the last because we’re staying more nights and Teagan wasn’t walking last time.  Now she’ll be able to get around just like sis, even more so now that we picked up a Puddle Jumper for her at Costco a couple weeks ago. 

My heart explodes at this.  For the record, Parker is in the phase of dressing herself and going for the boho look with her hair.

*Mama’s got (another) new car! 2014 GMC Acadia here I come.  Now if you recall, my current Acadia is only a tad over one year old.  But I picked a seemingly bad one out of bunch and after repeat airbag issues I calmly, coolly, yet matter-of-factly told the dealership that I was not getting back in that vehicle.  So they brought a loaner Acadia to my office, took my car back to the dealership, and after a few days of talking are buying back my car, refunding me my trade in value, down payment, and extended warranty, and mama gets another shiny new SUV for about the same price.    And that is what sticking to your guns and using your children to your advantage does for you.  Yes, I did in fact advise that I refused to put my three and one year old baby girls in a vehicle with a safety defect. 

Kris likes to say that even one of the biggest car companies in the world can't win an argument with me.

*Other randoms:

Family artwork for Teagan's class:

100% unstaged:

Hopefully I won't be a stranger around here anymore.  I need to post about Teagan's 17th month before she hits the big 1-8 (months) and about what Parker is up to.  Until next time!

xoxo,

Stacie