Memorial Day Weekend

Disney blogging is lagging to say the least, but that's okay.  It'll draw out the fun of reliving the memories for me as I blog through it.  Before we get to far into the summer, I wanted to blog about our Memorial Day weekend.  First, I have to note that while we do enjoy the long weekend, particularly when it's as summery as this one was, in recent years I've really grown to see it more for it's original intent.  As a family we're trying to make a point to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  I'm not sure if it's because I kept imagining how I would feel sending Andy off to war while our little girls said goodbye or if it's because we've been in a wartime for so long, but I felt emotional throughout the weekend.

We were excited that Andy had off for the entire long weekend.  Yup, even Monday.  Generally Andy never has off those "Monday holidays" like Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, etc. so that was a treat.  On Saturday Maddie's school had a farewell picnic.  I can't remember if I've mentioned this, but Maddie will not be returning to her school next year.  It's not because we didn't love the school--we did!--but because for various reasons the church which it is associated with chose to retool the program.  Part of this included letting go the entire staff and we were too disappointed by how it all happened (and too sad at the thought of Maddie's beloved teacher not still being there) to continue with the "new" school.  (Maddie is enrolled at another local school which is actually where I went as a child!)  The staff and students (and families) are all very upset that our community is being broken up, but we're doing our best to celebrate the fantastic year we had together.  The picnic was a lot of fun and I'm glad Andy got the opportunity to see Maddie interact with her buddies.

I was surprised that Avvie braved the bounce house by herself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of parents trying to wrangle the kids for a picture

Maddie and her wonderful teacher

After the picnic we headed over to my parents house to swim.  We ended up sticking around for dinner and had a great time.  On Sunday we went to church which was extra special since Sammy was baptized.  I didn't take any pictures (except the one phone picture below), but he looked adorable and more importantly was baptized.  Craig gave an excellent talk about baptism and what it means to be a covenant child.  Of course I was wiping away tears as he was baptized because it's such an amazing sign to see.  It's an intersection of God's promises and gifts, a parents' obedience and a church's commitment.  I cannot wait until the day Sammy claims those promises on his own!  After the service we had lunch at my parents house and the cousins had fun playing and swimming.

Monday morning we headed over to Manasquan to watch the parade and Memorial Day ceremony.  We met up with my Aunt Maryjo, cousin Amanda and some friends from church.  It was a sweet little parade featuring veterans as well as various community organizations.  The girls enjoyed waving their flags although they weren't thrilled with the marching band and bagpipers.  Everything is always a bit too loud for them.

 

The rider-less horse with the backward boots chokes me up every time.

 

 

After the parade we went to the ceremony, but we didn't make it through the entire thing.  I felt badly leaving early, but it was extremely hot and the girls faded fast.  Avvie kept asking Andy if she could go back to the car (and she was flushed and looked pathetic) and Maddie was overheating and falling asleep on Maryjo.  (Thank goodness Maryjo was willing to hold her because I felt pretty nauseous and I'm not sure if I could have carried an exhausted four year old around.  Thanks Aunt Maryjo!)  So, we headed out, but we talked with Maddie about the reason for the holiday and hopefully she learned something.  The rest of the day was pleasant--lunch together, back to my parents for more swimming while the men golfed and another delicious dinner courtesy of my mom.

That's all for now and I'll be back to Disney blogging soon.  We have a big weekend so I'll see you on Monday perhaps.  Oh!  In case anyone is wondering about things on the baby front, all is well.  I mean, I'm still throwing up every day and nauseous most of the day (and have moments when I feel very discouraged about how I feel and how it's making me less on top of everything), BUT the baby is doing well!  I heard the heartbeat the other day (in the 150s, sounded great!) and we're coming up on 14 weeks.  One of these days I'll try and get a scan up of some early u/s pictures.

Disney Day 3

After our little interruption, I'm going to return to blogging about our trip to Disney.  But, I wanted to say thanks because several of you messaged me with encouraging words which bolstered me.  And the last couple days I feel like I've seen a little improvement so I'm feeling hopeful that the nauseous phase of this pregnancy won't last as long as the previous times.  (Of course now I worry that everything is not okay, but I remind myself (a) I'm still feeling queasy and (b) even if I wasn't, it's possible to be pregnant and not throwing up constantly!)

Day 3 (Monday) was a bright and early day for us.  We were headed to Hollywood Studios and since there was only one main ride we wanted to do there and it is very popular, we wanted to get to it right away so we weren't stuck waiting for a FastPass time late in the day.  My dad snapped the following picture of the girls before we left.  They are holding balloons he bought for them the first day and wearing outfits I personalized for them.  Of course I never managed to get a good picture of them wearing them, but you can sort of see what I did.  Like the shirts Beth made for them last year, I did Minnie ears and their names.  On their shorts they had little Mickey ears.  And I made them their matching bows.  For non-sewing me it was quite the accomplishment!

 

At Hollywood Studios the ride we wanted to do was Toy Story.  We were at the park before it opened so we were able to get FastPasses for a little later and then walk right on the ride.  The only bad thing about not having to wait is you barely get to take in the amazing decor in the line area.  I think it's even better than the ride!  Lots of oversized toys and props executed with perfect details.

 

Avonlea and I rode together and she HATED it.  Too loud, too jerky, it just wasn't for her.  I got to ride it a couple more times since my Dad kindly walked the girls around.  (Maddie didn't cry, but didn't want to go back on.)

This picture of me and the girls chowing down made me laugh.  We like our food!

While Andy and I walked around, my parents waited in line with the girls to meet Buzz and Woody.  I was surprised that Maddie was brave enough to stand with two such huge characters by herself!  Avonlea was a bit nervous about them.

We all got a kick out of the Sully and Mike characters.

 

The girls enjoyed the Disney Junior show which featured characters from various popular cartoons geared to the preschool set.  I found it rather lame, but I guess I wasn't their targeted demographic.

Andy was a bit tired...

After lunch at Hollywood Studios we headed back to the hotel.  If I wasn't pregnant there would have been more I would have enjoyed at Hollywood Studios (a couple thrill rides), but there wasn't much for the girls and they were dying to swim so it worked out perfectly.  It was actually fairly cool, but it didn't bother them.  They happily splashed for hours while the rest of us sat and watched them in sweatshirts.

 

 

For some reason Avonlea was in a grouchy mood about getting ready, but once she saw herself in the mirror she was entranced.

For dinner that night my parents took the girls to 1900 Park Fare which is a character restaurant in the Grand Floridian.  It was a treat for the girls and for me and Andy since we got to have a date night as Chefs de France in Epcot.  The cast of Cinderella is at Park Fare so the girls wore their Cinderella dresses.

 

They enjoyed dancing to the live music in the lobby while they waited for their table.  My dad took a video, too, which I'll work on posting.

 

 

 

Look at all the mini-Cinderellas watching her dance!

Not sure why Maddie did that with her hands! But she sure looks cute.

 

 

 

Avvie was fascinated with the step-sister.

Back at the hotel, running for the rooms.  Andy and I had a lovely dinner, too.  My parents were so nice and encouraged us to stay out and enjoy the fireworks, but being so tired was catching up with me.  I did enjoy our meal, but by the time we were done I felt pretty sick so it was time to head back and catch up on sleep.  Speaking of which, I'm off to do now.  I'll be back with day 4 soon.