Halloween Party

I had a rather busy work week this week with parent/teacher conferences. The plus was that I only had to work a half day today. It worked out perfectly, because Ashlyn's daycare had a Halloween party this afternoon. I was excited to see Ashlyn in her costume for the first time. Of course, Ashlyn had to be Ariel. I bought her costume in Disney World. I saw it and knew it would be perfect!

When my mom and I got to her school, they had already started the parade. Ashlyn is still in the young toddler room. She will be moving next week. There are not very many kids in her room. The only other kid that was there today, is a 12-month old boy. So, Ashlyn was walking with her teacher and the other boy. Once she saw me, she ran right towards me. She insisted that I hold her for the rest of the parade. It was kind of a bummer, because no one could really see her costume.

After the parade, we went back to her room. She got to eat a yummy cupcake which she loved. They had made this beanbag game that she really enjoyed. It was nice because we got to see her in her classroom and had an idea of how she interacts at school. Ashlyn sang us a song about a square with her teacher. She did such a good job of singing along and it was just too cute! Ashlyn even got a treat bag with lots of goodies including bubbles.

As many of you know, my baby is turning 2 next Friday. How she is already 2, is beyond me. Anyway, she will be moving up to the next room next week. We got to stop by her new room and met her teacher. Her teacher seems very nice and full of energy. Her new room will be much better for her because there are a lot more kids that are her age.

After seeing her new classroom, we went and got her face painted. Once the face painter saw Ashylyn was Ariel, she immediately decided she needed bubbles on her face. Ashlyn surprised me and sat very still. It turned out so cute! We headed home so Ashlyn could show her Dad all the fun she had. It really was a lot of fun and a great warm-up for the big night tomorrow night. I can't wait to take Ashlyn out Trick or Treating this year. Last year, she was just too young to understand. This year she has more of an idea. She has even been practicing saying "Trick or Treat". I will post lots of pictures from tomorrow night.


My angel is such a sweet, sweet girl. You can see her friend in the background. He was a very cute frog.

Ashlyn got very nervous when some of the older kids came in to show their costumes. She wouldn't let go of my leg. This is her new thing.

Before she attacked her cupcake.

Playing with the beanbags.

She thought it was a lot of fun.

? Isn't she an adorable Ariel ?

She was having lots of fun playing with the water. Her teacher said she liked to wet paper towels and "clean". Wonder who she gets that from???

Having fun in her classroom.

Her bubbles on her face.

She was so proud of them!

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend the weather was absolutely beautiful, so we decided to head to a pumkin patch. My mom really wanted to go to one with a corn maze. The closest one we could find was about an hour away. My mom, sister, Ashlyn, and I headed out early Saturday morning. We had a great drive up and enjoyed some really beautiful fall scenery. When we got there, we decided to try the corn maze first. It was a very large corn maze. We were a little worried about how long it would take us to get out. We had a great time talking and laughing as we navigated through the maze. Ashlyn even led the way most of the time. It was so much fun! It took us about 20 minutes to find our way out, but we did it!

With admission, we got to pick out 3 free pumpkins. We put Ashlyn in the wagon and went on our pumpkin search. There were a lot of good ones, but we finally narrowed it down to 3. After we found out pumpkins, we headed back to the corn maze and went in another entrance. We were getting better, because this time we did it even faster.

We decided to call it a day after the maze. We really, really enjoyed this pumpkin farm. It wasn't crowded, was geared towards small children, and a great time. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We decided that we would make it a fall tradition to do it every year. I can't wait unti next year!

That night we carved our pumpkins. Ashlyn wasn't too interested, but we sure had fun carving them. The pumpkins had lots of delicious seeds to bake and we literally ate them until our stomachs hurt. (Ashlyn did not have any seeds, maybe next year.)

Ashlyn checking out all of the pumpkins.

Walking in the corn maze.

She was a great leader.

They had a really neat "corn box" that Ashlyn really liked.

Corn can be a lot of fun to play with.

I really like this picture of the two of us.

She loved the wagon.

Taking a ride with our pumpkins. Aren't they big?

It's hard work picking the perfect pumpkin!

She had so much fun!

The best picture I could get of our pumpkins. We were pleased with the way they turned out.

Disney World- Finally!

I finally found time to get around to posting about our trip. Last week was very busy trying to get caught up at work and home. Our trip was just wonderful! I honestly can't say enough great things about it. We just had an amazing time!!!! Ashlyn just loved everything and it was so neat to see Disney through the eyes of a child. There is just something so magical and wonderful about Disney World. The weather was very, very hot when we were there. We were planning on high 70's/low 80's. Well, with the heat index, it was more like high 90's. The heat was the only negative thing about the trip. It just meant that we would go to the parks in the morning and then take a swim/rest break in the afternoons.

We did so much while we were there. I don't think we left a stone unturned in Disney. Some of our favorite rides we were able to ride 8-10 times! We thought it was pretty crowded, but what we were told was that it was a slow time. We can't imagine what June or July looks like!

I could write pages and pages on our trip, but I think I will just post tons and tons of pictures and let them tell our story. I did manage to put the pictures in chronological order. We can't wait to go again and I am ready to start planning again!

On our way to the airport. Even though it was 4 am, Ashlyn was still happy.

Ashlyn walking with Daddy and Auntie in the aiport in Dallas.

On the Magical Express, which is the bus that takes you from the airport to your hotel.

At Downtown Disney, the first night we were there.

Riding on Daddy's shoulders

Waiting at the bus stop

Our first day at Epcot. We LOVED Epcot.

Ashlyn in a shark's mouth!

Disney wears you out!

They had a little splash park at Epcot. I had an extra set of clothes, so Ashlyn was able to play in it.

The water felt great on a hot day

She had a blast playing in the water

She got very wet!

Trying on some Mickey ears

Our first day in Magic Kingdom. I loved the way they had it decorated for the fall. I bet it beautiful at Christmas.

On Main Street, I love that you can see the castle in the background.

Ashlyn's first meeting with a character. She was not liking Tigger much at all.

Pooh was pretty scary too!

The highlight of Ashlyn's whole trip was meeting Ariel. She was literally starstruck by Ariel. She froze up and was so shy. It was pretty cute.

Ariel was so sweet and interacted really well with Ashlyn.

Of course, Ashlyn's Ariel had to be in the photo as well.

Ariel even gave her a hug.

Riding It's a Small World. It was one of my favorites as a child, and Ashlyn really liked it as well.

The hotel we stayed at had an awesome swim area for young children. I thought that the waterslide might be too scary for Ashlyn, but she got right on them. She would have spent an entire day on those slides if we would have let her.

What fun!

She's like a fish!

Riding Buzz Lightyear

When we first got to Animal Kingdom, she loved riding on her Dad's shoulders.

Pretending she was a monkey on Auntie's back

At Animal Kingdom

Had to get a picture with Jiminy Cricket

This guy didn't scare her as much as Tigger

Waiting in the line at the safari ride. This picture is too cute

Katy and I on one of our favorite rides, Expedition Everest.

We got lucky and it hardly rained at all. It rained for a couple minutes one afternoon. Ashlyn wanted to wear a poncho

Ashlyn was excited that she got to use her Ariel umbrella.

Both Ashlyn and Auntie enjoyed meeting Marie.

When we were in Hollywood Studions, we decided to get Ashlyn an Ariel "tatoo". She LOVED that thing. She was showing it off all day.

In Hollywood Studios

Meeting Minnie Mouse. By this point, she was really warming up to the characters.

One thing that I really remember loving when I went to Disney World as a kid, was the Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie playset. Everything looks really big and it is just like the movie. Ashlyn enjoyed it as much as I did as a kid. It was great place for her to get to run and play.

That is a big dog's nose!!!!

Riding an ant.

Wearing 3d glasses in line for Toy Story. It is the most popular ride in all of Disney World. It is a really, really fun ride. We were lucky and got to ride in 3 times. I wish we could have ridden it more!

On the Toy Story ride. I don't know why this one was so fuzzy. Ashlyn ordered off of the kids menu. She got to have her first sundae. She loved it of course!

This is one of our favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. It's called 50's Primetime Cafe. It is decorated to look just like kitchens in the 50's . The waitresses are in character and act like "Mom". They tell you to eat your vegetables, elbows off the table, etc. It's a lot of fun and the food is wonderful!

Enjoying the German band at the German restaurant we ate at.

Dressed up ready to eat at Cinderella's Castle

The adorable princess shoes that I bought her to wear. She got many compliments on them from the princessess.

Meeting Cinderella. She was admiring her dress.

Meeting Snow White for the 2nd time. Snow White is very nice!

Making a wish with her wishing wand

This was on of the best moments of the trip for me. I will never forget how cute Ashlyn was with Ariel. We were told by our waiter, that Ariel is usually not at Cinderella's Castle. He said we got lucky. The princessess stop at each table. Ashlyn was getting so excited waiting for Ariel that she was literally jumping up and down.

Ariel was great and really interacted with Ashlyn.

Posing for a picture. Isn't the inside of the castle beautiful?

So this was the best moment. Ashlyn had practiced telling Ariel that she loved her. I told her it was time to say goodbye to Ariel. She looked at her and said "I love you Ariel" in a whisper. Luckily, Ariel heard her and said "I love you too princess". She then gave her a big hug. It was the cutest thing in the world!

Riding the Teacups. Ashlyn doesn't get dizzy and really had a blast on this one!

Sitting down for tea in Minnie's house.

Wearing the special hat that Papa bought for Ashlyn.