Bouncy Castle SURPRISE!!

Our friends the Dunlops own Extreme Rush - a bouncy castle , rock climbing fun party style business.

Amanda asked about dropping off a bouncer for Sophia since last week was her birthday!

What a great friend. Sophia was thrilled to have her private bouncer.  After hogging the bouncer to themselves for a good hour I began texting neighbours to come and share the wealth :)

Joe showed up, The Aylesworths, our neighbour Lauren, the Monks and finally our friend Shannon and her two kids Hunter and Paeton,

My second love turned 7.

Last week our sweet girl turned 7.

Instead of a party or expensive GWL visit she asked for her very own IPAD. sOLD!!!

Of course there was still cake and a mini party at Grandma and Grandpa Kerrs house.

At 7 years old my little girl is having so much fun dancing at the Quinte Ballet, becoming an awesome swimmer and is our little budding artist.

Xoxo

We do the Zoo.

We desperately needed a trip to Costco.

Because we're season pass holders at the Toronto Zoo we opted for a quick stop there first before braving the Saturday Costco crowds.

I really wanted the kids to try the gorilla climber.  For $8.00 they can climb all day.  

These two only lasted an hour but it was well worth it.

It was a very short overall zoo visit but we did walk through the butterfly and African pavilions.

Happy birthday Charlotte.

Putting you to bed tonight as a two-year-old, tomorrow you'll wake up is a big girl. Three years old? seems like only yesterday that we were meeting you for the first time.  

You continue to charm everyone around you. You're blonde curly hair and blue eyes catches everyone's attention. We can't leave the house without a stranger, how gorgeous you are. Daddy and I love you more than you'll ever know.  Even though you're bossy bold and full of spice we wouldn't want you to be any other way.

Things we did wrong at Disney

We were in the happiest place on earth.  Yet we could have had a better time if we had done the following.

A break between park days.

For us we will do two park days- break - two park days.

We will plan our Quick Service Dining

meals. To many times we left lunch to long and forgot to factor in the kids being hungry and miserable.  More often then not we would get something quick for them just to settle them down. And then there's the argument of where to eat. 

A spin from the last comment.

We will order groceries in.  There are a few online grocery stores that deliver right to your Walt Disney resorts fairly inexpensive.  From a case of water to

A bunch of bananas to a box Cheerios.

We wasted a lot of our prepaid snack credits on unhealthy options when we could have packed our back pack with healthier quick snacks.

I'll plan earlier dinner reservations and no

sit down lunch reservations.

It would be nice to have a break after supper before heading to any night time events.

I'll get the prepaid photopass.

I'll ask for more pictures to be taken by the pros .

I won't wear Birkenstocks. 

Running shoes are far more comfortable.

One day we walked over 10 Miles.

Ouch!

I won't get a stroller.  Even though I saw a lot of larger kids in strollers.  So not worth the extra time to park it when you want to visit an attraction.  Not to mention getting it on and off the busses.

Second Family Ornament Exchange.

What great way to get the girls in my family together.

Aunt Lynn once again hosted our event.  

Attendees:

Myself, Jillian, Becky, Debbie, Aunt Lynn, Grandma Bradford, Haley, Taylor, Janet, Becky and Sophia.

We use Elfster to draw names secretly. 

I feel like the holidays can begin now!

Hollywood studios

Another really early day.  Today it was super important for us to get to the park before it opened. They have an event where kids ages four and up can train to become Jedi's.  It's very popular and it's first come first serve. There are five or six shows throughout the day but from the reviews the shows all filled up.  Each show had 30 young padwans who could be trained. 

Sophia, Christopher and I arrived at the park just before it opened. We were given direction to the sign-up. We made it!  Our show was at 10:40.  

Because it was just the three of us we decided to get some breakfast. We ended up at the Hollywood and vine where Disney Junior characters met us for pictures and small talk. 

We then walked over to the Star Wars launch pad and watched the Storm Troopers march around selectively taking pictures with people.  

 Soon after we met up with Jason and Charlotte. We made our way to where the Jedi training would take place.   Christopher and Sophia were given robes like they wear in the Star Wars films and were given a brief rundown of what would happen.  As a group we made our way to the temple where the training would begin.  The trials of the Temple.

The Jedi trainer called the young Padawans up onto the stage.  He trained them on how to respect the light saber. All of a sudden the doors to this Temple opened and out came Darth Vader and some other character from the new Star Wars movie.  Each little jedi in training had the opportunity to fight the Darkside using 'the force' and their light sabre.

Just when we thought the show was over and the little training Jedi had used the force to get rid of Darth, Darth Maul made an appearance.  He and the trainer put on a spectacular display.

After the show the older two and Jason went on the Star Tours ride.

As Family we went on one of my favourites the Great Movie ride then indulged in pretzels and cheese dip. (Disney staple)

Around 2 pm we shuttled back to the resort for some down time. 

We headed back to the park around 6 pm to see the Indianna Jones stunt spectacular show and then the Fantazmic show with 10,000 other spectators.