Spring Break
In early March Derek and I found a very good deal to fly from Owenboro, KY to Orlando over my scheduled spring break. We decided to go ahead and book the flights for Adalyn's first plane ride. We know that this would be the only opportunity for a while to take Adalyn on an airplane, as we are not brave enough to take a newborn and a toddler anywhere that involves flying. We planned to spend a few days on the beach at Daytona and head to Orlando for a few nights and a one day visit to the Magic Kingdom. We left on Saturday (March 27th) from Owensboro. Addy did a wonderful job on her first flight. We weren't quite sure how it was going to go at first because just as we were getting settled and the plane began taxiing Addy proclaimed that she was "ready to get off the plane now." Needless to say, we kept her very busy throughout the 1 hour and 40 minute flight and she was great. I did my best to capture pictures over Spring Break and Easter but our little girl has developed a resistance to pictures and runs anytime I break out the camera. So posing for pictures was out of the question:)
Addy resisting a picture with Kristy and Iain
Unfortunately storms rolled through most of Florida on Sunday night and Monday morning, so our beach time was rather limited on the last portion of our stay in Daytona. We did manage to get a beach walk in after the storms cleared and just before we departed to Orlando. Addy just couldn't resist the water and got very dirty. She rode from Daytona to Orlando with no pants. It was so much fun to watch Adalyn play on the beach. She is truly a "beach baby" and would have spent all of her time playing in the sand if we allowed her to. Her favorite thing to do was to "make soup" and pretend to add all sorts of ingredients into her bucket to concoct a gloppy mess that she declared as soup. She made several batches of good soup in Daytona!
On Monday we headed to our hotel at Disney just in time to get Addy an afternoon nap. After the nap, we took her swimming in the hotels huge pool. Even though the water was a bit chilly, we had fun at the pool. Addy even went down the hotel's waterslide. I was very hesitant to let her go down it since we weren't allowed to go down with her. However, after the lifeguards and Derek reassured me that she would be OK to go down in her life jacket, I walked her up the stairs and sent her to the bottom where Derek was waiting. Adalyn laughed on the way down and said it was a blast. She even asked to go again, but when I took her back up the stairs she changed her mind and decided once was enough.
On Tuesday we did our one day tour of the Magic Kingdom. Since we were flying into Orlando and we would be so close to Disney, I wanted to take Addy for just a day. I am a big fan of Disney and jump at every chance I get to go to the parks. So really this part of the vacation was just as much for me as it was for Adalyn. We woke up very early on Tuesday to head to the Magic Kingdom--5:00 a.m. to be exact. Orlando is an hour ahead of us and opened up for Disney hotel guests at 6:00 our time. I had done lots of research on the Magic Kingdom and came to find out that the day we were going was going to be super busy! So, we took advantage of the extra early hours and got there before sunrise. I've never been to the Disney parks before opening before and experienced the mad rush to the rides once the gates were opened. Derek and Adalyn were riding Dumbo before sunrise.
Much to our surprise--Addy loved meeting Goofy and Donald
Our early arrival allowed us to ride most of the rides on our list in the morning. Addy enjoyed Small World most of the other rides we went on. She even liked the Haunted Mansion the Pirates of the Carribean. We headed back to our hotel for lunch and a long afternoon break. After our break we returned to the park and Addy got a chance to meet a few of her favorite princesses. She was a bit bashful when meeting Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Belle but managed to get their autographs and answer their questions.
Adalyn's favorite event of the day was the SpectroMagic parade in the evening. We staked out front row seats in Frontierland and Adalyn managed to earn lots of attention from the characters in the parade. Little Mermaid and Cinderella both blew her kisses and caught the kisses Addy blew them. Pluto came by on foot and gave her several hugs and Snow White came by and gave her a hug and called her adorable. Derek and I couldn't believe that she was getting so much attention. I was so excited during the parade that I failed to get many good pictures of Adalyn capturing so much attention.
Getting love from Pluto
Passed out from a Magical Day
We rolled out of the Magic Kingdom gates to catch our bus to the resort at about midnight Orlando time and Adalyn was passed out. It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to return with both of our kids! I was so proud of Derek for being such a good sport about the Disney craziness, even though since returning from Florida he has told everyone that I had him at Disney at the crack of dawn.
Easter in Indiana
We flew back to Owensboro on Wednesday and spent the rest of the week going between my parents' house and Derek's mom's house. We had a lots of fun with all of our family and in just a few days mangaged to get in a trip to the Evansville Zoo with Grandma Freihaut, a trip to the Gasthof with my whole family, three egg hunts, a trip to church, and Easter celebrations with both families. The Easter Bunny did find Adalyn in Indiana and left her a ton of candy, sidewalk chalk, and a Snow White figurine set complete with the Seven Dwarfs, which Adalyn affectionately calls the "Hi-Hos." She really loved all of the outside play time and running around in Grandma and Grandpa Schum's big yard. It certainly was a busy, but enjoyable visit. Needless to say, I took full advantage of a personal day on Monday to "rest up" for the work week.
Sharing smiles with cousin Cameron
Hunting eggs at Grandma Freihaut's house
Addy's Grandma Schum was very surprised we let her touch her chocolate bunny
Batter-up!
Other Noteworthy News.....
Big Girl Bed
I hadn't posted this yet, but Adalyn has made the official transition into her bog girl bed. The switch took place shortly after her birthday party with little issues. She enjoys her new big girl room and loves her bed. Although we still need to hang a few things on the walls and I am always on the search for additonal decor for her room, we have made great strides in it being complete.
Nap time in the big girl bed
A New ChapterOn another note a major decision in our household was made official a few weeks ago and we will soon begin a new chapter of our family life. I have officially resigned from my teaching position at RES. Many factors contributed to my decision of resigning after six years of teaching including the upcoming arrival of our little guy, the 45-50 minute drive I would be making with two children, and Derek's work/travel schedule. As the end of the school year nears and I begin to pack up my room and say goodbye to RES I know that I will have many feelings of sadness, but I am also extremely excited (and just a bit nervous) about having the opportunity to stay home with Adalyn and our little guy. I feel so fortunate to have had to opportunity to teach with such wonderful people and I cherish all of the friendships that I have established at RES. My teaching team has become part of my family and I am very sad about leaving them and about the fact that I won't get to see them every weekday during the school year. The decision to stay home is not a permanant one and I do want to continue to stay involved in education, but for right now it is the right decision for our family and I am so thankful to all of my family, friends, and co-workers who have been so supportive throughout my decision.
Happy Birthday Daddy!!
Last Thursday (April 8th) Derek celebrated his 29th birthday. Yes, only one more year until the big 3-0! We had a low key celebration with ice cream cake at home. At Addy's request, we did light candles for him and sang Happy Birthday. Addy loves birthdays and always wants to know who's birthday is next. On Saturday we headed to Peoria to go out to eat for Derek's birthday. We also went to the zoo and ran a few errands. Overall it was a low key celebration and Derek's last as a 20-something!
Make a wish Daddy!
1 comment:
I am so excited to see the blog posted. Addy is growing up so fast, and she just gets more and more adorable everyday. I can't wait until there is another Kid Freihaut that I can love and watch grow up as well.
Well I can't post an all nice comment. When I saw that picture of you guys in front of the Magic Kingdom, it looks like Derek is as pregnant as Tonya.
Post a Comment