Disney August 2016, Day 1

As you can see, I have greatly neglected my blog. :( BUT this is such a great venue to share all of our Disney pics and stories so I am returning! We became Annual Passholders (APs) on our last trip so we will be able to travel there more often, (I guess this blog will get more love from Yours Truly). ;)

Last year we stayed at Art of Animation, but this time we stayed in the Royal Room at Port Orleans Riverside. The room was so much fun, and the resort as a whole was so laid back and peaceful. It was actually kind of a weird experience. This is Disney (a super fun place)- it shouldn't be this peaceful, but it was. :) 

Here are some obligatory room decor pics:

 You pressed a button and fireworks appeared! Annie LOVED this!

Y'all I NEED this wallpaper. Like NEED. Anyone have friends at Disney that can sell me some? ;)

And while you're at it, I'll take some of these bed accents too!

 

 After unpacking, we changed Annie into her Snow White costume and headed over to Disney Springs, (formerly Downtown Disney). 

 On our trip we test drove our first set of Snow White Jamberry nails! They lasted 2 weeks- through 12 hour HOT Disney park days, etc. My friend is a consultant if you are interested. ;)

Annie was very excited to build a lightsaber! I thought she'd choose purple, (closest to pink)...

We stopped back at the hotel to change for dinner, (there is a boat that will take you from POR to Disney Springs!). One of my favorite character meals is the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare. :)

 Annie taking the Magic Carpet to dinner! ;)

 I must mention this here. Since our trip last year, I gained some weight- some was my fault, but some was a result of taking steroids for a back spasm in the spring. That extra weight, especially in my face, made me want to wear a tent and bag over my face, but I know it is temporary. In fun news. I enjoyed my pink hair- which sadly almost completely faded by the end of the trip. :/ I also cut my mermaid hair the other day to a shorter, long length. haha

 Still laughing at Drizella's antics!

 Lady Tremaine asked Annie if she liked cleaning, (she does) so she hired her. She said she'd pay her in stickers, they shook on it, then she said she really wouldn't pay her at all. haha

 Last year at this meal, Prince Charming asked Annie to dance. It was magical to say the least, and Annie had been hoping he'd ask her again.

By the time the dance came, he hadn't even seen her yet, so naturally he didn't pick her. She still kept hoping he'd dance with her, (not fully understanding that magic moment had passed).

He finally came to our table, they took their pic, and right as he stepped away, Annie immediately sunk, "he didn't dance with me." I told her, "well, you should have asked him." Thankfully Princey was in ear shot and let Annie request a dance (which of course he obliged).

 I love how he took her chair to turn her during their dance! :) This prince is a prince of a guy for sure! ;)

 Bowing to each other

 When I noticed the moment was initially missed I was a little bummed, but that's life- certainly not a trip-ruiner. BUT having her ask him actually made it even more special!!

If you ask her about her trip, she will mention dancing with the prince as one of her top memories. During the trip she kept saying, "I can't believe I got to dance with the prince!"

Gowns on the Town

Before I get started, I contribute to WDW Magazine, and they asked me to do a blog post for them about our family costumes. You can see that here.

On Wednesday, Annie and I went to a Mother Daughter princess party through an organization called Gowns on the Town. I was impressed with the characters and plan to use them for parties for Annie in the future. :)

It was a princess and villains meet and greet. I have never been a villains fan, but I think Annie is/will be. :) Because of that, I didn't participate in the costume contest- mommy as the villain and Annie as the princess. We knew what princesses would be there so I dressed Annie as Cinderella, (knowing she wouldn't be there) and I finally had an excuse to wear my new princess pants from Disney.

 Annie's friend was Rapunzel and her mom went as Mother Gothel! So cute!! Her mom was the one who told us about the event and she and I share a princess/Disney obsession appreciation! :)

 All of the characters were great, but I think our favorite was Ursula! She and Ariel did a little song at the beginning! 

If you ask Annie who her favorite was she will list all 6 that she met! :) But when we first left she wouldn't stop talking about Ursula. :) 

Maleficent posed wonderfully! :)

Since we go to Disney often, it is easy to get snobby when you meet characters outside the parks. BUT I really was impressed with these characters and definitely think they are worthy of being hired for parties. :)

Pumpkin Patch 2015

Annie had eye surgery the day before we took her for her annual pumpkin patch shoot. The insides of her eyes were red. Not blood shot, but completely red! It makes her eyes looked almost closed or crossed in these pics. :/ I still think she looks beautiful- her smile is just awesome. :)

There are things in regards to memory making that I greatly regret missing out on in our 5 years as a family, (I wish I videoed more, I wish we did yearly family photos, etc).

One thing that I have done right and it brings me immense joy is Annie's biannual photoshoot- Pumpkin Patch and Bluebonnets. It just so happened to be perfect timing- October and April. So I have pictures of Annie every 6 months since we got her, (her first pumpkin photo was taken the day after her gotcha day!).

I have been and will always be obsessed with Bluebonnet shots, but since I have begun this tradition, I now also love pumpkin patch photos. 

Like, Pumpkin Patch and Bluebonnet days are better than holidays to me! They are some of my favorite days of the year!

This was her 6th year in the pumpkin patch. Click here to see the other years. :) This is also her 4th year at this particular, incredible patch. You can see how every year it is a little different, and you will see how Annie;s smiles get better every year. :)

And remember about Annie's red eyes- she is not squinting or crossing her eyes in these pics. :/

These next few are sadly out of focus. :( She posed herself. :)

You can really see her eyes here. It is the same pic- I couldn't decide if I liked it cropped or original so I posted both. :)

 I loved this shirt when I found it and knew Annie needed it. ;) We picked her 5 years ago! :) best.decision.ever.