it's my girls' world

Warning- picture overload…. thank you insta-frame and Picmonkey for the collages created so you guys won't have to look through thousands of pics of what was one of our best family vacations!

I'll preface this by saying that I thought I wasn't a cruise person--- I went on one before and it really wasn't my thing. But Disney has changed my mind. So much so that I booked us to go again sometime in 2017-- well we paid a deposit so we would get a 10% off for future cruises. And though I was super excited to take my kids to Magic Kingdom, they preferred the cruise by a long shot-- it was the perfect combo of relaxation, excitement, food and fun.

The ship was so beautiful and the staff so friendly and accomodating!

There was always so much to do for both the adults and kids. Lots of kids clubs, a dine and play option (where the kids are picked up and taken to the kids club, we used it twice), a Broadway quality show every night, teen and tween clubs, adult only bars, dance parties and lots of of games/activities/ movie theatres every-single-hour of every-single-day we were there.

Lots of character signings/picture opportunities throughout the day with way less lines than Magic Kingdom

Special tickets were needed for Anna & Elsa- obvs. Think almost an hour long line up the day we boarded the cruise for a two minute meet & greet- Crazy!!

Pirate night was lots of fun. A huge dress-up deck party before dinner with characters and then dancing after dinner and fireworks!

We celebrated our anniversary at Palo-- an adult only restaurant. The food was so delicious.

We stopped in the Bahamas one day where my dad, D and I headed to the beach-- it was one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to- with warm, sky blue, clear, calm seas…. I didn't have my camera but took these pictures of the Bahamas from the ship after.

We also stopped at Disney's private island. Castaway Keys for another day of sun, sea, sand, BBQ and some time at Disney's very own splash-pad!

So much to do!!

The food was so  very yum-- with something to eat every single hour of every single day. I'm not an all inclusive fan as I get sick of it after a few days but this-- this was so yum!! And it was a la carte at night which to me speaks to the quality of the food as well.

My parents had so much fun with their grandkids.

So there you have it. A special vacation for all--  us four preferred it to Magic Kingdom. Way more relaxing but all the Disney Magic included as well.

Can't wait for 2017!

And we're back... and ready to play catch up-- with blog posts, friends and laundry!!! It's been a crazy couple weeks!!!

In case I haven't mentioned it often enough in the past few months, we went to Disney. Two days, three nights at Disney World and then a four day Caribbean Disney cruise immediately after. All Disney all the time for one entire week. Lots of pictures and lots of memories!!

First off though, we were scared that it was a trip that wasn't meant to be as C woke up the Thursday morning before complaining of headaches and tummy pain. It got significantly worse as the day progressed so a trip to the ER ensued complete with blood work and ultrasound. It turned out to be mesenteric adentinitis (which had the symptoms of appedicitis) and a case of strep throat but we were able to travel on Friday after all! 

Here we are at the beautiful Port Orleans Riverside Hotel. Lots to see and do here and just a short boat ride away from Downtown Disney Disney Springs. 

Cassia got the most massive nosebleed just as I took these pics on the merry-go round. (you can almost see it in these pics) So much for carefully planned outfits for photos, we had to clean her up and get a brand new Minnie emblazoned get up for her-- complete with sequins and ruffles. 

           

The lovely Whitney and Beth have tagged me a while back in this love/hate posts. 10 things you love, 10 things you hate and 10 bloggers to be tagged. 

Loves:

1-  A morning work out. It sets me up for the rest of the day really well.

2- I recently discovered Sancerre-- a very dry, light wine similar to a Sauvignon Blanc. Problem is it's so hard to find… and a little pricy.

3- A thank you message or phone call after I've gone out of my way for someone. I mean I'm not doing it for the thanks but the thanks is nice. Well manners in general. A please, thank you and courtesy… yes, please.

4- Being a girl mom

5- Weekends that are the perfect combo of family, friends, relaxation and entertainment

6- Making a really, really big deal out of celebrations.

7- An organised linen closet… I mean REALLY organised with the ends of my towels matching…. weird, I admit it.

8- Toast and tea--- seriously a match made in heaven.

9- A random FB message or email from someone unexpected

10- A little time to myself at the end of the day to read, watch TV or mindlessly go online.

Hates:

1- An unmade bed.  My entire bedroom could be a train-wreck but my bed has to be made.

2- Dirty feet--- I must wash my floors if that happens…. or my feet if someone else has dirty floors.

3- Chipped nail polish--- on myself at least.

4- Waiting around for a long time at an appointment. My time is valuable!

5- Losing someone in a crowd. And D always wanders off--- and I panic.

6- As much as I love being a mom, I hate the plethora of hairclips that they constantly lose.

7- Public bathrooms--- well mass ones anyways.

8- Confrontations-- I can be a coward. That being said, if I have something to say to you, I'd try to say it (*nicely) instead of talking about it behind your back.

9- Disrespect-- for people, lives, parents, in-laws--- just plain old disrespect!!!

10- Traffic! I will do virtually anything to avoid traffic.

And here are just a few of my favourite blogs who haven't been tagged yet (or maybe they have)
Kelly @ Happily Ever Mock
Natalie at From Corporate to Domestic
Carol from Keeping up with the Kaunes
Samantha at Cherry Pie Twins
Deena at Shoes to Shiraz
Kristi @ Rejoice and Repeat
Kay @ The Kay Times
Toronto Sahm
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate