Disney, Day 4: Magic Kingdom, Day 2

You guys.  I'm not going to lie.  We really wanted to reschedule day four and take a rest day.  Our dogs were seriously barking (which, I am told by the younger people, is the hip way to say our feet hurt badly).  But S&M had invited a dear friend of theirs (and good acquaintance of ours) and her flight wouldn't allow for movement really.  So we did our best and went for the forth day in a row.  

People!  Hear me!  Do NOT do more than 3 days in a row if that is your entire trip or 2 days in a row if you have many more to go.  Even the children were sore by the end of the day.  This is not to say that when we woke up first thing in the morning, our feet hurt.  It just means that for each progressive day, our feet hurt earlier and earlier.  Day 1: 6 pm.  Day 2: 3 pm.  Day 3: Noon.  Day 4: 10 am!!!

But, we gave it the old college try. And, honestly, as long as we were either walking, riding, or watching something, we were ok.  It was standing still, in line that was the killer. 

The longest we had to wait on any ride in Disney was for the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ride.  We either missed the opportunity to set up a fast pass or ignored it.  And we didn't get there early enough to ride it right at the beginning of the day.  Thankfully, along the waiting path, they had a few fun distractions.

The barrels of jewels "tinkled" as you spun them.

Our last day in Disney we ate lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern.  The food was pretty good, though it somehow ended up being more expensive than the Be Our Guest Restaurant.  

We all ate more than our tummies could stand, and then it was time to go :)

An unexpected (for me) portion of our trip went to meet and greets.  The kids wanted to meet all the characters and get autographs.  Most of the second day was dedicated to autographs, with a few cool things in between.  Like the Swiss Family Treehouse.

It came to our attention that the children have not seen this movie.  And we feel terribly remiss in our job as parents.

Seriously super cool!

For day 2 in Magic Kingdom, we did not make it to the very end.  We stayed long enough to see some of the lighting, but not for the fireworks.  We were pooped!!!

At the same time, we didn't want to leave, because we knew we wouldn't be coming back.  

Don't you worry!  This is not the last of the pictures.  Oh no!  I still have a gazillion more :)

Magic Kingdom: Be Our Guest Lunch

Initially, I didn't schedule every single lunch meal.  But there was one that I KNEW we didn't want to miss.  We were going to be guests at Belle's castle!  (FYI: When I was building the budget, this was a separate line item, since for a single meal, I knew it was going to be decently expensive)  

The food really was pretty good.  You order it all at Kiosks before you go find a place to sit down.  And then, somehow magically, they find you, and bring your food to you, without you telling them where you went!  Of course we had to try "the grey stuff"!  It really was delicious!

The best part about our particular room was that Belle and Beast danced the whole time :)

It was kind of magical that I got the kids to sit still long enough for the picture.

It was just such a nice view!  The people who design these places really put so much thought into every single detail.  It is amazing!

We could have chosen to eat in the prince's secret wing, but we thought it was a bit dark.

And the ball room was amazing!  But there were so many people in there, it just seemed loud.

Everyone needs a picture with the gargoyle on the way out.

They even had the mural on the wall.  I'm serious!  They think of every tiny detail that could make these places feel more real and authentic.

Hi Kelly!

Later that day, we also had to try the Dole Whips.  I had heard so much about them, and they really were delicious.  

Even if they were huge and almost melted by the time the kids got back from their ride :)

National Elementary School Honor Society Induction

Before the school year ended, my girls got to participate in some literal history making!  They were inducted into the first ever chapter of the National Honor Society for Elementary School at their school!  The evening began with the traditional procession.  

And then they lined the children up.  Kari got to be on the front row because she had a speaking part.

 Kaitlyn was lined up in alphabetical order, which, coincidentally put her next to the tallest boy in 6th grade.  It made her look even smaller :)

 I've provided some helpful arrows, just in case :)

 Then the program began.  The teacher in charge of getting all this started said that Kari had the highest average of all the children inducted.  And that, she would have been the president of the chapter had they started this a whole year earlier.

 Then there was hand shaking.

 And medal awarding.

 For everyone.

 The Honor Society is only for 3-6 grades, so we'll have to see how Dylan does next year :)

 Then they said the pledge, and it was over :)  We took a few pictures for good measure.  These are all the 4th graders who were inducted.

 And all the 6th graders.  Sorry the picture is weird.  It was dark, and I edited it the best I could.

 And before we left, I took one of the two girls together.

 I am continually amazed at my children as they learn and grow.  They are doing amazing things and I am so happy of the hard work they put into it, and so proud of the results they see.

Good job girls!  I will continue to expect great things from you :)

Kari's Elementary School Graduation

Kari had a graduation.  The 6th graders were officially leaving the elementary school.  The had a Hollywood themed graduation.  There was the traditional processional.

 They each got a t-shirt and sunglasses to wear.  While the boys got bow ties, the girls got pearls and boas :)

 Kari was one of three that got all A's all year.  That means she made it through her entire elementary school career with nothing less than an A on her report cards.  And while she read a bazillion books, she pretty much gave up on taking the actual AR tests.  

 The teachers were super nice and put together some end of the year videos to watch.  Some funny.  Some sweet with baby pictures and current pictures.  There were a few speeches from the teachers and 6th graders that were nostalgic and sweet.  And there was a surprising amount of emotions for both hubby and I.  Plus, she looked so grown up!

They also favored us with a little ditty that they had been practicing for weeks.  Its a bit on the long side, so it won't hurt my feelings if you don't make it all the way through.

This was the only other picture I got of her during the awards.  My camera started acting funny :(

Kari also traded teachers today.  And she seemed to really love them.  Its also surprising to me that she is taller than two of them!!!

We went back into the gym to take a few more pictures.  

There she is: Miss Done with Elementary School!!!

Of course Kelsey was with us too.  And she wanted a picture too :)

 It seems like the last few weeks of school are a joke.  They stopped doing homework 4 weeks ago after all the standardized testing.  And they had party after celebration after party.  But, in true tradition of my kids, they stayed until the bitter end, including going back after ceremonies when they didn't have to.

I love my kids :)

Kaitlyn's End of School Awards

Kaitlyn's awards ceremony was for the 3rd and 4th grades.  But, it kinda felt like it was a "Kaitlyn award ceremony" :)  As she walked in wearing her dress and heels, hubby said she had the walk of a model :)

 She got to participate in the opening remarks, and get the party under way!

 And then the awards started.  She got an award for having the most AR points in her class.

 Their principal is so nice about making the ceremony special!

 She also got an award for having the most AR points in the entire school!!!

 We didn't know this one was coming.  She was so proud!

 Then she got the Award for Excellence for her class. 

 AND she got an award for getting all A's all year.  She was the only one in BOTH 3rd and 4th grade to get all A's all year!!!  And she worked so hard, and fretted so much (even though she was never even close to getting a B).

 As she walked out, she clanked quite a bit.  But she sure was proud and so were we!

 This is the first year that Kaitlyn has traded teachers.  She had two of the same teachers Kari had.  And they all loved her.

We do too Kaitlyn!  Good job!