Disney Cruise -- Beaches

Our top priority when at port was to go to a beach. We accomplished that at our first stop in Jamaica. We docked in Falmouth and took a 30 minute taxi bus to a beach in Montego Bay.

Our kids had never been to a beach and we were very excited to take them. Here are the kids going into the water for their first time.

We spent much of our day swimming around chasing fish and looking for sea shells. (Customs confiscated the shells we tried to bring back with us.) I did some snorkeling and Amy got a 45 minute massage from a local. I managed to get a fairly severe sunburn because soon after I reapplied sunscreen onto my back, a local rubbed baby oil on my back and rubbed my shoulders trying to convince me to let Amy get a massage. We didn't think twice until getting back to the boat and seeing my back was already red!

Here is Caden with a couple of his finds. He has coral in one hand in a shell in the other.

 We also spent time playing the sand. We built some sand castles and buried Caden.

We enjoyed our first beach. Jamaica was beautiful and we could not have had any better weather.

The next day, we woke up in Grand Cayman. This time, we had a boat excursion to a beach and Grammie and Poppa were coming along. Here we are on the bus.

The ten minute bus ride took us to Tiki Beach. This beach was fairly different from the one in Jamaica. This one had more waves though they were all small. The sand was thicker and softer here as well. Also, the water got deeper much more quickly and there was a nearby coral reef to greatly improve the snorkeling.

Caroline was very excited to be at another beach.

 The same was true with Caden.

Caroline enjoying the water.

I love Caden in his goggles.

I took both kids out to see the coral reef. They would ride on my back as I swam out. I'd stop and they'd stick their heads in the water. Caden thought it was great and saw tons of fish. Caroline was a little too timid and didn't want to go out very far.

Caden and Grammie enjoying the water.

Our kids loved going to the beaches. We can't wait to take them to another. Grammie was already saying we needed to take a trip to a Florida beach.

First Bikes

We play outside in our front driveway all the time. Caden and Caroline love riding their big wheels and scooters down the slight slope of our driveway.

One day, I decided to teach them how to use their balance bike (which had previously been mostly ignored). Caden took to it extremely quickly. All he wanted to do was practice on the balance bike. Caroline liked riding it as well...whenever Caden wasn't on it.

After a couple weeks, they had completely mastered the balance bike. They could ride it in circles and figure eights with ease. Amy and I decided it was time to get them real bikes...without training wheels. We'd hope to wait until their birthday, but we didn't want to miss the boat with their high interest level.

One day, I went to Walmart and bought a couple bikes. The kids had ridden these at Walmart numerous times before.

We made the kids back out of the house and not turn around until I told them to.

 Caden and Caroline were very excited to see their new bikes.

 

 They immediately took their bikes to the top of our driveway.

Caroline with her super girly princess bike.

Caden on his Lightning McQueen bike.

It took less than five minutes before they got to riding the first time.

By the third time we went outside to ride their bikes, the kids were pros. I was AMAZED how quickly they picked it up. I'm definitely a believe in the balance bike!

Caroline's First Haircut

Last month, my little girl got her first haircut. I think it was more traumatic for me than it was anyone. I thought we should only get a half inch cut off, but Amy and the hair dresser said that was not enough. :)

Caroline preparing for her first haircut, just a couple months before her forth birthday. (She was bald until two and her hair finally started growing right around her third birthday.)

It took awhile to comb out all the tangles, but the hair dresser got it done. Caroline did an awesome job and never complained. At home, she'd cry any time we brushed her hair saying we were pulling it! Go figure?

 The first cut! Caden was very interested.

 Caden was very proud of Caroline. He has had quite a few haircuts.

 Check out Caroline! She even got a nice little braid and bow.

Her reward for doing so well was to pick out some nail polish and getting her toes done for the first Time.

Caroline loved her mommy manicure.

First Day of Preschool 2013

The kids summer vacation is over and they returned to preschool. This will be the first year where Caden and Caroline are not in the same class. Amy and I are sad about that but we know it is best. They will need to be used to this when kindergarten comes around.

 

Both kids had a hard time when we dropped them off in separate rooms but they ended up having good days. Hopefully, they will grow accustom to being in different rooms and will be even more excited to see one another when they get home.

 

Here are some pictures from our first day photo shoot.

 

Daddy-Daughter Date Night at Chick-Fil-A

A couple months ago, I took Caroline on a date to Chick-Fil-A. Caroline had told Amy all about I would bring her red flowers and take her on a date. Of course, I had to oblige. Caroline went all out and decided to surprise me by wearing her Cinderella dress.

Me with my little princess.

Caroline loved her flowers.

 Caroline and I had a great time date at Chick-Fil-A. I don't want my little girl to grow up.

Disney World -- Random

Here are a few more random pictures from Disney World.

 

 

On the bus heading to the airport. Caden and Caroline are sporting shirts that Amy made.

Caden slept in Grammie's arms on the flight to Orlando.

Caroline was very excited to get on the bus after reaching Orlando.

Entering Disney World

 

The cousins loved being silly together.

 Ella was very entertaining.

On the morning of our last day, we took our luggage to the bell hop. Caden and Caroline pushed their suitcases all the way there.

Our farewell breakfast with Mickey Mouse and his friends.

Caroline and Caden got surprises while waiting for our table at breakfast. Caroline was very cute covering her eyes and peaking just a little.

We had a ton of fun on our Disney vacation and are already talking about going back...some day.