Disney on Ice: Rockin Ever After

This year Dave and I decided not to do a lot for the kids for Christmas gift wise, and instead focus on doing more "experiences" with the kids. Kensley's "experience" was tickets to Disney on Ice. Yesterday afternoon we took Rowan to Grandma Patti's to hang out, (Don't worry he will get his own "experience" soon!) and then Dave, Kensley and I drove up to Cleveland to see the show.



We got to the show and immediately dropped $10 on cotton candy and a princess crown. She refused to eat a hotdog or anything because she saw the cotton candy first and wanted that. When we headed to our seats we sat down and a guy was coming around with snow cones. He yelled, "Anyone like a snow cone?!" and Kensley shot her hand up. He stopped and looked at us and I had to say no. You should have seen her face. I told her we would get one in a little bit. That meant about 5 minutes later. Another $10 spent on a snow cone and princess cup. She then proceeded to spend more focus on that snow cone then the actual show.



At the beginning of the show, Mickey Mouse came out and she turned to me and said, "See mom! I TOLD you he'd be here!" I guess I should have researched a little bit about the show. I assumed since it was Disney Princesses on Ice that all of the princesses would be there. She kept asking when Cinderella was going to come out and I kept telling her I am sure she's coming out soon. She never did. She wasn't part of this show. My little Cinderella dress wearing girl was not happy. She asked me where she was. Why she didn't show up. She explained that she must have been throwing up. (K was sick last week so maybe that explains why she would think that?!) I guess the lesson learned is do your research mom before you tell your child a princess will be there.

Even without Cinderella being there, and even after dropping huge amounts of cash on junk food and princess gear, I would say it was 100% worth it. We got to spend the afternoon with our very own princess and she told us she loved it and wants to see the princesses again soon!



And look out Cinderella, when we come to Disney World...We are coming for you!

Rowan's 2nd Birthday Party

There is really only one word to describe Rowan's Birthday Party...HOT! It was over 100 degrees with the heat index and we were all suffering. Grandma Patti nearly passed out! So yeah...it was hot. It was also a lot of fun and I know Rowan had a great time so it was all worth it.



His birthday was Pirate themed. We had the cupcakes made and then I printed out the cupcake toppers and Dave sat and taped them all to toothpicks. Such a good Dad!



I thought for a long time about how to do the treat bags and came up with an idea for a treasure hunt. I made the maps without thinking about the actual park, but it would have been neat to have made the maps more accurate for the kids.



K and Ro trying to beat the heat in their cool shades!



We had each family bring a covered dish and we had sooo much food! It was all delicious! I found an idea on pinterest to cook the hot dogs in a crockpot and then bring them to the park. A much better option than sitting in front of a grill cooking them...especially in that heat!





The treasure map bags included a pirate patch and compass for the kids to put on and use while they looked for buried treasure!











Getting ready for the BIG GIFT reveal...



What could it be?



I think he likes it!







Overall the party was a success...even if we melted!

Cheerios Game

As a mother I am constantly trying to find things for the kids to do to drag them away from the t.v. I try to limit the amount they watch but it's a constant struggle when Rowan is begging to watch Mickey Mouse and Kensley will sit and watch the weather channel if you would let her, just to watch t.v.!

So enter Pinterest...I have been searching on there for activities for the kids and came up with this activity. I don't think this actual activity was on Pinterest...I just looked around the house for some items that would be similar. Basically I just had the kids string cheerios through kabob sticks. I didn't know how much they would get into this but Kensley sat at the table for over an hour playing "The Cheerio Game" as she called it. Basically, she raced Rowan to see who could get the cheerios all the way to the top first. I don't think she even noticed that Rowan wasn't interested in racing her ;)











They had a fun time and it was nice to have them spend some time entertaining themselves!