The second day found us driving cars in Fantasyland. Archer couldn’t wait to get inside a car and kept reaching through the metal bars trying to touch one, while we were in line.

Violet looking way too comfortable behind the wheel.

Violet was having a time keeping the car from knocking around on the track. She says, “When cars are broken they are sometimes like this, right?” Archer is saying “up, down” while he is on the carousel.

On the carousel

Exploring the Swiss family Robinson treehouse.

Daddy making the most of the Toy Story “shoot’em-up” ride.

The kids enjoyed playing with their new light up toys while waiting for the night parade.

And yes, that is a leash on Archer. It gave him a bit of free rein while we sat and waited and I didn’t have to constantly have my eyes on him to make sure he wasn’t wandering off. I felt kind of guilty but fortunately it was dark so my shame was lessened.

I’m not sure if the castle is always covered with lights or if this was a Christmas thing but it was gorgeous! Violet fell asleep right before the fireworks started and woke up just as it ended.

Months ago, friends of ours asked us if we wanted to go to Disney with them this year. They probably couldn’t imagine that we’d be such incredible travel companions— what with the little legs that don’t go very fast, stroller parking, sleep-deprivation whines, and bus rides back to the hotel with two sleeping kids (plus a stroller that needed to get unloaded in an instant). Actually, it wasn’t all bad and we are incredibly grateful for our friends in these moments, not only for putting up with us, but for being such huge helps.

I grew up in Florida and have been to Disney many times. It was always a day trip for me and I hadn’t before stayed at a Disney resort. This time we stayed at the Coranado Springs resort. Here we are at the “Pepper Market”.

I was super excited we got to go when the Christmas decorations were out!

We got the meal plan, and we decided that while it might save you money for the food you get, the plan has you eating way more in quantity and frequency than you would otherwise. Dessert came with every meal. Surprisingly, I didn’t gain weight on the trip. I guess I needed those desserts to fuel all the walking and child-toting!

After this ride we went on Big Thunder Mountain. Violet held her hands in the air the whole time and loved it!

Waiting for the parade to start.

Violet and Cole.

Waiting is so easy when there is a train to play with. Thanks, Shea!

Archer had his best cheesy smile on for the parade dancers.

Ben and Andrew, the photographers. Ben has known Andrew since middle school.

Violet took a nap on the bus ride back. She’s next to our friends Shea and Cole.

We left the park early on our first day. We enjoyed the hotel’s awesome heated pool, and the hotel even coordinated a marshmallow roast. I learned Violet is still a bit young to be wielding a smoldering ball of sugar on her own. I asked Violet that night what her favorite part of the day was, and listed off many things we did. Earlier in the day, she said the Peter Pan ride was her favorite thing. Now after going on the water slide a dozen times, she said she enjoyed the pool the most!

Violet went on a horse ride.

The horse was pretty tall. Of course she wasn’t scared at all.

The kind Texas cowboy who owned the horse offered Archer a chance to jump on. It was Archer’s first time riding and animal and he didn’t really know what to think. Archer happened to have glitter on his face from intercepting Violet’s craft project that morning. I don’t think the cowboy knew what to think about that.

Violet loves pumpkins! Archer calls them apples.

My attempt of getting a nice father-son picture. Archer started whining for me to hold him and Ben imitated Archer.

There is a place on the farm where we could cut flowers to take home. This was probably Violet’s favorite part of the day.

Well, I thought the next post I did would be on our trip to Disney World…. Here are some pictures I forgot about.

We went to Sweet Berry Farms a few days after Halloween. The long drive was totally worth it for Archer after finding this Archer-sized tractor.

He was also really digging sitting on top of the pumpkins.

Still digging it.

This picture was doomed for deletion until my sister-in-law spotted the goat who wished he was in our family.

Violet would have liked to take one home!

The other day I made frozen popsicle paints. I did this with Violet when she was about Archer’s age and she loved it. Well Violet loved it still at 5 years old. Pretty quickly after she started painting paper she began painting herself.

Archer on the other had was not amused. He got a little more into it when I brought the car over for a new paint job.

Then Violet wanted to swing. I hold my breath every time the kids start playing on it. The swing set is soo ready to be scrapped.

Archer climbed aboard with Violet for the first time and LOVED swinging. Archer may not like getting messy with paints but unlike Violet at his age, he loves to swing.

Ben thinks I shouldn’t post this picture. He says Archer looks like E.T. I say Danny Devito.

Anyway something horrible happened the other morning. Archer and I were in the kitchen and I just poured my freshly brewed coffee into a mug. I turned and took two steps to the pantry to get sugar, turned back and saw him pulling the mug off the countertop. I roared “NO!” and lunged to get the coffee away from him. It then spilled kind of everywhere. He shrieked and grabbed at his chest and I tore off his shirt. I saw a blister. I took him to the bathroom and ran cold water over his chest which he did not like at all. I called the doctor and they wanted to see him. He was burned in three spots and one was a second degree burn the size of a dime. The doctor said the burn on his chest looks like a scorpion. I was choking back tears the whole morning. I consider myself somewhat of a helicopter mom. I can’t believe I did something so careless. At the same time I am so thankful because I know it could have been much worse.

Next post, DISNEY WORLD!