Disney World

We took a Stanfield Family Fun Vacation October 8-11th to Disney World. The pictures are posted backwards with our last day first, so it looks more fun as you go. Kate was so amazed and kept saying, "Why did we come to Disney World"? I think she was so amazed we took her on the fun trip that she just could not believe her Mommy and Daddy did it for her. We stayed at Port Orleans, Riverside on the Disney World Resort. It was very nice. Kate always stayed in a condo and found the hotel room funny looking. She kept asking where the living room was.

Here Everett took his two girls on a carriage ride. He reminded me (I had forgotten) we went on carriage ride when we first started dating. It was soooo relaxing riding through Port Orleans French Quarter at night listening to the horse's shoes click clack through the street. Kate loved it and I think she was secretly pretending to be a princess on the ride.

Kate told Everett Minnie Mouse needed a daughter, so of course she had Everett wrapped around her finger. Minnie Mouse and her daugher enjoyed the carriage ride with us.

We met Alice in Wonderland at Epcot in England. Alice spent a lot of time with the children and was very playful with her character. Kate loved meeting her. Can't you tell? Alice told Kate she loved her Minnie Mouse in this shot and that she could be in the picture with them.

With a heat index of 104 in October in Orlando, Kate's hair looked a mess in the heat. How does Mary Poppins do it in that heat with that dress on? Kate loved meeting her too at Epcot in "England".

Kate's favorite ride was "Mumbo" as she called it. She finally got Dumbo right by the second day.

I made breakfast reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table. It is sooooo worth the money and the breakfast was really good. Cinderella greeted us all and we got a free picture. While eating, the princesses came around and we were able to take pictures with them. This was my favorite part of the trip.

Jasmine had met Kate the day before and once she came to our table she said, "Didn't I meet you already"? It made Kate feel special that she remembered. She sure is sucking it in for the picture, but I'm not sure why.

Kate's favorite, Sleeping Beauty. I love this picture!

Snow White

The second day we bought Kate a Minnie Mouse. Minnie Mouse went on EVERY ride with us and really everywhere we went.

I bought tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Kate had been to the Magic Kingdom the first day and we went back that night for the party. She's not into spooky stuff. She did not like riding the Haunted Mansion earlier in the day and did not seem impressed with the spookiness of the park that night. I thought it was neat. We stayed for the Hallow-wishes fireworks and she trick-or-treated. It was neat seeing everyone dressed up.

A good looking Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribbean during the parade.

The Headless Horseman came riding down the street before the parade.

"Belle" aka Kate before we left for the Halloween party at Magic Kingdom.

Our first day entering the Magic Kingdom.

That's Everett on the far left riding the orange Dumbo. I think he was having fun with that smile!

Kate met Aladdin and Jasmine the first day. They were the first characters she met. I think she hurt Jasmine's feelings a bit because she wouldn't speak, but I think she was just so shocked she did not know what to think. They were able to get her to smile by the end of the conversation. As soon as we left the line she darted to the shop beside them and just had to have a Jasmine doll. Jasmine went everywhere with us the first day!

Our breakfast with Cinderella at her Royal banquet. Why am I the only one smiling?

Twinkle Toes!

This evening was Kate's first ballet class. She was thrilled to go home after school and to put on her leotard, skirt, and new ballet shoes. Kate was even more excited to ballet with her friend, Sarah. She talked about "criss, cross, applesauce" and pretending to catch a big balloon (arms extended). She was also excited that her teacher knew her name. I think she enjoyed it. If she really loves it she start tap class too. Everett will NEVER get any sleep then.

First Day of School

Kate had her very first day of school with Mommy on August 7th. Yes, she's 3 and attending elementary school with me. When I say that people are puzzled, so let me explain. Coweta schools have a few blended PreK classrooms, which are half children with special needs and half typical peers. The children are 3 or 4. We were very excited when Kate was picked and best of all she's right across the hall from me. I work closely with the class and know most all of her friends already.

She's been VERY excited for months anticipating school. She picked out her own backpack and lunch bag from Pottery Barn, which is of course pink polka dot. Mid-summer all Kate wanted to wear was dresses, so of course she had to wear a dress on her first day. We got new sneakers to wear on the playground and of course some that would look ok with dresses. She earned a smiley face her first day and looked puzzled when I broke out singing the "colors of the rainbow" song at dinner that I hear daily from across the hall. That's a look I'll never forget....how'd Mommy know we sang that song? She told me she sat in the tunnel with Emerson and looked out the holes on the playground because the slides were too hot. She took a PB&J for lunch of course and probably will every day for the remainder of the school year. Those were the highlights I got from her day, but she loved it. I can't believe our baby is in school!

Mexico Beach

We decided to take a relaxing trip to the beach for one last summer family vacation. We love trying new places, so this year we tried Mexico Beach. I should have listened to Everett years ago when he wanted to go. It is the forgotten coast and great if you just want to relax and play on the beach. We had a wonderful trip going to the beach for hours in the morning, taking LONG naps after lunch, and ice cream after supper while enjoying the sunset!

I'm not sure if you can tell with my shadow, but Kate is a sand mermaid. She made us bury her as a mermaid just like she did last summer.

VBS 2009

The Stanfield household had a "wild" time at our Kingdom of the Son Prayer Safari VBS. This year, I signed Everett to help me teach 3 & 4 year olds. He has a whole new perspective on my career as an SLP working mainly with preschoolers! Mr. Everett's VBS buddy, Brady, was by his side every night of VBS and looked forward to him teaching the class every night. I enjoyed teaching Kate, McKinley, and my other preschoolers.

Mr. Everett helping with a craft with his VBS buddy beside him.

The traditional VBS photo with Nanny.

Kate got her first tattoo at VBS and face painting. The next morning she told me to take off the tattoo because she "just wanted to be herself"! So glad she is not into stick on tattoos.

The kids loved walking around the sanctuary playing instruments during music time. McKinley certainly can bust a move while playing an instrument. He inherited that from his Mommy. Too bad he did not have bongo drums:)

Mr. Everett with his little VBS buddy.

Kate's First Dental Appointment

Kate had her first dental appointment at Marcum & Mobley in PTC. They were recommended by her Pediatrician and so worth it. I was very worried with how Kate would do since she is shy and not very fond of strangers, but she did remarkable well. The office is set up like a movie theatre with theatre seats and the movie Ratatouille was playing. She even got to finish watching the movie while in the dental chair with headphones. Her dental hygienist put Kate very much at ease. She picked out her toothbrush of choice (pink of course) and flavor toothpaste. She even let Dr. Barry check her teeth, with a little coaxing. She got a gold coin to earn a treat from the machine and had all her goodies stuffed in a popcorn bag with a "ticket" for her next appointment.