Amazing Grace Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

I found out about a month ago about an amazing corn maze/pumpkin patch/fall festival type thing that I couldn't wait to take the girls to! There really aren't a ton of things around here that give you a real sense of what fall IS...it's still 80 and sunny here, our trees are still green and you could go swimming if you wanted to. The mornings and evenings are starting to get chilly and the girls were thrilled that I let them wear vests to school the other day (it was SO hot when I picked them up that their vests were stuffed into their bookbags!). This particular place is an hour away and Matt and I both agree that as long as they are doing it, we will make it an annual thing. It was definitely worth the drive. There was SO much to do and it was way out in the country and there were actually some different color leaves to see! We heard that it gets really crowded so we were the first people there. No. Really. The first people there. The girls took their first hayride, had rubber duck races, went on a cow train and got to pet animals. They each picked out some little baby pumpkins and we let them paint them when they got home. (Then they just wanted to paint on the yard bags!)! They had a blast. It was such a perfect fall day. We all had so much fun and it finally felt a little bit like fall! Can't wait to go back next year!!! The girls are SO excited that Friday is Halloween! Big week ahead....

St. Augustine!

The girls and I decided to head to St. Augustine this morning! Actually, the girls planned the whole thing out and I was just the chauffeur! The weather could NOT be any better...75 and not one cloud in the whole sky. Just amazing! I think I overdressed the girls because I was actually excited to finally get into some of their fall clothes when it felt chilly this morning! They were hot by the time we left!
We started the morning at the playground and carousel. It takes only 30 minutes from our front door to get there. The girls were in heaven and met a bunch of new friends and they all just ran and ran and ran around. It was too cute. From there we headed to Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the U.S.  The girls were mostly just impressed with all of the cannons that they have displayed and the fact that it was used defend St. Augustine against pirates at one time! We didn't take a tour...we just walked around. I got a brochure so that I could read up on it with them later. From there we walked across the street to the Pirate Museum! They'd been before but they liked it even better this time. You can pretend to light the cannons inside and they make a super loud BOOM...a little too loud for the girls but it's still pretty neat! They filled out everything on their treasure maps so they got Skull and Cross Bone tattoos from the guy working there at the end (I was thrilled). They also got to reach into the treasure chest and get some "pirates booty" and they just thought it was the best. Finally, we finished our morning with slices of pizza from Al's (one of their favorite spots) and a piece of fudge at Kilwins! What a morning!!!!! We are so lucky to live so, so close to such a fun and interesting city! Can't wait to go back again soon!!!

Magic Kingdom!

Matt asked me about a month or so ago what I would like for my birthday this year. I honestly don't "need" anything...and something I've been wanting since last January when we went with Laurie, Nathan and Cooper was to go back to Disney World with the girls. So that's what I said, and he made it happen!!! We just did a super quick trip but it was one of the best weekends ever. So many laughs and amazing memories. I know it's so cheesy to call it the happiest place on earth, but isn't that just so perfect?!? It was just amazing and the girls had the most magical time and so did we!!! We left the house after we woke up on Saturday morning and were on the teacups before 1:00. (It's really only a two and a half hour trip...but we stopped and checked in at the hotel and had to pick up our tickets so that took a while!)! The girls still LOVE the teacups but the Goofy Barnstormer roller coaster (which wasn't there when I was little) seems to have taken over their #1 spot. It is so fun. It's officially for little kids, but it's actually a real roller coaster with big drops and big turns and they laughed so hard that Reagan had tears in her eyes when she finished because she laughed so hard. How awesome is that to sit next to?!?! The best ever.  They did the Peter Pan ride, It's a Small World (also a huge favorite), Dumbo, Pirates of the Caribbean, Alladin's Magic Carpet ride, Buzz Lightyear (the Toy Story ride) and so many more...The only "thumbs down" was the Haunted Mansion.  Someone told us that it wasn't scary at all and I didn't really remember it from when I was younger so we tried it. The girls were NOT impressed. They said "That was cool but way too creepy for us!!"! It was a little too scary!!! Just trust me that besides that one little blip, Disney was amazing in every way and that we were all completely exhausted after day one! We left the park about 5 and went swimming in the hotel pool and then just ordered room service. I thought that they might fall asleep before their food even came, but they rallied and even though they hadn't had a nap all day, they stayed up to have Mickey Mouse brownies in bed.  Ha! So much fun. This morning they were up by 6:30 (WHAT???!!!!) and got dressed and strapped themselves in their strollers because they were READY to go. We got to Disney in time to watch Mickey open the park and we were able to ride 6 rides in the first hour and half! The crowds weren't bad at all...it was almost chilly this morning and there wasn't a cloud in the entire sky all day. I swear, God must have a special place in his heart for Disney World!!!! We left the park around 2 and got home around 4:30..just in time for Matt to catch the Browns beat the Titans in the last minute of the game! Yay!
I could go on and on and on about how awesome the weekend was...but I wouldn't do it justice. I hope everyone can have a chance at some point in their lives to experience Disney through the eyes of little children. Magical is the only word that seems to fit perfectly! The girls are already planning their next trip and what they want to do first. I know I can't wait...(just wish GiGi and Grandpa still lived there!!!!)!