Disney World

Day 2

Vero Beach

First Stop - Pool

Brielle started with water wings, life jacket, and water shoes 

Next Stop - Beach

Playing with new sand toys from Cinderella. 

Brielle would not get in the ocean.  This was about the closest she would get.  She said the waves were too scary.  To be honest, I wouldn't get in because it was freezing but Grant and Scott braved the water.  The weather was perfect for playing on the beach and relaxing. 

Brielle buried Uncle Scott. 

We went back to the pool for some afternoon fun.  Brielle spotted the water slide. 

She LOVED the slide that wrapped around and around.  Uncle Scott and Grant took her several times, but then she wanted to go 'all by herself'.  She climbed three flights of stairs alone, waited in line alone, and flew down alone.  There was no life guard at the top either.  She was standing in line with the big kids and did it all by herself.  Wow! 

We went to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner.  Brielle was a bit scared of the fire and didn't eat a ton, but tried chopsticks for the first time.  The Shirley Temple was a big hit too!  In fact, she has already requested it for her birthday! 



Disney World

We had an amazing spring break trip!  It was magical.  I had doubts.  I was nervous.  In the end, it was the dream vacation that everyone said it would be thanks to Aunt Jill, Uncle Scott, and Grant's planning.

Day 1

At KCI, waiting to go to Disney World!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The first stop on vacation was Vero Beach.  The Disney hotel had cartoons and kid-size chairs.  Brielle found them right away!

Cinderella left Brielle some presents in our room.  Good thing Uncle Scott is friends with Cinderella and told her we were coming! 

Uncle Scott read Cinderella's welcome letter to Brielle.  So sweet! 

It was pretty late when we finally arrived to our suite.  Cinderella's surprise was huge hit, and Brielle's reaction to the hotel was hysterical.  She would run from room to room and object to object saying things like..."We have our own TV!"  "We have our own kitchen!"  "We have everything we need!"  "I have my own trashcan!"  My personal favorite..."We have our own toaster!  We can make toast!"  I was pretty sure we didn't even need to go to Disney World after her reaction to the hotel.  Good first day!



Pretty Nails

We had to get our nails done for Florida, so I took Brielle to have her nails professionally painted for the first time.  The smile on her face was priceless!  She loved it!

Hello Kitty toes 



Fashion Critic

Brielle and I were headed to the store.

Brielle asks...Is that what you are wearing Mommy?

Yes.

Are those your pajamas?

No.  They look like my pajamas, but I will have you know these are clean sweat pants and a clean t-shirt.  I just put them on.

Oh.  Well they look like your pajamas. (Insert slightly disgusted face at my outfit choice)

Don't worry.  I'll wear my coat, so no one can see.

Keep in mind this was her outfit of choice.....



Big 12 Championship

Mizzou won the Big 12 Championship beating Baylor 90-75!

Grant bought all-session tickets for us.  However, when KU lost we decided to get a ticket for Brielle for the championship game.  It worked out great!  We ended up getting to spread out in the two seats next to us.  Brielle was extra cheery after she ate an entire Fun Dip.  She probably won't remember the game, but she watched the last Big 12 tournament for Mizzou.  It felt like a historical moment.

"Go Tigers!"  M-I-Z-"Z-O-U"

 The Power and Light District was transformed for the tournament.

Brielle had to pack some toys in her Truman backpack from Aunt Samantha and Uncle Jake.  Everyone loved it!

We got to meet up with Uncle Matt and Nick before the game. 

Laurence Bowers cutting down the net.

Brielle and I enjoying the after game ceremony.

 Frank Haith cutting down the net.

Super fun night has to come to an end! 

We are ready for the SEC championship next year!

Disney World Countdown

Disney World is a week away!  We are excited!

Brielle made her own countdown paper chain.  She didn't need help making it at all (except for tearing off pieces of tape).



Bows...The Big Kind

So we have bought some really big bows lately.

I giggle, because inside my head I hear...

 We like big bows and we can not lie
You other brothers can't deny

I hope Brielle finds this funny when she is waaaaaay older!

Brielle picked out a bow at church the other day.  It was the most expensive, the most gaudy, super pink, and the biggest bow she could find.  The money went to a good cause, but why didn't we so how could we say no?

So Monday arrives and it's time to get ready for school.  Of course both hair accessories purchased over the weekend must be worn at the same time.  She even said, "oh everyone will think I am so pretty."  And it's true.  At 3 1/2 everyone thought she was adorable.  Might as well work it while you can.  I bought the huge light pink headband, so I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Simple...Honest...Life

You know the simple things in life will pass you by if you are not careful.

Hence, why I named the family blog Simple...Happy...Life.

I constantly remind myself that it's the little day to day memories that are most important.  I blog to capture those memories.   

Tonight at dinner, we were discussing our highs and lows of the day.  My high was getting to go to church with the whole family and my low was missing Bass Pro Park because I had to meet one of my greatest friends to work on a project. 

Brielle has been a Daddy's girl forever.  When I go to work on a project it doesn't seem to bother her.  When Grant leaves, we have tears.

Brielle:  My high was playing at Bass Pro Park.  My low was when you weren't there.

Oh...man...such simple honesty.

Thank you Ladybug.

Jokes

Every night is comedy night at our house.

Dinner has become a stand-up show featuring Brielle as the head-liner.  Grant and I are the the opening act.

After Grant and I tell a joke,
the rest of Brielle's jokes follow the same pattern. 

Here's a dandy from tonight:

Knock.  Knock.

Who's there?

Chicken.

Chicken who?

Chicken....look around the room....

Chicken light bulb.

Yep.  Chicken light bulb. 

Sweets!

Brielle is often saying 'I love sugary stuff' while she dips her finger in icing or cookie dough or cake batter. 

So, Jack and Sam sent Brielle the most perfect Christmas present - Strawberry Shortcake Holiday Treats Cookbook.

Grant and Brielle use the cookbook all of the time.  We have enjoyed a lot of 'sugary stuff'.  All of the treats - snicker doodles, sugar cookies, jam dots, blueberry pound cake - have been delicious!



Conversation of the Day

We were leaving the pet store and still reveling in the idea of taking home a cute (not-so-expensive) puppy.

Brielle: I'm going to be a pet store worker when I grow up.

Me: Really? That's a great idea!

Brielle: I'm going to own my own pet store with just kitties.

This comment is noteworthy since we didn't see one kitten at the pet store and she doesn't visit anyone with a cat.

Me: What about puppies?  Didn't you like that cute puppy you petted? 

Brielle:  Well yes.  I would own my own pet store with pink kitties and lovey pink puppies.  Only lovey puppies.  giggle.  giggle.  I mean rainbow kitties and lovey rainbow puppies. 

I can't wait to see this pet store.  I have a feeling it will be really popular with little girls!

Pet Store

Last Monday, Grant took off in the afternoon to play with Brielle and me.  It was raining.  What to do?

Bingo!  Pet Store!  We love visiting the pet store and in my case pretending that I love animals.  Don't get me wrong I like animals.  I grew up with an outside dog.  Outside.  He came in maybe 2 times, and both times it was a blizzard.  Even then he was only allowed in the foyer.  Therefore inside animals and I just don't mix. 

So we were at the pet store...Brielle picked out a cute black puppy.  A little petting room opened up.
We all went in.  The puppy curled up in Brielle's lap.  This same puppy had been jumping around in his cage and biting his bunk mate's ear.  He was still.  Content.  For a moment fifteen minutes, I was captivated by how good this puppy was with Brielle. Then I heard the words, "Can I have this puppy?"  For a moment nano second I thought 'yes, you can totally have this puppy'.  "Sir, can you tell us how much this puppy costs?"

$1,600.00

Smack!  Pinch!  Reality Check!  Hello!  Screeeeeching Halt!

Thank you for letting us pet this adorable puppy. 
Mommy and Daddy will "think about it".