My almost 5 year old daughter has been begging to have her ears pierced.  When her older (now 10 year old sister) was about 2.5, she asked for earrings.  I proudly took her to Claire’s and lots of screaming later, we had earrings!  Then came the “fun” of cleaning them.  Let’s just say that a wiggly, screaming 2.5 year old is rather strong!  I think I am permanently scarred from that one.  Despite all of this, my oldest rarely wears earrings now.

We decided after that we’d wait until our little girls could completely understand everything about what was going to happen and how we’d have to care for them before getting theirs pierced.  Today after even more requesting for “princess ears”, I finally agreed to take my almost 5 year old to Claire’s.  We picked out the perfect earrings, pink flowers, and then asked about having her ears done.  They told us sure, but we were next after another girl.

We waited our turn and our super excited almost 5 year old watched patiently to see what was going to happen.  I think this was the best thing we could have done because after the piercing before us, her face went from excitement to horror to PLEASE MOMMY DONT MAKE ME DO THAT!

And I didn’t.  We promptly left and went to Sonic instead.  Here’s my beautiful non pierced daughter:

I am currently on the hunt for some stick-on “princess ears”, so if you see some let me know.

That brings up a good question.  At what age do you allow your daughters to pierce their ears?  I’d love to hear feedback on how/when you decided and your daughter’s reactions.

Disclaimer: No children were upset or angry in the above photos.  I may or may not have bribed a child with a lollipop to give me a grouchy face.  I’ll never tell.

Everyone knows that familiar sound at Disney. I’m not talking about the joy, amazement, and  excitement. I’m talking about the screaming, melting down child.  You know, when a child is thrashing around crazily and the mom is scrambling to try and get the sweaty, angry child to calm down and the dad is saying “We’re never coming to Disney again if that’s how you act”.  Or reverse the roles.  Whichever works.

I typically smile and say “There’s a Disney Meltdown!”

We’ve gone to Disney almost every year since I was little and during that time I’ve seen lots of meltdowns.  My kids have their moments as well.  Here are some tips to help prevent a Disney Meltdown.

*Plan breaks in between rides.  During these breaks, you could ride some of the milder things such as It’s a Small World, visit the Hall of Presidents, or Country Bear Jamboree.

*Take breaks often for water and snacks.  See my post about feeding your family at Disney without going broke to see what snacks you can take right into the park with you.  Many times, the children are hot and dehydrated.

*During the hottest part of the day, consider going back to your hotel for a much needed break.  You can return to the park when everyone’s well rested and hydrated.  Be willing to drop everything and head back to the hotel.  As much money as you paid to get in the park, if no one is having fun, it’s not worth it.

*Don’t stay at the park from open to close if you have small children.  That’s the fastest way to burn them out (and yourself as well)

*Plan a day during your trip to sit at the hotel and do nothing but veg, watch tv, and swim.

*Remember to put sunscreen and hats on your child and keep them in the shade as much as possible.  The only thing worse than an exhausted toddler is a sunburned exhausted toddler.

*Bring the stroller.  Even if you have a 6 year old that walks a mile every day.  There will be times your child will want to sit down and there aren’t always places to sit.

*Dress them in comfortable clothes and shoes.  Sure, they look cute in their little dress up Disney princess shoes, but after a couple hours (or 20 minutes), they are no longer so fun.

*Be patient with your children.  They are most likely completely exhausted and overwhelmed.

Have your children had a Disney Meltdown before?  How did you react?  Any tips to add, leave a comment.  

For more of my Disney posts, click here.

Today is my 12 anniversary being married to my awesome hubby.  12 Years.  Time sure flies when you’re having fun!

Unfortunately we didn’t do anything exciting today since my hubby had to work.  He was able to come by for lunch though during his shift, though so that was fun.  I made homemade chicken nuggets, collard greens, cornbread, mac n cheese, and cookies and he was thrilled with that.  I think his trainee was happy for some food as well.

I thought since it’s our 12th anniversary, ya’ll would enjoy 12 fun facts about us!

1. We met at the Mall of Georgia.  He worked for security and I was a men’s sales associate for clothing at JC Penney.
2. Our first date was Waffle House after we got off work.
3. We both dream of one day owning a Corvette.  An old Stingray would be ideal.
4. We were both really young when we got married (I was only 18) and many people thought we were nuts.
5. We went to Disney World on our honeymoon and many more times throughout the years.
6. We got married at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, GA.
7. We are both dorks and completely okay with that 🙂
8. We love going for a drive and figuring out on the way where we are going to go.
9. The only time we’ve ever been apart was during his week at Police Academy and then in Feb when I went on a ladies retreat.
10. I’m the crazy spontaneous one, he’s the rational one that tries to keep me level-headed.
11. We both love to laugh and do crazy things to make each other laugh.
12. We have a secret word that means “I Love You” to each other.  Totally random and made up word, but that’s how we roll.

So there you have it!  What’s something random about you and your spouse?

My kids have lately become huge fans of kale chips.  They are so simple to make and so healthy for them so I never hesitate to make a batch when requested.  We got kale in our last Bountiful Basket so yesterday I chopped it up for kale chips!  They were gone within moments!

• Simply wash your Kale and remove the stalks by cutting off the leaves.  Sometimes I will just chop off the lower stalk and then chop up the rest of the leaves for bit size pieces.
• Put all your kale leaves into a ziplock bag and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to coat.
• Spread on a foiled lined cookie pan and lightly salt with sea salt.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 or until leaves are crisp.  Enjoy!

This is a guest post by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  When she is not helping plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Click here to contact her and she’ll help you find the best rates for your magical vacation!

Disney recently announced a “Rock Your Disney Side” 24-Hour, bi-coastal costume party: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and 135 of their friends came together to create the ultimate 140 character tweet to mark the countdown to “Rock Your Disney Side: 24-Hours” this Memorial Day Weekend, when guests of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California can enjoy select parks for 24 hours nonstop! The Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in California will be filled with great Disney heroes and villains from 6 a.m., May 23 to 6 a.m., May 24, 2014, local time marking the beginning of a summer of fun at Disney Parks. The celebration will feature several events showcasing the good vs. evil of classic Disney stories including character meet-and-greets throughout the parks, special entertainment, event merchandise, and food and beverage offerings.  Along with the entertainment guests have grown to love every day, they’ll discover surprise additions and special events throughout the 24 hours.  This event will be similar to the Monstrous Summer event Disney hosted in 2013.

In addition to the May 23rd 24 Hour Magic Kingdom Party, Star Wars Weekends will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios where guests can join the Rebellion against the forces of the Empire.  Star Wars Weekends is a special event included in the admission price of a Hollywood Studio theme park ticket on select weekends and features appearances by Star Wars celebrities and personalities, autograph sessions, and the largest collection of Star Wars characters to appear in a theme park, anywhere.  If you’re a Star Wars fan and have never been to the event, you definitely should check it out.

This year, Disney has introduced several new experiences during Star Wars Weekends, including a nightly event featuring Star Wars characters and a Symphony in the Stars fireworks spectacular. The widely popular Hyperspace Hoopla will not be returning this year. In order to allow more guests to join the fun, a 5th weekend is now being added to Star Wars Weekends 2014. The new event dates are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 16 – June 15, 2014. James Arnold Taylor will return as the event’s official celebrity host. Taylor, a Star Wars Weekends fan favorite, is the voice of hundreds of animated characters, including Obi-Wan Kenobi on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

For 2014, fans can purchase a ticket for the opportunity to have exclusive access to Darth’s Mall one day before it opens to the public. Packages for the Rebel Rendezvous are $250 per person and include a limited edition recruitment pack complete with custom messenger bag, hat, tumbler, lanyard, pin & medal set. Attendees will also have the first opportunity to purchase items being released during the 2014 Star Wars Weekends events, meet & greet opportunities with our Disney Design Group artists, and other Rebel activities. More information is available at: http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/events/rebel-rendezvous-announcement/

Which event are you looking forward to the most?

This is a guest post by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  When she is not helping plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Click here to contact her and she’ll help you find the best rates for your magical vacation!

When most people think of Disney, they think of princesses.  While there are lots of attractions at Walt Disney World targeted towards princesses, there are plenty for boys and anti-princess girls as well.  Here is a compilation of the best character meet and greets, rides, restaurants, and other attractions for non-princess Disney fans.

Animal Kingdom:

Animal Kingdom is probably the best park for the non-princess fan, which is probably why it is my 12 year old stepdaughter’s favorite park.  The only princess who meets at this park is Pocahontas.  None of the rides or shows are princess themed.  If you have little ones, be sure to watch the height requirements on Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, and Primevil Whirl.

Who to see:  Russell, Dug, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger at Discovery Island; Rafiki, Chip, and Dale at Rafiki’s Planet Watch; Baloo and Louie at Upcountry Landing; Mickey and Minnie at Adventures Outpost; and Goofy, Pluto, and Donald at Dinoland USA.

What to see:  Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, Flights of Wonder, Finding Nemo-The Musical, and It’s Tough to Be a Bug

Other attractions:  Wilderness Explorers

Epcot:

Epcot has a good mix of attractions for both princesses and non-princesses.  None of the rides are princess themed.  If you are avoiding princesses, skip eating at Akershus.  Watch the height requirements on Soarin’, Test Track, and Mission Space.

Who to see:  Disney Pals (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy) at the Epcot Character Spot; Chip and Dale outside the Epcot Character Spot; Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Alice in Wonderland in the United Kingdom; Duffy the Disney Bear near Showcase Plaza; and Donald Duck in Mexico

What to see:  Turtle Talk with Crush, The Circle of Life, Captain EO, illumiNations: Reflections of Earth

Other attractions:  Kidcot Fun Stops, Club Cool, and Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Hollywood Studios:

Hollywood Studios has a lot of great shows for non-princesses.  If you are avoiding princesses, skip seeing Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage.  Disney Junior’s Play ‘N Dine at Hollywood and Vine and Disney Junior Live on Stage both feature Sofia the First, but they also feature Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates, so you might have to put up with a princess if you have a pirate fan.  Watch the height requirements on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Tours, and Rock n’ Roller Coaster.

Who to see:  Buzz Lightyear and Woody at Pixar Place; Green Army Man ouside Pizar Place; Frozone and Mr. Incredible, Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope, Sorcerer Mickey, and Minnie Mouse at The Magic of Disney Animation; Chip ‘n Dale, Donald and Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy, and Stitch near the Sorcerer Hat; Indiana Jones near the Indiana Jones Stunt Show; Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates in Animation Courtyard; Lightening McQueen and Mater next to Mama Melrose restaurant; Mike Wazowski & Sulley near the Backlot Tour exit; and Phineas and Ferb beside Mama Melrose restaurant.

What to see:  Fantasmic, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show

Other attractions:  The Magic of Disney Animation, Pizza Planet Arcade, and Jedi Training Academy

Magic Kingdom:

The Magic Kingdom is by far the most princess heavy park.  If you are avoiding princesses, stay clear of Cinderella’s castle, Princess Fairytale Hall, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Ariel’s Grotto.  Watch the height requirements for Tomorrowland Speedway, Stitch’s Great Escape, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Goofy’s Barnstormer

Who to see:  Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit near the Mad Tea Party; Buzz Lightyear next to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Chip ‘n Dale in Frontierland; Donald, Daisy, Minnie, and Goofy at Pete’s Silly Sideshow; Marie and Pluto in the Town Square; Mary Poppins at The Chapeau,  Mickey Mouse at the Town Square Theater, Tinkerbell and Periwinkle at Tinkerbell’s Nook; Peter Pan and Wendy near Peter Pan’s Flight; Stitch near Space Mountain; Winnie the Pooh and Tigger near The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh; and Woody and Jessie near Splash Mountain

What to see:  Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, Stitch’s Great Escape, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Main Street Electrical Parade, and Wishes Nighttime Specular

Other attractions: Pirate League, The Enchanted Tiki Room, Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, Tomorrowland Arcade, Swiss Family Tree House, Tom Sawyer Island, and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

What are your favorite non-princessy things to do?

We were proud to be a part of the recent Disney Side@Home Celebrations.  Disney sent us a suitcase full of goodies to check out and host a party.

You can see our unveiling of our Disney Side@Home party goodies HERE.

Since we were sent Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stuff, we went for that theme.  I did find some princess stuff to decorate some of our yummy fudge cupcakes.  Guests were encouraged to dress like their favorite Disney character to show their Disney Side.

We played several rounds of Bingo to become familiar with the different resorts, rides, characters, etc.  Kids had a blast looking for the things on their cards.

Next we all got Goofy tattoos.

And then did lots of coloring.  Here’s my nephew showing his favorite Disney character.

Finally, we were given a bunch of blank shirts for the kids to design and show their Disney side.  This was probably the highlight of the party!  “You mean we REALLY get to color on a shirt?”  Yep!  We had them draw on paper what they wanted on their shirt and then they designed their own shirt.  Such unique styles were created!

Here’s everyone with their finished shirts!

All in all a great successful party and it came just in time before we actually went to Disney.  I packed the kids shirts so they could wear them in Disney World!  For more information about a Disney Side@Home party, click here.

It’s fun to make seasonal goodies for my children and for my hubby.  It makes them feel special and loved.  I also love spoiling my hubby and sending in goodies with him to work to share with his fellow deputies.  Here’s a simple way to make these awesome “Leprechaun Hats” out of marshmallows and cookies.  It’s much easier than you think!

Lego sets are awesome for Easter Basket fillers or for gifts! Right now you can find several LEGO sets under $5! Here are a few that I found:

LEGO Creator 31013 Red Thunder currently priced at $4.97!

LEGO Creator 31015 Emerald Express currently at $4.97.

LEGO City Motorcycle 60000 Only $5!

LEGO Creator 31014 Power Digger Only $4.97!

LEGO City 60011 Surfer Rescue Toy Building Set Only $4.89!