Happy 6th Birthday Ollie

Well it's been a bit busy since we returned from holiday and not just with all the washing.

Amy started Gymnastics on a Tuesday after school - it was meant to be a stop-gap whilst we were on the waiting list of Cheer leading on a Saturday but a place has become free earlier than expected so we do that as well!

She seems to love both of the classes and after only one lesson of each is able to do a forward roll - something which complete escaped her before.

Ben has finally figured out what the potty is for and was extremely pleased with himself for doing his first wee on it. He ran about the room high-fiving everyone and shouting - "I did a wee"!!

I guess we'll have to see where he goes from here but at least it's a start.

On Sunday we went to Ollie's 6th Birthday party. This year it was family only and he had a joint one with his cousin Elise (he'd had the rowdy friends party at Go Wild the day before).

Everyone had a great time and the kids especially enjoyed the wheel barrow rides - I'm not sure who is crazier - them or Phil!!

Happy Birthday Ollie. Hope you enjoy your presents.

We Are Sailing

Hi Guys. We're back from our holiday and there is much to tell.....

The holiday was split into two parts; 6 days on Land at the Disney parks in Florida and 4 days at Sea on the Disney Cruise Line.

So here goes.....


Monday 31st March
We arrived at our hotel/apartment after a very uneventful flight and after a short while were joined by Brenda & John (they had been unable to get a flight to Orlando and had flown to Miami and driven from there).

Tuesday 1st April
We started out in Magic Kingdom and were very lucky to receive Dream Fastpass tickets for the whole day which allowed you to get on some of the most popular rides with very little waiting. We were very pleasantly surprised and were stopped several times during the day by people asking were we'd got the special passes from!

Wednesday 2nd April
On Wednesday we went to Animal Kingdom and Ben actually got to see the Kilimanjaro Safari as he stayed awake for it!

It was a bit too hot today so we left a bit earlier and went back to the pool for a swim. Well Amy did but Ben by this time was covered in chicken pox so we kept him away from the water.

Thursday 3rd April
Disney Studios today and Amy watched the High School Musical street show about 5 times. They both really enjoyed the Playhouse Disney Live show and Ben seems to have discovered a deep and meaningful love for Ariel. We went to the Little Mermaid Show and when Ariel appeared (real person) he shouted out very loudly and during a quiet bit "Awiel, my see Awiel!!" - it was very sweet.

Friday 4th April
It was back to Magic Kingdom again today as it's the kids (and my) favourite. Sadly no dream fastpass tickets today but still had a very good time.

Saturday 5th April
On Saturday we did Seaworld and we all got thoroughly soaked by Shamu the killer whale. Amy had asked to sit in the splash zone but if I'm honest I hadn't realised how wet you got. Ben completely freaked out but Amy loved it!

After Seaworld we went back to our apartment to pack up ready for the cruise. Amy didn't want to leave the hotel pool behind but that's about par for the course.

Sunday 6th April
The first day of the cruise. We weren't too sure what to expect really but it was magical from start to finish. We kept Ben well hidden in case anyone noticed his (now fairly scabby) spots but no-one seemed interested. After all the official stuff with check-in it was onto the ship itself. As soon as we got on the boat we bumped into Abby from Ben's nursery who was starting her first day working on the Youth Team which was nice.

We got into our cabin and there were some lovely little gifts waiting which Steve had organised. There was a memory box for keep-sakes & photos, some bubbly & a beautiful bouquet of flowers with roses shaped like mickey mouse!

We were introduced to our waiting staff & the quality of food we would be enjoying for the next 4 days and explored the ship. That evening we bumped into Captain Jack but sadly I couldn't not locate Will Turner!

Monday 7th April
When we awoke we were arriving in Nassau where we would be parked for the day. Sadly the weather was quite miserable but we enjoyed our city tour excursion which we had booked.

That afternoon we returned to the ship and Amy explored the Mickey pool which was in the shape of Mickey's head. Ben had a little go in the splash area reserved for those not potty-trained and they both had a lovely time. The weather had cleared by then and it was blue skies ahead.

That evening we watched the Toy Story show after that it was a dash down to High School Musical Dance Party where Amy & Ben bopped away before a quick change into our glad rags for posh night and another scrumptious feast for dinner.

Tuesday 8th April
Today it was a day at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. The weather was glorious and Steve and Amy did a fine job of getting sun burnt!

Amy got her hair braided and we all went on a treasure hunt, following clues to lost gold. We had a great time in the sea mucking about together.

Amy lost her first tooth somewhere on the sandy beach but as luck would have it she received a letter delivered to the room on our return from Jack Sparrow. Apparently he had found her tooth on the beach and had given her 2 silver doubloons in return. To say she was gobsmacked would be an understatement.

The show tonight was The Golden Mickeys and you all had to walk down a red carpet whilst camera's flashed. Then it was onto the Pirates IN the Caribbean deck party. Unfortunately, Amy crashed out during the show and Ben wasn't far behind so the kids spent the night asleep in the buggy.

The deck party was really good and was completed by a firework show. Apparently Disney is the only cruise line which has permission to set of fireworks at sea and it was fairly spectacular.

Wednesday 9th April
The last full day was a day at sea. There were lots of activities to do and plenty of time to be spent splashing about. Amy & Ben particularly enjoyed watching High School Musical on the big TV screen by the pool.

The final show was Disney Dreams which was very well done with loads of characters from different Disney films popping up on stage.

Thursday 10th April
Our final morning on the ship and then we departed. It was a completely seamless disembarkation so we spent the rest of the day before our flight back at Magic Kingdom.

It was very sad to say goodbye to Granny & Grandad who are staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge for another week but all good things must come to an end.

We've got loads of photos and I've not put them on here as this post is long enough already. They can all be found here - More Photos

We now seem to have a house stuffed full of Disney merchandise but Steve and I are unanimous in our opinion that it was our best holiday ever!