Second place really is first loser.

These sweet babies got second place in their post-season tournament this weekend. They were all bawling, because second place stinks. Really, it does. Character building? Yes. But, fun? Nope.

 Thankfully, ice cream makes everything better. 

 He fought the pole, and the pole won.

In other news, if this doesn't put the fear of God into a mother, nothing will:

This woman-child has grown a foot the past 6 months and her hand-me-down-iphone-turned-ipod-with-no-data-plan is quickly turning into an appendage.

Oh my word, she's me.

I'm going to need a bag to breathe in....and after that a sedative.

And the winner is...

Mia accidentally missed her own art show (When Disney calls, we answer). Thankfully, a friend went and noticed that Mia won Outstanding Youth Impressionist. 

I'll sell this to you for the very fair and reasonable price of one bajillion dollars. 

I say a little prayer every time I open Bode's backpack.

 Because I find things like this:

And this (He dreams big. I believe this has something to do with having to be a certain height to ride things at Disney World):

And finally, this little nugget:

I'm certain his sister hasn't seen this as I have not heard the indignant screaming....yet.

We went to Disney World (again) and loved it (again)

Is it possible that we have crossed a line with this whole Disney thing? Perhaps.

But, seriously, your kids are way less annoying in Disney World. That thing that makes you want to beat your head against a brick wall at home? It's completely adorable anywhere on Disney property.

And your kids think you are actually kind of awesome. There is little to no eye rolling at Disney.

At home, that look on Bode's face would mean he was plotting a way to make his sister scream that shrill, ear piercing, exasperated scream that he's grown so accustom to. But in Disney World, this is an admiring, loving look at his hero and mentor - his adorable sister.

This kid has always been able to sleep anywhere, but I believe this is the first time he has ever literally fallen asleep standing up and then just crumpled onto the floor of the bus. Only in Disney.

Bode and I got to have a mother/son day in Epcot while Andy surprised Mia with a trip to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios (she finished the entire series and is officially obsessed)! I'm hoping this will motivate Bode to read.

For some reason, I'm doubting it really sunk in.

Mia showing the fam pictures of her dream day of all things Harry Potter:

Apparently, Andy and I can't keep our eyes open. It's like we've never taken a picture before.

Cousin Besties for life

Normally, I would have given Bode a look that said, "This is no longer funny. Make a normal face right this instant or you will have to spend your Friday nights practicing how to pose for pictures. And it will take a really long time. And you will hate it." But in Disney World I'm all, "It's so hilarious how Bode ruins every picture with those adorable faces. That kid!"

Okay, even in Disney World this is considered a terrible picture.

This picture was immediately followed by the trip back to Oklahoma where everyone resumed their normal, super annoying activities.

When you think you're going to hate going with your kid to her theater thingy and you end up loving it almost more than she did.

So I flew with 27 children to Atlanta, Georgia to meet up with 5,000 other kids for a theater festival.

 You're thinking nightmare, right? Me too. I kept reminding myself that I created this theater loving little human and I'm also the one that insisted she make a goal for herself and getting selected for JTF is what she chose, so this was at least partly my fault.

I had to draw deep on my caffeine and courage. I'm not a person who likes crowds. Or staying up past 9 PM. Or children. 

 But lo and behold, I was blown away by the whole experience. It was way out of my comfort zone (there wasn't a Starbucks or one single minute of down time) but I learned that I can be a crazy, extroverted, kid person exactly one time per year.

 It didn't hurt that my kid was so happy. Like, dancing in the aisles (literally) happy the entire time.

 These are her people. They get her.

 And their moms get me. Which was such a sweet relief.

 If I never hear another Seussical song for the rest of my life it will be too soon, but still, so much fun.

 These Mommas turned out to be my soul sisters. I was so glad to meet theater moms that were as exhausted as I was.

 Finally a place where the theater geek rules!

 Now, one can imagine how many man-buns are represented with 2,500 theater dudes, but this guy's hair was unreal. 

 He actually meant to do this.

 Eventually, even the kids lost steam.

 All the different theaters bring arm bands and you exchange them all weekend. As you can tell, Mia made a lot of new friends.

 And the sweetest moment of the trip for me was meeting up with the rest of the fam in the Orlando airport. Mia is running towards her Daddy and Bode is running towards me.

It's fun having kids, for the most part.