We went to Wonderland!

March Hare:  Why don't you start at the beginning?

Mad Hatter:   Yes, and when you reach the end.... Stop.

Ahhhh, yes... LOVE that movie!  Just wanted to share with you the totally enchanted morning we had last weekend at the Gaylord Texan!  Upon news that Sissy's bestie was moving (and quickly!), we set out to plan THE perfect last weekend in TX for her.  See, this is her sister and partner in crime... the girl that makes her giggle... the girl that knows ALL her secrets (whatever that my be when you're not yet 5 years old!)  And perfect is what that day was...

The picture above makes me both happy and sad.  We had so much fun getting the girls all glammed up.  The four of us had been spending more and more time together - miss them already!

Below is the girls with Alice and the White Rabbit.  This year's Summerfest at the Gaylord featured scenes and characters from the Lewis Carroll version of the story.  I loved the umbrellas and flamingos and teapots that surrounded us at breakfast... every detail was perfect.  And you've never met anyone half as sweet as Alice!

Alice led the girls in all sorts of wonderful activities... things you can't do anywhere but in Wonderland.  Like standing on a chair for pictures.  And eating chocolate for breakfast (at the White Rabbit chocolate fountain!)

The menu was full of yummy Wonderland treats like:

The Hatter's Mad French Toast

Tweedle Dee-licious Eggs Benedict

The Humpty Dumpty Omelet Station

Queen of Hearts Chocolate Fountain

We're all mad here...

The girls pose with Alice and the mommas (I was still in my old glasses then... I just wonder how much fun I would have had if I could SEE that day!)

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.  Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't.

And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would.  You see?

And because we were celebrating Bestie's time here in TX... the girls had to get in some time as Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!  (This looks like some interpretive dance?  Maybe a little too much So You Think You Can Dance?)

Curiouser and curiouser...

After breakfast, we walked around Wonderland.  Amazing!  And what would Wonderland be without mushrooms?  If you look closely, you can see a giant caterpillar sitting on a mushroom in the distance behind the girls.

In my world, the books would be nothing but pictures...
Each display had a book with information on the artist and materials.

Drink me

Off with their heads!

Why, you're nothing but a pack of cards!

As we approached a giant scene with most of the pack of cards in various stages of painting the roses red... we couldn't help but notice the fragrant smell of roses in the air.  They left no detail undone!

Here's our favorite little spades.... (we let them turn the cameras on us mommas, too - hilarious!)

This is just part of a scene built from SAND, which included the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Tweedle Dee and Dum, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit... and, of course, Alice herself.

I got soooo much inspiration for Big Sis's Madhatter bedroom!  I'm working on a wall of clocks - vintage/new, working/not, whimsical/serious.... We've hit a rough patch with medical bills lately (nothing serious, but including an adnoid removal for G-man the day before we went to Wonderland!), but I'm planning to start building the clock collection as soon as I can!

(Oh, and do you see that cute Alice in the pic at the left?  So many girls dressed in costume.. loved it!)

These pictures do NOT do this justice!  Just know... that keyhole was on the side of a rocky ravine... and stood at probably 10 feet tall... and the golden keys laid across the water below and were just as big.  SO cool!  (I'm also working on a variety of key accents for Sissy's room - I've found some amazing treasures on Etsy, as always!)

Every lampost was covered in scenes from the book.  And I scored a coloring book at the gift stop with all these same pictures.  Except I didn't tell Big Sis I bought it.  See, I'm thinking I might frame some of the most recognizable prints... THEN give her the rest of the book to color!
The bottom pic shows you just how excited those girls were to be together and in Wonderland... they couldn't help but skip thru the atrium!

And who.... are.... you?

The Caterpillar presides over his section of the atrium, atop a giant mushroom... and the Mad Hatter's mad hat sits on top one of the resort's restaurants (and again, this hat was GIANT!)

The second I saw the singing flowers, I instantly broke out in Golden Afternoon.  In my head, of course. ;)  These flowers were equal parts creepy and totally cool.  Nearby, we strolled thru topiaries of flamingos and the White Rabbit.

A few more details included a shower of colorful umbrellas that started at the 9th floor (and worked its way down), the Gryphon made of balloons, the Rise of the Jaberwok sculpture, and a 256 sq ft chess set (like the ones I've seen in pictures at some of the amazing Alice-themed birthday parties!)

When I get home I shall write a book about this place... If I ever do get home.

We didn't WANT to go home!  What a special morning for 2 special friends.  Oh, and the girls, too! ;)