Disney Recap - Day 2

Bright and early the next day we decided to go to Hollywood Studios because we thought it would be less crowded than going to Epcot. The last time we went we skipped this park thinking it didn't have a lot for kids. It turns out that this was one of the best for Reed and Grace.

  

Right after meeting Mickey we got to go to a live show of each of Reed's favorite cartoons such as Mickey Mouse clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. The picture below is terrible but this stage show really had both Reed and Grace in mind.

Grace couldn't help but dance the entire time.

Reed and Daddy

After the show Grace got to pick out her Disney World Present.  As you can see from her face there was no question as to what to get her. She was in love at first sight. (Reed already got to pick out his bus toy.)

We know exactly how she feels about her little pooh bear, because we feel the same way about our little munchkin

Next it was time to use our Fast Passes for the Aerosmith Rollercoaster. It was too bad Reed was too short to ride this ride because this is seriously the best roller coaster that we've ever been on and he was really disapointed that he couldn't ride.

So Emily and I took turns riding while the other was waiting with the kids. Reed and Grace were good but still weren't immune to showing me a preview of the brother sister bickering that will soon fill our house.

"Hey are you touching my stroller?"

"Yes - right there you are touching MY stroller, right THERE."

"This is my side"

"He's touching me!"

"He's still touching me!"

We weren't in the car so I couldn't threaten to turn the car around.

After telling Reed to leave his sister alone he quickly found other things to do. He found some sticks to throw on the ground. As you can see he got pretty good distance.

He showed me his big muscles that he used to through the stick so far. 

Next it was off to the new Toy Story Ride. It was the only ride that we really had to wait in line for. It took about an hour. Reed was great in line. He was given one of the those waiting in line timer tracking necklaces so he was entertained with that for the entire time. Grace wasn't bad either. We did have to change her diaper why still in line (there was no way we were going to lose our spot....if someone had a problem with it then poop on them... Literally!)

Finally ready to go shoot some space aliens with "Buzz Light" as Reed calls him.

We went to a Little Mermaid show for the last stop for the day. We were all ready to go back to the hotel pool.

Disney Recap - Day 1

It seems just like yesterday when we went to Disney with Reed. The first time we were concerned that he wouldn't remember all of the fun but he has an uncanny memory and it was just as much fun for us watching him experience all of the new things as it was for him.

A couple of months after going to Disney with Reed the first time he would drop a few hints and say. "I wish I could go to Disney Whur-lod". It was too cute. So for Grace it would be even earlier of a trip for her but at least Reed would remember all the fun he'd have.

Reed decided to show us how he could fit in our carry on luggage. In case you were wondering that's how we kept the trip nice and affordable. Priceline the hotel, priceline the car, and put the kids in the carry on baggage. The "how to" go to Disney World on the cheap.

Seriously though we got our car for $10 a day on priceline and since we were so patriotic and flew on Sept 11 we got our tickets very cheap. Only $159 each ticket for non-stop round trip on American.

Reed was great on the plane as usual. On the way there it was all good for both kids. On the way back Grace was exhausted and cried a lot and Reed was good but kicked the seat a little too much I am sure.

Reed especially liked his distractions/new toys that he got just for the plane ride.

That's right the Red, White, and Blue was no accident.

Better Recognize!

Our little cars seat modifications for our roller bags was a hit as usual. We must have had 1000 people tell it that it was such a good idea. (My product development/focus group experience came out..."Yes but how much would you pay for one?") If I had a good patent attorney friend I would try and patent it.

 We were too tired to go to Disney on that same night we got there. It's too bad because it was Disney's night of Joy. They has a huge groups of Christian rock bands such as Third Day, David Crowder, Mercy Me, etc... playing. We new the kiddos wouldn't have made it through the show so we decided to turn in.

Here's a bad picture of our first tram ride going to the Magic Kingdom. Reed still savored every tram, train, monorail, boat ride that we had to take. Those were his favorite rides at the park.

Reed is ready to go...

I wanted to get a picture of the kids while they were still fresh and not nap-deprived.

We decided to ride the Pooh ride first since Grace is in love will all things Pooh. Her reaction was priceless but of course she was a little scared of the ride bouncing around and all of the loud noises and wind generators.

The kids were also very good a waiting in lines although for the entire trip we only really had to wait (>10 minutes) for one ride.

Reed was a good pilot for the Dumbo Ride.

All day long Reed asked to ride the Carousel ride. He absolutely loved the ride the last time we came. We wanted to hit all the rides that could potentially have a long line first so we kept having to tell him...okay we'll ride the "horse" ride next. And it was always going to be next. Sure enough though as a sign of him getting older it wasn't quite as fun as he remembered.

Don't feel too bad that he's all growing up because now that he talled than 35" tall he could ride a couple more rides that would make him smile like this...

That's right its the race cars. The next picture will definitely be a little nostalgic for Reed's Ba since it will seem just like yesterday when she took me on this ride. I know I was car crazy but I don't know if I like them as much as Reed does now.

My little guy all grown up and driving.

He's so excited... He's holding his driving license. He held onto that thing for many hours on the trip.

It was awesome. The security guard at the airport asked Reed if he had I.D. to get through the checkpoint and Reed gave him his Disney Driver's license!

It was still hot in Florida so we found plenty of water play areas and went back to the hotel and swam each afternoon.

You know what happens next....

As I mentioned I don't know if it was the matching umbrella strollers, but we were strangely asked if the two kiddos were twins at least a dozen times.

Back to the hotel with two sweaty and tired children.

Grace and Peace be with you.



First Days at Disney

We are having a great time at Disney. We are just getting into our routine, but already half way through. We have lots of pictures to share but so little time to post so it'll have to wait until after we get back. Just know that Reed and Grace are both having a great time and getting spoiled rotten.

The most noteworthy things are that Grace is terrified of all of the costumed animals. And secondly, we have been asked at least a dozen times if Reed and Grace are twins?!?

Slobbering Love Fest

It's been a slobbering love fest around here lately. Gracie is getting old enough now to understand just how much her big brother loves her and how much she loves her big brother. As long as she doesn't want to play with his toys Reed think's Gracie is the cat's meow. Pretty much whatever Reed does, Gracie thinks is pretty cool and she wants to do it too. He can make her laugh and entertain her the entire time if we are taking a short roadtrip in the car.

Reed and Grace before going to Candace's Wedding

Reed and Grace watching TV

Eskimo kisses

I love this picture...

Outside playing with the sidewalk chalk early morning in their PJ's before the 100 degree weather

Time to go back inside for some movies and popcorn after it actually hits 100 degrees outside

Reed is always a daredevil. Grace is terrified of just about everything except for going really fast in the laundry basket. Nothing better than a laundry basket drag race.