Today we went to Epcot (read LOTS of walking). Daddy and R were up early, and J and I slept longer. We found a cafeteria for breakfast, and were soon off on the monorail. You’ll be happy to know, that the famous Epcot ‘golf ball’ is still standing. We didn’t go in though, we went on our way to ‘The Seas’ pavilion. We were side tracked when R wanted to wait in line to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy. Finally, we arrived at The Seas, and there we rode the Nemo clamshell ride. Then came turtle talk with Crush. R wanted to ride the clamshells a second time, so we obliged her. Then it was time for lunch and ice cream. Then it was back to the hotel for J’s nap, and daddy and R’s swimming time. I downloaded pictures and worked at that. We were getting ready to go back to Epcot when R told me she had a letter she wanted to give to Mickey. Hmmm. I encouraged her to give it to a ‘cast member’ (read staff) and they could pass it along to Mickey… I suppose it’s all about believing in ‘magic’ here!
At Epcot we booted over to Norway. We were having dinner at Akershus, the Royal Table. It was pretty good food (sea food for R), and we got to meet 5 princesses!!! R is really keen on meeting characters it seems. I never thought she`d go for that sort of thing, but she seems to. She had a mini melt down after supper, which seems to be the norm for most kids. We went over to the China pavilion and she somehow calmed right down and coloured the masks they had there for kids. I was most delighted to find a CD I wanted. In 1991 our Chinese teacher taught us a folk song about a Jasmine flower. I sang a phrase to the sales lady, and she smiled and knew the song I was looking for. She found me the right CD, and told me the track number. The whole thing is written in characters, so I was glad she told me! After we talked to another Chinese woman from Beijing. She was thrilled to hear our Chinese, R asking her ‘excuse me, do you speak English?’ in Chinese. She thought that was great. It was nice to wander through the large Chinese shop and just absorb all the Chinese things. I long to go back to China. It will be a few years before we attempt that. Hopefully by then our Chinese will be a little better!
Another mini meltdown occurred as we tried to leave, but somehow she pulled herself together. I think it was when she watched the 3 little girls walking ahead of us. They were skipping and dancing. R managed to tell us in words that she was tired, it had been a very fun day, but she was feeling worn out. I was impressed that she managed to do that. And after that confession suddenly she was sunny and happy, walking and skipping along too. J had a quick bath in the sink at the hotel, and he melted shortly after that. It took a while to calm him enough so he could drink his bottle. He has been a real trouper all day. He napped at two different times in the hip carrier, and also had a nap in his crib. He doesn’t seem to have any problem drinking bottles on the go either. Amazing.

R wasn’t the only one getting in on the princess pictures, so did J.

And with snow white as well…

And in Norway, dress like Norwegians….
The famous bit bally thing…

Having a good day. It was cloudy and very cool. We were in the
super-calla-fraga-listics-expi-alla-docoious breakfast. We met tigger, pooh, alice,
mad hatter and mary poppins. Then we were off to Majic kindgom. We rode the tea
cups twice, despite the fact that R said they made her a bit woozie, the carosel,
dumbo, and the Whinnie the Pooh ride. The sun came out, and it wonderful, warm but
not too warm, and sunny. We lasted until about 2, then went back to the hotel. J
had a nice long nap and R and daddy went swimming. I should mention R spent a
bunch of her money on a super cute Minnie purse, and lip gloss. She is very happy.
Coupled with the minnie ears we bought, she was delighted. We went back to magic
kinddom for supper, and then to the tea cups again. Now her and daddy are on the
winnie the pooh ride again, and I am with J who finally had a nap in the stroller!!!
That’s all for now!

Well. There has been a battle raging in this house for quite some time. R is desparate to dress herself, and I am determind to dress her myself. Ok, really I want to pick out her clothes. She is showing more and more resistance. I have been putting complete ‘outfits’ on hangers, and she can pick which one. That satisfied her for a few months. Now she complains bitterly that the outfits hanging there are not ‘long enough’. She loves long, flowy dresses. And I mean LONG. If it isn’t to her ankle, it isn’t long enough. Anyways. I I figured I’d let her help me put together outfits on hangers, then she could make them, and choose. Well, that doesn’t seem to be enough either. Today after school she claimed she was cold, so she wanted to put on pants. (something she hardly ever chooses). She came down with this get up on. Stripey leggings (my fav), other coloured striped socks, jean skirt, grey shirt with pink writing, and turqoise/cream striped hoodie. She added he crocheted hat, jacket, and red Olympic mitts in addition to the already attached pink mittens. I need to loosen up..really I do. I am trying.

J update. The boy was at the doctor today for an early 5 month check up. He is now 15 and a half pounds (50th percentile), 26 inches long (50-75th percentile) and has a head circumference of 16 7/8ths. He is doing really well. I looked at some old pictures of him, and I can hardly believe how much he has grown.

This is what I like to see, my kids together!!

J has done this a few times for daddy. He hasn’t done this for me. He actually sucks so hard that the nipple inverts and gets pulled down. I must also say when I take the bottle apart, the nipple stays inverted! We’ve always known he was a strong sucker, but this just prooves it.

We went skating at out friend’s house today. R is improving in her skating, but really lacks confidence. We are trying to encourage her as much as possible. J watched the skating from the edge. He was quite content, all bundled up like the Michiline man. Every now and then one of the kids would skate over and coo at him.

M helped R gain more confidence on the rink

Big J checking up on little J

How cute are these eyes?!

I got a real chuckle out of J today. I couldn’t manage to repeat it, but it was sure cute!