Monday, June 28, 2010

Pure Magic

So, a little late to be blogging about our visit to Disney (from over one month ago!), but here are the details, nonetheless...

Although we were on vacation for 10+ days, our one-day stop at Disney World definitely stole the show for Anna. She is still asking when it will be her turn to go back to Mickey's house and she will regale anyone who asks her with the highlights from the day. I am amazed by the minute details she remembers and spouts off.

Here are her favorite things to tell people:

"We rode Dumbo but the first time the purple one was broken and we couldn't go up and down. So then we rode the orange one."

"Snow White was scary." (the ride - and it was the first one we went on, which didn't give me high hopes for the rest of the day - but all turned out ok)

"I saw Woody in the parade."

"Buzz Lightyear walks like this..." [picture an imitation here]

"I like Mickey's house - I'm going back soon."

I don't care what people say about Disney - there is clearly some magic working there.



Monday, June 7, 2010

Surprise Visit

You may recall Cruz and James, Anna's two boypals.  About a year ago James (& his family) moved away (boo!!!)  so the threesome was no longer.  We still see Cruz on a regular basis and last week we were very excited to recieve a call and surprise visit from James and his new baby sister Annie while they were in Atlanta for a very brief trip.  Seeing the three of them together again brought back so many memories of them being tiny babies — we marveled at how much they have grown and changed (the biggest change seems to be on the hair front!).  We hope to see Mr. James again soon (does anyone else think he looks just like Macauly Culkin circa Home Alone??).



Friday, June 4, 2010

Picnic Time for Anna Bear

I've learned that you can't tell a two-year-old anything—because they will remember exactly what you said and needle and needle you about what might have been an offhand idea, suggestion, comment, etc.

Which is how I found myself packing a picnic lunch for Anna and I today. Apparently I mentioned going on a picnic at the park at some point in the last few weeks and she has asked everyday if it's time for the picnic yet. And, we often sing the Picnic Time for Teddy Bears song, so I guess the idea has been top of mind for her.

Today she batted her big blues at me and said, "Mommy, maybe we could do something fun today like a picnic at the park maybe."  Having no other plans, I couldn't deny her. The one fly in the ointment? Rain. It has been iffy weather here these last two weeks and I just knew that if we packed up and headed to the park we would be greeted with a downpour. So, I convinced Anna that a backyard picnic was ideal for today.

For the picnic I decided to break out a new treat – Kool-Aid! Last weekend on a big grocery excursion Anna was "helping" and picked up two of the little packets (she goes for what's at her eye level...). The Kool-Aid pitcher mascot made her laugh and I thought, "Hey, it's summer. Let's get the good stuff."

I started questioning the idea as Anna helped me pour in the 1 cup of sugar the drink called for, envisioning a naptime battle with a sugar-charged toddler on my hands. But, too far too back out now. As you can imagine, it was a hit—especially when she discovered her tounge turned purple.


While it didn't rain, I am glad we didn't pack up and head to the park.  About 7 minutes into the picnic (after cup 1 of Kool-Aid had been consumed), Anna proclaimed it was "too hot to be outside," got up and went back in the house.


It was much nicer inside...