Disney - Day 3

Today was another wonderful day full of adventures and amazing weather - a perfect day for a birthday. :)

First thing this morning Paul and the girls surprised me with wonderful cards the girls made themselves and a Disney pendant for my new Pandora bracelet - so thoughtful!

This morning was less stressful than yesterday morning, as we weren't racing to get to a FastPass selection in time. We headed towards Epcot on the bus and while on the bus, realized we were sitting beside another family from Newmarket - small world!

The first thing we wanted to do at Epcot was to meet Princess Mulan. We didn't realize that most of the part didn't open until 11 am; but we didn't get there until 10:30, so it wasn't that big of a deal to wait. While we were waiting, one of the hosts asked the girls if they would like to open the park today. Neither of them had any idea what they were agreeing to, but they said yes! They got to go with her and yell loudly that the world showcase was open for the day. Fun!!

Maelyn to Mulan: "Hi Mulan. Did you know that I am Chinese, too?"

The picture of Maelyn with Mulan that was taken by the PhotoPass crew member is
one of my favourites...to come soon!

Ailee was feeling shy this morning, but Mulan knew how to draw her in...

After visiting with Mulan, we headed towards Norway and ended up in a shop full of Frozen merchandise. Oh boy - I had a feeling that this would be where the money Grandpa gave them for the trip would be spent. :)

A look of joy after a spending frenzy...thanks Grandpa! :)

Then it was time for our character lunch. While we were eating, five princesses made their way around the room and greeted everyone at their tables. Maelyn was beside herself with excitement, to the point where she couldn't even eat her lunch. Ailee, who had been cranky and overtired up until this point, started to perk up.

Maelyn's line for Princess Aurora: "I have you on my shirt! Oh, wait! You are also on my (autograph) book!"

Maelyn to Cinderella: "Don't you remember me? You were at my birthday party when I turned five." 

Cinderella replied, "Oh, I thought you looked familiar! It is so nice to see you again!"

Maelyn: satisfied grin on her face...

Maelyn to Ariel: "I don't need your autograph, thank you. I got it yesterday when I met you."
Ariel: "That is when I had my fins/tail. I was at the Magic Kingdom."
Mama: Good save, Ariel!

 

Near the end of the lunch, the princesses start a parade around the restaurant and the kids join in - the girls were happy to join the other kids and go wherever the princesses went.

After lunch we went over to Future World to go on the Soarin' ride that everyone has been recommending. We were excited because we even had Fast Passes for the ride. We were disappointed when we found out that Ailee was two inches to short to go on the ride. Mama and Ailee sat out the ride while Maelyn and Daddy had a blast. Maelyn loved it so much she couldn't decide if she liked the 'It's a Small World' or the 'Soarin' ride better.

By this point in the afternoon it was absolutely boiling. Paul and I were suffering a bit as we are both red and a little burned. We decided to cool off with a treat....or two.

We were going to try and head to Morocco and see Jasmine, but we decided that the pool back at the resort sounded even better. On the way out of Epcot, we ran into Pluto...

After a few more photo opp's with the Photo Pass crew and then a quick bus ride we were in our hotel room, getting ready to swim. Once again, a highlight of the day was spending time together in the pool - the girls just love the water and it was great to cool off.

We have decided that tomorrow we are heading back to the Magic Kingdom - we have some unfinished business there. :)

Disney - Day 2

Today was our day at the Magic Kingdom and we had to get started early. Although the girls slept well last night, we still had to wake them up this morning.

After a quick breakfast, we just made it on the shuttle bus in time and got to the park in about 15 minutes. The girls, especially Maelyn, were beside themselves when they first laid eyes on the castle. They have been waiting for that view for a year now. It was wonderful to watch their excitement!

Using her magic band to enter Magic Kingdom...

We had to head right to the Bibbidi Bopidy Boo boutique because the girls had an appointment to get done up in full princess style.

Getting into their dresses...

What I hadn't accounted for was how overwhelmed the girls would be feeling. Maelyn in particular doesn't like crowds or new situations and her sister is quick to follow if she senses that something isn't right. Throughout the experience, Maelyn had that pensive look that Paul and I are so familiar with and we recognized that she was stressed. We kept reassuring her and eventually she did show signs of enjoying herself, but Ailee sensed her mood and in the middle of getting her hair done, she started to cry - and it broke our hearts. We reassured the girls that they didn't have to stay; we could stop right there and go enjoy some rides. But they both wanted to get dressed up, so they continued and enjoyed the nail painting and glitter more than they did getting their hair done. In all, they were thrilled with the end result and we had happy girls on our hands again.

The pictures that the Disney photographers took are really well done and show the girls all done up - but I haven't downloaded them yet. I will post them later in the week!

Then it was off to explore. We rode the carousel, which the girls loved. Next was the 'It's a Small World' ride; which the girls have decided was the best ride of the day and they are begging to go back and do it again.

We then tried to meet up with Princess Tiana to get her autograph, but we were a little too late. However, we did then end up getting a prime spot from which to enjoy the parade. All of the princesses were in the parade and the spectacle they put on was fabulous! The girls were in awe and they loved every minute of it! Especially when the dragon in the parade breathed fire right as he passed by us!

By that time is was lunch and it was insanely busy! Paul and I can't get over the crowds - and this type-A personality was feeling a little overwhelmed with the immensity of the park and the variety of options and choices one has to make. Lunch was no exception - crazy lines, crazy amounts of people.

On a side note, our girls with distinctly Asian taste buds haven't enjoyed the food here very much; they are living on grapes, french fries, and pizza.

After lunch we headed to Ariel's Grotto just in time to use our Fast Pass - which was fabulous because we didn't have to wait in line at all! The girls were able to meet Ariel and get her autograph. So much fun!

When we were walking we realized that we were close to where we would be able to meet Merida. We took a chance and were one of the last people to be able to greet her that day. It was boiling outside by that point in the day, but the wait was worth it!

We had one more stop and Fast Pass to use before heading back to the hotel. We went to visit Belle, where they put on an interactive play with the audience. The set and details were amazing, but Ailee doesn't like loud noises and some of them were scary, so she spent most of the time hiding in Mama's shoulder. Paul and I loved it because it was air conditioned!! :)

On the walk back to the bus (which took awhile because another parade was going through Main Street), Ailee feel asleep and had a power nap. As soon as we got back to the hotel, we had a snack and then after changing, we went for a swim.

The girls adore being to spend time in the water and giggle almost the entire time we are in the pool. It was tough getting them out!!

Tomorrow, we are off to Epcot and lunch with the princesses!!

Disney - Day 1

Well, we survived the day - and with no major meltdowns for any of us! :)

Last night Maelyn did not settle and finally sleep until after 11 pm. She was beside herself with excitement and was bouncing off the walls. Ailee had a restless sleep and was up coughing a few times. Our early wake up call of 3:45 came really, really quickly.

Ailee wanted nothing to do with getting up; but Maelyn shot up out of bed in a nano-second! Even after only five hours of sleep, the excitement took over.

I told someone recently that this was the first time I had been away on March break since I was 17 years old - and now I know why! When we arrived at the airport, we quickly realized that many others had also decided that Sunday was a good day to travel. They packed us all in one waiting area and it reminded me of herding cattle. Both Paul and I said that it was much more intense, busy, and crazy getting on a flight to Orlando, than it was when we went to China.

The flight was uneventful. We had to buy food on the plane because there had been no time at the airport - they ended up staying in their pyjamas, too. When we touched down, the excitement on the plane was palpable.

And man, oh man -- it was HOT! Crazy to go from driving to the airport in snow and then stepping off the plane to 30+ degree weather!

Stretching their legs while waiting for our luggage...

A great way to travel... :)

We go on the Magical Express and the comfortable seats and air conditioning were amazing. The girls loved every minute of it! Maelyn spent the entire drive to our resort with her face glued to the window. I just kept remarking on how green everything was. :)

'I know you want to take my picture, but I would rather watch the Mickey Mouse program on the big tv's...'

'We are getting sleepy....very sleepy...'

Have to say it - staying on resort means you don't have to think. And I am a fan.

By the time we got off the bus, Ailee has fallen asleep and was our cold. A very kind worker was there to greet us and helped us get registered for our room. All of our paperwork was organized, she gave us our bands, and we picked up our stroller. At that point, Ailee woke up out of a dead sleep and yelled, 'Where is Disney?!'

We headed to our room and changed into more weather-appropriate attire and then immediately went to get something to eat. Then, it was time for a swim!

Ailee's giggles were contagious and a refreshing dip was needed after a long day. We had a great time together.

The girls are now asleep and we will be up early for our adventure at the Magic Kingdom tomorrow. Can't wait!

Disney, here we come!

The girls have been saving and patiently waiting for our first family trip to Walt Disney World. They are positive that Cinderella's castle is where the princesses were born and cannot wait to see where they live.

The princess dresses are packed and the excitement around here is at an all-time high. We tried to keep quiet about the exact day we were leaving, but that completely backfired tonight. When she was getting out of the bath tonight, Maelyn said that she couldn't wait to go to sleep -- because she could tell we were leaving. She said, "You are making sure we are clean and I saw the bags you were packing. I can't wait!!!"

Oiy -- both girls are still awake and I think they are going to find their 4:30 am wake-up call a little painful. :S

We will be arriving at Disney at 11:30 tomorrow morning and the Disney Express will take us to our resort, Art of Animation. We will spend the rest of the day swimming at the pools and exploring.

The girls can hardly wait for our princess-themed adventure -- and neither can we!

2nd Forever Family Day!

Two years ago we became a family of four. Today marks the anniversary of the first day we were able to see our Ailee in person and hold her as she cried, confused about the enormous changes she was going through that day.

I remember the pain I felt for her as she left the arms of those she knew and all that was familiar, and came into the arms of virtual strangers. Her personality was hidden that first week. The shock of the changes she experienced and uncertainty of whether this new situation was safe or not, left her quiet and observant. She would spend most of her time on her Daddy's knees, watching the rest of us in quiet wonder.

Fast forward two years and 'quiet' is no longer a word I use when I describe Ailee's personality! She is a spunky little girl who uses her big vocabulary to make sure you understand the point she is trying to make. Ailee is known for her monumental tantrums and her ability to turn on the waterworks instantaneously. She is also, however, known for her smile that lights up a room, her propensity to tell us how much she loves us, over and over again, and her love of cuddling up with a stuffy, cozy blanket, or a loved one.

Ailee is has a total Type-A personality. She intensely follows all rules and norms, reminding others to do the same if they deviate from what they are supposed to be doing. Ailee has always loved her stuffy's and still does -- they are all given a voice when she tells us what they are thinking and how they are feeling. Her beloved Bear even needs to be tucked in and given a kiss by Mama at night. Ailee loves everything Frozen and wears her Elsa dress to daycare EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. She is happiest when she is singing 'Let it Go' and refers to it as 'her song.' She is completely obsessed with leotards and everything sparkly and girly. A new obsession is now Sia's video, 'Chandelier.' Ailee watches the video and mimics the dance. Cutest thing ever.

We could not imagine our lives without this bright, happy, intense little girl. We are so fortunate that we were given the gift of being able to parent Ailee and to be able to love her to the moon and back again.

Happy Forever Family Day, Ailee!

Here is the link to my blog post, the day we met Ailee...

http://family3g.blogspot.ca/2012/11/as-we-werent-to-head-to-civil-affair.html#.VHaQisk-eR4