Disney, day 5 (part 1)

Today's trip was Animal Kingdom with a quick run back through Hollywood Studios to pick up a few things we missed. The girls started the day beat and ended the day falling asleep in their clothes. We've got two days of park passes left. Not sure what we're going to do with them, but it will be good times.

She had a great view heading up the hill of Kali River Rapids (her first big kid ride) and she was smiles and screams all the way up.

And she got a little wet.

We rode the safari and saw a few animals up close.

And we met a few monkeys.

The monkeys loved her.

Disney, day 5 (part 2)

Yes, we rode Star Tours. Twice.

The second time through, Racheal was the rebel spy Darth Vader was looking for. We tried to sell her out, but the ride wasn't quite that interactive.

Disney, day 5 (part 3)

Today's savior: The Stroller.

Best. Investment. Ever.

Disney, day 4

We're here for more days than we have park passes for -- so today was a day of pool. And since I'm not dumb enough to take my phone into the water, you get no pictures. But Kaylee stole some bratty kid's floaty thing and spent the first half of swim time fighting him (and his brother) off. Then we were off to the lazy river for a few laps around the property. And finally off to the big (salt water) pool for some practice swimming and diving (but mostly complaining about not wanting to go underwater).

Lunch was a two plus hour wait for pizza didn't show up until the second time we called (and cancelled our order). Dinner was the best prime rib sandwich I've ever eaten while watching a 3D movie. (Kung Fu Panda 2 is quite good, despite my protests.) And walking our butts off shopping in Downtown Disney. (Christmas presents have been boughten.)

Tomorrow, Animal Kingdom.

Kaylee at the Harley Store on Captain America's chopper. This pleases me because A) Harleys are cool; B) the comic book Captain America is cool; C) Easy Rider is also cool and D) at least one of these references is not over her head.

The girls hanging out with Aurora in front of one of the many, many, many Disney stores downtown. They couldn't quite grasp the concept that she was made from a solid piece of plastic and spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how to crawl up inside her dress.

Ice cream at Ghiradeli's, where we changed our order, ended up getting (and paying for) an extra cone and giving it away to some cute sisters. (Disney is the only place on Earth a stranger can give away ice cream to little girls and get applauded for it. Everywhere else, you go to jail.)

The tiny $2 carousel downtown is actually a longer ride than the one in the Magic Kingdom. Kaylee named her horse "Buttercup" and had to hug her and pet her tail before we could leave the ride.

Disney, day 3 ( part 1)

We started the day at Hollywood Studios, which was really just a lot of walking around in the heat and looking for opportunities to entertain the girls. Like this shot for Uncle Ry.

We had planned on seeing the Star Wars stuff, but because of crowds had to settle for chance encounters with Boba Fett ...

... and Darth Vader ...

... and this bounty hunter that I didn't recognize.

Heat took it's toll and we took our leave early. And crashed on the bus. And at the hotel.

Naps are good.

Disney, day 3 (part 2)

So we hit the buses and went for Round Two.

And got prime real estate for the Magic Kingdom parade. Right on the Main Street square.

Where we saw all kinds of crazy things. Mice. Princesses. Pirates. Dragons.

And then got a great spot in front of the castle for the big show.

10 years ago, I watched these fireworks with my new partner in crime by my side. This year I watched them with our four-year-old daughter on my shoulders.

Magic Kingdom, indeed.

Disney, day 3 (part 3)

And we got out just before we turned into pumpkins.

Disney, day 2

Kaylee, which princess was your favorite?

All of them!

Disney, day 1

We made it.

The hotel in PHX was a bit on the sketchy side. Didn't sleep all night. The free continental breakfast was one of the worst we've had.

But we got to the plane. And we got to Florida. And the hotel is freaking amazing. (Even if there is no wifi.)

We have three bedrooms, a full kitchen and a 10th floor balcony view of the parks. (Perfect for viewing fireworks. With a cold beer.)

Dinner was also amazing. Great wine, shrimp the size of a baby's arm, 3-inch thick steaks and, of course, good friends.

Tomorrow we unleash the unsuspecting girls on the Magic Kingdom. I don't think Uncle Walt is ready for us.

School Daze

Since we're leaving town and won't be around for the big performance, we went to Kaylee's dress rehearsal this morning. I haven't seen that much cute in one room — well, ever. Kaylee and Sara rocked the poodle skirts that Rae made, the decorations were great, the only thing we're really missing out on is the food they'll have on Friday. (But I'll get over that.)

There were three musical numbers from the 50s: The Mashed Potato (see video below), Surfin' Bird (see previous video) and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Yeah, the teachers were kind of stretching on that one. But it was pretty damn cute, so we let it slide.

Did you realize she's part of the class of 2025? Do you now feel as old as I do?

Of course, we had to get a picture of Kaylee with her best friend. "Now girls, look at me and smile nice … "

" … Goofballs."

And make sure you watch until the very end. Not only does my girl get a kiss – she makes the boy give her a kiss.

Sigh.

Drawing with Dad

There is no better way to kill time than with a bucket of chalk, a 4-year-old and a driveway.

Have you heard? (UPDATED)

Yes, I shot it in portrait mode. Yes, when I dropped in the new music it's slightly out of sync. Yes, you can no longer hear what Kaylee is saying in the middle. No, I don't care.

Just enjoy the dance.

A chip off the old block

Kaylee disappeared into her room the other day and cooked these up. She'd bounce out, all happy with herself and show off her latest creation. And then disappear for another 10 minutes while she drew up another one.

They are all currently part of the semi-permanant Kaylee Collection on the wall in the dining room. (The mirrored wall – hence the crazy reflections in the photos.)

Brachiosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Rex & Triceratops

And an octopus for good measure.

(Want to know how I know I'm old? I had to look up the spelling on ALL of these dinosaurs. Eight-year-old Me is so mad at Old Me right now.)

Guess who made dessert?

Hey Mom

Happy Mother's Day to our favorite Moms.

Where would we be without you?

Free Comicbook Day

Good times. But only Ghostbusters are cool enough to bend down to have their photo taken with a shorty.

In other news ...

So, what did you tell Mommy her new haircut looked like?

Justin Bieber. Do you know who that is, Daddy?

No, who is it?

He's this boy who is a singer and he has pretty hair. And he sings like a girl.