DisneyLand Revisited

Here's our second visit to Disney... once before Daddy's deployment and again now that he's home. Hurray (as Katie and Ella would say)! This time Mimi was able to go with us.

We started off the morning with breakfast with Minnie Mouse and friends, Eeyore, Tigger, Dale, and Pluto. Our first visitor was Minnie Mouse and Ella was being a little shy. I told Minnie that Ella was shy and she wrote her a special note that said, "It's OK to be shy. I'm shy too. Minnie Mouse". I thought that was very sweet and what a wonderful keepsake of our day.

Then we were off for a rocket ship ride. Ella was a little nervous and didn't want to go too high, and although we did go high, she had fun. Katie was a little scared too, but did great. After the rocket ship ride, we went for a spin in the tea cups and a boat ride through Storybook Land. Then to the carousel -- Katie and Ella are getting to be old pros on the merry-go-round.

After a brief nap in the stroller (and a quick ride on Space Mountain for mom and dad) we ended our day with the Parade of Dreams. Katie and Ella -- my kids who won't leave my side! -- ended up on the lap of a lady we didn't even know. She was sitting on the curb and had a great view of the parade. When she asked Ella if she wanted to sit in her lap, to my surprise, Ella nodded her head yes and climbed in this perfect stranger's lap! I told the lady she didn't go to ANYONE and she replied, kids know a 'mimi' when they see one. The lady later told me that they had lost a little 2-yr-old a few years ago and that it was very special to have that moment with Katie and Ella.

Ella in Daddy's lap, being cautious. Katie fearless, as usual.
Katie giving a big hug to Minnie.
Minnie writing a note to Ella.
"It's OK to be shy. I'm shy too."

Another big hug for Minnie by Katie.

Katie and Mimi.

Ella in Mimi's lap... "Cheese!"Eeyore... Ella's (in Momma's arms) still being a bit shy. Katie, not so much.Petting Eeyore on the nose.He's so soft! Katie snuggling up close.Ella took this photo herself of Eeyore leaving.

TIGGER!

(Katie in pink dress/Ella in green)

PLUTO!Giving hugs to Dale.Minnie stopped to say goodbye before we headed off to the Rocket Ship ride.Momma and Ella getting ready for take off!

Katie and Daddy ready for lift off!

Self portrait on the tea cup ride.

Daddy and Ella on the merry-go-round.

Katie ready to go for a horsie ride!

Giddi-up Horsies!

This is the 'mimi' I mentioned... checking out the parade.

Mickie gives the girls a big wave!Mimi's first trip to Disney -- the things you do for your grandkids!

So Cal LSU Crawfish Boil

Back to sunny Southern California. We had a wonderful day at the LSU crawfish boil... 70 and sunny, GREAT music, and even better crawfish. What more could one ask for? Welcome Home, Daddy!

Ella giving Daddy kisses.
Katie's turn.
A double dose.




Katie & Ella with friend, Morgan.

Katie with cousin Will.

You knew this was coming...

Morgan's Daddy, Brian, grandma Lulu, and Aunt Jennifer.

Ella the Dancing Pig Drinking Milk

Okay, we have some silly girls. This is Ella. She is a pig (notice the hat). A dancing pig (note the tutu). And, apparently she's thirsty.

Mount Vernon

We took the girls to Mount Vernon to see George Washington's home and farm. The fliers said there were horses. Maybe there was, but we couldn't find them. Note to self: don't tell a 2-year-old what you're going to see/do until you know for CERTAIN what there IS to see/do.

Happy Mother's Day!

Momma with her girls on Mother's Day. Such a lucky mommy, I am!

Baby Ella and Mommy Katie

The girls cureent favorite game... Baby Ella and Mommy Katie. 99% of the time this is the order -- poor Ella rarely gets to be the Mommy.

Potty Head Ella

Yeah, isn't this nice? Ella likes to put the potty on her head. I just read an article in my twin magazine about a kid getting one of these stuck around their neck. Luckly, that didn't happen to us. Still, how do you explain how disgusting this is at the same time telling her you really want her to use it? Interesting dilemma.

The National Zoo

First DC outing -- the National Zoo. The girls had a blast seeing all the animals... We saw Mike the Tiger, the Panda's, elephants, and sea lions. Katie is in the red shirt and Ella is in the white shirt. (Dad has on a green shirt and mom is in white -- ha, ha!)

The girls loved this bear statue... we had to wave goodbye again and again and Katie had to give kisses (all I could think of is how many other kids had climbed and mugged this nasty statue -- UGH!).