Disney World Day 4

I know this is rather drawn out for you all, but this blog is very much a family journal, so forgive the endless details of the trip.

The following day was the last day of conference. The Animal Kingdom just about killed me, so I opted for something a little quieter. We had a voucher for one free adult pass to miniature golf. I didn't have to pay for Isaac ... so what the heck!! The set up was darling and Isaac was thrilled to have a ball and stick - of sorts! Such a boy!




Isaac really was a trouper, trying hard to play using the club but after a while he just couldn't see the point of it and would simply drop the ball by hand into the next hole. He also couldn't see why Mama kept insisting on doing it the 'hard way', so he helped me out a couple of times by saving me the grief of using a club.





For those thinking of a trip to Disney World, the Mousesavers website was a great help. I found coupons, money saving tips and ideas. One of them was the fact that at a Downtown Disney store, you paid $20 for a box filled with Mr. Potato Head parts. Of course if you didn't have body, that pretty much took up your twenty. We bought one for $5 beforehand and packed it with us, then we just loaded up on parts. They had things to turn him into a Darth Vader, Buzz Lightyear, pirate, Ariel, Cruela Devil. Isaac just loves the toy!



Okay, so I'm going to get on my soapbox for a moment, after all, this is my blog and I'll say what I want to. ;0) We had a $15 voucher for Planet Hollywood and thought we'd take advantage of it. Being this was Downtown Disney and I saw tons of children around, I didn't expect the experience we got. First off, the place was so crowded that you barely had an inch between your chair and the person at the next table. You can imagine being pregnant created some difficulties ... okay, so it was the parting of the sea of people! Beep, beep, watch for on coming belly! And I'm really not all that large yet! This was difficult because of the number of times I had to get up, ie. to use the potty, wash hands, etc.

If that was all my complaints that would be minor. I know the place is a tribute to the movies, but what I can't understand is why there was absolutely NO place you could turn without a massive screen facing you. It wouldn't be so bad, but for the material they were showing. It was most definitely NOT PG-13 material, both in the movie scenes and particularly from the music videos. Not only that, the sound was so loud we had to yell at each other and our waiter to be heard.

The final blow was upon entering the bathroom. One would hope that it would be a place where a person might do their business in private ... An individual sat on a chair by the sinks talking on their cell phone. When I got in, they quickly got off the phone and waited for me to wash my hands so they could hand me a paper towel. Next to them was a plate with money on it. Had Kent not warned me in advance, I would have been so bewildered by the whole thing. Apparently this individual was there offering a service and expected me to pay. Can you imagine what their resume must say: Towel Dispenser at Planet Hollywood. Don't they automate those things now? How are your hands any cleaner than mine? I know I'm pregnant, but I really think grabbing my own paper towel won't strain me. Planet Hollywood is still a far cry from an upper class restaurant ... it's chain for heavens sakes! Needless to say I didn't tip, after all, it was hassle enough to get me and my belly there, let alone haul my purse. The lady gave a rather exaggerated sigh. Sorry to be rude, but I didn't ask for it and I think she needs to get a real job. I'm seriously considering writing them a letter of complaint.

With that out of my system ....that evening we went to another Disney Resort that hosts a Campfire sing-a-long with Chip and Dale. It's free and a great way to meet a character without horrendous lines. Isaac just loved wandering around pick up rocks and sticks. The area was beautiful.




They set up a fire for making smores and you can purchase everything there. But being the frugal Asian I am, I pack everything in advance! This was Isaac's first experience with marshmallows. DEFINITELY positive!




Prior to this, all characters were seen from a distance. I was a little apprehensive for Isaac in meeting one up close, but to our surprise, he hopped down to give Chip a big hug. The last thing I wanted was one of those forced pictures ... you know the one with the red-faced kid screaming for terror next to a giant Mickey with the caption: A Magical Day at Disney. Really it's more for the parents than the kid. I'm glad Isaac enjoyed it himself. On our boat ride back to our hotel we caught the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom.



For those who know us well, up until the last few months Kent and I haven't bothered with basic cable much less anything else since he started school. We just don't have the time and couldn't bother spending the money. So we have absolutely no idea where this came from. I don't know if Isaac felt the need to unwind from the frightening 'boom-booms' we saw on the way home, or what, but the kid scurried into the bed, grabbed the remote, made sure the pillow as behind him and got "Cozy" as he says and turned on the TV. Note the glazed expression on his face. Is this genetic? How did he know which button to push?

Disney World Day 3

After our first day without Papa, I thought I'd brave taking Isaac to the Animal Kingdom alone. This is a rather bold endeavor considering I'm pregnant, juggling a large jogging stroller onto a bus, a very active toddler and a rather expensive camera. I managed, but a nap was sorely needed later.



This the one grand frontal view I took of my son without Kent around. It's just after the Safari ride where he gape wide mouth at moving elephants, rhinos and exclaimed excitedly when he saw ostrich eggs - 'dan-dan' (in Cantonese) one of his favorite things to eat!




He loved playing the drums with an African band and was mesmerized by the numerous tigers we saw.



When Kent was done with conference, we went back to get a picture of the Tree of Life ... Can't you just hear the music from Lion King start up!



We ate a large buffet at the Tusker Resturant which had a wonderful assortment of dishes from the area. The spices used for the veggies was great!!! Did you know that they really like their peanut butter sandwiches? They had an entire bar area to make them up just the way you like them ... with bananas, pudding, chocolate ... Crazy. The inside of the restaurant really fit the atmosphere.

The Animal Kingdom always closes earlier than the others, so we headed back to the hotel for some swimming. We got there just as they were starting up a mini parade and Isaac was enlisted to help. As you can see, he was a rather enthusiastic drummer!

Disney World Day 2

Papa had to attend his conference this day so Isaac and I went on an outing to Downtown Disney. They have this great water play area that randomly sprays out water with a funny noise. It had Isaac giggling like crazy. He wasn't brave enough to attempt running through it like the other kids, but happily splashed in the puddles on the sidelines. I didn't have the heart so stop him even though it was pouring rain, after all how often does he get to play in a rain puddle in Phoenix? He did attempt to run through it a few days later, and unfortunately ran right along the path of the water. He came through screaming and laughing. It was fun, but not enough fun to try again even though Mama waited with the camera forever. This was all I could catch of it.

We ate candy, climbed our favorite characters and played Lego till we were all pooped out! For those of you who are Star Wars fans, you ought to check out their $500 Millennium Falcon Lego set, it's the size of 19" TV screen. Crazy!!!



After a nap we went back to Epcot for dinner with the Vikings! It was Norwegian buffet and Mama was killing herself for being pregnant and unable to eat smoked salmon to her heart's content! We hadn't realized that when we made reservations that the dinner was a Character dinner and had all the Princesses present wandering from table to table for pictures. We saw Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White and Ariel. Isaac played the bashful prince to one and all. The thing that was a little frightening to me is how much in character these Princesses are - it's as if they stepped out of the movie. I have to wonder if they get home at night and cuss their heads off to get it out of their system! ;0)

Disney World Day 1

What does one say when one needs to describe another world! ;0) Disney World was fabulous ... and for those who know me well, that is not a typical Flo-vocab word, but it in this instance it fits perfectly! We all had so much fun that I'm not sure where to begin. We stayed at the Pop Century Disney Resort, graced by giant bowling pins, yo-yo and radios. Ours was the fifties building, celebrating that era and all it's music. Some of my favorite jukebox titles include: 'My Car's Jake Up and my Heart is Broke down', 'He Had a Class Ring, but No Class', and 'The Double Helix Twist'. My personal favorite: 'My Love Will Last (Like Space Age Plastic)'.



Our first full day was spent at E.P.C.O.T which someone said means, "Everyone Plays and Comes Out Tired". For the life of me, I can't recall what Walt Disney intended it to say after hear that! The flowers were gorgeous ..



Isaac experienced some of his first rides. One took us on a tour of the latest in agricultural development. What you see in the picture behind me is a tomato tree, they also grew veggies without soil and had larger fruit and vegetables than I had ever seen.




Of course we went on a Clam Shell ride to help find Nemo and then had a lavish lunch at a French Restaurant. The "table of three for the Mon-tea-earth" included French Onion Soup with Gruyere cheese, Lorraine Quiche and Creme Brulee as well as visit from Rene the Rat - our chef! We were stuffed!

A nap was in order for all and once we were rejuvenated, we returned to see a Mayan Temple and visit China.



Our evening was spent at a Moroccan Restaurant where we were entertained by a belly dancer and invited to join in and dance. We shimmied and shook in our own special way and enjoyed a unique meal with meat filled pastries with cinnamon and orange blossom, Couscous with braised beef, almonds, raisins and finally baklava. Hmmmmmm... We caught the tail end of fireworks show, 'Illuminations' as we slowly waddled our way to the exit. Isaac wasn't too sure what to make of the brilliant colored 'boom-booms' that filled the night sky and clung to Papa all the way back to our hotel.




The sleep of the deadwas the end result of it all. It was an EPCOT day for all of us!

It's A ......

Right from the get go we were asked if we wanted to know the sex of the child and ours was an resounding 'yes'. Thus we thought we'd be receiving an immediate answer .... half an hour later ... many, many measurements and finally ... it's a girl!!!! It was a surprise, but a nice one, it's good to know we'll have one of each. She was just as camera shy as Isaac was and kept her hands and arms over her face. We spent much of our dinner considering girl names.

Her heart, kidneys, length of bones, etc all looked normal. This is great news since it lowers the risk of Down Syndrome for her from 1/27 to 1/75. We will still see the perinatologist tomorrow morning. The question remains if we want to risk an amniocentesis. We shall keep you posted.