Day 4--Animal Kingdom and Epcot...

The look on MG's face pretty much sums up the mood for the day...
For whatever reason, no one was very excited about Animal Kingdom. We waited 35 minutes for a bus, took the 30 minute ride to the park and by that point they were done. It was "too sunny", "too stinky", "too boring", "too scary", "too crowded"...
It was at this point I had to remind myself it wasn't about all the fun things left to see and do. If they weren't enjoying their day we needed to regroup and divert to plan B. So, we rode a few rides, took the Kilimanjaro Safari, ate lunch and headed back to the resort for a NAP! Everyone woke up in a much better mood just in time for an evening at Epcot. We hopped the monorail over and headed straight for Test Track. J and I waited about 40 minutes to ride (our longest ride the entire trip). I whipped out my camera near the end (like any good Mommy would). This face was too good to pass up. He was petrified...
but once the car stopped I heard "THAT WAS AWE-SOME! LET'S DO IT AGAIN!". We didn't have time to ride it again because we had reservations at Le Cellier in Epcot. Mmmmm...it was soooo yummy! The best steak I have eaten in a long time (and I'm not much a steak eater). J learned quickly the "Happy Birthday" button was his ticket to something special. Not only was he told "Happy Birthday" everywhere he went by the Disney cast, he also received a yummy birthday treat at the end of every meal. Pretty "AWE-SOME" for a boy who didn't turn six until the 25th.
One of the highlights of our evening in Epcot was viewing the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor STS-126.We had no idea it was scheduled for launch. There was a huge crowd of people just standing around looking at the sky. I knew something was up so I asked another Mom and she filled me in. It was raining so we headed off to find a dry place to watch and almost missed the launch. We saw enough of the launch that J was amazed... (and MG was hacked off because she was getting wet). We called it a night and were all in bed by 9:30 pm. The kids were asleep before their little heads hit the pillow. Disney World is fun but also EXHAUSTING!

While I'm on the YouTube kick, here is a video of the launch viewed from Orlando. SUPER COOL!

Day 3--meeting the Princesses...

We were so lucky to have the Princesses all to ourselves tonight. Most everyone was on Main Street watching the fireworks. Lucky us! MG was ECSTATIC when she walked in the room to see Princess Aurora, Princess Cinderella and Princess Belle. Even J was blushing with all the pretty girls in the room. :-) The only princess MG REALLY wanted to see was Cinderella and she didn't keep that a secret. I couldn't help but laugh at her a few times. Her conversations are recorded below.

Meeting "Aurora Sleeping Beauty"...
ASB: Well hello beautiful Princess! Would you like to come sit with Princess Aurora for a bit?
MG: No, I wan see Cinderella
ASB: Oh, well my friend Cinderella is meeting another Princess right now. I would love to talk to you for a few minutes before you meet Cinderella
MG: No, I wan meet Cinderella
ASB: Oh please come see Princess Aurora. When we are finished with our pictures Cinderella will be waiting for you.
MG: Ohh! Ooooo-Kkkkkkkk!


Meeting her favorite Princess, "Cindawella"...

C: Hello beautiful Princess! I'm Cinderella! What's your name?
MG: I MG. I wuv you! (gives her a HUGE hug)
C: Well, I love you too. Have you visited my castle yet?
MG: Yes! Do you wiv they-ar?
C: Oh yes! Do you like it?
MG: It's boo-tee-ful!
C: Could I have my picture made with you?
MG: OH YES!
C: Goodbye beautiful Princess!
MG: Bye-Bye Cindawella! I wuv you! (another HUGE hug)


Meeting "Belle in the yellow dress"...
Belle: Oh, what a beautiful yellow dress! It's like my yellow dress. Did you wear it just for me?
MG: No, I wore it for Cindawella (as Cinderella overhears her and giggles)
Belle: Well it is beautiful! Who is that young man with you?
MG: That my brudder J
Belle: Well he's a handsome one (J blushes). It looks like it's his birthday. Happy Birthday J!
J: Oh, thanks Belle (hiding his face under my arm-HA!)
Belle: Would you like to have your picture made?
J: No thanks, Princesses are for girls
Belle: What about you MG?
MG: Oh yes!

Day 3--a Simply Magical Day...

By Thursday morning, the kids and I were starving! In all of the excitement we had not been eating well and it had caught up with us. My kiddos are big breakfast food lovers so I called reservations and snagged a last minute reservation at 'Ohana Best Friends Polynesian Character Breakfast . Wooohooooo! I had been trying for weeks to get a reservation there so it was definitely my lucky day. Even luckier for me, 'Ohana is at our resort so we quickly got dressed and headed to the Great Ceremonial House for what turned out to be the best breakfast ever! J was NOT thrilled about the "pink girl necklace" they placed around his neck when we arrived. He humored me for a few photos and then the lei ended up in the floor. :-)
Lilo, Stitch, Mickey Mouse and Pluto were on the job today. About half way through our meal the characters asked all the children to join them in the "Best Friends Parade". It was so sweet to see J take MG by the hand and lead her around the restaurant (bottom right photo). He took his role of big brother very seriously making sure she held his hand the entire time. Apparently in all of the parade excitement, Pluto needed to take a little rest. He chose J as his "chair". Little man tried with ALL of his might to push Pluto off but, as he later described, "it was no use". :-) He thought the "Pluto smash" was ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL! He's still talking about it.

As for MG, she wanted NOTHING to do with any character in costume. She stared them down and would scream at the top of her lungs if they came too close for her comfort. I love the progression of these photos...

OK, Mickey...YOU ARE IN MY PERSONAL SPACE...GET AWAY FROM ME...
OK, that's better. Now stay right there. Don't move. I just want to look at you from here...HEY! What are YOU laughing at?
Oh, your leaving already? Bye-Bye Mickey! Bye-Byyyyyeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After breakfast, we headed back to Magic Kingdom only to find the perfect seats for the first Castle Courtyard Performance. Didn't I tell you it was my lucky day?
After riding all of their favorite rides, we stopped at Donald's Boat House for a little playtime. Every time I look at these photos I think "You might be a redneck if...
you strip your daughter down to her onesie and let her play in the water at Magic Kingdom". Thankfully I had packed a change of clothes for both of them anticipating that they would play here but had forgotten her swim suit.
Oh well, they had a BLAST trying to catch the water and no one said a word about her attire (or the fact she had on a soggy diaper). Ewww!Daddy joined us about the time J and MG were soaking wet. You should have seen the look on his face. He thought I had lost my mind. He didn't know I had packed a change of clothes for them. HA! After I explained what in the world we were doing, we made a pit stop to change their clothes and the boys headed off to ride go carts. J had been DYING to ride but couldn't because he could not ride alone and there was only room for two. Daddy to the rescue...He was on the verge of whiplash by the time they made it around the track but J had a blast. Next up, SPACE MOUNTAIN! Daddy talked to the guy at the gate and he convinced him J would love it. HA! I knew better but I was hoping J would prove me wrong. The girls rode Tomorrowland Transit Authority (AKA the train--the BORING train) while the boys waited for Space Mountain. We must of rode TTA 50 times this week. J couldn't get enough of it last time and MG followed right in his footsteps. For me, the most thrilling part of TTA is a great view of the castle...
As for Space Mountain, J was on the verge of tears when they finally found us. Daddy said he was TERRIFIED! He was in such shock when it was over he started to tear up. The SM cast member said, "What's wrong little man? Are you sad that it's already over?" Daddy said he laughed at him and said, "No, I don't think that's the problem." Just for kicks and giggles, we asked J several times if he wanted to ride it again. "NO WAY! I NEVER WANT TO RIDE SPACE MOUNTAIN AGAIN!" I didn't get a picture of his face afterward because he was too upset but now I wish I had taken one. Our day came to an abrupt halt and we headed back to the resort for a nap.

While Daddy attended the conference Gala dinner, we went back to Magic Kingdom in time to see the lighting of the castle and the parade...again. I wish you all could have heard MG yell "the castle is glowing! the castle is GLOWING MOMMY!" Like it was the first time she had ever seen it.
While everyone else at Magic Kingdom waited for the fireworks, we headed off to meet the characters and ride a few rides. This photo captures the five seconds of the entire trip MG spent near a character without a meltdown. She shook their hands and quickly ran away.

Day 2--the Happiest Place on Earth...

There is something so enchanting, so captivating, that happens the moment you step on Disney property. Seeing Walt Disney World through the eyes of my children makes it all the more magical. It's like a fairy-tale; though instead of reading about the fairy-tale, you are part of the magic. In my opinion, from a vacation standpoint, it truly is the "Happiest Place on Earth".
Lucky for us, we tagged along with Daddy for this Disney vacation. While he was in meetings at another resort, I flew solo the first three days (though he did join us briefly Wednesday & Thursday afternoon) . It was no small feat taking a 6 and 2 year old to Magic Kingdom alone but we had an amazing time. There were a few hairy moments when I wondered why I thought this was such a great idea; but, for the most part J and MG were very cooperative.
All three of our days without Daddy were basically the same. Get up, dressed and packed up, breakfast, monorail to Magic Kingdom, lunch, back to resort for nap, dinner, monorail to Magic Kingdom, fireworks, bedtime. Staying at a monorail resort was the BEST decision we made. I could push my double stroller on and off with the children riding safely inside. I could stash all of the extras underneath and hang my backpack on the handle. The children could eat and drink while I served as their limo driver. I didn't have to listen to whining about all of the walking or worry about them getting lost in the crowds. At first, J was less than thrilled about riding in a "baby stroller" as he called it. Once he realized how much walking was involved at WDW he was happy to "catch a ride" with his sister.

Highlights from Day 2 & 3 L to R (click to enlarge):
1. Silly boy and his accomplice 2a. Peeking at Mickey's Messy Kitchen at Mickey's House 2b. Mickey and gang at the morning performance 3. Cinderella and her Prince 4a. First carousel ride 4b. MG avoiding Pluto at all cost 5a. J driving while Daddy protected his neck from whiplash 5b. M&M at morning performance 6. J and Pluto 7a. Riding Dumbo (yes, I rode with them) 7b. the Royal Court 8. the awe and wonder of "It's a Small World"
Just in case you are still undecided, it was confirmed to me today that boys are genetically programmed to push girls buttons. The first thing J said before they opened the gate at the Mad Hatter Tea Party (AKA Tea Cups) was "I'm going to make it go really really fast so you girls get sick". Nice. Twice I thought MG was going to lose her breakfast. Her face says it all..."This is AWESOME but I'm feeling a little strange Mommy". I had to carry her out she was so dizzy when the ride ended but what did she want to do...RIDE IT AGAIN! RIDE IT AGAIN! HA! This was MG's favorite ride. See the "Cheese Face" in the before shot below (top right).
Our one major snafu this trip was with Daddy. He had a cold before we left but became very sick once we landed in Orlando. He tried to tough it out but by Wednesday evening he miserable. The manager of Kona Cafe, one of our resort restaurants, referred us to an urgent care in the Disney area with free transportation. How cool is that? They know many people come to Walt Disney World without personal vehicles so they provide transportation (knowing you will be using their medical services and on-site pharmacy). Anyway, they picked him up about 6:30 and he made it back to our resort shortly before midnight. Just as we suspected...bad sinus infection...lots of powerful drugs...should be good as new. In the words of the Urgent Care Doctor... "If you get sick on vacation we'll hook you up with some REAL drugs".

So, while Daddy was waiting at Urgent Care, the kiddos and I went back to Magic Kingdom to see "Wishes". We saw it several times in 2005 during J's first trip to Disney. See how much he has grown?
Three years later it was still as amazing. At the time, we were celebrating several HUGE milestones in J's life. In 2005, I stood behind my boys and cried like a baby as the little girl sang these words...

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may I wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight
We'll make a wish, and do as dreamers do
And all our wishes (all our wishes)
all our wishes
will come true
I again found myself crying tears of joy as I watched that same little boy and his sister taking in the magic of "Wishes". They were mesmerized by every second.
Our last visit I had no idea MG would ever exist and now I can't imagine our family without her. I am so thankful that God knew my wishes, my prayers, were not the ones that were best for our family. In those moments, I couldn't help but wonder what three more years will bring to our family. This time I've decided to keep my wishes to myself. I have learned that one wish can be granted "beyond all I can ask or think" if I will stop trying to figure it all out.

Day 1--Off to see the Mouse...

First plane ride...

Lucky for Daddy and I (and those seated around us), J and MG behaved well on the plane ride to Orlando. I, being the good Girl Scout, was prepared for almost anything. I was armed with a full bag of tricks and ready for "blast off" (as J so energetically called it). You'll be happy to know I held a straight face when the flight attendant instructed me on proper oxygen mask procedure should a "problem" arise in flight. Just what I wanted to hear 3 minutes before flying the friendly skies with my children. You know, when they tell you to be sure to place the mask on the face of the little people before the big people? I think it was at that moment the color temporarily drained from my face but I never let my kiddos see I was freakin' out!

J was beyond thrilled to be on an airplane. "Hey Mommy! LOOK! It's ______!" was heard more times than I could count. Considering I very rarely look out the window in flight it was challenging. MG could have cared less about the plane ride. She just wanted to see Cinderella.

J checking us in at the Polynesian...
We celebrated J's birthday in WDW (a few days early). When we arrived at the Polynesian, the birthday boy was selected to "help" Mr. Mark, the concierge, check us in to the resort. He even received an official Walt Disney World Year of a Million Dreams certificate to commemorate his very important job. He thought he was BIG STUFF!

After getting settled and the girls taking a short nap, Daddy headed off to "Tommy Bahama" night at his business conference. Ha! While he was gone I took the kids to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. It was one of those "Mommy moments" that I hope I can always remember. I wish I could have bottled the excitement they were feeling. J was about to burst to catch a glimpse of Mickey. MG was SO excited to see Cinderella's Castle she couldn't contain herself. She was giggling with pure joy when the monorail rounded the corner to reveal the Castle in full view. "LOOK MOMMY! IT'S CINDERELLA'S CASSSSSSSS-TLLLLLLLLLE!"

We made it to the park just in time to see the lighting of the castle. Between the show on the castle stage, the beautiful music and the looks on my babies faces when the castle lights came on, I was on the verge of happy tears. All of Walt Disney World was decorated for Christmas and the entire castle was covered in lights. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

What makes a good Father?

Attention "Anonymous"...

In reference to your previous comment...

Dear Womble Family-

We're sorry. We really loved the picture until we took a closer second and third look and noticed the husband's cellular telephone. If you look at section 28B line 458under the heading "Rules and Regulations" part F in the Parent Qualifications Handbook, you'll notice that it reads "No photographing of communication tools". Therefore, your dossier has been declined. Thank you anyway.

CCAA

hehehe........

Just in case you have forgotten, I happen to have the complete contact information of a very important someone involved in your very important case. Don't make me dig it out and give him a call. Hola J-M-A-C! It's Mommy. Wanna know the REAL reason I was forced against my will to contact you? Hmmm... Oh wait, how was it you ended your comment..."Therefore, your dossier has been declined"

hehehe...

Dear China...

This cute little family wants to adopt one of your daughters. Could you help us out? We'd like to be a family of five by this time next year. Is that too much to ask?

Love,
the Womble 4

What a week...

I feel as if I have been running nonstop this week. It has been "all adoption--all the time" but in a good way. Tuesday afternoon I received a call with some exciting news...

The CCAA has once again reconsidered their stance on the Xingfu program rules. Those of us who can be "dossier to China (DTC)" within the next three months can submit our letter of intent and medical checklist NOW instead of waiting. Guess who happens to be one of those agency families? Nancy, one of our agency directors, delivered the good news and then spouted off a list of information they needed from us PRONTO. Nancy and Pam (the other director) are leaving for China next week and need all of this in hand. The good news left me scrambling Tuesday night and Wednesday to get all of the information together including an impromptu photo session for a new family photo (thanks CM). Considering I always work better under pressure, I pulled it off submitting everything at 11:58 pm on Wednesday night (with two minutes to spare).

Thursday was dossier day: making 400+ copies, collating, filling out forms, driving like a mad woman to the bank for two cashier's checks before school pick up, two visits to FedEx (see yesterday's post) and a trip to Chick-fil-A because I had nothing to feed my family for dinner. I decided to send our dossier documents to Washington DC myself instead of hire a courier. It saved us about $200.00. Since I have plenty of time while we are waiting for our I-800A approval I might as well figure it out on my own time. It was tedious but now that it's in the mail I'm glad I did it myself.

This just in...

Reference:	Home to DOS
Ship (P/U) date:	Nov 6, 2008
Delivery date:	Nov 7, 2008 9:30 AM
Sign for by:	A.TSEHAY
Delivered to:	Mailroom
Service type:	FedEx Standard Overnight
Packaging type:	FedEx Envelope
Number of pieces:	1
Weight:	3.00 lb.
Special handling/Services:	Deliver Weekday

Hooray! Our package made it to DC with six hours to spare.

Dear Mr. FedEx...

I wish I could explain to you the significance of the three pound envelope you hold in your hands. To you it is just another package to throw in a big plastic bin but to me it is so much more. To me it contains the most precious legal documents I have ever entrusted to another complete stranger human being. All within one neatly labeled and organized package, this envelope contains the culmination of my effort over the past six months. I have spent countless hours compiling the contents to perfection. If I didn't have issues with flying I would have flown to DC to hand deliver it myself. Considering I have to step on an airplane next week I'm going to trust you to handle this for me.

Thank you so much for humoring me for a photograph. Just as I explained, your photo will become part of our daughter's baby book. I genuinely appreciate the "real smile" you put forth (after I jokingly asked you to set aside the cool college guy smile and "give me a REAL smile"). However, I must admit that my reasoning was two fold. Yes, you will make the baby book but you have also made the Womble Most Wanted List. I now know where you work, your employee number AND I have your mug shot. Just in case I need to find you again. Do you understand what I'm sayin'? Just in case we aren't clear let me spell it out for you...

Do NOT lose, damage or destroy this package. I give you permission to lose someone's birthday package or my next Amazon.com order but not THIS package. It is too important. PLEASE DO NOT, I repeat, PLEASE DO NOT LOSE THIS PACKAGE. Are ya with me?

Regards,
one very stressed adoptive Mommy

Wordless Wednesday...

Fingerprinting, check...

It was easy, painless and much different than I expected. Here I was thinking it was going to take an act of Congress to get all of the ink off my fingers today. Boy, was I wrong. No ink for us. It was like straight out of a CSI episode (minus the face of a criminal popping up on the screen). They scanned our prints into the computer by rolling our fingers around on a little glass pad of laser lights. Hmmm...maybe I shouldn't tell that in case some terrorist reads my blog. If you are a terrorist, please strike that from your memory. If not, it was super cool.

Daddy sailed right through even though he was behind me in line. I, on the other hand, in true Mommy Womble style received more red boxes than green. I'll know in a few weeks if they were accepted. I would like to quote the fingerprinting official...

"I'm having trouble with your ring and pinky fingers. The prints on those fingers are HUGE and won't fit between my lines". Lovely. Just what I wanted to hear today. Another part of my body is HUGE and won't fit between the lines. Thanks lady in the blue shirt. You just made my day.

Happy Election Day...

Our little spooks...

We spent our Halloween doing what we always do...driving around so all of our family can see the cutest spooks in town. They had plenty of loot when the night was over but I have no pictures to prove it. Only one photo of Batman and Cinderella annoying barking at the dog on their great-grandparents porch***.
and one final photo of a VERY exhausted Batman...
TMI: We have no idea how much candy J ingested over the past 24 hrs. Apparently it was a lot considering the gross puddle of nastiness that remains on my carpet. Multiple SpotBot treatments later I can STILL see the remnants of old chocolate. Contrary to our initial thoughts, he did not have a stomach virus. It was the "too much Halloween candy" virus. If you have discovered the key to teaching your children to deposit their "stomach contents" in the john BEFORE they come tell you they need to throw up PLEASE teach me. Otherwise we're going to have a permanent carpet stain right inside our bedroom door. Say it with me... EWWWWWW!


***I should note the dog's name is "McCain". His master happens to be my Papa. I thought all of you politicals out there would get a good chuckle out of that one. He's a "good dog". He used to have a dog named Bill. I'll let you take a guess as to what he thought of that one.***

Cinderelli, Cinderelli...

Bibbity Bobbity Boo...waiting for the pumpkins to transform into her carriage...Sorry Cinderelli, you'll have to settle for a mini-van...

Batman's Halloween Festival...

Did you know Batman was a closet vampire? Musical chairs, pumpkin bingo, ghost art, yummy Halloween treats, outside playtime, painting pumpkins...
Remember this...
I loved being able to be at his Halloween party today. This is the last photo before the paint disaster. Apparently when they got the paint out to paint pumpkins they were mixed up between washable and NON-washable. From this point forward, instead of being Batman he was the 70's tie-dyed version of Batman. Nice.