Disney - October 2009

Well - we finally did it! The A Team of three took their first vacation together and we took our girl to Disney World. We had a wonderful time - it was everything we had hoped it would be and more - can I go back now?!?!?!

Our first day was at the Magic Kingdom and the very first thing we did was ride the Dumbo ride.

We hung out with Goofy . . .

and wrapped up the first day with Dinner at the Crystal Palace - we were three tired campers! Alyssa's favorite event of the day was the Peter Pan ride.

We spent our second day at the Animal Kingdom and spent the late afternoon in our hotel pool. It had a dragon whose tongue was a waterslide.

Day 3 was spent partly at Epcot and the hotel. Alyssa thought Epcot was "Boring." We all enjoyed "Soaring" ate lunch in Mexico and Alyssa loved the Leap Frog Fountains. We also hitched a few rides on the Monorail.

Day 4 was Hollywood Studios and we spent our longest day touring.

We had front row seats for High School Musical 3 - Alyssa is a HUGE fan, experienced pin trading for the first time and had a nice lunch at the Brown Derby. We shut this park down! One highlight of the day was riding Toy Story Mania - it was a blast - it should have been, we waited in line an hour. I really should not complain, we only waited in line two other times.

Alyssa and Drew with all their "Bling" at the Brown Derby.

Just the gals!

Our fifth and final day was back at the Magic Kingdom. We opened up the park and had breakfast with Cinderella and the other princesses. As you can see from her face, Alyssa was SUPER excited. This one shot made the whole trip worth it!

This one too!

So long Magic Kingdom we will always remember Alyssa's first trip here!

Top Models

I've mentioned more than once that I am behind in my blogging . . . Anyhow these photos are from a July photo shoot for the August GRAVITY clothing catalog. Great Aunt Missy secured the "gig" which included a free visit to Frankie's Fun Park.

Our girl smiled like a pro and Drew was the revered "Back" Model

The two pros after a tough morning assignment.

It's a hard life, but somebody has to do it!

Alyssa was brave and rode the Drop Zone - she has never been more scared in her life! I promised her I would not include the close up shots of her face during this ride.

What do models do after an exhausting photo shoot? - Eat chocolate of course! It was really Drew's birthday and this dessert is as yummy as it looks! Thanks Aunt Missy for letting us model and for the SUPER fun day at Frankie's!

A Moment in Time

I'm behind on our Blog. It's September and it feels like we're off to the races again! I wanted to do a post for Alyssa because I so want to remember this Moment in Time. You are 5 and 1/2, technically 5 and 7 months, and it is such a wonderful age for you and for us. You are the delight in Dada and I's life. Your only fault this week is moving in the mornings. Getting you ready for school is quite a chore. You miss EVERYTHING about Redeemer and find your new school exciting, challenging, fun and confusing. Change is still not your thing and transitions are hard for you. We know you will adjust soon and thrive but watching you experience this pain is hard on us. You say you want to be an astronaut, artist, chef and singer. And we know with your determination and independence you will be whatever you want, whether it turns out to be any of these things or something entirely different. You were "Student of the Week" in your new class this week. Even this was confusing for you. Some attention and being "Line Leader" was OK, but other times kindergartners are mean and said you were a boy because of your short hair. You have a sense of style that is all your own, haircut included. You make friends easy and told me this week the secret to making friends is to "laugh with them, laugh alot." Pretty good advice!

You are taking gymnastics and really seem to enjoy it, lanky legs and all. You are a great helper around the house and always want to help us cook, clean, wash the dog, wash the car, laundry, whatever. I also want to remember that Drew is still, "Dada," we take road trip breaks at "The Potty Place." There's "washgum" (mouthwash) and "Train Rides" for nighttime delivery into your bed. You have a great sense of humor and love Knock Knock jokes. You even try to tell them and truthfully they are not funny but your delivery and laughter make us laugh every time. You love High School Musical (watching it, singing it and wearing it), climbing trees, anything in the water and I learned though helping you with the Student of the Week bulletin board that your favorite book is the Giving Tree - awww! We checked out three library books on Medusa - you are quite interested in her and other scary things. Your favorite foods are pasta and strawberries. You have 5 books that you can sight read, I can tell you are going to love reading. You are a super sweet girl for most everyone, except us but that's OK because we love no matter what your mood is and home is where you can be yourself and be safe. You still love everything butterfly and we sometimes call you "Butterfly Girl." You also still tolerate "Boo Boo" but are days are numbered on that one!

I say more times than you would like to hear, "I can't believe my little five pound sack of sugah is so big now," I probably always will. We tend to overprotect you and to spoil you, it's too hard not too - you're always so thankful and grateful, it's so sweet. It's a shame that you don't truly realize how much your parents love you until you become a parent yourself but for now we love you more than words, songs, or anything else on this earth. Thank you, God, for giving us such a miracle girl, and for this Moment in Time.

BIG Day!

So today was the day, Alyssa's first day of Kindergarten. She was so excited. She had trouble sleeping last night until she climbed in bed with me, then guess who didn't sleep?!? Notice it is DARK outside.

A short video of Alyssa doing her Happy Dance.


A few more photos before we go - such a big girl!

With her Momma - she is wearing a big SC Aquarium Charter Member sticker that she picked out and insisted on wearing a few days ago. I had saved the sticker not quite sure where it should go, I guess there is no more nobler cause than a Kindergartner's first day.

Sweet girl with her Dada.


We were there early, sat with the children in the Cafeteria then were the first ones in her room - such geeks! Not such a big girl anymore, she looks kinda small on the big rug all by herself. Twenty-five others soon joined her.

And as if this day was not exciting enough - she pulled her second loose tooth (and we didn't swallow it) so the tooth fairy comes tonight!

Firsts and Lasts

It's been a difficult week to Blog - a week of Firsts and Lasts and I have been an emotional roller coaster. We had our last day at Redeemer, our last day of Preschool. We had our first Gymnastics lesson and the BIGGIE - our first visit to Kindergarten! My Let Me Hold You Longer book came out and quite a few tears were shed (not in front of Alyssa). "Silly, scattered images will represent your past. I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts . . . "


Drew signing Alyssa out, her last day of Preschool.

Alyssa, running out the door (for the last time, sniff), ready for whatever comes her way.

Alyssa at her new school - 47" tall - how tall will she be when she has her last day here?

Thumbs up for the new place - we have a real live Kindergartner on our hands! "I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass. But as I do I sometimes miss today's sweet precious lasts . . . "

Collage Drew and I put together of the past 4 years at Redeemer.

Morris Island Lighthouse

Drew has taken a serious interest in landscape photography and we live in a place that's perfect for it! Here's an icon well known to James Islanders, the Morris Island Lighthouse.

Our favorite one below . . .

Great work Drew!

August Already?

Can it really be August already? We have been busy and the Blog has been a little neglected. We were tourists in our own town and went to see Ft. Sumter and Alyssa had a fun play date with Hali. Drew has been taking some really nice landscape photos I want to post and I have taken up a new time consuming hobby that is keeping me off the Blog, ebay and Facebook - it's all good! Photos coming soon . . .