Animal Kingdom

When asked if today I wanted to go to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios, I immediately answered “Animal Kingdom”! I’ve been learning a lot about wild animals recently and was excited to go.

Here we are at the entrance!

One of the first things we did was go to the “Lion King” show. Our section of the audience got to be the giraffe section! I enjoyed pretending my arm was a long giraffe neck and making a giraffe sound. “Baaaa!” This is a really fun show and is Mommy’s favorite.

Later we went on a safari ride and a real giraffe was following us! He must have heard about my earlier performance.

Look how big a 6-year old Gorilla’s hands are!

At the petting zoo, Mommy and I got to brush a calf.

We went to the “It’s Tough to be a Bug” 3-D show, and like yesterday, I really liked wearing the glasses. I enjoyed this show so much, I didn’t want to leave. Mommy asked if we could stay in the theater for the next one (it’s a short show), and we did!

I get excited about lots of things. When I saw this big dinosaur, I just had to touch its toe. Daddy had to help me, of course.

As we were waiting for a dinosaur ride I was on Daddy’s shoulders. Without telling anyone I flopped backwards! I like scaring Mommy like this, but it doesn’t bother Daddy. We have our own tricky method of getting me back up, no problem!

As we were leaving we had a picture taken of us in front of the “tree of life”.

I was pretty tired after we left. I stayed awake until we were eating dinner. I ate some of mine, then put my head down behind Daddy’s back. He thought I was just hiding there, but soon realized I was fast asleep! Mommy and Daddy have no idea how I fell asleep in this position. I must have been really tired!

I liked the Animal Kingdom! I got to see a real owl, a lot of hippos, giraffes, gorillas, fish, and lots of other wild animals. It was great!

Blizzard Beach

The forecast showed that today was going to be the hottest day of our vacation, so we all figured it would be a great day to head to “Blizzard Beach” – one of the water parks here at Disney World. I couldn’t wait to go, because I love water slides, and pools, and everything they have there.

I have a new swimsuit too, and couldn’t wait to try it on.

We immediately went over to the kids’ area, and I played on some of the alligator and turtle statues there. But then I got to go on the slide! I went down it again and again, and Mommy had to keep reminding me not to run back up to the start! I was laughing each time I went down, and always got a big splash at the end. It was fun!

They had a lot of beach chairs around, and even had Piper-size ones too! I thought this was pretty great and even surprised Daddy and Mommy by picking them up and moving them around. I’m getting strong! Every time I’d sit down on one, I’d tell them “I’m sunbathing!”

I had a great time getting all wet in the kids area.

After this, though, we all went to go on some bigger slides. Since I’m a big girl and tall enough now, I could go on a lot more slides with Mommy and Daddy. We went on ones where the three of us were in a big raft, we went on ones where I was in a two-person tube with one of them, and giggled and laughed all the way down some big slides! It was great and I wasn’t scared at all. We didn’t get any pictures of this, of course. The camera would have been a little wet!

When we got back to where we’re staying I got to play on the playground a little. There were some ants right at the base of this ladder. I was a good girl and stepped over them, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t look at them!

We're at the Magic Kingdom!

Today we got up and headed to the Magic Kingdom. I couldn’t wait, I was very excited to see Minnie and everyone else.

Daddy got a good photo of Mommy and me in front of the castle.

Early in the day we headed over to “Tomorrow Land”. (It was already getting hot and they have some indoor rides and activities.) We went on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger ride.  Daddy asked if I wanted to drive or shoot at the bad guys, and I picked drive!  So I got to spin the spaceship all around while Mommy and Daddy shot at the bad guys (Daddy won).

We headed over to the racetrack where I got to drive a car. Look at how tall I am compared to last year! Daddy says I didn’t do much better driving though. It was pretty bumpy.

I like this picture of Mommy and me. We’re happy and having a great time.

I really wanted to go fly on the spaceships, since they really go up super high. I was very excited, and had a lot of fun!

Later, we went back to Minnie’s house and I got to sit in the same chair as last year. Mommy and Daddy wanted to see how big I’ve become!

Of course, an old favorite of mine is the carousel. I went on it twice. I named my horse “Princess” the first time and “Dumbo” the second time.

We watched a 3-D movie about Donald Duck. Don’t I look cool?

The big excitement, though, was at the end of the day. I had gone on Goofy’s Barnstormer roller coaster earlier, and loved it, laughing the whole time. But it’s just a kids roller coaster, and you have to be taller than 40 inches to ride the other ones. Well, guess what – I went to the doctor earlier this week and measured in at 40.5 inches! When they saw how much fun I had on the Barnstormer, Mommy and Daddy asked if I wanted to go on Thunder Mountain. Yes! They were worried that I’d be a little scared. But I wasn’t scared at all! In fact, I giggled the whole time, and waved my arms in the air too. It was great!  My first time on a big roller coaster.

Since I did so well on this one, we went right next door to Splash Mountain. We figured it would be nice since it was so hot outside by this time. Well, as we were waiting in the boat to go up the first hill, another boat splashed us really well – Daddy got drenched! Mommy and I got pretty wet too, but not as much as Daddy. We thought this was pretty funny. I had a great time on this ride too. I wanted to do Thunder Mountain again, but the line was too long. We’ll do it again when we come back later this week.

It was a great day, but I was super tired when we left and fell asleep in the car. I woke up to eat, though, and then wasn’t tired anymore. I didn’t fall asleep until almost 10 PM! Mommy and Daddy hope I’ll sleep in nice and late tomorrow.

Off to Disneyworld!

We’re off to Disneyworld!

I’ve been counting down the days, and finally it’s here, the day we fly to Florida! At school I couldn’t sleep at all during nap time, I was too excited. Disneyworld has been running great specials for military families, and we wanted to take advantage of them!

Mommy and I picked up Daddy from work and headed over to the airport. I did let Mommy know that “Mommy, if you get scared when we go super high, Daddy and I will hold your hand so you’re not scared.” I’m always helpful!

When the plane started rolling backwards away from the gate, I said it was like Mater, since it can go backwards too! We had a good flight up to Kansas City, where we got on another plane to Orlando. I was a good girl on this flight too. I am very much my Daddy’s girl, as I always want the window seat. Therefore, since Mommy likes the aisle, Daddy’s been demoted to the middle! He doesn’t seem to mind, though.

When we got to Orlando it was about 9:30 at night, and I was really tired and starting to get cranky. I didn’t want to get in the car seat and kept telling Mommy and Daddy over and over again “I don’t WANT to!” This kept up until I fell asleep in the car. But when we got to the resort we’re staying at, I woke up and started right back up, right until I got in bed and then I was out for good. I was really tired!

Labor Day with Grandma and Papa (and Shadow!)

This Labor Day weekend, Daddy took some much-needed time off and flew up to Cheyenne, WY, to visit his friend Chad.  Which meant Mommy and I had the whole weekend to ourselves!  I wasn't feeling so good, though, possibly coming down with a cold, so we mostly stayed indoors, although we did a lot of fun things together.

On Monday, Grandma and Papa and Shadow came down from Owasso for the day.  It was great having them here!

Mommy got some pictures of us but since this is being written a few days later in Orlando, FL, and we didn't bring the camera she used to take those picture with us, they'll have to wait until we get back in a week and a half.  We'll post those pictures then!

Installing drainage for new gutters

A couple of weeks ago we had new gutters installed around the house. (The old ones were damaged in the big storm that hit our house last May.) Daddy wanted to ensure the water runoff was going into the field next to our house. So he added some tubing and dug a drainage ditch for the tubing. Obviously, this was a two-person job. Here I am hard at work digging the ditch.

Looking at new homes

Since we’re going to be moving soon, Mommy wanted to go look at some new homes in the “Parade of Homes” this weekend. In some of the houses, we needed to put on these funny blue booties first so we wouldn’t get the floors and carpets all dirty.

In this one I practiced my “let’s scare Mommy” drop back off Daddy’s shoulders. Guess what? It worked! Mommy was scared. (But I had fun!)

Afterwards we went by Mr. Steve’s home to drop a few items off. He’s the one who has a doggie named Piper. Piper really likes me, as you can see from the big kiss she gave me.  I'm really giggling!

Mommy's new shirt

Mommy had bought some new shirts today. Most of them were for our upcoming trip to Florida, but this one is for the Fall. It’s almost my size.

We've been having fun with Mommy

It has been almost two weeks since Mommy got home, and we've been having a fun time.  Mommy's been pretty busy during the day trying to get ready for our move, so most days I do go into school for a little while, but I still get a lot of play time with her and Daddy. 

The first weekend she was back, Mommy, Daddy and I just spent the whole weekend together (mostly at home since it has been so hot outside).  We read, and played, and danced around silly, and just had a great time being together again. 

On Wednesday the 18th Mommy and I had a really special day.  First we went to one of my favorite places, the froggie bouncy-bounce place (Jump!Zone) and played until I wore myself out.  I told Mommy I was ready to go home, but strangely as soon as she mentioned that there's an ice cream place just a little further down the building, I didn't want to go home anymore.  So we both had a little treat.  I got mint ice cream with M&Ms, and I ate it all!  Mommy got cake batter ice cream with oreos, and she ate it all too!  I am definitely Mommy's daughter when it comes to ice cream.  Then we went shopping for some new clothes for me.  After we got home, I was so tired I took a nice long nap with Mommy.  It was great!

On Saturday the 21st Mommy and I went to the Omniplex.  I got to show her how much of a big girl I've become while she was away.  I think I scared Mommy a few times (like going down the super big turny slide), but I was having fun!

On Monday the 23rd it was Mr. Duaine's birthday, so Mommy and I made dessert. I told Mommy we should put in lots of chocolate chips, but Mommy said the recipe didn't call for chocolate chips (it was apple caramel squares).  I said that I should try some anyway to make sure they were still good for next time.  Then we took Mr. Duaine out for dinner (to Texas Roadhouse, so of course I ate a lot of rolls, but I also found out I like peanuts!) and then came back to our house for dessert.  So I got to sing Happy Birthday nice and loud for him.  We had a fun time and Mr. Duaine really enjoyed himself.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the weather finally gave us some relief from the 100+ degree temperatures, cooling down to the 80's, so I finally got to go out and ride my bike again!  Mommy and Daddy walked behind me, but they didn't realize I'd become so fast.  They had to run a little to keep up!  I did enjoy taunting them with "Nanna nanna boo boo, you can't catch me!"  Of course then Daddy or Mommy would try to catch me, and I'd ride as fast as I could.  They'd catch up to me and I'd giggle!

Throughout this time I've been helping Mommy a lot in the kitchen, making dinner (and some desserts), and just learning as much as I can.  Daddy sure likes getting to eat the food too!

I've also become very affectionate since Mommy came home.  Many times a day I will go up to Mommy or Daddy and say "I have to tell you a word ..... I love you!"  And I also come up at random times to them and say "I just have to give you a hug".  They think it's very cute.  Of course, I have also started using these as "delaying" tactics when they want me to brush my teeth or get ready for bed or something - "But first, I just need to give you a hug!"  It's still pretty cute though.

Mommy's home! And she doesn't have to go back!

I've been saying it for a while now - when Mommy comes home, she won't have to go back to Indiana (or Wisconsin, or anywhere else).  And today she came home!  Daddy picked her up at the airport and brought her to see me at school.  I was so excited to see her at the door that I dropped whatever I was doing and ran over to give her a big hug. 

Since Daddy and I went there on Saturday, every time we've passed Rusty's Frozen Custard, I've pointed it out, and mentioned how we "shake, shake, shake them upside down and it doesn't come out!"  Mommy has never been there, but we knew she'd like it, so we decided to go.  Especially since it's on the way home!  I showed her all about how to hold the custard upside down.

Since it was still pretty early, we decided to head over to the library.  I gave Mommy and Daddy a puppet show too.  Are you ready?

After the library we headed on home.  We told Mommy that we had a surprise for her, and I had to lead her into the kitchen with her eyes closed.  It was tricky, but we made it.  When she opened her eyes, she got to see all the decorations and flowers we got for her.  She really liked them! 

Daddy and I also got her some "welcome home" cards.  I picked mine out all by myself.  I thought it was funny because it had a big owl on it.  I told Mommy that my card says "HOOT!" and she said "HOOT!" too!

What is really special about this card is that I wrote my name "almost" all by myself.  Daddy didn't touch the pen at all, but he did have to remind me how to make the E and the R.  But I did all the writing!  That's the first time I've written my name without Daddy or Mommy helping to move the pen.  They're very proud of me!

Mommy had a surprise for me too - some more Dora movies!  I thought this was pretty great (and Daddy is certainly ready for some new ones!)

Daddy and I are so glad Mommy's home, and most importantly, that she doesn't have to go back.  Mommy and I are going to have a great time the next couple of weeks as she gets some time off work.  I can't wait!

Mommy's coming home tomorrow!

Mommy's coming home tomorrow, so Daddy and I needed to get ready.  We went to the store and bought flowers, balloons and cards.  I think she'll like them!

I tried my hardest to blow up some balloons by myself, but I just couldn't do it yet.  So I had a little help from Daddy.

When we got them all blown up, I helped Daddy decide where to put them.  This took a while since I really just wanted to play with them!

I hope Mommy likes our decorations!

Daddy made me dizzy!

Today as Daddy was getting ready for work, I was following him around.  He kept forgetting things and turning around to go get them.  So I kept turning around and following him!  After a few times of this, I said to him, quite seriously, "Daddy, I'm getting dizzy of you walking all over the place!"  He thought that was pretty funny.

I also have taken to saying that large trucks with "dually" rear tires have "chubby cheeks".  When you see them from behind, it sure does look that way!

Omniplex

Daddy asked me what I wanted to do today, and I told him I'd like to go to the Omniplex.  Sounded good to him, so we did!  I had a great time there, as always.  But the most amazing part was that I went down the firepole in the little firehouse all by myself!  Daddy didn't even have to ask if I wanted to, I just ran up the stairs, grabbed the pole, wrapped my feet around it and slid down.  No hesitation!

Great day with Daddy

(Daddy thinks so too.)

I woke Daddy up this morning at 6:45.  This didn't bug him very much because that meant we would have time to fly up to Ponca City for their monthly breakfast.  And it was yummy - I had pancakes and bacon, and ate the whole plate.  We got to see some neat airplanes too, and I wanted to stand in front of them all and have Daddy take my picture!

We got back around noon, but since we had just eaten at about 9:30, we weren't hungry for lunch yet.  But we were hungry for "Rusty's Frozen Custard"!  Another coupon had come in the mail this week and Daddy said he'd take me again.  I reminded him that he should get strawberry mized in with his, since that's what he got last time.  This was over 3 months ago, so he was surprised I remembered!  They say you can hold them upside down and won't spill any, so of course we had to try it.

I really liked the chocolate chips in mine.  And I even let Daddy help some!

After the frozen custard we went home and started to do a puzzle.  We were both pretty tired, and I ended up falling asleep on the couch, and he went and took a nap on the big bed!  About 3:30 I woke up and then we played around for a little while before we were both hungry again.  We ate dinner at our "chips and beans" place and then went to pet store!  I'vve been saying I want to be a veternarian when I grow up, because I love doggies and kitties.  At the pet store I got to pet a few doggies and got a few licks too!  We then walked around some other stores and chased each other around outside a bit.  I think Daddy was trying to wear me out from my late nap, and it sure worked.  I was tired and went right to sleep after my shower tonight.  I got to spend the whole day with Daddy and had a great time!  And so did he.

No more sippy cups!

While I was at Grandma and Papa's house, I only used a sippy cup a couple of times.  I'm a big girl now and don't need sippy cups anymore!  Daddy lets me pick out my own cup at meals, and what one do I go for now?  The biggest one, of course!

I was off in my room playing, and when Daddy came in to see what I was up to, he saw I was ready for anything with my boots and backpack!

Vacation in Owasso!

The past 10 days I've stayed with Grandma and Papa while Daddy was up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for work.  We had a great time!  He took me up there on Saturday, July 24th and didn't pick me up until Tuesday, August 3rd.  Grandma, Papa, and I did all kinds of fun things.

I did get to help assemble some chairs.

And point out the proper instructions to follow!

I really enjoyed playing doctor.  First I checked Papa out.

Then it was Grandma's turn.

I had to make sure Shadow was healthy too (I later told Daddy I want to be a doggie doctor when I grow up)!

Grandma and Papa even let me eat pizza and popcorn on the floor while watching a Strawberry Shortcake movie.  Fun!

I liked having Grandma help me do my hair.

And then we helped Shadow do hers!

We also got to go to the neighborhood pool a few times, a local water park, and "Incredible Pizza" which has lots of fun games like bowling.  What a great time!