Disney World - Magic Kingdom

Today was the Disney extravaganza where we were sung to and danced to all day long. We were told to never let our dreams die and to celebrate!...It was almost contagious!! We caught three parades and Hayden & I even danced a little in the last one...told you it was contagious. We all got to ride some of the rides...even Hayden; who enjoyed the Buzz Lightyear experience as well as the the rotating theater. Dad, Jamie and Ron rode some of the "big kid" rides while Hayden, mum, I and the bump people watched. Hayden scored a very awesome balloon from Nanna and Grandad - it was definitely a winner in his mind...thanks, Nanna and Grandad!!

The weather, today, was warm; but, definitely not over-bearing. The park was busy; but, not over crowded. It was nice. Hayden had his nap this morning before we left and he managed to grab an hour in his stroller...he is in bed now - tired; but, exhilarated!...Which, come to think of it, is how we will all be going to bed tonight!!

Swimming

Today, we stayed local and visited the water park on the resort premises. It was a nice 81 degrees and the water was perfect! After the sunblock had been applied, we all hit the water. Mum, dad and Jamie enjoyed the gentle float of the lazy river while Hayden and I attacked the water gym. It was a very nice, relaxing day...I think my favourite so far.

Cheers!

Last night we all went out to eat at the local Chili's restaurant. Hayden had taken a two-hour nap before we went and was still feeling a little groggy from being woken up and he was, as a result, grumpy (well, grumpy for him!). After we ordered, a guy came around and made Hayden a balloon cat; but, the piece-de-resistance all night for Hayden was drinking my strawberry lemonade using the straw. Now, Hayden is used to drinking very diluted juice...not straight lemonade. Needless to say, he was not tired, or grumpy, after the sugar hit. He was the life of the party.

As I have mentioned before, my family have taught Hayden how to say "Cheers!"...now, they have taken it one step further and shown him how to lift his glass, tap glasses with others and then take a sip. Nothing but education on this trip! At first, Hayden was content to do that with his sippy cup of diluted juice...but, then that wasn't enough. He took my empty, plastic mug and started doing "Cheers!" with it. It was hilarious!

We all got to bed around 10pm last night and Hayden woke up around 7am this morning...it is now 9am and he has been back in bed for his morning nap for the past half an hour! He is preparing for today's big adventure...

Downtown Disney

Today had a late start as Hayden was tired and needed to have a morning nap...actually, I don't think that anyone was too upset at that! - We were ALL tired from the day at Sea World yesterday!

We decided to go and take in the sights of Downtown Disney. We wandered around the restaurants; but, decided to grab quick sandwiches from McDonalds as we are going out to eat for dinner tonight. Hayden managed to put away four chicken nuggets, a whole bag of apple slices (purchased instead of fries) and pretty much a whole bottle of milk - as well as the blueberries and cheerios I had bought along with us!...Not too shabby!

We took in the sights of the Lego creations (which were, by the way, absolutely amazing) and got completely overwhelmed in the Disney mega-store. There was a performing guy on stage that held our attention for a long while as a well as a train ride that Hayden and I got to experience. It was a lot of fun. A nice, relaxing afternoon.

Now, Hayden, dad and Ron are taking naps...typical men!

Sea World

Today was cold!...By Florida standards. It was overcast, rainy and wet! I think it may have maxed out around 65 degrees! - Urgh. Nevertheless, we are die hards and went out anyway...in our jeans, sweaters and coats!! Hayden was a complete trooper...he took a cat nap in his stroller and that is it for the whole day! He remained in good humor all day; but, was very grateful to be horizontal when I put him in bed tonight!

Hayden loved the bigger animals: the dolphins, whales, polar bears etc. We watched a very funny show with sea lions and sat in awe at the Killer Whale show...amazing!

A good day!

Gatorland

Yesterday afternoon, we all headed out in the mini van to Gatorland. We got there late enough in the day to qualify for the half price tickets (yipee!); but, early enough to still see all that we needed to see.

Hayden had a great time in the parakeet/budgie aviary...the birds were everywhere and Hayden chased them around and around. Dad got a feed stick so that he and Hayden could feed the birds. We got to watch some very tame alligator wrestling and took a walk through the swamp lands.

When we got back to the house, it started raining...and it didn't stop! Mum, dad, Ron and Jamie were outside in the pool while it was raining. Hayden played inside while I prepared dinner.

It is a flaky weather day...overcast and rainy - not good weather for going anywhere fun. So, the four other adults have headed out to the outlet malls to go shopping while Hayden and I have opted to stay home and rest. Maybe we will check out the pool later!

In Florida

As luck would have it, I am going to be able to blog while here!

Hayden and I made it to Florida safe and sound on Saturday...and the first thing that hit us (after the family!) was the humidity! It is so humid here...my hair is a big, frizzy mess and Hayden's has converted to a series of frizzy curls!

The house is lovely and the pool has started to be tested out. It has been very windy since we got here; so, we have not spent any time in the pool...but, we will, in time.

We went to the nearby town of Celebration yesterday. We had a lovely lunch at an Irish Pub and Hayden has learned how to say "Cheers" while raising his sippy cup! He makes us all giggle and then he starts laughing as well.

Hayden has been an amazingly good sport - which does not surprise me. He travelled really well on Saturday after a bad night of sleep in the hotel the night before. He is struggling to sleep all through the night; however, he remains good humored during the day despite feeling a little tired.

We are heading to Gatorland today...let's hope we all make it back with all our fingers and toes intact!!

An Afternoon At The Park

After going to Redding yesterday for our 20 week ultra-sound, I came home and had just enough time to take Hayden to the park for a little while. It was so warm that Hayden and I got to go in our t-shirts...who can believe it is November?!

So, Hayden has learned a new party trick...he has figured out that Boone can eat off a fork too. All he has to do is wave the food in front of Boone, and Boone gratefully accepts whatever is on the fork; grapes, avocado, bananas...anything. Boone is not picky. Shane and I are unsure who we should be telling off - Hayden for offering or Boone for accepting!..So, we just sit and giggle.

Hayden is also getting the hang of two new signs: help and all done. He can now ask for help and tell us when he is all done with his food (rather than throwing it on the floor or giving it to Boone). He is practising these new signs as well as please and thank you which he also recently mastered.

He has two favourite books: Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Go Dogs Go! He can sound out the words in the titles so that they are very nearly recognizable...he is starting to talk! He walks around with his pretend cell phone and talks into it non-stop. He has his own language and is really quite articulate!

Hayden started the week off not feeling well. At first, Shane and I thought he was going down with a cold or he was having a reaction to his flu shots he got on Friday; however, now that the drool has started, we realize that he is probably teething. He is feeling much better now...and the drool level has us wondering if Hayden is getting dehydrated!

On another note, Hayden and I are heading to Florida on Friday. I am uncertain if I will have access to a computer...so I am unsure if I will be able to update the blog. Keep checking and I will post as soon as I can!!

Halloween - The Year Of The Lion

Today has been a busy day. We went to Redding this morning and ran errands. For lunch, we went to Hometown Buffet. Hayden matched Shane and I mouthful for mouthful. He ate carrots, peas, watermelon, cantalope, croutons, cottage cheese, sausage, chicken and green jello. It was quite a sight. He promptly fell asleep on the way home and continued to sleep for two more hours when we got home...a three hour nap!

Once he woke up, Hayden helped Shane carve this year's pumpkin...a free hand creation from the depths of Shane's imagination! Hayden had more fun scooping out the insides with the spatula and eating some of it. He did wear his costume for a little while...but when the batteries died on the camera, we took it off so he could enjoy the hot sunshine.

At this point in time, Shane is handing out candy to the little kids that are roaming the streets and Hayden (although he does not know what candy is) is begrudgingly watching candy leave the house. In between visiting kids, there is a variety of play: hide'n'seek, trucks, tickles and more. It is hoped (although not expected!) that Hayden will sleep in to a decent time tomorrow regardless of the time change...we shall see!