WDW 2009

One week

Four parks

A lifetime of memories

The friends we made...

The princesses we met...

The animals we saw...

Sometimes from a bird's eye view...

The rides we rode...

The patience that was had...

While our days were packed with fun, there was always time for...

Yummy "special" treats...

Pool time...





Playtime...




Rest...

And to smell the flowers.

Disney...it brings out the kid in everyone.

Sew Happy!

After searching for just the right fabric, procrastinating long enough and a lot of help from CiBaby, I got CiBaby's "Minnie Mouse" dress done in time for WDW 2009!

2 years, 9 months, and 10 days

That is how old CiBaby was on her very first Community Service/Volunteer project! A mother could not be more proud...even if she signed her up for it!

Today we ventured into our first volunteer project where CiBaby was actively involved...we cleaned up a park we frequent and love. Things started out fairly well...there were donuts and cookies, fruit, juice, coffee and water provided to all of the volunteers. We were even giving a Blue Sky Guide (total score!)

The day was gorgeous, signs of life all around.

Unfortunately, CiBaby's enthusiasm wained very quickly and she wanted T-Daddy to carry her. He said, "Honey, I can't carry you, I'm holding this bag and picking up trash." At that point she asked if she could carry the bag. We're thinking, "Sure, this is great!" to then watch her walk towards me, holding the bag up, and hands it to me...then she promptly turned around, walked back to Daddy with her arms raised.

She's one smart cookie.

Impromptu meals

I'm the queen of impromptu meals.* I have always wanted to be a planner, but it just doesn't seem to be in my nature. Tonight I made the most delicious Sesame Pork (I suppose you could use chicken too). I had been craving some really good sesame pork for awhile. It seems like most Chinese restaurants only have the batter dipped and fried stuff, and I wanted something more...something better.**

Everyone in our little household thought it something great. So here you go.

Sesame Pork - Serves 4

2 boneless pork chops, cut into 1 inch cubes
Arrowroot or cornstarch, to coat
4 carrots, peeled (or if you can't find the peeler at that very moment, just scrubbed) and cut diagonally into ¼ inch slices
2 Tbsp peanut oil (or whatever you tend to use, I like peanut oil for Chinese food)

Sauté pork in oil for 4-5 minutes, turning once. Add carrots and cook another 3-4 minutes or until tender but not soft. Add sauce to combine.

¼ cup dry-toasted white sesame seeds

Sauce
1/4 cup Shao Xing Cooking wine
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 ½ Tbsp arrowroot dissolved in 2 Tbsp water
1 tsp sesame oil

In a small saucepan on med-low heat, add Shao Xing, soy sauce and rice vinegar, bring to a slight simmer. Add in arrowroot/water combo and combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in sesame oil and remove from heat.

Serve over steamed rice sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.

*I do have a goal this year to make a new dish BY the recipe once a week, I've done pretty well so far.
**I haven't had a chance to really look hard for a good and different recipe, so I just made it up myself.

A play on words...out of the mouths of babes

This morning while standing in the kitchen CiBaby wanted to be "carried," a.k.a. held. We started talking about how she was getting so big and mom was having a harder time carrying her for long periods of time.

The discussion turned to a new carrier* where she could ride piggy-back.** I slid her onto my back and we stood there for a moment. Then it was time to put her down. She looks up at me from the floor and says..."I want to ride the pig again!"

*We borrowed one for our trip to China, but had to return it...hence the word "borrow."
**Yes, yes we know she's 2.75 yrs old. But who, I ask you, doesn't have to carry their weary or whiny child around at that age? Their legs and patience are short and can only keep up for so long and our back and arms need a break.

Miss Manners

We've been practicing our very best manners for some time now. And as every parent knows, this takes a lot of practice. Tonight, CiBaby had a fun "milk" drink given to us by a friend. Well, she spilled the majority of her first cup and wanted more.

CiBaby: I want mo' milk
Me: How do we ask in our very best manners?
CiBaby: Please have mo' milk, Mommy. Sit down at table, B (the dog) no get. I spill, it B's. No spill it dis time!

Hehe, she's getting it.

Whose job?

This is a question that I have been going over in my mind all day today: Whose job is it to introduce people who do not know one another at a private function...the people themselves or the host?

I have my thoughts on the matter, but I'm curious to hear what others think. It the fault of the guests or the host when people do not get formally introduced? Is it upbringing or a regional/cultural thing? What does etiquette say?

BFF

Aren't they cute?!?! This is CiBaby's friend, "Wibby." The girls get along and play (generally, unless a nap is needed) so well, it makes my heart sing.

**It's a pretty rare pic to catch CiBaby smiling. If you know her, you know she smiles all of the time, except for pictures, of course!

Art?

I know art is subjective, but this had me in awe.

It was very creative, but a bit disturbing. I'm not a vegetarian (almost, but not quite), nor do I get squeamish with raw meat or where it comes from...but this was bile-rising-in-the-back-of-my-throat gross, in my honest opinion. And seriously, where does one get that many bones???

*You too can see more of cars like these at http://www.artcarparade.com/. I was privileged enough to see this one out and about this morning.

The moments you wish you could bottle

Amongst the craziness and whining of this morning, I found CiBaby sitting, by herself, reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear aloud for the first time. At that moment, the chaos stopped, the world slowed and T-Daddy and I stood back in the wings and listened.

This moment bottle has been bottled, corked and labeled and, I predict, will age nicely.

Since when is "Mr." okay?

Call me old school, but when did calling the President of the United States "Mr." okay?* I believe that a seat such as this deserves, regardless of your political leaning, the title of "President." Kind of like "Doctor" so-and-so, etc. When did we become so relaxed in addressing and referring to people?

*Not that it makes it better, but when President Obama had been elected and President Bush was on his way out, it made a little sense, but still not acceptable in my book.