Halloween at the Adventure Aquarium

I should start by telling you how we ended up with MP3's Halloween costume.  Months ago I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween while in a Disney Store.  He immediately answered, "Buzz!" as he pointed to the costume.  Which really surprised me because I couldn't figure out how he even knew what I was talking about. Costume?  Halloween?  We never even talked about any of this.  (I know it was probably just a fluke.)  But anyway, when it came time to actually picking out a costume and trying them on he was NOT having it!  I put him in the Lightning McQueen Pit Crew costume thinking it was the most like real clothes.  All he could say was, "Too Big!"  He wasn't talking the size, he didn't like all the padding.  So, he wasn't going for any of the costumes that I thought he would like.  Buzz, McQueen, Nemo, none of them.  So, whenever we saw costumes anywhere I just started asking him.  There was one that he liked on the hanger, but when it came to putting it on it was the same story -- "Too Big!" As we were shopping for his suit for the wedding there were more costumes there so I just ran down the routine thinking it would be the same result.  "Michael, do you like any of these?  Do you want to try this on?"  "NO!"  But, this time it was different.  Not only did he want to try it on, he LOVED it!!!  It was comfortable, and he looked just so cute.  Ironically it's waaaay too big on him (18-24 mo) but he was not going for the one that fit him perfectly (6-18 mo).  That one was, "Too Small!"  Sooo, here it is...........

He's a ninja!!!

 A Bad A -- Ninja!!!

 

He doesn't know what one is, but he likes it!  

The Adventure Aquarium has a special Halloween party for members.  It was great!  It's after hours and the kids wore their costumes to trick-or-treat around the aquarium.  They also had bags and pumpkins to decorate.  We haven't been there in a while so it was really a great time!

 

We ate dinner,

Went Trick-or-Treating,

Picked out a pumpkin,

Did some more Trick-or-Treating, and....

hung out with a gigantic crab! 










(You may be saying to yourself, "Hey!  Isn't that a little intimidating for a toddler?" 

Heh!  Not for a ninja, my friend!  Not for a ninja.)

At the end of the night we left there with huge smiles on our faces!  Fun was had by all!

My Sweet Wonderful Boy

Just a quick note, I've been sick since the weekend in Pittsburgh (Oct 8th).  It's been getting worse and worse.  The closest thing to a diagnosis I got was, "ah, it's probably pneumonia."  Anyway, it has been really wearing on me and I have to say that MP3 has been wonderful through the whole thing.  He's been stuck in this house with me (most of the time alone) and seems to really understand what's going on.  While Mike was away he let me skip the traditional 3 books and recap of the day and let me put him right in the crib with a quick prayer for the family and his super short, "Bless Me" book.  He also went right back to sleep in the morning when I let him know that Mama was sick and needed to sleep for just a little longer.  There are countless ways that he has been just so understanding and caring with me through this.

The most precious has to be this story.  I had a total breakdown on Sunday and just couldn't take the coughing/pain anymore and actually broke down in tears.  The wonderful, caring child came over to me as I sobbed and gently rubbed my forearm to console me.  Then I broke into yet another uncontrollable coughing fit.  My wonderful child ran into the kitchen, grabbed his sippy cup, ran back into me and opening the cup and handing it to me careingly said, "Take a drink, Mama."  Really?  This kid isn't even 2 yet and may be the most compassionate person I know.

I thank God every day for my loving family!  I'm not one to continually brag about them in public, but it's times like these that I just have to let people know how appreciative I am lest there be any question. 

Steewoors Game (And Liz & Jessie's Wedding)

Last weekend we went to Pittsburgh for Mike's cousin's wedding.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!!

But, hey, while we were there we figured why not check out the area?  After a great lunch at Jerome Bettis' Bar, we walked over to Heinz Field.  MP3 was soooo excited he just kept exclaiming, "Steeus Gaaaame!"  This is when we finally got up to the gates:

Why won't they let me in for practice???

Ahhh, good to know.  Good to know!

Now on to more sight seeing...

Where the rivers meet.

Won't you be my neighbor?

Mr. Rogers statue.

Awwww, Dada.

And now the wedding....

Look at my handsome boy!

Some of the cousins.

Look how cute we are in our suits!

 





Both my handsome guys.

Yah, it was a loooong, exciting day!

I'm not touching him.  Really, I'm not.  (But he's not as much fun this way.)

MP3's 4th Disney Trip (September 2010)

In my defense, this is about the 5th time I tried to do this.  I'm having issues with the pictures, but here we go again.  I'll give it another shot.

Happy Baby ready to fly!!!

Now he's REALLY happy that he's watching, "The Lion King."

So, is this a foreshadowing of the face I have to look forward to in his teen years, or what?

 

Just chillin' in the hotel room.

Checking out the Main Street Band.  It may not look like he's having fun, but this is how he has fun.  He loves to just observe and soak it all in at first.  Once he's more comfortable (which is usually when things are just done) he gets more outwardly excited.

The "TRONorail"

"Holding of for safety" on said TRONorail.

 EPCOT with Dada

 Sporting the Disney 3D glasses waiting to see "Captain EO"














Ending the first night with the return of the "Main Street Electrical Parade."  Oh, how nice it was to see you again!  I think MP3 likes it better than the "new" night parade too.  (Ya know, when he's not sleeping.)  It was a looooong day!  We left the house at 5am and this was at 9pm.  What a trooper!!!

Rockin' Roller Coaster. 

All ready for Dada's Birthday dinner at the Yatchman's Steakhouse. Doesn't he look boardwalkey?

This is how he counts on his fingers.  Too cute!

Happy Birthday, Dada!

Haaaaa!











  

See what happens when you hang out by a shipwreck?! 

Waiting for the parade during the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom.

He just randomly ran out into the street, turned around, and struck this pose.  What a ham!

Teacups!!!!

Look at that angel!!!

The traditional Main Street Barber Haircut!

Before....












During....

After....

Our last meal at Disney.  Lunch at the Crystal Palace.

Leaving the hotel and getting on the plane.  (So proud of his suitcase!)

 It was a looooong day in Disney!  He fell asleep right after take off.  I don't think we even leveled off yet.

No doubt dreaming of castles and fireworks, and Dumbos, and Parades.












 
He really did have such a great time!!!  I'm so glad we didn't wait until he was "old enough to remember" to start taking him!  Each time we go, he has a completely different experience and it's great to see how he's growing.  This time he was just so involved, loved to talk to the characters (he wasn't even a little scared this time), and danced and sang all the time.  He got to pick his favorite rides.  I think his favorite things were walking in the castle, watching the fireworks, the parades, and riding the Magic Carpet Ride and Dumbo.  But he really just loved walking around and just checking everything out.  It's over a month ago now and he still talks about it.  There were fireworks going off by our house the other night and I was trying to figure out where they were being set off and mumbled to myself, "I wonder where they're coming from."  He so matter-of-factly answered me, "Diney Wold!"