Climbing high again

So the girls and I went hiking again today. They lasted for an hour and a half. Not bad, especially for a 3 year old. Unfortunately, my city girls (especially the little one) are afraid of walking through the forest!

Cooler climes

My little hiker

Grandma's hiking! This is a once-in-a-lifetime portrait!

Look mom- flowers!

The girls and I are chilling out (literally) for the month of July on the East Coast. We are currently in the mountains of Tennessee at my parent's house. We've been here for 5 days and it's barely past 80 degrees for a high temperature. The lack of humidity and change of scenery are very welcome. Daron flew back to work after driving us up here. The trip actually went very smoothly and Daisy graciously slept 4 hours of our second day 10 hour drive. We've been hanging out at grandma and papa's and today did a little hiking. Even got Grandma out there and Daisy hiked the whole mile too.

Thursday we are heading toward Washington, DC to visit Donald and his family. We are going to reconnect with families from Vietnam and then on to the national albinism conference. An exciting month seeing lots of family and friends- both new and old.

Swimming

Since two weeks before school got out, we have been at the pool 5 days a week for Helen to be on the swim team this year. She had to be able to swim the full length of the pool by the end of week 3 to entitle her to swim in the meets. After week two, we were a no go. But at the beginning of week 3, she did it 7 times in one day. I'm afraid it was the result of mommy yelling at her to focus all weekend, but hopefully, it was really the fact that school got out and we switched to morning practices so she wasn't as tired.

Monday afternoon was the first swim meet. It was so hot with many mosquitos and thunderclouds looming. For us 6 & under newbies, we were very lost as to what to do and how to manage the long waits and hungry, bored children. For Helen's part, she seemed relatively unfazed. (Thank you- all the years of OT must really be working!) She got a 5th place ribbon for the freestyle relay and 6th place for her individual freestyle race. So here's where I tell you that there were only 6 swimmers in each heat. But though she did wonder to me why she didn't finish first, she didn't seem to care and was happy to get her ribbons. For my part, we have gone above and beyond what I hoped to accomplish, since I just wanted an independent swimmer I didn't have to keep at arms length at the pool all summer.

Next meet, I will have a babysitter for Daisy, more bug spray and hopefully a more been there-done that- easy breezy attitude!

Disneyworld

We got back Saturday from a quick trip (Wed-Sat) to Orlando and Disneyworld. Daron was speaking at a conference on Helen's birthday so we decided to tag along, especially since a large portion of the trip was paid for by Daron's work (hotel, his airfare, etc). The hotel was the Gaylord Palms which is very fancy and had a wonderful family pool with no areas deeper than 3 1/2 feet, complete with water slide and fountains. When we arrived late Wednesday night, Daron's family had called ahead and arranged for a birthday cake, decorations and gift cards to be in our room. We were all very surprised and it was a great end to the day and start of our vacation. Thursday and Friday, Daron went to the conference in the morning and the girls and I slept and swam. Then we went to Disney for the afternoon and evening. Disneyworld was hot but not nearly as crowded as the summer. Our line waiting was cut by less than half since we could use alternate entrances and Fastpass lines due to the girls' low vision. I had been worried since Daisy said she wanted to see Pooh first and knew I could not just arrange that, but lo and behold, he and Tigger were right beside City Hall as soon as we entered the park. We got the Birthday girl a pin and they gave us free ice cream. We rode many rides although we had to avoid anything scary and Helen wouldn't ride roller coasters. Poor Daisy wanted to but is much too short to be allowed. We dined on Friday night at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends. Daisy was beside herself with excitement. Helen was excited, but had ceased to believe they were real. Her magic came when they sprinkled "magic" sparkles on the table. She quickly pocketed them and while in the bathroom started mumbling to herself and throwing one on the ground. I asked her what she was doing and she said making a wish. Then she turned to me with a sad face and said, "Mommy, they're not real. My wish didn't come true." Well, we can't let that happen at the happiest place on Earth can we? I asked what she was wishing for and it was a stuffed Pluto. I proceeded to tell her that he wouldn't just appear on the bathroom floor since it was dirty. Well, she wished again and threw one on the floor outside the bathroom- smart cookie. So I kept stalling and after dinner while they were waiting for fireworks, I quickly bought one and stuffed it in the bottom of the stroller. When we were folding up the stroller to get on the tram, Daron and I were so surprised to find a stuffed Pluto in there! And the rest is history. My oldest girl still believes in magic- for a little longer...

Happy Birthday Helen!

Six years old

Gaylord Palms atrium

Just waiting for us by the entrance on Day one

It's a Small World- all three girls favorite ride

Mad Tea Party

I think this one isn't too fast for me!

Getting autographs

Piglet! Piglet! It's me, Daisy!

Did I really just see Piglet?!?!

Awww Pooh. You're so soft and big!

Helen was disappointed Tigger didn't bounce on his tail.

Parties and Programs

Daisy's school Easter egg hunt

Got some!

I love the park.

Helen's spring Kindergarten program

Easter

I know, I know, Easter is long gone, but here are our pictures nonetheless. At our church, they do not have an ordinary Easter egg hunt. Oh no! They launch (empty) plastic Easter eggs off the roof of the church to the waiting kids below. The kids catch and retrieve until their sacks are full and at the end, they "redeem" their eggs for candy. The Children's Ministry Leader asked a super-sweet 6th grade boy to help Helen since she had trouble seeing and a crush was born. Apparently, he is such a wonderful boy and he was happy to see Helen the next week too.

Look out below!

Easter egg free-for-all

And finally, the family portrait, where Helen helped us all out by deciding she did NOT want her picture taken, hence the glare. It was a nice day though!

Rodeo Rewind

I need to catch up and input some pictures from the rodeo carnival we went to last month. I debated whether or not to take Daisy since she is so small but figured it's a small test run before Disney. First note to self- Daisy must have a nap in order to maintain some self control in the afternoon heat and hubbub. Second note to self- if she ever gets big enough to ride anything, she is quite the daredevil! She loved the little roller coaster and the one that spun around in circles. Helen loved them last year but was a little more tentative this year. Fortunately, at Disney, I think Daisy can ride everything but the big roller coasters with an adult. Poor Daron- things that go high, fast or round and round are not my thing!

Carousel

Look...no parents!

Me loves me some animals.

Ready to go round and round!

Does Baba fit in this?