Spring Break in Orlando

Back in March the family drove down for a few nights in Orlando. We decided to go because we had this great offer to stay in this great place, and all we had to do was listen to a sales talk and take a tour. We went into this thing saying that under no circumstances are we buying a time-share, but guess what...we bought a time-share. We're suckers. But, really, it only made sense because our biggest challenge in vacationing is finding a place big enough for all of us!!
Ellen stayed with grandparents, and although we missed her, it was a good thing because the kids hardly slept. We were close to midnight getting in the bed each night and then up before 7 am each day. We had a really good time, but I did feel like we rushed to get the things in that we did. We're hoping to take a "relaxing" beach vacation this summer.
We stopped and had lunch with some friends. He is a police officer and the kids loved playing in the car. Check out Billy in the back seat!


Here we are ready to go after a night's sleep in Albany, GA.

After driving all day and finally making it to Orlando, we went to Downtown Disney. Here we are outside the Lego store.

Rebecca and Vivian join in a dance lesson to Hannah Montana's "Hoedown Throwdown."


Trying to steal a kiss from William.

The carousel in Downtown Disney. Giddy-up!

The next day we went to Sea World. Here we are on the Atlantis ride.

Going to check out the seals and sea lions.



The Shamu show!


The next day...Magic Kingdom! Here are the boys equipped with their maps. They always had to have a map wherever we went. They're pretty good at it too.

Rebecca just hanging around.

Billy on the Jungle Cruise.

The obligatory castle pics.


And what trip to Disney would be complete without some character encounters? While the guys were off riding race cars, the girls and I went to get our princess fix.




Vivian and I were ditched for a roller coaster, so she got to meet Ariel.

and ride the carousel.

We met back up for some shopping. Vivian picked out a Belle dress.


After the Buzz Lightyear ride.

The best seat in the house for the parade. (Notice Vivian is now wearing the Belle dress, because when an exhausted 3-year-old REALLY gets tired, there are, well, accidents. And after TWO accidents, this was all she had to wear.)

Day 2 of Sea World...kids get to play.

Family pic before leaving it all behind!

I didn't have the camera with me, because I didn't realize that "Wild Arctic" wasn't just a ride. Billy and Vivian stayed in the play area while me and the other 3 went through the exhibit. We got really up close with some Beluga whales and walruses. Beautiful creatures. But when I say up close, I mean CLOSE. The walruses were mating and it was happening right up at the glass. I never did explain that one to the kids.

Tee Ball

This will be the first year for the boys to play tee ball. They had their first practices last Friday and Saturday. They are really excited about it! Their team is the Blue Jays. It's so funny to watch all the little ones play. One of the first things they need to learn, of course, is the names of the bases and what order you are supposed to run them in. There were kids going all over the place! Hilarious! Billy has agreed to be one of the many assistant coaches.

That's Henry in the center of this photo.


William is here in the red shirt.


Here's one of their adoring fans! I can't believe she's now 15 months old!

Seussical the Musical

Rebecca's first grade play was on March 4th. She had her own line to say, and she said it loud and clear. I'm so proud of her!

Rebecca is front row, 2nd from right.

Basketball and dance stuff

February 22nd was William's last basketball game. He had such a good season, especially since neither his mom or dad are very "talented" in the sports department! Right after the game he got to enjoy a pizza party with his team.

Warming up before the final game.


Silly boys...


A trophy tops it all off! So proud of you, #11!



A few days later, it was time for dance pictures! Oh, my goodness, this was such an ordeal. The hairstyles were dictated, and Rebecca was supposed to wear a side ponytail with curls. Well, I finally got some sense, made a side bun and put a curly hairpiece over that! Also, her pictures were at 10:45 and Vivian's weren't until 3:45, but I wanted them to have their pictures made together, so both of them had to be ready for the morning shoot. Crazy to spend your whole day this way, but I'm crazy! Thank goodness for Aunt Beth and Nannie who helped me throughout the day!! Now how am I going to survive the actual recital?

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Last Wednesday, I visited Rebecca's first grade class to make a little presentation on Chinese New Year. I spent about an hour with them. They ate dumplings with chopsticks, made dragon masks, listened to Chinese children's music, and thoroughly enjoyed the noisemakers I brought! I gave them a quick low-down of Chinese New Year and read them a story. The celebration was topped off with a little dragon parade around the classroom.
Rebecca was very proud to wear her Chinese silk outfit to school and to have a special time dedicated to her heritage.


Saturday night, we got together with our local Families with Children from China group for the big annual party! (On the way there, Billy asked me what kind of food we were having. Seriously.) There was a beautiful slideshow of all the children, yummy food, great company, beautiful decorations (including live goldfish in the centerpiece of each table), lots of crafts for the children, and a lion dance.

Cutie.

My beautiful Chinese princess.

Busy on our crafts.

Checking out the lion dancers. They threw candy too!

One of my handsome fellas.

How cute is this?!

Dancing with the dragon masks we made!