Emma-Caroline's First Bike, Part 2

Ready to ride!
Pushing forward!

Getting the hang of it!

Stopping to "silky her Nigh-Nigh" for a little bit of security

Success!

As many of you know, Emma-Caroline begged for a bike over the summer that we saw at the church sale. I bought it of course thinking that at $10 it was worth it to see if Emma-Caroline was ready to ride a bike. She wasn't. She rode it once and it sat in the garage until Christmas when she decided that it was OK to give it to the Community Chest for some other little girl to get to ride it. There was nothing wrong with the bike. It actually was probably like new, not even a scuff on the white tires. It was, however, too small for Emma-Caroline, so we did need to give it away. Recently, Emma-Caroline decided that she was again ready to try to ride a bike and asked for one for her birthday. This time around, Howie and I took her to a bike shop where they fitted her to a bike. We also got a proper fitting helmet as all the others she has had have inevitably flopped to the side while she was riding her tricycle or scooter. Today Emma-Caroline had a good first ride on her new bike. She placed her "Nigh-nigh" in the basket just in case she needed a little extra security. This bike, she said, "is a keeper!"

My Little Einstein

Aunt Katie and Emma-Caroline at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Little Einsteins Annie and Leo

Dancing at Playhouse Disney

Celebrating Emma-Caroline's almost 4th birthday at the Brown Derby

On our last day in Disney World we spent the afternoon at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We were selected as the first family in Playhouse Disney and got to have a front row view of all of our Disney friends as they prepared to celebrate Minnie's birthday. After the show, Emma-Caroline got to meet Leo and Annie of the Little Einsteins. We then had a birthday dinner at the Brown Derby with Mimi, Aunt Katie, Aunt Kelly, and Daddy. G-Daddy stayed behind with Sophie at our hotel. Thanks G-Daddy! Howie, Katie and Kelly finished their Disney vacation with a bang by riding on The Rocking Roller Coaster. It really was a wonderful vacation!

More Disney Pictures

Emma-Caroline with her prince
Mimi and Emma-Caroline in front of our hotel The Walt Disney World Swan

King G-Daddy and the Princesses

In the lobby of the Swan

Princess Emma-Caroline

It's a Small World

Riding on Daddy's shoulders

Mimi and G-Daddy in Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Goofy at the Tusker House

Riding the train in the Animal Kingdom

A hug for Sleeping Beauty

Greeting Snow White

Viking Invasion

Viking Princess

Dancing at Playhouse Disney in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Waiting to go into the Playhouse Disney Show

We are back and unpacked from Disney. It was so much fun and we all wish we were still there. My sister Kelly took some amazing pictures while we were there and sent them to me in e-mail so these are from her camera. Thanks Kells!

Under Construction

Bare with me as I tinker with our blog face lift. I've been wanting one for a while and finally found a new background that I like. I now need to work on the header a little more so that the blog description doesn't run through Howie's face. It's a work in progress!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Two Snow Whites

Mulan and Emma-Caroline

Jasmine and Emma-Caroline

Princess Aurora and Emma-Caroline

Belle and the Avery Family

Today Snow White a.k.a. Emma-Caroline invited the Seven Dwarfs a.k.a. Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, G-Daddy, Aunt Katie, Aunt Kelly, and Sophie to a royal breakfast at the Norwegian Castle in Epcot. All of the princesses were in attendance with the exception of Cinderella who was hosting a breakfast at her own castle in the Magic Kingdom. We had a wonderful time mingling with the princesses and celebrating Emma-Caroline's 4th birthday one week early. It was truly magical!

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life

In front of the Tree of Life

Getting ready to go on our safari

Mimi, G-Daddy, and Safari Mickey!

Donald Duck with his pal Howie

Watching the Jamba Parade with G-Daddy

Yesterday we headed over to Disney's Animal Kingdom. We began the morning with breakfast at the Tusker House hosted by Donald Duck, Daisy, Mickey and Goofy. We then headed to Africa for a wild safari tour where we saw rhino, crocodiles, lions, giraffe, elephants and many more in their natural surroundings. The Animal Kingdom is such a beautiful theme park. You actually feel as if you are in the jungle as well as some of the natural habitats of the animals. It seemed to me that the animals seemed more at peace in this kind of a "zoo". I highly recommend going and spending an entire day at Disney's Animal Kingdom if you have never had the pleasure of going. It's more than a zoo or theme park.It's fabulous!

When You Wish Upon A Star . . .

Dreams really do come true!

Mimi, Katie, Kelly, and G-Daddy

King G-Daddy and Queen Mimi

Cinderella and her castle.

Watching the Opening Show with Daddy

Our "Minnie" Princess

We had another wonderful day in the Magic Kingdom. We were accompanied for most of the day by Cinderella a.k.a Emma-Caroline. She has really enjoyed spending quality time with her G-Daddy, Mimi, Aunt Katie and Aunt Kelly. It has been "magical" experience for all of us. This time last year we were also at Disney World with Grandma Beverly and Aunt Rhonda. It is fun to see how much of the trip last year Emma-Caroline remembers. It is surprisingly a lot. Both trips will always be one of our most favorite family memories.

My Friends Tigger and Pooh

Katie, Pooh, and me

Big hug for Piglet!

In front of the Crystal Palace with Aunts Katie and Kelly

Not so sure of Tigger.

Marching in the Pooh parade.

On our first day at the Magic Kingdom we met so many of our Disney friends. This year Sophie was more aware of the Disney characters and was a little unsure of some. At the Crystal Palace we had lunch with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. Although Sophie loved Pooh and Piglet, she wasn't as sure of Tigger. That bouncy fellow, had a little too much bounce for Miss Sophie's liking. She did, however, enjoy marching in the parade at a safe distance from Tigger. Emma-Caroline was all smiles and hugs. It's so good to see so many friends!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

In front of Mickey's House

Riding Walt Disney's wife's train to open the Magic Kingdom.

My pal Mickey.

The First Family of the Day at The Magic Kingdom

We are finally at Disney and we are having a wonderful time. Today we had the incredible experience of being the Magic Kingdom's "First Family," which means we were the actual first family in the Kingdom for the day. It was amazing! We got to have an audience with Mickey and Company all by ourselves as well as be in the Magic Kingdom when no one else was there. We rode on a special train to the front of the Kingdom where we were announced to the waiting crowd and where we threw "Pixie Dust" to open up the park for the day. To say it was a magical experience is an understatement. What an awesome way to start off our Disney vacation! I'll have more to come soon!