When I get bigger...

[I know you all are really waiting for more Disney posts, but I haven't had time to mess with the photos yet... for now, cute Maya speak instead.]

Yesterday as we were leaving Maya's school:

Maya: Mommy, when I get bigger, can I drive to school?
Me: Sure, when you get A LOT bigger, you'll be able to drive to school.
Maya: OK, good.
Me: You know, it will be a different school; you won't be driving to THIS school.
Maya: Oh. OK. Will that school still have a playground like mine?
Me: Well, sort of. It will be a different kind of playground where big kids play.
Maya: Good. [Pause] Where will you be?

Disney Day 1: Magic Kingdom

On our first day in Disney World, we couldn't possibly have thought of keeping Maya any more days from seeing the "princess castle." So we headed to Magic Kingdom. We didn't plan to come back (and didn't), so I planned an itinerary nicknamed online as "Dumbo or Die." We did a great job getting a complete tour of a toddler's fantasy of Magic Kingdom, though we didn't have the energy to stick it out for the parade at the end of the day. We started with a walk up Main Street and to the princess castle. We happened upon Cinderella's step mother and step sisters, then we headed straight for the Dumbo ride. Maya had that as her first ride, then we knocked off the Winnie the Pooh ride (Maya did not care for Pooh's nightmare), Cinderella's Golden Carousel (the "up and down horses"), and the Peter Pan ride (Peter Pan is apparently Maya's new favorite... and she loved the ride). We then saw Mickey's Philharmagic (Maya decidedly does not like 3D movies) and rode It's a Small World. We also saw the Country Bear Jamboree and the Enchanted Tiki Birds and took a flight on Aladdin's Magic Carpets. Maya took a little snooze as we walked back around the princess castle and waited in line for the tea cups. As we came off of them, Maya saw the Speedway, and insisted on taking me for a racing spin. We also rode Pirates of the Caribbean and then finished our day with a visit to ToonTown (and Mickey and Minnie's houses). We took the train back around to the front of the park and then stopped by a grocery store for the makings of a pasta dinner back at the condo.

Disney Day 0: Downtown Disney

When we arrived in Orlando on Sunday evening, we checked into the condo, then headed over to Downtown Disney to get into the "fever" (and to get some dinner). We caught the best pictures of Maya with princesses there...

On the way to Disney

We're making our way across the Southeastern United States. Last night, we stayed in Lake Charles, LA (a new state for BOTH Maya and I!). Tonight we're in Marianna, FL (only a little over than 4 hours from Orlando tomorrow!). On the way here, we stopped for lunch and a park in Slidell, LA. Here's Maya at the park (a very cool community built park, by the way) and resting afterwards in the car.

Explore UT

Last weekend was Explore UT... a FREE university-wide event for the community (mostly kids). We focused mostly on the engineering and science areas (surprise!), where Maya had a great time building and exploring things. Here are a couple of shots:

Grandma Julien

Tim's Grandma Julien has been sick for a while now. Sadly, she passed away this afternoon. In celebration of her life, her kids threw her a tea party this past weekend for her 81st birthday (Grandma Julien had apparently had a dream about having her granddaughters for a tea party; her daughters just included everyone). We all went up for the festivities. Here are some photos from the event... Grandma Julien clearly had a great time. Tim's little sister Theresa even made it to the party from Virginia (crazy girl) with 6 day old Lillyanna (that's not a typo, 6 DAYS old).

Snow!

Last week, it snowed. I didn't get to frolic in it much but instead had to watch it from the hospital window. But I think Maya got a little enjoyment. The dogs... they don't care for snow.