Disney World Vacation

Last week we took our first summer family vacation to Disney World in Florida. Simone had the time of her life!(despite the serious faces in many of her photos.)

We had some technical difficulties with the camera, so we didn't get many pictures. But here's a peek at some, in no particular order....

Outside the Magic Kingdom...

Simone and Tony in the lobby of the Polynesian, watching the waterfall.

Together at the Princess lunch in Norway, EPCOT.

Simone with Mickey at the resort....
























Playing in the splash area in Downtown Disney...






Looking at the troll in Norway, EPCOT...

Simone took about a two hour nap in her stroller each day. Usually it was right about when we met the characters...

Waiting in line to go on the Dumbo ride for the second time. Simone INSISTED and waited patiently for 30 minutes.

Meeting Mary Poppins, asleep...

Watching cartoons in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge after we ate dinner at Boma...

Waiting for the bus back to the resort (and a rare smile)....

....Awake to meet Pooh and Tigger....

Several rides on the carousel...

Simone's second ride on Dumbo. We think she liked it so much becuz it was the highest and fastest ride she was allowed on.

The Rainy Day Parade in the Magic Kingdom. One of the staff said this was RARE, they usually cancel the parade if it rains.

Simone got lots of sleep every night and woke up "fun drunk" every morning!!

May Adventures

May was a very busy month... Mother's Day, teacher conference, doctor's appointments, Memorial Day, and the Herndon Festival. Simone is growing soooo fast; baby days are over and she's officially a little girl. She sings songs, speaks in almost sentences, and is working on giving up her bottle and pacifier entirely (those are tough ones).

Here's a recap of the month, in reverse order. Yesterday, we ran some errands and took a stop at the play yard. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, but not too hot. Simone loves to go down and UP sliding boards. How's that for dual use? (and yes, she CAN make it all the way to the top!)

We also went to the Herndon Festival. Despite her somewhat serious expressions, she really liked the rides and was a trooper waiting in all the lines. We think she'll do great in Disney World.

Yes, she looks a little terrified, but she loved this slide so much, she went down twice.

She braved the cars all on her own...

On Memorial Day we went to a bbq at the Petersons'. We had tons of yummy food, but the highlight for Simone was their new puppy, Chico. How cute, just her size. And no, we're not getting a puppy.

That weekend we also went to a neighborhood block party in Falls Church with Laura and Beckett.

AH!.... isn't life grand???? (OR maybe it's more like, uh! what am I going to do with these parents!!?!!??!)

Simone's First Bike Ride

Last Saturday was a downright balmy spring day--beautiful in every way. So, with daddy home this summer, we attached Simone's new seat to his bike for some family biking adventures. Simone was so excited, she wanted in before we even got it out of the box !

It took no time at all for her to love biking. So we strapped her in and headed to the ice cream store.

She did great as long as mommy rode in front so she could see me.

At Baskin Robin's, Simone opted for her favorite....rah bebie ice cream!

On the drive home, Simone decided that we needed to sing ABCs--ALL of us. So mommy, daddy, and baby were pedalling down the street singing ABCs together so that she wouldn't cry. Can you imagine!?!?!--seriously you can't make this stuff up. What parents won't do for their baby girl!

Easter 2009

We are continuing to cement our Easter traditions, some of which I grew up with, others we've started since Simone.

The Easter Bunny filled Simone's basket again, but this year with hairbows, earrings, books, bubbles, and candy rather than teething biscuits and rattles.













And this year, Simone wore a mint green dress with pink and purple flowers. She and daddy look sharp!

After church, we once again went for Easter brunch at Patowmack Farm. DELICIOUS! We were welcomed with a personalized menu and hidden Easter eggs at our table.

And Simone's Easter present to mommy and daddy was to sleep through the entire brunch! What a relaxing surprise!

She woke up just in time for a few quick family pictures outside the restaurant.

What a lovely Easter!!

Our Little Street Kid...

Simone had an absolute blast playing outside today while mommy and daddy did some yard work. BUT... it didn't take very long for her to find touble. It started innocently enough touching some dirt, then she found water, and VOILA... her very first mud concoction. And yes, she did try to taste it!!!