My little Jacques Cousteau
He's got the hang of this snorkeling thing now.
Yeah, it's a shark. Yeah, it's real.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Under the Sea...sorta
I finally got up off my duff and developed the film from our waterproof camera we purchased in Florida. Yeah, I have NO idea how we managed without digital photography "back in the day" because this was a pain. However, I could not resist posting a few of the pictures from Discovery Cove. Enjoy!
My little Jacques Cousteau
He's got the hang of this snorkeling thing now.
Yeah, it's a shark. Yeah, it's real.
My little Jacques Cousteau
He's got the hang of this snorkeling thing now.
Yeah, it's a shark. Yeah, it's real.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The First Day of First Grade
"You may feel like a voice in the wilderness, but it is your voice we are waiting to hear…you are the determining factor."
-Neale Donald Walsh
What you do when it's 7:00 a.m. and your mom is a teacher who has to get to school before everyone else.
Ethan and his first grade teacher, Mrs. Foster
Putting things away in his very first locker.
Ethan Cole Hoover, First Grader at Last!
Yeah, yeah, yeah...it's the first day of first grade. I get that someone without kids or with really small kids may not understand. That's ok because it's MY baby's first day of first grade. Wow. I have a first grader. I have a first grader, I have a first grader... Still, no matter how many times that rolls around in my head, I still can't wrap my mind around it. This tiny being has turned into a long-legged, brainy, science-loving, first grader. And, I love him. More than words.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Quick Update!
It's been a little while since I've updated. I'm back to work (started today!) and we are trying to feel our way through the schedule. I'm gonna make this a quick one.
Ethan:
*has a new loose tooth- found that out at Chipotle (don't ask how)
*will start first grade in a week! How do I have an-almost-7-years-old kid already?
*has become obsessed with Netflix and streaming old episodes of Man vs. Wild and Dirty Jobs via the Wii. He also has become verrrry familiar with the queue and can access it and find what he wants. This leads to him moving some of his preferences to the top of the list.
*is an amazing and protective big brother
Caden:
*started back to preschool and the transition was surprisingly smooth
*surprised us by being able to identify his right foot from his left. He can even point to our right and left feet. Amazing!
*is learning about Caddifornya (California) at school. Maybe a possible trip soon???
*sings "We Will Rock You" but only the following verse: "...mud on your face, big disdrace...(silence)CAN all over the place...We Will, We Will ROT YOU!"
Love my squeeze-y boys. I thought making the transition back to work/school would be hard. It's not but only because the Giggle Brothers are thriving in their respective environments. We are all making it and that takes quite a bit of pressure off of Brian and me.
Ethan:
*has a new loose tooth- found that out at Chipotle (don't ask how)
*will start first grade in a week! How do I have an-almost-7-years-old kid already?
*has become obsessed with Netflix and streaming old episodes of Man vs. Wild and Dirty Jobs via the Wii. He also has become verrrry familiar with the queue and can access it and find what he wants. This leads to him moving some of his preferences to the top of the list.
*is an amazing and protective big brother
Caden:
*started back to preschool and the transition was surprisingly smooth
*surprised us by being able to identify his right foot from his left. He can even point to our right and left feet. Amazing!
*is learning about Caddifornya (California) at school. Maybe a possible trip soon???
*sings "We Will Rock You" but only the following verse: "...mud on your face, big disdrace...(silence)CAN all over the place...We Will, We Will ROT YOU!"
Love my squeeze-y boys. I thought making the transition back to work/school would be hard. It's not but only because the Giggle Brothers are thriving in their respective environments. We are all making it and that takes quite a bit of pressure off of Brian and me.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Disney World!!
"Out of my way children, I've been waiting 30 years to see Disney World!!"
I've wanted to go to Disney World ever since I could remember. I never thought I would be 30 years old and overly excited to actually BE at Magic Kingdom. I'm pretty sure I was more excited about it than the kids were. To be honest, Ethan has always taken issue with the fact that he hates, and I quote, "adults who dress up as animals and put themselves in human situations." Sigh. I didn't even know if Caden even knew who Mickey Mouse was! Lo and behold, I was proven so very wrong. Ok, so the best part is our hotel had a bus that took us to the front of the park and picked us up. So, no parking fees OR fighting crowded parking areas! yay! Also, we could leave the park at any time and come back any time that day. (Which we totally exercised our right to do!) Brian and I decided to arrive when the park first opens and leave right after lunch to go back to our hotel for a quick nap/cool down time. Then, we would come back about 7 and stay for the parade and fireworks. So glad we did this!! One of the park attendants told us the hottest part of the day is 2-4 p.m. There is no way our kids could have handled staying a full 12 hours.
Anyway, I was a little nervous when we arrived (on the monorail-woohoo!) there was a massive influx of people gathered around the entrance. I expected a crowd but, um, NOT this crowd. After waiting a bit and watching the song and dance to open the park, we headed in. I was such a little girl when I saw Cinderella's castle. No lie. It was just like I thought it would be. The boys rolled their eyes as I oohed and ahhed over the durn thing. I could have stared at it all day. The boys, however, were so ready to ride some rides. Off we went to Adventureland. What I love about Magic Kingdom is Caden can pretty much ride most of the stuff there. This is great for me because that means we get to ride as a family. We rode the Jungle Cruise (Ethan's favorite), Pirates of the Caribbean (not Caden's favorite), took a tour of the Swiss Family Treehouse, and the boys rode The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. We had very little wait time.
Next, we headed over to Frontierland where Ethan and Brian rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and we took a tour of Tom Sawyer's Island.
After this, we went to the Hall of Presidents. It is 100% pure awesome. Not only because it's nice and cool in the actual building BUT it evoked a lot of questioning about the former Presidents from Ethan.
We ventured over to Fantasyland. This was a little more difficult to muster through as every single child, their parent, and their stroller was crammed into this area. By this time, Caden had fallen asleep. So, Brian and Ethan headed over to the Mad Tea Party and attempted the Dumbo ride (the line was waaay too long so they opted out of it).
They did run over to the Indy Speedway in Tomorrowland. Cade and I found a nice tree with a cool breeze to sit by and wait on them. After we met back up and headed over to ride the Tomorrowland Transit, we figured it was about time to head back to the hotel as we were beginning to melt. We decided to hit whatever rides we could when we came back later that evening.
As we were heading toward the exit, we saw that the Magic Kingdom Railroad was about to take off. We definitely wanted to test it out before we left, as it goes around the park.
Here's what happens when you're exhausted, think you're too old for a nap, and are sitting next to your facetious little brother on the way back to the hotel.
So, we came back to the park about 7 p.m. (after about a 4 hr nap and quick shower) and went to Mickey's Toontown for Caden. The boys headed over to the kiddie roller coaster. This was Caden's first ride on a "rolly coaster" and he had a blast. Since there was only room for two people per car, Ethan decided it would be best to ride on his own because he felt his dad needed to be with his little brother. Sweetness. After they finished their roller coaster trip, we went to Mickey's house. Caden squealed and screamed. He was so excited. (How did he even really know who Mickey was?) He giggled and even Ethan thought it was pretty cool. Then, we did something we said we'd never do. We got in line and waited 45 minutes to get a picture with Mickey and Minnie (I'll post those later) and friends...It. Was. Worth it! Caden's face was lit up with excitement and he just giggled when he saw Mickey. And the kicker? Even Ethan went along with it. He gave Mickey a hug and a high five. He later told us that he, "Just did it to go along with the show...you know, for Caden." Haha! Hilarious.
By that time, we still had about an hour to kill before the parade started. So, we went to attempt the Haunted Mansion ride. So, Ethan and Caden were NOT excited about this ride at all. However, after the first few minutes, Ethan loved it. He was actually interested in the special effects more than he was the actual ride. Gotta love a scientist. Caden still was not ok with it. He told Brian, "It's too starey!"--On our way out we got stuck in the mosh pit of a crowd as the parade had already started. We were kinda stuck in the mass mob of people. It was frightening. We ventured toward the entrance to get a better view of the fireworks show. Um yeah. Sooo we watched for a bit but then decided, with two kids, we should probably get an early start back to the hotel as the line for the monorail was beginning to wind around the roped off areas.
Sigh. All in all, I love Magic Kingdom. I think we needed two days to do everything we wanted to do though. We are dying to try the other parks like Animal Kingdom, Epcot, etc. However, we decided that when we go back, it will NOT be in August. GEEEBS it was hot!
I've wanted to go to Disney World ever since I could remember. I never thought I would be 30 years old and overly excited to actually BE at Magic Kingdom. I'm pretty sure I was more excited about it than the kids were. To be honest, Ethan has always taken issue with the fact that he hates, and I quote, "adults who dress up as animals and put themselves in human situations." Sigh. I didn't even know if Caden even knew who Mickey Mouse was! Lo and behold, I was proven so very wrong. Ok, so the best part is our hotel had a bus that took us to the front of the park and picked us up. So, no parking fees OR fighting crowded parking areas! yay! Also, we could leave the park at any time and come back any time that day. (Which we totally exercised our right to do!) Brian and I decided to arrive when the park first opens and leave right after lunch to go back to our hotel for a quick nap/cool down time. Then, we would come back about 7 and stay for the parade and fireworks. So glad we did this!! One of the park attendants told us the hottest part of the day is 2-4 p.m. There is no way our kids could have handled staying a full 12 hours.
Anyway, I was a little nervous when we arrived (on the monorail-woohoo!) there was a massive influx of people gathered around the entrance. I expected a crowd but, um, NOT this crowd. After waiting a bit and watching the song and dance to open the park, we headed in. I was such a little girl when I saw Cinderella's castle. No lie. It was just like I thought it would be. The boys rolled their eyes as I oohed and ahhed over the durn thing. I could have stared at it all day. The boys, however, were so ready to ride some rides. Off we went to Adventureland. What I love about Magic Kingdom is Caden can pretty much ride most of the stuff there. This is great for me because that means we get to ride as a family. We rode the Jungle Cruise (Ethan's favorite), Pirates of the Caribbean (not Caden's favorite), took a tour of the Swiss Family Treehouse, and the boys rode The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. We had very little wait time.
Next, we headed over to Frontierland where Ethan and Brian rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and we took a tour of Tom Sawyer's Island.
After this, we went to the Hall of Presidents. It is 100% pure awesome. Not only because it's nice and cool in the actual building BUT it evoked a lot of questioning about the former Presidents from Ethan.
We ventured over to Fantasyland. This was a little more difficult to muster through as every single child, their parent, and their stroller was crammed into this area. By this time, Caden had fallen asleep. So, Brian and Ethan headed over to the Mad Tea Party and attempted the Dumbo ride (the line was waaay too long so they opted out of it).
They did run over to the Indy Speedway in Tomorrowland. Cade and I found a nice tree with a cool breeze to sit by and wait on them. After we met back up and headed over to ride the Tomorrowland Transit, we figured it was about time to head back to the hotel as we were beginning to melt. We decided to hit whatever rides we could when we came back later that evening.
As we were heading toward the exit, we saw that the Magic Kingdom Railroad was about to take off. We definitely wanted to test it out before we left, as it goes around the park.
Here's what happens when you're exhausted, think you're too old for a nap, and are sitting next to your facetious little brother on the way back to the hotel.
So, we came back to the park about 7 p.m. (after about a 4 hr nap and quick shower) and went to Mickey's Toontown for Caden. The boys headed over to the kiddie roller coaster. This was Caden's first ride on a "rolly coaster" and he had a blast. Since there was only room for two people per car, Ethan decided it would be best to ride on his own because he felt his dad needed to be with his little brother. Sweetness. After they finished their roller coaster trip, we went to Mickey's house. Caden squealed and screamed. He was so excited. (How did he even really know who Mickey was?) He giggled and even Ethan thought it was pretty cool. Then, we did something we said we'd never do. We got in line and waited 45 minutes to get a picture with Mickey and Minnie (I'll post those later) and friends...It. Was. Worth it! Caden's face was lit up with excitement and he just giggled when he saw Mickey. And the kicker? Even Ethan went along with it. He gave Mickey a hug and a high five. He later told us that he, "Just did it to go along with the show...you know, for Caden." Haha! Hilarious.
By that time, we still had about an hour to kill before the parade started. So, we went to attempt the Haunted Mansion ride. So, Ethan and Caden were NOT excited about this ride at all. However, after the first few minutes, Ethan loved it. He was actually interested in the special effects more than he was the actual ride. Gotta love a scientist. Caden still was not ok with it. He told Brian, "It's too starey!"--On our way out we got stuck in the mosh pit of a crowd as the parade had already started. We were kinda stuck in the mass mob of people. It was frightening. We ventured toward the entrance to get a better view of the fireworks show. Um yeah. Sooo we watched for a bit but then decided, with two kids, we should probably get an early start back to the hotel as the line for the monorail was beginning to wind around the roped off areas.
Sigh. All in all, I love Magic Kingdom. I think we needed two days to do everything we wanted to do though. We are dying to try the other parks like Animal Kingdom, Epcot, etc. However, we decided that when we go back, it will NOT be in August. GEEEBS it was hot!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Downtown Disney/Buena Vista Palace
So, it was advised that anyone going to Discovery Cove should take it easy the day before as you would be completely worn out. We decided to stay around the hotel to swim and rest and then head to Downtown Disney after it got dark and cooled down some.
We stayed at the Buena Vista Palace which is a Disney resort hotel. We were literally across the way from Downtown Disney and from our 20th floor room, we could see Epcot and Magic Kingdom. At night, it made for some spectacular fireworks shows.
After nap and dinner at Uno, we went to explore Downtown Disney. Basically, it's what the West End tried to be but failed in a major way. Divided into 3 sections—Downtown Disney West Side, Downtown Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island, it's a very lively and interesting place to walk around.
Disney West Side is pretty much the entertainment part like Cirque, AMC, restaurants, and an indoor gaming park.
Disney Marketplace-toy stores etc. It's the one we spent the most time in. :)
Pleasure Island- is pretty much the part for grown ups. There's an Irish Pub that played U2 songs on repeat (woo!), a Harley-Davidson store, and a few outdoor venues for live music.
On our way in, we saw the boat "Jenny" from Forrest Gump outside of Planet Hollywood.
The boys stopped in the Harley store and had pictures taken on the motorcycle that belonged to Peter Fonda in Easy Rider. Brian loved that part.
We found a restaurant we wanted to get dessert in called T-Rex. Amazeballs place!! Only, the wait was 3 hours just to get in. Um, no. Just...no. But, the boys and I went inside and looked around anyway. Pretty cool place. I was bummed (probably moreso than the kids) about not getting to eat there. We walked a little further and I saw it. The place to rival all places. Ghiradelli chocolatier. Yes. And they even had a soda fountain on the other side of it. This place was awesome. I found a $30 sundae I wanted but I thought eating that much ice cream would result in a public viewing of my innerworkings being expelled. So, we got shakes instead. So. Good.
We walked a little further and spotted the Lego store. I love Legos. My kids love Legos. But, my husband LOOOOVES Legos. We saw some really cool Lego sculptures. The store itself is much like that one at North Park so the kids were kinda 'meh' about that part.
Walking further out, we found a toy store that had the ultimate end all, be all of toys. It was a create-your-own-personal-lightsaber. Yeah. Nerd heaven.
Other than it being waay crowded, Downtown Disney is definitely cool. It reminded me of Seaport Village in San Diego. Lots of restaurants, little shops, and entertainment. It was definitely fun but we cut our trip short as the evening storm was beginning to roll in. So, we left earlier than we wanted to. Boo.
We stayed at the Buena Vista Palace which is a Disney resort hotel. We were literally across the way from Downtown Disney and from our 20th floor room, we could see Epcot and Magic Kingdom. At night, it made for some spectacular fireworks shows.
After nap and dinner at Uno, we went to explore Downtown Disney. Basically, it's what the West End tried to be but failed in a major way. Divided into 3 sections—Downtown Disney West Side, Downtown Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island, it's a very lively and interesting place to walk around.
Disney West Side is pretty much the entertainment part like Cirque, AMC, restaurants, and an indoor gaming park.
Disney Marketplace-toy stores etc. It's the one we spent the most time in. :)
Pleasure Island- is pretty much the part for grown ups. There's an Irish Pub that played U2 songs on repeat (woo!), a Harley-Davidson store, and a few outdoor venues for live music.
On our way in, we saw the boat "Jenny" from Forrest Gump outside of Planet Hollywood.
The boys stopped in the Harley store and had pictures taken on the motorcycle that belonged to Peter Fonda in Easy Rider. Brian loved that part.
We found a restaurant we wanted to get dessert in called T-Rex. Amazeballs place!! Only, the wait was 3 hours just to get in. Um, no. Just...no. But, the boys and I went inside and looked around anyway. Pretty cool place. I was bummed (probably moreso than the kids) about not getting to eat there. We walked a little further and I saw it. The place to rival all places. Ghiradelli chocolatier. Yes. And they even had a soda fountain on the other side of it. This place was awesome. I found a $30 sundae I wanted but I thought eating that much ice cream would result in a public viewing of my innerworkings being expelled. So, we got shakes instead. So. Good.
We walked a little further and spotted the Lego store. I love Legos. My kids love Legos. But, my husband LOOOOVES Legos. We saw some really cool Lego sculptures. The store itself is much like that one at North Park so the kids were kinda 'meh' about that part.
Walking further out, we found a toy store that had the ultimate end all, be all of toys. It was a create-your-own-personal-lightsaber. Yeah. Nerd heaven.
Other than it being waay crowded, Downtown Disney is definitely cool. It reminded me of Seaport Village in San Diego. Lots of restaurants, little shops, and entertainment. It was definitely fun but we cut our trip short as the evening storm was beginning to roll in. So, we left earlier than we wanted to. Boo.
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