1st trip to Disney, 1st Christmas. Celebrating our new daughter!

[2BoysMom]

[I'm sorry for the size of my photos. I haven't posted any pics on the DIS boards in quite awhile, and there seems to be changes at Photobucket, or on here, I'm not sure. I don't seem to have as much control as before.]

We stayed in the Tahiti Long house on the ground level. The location was fantastic for walking to the Ferryboat Landing and TTC. Room view:

Here is a map of the layout and longhouse of the Poly resort. It's from another site.http://www.intercot.com/resorts/disney/maps/images/polynesian.jpg

We did an early morning ADR at CP and were able to walk into the park before the crowds. That was wonderful, I had never done that before. These are some pics of my DD seeing Cinderella's castle for the first time in her life.

We had the breakfast buffet at CP and here are some pics with my DD's first character meet-n-greet. She was only slightly hesitant at first when these big, huge stuffed beings began walking up to her table, but she got into the groove soon enough.

This is a funny one, as my DH just jumped right into the picture without me asking. I guess he was getting jealous that the children were getting all of the character's attention!

Soon after, we were headed for Fantasyland (where we always spend alot of time in MK). We were all waiting in line at the WP ride when I realized that my DD did not have her own Mickey ears. She loves all things Princess and her favorite color BY FAR is Pink. Do you think she liked her new Mickey Ears?

This was a special day, as it was also the first time that my DD got to meet Mickey Mouse for the first time. She did know who Mickey was from her years in China, so she was thrilled. When we went to the Mickey meet-n-greet, I whispered to his CM handler that we had just adopted JR from China. Mickey hugged her hard and then began dancing with her and engaging all of the children quite a bit. It was beautiful, and no, there are no pictures of me with tears in my eyes. But man, I love that mouse!

 

[2BoysMom]

Since I have been so neglectful in finishing my TR once we returned (and we went back in May and are going again this October!) I will continue to post pictures and get caught up. Gosh, I hate not completing something once I begin!

The next day we went to the GF to see the large Gingerbread house that they do every holiday season. I thought the kids would get a kick out of that.

(That's me with my Lime Green Baggalini bag. Who's a DIS-er? I'm a DIS-er!)

Frankly, they were being a bit naughty while we were there, so we don't have too many pics of us from the GF, This is the only other one.

so if I remember correctly, we took the monorail back to the Poly and went to Kona Cafe so DH and I could have sushi for dinner. The boys had Mickey ravioli, and I think my DD had an Asian chicken dish. Unfortunately, there are no food porn pics. I was doing my best corralling three 6 year olds and keeping an eye out for how well my DD was handling things, so I was a smidge distracted to remember to take food porn pics.

Next to KC, there was an elaborate chair decorated for the Christmas holidays. Was it there simply for photo ops, or did a character or Santa sit there occasionally, I do not know? But I got some great pics of the kids that made it on to our Christmas cards. Here are some:

Did anyone notice the Mickey heads in their sweaters? Yes, we ARE a Disney Family.

 

[2BoysMom]

After dinner, we took the Ferry over to MK. I have pics of the kids on the Ferry, but you must be getting bored of pictures of my kids! I think I will still post them, as this will be a way for me to document our wonderful trip for me to refer to in the future.
Alex, the taller twin who had lost his 2 front teeth.

Nathan, my spiritual, sensitive twin who loves everyone.

Jade-Rose with her Baba (Daddy in Chinese).

On our way home that evening, we decided to leave just before the fireworks. But they began just as we landed at TTC, so we sat down and watched them from there. It was a good decision, as excess noise like fireworks was something that was too much for my DD and for Nathan, too. I wish I could take good pics of fireworks.

Our new family!

 

[2BoysMom]

I must not have uploaded much onto Photobucket from our Epcot day. The only ones I could find were the Mulan meet-n-greet with Alex and Jade-Rose. Nathan was still busy in the pavilion making his arts-n-crafts, so I had twins with me instead of triplets for the moment.

We waited in the longest line for Mulan (which was not so fun) and then when we got up to her I mentioned that we had just adopted my DD from China, and does she know any Mandarin Chinese to talk to her. Luckily, I said it very quietly so no one else could hear me, and based on the slight widening of her eyes in fear, it became obvious that this particular CM did not know how to speak Chinese. I wonder how many tourists from China try to talk to her each day..... Anyway, you can see by the expression on my DD's face, she was not delighted to be near Mulan. Being fearful of Chinese people initially after an international adoption of an older child, is actually pretty common. My DD also refused to speak to other Chinese people when they did know Mandarin to talk to her. I was told it might happen, and she behaved exactly as I had been prepared. The theory is, that the children are afraid these "new Chinese" people will take them away from their new family, so they do not engage.

Anyway, for my DD's sake for future reflection, I had to get a picture of her with Mulan. In the first picture, you can even see she is dis-engaged with the interaction compared to previous pictures that I posted, and she will not let go of her brother's hand.

And the other one.

 

[2BoysMom]

For those of you tolerating all of these "too big" kids pictures, I appreciate it. Feel free to ask any questions. I will answer to the best of my ability if I can remember that far back.

I only have a post or two to go, and then the trip will be wrapped up. It is not as detailed as some other people's TR's, because I was very much involved with my DD on that trip and gauging how well she was handling things and wanting to share in her amazement and joy of all things around her.

It was a beautiful, memorable trip. Everything that you hope a trip to Disney World will bring for your family.

I will be back soon to wrap things up. Feel free to make a post, so that I know that I am not boring EVERYONE with these pics.

 

[2BoysMom]

938 views and no comments...
Oh well, I guess our special family trip just interests me.
I will wrap things up soon.

 

[RooRach0906]

I'm reading along! Your children are beautiful!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I love the pictures of your children holding hands down Main Street. What did your daughter do when she first walked into MK? Did she cry like a DISer? Or jump up and down? Or just get silent and wide-eyed? It must have been very emotion and exciting for your whole family.

You say you are going back this October? I'm heading to the Poly in a couple weeks - bring on MNSSHP!