Daddy for a week, Emily's Special Trip to "Ally's Room"

[Cafeen]

When I last left off, Emily had just fallen asleep on Spaceship Earth and Beth and I were heading off to the World Showcase to walk around.

We browsed a couple stores while she was asleep, Mouse Gears (where I bought Beth a hat that you'll see later) and the Art of Disney store (which had a lot of nice stuff way out of my price range)

We took our "break" at the area near Mexico and decided which way we wanted to go. The sun was coming from the left side, so we went the other way (so it wouldn't be in Emily's face as she slept).

We made our way to Canada, taking pictures as we went...

We chatted a bit and just hung around. Was a bit of a nicer day (still very hot though), so that was good. I also scouted out where to go for Saturday's lunch (Le Cellier). It was one of the few places that I had no idea where it was (ok, one of the many) other than "Canada". We found the path to it and then headed off to the UK.

More browsing and picture taking here.

We did stop into the Tea Shop to look for something for Beth's Dad (he's a big tea drinker guy), but she didn't find anything she thought he'd like. (I may pick up something from the online store for him for Christmas though, thinking of one of those nice sampler sets). We then moved on to France...

And Miss Emily started waking up (she had been out for over an hour, we really took our time in those two pavilions), so we skipped by France and headed to Morocco to hit up the bathrooms (to get Emily changed) and get some ice for her cuppie... (The greatest tip that I read was about the free ice from fountain drink locations. Man did that come in handy! We probably averaged 3-4 cups of ice a day for her cuppie.)

I'm not sure of our goal at this time, I think we started heading toward Mexico for the boat ride there. Along the way we watched the Drum and Fife crew come out. I took video of that, but did not get a still picture (doh), we also passed the train village (which I specifically moved us over for).

Now, the train village may have been a mistake. Emily wanted to climb over the railings to play with the trains and didn't understand why she couldn't...

And then took more pictures on the way to Mexico...

When we approached Mexico, I noticed a small line. I peeked around the corner to see Donald all dressed up in his Mexican garb. We hopped in line, but were quickly told that he would be taking a "nacho break" for a few minutes. We waited it out...

(and those are the only 2 images of myself I got on this whole trip )

And were rewarded for our wait!

Now, you see, Emily has new clothes on again. I forgot the reasoning, but I think the yellow dress was most likely getting too hot for her. I don't think that she had made the same mess that she had at Animal Kingdom.

At any rate, after meeting Donald, we went into Mexico for the boat ride.

We got to the boat ride and Emily chatted up the CM at the entrance (as per usual). Once we got to the loading area, there was a large group just departing. We got to our line, and they sent the boat off with just us. (The boat behind us got filled to capacity again). Now, there wasn't really a line or anything, but it was really nice to have our own boat to ourselves.

We took a ride on the river, following the exploits of one of the trippiest movies Disney put out there (Have any of you actually SEEN The Three Caballeros? Yeah, it's ... interesting) and having a good time watching the scenery go by. We finished up and realized we must have gotten there at the exact right time, as there was a line forming (yes, a line, for Gran Fiesta Tour!). This was also where we noticed that we had a full boat behind us as well as the one in front of us. Made us feel a little special getting a whole boat to ourselves.

By this time, we were all getting pretty hungry. It was 3pm (ish) and we hadn't eaten since breakfast.

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey, Allan!

Yes, those girls are VERY lucky to have you! That much is obvious from your TR. You care a lot and it shines through!!!!

No, I know you weren't making fun of Alabamians! I imagine that it is hard to come from one place and adjust to another. And you know, everything in the south just moves at a slower pace, or so I think.

I hope you have a good day! I'm glad that I have gotten caught all up again and I'm especially glad that I can now see your pics from work!

 

[Cafeen]

Whoops! Forgot to put the image links up in there ><. Excel (where I have a funky little forumla so I can just copy/paste) is being slow too... doh.

Pardon the appearance, that post is being refurbished for your future enjoyment!

 

[Cafeen]

Man, DISboards are being naughty today.

This spot reserved for a future post to make it look like I didn't double post. Or something.

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Yay! An update! I am so enjoying the pictures. Emily just amazes me, she is the cutest thing ever!

I've never been to World Showcase in all of the years I've been to Disney. It is soooo beautiful. I think I'll make a point of going next time!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just read the latest installment. Sounds like Ms. Emily had a good nap and you and Beth were able to spend some time together without having to wrangle a little one.

Looking forward to seeing pics!

Oops, while I was posting, your pictures showed up. Off to take a look!

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Allan. Those gals are very lucky to have you in their lives. The photos are terrific...and glad we got to see at least two of you.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Allen, those Epcot updates are just wonderful. You have such good pictures and that Miss Emily has got to be the sweetest child. Her face just glows. I know how lucky you feel to be a part of it and to be the reason she was having such a grand time. Congrats to you.

Ginny

 

[aprilisis]

Great update as always! I love your photos.

 

[Disney Spaz]

It sounds so nice. One of just the many things I loved was those quiet moments when the little one is sleeping and you can just stroll along enjoying each others company.

It is heart warming to feel the pride you have for both Emily and Beth emanating through your posts.

 

[MEK]

I'm glad Emily got a nice afternoon nap in. It was probably nice just to stroll around and take in the world showcase while she was sleeping.

That's a great picture of the giant toy soldier - love it.

Glad emily got to spend some time with donald - that's a great picture!

 

[Cafeen]

Hey, Allan!

Yes, those girls are VERY lucky to have you! That much is obvious from your TR. You care a lot and it shines through!!!!

No, I know you weren't making fun of Alabamians! I imagine that it is hard to come from one place and adjust to another. And you know, everything in the south just moves at a slower pace, or so I think.

I hope you have a good day! I'm glad that I have gotten caught all up again and I'm especially glad that I can now see your pics from work!

Yay! An update! I am so enjoying the pictures. Emily just amazes me, she is the cutest thing ever!

I've never been to World Showcase in all of the years I've been to Disney. It is soooo beautiful. I think I'll make a point of going next time!

I've moved around a bit, and the move to Alabama wasn't too bad. At least we had a relatively "cool" summer this year. Gives me a chance to get acclimated.

It was a very good day It gets better later

Just read the latest installment. Sounds like Ms. Emily had a good nap and you and Beth were able to spend some time together without having to wrangle a little one.

Looking forward to seeing pics!

Oops, while I was posting, your pictures showed up. Off to take a look!

Heh, figures that people caught it between the time I posted and when I said "Oh crap, forgot to put the pictures in!" I use index numbers for them as I'm writing, with the pics up in that Windows Picture Viewer thing. It happens a lot when I forget to put image links in there ><.

Yep, she had a nice nap and it was very nice just to walk around and chat without having to worry about what Emily was getting into. This trend would continue throughout the week, making the rest of the days considerably easier than the first couple.

Great update, Allan. Those gals are very lucky to have you in their lives. The photos are terrific...and glad we got to see at least two of you.

Allen, those Epcot updates are just wonderful. You have such good pictures and that Miss Emily has got to be the sweetest child. Her face just glows. I know how lucky you feel to be a part of it and to be the reason she was having such a grand time. Congrats to you.

Ginny

Thanks . She always shows her personality in pictures, even ones I had seen of her earlier in the year, it just shone right though.

Great update as always! I love your photos.

Thanks

It sounds so nice. One of just the many things I loved was those quiet moments when the little one is sleeping and you can just stroll along enjoying each others company.

It is heart warming to feel the pride you have for both Emily and Beth emanating through your posts.

Thanks . It was very nice. The area we were in was barely populated (nevermind crowded!), it really felt like another world for while and we just strolled around without worrying about anything. Was a nice little vacation from the vacation.

I do have a lot of pride for both of them. Beth has come a long way from how she was before, and she fought her way to that place tooth and nail. I tell her every day how proud I am of her and how good of a mama she is to Emily. Emily herself is just amazing. Such an intelligent, outgoing, and wonderful personality. I know I was beaming like the doting dad on more than a few occasions when she was being herself.

I'm glad Emily got a nice afternoon nap in. It was probably nice just to stroll around and take in the world showcase while she was sleeping.

That's a great picture of the giant toy soldier - love it.

Glad emily got to spend some time with donald - that's a great picture!

We were very glad too! It was nice to be able to relax a bit.

I also looked closer at the toy soldier, I guess I didn't get close enough, as you can see Emily sleeping in the stroller in the reflection. It does give kinda a cool effect though. Donald was great. He was very good with Emily and was his normal silly self.

 

[Cafeen]

It was about 3pm(ish) (I had it rough trying to keep track of time!) and we had just finished up taking the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico. We were getting hungry, so we took a look outside and checked out the menu for the Cantina. Nothing appealed Beth, but Emily wanted cheese. I picked her up a kid's quesadilla and some drinks, and some ice, and a cover (it was 3 trips to the counter because I kept forgetting things!). We then started heading off to China.

For some reason, when I was little(ish), I never got into China. I just never got the groove of the place. Sadly, this will remain unchanged as we didn't get much of a look at it.

At any rate, we went to the CS place there and Beth and I got our own lunches. I had the Beef and Noodles (or whatever it was called) and she had something else. (I am good at this food stuff huh?) It was pretty good, but I really should have gotten something at Mexico. I'm just not a fan of Chinese food.

For dessert, we both had the Strawberry/Ginger? (I think) ice cream and it was very tasty. A bit different than standard strawberry, but it was good.

We all finished up our lunches (and I got more ice!) and then headed around a bit more. We walked around for a bit, but were starting to get tired, so we decided to take the boat across and head out.

We headed back to the resort and hung around and chilled out for a bit. I took a walk down to The Dig Site to pick up something for Emily.

A bit after I got back, we packed up and headed back out to The Dig Site to allow Emily to play on the playground for a bit.

(That's worn paint on that slide, not dirt. Beth made it a point to mention that...)

After the playground, we headed back to the room to change, it was time...

... for Emily's first time swimming! She had been in little kiddie pools, but never actually swimming in an actual pool. She had been pointing to the pool all week (as she did with any body of water), and now she was finally going to get to go in!

Now, many kids are rather skittish when they first encounter a pool. I know I was for sure, and so was my nephew. Not Emily though!

First, a disclaimer. If I disappear randomly, it's because Beth found out I posted these pics without cropping her out. She's rather picky about that. I like them because of the interaction between the two of them, but she's very picky about how she looks in pictures.

Now that that's taken care of, on to the pics!

Unfortunately, we only had about 10-15 minutes in the pool before it closed , but Emily was thrilled just the same. She took to it amazingly well and didn't have a problem at all. It was also great for me to be there for it. I had been privy to some of Emily's firsts (feeding, night at home, bath, etc), but missed some of the other ones (steps, words, etc). It was very good for me to be there for this one. I had really felt as if we were an actual family by this point (and in many senses we are) and this cemented that fact.

After the swim, we headed back up to the room, showered off the pool water (individually... I know how you people think! Don't get any dirty ideas!) and headed off to bed. Tomorrow was 1900 Park Fare, Magic Kingdom, and Hanging out with Derek, Amanda, and Madison again! (And, another 8:15 am breakfast call...)

 

[heaven2dc]

We all finished up our lunches (and I got more ice!) and then headed around a bit more. We walked around for a bit, but were starting to get tired, so we decided to take the boat across and head out.

Nice boat

After the playground, we headed back to the room to change, it was time...

... for Emily's first time swimming!

She looks so cute in her swimsuit - all ready for her first swim!

First, a disclaimer. If I disappear randomly, it's because Beth found out I posted these pics without cropping her out. She's rather picky about that. I like them because of the interaction between the two of them, but she's very picky about how she looks in pictures.

Now that that's taken care of, on to the pics!

I agree with you - these are very cute pics! Beth looks great so she definitely shouldn't be cropped out!

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey, Allan - I'm all caught up with your pictures. My favorite so far is Emily with Minnie. So cute!

Loved your last post - those swimming pics are just too cute. You can see the love and trust between mother and daughter. It is really something to see! I am glad you are feeling that "family" feeling. I hope it works out for you the way you want it to!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Very nice update! Tell Beth that we don't give two hoots how she looks in the pictures. She looks extremely happy so that means she looks extremely pretty to us! If I cropped myself out of every picture I thought I looked bad in, there would never be any pictures of me.

I'm glad that you were there for Emily's first swim in a "big people" pool.

 

[KatMark]

Love the updates. And love the pics of Emily in the Dig Site pool...she looks like she is having a great time by the smile on her face. And tell Beth not to worry...we're to busy looking at Emily and a lot of post pics that we probably wouldn't anywhere else...we're among friends here.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Wonderful pictures again Allan. I wish I had some sort of that talant. I know I have to read the camera book first.

Tell Beth no worries. These pics are just like looking at long lost relatives and we are so glad to see the happy times we don't care about looks. I am the same way as she is and that is why I'm hardly in any pic. I have decided tho that that is my loss. Mainly because I am so happy to be with my family that that is all people see is the happiness.

I love the CSR and the dig site for children. The playground is fantastic. Alex even being 10 at the time loved it. That pool is the greatest ever. It is such fun to be there late at night and it not be busy.

 

[aprilisis]

Great photos! It’s so cool that you were there for her first time in a big pool. Can’t wait to read more!

 

[Cafeen]

Nice boat

She looks so cute in her swimsuit - all ready for her first swim!

I agree with you - these are very cute pics! Beth looks great so she definitely shouldn't be cropped out!

Thanks . I like them a lot, especially with her in them. She's super picky about herself though (aren't we all?). I think since Emily's there, it'll be ok though.

Hey, Allan - I'm all caught up with your pictures. My favorite so far is Emily with Minnie. So cute!

Loved your last post - those swimming pics are just too cute. You can see the love and trust between mother and daughter. It is really something to see! I am glad you are feeling that "family" feeling. I hope it works out for you the way you want it to!!!

I love the Emily and Minnie one too, it's one of the best we got all trip! That Minnie was just so good at what she does!

I know I've made mention of this a lot, but there really was a great "family" vibe going on while we were down there. In truth, I had felt it somewhat before we went, but this really cemented it.

Very nice update! Tell Beth that we don't give two hoots how she looks in the pictures. She looks extremely happy so that means she looks extremely pretty to us! If I cropped myself out of every picture I thought I looked bad in, there would never be any pictures of me.

I'm glad that you were there for Emily's first swim in a "big people" pool.

Thanks . It's pretty amazing how we don't truly know how happy we were down there until we see the pics. I mean, I know we were happy to be there, but the pics really prove just how much it showed and it really makes a difference.

Love the updates. And love the pics of Emily in the Dig Site pool...she looks like she is having a great time by the smile on her face. And tell Beth not to worry...we're to busy looking at Emily and a lot of post pics that we probably wouldn't anywhere else...we're among friends here.

Thanks . She really had a great time at the playground and the pool. It was really nice just to be able to give her a break from the hustle and bustle of the normal park visiting.

Wonderful pictures again Allan. I wish I had some sort of that talant. I know I have to read the camera book first.

Tell Beth no worries. These pics are just like looking at long lost relatives and we are so glad to see the happy times we don't care about looks. I am the same way as she is and that is why I'm hardly in any pic. I have decided tho that that is my loss. Mainly because I am so happy to be with my family that that is all people see is the happiness.

I love the CSR and the dig site for children. The playground is fantastic. Alex even being 10 at the time loved it. That pool is the greatest ever. It is such fun to be there late at night and it not be busy.

I told her that many times . Like I've said, she's always concerned with how she looks (and considering her past, I don't blame her for it and try and let it slide a lot), but she's getting much better now that the focus is more on Emily and her rather than just her.

The playground was amazing and the few pics I took just didn't do it justice. We didn't hang at the Dig Site pool ("Unexpected Maintenance" when we were there), but we swam at the quiet pool right outside our room.

Great photos! It’s so cool that you were there for her first time in a big pool. Can’t wait to read more!

Thanks , there's more to come for sure!

---

And, speaking of the playground. There's a cute little story that I'm sure you'll all appreciate. For those who have never been there, one of the playground elements has this little suspended bridge.

You can kind of see it in the bottom right of this picture (that I've blatantly borrowed from the DIS).

Well, Emily was at first scared of going on it by herself. She'd always ask for Beth's hand as she crossed. She did this a couple times, and then this really sweet other little girl came by and was playing too. This little girl took Emily's hand to walk her across. A couple times later and she had to go, they said goodbye and then Emily was able to do the bridge herself! Not only by herself, but another little one came around (younger than Emily) and was also scared of said bridge. So, what did Emily do? She offered her hand and helped the littler one cross. Such a proud moment (and retelling it doesn't do it justice).