Disney World - Part 1- Magic Kingdom

Wow, what a whirlwind amazing trip that we finished this week -- Steve and I are both surprised, relieved and happy to have survived and actually enjoyed our time at Disney..despite an "interesting" solo flight for me with the boys (this involved a no-napping Nate and multiple air sick bags for Jack) to Orlando and multiple bad colds while there..

On Saturday we went to the Magic Kingdom at opening- the day did not start out great. Waiting for the monorail took about 20 minutes as one was broken - then after lines for bag check and to enter - we went to Fantasy Land. Both boys were VERY squirmy in our first line for dumbo - it seemed like this was going to be a LONG day. However, the boys liked the ride (we could see a HUGE construction site for the new fantasy land) and from then on we had minimal lines thanks to strategic use of fast pass (timed tickets to enter popular attractions). We went on the carousel, Mickey's Philharmagic, It's a Small World (they were not so impressed as my generation was as kids), Peter Pan, Buzz Light year (Jack loved this), the people mover, the Railroad, Country Bear Jamboree, Jungle Cruise (Nate was napping in the stroller outside with Steve for the Jamboree and Cruise), the River Boat. Finally Jack/Steve went on Thunder Mountain - Jack's favorite.

We ate dinner at a restaurant near our hotel and went to bed.

Halloween

It is a cold and snowy Halloween here, but at least we have power unlike many surrounding towns and all of CT:)

After much "discussion" Nate ended up being a pumpkin, which some may recall as Jack's first costume. Jack is a fire fighter (same costume as last year - his request!)

More cake

Digging..

Open house at the fire house

For great aunt Debbie!

This was on jacks school Bookshelf this morning. I thought you would approve.

Fall Activities

This fall the boys are both in school, Jack 5 days from 8:30ish-1 and Nate 3 days from 8:30-12:30. Beyond that they are both enjoying swimming at Saturday mornings at one of our local Ys. Jack recently moved up a level which is exciting. He still uses a "bubble" (a small - about 11 by 14 - foam device on his back) but he gets all around the pool, can jump in and submerge from the starting blocks (the things "real" swim teams jump off). This class seems to be focusing on actual crawl/freestyle strokes, diving face first from a kneeling position on the side and swimming on their backs with the aid of a kickboard on their chest.

Nate is in his first class in the "baby" pool with Steve also in the water. He also uses a bubble (with 4-5 pieces of foam instead of Jack's 2) and he can actually doggy paddle his way around a bit. As usual, he is pretty fearless, and LOVES the class so far.

They are also both in gymnastics at a local gym. Jack is in the same class as last year for 3-5 year olds - mixed age/gender. It is obstacle-course type rotations on real kid-size equipment. Not much in terms of real gymnastics -no back-handspsrings or anything - but seems great for balance and coordination. I participate with Nate and his class is more of a challenge. One might perceive his lack of following direction as intelligence: he refuses to do the obstacle course with the other kids, and instead does them all on his own. As such, he never has to wait! I have decided forcing him is futile. I signed him up for exercise and fun which he is getting.

Neither gymnastics nor swimming allow pictures except "viewing" week, hopefully I will remember to do so!