Enchanted Symphony

Marina and I have attended quite a few concerts at the symphony this year. Today we were excited for their “Symphonic Beauty and the Beast” concert. Marina wore her blue Belle dress.

We left the house early for the show. I learned a large group of fairytale characters would be in the lobby before the show. Since we were so early, we got the most amazing parking spot - almost directly outside the concert hall!

When we arrived we saw the characters were already there. We got photos with Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Jasmine and Rapunzel right away. Then we waited in a short line for pictures with Belle, her prince, Gaston and Le Fou. Next up, we met Anna and Elsa with Kristoff followed by Cinderella and her Prince. We also found Pocahontas, Moana and Te Fiti.

After we met all the characters, we found the craft area where Marina made a green necklace which she gave to Te Fiti. On our way to our seats, we ran into Elena of Avalor.

We bought drinks and Marina picked out a snack, then we went to our seats. We really liked our view – we were directly behind the horn section. When the concert started we could see the conductor very well.

The concert was a combination of classical pieces and music from movies. A vocalist came out to sing several songs from the Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast. We loved her performance and Marina gushed over her ball gown.

After the concert, the characters were in the lobby again. Marina hugged each one before we left.

Princess of the Plains

Marina’s third grade class took a field trip to the conservatory near our house in the spring. She has a great time and said we should go sometime. We decided to check it out today. We started off in the Visitor’s Center. Marina was immediately interested the incubator with baby chicks in it. We also looked at the cases with snakes and other local reptiles in them.

Next we checked out the cluster of teepees nearby. They were difficult to get into but once inside we were amazed by how much space was inside.

The area was cover with prairie dog holes. So we were able to observe them for a while as well. Marina thought they were adorable, We also saw a few small rabbits and two hawks were appeared to be hunting. By then, Marina was annoyed by all the bugs. So we went out for ice cream and then headed home for a while.

We went back to the Conservatory after dinner for a “Sunset Safari.” Marina decided to wear her Pocahontas costume for the trip.  Everyone was loaded into a wagon and we drove out into the conservatory for a tour. We stopped many times along the way to view animals. The guide was very knowledgeable about all the animals we saw.

First we saw more prairie dogs and Eastern Cottontail rabbits. A bit farther on we saw some Pronghorns in the distance. One let us get pretty close but lost interest in us quickly. We drove past a Red Tailed Hawk nest with two babies in it as well.

At one point, we stopped because there was a snake in the road. It turned out to be a dead Bull snake. The kids all got out to take a closer look at it.

When we returned to the Center, everyone gathered around a fire to toast marshmallows.  That might have been Marina’s favorite part.

Pocahontas at the Parks

We slept in again today. Three nights of fireworks will make one tired! Today’s first stop was the Animal Kingdom. It was a very hot day. Marina was dressed as Pocahontas, but she wanted a hat. So we picked up one as we entered the park. She also bought herself some binoculars. She certainly looked ready to see some animals. Our first stop was the Kilmanjaro Safari. This year they let Marina sit next to the window. She was happy about that. We got a good look at quite a few animals including hippos, elephants and giraffes. It was as good as we remembered from last year. The train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch was near Africa, so we went ahead and took it. We met with Pocahontas and Jiminy Cricket while we were there.

We were both hungry, so we stopped at the Yak and Yeti and had honey chicken for lunch. We had a hard time finding a place to sit, but a nice newlywed couple from Georgia offered to let us share their table. The food was really good and perked us both up. We headed deeper into Asia and went to the Kali River Rapids ride. It looked like river ride at our local amusement park but, as it turns out, you get much wetter on the Kali River Rapids. Marina was not pleased about how soaked she was. When we talked about the ride, she said, “I hated it!” Then we walked the Maharajah Jungle Trek where we saw a tiger playing in a fountain. She kept roaring. The guide said she was calling to her sisters to come play. We also saw bats, birds and snakes on the Trek.

We decided to Park Hop today and went over to Hollywood Studios. We found out that the unscheduled character visits still happen at the same time, so we were at the right place to see that. Marina got to meet Stitch, Goofy and the Queen of Hearts. But the best part was, Pocahontas and Meeko were there. So Marina had her picture taken with her again. It was fun for all of them.

We went over to the Streets of America to meet Phineas and Ferb. She loves that show and they are new to Hollywood Studios. It was a long wait, but we were entertained by songs from the show while we waited. Lightning McQueen and Mater were just around the corner, so we stopped to see them as well.

After dinner, we watched The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show. Then we went to the stadium to watch Fantasmic. We missed this show last year – it was canceled due to technical difficulties. This year it was delayed by weather, but it finally started. It was an amazing show. Marina loved it – especially since it featured Pocahontas. She definitely wore the right costume today.

A Day at the Museum

We'd gone to the Zoo quite a bit in January, so now that it's February, we went back to the Museum of Nature and Science. Marina was happy to go back.

We started in the Health Exhibit, as we usually do. We tried out some new activities, including a competition using our brain waves. I won! We also completed an experiment to see our own cells. We had to do it twice, but ultimately we did get to see cells under the microscope.

From there we went to the Discovery Zone where she busied herself building with large blocks and coloring. And she found time to play at the wind table.

Before we left we saw the Native American exhibit (she kept saying they were "like Pocahontas.") We also saw some of the animal dioramas before heading home. Of course, Marina could stay there all day, if I would let her.

Giving Thanks

We spent Thanksgiving at my mother's house. Marina has been learning about the Pilgrims and Indians at school and she wanted to wear her Pocahontas costume in honor of them. Everyone thought that was appropriate.

Marina spent most of the day playing with her uncles. Uncle Mike and Uncle Brian like to lift her up off the ground and roughhouse with her. She also convinced Uncle Andrew to play with the Barbies she brought with us.

When it came time for dinner, she mostly ate turkey and rolls with a little stuffing. She did love the turkey though. She also polished off most of a piece of pumpkin pie.

Marina has a fun day. In fact she didn't want to go home.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

Disney World - Day Two

Today's plan was to see the Animal Kingdom. We were fortunate that Marina's grandparents were able to drive up from the Miami area to join us today. Marina hadn't see them in two years, so they made the day extra special.

Marina wore her Pocahontas costume today. People called her "Princess" and "Pocahontas" all day long. She loved telling everyone it was just a costume and she wasn't the real Pocahontas.

We started off in Africa with some breakfast. There weren't many places to sit, but Marina found a spot for herself and Grandma.

The safari had a short wait, so we went on that first. Marina was disappointed she wasn't allowed to sit near the window, but she really liked looking at the animals. She got especially excited to see the giraffes and the baby elephant. We went on a jungle trek after that. Grandma and grandpa got a chance to tell her about the animals they know about.

We were all really hot, so we took the Wilderness Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch which was air conditioned. There we go a chance to meet Pocahontas. Marina was excited about that. The cast member with Pocahontas acted confused that there were two Pocahontases. Marina did her best to explain it. We also met Rafiki (who played hide and seek with Marina) and Jiminy Cricket.


We had lunch and then went to Camp Mickie-Minnie to see The Festival of the Lion King. It was a wonderful show of music from the movie and acrobatics. We all enjoyed it.

By then, Marina was wanting to ride some rides. So, we headed to Dinoland USA. We all tried out the TriceraSpin. It was much like the Dumbo ride at the Magic Kingdom. She loved it. We also rode the Dinosaur ride. It was much more intense than I had expected. Marina didn't like it at all. There weren't many more rides, but Marina got her face painted and she was happy with that.

We went to see Finding Nemo - the Musical. It was a great show that we all loved. The puppets were very clever and the effects impressive. Once the show was over, Marina's grandparents decided to go back to the hotel. Marina wanted to stay a little while longer. As we were eating dinner it started to rain. We ducked into a store until it lightened up. Then we went back to Camp Mickie-Minnie. The line to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse was not long, so we got to see them in their safari gear. There was no line for Goofy and Donald Duck, so we stopped to see them as well.

The park was getting ready to close, so we left. Marina wanted to go swimming when we got to the hotel. She's loved having a pool at the hotel.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Disneyland - Day Three

We got a pretty slow start this morning. Marina was tired and took a while to wake up. The shuttle was late and it stopped at more places than usual. At the last stop before Disneyland, the driver ordered everyone off the shuttle. It was smoking. I contemplated carrying Marina to the Park when another shuttle showed up. Thank goodness!

Our first stop was a bakery on Main Street I had noticed yesterday. I bought a blueberry muffin for me and a chocolate chip one for Marina. We ate them on the train to Tomorrowland. Marina was excited to try out the cars - Autotopia. I was surprised that Marina didn't want to steer. Compared to this, driving real cars is easy. From there we went to the Finding Nemo submarine ride, It's notorious for long lines, so I was grateful we only had to wait half an hour. Marina seemed to really like it.

There wasn't much more Marina was interested in doing at Tomorrowland, so we went back to Fantasyland. Marina had been wanting to buy a Mulan Polly Pocket toy since Day One, so I let her get it today. As soon as we had it, she wanted to go home to play with it. But I convinced her to stay with another ride on It's A Small World. Since the Princess Fantasy Faire was next door, we went over. I knew Pocahontas would be there today. A page named Stephen got her schedule for us and we got into line. When we we second in line, Stephen pulled us out of line and took us to see Pocahontas just as she was leaving. She was so gracious. (And I loved Stephen for helping us!) Then we went through and saw Belle, Jasmine and Ariel again.

We spent more time on the Fantasyland rides and we looked around Sleeping Beauty's castle. Marina didn't like how dark the story tour of the castle was, so we didn't do that. There was a room with a throne that she liked as well as some window displays that she liked to look at. We also found Snow White's wishing well and fountain. She liked that too.

When we got back to the hotel, Marina wanted to go swimming. That does seem to relax us at night. She saw an older girl there who she immediately called her "friend." The other girl was a good sport about it. I hadn't realized Marina would miss playing with other kids so much. But she does seem to make friends everywhere we go.