Dinner with the Princesses at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall...

Monday night we dined with princesses. Analese got decked out in her Cinderella outfit, and Mariele put on her Minnie Mouse duds. I must have done a good job on Analese's hair and makeup, because some lady on the monorail asked me "if they gave her the tiara when they did her hair and makeup." She was referring to the Bippidy Boppidy Boutique, which we did NOT do. But Analese looked every bit as beautiful as any of the little princesses who had been bippidy bopped. The girls loved meeting all of the princesses. They even got to be in a processional around the dining hall. Analese absolutely loved every minute of this experience, so I'm glad that we were able to book this one.

Monday at Disney - Not a bad way to spend a Monday...

We took the boat to the Fort Wilderness Lodge for breakfast.




Then we enjoyed some wonderful Magic Kingdom time until late afternoon, when we had to go back to the hotel to get "princesses up" for the Storybook Dinner with the princesses at EPCOT.

Disney - Flying out and first night...

On the plane. I bought six Dora books for the price of three in the Houston airport. Score!




When we arrived at Disney, we had a dinner reservation in the French restaurant in EPCOT. Somebody slept through the meal.



We rode a few EPCOT rides and saw a few EPCOT attractions before going back to the hotel to get our luggage.

Analese's Adventurer Induction Ceremony...

The night before we left to go to Disney, Analese was inducted into the Conroe Cubs Adventurer Club as an Eager Beaver. We took some photos before we left the house. This is her "unadorned" uniform. She received her sash and scarf at the ceremony. Mariele had to clown around for the photos.






The ceremony went very well. They sang three songs, and recited the pledges and Adventurer law. Analese got to recite the part of the Adventurer law for "Be true." She was so cute reciting, "I will always tell the truth, and never try to deceive, even if I may get in trouble for it." The new members, including Analese, got to write their names on the rock altar.

Here is Analese walking in while they all sang the Adventurer's theme song: "We are Adventurers at home and school and play. We are Adventurers. We're learning every day to be honest, kind, and true, to be like Jesus through and through. We are Adventurers."



She was happy to get her sash and scarf. Now she will earn badges for her sash throughout the year as she completes the honors.



I honestly can't recall why she is definitely the most excited kid up there in the next photo, but being an Eager Beaver is exciting, I guess.

Rain, Glorious Rain!

Today is a drizzly, rainy day. It has been a slow and gentle, but steady rain. It is a big deal that the rain has lasted longer than 12 minutes. We are not used to that around here lately. I let the girls put on their rain gear and play in the backyard.

Analese plays Ode to Joy in church...

I'm so proud of her. She has so much confidence, and does not get nervous at all. There was a rough spot at the end, but she got through it. I really should have scooted the piano bench in for her a little. Oh well...

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Why I do everything that I do...

These two girls. They fill my heart with so much love and joy every day. After I got out of the shower tonight, I found them snuggling in bed reading a book together. I love to witness these sweet sister moments. Analese is reading so amazingly well! She is doing the Book It program. She reads aloud to me each night (I set the reading goal as 20 books per month) and she gets a certificate for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. She takes this very seriously, and she loves to fill up her "star chart." I am just so proud of both of these girls.