December 2012 vacation :: Islands of Adventure

Our first stop on our vacation was Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure! Mira was so excited to get to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (and so was I!). We spent most of our time there and at Dr. Suess Landing (which Amelia really loved!).

Here we are at the entrance to the park:

Here is the Hogwarts Castle. It's such an impressive sight to see in person!

Mira got a photo in front of the Hogwarts train!

Inside Hogwarts Castle. It's the sorting hat!

A wand duel! Mira bought Ron Weasley's and Amelia opted for Hermione Granger's wand. Me? I was gunning for Sirius Blacks' wand!

Mmmm! Butterbeer! What a delicious drink that I think they got just right. We had the frozen, which we heard was better, and it didn't disappoint. Tasted like a butterscotch slurpee with cream on top!

We were able to see the Grinchmas show. It was really good and not too long. Let us sit out of the heat for a little while and rest.

Amelia met Thing 1 and Thing 2, which she was really excited about since she bought their stuffed toy with her spending money.

Sam-I-Am and Mira:

Mira and Amelia and the Cat in the Hat. We rode his ride a couple times!

Mira with the conductor of the Hogwarts Express.

The girls with the cast of Grinchmas!

The girls met Betty Boop! They had never heard of her, but I told them that Grandma Martha liked her when she was younger, so they took a picture with her for Grandma:

Our trip to Islands of Adventure was great fun! Next, our Royal Caribbean Cruise!

Happy holidays!

Happy holidays from Mira and Amelia!

Baking Christmas cookies

One of our family traditions is to bake just one kind of Christmas cookie and truffles. We always make the cut out frosted sugar cookies (largely because they are my personal favorite). We bake a couple batches twice and everyone gets involved in the frosting!

50s Day in kindergarten

To celebrate the 50th day of kindergarten, Amelia's school had all the kindergarteners dress up in 50s clothes. Amelia managed to pull together something from the house. She loved wearing a poodle on her skirt, but when she asked why they wore poodles on their skirts, I couldn't come up with an answer.

Here's my little kindergartener on the 50th day of kindergarten!

Nursery Rhyme Parade!

Amelia's kindergarten grade had a great nursery rhyme parade today at school! Each kinderoo picked a nursery rhyme to dress up as, then participated in the parade around the school. They went through the library, cafeteria, office, Galaxy (kidstop) and back to their classroom. Everyone loved it!

When we got back to their room, each kindergartener started their public speaking careers and recited their chosen nursery rhyme for the rest of the class and attending parents. Amelia chose "Hickory Dickory Dock." (We largely chose this one because we had already bought a clown costume, and the clock from this nursery rhyme was the closest thing we could think of where she could get away with wearing the clown costume!).

Here are photos of Amelia in the parade, and a video of her performing her rhyme:

Trick or Treat 2012

It was a fun night in Maple Grove trick or treating through the neighborhood! Mira's friend Kassidy and her parents surprised us and came trick or treating with us. Mira was thrilled to see her friend from school last year!

 My "dementor" and clown!

 Getting candy at my friend Becky's house:

 This house does it up right!

Apple Jack's 2012

As is our autumn tradition, our family of four made our way to a local apple orchard/pumpkin patch. This year was Apple Jack's in Buffalo. The girls enjoyed petting the animals, the pony ride, the wagon ride, and just playing on the hay. Some highlights:

 

Swim Meet/St. Michael/Oct. 20-21, 2012

Mira had her first non-Life Time Fitness swim meet today, so this is the official one! She entered 4 events (50M freestyle, 50M backstroke, 50M breaststroke, 50M butterfly). Today she competed in the freestyle and backstroke. Tomorrow is the breaststroke and butterfly.

Mira did really well! I was so focused on taking photos of the freestyle, that I didn't even note the time or how she placed. Oops!

Mira and her friend Kassidy:

 Getting ready for her first heat:

 Waiting in line for the 50M freestyle race:

 On your mark. Go!

 Last stretch of the freestyle:

 Touching the wall at the finish!

 Race is over. Out of the pool!

 With her ribbon for participating.

 In line for the 50M backstroke:

 Ready to begin the backstroke:

 Her time and place. Mira was in lane 1 for both her races. She placed 3rd in the backstroke!

For the backstroke, Mira had a time of 1:03 and placed 3rd in her heat. She was so proud of herself (and Mom and Dad are super proud too!). We were glad her heats were close to each other (only 35 minutes apart), because there is a lot of waiting around at a swim meet. We were able to leave after her 2nd heat and were home by 10:30. Tomorrow is the same schedule. Looking forward to seeing how she does!