Disney Magic 1

 I can't believe our week at sea is over.  I didn't want to come home, but even the best of things sometimes come to an end.  We came straight back home and reality hit us smack in the face---or eye.  Ryan and Evan both had pink eye.  After a weekend quarantine and lots of eye drops, I think we are on the mend and starting to get back to real life.  {I know pink is my favorite color, but let's keep it out of the eyes from now on, boys.}  The suitcases are unpacked, the laundry is caught up, and I can now start posting some pictures of our adventures. 


We started off with a bang---riding to the port in style, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa.  

After the EASIEST embarkation process in the history of cruising...we were aboard.  Seriously.  I kept waiting to have to wait or have some stumbling block.  Nope.  Everything was "have a magical day" and "Meeska-Mooska-Mickey-Mouse."  Maybe a little pixie dust IS all it takes!  


Once on board, we got the boys registered for the kids' club.  They played a bit on the pirate ship and slide.

 Po loved the tick-tock croc.

 After lunch, we checked out our rooms and then headed out to the deck and to the Bon Voyage party.  {Favorite line from Kyle:  As he discovered the doors that connected our room with Grandma and Grandpa's room, "Sweet! So, when I wake up early, I can go in their room!"}

 Oh, the excitement.....

 We went back to our rooms to watch the ship leave Galveston.  There were plenty of seagulls following along, hoping for food.   

We played a little, rested a little, watched some movies, and got ready for dinner.  The boys had a special treat: Mickey ice cream bars!

After the welcome aboard show, we walked out to watch the sunset.  I LOVE THIS. 

And, SURPRISE!  The room had magically transformed while we were gone.  The boys LOVED the bunkbeds! 

And, we all slept very well! 

Saucy

These boys have become saucy, just like their mom! 

Panda Birthday

Ryan's party was awesome!   I'm so glad Emmy was able to come down and help me get it all together. 

She made some shirts for Stephen and me.  "There is no charge for awesomenesss....."  "...or attractiveness." 

Baby got a shirt, too!

We played Kung Fu Fighting with noodle swords. 

Aunt Liz and McKinley came. 

Grandma and Grandpa were there. 

So were Uncle Bando and Aunt Julia.  {and Claire}

We got all the food ready.  Dad was on Pot Sticker duty. 

Po was SO excited!

The whole gang:

After lunch, Ryan got to open some presents.  He was really excited about the gifts and kept saying, "Oh, WOW!  This is AMAZING!"  He also kept being so surprised that the gifts were for him.  I would say, "This is from Grandma and Grandpa."  He would open it, and walk over to hand the gift back to them.  When they said, "It's for you, Ryan," he got SO exicted, smiled, and exclaimed, "FOR ME!?!" 

Bubble Maker Hippo from Uncle Eric/Aunt Emmy

Sushi play set from Auntie Deb:

Some books and a play toaster and play mixer from Granna/Gramps. 

Clothes and Jake stuff from Grandma/Grandpa and an A&M shirt from the CS Coopers.

Jake stuff from McKinley and Aunt Liz.

Some more clothes from Auntie Deb.  We caught the "that's amazing!!!" on video. 



He also got several nice cards. 

Evan wanted a picture. 

Cake Time.  I LOVE Ryan's reaction to being the center of attention. 


Happy Birthday, Po!  I hope it was a wonderful day! 

Panda Party Prep

My sister, Emmalee loves to do parties, and so do I.  We've actually talked about how fun it would be to live closer to each other and be able to do more Em & M Parties, but until that day, it's going to have to suffice to get together as often as possible and pull out the best.parties.ever!!!!

For Ryan's 3rd birthday, he wanted to do a "Panda" party.  This worked out perfectly, since we call him "Po."  I also try to coordinate a book with the party theme, and everyone at the party signs the book.  I was able to use Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?  It works out even more that "see" rhymes with "Three" for the invite:  {Emmy did a great job bringing my descriptions to life.}

We decorated the dining room with balloons and lots of cutouts.  Emmy even found panda plates!

"Happy Birthday, Little Po!"

The panda cake.  Ryan insisted on a strawberry cake.  The panda part is made from oreos and chocolate chips. 

Each chair had a headband for each guest with "chinese" writing on it. 

"Tigress Treats" {party favors in take-out boxes.  I put some fortune cookies, a Chinese yo-yo, some asian candies and a lollipop in each one.}

We got big bags of fortune cookies for the adult's party favors.  "Furious Five Fortune Cookies"

Each guest's nameplate had their name in Chinese.  It was fun to learn how to pronounce our names a little differently.   

Emmy made a "Chinese" banner for the door. 

Drink station: "Skadoosh Juice" and "Dew and Universe Juice"

The Food:
"Sacred Peaches from the Tree of Heavenly Wisdom" and "Viper's Veggies"

"Secret Ingredient Soup"

"Monkey's Lo Mein" and "Shifu's Sticky Rice"

"Dragon Warrior Chicken"

"Oogway's Eggrolls" and "Po's Potstickers"

What a party!!!