It's an interesting thing...these things called "life experiences". It's interesting how they shape you, transform you, cause you to re-evaluate, and just make you think. A bit contemplative this morning...maybe a funk...maybe just "re-evaluating".
In a short time, this life experience has stretched me and has definitely made me think. Coming into it, I wasn't sure what to expect - in all areas, including how I would be. Casual, but classy. Remember those words from the summer? It was how my new life was described to me by someone who was finishing up their "life experience" here. Some "rules" were set about what to wear (and what not to wear!) and general lifestyle changes. Well, ya know what, I threw those rules out the window. Good or bad, I couldn't adhere to them.
So what does that mean? It means I don't "get ready" before I take Zoey to school in the morning. It means I wear yoga pants and no makeup to the grocery store. I say "no" with a little more ease than I did at home when I'm just not up for something. I don't feel obligated to meet a ton of new people and make a ton of new friends and visit a ton of new places. I spend time with my kids when I need to spend time with them - even if it means missing days of preschool and going against the school norms. It means I'm trying to be me in a world that is incredibly far from the world I knew that felt like me.
Again, for good or for bad. I am definitely aware that this whole notion of "being me" could easily slip and slide into missing out and looking back saying "I wish I would have..." It's a balancing act I have not yet mastered and there are days when the scale is definitely tipped farther in one direction than the other. Sometimes it's very easy to hide under the hypothetical covers and say something to the effect of "screw you, life experience". It's easier not to push myself.
The balance between just living in Italy and truly living in Italy isn't easy. I feel content not to be out and about soaking up this life experience every moment. But then I worry about regrets. I feel good about making a few closer friends rather than always trying to connect with new people. But then I dwell on what I might be missing out on. It feels right to create a "normal" life for my girls, but maybe this new "normal" should include branching out more at times. Like I said, a balance I have not mastered.
This life experience is intriguing because everybody does it so differently. I can be sitting around a table with 5 other women and they have each tackled a similar situation in a variety of ways. You meet the ones who have traveled almost every weekend. You meet the ones who prefer to stay at home. You meet the ones who know every market, every local shop, every "hidden gem". You meet the ones who are involved in everything. You meet the ones who have bowed out of the few things they thought they wanted to be involved in. You meet the ones who say "this is the life for me". You meet the ones who say "Two years...and I'll be ready to go home". And what it tells me is that there is no right way to do this. All of the rules I thought were written about this adventure? Really, there are none. You write your own rules. I write my own life experience.
And so...it continues. Every day presents obstacles, decisions, challenges, opportunities. It's up to me to figure out the path I'm on and change course when necessary. Sometimes that is easier said than done. In the end, when this chapter is over and a new one begins back in Michigan, this life experience will have been a learning experience. No matter the choices I make, it will have stretched me and helped me grow. It will be my story - and life stories don't need to follow certain guidelines. I must remind myself of that. I will try to balance the "Go Out and LIVE This Life Lindsay" with the "Do What Feels Comfortable Lindsay". I will try to make "Push Yourself Lindsay" best friends with "Hang Back Lindsay". But when I start to worry about "am I doing this right???", I will try to remind myself that there is no right. I am doing this. That should be enough.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Field Trip Follow-Up
A quick follow-up to yesterday's big field trip to the art museum...let's get right to the highlight...
Picked Zoey up from school. Got in the car. Here's our conversation:
Me: "I'm so excited to hear about your field trip to the museum! Tell me all about it!"
Zoey: "It was a BIG bus! I got to go upstairs and sit up high!!" (exclaimed in a voice that sounded like she had just won a trip to Disney World!)
Me: "You did? How fun! Who did you sit next to?"
Zoey: "U-o-mi. She has a long ponytail." (It's actually Naomi)
Me: "So what did you do at the museum?"
Zoey: "We did art with water. Only water."
Me: "Hmm...only water? Where did you put it?"
Zoey: "On colored paper. It made different colors."
Me: "Cool! That sounds like fun! So did you like your field trip?"
Zoey: "I LOVED sitting up high on the bus!"
And there you have it. The bus wins. I think Zoey's next comment was something like "I'm really tired from my field trip." Translation: Stop talking, Mom. She might have even closed her eyes signaling that our conversation about her day at school needed to end right there.
She spread her wings...she flew...and she smiled about it. Win-win.
Picked Zoey up from school. Got in the car. Here's our conversation:
Me: "I'm so excited to hear about your field trip to the museum! Tell me all about it!"
Zoey: "It was a BIG bus! I got to go upstairs and sit up high!!" (exclaimed in a voice that sounded like she had just won a trip to Disney World!)
Me: "You did? How fun! Who did you sit next to?"
Zoey: "U-o-mi. She has a long ponytail." (It's actually Naomi)
Me: "So what did you do at the museum?"
Zoey: "We did art with water. Only water."
Me: "Hmm...only water? Where did you put it?"
Zoey: "On colored paper. It made different colors."
Me: "Cool! That sounds like fun! So did you like your field trip?"
Zoey: "I LOVED sitting up high on the bus!"
And there you have it. The bus wins. I think Zoey's next comment was something like "I'm really tired from my field trip." Translation: Stop talking, Mom. She might have even closed her eyes signaling that our conversation about her day at school needed to end right there.
She spread her wings...she flew...and she smiled about it. Win-win.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Field Trip...and a List
As I type, Zoey is embarking on another "first"...her first field trip. Without Mommy. By now she has been loaded onto a charter bus (a perk of our International School) and is headed into the city (Turin) to visit the Gallery of Modern Art with her pre-kindergarten class. Of course, in an attempt to balance the Hovering Mom with the Let Her Spread Her Wings Mom, I saw this as a chance to hover a little closer, so I offered to chaperone. Denied. No parents on this field trip. I think my heart crumbled a little with the news.
But, "Its ok," I convinced myself. "She'll do great!" We've prepped for the field trip the past couple of days with mini-conversations about what to expect and a Berenstein Bears "Class Trip" book that we just so happened to have. We reminded Zoey about being a good listener and making good choices - and amped up our own excitement to model all the good that is happening today.
As I drove Zoey to school today, she talked about the field trip. The bus. Listening to what Ms. Christina says. Following directions. Maybe doing some art at the museum. She rattled off little bits almost as if to reassure herself about what was to come. I packed an extra snack and extra clothes - just in case. We got to school a few minutes earlier than usual - just to make sure we weren't rushed. And as we walked hand-in-hand to the drop off gate, Zoey looked up at me and said with a smile, "I'm so excited for my field trip." Let Her Spread Her Wings.
But, "Its ok," I convinced myself. "She'll do great!" We've prepped for the field trip the past couple of days with mini-conversations about what to expect and a Berenstein Bears "Class Trip" book that we just so happened to have. We reminded Zoey about being a good listener and making good choices - and amped up our own excitement to model all the good that is happening today.
As I drove Zoey to school today, she talked about the field trip. The bus. Listening to what Ms. Christina says. Following directions. Maybe doing some art at the museum. She rattled off little bits almost as if to reassure herself about what was to come. I packed an extra snack and extra clothes - just in case. We got to school a few minutes earlier than usual - just to make sure we weren't rushed. And as we walked hand-in-hand to the drop off gate, Zoey looked up at me and said with a smile, "I'm so excited for my field trip." Let Her Spread Her Wings.
* * * * *
A quick list:
5 Things We Miss About "Home": (I"ll limit it to 5...for now)
1. Our Michigan people (and one who is covered in fur and walks on four legs)
2. Restaurant choices - that open before 7:00 pm
3. Things we love to do out of the house that keep us busy - visiting our people, libraries, gymnastics, football/basketball games, holiday activities...
4. A garbage disposal - silly, but true
5. American television
4 Things We Love to Eat in Italy:
1. Pasta (especially pesto pasta)
2. Brioche - a culture that eats a croissant every morning? Sure!
3. Gelato
4. Bruschetta
3 Things Zoey is Always on the Lookout for While Driving:
1. Mountains...especially snow covered
2. Bell Towers
3. Tractors driving on the main road
2 Traveling Adventures So Far:
1. Chamonix, France (during a cow festival)
2. Disneyland Paris
* And one 9 days away...Innsbruck, Austria for their Christmas Market!
1 Word I Hear All Day Long From Kaia:
"Mama"
Happy "First Field Trip" Wednesday, Everyone!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Savoring...
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| Snacks at a little outdoor cafe/restaurant that we especially like. Enjoying time with Hatti, Jay, Kaitlyn, and Harrison. |
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| Gnocchi, piada, cappuccino, beer... |
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Zoey and Kaitlyn..aren't they cute?!?  Of course we tried one of those large, delicious donuts!! (And bought a few cookies on our way home...)   
"Should I taste the foam???"
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More food! Waiting for a crepe.
Lucky Zoey got her face painted again!
A ladybug this time.
Lunchtime! Fresh agnolotti (similar to ravioli)...and wine for Kevin.
A Wonderful Weekend!
Friday, November 7, 2014
"We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto..."
A few of the more standout"Italian" moments so far....
A few weeks after we arrived in Italy, Kevin's company held their annual Family Day. It was a day of kiddie rides, music, food, games, etc and we were happy to finally have something to do. All of Kevin's co-workers, including his boss, would be there so it was our first real company event. I knew Zoey would have fun, but felt a little nervous about crossing that line from American family to Expat family and having to socialize with all of these Italian families. Fast forward a couple hours to when we met up with Kevin's co-worker, Francesco, and his family. They have two daughters, Anna who is 6 and Camilla who just turned 3...and they might just be the sweetest little Italian girls we'll ever meet. Anna immediately took Zoey under her wing and, despite not speaking a word of each other's language, they ran off holding hands - ready to have fun together. I remember Zoey looking back at me for a brief second...her eyes questioning if it was ok and needing a little reassuring nudge from Mama. I shook my head and off they scurried. Zoey and Anna were inseparable for the next two hours! We stayed much later than we had planned because it was always "One more ride!" - either in English or Italian. They smiled and laughed and seemed to communicate just fine without any words at all. It made my heart happy and proved that you can make it somewhere unfamiliar - you can enjoy "different" and make wonderful memories despite the barriers.
So, let's just say someone had a fear of creepy crawly things. My advice to them? Do NOT move to Chieri, Italy!! Spiders, slugs, snails, stinkbugs...oh my. And when I say spiders, I mean BIG spiders. Not the little guys or daddy longlegs from back home - we're talking palm-sized, fat, furry things. I hate it. The spiders find their way in...luckily the slugs and snails have stayed outside so far. But ooey gooey slugs and snails that you'd never want to step on! And the bugs? Constant. We think they are like the "stinkbugs" from back home and I don't think there has been a day we've been living here that there hasn't been at least one flying in our house. Kevin captures them and puts them back outside, but they just keep finding their way in!
I mentioned Italian driving in a post back in June - saying its crazy and how the laws seem to be merely suggestions. Well, Italian driving got the best of me about a month after living here and our car paid the price. But, it wasn't the lack of following rules that got me - it was the Italians waving their hands in the air and yelling at you! Here's how it went. I was picking Zoey up early from school and another school on the property must have had a half day. So, the driveway entrance was crowded with a line of traffic that was leaving as I was trying to pull in. Everything was fine until I had to pass through a metal gate. I didn't think I had room, so I stopped. I didn't think two cars could realistically pass through at the same time. I waited a few seconds and a line of cars started forming behind me - waiting for me to move. Cue hands flying and Italians yelling. I looked at the Italian guy behind me and he was furiously waving his hands as if to say "GO! You have room!" I thought maybe he could see something I couldn't. I inched forward and, yep, couldn't fit. The passenger side of our car scraped against the metal gate. I tried to readjust and move away from the gate, but no luck...I just had to keep going through. Our car still wears the "driving in Italy badge of honor"...
Doors and windows in Italy are an interesting thing because houses are set up like fortresses. There are a million old-fashioned keys for each door and window and everything seems to lock from the outside whether you want it to or not. See where this is going? Both girls had just laid down for a nap and someone rang our gate buzzer. I went out to see who it was and in a split second - just as I realized I didn't bring a key with me, the front door swung shut and I was locked outside. First things first, don't panic. I tried the back door. No luck. Locked. I thought about trying to climb up to the balcony doors in the girls' room, but saw that those were closed and locked too. Kids inside. Mom locked outside. Ok, I started to panic. With no other choice, I just started yelling for Zoey - hoping she'd hear me and come to the window. Minutes passed by and I just stood their yelling. Neighbors must have thought I was insane! Finally, the front door swings open and Zoey is standing there in her underwear - thoroughly confused about what was going on and what the all the commotion was about. I assured her everything was fine, put her back to bed, and immediately found a place to hide a key outside.
Starting preschool was a big deal for all of us and was probably one of my biggest causes for concern about this whole move. The school had a couple "back to school" events before the first day, so I attended each and every one with Zoey to help her adjust to the new surroundings. One event was a lunch at the school - to get to know the routines of the cafeteria and eat a school lunch. We lined up with our trays and were served a delicious, homemade Italian lunch. As we were eating, I saw Zoey's teacher, "Ms. Christina" lined up in the food line. I pointed her out to Zoey and suggested we go and say hi. Without much more talk, Zoey got up, walked over to her by herself, and gave Ms. Christina a hug! I was shocked!! Ms. Christina squatted down and they chatted for a minute and then Zoey came back to me. I couldn't believe she had done that all on her own!! Maybe she was more ready than I was.
We met the Welsh Guscott family about a month into school and clicked right away. Hattie, the mom, and I get along fabulously and feel like we'd be friends outside of this whole expat situation. Kaitlyn and Zoey are both in Pre-K, but in different classes, and buddied up instantly. The babies, Harrison and Kaia, enjoy playing together and make each other smile. Kevin and Jay play soccer together on Thursday nights. I decided to invite them over for dinner soon after meeting them - nothing fancy, but a chance to get to know each other. Well, Murphy's Law was in full effect that night. Just as Kevin told Zoey "be careful with your milk", she spilled the entire glass all over the food on the table. Meanwhile, both babies were screaming their heads off. And, as I tried to pull the last couple of things out of the oven, the oven door glass fell off and shattered into, literally, a million little pieces. Yes, that was our first attempt at hosting a dinner party. Luckily, everyone just laughed it off.
Besides the little critters around our house, we also have a few cats that seem to like our house the best. We think these cats have homes, but, for some reason, they are never there. They are ALWAYS at our house. One cat in particular (Zoey has named him Superman) seems really happy that we have moved in and brought along places for him to curl up. He quickly made our patio chair his personal napping spot and was even seen curled up in the stroller seat one day! Damn cat. I guess he thought we were friends because one day, when I left the front door open a little because I was running in and out, who walks in? Superman, of course! He was about to make himself right at home and go upstairs, but I shooed him out and yelled at him for being so bold. I hate cats. But there's something about Superman that now pulls at my heartstrings just a little...
And now...my first doctor's appointment with an Italian OBGYN. Let's just say modesty isn't top priority here. The doctor speaks mostly Italian, so my tutor, Nicoletta, offered to come with me to all of the appointments (the doctor is her doctor, as well). When I showed up at my first appointment, I had never met the tutor and didn't really know what I was in for. The office is very different from home, but I got over that small detail as soon as the doctor wanted me to undress and lay naked on the table - without a sheet! Not wanting to be rude, I did as I was told, and the appointment continued and ended soon after. Stripping down in front of Nicoletta, who I had just met 5 minutes prior to that, was a sharp reminder that I was very far from home.
Lastly...the almost-weekly event with my girls that I love! On the day I keep Zoey home from school, we try to have "cafe morning". We head to our local cafe (the place I am trying to become a regular at because how fun is that!), order our cappucino or tea and choose our brioche (Zoey always picks one filled with chocolate!), and sit for awhile together. We just have fun (and the old Italian ladies ooh and ahh over the girls!).
The good, the bad, and the ugly....I'll try to record some of the more "We're not in Kansas anymore" moments here!
A few weeks after we arrived in Italy, Kevin's company held their annual Family Day. It was a day of kiddie rides, music, food, games, etc and we were happy to finally have something to do. All of Kevin's co-workers, including his boss, would be there so it was our first real company event. I knew Zoey would have fun, but felt a little nervous about crossing that line from American family to Expat family and having to socialize with all of these Italian families. Fast forward a couple hours to when we met up with Kevin's co-worker, Francesco, and his family. They have two daughters, Anna who is 6 and Camilla who just turned 3...and they might just be the sweetest little Italian girls we'll ever meet. Anna immediately took Zoey under her wing and, despite not speaking a word of each other's language, they ran off holding hands - ready to have fun together. I remember Zoey looking back at me for a brief second...her eyes questioning if it was ok and needing a little reassuring nudge from Mama. I shook my head and off they scurried. Zoey and Anna were inseparable for the next two hours! We stayed much later than we had planned because it was always "One more ride!" - either in English or Italian. They smiled and laughed and seemed to communicate just fine without any words at all. It made my heart happy and proved that you can make it somewhere unfamiliar - you can enjoy "different" and make wonderful memories despite the barriers.
So, let's just say someone had a fear of creepy crawly things. My advice to them? Do NOT move to Chieri, Italy!! Spiders, slugs, snails, stinkbugs...oh my. And when I say spiders, I mean BIG spiders. Not the little guys or daddy longlegs from back home - we're talking palm-sized, fat, furry things. I hate it. The spiders find their way in...luckily the slugs and snails have stayed outside so far. But ooey gooey slugs and snails that you'd never want to step on! And the bugs? Constant. We think they are like the "stinkbugs" from back home and I don't think there has been a day we've been living here that there hasn't been at least one flying in our house. Kevin captures them and puts them back outside, but they just keep finding their way in!
I mentioned Italian driving in a post back in June - saying its crazy and how the laws seem to be merely suggestions. Well, Italian driving got the best of me about a month after living here and our car paid the price. But, it wasn't the lack of following rules that got me - it was the Italians waving their hands in the air and yelling at you! Here's how it went. I was picking Zoey up early from school and another school on the property must have had a half day. So, the driveway entrance was crowded with a line of traffic that was leaving as I was trying to pull in. Everything was fine until I had to pass through a metal gate. I didn't think I had room, so I stopped. I didn't think two cars could realistically pass through at the same time. I waited a few seconds and a line of cars started forming behind me - waiting for me to move. Cue hands flying and Italians yelling. I looked at the Italian guy behind me and he was furiously waving his hands as if to say "GO! You have room!" I thought maybe he could see something I couldn't. I inched forward and, yep, couldn't fit. The passenger side of our car scraped against the metal gate. I tried to readjust and move away from the gate, but no luck...I just had to keep going through. Our car still wears the "driving in Italy badge of honor"...
Doors and windows in Italy are an interesting thing because houses are set up like fortresses. There are a million old-fashioned keys for each door and window and everything seems to lock from the outside whether you want it to or not. See where this is going? Both girls had just laid down for a nap and someone rang our gate buzzer. I went out to see who it was and in a split second - just as I realized I didn't bring a key with me, the front door swung shut and I was locked outside. First things first, don't panic. I tried the back door. No luck. Locked. I thought about trying to climb up to the balcony doors in the girls' room, but saw that those were closed and locked too. Kids inside. Mom locked outside. Ok, I started to panic. With no other choice, I just started yelling for Zoey - hoping she'd hear me and come to the window. Minutes passed by and I just stood their yelling. Neighbors must have thought I was insane! Finally, the front door swings open and Zoey is standing there in her underwear - thoroughly confused about what was going on and what the all the commotion was about. I assured her everything was fine, put her back to bed, and immediately found a place to hide a key outside.
Starting preschool was a big deal for all of us and was probably one of my biggest causes for concern about this whole move. The school had a couple "back to school" events before the first day, so I attended each and every one with Zoey to help her adjust to the new surroundings. One event was a lunch at the school - to get to know the routines of the cafeteria and eat a school lunch. We lined up with our trays and were served a delicious, homemade Italian lunch. As we were eating, I saw Zoey's teacher, "Ms. Christina" lined up in the food line. I pointed her out to Zoey and suggested we go and say hi. Without much more talk, Zoey got up, walked over to her by herself, and gave Ms. Christina a hug! I was shocked!! Ms. Christina squatted down and they chatted for a minute and then Zoey came back to me. I couldn't believe she had done that all on her own!! Maybe she was more ready than I was.
We met the Welsh Guscott family about a month into school and clicked right away. Hattie, the mom, and I get along fabulously and feel like we'd be friends outside of this whole expat situation. Kaitlyn and Zoey are both in Pre-K, but in different classes, and buddied up instantly. The babies, Harrison and Kaia, enjoy playing together and make each other smile. Kevin and Jay play soccer together on Thursday nights. I decided to invite them over for dinner soon after meeting them - nothing fancy, but a chance to get to know each other. Well, Murphy's Law was in full effect that night. Just as Kevin told Zoey "be careful with your milk", she spilled the entire glass all over the food on the table. Meanwhile, both babies were screaming their heads off. And, as I tried to pull the last couple of things out of the oven, the oven door glass fell off and shattered into, literally, a million little pieces. Yes, that was our first attempt at hosting a dinner party. Luckily, everyone just laughed it off.
Besides the little critters around our house, we also have a few cats that seem to like our house the best. We think these cats have homes, but, for some reason, they are never there. They are ALWAYS at our house. One cat in particular (Zoey has named him Superman) seems really happy that we have moved in and brought along places for him to curl up. He quickly made our patio chair his personal napping spot and was even seen curled up in the stroller seat one day! Damn cat. I guess he thought we were friends because one day, when I left the front door open a little because I was running in and out, who walks in? Superman, of course! He was about to make himself right at home and go upstairs, but I shooed him out and yelled at him for being so bold. I hate cats. But there's something about Superman that now pulls at my heartstrings just a little...
And now...my first doctor's appointment with an Italian OBGYN. Let's just say modesty isn't top priority here. The doctor speaks mostly Italian, so my tutor, Nicoletta, offered to come with me to all of the appointments (the doctor is her doctor, as well). When I showed up at my first appointment, I had never met the tutor and didn't really know what I was in for. The office is very different from home, but I got over that small detail as soon as the doctor wanted me to undress and lay naked on the table - without a sheet! Not wanting to be rude, I did as I was told, and the appointment continued and ended soon after. Stripping down in front of Nicoletta, who I had just met 5 minutes prior to that, was a sharp reminder that I was very far from home.
Lastly...the almost-weekly event with my girls that I love! On the day I keep Zoey home from school, we try to have "cafe morning". We head to our local cafe (the place I am trying to become a regular at because how fun is that!), order our cappucino or tea and choose our brioche (Zoey always picks one filled with chocolate!), and sit for awhile together. We just have fun (and the old Italian ladies ooh and ahh over the girls!).
The good, the bad, and the ugly....I'll try to record some of the more "We're not in Kansas anymore" moments here!
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Disney Highlight: Princesses!
We just returned from a long weekend in Disneyland (near Paris) and, boy, did the magic feed our spirits!
The smiles on these two little girls' faces pretty much says it all...
A highlight for Zoey during our time in Disney was definitely our "Princess sightings". Shy around the characters (both human and animal), she was quiet and a bit timid while saying hello. But, as soon as they walked away, you could see the excitement in her eyes! Rapunzel, a family favorite, stole the show with her long hair. Zoey just couldn't believe she was seeing Rapunzel's hair in person! You could see the wonder and amazement on her face...and of course we had to buy Zoey her own "Rapunzel hat complete with braid" after meeting this gal!
A classic...Cinderella...was sweet to both girls and warmed our hearts when she gave Zoey a genuinely loving hug. I think Zoey felt like the only little girl in the world who was friends with this princess! It was like they were long lost buddies...
Zoey was in a Mulan phase for awhile before we left for Italy, so she was shocked and so happy to see her walking around Disney Studios! It was fun to have Mushu, her silly sidekick, there too!
The girls and I waited in line for a "mystery princess" while Kevin rode some "Mommy/Daddy rides". Hoping it was a princess we hadn't met yet, we were all pleased to see Snow White's friendly, smiling face!
Finally, just as Rapunzel's hair captures Zoey's heart, Belle's yellow dress has had Zoey in awe since the get-go of Zoey's princess obsession. There's something about that dress that Zoey loves and Belle was a favorite for a very long time. So, of course, this Mama kept her fingers crossed that we'd spot that dress somewhere during our vacation to really top off Zoey's trip! Disney delivered...
And so, Zoey's first Disney trip was incredibly magical because of the princesses she met. There's something about seeing your little Princess gasp when she sees a Princess she has watched over and over again on tv that can melt your heart. They are the moments when you think "The 10 hour drive? Worth it." "Waiting in line? Worth it." "$100 for lunch? SO worth it." It's pure magic.
Watching his girls meet the princesses even made Kevin a little sappy! It was easy to see that Daddy's Princesses have him wrapped around their little fingers...and its a good thing since we have another little Princess on the way! That's right...we're having a girl! Tickled pink to have 3 girls - 3 sisters - we cherished every Disney Princess moment!
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| Chilly, but Happy! |
A highlight for Zoey during our time in Disney was definitely our "Princess sightings". Shy around the characters (both human and animal), she was quiet and a bit timid while saying hello. But, as soon as they walked away, you could see the excitement in her eyes! Rapunzel, a family favorite, stole the show with her long hair. Zoey just couldn't believe she was seeing Rapunzel's hair in person! You could see the wonder and amazement on her face...and of course we had to buy Zoey her own "Rapunzel hat complete with braid" after meeting this gal!
A classic...Cinderella...was sweet to both girls and warmed our hearts when she gave Zoey a genuinely loving hug. I think Zoey felt like the only little girl in the world who was friends with this princess! It was like they were long lost buddies...
Zoey was in a Mulan phase for awhile before we left for Italy, so she was shocked and so happy to see her walking around Disney Studios! It was fun to have Mushu, her silly sidekick, there too!
The girls and I waited in line for a "mystery princess" while Kevin rode some "Mommy/Daddy rides". Hoping it was a princess we hadn't met yet, we were all pleased to see Snow White's friendly, smiling face!
Finally, just as Rapunzel's hair captures Zoey's heart, Belle's yellow dress has had Zoey in awe since the get-go of Zoey's princess obsession. There's something about that dress that Zoey loves and Belle was a favorite for a very long time. So, of course, this Mama kept her fingers crossed that we'd spot that dress somewhere during our vacation to really top off Zoey's trip! Disney delivered...
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| The yellow dress and long gloves were a sight to be seen! |
Watching his girls meet the princesses even made Kevin a little sappy! It was easy to see that Daddy's Princesses have him wrapped around their little fingers...and its a good thing since we have another little Princess on the way! That's right...we're having a girl! Tickled pink to have 3 girls - 3 sisters - we cherished every Disney Princess moment!
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