Jordan was picked from the audience to dance with the Lion King show at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  

Princess Jordan

We went to Disney World Magic Kingdom knowing that we would be spending a LOT of money, waiting in long lines, standing in the hot sun, and trying to fight through huge crowds.  We also anticipated that Jordan might not be interested in any of the attractions except maybe water rides.  She does not really have a lot of interest in Princesses or Mickey Mouse.  Well, we were delighted to find that she thoroughly enjoyed the park.  We got there around 9:00 a.m. and left a little before midnight.  About 1 to 2 hours in, she insisted on finding a princess dress.  There were many little girls walking around dressed up.  Her first choice was Rapunzel from Tangled, but the park was sold out of that dress. We stood in line to meet her. 

  So, since her chosen dress was sold out, she settled on Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.  Yes, it was outrageously expensive!!  But we found it worth EVERY penny when she was all dressed and they sprinkled her with Pixie Dust (which she still has stuck to her scalp).  As she walked through the park, people were charmed right and left by our beautiful little princess.  They stopped constantly to compliment her on her dress, her hair, her crown, her eyes.  She loved it, we loved it.  They must train ALL of the Disney employees to recognize the dress for each princess because they were calling out to her "Hello, Princess Tiana!!"  every time we passed by.  It was an amazing day for her.  That dress was probably extremely hot and uncomfortable, but there was NO way that she was going to change back into her regular clothes while we were there.

 She enjoyed the Dumbo ride, the Winnie the Pooh experience, the Snow White ride, It's a Small World and the Mad Hatter Tea Cups.  She did NOT enjoy the Haunted Mansion! (That is a favorite of mine and Blake's) She also did not enjoy The Pirates of the Caribbean, the Runaway Mine Train, and was too scared to ride the Log Ride.  Though she watched the logs come down the chute obsessively.  

 She and Daddy particularly enjoyed the Buzz Light Year ride.  You get to shoot at stuff all through it.  She then waited in line to meet him and walked away giggling, " I think he liked me!"

The show in front of the castle was fun.

 She called out and waved at all the characters like they were her good friends!

 Mickey and Minnie were a big hit.

We watched the parade at dark and she was sweetly yelling out the names of all the characters passing by, and felt so special when they would turn and blow her a kiss or wave.  She would jump and giggle and dance around.  People around us spent much of their time watching her instead of the parade.  Then we headed to watch the fireworks show.  It was super!   No wonder people go and spend all that money.  It really does make you feel good.  We had the best time.

Jordan Flipping Out

This summer Jordan has really become a little fish.  She has always loved water, but really loved her floaties/life jacket.  When she had them on she was fearless.  She has also never been clingy in the water, preferring to swim off by herself without any help; unless Daddy was performing the bucking Shamu, and tossing her off.  Now, all of a sudden, she has shed her floaties completely and does all kinds of fabulous under water tricks.  She slides off of the slides that go into deeper water.  She even goes off of the diving board.  It is hilarious to see her tiny little figure in line with all of the tall 16 year old boys, trying to jump off and splash the lifeguards.  They are surprisingly nice to her, never rushing her or getting in front of her in line.  The lifeguards always play along pretending that her splash was JUST AS BIG as the boy's was in front of her.  These have all been exciting achievements, and I have been somewhat at ease with her requests.  Until she decided she wanted to try a flip!!  I have said no, repeatedly.  I am not quite ready to have that stress.  But, at Grandma's pool, the child is spoiled.  (Which is the way it should be) SOMEONE allowed her, or most likely,  she decided to ignore Mama's rules and she performed several flips, Jordan style.  After I stopped having a heart attack, I was able to catch one on film.  

 

Pork, plantain, potato-filled Enchiladas with Orange-Red Mole

Blake made this for dinner tonight.  The mole is completely from scratch.  He even ground his spices.  Delicious!

Pork-filled enchiladas with Orange-Red Mole topped with onion and queso fresco

And a Blue Moon, of Course!

Rick Bayless: 'Nuff Said

After watching Top Chef Masters one season, where Rick Bayless won the title, Blake has collected several of his cook books.  First of all, I LOVE cook books, especially the ones with pictures.  (I love to sit and just turn the pages, drooling over all of the dishes)  Second, I LOVE when those pictures end up on my plate.  The Bayless recipes have scrumptious titles AND beautiful pictures.  Surprisingly, many of them involve fish. I would not normally request fish for dinner at home, but every time Blake sticks some on my plate I happily eat it.  I often will lick the plate.  Here is tonight's delicious fish meal:


Fresh Guacamole followed by
Snapper with Zucchini and Toasty Garlic Mojo

Hamster Balls

I always loved to watch my hamsters roll around in those balls.  You would stick them in, close the hatch, and let them loose!  It is even more fun to watch my daughter roll around in a hamster ball.

They stick her in, close the hatch, and let her loose.  She goes crazy!  She flops around, spins out, and sometimes flips over.  Wish I could leave her in there while I finish up my shopping.