Two Bonus DIsney Pics

One problem with Disney, Athena's not too sure what to make of the costumed characters, but she's intrigued. So, she really wants to stand next to them and just, you know, hang out and observe. She doesn't quite grasp that there's a line and that other people may not want her in their vacation photos.

Here she is, slightly non-plussed, in front of Minnie.



And here she is staying out of the rain.

Disneyland

Sally and I took the kids to Disneyland yesterday, where I got to see Athena's brain almost melt from fun overload. We bought an annual pass last time we were there, which only allows you to go on less busy days, such as this Sunday, which sounds like a gyp but kind of works out since it directs us to days when the lines are short. I doubt we waited more than ten minutes for any of the rides there.

Most of the day was spent at Frontier Land/New Orleans Square. It's hard to tell if Athena (or Zoe, for that matter) likes the rides, since they spend the whole time staring wide-eyed. Could be enthralled, could be terrified. But then at the end of the ride, Athena immediately tries to get back in the car/boat, so I guess she likes it okay.

The main reason we hit Frontier Land was I felt sure Athena would love Injun Joe's caves on Tom Sawyer's island. Oddly, though, Disney has shrunk the caves since I was a child, so now I can barely squeeze through them. So off goes Athena, with me struggling after her, having to pick up my backpack and toss it ahead a few feet every few seconds because there's not enough room to have it on my back and I needed my hands to crawl.

Indeed, one steamboat full of tourists passing by got an good show of me trying to squeeze out of a hole asAthena ran ahead, blissfully unaware. I think the tourists liked me better than the animatronic river bear, which -- to be honest -- is starting to look a little mangy.

It was also on the island Athena caught sight of a one-year old boy getting close to Zoe. She ran over and shoved the boy away. Luckily, Sally caught the boy before he toppled over. I like to think she was being protective of her sister, although honestly, Athena might have just been jealous.

It was evening by the time we finished with Frontier Land. Athena had not had her nap and was starting to weave around like a drunken sailor. (Plus, she got it in her head that she had to lick every chair in New Orleans Square.) Still, once we got to Fantasy Land, with King Arthur's Carousel, it took Athena all of one second to go from listless trudge to running top speed yelling "Come on! Come on!" over her shoulder.

She loved the carousel, but we finally peeled her away to go on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which had a steering wheel, which Athena loved. So, afterwards, we got to watch her run back and forth between the two rides, unable to decide which she wanted to go on next, until finally she told us (in Athena-speak) she wanted a ride with horses and bright lights, but with a steering wheel dammit!

Her favorite ride by far -- little daredevil that she -- was the teacup ride. She especially enjoyed sharing a teacup with a teenage boy, and I got to watch her alternate from hysterical laughter to making little doe-eyes at the boy, who wasn't sure what to make of his young admirer.

The worst part of the teacup ride was having to get off and get back in line. I love how, after the rides over and we're walking to the exit, Athena thinks if she makes a sharp turn and quickly climbs into a different tea cup, I'm not going to notice.

At four months, Zoe was not as active (or anecdote-worthy) in enjoying Disneyland, but we took her on the rides and she stared around in wonder, and all the noise and chaos kept her mellow.

Anyway, we did not bring a camera, but that's okay, because I still have some photos from our first trip to Disneyland in December with Nana and Aunt Judy.

Here we are stuck in Toon Town jail.



And at the lake around Sleeping Beauty's castle.



As I mentioned, Athena loves the carousel.





One problem, it was a little chilly.

Zoe's home

I've been digging through our old videos and found this gem from September 2006, when we brought a very tiny Zoe home.



And here's Athena discovering Zoe on her own turf. We're still freaking a little because Athena hasn't gotten her head around the concept that there's someone tinier and more fragile than she is in the world.

DOES ATHENA LIKE TO DANCE?

We try to get Athena to dance, but she's more interested in what's going on behind the camera.

Shhh... Don't Speak.

THE MANY MOODS OF ZOE

I know we've had more pics of Athena lately, due to her greater mobility and range of abilities, but Zoë's starting to show a startling array of emotions, from intrigued...



to scheming...



to concerned...




to incredulous...



to fear and terror...





to pleasantly surprised...



to steely resolve...



to astounded...



and even a hint of coyness...



But mostly, she shows us lots and lots of smiles.

COOKIE PARTY

A few weeks before the holidays, my friend Ben graciously organized a cookie decorating party. As you can see, they did a superlative job with the supplies.



But, unfortunately, Athena was mostly interested in all the new toys. Like a funny hat to put on Daddy.



And a guitar that made some wonderful new sounds.







Ah well, at least Athena's dad was there to prevent any excess cookie surpluses.

PLAYING WITH ZOË

As I've mentioned, Athena cannot resist playing with her new sister. Here she is sneaking up on a sleeping Zoë.





Here she is poking Zoë's mouth.



And here, despite Zoë's expression, I swear Athena's hugging -- not strangling -- her.

One sure sign of Athena's emergence into toddler-hood, her curiosity gets her into everything. For example, pens...


And I can forget about getting any work done when she visits


We've even given Athena her own camera so she won't lunge for ours whenever we try to take her picture.

Some more random photos...

Here's Athena and Zoë on the sofa:




And here's Zoë waking fromm a nap.


And here's a leftover shot from Athena's birthday (note Elmo birthday card):

And here's a photo of our friends Devon and Brenda with Zoë

I recently found these three pictures from when we first brought Zoë home. She's about twice as big now.

ATHENA PICKS UP THE CHECK

That girl is one class act.

Zoe came too, but slept through the meal.

ATHENA EXPLORES HER BABY SISTER





Yes, there are some initial bumps, as the older sibling learns she no longer has exclusive claim to her parents'attention, as well as what's okay with the new baby (kissing, stroking) and what's not (biting, touching the eye).

It's especially tough as Zoe is a constant source of fascination for Athena, especially when Zoe's sleeping. It's perversing fun to watch Athena struggle. She knows she should let Zoe sleep and yet she... can't... resist... walking... closer...

Lately, Athena's been content to merely watch Zoe sleep.



Or, even better for us, take a nap at the same time.

PARTY TIME WITH ATHENA (with guest blogger Sally Ngov-Nordvall)



Athena with Kimmy at Jerry's 1st birthday banquet. Athena was very bashful at the beginning but she charmed everyone with her cute smile and adorable looks. But of course most of the guests remember her from Iris's baby shower (Jerry's mother) a year ago.

She was eating "trees" (brocolli) and shrimp with sugar crane. At first she had a high chair, but she insisted on being treated just like the big kids.