Feb 4 Epcot

Today we went to Epcot (read LOTS of walking). Daddy and R were up early, and J and I slept longer. We found a cafeteria for breakfast, and were soon off on the monorail. You’ll be happy to know, that the famous Epcot ‘golf ball’ is still standing. We didn’t go in though, we went on our way to ‘The Seas’ pavilion. We were side tracked when R wanted to wait in line to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy. Finally, we arrived at The Seas, and there we rode the Nemo clamshell ride. Then came turtle talk with Crush. R wanted to ride the clamshells a second time, so we obliged her. Then it was time for lunch and ice cream. Then it was back to the hotel for J’s nap, and daddy and R’s swimming time. I downloaded pictures and worked at that. We were getting ready to go back to Epcot when R told me she had a letter she wanted to give to Mickey. Hmmm. I encouraged her to give it to a ‘cast member’ (read staff) and they could pass it along to Mickey… I suppose it’s all about believing in ‘magic’ here!
At Epcot we booted over to Norway. We were having dinner at Akershus, the Royal Table. It was pretty good food (sea food for R), and we got to meet 5 princesses!!! R is really keen on meeting characters it seems. I never thought she`d go for that sort of thing, but she seems to. She had a mini melt down after supper, which seems to be the norm for most kids. We went over to the China pavilion and she somehow calmed right down and coloured the masks they had there for kids. I was most delighted to find a CD I wanted. In 1991 our Chinese teacher taught us a folk song about a Jasmine flower. I sang a phrase to the sales lady, and she smiled and knew the song I was looking for. She found me the right CD, and told me the track number. The whole thing is written in characters, so I was glad she told me! After we talked to another Chinese woman from Beijing. She was thrilled to hear our Chinese, R asking her ‘excuse me, do you speak English?’ in Chinese. She thought that was great. It was nice to wander through the large Chinese shop and just absorb all the Chinese things. I long to go back to China. It will be a few years before we attempt that. Hopefully by then our Chinese will be a little better!
Another mini meltdown occurred as we tried to leave, but somehow she pulled herself together. I think it was when she watched the 3 little girls walking ahead of us. They were skipping and dancing. R managed to tell us in words that she was tired, it had been a very fun day, but she was feeling worn out. I was impressed that she managed to do that. And after that confession suddenly she was sunny and happy, walking and skipping along too. J had a quick bath in the sink at the hotel, and he melted shortly after that. It took a while to calm him enough so he could drink his bottle. He has been a real trouper all day. He napped at two different times in the hip carrier, and also had a nap in his crib. He doesn’t seem to have any problem drinking bottles on the go either. Amazing.

R wasn’t the only one getting in on the princess pictures, so did J.

And with snow white as well…

And in Norway, dress like Norwegians….
The famous bit bally thing…