Grey's

Finally after a killer season finale it's back! Be forewarned...the trailer is a tear-jerker!! OMG!!

Disney Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf

I'm getting a bit burnt out on the Disney pics. I'm sure no one wants to see all the pics I have--I still have to sort through a lot of them!! But since I already had these saved as a post I'm going to share it.

One night after dinner, we surprised the girls by going to Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf. They are so into mini-golf lately so were thrilled to go. Joe & I have been there before years ago before we were even engaged & had so much fun there! It's cute too--all themed after the Fantasia movie.

Marissa has been on a "no pics" kick lately & has even started being obnoxious by doing things like this. Sadly, this got Gianna upset & she refused to take any more pics. **sigh**

Then we hit the links! My sister Chet had never played mini-golf before so we had LOTS of fun with that!!

Here I am lining up my shot....
Mairssa was determined to get the ball through this hole....She failed but gave it a good shot!!

Still trying.....

Joe was waiting patiently for his turn, by mocking Marissa....yeah we're very competitive!! The trash talk was in full force!!
Recongnize the characters from the movie?

This was a TOUGH hole!! Well, at least for me!! You had to hit the ball uphill while the little mushroom guy was popped up. I gave it a little too much oomph & my ball went flying & got lost! After we searched awhile I gave up & marched back to the counter for another ball, leaving Joe hystericaly laughing!

You see the same thing happened the last time we were here only on another hole. I have never lived it down! And apparently I never will!!! Gianna? She had no problem with this hole...go figure!!

This hole was fun. If you scored a hole in one the brooms holding buckets would spray you with water as you walked underneath....and no there was no other way through to the other side!

Not sure if you can see the water spraying down.....squint if it helps. Last hole--everyone managed this one....especially since it ate your ball! Another fun time at Disney that's not totally "Disney"! LOL!!

Disney Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

Disney isn't all about the parks. There are lots of other fun things to do. Since the girls are both old enough to sit through an 1 hour & 1/2 show we got tickets for the "Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show". It's at the Polynesian Hotel, which is so tropical that you almost feel like you're in, well, the tropics.

When you get there, you receive a lei, & then they usher you over for a family photo. However the lei's were itchy & despite my urging Marissa didn't wear hers for the pic. As soon as the pic was taken the lei's were tossed on my bag & forgotten about.

When you get to your table, it's all ready for you to start eating with a tasty salad, fresh pineapple & sweet bread. I could have made a meal of this alone. Your server brings you drinks, which we all went with something tropical & alcoholic.Even Marissa got a Strawberry Daiquiri...minus the alcohol of course! She thought it was so special that she got a "grown-up" drink!One thing I loved about this trip was that Chet kept taking pics of Joe & I.

Together.
Just the two of us.
Makes me happy.

Dinner is served "family style", right after the intro to the show...it was ok, nothing fantastic in our opinion. Then they serve all you-can-eat ribs, roast chicken, rice, veggies & the kids had hot dogs (or mac & cheese) as an option. But honestly, you're not there for the food.

It's all about the show.....

and having a good time....Before the real start of the show they serve dessert & make a production out of the presentation. Believe me that was the best part! I tried it & wanted to scrape my tongue against the pavement--it was nasty!! The show is a little corny when they put on the "farewell" bit of a friend of theirs, but once they start showing you the 5 Polynesian cultures it's amazing!
Eye candy.... he was so built! This was my favorite dance. The woman were so graceful.These guys were fun to watch too! ;)This part was cool. The dancers swung these pom-pom balls on string (sorta like those annoying clackers from the 80's) while dancing & at the end were juggling 4 balls without missing a step. {You might be able to see the balls tied to their waists}
Towards the end of the show, comes out the fire juggler-guy. He was swinging that baton every-which way, even eating the fire! This guy was probably the best part of the show. So so cool!Afterwards we stopped to take some pics on the beach.Marissa took this one....

We all enjoyed the show. And it was a relaxing night...at Disney!!

Disney Haircuts

Before going to Disney I noticed Gianna needed her bangs trimmed. I realized how tight we'd be on time when we got back to get it done before school started, so I gave Gianna a choice.

I could cut her hair before we left (not that I had time). Or....
She could get her haircut at Disney.

Guess which one she picked??

In the Magic Kingdom they have a Barber Shop where they will cut your hair. They will even do babies 1st haircuts, with their own pair of Mickey Ears that say "1st haircut". So cute!! Yes we had Gianna's 1st haircut there (didn't know about it for Marissa).

So Gianna gladly went in for her trim, knowing how special they do it.While Gianna was getting her hair done the stylist was telling us about the Aloha Dinner show we were going to that night. The other stylist convinced Marissa to trim the ends of hair as well. I couldn't thank her enough since Marissa has NOT wanted her hair cut at all from me. She even agreed to cut about 1 1/2-2 inches--it looks so much healthier now!

When they're done with the haircut. They tie the girls' hair into ponytails & ask the girls what color hair gel they want. After they apply the gel, they sprinkle "pixie-dust" all over their hair! The girls love that part! Adding pixie dust....

Spraying on the pixie dust to make sure it doesn't go anywhere.

The end result......2 happy girls!!

Close-up of the back....Marissa picked red gel.Gianna had pink gel.

They were both oooh-ed & aaaah-ed everywhere we went for the rest of the day. They loved it!

Halloween at Disney

Starting in Sept. through Oct., Disney has a "Mickey's Not So Scarey Halloween Party"at night. They close the park to everyone without a wristband & have select rides/attractions open. It's so much fun! People dress up & go "trick-or-treating" throughout the Magic Kingdom. They have a Halloween parade & special Halloween fireworks. I can't even begin to tell you how cool this is!

The closer to Halloween the more often they have the parties but since it was early Sept it was spaced out a bit. The 1st night available was our 1st night there. Knowing we'd be tired we figured we'd go for as long as we could manage & also got tickets for another night so we could really have fun (also in case it rained--Joe's idea).

This post has pics from BOTH nights we went just posted them together so I don't bore people with my endless Disney pics!!

Here we are ready to go the our 1st night there. Yes we were tired but we were ready for some fun! The girls thought I made the perfect witch!!

One of the 1st things we did at the park the 1st day was get the girls their costumes. Marissa wanted to be Pocahontas this year. With her long hair it was a perfect choice for her!

Gianna kept changing her mind between Belle or Cinderella. I nudged her to go with Belle since she's been Cinderella the 1st 3 or so Halloween's of her life! My sister kept it simple & was a little devil. Gianna wasn't liking this at all!This is my "eyebrow" look. If you're on my "list" then you know that this means you're in trouble!! And no it doesn't work on the girls! Sisters!!

Before the parade starts the Headless Horseman gallops down Main Street. LOVE this part!! Some day I'll even get a good pic of him from the opposite side of the street!As we were trick or treating we got to meet a few characters. Alice & the Mad Hatter were some of the 1st characters we saw that night.Mickey as a vampire....he might even be a cuter vampire than Edward!! ;) He was at the dance party they have there. Gianna dancing with Donald. That kid loves to dance!! Marissa would only watch & refused to join in.....probably 'cause we were there! I've walked into a room to see her dancing only to have her freeze like a deer in headlights!! **sigh**Princess Daisy was doing the cha-cha slide......We got our pic taken by Cinderella's coach....This is the 2nd time we went & Chet & I opted not to dress-up....Captain Hook & Mr. Smee from Peter Pan....Gianna did NOT like the pirates at all! Daddy had to protect her....Argh!!Group pic with Aladdin & Princess Jasmine...
The castle during the fireworks....I couldn't narrow down the pics so just bear with me!
They set off so many more fireworks than normal during the Halloween parties. They light up the sky--truly amazing!!

Back at the room, the girls are just thrilled with their loot! No they did NOT eat it all!! Me being the evil mother that I am made them go to bed...but I let them have ONE piece first! ;)