Go Texas

Something that is really unique about Texas is the level of state pride and, as I'm learning, the amount of education about state history.

I will never forget the night that Ella started saying the Texas Pledge when she was saying grace before dinner. When I visited preschools before we moved here, one that I visited said the Texas Pledge every day but not the Pledge of Allegiance.

Texans LOVE Texas!

In school last month, to correspond with the annual Houston Rodeo, they had a 2 week long theme unit all about Texas. Ella came home with about 20-30 different papers and projects all about Texas history.

Here are two of the true gems she created --



It says --
The Texas flag is red, white and blue.
The red is for bravery.
The white is for purity.
The blue is for loyalty.
I love the Lone Star Flag.

And her book "I am a Texas Star"



















They danced line dances and square dances in PE class, learned Texas songs in music class, and at the end of the theme unit it was finally time for Rodeo Day!

All dressed up in her Western gear

The school brought in a petting zoo and had a fun field day to celebrate. Here are a few cute pictures that Ella's teacher posted on her blog --

They ended the day with Chili Pie and Root Beer -- life is good for this little Texan!

Weekend with Grampy and Grandma Carole

Although we were not in a hurry to leave Disney World after having such a wonderful time there, we were looking forward to returning to St Augustine for a few more days with Len and Carole. 

It was chilly but sunny and beautiful on Friday, and we went to Crescent Beach, a gorgeous beach just a few minutes away from their house.

Serious sand castle village

The water was very cold - one dip of my toes and I had enough. But not Ella! She was so excited for a day at the beach and very determined she was going to in the water. Lucky for her, Grampy was up for the challenge and the two of them spent a long time out in the water together - I really don't know how they did it.

Time to warm up -- BRRR!

This was really cool - there was a sea turtle who came out of his burrow in the sand

So cute!

With Grampy and Grandma Carole after dinner on Friday night

Ella the dramatic statue! 

Climbing a tree at the playground on Saturday

On Saturday, we went to Anastasia State Park to visit out the park and beach there

Collecting seashells

Little explorer

After a nice lunch at a restaurant by the beach, it was time to head to the airport to fly home. 

We had such a wonderful visit and vacation, and we were sad to say goodbye to Grampy and Grandma Carole. We are already looking forward to seeing them again soon!

Magic Kingdom, Day 2

Ella was on a mission for our second day at Magic Kingdom! She had her list of favorites from the day before that she wanted to ride again, and a few things that we hadn't been on the day before. 

 It was the early opening day for Disney hotel guests, so we were at the park bright at early, before 8am. 

Great viewing spot to see Mickey ride in on the train

Steve and Ella heading down Main Street to start the fun

Excited for another great day

First on the agenda was Space Mountain, and they rode it a few times in a row. 

Then we zipped back across the park for two rides on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. 

We went on Pirates of the Caribbean again, and re-rode a few other fun rides from the day before. 

Even though it wasn't one of the 'big rides', Ella really wanted to go on Dumbo because it was on the cover of the Disney book I had been reading before the trip. They let all 3 of us cram into one car and we laughed the whole time because we were squeezed in so tight.

Writing her observations about these circus cars

Steve and Ella riding the Barnstormer - a small roller coaster compared to Space Mountain the Thunder Railroad, but still a goody

On the teacups for our last ride of the day -- just look at that face!!

Magic Kingdom

We spent Wednesday at Magic Kingdom, and it truly was magical! It was really amazing from when I was a kid, but it still pretty incredible and exciting visiting as an adult.  

The pre-opening show

The first ride we went on was The Jungle Cruise, which was almost exactly as I remembered it!

I had a feeling that Ella was going to be way more into the exciting rides vs. the characters or the attraction-type rides, and that was exactly what happened. 

Super excited after their first time on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 

It was still really early with no line yet, so they got in a few rides right away

Playing with the 'haunted books' in the line for the Haunted Mansion (which was another one of her favorites)

On the Aladdin flying carpets, she wanted to ride by herself so Steve andI were on our own in the back!

It's a Small World!

I have great nostalgic memories of the Carousel of Progress. And although Steve and Ella weren't too thrilled for a show in comparison to everything else that Magic Kingdom had to offer, I convinced them it would be a good post-lunch attraction. It was as great as I knew it would be, and they liked it too! 

And then for some really big excitement -- Space Mountain! 

There was a camera that takes a picture inside the ride and Ella's face was so priceless so I had to buy it!

Once they got off the ride, I got a play-by-play of every twist and turn and she could barely contain her excitement, it was awesome. 

The afternoon show at Cinderella's Castle

Tomorrowland Speedway - and check out the driver!

We had dinner at The Crystal Palace for a character dinner to meet Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eyeore, and Tigger. Ella was pretty funny about all of the characters while we were there - she liked passing them and seeing them from afar, but had no interest in waiting in line to meet them, getting them to sign an autograph, etc. She wanted to spend her time on the rides! So the dinner was perfect because they came right up to the table and she got to meet each of them. 

After dinner we went back to our hotel and still had a few hours of daylight, so we went down to the beach. One of my favorite things about vacation is just creating our adventures as we go, and that's exactly how this night was. We spent an hour or so on the beach, made some new friends, did some shopping at the hotel and just enjoyed a really nice time together. Vacation at its best :) 

Ella wrote in her journal that night before bed -- 

The translation: Tinkerbelle Pixie flown to get the pixie dust and the end. 

We were really fortunate that our balcony faced Magic Kingdom and we were able to hear the show and see the fireworks at night. So every night after Ella went to bed, Steve and I watched the fireworks from our balcony, such a neat way to end each day.