Is it worth it?

You have your moments and are trying to push boundaries.  Recently, you make promises of 'last time' or 'last one' but then will ask for 'one more'.  We gave in to you initially but realised that the 'one more' became more and more often.  So recently, we became strict with the 'last one'.  This caused you to throw a tantrum and cry, and then end up in the 'naughty corner', which delayed bed time a lot more than just giving in to you.  Is it worth all this hassle and screaming?  Hopefully these thoughts run through all parents' minds?

Our getaway to Disneyland

20th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris

The night version

We wanted to have a holiday before the arrival of the little one which means that we will be 'stuck' for another couple of years.  So, Disneyland Paris here we come!!

Sushi snack before boarding the plane

Keeping yourself entertained - for only 2-3 mins :)

 4 days 3 nights of fun, but the weather could have been better.  Still, the whole 'magical' feeling and the 'wow' factor was still there, especially during the parades.  Theme song was 'Magic Everywhere...' and cheesy slogan of the holiday was 'Disneyland - where dreams do come true' :) 

Your favourite - Buzz and Woody

Christmas Parade in the rain

Icon of Disneyland - Sleeping Beauty Castle

Meet Mickey Mouse - we ended up paying for the souvenir photo

Pluto in the hotel we stayed in - Newport Bay

Buzz doing lift-ups with you - You giggled non-stop

Of all the toys, you only wanted T-Rex the dinosaur (Toy Story)

Lots of live shows which we all really enjoyed, you: Disney playhouse live, me: Animagique and Ric: Cars spectacular

Thankfully it was low season so we waited an average of  only10-15 mins for all the rides and went on all the rides that we could go on (some even twice).  I suppose this is the trade off for being in the cold but worth it coz I cannot imagine how restless you would have been if we had to wait longer than this.  Your favourite ride was the carousel where you chose the biggest horse, followed by 'Autopia' which was driving cars.

Disneyland train

 Choo-choo!!!
 

Being silly while waiting for an evening show in Walt Disney Studios

When we arrived home, you went straight for your trainset :)  Despite all the excitement and fun, think you still missed home and your familiar toys...

Interesting conversations

You hate cutting your hair so we made a deal.  You will have a hair cut when your front hair reaches your eyes.  So now when we bring anything up about your hair, you'll reply:
'Not covering my eyes yet!!'

Isaac: Mummy, are you getting fatter?
Me: No, it's the baby growing inside!!
Isaac:  Will it grow bigger than me? But I have 10 babies inside me

You ran over one morning and shouted:
Isaac: Mummy, the car started on its own and you chased after it!!!
Me: Were you in the car?
Isaac: Yes! But I was not scared. Then you catch the car and drive it.
In the morning when we got in the car
Isaac: Mummy, the car is still here and waited for you.  It didn't start by itself!!
 Interesting that you can start recounting your dreams now :)

How did you do this to your shoes?

I am not sure how you drag your feet, walk, or play in nursery to do this to your shoes.  The brown ones cost more than the shoes I buy for myself and became 'torn' after about a month of wearing them in nursery.  I made it last for another 2 months. The black ones became like this after 2 days!!!  These were brand new shoes!! 

So, I tried to get you 'harder' shoes but shopping is no fun as you refuse to try the hard ones.  In the end, I succumbed to buying another pair of Clarks, but this time with hard fronts, and hopefully will last you longer. 

Halloween

You and your electric Buzz Lantern

Giant floor lantern - there were lots of them

Rather than taking the lantern out at the Chinese mooncake lantern festival, we went to a Lantern festival for Halloween.  It was the first that we have ever been to.  If it was not for you, we would not have gone as it was raining quite heavily an hour before, and it was in Sefton Park (hence likely some muddy paths).  However, it was worth it as we've never seen anything like this - giant mobile paper lanterns in all shapes and sizes.  The parade ended with an 'art display', which was very similar to the 'Wayang Kulit'.  After this experience, Wellington boots are definitely on my shopping list as our shoes and socks were soaked through at the end.  I can't believe we've never owned a pair of them after 10 years in this rainy UK weather :)

We also went for the fireworks display for Guy Fawkes.  All these outdoor, cold activities, and at night, only for you.

Some of the lanterns in the parade

The stage at the end of the parade

The European style 'Wayang Kulit

Sefton park lake all lit up

Sefton park

Sefton Park remains my favourite park in Liverpool.  They even have paddle boat rides now but have yet to go on it. So before winter comes, we spend many of the weekends there with your scooter and feeding ducks, which you love.  Puts the unfinished bread to good use too.

Daredevil

We recently went to B's birthday party in an indoor play area and you were so excited you just ran in, forgetting about us.  You joined the big boys in the >4 years old area and was up and down slides etc.  There was this spiral slide that was to the ceiling of the building that you insisted on going in.  I thought the climb up to the beginning of the slide was quite precarious as you were not even tall enough for the height of the 'steps'.  But, you were very determined, pulling on the side safety net to hoist you up until you reached the top.  I am pretty sure you were scared when you reached the top as you shouted 'Mummy' but there was no other way down.. and I heard you 'AAAaaaahhhhhhHHH' all the way down :)  But, that only made your adrenalin pump more as you wanted to go on it again and again :)

Can you see hm on the left?