The Dufour Family: July 2008

Monday, July 28, 2008

Disney World Here We Come

Only 5 more days and then we're off to Disney World! I can't believe it's finally here. I finished doing all of our laundry yesterday and have started setting aside clothing, shoes, toiletries, etc in a pile on our dining room table so I don't forget anything. I can't believe how much stuff I've already gathered. Packing is going to be interesting, especially now with the new baggage restrictions imposed by Delta and other airline carriers. Shorts and tank tops really don't take up that much room, however I'm also including Kate's diapers and other necessities in my suitcase. And I'm trying to bring the bare essentials as I'm sure we'll be bringing home lots of souvenirs.
We are packing our camera and video camera so be on the lookout! I'll try to get them up on Friday!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

'Uh-Oh Spaghetti-O's"

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Catching Up on My Blogging

There is nothing like a rainy day to catch up on my blogging. I fell behind the last couple of months mostly because of the nice weather and being able to get outside and enjoy it before it gets too hot, but since it's rained pretty much every day this week, I decided to pour a second cup of coffee and update everyone on the latest happenings with the Dufours.

May, June and now July seem to be flying by - we've been out and about enjoying the warm summer days at the pool, park, enjoying an occasional paddle boat ride on the Chatahoochie River. We spent most of June preoccupied with car shopping. I was torn for many weeks trying to make a decision about whether to buy my lease or get a new car. Factors delaying my decsion were: I was over my miles and my top three choices were in a payment range of $400, which I couldn't quite stomach writing a check for that amount each month - so after weeks of debating and with some much needing pushing from my dad I turned in my Maxx (no, I didn't lease again) and bought a 2008 Chevorlet HHR - it's black with a tan pinstripe - very "mob chic," but given the state of our economy and the rising price of gasoline - its a very affordable and fuel efficient car!

Joey and I have also been busy planning our first family vacation with Kate to Walt Disney World. In August, the three of us and Jo-Jo (Joey's mom) will head to the house of mouse for 5 days and 4 nights for all the Disney magic we can handle. We are really looking forward to it - mostly because we (the adults) can't wait to witness Kate "ooo and aww" when she gets to meet some of her favorite Disney Characters for the first time. As part of our package, we took advantage of the Disney Deluxe Dining plan, which gives each of us three sit down meals a day. Joey and I worked hard to research the restaurants and were successful in scheduling at least 2 character meals a day - I think we've covered all the major characters from Mickey & Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and Friends; Cinderella and the Princesses. We are having dinner at Cinderella's castle and I'm so excited. I have a feeling I will break down and buy Kate a princess outfit for the big dinner with Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother! Heck, I may even throw on a tiara and catch the princess fever. :)

Now getting to the important stuff, which is why most of you read our blog in the first place, Kate. Kate is now 23- months-old. She turns two August 31 and has recently moved up from the Young Toddler classroom to Early Pre-School 1 at Primrose. Since moving to the older classroom, she has shown her teachers and mommy and daddy an interest in using the potty; so on Friday night after dinner at Chucky Cheese, we bought Kate her own potty and are actively trying to get her to go to the bathroom in the big girl potty. We didn't have any success on Saturday - she had three accidents, I was setting the timer for 30 mintues and each time the alarm went off we'd go in and try. No sooner did I get the training pants back up she would go, so both of us are still learning the timing of it all. Her vocabulary is getting stronger every day and still enjoys reading books, watching the Disney classics and singing. She's graduated from "No One" and is showing an interest in country music - she really likes Carrie Underwood -- mom's influence -- she enjoys listening to "All American Girl" when we ride in the car.

This is all I can think of for now, I'm going to take advantage of nap time and get some chores done and try to enjoy what's left of this rainy Sunday!

Kate Shadows Aunt Alicia - Assistant Vet Tech

Early Sunday morning, Kate helped Aunt Alicia feed Jo-Jo's horses at the barn and the pasture. (Alicia just finished the Vet Tech program at Mississippi State in May and is now working at the University) During feeding time, Alicia showed her new assistant, Kate how to ride bare back and call the baby horse. Kate held out her palm and picked up the clicking sound, but quickly abandoned it when she decided it wasn't working with the baby horse (who is a week old in this picture) so she just started yelling 'mon horse 'mon.

Joey, Kate and Alicia petting the horses at the barn

New baby - one week old

Aunt Alicia catches the baby horse for Kate who is eager to touch it.

Alicia teaching Kate to call the Baby Horse

Kate's First visit to the Georgia Aquarium

Joey and I took my parents and Kate to the Georgia Aquarium a few weekends ago when they were in town, and we had a great time enjoying all of the exhibits. Kate really enjoys watching the movie "Finding Nemo" so we had a great time showing her Nemo's home - the sea anmenone; she touched several in touch exhibit in Coldwater Quest. We also saw the real Nemo and Dorey in the Coral Reef exhibit. While we were visiting the Aquarium, I ran into one of my sorority sisters, Bevlynn whoworks there, and we enjoyed watching her feed the sea lions and the penguins. She was able to get one of the sea lions to raise its flipper and wave the crowd. Afterwards we treated ourselves at the Varsity on North Avenue for a chili dog and a coke.