Portlandia

 We have arrived in Portland! And we are not going to be taking so many outdoor shots because it is freezing and snowing. I know, heat waves galore everywhere across the country, but not here. BUT there are lots of fun things to do indoors luckily, like go to the Nickle Arcade on Belmont.

For $5 worth of nickels one can spend hours playing games, in the warmth.

We even earned tickets and at the end we traded them in for prizes! Ezra really loved this place, especially because he got to go with his new/old best friend Usiah (not pictured).

Okay here he is outside. Although this day was strangely sunny and we tempted Ez outside to play with Maya but upon being outside for a short time he insisted that it actually wasn't a nice day (nice day in Portland is NOT a nice day in Florida).

Is this tree staring at you with one eye?

Okay enough hippy stuff! Today we went to the Portland Children's Museum. It does not compare to the St. Paul Children's Museum, but it was a lot of fun. Digging...

Planting flowers...

Measuring up...

Doing this...

Water works...

Shark fin...

MEGA light-bright...

Crocodile dentist...

Future Vet.

It's cold here. And we don't like that so much. But we're making the best of it and we'll have more news soon.

XO

Oh Florida!

Some shots of our final week in Florida. Here Ezra enjoys the fountain in Punta Gorda. Watching him made me really wish I was 4 years old.

We went to pick up Grandma and saw the sun set over the gulf. Oh to be in a tank top in March.

Banyan tree beauty.

Another perk of Florida: Loretta's pool. Loretta is a neighbor who let us swim in her pool very often. So nice to put on your suit, walk across the back yard, and take a cool dip (with your noodle).

Our last day at the ice cream beach was windy.

Grandma and Ezra (I think he's "eating" a bobber that he found in the ocean).

The day we were leaving we crossed the Sunshine Bridge.

Pretty exciting!

We crossed the bridge...

and then we crossed the continent!

Florida.

Fourth Birthday: Final Phase!

Epcot!

First we went to the sea. We boarded a Clam Mobile for The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride, which was pretty awesome. At the end you exit in to a huge building with an aquarium, among other things...

Like this huge shark!

After the seas we went to the land, but in retrospect we should have gone to the land first, but that's besides the point! This lovely mural was a part of a ride called Living with the Land Boat Ride. I highly recommend this ride. It is indeed "edutainment". You get to see a variety of experimental gardening techniques that Disney is trying out. The gardening supplies the restaurants at Epcot. So cool Disney!

This was taken outside of the next ride we went on, Ellen's Energy Adventure, which was okay. A little long (37 minutes) and a little too much Ellen, but at least there were some cool dinosaurs! And sitting for 37 minutes was welcome after all our hoofing around.

Here's what we had for lunch. Yes I know, I am a terrible/wonderful mother.

 Here's our view while we ate our ice cream lunch.

 Then we went on the Spaceship Earth ride, the one that's in the big iconic ball. It was just as cool as I remembered it, although they added some fun elements. At the beginning they take your picture and then at the end they show your faces on funny futuristic bodies zooming around on rocket bikes. I guess in this picture we're eating vegetables- in the future!

After a half day at Epcot it was time to hit the road. We were all pretty wiped out after our days of fun and adventure Disney style. There is just SO MUCH to do there! To find time to eat a meal is difficult because there are so many rides, movies, parades, etc constantly! I'd go back.

Conked four year old on the way home.

Fourth Birthday: Phase Four

Ezra's actual birthday started out with a chocolate chip pancake at IHOP. He was pretty happy with it! Grandma mentioned to our server that it was Ez's bday so when we were finished eating all of the servers came over clapping and singing a birthday song for Ezra. They were clapping and singing REALLY loudly, so it was a bit startling but luckily Ezra didn't start crying. Our server said that sometimes kids cry when they sing. Maybe they should tone it down a bit? Just a thought.

The boy loved Tomorrowland! With pirate sword.

On Prince Charming's carousel.

Ezra LOVED Tom Sawyer's island. There were caves to explore and a fort complete with rifles. The rifles made shooting noises and everything.

I even took a turn doing a little target practice on obnoxious, spoiled children.

Anybody remember the Country Bear Jamboree? We weren't that impressed. Well, Ezra was, but I found it a trifle outdated.

We all enjoyed Micky's PhilharMagic 4-D movie. We saw it twice. Loved the "opera glasses" too.

Can you believe Ezra wanted to go in the haunted house? Up until a few years ago I was too freaked out for haunted houses. He was not scared in the slightest, and I enjoyed it! Good thing my son didn't get my scaredy pants side. Although I blame it on a news report I saw when I was young about a priest who exorcised the demons out of a young girl. Funny the things that stick with you.

We came upon this parade with people dancing and people on stilts, the whole bit. Ezra didn't like it much however cause the music was too loud.

Nearing the end of the day taking a spin on the Liberty Belle. What a good birthday! Oh and see the button Ezra is wearing? When we arrived the ticket office gave us the button for him to wear but at first he didn't want to, so Grandma wore it and everybody was wishing her a happy birthday! Finally he wanted to wear it so he could get the birthday wishes.

Fourth Birthday: Phase Three

Where Dreams Come True! Yes!

First ride, driving the car on the speedway. Ezra really liked this ride. For me it was a little too much like daily living. Traffic, traffic, traffic. It is tourist time here in FL and they don't have anything to do all day except drive, drive, drive. Anyhow, Ez really enjoyed himself and that's all that matters.

The teacups! Sorry about the quality of this one, it's hard to take a picture of yourself in a spinning teacup.

Grandma and Ezra on the People Mover.

This was Ezra's favorite of all rides, it is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. We went on it four times (well, he went on it four times, I went two and Grandma went two).

The object of the game is to capture Zurg, which we did, every time. Ezra talked to Zurg about his evil ways.

Prince Charming's Magic Carousel!

Cinderella's Castle aglow. We did stick around for the fireworks the first night but I didn't really think they were that great. On the second day we found out that Epcot has the best fireworks display so take note. As this concludes our First Day at the Magic Kingdom I am feeling as though a New Phase is in order!