Rylee's China Trip: Part 1: Shanghai

 You may know that we take the kids on a big trip when they turn 8.  It started kind of on accident and turned into a traditions.  So each kid has had their own trip when they turned 8.  Rylee turned 8 this year and we had to come up with something she would enjoy.  And it was my turn to be the one who got to go.  I don't actually enjoy traveling, so it took a bit to come up with something I was comfortable with.  Thanks to the Asian Women's Conference, I was confident about Hong Kong, and I decided to stretch myself and add a little side trip to Shanghai in there.

Riles trip was a trip to Shanghai Disneyland, followed by Hong Kong Disneyland.  We did something unprecedented and I booked actual Disney Resort Hotels for all our nights. I printed itineraries ad plans and felt (mostly!)  prepared. We were going the week of Thanksgiving to minimize school days missed.  And as an added twist, Rylee had invited Delaney to come with her.

Monday right after school we went to the Naha Airport.  Here we are killing time with tasty ice cream while we wait to board our flight.

Me and my lovely ladies on the plane! 

Rylee enjoying the view from the Shanghai Disney Resort on Tuesday morning. 

It was a great view!  Can you see the Cinderella Castle there on the left? 

We sprung for the exorbitant breakfast buffet.  This was my first tray.  Yummy greens, Pork dumplings and a questionable steamed bun, croissant, and an egg.  Quite tasty! 

Croissant, pancakes and an Egg egg roll.  She later went back for waffles and some other things. 

Delaney tried a bunch of things and loved it.  So it may have been worth the price.... 

The walk into the Park was fun.  We did have to take a shuttle from the resort to the Park, but it was quick and easy. 

Shanghai Disney!  First official picture. 

Yep, needed an "I was there" selfie. 

Our first ride. 

The little ham refused to go on most of the rides. But she does love the carousel.  

Me and my girls and the castle. 

It was a drizzly day, and a little chilly. 

Rylee is trying to pose so it looks like she is holding the castle up. 

 I thought this was cool.  Rylee looks unimpressed. 

This was a cool ride.  I couldn't take photos while ON it, but I want you to see how high it went and it was fast!  I don't know if you can see some of the awesome faces on the people on it. 

Posing in the static display. 

Wierdos frolicking in the mist. It wad misting from the sky!  And here they are, playing in this. 

Did I mention that they had the Christmas lights up?!  So pretty!!

More Puppy Percy!

 I am sorry!  He is just too cute!  And the kids keep taking pictures.  And the pictures are too cute!

Percy loves his rope toy.  He drags it all over and wrestles with it.

Callie wanted to take him for a walk, but he is too little to walk. 

She improvised. 

Percy had a marvelous time smelling the smells and snuggling and getting a ride around the block. 

Marian does enjoy the little guy. 

And Callie found this hysterical and had to document his sleeping.

Because.... cute puppy!

 So, we have been fostering this adorable puppy, Percy.  And an adorable puppy mean adorable pictures.  And now you can enjoy adorable puppy pictures!

Shenanigans

 When you go to the Exchange and find a Snickers bar that's almost as tall as Rylee.

Well, you just have to pose with it and dream of enjoying it's deliciousness! 

Delaney sewed this little sock stuffy for a kid in her class. I was particularly impressed that it has a coat and tie.

That thing we did....

We did it.  We picked up this sweet puppy Thursday afternoon and brought him home.  The poor baby was in one shelter or another his whole life, and this was the first time he was ever separated from his mom and siblings.  He was very brave and oh, SO cute!

Snuggling for the drive home.

A little concerned, but quiet.

Harassing Levi. 

 Levi was a really good sport.

They were really cute together.   

Look at this face! 

I just want to sop him up with a biscuit! 

He has spent most of the time being snuggled.  It is a fight between the girls to see who gets to hold him.  

He is so happy to just be around everyone. 

And everyone wants to be around him. 

Well, Levi is a little undecided when the little puppy teeth are trying to get him!

So, the first night was rough.  Poor puppy was sad and missed his family.  Callie wanted to sleep on the couch to keep him company.  I ended up on the other couch at midnight cuddling a puppy who was missing his mama.  It was not a good night for sleeping!  And I forgot how much I hate cleaning up puppy pee.  He has been pretty good about going, now that he sort of knows where we want him to go, but he would still rather just pee wherever he is.  And he's quick! 

It is a lot of cuteness, but a lot of work.  I'm not sure I can do this for very long.  There was a reason we stopped having babies.  I am too old for this sort of all nighter!