because they are too young to protest being dressed alike...

It's been really warm the last few days, almost warm enough to bring out these "big sister, little sister" t-shirts. Except, well, I would have gotten in trouble with the neighborhood grandmas because it's still December on the calendar. Kids are almost always in double layers this time of year regardless of the temperature. But today it started getting cold again. It will soon be time to bust out the bear coats again! Thanks Nana and Pappaw for sending these!!

theological reflections from a 3 year old

Grace has had a recurring dream about a turtle. It's an angry turtle that wants to sit on her head. I'm not exactly sure where said turtle came from. I mean, we have some Franklin books but surely that's not it. He's definitely not an angry kind of turtle. There have been many nights in the last few weeks where Grace has woken up and crawled into bed with us, worried the turtle is about to sit on her head. I love to snuggle with her but Momma gets zero sleep when she's in bed with us so I always take her back to her room. Sometimes we rock and many times Grace will process her thoughts out loud for me. (Those who know Grace understand she is definitely a verbal processor!) We'll talk about how she doesn't need to be afraid because God is with her. And how she can pray anytime. Then, we put on one of 2 special anti-turtle hats and she's off to bed. (Well, the anti-turtle hats worked for a few nights until she discovered they "messed up her hair." Oh wow do I have visions of her as a teenager!) So now she has resorted to burying her head under her pillow. That's how I found her asleep last night. Anyway, 2 nights ago we were rocking and Grace started asking questions. She asked me how to pray and how to hear God. Because "in her Hermie video God talks to Hermie, so how do we get Him to talk to us?" And lately she's been a bit confused because we talk about Jesus being in heaven and also in our hearts but in her children's Bible Jesus is "on the ground and not in heaven." The questions kept coming the other night, one after another, and I was in awe of her questions. But she wasn't really pleased with most of my answers (as if I have all the answers!) She wanted to hear God NOW. At one point I mentioned she would keep learning more and more about God as she gets older. The next morning Grace was looking in the mirror on her tiptoes and asked me: "Mommy, am I taller now to talk to God?" I told her of course she could talk with Him anytime. She then sat on my bed and proceeded to say very loudly, "God!? Are you there?" And she sat very still just in case He spoke audibly. Oh how I pray He makes her one of His own!

swinging

Hong Kong Disneyland

I've been to Disney World in Florida on two occasions. Once as a young teenager for a family vacation and once with Kevin before we moved overseas. Both were such memorable and fun experiences that I've always had good vibes about Disney. There, I admitted it: I'm a Disney fan! Turns out Hong Kong Disneyland is also lots of fun and while not nearly as large as the US Disney locations it works out pretty well if you have young kiddos. The park is relatively small and can almost be seen all in one day. So for our stage of life, this was a big bonus! Also, from door to door it only took us 25 minutes to get there. Seeing as how it takes us at least that long to get to our favorite mall in Hong Kong, it feels like next door! You know you're headed for fun when you get on the subway that takes you to Disneyland and it's already decorated all-things Mickey. Even the handle bars were Mickey-shaped. The weather was gorgeous with temperatures in the 70's.

The park didn't open until 10:30, so we waited a few minutes for the gate to open. Grace was already excited to see Mickey surfing. She had no clue how much more there would be to see.

Grace is pretty certain the Disney princesses all live in this castle.

She got to share a few moments with Belle...

and met Cinderella, too. I was surprised how many grown adults without kids were waiting in line to meet the princesses. While Grace and I were waiting to meet Cinderella, I spoke with a nice lady and her 7 year old daughter from Singapore. When it was their turn to meet Cinderella, the mother ran FIRST to Cinderella, excitedly said, "You're my favorite princess!" and had her picture made by herself with Cinderella before her daughter had a chance. It made me chuckle. I guess some grown women take their Disney princesses very seriously.

The Christmas decorations were beautiful. This is something we are enjoying about Hong Kong in general: real Christmas decor and not the tacky stuff we generally see where we live.

Mickey and Minnie were in their Christmas outfits, too. I do believe that meeting Mickey and Minnie had to be the highlight of Grace's day. She's only been vaguely aware of who they are but somehow she knew they were the main attraction at Disneyland.

And she pretty much talked the rest of the day about how Minnie Mouse gave her an Eskimo kiss!

Trinity took it all in as much as an almost 9 month old can. Something about seeing this ride made her excited.

Fortunately the "It's a Small World" ride is decorated for Christmas and has Christmas songs playing in addition to "It's a Small World" so you don't hear the same song over and over!

"It's a Small World" was the only ride we took Trinity on but she was completely mesmerized.

Grace's favorite ride was Winnie the Pooh which she rode several times. And she was fine with the 3-D musical movie until things started flying at her face. Then, not so much. I guess parts of Disney can be a little overwhelming to a 3 year old.

What a memorable day! And boy, did the girls sleep well that night. Trinity, maybe next time you'll be old enough to know what in the world these mouse ears are about.