Miscellaneous Pictures

Bob and I took over 300 pictures and that does not include the ones on our Photopass from Disney. Here are some of the ones that I converted for the blog but forgot to put them in.


Anna sleeping in the stroller. She actually did that a lot.

Cinderella's castle on the first day we are at the Magic Kingdom.


A family picture with all of us with the Castle in the background. This was day one too.


Another picture of the castle at dusk.

A picture of the statue of Walt & Mickey with the Castle in the background. This picture was taken for our cousin Statira.


May the magic continue all year round for you and yours.

WDW Trip - Day 6

We decided it would be too much to go to a park with only a few hours to play. Also, it was chilly, by FL standards so going to the pool was out of the question too. So, Bob took the girls for a walk while I packed up our boxes and had them taken to the front desk to get shipped back home.

Our driver picked us up at 11am and we were on our way to the airport. The girls were great, again. We let them run around the airport and get all of the energy out. Both girls fell asleep on the way home. They woke up just as we were landing. We got our stroller and headed for the van. We were greeted with 20 degree weather. Yuck! But at least the sun was peaking through the clouds. It made it almost bearable to be back home.

We made it home and I fixed some potato soup for dinner. We just relaxed and thought about how wonderful our first REAL family vacation went. It was absolutely magical.

I am ready to do it again. Tomorrow.

WDW Trip - Day 5

This was our last full day of fun at WDW. It is sad to think how fast the week flew by.

We started with Breakfast in our room - early and tried to hit MK during the early hour before the general public was allowed in. This was our opportunity to catch some of the rides.

Celie experienced some of her first rides - Dumbo, Pooh's Adventures, The Mad Hatter's Tea Cups and Goofy's Barnstormer Rollercoaster. She absolutely LOVES rollercoasters. YEAH!! Since we live so close to Cedar Point now, it will be a lot of fun. :) We also went on It's a Small World and the Cinderella's Carousel.

I took a lot of pictures of Celie on the rides. So, here you go. Well, Here are Bob and Anna waiting for the Teacups to begin.


Here is Celie waiting for the ride to begin.

We are spinning.


We are spinning some more.

And more spinning.


She is really trying to spin it with mama.


She is cracking herself up from the spinning.


Here is Celie on Dumbo - we're going up and up and up.


Celie on the Carousel.



After a few of the rides, we thought that we would give Anna a chance to run around. We found this little playground - Pooh's Corner for her to do just that. Here is Pooh's house. The girls loved his house.

Anna peeking out of the window of Pooh's house.



Celie doing the same.


Anna discovering the turf in one of the tunnels at the playground.

After all of the rides, we took a boat to the Wilderness Lodge. This is where Bob and I stayed while on our honeymoon at WDW. We at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. Aunt Sue and Uncle Tom joined us. Here are picture of them with Celie in front of a totem at the lodge.

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for the evening meal at Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom.

I had booked the Character meal at the Castle 180 days before our vacation. I knew that it sold out quickly so I wanted to make sure that we got it and we did. It was raining by the time we were seated for dinner. As part of our dinner, you meet Cinderella in the lobby and get her autograph and picture. You get 2 pictures included with your meal. The Fairy Godmother and two of the mice are upstairs and put on a show during dinner. Celie was very shy in meeting Cinderella. Celie did comment on bootiful C'rella was. It was very cute. Cinderella was very good at coaxing Celie toward her for the pictures. The professional pictures turned out pretty well considering Celie's shyness, but here is a pic I took. C'rella is trying to get Celie to look up in the castle.Dinner was great and our server, Fernando, was fabulous. He found out that both Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom and Bob and I spent our honeymoon at WDW, so he brought us out a special gift. They were champagne flutes that said Cinderella's Royal Table. It was very sweet and thoughtful.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel. We watched the fireworks from our balcony and spent the evening enjoying time with the girls and Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom.

We clocked 6.2 miles today. Tomorrow sadness will come - we have to go home.

WDW Trip - Day 4

Again the girls slept through the night!!!

We now have a system down for breakfast. We go to the grab 'n go place and bring it back to the room. I usually go and leave the girls with Bob in the room.

Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom venture on ahead of us. We are going to meet them at the Disney Hollywood Studios for our Character meal at Hollywood & Vine. We are going to have lunch with Leo and June of the Little Einstein's & JoJo and Goliath. We decided that after breakfast we will go to Hollywood Studios via Epcot. That way, we can ride the boat. And that is what we do. It was an overcast day, but the temperature was great. Celie enjoyed the boat ride and Anna wanted to walk the entire way from the boat launch into the park - so we obliged.

Once inside the park, we had time to spare, so we headed toward the center of the park to see if there were any characters to see. There were a bunch and we got in line for Daisy & Donald Duck, but the line was closed and we got booted out - so we headed toward the Playhouse Disney location where we met June of Little Einsteins. Then Leo & Annie came out too (Little Einsteins).


After we got autographs & pics, we then headed to the big hat to see if Donald & Daisy were back out. We sprinted for the line. Celie was getting a little cranky because she wanted to hug Daisy & Donald right away. So, we had to explain waiting our turn, etc. FINALLY, it was our turn and Celie gave both Daisy & Donald big hugs and we were able to get their autographs.


Then it was time to head to lunch. It was a delicious buffet. Our server, Marj, was from Cambridge OH. It was very ironic and fun. Anna isn't too sure of Leo, but he was a great sport.
Celie giving June a HUGE hug.


Leo trying to get Celie turned around for a picture. Uncle Tom in the background making sure that Leo is behaving himself.

After lunch, we decided to take the boat back to Epcot. Uncle Tom went back to the resort and since the girls were doing o.k., we decided to go to Morocco to see if we could find Princess Jasmine and Aladdin for their pics and autograph.

We were able to find them and get their autograph. It was very hectic, so pictures were a little blurry. Then we decided that we would walk around the World Showcase, the exhibits of all of the countries. Just as we were passing Germany, we saw her. Snow White. We got in line to get her picture and autograph. She was dazzling and very sweet and gracious. Celie kept hugging the creatures low. It was kind of funny, but Snow White thought it was very endearing and got down on her knees to accommodate Celie.After seeing Snow White, Celie was exhausted and fell asleep in the stroller. We headed back to our room. As soon as we stepped foot into the room, Celie woke up. We rested awhile before heading to the Contemporary Resort for dinner at the Steakhouse.

We had a yummy dinner. After dinner Bob was a brave soul and took the girls back to the hotel where they went for a swim in the pool while I went shopping at Downtown Disney with Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom. Bob and the girls were able to see the fireworks from the Pool. I was able to get a few things on my wish list.

We managed to clock 7.2 miles on this day.

WDW Trip - Day 3

The girls must have been wiped out because they slept through the night again. YEAH!!!

We got up, got breakfast and then headed toward Epcot. We had lunch reservations at the Garden Grill to have lunch with Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale. We met Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom at Epcot.

We decided to let Anna walk around a bit - she was very restless. She is very independent and wanted to walk a lot. So, we headed for Innoventions. It is an area at Epcot where they have educational exhibits about farming, fire safety, etc. So, inside this building is a walkway that has white lines down the middle like a road. Anna was fascinated by this and kept walking on the white lines. I got a little video of it. Again, it is sideways. Sorry.




After walking around a bit, we headed for lunch at the Garden Grill. It was our first Character meal. Celie was very excited to meet the characters. However, Anna was a little more suspect of the large creatures. Bob was surprised by Chip.


Anna is not too sure about Chip.

But warms up to Mickey. Who wouldn't?


After lunch, we headed back to the hotel. Bob took Anna & Celie down to the pool. It was a zero entry pool. Anna was right in, but Celie was a little cautious at first. By the end of Pool time, both girls were laughing, splashing, and having a good 'ole time.

Then it was time to get ready for dinner. The crew was headed to the Magic Kingdom for dinner at the Crystal Palace. Another character meal - this time with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. We had some time to kill, so we watch another show in front of the castle. Celie loved this show. We must have seen it 7 times while at WDW. Here is Celie enjoying the show on Bob's shoulders.


After the show, it was perfect timing to head to the Crystal Palace. Kelly was ready with her fabric swatches and while they were waiting to be seated, Uncle Tom taught Anna how to climb the stairs to the restaurant. Just what Bob & Kelly needed another item that they would have to tell her NO when they got home.



Once we were seated, we had a wonderful buffet dinner. Celie, again, was great with the characters. We were able to meet all of them and get their signatures. Anna was still a little suspect about the creatures.

Kelly was very excited about meeting Piglet. Piglet has been her favorite for years. Here is Kelly getting Piglet's autograph for her, ah, well, for the girls.


Bouncing Tigger was just that - always in motion. Hard to get a snap with him moving all of the time.

Celie & I got our picture taken in front of the rose topiaries in the Crystal Palace.

I had to take a picture of the castle just before dusk. It is truly beautiful in any kind of light, even when the skies are gray and threatening to rain.

After dinner, we wondered around the park a little bit and headed back to the hotel. We decided to bundle up the girls and head to the beach to view Wishes - the fireworks display from MK. After the fireworks we went to our rooms rest up for our next adventure - Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Today's mileage was more calm. I mere 6.3 miles.

WDW Trip - Day 2

The girls blessed us with sleeping through the night. YEAH!!

So, we went for breakfast and headed to Animal Kingdom via the bus.

Celie was very good on the bus and when we got to the entrance of the park, there was Pocahontas. So, we were able to get her autograph. It was the first autograph of our trip. (I had decided before we left, that I would make a quilt from the autographs - the girls wouldn't be interested in viewing a book, but a quilt/blanket they could take with them anywhere and SHARE).

We made our way to the Safari ride to get a fast pass for the ride. Then we took a jaunt to see the animals. Just after seeing the Tigers - Celie had a meltdown. It was not pretty. It was a full fledge knock down tantrum with flailing arms and legs. It lasted about 20 minutes or so. We were pretty embarrassed but was able to get her to calm down a little bit.



We then got in line to see the Safari. Celie loved the ride. It was very bumpy and Celie kept saying, faster, faster. It was great fun. We saw a lot of wonderful animals, but the pictures didn't turn out that great. Here is Bob and Celie on the safari.


Here is a picture of all of the crocodiles.

After the safari, we decided that the girls looked REALLY tired, so instead of pushing them, we would head back to the hotel and let them rest and get some lunch and snacks.

We left Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom at Animal Kingdom and headed back to the hotel. We ate lunch in our room and the girls settled down for a nap. After they woke up, we decided to head to the beach for some fun in the sand.
I took this opportunity to get some good pictures of the girls.

Here is Bob and Anna. You can see our Longhouse in the background. We were in the Tokelau house.


Anna isn't quite sure what to make of the sand that is sticking to her hands.


Celie is just gazing at the waves coming on shore. She loves looking out at the water. She also loves to wade in the water. We couldn't get her off of the beach. She was soaked by the time she came in.


Bob was going to write Celie's name in the sand. Once Bob had drawn the Celie, she finished it with the smiley face.


I couldn't resist taking a picture of Anna's little footprint in the sand. Isn't it the cutest?


For some reason in transferring the video from the camera to the computer, it ended up sideways. Sorry. But I haven't been able to figure out how to fix it. But here is the video of Celie on the beach. Hopefully, you can hear her giggle. It is great.




After the beach, we decided to get dressed and head to our dinner at the Captain's Grille in the Yacht Club Resort. It was a wild ride, but we did it. We took a monorail to Epcot, whizzed through Epcot and then walked the rest of the way to the resort. Both girls fell asleep during the trip to the restaurant. They woke up just as we were getting our food. They ate with us and then we headed back to Epcot. The girls were ran around France and then we decided that the fireworks show would be too loud for the girls, so Bob and I & the girls headed back to the hotel.

We clocked 8.2 miles on this day. Phew! That is a lot of walking.

WDW Trip - Day 1

When we left Cleveland, it was a mere 6 degrees outside and gray. We lugged our carry on luggage and our monster stroller to security. Celie did really well, taking off her shoes and going through the detector. We collected our belongings and headed for our gate. We were a little early, so we let the girls run around to get their energy out - so far so good.

We were one of the first people to board so we chose to sit in the bulk head area. The rest of the plane loaded and Celie was getting excited to get going. Then we took off. Both girls were wonderful in the air. Anna fell asleep and Celie and I played with stickers and her "people." Then, Celie fell asleep 30 minutes before landing. She stayed asleep while the entire plane deboarded which was o.k. because we were waiting for our stroller. We were the last ones off. We put the girls in the stroller and off we were to meet our driver to take us to the hotel.

Where's their luggage? Well, trying to minimize any tantrums, I sent all of our clothes, diapers, etc. that we would need for the trip ahead of time via UPS to the hotel. Since Celie doesn't understand "waiting," I didn't want to have to wait for luggage, etc. So, we found our driver and headed to the car. We loaded up and were on our way to the Polynesian Hotel at Walt Disney World.

The sun was shining and it was about 55 degrees. FL people were complaining about the cold, but we were extremely happy with the weather. It was perfect for us.

Once we got to the hotel, Bob took the girls to see the waterfall and there was a coloring area with a TV w/ cartoons. The girls gravitated their while checked us in. While I was checking in, Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom arrived. Celie looked at them with a very puzzled look on her face, "Uncle Sue? Uncle Tom?" and ran and gave them a huge hug. It was great. We were presented with leis and Anna found them a lot of fun to wear and carry around the room.


Once we were all checked in and found our rooms (they were right next to each other), we headed to the quick serve restaurant for lunch. After lunch, we headed to the rooms and unpacked quickly. We then loaded up for an afternoon in Magic Kingdom.

We rode the monorail to MK. Once through security and the main gate, I got in front of Celie so that I could see her face when she first saw C'rella's (that is what she calls Cinderella) castle. The look on her face was priceless.


She looked at the castle and said, "It's C'rella's castle. It's bootiful (beautiful). WOW!" We strolled toward the castle and they were having a show, so we watched the show and then walked around MK for awhile. We road on our first ride - Aladdin's magic carpets. Celie and Anna had a good time.

We headed back to the hotel to get our rest before our next big day. Animal Kingdom.

Food Faces

Some times it is easier not to fight about how they are eating as long as they are eating.

Here is Anna with a Watermelon face - she loves watermelon - especially since all of her teeth have decided come in.

Here is a series of Pasghetti Face a la Celie. I let Bob clean her up.

Sadness

Today I am very sad.

I received an email today stating that my major professor from undergraduate school isn't doing very well. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and has been fighting tooth and nail against it - but it sounds like he is losing the battle.

Charles was very instrumental in getting me into graduate school. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have gotten in. He believed in me at a time when others hadn't. Graduate school gave me hope, it was inspiring and it was very important in my development as an artist and person.

I have taken many paths and turns away from art, but it has always remained in my heart. My admiration for those things Celtic and sculptural really are because of Charles & George (my graduate school professor). Their influence on me has been extreme - yet they do not know it.

When I found out that Charles was sick, I wrote him a letter - thanking him for everything. He & his wife, Deborah, really do not know what it has meant to me to have them in my life - even if it was for a short time a long time ago. I think about those days often. Not because I regret the path I have chosen for myself, but because it was the foundation for now - in many more ways than most will ever know.

What will I miss most about Charles? Many things and nothing - because the memory of him is so ingrained in my head that I have always felt him around. His smile under his mustache, the twinkle in his eyes behind his wire rimmed round glasses, his little smirk and shovel walk and who could forget his locks - his braided hair that I had once the pleasure of seeing completely down - to his knees. Hamms beer and pizza parties, tractor seat stools and iron pours and hog roasts. Many of the things that I remember and so many more.

I am blessed to have known him. Thank you Charles, for everything.

Payment

Ever since Celie was born, I have really struggled with going back to work or not. I believe that there are pros and cons to each situation.

However, since moving to the Cleveland area, there are a lot more opportunities for me than in Michigan or even possibly in CT. So, I have been applying to those jobs that would interest me the most - mostly meeting/event planning positions. I have applied to may be 5 different companies. One company sent me a follow up questionnaire. I filled it out - but what do you say when it asks what your current title is? What is your current compensation? Do you tell the truth or embellish? I chose to tell the truth. I am the Manager of the Ostroski Household.

But the compensation question threw me. Then I decided to be truthful.

I am compensated by giggles and smiles.

After writing that, I realized what a great way to be paid.

I made it through the recruiter interview and she was going to pass me along to the hiring manager. I haven't heard anything.

But that is o.k. Because I think being paid in giggles and smiles just might be the best after all.

Time Flies

It doesn't seem possible that 5 years ago I was preparing to walk down the aisle.

A bagpiper playing a march. My dad guiding me in my dress & veil. Friendly eyes of family and friends. The misstep of Bob on my dress. The mishandling of my ring by Father Joseph. The quick snap up by my best girl, Sarah. My hands shaking, tears welling up, happiness in my soul. Papa Tony & Grandma Peggy's presence. Our first kiss as husband & wife. Celebration.

I feel very blessed to have found Bob, for us to be together and for beautiful daughters. Though the last 5 years seems a blur, I hope to be more "awake" during the next 5 and beyond.

Below is a picture of Bob and I on our Honeymoon in Italy - well, that would be the Italy pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World. We had a wonderful time and look forward to sharing our time with the girls and Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom in a few short days.

Experiment

So with our pending vacation coming up, I thought it might be a good idea to try out our video feature on our digital camera. We have only had our camera for 4 years and Bob has used the feature maybe one or two times, but I wanted to see how much memory it would eat up, etc. Then I got the brilliant idea that I could post our little videos on our blog.

So, here, I am giving it a try. This should be Anna walking around thinking she is all that and then some.