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The Famous family came to America during the Revolutionary war period with Lafayatte, according to the stories Mama had heard from her elders. Interestingly enough, Mama was born in Havre de Grace Maryland, which was named by General Lafayette because it reminded him of the French seaport Le Havre, which Mama is reading about in Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon – Mama loved the first book in the series, called The Outlander.

From Wikipedia:

During the Revolutionary War the small hamlet known as Harmer’s Town was visited several times by General Lafayette, who commented that the area reminded him of the French seaport of Le Havre, which had originally been named Le Havre-de-Grâce. Inspired by Lafayette’s comments, the town was incorporated as Havre de Grace in 1785.

After experiencing tutus (and princess garb) at Cousin Morgan’s birthday party, Austen insists on “dancin’ ballet” everyday.  Monday at a holiday party she tried to steal her friend’s tutu from serious tutu envy – Mama hasn’t bought her one yet.  Today she’s been wrapping scarves around herself to make a tutu and listening to the nutcracker dances, including the Arabian dance, the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy and the Chinese dance.  ‘Looks like we have two converts for next years Nutcracker at Lincoln Center:  Austen and Grandma Mindy (who assists with the dancing) both want to go.  It looks like it’s going to become a Girls Night Out …with Cousin Zack.  Mama can’t wait.

 

L.L.F.

We had a fun time at cousin Morgan’s third birthday party. There were art projects coordinated by “da teacher,” plenty of kids running around, plenty of toys to play with and a nice multi-flavored ducky birthday cake. After all of Morgan’s friends left, the cousins continued to play and enjoy the afterparty.

After putting on Morgan’s tutu, Austen became inspired to do some ballet dancing on her own, even though Uncle Tod could not provide any JT music to dance to.

Austen, Mama and Dada spent a week at Walt Disney world in Orlando, Florida and had a blast. Austen did amazingly well, loving all the activities and sights. The days were long and action-packed but also included a nap for everyone in the early afternoon.

For Mama and Dada it was wonderful to travel again. All their fears about the plane ride were in vain; even though this was Austen’s first flight, she did great (Mama also did much better). Austen sat on Dada’s lap during the relatively short flight and was happy to play with her toys, rocks, coins, animal figurines, books and watch some of her favorite videos on the iPod, while munching on some snacks and chocolate milk and looking out the window to see the clouds, rivers, trees and tiny houses and cars.

The hotel room was comfy and the sleeping situation (two double beds right next to each other) worked out fine.

Using our park hopper passes, we visited all the theme parks many times. Austen made sure to see almost everyone costumed animal in sight, giving each one hugs and posing for pictures; she’s so enamored with them that she forgets to smile!

Austen also went on many rides including some of Mama’s childhood favorites like Dumbo and It’s A Small World. She had a fondness for musicals like the Beauty and the Beast but was a bit fearful of the Disney villians and special effects like lasers and thunderous booms. Mama and Dada also got to go on some adult rides using the child-swap feature and fast-pass.

After going on the Peter Pan ride, we won three sets of fast-pass vouchers to be used at the Magic Kingdom theme park. It was kind of amusing to be able to circumvent the lengthy lines on the popular rides, almost instantly getting to go on them. We even heard many people asking the attendant’s why we were able to go on so quickly!

The buses and monorail were like theme park rides in themselves for Austen and she got very excited everytime we boarded. While waiting on the line for a bus to arrive, if the incoming bus went to another line (for another theme park), Austen was dissapointed and proclaimed, “I want the bus. Where’s Austen’s bus!?” We only went on the boat a few times and she liked it at first but later decided she disliked boat rides!

Just walking to and from the hotel room was a chance to skip and hop and sing. Dinners were always entertaining with all the kids and colorful decor. Austen talked non-stop of seeing more animals and getting to meet “Meemee Mouse.” Unlike a lot of the other kids at Disney, Austen preferred to walk independently, without her stroller: “I wanna walk!”

In between the rides, lines, eating at the various places, Mama and Dada stopped at the many themed play areas where Austen got to run around freely. She was hesitant at first as she explored the areas, which are very decorated and not just plain-jane slides and swings. Once she became familiar with the layout, she was off.

See some short videos from our trip.

By day seven, everyone was getting a bit overwrought and tired, so we were ready to get back home to the kitties. What a fabulous time! ‘Can’t wait for the next vacation. See all the trip pics.

Dancing with Minnie Mouse.

Dancing at the restaurant.

On the Merry-Go-Round with Mama.

Dancing in the hotel lobby.

Mama and Dada took Austen for her first train ride today. She’s always loved trains but was a bit frightened about actually boarding the big steel car. But once she saw all the people and the kids on their way to the Macy’s parade, she calmed down and enjoyed the ride. She and Mama pointed out trees and bridges and trucks and rivers, while snacking on cheese, crackers and water.

In the city, Austen took her first subway ride uptown to Columbus Circle and watched an hour of floats with Mama and Dada. She was especially looking forward to seeing Shrek. Why? Who knows? But Mama thought Abby Caddabby was the best. Unfortunately, we weren’t close enough to the see the bands and groups of marching pompom kids.

In the afternoon, Mama and Dada showed off their teamwork skills and prepared a Thanksgiving mini feast of turkey, “flavorful” gravy, stuffing and green beans. Grandma Mindy and Grandpa sat next to Austen for a short dinner. “All done! All done!” Chacha showed up several hours late. What else is new?

After Austen went to bed, all the remaining Sikhs in the house cuddled on the sofa to watch some TV.

When reading books, Mama likes to ask Austen questions like “How many birds are there in the picture?” Sometimes Austen counts correctly and sometimes she does some pretend counting that goes up to at least ten. With questions like “What color is the leaf?” Austen always knows the right answer. Thanks, Miss Liz from Gymboree Art Class.

Today, Mama was asking Austen to identify things in a drawing from a Richard Scary book.

“What’s that?”

“Piano!” (Austen is the queen of speaking with emphasis. That’s why Mama purchased her a “Mini Diva” cap from the Metropolitan Opera.)

“What’s that?”

“Mouse!”

After being thusly quizzed, Austen interrupted, “Mouse is eating da cheese.” Mama looked more closely and, yes, there was a tiny piece of cheese on which the mouse was nibbling. Mama is going to have to think up some more challenging interrogations for Austen. Locating items in a picture is child’s play. Austen speaks in full sentences all day long, and Mama and Dada never get enough of hearing her talk — except when she says things like, “No, Mama!”

Out and about, Austen is often notices things and points them out to Mama, who is not great at details and is often surprised by what Austen has observed. The location of clocks. People, especially “big boys.” Lollipops. Light-up signs with images of coffee mugs.