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Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo Boo?

Living so close to the Magic Kingdom, The Empress and myself get to visit often (annual passes - big Disney bucks) and love the place. She gets a ride or two and I get some exercise pushing the royal stroller. This happens just as the parks open as crowds increase over the course of 2 hours - then, it's back home for a nap and lunch.
Many times, we observe young girls, around 5ish, decked out in princess costumes (made of the finest 100% polyester) accompanied by tierras, scepters, big hair and rather garish makeup. Turns out, these lovely little girls have been to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
One morning, after a visit to the MK, I stumbled across a reference to the attraction in an adoption blog. Here is one person's description of the pamper parlor ....... At the Bibbidi Bobbibi Boutique, Disney takes dress-up to a new level, giving each girl her own station in the salon and her very own “Fairy Godmother-in-training” whose job is to pamper her with every accessory and service a Princess could possibly want. Parents can choose from three packages at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: the “Coach Package” which includes a hair style and shimmering make-up (for $35), the “Crown Package” which includes hair style, shimmering make-up and nails (for $45), or the ultimate “Castle Package” which includes the Crown Package plus a Princess photo shoot and a complete Disney Princess costume of her choice with accessories (starting at $175). After her makeover, each girl is given a pink sash that says “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique” — so everyone who sees her knows that she’s an official Disney Princess.

For some folks, the money is a drop in the bucket (not for this HomeDaddy), however, beyond the big bucks, is this giving the girls a false sense of value? I mean, $200.00 for a temporary fantasy? Maybe I'm making too much of it. After all, aren't we adults entitled to $200.00 fantasies on another level? Shouldn't we get our little girls ready to grow into bigger fantasies? Am I stirring the pot here?

Here is Disney's Web blurb on the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, as well as another blogger who comes close to my feelings on the Baby Spa.

Don't get me wrong ...... we LOVE the Disney parks. I'm just a bit unsettled on this one. Next month's topic .......
"Children's Beauty Pageants".

Happy Thanksgiving......

.........from Joanna Mei

JMei's 2nd Birthday Pics

Head on over to

JMei, Bebe & HomeDaddy -or- Tales from the Cryb

for some great pics of JMei's big day!

Baby in a Tree

A friend sent us this illustration.

If you don't look for a baby, you'll see the baby.

Pretty cool..........

Deja Vu

Joanna Mei returns to her homeland via the China pavillion at EPCOT.

Pics over at Joanna Mei, Bebe & HomeDaddy - or - Tales from the Cryb

JMei enjoys a performance of "Beauty and the Beast" at the Disney Holloywood Studios. We found a walkway along a canal which leads from the Boardwalk Hotel (where we sometimes take walks around the lagoon) to the Studios. Since we were already there, we went inside and caught a show. Not sure there's much else there for toddlers.

More pics of our morning at the Studios over on "Joanna Mei, Bebe & HomeDaddy -or- Tales from the Cryb"

Brunch With The Empress

....... just in case you happen to be in Orlando .....

Please join us for

A Brunch to Cover All Bases


Including

Welcome Joanna Mei
Be’s 50th Birthday
Joanna Mei’s 2nd Birthday

Saturday, November 8, 10 AM

Bring a brunch item to share – we’ll have some breakfast casseroles and coffee for y’all.

Gifts: Not necessary. JMei received SO many that we’re rewrapping some and giving them to her at Christmas!(of course ….. we could STILL use that SUV)

Drop us an e-mail at duoloco@cfl.rr.com for directions.

Trunk or Treat

Our church, Windermere Baptist Church, sponsors the annual Trunk or Treat in our area and this year's event was quite a success. Church members deck out their trunks with family oriented themes, dress themselves up and give out the treats to the attendees. People came by the hundreds figuring that the Baptists were 'low risk' for handing out tainted/booby trapped candies. 10 inflatable play areas, a contemporary gospel band and food prepared by the Boy Scouts completed the offerings of the evening.

Other pics are over on "Joanna Mei, Bebe & HomeDaddy - Tales From the Cryb".

Sign in is required - leave an e-mail at duoloco@cfl.rr.com if you'd like to follow Joanna Mei's journey.

Windermere Police officer, John, catches Joanna Mei 'double dipping' in one of the candy tubs.

Vince, one of the founding members of the church, displays his great sense of humor as he poses between 2 skeletons singing Old Time Gospel Music. He rigged the skeletons so that he could control the jaws to move as Bill Gaither music played.
His theme was
"Old Time Gospel Music Never Dies".
I laughed like a soprano when I saw Vince and his buddies.


The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe Slide.
One of 10 inflatables at "Trunk or Treat".

Katie - one of Joanna Mei's best friends at church.

I can't comeup with a caption for this one.