Our first exciting view of Walt Disney World! We had to stop by the military resort, Shades of Green, to pick up our tickets. I had no idea the military had a rec center at WDW!
The Magic Kingdom! It was so fun to see the kids so excited to be there.
Our one family photo taken by a kind stranger who, thankfully, didn't run off with the camera! You always wonder if that's going to happen to you when someone comes up and says "You want me to take a photo of all of you together?"
Daddy got the joy of riding the Dumbo ride with Katie Mei. It was hard to get a photo of her because her head was too low in the seat. This was the only photo I got where you can actually see her face on the ride. They hadn't even started moving yet. I also let Jay take the kids on the Mad Hatter tea cup ride; I knew I didn't have the constitution to handle that one. He regretted that later, as he was a little green around the gills and ready to yak up his morning coffee when I met him after the ride was over.
I took the kids on the carousel while Jay ran off to buy a new SD card for my camera. Wouldn't it figure I only had room for one more photo on my memory card when we got to the park? Fortunately, I took two cameras, so I could still get pictures.
Sometimes Katie Mei tries really hard not to smile. I don't know why she likes to play this game, but she'll just make a neutral face and avoid eye contact when you ask her to smile. But she really, really wanted to go on the carousel, and once she got on her horse and it started moving, she could not supress her smile. She tried, but it didn't work. This isn't her best smile, but she really was delighted to be on that horse.
Tuesday was Katie Mei's birthday, and she was given a Happy Birthday pin to wear around the park all day. Employees of the park greeted her and wished her a Happy Birthday everywhere we went.
Daddy and Katie Mei with the cake at the Princess Storybook Dining Buffet Hall. This is the lunch where we were constantly interrupted by princesses.
Katie Mei surprised us that she wasn't the least bit shy around the characters. Merrilee and Jacob were more than excited to meet them all. We couldn't get Jacob to shut up...he had to tell every princess everything about his entire day. I don't know how those women put up with all the excited kids, day in and day out. I think I would make a lousy princess. I'd probably get fired for telling a kid to put a lid on it!
Sleeping Beauty was the sweetest princess. She seemed like she really was as nice as she was pretending to be. Snow White was a bit freaky...she waved her arms all around and used a very weird, squeaky voice while talking to the kids. I told Jay I think she watched the original movie Snow White over and over again every night to really get herself in character. She was absolutely bizare!
We stopped to get some ice cream and saw Pooh and Tigger heading for the bathrooms (yep, even Pooh has to poo!--the kids loved that!). When they came out again we realized they were headed for a designated area to sign autographs and pose for photos with the kids. So Katie Mei and I put our ice creams down and went to stand in line. The line moved pretty fast, and after about 15 minutes we were fourth in line to meet the Duo. That's when they took off, with Tigger running across the road and back toward the bathrooms. I'm not really sure if the big, orange tiger was having an Immodium moment, but he sure was in a hurry. Anyway, we waited several more minutes and they returned to their adoring, and apparently patient, fans. I was kind of concerned that Katie Mei would freak out at the last moment and wouldn't want to say Hi to Pooh Bear, since she's really rather shy and doesn't like big, obnoxious, scary things. But she surprised us all with her warm hug for Pooh, and she posed for a photo to my heart's delight!
On our last evening there, Jay ran out for some popcorn for me, and we let the kids eat it in bed even though they had already brushed their teeth (yeah, I'm a bit of a stickler for no food after teeth brushing). The three of them had a grand time being allowed to eat in bed!
Notice Katie Mei's newest addition to her stuffed animals. We let the kids each get a toy/souvenir from WDW and she picked out a Pooh Bear. Merrilee chose a Tinkerbell book, and Jacob got a space shuttle model, of which he he immediately proceeded to break pieces off, of course. Pooh and Katie Mei have been close friends ever since we left the park.
Finally, we picked up the photo we ordered at Epcot. We had ordered and paid for a 5X7 photo, and when we picked it up at the photo place by our resort, there was a note in with the picture. It read "Thank you for letting me take pictures of your wonderful children! I have sent you an extra 8X10! I hope you have a wonderful vacation! Lisa S."
I don't know if she does that for lots of folks she photographs, but she did comment on how well-behaved and orderly our kids were. I was thankful for the fact that, for the most part, our kids were very composed and obedient. Yes, they had their moments and managed to ruffle my feathers here and there a bit, but really, they are great kids. Jay and I feel so blessed to be able to call them ours, and are thankful we can treat them to fun vacations like this once in awhile. God is so good!
