M is for memories, and milestones and magnificent...M is for a lot of things. A week ago, my family and I spent five days in Florida with my parents and my sister celebrating several special milestones in our family.
This year, my Mom and Sister will have "big" birthdays (the kind that end in 5 or 0). Last month, my Sister graduated with her Masters in Library & Information Sciences. This fall, my parents will enjoy their 45th wedding anniversary and Mark and I will hit a decade of wedded bliss. Hallmark doesn't make a card for all of that, and no one needs a cake large enough to accommodate that message. So, we decided to take the celebration south--to the land of Mickey & Minnie, Donald & Daisy.
As is tradition, we had to make a paper chain to countdown the days until we left. With joy and giggles, Abby would rip a link off every morning and announce how many remained. In fact, that routine became so important to her that, on the day we left, when there was only one link remaining, she convinced us that we should make a chain representing the HOURS until we left. Sure--why not, kiddo!
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| Counting down the hours! |
With the last link taken down, it was time to head to the airport for Abby's first flight! What a trooper. We have all flown with "that kid" and we've all prayed that ours won't be "that kid." And I don't want to be "that Mom" who professes to have the perfect kid who does no wrong and all that stuff. But I will. Just this once. Abby really was a great little flier with her beloved Tallulah tucked securely under her arm and her GaGa Bern blanket wrapped around her. No issues, no fears, no kicking the passenger in front of her or screaming incessantly. A few snacks, some highly-recommended iPad games, lots of writing and reading, one trip to the airplane restroom shortly before wheels down (now THAT is quite the feat!) and we passed the two hours, arriving safely in Orlando.
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| Who's flying this thing?! |
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| Safe and secure with her blanket and the iPad! |
Even with a kiddo this good, I had no idealized thoughts of Abby going to sleep easily that night; between the sensory overload of a new location, a new bed ("It's a couch, but now it's a bed, Mama. Have you ever seen such a thing? That's ridiculous!") and the fact that we were "at Disney," it all added up to a bargaining session. And who doesn't like to, when travel-weary and hungry, negotiate with an equally tired and slightly irrational 3.5 year old? Yeah--me either. Finally, Team Mom & Dad won and Team Abby was off to Sleepytown--we weren't far behind. As you likely know, a vacation at Disney is not really a vacation so much as a carefully orchestrated series of events and a virtual marathon of activities. Rest is a key component to success.
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| Abby's face upon seeing the Disney sign for the first time! |
M is for making the most of it! During our time at Disney, we visited Hollywood Studios where Abby met Jake and Handy Manny, saw a LIVE Ariel show and a fantastic Disney Junior show featuring some of her favorite friends. We spent a day and night at The Magic Kingdom complete with an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a visit to Belle's castle, Ariel's grotto and a magical ride on the Merry-Go-Round. We met more friends; White Rabbit, Pooh and Tigger. Abby played peek-a-boo with Peter Pan and Wendy.
We watched an electric parade (with "seats" secured especially for us by a kind Disney Cast Member--so close several characters came and talked to Abby or bopped her playfully on the head) and fantastic fireworks over the castle--never once did Abby's eyes grow heavy, never once did she yawn. Even on the tram ride back to the car and the car ride back to the condo; the kid was awake and animated. And there was no cotton candy involved, I assure you! Abby channeled her inner Ariel, splashing in the pool and bravely going all the way under, bursting to the surface with a gasp, a sputter and look of pride mixed with just a smidgen of surprise!
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| Meeting Ariel! |
M is for memories! One of the best memories was our lunch with the princesses at EPCOT. Our party was announced with a pomp and circumstance befitting royalty and we were lead into the castle where Belle greeted us individually, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Shortly after we were seated, the princesses lead everyone on a procession throughout the castle--priceless. And, as we ate lunch, Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella and Princess Aurora all stopped by to say greet Abby. Ariel even asked Abby if she liked the PJs Ariel left for her; a moment that completely amazed Abby, providing one of several wows we got during our trip.
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| Abby & Belle |
M is for more! We wrapped up our adventure with one more day at The Magic Kingdom. Some rides, a Dole Whip (when in Rome, right!?) a souvenir or two and it was time to head back to the condo. Walking slowly down Main Street, holding Mark and Abby's hands, soaking in the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere, I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Of deep love for my family and a deep, visceral happiness that I know I will always remember.
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| Perfect perch on Daddy's shoulders to check out the show |
M is for moments. Being together to celebrate the milestones in our lives was magical in its own way. To enjoy dinners together, made special by the people around the table and the words shared as we toasted one another--that is a memory everyone should have. Crowding into the living room of the condo to watch the Penguins game, and getting text updates during the game we didn't watch--that is a memory everyone should have. Watching my parents and my sister interact with my daughter, knowing that she is loved beyond any measure--that is a feeling of contentment.
Yes, M is for a lot of things. Like my munchkin.
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| xox Sweet Dreams xox |
A note from me: The awesome picture of my family will not post properly...as my friend, and fellow blogger, Lucy would say, "Monkey nonsense!"
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