The Westom's go to Disney World!

Thursday, January 6:

As I complete our packing for Disney World and am quite stressed that we are missing something, Mike stops me and asks me to make him a promise. "Let go of control for a week, let things happen as they happen and forget making a plan for everyday, it will be more fun for you and everyone else." Shaking with fear, I make the promise. I'm allowed to finish my packing and make sure everyone is prepared for anything that may happen, all while Mike says "Really we need to pack that?" over and over and over again. I really think we did quite well in the packing department, 4 suitcases (packed to capacity), 3 carry-on backpacks (packed to capacity), 2 carseats & 2 strollers. He thought I went a little overboard.

Saturday, January 8 (Travel Day):

At 7:00am I've already forgotten my promise made to my husband. I'm stressed to the max, the 2 strollers are overflowing and I still have a few things to stuff in backpacks - no room left! Thinking I will make security streamless, I had the kids change out of their tennis shoes and into their flip flops so we weren't tying up the line lacing shoes, etc. I completely forget that everyone has to remove sweatshirts, etc. what an ordeal! So much for being all planned out! I'm so glad that Southwest flies in and out of Humphry... could there be a better airport for children to be in? A play area right next to our gate, room for the kids to release energy without getting in the way of tons of passengers. Perfect! I am pretty sure I pissed off everyone that boarded after A28 that morning with my overflowing carry-on stuff.

This flight was going to be GREAT or AWFUL. We got lucky that it was GREAT! Veronica took her motion sickness medication when we sat down on the plane and was asleep within an hour. Max was in love with flying! There was a little girl that sat directly behind him and they played back-and-forth the whole time. When our plane touched down in Chicago; Veronica was still in her Dramamine coma and Max got to go hang out in the cock-pit with the pilot and see how most of the controls worked! When our plane touched down in Nashville, Max said "Mom! Look, it's not Christmas here!" and Veronica was awake and it was her turn to hang out with with the pilot in the cock-pit! She got to talk on the radio to the passengers and play with some of the controls! At that point they both thought the coolest part of the trip had happened!

Sunday, January 9 (Magic Kingdom):

We are going to Disney World today!!!! It's Florida, so I have Veronica wear capris and a tank-top and Max wear a polo and shorts. We park the car and take the tram to the ferry to cross the lake and stand behind TONS of people in brand new parkas and Ugg boots... All the while I'm looking at my summer-clad children and laughing! I live in the artic cold and don't own a pair of Ugg boots! Since my Sorels are a little past their prime, I'm considering getting a pair of Uggs once they hit the clearance racks this spring after seeing how cute they were on everyone in FLORIDA, but at the same time, I wonder how cute they will look with that lovely salt ring on them! Remember, promised to let go of control, so my mind was wondering on the craziest of things this whole time instead of where we are going to go first, second, third, fourth, you get the idea! So, back to our trip! On the ferry (I'll admit it was a little chilly with the wind over the water, bla bla bla), there were seagulls flying everywhere and my kids kept ducking saying the eagles were going to poop on them! Haha! We get off the ferry and our eyes are filled with magic! We are finally here!!!!

We took the train around the park and landed in Mickey's Toon Town! 4 hours later I realized we had gone approximately 100 yards! At that point I realized those Park Hopper passes that we had gotten are not intended for families with young children. A line 15, 20, 35, 50 minutes long --- it didn't matter to them, they were going to get to meet their favorite characters, get pictures with them, get their autographs and give them hugs! Max and Veronica also got their first experience with a roller coaster and then they were hooked! Mike was right, having no control and no plan was wonderful (for vacation --- everyday life would not happen this way, who would cook, clean, do laundry, etc.!)!  The kids got their faces painted and looked awesome! Veronica's looked beautiful and rock-starish and Max looked like a scary fire breathing DRAGON! As he walked through the park people would point and laugh - not much different than being at home! He would look at them and say "GGGRRRR" - so comical! As the sun started going down that evening, I'll admit, it was a little chilly and we could have prepared ourselves for the cooler air a little better. We headed back to the hotel at about 6:30 and everyone crashed!

Monday, January 10 (free day):

This was possibly our most challenging day of the whole vacation. The forecast was for heavy rains in the afternoon so we decided not to waste a park pass. Instead we went to the awesome Orlando Premium Outlet Mall and Downtown Disney. I have to say I was quite disappointed by the reviews I'd read about 2 places. The Disney store at the outlet mall was not as great as everything I had read and the store at Downtown Disney that was supposed to be a great souvenir shop with reasonable prices was all a bunch for a dollar junk. For the very first time, Mike and I were embarrassed to have our children in public. While at the outlet mall we found a store with triple discounts on business wear. Mike and I were both in need of some new work clothes and found this the perfect opportunity to grab some at a great price. Unfortunately before we were done making our selections, our children had embarrassed us so much by their attitudes and behavior that we had to hurry up and get them out of the store. Really, what were we thinking, this was a vacation for them, how dare we do something, anything that week for ourselves. Luckily the mall was open till 11:00 that night and my parents were more than happy to spend a few minutes playing with our babies, so Mike and I went back to the mall and got our only few minutes of alone time of the week. We used our alone time to look at things we couldn't possibly afford and then settle for the things we could! On our "new looks" shopping trip, we saved $343.73! I was thrilled!!!

Tuesday, January 11 (Animal Kingdom & Epcot):

Our alarm clocks went off at just the right time. Max and Veronica woke us up at 6:30 to remind us we were going back to the parks! This time we planned for the day AND for after the sun went down! The Animal Kingdom is the COOLEST zoo ever! The kids were so excited to see so many animals so close! Veronica became thoroughly addicted to roller coasters after getting to ride Everest! One thing we learned about our daughter on this trip, when she is truly scarred, we won't be able to hear it. She was completely silent through the whole thing (both times)!

After our exciting day at Animal Kingdom our kids crashed at Epcot! We watched a beautiful display of fireworks over the lake! All I can say after that... WOW!!!

Wednesday, January 12 (Epcot):

Educational Fun! There were so many cool things to do with the kids at Epcot! The kids didn't even know they were learning anything!

While we were waiting in line for Snow White, Max broke into song "Santa Claus is coming to town."  When it was the kids' turn to see her, Snow White asked the "Little Prince" to sing his song for everyone. Max, being the entertainer he is took his stage! He sang for a crowd of 20-30 and Snow White! He was so proud of himself! Snow White was obviously quite impressed, as she smothered him with kisses! Max had his first experience with a groupie... not sure how I'm feeling about this. I think she and I will have a little talk about my little boy!

Thursday, January 13 (Hollywood Studios):

Probably my kids' second favorite place! They would have waited in line all day for Playhouse Disney Live on Stage (only Veronica wouldn't admit it)! She took me aside and said, "Mom, please don't tell anyone, I really like Playhouse Disney, but I don't want any of my friends to know, they'll think I'm a baby. Just tell them I waited in line for Max." So the story is told to everyone that she saw all of the characters in Playhouse Disney so her brother didn't have to be scarred to see them. Her reward.... THE TOWER OF TERROR! I went on the ride with her first. During the middle of the ride, she asked me if it was over yet. When we finally stopped moving she was excited to get off the ride to find her Daddy so she could show him how cool it was! When they were on the ride, they sat next to 2 early 20s guys that screamed the whole time. After the ride, they asked Mike if Veronica was okay, because once again, she pulled the silent card!

Friday, January 14 (Magic Kingdom):

I think Magic Kingdom is my favorite place in the world! We got Veronica her roller coaster fix on Space Mountain and then spent the rest of the day seeing the things we missed the first day we were there. The only thing Mike had on his list to see for sure was "It's a Small World" well, we did it and the whole time we all looked around asking what was the designer of this ride on when they created it?! No kidding... the ride was creepy. I do wonder how Disney has upgraded so many rides since their first year and THIS was one of the rides that was a staple.

My favorite experience of this entire trip was the fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. It is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. A story was told with a painted sky and music. It was truly magical! Here is just 3 minutes of the 25 minute show.

Saturday, January 15 (Going Home):

The trip home was mostly uneventful, well, except when I noticed after I had boarded the plane that I forgot to throw out my bottle of water that was in my purse and that security had also missed it... Hmmm... that flight home felt safe.

Upon arrival we claimed all of our checked luggage except our CARSEATS! 2 hours later we left the airport with airline loaners.

We had a magical journey and such an enjoyable time. It felt good to not be in control of the day and outcomes just letting our kids enjoy everything they could! Max my transportation nut got to experience all of it, the plane, the train, the monorail, the ferry! It was a dream come true. My princess Veronica got to feel like a princess the entire time!

I think 7+ days of vacation was a little long for my little loves and my big love. Will we do a family vacation again --- ABSOLUTELY! Will we do another family vacation that lasts a full week --- DEFINITELY NOT!  While we all love each other and love spending time together more than anything, being in each others pockets for that long was a little much! 

I probably should have written this right away instead of a week later  while the experience was still fresh in my mind, but trying to get back into our routine has taken an immense amount of time and quite frankly, I needed a little down time!