Magical Memories from Disney Studios

The week was packed with magical memories.

At Disney Studios, we watched the High School Musical 3 stage show in front of Mickey's Sorcerers Hat. All of the kids, but especially Isabel, loved the singing and dancing. Isabel would not sit down, she was moving her hips and dancing the entire time. At one point during the show, Isabel was selected from the audience to participate and dance in the show. Her eyes lit up and with enthusiasm she took the stage. It is one of her special memories from the trip. The girl loves to be on stage!!!

It was also at Disney Studios that we were able to eat lunch with JoJo and Goliath from JoJo's Circus and Leo & June from Little Einsteins at Hollywood & Vine. JoJo is a character from one of Isabel's very favorite Disney shows, JoJo's Circus! The kids enjoyed getting autographs and doing the Cha-Cha with the characters.

Memorable rides included the Tower of Terror (frightening for Isabel and not one she wanted to repeat) and Rock N' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith for Andy. The Muppet 3-D show was a favorite for the kids and the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground was awesome.

Fantasmic was incredible, although, I wish we hadn't gotten in line 90 minutes prior to showtime. Oh well!! Luckily, Mary Ellen took Brady back to the hotel early that night. Chloe had not been enjoying the firework shows because of the loud noise. In fact, she screamed at the Magic Kingdom during the fireworks. Luckily, we thought to try ear plugs that night. What a difference, she actually enjoyed the show. In fact, she loved it!

One of the highlights for Chloe, was getting her picture taken with Mater and Lightening McQueen from her all-time favorite Disney movie, Cars!

Another great park enjoyed by all!

Magical Memories from our First Day in Disney World

We had a wonderful time in Disney...all of us! The weather was beautiful most of the time and the parks and resorts were so festive with holiday decorations. The trip was better than I could have ever imagined. We were so lucky to have Andy's parents come along and experience the magic with us!

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. The girls loved our room with bunk beds and a connecting door that joined our room to grandma and grandpa's! From the hotel, the Magic Kingdom was just a short boat ride away. Each night the kids were visited by the Disney Fairy...this was lots of fun! The fairy brought presents like Santa hats with mouse ears, jingle bell necklaces, snow globes, princess night gowns, tiaras and princess jewelery.

The first day the girls got their autograph books, Disney Dollars, special Disney World pins (First Timer for Chloe and Brayden, Family Reunion for Mary Ellen and I, Happy Birthday for Daddy, and I'm Celebrating for Isabel) all at City Hall. It was hot and sunny! We were off to Fantasyland and our first ride was Dumbo the Flying Elephant! Chloe loved the Dumbos because she could control the elephant by moving it up and down. Brady was gliding his arm up and down and making a trumpeting sound for elephant. Everyone was excited.

At 6:15 that night, we headed over to the front of the castle to watch the show, Cinderella's Wish. At the start of the show Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy came out singing and dancing for the holidays. They were trying to decide how the castle should be decorated for Christmas when the fairy godmother appeared. She suggested they ask Cinderella, since she is the one who actually lives there. It was Cinderella's wish that the castle be decorated to look like her glass slippers. With a wave of the fairy godmother's wand and the magic words, Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Boo the castle magically transformed into an Ice Castle covered in glistening icicles. The show was so beautiful and moving it actually brought tears to mommy's eyes.

That night we had dinner at Peco Bills and watched the Spectro Magic Parade and the firework show Wishes! Tinkerbell actually is illuminated and flys off of the castle. The kids loved their light up toys and watching the parades right up front. Some of the characters, like Grumpy and Sleepy, actually came over and touched the girls. An exhasuting, but exciting first day!

Will we make it to Disney???

It is December 8, 2009 and the day before we leave for Disney World and everyone is excited! It is a trip we have been planning and talking about for the last 4 months. At 4 am, it is the sound of foot steps rushing down the hall to the bathroom and the tears of Isabel that stir me from my sleep. I instantly have a terrible feeling in my gut. When I enter our bathroom, I see Isabel curled over the toilet throwing up. I think to myself, this cannot be happening!! We are supposed to be on an airplane in 24 hours. Fearing the worst, I think this is a 24 hour virus that is going to slowly pass through the entire family or possibly swine flu which will have Isabel laid up in bed for a week. There is no time to worry about this now, first we need to tend to the matter at hand and give Isabel a bath, change sheets, clean the rug and bathroom floor, and get Isabel back to bed.

The next morning there is more throwing up and again around noon...this is not good. The pediatrician tells us nothing solid until she can keep liquids down at least 4 hours. Finally, in the evening, Isabel is able to eat a few Saltines and have some water. She goes to bed and sleeps through the night. The next morning, she still complains of a tummy ache, but is able to keep food down. We are off to the airport and praying everyone else stays healthy!

We have a wonderful week and everyone stays healthy.