Can you say "Surprise?!?!"

Do you remember when I posted around Christmastime about how sappy commercials really get to me? Well, here's an example. Back at the end of February I saw a commercial for Walt Disney World. The commercial showed families laughing, smiling and having a blast together. But there was one image that just got to me. It was the picture of a little girl about Lily's age staring wide-eyed at Cinderella's castle while fireworks went off in the background. Yep, it brought tears to my eyes! I could just picture my precious girl right there soaking up all of the magic around her. So, I turned to John and said..."We really need to do this soon." And he was right on board!!!

Well, I'm also a bit selfish. Selfish in the way of, if we're gonna use vacation money and vacation time, I don't want to deal with crowds, with 90+ degree weather, etc. So, we set off to search the internet for deals and tips; and lo and behold...we had a Disney trip planned for 2 months down the road. (Yep, I'm the bad mother that checks her child out of school for a vacation - go ahead, judge...) And the best part of it all was that we decided to keep the whole thing a secret from the kids until we were in the car to the airport!

This was a HARD secret to keep. Not the hiding of the suitcases, or getting the dog cared for while we were gone, but not telling the kids! I wanted to tell them soooo bad. But, John and I did a great job and held out until we picked them up from school and were ready to head out. Here's the reaction you get when you tell an 8 yr old and 4 yr old that you are going to Disney and getting there by plane...........



To be honest, I was a little leery about the trip. My vacation by choice involves a beach, a lounge chair and blue water. So, my excitement was for the kids, not me. But, I'll let you look at these pictures and you will see how I fell in love with the Disney experience!


**The kids did great on their first plane ride. I packed backpacks with surprise toys and candy...they were set for the hour and half flight!





**Lily and I had a "Princess Breakfast" one morning. She met, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and her idol...Ariel! I had to hold back the tears as I watched her stare in awe at the beauty of Ariel. Maybe I need to grow some fins!

**This was taken as we waited in line for the "Tower of Terror". With that name, would you think that a 4 year old girl would ask to ride it again and again?!?!

**Do you think Sam enjoyed meeting Pocahontas?

**And where did the kids want to go every afternoon?!? To the hotel pool. One would think that having a pool in the backyard, they would not be so excited about it. But, no complaints here..."Oh, cabana boy, Can I place an order?" We enjoyed it and relaxed!!

So, I thought I'd be saying "Darn those sappy commercials, they did it to me again...". But no, I was won over...Disney enamored me, and needless to say, the kids! Yes, I want to go back and yes, I'll be pulling the kids out of school to do it again! (Again, don't judge!)

M-I-C-See ya real soon~
Laurie