Disney Survivors!

Okay, we did it. We survived Disney with a 3 year old and 11 month old. I know it does not sound like a big deal, but let me tell you, the statement about needing a vacation from your vacation is so true. Actually, the girls really exceeded my expectations and we all had a blast! We saw all the parks except Epcot. I carried Abby in the ergo most of the day and she was able to sneak in some naps, allowing us to do the parks from 9 am until 2 or 3, which was plenty for all of us. It was very warm and sunny and Abby and I sweated together with her strapped onto my front for hours in and out of lines, rides, safaris, monrails, and all other park attractions. The experience for Emma was amazing. To see her face when she met Ariel (who called Emma her little starfish and that is now what she insists I call her) and Cindarella was so priceless. She loved all the rides until we took her on Snowwhite's scary adventure and from then on she was a little more selective. Some of her favorites were the flying Dumbo with Papa, and of course, Cindarella's Golden Carousel. I think she totaled 6 times on that one.

It was so wonderful to see MaryAnn, Nancy, Dan, and all the kids. Emma had a blast with her cousins and already misses them a lot. It was also so fun for Emma and Abby to have BOTH sets of grandparents with her all week. Pam and Elizabeth were able to join us at the parks too and get us in for free since they work for Disney. Thanks Pam- that saved us about a grand- no kidding- it is SO EXPENSIVE there! We also loved the resort pool and spent a lot of time playing Ariel and starfish there. We did a princess dinner and met Cindarella, the evil stepsisters and stepmother. Abby did fantastic. She was a little fussy on the plane, but once I popped her in the ergo and walked around, she fell asleep. But it was a lot of work. Traveling with suitcases, pack and play, stroller, 2 car seats, and of course the children- we were quite the traveling circus. And then of course, packing the diaper bags everyday with baby food, powdered formula, diapers, and various other necessities for the girls. Emma's whine fest followed us to Florida and we have really set some new rules now that we are home (no, you can't have ice cream for dinner at home- only in Disney...) One night mom and dad watched Abby and we took Emma for a big girl date night to see Arabian Nights Horse Show. She loved it! She was our little lady all night and decided in addition to being a cooker girl at Papa's Factory, she will also be a horse trainer. Love it!

By the 5th day we hit the Magic Kingdom again and I snapped a little bit. It was so crowded and so hot and humid, the girls were crabby, every ride had at least a 30 mn wait and I could not walk 1 foot in front of me without someone hitting or bumping into me. We were just DONE. Yes, there was SO much we did not see but we left and spent the rest of the week at the pool and had way more fun and were all much more relaxed. I don't think I am really much of a theme park person, but it was so fun to see how much Emma and Abby enjoyed it. I know they say babies don't get much out of Disney, but Abby would get so excited, clap and giggle everytime we went on a ride or saw a show. It was cute to watch. I have so many pics I could post, but will try to limit to my favorites. Glad to be home......