Magical

I never really thought that Disney would turn out to be as magical as it turned out to be. I imagined we would have fun and that the kids would love it. But I totally discounted all the moments Disney creates to make itself so much more than just an amusement park. 

The wonderful thing about our trip was that I didn't have to plan one little thing. The visit was a sweet Christmas gift to us from Judy and Lee. And as it turned out, Judy's brother Steve and his wife Donna (who are Disney life-ers and know all the ins-and-outs) were going to be there right about when we planned to go (I sense that the timing of their trip was a little wink from the Lord). They offered to show us around for the day and we all jumped at the chance! Donna got all our fast passes and they made the reservations we needed. So very grateful for all the work they did on our behalf!

We left home around 6:30 in the A.M. to make the hour drive to Orlando and met Steve and Donna at their hotel on the Disney grounds.  We then took a bus together to Magic Kingdom. We walked through the gates a bit after 8 to start the day. It was cool outside, which was nice after all the really hot weather we had been having. 

Here we are walking down Main Street and taking it all in...

We walked through the castle after a quick photo-op...

Our children love a carousel so we started there.  Donna was thrilled all day to see our kids in awe...

As the carousel ended, Donna and I noticed that the wait to see Anna and Elsa was not very long. So we made a snap decision for Lieren and I to do that while the others went somewhere else. 

This was my favorite of the whole day.  By far.  My favorite.  We barely waited 20 minutes and Lieren was completely star-struck. It was so fun to think she really thought she was meeting Anna and Elsa. I mean, she really thinks these ladies are them.  It was fabulous to watch.  She would have stayed all day. 

Princess Anna was darling and such a story-teller...

The moment Lieren will never forget...

We then met the others and took a drive on the raceway.  Lines were not long at all this early in the day...

All day we took turns riding with different kids.

We then used fast passes for the Buzz Lightyear ride. Everyone loved this one and our boys asked several times during the day to go back...

We met Buzz...

To infinity and beyond! the boys said as we traveled upward...

Then we took a ride on the People Mover. Our kids also loved this simple ride...

We also went to watch a little Disney show that was made by Walt himself.  It was interesting and educational.

At this point everyone was ready for something to eat so we all went together to a place close by. We rented two double strollers for the day, which was super convenient since we could leave them when we didn't need them and pick up more when we did. There was lots of sibling togetherness through the day...

After a yummy lunch we headed to a different area of the park and rode on Dumbo.  This ride has a wonderfully creative waiting area where the kids can play instead of just wait in line.  So awesome and our four would have stayed in that indoor playground longer if we let them.  But Dumbo called...

We then split up so the big boys could ride a roller coaster.  Shane and Judy took them.  They said BarnStormer was great...

Meanwhile, Donna, Steve, Lee and I took Lieren and Blaise on a train ride.  It was so relaxing that Blaise decided to fall asleep.  He stayed asleep while I transferred him to the stroller, while we met up with the others, and while we had "the best ice cream ever!" (per Simeon).  He didn't seem to mind...

We had a fast pass for Mickey soon after so headed that way.  We stopped to watch a show at the castle for a bit...

Lieren just stared in wonder at all the princesses on stage...

This Backstage With Mickey was really sweet. Mickey won all our hearts immediately.  With all the excitement outside, it was fun to remember that it all started with a Mouse...

The buttons some of us are wearing indicate that this is our first visit.  I think all the characters are supposed to be nicer to you if you're wearing one!  You can see it better in this picture of us waiting for the parade after we saw Mickey...

We grabbed a parade spot, had some snacks, and let the kids do a little shopping in the stores.  They didn't all pick out their items right then, but by the end of the night, they each had a couple special things to take home from our visit. Silas chose a Star Wars game and a Lego Clone Trooper; Simeon selected a Lego BrickMaster book.  Lieren spread her shopping throughout the day and ended up with an Anna baby doll, Ariel doll and a sparkly bracelet.  Blaise couldn't pick something for the longest time but when he saw the Pluto dog, he was hooked.  Not surprised. That boy loves a snuggly puppy.

I know it's a lot of detail but one day I will enjoy remembering the little things like what the children picked out.  It reminds me what was important to them in this season.

After our little shopping, we then watched the parade...

After the parade was over, everyone felt a little droopy.  Our dinner reservations weren't for a while, but we headed on over that way for a break.  Steve and Donna had selected a restaurant on the Disney campground.  It turned out to be a great idea!

We took a boat across the lake, getting away from all the madness of Magic Kingdom.  That in itself was relaxing and fun...

Lieren and I walked on the beach at the campground while the boys played tetherball in the sand...

All the children played on the playground for a bit until dinnertime.  It was so good to have real food!  We all felt rejuvenated for the evening ahead so took the boat back to the park for the evening castle lights and fireworks show.  This, again, was delightful and magical...

After the show, we split up again.  Donna, Steve and I took Blaise and Lieren to the Small World ride...

I loved that one. It was as idyllic as you would imagine.

Then we went to see the Micky Philharmonic, a 3-D movie.  Blaise claims this was his favorite thing all day.  I don't doubt it.  It was really well done and we had such fun with it...

On the other side of the park, Shane, Judy, and Lee took Silas and Simeon to Space Mountain.  The boys were dying to do another roller coaster.  This one did not disappoint, they said.  The boys were really brave and said it was awesome...

We all met up again by the castle and decided it was time to call it a day.

It was about 10:30 when we got on the bus to head to the hotel and our cars.  Within minutes of the bus driving away, we had four sleeping children.

We left exhausted but so thankful for this gift of a day.

Some January 9 Thoughts

I will get to the Disney blog sometime soon. I am trying to compile pictures from 4 different people and not get swallowed up in it all. 

Anyway, we are having a low-key afternoon. We took the kids to the drive-in movie last night. It was such a good idea. 

They showed The Good Dinosaur first. It reminded me how tender Simeon and Lieren are to movies. Their tears are so sweet and they seem especially moved by close friendships.  Love to see their hearts revealed at times like that. 

And then they showed the new Star Wars. Lieren and Blaise fell asleep pretty quickly but the older boys saw it through to the end. We all loved it!  I personally have Many Thoughts just about the movie but will not spoil it for anyone here. 

This morning was a little slow-moving but I got Silas and Lieren up and out for karate and ballet, respectively. 

Lieren was thrilled to be back and carrying her new ballet bag she received from Aunt Tara for Christmas. 

Silas is growing a lot through this mixed martial arts/Christian karate program. On Saturdays they do a conditioning class. In December there were only about 5 who were coming. With the New Year resurgence, there were easily 17 there today. We'll see how many stick with it!

My other thoughts from this week include...

1.  Being grateful that while I may begin some days around here in boots, I am almost always back in these by afternoon. 

2. Days we go to the library are the best. And quiet. 

3. I guess a Lego Chima guy belongs in the pantry. That's where I found him. And he's still there. 

4. I love this picture of Silas and I at the beach. Judy took it. And in a season where no one usually takes my picture with the kids, it's a treasure. 

5. This boy is the puzzle genius of our family. 

6. And some days, you just need to buy flowers. 

Picnic

The twins were having a picnic at school today so we had one at home. And read some Children's Classics. 

I had to force myself to do something fun today. The aftermath of 3 weeks of visitors (which was totally worth it of course!), Christmas still not put away, new toys without a place, and the start of a new year and all the organization that I like to do for that, along with the basic laundry and cleaning is threatening to hold me captive. 

I am marking things off the list. Slowly. And praying for grace to find joy in it all. I am getting there. Some moments slowly. But more joyfully today than yesterday. So progress.

I am learning God is gracious in our progress. 

And I think He is pleased when, on some days, we take time for picnics. 

Grandparent Adventures

We have had Judy and Lee here this week. We celebrated Christmas the afternoon they arrived and have kept moving every day since!

We explored a fort and went to the beach...

Played at a favorite park...

Did crafts with the crafty ones...

Visited the children's museum...

...where we rang in the new year a few hours early...

...and enjoyed some time playing and walking along the river.

And then we had to have one more day at the beach today.  Our weather is about to cool off so we wanted to take advantage of our time in the sand...

And here's proof that I really do exist...

This week has been busy and fun but tomorrow is our biggest adventure together...Disney!!