It really is true - Christmas is for Kids - I love it, too. We are having so much fun getting presents for the little ones that we think they will love and their parents will only tolerate!
This past weekend we were at the Coronado Springs Resort and Disney Theme Parks all weekend long. We left reality and stepped into the fairy tale world of cartoon characters, fun, food and Elani's grins from ear to ear on Friday afternoon. We checked into our hotel and set out on the Disney Park Transportation (Bus) to MGM Studios. Our goal was to stay and see the Osborne Celebration of Lights that evening and maybe even see some "Florida Snow". We ate at a great restaurant and stuffed ourselves, then set out walking and looking to find Mickey Mouse. Instead we found characters from Playhouse Disney (a kid's learning show) and Elani was so excited. She stood in line (not very patiently, I might add), but we did wait our turn to give them hugs, high-5's and have her picture taken with them. We moved from one location to another until we were exhausted and she was still raring to go. As it was beginning to become dusk we headed to the streets of Disney's New York to see the "Dancing Light Show" It was magnificent and it even snowed. Elani was awestruck and silly all at the same time. She tried to catch the snow on her tongue until she finally got a mall little bubble of "snow" and found that it tasted just like soap bubbles! Yuck! She marveled at the colors and shapes and all the people. As we got closer to the end of the street her little legs could carry her no more and she was riding in the stroller to the Bus Stop to go to our room and rest for the evening.
The next day found us all sleeping in awhile, enjoying the quiet and peacefulness of the morning. After breakfast of Mickey Mouse waffles, eggs and juice we were walking out of the hotel when I was stopped by a gentleman from Ohio inquiring about my camera, and Elani took full advantage of this time of distraction to play in water fountain in the lobby. She was really wet, I guess it was her way of telling us she wanted to go to the Pool, so we got changed and played awhile in the 82 degree water for an hour or so. When we arrived at our room Elani took a nice long warm bath to get warmed up as we relaxed in the room for awhile. Later on in the day we took the Bus again to Downtown Disney where we ate at the Rainforest Cafe', took a Train Ride (Elani went all by herself on the Train, too), played in the LegoLand and did a little shopping too. We headed back to our room for an early night to try to get some rest for the up-coming Christmas Party and another day at the Wonderful World of Disney.
Sunday, we had Breakfast at Adventist Health System's annual Christmas Party at the Coronado Springs Resort where Mickey & Minnie Mouse made an appearance along with Santa Claus. After filling our tummies and chatting with co-workers we made our way to the Disney Park. Elani got to see Mickey Mouse, and three princesses for hugs and pictures. Her favorite right now is Cinderella and she saw the Castle she wanted to go in, too.
Can you tell I love to see this little girl smile? She was having the time of her life and taking it all in. We had a great weekend of fun with her, but by the time we arrived home later that evening, we all were tuckered right out. Elani slept the whole way home, so she was somewhat refreshed, but I could tell she was kickin' back. She ate a good supper and we took her home so she could tell her mamma and papa all about her weekend at Disney! Rudy and I settled back into reality of laundry, cleaning and preparing for work on Monday!
It's almost Christmas and this past weekend was a good way for us to get started with our celebrations. Next weekend we are on the road again, heading to be with my mom in Venice to celebrate Christmas and visit for the weekend. Before you know it, it will be Christmas
It is cooler here to, so it is feeling like Christmas - A lot cooler - like in the upper 30's this morning when I left for work and even with the sun shining I am sure it isn't about 45 out there. Makes it nice for a change, but I sure don't want this to last too long.....
That's it for now. - See ya on the road!
