Disney revisited....The Magic Kingdom~

So life has been nuts since we came home from Disney and I'm so glad to say that we are enjoying the first day of laying low! Yep, it's my plan to coast right into this beautiful holy day and enjoy my hubs, my kids, and the God who is the giver of all good things. The presents are wrapped {save one} and school is out and we have lots of fun but not stressful things planned over the next week. I'm just planning to soak it all up and take it all in. We have three children in our home this year! What could be better!?! And get this...we met Joel THREE MONTHS AGO TODAY!!! Can you believe that? Us either! Our son has become just that. Our son. Jase was just saying how different he is now...in just three months. He's a totally different kid. So comfortable. So settled and happy. We are beyond blessed.

Since we visited all four parks on our speedy quick trip to Disney, I'm thinking to take a post for each one. So I apologize in advance for the sheer number of photos but come on people! It's Disney World for Heaven's sake! What's a mama to do? And I'm sure I'll have a few more to add once our photopass disc is here. But for now, here are the ones my mom and I took.

Our first park visit was to The Magic Kingdom...I mean, how could it not be? It was a great morning. We missed Jase though...his kidney stone reared its ugly head and he had to stay at the hotel for a bit. He did catch up to us after an hour or so though. We got there 10 minutes before it opened and saw Mickey and Minnie up at the Train Depot during a mini-preopening show. The characters were dressed in their finest Dickens wear. Joel was in awe. He saw Mickey and just stared! So sweet! And as soon as the park opened and we went inside, low and behold, there was Pluto! The whole day was wonderful. Crowds were okay, not as low as times we've visited this week in December before, but still manageable. We only waited a max of 20 minutes or so for most all rides.

After these Main Street pictures, we headed straight away to Space Mountain. My dad rode the Tomorrow Land Transit Authority with Joel while we hit Space Mountain twice...back to back with no waiting! Syd was hysterical! She rode it last year and was a little nervous to ride it again. But she screamed, "this is awesome!" and we knew she was hooked! So fun! I think I peed on my dad when I was little riding this same coaster, or maybe just threatened to and he threw me off! lol! Way back when, you rode two people to a seat. For years now though, it's single riders. But I rode right behind Syd with my hands on her shoulders and she was fine.

After Space Mountain, we hit the Tomorrowland Speedway so that our kids could drive some cars and we could laugh till we cried! The girls have been on these countless times before...always riding for the first time with my mom though. So Joel was no different! He HAD to ride with my mom. He loved it! And while we were in line, he must of realized he was in fact smack dab inside the Happiest Place On Earth...because 'ol boy decided to start handing out some really big smooches!

After the cars, we headed over to Mickey's house for a little visit with the big guy! Joel was slow to warm up to him but soon gave him a high five! And before we left, he kissed Minnie right on the nose! Then, it was full speed ahead to Goofy's Barnstormer...Joel's 1st coaster! He LOVED it! We managed to get the three front seats...you know...for the photo op! Joel pitched a complete fit when we got off of it! Jase had to hold him...it was funny and sweet though. His face says it all!

We had a fun, busy day and saw lots of fun stuff! We did head back to the hotel for a rest though. We had tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party from 7pm-midnight. So, a nap was in order! Around 6:30, we hopped back on that Disney bus with the Magic Kingdom in our sights! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was snowing on Main Street when we came in! Syd's face was precious! There was free hot chocolate and sugar cookies at restaurants all through the park, the parade was all Christmasy {Joel, Syd and I skipped it but mom and Kennedy took it in}, everything was just magical! And the crowd was much lower! We managed to do several attractions with Joel since the wait times were less...The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic {twice!} and maybe a few others that are escaping me now. He loved them all! And mom took Joel to meet characters while us big kids rode Big Thunder Mountain...twice! So much fun!

We stayed the full five hours! We walked out of the Magic Kingdom at exactly midnight! Even Joel! He was great! Couldn't believe it...What a magical day!