The Rest of the Trip

It's so good to be home. We decided to drive all the way...leaving Orlando at 8:00 am, pulling in our driveway at 10:13 pm. Not bad. Dev slept the last 3 hours, thankfully. Actually, she was a very patient traveler & fairly flexible for a 4.5 year old.

I told her these glasses were very, "Jacki O." Then, I had to explain who she was and why we would want to be like her:) At least I finally found a pair she will keep on.

She finished this drink at Planet Hollywood. And, ate a big dinner. We walked a lot that day!

The actual dress worn by Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz. Devin asked if we could buy it!

We got to the Beauty and the Beast show 15 minutes early, as suggested by a friend. Our seats were perfect and the show was very cute. It was like B&B redux. The big 3 songs and all the favorite characters.

No one fights like Gaston!

We found Tigger out and about shopping for sunglasses.

Papa, Don and Dev just before we went to Hollywood Studios.

Ray spent some time teaching the Dev the basics of Crazy 8's.

Grandma got herself and Devin matching Splash Mountain shirts, since it was their favorite ride. Dev went on it a total of 3 times...we even made a special trip back just for that ride.

One of the best things about the trip, was Devin swimming. I guess something clicked.

The zero-entry pool helped Dev get a better sense of balance and control in the water. Within the 1st day, she was going under more and more. (and for longer)

By the end of the week, she was very close to swimming underwater. We were so proud and amazed. She worked hard all summer, with lots (and lots) of water up her nose. She never gave up, though!

Our Bippity Boppity Time

In typical Disney fashion, things were running like a well-oiled machine at the boutique this morning. We showed up almost 15 minutes early and were immediately welcomed inside.

Devin knew 100% exactly what she wanted for this experience. See her explaining....

They got to work.

With all her gorgeous hair, Devin chose the style that would hide all of it. A tight, swept back bun, with blond extensions and a tiara. (I swore I would not interfere with her choices)

Matt stopped by, on his way to play a PGA course at Disney. I'm not sure who was happier today...Matt or Devin!

She had the funniest look on her face, when they revealed the finished look.

We all got a kick out of her choosing Princess Tiana...that's Dev. She does things differently.

The too-big gloves and flip-flops were priceless. Actually, they were $50+....don't even ask about the total bill.

The Blue Drink

Weird post title for a day at Epcot. It got a little ugly for a minute.

I'll start with the morning.

The big ball. Everyone loved this ride:)

See those plaques as you walk in Epcot?

Papa and Grandma have their very own!

We couldn't wait to get to Test Track and there was no waiting first thing in the morning. I forgot how intense that ride is. Devin screamed and seemed enjoy the fast/rough parts...the reason she chose NOT to go on it again?

The heat lamp section...she thought it might, "melt her shoes."

So, we skipped the Fast Pass we had and moved on.

Imagination was one of her favorite rides and activities. Again, no line and she really loved Figment.

I thought they were setting up for a cooking demonstration, until they started using all the utensils as drums.

My personal favorite: The Land.

I had major sunflower envy.

The night before Epcot, we spent some time on-line looking at the various lands and decided to eat at the sit-down restaurant in Mexico. The atmosphere is dusk at the Mayan Ruins, with a small marketplace you walk through first. Devin was thrilled and the food smelled like it was going to be amazing.

As we were seated, Dev noticed a flashing blue drink which glowed in the super-dark restaurant. She insisted on getting a blue drink, but they didn't make "virgin" versions of the blue margarita. So, I ordered one. (She did get a kid's strawberry daquiri!) Turns out, the "blue drink" is a $17.00 ultra top-shelf margarita. Which tasted amazing. And, really really hit the spot after a morning of Nemo, Figment, etc...

The food was awesome. Like, really good. Our meal was over and I went to gather our things and be sure we had everything. Then in hits me, I can't find our Disney tickets. The 5-Day World Hopper $800+ ones. And, my Driver's License is gone. I look through my purse again. Nothing. Inner panic begins and I'm immediately nauseous. So, I leave Matt and Dev in line for the Mexico ride and go to the bathroom. After collecting myself, I carefully go through everything in my purse. Still nothing.

Now, we spend the next hour retracing steps and reporting the lost items to guest services. The tickets were not replaceable and we were on Day #2 of a 5 day ticket. As we're leaving, Matt insists on checking through my purse once more. I'm actively chastising him for not trusting me to go through MY OWN PURSE, when he pulls out the tickets and license. The relief (and shit-eating grin on Matt's face) were enough to produce a few tears from me...but Dev was just happy we found the tickets

Thus...I don't know if it was the tequila or the adrenaline, or both. But, either way I was ready to go back to the condo and swim:)

It Was Magic!

Our day at Magic Kingdom was amazing. The weather was perfect. I've been to Florida a lot...several spring break trips in high school, college tennis playoffs, honeymoon and many others. But, this time was super-special. We had our 4.5 year old in tow.

Lucky for us, Dev's Papa and Grandma are Disney experts & know all the tricks.

See. You park at Epcot and ride the Monorail to MK. Less traffic!

There it is!

We started on Cinderella's Carousel. No line, familiar, all good.

Onto Splash Mountain. This was the ride she was most looking forward to. But, as we approached, she saw the 50 ft. drop. And asked, "Are we going on that?" I told her if she wanted...she didn't have to.

She looked at me like I had 6 heads and said, "Grandma, I want to ride with you. In the front seat! So we get really soaked!"

And, they did!

As soon as we cleared the gift shop at the end, she asked if we could, "do it again!" (We did)

On the Monorail home I had to snap this picture. Then, I started thinking. Are they being paid to sky write religious messages? Is it a hobby or a calling?

Do they think if someone's on the fence about accepting Jesus in their life, the sky writing will seal the deal?

Anyway, I decided I wanted a pair of Minnie Ears for my souvenir. Devin chose the same pair and finally got her giant sucker. (the sucker was something she'd been looking forward to since...well since she saw one at the Freshmarket months ago)

Of course, the strap hurt her skin after about 3 minutes.

Our little trooper was wearing out by the afternoon, so we returned to the condo to swim & relax.

Next stop? Epcot!

Heading South

Our 1st stop? Nashville!

We hunted down this little spot, know for its' burgers and home cookin'.

See? Broccoli casserole!!

This trip meant Devin's 1st hotel stay. (That she can remember) She was SO excited to "see the room" and "GO SWIMMING!"

I forgot how important the almighty hotel swimming pool is to a kid.

And, the big giant bed perfect for jumping and rolling around.

Next stop, Atlanta! We chose this little pizza place around the corner from the hotel

We may be a little picky when it comes to our pizza. (Not Dev, of course...just us) We're obsessed with cooking the perfect pizza at home & this place was awesome!

These Garlic Knots were incredible. Pizza dough tied in a knot, sprinkled with fresh garlic, butter and salt & fresh marinara??

Dev took a hesitant bite....and then proceeded to devour the knots.

We all had breath that would scare a vampire that night.