How do you measure the success of a family vacation to Disney World? If it is by thinking that you'll come back from "vacation" feeling rested... well, that fairy-tale may never come true! (Seven days reminded Darin and I that "being a kid at heart" is not the same as being a kid in body. And one of my fondest memories is the day we returned to our resort for a nap midday!) But in terms of time spent together making memories, our vacation couldn't have been better. Animal Kingdom held some of our favorites. Darin and the kids rode Kali River Rapids repeatedly. Each time Caleb and Meghan returned with shrieks of "We got SOAKED!" and mile-wide smiles. Darin and I took turns riding Expedition Everest (the coolest roller coaster ever!) because Thing 1 was a little short on courage (it is a pretty big coaster) and Thing 2 a little short on inches (she begged us to stuff napkins in her shoes).
Caleb and I outside of Cinderella's Castle, just before he endured "Breakfast with the Princesses" for Meghan's 5 year old birthday.
Always a princess at heart, Meghan basked in the attention of being
a "real" princess on her birthday. (She would also share a special Disney World birthday perk: 3 cupcakes in 1 day!) Here is the birthday girl posing with her favorite princess, Belle.
Both kids loved collecting autographs in their books!
There were characters around every corner.
Ice cream? Yes. EVERY day.
Meg preferred anything in the shape of Mickey Mouse (from her breakfast waffles to ice cream sandwiches), while Caleb went straight for colorful popsicles called "Itzakadoozies."
Disney World has been redeemed in this boy's eyes!
More than mere princesses and pixie dust, Downtown Disney is home to a LEGO store!
They have several amazing models on display outside the store, such as this T Rex.
Caleb and I on the Big Thunder Mountain coaster.
Darin says Caleb gets his goofy side from me. I have no idea what he is talking about.
Just one of many landscape-sculptures (from Fantasia). The grounds at Disney are stunning!
