80/365 Downtown Disney

So today started out with the best intentions!

My best friends youngest, H. will be celebrating a birthday soon. Her 4th birthday. And in their family - a 4th birthday means a trip to Disney World!!!!!!

Now, sweet little H has been to Disney once before - when her big sister MA turned 4. But she doesn't really remember it. After all - she did nap through a couple hours of it!

But this time she was older and ready to go.

But the weather wasn't. Neither was the stomach bug she was battling.

So at the last moment, the plans for Magic Kingdom were scrapped and we moved the party over to Downtown Disney. Less crowds, still some Disney magic. Nothing to worry about when the rain comes.

Fortunately enough, there were some rides and we got to ride on them. H did so good and she really had a great time!

Later on the sisters were in a perfect mood to pose for some pictures!

Check out MA - she just lost her first tooth!!!!!!!!!

She really is growing up!

And H is a doll - plain and simple.

These two are really just so great. They love each other so much!

Grandma got in on that sweet picture time!

Then dad was sneaky and got in there for the photo

We explored the Rain Forest Cafe - which memorized them on the inside with an aquarium and on the outside with animatronic alligators and a live parrot show.

That aquarium captivated them! They loved pointing out the fish from Finding Nemo

Aunt Laura is so patient with them.

That alligator - man, oh man. They could have (and would have if it hadn't started raining) admired that thing all day long.

But the rains, oh they came.

It rained, and rained and rained and rained.

But don't let that face fool you - she had a great time!

They both did!

And how could they not with Aunt Laura there making everything so much fun!

So despite the rain and tummy troubles, a great day was had by all. Much cheaper than a ticket to Magic Kingdom and really just as much fun!

45/365 Valentine's Day at Disney World

For Valentine's day, we took a break from housework, cleaning, lesson plans, grading and life in general and spent the afternoon at Disney's Magic Kingdom. It was cold and crowded, but a lot of fun.

There weren't very many "must-do's" for this visit, but the one I did have was to visit the Hall of Presidents and see the newly added Barack Obama Animatronic. I love this exhibit for many reasons. First, I love history - even the Disney version :). Second, it's a great place to sit and rest at Disney. It's warm in the winter and cool in the summer and it's 20 minutes of not being in a line or on your feet :)

I love the redo. The music is great, love Morgan Freeman as the narrator and I think they did a great job on the presidents.

Here's Honest Abe - his speech always brings tears to my eyes.

Introducing - the Presidents

President Obama's speech

You can see a cool video (that I didn't do) on the changes here.

We also went through the Pirates of the Caribbean ride - I think for the first time since they re-did it a while back with the addition of Captain Jack Sparrow. I liked this light fixture inside

Of course we had to get Mickey bars!

And get our picture taken in front of the castle

Later on we enjoyed the fireworks from Tomorrow Land. What an amazing view!!!!!!!

Check out how bright the finale is - it actually lights up the trees in front of me!

362/365 Home again, home again

We're back home and our kitties are thrilled! Colors can't get enough of being near us. While we walked around today she stalked us from her perch.

Owen was so happy to get to be "outside" again. He's not really outside, but he gets to go out on our enclosed patio. It's the best of both worlds - he gets to enjoy the fresh air and the smells and he stays safe. He was so happy to discover that "outside" was safe and sound.

It was good to see that my garden survived us being away. We have the BEST cat sitter (Monica, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Not only does she baby our kitties like they are her own babies, she also took care of the garden. The poinsettia is looking great! This is the one we got last year.

And our tree - it's nice to see our tree again. (Even if this is the view I have before I put my contacts in)

After some running errands and taking it easy, we decided to enjoy the VERY cold (by our standards) weather and head over to Disney World. I really wanted to see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios. It's so lovely, especially on a cold night with the fake snow.

In motion

Up close angel

Dancing

One of our favorite things to do there is to try and find the Hidden Mickeys. Some are easy, like these two.

Others are MUCH smaller - the size of three light bulbs. There were 32 this year we found 27 before we were too cold to keep looking.

How cool is this? (BTW, the center soldier is a hidden Mickey - look at his head)

Some pictures of us amid the lights

After getting our fill of lights, we headed over to the Magic Kingdom for the parade and fireworks. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cold on the tram.

Fireworks over the castle

I love Cinderella's Castle at Christmas.