So, since I have misplaced my notes and am now writing based on memory and pictures, I forgot a few things at the conclusion of the last episode.
Namely . . . We did not immediately go back to the resort after our meal. Instead, we went to the Living Seas b/c NeatKid wanted a Nemo hat. And we knew they had them there. And Grammy wanted to buy the Shrimp something. Just because. And then we had a family pic taken in front of the golf ball.
And THEN we went back to the resort! We all needed our rest, because the NEXT day was NoFear's birthday. The big 4. Not to be confused with the big 4-0, which some of us are dreading. (Not that there's anything wrong with the big 4-0, other than it being higher than 3-9, or, better yet, 2-9. Hey, at least it is one step closer to AARP status, right? Yeah, I don't think it's much of a consolation either.)
ANYWHO, NoFear's Birthday. Proud Mama that I am, I couldn't think of ANY better way to celebrate a child's birthday than taking them to Disney World. I mean really, is that not a GREAT memory to carry into the future? So, I arranged our vacation for her birthday week, instead of the week before that would have been a bit less crowded. She's worth it.
I also planned some special stuff for her birthday. TWO character meals. A special t-shirt. A birthday cake. Her Grammy and cousin there to help celebrate. Oh, yeah . . .
And she knew it. She's not shy (at all) and loves to be the center of attention.
So, we arose, she got to put on her special birthday shirt, and we headed off for our PRE-PARK OPENING ADR at Crystal Palace. Since it is a proven fact that one the BEST park to spend your birthday in is the Magic Kingdom. At least if you're four.
(The t-shirt design was, by the way, courtesy of juliaandnick'smom - one of our talented DIS'ers!)
We arrived at the parking lot in plenty of time, and without any fanfare. We didn't even tour the Contemporary parking lot this time! AND, we were there EARLY. Because we had an 8:05 ADR. (Some of you are shaking your heads and wondering what I was thinking.)
Now, some people have children that sleep. A lot. Or even a little. I am not one of those people. I used to have a child that slept a lot. But then her little brother came along and those days are long, distant, but fond memories. Well, that's almost unfair. The Shrimp will sleep. soundly. as long as someone is holding him. Which, btw, somewhat prevents the person holding him from sleeping very comfortably.
Add to this my childrens' belief that "wake up time" is somewhere between 5:15 and 5:30. And, at the same time, please curse daylight savings time for me.
Upshot of all of that - we do not normally have ANY problems getting someplace early in the morning. Not at all. Just don't try to keep any of us up after 9:30. It can get ugly.
So. We were at the TTC by 7:25. We took the monorail. I asked to ride up front. But the people who got on at the Contemporary decided to ride up front all the way around. Maybe next time.
It was really a very pleasant ride over, and we were all happy, excited, in good moods, and ready to eat. I think B was happy because we had PLANS to eat this morning.
And we were rewarded with THIS! I love an empty Main Street!
EXCEPT. Horrors. Curses. WHAT was with the CRANE at the Castle? No perfect, empty Main Street Castle pixies for me, I guess. Maybe next time.
On to Crystal Palace. Which was yummy, and fun. NoFear loved seeing all the characters. The Shrimp loved seeing all the characters stay at least across the table from him so that he could wave.
I didn't love seeing the time tick tick tick by, knowing that my jump on beating the crowds was thinning. We needed to get to Dumbo. Stat.
But B decided he wanted pixies of the kids in front of the Castle. The same pixie's I tried to get him to take while I was checking into CP. Great idea.
But the kids were being SOOOO good. And NoFear was sharing so well with her brother, that a CM noticed her being sweet. And her birthday shirt. And it was the 3rd day of the Year of a Million Dreams, you know.
Don't get too excited. They weren't giving away nights in the Castle yet.
But this lovely CM Barbie decided that NoFear needed a PERSONALIZED Birthday button, since she only got the generic one at CP. AND, because NoFear was being so very nice to her brother, she also needed and extra-special pin. I happened to know what this pin was, and how special it was because one of my friends (Hi JavaMom!!!) had received one earlier in the week, and she had told me about it the day before.
I KNEW.
I was excited for NoFear, even if she didn't really grasp that she had been Wished!
Thanks Barbie - we looked long and hard for the rest of the week to find someone to bestow that pin on!
And from that point on, while I felt like we didn't get the start I wanted, and ended up waiting in lines and not making Toon Town opening and such, all I had to do was look at that pin on my little girl's shirt, and it JUST didn't matter anymore. It was her birthday. We were at the Magic Kingdom. It was ALL GOOD.
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The Inner Commando was at war with the Vactioner (Page 21, Post 313)