Ok, so I'm back in the TR saddle, I hope to be back to my regularly scheduled frequent updates.
Episode 24- the update in which Everett gets licensed to drive
Once we were in Tomorrowland, we headed right over to a DH all time favorite- Buzz Lightyear. I do enjoy the ride, but I suffer from cant-figure-out-which-dot-is-mine-itis, which I believe is a terminal condition. Needless to say DH kicks my butt
every single time. The wait time was short, so we were fighting the Evil Emperor Zurg in no time!
Everett also seems to really enjoy the ride, even though we are way too competitive to let him shoot or steer the vehicle (sorry kid, no fun for you!)
He likes watching the red numbers flash, and is pretty content with pointing at them and repeating incompressible gibberish, which Im pretty sure (if you had a toddler-ese translator) would sound something like Mom, why are you letting him win, if youd just let me play Id give him a solid beating .
Since I was sufficiently whooped, I decided that the next ride would be a little more my speed. Earlier in the trip when we were in Tomorrowland, Everett kept pointing out the TTA and yelling CAR!, so I thought he would enjoy taking a spin on the cars in the sky. We got right on and settled in for a relaxing tour of Tomorrowland.
DH and DS kicking back for a relaxing ride
DS enjoying the view
There is just something about the TTA that is quintessential Disney. It is one of those rides that really make you feel like you are on vacation, and that you have arrived in the Magic Kingdom. Maybe its because I rode it a lot as a kid, maybe its because of the views, but either way I hope that it never disappears.
After our relaxing ride, our stomachs were rumbling, and it was time for dinner. Since Dh is never one to turn down chicken strips, and since Everett ate there with no complains two days before, I decided not to reinvent the wheel and head right over to Cosmic Rays.
We pretty much had a carbon copy of our dinner the day before, but we mixed it up this time by getting a table by Sonny Eclipse. He entertained Everett, which made for a much more peaceful meal. While we were eating, I was looking out the window towards the speedway, and the wheels in my head started spinning.
I asked DH Do you think Everett might be tall enough for the speedway, I bet he d really like it
DH: What is the height requirement
Me: Im not really sure, but I think its pretty short, maybe 32 inches, do you think we should try
DH: Its not like they are going to kick us out for measuring him, lets give it a shot
So, after we had finished up, we walked across the street to the speedway, to see if Everett qualified for his first height restricted ride. Of course, Everett was not going to make this easy. I tried getting him to stand under the sign, but he was WAY more interested in squirming around and touching the height bar and generally being obstructionist. I ended up kinda mushing him up against the sign, and it looked like he just made it! Just to make sure I wasnt seeing things or being crazy, I asked the CM who was standing right near us if he looked like he made it. The CM barely glanced at Everett but said he was fine. I was a little shocked after hearing stories here on the DIS of CMs militantly enforcing the height requirement, to run into such a lassiez-faire attitude, but It did look like he made it, so we decided to risk it and get in line.
Ok, Everett, lets cooperate
Looks like he is good to go!
I hadnt ridden the speedway since a high school band trip in 1996, so I was actually kinda excited to ride. I dont think DH was over the top thrilled, as you can tell by his expression, but he was a good sport, and Everett was really digging all the CARS that went by while we were waiting.
waiting in line
When we got up to the front of the line I put Everett down and motioned to the CM loading the vehicles, saying you probably are going to want to measure him. She took one look at him, said he was fine and gave us our starting position. I found all this to be very strange. I didnt want anyone to think I was trying to break the rules and sneak my kid on under the height requirement, but I guess it was fine. Maybe its like reverse psychology, CM figure that you are not going to push them measuring your child if you think they are under the limit, so they assume you are fine?
here we go!
Well we got our car, and I was hoping that Everett could ride on DHs lap and steer, but the CM told us he had to sit on the seat next to us. No problem, DS still got to steer to his hearts content, and it guess it didnt really matter much that he couldnt see over the dashboard. If you ask DH its no worse than when I drive.
We got off the ride with one happy little boy and one big Disney milestone behind us!
It is never easy to lose someone you love, but it's all the more difficult when it is something so sudden that you have no time to prepare yourself for. Lots of prayers your way.
Healing is a long and difficult process but it seems you all have more support than many people which will help 
and yeah for now knowing that Meadow can drive in Sept.
