I just want to put this out there right now.
This was one of the loveliest afternoons Ive ever spent in Epcot. It was spontaneous and relaxing and even though it had been a loose part of our initial vacation plans, it was so very pirate.
Missing Mom so much on the Great Movie Ride made me extremely mindful of who I was with. I was so glad to share this time with Nana. I was so glad to share this afternoon with Squirt. As the second born, hes behind on Disney trips.
Nemos gotten quite a bit of fun time with Nana and my mother in the World, and although Im certainly sad he wont get his Mimi there physically, I knew she was with us. And what a treasure, how lucky, how blessed are we that he could spend that afternoon with his great grandmother, just having fun.
We stopped briefly at the shop near the International Gateway so Nana could get her
ECV, and while we were feeling all leisurely, I snapped this.
Although Id had the grandest of plans to continue our traditional toast in France, neither one of us was really in the mood for more champagne at this point. And Id already told Nana on the boat ride over that I just couldnt linger in France, and I didnt want to shop there. I wasnt sure how Id feel about it before the trip, but when we were there, so obviously without Mom
I just wasnt ready.
I had the most lovely plans to make that champagne toast to my mother, and it never happened. I dont regret that about this trip, persay, I just
wish I could have been strong enough to honor her out loud. I never quite made it there.
So we strolled.
Or rather, I strolled an empty stroller and Nana rode in her ECV. See, at a certain point after waking up and having spent so much time in the stroller, Squirt decided hed had enough. Thank goodness we (yourselves and me included) all talked about my bringing the baby carrier just in case! Id pop it in the bottom of the stroller in the morning, and today, I was really glad I had it. I put my park bag in the bottom, took out the carrier, got Squirt all strapped in and we were ready to walk.
We made our way around the World Showcase, ducking in wherever we liked, but we had a specific destination in mind.
Now I know I have a dairy allergy. But sometimes, if Ive been really good, I can have a little bit without it killing me. And Tink told me about the new caramel shop in Germany, and I thought, why not? So Nana and I each got a little snack there, and proceeded to sit down with them and enjoy.
We picked a bench overlooking the lagoon, and it was one of those moments.
Unscripted. Unplanned.
Amazing.
There was Nana, Squirt, and me enjoying our treats. I got a chocolate caramel filled cookie, and I shared it with Squirt
I figured why not! Nana
I think she got a caramel pecan square. We traded bites, and we sat, and
well, we just sat. And people watched.
And you know what? It just occurred to me right now that this is up there with my favorite Nana moment I discussed in my pre trip report. For those of you who didnt read it, it was a particular trip when I was in high school, and it was a pretty big family group that was there. Everyone felt like doing stuff and I really just wanted to sit. So Nana and I went to the top of the train station in the Magic Kingdom with a bucket of popcorn and we just sat. We sat for hours. We watched all the people go by, and saved our family seats for the night time parade.
This moment of sitting, with our caramel treats from Germany was just like that. We sat, and watched the lagoon and watched people go by and observed an Epcot afternoon. When a couple near us was trying to take pictures of each other I offered to do one of them together. It was nice. It was a moment. It was
part of what makes us tick.
This down time. This unscriptedness. As commando as this trip got at times, this is one of my favorite moments to look back on.
Squirt was a sweet little mess of chocolate. It reminded me of the first time that Nemo had a Mickey ice cream bar. Messy enough to make you a little nervous, but cute enough that you dont want to fix it right away.
After we got him cleaned up, we continued our leisurely journey around the World, heading toward the front of the park. I stopped in the art gallery to see if my CM friend was working, and discovered hed been in the next day. (Ill talk more about him later, I promise.)
Nana and I decided that since Squirt was in a relatively good mood, wed take him on Spaceship Earth. On this ride, there was also a different entrance for ECV riders, so we utilized that.
I do have to say
one of the nicest things about this experience
at Spaceship Earth, the cast members could tell that Nana needed a little more time to disembark our time travel vehicle, and when we got off the ride, they slowed down the moving platform for her. Didnt say anything, or make a fuss, just did it.
It was one of the kindest silent gestures Ive ever seen. Nana is very big on being able to do things, but shes fully aware of her limits. And the things is, shed never really ask you for help, but shes at a point now where if you are gracious about it, then she will graciously accept it.
Back to the ride.
Squirt.
Oh my goodness. When I took Nemo on rides as a baby, he sat in my lap and was all wide eyes and interest.
Squirt was the same, but he didnt sit. He would stand. Or move. Or squirm, but all because he wanted to see. And maybe clap his hands. And what are those people doing over there? Is that the smell of Rome burning?
Anyway, going on this ride with him was almost like a work out, as it was on most rides when he was fully awake. Crazy little nut.
Wed touched base with MJS and Nemo and even though they were in Epcot at this point too, we opted not to meet up. They had some rides they wanted to go on and Nana and I were kind of done. We headed back to the resort, taking a cab instead of doing the hike to the bus stop, at Nanas request. She didnt think she could do it at that point in the day, and I was kind of grateful, truthfully. It was nice to just be driven back, lickety split.
When we got back to the resort, we dropped things at the room, and then Squirt and I headed to the food court (he was sleeping in the stroller by the time I got there, and yes, he slept through all that activity and lovely pirate music) to procure food for myself and Nana.
And you know what?
Even though I was balancing a stroller, food, and various whatnot, I still waited in line at the bar for my Pina CoLava.
Oh, yeah, baby.
Because thats how I do vacation.
Pirate.
Nana and I enjoyed a leisurely meal in her room, at which point Squirt woke up and crawled around a bit before we called it a night.
I have to say, I really enjoyed this day. It had some high and low emotional points, but all in all, it was
awesome.
Now what to do about Toy Story Mania?
Next Chapter
Nemo started first grade, and we're all getting into our new routines. I'm hoping to get a new chapter up soon. 
So you actually did me a favor!
I have a feeling it will be those unanticipated moments like The Wizard of Oz scene for you when I lose it most completely. 
