(I should really just have an excuse for not updating ready to paste in for when I need it twice a month).
Good idea! Here, let me help. Just copy and paste the following.
"I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. I really don't have an excuse. I'm just lazy."
See? Aren't I helpful???
Must have taken a wrong turn because she narrowly escaped being mauled by a tiger
OMG!!! You must've been terrified!!
Oh... Wait.
Maybe I should ask if the tiger is okay?
Compared stature with a polar bear
That sign is accurate, I know (used to live with them).
I'll never forget the time I was riding shotgun with a busload of tourists.
Everyone was having a good time, yacking and snapping tons of photos.
All of a sudden, a big (and I mean
big) male rounded the corner.
The bus went dead quiet and everyone froze.
I'd be surprised if
anyone took a single picture of him.
And how did Maddie feel about the zoo?
She was so angry she felt like punching something or someone?
Maddie had wayyyy more fun that we thought she would at the museum and we ended up being there for almost 6 hours!
And just how tired were mom and dad after all that?
we also made tiny models of our heads using 3D printers.
Now don't lose your head, shan.
Checked out some WWII stuff and a captured German sub (no pics in there because my slight claustrophobia go the better of me. I was just concentrating on breathing)
That would be cool.
But I suppose breathing is important, too.
Up next. A very flattering portrait...
Walt with Mary Blair (right?)
Googled it and apparently, yes.
Models that the animators use for reference when drawing the cells. I'm sure a google search will turn up the name of them, but I'm lazy.
See? I told you, you could just cut and paste that comment.
Liked that... but couldn't quite read all of it.
Opening day at DLR
That's awesome. I don't know if kids today would show that amount of enthusiasm.
Walt with Mickey's cousin, Lazy eye Mike.
Love that one, too.
Loved these next 2. I totally intend to take credit for them
Sure. Why not?
Wow! Great pictures, Shan! They should be in a museum!!
She LOVES Teen Beach Movie (the young man who plays Tanner is her first official celebrity crush)
Uh, oh. Starting already, huh?
and of course there's a gift shop!
What? No! I'm shocked! Shocked!
After the museum we headed back to the 'burbs where we had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and Maddie discovered the wonders of cookie dough cheesecake,
mmmmmm..... Cheesecake Factory.....
I have found a few hours here and there to get some more work done on Maddie's quilt. I only have 17 squares to go! 
Only!
While they're all nice, I like the bow on Snow the best.
Our first stop was of course at Castle Couture for photos, which turned out something like this:
Very nice.
And then we were off!.....To the bathroom. This ended up being a serendipitous bathroom break though.
Not something you hear every day.
This was a character meet that was absolutely worth the wait.
Sure sounds like a great meet!
but did pause for some Beauty and the Beast themed PP pics. Cause you know we dont pass a photographer without stopping.
We know.
We know.
I've seen lots of those, usually with Tink, and I'm never overly impressed with the quality.
Either Tink (or whomever) is a little off, or the expression isn't quite right, or the eyes aren't quite on the prize.
She nailed it.
Perfect pic. Really looks like she's got Chip there.
Maddie must have remembered this queue area very well because they led us into the second room to meet the mermaid and Maddie told the CM this isnt the right way. We go that way to meet Ariel. Luckily there was a princess to distract her and we didnt have to try to explain that.
I never knew that. I would just assume that they'd remodeled since the last time.
Another side note-Maddie confronted me a few months before our trip and made me confirm her suspicions that the characters arent real. We did decide that while shes technically right its much more fun to go along with it while were at WDW, and she did an admirable job of sticking to that. Honestly the magic didn't seem to be gone for her at all. While we were there she was 100% meeting the real characters.
Aw. Sad to see that come to an end... but fun to watch her "grow up" too.
Mads has met so many characters by now that she's getting really used to the "love and shove". In fact she's been through it so many times that sometimes she initiates it herself. 
Many characters had to call her back for more fun on this trip.
By then it was 10:25 a.m. and Maddie was starving. You know what that means dear freinds-- it was time for the first Pre-Snack Carts Opening Mickey Pretzel Hunt of the trip!
Thanks for all the updates Shanomile!
The Anna dress was there!! That would've made me tear up for sure. 
I really wanted to do September again but with starting in the hospital recently, I can't take vacation time that soon! Plus my little sister wants to come and she's still in college so we had to do it over a break for her.
But I'm glad she didn't let that stop her from enjoying the magic at WDW!
