Back at the gate, before we even boarded, the guessing game had resumed as to where we were headed. South Carolina? Nebraska? Illinois? No, no, and no. Minnesota? asks Conor, hopefully. I hope Minnesota, thats where Big Idea Studios is.
My kids are huge VeggieTales fans. Conor is also in love with the DVD remote, and enjoys flipping through the extra features such as the director commentary, just as much as he does the main story. He calls it doing my animating. He can tell you all about Big Idea, the company that makes VeggieTales, and seriously would like to visit it someday. Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun. Gotta love it.
But no, my darling boy, were not going to Minnesota.
With the munchkins still in the dark, were ready for takeoff. We have our tray tables in the upright and locked position. Everyone is securely buckled up. Sydneyralla has her bunny, as well as some little pvc figurines of Chommin, Ralla, and Mudder (that would be the Fairy Godmother). Conor has scored the window seat, and Piper is promised the window seat on the way home. Shes happy to be sitting by her daddy, anyway.
As the aircraft picks up speed down the runway, Piper is laughing, joyfully and loudly, in a way that can only be described as scream-laughing. Once we were in the air, thats what she actually called it. We were going so fast it was making me screeeeeeam laugh! Little did we know at the time, that scream laughing is not just for four-year-olds. Some overpacking, bikini-wearing DISing adults do it too!
Now, as Conor is plastered to the window watching the greater Manchester area disappear below us, the captain makes his announcement. The one that goes something like, Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome aboard Soutwest airlines. Our travel time to Orlando this morning will be
We didnt hear the ETA or the weather report, because Conor heard the word. Orlando.
Is it Disney? he asks, eyes wide open.
Its tough to describe the reaction of my two older children. At first, confusion. But Sydneys not five yet! The same Sydney who was contentedly playing with her Cinderella posse, unaware that in the row in front of us, the cat was out of the bag. The Vault already knew all, anyway.
Then pure, unadulterated joy. Were going to DISney! Were going to DISney! they chanted, their eyes sparkling with the anticipation.
Then the snacks came.
Nothing like a little cardboard box full of Oreos and goldfish crackers to make you forget youre heading to the Happiest Place on Earth.
Sydney amused herself by turning the empty snackbox on its end, and putting Chommin inside. Then she marched the little Ralla up to the flap, and Knock knock
whos it?
. smee, Ralla. I come in? then opening the flap like a door and putting Ralla inside the snackbox with Chommin. Hmmm. A little private time for the rulers of the magic? Not for long, because here comes Mudder. Knock knock
whos it?
smee, Mudder. I come in? Sorry to ruin your good times, Prince and Princess. Your chaperone has arrived.
Luckily for me, Sydney was still in diapers and did NOT require changing during our flight.
Since Doug was sitting with the big kids, it fell to him to introduce them to the joys of the airplane commode. They were impressed. Thats the TINIEST bathroom I ever saw! squealed Piper. Mummy you have to go SEE that TINY bathroom! Thanks, Im all set.
Conor kept smushing his face into the space between the seats to ask one of two questions. How long have we been on this plane? or How much longer till we get there? And once when I leaned forward to answer him (
again. and
why could he not ask his father this?) I see that SydneyRalla has her little pvc counterpart dancing up the arm of Dave, our nice soldier-man traveling buddy. All the way up to his shoulder, and then Ralla apparently thought that Mr. Daves arm would make a great slide, so dooooown she slid!
Quick apologies, but Dave was super sweet. He didnt mind being turned into a Disney princess playground. (Well ... what man
would mind? heh heh) So we got to chatting and he told us all about serving in Kuwait, and having to adjust to the climate, the long journey back, and how glad he was to be heading to Disney with his girlfriend. I have huge respect and gratitude for those that choose to serve in the military, and told him so. I don't think they can hear it enough. And Sydney really liked him; she is often pretty shy, so hes surely something special. In fact, before we began our descent into Orlando he offered to let her sit with him to look out the window. Let me tell you, girlfriend sitting in the back of the plane, you have yourself one fine young man there. Have fun at Disney, you two!
The landing elicited a bit more scream-laughing from Piper, but much more subdued than at takeoff. Pack up mini-Ralla and her crew in their snackbox, get everybody out, and --- oh. Snap. We have to wait for our gate-checked stroller. That sort of puts a cramp in our momentum. Thats ok, because once we have it, Piper and SydneyRalla are buckled in and now we can make up for lost time. Conor has to practically run to keep up, but were on our way. Next stop, Disney's Magical Express. We'll see.
Part 9: Hold the Express, We'll Just Take the Magic. Page 9, #168
Your report is so funny 
she turned 3 last Sunday, and she'll tell everyone all of my secrets now 
. I love how you report is going! Don't speed it up just to get to Disney, a trip report includes the wonderful struggles in getting there and going home too! I can't wait to read more (it helps my wait fly by). We will be there just before you this year, fall is such a wonderful time to go 
.
)
you are good!!!! 
I hope Chapter 7 comes quickly!
