Day Zero: We are packed. We have Huggies and Tylenol (infant and children). We have bandaids and sunhats. Fuffy (RJ's blanket) is washed and as clean as it ever gets. GiGi has swimsuits, sunglasses, and ruffled pants. Mommy is invincible. Super Mommy. She can do it all while holding a seven month old in one hand and a camera in the other. We are ready.
Day One: The alarm goes off at 3 a.m. I have been awake for an hour. We're going to Disney World!!!! Three suitcases? Check. Carry-on luggage? Check. Kid one? Check. Kid two? Kid two? Oh snap. She's in the living room in her car seat. At least we didn't get out of the garage. And we're off.
RJ: "Look! It's the castle!"
Me: "That's Baptist Hospital."
Today is RJ's fourth birthday. "I'm four today!" He tells everyone in the airport. At 6 a.m. We are the family people are trying to avoid. Little did they know that my children are seasoned travelers. Both slept the entire way. It was the last sleep they would have for seven days.
Day One: (It just keeps going and going): "Hey look!" "It's the castle!" "Hey look!" "It's the monorail!" "Hey look!" "There are birds in the restaurant!" (Yes. Really. Birds.). On day one one, the birds are charming. I think I saw one toting a little sewing kit in her beak--off to fix Cinderella's sash.
We are at Disney World!!!!!
Mickey's PhilHarmagic. It's 3D. RJ is not a fan. GiGi is less of a fan. Ten minutes and two screaming children later, we emerge. We should have known better. RJ was scared of It's a Small World--the only reasonable thought he had all day. Jerky little arms and legs. Lifeless (but well lit) eyes watching from every angle.
A ride on the carousel makes things better, as does Pooh's magical forest. In actuality, it was the lollipops after the ride, but who's keeping track? (they have a nifty little card trick that makes sure you don't keep track--it all just charges the room! Whoopeeee! We're at Disney World!!!!).
The room should be charged with something. It is a cell. But I digress. Day One: "It's cute. It will be like we're New Yorkers." Ask me how cute it is on Day Six.
Day One: (I told you, it just keeps going): RJ's birthday dinner. Tony's Italian Restaurant. The waiter has the patience of a saint. My child is falling asleep in his spaghetti. We try to put him in the stroller--"No! I hungry"! he yells, shoving a fist full of pasta in his mouth and falling immediately back asleep, face plant in pasta. Mother of the year. Right here.
He wakes up as we leave: "You said I could get a toy for my birthday!" He picks out a remote control car. He doesn't look at anything else. "This is it," he tells me. He is immeasurably happy. I am immeasurably happy.
Day One: The Photos:
It's 4 a.m. There are fluorescent lights.
GiGi knows. We're crazy. We won't discover this until Day Six.
It begins. The double stroller. God's sense of humor for parents. It is indispensable. But the kids can see each other. And touch each other. GiGi wants a lollipop. RJ has one lodged in his mouth the entire trip; some people smoke. RJ lollipops.
It's a monorail! (Or a bird with Cinderella's sash in its mouth.).
The parade is blowing his mind. We managed to walk through the gates at the precise moment the parade started. Magical timing.
This smile makes it worth it. True wonder. Happy fourth birthday little man.
The first of many desserts.
And...big stuff riding the monorail all by himself. He's four now. He does lots of things all by himself.
To be continued...
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