I had been to Disney World before. I actually worked there for a summer back in 1999. That summer I was there almost every day. During my time as a Disney cast member, I met families from all over the world. I witnessed the joy they experienced when Mickey Mouse shook their hand. I saw their girls' faces light up when they saw Cinderella's castle for the first time. I heard stories of how they saved for years to make this trip. Over and over we were taught to "preserve the magic." Walt Disney had a vision and he wanted each person to experience the "Magic of Disney." It seemed like Disney was always going above and beyond to make sure everyone had a magical time. As a 19 year old kid I never totally understood why this was so important. Yes, it was fun to see the kids get so excited, but it never quite made sense, until this summer. I can't tell you who was more excited to go to Disney World with our girls ... Me, Brian, or my cousin Christina. That's her in the first picture. My beautiful, sweet little cousin who got us into Disney for FREE! Let's just say she has a very important role as a very special character at Disney, and she is able to get her friends and family in for free. To be honest, we probably would not have gone if it weren't for her. Will Hadley and Brooke remember this trip? Probably not. Will they see the pictures and hear their Mom and Dad tell them stories? Absolutely! We have so many wonderful memories from this experience and it's all clear to me now. The vision that Walt Disney had so many years ago, the idea of keeping the outside world out, the details of each and every character truly are the "Magic of Disney." I witnessed MY girls' faces light up when they saw Cinderella's castle for the first time. I felt MY girls' pure awe when they met Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty. I heard MY girls' squeals when Mickey Mouse shook their hand. I now know what those families I met so many summers ago were feeling. I now understand why their smiles were so big. I now understand why some had tears in their eyes. I now understand why "preserving the magic" was such an important idea. Disney truly is a magical place and OUR day was
absolutely just that--Magical. Here are a few pictures of our time at Disney. (p.s.
Kami stayed at my Uncle Don and Aunt Jeanie's with Nana and Papa. It was pretty warm and we didn't think she would totally appreciate Disney at just 9 months.)
I will admit that I became teary eyed myself when I saw Cinderella's castle. I don't know if you remember a blog I wrote last summer. Hadley and I were in Florida for Christina's wedding. Brian and Brooke stayed home because Brooke wasn't able to travel yet. Brian had told me that I wasn't allowed to take Hadley to Disney because he wanted to be there the first time she saw Cinderella's castle. I remember wondering when we would be able to go to Disney World as a family. To be able to be there with Brooke (unplugged and running around) was an incredible feeling.
Brooke was in awe of Belle. She wouldn't take her eyes off of her!
"I just met my favorite princess in the whole wide world!" Hadley proclaims. She even made sure to tell Cinderella that Sleeping Beauty was her favorite. Oops :)
Minnie Mouse's House
Hadley, Christina and Brooke waiting to ride the Buzz Lightyear ride.
Buzz
Lightyear ride
We were in the right spot at the right time for the afternoon "Celebration" parade. It was really neat. They played all kinds of fun songs and the kids were able to go out in the street and dance with the characters.
Hadley finding out she gets to go to the
Bippidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Getting sprinkled with fairy dust.
I love this picture! She is seeing herself for the first time.
While Hadley was being made over, Brooke had a make over of her own!
Snow White ride
Winnie the Pooh ride
Waiting for the night time parade -- Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.
If you remember, Hadley got sick and we didn't make it to the parade. Here are our sleeping beauties on the way back to the condo.
Disney -- Take Two
Saturday night, we headed back to Disney for the parade.
Waiting patiently with their light up Tinkerbell and Minnie Mouse
This parade is beautiful. Every float lights up as do the character's costumes. They turn off all the other lights and all you see is the floats.
This was taken at the ER in Orlando on Thursday morning. This was pretty early in the day and we really didn't know what was going on yet.
Right after surgery... this one breaks my heart.
Giving me a thumbs up
Friday morning, starting to feel a little better.
Posing with all the presents she got while in the hospital. Stuffed bears from Daddy, Brooke and Kami, Princess dolls from Nana and Papa Blade and flowers from Uncle Brad, Aunt Devin and Ellie.
Brooke taking a nap on Friday afternoon.
Reluctantly showing her "decision" (incision).
Brooke and Hadley showing that they are "scar buddies" now. Brooke is showing her scar from her muscle biopsy. Do you notice that Brooke's shirt and pants really don't match? She fell in the toilet while trying to go potty and the shirt she was wearing was soaked with toilet water. Luckily we had a spare.
The hospital was very kid friendly. We took a walk on Saturday morning before they discharged us.
Our little miracle girl
