Well, we had a blast.

We went to the Magic Kingdom three times, Epcot and the Animal Kingdom once each, and the men went to MGM for a day.

C was all about the characters.  Sometimes she can be shy, but she didn’t have a shy moment with the Disney characters.

Her excitement is visible on her face in almost every picture.  And there are many.  Characters, that is.  Well, pictures too.

But I’m here to tell you.  Characters ABOUND at Disney World.  In fact, I honestly think that if I don’t see another Disney character as long as I live, it will be too soon.

At first, the character sitings were exciting.  But after sitings upon sitings, and character meals upon character meals, it started to get a little old.  For me, anyway.

But not if you ask our little princess.  She LIVED for them.

I love the story behind this picture.  The line was forming behind Aurora.  We jumped in, and several jumped in behind us.  The “cast member” (Disney employee) told the people behind us that “after this little girl, Aurora was going to have to go take a nap.”  This little girl was C.  We were thrilled that we weren’t sent packing.

We waited patiently, and when it was our turn, even though we were the last ones to meet Aurora, she took her time with us, and she showed C how to hold her dress just like a princess as they posed for the picture.

Now, D could take ’em or leave ’em (the characters, that is.)  But he loved the rides. And not just those sissy little kiddie rides either.

He wanted the big ones. Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Test track…  Bring. It. On.

I was nervous about riding Test Track.  (I don’t do fast rides.)  But surprisingly enough, I had fun, and sharing it with D is a fond memory I’ll have forever.

Now, as for me, I liked the fireworks.  We saw fireworks at both Epcot and at the Magic Kingdom.

Epcot?  Eh.

But the Magic Kingdom, now those I could watch again and again. We saw those on our last night, and it provided a great finale to the vacation.  We hung out on Main Street while the crowds died down and then leisurely strolled out of the park, waving good-bye till next time.

My mom and I swore that we will make the Magic Kingdom fireworks part of our last night at Disney on every future trip.

I also loved the World Showcase at Epcot.  My only regret is that we didn’t spend more time there.  I was afraid the kids wouldn’t be interested, but they loved the masks that they could decorate and add to in every country.

We also just happened to be there during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.  I snacked my way right through the park.  Now, how bad can that be!?

Paul was all about the big-ticket rides like the Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain.  He rode most of them twice.

R got in on the action too.  She liked the shows.  She clapped and squealed in the Country Bear Jamboree and the Festival of the Lion King and was content to ride around in the stroller the rest of the time.  And she loved the parade.

The weather was nice for the most part, sunny and mild. We even got to swim in the pool one afternoon.

Our accommodations at Old Key West were spacious and convenient, and we got to spend a day with my uncle and his family, who were visiting at the same time.

The plane ride? You dared to ask?

With a one-year-old on my lap and a three-year-old by my side? And Paul situated safely across the isle with our complacent 7-year-old?

While R didn’t sleep a wink?  For the whole two-and-a-half-hour flight?

Yeah. Good times.

But we made it there and back safely. For that I am thankful.

And it was a great week.

The look on my C’s face when she saw Cinderella for the first time brought tears to my eyes.

And the excitement in D’s eyes when he got off Splash Mountain made all the lines worthwhile.

So that leaves only one question.  When can we go back?