Disney!

We are back from our Disney/Florida vacation!

The trip did not start off auspiciously. We were supposed to be joined at Disney by Grandpa Tim and Nene, but an emergency appendectomy (on Nene's part) meant that it was just going to be the 3 Powells. Then Henry, who has not been sick since last June (funnily enough during our trip to Paris when Nana and Papa were watching him - the kid has impeccable timing) came down with a bad cold a day or so before we left. The plane ride to Florida was not fun - poor Henry sounded like he has a bad case of the plague, and you could see all the passengers around us leaning as far away as possible the entire flight. I don't blame them.

Henry was a trooper, though. We landed in Orlando and headed to our Disney Resort - Saratoga Springs - which was wonderful. Our room was right across the water from Downtown Disney, and Henry has a great time watching the hot air balloon ride:



And then taking the water taxi over:



At Downtown Disney on Saturday night we saw some dinosaurs:



Played at the massive Lego store:



Rode a train:



And carried around our newly purchased stuffed animal (Henry had his choice of any stuffed Disney character and chose Crush from "Finding Nemo". This is now his 3rd stuffed turtle. He has a turtle obsession):



Sunday morning we were up bright and early to have breakfast at Chef Mickey's, where Mickey Mouse and crew visit you during your meal. The restaurant was at the Contemporary Resort where the monorail runs through. Henry became OBSESSED with the monorail (are we surprised?) so was much more interested in watching them go by than meeting the characters. He also wasn't quite sure what to think of them....



The look of fear and horror on his face says it all.

He warmed up, though:



Then Mike and I got into the photo action:




After breakfast Henry finally got to take a trip on his beloved monorail:



And we arrived at the Magic Kingdom:



(do you think those 2 are related?)





Other than being slightly confused by the Jungle Cruise (I don't know if he understood that the animals weren't real), Henry loved all the rides. After a nap back at the hotel, we journeyed back for the Electric Parade that evening which was also a hit.

On Monday I was finally able to convince Henry to wear his Mickey Mouse ears for a while:




And we went on his FAVORITE ride, the Tomorrowland race cars:





(I don't know if he could see anything, but he steered the whole way!)

And went on his first "real" roller coaster:



We had lunch at the Crystal Palace, where we dined with the Pooh characters:





And before we headed out we enjoyed some ice cream:




All in all, a great Disney trip. It was very neat to take Henry there for his first time, and to see him on all the rides that I loved as a little girl. We will definitely be going back.

Tuesday and Wednesday we were in Boca with Grandpa Tim and Nene (recuperating well). Mike had to take a one day trip to Atlanta for work, but other than that we spent our time playing:



and relaxing:



And generally enjoying wearing shorts and seeing the sun.

Thanks to Grandpa Tim and Nene for hosting us at a tough time, and we are already looking forward to our next trip!