Isn't it cool when the days that are supposed to feel good, actually do? ~ Jim Carrey
So we went to Sea World and to the Magic Kingdom for Lila and AJ's birthday weekend...
First stop: Sea World. The beautiful Dolphin Nursery...
AJ the Q-Tip's love for the dolphins was fleeting. Our stop there was reminiscent of the Griswolds at the Grand Canyon: A lot of "Mmmm-kay, yep. Seen it. Can we go now?"
We walked about 492 miles (23 minutes) to get to some lunch at a place I'd read about. I'm not a huge fan of plan-o-rama vacations, mind you, but I'd researched a spot to get our healthy lunch on and was adamant we eat smart amidst my recent foray into the world of quick food. AJ said our lunch was "great for energy." Lila was convinced the fries were healthy. Ang and I were dumbfounded at the bill. But we were smiling... Ready for:
another rest stop along our path to Sharksville... Had to have a beer first:
...along with a hug and a flip and a quick change of clothes for the kiddos, as it had elevated from the 60's to the 80's within about an hour of our entrance.
Cute pic, albeit pensive... versus:
Every pic I get of me 'n the kids. (Read: At least one of us is always not in sync...)
Sea World Turtle is all about peace, man... At this moment in time, I took a few pics and was greeted by the Sea World photog (not visible here because he was practically ensnared in my right ankle) with huge attitude. He kept his silent, hateful vigilance by my side. Soooo not what Sea World turtle's about, man.
AJ was desperately trying to get the dolphins' attention here...
...because Lila and her plush version of flipper love had just spent a few minutes playing hide-and-seek with one particular dolphin. (Did I get it all on film? Of course not. I'm always enjoying the moment too much to think about the damn camera. I should just call all of my pics the "after shots" or, rather, the "secondary moments." There was seriously a dolphin playing hide-and-seek with Lila...
*sigh*)
Sooo posed, but cute...
This is one of the random shots where I think AJ and Lila actually look like twins. Few and far between, in my mind. We're back at the entrance, here. It's about 5pm and we're all ready for dinner and Disney.
My Bean...
This little one was over the moon about the bunk bed situation at the lodge... a source of never-ending paranoia and angst for me during our weekend there, but I digress...
At the lodge boat slip, ready to ship off to the Magic Kingdom...
Cindy: While I try to maneuver this big pouf of a pen, what magical things can I interest you in today?
Lila: Ummmmm....
Cindy: How about I send you a catalog for princess-y dresses, unbelievable up do's, and backdrops the likes of JC Penney?
Lila: Hmmnnn...
Cindy: Well, I think that worked out well.
Lila: Get over yourself, Cindy...
Lila: I'm four.
Belle: Do you have a hard drink on you, by any magical chance?
Belle: It says right here that I'm not supposed to wear this &$%@! getup for more than 2 years. I should be in Ireland at EPCOT serving Jager bombs.
Lila: You're frightening me.
Lila: This princess is nuts.
Belle: I hate my job.
Lila:
You're the princess I was waiting for all along.
Aurora: So are you... Don't get mad at Mommy for having the wrong camera setting, honey...
Lila: Pirates of the Caribbean just scared the bejeezus out of me, but I'm willing to dismiss it for this awesome Disney parade.
Ang: We're. So. Lucky.
AJ: Was that just Buzz? (!!!)
Ang: Yep, a bit asphyxiated, but still lucky...
I love the every now and again pics where AJ and I look so similar...
...and so happy!
My beautiful boat girl...
Here's shy, waterlogged AJ deciding whether or not to join the lodge pool's afternoon shenanigans...
...on line, still not convinced...
(I always see him as being so tiny ~ this pic is evidence of my thoughts...)
This one... she stole everyone's heart by walking right up to the target, throwing her fashizz out, and missing by a mile ~ but with absolute exuberance...
Not only did AJ get the attention of this cute admirer on the left, but he also dunked the target (random dad) at the right!
We loved every moment. Every tiny bit will be remembered as beautiful ~ including the horrible. AJ puked on Saturday afternoon, right before our gorgeous birthday dinner, where Lila had a violent nosebleed. Soon to follow was the "Lila puking all over Mommy, AJ, and Flopsy in bed ~ twice" incident.
*Post-3am puke/bath, pre-what do we do now*
We missed out on our best laid plans. We had hoped for a birthday cake bonanza. Instead, it turned out to be a day-after-birthday, cake-in-a-box for belly-ache-babies event.
Disney was beautiful. The hotel was beautiful. The pre-, during-, and post- puke fest was beautiful...
Best laid plans can suck it. Real life is amazing, because it is real. There are memories here. While I never want my loves to be sick ~ and it would be great if plans happened the way we plan them to be... ~ Life is good.
h a p p y t h u r s d a y !
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