Give Kids the World

Saturday, May 8 (DAY 5 GKTW)...

Can you guess what's on the docket for this morning?

 It's horseback riding time again! This little cowboy loves his new hat (and I'm digging the underoos!)

He eagerly jumped back on for a lap around the ring.

 And Julia has decided to finally give it a try.  She was tentative at first, but soon warned up to it.  She was so proud of herself by the end :)

We decided to spend the day just enjoying the village.  Our visit here is once in a lifetime and we want to enjoy everything it offers.  We started the morning at the Amberville Train Station.  The kids can't get enough of the rides...

I love that face!

When we went inside we found the most amazing train display I have ever seen! It includes a carnival, farm, boats, trolley, gondola, and many trains.  The kids can push the different buttons to activate the many parts... 

The display is fully lit and includes sound.  Every 12 min there is a summer storm and every 22 min, night falls.  The sun sets and all the lights come on...

In the front room are the remote control boats.  We spent hours doing this.  Carter got the volunteer angels involved, too so we could man every boat on the water.  They were a father/daughter pair from Ohio down here on vacation and were so sweet to the kids.

Julia turned out to be an awesome boat captain.  She could dock her boat into the pier in reverse!

After the boats, we headed outside to ride the train.  The volunteer dad was so sweet to let each of the kids actually drive it themselves! They couldn't believe their fortune.

Shhh, don't wake the sleeping triceratops...

Then it was time for a family game of Dino Putt.  They have a 7-hole miniature golf course at the village. 

Each hole has a different dinosaur.  When you sink your putt there are lights, music, smoke, and animation that go off.

By now we were ready for some lunch. For those in the village during the day and those that miss the dinner hour, there is a new place to eat.  Katie's Kitchen opened recently and is being run by Boston Market.  It makes a great anytime option for families.  Just step up to their window and your family style meal will be handed over in minutes.  You can eat at the tables, take it poolside, or take it back to your villa for your convenience.

After lunch we were ready for some refreshing fun at the pool.  We had almost the entire place to ourselves and enjoyed some fun family games and laughs.  It was by far the most relaxed we've all been in longer than I can remember anymore. 

Do you see the wave on the wall behind Carter.  If you stand in just the right locations, it becomes this...

Such a cool shot.  Hang ten JuJu! I'm digging the water wings :)

It's so nice to see Daddy have the chance to kick back, relax, and catch a wave...

After five days I think Carter is finally ready to sit down for a moment and just chill. It takes a lot to relax our "little activities director"...

Julia and Mickey were ready for some serious napping.  And that's just what they did.

Saturday night we took the kids to Downtown Disney to visit the Lego store.  Such a cool place for all things Lego.  Outside they have a playground, building centers, and racetrack.  The kids loved the racing.  They started by designing and building their own cars.

When they were ready, they stepped up to the starting line to race.

They are proud to report that both their cars took first place.

When we headed inside we were greeted by this friendly cowboy.  Julia loved it.  I had to remind them we don't have this many Legos at our house (though sometimes it feels like it!) 

Outside was even more to see.  How do they do that?

We had one of the best family days we've ever shared.  I think that is one of the most priceless treasures of Give Kids the World, their ability to take you to a magical place away from hospitals, work, responsibilities, and stress and infuse every member of your family with a fresh dose of child-like wonder and hope.  Thank you for the heart-healing :)  Memories for a lifetime.