A Very Happy Mother's Day

Sunday, May 9 Mother's Day 2010 (DAY 6 GKTW)...

Okay, hang onto your hats! We are about to cross continents, eras, and theme parks in a single bound!

No, seriously, it was a FULL day.  I recommend you get a snack and make a bathroom run before you start reading this post :)

This was going to be our last full day in Florida and we wanted to make it one of our best.  We decided to make it adventurous and also a "greatest hits day" to revisit some of the highlights from the past week.  (Park Hopper passes are wonderful things.)  Thankful that we took Saturday to rest, we were all refreshed and ready for fun on Sunday.

We decided to start the day at Animal Kingdom.  It's such a beautifully done park with all the landscaping, animal environments, and shade.  There were only a few things we planned to see there, but we knew the safari was worth the trip itself.  It did not disappoint- WOW!

They have done an amazing job recreating the habitats of these animals into a natural and safe environment where they can all coexist peacefully, seemingly unaware of the spectators around them.

We had the chance to get to know one of the Safari volunteers who also volunteers at the GKTW village.  She gave us a behind the scenes perspective of it all with her funny stories.  Someone thought it would be a good idea to give the rhinos old tires to play with so they could use their horns as much as they wanted.  It worked great, well mostly.  Guess what happens when the pickup truck arrives with their daily meals?

Julia's favorite animals are giraffes and she was so close to them she could almost pet the giraffe!

The elephant calf was just born in January, so sweet.  Did you know elephants have the longest childhood of any animal?

She also told us stories about the warthogs.  The pair they have are actually trained as well as dogs.  They sit, roll over, and play dead.  Right now they are actually teaching them to pee in a cup to make things easier on the vets! She also told us about the ostriches.  Did you know an ostrich eyeball is larger than it's brain? This has an obvious impact.  They are very difficult to train.  These particular ones also revel in making a nuisance of themselves by autographing the new trucks with their beaks.  They also like to stand in the road and block traffic.

The kids loved the safari so much we actually rode it twice!

Then it was on to the Festival of the Lion King show.  On our way over we actually had a live snake cross the path!! Apparently the natural surroundings here are not a facade.

The show was great- music, dancing, acrobats, characters, and performers.

When we walked out of the theater we found ourselves face to face with Chip and Dale! Turns out Camp Minnie-Mickey is character greet central.

We didn't realize how much the kids were going to be into all of this.  In the past they have been rather timid around anyone in costume.  They prefer to watch from afar, but after our experiences as GKTW, that has all changed.  They both consider it such a magical thing to meet these characters.  We didn't originally plan to go around and meet them all, but the Disney cast members insisted on it.  I am so happy we did.  Everyone of them really takes time to interact and play with the children, while remaining completely in character.

Julia's favorite is Daisy Duck.  She has asked each day of we thought we would find her.  We hoped it would happen, but couldn't promise her anything. We walked around the corner and there she was.  I love this series of pictures.  They truly capture her awe and joy in the moment...

a sweet kiss on the beak...

During our stay, we've been reading storybooks about Bambi and friends at bedtime.  When we turned around and saw Thumper and Ms. Rabbit, the kids went nuts...

Then it was time for lunch at the delicious Pizzafari.  After we ate Carter crawled up in my lap to cuddle.  This has been one very happy Mother's Day so far!

Then it was time for a trip back in time to see the dinosaurs.  The kids loved the Triceratops Spin (like Dumbo only on a larger-scale).  Some fun playing the Boneyard and we were ready to go. 

On our way out, a Disney castmember told us we could take the kids back to see Pooh and friends.  They were giddy! It will never cease to amaze me how these people are able to do the unique signature for each character while wearing a suit like this.  They don't even have fingers! Apparently they are able to hear inside because Pooh signed their book, "To my friends Carter and Julia".  They loved it.

Tigger was adorable as always bouncing with the kids, hiding things with his tail, and playing games with them.

After our morning at Animal Kingdom, we decided to head back to Hollywood Studios one last time.  The car ride gave us some time for snacks, drinks, and air conditioning.

Of course the Toy Story Mania ride was on the top of their list and it was just as fun the seventh time :) We all love that ride.  On the way out we were shocked to find out Woody was available for pictures.  When we walked through the door, Julia was in shock...

Thanks for the memories,Woody!

When we finished with pictures it was time for the Block Party parade, so we decided to watch it again.

Carter got his groove on again- this time with Mr. Potato Head...

By now the heat was getting pretty intense.  Julia was starting to get dangerously overheated.  Carter really wanted to see the stunt show again, so we used that time to get Julia more settled.  She had dehydrated again and was starting to sweat profusely and cry.  It took us some time to get enough fluids in her, but she did turn the corner and then promptly fell asleep.

Julia got in a good nap while we headed back to the village for the nightly festivities.  We started at the Castle of Miracles...

This one building houses the carousel, spa, star room, and playroom.  After a hot day at the parks, Julia decided a little spa-time was in order.

She loved having her nails painted purple and her make-up done.

Carter and his friend from the village, Josh, decided they'd rather have the air-brushed tattoos.

Then we headed out to ride the carousel a few more times.  Julia was joined by Murphy, the gingerbread man.  He loves to be funny and rode the entire ride backwards making faces at her.

Then Mayor Clayton and Ms. Merry came by for some hugs...

We headed into the Gingerbread House for our last dinner of the week.  The chef does such a great job with the food and the hundreds if volunteers that help him daily.  Not only does he prepare meals, but the offerings always include dairy-free and gluten-free options for those who need it. Such a fun place to eat...

Sunday night's party is The World's Largest Candyland Game at Matthew's Boundless Playground.  This playground was sponsored by Hasbro to bring the game to life for gives of every ability level.  It sits right in the center of the newest phase of family villas.  If you have ever wondered what it would be like to step into a game world, this is it...

The volunteers walk around the board with the card deck for the kids to pick from.  The trail winds through the entire playground with all the stops... Peppermint Forest, Mr. Gloppy, etc.

At the end you receive a lollipop and do a little happy dance in front of King Candy's Castle.

Not only did Hasbro create this amazing playground, they also sponsor Christmas every week by donating 18,000 toys a year to the toy workshop for the kids to choose from.  They also wanted to help families be able to relive the magic of their stay, so they created GKTW Candyland.  Every family receives one when they leave.  And you can have one of your very own, too!

*A neat fact: Did you know Candyland was invented in the 1940s by Eleanor Abbott to entertain children with polio, from which she too was recovering?

After several rounds of the game, it was time for snow cones and dancing.  The sweet father/daughter pirate pair were back to get the party going.  We had a night full of laughs and giggles line dancing in the streets.  It's so fun to teach the kids and get them into it, too.  Carter loved dancing with Princess Lolly and Queen Frostine!

By this point we are all ready to crash! The great part is the park was right in our backyard.  We got everyone cleaned up and in their jammies because tonight they had a special visitor coming to tuck them in. 

Mayor Clayton and Ms. Merry go around to the villas to personally tuck in the kids one night during their stay.  They said this is the most often mentioned memory by GKTW alumni kids.  He even has his jammies on! He fluffs the pillows, kisses all their animals, bounces on their beds, hugs them, and tucks them in tight.

Sweet JuJu was already asleep when he finished! It's been a long day.

This is definitely a Mother's Day I will remember always.  Thank you GKTW and MAW for giving our family time to relax, play, and laugh.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  You have brought so much joy into my children's lives and ours- priceless.

I had the chance to enjoy some quiet time Sunday evening.  The village is such a peaceful place to be, especially after bedtime.  I had some sweet time with God in the village chapel...

 

This week has been overflowing with gratitude.  I will never cease to thank God and praise Him for His tremendous providence over our lives this past year and the blessings He has revealed along the way.  We have all grown, learned, stretched, and cracked over the past year; but God's faithfulness through it all has never waivered.  I also had a chance to intercede for the dozens of families we have met and those back home facing devastating hardship right now- some whom are GKTW alumni families themselves.

God, your HOPE in this place is thriving.  I pray that every life touched here carries that HOPE to every person they meet.  You are bigger than all these things.