Toad, Sue, Roo & Boo Radley: 2008-01-20

Continuing on the birthday theme, we went to Walt Disney World with Grandma as part of the festivities. The sheer management of the place is amazing; it really is HUGE. We were fortunate enough to be there during the week and not during a holiday so the park was fairly uncrowded. That made all the difference to me seeing that I hate crowds, lines and most princesses.

I got the biggest kick out of watching the childless vacationers--adults in their mid-40's wearing suspenders speckled with Disney-themed pin buttons and Mickey mouse ears happily climbing onto the Peter Pan ride. I affectionally call these folks cornballers. I loved being able to be there with my girls and I enjoyed it a few years back in high school when I went with some of my nieces and nephews when they were little and bratty too. I'm not sure I'd make WDW a destination if I wasn't going with someone I had to help go potty.

Tess, as an average to tall six year old, was the perfect WDW candidate. She was tall enough and brave enough to ride the big rides yet still young enough to get red-faced and lose all language ability when anyone wearing poofy taffeta floated by singing something about clouds, princes and the joys of cleaning up after little men. If you have an emotionally secure, well-adjusted almost 4 year old without vertigo, claustrophobia or blossoming OCD issues, maybe WDW is the spot for you. Unfortunately, Adelle is no such child. She produced only a fraction of the joy and happiness that was promised to us in our resort brochures.

As for me, even I shed a tear during the parade when Mickey convinced Daffy Duck that "dreams really do come true" and found myself eagerly chanting that little aphorism with all the adult cornballers standing next to me. What can I say, my heart grew three sizes that day. Over all, we had a great time. The fireworks, the food and all the way-too-happy people (myself included) made it a more than memorable trip.