Josh really liked the safari at Animal Kingdom. He was very excited about the giraffes and the elephants. We found him a stuffed elephant at the gift shop that he carried around all day and slept with at night.


Our last day (partial) we spent at Epcot. He liked the Finding Nemo ride, but got bored during Turtle Talk with Crush and had to leave.




The trip was perfect - right up to the end when our flight was delayed, then delayed again, then some more. Thank goodness for the Crown Room in Orlando. They have a great area set up for kids and adults with kids. It's back in a corner so they don't have to be absolutely quiet and has lots of pillows for lounging. They also make good mountains for toy cars.

Every 30 minutes or so the characters would stop circulating and start a parade. The kids got maracas and marched around to the music. Josh took awhile to understand the concept of marching AND shaking, but once he did there was no stopping him.




I've finally done it - found what stops danger boy in his tracks and makes him cling to his people like glue. Yes, the petting zoo. We spent our third day at Animal Kingdom. Josh correctly identified the animals in the enclosure and all their correct sounds, but when we went inside he refused to be put down. We eventually got him to pet a sheep, but only while daddy was holding him and while daddy was petting the sheep too. Go figure. He loves roller coasters and thrill rides, but panics at sheep and goats. Hmmm.

We dressed danger boy in hawaiian gear and he fit in like a native. He actually looked at Mickey!



Breakfast is better when you do your eating from whichever plate is nearest at the time.



Josh not only liked Pluto, he actually reached up and touched his whiskers. Pluto responded by giving him a big kiss, then pretending to "eat" him. Josh's entire head was in Pluto's mouth. Lots of giggles there.


This is what happens when the young one takes my camera and starts snapping pictures. It's an interesting perspective.

We were able to fit in dinner with Aunt Donna and Uncle George and Uncle Jerry. George kept Josh amused with an airplane we bought at the restaurant.




Josh still hasn't taken off his ears.



By the third day Josh was getting used to people running around in giant cartoon costumes. We did one more character meal at the Polynesian Resort's O'hana restaurant. This one was with Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch. Note that in this first picture Josh is eating but there's nothing on his plate - or his fork. Silly boy.

Crystal Palace

At the Magic Kingdom we had lunch at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends. Josh very carefully avoided any and all acknowledgement of Tigger until said tiger patted him on the shoulder. He still didn't turn around, but he at least moved his eyes a bit to get a look. Josh was very excited to see the characters until they got right up to him.

He was less than thrilled with meeting Magic Kingdom Mickey, but he liked the race cars. Unfortunately he was too short to see over the wheel and got very frustrated. The last photo is Auntie in the Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland.

Magic Kingdom

We spent our second day at the Magic Kingdom. Josh loved the monorail. So did Curt. Daddy got him for Dumbo, and Rashida claimed him for the teapots. Then they both got a turn on the kiddie roller coaster. Danger boy LOVED the roller coaster and rode it three times. The last photo shows them in the first row. He loved all the exciting rides.

MGM is the place to go to meet the Disney characters. It's not nearly as busy as the other parks and the characters are easily accessible. Josh met Mickey, the Little Einsteins, and Jojo and Goliath just walking around. Then we had lunch with Jojo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins. He was hilarious with the characters. He would be very excited to see them and talk all about them until they got up close. Then he would completely ignore them. He didn't cry or say no. He simply didn't acknowledge them in any way. The characters tried so hard to get him to interact with them, but he just kept on eating his lunch.

Disney World

We spent the week at Disney World in Orlando. We had a great time but we're exhausted and glad to have the weekend to rest up. The first photo is Josh waiting for the plane at the airport. He kept chanting "ride airplane, ride airplane" and was very excited to finally get on the plane. We brought a backpack full of things to do but didn't need much. He was so happy to be on the plane.

I think his favorite thing about the entire week was the transportation. We rode a plane, many boats, busses, and the golf cart we rented at our resort.

These photos are as we arrived at Disney's Ft. Wilderness campground. We rented a cabin there that had a separate bedroom so we didn't all have to go to bed at 8pm when Josh did. At least that was the plan. As it turns out I don't think anyone went to bed before 9:30 the entire trip. All still in one piece and in very good moods. Josh was very happy to see his Auntie.

Bedtime stories

Adorable. Note that Josh shared one of his blankets with his daddy so he could have a "pillow" too.

Cat

How does she get up there?

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny came to our house this morning and left a basket at Josh's place at the kitchen table. He found it immediately and ran over asking "what's that?" then climbing up into his seat to investigate. He got a yellow stuffed bunny, some books, stickers, a bunny game, several wind-up toys and some candy. He went first for the caramel bunny, but also had a blast later in the day eating his chocolate bunny. He was in a great mood all morning. Go figure. Let the boy sleep in as long as he will then give him chocolate basically for breakfast. What's not to be happy about?