The Happiest Place on Earth

Last week, we visited Disney World for the second time and Universal for the first.  Many times during our visit, I wondered why being in the "happiest place on Earth" brings out the worst in my children.  (And by the looks of things, it wasn't only my children who succumb to this.)  At least Cole smiled in pictures this time without having a bucket of popcorn in hand.  However, as we rode the carousel at the Magic Kingdom (our first full day in Disney, when we attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party), Cole stated, "This is the worst trip ever."  Without yelling, I lost my mind.  I'm certain I repeated phrases that have been used by many a parent.  "Do you know how many children never even get to go to Disney?"  "I'm so glad we spent thousands of dollars that we can't really afford to bring you here."  "Do you think this is what I would choose for my vacation?  No, I would rather be on a beach!"  Even though Reed hadn't said anything negative at that point, he was apologetic, and Cole started crying.  That was probably the low point of our trip.  Not that we didn't have other negative moments and times of complaint, but the kids were slightly more positive thereafter.

By the second parade, the kids were winding down.  We sat down to watch it, with Cole in my lap, and within minutes, he was asleep.  He missed the entire thing.  Reed was in and out of sleep throughout.  Our picture with the pumpkins was on the way out of the park.  Chad (aka Superman) carried Cole the entire way from our parade perch to the ferry to the shuttle, where Cole woke up long enough to walk to the car.  Thank goodness Reed woke up enough to walk because nobody is capable of carrying him!

All in all, we had a wonderfully exhausting trip.  One day, we opened Epcot and closed Islands of Adventure, taking over 20,000 steps.  Now we are home and I need a vacation from our vacation.  We made some fabulous memories, spent a ton of time together, tried new things, and made some magic.  One of my favorite moments was when Reed got chosen at Ollivander's wand shop to have his wand choose him.  It was magical, and so awesome when the wand that ultimately selected him was made of reed!  Cole had to pick his own wand, but they both enjoyed making wizardly magic throughout the two parks.

I'm grateful that being on sabbatical allowed me time to travel at a time when I usually could not.  I was able to complete all of my reading on the plane, and finished my corresponding posts this morning.  I am also grateful to be able to provide these experiences for my children, even when it goes unappreciated.  Perhaps one day they can do the same for their own children, and we can go along as grandparents to remind them that they behaved the same way.