Disney!!

Yesterday we had a fun surprise for Willa:

So Willa's first Disney trip was a dry run of sorts for the holidays.  She has a tendency to be nervous and shy to the point of verbal aggression with others (screaming "NOOOOO!!" if people offer her things or I ask her to respond to their questions), so I was apprehensive about taking her to a place where its common to be scared of the six foot animals trying to interact with you.  I also wanted to be sure that she could handle the long days and that she would want to ride the rides.  So, I figured an experimental day with the help of my parents would be a good plan, so that if she was miserable I could postpone her trip for another year.

Well, all of my worries were unfounded because she did spectacularly well!  She rode every ride, met Mickey without a problem, and lasted the whole day without a nap, I was so proud!  She said that her favorite thing was playing with Mickey and her favorite ride was Dumbo because she liked to go up high.  Thanks to the Fast Passes, we got to ride it's a small world, Dumbo, Prince Charming's Carousel, Winnie the Pooh, the racecars (with my dad), Carousel of Progress, and Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride, with time to see the Festival of Fantasy Parade (with all the princesses and main Disney characters) and the Tiki Room, and to have a sit down lunch!  Phew!  I think I actually had more meltdowns than she did, she was a champ.  We left by 6, got a full dinner at Cracker Barrel to refuel, and drove home.  I definitely look forward to being able to go back to a hotel instead of facing a two hour drive, but all things considered, everything was successful.  Can't wait to go again at Christmas!

Getting ready for her first ever ride

it's a small world!

She was amazed

and enthralled!

Next up, Dumbo!

Then the carousel

The harness was purple like her glasses

Festival of Fantasy Parade, there's Anna!

She waved!

So happy :)

Flynn Ryder

Merida

The fairies from Sleeping Beauty

The fire breathing dragon Maleficent!

Prince Phillip battled her

Goofy!

Waving to Goofy

Mickey and Minnie in a hot air balloon

Blowing them kisses!

Meeting Mickey was such a success!

Racecars with Dad since I'm not allowed with the bump

Playing with veggie toys in line for the Winnie the Pooh ride

Last ride of the day, Aladdin's Flying Carpets, a lot like Dumbo

Old McMicky's Farm

Wednesday of the Week of Fun was farm day!  There is this cute farm not too far away from my parents in Odessa, Fl where I always went on field trips in elementary school.  Somehow it's still there and cuter than ever!  There were pony rides, cow milking, baby animal petting, and we enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch by a lake.  We were supposed to have a tractor ride, but sadly it got stuck in the mud.  Ah well, she just got two pony rides instead, haha!

Willa was a mix of excited and nervous during the experience.  After a few minutes she generally pet everything, but for some reason she never warmed up to the chickens.  The pony, however, was her favorite.  She even asked for Magic by name on her second pony ride around!  We'll definitely have to stop by again some day!

Riding on Magic

The closest she got to a tractor ride

Petting a super soft bunny

Goat brushing

My favorite chicken

Willa wasn't so sure

Milking a cow

Two week old piglets

Petting a duckling

Beach Day

On Tuesday of our Week of Fun, Willa and I went to the beach with my dad.  We had a classic day of sandcastles, wave walking, sea shell scavenging, and sandy toes.  We also had a bonus trip to the Sugar Sand Festival, where the theme was "Under the Sea."  Artists from all over came to sculpt incredible works of art in the sand.  My favorite was Davy Jones from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

The funniest moment was when Willa and I were walking knee deep in the Gulf and she said, "Oh, I LOVE the water, especially with you, Mama!," then a big wave splashed up in her face, leaving her sputtering and saying "I think I'm done now!"  So funny!  I was also very impressed by how brave she was, not a tear in sight :).  I think Willa said it best with, "I love the beach!"

Cubbie's first time at the beach

Burying Papa's feet

Pouring water into a funnel

Getting the hang of sandcastles

Wave walking with Papa