Happy 10th Birthday, Micah

Micah's 10th birthday was the day we drove home from Disney World. We celebrated the night before with dinner at Teppan Edo, a hibachi restaurant at Epcot. 

When we got back to our room from our day at the park, we found a couple balloons, and a birthday card from Peter Pan, one of Micah's favorite Disney characters. 

As we drove the long way home, we decided to take a small detour to Gulf Shores for a quick swim and dinner. The detour was not small, but we had fun playing in the white sand, despite Micah's run-in with a jellyfish. 

Once home, Micah had a birthday party at the park with pizza, coke, and cookie cake. He's got a crazy group of friends from all different areas of his little life. I love these kids and how they are each special to our family in a different way. 

 

 

This boy. He can aggravate me faster and uglier than anyone else on this earth, but he has a heart of gold and a sweet, gentle spirit. I pray he allows his heart to stay young and doesn't let the pressures of this world force him to grow up faster than God's perfect pace for him. 

Happy 10th Birthday, my boy. 

Snapshot | Micah Math

Micah excitedly explaining his math program to me!

Disney Day 4 | Rest

Today we had no Fast Passes or parks planned. We slept a little later and the bigger four kids enjoyed some pool time with Daddy while Eden had a real nap. 

We ended up at Magic Kingdom after lunch. 

Again, with the fall decorations. 

Andrew took off with the older three to do Splash Mountain and waited in line forever for the Dwarf Mine roller coaster. Meanwhile, I was able to fit in quite a few smaller rides with the little girls . . . after a stop to put our shoes on the right feet. 

We did the Mad Hatter Teacups two times in a row. Elise insisted on doing the spinning all by herself. 

Baby girl is so tired. 

Standing at the helm of Its a Small World

We met back up and happened to catch a show that was beginning at the front of Cinderella's castle then caught a ferry over to Mickey's Backyard BBQ with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale. 

There was a large buffet, live country music, a professional lassoer, and plenty of dancing with Mickey and Minnie . . . and finally a place with sweet tea!

Then the ferry back to Magic Kingdom and a bus ride back to our resort 

Disney Day 3 | Animal Kingdom

Today started with a show. We aren't normally very excited about shows, but this Lion King Extravaganza was absolutely entertaining. There were tons of dancers, animatronic animals, dancers on stilts, a fire baton twirler, and 4 guys dressed as monkeys did an amazing acrobatic act!

Then we headed for a safari! We rode in neat trucks and looked at the animals. Halfway through, one of the bridges almost gave out and our truck was rocking and swaying, but the bridge held and we made it. It was obviously part of the "ride," but some of our kids didn't realize it was staged.

We walked through an animal exploration trail next and began earning scout badges as we learned about different animals, countries, and people. 

 Lunch was kind of a mess as we hunted for a table in a hot, crowded area. But the food at Yak and Yeti was yummy and Elise successfully pooped in an unfamiliar potty. 

Disney is hard work. 

Expedition Everest is now one of our favorite rides!

While the big kids went on Everest, we discovered a play area in the dinosaur area that even the little girls could enjoy. There were rocks to climb, footprints that roared when you stepped on them, slides, and a large fossil-digging area. 

We spent at least an hour here, letting the kids unwind and Andrew and I were appreciative of a chance to sit for a little while. 

The park was near closing and the line for Expedition Everest was very short. We were able to ride a couple more times. Then Andrew and the kids used a rider swap that another family gave to us and rode the River ride just at 5:00, as the park was closing. 

Our dinner reservation wasn't until 8:20 that night, and was at a different resort. We were able to have some pool time while Eden slept. 

Dinner certainly was an adventure. The Wilderness Lodge was beautiful and the dinner was a lot of fun. Unfortunately we were very tired, very hungry, and quite a bit cranky.  We tried to enjoy the stick horse races around the restaurant and passing large quantities of ketchup bottles to other tables, but there was a large amount of quarreling at the Creamer table, among young and old, alike. 

Animal Kingdom Day 3 Favorites:

Eva -  Everest Expedition 5x's

Caleb - Everest expedition 5x's

Micah - don't make me make a decision

Daddy - Everest Expedition picking nose for picture

Mommy - Lion King show with acrobatic monkeys and the dinosaur footprints that roared when you stomped on them 

Disney Day 2 | Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom, here we come!

Now with Mickey ears!

The parks were decorated for fall! What a pretty time to be here!

It's a Small World

 

They were excited for their first ever roller coaster. We started out easy, with the Barnstormer. Even Elise could ride this one, and they all loved it!

I took Elise on the Royal Carousel while Andrew and the big kids did Splash Mountain. 

Insert daddy and kids splash mountain picture

Then we used the rider swap. 

I was really surprised how much Eva loved every single ride. Micah figured out that he enjoyed most of the rides, but not the huge drops like Splash Mountain. 

We had to park the stroller for the rides, shows, and most restaurants. Little Miss I-don't-want-to-be-held-but-I-can't-walk-yet wanted to go through the lines on her own. She spent a lot of time clinging to the rails while we waited in line. 

Astro Orbiter 

Tomorrowland all lit up

Cinderella's castle at night

We stayed late for the Main Street Electrical Parade. Elise is not fond of loud. She is also terrified of fireworks. She won't even look at them. Daddy packed her headphones and kept them with us at all times, just in case. She wore them as we watched the parade. 

This was a very long day for us. We were at the park for 12 very full hours. 

Today's favorites 

Caleb - Space Mountain  or Splash Mountain

Micah - Big Thunder Mountain

Eva - Space Mountain

Elise - Peter Pan and Royal Carousel and Rocketship! Up and down up and down (Astro Orbiter)

Mommy - It's a Small World

Daddy - Space Mountain