[Note: We are in the new house but our Internet connection and phone lines are not working. If you need to reach us, please use cell numbers.]
After two nights in Houston, one night in Orlando, and two nights on the ship, Simon realized that sleeping in new locations is not that bad. In fact, sleeping between Mama and Daddy is pretty darn comfortable. So after two stories and lights out he closed his eyes and passed out like a normal human being -- HOOOOOOOORAAAAAYYYYY!
After the ship kindly forced us to depart, we took the Magical Express Bus back to Orlando and checked into the beautiful Africa-inspired Animal Kingdom Lodge. A long nap later, we had a lovely meal (Simon had award winning mac and cheese - seriously) and the three of us spent an hour or so in the pool.
The next morning we prepared ourselves for the first of two days at the Magic Kingdom (aka Disney Land Orlando). We started everything off right with a character breakfast; Simon met Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. Next we caught the welcome show on the Castle steps followed by a "beat the heat" moment in Mickey's Philharmagic (a 3-D movie). One of our fondest memories of the trip will always be seeing Simon duck and grab at the items he thought were coming at him.
Next we got in the "10 minute" (actual time: 25 minute) line for Dumbo. Simon wanted to go "up up up!" and refused to even let the car adjust to lower than the highest setting. When the ride was over, 3 minutes later, he broke into tears that lasted for quite some time. Hava felt like crying as well. While waiting in line we were in direct sunlight in 90 degree heat, 90% humidity, and the ride was only THREE MINUTES!!! We learned a valuable lesson - only ride rides that are fastpass-able (there aren't that many for 3 year olds) or have visibly short lines. Lesson learned, we eventually made it to Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear Spin, the train, the tram, the Tiki Room, Winnie the Pooh, the Amazon Boat Tour, and several others. We also spent a good amount of time both days in Toon Town (home to Mickey and Minnie Mouse).
Simon loved the rides (as expected). He would have loved to have been flown through the air and/or spun all day long. Each day we rode the bus back to the hotel at nap time to restore Simon to his non-cranky splendor. Post nap, we made the trip back to the park for dinner and some more fun. The first evening we decided to keep Simon up for the 9 pm electrical parade and the 10 pm fireworks over the Princess Castle. Simon was exhausted but it was worth it - he has been talking about the fireworks ever since (initially he was a little concerned about the well being of the Princesses inside the castle). After the second long hot day, about the time Simon was starting to melt, we took him to buy a Disney memento. Hava wanted him to have a Mickey shirt. Simon, the boy who hates anything on his head or neck, fell madly in love with Minnie Mouse ears. It is impossible to describe just how happy he was wearing those ears. You'll have to look at the photos.
On Sunday morning we packed up and took yet another Magical Express Bus to the Orlando airport. We arrived in New England in time for a late lunch and drove on to the Cape with Grandmother, Feefadder, and Grandma Whee. Simon had missed the Feefadders since their departure from San Francisco in early May, so he was very happy to be in their presence. Once on the Cape, we started the relaxing portion of the vacation right with an immediate trip to the bay where Grandmother and Feefadder played in the water with an over tired but clearly thrilled to be alive Simon. And after swimming and dinner the boy was treated to his fifth third birthday celebration.
The rest of the week was filled with trips to the ocean, the bay, and a pond, a lot of bonding time for Simon and his Grandparents, ball games, bubbles, kite flying, ice cream cones, watching potters spin pots, walks, fried seafood, and some really good sleep. It was everything we have come to expect from our yearly Cape excursions (including some much needed parent/child separation time).
By late in the week Simon was starting to show some signs of wear and it was clear he needed to be back home with his little friends. He ran into another 3-year-old at the airport and was overjoyed to have a buddy to talk with. He was overheard asking her: "Do you remember Tokyo?" Our JetBlue flight direct into San Jose was over 6 hours long and landed at 8 pm Pacific (11 pm to us). Simon was perfect and awake the entire flight (although half way through he said "I'm all done with the airplane, Mama.") Our friend, Lennie, picked us up from the airport. Simon fell asleep in her car and stayed asleep as we moved him into our car, waited in our driveway for Matthew to unload the car and uncover the beds, and as we transferred him into bed. He woke up the next morning in our new house. We had no idea what his reaction would be to being in yet another new place but we would never have predicted how happy he has been since seeing his room, the new bathrooms, the kitchen, and everything in between. He is in love with the place and can't stop talking to imaginary Mickey and Minnie and Donald Duck and Laa Laa and Tinky Winky about the different features. He slept in his room alone last night, slept in this morning, and woke up uncharacteristically cheerful.
The place looks beautiful. There are still some things yet to be ordered and installed but it is completely livable. At the last minute we had to leave the entire design of the tile in both bathrooms up to the contractors and it looks much better than our original plan. We were expecting far less. Yesterday it seemed like we should invite someone over to see our cool new house and then we realized we should probably find the boxes with clothes and food and toilet paper before having guests...
Photos from the Cape will be uploaded to Flickr as soon as an Internet connection is established in the Kagle abode.
