DISNEY--We arrived on July 25 at Disney World and made a mad dash to eat at Epcot Germany--the Biergarten restaurant with a show. Bailey was doing her Irish clogging to the Polka. Then walked around in between bursts of rain and watched the Illuminations show. Everyone is very nice and accommodating to Jake in his wheelchair. It is very hot and muggy, but good so far. Sunday Dustin went to golf with his buddies. We went to Typhoon Lagoon. The lazy river was nice, once we got ourselves into the tubes. Jake was too big for the little tubes and too small for the big ones, so he sat on me, but kept wanting to get in the water. So, we went to the wave pool. It was very forceful and we didn’t last in there long. We made our way to the kiddie area and the kids were very happy with that. It was a little pulling and pushing to get them out of there. But as we were getting out the rain and lightning started and they pushed everyone out of the pools anyway. That night we had dinner at the Trail’s End buffet at Fort Wilderness. The Myers family and Mark and Ann joined us. We had a great time and Jake was hysterically laughing so loud that the whole restaurant could hear him. On the bus back, everyone got to know us and random people were saying, ”Goodbye Jake!” Monday we went to the Magic Kingdom. We had breakfast with all the princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Castle. Bailey was a bit shy, but Cinderella was great at getting her to take some good pictures. All the princesses were there and took pictures with her. She currently likes Arielle the best. Bailey liked the water spouts in Arielle’s grotto, but we pulled her away to see the “dolls.” We did It’s a Small World a few times and it was wonderful and air conditioned. The Mickey’s Philharmagic was great too. We took a steamboat ride (just ok). We stayed for the parade and I had to take Jake inside because it was just too hot. Then we made it home and took off to Walmart and dinner off property (we already used to many dinning credits for dinner at the resort. The kids were beat and fell asleep immediately. Tuesday we woke up late and decided to go back to the Magic Kingdom again (Nana stayed in the cabin to relax). Bailey and Mom hit the “dolls” again and Jake went on a roller coaster and Splash Mountain with Dustin. We made the rounds again and then went to the cabin to get ready for dinner. We went to Hollywood Studios for dinner for Nana’s birthday, which was just ok, but she said she didn’t have to cook, so it was good. Jake and I spent some quality time in the handicapped bathrooms (always an adventure), but managed to see the Muppets 3D and the Mermaid show. Then off to the Fantasmic show. It was neat, but waiting in the heat for 90 minutes didn’t seem worth it. Wednesday Dustin went golfing and the rest of us went to the Wilderness Lodge for swimming and lunch. The conference started and we had the reception dinner. Thursday and Friday were non-stop with Michelle attending the conference and Dustin entertaining the kids around the cabin. Downtown Disney and Chef Mickey's on Friday, where the kids had pictures with five characters. Jake bit Donald's bill and Bailey was being shy again. Saturday was an all-day ABC therapy session for Jake. More to come on that! He did great! Sunday we hit Animal Kingdom quickly and then a mad dash to the train. Back home and trying to get back in the swing of things!
