family

This bread sums up what I loved about the Disney cruise we went on to mark my 60th birthday and Avahni's high school graduation.  The loaf shows the imagination and attention to detail that we saw everywhere we looked. 

Our dinner that night was in Cinderella's ballroom, and the bread is shaped like a pumpkin, in a bowl encircled with a dancing royal couple, and was served by a waiter all decked out in a fancy costume.

Every night, we changed to a different dining room, but had the same waiters each time.  Those guys were the best, full of magic tricks, puns, puzzles and jokes. We were always the last to leave the room, our waiters were just too entertaining til the very end.

There was so much to do for the grandfairies, from flying the Millennium Falcon, to swimming, dance parties, movies, and plays.

While we stayed busy, nonstop, I still feel like we didn't take advantage of half the activities offered.

We sure didn't miss Pirate Night!

By the way, Dewdrop wasn't sad, she was just being a model.  Most photos I got of her were super serious, pouty poses, instead of her normal, goofy smile.

She was about as happy as a kid could be, but when I asked to take her picture, she often turned Super Model on me.

We were all as happy as could be, Sugarwings' joy was about to explode during most of the trip.  She was thrilled to be up on stage at the dance party.  That is her on the big screen to the right.

The ship was beautiful, and the shows were the best.  I thought I loved the Beauty and the Beast movie, til I saw the play on the ship- it was even better!  We saw two plays and a magic show, the teens saw first run movies too. 

The only thing that maybe wasn't the best, were the kids' pools, both were quite small. But our girls didn't mind a bit, I doubt if they even noticed. There was free ice cream by the pool and never ending Disney movies playing on a giant screen above them.  

While the adult pools looked more tempting to me, I didn't have time to check them out.  And we never got to ride the waterslide/roller coaster, because we were simply too busy having way too much fun elsewhere.

I guess that means, we need to go back someday to fit more adventures in?

We were extremely lucky with the weather that weekend, it was perfect every where we went. Warm with a slight breeze, so we didn't get hot.

The seas were calm, which was lucky too. I might not have enjoyed it all as much if it had been rough. 

I took non-drowsy ginger tablets and wore my motion sickness wrist bands just in case. And the first night I took one Dramamine so I'd sleep better, not realizing that they last 24 hours, and I was still loopy when I woke up. 

Oops. 

Should've trusted my ginger pills!  The Dramamine put a damper on my birthday, I napped by the pool at the Atlantis resort instead of paddling in the water.

Mickey was very kind to me on my birthday, and left a birthday card on the cabin door in the morning, then a gift certificate to the spa in the afternoon. At dinner that night, I was brought a special cake, and was serenaded.

The spa was really something. My pal, Mickey had gifted me $50 to use there, and I thought I'd apply it toward a facial (since I just turned 60 and could use all the help I could get), but instead, I bought a $27 day pass to the Rainforest that included heated lounge chairs, Jacuzzis, multiple steam rooms, and specially showers along with my choice of scented scrubs.

I picked lavender, my fave.

Oh my goodness, those showers!  All were lit up, and had different settings.  I went for more of the tropical ones than the Siberian ones.  Actually, I very much avoided the cold ones.  But I tried all of the others, over and over.

I went straight to the spa from my shore trip, still in my swimsuit.  After a day at the beach, this treat of an hour at the spa was perfectly delightful.  The cabins were comfy and more spacious than I expected, the bathrooms in them were nice.

But getting cleaned up and pampered in the spa was still a thousand times nicer than the small shower/tub in the cabin. 

Thanks, Mickey!

If you love to be surrounded by tiny princesses and pirates, I couldn't recommend a Disney cruise highly enough. It was kid heaven.

As an adult, I was completely entertained and happy the whole time, but I do have to admit that it was oriented toward the itsy bitsy types. 

Then again, I didn't go to the bars, adult restaurants, or shops, so maybe there is plenty of completely grown up stuff there too.

There are clubs and organized activities just for the little ones if you want some time to yourself for a movie or a drink in one of the bars.

Having two teens and two adults, we were able to take little breaks from kid-dom.  My husband saw a movie with the big girls, I had time in the spa.  

But honestly, I didn't need breaks from any of them, they were the best. I was so lucky to have this trip with them all!

Thank you to my Handsome Husband for taking me on a special trip.

 

After seeing my life long, best buds to celebrate the three of us turning 60, the party went on!  Sister Terry drove from Orlando to St. Augustine to fetch me, and headed back again to Orlando, so we could go straight to the Flower and Garden event at Epcot.

Afterwards, we checked into a luxurious suite at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where we were greeted by some of the creatures that roam the grounds.

The next day, Terry had quite an adventure planned.  I started off lazying about on the balcony, sipping my coffee and watching for zebras to visit, then we headed to Animal KIngdom park. She had set up fast passes for the afternoon, then an evening filled with the best Disney magic you could ever hope for… 

WE WENT ON THE VIP TOUR!

And yes, it was amazing.  And even better than you'd think it would be.  

I was blown away.

We were taken on a tour of the top 5 rides and then front row and center at the Rivers of Light, by two guides, one who looked like he stepped right out of a Disney movie. 

He kept us entertained with puns and trivia.  I told him that my grand fairies would have been very impressed with him. (because that is what grammies do, they blather on with cute, young guys about how darling they are, without shame or embarrassment)

We were told there would be a snack, and were to pick a dessert and drink.  I chose wine, because I was feeling very pampered, not thinking about my problems with motion sickness…

But you know what? I pounded non-drowsy, organic ginger tablets for nausea, and wore motion sickness bands.  Along with the power of my will, and making myself find a focal point to not think about getting dizzy-

I RODE A ROLLER COASTER!!!!!

And the Banshee 3D virtual reality thing at Pandora!

Right afterwards, it was time for the "snack" they'd promised.

Which was a feast, much more than expected.

My stomach was ready to argue with me, but I would NOT let it. 

Dang it, this was my special treat, and that wine was not going to drink itself.

 I powered thru by sheer determination. 

Having a ton of fun sure helped me prevent a lifetime of motion sickness from letting me from back out on some of the more twisty rides.  

Am I going to be a regular on the merry go round with the kiddos?

Or hop on more roller coasters?

I seriously doubt that.

But I have decided that age 60, is a good time to not let myself be ruled by what might happen.  If I'm offered a special treat, like a night of adventure at Disney, I am not going to turn it down because I'm afraid of a little motion sickness. (well, typically a lot, but it can be overcome if you try hard enough).

At 60, I know life ahead of me is shorter than what is behind me.  I'm going to make the most of the rest of it.

I'm going to grab onto the fun I find out there and hang on tightly!

And look for hidden magic, or unexpected joy in every corner.  (I'm always excited to find "Hidden Mickeys" at the parks)

I might be a Grammy, all cozy in her cottage, but I'm not ready to be old.

Thank you, Terry, for not only, a magnificent, and generous trip, but a chance to get out of my comfort zone, and fly through Pandora on a winged beast!!