I am going to summarize our vacation in a list-style post because I am not sure I could write about it cohesively due to sheer exhaustion.  My parents and my brother and his family left for a cruise last Monday, returned Friday and headed straight for Orlando.  We met up with them at Magic Kingdom for the start of a three-day-weekend mini-vacation.  

• It was hot.  Very hot.  Then it rained.  A lot.  We Floridians can tell a loooooong rain storm from a quick pass-over.  Friday’s rain at Magic Kingdom was a long one so we left for the All-Star Movies Resort once we were done with the Character Dinner at the Liberty Tavern.
• Now THAT was fun!  Can I just tell you what a relief it was to not have to think about what to order but to have it brought to you family-style?  It was delicious, too!  The food at Disney all weekend was top-notch. 
• Except for the food at the Typhoon Lagoon, but thats ok.  We were only there to swim anyways.
• The character dining at Liberty Tavern was very neat – the kids had a ball and G got to meet some Disney characters.  He really did not know who they were, but he loved it anyhow!
• The lines were really not that long, and I was surprised at that.  G rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride with us.  He only got scared at the beginning when we went under the “foggy waterfall.” 
• And of course the ride would have a temporary breakdown when there is a 3.5 year old on board who cannot sit still to save his life.  But we survived.  The kids also rode the carousel.  Fun stuff! 
• The resort rooms at All-Stars left, uh, a bit to be desired in the area of cleanliness, however, we give the staff mucho kudos for taking care of the problem and for being friendly all the way around.  Disney has definitely got their act straight when it comes to customer service everywhere in the park system.  Did I mention the food was really good?
• Typhoon Lagoon.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.  Now THAT place was fun!!!  The kids had a blast!!  G and S both just ate it up.  We have natural water babies on our hands.  G and his ‘Pa couldn’t get enough of the wave pool and G even rode by himself on the kiddy tube ride.  **sniff, sniff*  He’s growing up!  The kid area there is really great. 
• At one point, when I had him in the wave pool, and the big wave washed over us, he looked at me and yelled, “Mommy, that’s SO FUN!!!!”  Be still, my heart.  And pray.  We have a real daredevil on our hands.  That was no small wave, ya’ll.
• And I braved the shark reef.  I couldn’t wait to try it!  I was a little nervous about it, mainly feeling claustrophobic from the snorkel and mask, but I wanted to give it a try.  What I did not know was that the water was a warm 68 degrees.  Uh huh.  I said 68 degrees.  Oh.  My.  Word.   But it was really cool.  I had a waterproof camera with me.  No clue if I actually got anything in the frame but I was clicking away!  There were beautiful fish, little sharks, sting rays I think…
• Now let me tell you…Disney has got their act together when it comes to pictures now.  No more pressure to buy pictures on the spot, going here to look at them, buy now or forever-hold-your-peace, yadda yadda yadda.  NOW…they give you a little card (one with a wristband if you are at the waterpark) with a code on it.  And each time you get your picture taken at the park, the photographer then scans your card, the same card every time, then later in the comfort of your own home you can get online and view those pictures and print, share, view, email, purchase, customize, etc. those same pics!  Very, very, very cool. 
• Sunday was Sea World day.  We checked out at Disney and headed to Sea World.  We watched the cute and funny Clyde and Seamore show, then the Shamu show – love that one!  Then we went on a Behind the Scenes tour of the Artic Area and got to pet a penguin!  That was a really neat privilege.  Well, when the kids weren’t screaming.  At this point, they were a bit exhausted from the weekend, particularly S, and we were all lacking in patience.  S even petted the penguin as well.  His name was Spike and he was oh so SOFT.  Very, very cool.
• After that tour, we called it a day and headed home.  The kids really could not take much more – their little bodies were worn out from heat and exhaustion and our big adult bodies were worn from the same as well as carrying said little bodies.  Oh my.  The rest of my family met up with us later at home.

When all was said and done we have:

• Zero sunburns.
• One less chunk of money in savings.
• Two broken pieces of electronics – Chris’s phone went swimming and G broke the camera.
• Three parks in three days.
• Four tired family members.
• Fiiiiiiiiiiivvveeeeeeeeeeee gooooooldeeeeeeeen riiiiiiiiiiiiiiings!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, no, not really, but it just sounded right to end that way.    Hope you enjoyed your virtual family mini-vacation with us!