Home, Sweet Home

We got back very late last night. No harm in staying in sunny Florida a few extra hours, except when the time is spent in the airport. Actually, it wasn't that bad. The flight was late getting in but JetBlue has a super fast turn around time, so once the plane actually got to the gate, we were on our way pretty quickly.





I will have to post some pics. We went to NYC for the day on Saturday. Rachel was surprised by our tickets A Chorus Line (and I was surprised by the front row seats). I saw this show at least a half a dozen times as a teen. It was interesting to compare the productions. They did stick to the script and it seemed like they stuck to the original arrangements. Some of the choreography did not seem quite up to par, but that could be my memory.





Then, we left very early Sunday morning (6 am flight) for Florida. Had gorgeous weather all week. We surprised Rachel with tickets to the Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. We've never done one of those after hours parties at WDW before. We'll definitely be doing them again in the future. The wait time for rides was just the time to get through all the theming before the rides. Dh and dd walked right onto Space Mountain. The walk through the "pre-show" was probably longer than the ride. We were the only people on Snow White's Scary Adventures. Best of all, Tinkerbell was actually IN the parade. In 10 years of going with Rachel at least once a year, and in 30 years of going off and on in my lifetime, we've never before seen Tink aside from her flight in the sky before the fireworks. Had plenty of pool time, thanks to the nice weather. Rachel also got to see both sets of grandparents, who spoiled her quite nicely. Her actual birthday dinner was spent with Cinderella and Prince Charming. It's wonderful to see the magic is still there at 10. Rachel is still excited to see and chat with the princesses and she still loves to wear her princess costumes. She was eyeing that new Bibbity Bobbety Boo Boutique in Downtown Disney and even asked if she could have an appointment for her hair and makeup on a future trip. She wore her red Belle princess dress to the party at the Magic Kingdom, (I'll post an older layout with her in it below), and I think she regretted not wearing it to her Cinderella birthday dinner at the Grand Floridian.

Tomorrow is her actual birthday party. Still need to round up the last few RSVPs. Her school is still on spring break, so the numbers are a bit smaller than she had hoped for. For whatever reason, she usually ends up with 10 children at her parties- whether she invites 10 or 20.

I feel like we've entered another era. Double digits. Officially a tween. So glad I am here to watch it all unfold.