This Is The Part...

... where we try to see how many things we can still cram in to this vacation.

We're a little "off", partly because being sick has cost us some hours, partly because of that move we had to make in the middle of the night, and partly because Disney decided to close Blizzard Beach for refurbishment before it was originally scheduled.  We always plan well, but this has been the best planned trip to date with the worst actual following of the plan!

This morning, we went back to Hollywood Studios to catch a few of our favorites one more time.  I think I have enjoyed Hollywood Studios more on this trip than ever before, and I just about can't wait until the new Pixar and Star Wars additions!  We couldn't get back on Toy Story Mania (without waiting a really long time), but we did get fastpasses for another showing of the Frozen Sing Along, one more ride on Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Star Tours (which only Seth and Grace did again):

The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway...

"Snow" to end the Sing Along:

I have decided it is simply impossible

to get a flattering ride photo on

Rockin' Roller Coaster:

Posing outside of Star Tours:

And... you know... Don't forget the food...

Traditional Pizza Planet Picture:

 This kid has been waiting his entire life

for a giant Disney turkey leg... True Story:

We had hoped to spend the afternoon at Disney Quest, but now Phil is feeling sick, so instead we purchased more cold medicine at Walmart and spent some more time at the cabin.  No big deal.  Plenty of time left.

One of the hidden gems of Disney that we discovered on our last trip was the Chip and Dale campfire sing-along followed by the electric water pageant and fireworks viewed on the beach at Fort Wilderness.  As a kid, I remember seeing the electric water pageant from the monorail and loving it.  It's not really a major attraction or anything, but it is a fun little show.  We hauled hot dogs and more stuff for s'mores than any one family could actually consume down to the campfire and proceeded to have a tasty (if messy) dinner followed by the Hokey Pokey (wait, where did my teenagers go) and a trip to the beach.  I'm not sure there is anything more peaceful than just sitting at the seven seas lagoon, in the dark, watching the night light up.  The only complaint I have is that the speaker system was really quiet, so we couldn't hear the soundtrack for Hallow Wishes.

Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog:

Miah and I met Chip and Dale

I might have been kissed by a chipmunk

Electric Water Pageant:

Fireworks view from the beach:

Oh look!  Another hidden Mickey:

As it turns out, it was also a fabulous day for family selfies...

In Tatooine:

On the tram:

 And at the beach:

One more full day of magic coming our way...

L.

Pictures Taken Today: 199

I Saw A Quote...

... the other day.  It came from the Musikgarten Facebook page.  This is what it said:

"The fact that children

can make beautiful music

is less significant

than the fact that music

can make beautiful children"

-Cheryl Lavender

I don't know who Cheryl Lavender is, but wow... she nailed it!

As many of you know, Grace is becoming quite the pianist.  Honestly, music is sort of her life (or at least a significantly large chunk of it).  She has big plans, and those plans include becoming a piano teacher someday.  She practices for more than an hour on most days, without being asked.  She composes music.  Everyone loves to hear her play when they visit.  People like to hear her play at church.  Grandmas and Grandpas come for her concerts and recitals.  She wins stuff.  I am over the moon proud of her.  Undoubtedly, Grace makes beautiful music.  This post is in no way intended to diminish that fact. 

But then there's Caleb...

Caleb loves life.  He is in his second year of piano classes, and he is at least a full book behind his class.  He doesn't really care, because he is hanging out with his friends (most of them have been in music class, together, since age four), and he is learning a little bit of something about music.  Most people don't ask to hear him play when they come over.    He practices when he thinks about it, which is roughly twice a week... for around 30 minutes.  But today was "Mini Musicale", so he put in about an hour.  I can't begin to tell you how many times I listened to "Oranges and Lemons" today.

At any rate, I joined him for Mini Musicale, but I knew we would have to leave early, as our basketball schedule is right on top of music class for the next nine weeks.  I love to participate with Caleb in class... and what I mean by participate is watch.  Caleb always... always... thinks I need to dance (even if the other parents are not).  So, of course, I do (if you can call it that...  I am seriously challenged in this area).  After the longest dance of all time (well, except for "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy", to which I was subjected at the Christmas party, and may I say that Phil does a mean sugar plum fairy... much better than me), I paused to grab my camera, and the class was already dancing the new dance before Caleb realized I was conspicuously missing.  I was so glad to capture this shot.  Music does, indeed, make beautiful children"!

 

Shortly after the dancing, we had to go.  The actual Mini Musicale, where the kids get to play several selections for the parents who are present, hadn't happened yet.  As we walked through the doorway, Caleb exclaimed, "Mom!  All my practice will be wasted!"  We walked back in and I asked if Caleb could go first.  Of course, he played "Oranges and Lemons"... and you know what?  He played it just perfectly and got a star!

I wonder what we'll be listening to next week? 

L.