My Dad turned 70 this Halloween, and my family planned to all rendezvous in Florida to Celebrate. Tami did a great job in making plans and arranged a great trip in late November to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and a two-day trip to Disney World Magic Kingdom. Sophie has been really loving Mickey Mouse and the Disney pantheon of characters of late, and we thought it would be a fantastic experience to give a three-year old. In early November my sister, Alison, got engaged to her boyfriend, Seth Stottlemyer. The whole family was excited, of course, and was glad we could celebrate while we were all in Florida together, as my sister and Seth were joining us, traveling from Manhattan.

Disney World

Tami, Sophie and I left Seattle Wednesday late-morning, dropped off by Tami’s sister, Lisa. We arrived in Orlando and traveled with my parents to the time-share they had rented for our stay. The time-share was a nice two- bedroom condo quite close to the Magic Kingdom. The following day, Thursday, we headed over to Disney and started the adventure.
As we arrived, we were greeted with the beginning of the mid-day parade. It was a great start to the day, as Sophie got to see so many of the Disney Characters she wanted to see. Sometimes I forget what it must be like to be three-feet tall and be greeted with a parade of real-life cartoons. From there it was off to Fantasyland.

Sophie had been asking to go on the carousel, so that was our first stop. Unfortunately, the size of the ride and number of kids were a little overwhelming to Sophie, so we had to abandon that attempt before the ride started. Instead, our first ride was It’s a Small World,” and had us running the song through our heads for the rest of the day, of course. Sophie was a little frightened, but worked through it and had a good time looking at the little animatronic children among the various “nations” and environments. By the time we got through the line (which actually wasn’t too bad by Disney standards) it was lunchtime, so we walked next door to Pinocchio’s Cafe (or something.) Lunch was over-priced and mediocre, but what are you going to do, since you’re not allowed to bring in outside food?

After lunch my Dad got us fast-pass tickets to Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventure and we returned later. From there we walked toward Tomorrow land, to pick up the wristbands that would allow us to stay past closing and access to the Winter Parade and Celebration that was happening at the end of the day. On the way, we stopped by Pooh’s corner, where Sophie loved playing in Winnie The Pooh’s home. Afterwards, my father and I went on Mad Hatter’s Teacups and proceeded to get a bit motion-sick and dizzy. After the ride we found The White Rabbit close-by, and Sophie was able to get a photo with him (her??)

The teacups are situated quite close to the Speedway, and Sophie was intrigued by the sound of the little cars, and wanted to drive. Tami, Sophie, my Dad, and I all went over and stood in line, while my step-mom, Kay, found a good location from which she could take photos. Sophie and I rode together, while Tami and my Dad each had their own car. Each car is really a go-cart with a racecar-looking body and on a set-track, so even a three-year-old could drive. Unfortunately, though, the steering on those cars is similar to a bumper-car, making them insanely hard to steer. Sophie gave up on driving, so I had to steer from the passenger’s seat.

They had a great dancing and singing show in front of Cinderella’s Castle, and Sophie loved it. Dad and I sat a little apart from the girls who were right up front. There was a cute older couple next to us, that would keep yelling at people to move out of their way. They’d whistle and gesture at people, but eventually had to give up. It was a pretty funny little sideshow.
Dad had gotten Fast Pass tickets for Peter Pan, so we went back and got through the line quickly. Sophie was a little scared, but once she got on the little boat / gondola, everything was fine.

We made it over to Minnie’s house, and Sophie was in heaven. She really enjoyed Minnie’s “Craft Room” and pretended to make Tami dresses and paint painting of Goofy. The rest of the house was really cute, too. We’d definitely be back the next day.

From there we took the train around the park and then headed over to TomorrowLand for dinner. As we were finishing up dinner at the Tomorrowland cafeteria, a little-kids-dance-party. At about 7:00 the party started with a DJ playing music and Goofy and Pluto joining in and dancing with the kids. Sophie was just a little overwhelmed at first, but then really started to get into it and dance. It really was pretty fun.

Back to Cinderella’s Castle for the Winter Extravaganza, where the castle was lit with beautiful sparkles and would change hues from blue to purple to green … the parade was fun and Sophie got to see many of her favorite characters.

We went back to the condo and hit the sack. I’m realizing that I’m never going to get through this post if I keep going into excruciating detail, so here are the general highlights.

Disney World Day 2

On our second day, we brought Sophie’s “Character Book” so the characters she met could sign it. Tami bought this in hopes that Sophie would be able to bring it with her whenever she went to Disney World and could fill it up over time.
The first signature she got this day was Pinocchio. She’s never seen the movie, but loved meeting him, nonetheless. After that we went on a train ride over to Frontierland. We had lunch and hit the Country Bear Jamboree. We watched another parade that happened by as we got out of C.B.J., and then was able to get Sophie photos with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story. Sophie loves the characters, but not really the movies so much … she finds them a little scary.

She’s such a sensitive, nice kid, if you ask me

We then went over to Mickey’s house and Judge’s Barn for Micky and Minnie signatures. One of the things that I’ve noticed since I was a kid going to Disney World, is that the characters seem a lot more visible and accessible now. I was really glad that there was a reasonable way to ensure your child could meet Mickey Mouse. In our case, the line was only about 10 minutes. No big deal, especially in Disney-time.

We then stopped by the Dumbo ride, but again, it was a little scary for Sophie. Instead she was totally content to play in the stationary Dumbo. We left the park and on the way the fireworks started. Sophie amused us all with yelling “kablooie” after each one exploded and did this great little dance.

Afterwards, back at the condo, we had some martinis and much needed rest.

To Sarasota

We woke up to a leisurely morning, but were quickly surprised to learn that check-out was pretty early. We all had to hurry to get out of the condo. We went straight to Waffle House, a favorite breakfast place of ours when we’re in the South. My favorite is their hashbrowns, scattered, smothered and covered. This means hashbrowns with a slice of american cheese and chopped onions. Delish.

We drove across the state on I-4 and then South on I75. My stepmother Marc was there waiting for us, making dinner for his birthday party, which was to be that evening. We met Marc’s new boss, for the job he’s training for. Jim and his wife are starting a new solar-energy business, and came over to celebrate Marc’s birthday with us. We ate on the porch as usual, and Kay made her time-honored ribs, Marc made corn chowder, I helped cut some sweet-potato fries … we had a nice night.

Getting used to the good life

Once we got settled, everything was really nice. Some highlights include, in random order:
- Going to the beach with Sophie, Tami, and Nana and digging in a giant hole.
- Going to the beach with Marc and playing in the sand.
- Playing in the wading area of the pool.
- Lydia buying a nice little gift for Sophie
- Marc coming over almost every day
- Getting to go on a date with Tami and seeing “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows, Part 1″
- Fish dinner (flounder & cod)

Papa took us out in his Boston Whaler for a little boatride along the intercoastal. We know of an area where a dolphin also shows up looking for a handout. For that reason, my family has dubbed him “Moocher.” We thought Sophie would love to see him, and she surely did. It also seemed like *he liked her* too, because he really hung around for a long time, just seeming to look at Sophie. It was pretty awesome.

Sophie was a little intimidated by the boat, but handled it like a trooper. In all fairness, the engines are pretty loud, and the vibrations/waves can be a bit intense. She walked up to Poppa and said, “Papa, when you go super-fast, I get kinda scared.”

The next day Marc my Dad and I went out fishing but didn’t catch a thing. I didn’t really care. It was just nice to get out with the fellas.

Thanksgiving

Ali and Seth come over in the afternoon and we had Thanksgiving dinner. Tami and Sophie, my Dad, Kay, Marc, Ali, and Seth were all there, and Seth’s family came over after we had dinner. My folks had met Seth’s family before, but this was the first time we had met our soon-to-be extended family, as Alison’s planning on marrying Seth next November. The Stottlemyer’s are super-great, and we all had a nice time out on the porch hanging out.

Friday: A Big Day

Every couple of years Kay makes arrangements to get the family together for a family portrait. As we were all together, and there were so many things to celebrate, it seemed only appropriate.

So, we all climbed into two cars and headed to a beach that was pretty close to my Dad’s house and beaches I used to frequent as a kid. The photographer met us on-site and we all hung out and had our pictures taken. The photographer was great and I think the results are great. Kay had packed a cooler with some beer and wine and cheese, etc … so we could casually hang out after the shoot and watch the sunset. As well, this would bide time for the guests to arrive at my parents’ house for the parties happening later.

- Dad’s party = awesome
- Ali’s party = awesome

Saturday

In the morning, Tami, Sophie and I went over to my step-father’s house for a short-but-very-nice visit. My step-sister Kamille was there, along with her long-time boyfriend. We hung out and caught up a bit, while Sophie played on my Mom’s piano. We later took a nice stroll through the gardens my Mom had planted years ago, and got to have Sophie make her wish on the stone Jim had made for her when she was born. It was a very pleasant time for me seeing Sophie playing the piano my Mom loved to play on and see the flowers that are the same ones she planted so long ago.

Jim dropped us off back at my father’s house in time for the evening’s sailboat ride.

After the sailboat ride, Tami and I rendezvoused with Alison and Seth at Selva Grill, and met up with 4 of their friends.- Out to dinner with Alison, Seth and Seth’s friends. Selva Grill is totally one of our favorite restaurants in Sarasota, if not just in general. We had a great night with some really fun people. Seth also asked me to be a groomsman, which I was flattered to accept. Awesome.

Ali & Seth take off

Ali came down the stairs with a book she wanted to read to Sophie. She got it from The Knot, and was about becoming a flower girl. As soon as Sophie saw Aunt Ali come down the stairs, she immediately wanted to hang out. Ali and Sophie curled up on the couch while the rest of us who were awake made some breakfast and generally just hung out. With the book came a little necklace&pendant that Sophie was proud to wear. i think she’s excited to be a flower girl, and absolutely loves her Aunt Alison.

After my parents left with Ali and Seth for the airport, Tami, Sophie and I headed out to the back for one last afternoon in the sand. As always there, it was a great day. There was a band playing in the background — not great music, but whatever — and Sophie loving the sand and just falling down and rolling around in it. It’s really great to see. On the way back to the car — my Dad’s Cadillac Escallade, just for reference 20 years from now — we stopped for blue iceys. Sophie really wanted a snow-cone, but we convinced her to try the icey, and then she ended up with the blueist tongue and lips I’ve seen in a long time.

We returned to my folks place and went for a little swim to get off the sand. I went into the water all the way, but it was cold for a little kid, so Sophie just played on the front step of the pool and pretended to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and I was King Trident.

The evening we had the standard-and-wonderful crab-dinner on the porch. We generally do this on either the first or last night of our visits down there, and is one of our favorite Aidlin rituals.

Heading back to Seattle

- Depart
- dinner: mexican food
- falling asleep, naked, in the seat next to Tami, with her head on Tami’s lap.
- Waking up on landing and being ready to go.
- Aunt Lisa (Deedee) picked us up from the airport, all of us super-sleepy
-Welcome home