We left COLD Virginia, and headed down to WARM and Sunny Florida to stay with our friends, who live in Orlando. We went to Disney World, Epcot, and then spent the rest of the week at the Beach. What was great about it, is we got all the walking and exhausting stuff done first, then spent the rest of the week relaxing at the beach. It really was the perfect vacation.
My friends in Orlando have 2 kids, 11 and 13, and they were wonderful with Leila, and took her on all the dizzy round and round rides, that I would NEVER get on!!! I was totally prepared for Leila to wimp out on going on any rides...but she was amazing and is a Disney Ride Diva!!! Because we stayed at a Disney Resort, we got to stay 3 hours longer at the park, which meant, rides until 2am. My girlfriend asked if Leila would make it that long...and I didn't have a clue...so we rented a stroller, and just played it by ear. At 1am, when my girlfriends kids' had had enough...my little trouper was saying "more rides, more rides". Leila never used the stroller!
We hit Epcot the next day...but we were all still exhausted from the Magic Kingdom the night before...so we kinda dragged through it all...and Leila wasn't overly excited about the rides there...guess she's more of a thrill seeker...and prefers those crazy teacups and the speedway at the Magic Kingdom!!!
Next, we headed to Daytona Beach, and Leila's first sight of the ocean. She was enthralled with it all, and luckily, my girlfriends kids and their friends took Leila off into the water, and let her help them build sandcastles. While I reclined on a beach chair and read a book...perfection!!!
Anyhow...I would say our first vacation together was a huge success...and if I have anything to say about it...we'll be doing it again soon. There's nothing better than having a friend who lives in Orlando, and has a beach house...and 2 built in babysitters!!! HAHAAHAHAHA
And Nicki and Noah...if you read this...you two are the BEST...and did a great job taking care of Leila and entertaining her. You were so very kind, and gentle with her...although Noah is still the "monster"...but she loves you both so very much.
Debbie and Mike...THANK YOU for the hospitality and opening your home to us...we had a great time! Madeline...thanks for the YUMMY dinner on our final night there...Your, from scratch, Caesar salad is TO DIE FOR, and lived up to my memories...thanks for making it for me, upon request!
Now...here are some pictures of our adventures:
Leila's favorite guy!!! She wouldn't pose with Minnie...because she had a dress on, and she was wearing diapers (she was wearing bloomers...but you couldn't tell Leila that)!!!
Her next favorite guy, Goofy.
Pluto...another favorite of Leila's!
Leila and I at Epcot
Leila and Nicki...Nicki is sharing her frozen banana...it looks like Leila didn't like, but she did and ate it all...poor Nicki...Nicki...I owe you one frozen banana!
Leila in China (Epcot)!
My little surfer!
The BEST babysitters!!!
Beach shots of Leila and I together. Thanks to my friend Leiha for taking these pictures. I'm often the picture taker, so there usually aren't too many shots of Leila and I together.
