Our last day. So if this is the first entry you are reading about our trip to Disney World, you really ought to start at the beginning. This was not quite a full day at Disney, but you know, we were a little pooped. Linda had never been to Animal Kingdom, so that was our final stop. My girls were especially excited to go on "Expedition Everest" with her. We started in that direction first thing to get a FASTPASS, but realized that the stand-by line was only a 20-minute wait. My girls were roller coaster aficionados by this point. I think it was my favorite ride of all the rides in all the parks. So, lucky us, the line was still short when we got off the ride; we got right back in line to wait again. Maybe some of us were a little less enthusiastic after the second time around. You gotta love Kristen's face in this picture:
Realizing that I had an entire day ahead of me, including a plane ride, I opted not to ride the "Kali River Rapids" again. I thought it was a wise choice on my part. Kristen got soaked this time around and Linda was just a tad bit damp as well.
We had to be at the airport by 2 pm local and didn't have too much time at Animal Kingdom, but we still had time for a few shows. Our final show of the day was "Flights of Wonder". We were all pretty enthralled by the birds. Disney does an amazing job of putting on a show, holding its employees to the highest of standards, and making dreams come true. We were exhausted to be sure, but we had an amazing vacation.
Off to the airport. We arrived in plenty of time to get checked in and have lunch before boarding. Plus a last-minute trip to the souvenir shop. Grandma loves to spoil her grandchildren. Somehow Linda lucked out and had Amy and Misha sitting beside her on the airplane. Now, there's nothing wrong with sitting by Kristen, except that she chatters and chatters and chatters. Non-stop! We set up a movie for her to watch on the iPod, but she'd seen them all already and they didn't hold her interest for long. After two hours, we decided to switch kids up. We got Misha, Grandma got Kristen. Kristen began her chatter, chatter, chatter routine immediately. We sent over coloring books and crayons and that cut her chatter down to an intermittent level.
Cue the sad music. My children were not happy to say goodbye to Grandma. In fact, they would love to spend the whole summer with her if they could. She had to change planes in Denver, so we walked with her from our plane to the new boarding area. Misha had tears rolling down her face. Goodbyes are no fun, but we had a fantastic time together. Thanks, Linda, for making the effort to come.
She sent an email after arriving home and I thought the last part was so her (she's a cryer too): I watched you leave at the airport until the 2 sets of mouse ears turned the far corner. And yes I cried. ;). Love you all.