Dear Finnlee: November 2012

Two weekends ago, Sydney turned seven. As we often do, we decided to head to Disney to commemorate the birthday. It was a somewhat last-minute decision, but the fact that it centered around attending Mickey's Christmas Party made it worth the hasty details. I couldn't wait to see what you thought of your very first Disney trip. Too bad you won't remember a thing!

That first glimpse of the castle is always magical, even if it's a blurry-through-the-monorail-window glance.

We arrived Friday afternoon and made a quick stop at Downtown Disney while Daddy checked into our hotel. It turned out it was the Festival of the Masters, a weekend of art-related special events. We instantly stumbled upon a chalk artist at work, art booths and free arts and craft stops. "Free" and "Disney" aren't usually mentioned in the same sentence, so we had to partake! You were a bit overwhelmed from the car trip already, so it took a bit for you to acclimate. Once I let you walk (barefoot, of course) while your sisters made picture frames you started to come around.

Walking on fake grass at Downtown Disney!

Making their own Vinylmation Mickeys at D Street...such a cool store.

I was a bit obsessed with this table.

Posers.

Contributing to a pop-art mural.

Something tells me we've found the right place. Now what could it be?

That night was the highlight of the trip. Mickey's Christmas Party! We've been to this event once before and it is always magical, but it was your first time. Disney reopens at night for a much smaller crowd, decorated to the hilt for Christmas. We had to buy our tickets way in advance. Almost all of the rides are open, including part of the newest area with the princess castles. We got to be among the first to see Belle and Ariel's attractions. There are free cocoa and cookie stations all over the place, special "dance party" areas, Christmas music playing throughout the park and the castle is dripping in lights. It culminates in several back to back events, including fireworks, a Christmas parade, a Christmas show on the castle stage and SNOW ON MAIN STREET. Need I say more? I could've sat on Main Street and watched that fake snow drift down between the fake evergreen boughs that were strung across the sky all night. That's a Florida girl for you, I guess. I get all choked up over fake snow. Your reaction was priceless: reaching out for the "snow" with a look of wonder. You were a party animal. You were awake until well after midnight with only a short nap to hold you over. Sydney, however, had to be woken up at midnight, as we left the park, to be told it wished a "happy birthday." None of this surprises me.

Disney + Christmas = Magic!

Meeting Ariel

Belle has arrived!

Being rewarded for being in Belle's play.

Inside a cocoa and cookie spot. You were in awe of all of the people.

Hot (cocoa) Date.

A chance run-in with Peter Pan & Wendy. They were tiptoeing and whispering because you were asleep.

There's nothing like Disney's lights at Christmas.

Sydney on the Carousel

Syd's favorite character. Disney's new tactic: funky lighting at character spots so you're forced to buy their photos.

Stunning.

Getting ready to watch the show & eating your second cookie of the night. You were a party animal.

The finale.

Snow on Main Street!!!

And again...looking back toward the castle this time...because you can never have too many.

We didn't have to carry Kylee this year! Yet.

Main Street, all lit up. Why can't downtown Naples look like this. And SNOW!

After a very uncomfortable night of sleep (tiny beds) and a pancake breakfast, we returned to the Magic Kingdom the next day with Uncle Adam. Still beautiful during the day, I enjoyed every minute of the walk down Main Street. We packed in a few activities at the park, mostly based on the birthday girl's requests. All-in-all, you rode It's a Small World, Ariel's Grotto, The Jungle Cruise and Pirate's of the Caribbean. Not bad. I wanted to get you on the carousel, but you fell asleep. Guess we'll have to go back. Darn. Sydney rode her first roller coaster: Thunder Mountain! And you had your first taste of Dole Whip. It won't be your last. Promise. We ended up spending the evening at Hollywood Studios after finding out our tickets were blacked out at Epcot. It was worth it for one reason alone: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights! After sunset, there is about a two-block stretch of facades coated in every imaginable form of Christmas lights. Every minute or so they would dance along to Christmas music, alternated with a showering of fake snow. It was spectacular! You woke up in the middle of the ordeal, so I can only imagine what must have gone through your mind! I love that you don't cry over loud noises or crowds like your sisters used to. You just take it all in stride. Maybe with an extra tight hug now and then, but no tears.

Your first glimpse of the Magic Kingdom, by daylight.

The Birthday Girl!

Jungle Cruisin'.

Best seat in the house for Jack Sparrow.

On the ferry to Tom Sawyer Island and getting squashed by Uncle Adam.

Come on, with your sweet snuggles!

Ready to explore the island!

Squirrel-sighting.

Yeah, this actually happened. Taking the spirit of Tom Sawyer a bit too far.

The bridge.

Hanging out in the fort. Can you tell this island is our favorite spot?

Farewell, Magic Kingdom. You are even festive by day!

Ridin' the rails (on the monorail).

These two.

Birthday lunch at Hollywood Studios.

My painted ladies, part one.

My painted ladies, part two.

The Spectacle of Lights was just that!

Amazing displays!

See the "snow"?

Sunday was a lazy day. No theme parks. Just a detour back to Downtown Disney before heading home. After hitting up Earl of Sandwich for breakfast and taking in some mind-blowing chalk art, courtesy of a contest that was being held, your sisters ordered massive Ghiradelli sundaes, blew some money at T-Rex and kissed Disney goodbye. You were ready to head home, I am certain, but I'll never forget the look of recognition on your face when you connected the Mickey Mouse at Disney with the Mickey Mouse from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You even started saying his name! I realize I shouldn't be as okay with this as I am. Of course, Disney is over-commercialized and overpriced. But maybe it's the Floridian in me. Disney is a magical part of my childhood and something I enjoy passing along to my children. I have somehow made peace with their money-hungry ways. I look forward to deeper and more impactful vacations with my family, but this one was all about fun. I'm okay with that.