Yup. Still trying to get all of these precious pictures organized and blogged of my favorite people on our most favorite vacation ever.
So here we go with Day 4.
(In each post I’m including links to our Memory Maker photos where we have them – these links are really for me, as are the links to all our videos, as a way to keep all the memories together. Just want to have a simple way for our family to look back on this fairy-tale adventure and be reminded of the Shook family’s astounding generosity and His unfathomable gift-giving ability.)
Originally, we had planned to spend this second-to-last day at Hollywood Studios, with our final day devoted to the Magic Kingdom – our most favorite of all the parks. But there was a birthday girl in the house. And the birthday girl wanted to spend her big day at the Magic Kingdom.
And not just any birthday. Sophie was turning 13.
And, as only the best-gift-giving God could orchestrate, we were able to celebrate it at the most Magical Place on Earth.
And when we arrived it was as if everyone at the Magic Kingdom knew… the Parade down Main Street was in full swing.
Clementine was still a little groggy – okay, we were all a little groggy – but what better way to wake up than with a parade at the Magic Kingdom?
Our first destination was Tomorrowland.
We had a Fast Pass at Tomorrowland Speedway, a ride that was recommended but that we’d missed on our first day at Disney.
Sooo glad we listened (y’all give the best advice) and made this the first ride of the day.
It was a perfect beginning to what was to be an awesome day.
This was one of the funnest rides at Magic Kingdom for us, due at least in part to the hilarious reactions we got from the littlest family members.
We had to get creative pairing up everyone so there was someone big enough to be a driver in each car.
I partnered up with Magnolia and Clementine with Chris. Or, more accurately, Clementine drove while Chris rode.
And Magnolia drove while laughed hysterically.
Then onto the Barnstormer – one we’d ridden before and wanted to ride again.
Just enough, but not too much, on this tiny roller-coaster ride for *almost* the entire crew.
Clementine was happy to hang out in the stroller and, more specifically, not ride any roller-coasters of any size.
Then a stop at Buzz Lightyear, because we’d had fun on it our first day. And, even more so, because it didn’t scare Clementine nearly as much as Space Mountain would have – which is where all the big kids (and those without motion sickness) went.
Before leaving Tomorrowland, and after seeing signs and people wrapped around in a line for it, we decided to check out the People Mover.
While not a ride that’ll set your hair on fire, the littles sure had fun.
And we got a chance to catch our breath, rest our feet and enjoy the view of the park.
Then the long wait for the Astro-Orbiter.
Another ride we weren’t 100% sure about, especially since the line seemed endless and landed right in front of an elevator going to an undisclosed location.
But it ended up being a highlight – because riding rides like this together made us all laugh hysterically…
And then there was the weather.
And the view.
The birthday girl wanted one more spin on Prince Charming’s Carrousel so – while Clementine and Magnolia napped and the other half of the crew went to the Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor – I camped out next to the stroller and took pictures while they rode.
The last thing on Sophie’s list of birthday-girl wishes was a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle.
And this mama was so very happy to oblige.
So while the littlest continued to nap, we did our best to make some Cinderella’s Castle magic happen.
What I lack in skill I think they made up for in enthusiasm and adorable-ness.
While the girls continued to nap, we planted ourselves in front of Cinderella’s Castle for a bit – snacking, joking, fake-smiling for the camera and resting up before the beginning of the end of the day.
Then the girls were up and we made it all the way to the other side of Cinderella’s Castle. Where we promptly had to make a bathroom break.
And a blessed bathroom break it was.
While we waited, snacking again and goofing off again, a family walked up. A very special family.
A family that has a one-in-a-kajillion connection to our family.
Their littlest girl, Corinthia, was adopted from China.
And not from just anywhere in China, but from Little Flower in Beijing. The same place that cared for Magnolia.
And not only were both Magnolia and Corinthia cared for at Little Flower, but they were there at the baby house at the same time.
And were pretty much best friends.
Corinthia took it all in stride but sweet Magnolia was completely overwhelmed. She clearly recognized her little friend… but just didn’t know what to do with all those huge feelings.
Lots and lots of mama hugs ensued.
The visit was brief but wow. What an indescribable gift to see these two little ones, reunited on this side of the world after they spending so many months together on the other side.
Then on to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Again.
Because we had to ride it just one more time, knowing a trip back to Disney anywhere in the relatively near-future is extraordinarily unlikely.
Next up was a Fast Pass on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, despite really knowing what it was. (I actually thought it was a train ride. Sheesh.) Ended up being sooo much fun. Chris and the big boys watched the littlest while I took everyone else – such a fun surprise.
I just wish we’d have known what fun it was a little earlier, we’d have made room in our day to ride it again.
But the day was almost done.
We’d chosen, as the final ride for the day, Splash Mountain. Yes, a bit too scary for the littlest, but one everyone else really wanted to ride.
Instead of wasting our last minutes at the Magic Kingdom, I hustled over to their most favorite-y favorite ride of our entire Disney trip: It’s a Small World.
I wasn’t able to manage two kids three and under in a boat and wield my big camera, but I did get a little video. And then a little more.
Such a day.
Such a reminder of His goodness, His provision, His sovereignty – all wrapped up with some sweet fairy dust, perfectly fit for a beloved, beautiful, brand-new teenager.
No parting shots on this day, though. We were on a mission to get our girl a big plate of nachos and a Coke before her big day was done…
Next up, our final day at Disney.