Vacation part 1: Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Aghhh...vacation. Oh, how it took so long to arrive yet was over in a flash. We departed early Tuesday a.m. Russ took my mom, the kids and I to the airport, dropped us off (along with our piles of luggage) and wished us well. I was so bummed he couldn't go with us, but certainly couldn't mope for long, for I had 2 kids, a double stroller, 2 suitcases, 2 carseats, a carry on bag, laptop, diapers, etc to lug to the check in counter. Making a long story short, we checked our bags (well, 1 bag, and 2 carseats - don't get me started on the cost to check a bag) and headed to Starbucks for some much needed coffee. We boarded the plane on time with 2 happy kids. They weren't nervous, or anxious or fussy. Just really great kids. Guess I got myself worked up for nothing (I worried for weeks trying to prepare Avah for the plane).

They stayed awake the entire trip and we arrived in Tampa to SUN, SUN, SUN. We rented a car (not a bad experience either) and made our way to my cousin's house (she was nice enough to let us intrude for the week). We spent the rest of the day reacquainting the kids and made it to bed at a decent time so we could get up early the next morning to go to Disney.

When we arrived at Disney, our hotel room wasn't ready so we made our way to downtown Disney and let the kids run around. They rode the carousel, saw lego land, and then we had lunch at a great sandwich place.

While we were eating, our hotel sent us a text that our room was ready (how COOL?!!) so we headed back to lounge by the pool. Bennett fell asleep and stayed asleep for over 2 hours (covered and in the shade) while Avah, Olivia, Kris, my mom and I all basked in the sun and played with the kids on the miniature pirate ship. The hotel had 2 great water slides and walk in pools. Before we knew it it was time for lunch and we met Anass (my cousins hubby) for dinner at TGIFridays. While walking back from the pool to our room (there's a sidewalk along a lake within the resort that apparently has alligators in it), Avah said, "Mommy, those alligator's are naughty cause they not listen to their mommies right?" It was to cutest thing.

Stay tuned for Disney Dayz...