Dear Travelers,
Our two weeks in Florida was plentiful with peeks of this and that, lots of animals. With surprises at every turn, one of my favorite days was spent at Animal Kingdom. Despite an oddly cold day we made it through as many places as we could. We warmed up with Daddy's stocking stuffer hand warmers we had stowed in his backpack. You cuddled yours Hazel and Henry you kept yours in your hip pocket looking for a little bit of toasty. Daddy had them tucked around his hood.
We started the animal tour on the safari jeep ride. Super fun! The two of you sat on the seat next to me peeking out, being the first to name out the animals, being sure to remind me to check the off in the Explorer booklet.
The bloat of hippos and the congregation of alligators were exciting!
We were able to work our way through Africa, getting distracted in an area that featured a stream with brightly colored fish.
After turning the corner we saw yet another stream cross section with what appeared to be just more of these fish. Just as Mommy started to say, "Yep, more fish," a large thing floated in front of the window. I said "Oh, Manatee! OH OH OH! No! A GIANT HIPPO!" It floated across the window and just when you were about to walk away, the hippo turned and the GIANT FACE WAS RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR FACE! We all flipped out! It was beyond cool and so unexpected!
Even more unexpected was the thrill of riding a big roller coaster with you, Expedition Everest. This sucker had you screaming the entire time from the front seat and begging and cheering for another ride when it ended! I loved hearing you telling daddy about the yeti ripped apart tracks that you thought we would fly off, the backwards, the dark and the "exhilarations." This meant we would be riding roller coasters at every opportunity.
A really amazing opportunity at Animal Kingdom is the Wilderness Explorer program. We started our visit by getting a booklet that put us on a scavenger hunt to learn about the animals and places you see around the park. It was so well laid out and had a funky gestures you learn at the start that you were sold on it right away and driven to find all the info you could.
In particular you loved the gorillas and the people working that station. Their enclosure was great, if you have to be an animal in an enclosure. There is a lot of room for them to roam.
You both loved watching them, touching the skulls and seeing how you measure up against a gorilla's size.
Finally, we made it to the enclosed conservation learning center and by the time we made it out it warmed up for about an hour. We pet some goats and pigs.
If this was all we had done the entire day it would have been enough. Daddy had goats all around you (Hazel) and his chair rubbing their backs and eating his mug. You were all giggles, while Henny, you were busy brushing some blissfully sleeping pigs.
After washing hands and getting something to eat the cold made it impossible to stay. We went to see the Nemo production in one last hope that it would warm up by the time it was over. No such luck, but it was super neat and elaborate. Hazel, you popped the bubbles falling down on us at the end with such joy, it made it worthwhile. We headed back to the buses, went back to the hotel and tried to get warm and rest.
This was my favorite day at the Disney parks by far and one place I would return to for the parts we didn't make it to; Dino World and Asia. I loved learned and exploring with you both, my little Wilderness Explorers, Caw Caw.
Love, Mama
Dear Beach Babies,
We spent a day in Daytona Beach. A great beach as it allows Daddy's chair to run effortlessly across its compact sands. This was the day I most looked forward to, images of my babies running and chasing Daddy across the sand, skipping feet through the cool water.
As I watched the two of you play some things that were already obvious to me became striking in a new way. You both have a lot of enthusiasm for new things, a zeal for jumping right in after a cautious survey of your surroundings. Henry you were beyond any bit self control to be able to wait to make it to the beach. When we got to the water's edge Daddy and I hung back a minute. You stood and stared, digging your toes into the sand. You stretched your arms wide out to your sides, welcoming it all, before crouching to your knees and grasping your hands out, plunging them into the sand and squeezing the sand over and over.
You'd pull out a fist full and pile it to the side, over and over. I felt like you were having a real moment connecting to the earth, the water, the sand.
I was touched watching you. The rest of the day went like this for you, squeezing all you could around you, including Hazel.
This is pretty much our day today at home, too. You like to grab, squeeze, and compress us and the world around you. You can bring such depth and intensity to things sometimes, with a tender edge. I enjoyed watching you run around and try to slip your arms under the water's edge, only to get splashed in the face.
Hazel, you on the other hand, bring light and air to your experiences. Timid at first, you were unsure of the sand and water, only allowing a single big toe to dig.
You stretched your body long and threw your arms back to catch the wind.
Grabbing the sand, you threw small fists high into the air allowing the wind to blow it around.
You plopped your feet in the water resulting in grand splashes that converted to giggles. At one point you shoved your head into the water, standing up quickly you squealed; until you lost your balance and were completely wet!
You are such a sensory seeker you used your head as a bulldozer, moving sand along in front of you. Your gentle way with a punch at the end seems so joyful and buoyant.
You both are so different, yet I love that variety and the challenges those differences bring. To top our day, the ice cream truck drove along the beach and we were ready. Henry you tried to protect Hazel from the cars crossing the beach but she was too concerned with catching up to me to eat her Screwball ice cream.
We played together a bit more before we were kicked off the beach as the sun set, Daddy chased you both some and enjoyed your love of the beach.
A beautiful afternoon with my family, complete with some insight into how you each operate. I had a moment of sadness for those that don't get to leave the area they live in, those who don't get a break, those who don't get to see different trees and landscape.
There is nothing like it for moments of peace and perspective. I am grateful Daddy works so hard that we are able to take such a trip, to give you these experiences every human deserves.
Love, Mama
Dear Travel Buddies,
What a joyful time for us! Daddy was able to take two weeks of vacation! This hasn't happened since before Daddy became sick a couple of years ago. Henry, you were just about to turn 2 the last big trip we took to Florida (featured here). This trip you were about to turn 5 and Hazel a 1.5. We took a trip to Florida to see Grandpa Tim and Trish and to venture our first Disney experience. Your last trip I chronicled each day or so. This time around with two kidlets running around I certainly wasn't able to do that. This is okay, though I absolutely love looking back on my little blog to you. I took some mental snap shots (and of course real snapshots) of observations and the particular moments that happen during vacation that creates a glow around our family.
The first day of our two day drive we made it about 12 minutes on the outside of town before you asked the big question, "ARE WE IN FLORIDA, YET!" We explained we would be in the car for two days, so settle in. You did, and were especially happy after an IHOP lunch. You were floored by the syrup options and the smile-faced pancake you were about to eat.
We took a stop in Cave City. We always do a visit to the souvenir store just off the exit just past Dino World. It is more of a dungeon of all old 70's-80's tchotchkes and t-shirts travelers had yet to purchase, including buttons that declare you love of Walt or Joan and short sleeve sweatshirts with fuzzy lettering and picture of Mammoth Cave, and yes, Hazel, you are wearing your shirt currently. Then, we take the standard pic by the triceratops and get on our way.
After a LOOOONNNNG second day drive we hit the Florida line just as a bursting bladder hits you. With nothing in sight in way of a proper place to pee we pull to the side of the road and the world is suddenly a little warmer and sunnier. You jumped for joy and scream that we are FINALLY in Florida, right in front of the cows.
Your enthusiasm helped us make the last couple of hours to Grandpa Tim and Trish's. I loved the thrill on your face and the joyfulness from your heart. There are so many new things to come for the two littlest Thompsons and in two weeks you both seemed to have grown up a lot. I can't wait to share more with you, tomorrow.
Love, Mama
