We got back from FL last night around 6:30. The trip was fantastic!! We all had so much fun.
It all started last Tues when we flew into Orlando. The flight went well and the weather was beautiful but we weren't able to check into our hotel right away so we spent a few hours at Downtown Disney. We went thru shoppes, got some lunch, ran thru the fountain and went on our first ride at Disney, a train, go figure. Later after checking in to our hotel the All Star Sports and getting settled we went to play putt-putt at Disney's Winter Summerland minature golf course. The course was very well thought out, like everything at Disney, and we decided to do the summer course (we had enough of winter). At hole #3 as you crossed over a bridge a couple of fish would squirt water at you. Jackson did not like this and was very cautious thru the rest of the course. Another hole had what looked like Santa & his elves sleeping under the "sand" and even had a sound box with snorring. Jackson wouldn't even hit his ball on these holes. Brandon and I tried so hard not to laugh and to show Jackson that it was ok but he wasn't having it.
Jackson & Huey (or Dewey or Louie)??
Putt-putt sand castle
Wednesday was the big day Jackson had been waiting for. The day he was going to meet Mickey Mouse. We got to the park just as Mickey & Minnie were counting down the seconds to opening the park. We helped count down and went in. Our first stop was to the train station and then onto Frontierland. Jackson rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster with us and then we spotted Goofy. Of course I had left the batteries for the camera charging in the hotel room so I wasn't able to get a pic of him and Goofy but I did have the video camera and Goofy did a little dance for us. Jackson loved it! He went right up to him and gave him "five". After that we watched daddy go on Splash Mountain (Jackson didn't want to get wet), and then we hopped back on the train to our next destination at Mickey's toontown fair. We spent the rest of the afternoon going on rides and meeting characters. He was able to see Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Stitch, Chip & Dale, (and their mommy & daddy), Tigger & Pooh, and of course Mickey & Minnie. He wasn't afraid and went right up to them all. He hugged and kissed and gave high-fives and even tweaked a few noses. :) We were all tuckered out and left the park just as it was getting dark. It was definitely a magical day.
Jackson & mommy in the teacups
Jackson & Mickey & Minnie
Thursday, we thought we'd take easy and went back to Downtown Disney for a little more shopping and to check out Legoland. We had missed this the first day. It's amazing what you can with Lego's and a little imagination. By the time we left we ended up with a couple of Spongebob Lego kits and a few other gifts. I think daddy had just as much fun in this store as Jackson did. After that we headed back to the hotel for what was suppose to be a little rest but turned into Lego making time. After lego time we went to get some lunch at Disney's Caribbean resort and then spent a few hours in the pool. Then it was onto the petting zoo at Disney's Fort Wilderness. As it turned out the petting zoo wasn't much of a petting zoo but he was able to ride a pony, so it wasn't a wasted trip. We ended the night in the arcade where Jackson won tokens and cashed them in for 8 small toy turtles, don't ask. We were all pretty tired and called it a night after that.
Riding Snow the pony
Daddy & Jackson going down the water slide.
Jackson petting dogs made out of legos.
Friday morning we packed up and headed over to Tampa. We were suppose to meet Nana & Papa Barnett at the tux shop that afternoon for final fittings and decided to spend the day checking out Tampa's Lowry Park zoo. The zoo had some great attractions and rides. Jackson loved the roller coaster in the kids park or down under section. But his favorite animals were the stingrays. He loved being able to pet them. The manatee's and the lorakeets were pretty cool too. We had a little issue when we wasn't tall enough to go on the log ride but he calmed down when we mentioned ice cream. It was a really nice zoo and a great way to spend the afternoon.
Jackson & mommy feeding the lorakeets
Jackson & daddy petting the stingrays.
Jackson & Angie the llama.
After the zoo we meet Nana & Papa Barnett for the final tux fittings which didn't go so well. It took a lot of coaxing and bribing but I finally was able to get Jackson into his tux. Thank goodness he didn't have to keep it on long. Then we were off to Sarasota to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. After a long day of driving, being out in the sun at the zoo, getting into a tux that he didn't want to wear, and having a bit of a cold I should have seen it coming, the last thing Jackson wanted to do was to change out of his "play clothes" and go to dinner. He threw a HUGE tantrum complete with kicking and screaming the whole shebang. He doesn't do this often but when he does it's quite a scene. So we loaded him into the mini van anyway and just let him scream. He finally calmed down and by the time we got to the restaurant and he was fine and was even laughing again. Shortly after arriving I happened to look down and he had a bloody nose. UGH! So Brandon and I sat down taking turns holding tissues and trying to keep him still until his nose stopped. When it finally did it was getting close to his bed time and everyone was just sitting down to eat. Jackson ate his pizza and we almost made it thru the first course before he fell asleep. We tried to hold him and stay but he wasn't very comfortable and kept waking up so we decided to call it a night. As we were saying goodbye, guess who walks up...Dick Vitale!! We couldn't believe it, Dickie V (he had been doing a book signing)! But we had to get Jackson to bed so off we went. From what we heard, Dickie V hung out for a short time and signed one of his books for Matt & Heather. Oh well, the things you do for your kids.
On Sat, we went with Nana & Papa Luban to the Mote Aquarium on Longboat Key. They had some great exhibits including sharks, manatees, dolphins and sea turtles. They also had a little petting area where Jackson pet a sea cucumber. We had lunch at the Aquarium and just enjoyed the afternoon with Nana & Papa. On the way back we got stuck in traffic because of a car show and Jackson fell asleep while Brandon drooled over the Porsche's, Ferrari's, Bentley's, Corvettes, Lamborghini's, etc, they had them all. Actually they were pretty cool and I am not a car girl. Jackson took a great nap and then we were off to Nana & Papa Barnett's house for yet another party to celebrate the wedding. It was a beautiful party in an amazing old house with wonderful food! It was a perfect night to just relax and enjoy the food.
Auntie Heather, Nana Luban & Jackson
Jackson & Papa Luban
Daddy & Jackson measuring up to a manatee.
Jackson petting a sea cucumber.
Jackson & daddy & uncle Dave.
Sunday was the wedding day. We had rehearsal in the morning and it went great! Jackson did wonderful!! He walked with the girls and had a blast with the groomsmen. We all had our fingers crossed that the afternoon would be the same. The girls all went early to get ready and Brandon took Jackson to play putt-putt. We got to the mansion and boys all looked so handsome and Jackson was still in his "play clothes". We tried. That's all I can say. We REALLY tried. In the end it just wasn't worth it. He wasn't having it and no one was having any fun trying to make him get dressed. So the party went on without the ring bearer and it was perfect. Heather made such a beautiful bride. The night was so much fun. We all danced, including Jackson who stole the spotlight a couple of times. It was such a wonderful night. And Nana Luban made it even more wonderful when she stayed with Jackson at the hotel after he fell asleep so that Brandon and I could go back to the party. Thank you so much Marcia!!
Jackson dancing.
Heather & Cheri
Monday was our last day and for me it started a little rough but thankfully that didn't last long. Brandon spent a short while at the Red's training camp and then we all headed down to Lido Beach to enjoy the sun and sand on our last day. Jackson had a wonderful time playing in the water and with the shells. Our last evening was spent by going to dinner with the family. Jackson loved playing with Uncle Dave and Papa, and Brandon and I enjoyed chatting with everyone that we don't get to see very often. It was a nice way to end a great vacation.
Daddy & Jackson on Lido Beach
playing in the water
collecting shells
When we got back to the hotel we packed up so we'd be ready the next morning. Good thing we did because when Jackson woke up he was ready to go home. He kept asking "what's taking so long".
It was a little hard to wake up this morning and see it snowing instead of palm trees but it felt amazing to sleep in my bed. Hopefully we'll be able to take many more trips like that. But I don't think Jackson is cut out to be a ring bearer. Congrats again Heather & Matt. We love you!
