It's beginning to look a lot like ... Christmas - even in Florida!

Tim , Ty and I headed to Disney on Monday and checked into the Port Orleans French Quarter hotel. Ty received his birthday "button" and we were off. We have stayed at this hotel often and Ty knows his way around so as soon as we dropped our bags we were headed to the boat dock to take a water taxi to Downtown Disney. Ty had saved his birthday money to spend. (It was almost hilarious - he is very frugal with his money - but was finally ready to spend it!) We headed to Ghiradelli to get our free sample of chocolate and then to Ty's destination - Lego World! After playing and shopping we then headed to Once Upon a Toy where Ty (with LOTS of help from Tim and a salesperson) proceeded to make a double light saber. They had a "gift" of a complete set of commemorative coins celebrating Star Wars 30th anniversary if you would buy $50 in Star Wars items. Ty only wanted a light saber ($20) and wasn't about to part with any more of his hard "earned" money - but the salesperson told Tim he was just going to throw them in our bag as a gift for us! It was a really nice set and we were just beginning our days of "free" stuff! We took the bus to the Grand Floridian to see the life size gingerbread house (which was underwhelming for Ty!) and then the monorail back to MK to catch a bus to our resort.We thoroughly enjoy meeting all kinds of people especially ones from other countries and it is fun to hear other accents and info from them and be able to pass on some good American hospitality. I am slightly (??!) neurotic in terms of planning and figuring out how to get the most for our money and out of our experience so am usually able to pass on some info. We ended the day in the pool and hot tub after some jambalaya and beignets as Ty anxiously awaited the arrival of Nana, Aunt Roxanne, and Kamen the next day!

Once they arrived, we hit Downtown Disney again for a little shopping at World of Disney and then back to the resort to catch our bus to the Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. We had a blast! Even with the rain - made all the more memories. One highlight was watching the Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas Show. Last year we arrived late and stood at the back next to a very nice couple. We noticed them "signing" along. Ty and I had been studying some signs so he showed them what he knew. They were actually impressed and told us that they worked full time for Disney signing for hearing impaired guests. They work in a variety of situations but that night they were practicing the show. This year we looked up on the platform and saw the same couple signing the show for a big group of guests. They were incredible! Mom & Rox remarked that it was almost as much fun to watch them since they put so much expression into it. We ate more than our share of free cookies, apple slices, and hot cocoa! We enjoyed rides like Buzz Lightyear and Peter Pan and the Jungle Cruise. And things like Mickey's PhilharMagic and Snow White ride, the race cars, the fireworks (in the rain!) and more. All in all a great night and as we left the parade to snow falling on Main Street - it really did begin to look a lot like Christmas! The next day was spent at the pool, hot tub, more Downtown Disney and a boat trip to the sister resort Port Orleans Riverside where the boys had a blast at the playground. We did really get a lot of "free stuff" too! Ty got a banana at dinner the first night; I noticed I had been given extra money in change and when I returned it the gift shop manager awarded me an exclusive pin(s) (1 to keep and 1 to give) that aren't sold - they can only be gifted; Rox got a pin on the boat ride from the captain for having to put up with Tim giving her a hard time!; the boys each received giant cookies with icing and mickey sprinkles to decorate; the food court crew gave Ty a birthday card, Mardi gras beads and coins and Mickey Rice Crispie treats (and Kamen got those too!); a birthday card from Mickey written to Ty; the Star Wars coin set; lots of extra stickers etc for Ty's birthday and lots of special attention - which he of course loved! It was a great time away and we didn't want to leave. Mom & Rox were the funniest parade and pool side (parade in the rain - ready to leave; poolside - just a "few" more minutes Ha!). Hardly any crowds or any wait - our favorite time of year to hit Disney and start our holiday celebrations. We were blessed to spend it with family!