M.I.C.K.E.Y...M.O.U.S.EEEEEE

Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse...

Way behind in this blog here so I'm going to do a week long consolidated update of Orlando, Florida. We had an absolute ball here and in hindsight wished we had stayed a few more days as we ended up running out of time!

Disney World was just as I imagined it to be. And meeting Mickey Mouse and all the gang was up there with meeting the likes of all those musicians we stalk LOL The way the kids would run up to them and look at them and tell them their little stories - soooo adorable. Ethan refused to see the Princesses after Sleeping Beauty offered to have a photo with her "Prince Charming Ethan", but Aurora found a best friend with her name twin. Cinderella is just like she is in the movie and Belle is really down to earth not minding being told a couple of jokes that I was mortified came out of Aurora's mouth - she retold Damien's "What smells funny?" joke. Have you heard it? Belle also likes U2 as she commented on Damien's clothes - in fact Belle really like my husband!!! Maybe she'll swap - I think I'll take an enchanted castle anyday.

We bounced with Tigger, Rafiki picked his nose and wiped his finger on Ethan, Jack Sparrow patted Aurora's head, we danced with Woodie and Jessie in the street parade - meeting our hero's was fabulous and exciting.

Our favourite part of Disney World was Tomorrowland with a Buzz Lightyear ride, a Laugh Floor with Mike from Monster's Inc. amongst other things. Ethan and Aurora are addicted to the adrenaline rush of Space Mountain - an indoor, dark roller coaster that separated my neck from my head but for them it was all good! So whilst Damien took them on that many times Ashie and I would ride the train line which took us on an aerial ride around Tomorrowland and through the rides so you could see other people embarking on the rollercoaster. We all also loved splash mountain and that was Ashie's turn to shine - front row every time!!

Another favourite ride was the Peter Pan ride. We hopped in pirate boats but they flew through the ride out of Wendy's bedroom all the way to Neverland. The Pirate's of the Caribbean ride was great combining new with the old - seeing a Johnny Depp Jack Sparow robotic character made us all do a double take the first time we saw him. And the Haunted Mansion was our favourite place to visit after dark. The night time parade was very ooooo and aaaahhhh and the fireworks every night incredible.

I could go on and on about Disney World but there was just soooo much about it that we loved. We spent three days at the Magic Kingdom and on the way home after our last day we were all very very sad. It just goes to show you never really do grow up.

We also went to Animal Kingdom where we met most of the characters without having to line up in the hot sun for an hour. Our favourite ride there was the Dinosaur ride - and Lachlan if Mummy reads this to you all I heard from the kiddies was that we needed to bring you to that ride because Lachlan loves dinosaurs. There was also a Safari ride through the animals that was Jurassic Park styled. You know it was good, but I had to laugh when the safari driver pointed out the zebra in the far distance and everyone's cameras shot up for a picture. If you've been to Dubbo Zoo you're doing better then what is on offer at Animal Kingdom.

However, their Silverback Gorilla's were absolutely gorgeous! We adored watching them.

A couple of days before we left America to fly to Dublin, we got to meet two wonderful people that I have been chatting with on an internet mummies board for around 8 years. We were all pregnant at the same time with our now 7 year olds. Kathy and Alison thank you for making time for us and we loved meeting you both and your absolutely gorgeous children. I missed you all the instant that you drove away. It really was like catching up with old friends. Aurora and Emma were instant besties and Ethan and Evan were doing the boy thing-watching toonies before they really had to interact with each other. Before long all the kiddies were playing like they knew each other all their lives. We walked across the road for some lunch at a classy establishment - McDonald's! Our first choice The Outback was shut for lunch (just like at home - you can never get bushies when you want them!). Then we came back to the Hilton for a swim. Julia (Alison's 2 year old) and I had a lovely time swimming together and I got lots of hugs - she was too cute! Kathy's kiddies swam like fish - they are so clever!

Last stop on the agenda was NASA. However, I miscalculated our leaving date. We had to leave America a day early then what we thought and of course we didn't plan for that. So we ended up hiring a car and did a super quick visit to NASA. I don't really know what I thought of NASA because we only got to spend 2 hours there and didn't see everything. So I guess I feel regret that I didn't organise my time better to give it the time it deserved. We did see some shuttles and rockets from mission history and learnt a little about the early history of rocket design and the people who started the space exploration era.

So it is with a heavy heart that we left America, but she served us well and we have many fond memories.

What a bunch of Space Cadets :)

The beautiful Cinderella's Castle at night

Ashlen meets her favourite Dinosaur.

We all meet the mouse.

Our Orlando living friends