Day 3

Day 3  September 23


Today we drove to Clearwater Beach to spend the day at the beach and with our family friend, Brooke Glorioso.  It was a very hot day today - the high was 90- so it was perfect! 

My pretty toes loved the sand and water

The water was so warm!  Laney and Jilian loved to jump the waves.....who am I kidding?  We ALL loved to jump the waves!  Pete and I got knocked over a few times, but who cares?!  It was a blast!  

Swimming

Strike a pose

Brooke, Mom, and Dominic

 

Grandma Em holding Dominic, Pete, Me, Jilian, and Laney

 We left the beach and drove the 1 1/2 hours back to the resort (boo). 

In the car on the way back - exhausted, zonked out -

Day 2

Day 2  September 22  Jilian's 8th birthday

We slept in and left for Magic Kingdom at 11:30am.  

Disney gave Jilian an "It's my Birthday" button to wear.  Everywhere we went, people were saying, "Happy Birthday Jilian!"  We never passed an employee without them stopping to wish her a happy birthday.  

Grandma Em, Laney, Jilian, Pete, and I

  We watched "Dream Along with Mickey" Parade when we got there.  Many of the parade participants stopped and wished Jilian a happy birthday.  Mickey Mouse pointed at her, and the Genie pointed at her and blew her a kiss!  Her face lit up and it almost brought me to tears (such a sap)!  

Mickey in the parade

After the parade, we went on several rides and saw the White Rabbit.

Teacups!

After the teacup ride, we went to Cinderella's Round Table in the castle for Jilian's 8th birthday dinner surprise.  She had no idea we were having dinner with the princesses, and when she found out this was her reaction:

The hostess telling her about the dinner

The castle was beautiful and the girls were so excited! 

Walking up the winding staircase in the castle

A view of the dining room inside the castle where we ate.

The girls with Cinderella!

 Our waiter was wonderful (Fernando from Naples, Italy).  We each got to pick 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 drink.  Jilian had beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes and green beans and Laney picked cheese pizza (go figure). 

Fernando and Jilian

Each princess came to our table and signed their autograph books, gave hugs, and posed for pictures.  It was amazing.  

Princess Aurora!

Snow White!

Ariel!

Since Belle is Laney's favorite princess, she talked to her for a while and gave her an extra-special big hug!  Laney was speechless!  

FYI:  Belle told us that she can't wear her yellow ball gown into the dining room, because it's too big and it knocks over dishes and makes a mess.











 They brought Jilian a birthday cake and everyone sang to her.  During the meal, Jilian said to me "Mom, I'm trying to use my best princess manners."  It was a memory I will never forget. 

After our dinner with the Princesses, we came back to the hotel and spent some time at the pool before we went to bed.  It was a great day!  

Daddy with his girls in the hot tub