The Winningham Family: Disney World

Tyler and I swore that we weren't going to take our kids to Disney World until they were like 18 when we could be certain that they would remember the trip and we could feel that the expense had been worthwhile.

Then Madeline decided she was a princess. And Madeline became obsessed with princesses. And Madeline started living and breathing everything Disney. So Tyler and I decided that we needed a trip to Disney World.

We asked for help with the expense for Christmas and decided that we would leave Tucker at home and really make the trip a "princess trip."

At Tucker's first birthday party I noticed Tyler standing with his family looking surprised and went to join them. Tyler handed me a check from his parents to us to cover the entire expense of our trip. We were blown away and so excited! I booked our trip that night!

I was fortunate enough to book 3 Disney Character dinners. These are usually booked by people 6 months in advance and I was calling just a couple of months away from our departure date. I got us dinner at 1900 Park Faire with Cinderella and all of her family, Princess Storybook dining at Akershus in Norway with several princesses, AND with sheer luck I booked the mother of all reservations, the reservation to end all other reservations- Cinderella's Royal Table- dinner with Cinderella and other princesses IN HER CASTLE!

Planning for the trip was exciting and a bit daunting. Tucker had never slept away from home and he was going to be staying several nights with my Winningham fam. We did a trial run the weekend before and he did wonderfully. He is a country boy! He loved morning outings with his Mimi and she said that they fell right into a routine everyday. A week or so ago I finally checked a message that had been on our voicemail for a while. It was Kaye, my mother in law. There was one night that I didn't check on Tucker during our trial run because I was out to dinner with a friend but my wonderful and understanding mother in law left me a message recapping the details of her day with my boy so that I could rest easy. Thanks for understanding that I never doubted your ability to take great care of my little boy- for knowing that I just needed to know that he was happy. The day we left him with Tom and Kaye to go on our trip Kaye stood in the driveway with him and Madeline were all buckled up and ready to go home to pack. Tyler was installing his car seat into her car and Madeline started sobbing. She cried that she was going to miss her baby brother. We both unbuckled, got out of the car, and smothered him with soggy hugs and kisses and then got back in the car and drove away. We knew he would have a good time.

Let's see, the trip, where do I begin...I guess at the beginning with the plane ride to Florida.

Madeline was a champ. She did so well in the airports and on the plane. Like flying was as simple and normal as getting in the car and driving some place. I was near puking during every take off and landing (I am having continuous inner ear issues) but Madeline did great!

Our resort was beautiful! It was the Caribbean Beach Resort. Beaches and pirate ships, lakes and swimming pools, it was perfect.

The week was full of great stories and experiences but I think I can share all of them best in pictures...