Sunday, October 16--Happy Birthday Papa George!

Happy Birthday Papa George!! Today was slightly similar to Thursday. We stayed at the hotel until almost 11 then headed over to Blizzard Beach to enjoy some fun in the sun. Jon was worried that our delayed start and the fact it was a Sunday would prevent us from having a great start and short lines at the park, but he was mistaken. The lines were about the same as they had been on Thursday and the spot we got was much better than on Thursday! As we headed in, Jon was determined to find a great place to park the stroller and the rest of our stuff. He found it! It was a shaded "cabana" with about 8 chairs. We took half the chairs as our own and then welcomed another family who also decided it looked like a great spot to "beach it" for the day. It was righ by the bathrooms, but not inside one of the pool areas, so our things stayed dry.

First things first! We headed to the family ride, as Sarah and Jackson called it, aka Teamboat Springs. It was our very first ride of the day and even though we'd been on the ride numerous times the day before, Justin cried! The water was a bit chilly as it soaked us as we went down the slide. I think the cold startled him, because he was fine when we arrived at the bottom. He always closed his eyes as we went under the "melting snow" at the end of the ride as our boat drifted back to the exit. So cute! He and I went to Tike's Peak and he managed to ride the tube ride in the baby area more times than I could count! He rode the body slides and played in the little slides! When Sarah, Jon, and Jackson returned, they told us about the slides they had ridden. They had gone on Toboggan Racers and Snow Stormers 2 times each! Jackson didn't like the Toboggan Racers because it went straight down, but he liked the snow stormers because it was more of a slalom style and he couldn't see the end of the track. After they got back, we hopped into the Lazy River and ventured around the park until we got to the Snow Stormers. I wanted to ride, so I took Jackson up with me! I went first and he followed down the slide next to me. What a ride! I was afraid to try and adjust my mat for fear I would go flying off! As I hit the water at the end, I turned around and saw Jackson, but just as he hit the water, someone right behind him sailed off the slide right into him, sending him under! He was a trooper and she of course, felt terrible, but he said he had gotten stuck on part of the slide, which had slowed him down. That was it for the slides for him for the day, at least the Toboggan Style! Poor guy! We headed for the family ride a few more times and then called it a day and headed home!

While at the hotel, we had dinner, watched football, and the sadly, turned to ESPN for the IndyCar race. We turned it on and to our dismay found out that Dan Wheldon, 2011 and 2005 winner of the Indy 500 had been killed in an accident in Las Vegas. The drivers did a very moving 5 lap salute to honor him.

I was just so sad. I called Mom and Jenny and texted Suzie. I was too sad to call Dad, because I knew it would ruin his birthday.

We ended up heading out to play some putt-putt at the resort. It was just what we needed. The kids were a hoot! Jon and I both grabbed a putter and ball, but quickly returned them to their place at the register. Us play putt-putt?? Yeah right! I managed to snap a few pics of them playing and did send them to Papa George, which cheered him up a bit. Justin was only interested in running through the greens. Jackson actually was not bad and if he hadn't been so distracted by Justin, he may have done better. Sarah tried, but just didn't have the skills yet. We need to make it a point to go putt-putting more often. These rounds were included in the free Play Passes that we got from the resort guests. Thank goodness we didn't pay! It would have been a complete waste of money!

After Putt Putt, we called Papa to sing him Happy Birthday. He was so happy to hear the kids sing. I think it helped on such a sad day. I went to bed sad that night, but still so excited for our last day at Magic Kingdom! I was determined to meet some princesses and of course Mickey and Minnie!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®