Happy 3rd birthday Josh!

We tried to start the day off with a surprise , but Josh came in to our room in the middle of the night and asked us to take the balloons and streamers out.  His party was a few days later, but you have to have a mini celebration ON your birthday too, right?

this is the cake Josh picked out, though he probably though it would look prettier...I'm going to have to take a class or something

Helmut to go along with his other present from us

yes, he got a box...kind of more a present for his control freak mom to corral his growing Lego collection

testing out the scooter...he's very proud to wear his helmet even while riding his bike now too.  He's all about safety!

Animal Kingdom

Sunday we visited the Animal Kingdom.

waiting in line for the safari

We took advice from a friend and went straight up to the Safaris in Africa.  Even though the park had opened at 8, and we got there at 9, we had virtually no wait.

you can see the animals we saw here.  Unfortunately, I don't remember what they all were, so many aren't labeled.
We found meet and greets for several of the characters, and Josh was super excited to meet Mickey and have him sign his autograph book.

you can see some other professional photos here.
 Then we played some carnival games at the Dinoland.  We also rode the triceratops spin ride, very similar to Dumbo

We enjoyed a delicious Cuban restaurant for dinner and Caitlyn got all dressed up.

Saturday morning we started the day off with Breakfast with the Characters at the Cape May Cafe in the Disney Beach Club.

mickey mouse waffles

Donald came over to say hi

funny how pictures make it look like she has ears!

Minnie was there too

We were sort of celebrating Josh's birthday this weekend, and they brought him a card, a button and a yummy cupcake

I told you it was yummy

another family picture outside

We enjoyed the day away at our hotel pool and relaxed.  Later that night after a delicious dinner, we went back, but to the otherside, the Boardwalk and caught some street performers.

Josh really enjoyed the show and I hear, that afterwards he went up to meet the guy

Ice Cream!

Mickey's House

The day for the Magic Kingdom finally arrived.  We had been telling Josh that we were going to Mickey's house.

look how cute he is when he is sleeping.  I felt so bad waking him up, but we had a lot to do that day! 

riding the ferry from the ticket and transportation center to the Magic Kingdom .  He is so excited!

us girls in our Mickey and Minnie shirts

first stop, Dumbo!  Josh loved controlling the ride

then we went on the Speedway, Josh enjoyed driving the car; I controlled how fast we went though.

Carousel

a quick pic of Caitlyn with Mimi and Papa Ben

waiting for the 3D Mickey's Philharmagic.  Caitlyn thought it was too loud and it was the first of the "rides" Josh didn't like inside the dark buildings.  Oh well, it was kind of cool, I thought

Winnie the Pooh

Jodi and I waiting for Buzz Lightyear

Uncle Adam, Josh and Jared in Buzz Lightyear...I can't believe they got about 500,000 points each, I got 35,000 and Jodi only go 5000.  I think the fun of the laser gun and that you could control spinning around is the only reason Josh enjoyed this one.

Riding the Railroad around the park.  We got on the new Fantasyland stop and road it around past the main entrance to Frontierland.         

Josh, Jared and Aunt Jodi

riding on the magic carpet with Aladdin

you can't quite see her but Mimi is behind us, on the Small World Ride

in front of Cinderella's Castle at the end of the day

We were at just the right spot to catch a parade at the end of the day

Dancing, but Josh is just covering his ears

On the monorail back to our car.  It was a long day, but I think we got to ride just about everything I thought Josh would enjoy.

May 24th

We had a little time left before we left to go up to Orlando

check out Josh's crazy hair!

cheers!

Josh with Poppop and Mommom

coloring at the table in our room in orlando

the playground at our hotel

cool bikes!

Dinner - yup!

Josh running away with his stroller

a panorama of the lake at our hotel

Josh wanted us to take a picture of us with Uncle Adam