Ultimately, we had to ditch the stroller because all Bradley wanted to do was mow people over with it. Most of the time we carried the 34 pound lump (otherwise, he was running into every store yelling "MICKEY!!! MICKEY!!!"). Our backs, hips and feet are killing us!
At Downtown Disney playing intently with the Lego dogs. "Hi, Doggie! Hi Doggie!" went on for a while till he saw a baby and started saying "Hi, baby!"
The red eye in this photo does not diminish the look of wonderment Bradley had at the "Small World" ride, which he loved -- probably because it had a very short line.
In the villa the family stayed at.
All the cousins together. Daddy had to be in this one because Bradley would not sit still without crackers.
All the cousins together. Daddy had to be in this one because Bradley would not sit still without crackers.
Playing trains with Cousin Anna. Anna's love for Bradley was rewarded with a great big hug upstairs.
Aunt Lesley put Bradley to sleep so Mommy and Daddy could go out for a drink for Daddy's birthday.
All the cousins get together to play and look at books. Sorry, girls, but Nick was the star for Bradley. He went up to Nick more than once and looked up at him saying, "Hi!" in the sweetest way you've ever heard.We learned a lot this trip. We spent three days at theme parks and gradually got better at it. No major meltdowns the third day and Bradley clearly had lots and lots of fun.
The first day, it was hot and Bradley had to be carried a lot. He was mad. He bit Daddy's shoulder and face quite a few times (since Daddy was the one who had to carry him a lot). Daddy and Bradley had a long "talk" about this behavior and by day three, it had stopped. Lots of people have told us to bite him back, but prior to this vacation, we tried that and no matter how hard you bit him, he thought it was funny. So, we tried the "talk" and it appeared to have worked. However, there were a few moments of ear-curdling screaming in Daddy and Mommy's ears. We learned to mostly keep that under control by day 3.
We rode lots of rides -- we did two days at Magic Kingdom and one day at Epcot. Bradley rode "Small World" twice (loved it), Peter Pan (tried to wriggle out of the ride, but ultimately loved it enough to say "Wow" on the way out and try to go back), Merry Go Round, Buzz Lightyear (more "wows"), Snow White. And, Daddy got to do Space Mountain for his birthday, which was fun but short. Bradley danced in the street with a marching band and waved and clapped with the Disney Celebration.
We learned a lot about how to keep Bradley happy at theme parks. Do NOT stand in line for characters -- the minute he saw Mickey, he kept yelling for Mickey till he got to the front of the line then ran up to two feet in front of Mickey and stopped and smiled. With all the other kids in line, there is no time for a reluctant Mickey admirer. DO leave the stroller early in the day or Bradley will push it into people. DO get fast passes to rides so you don't have to wait for thirty minutes in the hot sun. DO get a bunch of ice in his sippy cup and keep him hydrated. Do NOT wait an hour and a half to change a diaper (Daddy was peed on twice and had to go shirtless till he could buy a new shirt). DO go on rides with short lines. He really doesn't care what ride he's on, even if it's as lame and outdated as "It's a Small World."
The family time was great, great, great. The cousins really took to Bradley. Anna just loved him, but Bradley just wanted to play with her brother Nick. Dean and Ashley were swimming, swimming, swimming, so they didn't get a lot of Bradley time. We had great adult time, too, hanging with the Davises and Lesley. Although the late night conversation over beers may have taken a slightly juvenile turn or two, it was fun nonetheless.
Grampa Mike got Bradley a great disco ball toy and took his turns watching Bradley. Bradley was asked when he first saw Grampa Mike who he was and he said "Daddy." Unfortunately, that didn't last too long because Bradley's cries of "Daddy (come) Back" intensified this week. Gramma Julie was treated to a few "Bye Gramma"'s. Gramma and Grampa deserve a lot of credit for organizing the retreat and the family villa.
After Daddy's birthday, everything seemed to fall into place. The lazy three day a week nanny that we didn't like quit, Miss Mary said she would come back and take care of Bradley three days a week and our professional lives fell into place while on vacation.
What a great time, and no sicknesses, thank goodness!
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