We arrived at Animal Kingdom a little bit before opening at 9am but we missed the rope drop and the park was already open.

Us

Hailey decided the first ride she wanted to go on was Dinosaur.  She was very scared of this ride last year but we decided to let her try it again.

Ready to go on the ride

Going through the line

Hailey on the ride with her eyes covered.  But she said she loved it.

Hailey and Rich

Me and Hailey on Dino-Rama

Hailey and Flik

Next we got to meet Lilo and Stitch.  While we were waiting in line Hailey asked me why Lilo’s face looked the way it did.  I asked her what she meant and she said, “Lilo’s face always stays the same.”  So I said I guessed it was because she had to be ready with a smile for whenever people took her picture.

A hug for Lilo

A hug for Stitch

Hailey with Lilo and Stitch.

We tried to make it to the Lion King show but we missed it by a few minutes.  So we decided to go to Camp Minnie Mickey.  Going while the Lion King show is on is a great time to meet a lot of characters quickly.

While waiting in line to meet Pocahontas, Hailey said, “Why can Pocahontas change her face?  Why doesn’t hers stay the same all the time like Lilo’s does?”  I didn’t know how to answer that question… but I did realize that with all the questions Hailey had been asking, this year would probably be the last year she really believes in the characters.  And that made me sad

Hailey with Meeko and Pocahontas

Thumper and Miss Bunny with Hailey

Donald Duck and Hailey

Us with Goofy

Us with Minnie Mouse

Us with Mickey Mouse

Brear Bear with Hailey

Brear Fox and Hailey

Brear Rabbit and Hailey

Then we went to see one of our favorite attractions at Animal Kingdom- It’s Tough to be a Bug!  We love it!

I love the Lion King show!  Definitely my favorite show!!

Hailey loved this set up, so she wanted me to get a picture.

Hailey and Rich

We ate lunch at the Flame Tree BBQ and this was our view during lunch.  The food was great- probably my favorite quick service of the trip.  My only complaint is that I wish they had indoor seating.  The did have covered seating but it will still so hot that some AC would have been nice.

A kiss for King Louie

And a kiss for Baloo

Playing a little tune.

We got to see DeVine!  I was so excited.  We have never seen her before and know that it is a rare treat to get to watch her.

DeVine

Us with Terk

Rich and Hailey went on the safari ride… no pregnant ladies on the safari, so I couldn’t go.  I’m guessing it’s because it can be so bumpy.

Hailey on the safari ride.

Elephants

Lion

Us

We went to see Tough to be a Bug again.

Then Hailey wanted to do Dinosaur one more time, so Rich and Hailey went on that using their fast passes from the morning.

Time for the Jammin’ Jungle Expedition Parade.

Minnie

Timon

Mickey

A quick pose on our way out of the park.

We had dinner reservations at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Logde, so we hopped on the bus and headed to AKL.

We had never been there before- so beautiful!

Inside Boma- which was my favorite meal of our whole trip.  It was soooo delicious!

It had sprinkled on and off a lot during the afternoon, but it poured while we were eating dinner.  I’m thankful we were inside!

After dinner we went outside to see some of the animals.  They are right there next to the resort.  So cool!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

After dinner we went to Magic Kingdom for the evening.

Us

First we rode Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.  Hailey loves this ride!

Can you find the Hidden Mickey?

After that we went to the Laugh Floor, rode on Stitch and then went on Buzz again.

Castle

Then we saw the Electrical Parade:

After the parade we went on the Haunted Mansion and then did a little shopping on Main St.

We saw the fireworks on our way out of the park.

Hailey fell asleep immediately!  And stayed asleep the rest of the night.

 

      

Hailey was upset with me over something I wouldn’t let her do and she told me she didn’t want me to live at our house anymore.  But then she added, “Before you go, leave some instructions for Daddy.”

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Hailey pointed to my forehead and said excitedly, “MOM!  Your pimples look like a ‘Hidden Mickey.’”

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As Hailey left for school one morning she gave me a big hug and said, “Don’t you worry big mama, that baby will be here soon.”

 

      

We had Hailey’s first kindergarten parent- teacher conference the other day and here are a few things her teacher said about her:

When Hailey does her show and tell everyone is very quiet and listens to what she has to say.  She is excellent at speaking in front of the class and really knows how to keep their attention.

When kids write their stories during writing workshop, Hailey is often in their stories.

All the kids love her and she gets along really well with all of the kids in the class.

It’s like talking to an adult with the words Hailey uses and understands.

Her teacher wouldn’t be surprised if Hailey is a teacher someday.

We are so proud of Hailey and how hard she works and how much she loves school!

 

      

Half way through the trip!  I must get these posts done before Christmas!!

On the 5th day my plan was for us to sleep in and hang out at the pool for the day.  When we got up in the morning Hailey said she really didn’t want to go swimming all day because she wanted to go to the parks and go on rides.  It turns out that Rich didn’t want to spend a day at the hotel either.  We did sleep in and took it kind of slow in the morning, but then headed to a park.

We had breakfast at our hotel and Hailey and I found this Hidden Mickey on the floor in the food court.

Hailey getting ready to eat a yummy breakfast of pancakes and sausage.  Right after I took this picture Hailey squeezed her maple syrup container and it went all over.  Nice sticky mess

We picked Epcot to go to.

Us on our way in to Epcot.

First we rode Spaceship Earth.

Then we went to the Space Base play area so Hailey could play for a little while on the playground.

Hailey wanted to try Mission Space Race.

Rich and Hailey playing the game.

It was super hot- as expected in Florida during August.  Hailey kept cool with her water squirting fan.

Getting Mulan’s autograph.

Mulan and Hailey

Jasmine, Hailey and Aladdin

Hailey and Rich taking a little break to make some music.

We went on the Norway boat ride- Maelstrom.  Hailey remembered the ride from last year and was talking about certain parts of the ride she remembered.  She did that a lot- she would talk about stuff that we did in 2010 that she remembered doing.  It amazes me what she remembers!

Posing in the gift shop at Maelstrom.

Then we stopped in Mexico

On the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride.

Time to cool off again

Hailey and Rich went on Test Track while I rested in the AC.

Then we got to meet Mickey and Pluto.

Mickey, Hailey and Pluto

A hug for Mickey…

…and a hug for Pluto.

Us with Mickey and Pluto

Afterwards we played the Great Piggy Bank adventure- Hailey loves this game!

Time to cool down with some yummy ice cream.

A big hug for the Beast.

Awww… a kiss from the Beast.

Riding on Journey into Imagination with Figment

Getting some energy out.

Time to see the 3D Captain EO show.  I may have taken a little nap during this show

Then we went to see Storm Struck

Afterwards Hailey worked on making a first aid kit.

Then we went to Universe of Energy.  It surprised me how often Hailey asked to do this ride- it’s pretty long and doesn’t seem all that exciting for a kid- but she loved it!

We had dinner at Sunshine Seasons

Hailey on the Nemo ride

Hailey always has to stop and pose for pictures after the Nemo ride.

Trying to get away from Bruce.

Rich and Hailey in Bruce’s mouth.

Rich and Hailey went and rode Spaceship Earth again while I went to pick up our free pictures from the meet and greet we had with Mickey and Pluto earlier in the day.

We stopped and watched the fountains for a little while.

Then it was time for Illuminations:

After Illuminations Hailey fell asleep immediately while we were walking to the buses.  She stayed asleep the whole time- in her stroller, on the bus, on our way back to our room, etc.  We were able to just put her right to bed!  I didn’t get to ask her what her favorites were for today since she was so tired.