the happiest place on earth....

We boldly ventured to a place most parents seek to avoid....taking our 2 year old on an airplane for the first time.  Hoping for a smooth travel experience in which we would keep Anna up past her naptime only to have her fall asleep on the plane, we headed out for the airport 2 hours early like diligent travelers.  Anna would have no part of us holding her; moreover, she would have no part of us holding her hand.  She ran all over the terminal and FLIPPED when we removed her shoes going through security.  Two cups of juice, a basket of fries, and an hour-long delay later, we boarded the plane and crossed our fingers.

She did surprisingly well, though, I'm sure the gentleman behind us could have done without the nearly-two-year-old screaming, "HI!!!!" at him every 4 seconds as she stood in her Daddy's lap.  And, for those of you playing the home game, NO.  She did not nap.

We arrived in Orlando, retrieved our luggage and went in search of our rental car.  Apparently, "mid-sized" translates to the smallest compact you can find that will legally qualify as a "mid-sized".  I guess 4-doors constitutes "mid-sized" in Hertz's opinion.  All I know is Eric needed a new shirt and another shower by the time he got the carseat installed (yeah, they don't install carseats for you.  What is THAT?).  Poor Anna had her little feet wedged against the driver's seat with her knees up to her chest she was packed in there so tight.

The first night was a little rough -- after a ridiculously late dinner, Mom and I headed to the Walgreens next to the hotel for diapers, wipes, and other essentials.  By the time we got into pajamas, we were all ready for some much-needed sleep.

Unfortunately, the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Convention was in town, and the dear high school children who had taken up residence on our floor decided they weren't sleeping that night.  Subsequently, no one else did either.  Mom and Dad called security I know four times.  Eric called once or twice.  By morning, my mother was on a first-name-basis with both the hotel manager and the head of security and both our rooms had been comped for the night.  Functioning on about 20 minutes' worth of rest (they finally settled down around 6:30....the alarm went off at 7:00), I got showered and readied myself for Shelly's Bridal Breakfast at the wedding-site resort.  As Mom and I navigated the busy streets of Orlando, I suddenly realized just how precious coffee is in my life.

Why I have only one picture is beyond me, but we had a great time celebrating over pancakes and fresh fruit and custom-made omelettes.  Mom did not disappoint, presenting each bridesmaid and the bride herself with hat boxes full of the essential goodies, sunhats with wonderfully tacky flowers, and practice bouquets made of feathers.  They were the HIT of the weekend.   

the piece in the center is ALL edible -- brown sugar sand with a chocolate sculpture of the happy couple surrounded by yummy chocolate strawberries.  the chef at the resort is the #2 pastry chef in the world.  a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Mom and I headed straight from the breakfast to the spa for our nail appointment.  It was a welcome break from the pandemonium that had ensued the night before.  We arrived back at our hotel in just enough time to change clothes and head back to the resort for the rehearsal.

The rehearsal dinner was held at Universal Studios, and we had a great time mingling with old and new friends.  True to her Italian roots, Anna thoroughly enjoyed her pasta supper!

please note the garlic all over her face.

She also enjoyed tickling her Grandma and Grumpa.

She also enjoyed dancing the night away at the Red Coconut Club.

 

The next morning, it was up-and-at-'em bright and early once again.  This time, however, sleep had been HAD.  I think we were all asleep by 9:00.  I headed over to the resort for hair and makeup and pajama-clad bonding time with Shelly and the rest of the bridal party.  I thankfully found the nearest coffee bar and an $8 latte never tasted so good.

After a busy morning of steering the groom away from the bridal suite, hair up-dos, makeup sessions, and a marathon of "Say Yes To The Dress" (how fitting!), we were finally ready to get going on photos around 5:00.  Somewhere in Shelly's collection of photographs is one of her with a group of Germans all dressed up in Lederhosen and all the appropriate German garb.  Seriously....check this out.  There's a pic somewhere in there.  It's worth mentioning that, in addition to the German Convention, there was also a Blind People's Convention and a Pirate Convention going on at the hotel at the same time.  Most of the weekend was spent dodging white canes and people with poor peripheral vision due to eye patches.

One last touch up.....

....and we bid our girl good night, left her with her Aunt Mellanie, Alex and Mary Kate, and headed off to get Shelly and Christian hitched!

It really was a beautiful ceremony.  And, gall-dernit, I always cry.

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Independence Day came, and with it, a MUCH-NEEDED and LONGED-FOR reunion.  The last time I saw this gorgeous face was exactly two years prior, July 4, 2009 when Anna was still nestled snug in my belly.

There have been two baby girls welcomed into the Cruz and Longo families since our last meeting.  Of course, Miss Anna came along 3 days after we bid a tearful "see you soon", but Katie (aka "Gus" because this child has some severe gas!!!!) arrived in April of this year.  Anna enjoyed meeting her, but I'm not sure Gus enjoyed it so much.  Not many people enjoy having their eyes gauged out.

  

Caroline is a super helper!!!!  she brought everyone a pool towel :-)

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I don't know if anyone will ever comprehend how much I miss my Florida girls, and seeing them, however infrequent and however brief, is precious time that I treasure.

After a final night's sleep in Orlando,

we headed for the airport.  To our dismay, our flight was delayed 2 hours....then another hour.  We finally boarded, only to be shuffled off after another 45 minutes of sitting on the runway because none of the lavatories worked.  (That's kind of important, I guess).  After another hour and a half of digging for games and activities for the kids (ps -- I have NO idea what we would have done without the Farnsworths and Mary Kate....they seriously saved the day MORE THAN ONCE on this trip!!!), we were headed home.  So long, Orlando - I'm sure we'll meet again soon!