Again?!

We've heard it more than a few times.

"You're going to Disney World - again?!"

Yes, again. I guess a lot of people wait until their kids are older to take their kids to meet Cinderella and Mickey Mouse - so they will remember it. I think those people plan on just taking their child once or twice in their life, so in their case maybe it is better to wait.

But for us, seeing Lilly's expressions and reactions is just completely totally priceless, even if she won't remember this when she grows up. Because Jon and I will totally look back at her complete and total inhibition to just be a child, to appreciate the magic and the characters and each little surprise along the way.

I used to think the Bippity Boppity Boutique was ridiculous. And then I started raising a princess, and it grew on me a little, but I still wasn't sure about it. Basically they have a little salon at Cinderella's Castle where little girls can get their hair and makeup and nails done so that they look like a princess. And then Lilly had an incident a few months ago when she got baby aspirin off the counter & opened it and swallowed about 10 pills. Scared us to death, although poison control said she would be fine. The next morning when she woke up ok, I called Jon and said "I'm booking Bippity Boppity Boutique." Because when your child has a health scare, you immediately think that you want to make sure she can look like an official Disney princess to make it up to her. Right?

For those of you who are skeptics - about our need to bring Lilly to Disney year after year, or about bringing a newly four year old to Bippity Boppity Boutique, or about our spoiling our little girl, let me just say: I just experienced the most perfect day with my family.

I woke up at 6:30. We're staying at the Polynesian, and I ran along the Seven Seas Lagoon beach, with views of Cinderella's Castle, the Contemporary, the monorail, and the Grand Floridian in the distance. Beautiful. Then went to get coffee, milk, fruit, and a bagel for Lilly just as she was getting up at 7:30.

We all got dressed and got on the Monorail, and two stops later we were walking into Magic Kingdom. Her appointment at the BBB was at 8:30, so we got into the park a half hour before it opened - Main Street was deserted.

When we arrived at the BBB, they asked Lilly to pick our her princess dress. She picked Cinderella, although she almost went with Tiana. A few minutes later a fairy godmother in training got Lilly to walk to the back to a dressing room. She explained to Lilly that her Fairy Godmother left her a present behind the curtain. She then asked Lilly who her favorite princess was. Lilly said "Mommy!" and I melted. Then she asked who Lilly's next favorite princess is and Lilly said "Yella" (Cinderella) and the FGIT opened the curtain and there was Lilly's beautiful Cinderella dress! She was so excited. We put it on her, and it was time for hair and makeup and nails.

Lilly is a pro with nails and makeup, so she patiently let one FGIT paint her nails and apply the makeup, taking extra care to blow on her nails, and pout and pucker her lips. She also appropriately smiled while the blush was applied so you could see her cheeks. The hair was fast and efficient, and used a ton of gel and hairspray but Lilly looked perfect at the end of it. As she was getting her hair done, the stylist asked Lilly who her daddy's favorite princess is. Lilly said: "Me!" Which of course is true, Lilly is definitely Jon's favorite princess.

The best was the reveal, when they turned Lilly's chair around to face the mirror - she was so excited!!! She grinned at herself for 10 minutes, so happy that she was so gorgeous.

Next we went next door to take a few more pictures; Lilly was a pro at posing. When she was all done, we walked out the door and - Lilly was so excited to see the carousel right in front of her! It is her favorite ride, I think. She rode it once with me while Jon got fast passes to Peter Pan. Then we got off and immediately saw Mary Poppins and Bert! Lilly was thrilled, it is her favorite movie. No one else was around, and she had a few minutes to chat with them.

Next we went on Winnie the Pooh, Teacups, and Astro Orbiters, more of Lilly's favorite. Then we went to Toon Town where Lilly went on Barnstormer twice, then met and took pictures with three princesses: Cinderella, Jasmine, and Aurora.

We went back to Fantasyland and Lilly rode It's a Small World and Peter Pan. Then Jon took her to Philharmagic while I got fass passes to Space Mountain. Finally we were ready to head back to the hotel - it was about 11:30 - a busy morning!

We took the boat back to the Polynesian, and the marina is right next to the building that we're staying in. We ate snacks for lunch, and all three of us took a nice nap.

When we woke up around 3, we decided to go to the pool for a little while. Then we got dressed for dinner. We went to the Luau at the Polynesian for dinner. During the middle of the show, they asked all kids to get up on stage to dance. Lilly went up all by herself, surprising us (as we were ready to go up with her). She danced and was a ham. Then all the kids came back down and as she got back to her seat they called up everyone who has a birthday in June. Lilly jumped right back on the stage by herself and danced yet again.

We all enjoyed the luau, and when it was over we walked to the Grand Floridian and caught the Monorail to Magic Kingdom. We went to the Tiki Room, and then Jon went on Space Mountain while I took Lilly on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority - surprisingly always one of her favorite rides. Then we happened upon a dance party with Pluto, Goofy, and Stitch - Lilly danced hard for awhile and then we called it a day with being at the parks.

We took the boat back to the Poly and Lilly fell asleep as we walked to the room. Jon and I watched the fireworks before going back to our room, and Lilly woke up as I got her ready for bed. I made her take a bath to get all the hair stuff out from BBB (it was adorable but I thought it would be uncomfortable all night long). She was so cute and sweet and tired as she took a bath and got ready for bed. She had a long and busy day, but I think she had the time of her life - I know Jon and I did.

Our lives are busy, and we don't always get to appreciate each other as much as we should. It is so wonderful to spend a few days with the most important people to me as we all watch each other having a great time, and enjoy each other's company.

I watch Lilly fast asleep on her pillow. She had a perfect day, a busy day. She'll sleep sound tonite.