Day 1 in Kissimmee at Give Kids the World

There is no easy way to explain how much fun we are having. For starters, the limo ride to Burlington was very cool; for once, we were all in the backseat and not separated, so we all curled up and lounged (after the kids had tried out every last seat in the limo). Thanks to my folks for dinner and to our wish granter, Joe, for breakfast. The plane ride was a huge hit. The kids loved flying, and they were great on the plane; no one got sick, and we all behaved ourselves. (And we got to see the cockpit...) After a quick lunch at Katie's Kitchen (really--it's Boston Market, and it's really good), I went to the orientation at GKTW, where it was frankly overwhelming to realize how much there was to do and how much we had access to during our stay. Picture an enveloped FILLED with theme park tickets. It was like an informercial: "But wait:  There's more..." We played in the interactive water garden (so cool) and then played in this huge pool with several other families. That's right--We swam in a heated pool OUTSIDE in February. Fun! We had dinner at the Gingerbread House, which features real entress (pot roast!) for the adults and kid food for the kids. The kids were almost asleep at dinner, but they rallied for the carousel, which we rode again and again. Katie would have stayed on the carousel all day and happily. Last funny story: There is a party every night at GKTW. Last night's shindig was a party for Mayor Clayton, a six foot tall rabbit who tucks the kids into bed at night. There were tons of kids running around having fun, dancing and getting their faces painted. There were party hats, cotton candy, sno cones and cupcakes. The rule here, by the way, is that we can all have ice cream all day--whenever we want it, as many times as we can eat it and not get sick. Here's a hint about day two: Ice cream featured prominently in our breakfast plans. :)

On another note: Everything about GKTW is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair bound kids can ride the carousel and the train. They can play on the pirate ship. They can use the slide at the playground. This place is nothing short of  miraculous--and it staffed primarily by volunteers, who smile all day long and who spoil the kids rotten. My cheeks hurt when I went to bed last night. I don't know when I have ever had this much fun.
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Off to Disney...