We5Kings of Disney: Epcot

Our second day in the parks started super early with a very special breakfast hosted by a very special mouse... 

We were seated by 7:45 following a 13 hour day so that was no feat, but they were all smiles once this guy showed up. They were especially excited to be able to thank him for those lanyards and pins that he had delivered on their first day. 

They were pretty excited to meet his friends, too! 

Then we hopped on the monorail and made our way to the destination of the day: Epcot. 

And while this made for a cute picture of exasperated kids, it was the perfect indicator to part of our day ahead because, well, We5Kings have honestly had better days. I think it was a combination of our bodies needing to adjust to the pace of our day, the crowds at Epcot and well, sometimes you're just in a mood. 

All that to say, we still had a pretty great day! And how could you not when the first thing you get to do is hang with Nemo! 

One of our favorite rides of the day was "Spaceship Earth" ... as we were walking back towards the ball after Nemo we stopped and snapped this pic and let them know that we were going IN there next. They couldn't believe it and then Landry thought we were really going to space and we had to explain that it was just pretend. :)

The Wine and Food Festival was winding down but the crowds were still in full force. Ryan and I LOVED every single booth we sampled and bonus we got to use our dining snacks on everything except alcohol. (And I may have had some alcohol that day). 

One of the kids FAVORITE parts of the entire trip was meeting people and trading pins. They were obsessed with this pin board and had the best time chatting up all the cast members they met in each country. 

The girls weren't as interested in riding tons of rides at Epcot and Radley wasn't interested in meeting tons of princesses so we split up for parts of our day - I was only a little jealous that I was on princess duty, but I got the big kid and roller coasters all to myself 3 weeks earlier so I guess it was only fair Ryan got a turn, too. 

He did like the vikings, though. 

We ventured into the villages of Norway and it took the girls a minute to figure out that this was where "Frozen" happened. Then they were even more excited because "it's a REAL real place, Momma!"

and THEN we got to visit ANNA and ELSA's HOUSE!!!

and THEN...

Yep... the trip could have ended after this and these two girls would have been just fine. 

And then we met Mulan! Emmy walked up to her and said, "You saved CHINA!!!" 

At this point of all the princess meeting, Ryan and Radley had become "food runners" - they were going from country to country sampling treats and bringing me food and beer. Basically the best day ever. 

And if that wasn't awesome enough - Kelsey was able to join us for the rest of the day! 

We loved having her hang out with us all day... the girls are obsessed and Radley is in heaven anytime someone has the answer to one of his many questions. She taught us all kinds of fun things about Epcot. 

Each country is asked for permission before being added to the park. Morocco was so excited that their KING came to the grand opening. They try to employ only people from those countries to provide a more authentic feel to the experience and Ryan and Radley said that the woman that served them pizza was most definitely the most Sicilian person they had ever met! 

At this point, we split back up for the boys to go get their adrenaline fix and Kelsey, the girls and I went exploring. Kelsey took us to this secluded little treasure in the park so I was snapping pics of the girls when Emmy all of a sudden instructed, "Momma, take one of us LOOKING at the waterfall." 

And while I followed instructions, I was more interested in snapping the sweetness of them holding hands. 

We made our way to France and can you believe who we ran into?

Landry looked at me, "Momma, did you bring my Belle dress, too?" 

And then they tried to convince me to buy them crowns. 

Instead, we found some ears for me and Landry, a Pluto hat for Radley, some earrings for Emmy and lots of goodies for our friends and family. We all went for one more spin around the world on Soarin' which was voted favorite ride of the day by all of us. (At first Landry was a bit skeptical because she really thought that we left the ground and headed straight for the clouds but once I pointed out that the "clouds" were just a screen, she settled in for the ride and loved every single minute of it.)

They boys went for one more spin on Test Track while the girls, well... 

I'm not sure they've ever felt more beautiful. 

We all ventured back to Mexico for another round of tacos and perhaps a quick beverage to celebrate the successful day before we went to claim our seats for the fireworks. 

I love how he never says "no" when they asked to be held. Even when he's tired and worn out, he finds the energy to savor every second of them wanting to be picked up. 

I also love and am so grateful for the people that willingly take the time to love my kids. Not because they have to, simply because they want to. 

And I really love this crew (and how many times they put up with me saying, "Oh look - a picture person! Let's go take a picture!")

As we headed out from a day of traveling to far away lands in pursuit of meeting princesses mixed with adventures into space, we were happily exhausted dreaming about all the magic that was yet to be discovered. 

And if you want a live peek into our day...