Sprinkles On Our Waffles

Well, note to self, never ask Mom what I can do to help. I end up writing the blog. This is Maddy. Getting up this morning was a little rough because of the time change, but we were all super excited to get to the parks. We got ready and headed to Breakfast. Stepping outside is always a shock because it's way warmer outside than inside, even in the mornings. 

Breakfast was amazing! Sprinkles and m&ms on your waffles? Absolutely!

 Finally arriving at Universal Studios! We headed for the Islands of Adventure.  We have definitely found that wearing our blue Make-A-Wish shirts comes in handy.  Everyone is so so nice and escorts us straight to the front of every line.  (Sometimes I feel a little guilty passing right by people who are waiting for hours.)  Wish Kids (and their family) don't just get "Fast Pass" privileges, they are personally escorted to the ride and put on immediately.  We found, though, that Brendan's stamina wasn't that great and waiting in lines would have ended our day very quickly.  So we were grateful for getting put on the rides so fast.

 Aaron was thrilled to be tall enough to ride most of the rides. 

Waiting for the train ride in Dr. Seussville.

It was crazy to transition from one "island" to the next. The scenery changes dramatically. This one is the Mythology and Legends island.

 Waiting for the "Poseidon's Fury" tour. I really enjoyed it, but Aaron thought the water and fire effects were a little too realistic. It was a little intimidating when you could feel the heat hit you full on.

 Diagon Alley from Harry Potter! Who knew there was snow in Florida? This was my personal favorite. They had several rides here, so first, we headed to the big roller coaster, Dragon Challenge. Dad, Lindsay, Landon, Brendan, and I were taken right to the front of the line and got front row seats. But it ended up being a lot faster and a lot jerkier than we thought. By the end, Charlie's neck and back were hurting and he was very sad because he lost his hat. After that, we went on the small hippogriff roller coaster for Aaron, but Charlie was pretty done, so he sat in the shade. He did go into the Hogwarts castle, which had talking paintings and a simulation ride that Dad, Landon, Lindsay, and I went on. I loved it!

 Taking a break and having some lemon slushies to beat the heat. They were delicious and we all needed the breather. 

 After the break, Dad, Landon, Lindsay, and I headed over to the Spiderman 3D simulation ride again since it was a favorite. It was the first ride we went on when we got to the park and Landon missed half of it trying to calm Aaron down. It had crazy effects, complete with water splashing on your face and real fire. And the 3D makes it a little shocking when Spiderman lands right in front of you on the car. So maybe it was a little too realistic for him. We hit the Dr. Doom Fear Fall ride (basically like Rocket in Lagoon), then Dad took us to the water rides in Cartoon Land and Jurassic Park.  Later, we talked Brendan into going on the Popeye water raft ride.  He was feeling a little better by that time.

 Brendan and Aaron creating a penny souvenir.

 I think one of dad's favorite parts was watching the cartoonists draw. Charlie thought it was pretty cool too, so he decided to get one done.

Here is part of the drawing in time lapse mode.

 I thought is was so cool that Brendan wanted his feeding tube in the picture.  He said it just wouldn't be "him" without it.  When Dad and Mom went to pay, the artist said it was free.  "You know, for Wish Kids," he said.  Mom tears up every time someone does something nice for Charlie -- which is all the time here.  People are so nice!

Walking through Cartoon Land.

And Marvel Island.  This is where the Spiderman ride is.

 Finally ready to head back to the villa.

 The Mayor's wife stopped to say hi to Brendan.

 Some of the kids went swimming tonight. Even at 9 p.m. it's really warm.

 We're loving this "all you can eat" ice cream.

Today, Universal Studios.  Tomorrow, SeaWorld!