Where dreams come true...

We're spending our week in Disney World, and I'm writing this from the couch of the condo we're renting about 15 minutes from the Magic Kingdom.

We flew out Saturday just after noon, and landed in Dallas - the hop between Austin and Orlando. In Dallas, our outbound plane was delayed due to "mechanical trouble". Delayed about 10 minutes, then 20, and then about 1 hour. Afterwards, the all clear was given, and we boarded. Then more mechanical fails were found, and we sat on the plane for another couple hours until we had to unboard (or "deboard"?) and find another plane. Another plane was found, and we boarded and flew to Orlando. Once we arrived, it took another hour to see our luggage finally come out of the turnstiles! And on top of that, the one suitcase with Caleb's, Emily's, and Jenn's clothes is missing. As of today, it's still not here. We have a meager "allowance" from American Airlines which I had to twist out of them over the phone so we can buy clothes and toiletries for everyone. And on top of that, I'm learning that American Airlines has a policy that they do not reimburse for electronics (such has hair dryers, various chargers, etc. -- all of which was in that suitcase.) Well, it turns out I also have a $%#@! policy that the airline to which I paid almost $1600 doesn't lose my freaking luggage and everything in it.

But that said, the kids are having a great time at Disney. First off, as a total newbie, I had no idea that Disney was so big. And it is first class.

Jenn and I had agreed that we would take Caleb and Emily on a "slow, easy" first roller coaster so as to ease them into the experience of thrill rides. This was a very good suggestion from Kris. So on day #1 (Sunday), we made our way into the Magic Kingdom, and subsequently threw our plans to the wind, and boarded THUNDER MOUNTAIN. Both Caleb and Emily are beyond minimum height (even though Emily is 3). Well, I sat with Em, and Jenn with Caleb. As the coaster started off, it went through a dark tunnel to the first huge incline. Emily started screaming and crying, and Jenn & I looked at each other thinking maybe we made a mistake. Caleb was a little scared too. However, by the time we reached the tipping point, any tears turned to magnificent screams of happiness as we dropped down to make that first 3G turn. Next to me Emily is laughing and yelling "YEEEHAAAAWWWWW!" as we go up and down and all around the track. Caleb and Jenn in the car in front of me had their hands up in the air the whole way. It was fantatic. We finished the ride, and both Emily & Caleb hop out yelling "I WANNA DO THAT AGAIN!" And so we did, about 2 more times that day. And yesterday as well. And tomorrow we will. Caleb loves Space Mountain (Emily is a little too short), and all of us did Splash Mountain yesterday. Tomorrow we're hitting more roller coasters. They don't care so much for the shows -- a little too tame for them now. But there is a 20-minute 3D movie that is amazing. By the end of the days, we and our feet are crazy tired, and the kids are in bed by 7:30pm.

So that's the latest from Orlando. If you happen to find a suitcase with a red plastic tag labeled "Genovese", please grab it.

Night,

Matt