Four Very Special Days

Ian and I did it!  We boarded a plane on Friday night (Jan. 25th) and made our way to Orlando.  From Friday night to Tuesday evening we made the most of the two days he had off from school for teacher work days. 

Other than a two and a half hour delay leaving on Friday night, the entire trip was a big success.  Ian designed the weekend himself.  The goal was two-fold; spend quality time with my side of the family and to do things he would love to do without worrying about Sam enjoying it too.

I'll let the pictures tell the story.

SATURDAY:

Breakfast at Aunt Lori's and Uncle Ben's house. 

The beach with Mom-mom.

Even though the water was freezing, Ian spent a good portion of an hour jumping waves.

Dinner to celebrate Lori's birthday.  Both grandmas are counseling Ian on how to pull out his loose tooth. 

SUNDAY:

On the way to the Kennedy Space Center.  Ian is hanging out helping Papa drive.

Ian finally loses his 7th tooth.  We text the Tooth Fairy to tell her where to find Ian that night.

Nana and Ian ready for action

Ian and Nana start the Astronaut Training Experience program.

Going for spin!

Playing with the simulator.

Ian is the commander, Nana is the pilot.

Ian launches the rocket he made.

Ian and I hanging out in my sister's new neighborhood.

The house my sister and her husband are buying.

Ian made new friends at dinner.  Their parents are friends with Lori and Ben and live in their new neighborhood.

MONDAY:

Mom-mom and Ian continue their tradition...eating oatmeal in the garage.

We met up with good friends and spent 12 hours at Epcot!

Ok, so I only feel mildly guilty that we also spent the day with one of Sam's BFF's too.  That's Ainsley in the front.

Ian and Dagan planning their next move.

The kids had a blast!

TUESDAY:

Ian was exhausted!  He averaged going to sleep at 10:00pm/10:30pm each night. Our original plans were to go meet up with Ben (Ian's very cool uncle) and get a tour of where he works.  Ben makes video games for EA (Electronic Arts) and he was going to show Ian around and then we would have lunch together, before heading to the airport.  Despite Ian's intense love for all things video game related, he couldn't take much more.  Therefore, we made a last minute decision and decided to hang with my Mom-mom and Pop-pop Jim.  It was nice to relax for a few hours before heading to the airport.

Watching tv together.  Ian is explaining the show "Survivorman" to Mom-mom.

I have to say, this trip was very easy!  Traveling with one child is a breeze!  Doing Epcot with someone like Ian was wonderful and so much fun.  It was a great 4 days.  Ian is already planning for his return trip next year when he comes back without Sam.  I'd say it was a big success.   My parents aren't getting any younger and I think they too enjoyed the one-on-one time with their grandson.  It was very special to me that I could do this for Ian.  I hope that we can keep these trips going and continue each year with a solo trip for Ian and Sam.

Kudos to Jeff and Sam for holding down the fort while we were gone.  Sam will get her 4 special days in Orlando (without Ian) at the end of March.