Davis Family Gets Goofy at Disney

Well, pee-pee pants and all we've finally arrived at the gates.

Yep, we're a goofy family.

Livi and David thrilled with the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle.

Olivia's idea of waiting to get on It's A Small World.

Livi enjoying Disney's Christmas Parade down Main Street on the best perch in the house. And yes, she's usually missing a sock or two.

Olivia's first carousel ride. Weeeee!

Disney after dark during the holidays.

The awesomely electrified Cinderella Castle.

Everything is Mickey back at the hotel.

Look at me standing!

Just chillin' at the hotel.

Quality jammie time!

For my birthday this year, I decided to take advantage of the free birthday admission at a Disney park. On Dec. 22, we packed the Jeep and made the two-hour trek to Orlando for a two-night stay. I still get excited when I see the Mickey Mouse shaped electrical posts just over the Polk County line. You know something special is just up the road.

We checked into Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort where we would call home for the next couple of days. Livi was even given a Disney First Visit button. The rooms at the hotel are wilderness themed and very cozy. Mickey Mouse's face can be found on a shelf, the comforters, soap and even Olivia's portable crib sheet. We enjoyed a lovely dinner that first evening at the resort's Cajun-themed restaurant and strolled around the woodsy grounds before all three of us got into our jammies, snuggled up, watched TV, played and gigged before calling it a night.

The next day, we headed toward Magic Kingdom. After parking the car, we had to take a tram to the tickets booths. I got my free ticket and purchased David's. Of course, Olivia was free. So as we were preparing to take the monorail over to the the park's entrance David asked me where the camera was. DOH! Neither one of us grabbed it from the Jeep. He headed back to the parking lot on the tram and Livi and I waiting under the warmth of the sun for Daddy's return. Within a few minutes of his departure my thigh was suddenly warm. And wet. Yes, Livi piddled on me. And no, I didn't bring a change of clothes. For her, of course. Me, not so much. So even though they dried, I knew I was wearing pee-pee pants all day. SIGH.

But the park was magical despite our start and the fact it was packed for the holidays. There was so much less pressure to see the park when you only had to pay for one ticket. We wandered the park under a warm sun and 70-degree weather. We went on a few rides: It's a Small World, The Many Adventures of Pooh, and the carousel. Olivia discovered an excellent way to make the time pass when waiting in line. She slept and woke up right when it was time to board the ride. Wish I could try that.

Anyway, she was in awe of the place, the characters and the people all day. She even tried a bit of ice cream for the first time and seemed to love it.

For me, though, the very best part of the couple of days was just spending it with my wonderful hubby and beautiful baby girl. I loved our jammie time. The trip was the best birthday gift of all.