Islands of Adventure

 Yesterday was the first day of Bobby's training so I took the kids to Islands of Adventure solo.  I felt like Supermom by the end of the day...we managed to time potty breaks, lunch, and snacks with Amos' nursing and diaper changing schedule.  That made things a lot easier.  Since we had a map I was able to plan our day the night before so I knew where all the snack shops, restaurants and bathrooms were located.  Plus I mapped out how we would tour the park.

First thing we did when we got to the park was head straight for Marvel Super Hero Island so Sammy could have his picture taken with Spiderman.  We got there 30 minutes before Spidey was scheduled to begin pics but he was already there (bless your sweet heart Spiderman!)  This made for a really short line.  

I have to say that whoever that guy was, he was awesome.  He talked and joked with the kids several minutes before posing for the picture.  He stopped and showed Sam had to make his webs and stopped them before they left so he could give them an autograph.  

Then we headed for Seuss Landing where we spent the first part of our day.  This was hands down my favorite part of Islands of Adventure.  It was so bright and colorful and fun.  Plus I just love Dr. Seuss books so that might have had something to do with it.  We got there right in time for a meet & greet with the Seuss characters - Sam-I-Am, the Grinch, Thing 1 & Thing 2, the Cat in the Hat and the Lorax.  Poor Grinch, Amos kept pinching his arm during the picture!

After that we quickly rode One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish where Hannah got us sprayed with water.  We caught a show of the Lorax where the Grinch chose Hannah to dance with.  Then we headed for lunch at the Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendus.  We finished Seuss Landing by riding the Caro-Seuss-el and the kids didn't even fight over which character they were going to ride.

We sped through the Lost Island and Hogworts (which was entirely too crowded with people drinking Butterbeer.  It would have been neat to try some but I would have probably had to given over all three children as well as any future offspring.  We didn't dare to go into Honeydukes either.)

There was barely anyone in Jurassic Park, which was nice since this the kids were really excited to visit the dino nursery.  We got there just in time to see a "velociraptor" being "hatched".  It was a girl named Penelope.  Then we spent some time scanning eggs in an ultrasound machine to determine what kind of dino they were.  We played in the Jurassic Park play land and checked out some neat dinosaur bones.  

We quickly moved through Toon Town and finished in Marvel Super Hero Island.  We got there just int time for some superheros to zoom down the street and then spread out for some photo ops.  We immediately followed Wolverine (Sam's first choice) and was third in line for a picture with him.  Then we waited a few minutes to meet Captain America.  After that both kids wanted to meet Storm and Rogue.  Once we got there, Sammy became shy and didn't want his picture taken.  So Hannah went up and was chatting with Rogue.  While they were talking, Storm came over and started talking to Amos - which I thought was so sweet.  When Hannah was done with pictures we were about to walk off when Storm walked up to Sammy, gently took him by the hand and led him over for a picture.  She knelt down, talked to him for a few minutes and then they posed for a picture.  I'm sure the people behind us wished we would hurry up.  But I really liked & appreciated Storm (and Spiderman too) since it seems like she really loves kids.  You can tell people who like children from people who don't.  

We were finally ready to head back to the hotel.  The kids were tired and hot and thirsty.  We spent the rest of the evening eating and swimming in the pool.  Oh I love this warm weather!