On Wednesday this past week, we told the kids we were going to Hilton Head to visit with mom and dad for a few days as a last hoorah before school started on the following Tuesday. So, Greg took the rest of the week off and we piled the kids and the puppy in the car and drove down to Hilton Head. Bedtime rolled around and we put the kids to bed as usual: bath, Bible, kisses, good night. Two hours later, we packed two sleeping children in the car and drove, through the night.....to Disney. :)
When the kids woke up in the hotel the next morning, they had no idea where they were. They, for sure, thought we were somewhere near Hilton Head. We told them we were going on an adventure and that Gigi and Papa Doc had agreed to keep Jasper for the day so we could go. We had them cover their eyes and no more than 5 minutes after leaving the hotel, this is what happened:
Our little surprise turned into a 4 day visit to Disney World, planned to the minute, and included Greg's 40th birthday. We packed in more fun than humanly possible. Since it had only been a year since our last visit, we knew exactly what we wanted to do and what we could skip. We rode everything we wanted to, waited in line no more than 20 minutes for anything, celebrated Greg's big birthday with an INSANE dessert party complete with fireworks and a parade, and, most importantly, made Banks family memories. Even with Brody's broken little foot, we didn't miss a thing.
It was, in a word, MAGIC.
We drove back to Hilton Head on Sunday afternoon, spent the night, and took our (very spoiled) puppy home on Monday. It was an amazing way to end the summer. Ethan started school the very next day and had an amazing tale to tell.
I'm certain every time we go to Hilton Head from now on we will probably hear, "Are we going to Disney this time?!"... and each time we'll have to tell them no, but for the sake of the story, it will have been worth it. :)
4 comments:
Okay, you all win the #1 super duper, all-time awesome parents award. What fun!!!
That brought tears to my eyes! I think I may have to steal that idea in a few years when we go! AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!! So glad you guys had so much fun.
I bet you all had so much fun! What a great idea! The boys will always remember it I'm sure. We love Disney and go every few months now that we are so close. If you are in the area again and want to meet up for a morning, we'd love to see the Banks family!
PS Hope Brody's leg is on the mend!
realize we're way behind in viewing, had heard so much about the 'surprise' it was great to finally see it. Love the photo of the two brother's looking at the 'castle' ... and a belated Happy Birthday Greg! Love & hugs, Mr. & Mrs. E
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