Christmas comes once a week at GKTW...for no child's fantasy would be complete without Christmas! Every Thursday the place is transformed into a Winter Wonderland...Christmas music plays, decorations and lights are everywhere, and even some snow falls. After spending this past Christmas in PICU, I was really looking forward to this evening. I am a huge fan of Christmas and to have our family separated this past year, with Noah doing so poorly, was such a difficult time. So I had high expectations of this evening, and it was everything I had hoped it would be...it truly did feel like the Christmas we had missed. After the spa, and a ride or two on the carousel of course, we headed to the Gingerbread House for Christmas dinner...yep, traditional turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings, right down to the pumpkin pie! Mmmm! Outside the party was starting and we got word that Santa had arrived in the theatre...
After the pictures, each child is allowed to pick a gift from a wall of toys, generously donated each week by Hasbro. This was an agonizing decision for Kailyn & Joshua...there was just so much to choose from! They both finally decided on fur real pets. We chose a glow worm for Noah (which has since become his favorite bedtime toy).
After Santa, and more candy from the theatre, there were very messy snowcones...
beautiful carriage rides...
fun cookie decorating...
and wonderful elves to read stories while we enjoyed more ice cream. The kids even got to keep the books that they chose to read...
That was about all of Christmas Noah could handle. It had been another long day. He spent the rest of the party in this position...
While Noah slept, there was a parade and then dancing to Christmas music with the characters. So he missed out on the characters that night, but I was very glad he was getting some much needed rest...
What a wonderful evening it was! Many of the children who come here will never see another Christmas. They cannot wait another year...we know Noah may be one of them. But GKTW, with the help of an incredible amount of volunteers, make sure that Noah and so many other children don't have to wait. They get to celebrate one more time! The tears come even as I write this...it was just such a special night for us...words cannot describe. The memories from this evening we will treasure always. 
I am sure we all fell into bed that night, exhausted once again. Tomorrow Islands of Adventure awaits...
That sounds like an incredible time...despite your lovely descriptions, I'm sure I still don't quite understand the magic but so glad your family could have Christmas together. It makes me teary reading this, but you deserved this wonderful time. Oh the memories!
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical place. I am so glad you were able to have Christmas together there, and so very thankful that the Wish Tripbecame a reality for you. I love all the wonderful pics and stories. mom
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I had to prepare myself to read this installment. GKTW wowed me...I have never seen their Christmas party and I am just amazed...that you all got to spend Christmas together means so much to me...and I know it means a whole lot more to all of you!!!! What a blessing and a healing of sorts. Thank you so much for sharing...it really made my day!
ReplyDeleteWow! Seeing the picture of all the kids, and then the family, with Santa... all of you together... makes me teary! I cannot imagine how difficult this past Christmas could have been for you, but to have that opportunity at GKTW is amazing. I think that is just as much your wish, as that of the kids. What an experience for your whole family. I am so grateful and happy that you all got to experience this wish together. If any family needed this time, it is definitely yours! Such a blessing! I will be smiling all day (and frequently after) just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteJules