Give Kids the World

Several years ago we took a trip to Orlando sponsored by Make A Wish.  We stayed at the Give Kids the World Village, which is specifically designed for Make A Wish kids coming to Disney (as well as Sea World and Universal).  On our trip we spent so much time in the theme parks that we did not get to spend a lot of time in the Village itself. 

So, we are so glad that the Village allows former Wish kids and their families to return once a year to spend the day in the Village.  We have gone back several times and always have a great time.  They have a small train, a dinosaur themed putt-putt course, and a carousel:

The highlight of the Village is huge pool, which includes a great splash area.  The girls played in this pool for the majority of the day:

 We can't wait until pool season!

 Catherine danced in the water a lot:

 The Village provided floats, noodles, and beach balls for the kids:

One thing that is exciting about the Village is that every time we come back, there is something new to explore.  This year they had a sand play area with tons of play toys:

 The girls love swimming under the fountains:

Robby being silly with the girls:

 The girls playing tag with Robby:

It was so tiring that the girls moved lounge chairs into the shade, lowered them down, and took a nap.  Of course the "nap" only lasted ten minutes.

The Village has a great ice cream parlor (which Sabrina went to four times).  On one of our trips to the ice cream parlor, we saw some white squirrels.  I had never seen these before and asked a Village volunteer about them.  They said that the white squirrels just showed up one day and they have no idea where they came from.  They suspect that the squirrels either escaped from or were dumped by a small-time circus. 

 There is a whole "colony" of them.

 They were so unusual:

After the girls swam all day, they went to the La Ti Da spa.  The volunteers there knew that we had a breakfast appointment with the princesses at Magic Kingdom.  So, they did the girls' hair, make-up and nails.

That evening there was a "Princess Tea Party," so the Village had a few princesses ready for the party. 

Normally when I brush Catherine's hair, she screams and cries.   When the purple princess brushed her hair, Catherine was silent.  When I asked her about it later, Catherine said "I couldn't scream near a princess!"  I asked her if she would pretend that I was a princess when I brushed her hair.  She said she would if I would wear a ball gown and a tiara every morning.

 I love the little tiaras they put in their hair!  Sabrina sitting still for her make-up:

 Checking out her manicure:

 Catherine getting her hair into a high bun, like Cinderella.

 We had costumes with us for the tea party.

 Eye make-up:

Another recent addition to the Village is this great playhouse:

 The tea party started with a bunch of crafts:

 Catherine just adored the puppet theater:

 A formal picture with all the "tea party princesses:"

 And finally, the tea itself:

We just love the Give Kids the World Village!  Here's the girls with Mrs. Clayton, the Village mascot:

Give Kids the World

Several years ago we went on a Make A Wish sponsored trip to Disney World, Universal and Sea World.  We stayed at Give Kids the World, a village set up for Make A Wish kids.  It is a wonderful place.  They allow families to come back and visit for day visits whenever they want.  We were thrilled to have the opportunity to return for a day last week.

This helicopter chair was new and the girls loved it:

 Riding a jiggly elephant:

We also played Dino-Putt there.  My girls have interesting techniques:

 Robby trying to teach Sabrina good putting form:

 My father and I trying to teach Sabrina good putting form:

 Despite all of our efforts, Sabrina still prefers the "carry and place" method to putting:

Every hole had a dinosaur which roared, spit water, excreted smoke through his nostrils, or something after you got the ball in the hole.  Both girls were scared and jumped every time this happened.  After several holes, Catherine decided to prep for the "scary" part:

 We also visited the La-Ti-Da Spa, where the girls got their nails painted:

 And dried:

 Sabrina's turn:

 Now to sit still while they dry:

My Dad had his nails painted for the first time ever (we went to a Halloween Party that night and he was dressing like a punk rocker):

We also got to see Catherine's star, which was hanging on the ceiling (every kid that stays in the Village gets a star with their name on it):

 Pointing it out to us:

 The staff at the Village are allowed to climb on a ladder to see the star and point at it for you:

 The best part of the Village was the pool, which included a splash pad.

 This was not built when we stayed three years ago.  The girls ran and swam for hours:

Sweet Sabrina:

 The girls loved walking on the ledge they had all around the edge of the pool:

Part of the pool was "zero entry," so children in wheel chairs and walkers could enter.  It was tiled like a beach and the girls loved it:

When we looked at the pictures later, Catherine said she was praying at this point:

 More fun on the ledge:

 Sabrina confused about what to do:

 They have added a picture-taking set where it looks like a child is surfing:

 Catherine in the splash pad:

So much fun!