EuroDisney

Joe and Cheryl returned to Switzerland this past week, and once again I was left behind as they gallavanted around Europe with Nicole and Mason. Daddy needs to "bring home bacon," as we have taught Mason to say. This time their journey brought them to Paris, where they took a day side-trip to EuroDisney. We had told Mason that he was going to take a train to go see Mickey Mouse. When we told him this, he said he was going to "Give Micka Mouse a big hug." As you can see from the picture, that is exactly what Mason did. After standing in line for 45 minutes to meet Mickey, Mason stepped up the stairs and ran to Mickey with arms wide-open. Mickey stooped down and returned the big hug, amidst a loud chorus of "Awww" from those standing in line. After his big hug and some posed pictures, Mickey took Mason's hand and led him down the stairs where Mickey wanted to say hello to a child in a wheelchair. I guess the whole scene was pretty cute. Of course, Nicole forgot to bring the video-camera to Disney (if you can imagine), so we will all just have to picture the scene in our minds.
We weren't too sure if under 2 and 1/2 years old would be too young to really appreciate EuroDisney, but it only took one step off the train to allay those concerns. Once Mason got off the train and saw the front gates for EuroDisney, he must have known he was in a special place, as he started screaming and running around in circles, stopping briefly to give Nicole hugs and kisses on her legs. The rest of the day, he continued to give liberal doses of hugs and kisses, as if to say "thank you for bringing me here." Mason also enjoyed meeting "Tigger" from Winney the Pooh, as well as the Dumbo ride, the Pinnochio ride, and taking in several parades. He didn't nap all day, and finally passed out from exhaustion in his stroller on the way back to the train.
That night I called the crew in their hotel room and talked to Mason about his day. He got on the phone and immediately started telling me about his big afternoon. "Mason gave Micka Mouse a big hug! So great...so fun!" I think if there is one thing that Mason might actually remember from his experiences in Europe when he is older, it will probably be his encounter with Mickey Mouse. We told Mason yesterday that the Easter Bunny might be coming next week, to which he replied, "Easter Bunny bring Mickey Mouse?"