What is it with Little Boys & Guns?

Spending the week with my four nephews at Disney World was great.

However, it reminded me that I grew up with three sisters and we spent our time reading, playing house and dressing up our Barbie dolls.

Not my nephews...they are too busy running, playing with action figures & dinosaurs and "shooting" everything that moves (and sits still).

I haven't figured out how little boys learn how to make EVERYTHING (even their fingers) into guns...but they all do it!

It doesn't help that three of my nephews are total Star Wars fanatics. 

For this reason, we planned our last day at Disney World so that we hit Hollywood Studios for the "Star Wars Weekend" festivities.

It was a hoot! Storm Troopers opened the park from the roof of the entrance gates. Star Wars characters roamed the park and posed for photos.

I guess Captain Rex (see below) is my oldest nephew's FAVORITE character (from Clone Wars, I believe) and we just happend to be in line when he came out! Notice the hands on the big guy forming a "gun."

It was great to see the excitement on BOTH of their faces when they met Captain Rex - totally priceless.

In addition to the Star Wars characters, we also met some classic Disney/Pixar characters, including the Green Army Men from Toy Story.

Guess what the boys liked most about those guys?

You guessed right...their guns!

 

 

I don't think they are ready for the Army yet, but you never know...

 

It's a Magical Place...for about 4 Hours

I'm one of those aunts.

The one that buys matching Mickey Mouse T-shirts for her four adorable nephews to be worn on our family vacation to Disney World.

I didn't get one for nephew/niece #5, so we improvised. (Note the Mickey Mouse sticker on my sister's pregnant belly.)

We had a great morning at Magic Kingdom...moved right through the line at the Dumbo ride...

 

 

 

...as well as the Pooh Bear ride, the Tea Cups and the Laugh Floor - the Monsters, Inc. comedy show.

Monsters, Inc. is probably my favorite Disney movie! We had front row seats and my favorite was when the little monster came out and did the jokes from the kids in the audience! The interaction was adorable.

We didn't wait more than 20 minutes for any of the rides and only used the FastPass system twice (if you don't know about FastPass and are headed to Disney, learn more - it's a life-saver). Some of the favorite rides of the day were Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Carribbean and Splash Mountain.

The nephews REALLY liked the gift shop after the Pirates ride...

 

In the end, we were all hot, sweaty, exhausted and a little cranky...

 

...but it has been great to do this as a family!

And it's really all about family at the end of the day.

The smiles...

 

...and the bonds we are strengthening.

  

Now, if I can just resist buying them all matching hats...

These Shoes Were Made for Walking...All Over Epcot

My Crocs didn't let me down on our first day at Walt Disney World.

We walked from one side of the park to the other in the morning and then went back for more in the evening - with a little swimming in between. Throughout all of it, my trusty Crocs stayed on my feet (except during Soarin') and my feet are none worse for the wear tonight.

Instead of writing all about the adventures my family (3 sisters, 3 bros-in-law & 4 nephews) and I had today, I thought I'd let the photos do the talking.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

And this one sums up being in a park with 4 crazy boys...