Magic

It's almost 10 at night. The stars are twinkling above and Ella is still twirling in her princess dress as she skips down the sidewalk. Graham is laughing at Claire who is stumbling about in the pure joy chocolate seems to induce in her. It is strangely quiet on the lit up main street. And, I think all of us are tingling from the magically night we've just had. Hours before the kids sat with tired eyes waiting for the first blast of fireworks they have eagerally awaited for the last couple of days. When they finally start, the tired eyes disappeared just in time to see Tinker Bell, they REAL one-they tell me, streak across the sky leaving her fairy dust to dance with the sparks of color. Everyone's eyes are looking toward the peaks of the castle as a wonderful display paints the night sky. Music rings and smiles spread across all faces. Then once the last trails of dust leave the sky, and the crowds head toward monorail, ferry or bus as we head to the rope gate at the castle entrance. Then an excited Ella skips toward the anticapted meeting of Cinderella. When I made the reservation just weeks before, I envisioned the worst of making at 8:15 dinner reservation for 3 kids. 8:15 a time we like our kids to be reading bedtime stories all cozy in their beds. But tonight the position of hands on the clock can't be more perfect. Our kids are warmly welcomed by the lords and ladies at the castle door. The are presented with swords and wands and a sprinkling of pixie dust. Then we are escorted into the castle where the kids chat with Cinderella. Before we know it we are climbing a circular staircase to the top of the castle where dinner awaits. Through dinner we get kisses from Cinderella's mice and sing with the fairy godmother. Everyone at the royal table showers the kids with smiles and attention. They treat you as if you are the first dressed up Aurora they have come across. Ella and Claire dance with each other. Ella spies fairy godmother dust on the floor and sets to gathering up every piece of the cindereall coach shaped confetti. Her night is made when a pair of hands full of the confetti showers her with more than she had hoped for. When we finally descend that special castle staircase at the end of dinner, the night air is quiet. The crowd that was delighted with fireworks is long gone tucked into their vacation homes. We have the castle foyer all to ourselves. The golden light from the carousel and stores, light our night like tinkerbell's glow. Ella spins and spins as I gaze on. We quietly stroll toward the ferry lingering to look at the castle one more time. It's magically--it really is. Everywhere you go you hear this is the place dreams come true. Remember, how Ella wasn't so sure that was going to happen. All doubt was gone at the sound of the first firework. And the kids delighting in dreams has proven to be a bit contagious. I'm feeling the magic each and every minute I watch their faces and see their smiles. Sigh...the magic of being together...the magic of believing in fairy tales, and happy endings and all good things. One magical night that seemed to be *just* for us.