Can’t you feel the excitement?

Disney Series:
Flashback Part One
Flashback Part Two - Teacup Ride
Flashback Part Three - Buzz Lightyear
Candy Store
Fast-Forward Four Years

My eldest is now a dozen years old. Not quite teenager, but not really “child” either. When I think about my hopes and dreams for her, I often think about a song from Faith Hill’s Fireflies album. My daughter and I first listened to this song on our trip to Mackinac Island two years ago (and that’s where I took the photo in the header.)

Here are two verses from the song, “Wish for You”:

A setting sun that paints a tie-dyed sky
A feather bed, an ancient lullaby

Cotton candy clouds against the blue
That’s the kind of day I wish for you.

Happy Birthday, 12 Year Old.

My third installment of our 2005 flashback is a single photo. But it says it all. The other favorite ride of our then six- and eight-year-olds was Buzz Lightyear. (Here is last week’s post.)

Um, which one is the kid?

It’s a good thing we mastered the FastPass — otherwise, waiting in line for Buzz Lightyear rides 15 times could have taken a month. (I don’t exactly remember, but I don’t think I’m exaggerating too much.)

Next week, I’ll end this series with a photo you’ll love. I promise!

Disney Flashback Series:
Part One
Part Two - Teacup Ride
Part Three - Buzz Lightyear

***GUEST POST BY 4TH GRADE CRAIG***

In September, when Darla reviewed the excellent book, The Secret of Wellington’s Map, the PR folks for Planet of the Dogs contacted us and asked if Craig would be interested in reviewing it, since he’s the perfect age for the series. This is Craig’s first book review. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed the fact he finally got his nose in a book.

Planet of the Dogs, by Robert McCarty is a great book. This book is about two people from planet Earth helping the dogs on Planet of the Dogs to harvest their food. Then the dogs on Planet of the Dogs decide to help make peace on planet Earth when the Stone City warriors attacked Green Meadow on Earth.

My favorite character was a man named BIK (pronounced B-I-K.) I liked him because he was very active and caring for his friends and family.

My favorite part was at the end when they were in the woods and then the dogs started barking and then troops started chopping down trees and BIK told BIC — another captain — that he was in charge. Then BIK ran out to his children and he saw a crash site over a hill into water. BIK knew they could not swim, so he jumped down and saw two vicious dogs. He thought they killed Nikki and Nik, then he took a sword out of his picket and heard a deep voice say they did not kill your children they saved your children. He turned around and saw troops armed and then he booked across the river.

His children were there and they said, “We will give them back if you declare peace.” BIK reached in his pocket and took out a horn and blew it and then he said, “I declare peace.”

People my age who dogs would love this book. I recommend it!

Read about how Barking Planet supports therapy dog programs in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Or good news about youth? Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

As promised in part one, today I’ll share photos from one of our kids’ favorite rides. It probably isn’t much of a surprise - the classic “Teacup” ride.

How I didn’t lose my hat, I’ll never know.

Even through the blur you can see Darla’s mouth is full of orthodontic expander. Notice the different shirts she wore this day and the next. I can’t count the number of times we rode in the teacups.

This is right before I almost hurl.

And he’s the reason we could have won the spinning contest.

Next week I’ll share the other hands-down favorite in 2005. Any guesses??

Disney Flashback Series:
Part One
Part Two - Teacup Ride
Part Three - Buzz Lightyear