Fun with the Big Cat

So, I haven't been on a whole lot this summer... my FMS has really been taking a toll on me. That and STILL trying to get this house ready to put up *groan*, but I move at the pace of a darn turtle lately so of course it's taking me forever to accomplish anything, LOL ;)

Anyway, I did manage to fulfill Ashley's 'Mommy-Daughter' trip this month. I really haven't been up for it, and so instead of taking her in June as planned, it got held off until just over a week ago. I still wasn't up to it, but I managed to pull it off. I honestly think angels held me up or something because it has hurt to even walk.

We made the 8-hour drive on Friday, Aug. 15th. Started off early so we had plenty of time to make numerous stops along the way and stretch our legs, take a break (my arms felt like lead trying to hold them to the steering wheel for too long at a time), and so forth. We trekked back home on Monday, the 18th.

We had a good time! Ashley's two favorite rides are the Scrambler & the Tilt-a-Whirl so they are the ones that we rode the most, and when I couldn't handle anymore, she rode them by herself, still delighted as ever so that was great. I love listening to her laugh with such excitement & joy... it feels as though it could make your (my) heart burst!

The first day (Sat), she did not get to see Garfield, which had been her biggest hope in choosing this particular location for her special trip with mommy. So, that was a bit of a disappointment. We asked some shop personele, but were told he didn't have a set schedule, and you just had to take your chances basically. I personally thought that was dumb.

Ashley picked out a few choice souveniers, and there was no doubt that she is a HUGE Garfield fan. I'll post pictures as soon as I can get to them,.. what a cutie! She had a Garfield ballcap, Garfield necklace, Garfield, backpack, plushie Garfield keychain, Garfield shoelaces, and a plushie Garfield doll and Odie doll from their equivalent to a "Build-a-Bear" type shop.......... but no actual Garfield that day. *insert sad face*

The next morning (our 2nd & last day), Ashley decided to dress up in her orange outfit so she'd match Garfield (we had included in our prayers the night before & that morning that she would get to meet him before we left), and off we went.

This time the first thing we did was go to the Information Center to inquire about Garfield. Ashley wore all her Garfield "things" again, and had such high hopes of getting to see him that I wanted to do my best to try to find a way of making it happen for her. So we went to ask if they could perhaps let us know about when he might make an appearance so that we could go and wait for him. What we did not expect was what actually happened.

The Security Manager & other staff there were so delighted with Ashley and how much she adores Garfield that they were determined to make sure she got to see him, and without missing out on other fun by waiting for the 'chance' to catch him. Also, someone had told us that he doesn't usually come out on Sundays.... BUT! This is what they did for Ashley, and I must say that this, to us anyway, came as such a wonderful blessing..... this was one of those experiences that a child will never forget. If you would like to share in this joy, please read on! :)

We owe a HUGE thanks to the staff at Silverwood for making this possible. They bent over backwards for Ashley. It started out because she is such a tremendous fan, but it grew...

They arranged an appearance with not only Garfield, but Odie as well! Not only was Garfield not schedule to appear that day, but they never appear together. It's always one or the other, but not both. So this was a special deal just for her. They took my cellphone so they could call me as soon as they were ready, and that way Ashley could go enjoy some rides while they got everything arranged. I was so stunned (all we had wanted to know was if he would be out that day & approximately when so we could try to catch him), and so I pulled the Security Manager to the side where Ashley could not hear & told her how much this meant... that it was alsmot like Ashley getting a "wish". And then I briefly told her about Ashley's NF... NOT to gain sympathy or special favor, but so that she would know how much more this special arrangement really meant. I cannot tell you how many times I started to cry throughout the remainder of the day!

They ended up doing even more for Ashley (thus the continued tears). I did pull the gal off to the side again to make sure it was not because of what I had divulged to her b/c then I felt bad, but she assured me it did not (I am sure it did), but that it was because "Miss Ashley is one of Garfield's biggest fans & we don't see that often so I think she deserves some special treatment" (I did note that there are some things that they used to do with &/or regarding Garfield shows, etc. that they no longer do due to a lack of interest..... that made me sad! So, they were pretty excited to have a guest who loves him SO much!

And I understood their excitement about that even more when Garfield & Odie came out in the Pavillion to meet Ashley... I was prepared to have kids flocking all around in wait for their turn, but you know, nobody really did. Besides Ashley, there literally were only THREE other children who even cared he was there. How incredibly sad,.... he's Silverwood's mascot for cryin' out loud! So, no wonder they were so thrilled about Ashley. :(

Anyway, they let me take all the pictures I wanted, and then they brought out their photographer to take a photo... and surprised us with 6-8x10s and some wallets. Ashley's special copy reads: "Silverwood's Little Ambassador" across the bottom. While I waited for the photos to print out, they took Ashley to a nearby shop & gave her a bunch more Garfield souveniers... stuff she didn't need of course, but what fun for a child to experience! Little things like a banner for her bedroom wall, magnets, extra outfits for her plushies, and so forth... and they kept referring to her as the "Little Ambassador of the Day". She gleamed!

After that, they arranged for us to have a complimentary lunch at their restaurant, then gave Ashley a "pass" so she didn't have to wait in line at the rides (that helped me, too, b/c I was hurting so much!).

They have an ice show at Silverwood with Champion skaters from around the globe (my personal favorite was the gal from Russia!). Anyway, there is a portion where they select a child from the audience and that child gets pushed around out on the ice in a glittery sleigh by none other than Frosty himself, while various other skaters skate/dance around to the "Hot-hot chocolate" song from the Polar Express... very cute, and they made sure that Ashley was that chosen child for the 6:00 show. No one is allowed to take photos or video or anything inside the show,.. period. But, they allowed me to take photos during the portion where Ashley was out on the ice. Due to the low lighting and the fast movement, they are not real clear, but at least I got to take them! They are still ones to treasure, and I am very thankful that they allowed me to do that. I remember thinking, I wish I could take a picture when she goes out there! And then a few minutes later, the staff came over to explain at what point in the show they would come and collect her, and also that I could take pictures at that time. *yay!*

They also let her up in the steam engine of the train, with the engineers... it was 124 degrees in there at 7:00 PM! This engine is almost 100 years old (I think it's actually 96 or 97), and has quite an incredible history, although unfortunately I cannot remember it b/c of my stupid Fibro-brain, LOL! They were going to let us ride up there with them, but Ashley got frightened so we just checked it all out, got to watch them light it & everything, took pictures, and then Ashley & I got to go ride back in the caboose instead with the train's tour guide, Sheriff Steamer (he is such a neat man!), and he made her his little Deputy Sheriff, badge & all, and told her it was her job to make sure that everyone had a good time at Silverwood by sharing her beautiful smile. *aww* We got to talk to him quite a bit in between the tour info stuff so that was really neat, too.

We had an unforgettable time thanks to the staff at Silverwood who went above & beyond to make Ashley feel like a VERY special little girl, and I cannot thank them enough for that.

And what I love even more, is that Ashley knows how special this was, but she has also not let it make her "proud". She has shared her joy in it with a select few family members, enough that you experience her delight, but without arrogance. It only proves that we are doing something right in teaching her good values, and I am thankful for that. That we can share good things without being boastful... we can celebrate our blessings and share them with those who can embrace those good things with us.

Ashley is such a kind & loving child, and she has been through so much... it has just overjoyed my heart for her to get to experience a treat such as this, and I do believe God had His hand in it.

I only wish others could have actually shared in the experience with us! :)

I will post pictures soon... Love to all! xoxo