Epcot is one of my favorites. With plenty to do and all the countries to see, I am always amazed and never see the same thing twice. And since we were going to be at Disney for the better part of nine days, I knew i would return to Epcot a few times before the trip ended.

Paul was a gentleman the night before. While we laid in the bed, barely propped up enough to read he magazines and the attractions to make a plan for the following day, he never once moved himself over to my side of the bed. Additionally, we had charged the kids with making their own plan for each day, and then we would compare notes in the morning and make a joint effort to do all the proposed activities for the day.

Sitting on over three-hundred acres, Epcot has plenty to offer. There are the scientific expos and my personal favourite, the "World Showcase" . Of all the countries in Epcot, Germany is my favourite. The Bavarian and German influence is unmistakable.

About midday, we decided to have lunch in Germany. At Biergarten, there are German offers abound. I had the "Boisterous German Buffet" and Paul had the same. Te children were in a purely German mood, so the opted for straight from the menu. Isabella had a Bratwurst that came with sauerkraut and all the fixings; including the German mustard. To my surprise, Liam opted for some venison in a gooseberry sauce.

After we were completely stuffed, we decided to walk as much as possible to reduce the weight and pressure we had just put on our guts; literally. We walked thru Switzerland and Holland, among other places. We even found out our exact height and weight; measured scientifically, which I felt sure was a little jaded at the moment.

My favourite part of all is the fireworks and light display. Music is played in unison to one of the most amazing; if not "THE" most amazing, displays on Earth. Not even the symphony and water display at the Bellagio in Las Vegas comes close.

We adjourned to our boudoirs; as all was calm, and so was I on this very day.

The first evening, we ate at The Mara. If there was ever an African-influenced restaurant, this was it. The beams exposed flowed upward with huge leaves above to represent the large African trees that one might sit under on a hot day in the great expanse. Lighting was dim and the tables were made of an African Rosewood; planed beautifully, but still with a rugged exterior.

The African-inspired food was phenomenal. It was unlike anything I had ever eaten. While they had some more traditional options for those without the refined palates of my children, the options with the "influence of the jungle" abounded. Basmati rice, yogurt sauces, raisins, Couscous...you name it, if it had an African influence, it was there on the menu.

We were tired from traveling and after dinner, we took a bottle of Pinotage to our room and the children had drinks from the African juice bar. Isabella was old enough to drink at this point, but did not partake. She and Liam; however, always asked to smell the wine. To my surprise, they each had a good nose.

As I went to sleep that nite, I wondered how the children felt about Paul and me. Did they want me to be connected to another man? In a relationship? Married? I knew not how they felt; as they would never say, so I had to assume that all was ok.

The next day we would do Epcot and we would be returning to Epcot for the end-of-year celebration. I was "flat out" excited to see what the folks at Disney would come up with for New Year's Eve. I had been to Epcot many times, and Disney was one of Brady's favourite places. He, too, believed it was a place of magic and even cried the day that Walt Disney died.

The rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge were absolutely perfect. As I peered over my balcony the next morning, I watched the animals play and eat and prepare themselves for another beautiful day. Even the sun arising over the preserve seemed to be as if I was in Africa, and far away from Florida in the United States. After two cups of coffee and some conversation across the balcony with the kids, it was time to head to Epcot.