A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Once upon a time, there were two beautiful princess.  These princesses and their brothers lived with The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World.  Not a bad as a Wicked-Stepmother. But close, very close.  

Now, these children have a wonderful Fairy Grandmother.  The Fairy Grandmother tells her son that she feels that the Princesses and their brothers should be able to go to the magical world of Disney.  "Every child deserves the chance to go to Disney sometime," she tells her son.  He nods and says, "True.  True.  However, I'm married to The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World.  I'm pretty sure what she'll say about the whole idea."  

Sure enough, The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World flatly refuses to consider a trip to Disney World.  "First of all," she screeches, "I don't buy all this propaganda about magic.  We can go somewhere closer and cheaper and have just as much fun.  Secondly, vacations  cut into chore and homework time.  What kind of fun is that?  For me, I mean."  But the Fairy Grandmother wasn't deterred.  She waves her magic wand, tells her son that she and Grandpa would like to come with the family, and amazingly, The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World relents.  

Convinced that this trip was a pending disaster, The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World begins her research.  She buys The Complete Guide to Disney World and admires all the pretty pictures.  She regularly listens to podcasts- The Dis Unplugged and WDW Today become her favorites.  She frequents allears.net, poring over menus and making spreadsheets of touring plans.  She buys trading pins and matching shirts.  She discusses the family's plans with her mother (who used to be the The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World, but is now the children's other Fairy Grandmother.)  Magically, the princesses receive beautiful gowns appropriate for a trip to the World.

Almost a year's time passes between the time the reservations are made and the day the family leaves for the trip.  And an amazing transformation occurs.  The Meanest-Mother-in-the-World still forces her children to do chores, homework and says "No" on a regular basis, with perverse glee.  But the frigid heart begins to thaw, and now The-Meanest-Mother-in-the-World is the first one every morning to remind her princes and princesses how many days left until their departure (25) and secretly wishes she had a princess dress of her own.    

And they'll live (hopefully) magically ever after.