A Grand Finale

It was hard to believe that our week was coming to an end so quickly, but CMNH had lots of fun planned for our final day!  We started our day with a breakfast with the rest of the Champion families and then lined up for a procession and the pin exchange.  It was a little chaotic for us because Jayla developed some digestive challenges just as we were ready to proceed.  We worked our way down the conference center hall making bathroom breaks as we went, but we made it!

We entered the huge conference/event room to thundering applause.  All the representatives from the national sponsors surrounded the room and cheered for the kids as they entered.  We then took our assigned seats for the pin exchange.  They had Delta water bottles, lanyards and this really cool Champions box with Jayla's picture on it waiting for us as well as a self-inking stamp of Jayla's signature.  For the next two hours, sponsors stopped by to meet Jayla and get her signature in their Celebration book.  She had so much fun and felt like such a celebrity!  Each of the sponsors gave her a lapel pin in exchange for her autograph, so she had quite the box full by the end.  She has had so much fun going through all the pins since our return home!  I know two hours seems like a long time, but it went so fast.  I think Jayla would've stayed longer as it really was a lot of fun!

Don't worry... she's not mad.
That's her celebrity pose!

Jayla loved the pin exchange!

Alas, it came to an end and we were off for our next adventure!  We had a couple of free hours before the evening events, so we decided to head back to the parks.  After an exhausting day the day before, we decided to go at a slower pace.  We had intended to go to Animal Kingdom but scrapped that park for Hollywood Studios.  It ended up being a great call!  We rushed to make it for the Beauty and the Beast show which was very good and Jayla really enjoyed.  From there, we hopped over to the Little Mermaid show.  Jayla was singled out on the way in to introduce the show.  In exchange for her introduction, she was given an autograph from Ariel and Prince Eric - score!  We wandered around for a little bit and then caught a quick pic and autograph with Handy Manny before heading back to the hotel... we needed just a little down time (and to pack!).

The Beauty & the Beast show was great!

Jayla humored me and got a Handy Manny autograph even though she's "too big" for that!

Shopping was a recurring theme, and Jayla was so excited to use her Disney gift card from Accurate Rx to buy a Cinderella carriage.

The family at Universal Studios

Grams & Jayla

We all came together for the last time on Friday evening to have a nice dinner.  It was so tasty!  Jayla decided that she loves Mahi Mahi (but has no idea what it is!).  As we were finishing up dinner, we were introduced to Nick Cannon who served as our MC for the night.  Then, they brought in some super-special guests: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy!  The kids each got to get their picture taken with each character (wish we'd known that before our long wait at Epcot!).  We even got a couple of family pictures!  The arrival of our special guests put everyone in a great mood and ready for the final ceremony.

Jayla was in a great mood and excited to see Pluto! 

Jayla also got her picture taken with Miss America

We once again all lined up and processed into the huge auditorium.  There was music and cheering and lots of bright lights.  It was a little overwhelming but also very exciting!  There were cameras everywhere and they projected images of the kids entering on jumbo-trons.  The kids went back stage and we took our seats for the program.  Several very nice awards were presented and their was a musical performance.  After that, it was time for the medal ceremony.  This had a more profound impact on me than I would've expected.  It was so wonderful to see all our new friends come on stage, smiling and happy, and receive their medals.  When Jayla came on stage, my heart absolutely swelled with pride.  She was all smiles!

After receiving her medal, Jayla joined us in our seats and watched the rest of the program with us including a very fun 3-D show.  As the program ended, Jordin Sparks took the stage to sing "Celebrate".  She invited all the kids to come back on stage and dance with her.  Any shyness Jayla had earlier completely evaporated as she ran onto stage and danced with her friends.  It made me so happy to see her so carefree!

Jayla entering the medal ceremony

Jayla getting a high five from the Delta rep

On stage with her Champion medal

Dancing up a storm on stage with Jordin Sparks and the champion kids

 

At the final night celebration with her new friend, Emma, from Florida

Jayla & Emma

After lots of photographs and hugs, we headed back to our room and settled in for the night.  Tomorrow would be an early and long day as we traveled home.