It Wasn't Ideal, but it was DISNEY!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

For anyone who is interested, following the Disney TR and skipping the chatter is a Six Flags over GA mini TR and a family trip to the Great Smoky Mountains TR. And then, just to add a little fun, are additional pictures and a looking back March 2008 WDW TR. Most of my posts are done in larger font and you'll see the pictures, so I do hope that you carry on with us after you've read March 2009. And please, feel free to post your thoughts and let me know what's on your mind!
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Hello! Welcome to my TR. This is a first for me, so I'm going to do the best I can by you and tell the story of our trip with as much honesty and straight-forwardness as possible! I hope you enjoy the TR and feel free to post your comments and let me know your thoughts!

Introductions: I am a southern girl who everybody refers to as "Mel". I am nearing the ever dreaded 3-0 and I have a four year old son and a wonderful husband of nearly nine years. Here is a photo of me and my son. (DH prefers not to have a photo posted, sorry).


http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/birthdayandeaster018.jpg

As a child, I went to Disney World several times, the last time I was eleven years old. I have always had a love for Disney, but somewhere along the way, I lost a little bit of that magic. Fast forward 16 years to 2006 and the magic came back full force!

Here's the dish, some background info for you: My parents joined DVC back in 1995 or 1996. I was living with my grandmother at the time. My parents have been long time lovers of all things Disney and at this time they decided that they wanted to buy into this vacation club and buy into it they did! However, I didn't come into the Disney picture until much later...unfortunately for me. So I didn't know about any of this.

Backstory: My dad remarried when I was five, so when I refer to DM, this is my step-mother (I think of her as my mother, seeing as how she mostly raised me - long story!). So, in 1997, I have graduated and moved out into my own by this time and my family lost touch there for awhile (another long story) and I had no idea that my parents were DVC members, nor did I know that they were going on family vacations w/out me. My parents were going to Disney around four times a year and they were taking my (step)sister and her husband, and then my niece when she came along. Once I found out about these family vacations, and how I was not invited to go, I'll have to admit that hurt a lot. It was a couple of years before I knew about it, so you can imagine how many trips they went on by that time. Then, even when I knew they were going, there was still no invitation to go. We've had issues. All families have them, I guess, so it didn't burn too bad...

So, you can fast forward a little more, I got married and then four years later, along came my son, my precious boy, their grandson. Family bonds have been re-established by this time and life is good! When DS was about a year old, we finally get invited to come along and share in the Disney fun. Much to my surprise, DH agrees. Yippee! I couldn't believe that he would go, honestly. So we go to Disney World and stay in the WL in November 2006 for eight glorious days. DS4 was then only 23 months old and we got a lot done! The Christmas Lights were up at this time and it was a wonderful experience for all of us. And my love for Disney is REBORN and DS's love is just beginning!

I found some photos of our first trip (November 2006). We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and I think I left my heart there. Here are a couple of my 23 month old sweetie pie! Boy, has he grown since these were taken. So sad...

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DH and I decide to go again in March 2008 with the family, and DH decides that he HATES Disney on this particular trip! So, when the next adventure set for March 2009 rolled around he decides to let me and DS4 go along with my Dad, mother, sister and niece without him. It just wasn't for him, he said.

So, this is a first for me, going somewhere without my knight in shining armour. I am nervous about going away, nervous about how we will all get along on the trip, and nervous about how my son will behave w/out his daddy around.

And again, this is my first TR, so please bear with me. I'll apologize up front for lack of photos, but I will try to add in where possible! Also, there are photos at the end that have been posted randomly.

So, without further ado, here is your cast for this amazing trip!

Me, "Mel", I guess I can be emotional at times, as you'll soon find out! I love to have a good time and amusement parks are definitely my thing!
DS4, loves ALL things Disney. Won't tolerate any movie that is NOT a Disney movie! Can be stubborn at times, as you'll see!
DF, My Dad: Minister, quiet and reserved, goes with the flow, but opinionated when he needs to be!
DM, step - Mom: knows A LOT about Disney, very opinionated, spoils the grands at Disney.
DSis, Sister: Quiet and keeps to herself, we don't have a lot in common
DN, Niece: a princess, spoiled to perfection, has been to Disney more than probably any other child I know.

Travel Dates: We will leave on March 15th, travel throughout the night, arrive in Disney on Monday, March 16th around three or so in the afternoon. We will stay 6 nights, seven days and depart Disney on Sunday, March 22nd in the afternoon. The plan is to drive all night and arrive home in the wee hours of Monday, March 23rd. Thank goodness I arranged to take Monday off from work also!
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[MICKEY4EVER!]

Sunday, March 15th: :cloud9:

I awoke Sunday morning very apprehensive, as I do before every vacation. I was more apprehensive before this vacation because I knew that I would leave DH behind and I just couldn’t believe that the day that I had been planning for so many months had finally arrived. It almost seemed surreal.
I started the day by preparing DS4 a Mickey Mouse shaped pancake for breakfast to get him revved up and excited for the upcoming departure. He was already well aware that today was the day we were leaving and he didn’t need any help in the excitement department. He was amped! I was nauseated. :sick:

Here is the photo of my lopsided Mickey Mouse. Don't laugh!!!! DS4 was very proud of it, he he! :laughing:

And look at those cowlicks on my sweet angel!
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I just couldn’t seem to get myself motivated to complete the packing and all the last minute details that needed tending to. I was a nervous wreck and DH and I couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. We were beside each other all day, it seemed. :hug: I wanted to soak him in as much as I could before I left so that maybe I wouldn’t miss him so terribly. I think we both missed each other before I ever even departed.

I was happy to be going to my most favorite place on Earth, but I still hoped for DH to come, too. Sadly, we couldn't convert him to be a Disney Lover like us. :sad1:

It was after noon and I had to go lay down in our bedroom for awhile to get my nerves in check. I slept a restless sleep for a little while until the telephone ringing woke me up. Then I hopped in the shower and hoped that the warm water would help to ease my nerves. Amazingly, it worked and I was able to get myself dressed and primped. Then I finished the last minute packing of toiletries and such and drug the suitcase into the kitchen. This was it, I was ready – only a few more hours to go.

DH and I anxiously sat on the couch, waiting on the phone call from my parents telling me they were also ready to go. The waiting was almost excruciating, and as much as DH and I hated to depart from one another, we were ready to get the show on the road. Nothing is worse than waiting, as far as I am concerned.

We leave the house, and DH and I finish a McDonald's dinner. Then we drove to meet my parents at the Cracker Barrel. By this time, my nerves had gotten the best of me and that combined with my recent greasy meal had my stomach churning loudly. Once at Cracker Barrel, I had to leave DH and DS4 in the car and straight to the restroom I go.

Unfortunately for me, my stomach was in such turmoil and that restroom was like a revolving door, I was beyond utterly embarrassed. I hate having colon problems (something I inherited from my dear old dad! ;))

I began feeling some better and after a bit I felt that I was able to leave without having to make a return trip. It was disturbing to know that we had such a long car trip ahead of us and my stomach wasn't cooperating.

After obtaining some stomach medication and resisting the urge to double the dose, we packed our belongings into my parent's van and got DS4's car seat installed. DS4 was so excited to be leaving for Disney World at long last. The expression on his face is almost indescribable: He was sitting so tall in the seat and he had the brightest smile on his face. His eyes were wide open and gleaming and he just seemed so, I don’t know, proud and big. It made any amount of money I would spend on this trip worth it, just for that one moment of seeing DS4 so happy. Soon he had a travel blanket wrapped around him and a travel pillow and he was ready to roll!

DH kissed us and hugged us good-bye and I climbed into the very back seat of the van. It was a little cramped and crowded, but I was going to Disney World, what did I care? DH gave us one last wave and off we went. I was more than sad to see DH driving away alone and I wished that he were coming along with us. Bittersweet, was the feeling, I guess. Disney on one hand, husband driving away from me on the other. A hard pill to swallow at the time.

It was around nine-thirty p.m. before we were on the interstate and I was really tired already.

DS4 and DN each had their own DVD players and they had each brought the Disney movie WALL-E, so they watched the movie in sync with one another. It was really cute to see how DS4 would look at DN's screen to make sure that she was still watching the same thing he was. I believe that it made him feel big to know that he was doing the same thing she was doing. After the movies had ended, I turned off his DVD player and told him to go to sleep. I knew that we had a very long, tiring drive ahead of us and he’d need all the rest he could get.

Unfortunately, DS4 was so exuberated, sleep was not an option and he tried to talk to everyone, calling out their names and initiating conversations. Everyone was tired and didn’t feel much like talking, and I eventually convinced DS4 that if he wouldn’t sleep, he at least had to be quiet. He finally hushed and soon, fell asleep, much to my relief. :)

After hours and hours of driving, we finally stopped at our motel for the night. Actually, it was more like four in the morning, Florida time. I was exhausted and stiff from being hemmed up in the back of the van for so many hours, so it was nice to get out and stretch my legs as I got out to obtain and pay for room rental.

The lady who helped us looked to be about one hundred and five years old and she didn’t seem to have a lot of sense about her, as she didn’t even know the rental fee for the rooms, nor did she know if the rooms were adjoined or where they were located. I was beginning to wonder if she even worked there! :rotfl:

The credit card machine was down, so she had to handwrite the card number and upon close inspection, I realized she had written the number down wrong. Also, she put my card down with my DF's name and address, only his last name was spelled wrong and he had long since moved from the address on his I.D. To this day, I am still uncertain whether I have been charged for this room! :confused3

The motel looked seedy from the outside, but inside the room was nice and large, and most importantly, clean. Perhaps most motels look seedy at night, because I wasn’t quite as unimpressed the next morning. We did not surface from our rooms until about eleven-thirty a.m., which I thought was a late start, but we only had about three hours left of driving before our impending arrival at DISNEY WORLD! :cool1:

We ate breakfast at the Waffle House next door, and I must say, their hashbrown potatoes were the most delicious I have had in a long time. With my stomach troubles the night before, I was leery about having them, but armed with more stomach medication and an undeniable desire for those fried hashbrowns, I took my chances. Nothing happened, and they were well worth the risk! (YUM!)

The remainder of the drive to Disney was uneventful. As we got closer to our destination, I pulled out the camcorder in anticipation of capturing DS4's reaction as we drove through the Walt Disney World gate where the larger than life Donald, Mickey, and Minnie are there to greet us. He did not disappoint me and his excitement was infectious. We all cheered as we drove under the arch to “where dreams come true”.

Here is a pic of DS4 getting excited:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009005.jpg

My first look at Saratoga Springs was one of awe. I had never stayed anywhere but Wilderness Lodge until that point, and I was not aware of how large the resort was. As we drove past rolling green hills adorned with golfers and golf carts, and beautiful spraying fountains, my jaw was in my lap. This place was every bit as wonderful as it had been described to me. DH would surely hate that he missed this golf course – it was so lovely! And I was quite surprised to learn that SSR was so large that it had five bus stops!

We arrive at the Springs to check in and the first thing I see is the carousel horse in the lobby. The pictures on the internet do this lobby no justice. I made a mental note to come back later in the week and get DS4's picture with the horse.
AND - here is the picture I took later in the week:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009074.jpg


DS4 and DN head to the children’s area to watch cartoons (and let me just say, those tiny little chairs all lined up are just the cutest things that I’ve ever seen) while DM checks us in. I head over to purchase our park tickets for the week and am happily surprised that I can put our park tickets on our room key. How convenient!
And I am so happy that DSis walks up to me at this point and mentions the cost of the tickets, because I quickly realize that I have just been over-charged. They charged me the price of two adults for the week, not one adult and one child. So, this little mishap must be corrected and we spend a few more moments at the counter. I am more than ready to leave and get to the room and on to the fun, but I am not about to let thirty dollars go. That would pay for a meal here! Yeah, yeah - you'll find out that I'm frugal!

We finally get things sorted out, though I am still doubtful that my credit card was reimbursed properly for the difference, and load into the van yet again for the drive to the room. I was told that SSR had its own mercantile and restaurant, and I was told that you’d have to take a bus to get to it from our room, but I had no idea just how big this place was until we drove a good ways from checking in to our villa in the Paddock area.

And I was disappointed, to be honest, that the store and restaurant was not within walking distance because taking a bus to get there just seemed like such a hassle to me. Now, I’ve been a Wilderness girl for the last couple of years, so admittedly, I am spoiled. :rolleyes1

Once in our room, I see that it resembles Wilderness a lot, but it had different feel altogether with the different furnishings. This one seems more airy, too, and we have a nice view of one of the springs from our balcony. I am excited to have finally arrived! DS4 gets right down to the business of playing with his toys while the adults retrieve luggage from the vehicle and we attempt to unpack as quickly as we can. After some relaxation and freshening up, we are all set to head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. :wizard:


day 1 - part 2

We missed our lunch reservation to Mama Melrose’s, but to be honest, after looking at their menu on-line, I was not dissatisfied that we would have to eat elsewhere. We ended up getting dinner at the Sunset Market and I quite enjoyed my cheeseburger! After our quick bite, we headed over to Toy Story Mania and waited in line. I was in awe of the linked monkeys connecting the buildings and the life-size army men. It was definitely Toy Story here, and the “imaginears” did a good job of putting this all together. The queue for this ride wasn’t as long as I had anticipated and there was a lot to look at to keep you preoccupied, and before we knew it, we were wearing 3-D glasses!:3dglasses


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DS4 thoroughly enjoyed his first ride on Toy Story,as did I, and as it turned out, he was in the car behind me and DM, riding with DGF, and I got a really great picture of the two of them in their car before we started shooting at our targets. This ride was totally awesome!

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If I recall correctly, I had like 60,000 points or so, and even though I thought that I had done well, there were others who did much better than I did. We only got to do this attraction once during the trip, but we were fortunate to do it once, as this is one thing EVERYONE wants to try out! The lines are rarely under an hour and a half, and you can forget about getting fast passes for it.

After Toy Story, we tried to see some characters, but we were told that they have closed for the evening. So much for Extra Magic Hours. So we head to get ice cream at Sunset Market. You’d never know it was EMH since the park seemed as much crowded then as it was before Magic Hours began, if not more so. I decided that I was still full from dinner and DS4 didn’t want ice cream, so we headed to Tower of Terror. This was one of the rides that I really wanted to take DS4 on as he had finally reached the 40 inches that was required of him to board. Unfortunately, everyone else in the park thought this was an attraction they needed to ride as well, since the wait time was 2 hours!!!!:scared1:

I said forget it and stood twenty minutes in line to buy DS4 a cup of strawberry ice cream, which he suddenly decided he wanted, and then I ended up eating it. :confused3 Kids!

After our frozen treat, we made our way to Star Tours and DS4 embarks on his first space adventure! I enjoyed watching DS4 so much, and tried to engrave his reaction into my memory, that I barely noticed what was happening on the screen in front of me. I knew that I’d have to ride STours again before we left, now that I had witnessed DS4's first time through his eyes.

We then stopped to get some pictures in front of the Sorcerer Hat, but unfortunately, my camera does not photograph this well in the dark. I am disappointed that there were no Photopass Photographers around that I could see, but we carry on and head over to The Great Movie Ride! This has never been one of my favorite attractions, but I seemed to have enjoyed it much more this time around than in times past. I mentioned to DM next to me on the ride that somewhere on the mural beside us was a hidden Minnie and the next thing I know, the CM is pointing to everyone the profile of a classic Minnie. If it had been a snake, it would have bit me! I tried to show it to DM, but she still didn’t see the profile, even with the flashlight shining on it. Oh, well! I tried!

After TGMR, I think we’d all had enough and were ready to go home and get some rest. I desperately wanted to ride Rockin’ Roller Coaster, but DSis said that DNiece wasn’t up for it. She’d been sick with a bronchial infection and was having to use an inhaler periodically, so this wasn’t a good ride for her as "it stole her breath". I tried to get DSis to leave DN with the grandparents, but she thought her daughter would be upset if she went without her. :sad1: I think she would have gotten over it, but that's just me. :rolleyes1

DSis tried to persuade me to do the single-rider line since I wanted to ride so badly, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. For me, it takes away from the ride if you have to do it next to someone you don’t know. I WILL NOT scream on a roller coaster if I don’t know the person next to me. Strange, yes, I know. Even if DSis & DN had gone, I still would have had to sit next to a stranger, but at least they would have been in front of me or behind me. It makes a difference, I don’t know why! Call me Wierd!

We did some window shopping on the way out of the park and we were on a bus headed back to the resort before long. Our first night at Disney World was so much fun and we were exhausted, but happy. DS4 and I had to share our room with DM & DF, so I had a feeling that no matter how tired I was, it was going to be hard to sleep. My poor DF could wake the dead with his snoring! I tried to get in the bed before they did and get to sleep super fast so that it would not disturb me, but I’m just not that fast! :laughing:

Those two were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Eventually, DS4 and I were both able to fall asleep, though we did wake up simultaneously during the night and sat up in the bed looking at one another when a particularly loud snore snatched us from our slumber! :rotfl:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Day 2 was our MK day, and our first full day in the parks. I was looking forward to this because MK is my most favorite of all the parks in Disney. I believe that DS4 always gets the most enjoyment out of this park, as well, since most of the attractions they have are for all ages. I woke up before anyone else, as seemed to be the theme this week, and jumped in the shower.

After my shower, everyone was up and stirring about, getting breakfast and rubbing sleep out of their eyes. I was bouncing off the walls, but then, these folks have been here and done this a thousand times before as DVC members. I’m lucky that I get to come once a year, so I am ready to hit the pavement running. I am disappointed to find that they all want to visit the pools and relax and wait until the evening to go to the park. I understand their reasoning behind this very well – the parks are less crowded in the evening and it’s a whole lot cooler.

I didn’t care, though. I wanted to see the castle! Something about laying eyes on Cinderella Castle makes it real for me -it makes me feel that I have finally arrived in WDW! DS4 feels the same way, I believe, for he squeals with delight any time he sees a picture of the castle. I can’t describe the feeling it gives me, but there is definitely magic for me when I see it, and every time I see the castle is just like the first time, even if I saw it an hour ago.

We did have an enjoyable time at the pool and my poor DS4 was scared he was going to drown, even with the life jacket and arm floaties. :laughing:

DF, DM, DSis, and DN all tried to swim with him and make him forget that he was in the water, and at one point, DS4 finally realized something and said, “Hey! I float!” We all laughed. It took him long enough!

After swimming, we relaxed in the hot tub some and forced ourselves to leave. I’ll have to admit, swimming and hot tubbing was quite relaxing and I enjoyed it much more than I had anticipated. I could get used to this life! Too bad it’s only mine for a week.

After getting ready, we are on our way to the MK at last, wearing green for it is St. Patrick’s Day. No one wanted to risk getting pinched.

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We have not had lunch as of yet, so our very first stop is Casey’s Corner for a hot dog. DS4 and I have never eaten here, and I was quite impressed with the quality of the frank. Very tasty! And we had a nice view of the castle from where we were sitting – it was finally real for me. We had arrived!:worship:

DS4 was starting to get a bit antsy while we were eating and began to misbehave a little while he waited for everyone to finish their meal. I believe it was because he was ready to have some fun, and stopping to eat was an inconvenience for him and he wolfed down his hot dog in two seconds flat!

After our hot dogs and grabbing a quick picture in front of the castle with a less than willing to pose DS4 from the bridge, we headed to Adventureland for FP to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

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The queue for Splash Mountain was about sixty minutes, so we decided we could handle that and we waited in line. That was the longest, hottest line of the week by far and was much longer than an hour. I think it was more like an hour and a half, and we were getting nervous because everyone that got off the ride looked drenched! :scared1:

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I had not seen anyone come off the ride that had a dry spot on them, in fact.
DS4 did well while waiting in the long line, and only got fidgety and whiney toward the end. It did help that he met a fellow four year old in the line who kept him company. Soon we were in our log and enjoying the cool atmosphere and fun music. Our log stopped at the bottom of the mountain while another log was barreling down causing a splash.

We barely got wet and all who were in our log were immensely relieved, until….another log came speeding down the mountain and our log had positioned itself perfectly to be right in the path of the wave of water that came screaming toward us. It was like watching it in slow motion: we could see the water coming at us, and if we have pushed the log forward about three feet using sheer will power we would have, but all we could do was throw up our arms and pray it wasn’t as bad as it looked.

It was bad - very bad indeed - for each of us looked as if we had just jumped out of our log and took a dip in the river, clothes and all. :laundy:

DS4 wasn’t sure how to react at first, and I thought that he was going to cry for a brief moment, until he burst into fits of laughter, much to my relief. It was hard to enjoy the rest of the Brer creatures for worrying about how horrible I now looked in my sopping wet clothes and drippy hair. Soon, we came up on “the” hill that would take us to the inevitable fifty foot drop below. I held onto DS4 as tightly as I could and mustered up some courage and DOOOWWWNNNN we went! :woohoo:

The splash here was nothing compared to what we had already endured and DS4 thoroughly enjoyed himself. I don’t remember much after my stomach went flying up into my throat. All I know is that I still had DS4 and he was still in the log with me, unscathed and not scared, as I had feared.

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After SM, we attempted to find a restroom that had a hand dryer so that we could dry ourselves out some before our dinner reservations at Tony’s. This search proved to be in vain for there was not a hand dryer to be found, and a quick look in the restroom mirrors told me that I needed much more than a hand dryer to help me. A change of clothes and a hairbrush would work wonders. I had neither!

DNiece was as wet as the rest of us, and concerns for her health and walking around in wet clothing prompted a shopping spree. DM and DSis were on a mission to buy the sickly child a sweatshirt before she became deathly ill.

Fortunately, DS4 had a sweatshirt of his own and I had brought a jacket, so we were good to go. While shopping, DS4 and I found Cars Movie collectibles while they all searched for the perfect sweatshirt. Suddenly, DS4 tensed up and started to cry out that he needed a restroom immediately! A parade was brewing outdoors and they had Main Street blocked off and there was not a restroom nearby, so I panicked momentarily in fear that he would wet himself right there in the shop.

I found our group and DF took me and DS4 on a windy trip through crowds of people to the nearest restroom. It is extremely obvious this man has been here many times before for he handled the maze of people and barricades with extreme ease and confidence and before we knew it, we were at Tony’s and the restrooms just near it. DS4 had wet himself a little and I was well prepared with a change of underwear and pants for the dear boy, and after a quick change and a pep talk for him, we were on our way again.

DSis, DM, and DN, donning a new Disney sweatshirt, met us at Tony’s for our ADR’s. We are quickly led to the table in the back near the “window” where Lady and Tramp can be viewed sharing their spaghetti noodle. This is really neat and I am glad to have dinner here, but I am feeling quite out of place in these fancy surroundings wearing soggy clothes and hair that feels as if I had a rat nesting in it. There’s nothing I can do but pretend that I am not there as I hid behind the menu.

And as I gaze at the menu, I discover that this is a pricey place to eat and I am glad that they serve spaghetti as I know DS4 adores spaghetti and won’t mind sharing a plate with me. That will save some money for souvenirs later! Yes, there is that frugal side of me again!

My child has been increasingly belligerent throughout the day and picks this moment in time to tell me he does not want spaghetti and will not eat spaghetti. And that is that.

I am trying to keep the peace, so rather than forcing him to eat something I know he likes, I just purchase him a pizza from the kids menu and a sundae for dessert.

While waiting for the food to be prepared, DS4 begins playing with his fork. He has a piece of bread perched on the end, ready to be launched across the table! I quickly grab his bread and fork before we can be embarrassed, only to be rewarded with a sharp squeal from DS4. Oh, geez.

I am threatening him under my breath, hoping to avoid a scene in the middle of this lovely restaurant, but DS4 does not care where he is – he is ready to throw a tantrum at any moment! I am scared, but ready to deal with anything, and then at sweet last, his pizza arrives. I exhale a sigh of relief for this brief distraction has bought me a few moments of peace, or so I thought. :laughing:

DS4 scarcely eats and is too busy aggravating DN to pay attention to his plate, so I diligently try to get him to leave her alone and eat this super expensive kids meal (goodness knows I hate to waste money), but all I get are loud protests. My parents are looking at me, knowing that I am having a hard time getting my child under control, and I try a little harder to get DS4 to settle down while I choke down my dry, not so tasty spaghetti.

Tell me again what all the hype about Tony’s Restaurant is? Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I was only impressed by the decor of this restaurant.

It is getting later and later into the evening, and I know that MK closes at ten this evening and there are still some things that we want to do here. So far, the only thing we’ve done is eat at Casey's corner, Splash Mountain, and here we are eating again, and it was fast approaching nine o’clock. I asked the waitress for DS4's dessert to help speed this process up a little. At long last, the waitress arrives with the most adorable bowl of ice cream for DS4 adorned with Mickey Mouse shaped sprinkles. DS4 grinned at her like it was his birthday and tore into the delectable dessert.

Here is the photo of DS4 with his Tony's Sundae.

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For a child who did not want his supper and pretended not to be hungry, there was nothing left in the bottom of his bowl when he was done. DSis asked me about DS4 not eating, but now enjoying a dessert. I felt that I had paid for it, so he might as well have eaten it. And it made him happy for a moment, so I wasn’t complaining! I was just trying to keep the peace, for I found it difficult to effectively discipline him in public places and so many people milling around, and his father wasn't there with us, so I knew he was not only pushing my buttons but trying to see how far he could go with me. And I was failing miserably, it seemd.

After everyone finished eating, I noticed that the fireworks were over and I was disappointed that we had missed them, but I was aware that we’d be here two more times this week, so I wasn’t too down and out about it.

We headed over to BTMR to turn in our FP. The FP line seemed just as long as it did for the SB passengers, but we made it onto the ride in a short time.

DS4 was looking forward to this ride for it was on his Disney Planning DVD, and when he saw his train pull up, his reaction was priceless. He wanted to ride this again and again throughout the trip, and I believe this was DS4's new favorite ride. Of course, I taught him how to scream on the roller coasters, and we did a lot of screaming together! I wouldn’t trade those moments with him for anything in this world.

After BTMR, we were discouraged to see that it was nearly closing time and we would have to leave for the bus stop. I wanted to ride POTC pirate: but there just wasn’t enough time, until a CM told us that Disney had extended the closing time by one hour due to crowds!

DN was elated and thanked the CM profusely, who smiled and told her that they had done that just for her. This made her feel very special!

With an extra hour to play, we all happily headed over to pirate: with no lines and no waiting. DS4 and I were in the front row of the boat and were thrilled to see our old friend Davy Jones, who DS4 affectionately calls “Mr. Wormy”.

Out of all of the rides in DW, this ride will always remain my favorite. I love the drop that they’ve put in and I love the spirit of the pirates and the music just makes me happy! Adding Jack Sparrow was a wonderful idea, though I’m glad they didn’t make too many changes to the old classic.

After Pirates, I stopped to take advantage of 25% off all Pirate merchandise in the store just outside the attraction and bought DS4 his very own Mickey Pirate Playset. Then, we hopped aboard a boat in the Jungle and went on a two week expedition with a funny young woman full of one liner jokes. We saw gorillas, tigers, hippos, elephants, alligators and snakes and a head hunter or two, but we made it back to our port safe and sound. Yes, this is a corny ride, but I love it just the same! I never get tired of it.

After JC, we step onto Aladdin’s Magic Carpets where DS4 has complete control over our vehicle. :genie: He laughed and laughed as he brought us up and down and giggled even harder when a camel just so happened to spit on us! We were still wet from Splash, so it didn’t make any difference to us! We were just having fun.

After we disembarked from our flight, we were getting ready to leave the park, when DM said she needed to pick up something from one of the stores. No one was quite ready to leave yet since we were having so much fun, and shopping for me is never boring, so off we went to Main Street to shop! And Miss Frugal over here found a pair of Mickey Ears for her boy at HALF PRICE!

We stayed in the shops for so long that they were locking the doors on us, so we decided it was time to head home for the night. I bid the beautifully lit castle good-night and we were on our way. :lovestruc

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Day three, we woke up with a late start and had to hustle and bustle to get ready for AK. We didn’t have time to go to the swimming pool this morning, as we had lunch reservations for Rainforest Café, but I was glad to be getting an earlier start today.

DS4 had had a bit of a rough start to the day, and his belligerence was beginning to concern me, as well as annoy me. He became unable to follow even the most simple of instructions and had quite a temper on him when he got reprimanded, even with his grandparents. DS4 was in a mood, and when he gets like that, you have to be more stubborn than he is, which is hard, especially while on vacation. None of my disciplinary actions seemed to phase him.

So, it was not a surprise to me that DS4 began to misbehave again while we were in Rainforest.

This picture does not tell the story: this is BEFORE the misbehaving began!

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After two trips to the bathroom for a talk, the rest of the day was a breeze, but it took two times to get him to realize that he was going to miss out on a lot of fun acting the way that he was and this vacation was for him - I didn't want him to miss out on it.

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After Rainforest, we headed over to ride on the train to meet with the baby goats, but the train had already ceased running for the day. So, we waited in stand-by for the Safari ride. It was late afternoon by this time, so we got a treat by seeing most of the animals out and about this day. We even saw the beautiful lion lying on a rock sunning himself, and he looked as if he were posing for pictures! I did not have my camera out for this ride, unfortunately, and did not capture this magnificent creature. We saw every animal there was to see except for the elephants, which was disappointing as these are my most favorite animal in the world. They were behind the rock this time, and out of our view.

DS4 really got into this attraction this time, as we had told him we were going to capture poachers and rescue a baby elephant. Every animal we saw that wasn’t easily recognizable to him was a poacher. I had failed to explain beforehand to DS4 that poachers were not animals, but people. He had already formed his own opinion of what poachers were and therefore could not, or would not, accept my explanation. I was worried that this misunderstanding would create another argument with him, but once he saw the baby elephant safely in the back of the jeep, DS4 was content. Big sigh of relief for me!

In the three days that we had been at Disney, we had not stopped to visit with any characters, and I decided that today would be a good day to go to Camp Mickey-Minnie. DS4 and I had not been there in all of our visits to Disney World, so I asked if everyone else wanted to go. I don’t believe that DSis and DN were too excited about seeing characters this time, but they did come along and the only character in the place was Goofy, which was fine by us! Goofy looked adorable in all of his Wilderness Wear and cute beanie on his head.

When our turn finally arrived to greet the Great Goofy, DS4 took off running for him and gave him the greatest hug. DS4 truly loves these characters and it’s like meeting old friends for him. Goofy hugged him right back, but then let DS4 know in no uncertain terms that he did not like those Mickey Ears that he was wearing. Obviously, Goofy felt slighted here, but gave DS4 an autograph and they posed nicely together for one of my favorite pictures of the trip!

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After visiting with Goofy, the park started to clear out some for it was closing time. But with EMH that evening, we were elated to stay a little longer. We headed over to Dino-Land and the attraction “DINOSAUR.” I had never ridden on this attraction, and DS4 was 40 inches now and tall enough to ride, so no one had to sit out for this one. I had heard that this ride was a little scary and very rough, but I had no idea what we were in for.

This ride was really frightening in some parts and it was quite rough. My arm was thrown over DS4 for the entire duration of the ride, and I was concerned that he would be very scared, for the dinosaurs looked anything but fake and friendly! They looked real and ready to jump into your car and pluck you unsuspectingly from your seat and devour you. I stole a glance a time or two at DS4 and the little tike seemed just fine! I was so proud of my little guy!

The ride did not affect him at all, and he even wanted to ride again, to my surprise. I believe that DSis had DN's eyes covered for part of the ride, and DF said that he did not like it and would never ride again for it jerked him around too much. Now that I know what to expect from it, I’d love to ride it again and pay more attention to the details, for it was a really cool attraction!

After Dinosaur, DSis, DN and I headed for Primeval Whirl while DM and DF took DS4 on the kiddie ride, much like Dumbo, except with dinosaurs. He was quite disappointed that he wasn’t able to go with us and insisted that he was indeed big enough to ride. Heartbreaking! That is not a dangerous ride, so I don’t understand why they do not lower the height standards for it.

After Primeval Whirl, which I thoroughly enjoyed, DN and DS4 played an old carnival game where you have a water gun and you have to aim directly at the center of a target and whoever is the most accurate wins a large stuffed dinosaur toy. DF had hoped to do this with DS4 to distract him from not being able to ride the big ride, but we had already ridden and gotten off, so DN did it too. Unfortunately, neither of them won a prize, and I was disappointed for DS4 because he didn’t understand why he didn’t get a toy, too.

We then headed over for Mount Everest to meet with Yeti, and DS4 was disheartened yet again that he wasn’t tall enough to do this, either. My heart was breaking for him because he loves the rides more than anything, and there just wasn’t a lot he could do in this park. So, DM and DF take him to get a snack and rest their weary feet while DSis, DN, and I get into the extremely long stand-by line. The wait was estimated at more than an hour, but within thirty minutes, I was sitting next to a stranger and about to embark on a starry expedition.

It had been a long time since I had last ridden Everest, and as we took off, I thought to myself that Big Thunder Mountain was way better than this. I just couldn’t figure out what the big deal about this ride was, and then we really took off! Despite sitting next to a stranger, I couldn’t help but scream as we ran out of track and took off in a backward descent! It escaped me before I could catch it and bring it back in. Hey, this was fun! Now, the man next to me didn’t care who was next to him – his arms were way above his head for the entire ride and if I screamed, he didn’t hear me because he was screaming louder. He even clapped when it was over. I liked it a lot, but I don’t think I have ever applauded a roller coaster, LOL! :laughing:

When we returned to DS4, I found that my poor baby was sound asleep in his stroller, exhausted from the long day he had had.

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I know that being tired is part of his problem with behaving this week, so I let him sleep for a few moments as we decided what we wanted to do next. It was getting close to the end of the night, and we were hoping to catch more of the characters before we left, but none of them were in either location that we were told they would be at on the Times Guide for that day. Needless to say, we were slightly miffed that we were given incorrect information, but we headed back over to Rainforest so that DM could pick up her souvenirs for the children that she had purchased for them earlier in the day.

Here is DS4 with the Rainforest frog. Poor DS4 looks a little unsure of this life-sized frog! Cute pic anyway...

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We ended the day at the resort with a late dinner of sandwiches and chips and a phone call home to Daddy!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

We awoke Day 4 with plans to go again to MK, but first we had to stop in Downtown Disney for our first experience at T-REX! Very cool place, I must say and I was looking forward for the first time all week to this dining experience. Eating just isn't my thing - I'm more into the parks, but I had to check this place out for myself.

DS4 was having a hard time behaving on this day, as well. :mad: He wouldn't do a single thing that I asked of him, and it took some convincing as well as a time-out or two, but I think I managed momentarily to get his attitude under control enough long enough to go for a quick dip in the pool that morning. He did very well today in the pool and was not scared at all. He wanted to swim by himself and not have anyone hold onto him, so I was quite content to let him float all by himself, proud of his newfound braveness.

After a quick dip and a quick soak in the hot tub, we made our way back to the Paddock and got ready for our dinosaur adventure. Once at T-REX, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this place was blew me away!

The first thing that I saw was this huge T-REX from the shop just before you enter the restaurant, and it was as large as life and moving its arms and head, and roaring loudly. We were seated rather quickly, right in the middle of the restaurant, so we had a good view of everything that was going on around us, and that was a lot!

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There was a huge octopus hanging on the ceiling over the bar and it seemed to move along with the music. There were jellyfish serving as light fixtures and real life fish aquariams embedded into the walls. And everywhere you looked, there were dinosaurs of every kind and wooly mammoths, all moving and "speaking" at various intervals. There was even a very cool ice cave that had an extremely large dinosaur skeleton embedded into it's core and it changed colors periodically, from blue to pink and I think clear, but I'm not sure. THere was even a meteor shower that took place and this was loud as you had the storm, and all the dinosaurs went crazy! Very believable and very neat. :thumbsup2

If you've never been there, think Rainforest, except with Dinosaurs, and ten times better and twelve times louder. I will definitely come here again if given the opportunity.

As we waited for our orders to arrive, I took DS4 for a tour of the place as there are many, many photo opportunities here. He was still having a hard time in the behavior department, but the animatronics provided a good distraction for the time being. He even managed to eat his lunch and we got through this w/out incidence. Until the dessert arrived. We ordered something I can't remember the name of, but it was very similar to the VOLCANO at Rainforest, only the grand centerpiece was a cup of dry ice that created smoke from the middle of the brownie mountian. Very inventive and cool to see.
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This too rated higher than Rainforest in my book.

After T-REX, and a quick stop back to our room, we headed to MK by bus. DS4 was amped to return here and got extremely excited when he saw the castle from the highway. He started squealing and loudly exclaimed for all to hear that we had now arrived! Everyone aboard the bus thought his exuberance was adorable and I smiled, hoping for a fun time for all. Praying for no bad behavior from DS4.

After we were all in the park, our first stop was a train ride to Frontierland for FP to BTMR. We weren't about to try Splash again after getting drenched the other day. Once our FP were obtained, we headed over to Country Bears and LIverlips McGraw, whom DS4 affectionately calls "Mr. Kissy Lips"!

I was entranced by my son, who laughed and smiled throughout the entire show and clapped his small hands in time to the music. I love seeing Disney thru his eyes, and it makes me feel happy to know that I can experience this with him. Even if he is uncharacteristically unruly here at Disney, I'm still pleased to have brought him. :hug:

After the showing of the Country Bears, we head to the restrooms and another meltdown. My son was happy as long as we were moving, but if we stopped for potty breaks or snacks, then he acted up. THis was no exception. I took him to the RR w/out incident, but while we were waiting for the others, he took this exact moment to begin an annoying imitation that he'd been doing all week. He was being very loud and impolite, so I asked him to stop. He did not. My DF asked him to stop, getting down close to DS4, only to find a small finger in his face telling him "NO". :scared:

I received an irritated look from DF and I was embarrassed that my son had behaved terribly all week. I took him back to RR only to find three hundred people in there and no quiet place to talk. I stooped down next to him and told him that he would not ride any further rides and would have to sit out if he would not apologize to DGF for being so rude. He grunted and and balled his fists up, determined not to give in. Stubborn he is, oh yes, more stubborn than I had ever thought about being in my youth. I was quickly getting angry with him, but determined not to let him get the best of me. He could have it his way, no apology, no rides. :sad2:

And it took a long time B4 we got an apology, too. We stopped at Sleepy Hollow for a funnel cake and DS4 sulked the entire time. Here was a more quiet spot to try and reason with DS4 that he was missing out on a lot of fun by behaving this way. I restated my earlier remark that he would not ride if he couldn't apologize and improve, and DF got a reluctant apology, at long last. I was relieved, but leery that I had not seen the last of the mean side of my son. Where was this coming from?????? He never behaves like this at home???? :confused:

My talk did the trick and the rest of the evening was smooth sailing! WOO HOO!

After some extremely delicous snacks, we make our way to IASW, and I delight in my child's awe over all of the dancing dolls. The wind is picking up this day and it is getting quite chilly, so I change DS4's clothes and we head over behind the castle for an up-close view of the fireworks. I've seen them in front of the castle and from the side of the castle, but from behind the castle is really neat because they seem to be right over your head. THe effect is lovely with the castle as a backdrop, but when they are right on top of you, this is very cool! I recommend viewing them from behind the castle at least once.

AFter the FW, we hopped on to Pooh and enjoyed bouncing with Tigger for awhile. Then we headed over to Toon Town to ride on Goofy's Barnstormer. Another potty break and we were on our way, until DN seemed to get sick and have trouble breathing. SHe'd been this way all week, getting tired and needing to use her inhaler. This bronchial thing had her down, but she tried to overcome it so that she might have some fun. While she took a break and tried to collect her breath, DS4 and I rode Goofy three times in a row. We love this ride! It's so short, but such a fun ride! There was no line to speak of, which makes it even better. By the time we got back to our group, DSis and DN were gone back to the room as the break didn't seem to help DN. DM & DF stayed behind to ride a few more rides with us.

We gave our FP away for BTMR and stayed in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It was late, so we didn't have long to wait for Buzz or the Teacups and we rode on the TTA, one of my favorites and headed back to the villa.
On the Buzz Ride...

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Here is in jail with evil Zurg!

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When we arrived "home", I was on the phone with DH in the other room for privacy and I heard a commotion going on in the living area. DS4 refused to eat his dinner, which was no problem until he began sassing his Grandparents, who gave me disapproving looks. Boy, I wasn't winning any mother of the year rewards here, was I? DH tried to talk to DS4, but to no avail. DS4 was tired and grumpy and went straight to bed w/out finishing his dinner. I teared up some, filled with frustration and questioning myself over whether I should have taken a vacation without DH. I went to bed also feeling quite dejected and wishing I were at home. I never want to leave Disney, ever, but this was one time I wished that I had never came. :sad1:

[mouseloversVT]

Don't get too down on yourself. I'm a mom of 4 and believe me, we've had these moments. I'll keep hoping your husband will find as much joy is Disney as you do. I've really enjoyed reading your TR. Looking forward to more!!:cool1:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Today started off quite a bit better, but I must say that my sleep this week has been effected by
the snoring. God Bless my DF, I love him dearly, but I couldn't sleep next to him every night!!!
I have gotten a bit more used to the snoring by this time, but a restful sleep was NOT had by all,
LOL! :lmao:

DS4 behaved so much better this morning and I was feeling relieved, though on edge waiting for something
to rear its ugly head and ruin my day. As much fun as I've had all week, I'm stressed to the max trying
to deal with my son. I just couldn't wrap my brain around why he was behaving so terribly.
I mean, here we were in his very most favorite place, living out the dream we had planned for a year since
our last trip, and he was acting like a brat. I'd never call my own child a brat, but he was certainly behaving
like one. He's a good boy, and very well behaved most times, but this time around, Disney brought out
the absolute worst in him. :confused3

But today was starting out nicely and we were headed to DTD for a visit to Mickey's Mart, for which I was
excited to go, and HoB Restaurant. DSis and DN decided to skip out on Mickey's Mart as neither of them
were feeling very well, and they would meet us for our ADR's at HoB later. So, we take a pleasant boat ride
to DTD from the Springs at SSR. It is really quite a lovely day this day and the sun gleaming off the water and
the lovely greens of the golf course have put me in a spectacular mood, not to mention the angelic demeanor
of my child this morning. Our vacation is nearly over by this point, but things are looking up today! :cloud9:

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Here are photos of our boat ride to DTD:

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So, we get off the boat and head right toward Mickey's Mart, which is really nothing more than a hole in
the wall, literally. I was disappointed when we arrived, because I noted that everything under ten dollars
means that everything in the parks that is under ten dollars can also be found in this store.
I don't know, maybe I was hoping for clearance items or something, but there wasn't a lot that
I really wanted from this place. I was hoping to rack up on souvenirs at a decent price.

We did find the grab bags for $6.99 that I had been wanting and I bought a couple other souvenirs while we
were here. The grab bags also disappointed me as there was a mixture of boys and girls things, and my son
only had use for ONE item out of the whole bag. Inside there was a holographic post card, a pink pirate
princess eye patch and earring (DS4 had no use for this), a Minnie Mouse magnetic clip (no use for this
either) and a baseball. Now that, he loved. All in all, though, it was a good deal because there was about
twenty dollars worth of stuff in the bag. I just wish that they'd segregate boy items from girl items.

DGP's also bought DS4 a couple of Disney themed character cars, here. We swung by T-REX again to
purchase a surprise souvenir for DN who wanted the stuffed wooly mammoth. We then headed over to
HoB to meet up with DSis. We arrived first and were seated with our drinks, DS4 happily playing with
his new souvenirs.

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Then the rest of the gang showed up and we ordered. DN was thrilled with her new stuffed mammoth
and DS4 proudly presented his cousin with the pirate princess eyepatch that was in his grab bag. She was
less than pleased with it, and I was a little let down that she didn't pretend for his sake that she liked it.
He was visibly disappointed and then he started acting up. This was the end of his angelic demeanor. :scared:

When the meal arrived, I told DS4 to put his cars away and eat.

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He was having none of this and screamed as I put the cars in my bag.
I told him he could have them after he had eaten.
Stubborn was he and he flat refused to put a morsel of food in his mouth.
I was content to just let him sit there and starve, if that's what he wanted,
for I have found that forcing him to eat
when he doesn't want to just created more issues.
I was picking my battle here.
If he'd sit quietly, then that was fine with me. He didn't have to eat.

DM leaned down to speak to DS4, hoping to talk him into eating, only to be met with a small finger in HER face
and a dirty look to go along with it.
I'd had quite enough of his dissrespect for the grandparents and took him
to the relatively quiet restroom.
I talked to him and tried to explain that he couldn't dissrespect adults that way
and told him we were going back to the room if he couldn't behave.
I can't remember exactly what transpired then, but he dissrespected me
and I'd had all I could take. I decided it was time for a spanking as all the
reasoning in the world wasn't getting my point across.
To those of you who don't spank their children,
I hope that you don't take offense, but I pulled his pants down and promptly spanked
his bare bottom.
You'd think that I had scalded the child with hot water the way he screamed and carried on.
I'm quite sure the entire restaurant heard his cries,
but my child is smart and he knew he causing a scene.
That's just what he wanted. :sad2:

This was my pay-back for the spanking, utter embarrassment.
And I was getting angrier by the second, for he refused to calm down
when I asked him to dry his tears and behave.
We stayed in the stall for a few moments,
both of us trying to collect ourselves, for I was near tears at this point.
At my wits end, unsure of myself and what to do next.
I'd dealt with this all week and I was at a breaking point.
Nevermind DS4, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs
and pitch a fit, too!

DS4 refused to calm down so we exited the stall,
only to be met with stares from other restaurant patrons.
They seemed to disapprove of my parenting style,
which only angered me more. These people do not know
me or my child, and they have no idea what I'd been through
with him all week, yet they pass judgement just the same.
I felt even more upset and embarrassed by the dirty looks
and my still screaming child, so we went out on the
porch to get some fresh air and cool off.

DS4 sat in his stroller and cried out to anyone who would listen. I
wanted to disappear.

After a few moments, he calmed down enough to be returned to the table.
Most everyone had already finished
their meal, but mine was sitting on the table untouched.
I tried to eat, though every bite I put in my mouth
tasted like a brick, for I had lost my appetite.
DS4 sat in his chair sulking and whimpering.
I was content to let him be, though I found myself fighting tears of frustration and self pity.
Eventually the tears won and they went streaming down my face, and my lack of self control
caused me further embarrassment.

This was just a bad situation all around, me crying,
DS4 crying and the rest of my family was staring at me,
and trying to console me, which only made things worse.

DM had had enough of DS4's whining and took him outside to cool down.
I had started to protest as I felt like she should be at the table enjoying her meal,
but then I let her take him for I was in no shape to do it,
and I was trying to hide my tears from DS4 so that he would not know
that he had bested me.

DM came back a few minutes later with a still less than
willing to mind grandchild. DSis decided to take her turn with him and
I had to return to the restroom to try and collect myself again.
I was a bundle of uncontrollable tears by this point. :headache:

My meal had to be packed away for I could no longer eat it,
and feeling slighly renewed by letting my emotions
go for a moment, I returned to the porch to relieve DSis of her duty.

DS4 was sitting on a chair, no longer crying, but definitely not a happy camper.
At least he was quiet. She returned to the table, but I stayed behind with DS4,
neither of us saying a word.

Eventually, he spoke and told me that he wanted to behave and now he wanted to eat.

I had a nice long conversation with him as he now seemed willing to listen and when DM came back out,
he apologized to her for his disrespectufl attitude.
Now we could resume our vacation and carry on to EPCOT.

The rest of the day went smoothly and DS4 was compliant and willing to do as he was asked.
I was ready to return to the room at the slightest hint of disobediance.
I was finished with wheeling and dealing with him -
if he couldn't behave, then we'd not have fun,
even I had spent a small fortune on the park tickets for the week.
It would just have to be money wasted and I meant it.
I hate to waste money, so this decision was a big one for me.
I had made up my mind. :snooty:

We got to Epcot and went immediately to Nemo and the Living Seas. This is a cute little clam ride, though
not my favorite. DS4 blew off some steam in Bruce's play area and then we went to view the dolphins and
sharks.
We were treated by a visit from the manatee who was eating the lettuce from the top of the water, and
visited the gift shop for a few moments. Then we were on our way see if there was any way possible we
could get on Soarin'. There was a long, long line for this ride and of course, FP had long since been depleted,
so we didn't ride. We instead rode The Land, which I don't care too much for either, but DS4 was quiet and
content because a ride was a ride to him. I'm still on edge waiting for something to happen. I couldn't relax.

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After The Land and potty breaks, we decided against Soarin' for the line was two hours and just not
worth the wait, as it was late in the evening already. We find the Character Spot and DS4 and I wait
in line while the rest of the family gets ice cream next door. DS4 and I visit with our old pal Mickey,
and Minnie gives us hugs and kisses. Pluto and Donald were there, as was Goofy, who picks DS4 up
and carries him across the room! Too Funny. He even personalized DS4's autograph book with a note
just for him. I love Goofy. The other characters are wonderful, but Goofy always seems to go the
extra mile. :flower3:

I didn't want to post all of our character pics, but here is a favorite of mine with Pluto.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009165.jpg

After the characters, we decide Test Track is our next stop.
The line was long, but be waited for this one.
This was DS4's first adventure on this attraction, and he loved this one the best, next to BTMR.
It was quite a thrill when we went speeding around the track at 64 mph!

Here he is on the ride:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009186.jpg

After TT, we head to SEarth and I was looking forward to seeing the refurbished ride.
It definitely did not disappoint and was sooooooo much better than it had been in the past.
They did a wonderful job on this and the little personalized touch at the end was just precious.
We laughed and laughed at our funny faces
on the cartoon characters riding bikes and picking flowers. Too funny! :rotfl:

By this time, the wind was really picking up and we were finding ourselves being pushed back by the force of it,
so even with a little longer left to play in the park, we decided it was time to go. I had planned to stay behind
with DS4 and try to get on Soarin' as he'd never ridden, but I was tired and exhausted from the day and the
wind was blowing so hard, it just wasn't worth it for me. We'll catch that next year!

So, off we go to the bus stop where we wait for what seemed like forever for our bus
in the freezing wind.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Don't get too down on yourself. I'm a mom of 4 and believe me, we've had these moments. I'll keep hoping your husband will find as much joy is Disney as you do. I've really enjoyed reading your TR. Looking forward to more!!:cool1:

Thank you for this! I know that I am not alone in this - I saw many a children crying and having fits and I truly felt sorry for them. Thankfully, now that we are home, DS4's behavior has improved dramatically!

I hope that DH will come along next time, too! Thanks for reading along with my report. There's more to come soon and things just get worse.
:goodvibes

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Day 6 - Saturday, I awoke early in anticipation of getting an early start on the parks today, even if I had to leave the rest of my crew behind. I was determined to spend the whole day in MK, crowds and all. My DS4 had other plans, however. He awoke happily enough, but soon found that being unruly was a much better idea. :rolleyes2

The rest of our group aroused from sleep slowly, and talks of going to the pool that morning seemed to be the plan. I told them that I would rather go to the parks with DS4 and enjoy our last full day here, and I'd meet up with them after awhile. They tried to dissuade me from going, talking of the crowds, but I wanted to forge ahead regardless. I just wanted to be in the park today. So, that was the plan, until DS4 started acting up and sassing me, his aunt, and GPs. I decided to put him in the corner until he felt he could behave.

He protested loudly against this, but I had him in the corner facing the wall, determined this was going to be over quickly and not hinder us from going to MK. My DF, who means well, tries to help me with DS4 and get him under control, but this only made a bad situation worse. DS4 is angry and ready to show his temper and balls up his fist, ready to hit his GF. GF has had enough of the bad attitude and is apalled that his grandson would try to hit him. I am mortified as I would NEVER have shown a fist to my DF. I knew better! Now DS4 knows better, too! ;)

So, this delays our trip to the MK and I am disheartened and dejected that we are dealing with this yet again. Another day, another fit to deal with. I just want to go home. I call my DH at home and we have a long conversation and talking to him lifts my spirits some, as well as a little cry on his far away shoulder. :hug: I miss him terribly and I am homesick, as well as worn out physically and emotionally. He assures me we will deal with DS4 when I get home and get him back on track.

We get showers and are getting dressed when the fam returns from the pool. DS4 has made no friends today and everyone is doing their best to stay away from him. I feel bad for DS4 because he tried desperately to get their attention, but I understood too, how they were feeling. It was exhausting for everyone there, not just me.

Next up: Our final day and night at MK

[MICKEY4EVER!]

We arrive at MK and I find that the crowds are unbelievable! We make our way to Tony's, late for our ADR's, and my family is discouraged to find that they have closed the kitchen and can come back in an hour. No one wants to do that, and I am secretly happy to go elsewhere, as I just didn't care for Tony's. Perhaps it was due to the circumstances of the previous time we were there, or maybe I'm just not that into it. I don't know, but when we arrived at Cosmic Ray's, I was happy! I've always liked eating here. :thumbsup2

So, we got our meal and found two tables up front with Sonny Eclipse, the singing Alien. I love this little guy, and he makes me happy and DS4 seemed to be enjoying himself, as well.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009193.jpg

Everyone finished eating, except for DN who can be a slllloooowww eater at times, and while we waited for her to finish up DM and DS4 thumbwrestled. Then DF thumbwrestled with DS4 and played other hand games to fill the time. I was happy that the morning had seemed to be forgiven and everyone was getting along beautifully. :goodvibes

So, after Cosmic Rays, we headed over to get FP for Space Mountain. Then we hopped on to TTA for a relaxing ride thru Tommorowland. The crowds were unbelievable today - I found myself thinking maybe it was for the best that DS4 and I had not come earlier, though I would never have said this out loud and admitted that I was wrong. :rotfl:

THen we headed to Toon Town from Tommorowland and contemplated getting on Barnstormer. However, there were just too many people, so we boarded the train and took two full trips around the park. We were all packed like sardines on this train, since it seemed that everyone had the same idea that we did.:crowded: This little icon here is exactly what we felt like, as all six of us had to scrunch in on one bench. Eventually, it cleared out enough so that we could move to the next row and spread out, however.

After our tour of the park, we ended back up in Frontierland and hopped right onto BTMR with no wait. Don't ask how that happened, but we happily boarded the ride within ten minutes. When we got off the ride, we saw that the line had already reached a forty minute wait. There was definitely some Disney Magic in play for us here! :wizard: No one was willing to ride Splash again, so we decided on another snack stop in Sleepy Hollow. This is my new favorite place to crash and hide from the crowds for a little while. And I adore their funnel cakes with the strawberry topping. I wish I had one right now! No one makes a funnel cake like they do. :love:

DS4 was on his best behavior and got treated to a chocolate chip cookie and an enjoyable time was had by all! We then made our way to fantasyland for FP to Peter Pan's Flight and we boarded the Snow White ride. This could definitely use some revamping, but I still enjoyed myself as I just love those dwarfs! We were on the "Happy" vehicle, so I was hoping that was a sign of things to come that evening. After SW, we decided again on Toon Town, hoping the crowds had cleared out some, and indeed they had.

DM & DF stayed behind to rest as they were getting tired and needed another break. It had been a long week for them! So, we rode Goofy and headed back to our folks, who were contemplating leaving. They decided to rest a little longer while we waited for the Speedway. DS4 declined to be in the driver seat as "he didn't know how to drive" and accepted the driver's license from the kind CM who loaded us into our car. And off we went! :car: It seems like I always get stuck in the slow car and was amazed when other cars went zooming by me. LOL! It was fun, though!

Here is DS4 waiting in line for the cars:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009194.jpg

After the race, we decided we'd better go ahead and do SB for SpMtn as our FP were not for much later and my folks were getting ready to leave. They kept DS4 and rode Buzz while DSis and DN and I rode space. I was in the very first car and let me tell you, that was so much fun! I screamed the entire time and I cannot wait to see the changes that they've made after this ride has been refurbished. I don't see how they can make it any better than it already is, but I know they can, and I can't wait to go back when they're finished. :cool1:

After Space, we met back up with DS4 and were going to have another Casey's Corner hot dog, another new favorite of mine, until suddenly DN decided that she really wasn't feeling well and they all wanted to go to the room. HUH? :confused: She was fine a minute ago on SpMtn, but they said she gets like that very quickly. I wasn't ready to go just yet - we still had two hours left to go and I intended to spend every last minute I could in MK. So DS4 and I were left alone and we passed on the hot dog since a parade was about to start and headed straight to Adventureland for pirate:. We hopped right on with no wait and got the front seat of the boat again. There's no better place to be!

We took a potty break and rode it again, no waiting for this ride tonight. We boarded another boat and again got the front seat. This was the life! And DS4 was on his very best behavior, which made it all the better. :angel:
After pirate:, we board Jungle Cruise again and had to wait awhile for the boat to fill up. We were the first ones on, and the CM's there were all happy and having a marvelous time. :dance3: I'm telling you, these are the happiest of all the CM's I've ever encountered and they talk to you and want to know where you're from. I've always had this experience on this ride, no kidding, every time.

After Jungle Cruise, we head over to BTMR, but the line is forty-five minutes. Splash is only ten mintues, and after carefully scrutinizing the folks coming off the ride, I decide it's okay to go because they didn't look wet at all. It was a walk on. I find myself in the first row, but I wasn't feeling brave, so I let an enthusiastic group of girls go ahead of me and ended up in the 3rd row. That was much better.

We were the only ones in the log, and I found those girls to be unruly, as no parents were around to keep them in line. On the first drop of the ride, the two girls in the front row stood up, much to my dismay. I didn't say anything and held my piece, but when they stood up a second time, the mother in me came out and I told them to sit down or they'd stop the ride, and face possibly being put out of the park. They said "WHO CARES?" and carried on with their antics. I'd say they were about ten or eleven, and upon listening to their conversation, discovered that their parents had told them not to ride Splash, and they hoped they didn't get too wet. :sad2:

I could only hope that they didn't stand up on the BIG drop. That would have been terrible and I couldn't stand the thought of what might happen if they did. I tried to ignore them and hugged DS4 close.

After the big drop and seeing that the girls stayed firmly in their seats, I was relieved, and I was immensely relieved that we were dry, also. This was great! We carried on thru the rest of the attraction and those annoying girls in front of me continued to stand up and wave at the cameras installed, taunting whoever was watching and tempting them to stop the ride. This was incredible! They did stop the ride once, but no one said anything to the girls. Now, I just wanted to get off this log as quickly as possible! I wanted no part of this. :rolleyes1 I tried to get them to behave, but they aren't my children. I was concerned for their safety and all I could do was try!

ONce off of Splash, the line for BTMR seemed much shorter, so we went to the SB line. The CM stopped us to make sure DS4 was tall enough to ride and handed us FP. Sweet! :thumbsup2

After a fun, scream-filled ride, DS4 and I make our way back to Fantasyland to turn in our FP for Peter Pan. We stop on the way for a corn dog, for which I'd had a craving for all week, don't know why. It was fabulous! Before heading to PP, I asked DS4 if he felt brave enough to do HMansion. He was feeling brave, and off we went. This ride is SCARY at night!:scared1:
DS4 had his moments where he held onto me a little closer, but he made it through without any permanent damage done. LOL!

Then we headed to PPF. There was no need for FP as this was a walk on ride, but we turned them in anyway. It was fun flying over Neverland, and I found myself wondering what they could do with this ride if it was refurbished. Still, it's a classic and I love it just the same. DS4 wanted to ride again, but it was one minute to closing and I was getting tired, so I bid MK goodnight. We walked thru the castle as the clock chimed midnight. Oh, how lovely! We heard Mickey Mouse telling everyone goodnight and I stopped to take a few pictures of the most magnificent structure that I have ever seen.

Truly, the castle is so lovely, and I tried to imprint the vision of it in my mind, so as not to forget to soon how breathtaking it truly is. As we make our way to the bus stop, I stop once more to tell MK good-bye, and silently hoping we'll be back this way again next year.

DS4 was asleep on the bus as soon as we sat down. Poor thing - he'd had a long day, but I was extremely proud of how well his behavior turned out being after the horrible tantrum we'd gone thru that morning. As I relished holding him and feeling his soft breath against my face, I hugged him close and thanked God that I had been so blessed with my son and for allowing us the opportunity to come to WDW.

It was late when we got back to our room and everyone was fast asleep. DS4 went to right back to sleep with no issues and even I slept soundly the moment my head was on the pillow. I was exhausted and the snoring wasn't an issue this evening. :)

[topdog]

I find your TR fascinating. Even without a single picture, I can just picture it in my mind the "adventure" you were going thru. Enjoy those great moment or not so great moment that you and your son share together. They are priceless. I wish some day your DH will turn around and join you and your DS to enjoy those magical experience together.

[AC7179]

Oh honey....I have a four year old too, so I can feel your pain.

Just from what you've written, it seems like the days were just too long for him.

When we took my four year old to Disney World, sometimes we were only able to spend 4-5 hours in the park---A DAY! It was a good 45 minutes from our hotel room at Pop to the parks, when you count waiting for the bus, admission, etc. We'd go until she she started to act like that---tired, whiny, prone to fit-throwing, and then we'd head back to the hotel. We swam at the hotel, napped if she would, and then tried to get to bed earlier so we could have a good day tomorrow.

Although as someone who LOVES the parks and is used to going all day, it KILLED me to "waste" all that time, I reasoned that 4-5 HAPPY hours in the park a day was better than 4-5 happy hours plus 3-4 more hellacious hours because I pushed her more than she can take. You know what, some of our best memories from that trip are from us swimming at POP and just relaxing. :hug:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I find your TR fascinating. Even without a single picture, I can just picture it in my mind the "adventure" you were going thru. Enjoy those great moment or not so great moment that you and your son share together. They are priceless. I wish some day your DH will turn around and join you and your DS to enjoy those magical experience together.

Hello, topdog! It was quite an adventure, I tell you! Now that we have returned home and things are settling down a bit, I realize that I wouldn't trade that time with him for anything, especially the time that we had alone in MK after the family went back to the resort. It was special.

My DH went with us in November 06 and again last year, but he just doesn't have the same passion that we have for it. He missed us so terribly though, he said he'd go with us next time, a time that I am looking forward to with much anticipation. Right now, though, we haven't started planning anything just yet.

Thanks for reading my TR, and I'm glad you are enjoying it! I'll try to post some pictures when I get them downloaded.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Oh honey....I have a four year old too, so I can feel your pain.

Just from what you've written, it seems like the days were just too long for him.

When we took my four year old to Disney World, sometimes we were only able to spend 4-5 hours in the park---A DAY! It was a good 45 minutes from our hotel room at Pop to the parks, when you count waiting for the bus, admission, etc. We'd go until she she started to act like that---tired, whiny, prone to fit-throwing, and then we'd head back to the hotel. We swam at the hotel, napped if she would, and then tried to get to bed earlier so we could have a good day tomorrow.

Although as someone who LOVES the parks and is used to going all day, it KILLED me to "waste" all that time, I reasoned that 4-5 HAPPY hours in the park a day was better than 4-5 happy hours plus 3-4 more hellacious hours because I pushed her more than she can take. You know what, some of our best memories from that trip are from us swimming at POP and just relaxing. :hug:

I agree with you, the days were too long. It's funny, though, because we never rose before ten a.m. which is a very late start for my early riser. We spent most of the day swimming and relaxing or just hanging out in the room getting ready and taking our time, then lunch somewhere, then at the parks by five or so in the evening. On an average day, we were only in the parks about four to five hours, maybe longer if the parks were open late. (We tried to take advantage of every EMH available).

I knew a nap would just be out of the question, since as you are probably well aware with your own four year old, those are becoming few and far between these days. I do think I probably pushed him to his limits, though. It doesn't matter how you do - Disney is tiring!!! It took me over a week after we got back to get my bearings back and DS4's too.

You know what else is funny, DS4 did a lot better when it was just the two of us. I did not mention this in the TR, but DN got different treatment than he did from his GP's (slight difference, but noticeable), and four year olds are very perceptive, especially mine, so that could have been part of the problem. I'm just speculating here, but it is a possibility I have considered.

Thanks for reading the TR. All in all, I don't regret going now that we are home and I have been able to focus on the more happier memories than those not-so-magical ones!!! :flower3:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Today is our last day - I am relieved and sad at the same time. :guilty: I have been on a roller coaster of emotions this week, from feeling home-sick and missing my DH, from frustration to elation, from being energized to feeling pure exhaustion. I realize that last morning that I am so exhausted, and even though we had a marvelous time, just the two of us the night before, perhaps I overdid it. My eyes just won't stay open this day and we have a lot of preparing to do to get us out of the room on time and load the van with the luggage.

We manage to roll out of bed earlier than normal and get showered and dressed. Most of my packing had been done the day before and after we had used the toiletries, and packed those up, my job was done. We loaded up the van and checked the villa over for any forgotten items and hopped a bus to the Springs. We were having brunch at Artist's Palette that morning, a first for us the entire trip. Like I said before, getting here was kind of a hassle!

I purchased a refillable mug here (not for me, but as a souvenir for the husband of a co-worker who wanted an insulated mug) and paid for our breakfast. Mine was a traditional breakfast of eggs and bacon, and DS4 wanted nothing other than the Mickey shaped waffles. Of course! My Mickey pancakes do not hold a candle to these, LOL! :lmao:

I finish my meal in record time, but DN is still eating as is DS4, so I leave my currently well-behaved child in their care while I go to the front desk to check on a credit that has been left to our room. As I mentioned in the very first post, I was fearful that my credit card was not reimbursed properly for the overcharge of park tickets. It was not. Once at the counter, however, they told me that my card WAS reimbursed. I asked them to explain why a credit was put to our room, then. They spent many, many moments trying to figure this out and the young lady disappeared to the back for a long time. She came back and said that I had indeed, not been reimbursed. They now wanted to reimburse my card.

Okay, long story short, somewhere along the way on the road to Disney, someone stole my credit card information and tried to get my PIN number. They called my home where my husband answered the phone. He didn't think much of it b/c we were at Disney and thought they were just calling to verify this info. Well, he couldn't find the PIN number and the pre-recorded call hung up him. A call to the credit card company quickly told him that they had not called him and he should NEVER give the PIN number to anyone. He knew this, but wasn't thinking about it b/c it didn't really seem out of the ordinary at the time, since we were in Disney using the card.

Well, they had to close our account and reissue new cards in the new account #. Lucky for me, I had another card to use for the duration of the trip, but I didn't have a card they could reimburse. So, they had to go back to the back room again for what seemed like forever and then at long last, they told me I could have a cash reimbursement. Yay!

With that settled, I returned to Artist's Palette to see that my child was misbehaving for his aunt. Groan! It wasn't over the top, he just didn't want to mind, so I dealt with him. Next, after a little window shopping, we headed over to DHS for a few more hours of fun. :wizard:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Upon arriving at DHS, we quickly decide our first stop is the Magic of Disney Animation. We see the really cute, short movie and then head over to meet with Bolt and Friends.

While we waited in the long line to visit with them, DS4 was getting fidgety. He tried to engage DN in a little play, but she was having no part of it, much to DS4's disappointment. She was clinging to her mother, and I was told she didn't feel good today. I felt bad for her that she wasn't feeling well, but I also felt bad for DS4 because he wanted to play and was told to leave her alone. I know that's hard for a four year old to understand, especially when they have no one else to play with. And he looks up to her a lot. I don't know - as his mother, I hated to see him looking dejected. My heart went out to him. :hug:

Here he is with the Bolt Gang!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009225.jpg

After visiting with Bolt, Rhino and Mittens, who were just fabulous and extremely interactive with DS4, we wanted to see Mrs. Incredible. I was told that DN didn't like the Incredibles (:confused: how could you NOT?), so DS4 and I headed over anyway since the line wasn't really long. I got a picture of her hugging DS4 and signing his autograph book, but wouldn't you know my camera died just as he posed with her. :scared: Luckily, DM had come with us and she was able to get a picture for me. PhotoPass was not available here.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009227.jpg



Well, Sorcerer Mickey was on the other side of the room and DSis and DN were waiting in line to meet with him. We were able to hop in line with them and get DS4's picture made with his most favorite costumed Mickey. I don't know why he likes that Stars and Moon hat so much, but he was obsessed with it for the entire trip. He's still talking about it to this day! And my camera batteries had charged up just enough for me to get one picture, which turned out great! Thank goodness!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009229.jpg


After this, we head over to meet with Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, another of DS4's obsessions. I must admit, I am looking forward to seeing these guys as well. On the way, the grandchildren get churros from Herbie's Diner and we wait in the fast moving line for the Cars Characters.

DS4 poses cutely with LM and then I hop into the picture and stand next to TM. I think these pictures turned out to be the best out of all of the pictures I took on this trip. I actually had enough battery in my camera to get a few good shots, here too. :woohoo:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009234.jpg

We got on Star Tours for a quick ride and then looked for a place to grab lunch before it was time to go home. This park was super-crowded today and there wasn't a lot to choose from, so we ended up in Sunset Market again. We did catch a few minutes of the parade while we tried to decide on where to go, and DS4 delighted in seeing his pals Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the green army man dancing up a storm! Too cute! I wish that we could have watched the entire parade, but there wasn't enough time.

So we stop to eat and I am having a hard time getting DS4 to eat. Again, I chose not to battle with him on this so long as he was sitting and behaving, which he was. So, before we leave, I make a quick stop over to the store next door to pick up some last min. souvenirs for my co-workers. I was gone ten minutes - max - and I look up to see DF pushing DS4 towards me in his stroller. Uh, oh. :headache:

He'd pitched a tantrum while I was gone because they had tried to get him to eat and from what I understand, he balled up his fists and gave them dirty looks. He sassed them and just flat refused to mind. Thank goodness we were on our way out because DS4 was definitely in a mood now!

So, we head toward the exit and it starts raining on us. This is the first and only time it has rained all week and we consider ourselves quite fortunate that it waited until we were leaving to start. We wait for like thirty minutes for our bus back to the resort, and it couldn't have come too soon, as far as I was concerned. DS4 was no longer puffed up, but he had managed to put the family off and they had nothing else to do with him. His efforts to get their attention went unnoticed and that only really made things worse. Poor kid.

We finally got on the bus and DS4 and I had a talk on the way. It did help as his attitude changed for the better. We loaded our weary selves in the van and headed out for a very, very, very long drive home. I'm coming home to you, DH!!!!! :banana:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I get a Disney Movie started for DS4 :happytv: , and I settle down to try and take a nap. DS4 is tired, also, but is fighting sleep. He attempts several times to initiate a conversation with the others, but they are all tired and ignored him. I'd had enough of the ignoring, so I told him to settle down and just watch the movie. I couldn't stand seeing his face when he called their names five times with no response. We were all tired and a bit grumpy by this time, especially me! I just wanted to sleep and pass the time as quickly as I could.

DS4 and I both managed a nap, and before long, we were stopping to eat. Waffle House again for us. That's okay by me! I love Waffle House!
We all get out and stretch our stiff limbs and take turns in the restroom. DS4 isn't looking like he feels to well, but I'm hoping it is just b/c he has just woken up. We go to the table and order drinks, but then, he suddenly has to go back to the RR again. Oh, no. Upset belly. :sick:

So, we take care of business and return to the table. Before I can look at the menu, he has to go back again. Here we go again! We go back a third time before DS4's stomach seems to settle, and to my surprise, he gobbles down an entire waffle. I let him eat, since I knew he must be hungry, but I was a bit worried that the stomach troubles wouldn't end here, and we still had a long way to go.

He seemed fine and the rest of the trip home, he never complained. We watched another Disney movie and then tried to go back to sleep. Before I knew it, we were getting closer and closer to home, and the anticipation was building inside of me. I couldn't wait to get home and set eyes on my dear, sweet hubby.

It was about four-thirty in the morning when we pulled up to my house. It was a sight for sore eyes. As much as I hated leaving WDW, I was tickled pink to be home. I couldn't get in the house fast enough. DH was in the bed, and though I hated to wake him, I would have. Turns out I didn't have to. He was wide awake, and said he couldn't sleep a wink all night, as he was excited we were coming home.

It was nice to be missed. :love:

DS4 missed his bed and didn't complain one iota when we put him in it. And within minutes, DH and I were snuggled up close to one another, sound asleep. :hug:

[Backstage_Gal]

Wow, what a story, I feel for you. Glad you had some fun along the way though.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Wow, what a story, I feel for you. Glad you had some fun along the way though.


Thanks! It was fun, overall. Just many stressful intervals!!!!! DS4 has been an angel since we've got back into our regular routine. Go figure!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Here is a list of things that I liked and didn't like throughout the trip:

First of all, as much as I liked SSR and was impressed by the beauty of this place, it was just TOO large. I did find it charming and very Victorian, and the theme that they are trying to portray comes across nicely. It just wasn't for me - I still like Wilderness. That's not to say I wouldn't stay here again, nor am I saying that I won't try new places. But having only stayed in two resorts so far, right now my vote is the Wilderness Lodge, all the way!

I did not care for Tony's, as you all read in my TR. Perhaps I expected too much, perhaps it was feeling out of place in my wet Splash Mtn. clothes, or perhaps it was my son behaving badly, but it just didn't become a favorite. The atmosphere is really nice and I love Lady and the Tramp, but the food was nothing to write home about. My spaghetti was dry and the bread was dry, and when DF asked for more bread, they had ran out. I was not impressed and found the counter service meals I had to be more enjoyable than this table service restaurant.

HoB in DTD was nice and I wouldn't mind trying that again, because honestly, I didn't have an opportunity to form a real opinion of this place. You all know why!!!! :goodvibes What little of the dinner I had there tasted good and the atmosphere was lovely. I'd like to go there at night when they have live music and from what I understand, they have church services there also. That would be something to see. :thumbsup2

I like Rainforest and would recommend their Roast to anyone who likes good home cooking. I also had a hamburger there and it was really delicious as well, just like it was grilled on a backyard bbq. I would highly recommend T-REX, if for nothing more than the ambiance of this place. You have to see it at least once. Very cool. I promise.

Mickey's Mart was a must see for me on this trip, and as you know, I was expecting more from it. For all of you clearance shoppers, this is not the place for you. You can find 95 percent of the items in the store in every gift shop throughout WDW. These are not reduced prices, as I was thinking. If you do go to Mickey's Mart, however, I do recommend getting a grab bag, for I did find that to be a good deal - just be prepared to have girls and boys items combined.

If I could do it over again, I probably would have made my son take a nap during the day, even if I just made him lay in the bed and rest. Even looking back on the trip now, all I can say is there just aren't enough hours in the day - I honestly don't see where one would have fit in! And I thought that sleeping until ten every day would have helped him feel rested, but it did not. I should have made time for this, because as one poster said - the days were too long for DS4, no matter how much fun he was having - he was tired!

And where are EMH for MK? :confused3 We were there for seven days and not once during those seven days did we experience EMH at MK. Last March we were in MK up until one in the morning most nights - I know because we spent most of our time in that park and closed them down nearly every night. I was disappointed about this - but with all of the crowds, MK did extend park closing by one hour each night that we were there. THANKS, MK! It really did make a difference.

Would I go again without my husband? Right now, I'd say probably not. However, I will most likely change my mind as DS4 gets older. I don't like going away without my DH, but I love Disney so much, that I would most likely go w/out him again if I had to. He understands my love for ALL things Disney. He doesn't share it, but I think he understands it. And I'm still holding out a small shred of hope that he can still be converted. I'll never give up! And he did say he's going with us next time, so I'm going to hold that one against him. ;)

And I am grateful to have had the time to spend with my family - I want to thank my parents for becoming DVC members, b/c if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to share Disney with my son and DH. I don't care where I go on vacation - nothing will hold a candle to Disney - there's too much magic. I don't know how they do it, but they do it wonderfully!

So, thanks to all of you who read my TR. I know it sounds like I complained a lot, but overall, I had a wonderful time. My favorite part was watching my son experience new things. I loved experiencing WDW this year with DS4 - no matter how badly he behaved, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my son dearly and he is close to my heart, and it brings tears to my eye to see him enjoying something that I once enjoyed as a child, and I am happy to have shared the moments with him, good or bad.

Now that I am home, and have had a couple of weeks to return to normal, the happier moments stick out the most in my memory and I'm sure the not-so-magical moments will fade, and if they don't - I'm sure one day they'll bring a smile to my face if they come to mind.

[iluveeyore]

Thank you so much for sharing - it made my boring Sunday morning a lot better, with smiles and tears as I read it. We started taking our children when they were around four years old, and joined DVC back in 2001. We go every year, at least twice, and I have even done two solo trips (which I loved). Fortunately for me, my DH loves Disney (although unfortunately when I want to do a solo trip!).
We were at SSR Mar. 23-27 and had a wonderful relaxing trip without kids. Mine are teenagers now, and they've been so many times that they don't seem to mind when we go without them, as long as they get to go once in a while. Your son will get older and grow out of his tantrums, and your husband will learn to love Disney if he doesn't want you to go without him. It think your DS was just tired and on stimulation overload with so much to see and do. As our kids got older, we learned to extend our holidays to almost two weeks so we could spread out the park days and have more down time (Old Key West is our favourite to relax and enjoy on our trips). The more trips you take in the future, the more you will have seen and done, and the more time you'll have to relax. We've even done trips with no parks and had a wonderful time.
Thanks again for sharing, you were very descriptive so it was enjoyable even without pictures. Sounds like you had a wonderful time making very special memories with your son. :hug:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Thank you so much for sharing - it made my boring Sunday morning a lot better, with smiles and tears as I read it. We started taking our children when they were around four years old, and joined DVC back in 2001. We go every year, at least twice, and I have even done two solo trips (which I loved). Fortunately for me, my DH loves Disney (although unfortunately when I want to do a solo trip!).
We were at SSR Mar. 23-27 and had a wonderful relaxing trip without kids. Mine are teenagers now, and they've been so many times that they don't seem to mind when we go without them, as long as they get to go once in a while. Your son will get older and grow out of his tantrums, and your husband will learn to love Disney if he doesn't want you to go without him. It think your DS was just tired and on stimulation overload with so much to see and do. As our kids got older, we learned to extend our holidays to almost two weeks so we could spread out the park days and have more down time (Old Key West is our favourite to relax and enjoy on our trips). The more trips you take in the future, the more you will have seen and done, and the more time you'll have to relax. We've even done trips with no parks and had a wonderful time.
Thanks again for sharing, you were very descriptive so it was enjoyable even without pictures. Sounds like you had a wonderful time making very special memories with your son. :hug:

Thank you so much for your response! I'm am so glad that you enjoyed reading my report - I had fun writing it out! And a few of the memories brought some tears to my eyes as I remembered them, good and bad alike.

It's funny you should mention Old Key West - I want to go there on one of our next trips - I've heard it's awesome!

Two weeks would be the perfect amount of time in DIsney as there is so much to see and do, you can't pack it all in a week.

Thanks again for posting! Enjoy your upcoming trip!

[MEK]

I'm sorry you had such a tough time with your son. I'm sure he was just a bit out of sorts with his change of scenery. It's hard for a four year old to follow the adults' schedule and that's basically what he had to do. Thanks for telling us your story. Glad you had a mostly good time!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hello, MEK! Thanks for your post! I know DS4 was tired and I agree with you, he was adjusting to new surroundings. I'm hoping that if we go back next year, it will be easier for him sine he'll be older. Funny, though, I thought that would happen this year, as well.

We took him when he was nearly two, three and now four, so I would have thought that it would have been harder the first two times. This was harder than any of the other two times, by far! This is a hard age, though.

I noticed that you are going to AKL in a couple of months. Have fun!!! I've heard how lovely that resort is.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

moved pics to the proper location in the TR!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

picture moved.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

picture moved to proper place in TR!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Edited...photos moved.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Some random photos:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009203.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009205.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009212.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009214.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009095.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009201.jpg

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I think this just about wraps it up: Sorry I didn't get all the pictures included in with the story, but I did add in a few where I could.

Hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I'm almost sad that I have nothing left to write about! I want to keep going!

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Aw, I am sure your hubby will come around and 4yr old boys, well.....they are 4yr old boys:goodvibes

I so agree with you on SSR and WL. Our first trip with our son (5 at the time and Autistic) was magical. We splurged and stayed at the WL. Why? Because I researched my ~you know what off ~ on these boards and found that I would most likely need a break during the day just to get him calm - even if it was to swim and then a rest. We could then go out again and enjoy the evening melt down free. MK is where he would thrive so we had Park Hoppers so we could do Magic Kingdom early and then get back to the resort and then hop somewhere else. It was great being able to take the boat over......VERY relaxing being at a MK resort. We had a courtyard view on the ground floor. I was bummed at first but then loved the fact that we didn't have to spend one minute on or waiting for an elevator. We could go out our patio and 100 ft away was the pool. We had bunnies and ducks on the grass outside our door every morning and the boat dock was a short walk away. I will request this room every time:love:

Last year we took my MIL and stayed at SSR. It is a very nice resort but I just didn't feel very Disney. It was the opposite of everything are first trip was and very disappointing. I would recommend it to anyone who loved DTD because you can take a very nice walk from the Resort.

We are looking at the WL for December this year :cloud9:

Thanks for the TR!

[iluveeyore]

Thanks so much for the pictures - they are wonderful! Hard to believe that adorable and happy little guy could ever have a meltdown :confused3
Your pictures helped my evening because, as I look outside and watch it snow here in 'southern' Ontario after buying Easter candy (not Christmas) today, I'm longing for my patio at SSR or OKW to stare at palm trees and fan myself with my book from the heat. Instead, I'm having a hot cup of tea and adding another sweater :sad2:
So again, thanks for adding some photos, your little guy is so cute! I always think I take too many pictures, then when I get home and look through them all, I wish I had taken more!
Have a great evening!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Gabrielsbigtrip: Thanks for your post. Your description of WL had me going "home" again. Boy I missed that place this year!

I agree with everything you said about the differences between SSR and WL. The boat ride was lovely and relaxing, and my son always felt like that was another ride and the Disney music they play always got us in the mood for the magic to come! Bonus points here.

Plus it was easy access to Contemporary for a monorail ride around WDW. We didn't get to do that this time. And something about Wilderness just made it so easy to relax. Last year, we did a lot of that, we'd go to MK in the morning and relax in the afternoon, back at night again for less crowds, refreshed and ready to go!

I still want to go to OKW, but I can't imagine anything topping Wilderness.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

iluveeyore:

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! When I came home and showed DH the pics, he said he had a hard time believing DS4 was such a nightmare b/c the pictures did not tell the story! LOL!

We are experiencing thirty-something degree weather where we are, hopefully our last cold snap, and I find myself wishing I were back in sunny, FL. At least its not snowing here! I feel for you.

Even after all I went thru on the trip, I'm ready to go back!!!!!!!! :cheer2:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hi, there! I just put some more photos in my photobucket and thought I'd share some more pics of our happier moments!

This one is of DS4 on our first night at Hollywood Studios. He was relatively good on this night! All was well with our happy world!
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009009.jpg

And here is Mr. Potato Head in the new TSM ride.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009026.jpg


http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009036.jpg

Here is a really cool snow globe in one of the shops in MK. DS4 pointed this out to me several times before I got a picture. I'm glad I did!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009055.jpg

Here is one of DS4 in Rainforest. This place provides a nice photo op with the lovely waterfall they have here.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009068.jpg

And here is a happy photo on the bus ride home that evening (from Animal Kingdom)

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009073.jpg

Here are a couple of photos from Epcot at Sunset with Spaceship Earth and the monorail. I was fascinated with how pretty this looked and couldn't get my camera out quick enough. I did manage to get these two shots before the monorail was gone.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009161.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009162-1.jpg

[chepic]

Good report, and I must chime in. I too am a mother of a 4 y.o. son, who just got back. We have found that it is better to do the 4-5 hours in the park and then pool than to try and make it all day....very cranky!! It is hard to restrain yourself, because you are in the happiest place on earth, and you want them to have a good time, and you paid all this money....but, I rather have a smiling face!!!! But it appears you all survived, and had a good time with great pictures to remember everything by. And, you had time with your son....the most important thing!!! ;)

Cheryl

[MICKEY4EVER!]

But it appears you all survived, and had a good time with great pictures to remember everything by. And, you had time with your son....the most important thing!!! ;)

Cheryl

Thanks for reading my TR. :flower3: The time that I had with my son was really nice, and I cannot stress enough how special that last night was when it was just the two of us. He was an angel :angel: for me and it was just so WONDERFUL! The memories the two of us made that night are the ones I hold dearest to my heart. :lovestruc

I've learned from this trip - next year (if we go), we'll take it easy! Probably naps and swimming during the day, and parks at night when things are less crowded. I don't deal with crowds very well!

Hope you had fun on your trip and thanks again for your post!

[carlnix30]

I am sorry to hear that your DH doesn't view Disney the way we do. My wife and I have gone to Disney twice without the dd11 dd14 ds12. I planned our whole trip the first time we went. We stayed at wilderness lodge the first year. she never even had a thought of disney until that first year. Now we go every year. We both are in love with the "love of Disney". going as a couple without the kids was decadent and and a little guilt ridden, however.. it was romantic and it set a family tradition that will never fade. some of my fondest memories were of watching other families interact with their DK's. The blow ups, the hissy fits, the frustration of the parents, along with the smiles and giggles on their little faces. chocolate stained clothes, candy coated lips. a lot of the magic in disney is the people in search of the magic.

This year we will be taking our little/big ones. we are staying in the Polynesian. cant wait to see the magic unfold.


Thank you for sharing your TR



http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/tickers/bszvqfx4noyyefig.png (http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/)

[MICKEY4EVER!]

some of my fondest memories were of watching other families interact with their DK's. The blow ups, the hissy fits, the frustration of the parents, along with the smiles and giggles on their little faces. chocolate stained clothes, candy coated lips. a lot of the magic in disney is the people in search of the magic.

This year we will be taking our little/big ones. we are staying in the Polynesian. cant wait to see the magic unfold.


Thank you for sharing your TR



I love your description of other families - very well written! I totally feel what your saying. I, too, get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing other families having fun and it spreads some magic my way, as well. Unfortunately, I was so preoccupied with keeping DS4 on the straight and narrow this time, I wasn't able to pay too much attention to my surroundings.

It gives me chills even on the hottest day to see a parade going on and little children dancing and having fun. There's no place like Disney, that's for sure! DH tolerates our love for Disney, and there's still hope he can be converted. Perhaps if we go on a vacation there without my parents and DSis, he might feel a little more of that "family" magic if it's just us three. And I'd totally love to go there just the two of us! But I totally see how you'd feel guilty leaving the kids behind.

Thanks for your post. I hope you have a wonderful trip next month!!!! :dance3:

[carlnix30]

Thank you for your compliment!! I noticed also that you lost your credit card. the same thing happened to us at carribean beach last year. the only way that we noticed, was a charge for Valet parking. we had no car. when it was all said and done someone had charged over $500 I guess they had a better time with the extra cash. My card was not missing, we decided that year to use key to the world and mistakenly left our card in our room. someone had written our numbers down and then somehow charged things to Disney. Circ, planet hollywood, shopping at dtd, and good ole charge to the pop century.

I never really found out who it was, but we put do not disturb on our door until we left our vacation.

being on vacation we don't really watch what we spend, we just spend. now we watch and check every dollar that comes out.

http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/tickers/bszvqfx4noyyefig.png (http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/)

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Thank you for your compliment!! I noticed also that you lost your credit card. the same thing happened to us at carribean beach last year. the only way that we noticed, was a charge for Valet parking. we had no car. when it was all said and done someone had charged over $500 I guess they had a better time with the extra cash. My card was not missing, we decided that year to use key to the world and mistakenly left our card in our room. someone had written our numbers down and then somehow charged things to Disney. Circ, planet hollywood, shopping at dtd, and good ole charge to the pop century.

I never really found out who it was, but we put do not disturb on our door until we left our vacation.

being on vacation we don't really watch what we spend, we just spend. now we watch and check every dollar that comes out.



I think we got our card cancelled in time, thank goodness. But I, like you, don't generally keep up with my expenses while on vacation. I saved every last receipt this time! And so far, I have not noticed anything out of line.

And just for a bit of info, our card was indeed charged for the room that first night. I wasn't sure if it was with the incorrect account number, but I guess they figured it out. It was on our credit bill this month. It kind of makes me wonder if this is where the initial fraud came from, but one can never be sure.

Sorry you had so much trouble with theft. It's so sad to know that happens, even in Disney World. :sad2:

[PrincessBrideJo]

Thank you so much for your trip report. I am taking DS4 in May and it is good to know it has the possibility of not being all roses! I think I needed to hear it!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Thank you so much for your trip report. I am taking DS4 in May and it is good to know it has the possibility of not being all roses! I think I needed to hear it!

Well, congratulations on the upcoming trip! I hope that your DS4 is much more behaved than mine was!

I think I'd just provide as much down time as possible, if I could do it all over again. Maybe just take a long break in the middle of the day, even if it's just to swim or watch cartoons.

I hope you enjoy yourselves! Thanks for reading my TR...:flower3:

[PrincessBrideJo]

Oh I also wanted to let you know that 4 years olds definitly pick up on even slight favortism (even if it was just because your DN was sick). My DS has picked up on that since he was teeny tiny. My niece and nephew live a very far away so when they are here they are, of course, favored. I don't expect any different but DS can act like a holy terror when they are in town because he isn't getting all the attention he usually gets.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Oh I also wanted to let you know that 4 years olds definitly pick up on even slight favortism (even if it was just because your DN was sick). My DS has picked up on that since he was teeny tiny. My niece and nephew live a very far away so when they are here they are, of course, favored. I don't expect any different but DS can act like a holy terror when they are in town because he isn't getting all the attention he usually gets.


I totally agree on this!!!! This was my thought, as well. He's an only child, so he does get all of the attention at home. Not that there was anything wrong with DN getting more attention,as you said - she was sick, so I can see why - but 4 year olds just don't understand, do they?

[MEK]

Hello, MEK! Thanks for your post! I know DS4 was tired and I agree with you, he was adjusting to new surroundings. I'm hoping that if we go back next year, it will be easier for him sine he'll be older. Funny, though, I thought that would happen this year, as well.

We took him when he was nearly two, three and now four, so I would have thought that it would have been harder the first two times. This was harder than any of the other two times, by far! This is a hard age, though.

I noticed that you are going to AKL in a couple of months. Have fun!!! I've heard how lovely that resort is.

Hey, I have to give you props for taking your son alone without your DH! I did not take my kids to Disney until they were 6 1/2 and 8. I just thought it would be too much for them, and for me. I wanted them fully ambulatory and able to go all day. In retrospect, I wish I had taken them when they were younger. But when they're young you have the unexpected behavior. They grow out of that!

Anyway , your pics are amazing and your son is so cute!

I am looking forward to AK. We are fairly new DVC members and have only stayed at SSR (which is my home resort) and Vero, so I am really looking forward to AK. My boys are teens now, but we are taking my nephew who is 9 and this will be his first trip (he has 3 younger brothers)!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey, I have to give you props for taking your son alone without your DH! I did not take my kids to Disney until they were 6 1/2 and 8. I just thought it would be too much for them, and for me. I wanted them fully ambulatory and able to go all day. In retrospect, I wish I had taken them when they were younger. But when they're young you have the unexpected behavior. They grow out of that!

Anyway , your pics are amazing and your son is so cute!

I am looking forward to AK. We are fairly new DVC members and have only stayed at SSR (which is my home resort) and Vero, so I am really looking forward to AK. My boys are teens now, but we are taking my nephew who is 9 and this will be his first trip (he has 3 younger brothers)!

Thanks for the props! I had no idea what to expect, but it certainly wasn't what I got! LOL! :lmao: Thanks for the heads up that he will grow out of it. I'm nearly bald now from pulling all my hair out.

And I'm so glad you think DS4 is cute. I think so, too, but I'm his mother - I have to! He's a pretty sweet little guy, most of the time. Loves his momma. :goodvibes

I hope that you have a good time at AKL. It has just been described to me so beautifully by others. Do you have a Savannah view from your room?

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Well, DH & I decided to take another vacation this year. Sadly, we will not be returning to WDW so soon, but I'd never turn down another vacation when offered! :woohoo:

DH wants to go to the mountains of Gatlinburg, Tn this time, the site of our honeymoon almost nine years ago. He wants to rent a cabin like before and go to Dollywood and maybe do the Dixie Stampede dinner show. There's a lot we wanted to do last time and never got around to, so we thought it would be fun to revisit and take DS4.

Of course, everything seems to pale in comparison to WDW, but I'm looking forward to a more relaxing vacation this time, just some time to wind down and take it easy. As you all know, relaxing is hard to do at Disney! It took me over a week to get back to normal after this last trip.

DS4 and I were talking about it on the way to daycare this morning and he asked if Mickey & Minnie were at Dollywood. :lmao: I told him, no, they only lived in WDW and he was like, well, "I'm going to call them up and tell them to go to Dollywood when we go". So cute!

Oh, yes, we have a Disneyholic on our hands! I created him, so how could I complain when I gave him the Kung Fu Panda movie for Easter and he refused to watch it because "it's not a Disney movie." DS4 flat refused to watch it saying "I only like Disney movies!"

So, we'll see how our trip to the mountains goes this fall. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if DS4 isn't disappointed to see that there are no castles or characters there. He's only ever been to Disney since he was born, with the exception of the beach. So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what kind of adventure this will turn out to be. :cheer2:

[longstangetrip]

Loved your trip report. You've got to get there before park opening! Those lines are what wear us all out. I swear we get more done between 9 and 11 than we do the whole rest of the day. My kids would be nuts if we didn't get to the park until noon then asked them to eat lunch before doing any rides! When they were little we went early, took a few hour break, and back in the evenings. All the difference in the world. Don't give up...you'll go back. Hope your husband will go (and get up really EARLY)!
Dollywood is very nice...last summer my little girls kept expecting to see Dolly!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Loved your trip report. You've got to get there before park opening! Those lines are what wear us all out. I swear we get more done between 9 and 11 than we do the whole rest of the day. My kids would be nuts if we didn't get to the park until noon then asked them to eat lunch before doing any rides! Don't give up...you'll go back. Hope your husband will go (and get up really EARLY)!

I'm so glad you enjoyed the TR. I would have loved to get to the parks at opening, then home for naps or just chillin' out, then back to the parks for evening fun. I was at the mercy of my family who wanted to do it differently. I should have just taken DS4 on and met up with them later, but you live and learn! :teacher: I've learned a lot from this trip that I will apply to our next one. I don't know when that'll be, but hopefully next year.

Yes, DS4 found eating to be quite the inconvenience and it is one of my family's favorite things to do. They love to stop for snack breaks, but DS4 was more interested in the rides! Heck, so was I!!!! I'm a big kid myself at Disney!

Thanks again for stopping in and posting!!!!

[MEK]

Of course, everything seems to pale in comparison to WDW, but I'm looking forward to a more relaxing vacation this time, just some time to wind down and take it easy. As you all know, relaxing is hard to do at Disney! It took me over a week to get back to normal after this last trip.

DS4 and I were talking about it on the way to daycare this morning and he asked if Mickey & Minnie were at Dollywood. :lmao: I told him, no, they only lived in WDW and he was like, well, "I'm going to call them up and tell them to go to Dollywood when we go". So cute!


:

I agree that everything does seem pale in comparison to WDW, but you will still have an awesome time.

What your DS said is so freak'n cute! That has me :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: WDW obviously left a big impression on your son!

thanks again for your TR!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I agree that everything does seem pale in comparison to WDW, but you will still have an awesome time.

What your DS said is so freak'n cute! That has me :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: WDW obviously left a big impression on your son!

thanks again for your TR!

I got my book today of things to do in Gatlinburg, so I'm really looking forward to going now! I can't seem to get enough of the planning, which seems to be as much fun as the actual vacation for me.

Thanks for stopping in again. Your AKL vacation is coming up soon. I hope you'll do a TR so that we know how everything went. And I want DETAILS on how the resort looks!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Well..... I think I have decided on going to WDW again in June 2010. I don't know yet if DH will go or not (but he did say he would go next time). He tends to change his mind, and his work gets very busy that time of year. We'll see.

But I've decided to brave it and go again with or without DH because I love Disney so much. DS4 will be five and half by then, so hopefully he will have outgrown most of the stubborness, and I will take the things I've learned from this most recent trip and apply to the next one.

I think the most important thing would be to make sure that I broke off from the family and spent some one on one time with him, as our night in MK alone was so very special to us. :hug:

So, now I have two trips to look forward to! A mountain getaway in the fall and WDW again next summer. Hopefully some beach trips in between and I'll be in Trip Planning Heaven! :cloud9:

Here's a picture of DS4 on Easter. Mr. Cool in his shades, LOL! :cool2:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/birthdayandeaster024.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/birthdayandeaster031.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/birthdayandeaster034.jpg

[MEK]

Here's a picture of DS4 on Easter. Mr. Cool in his shades, LOL! :cool2:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/birthdayandeaster034.jpg

Wow - I'm glad someone had warm weather for Easter! So jealous.

Your son is so cute! Good luck with vacation planning. Your summer vacation will be lots of fun! I agree that planning the trips is almost as fun as going on them. So I always have one trip in the planning stages!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Yes, our weather was in the low seventies that day. Very nice! We're expecting lower seventies again, today, as well. I'm so ready for eighty degree weather!!!!! It's coming. :goodvibes

BLESS YOUR HEART, MEK! Is it still snowing where you are????

[MEK]

Yes, our weather was in the low seventies that day. Very nice! We're expecting lower seventies again, today, as well. I'm so ready for eighty degree weather!!!!! It's coming. :goodvibes

BLESS YOUR HEART, MEK! Is it still snowing where you are????

No snowing, but it was cold and rainy (40 - 45 degrees) the last couple days. Sun is finally out now and its supposed to reach 62! :banana::banana::banana:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Fingers crossed for a lovely day for you! :flower3:

I am so cold-natured that I can barely tolerate any cold weather. It depresses me, too!

[OhMari]

Hey,
I was looking over my board and saw you had a TR.
You should post the link in your sig.
I don't always see everyone's

I have 1/2 of the first page left, and i have to go.
I'm going to print your's out too, and will comment
next week.

You have stomache issue's too?
Thank God for the meds they have now.
I used to get Oxycotin for the pain, but not anymore
since they figured out what was wrong. LOL.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey,
I was looking over my board and saw you had a TR.
You should post the link in your sig.
I don't always see everyone's

I have 1/2 of the first page left, and i have to go.
I'm going to print your's out too, and will comment
next week.

You have stomache issue's too?
Thank God for the meds they have now.
I used to get Oxycotin for the pain, but not anymore
since they figured out what was wrong. LOL.


I ran out of room in my siggy and had to take the link out. Perhaps I'll try again while I'm on here and see if I can fit it back in.

Yeah, I have what they call spastic colon. It used to flare up all the time on me when I was younger, no rhyme or reason. But now, its mostly stress that gets my stomach all in knots. I found that eating fiber bars really helps and generally, is not an issue.

Fortunately for me, I don't have a lot of pain with this. If you don't mind, what did they tell you was wrong with your stomach?

[MICKEY4EVER!]

DS4 got a haircut this weekend. Poor thing inherited his daddy's cowlicks, plus a few more. We got him a "high & tight" and as nervous as I was, I think it turned out pretty cute! I thought I'd post some photos of his new "do". (He's very proud of it, too!!!)

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/haircut003.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/haircut005.jpg

[taymacsmom]

I too have a DS. Mine will be 4 at the the end of June and we will be in Disney in August. I was glad to hear that you took DS on Dinosaur and BTMR and SplashM. I was beginning to think that I was crazy to be thinking about taking him on those "big kid" rides. We are planning to be at the parks for morning EMH, break in the middle of the day and back at night. At home, my DS is early to bed (between 7 and 7:30pm), up at between 6:30 and 7:00am and no nap. For this reason, I plan to stay at parks only until about 9:00pm at the latest in an attempt to keep him from completely going off his schedule and losing it! Keep your fingers crossed. By way, love your son's haircut. My DS has the same one!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I too have a DS. Mine will be 4 at the the end of June and we will be in Disney in August. I was glad to hear that you took DS on Dinosaur and BTMR and SplashM. I was beginning to think that I was crazy to be thinking about taking him on those "big kid" rides. We are planning to be at the parks for morning EMH, break in the middle of the day and back at night. At home, my DS is early to bed (between 7 and 7:30pm), up at between 6:30 and 7:00am and no nap. For this reason, I plan to stay at parks only until about 9:00pm at the latest in an attempt to keep him from completely going off his schedule and losing it! Keep your fingers crossed. By way, love your son's haircut. My DS has the same one!


Your son should do just fine on these rides. My son loved BTMR the best! He's still talking about it to this day.

Sounds like you are going to do just fine as far as scheduling goes with your DS4. I wish that I could have done it just that way, also, but since I was with my family, I had to do it their way. It may have worked for them, but I think we would have had more fun doing it the way you plan on.

I will definitely keep my fingers crossed for you guys!!!! Have a great trip (so jealous). :goodvibes

[jenseib]

I got through the first page.
You poor thing. I probably would've strangled my child too. LOL! My older sone did some of this one trip, but then I left him...well he thought I did... but I went to where I could see him while he straightened up (and he was about 8 I think, maybe older) and then he did get much better after that.
I think he felt your stress of being away from DH and it was probably too much to be doing group things. I know it would drive me nuts too. I think I would've went off alot more on my own.

What is HoB that you ate at DTD? I can't figure that one out.
I also think Peter Pan was refurbished last year. It was shut down for awhile, and I know part of the shut down was duing our trip, so something was done. LOL!

[jenseib]

I finished up page 2 now! :thumbsup2

I think part of the problem might've been your family. It sounds like they really wanted him to eat and that you guys do things differently. I know sometimes my mom is like that too, but as I've gotten older, I pretty much tell her I'll take care of it if there is a problem. LOL! I know that while we are on vacation, some days Claire barely eats ANYTHING at all. Oh well, and other days she'll eat like a pig. I do try to get her stuff like grapes or applesauce and try to get a bite in here and there of those items, but other than that, I'm not too worried. She won't starve to death. I carry snacks too.
I've also learned that she can't go as much as me, so I've tamed things down and we just go with the flow some days. We never get ALL that I want to do done, but some day we will. And we have fun.
But I dod know if I went with my parents we would seperate alot becuase there idea of fun and mine are different and I would be going nuts. Plus of course my mom likes to still play mom to me and my kids. LOL!

And when you son realized they were ignoring him or giving you niece more attention he reacted to that as well. Everyone wants attention and if you can't get good attention, well then you go for the bad attention. At least you are still getting it. How old is you niece? It sounds like she might be a few years older, so she probably tired of a little one around her too. LOL!
Ok, back to read the other pages! :3dglasses

[jenseib]

One other thing, I'm not sure what your exact dates were, but you mentioned March 15th. That was a MK EMH evening day, as was the next Sunday. I know becuase we went the week before and i looked up all of Marches hours. They also had a morning one sometime during the week, but I don't remember because I never do morning ones. But I know all of March is USUALLY on Sunday nights...at least for the last 3 years. And disney has been shortening their hours more lately too.

[3lilpiggies]

I really enjoyed the "realness" of your trip report. Just plain honest. As I was reading it, I thought your son exhibited behavior of maybe missing his dad. And picking up that you were missing him too. I really could be a variety of factors- kids have a way of picking their battles and going with whichever one works. You also mentioned that you didnt sleep well because of all the snoring. A freight train has nothing on my husband. Makes for interesting nights. Nonetheless, I am glad all in all you had a wonderful time with your son. This also gives your husband reason to go back with you guys.:idea: Your son looks adorable and congrats in converting him. Maybe when your husband sees the way he smiles while at WDW, he will be converted too.:thumbsup2

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I got through the first page.
You poor thing. I probably would've strangled my child too. LOL! My older sone did some of this one trip, but then I left him...well he thought I did... but I went to where I could see him while he straightened up (and he was about 8 I think, maybe older) and then he did get much better after that.
I think he felt your stress of being away from DH and it was probably too much to be doing group things. I know it would drive me nuts too. I think I would've went off alot more on my own.

What is HoB that you ate at DTD? I can't figure that one out.
I also think Peter Pan was refurbished last year. It was shut down for awhile, and I know part of the shut down was duing our trip, so something was done. LOL!


Hey there! I remember reading some of your trip report with Claire and DH. She is such a cutie!!! I just love her photos on your siggy. I wish I had a little princess I could dress up...

HoB is "House of Blues". The food there was okay, but I didn't really enjoy too much of it because DS4 was being a hiney!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I finished up page 2 now! :thumbsup2

I think part of the problem might've been your family. It sounds like they really wanted him to eat and that you guys do things differently. I know sometimes my mom is like that too, but as I've gotten older, I pretty much tell her I'll take care of it if there is a problem. LOL! I know that while we are on vacation, some days Claire barely eats ANYTHING at all. Oh well, and other days she'll eat like a pig. I do try to get her stuff like grapes or applesauce and try to get a bite in here and there of those items, but other than that, I'm not too worried. She won't starve to death. I carry snacks too.
I've also learned that she can't go as much as me, so I've tamed things down and we just go with the flow some days. We never get ALL that I want to do done, but some day we will. And we have fun.
But I dod know if I went with my parents we would seperate alot becuase there idea of fun and mine are different and I would be going nuts. Plus of course my mom likes to still play mom to me and my kids. LOL!

And when you son realized they were ignoring him or giving you niece more attention he reacted to that as well. Everyone wants attention and if you can't get good attention, well then you go for the bad attention. At least you are still getting it. How old is you niece? It sounds like she might be a few years older, so she probably tired of a little one around her too. LOL!
Ok, back to read the other pages! :3dglasses

Thanks for your response! I'm so glad that you stopped in to read! :cheer2:

You hit the nail on the head. They really enjoy eating and taking it easy and DS4 just doesn't enjoy eating. He does it because he HAS to most of the time, unless he's just starving. It's hard to even get him to eat in an actual restaurant even when we're not on vacation. He's getting better about it, but Disney was especially hard for him.

We should have branched off more from the group and done our own thing, but when DH went last year, I felt like we spent too much time away from them, so I was trying to make up for it this year! You see how well that went! :laughing:

My niece is eleven, so she most likely was a bit tired of having the little one around, too, like you said. But she's usually pretty good with him, playing with him and paying him attention. But because she wasn't feeling well (that still is questionable to me, to be honest), she was getting lots of extra attention from everyone else. I agree, to a four year old, any attention is better than no attention!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

One other thing, I'm not sure what your exact dates were, but you mentioned March 15th. That was a MK EMH evening day, as was the next Sunday. I know becuase we went the week before and i looked up all of Marches hours. They also had a morning one sometime during the week, but I don't remember because I never do morning ones. But I know all of March is USUALLY on Sunday nights...at least for the last 3 years. And disney has been shortening their hours more lately too.


Yeah, we left on March 15th, but we didn't actually arrive until the 16th. And then we left on Sunday, so we missed extra magic hours again! They did have a morning one, too, I think, but like you, we never did the morning ones.

I noticed they were shortening their hours, also, because the previous year, we were there VERY late and I was disappointed to see closing was early while we were there. However, big plus, they usually extended the closing time by one hour b/c the crowds that week were higher than anticipated... :yay:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I really enjoyed the "realness" of your trip report. Just plain honest. As I was reading it, I thought your son exhibited behavior of maybe missing his dad. And picking up that you were missing him too. I really could be a variety of factors- kids have a way of picking their battles and going with whichever one works. You also mentioned that you didnt sleep well because of all the snoring. A freight train has nothing on my husband. Makes for interesting nights. Nonetheless, I am glad all in all you had a wonderful time with your son. This also gives your husband reason to go back with you guys.:idea: Your son looks adorable and congrats in converting him. Maybe when your husband sees the way he smiles while at WDW, he will be converted too.:thumbsup2


Thanks for stopping in and reading! :yay:

I'm glad you enjoyed the TR. I wanted to tell it like it was, but trust me, I held back A LOT! :rotfl: It was quite the experience, but I'll tell you, I would go back right this minute, if I could.

I did miss DH a lot and I think DS4 wasn't quite sure how to handle it. It was a first for both of us, being away for a whole week. It was good for us, too, I think b/c we all appreciate each other a lot more. :love: So, some good did come of it. Unfortunately, DH did not convert and still claims he "hates" Disney. I can't believe he used "hate" and "Disney" in the same sentence! :scared1:

And I certainly don't miss the snoring! So glad DH doesn't do that! Bless your heart. Do you get used to it and stop hearing it????

[AmyBWV99]

Great report!

We too have a 4 yr old and it was like reading portions of some our days. I've gotten 'the look' from horrified bystanders who only see us in our very pointed discussions various places or dragging a kicking hollering child out of a resturant.

It happens; anyone whose ever had a 4 yr old understands and gets it to every one else who cares. Sometimes I've wanted to sink into the floor like at DS#1's 4th b-day party he was mad we were eating and proceeded to kick my chair and the do the :p spit thing in my face as I am giving him the low down on what is and is not acceptable foot behaviour. Which ends up falling into me grasping him mid :p tongue hanging out and proclaiming him on his way to the nearest time out spot in the place, followed by a delivery to his dad at the omelet station :confused3. Not my proudest parenting moment, we laugh now but Lord have mercy on mothers of 4 year olds.

He's totally a pod person, he was the most mellow baby and toddler we counted our blessings at how easy we had it. Then 4 fell on our face with a hard wet thud.

We head back to WDW here shortly and go 2-4 times a year, every trip is different but as some PP said they get tired, so tired. C is an early riser and even if we 'chill' in the morning at the pool the sun catches up to him and can make evening visits to parks touch and go. This may soudn familiar to you:
4yo: can we get ice cream when we get there.
Us: Yes you may what sounds yummy?
minutes later....
4yo: Where are we? Why are we here I want to ride IASW!!!!
US: We are at the ice cream place you said you wanted ice cream.
4yo: I don't want ice cream! I don't want it at all! I don't want it, just give it to baby, I'm jsut gonna hit it!
Us: You just said you wanted ice cream if you do not you won't get it and we will just eat it.
4yo: Fine just fine.
Us: eating ice cream walking to the next ride......
4yo: where's my ice cream? Daddy said we were getting ice cream!!!!!
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

We tend to go early and don't commando ever, he can't keep up. We found if we do a sit down meal breakfast by far is our best bet at a relaxed meal. Infact a non-charater oneis even better, Captains Grill is our by far fav. Both our boys are huge breakfast fans so the food is something they are totally into and they are fully rested and functional vs a dinner or lunch that may or may not end up with one of us eating alone with one child and the other running back and forth with the unruly one trying to regain control of the nightmare that is ensuing. So somebody dines alone somebody gets cold food or no food eaten at all. We found that a reclining stroller can make all teh difference too if they fall asleep at a park in the stroller we find a cool place to chill and let them sleep waking them before they are ready is dicey at best.

You live and learn and sounds like you'll remember for next time! Something else even if he was sleeping 'in' if it's not his typical sleeping situation or his sleep wasn't restful due to the snoring it could have had a huge impact on how he was behaving and his emotional ability to cope with all the people in close quarters. One trip after what seemed like our DS #1 was sleeping well at night on our 4th day he was so out of sorts we went back to the room and he napped for 4 hours. We weren't running him all night or anything and he'd wake up happy but he was tired and it made such a difference on the rest of the vacation and he didn't nap like that everyday. I hear it gets better and I'm clinging to it! It's amazing how they can be so snuggly and I love you mommy to you're not the boss of me in about .2 seconds.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Great report!

We too have a 4 yr old and it was like reading portions of some our days. I've gotten 'the look' from horrified bystanders who only see us in our very pointed discussions various places or dragging a kicking hollering child out of a resturant.

It happens; anyone whose ever had a 4 yr old understands and gets it to every one else who cares. Sometimes I've wanted to sink into the floor like at DS#1's 4th b-day party he was mad we were eating and proceeded to kick my chair and the do the :p spit thing in my face as I am giving him the low down on what is and is not acceptable foot behaviour. Which ends up falling into me grasping him mid :p tongue hanging out and proclaiming him on his way to the nearest time out spot in the place, followed by a delivery to his dad at the omelet station :confused3. Not my proudest parenting moment, we laugh now but Lord have mercy on mothers of 4 year olds.

He's totally a pod person, he was the most mellow baby and toddler we counted our blessings at how easy we had it. Then 4 fell on our face with a hard wet thud.

We head back to WDW here shortly and go 2-4 times a year, every trip is different but as some PP said they get tired, so tired. C is an early riser and even if we 'chill' in the morning at the pool the sun catches up to him and can make evening visits to parks touch and go. This may soudn familiar to you:
4yo: can we get ice cream when we get there.
Us: Yes you may what sounds yummy?
minutes later....
4yo: Where are we? Why are we here I want to ride IASW!!!!
US: We are at the ice cream place you said you wanted ice cream.
4yo: I don't want ice cream! I don't want it at all! I don't want it, just give it to baby, I'm jsut gonna hit it!
Us: You just said you wanted ice cream if you do not you won't get it and we will just eat it.
4yo: Fine just fine.
Us: eating ice cream walking to the next ride......
4yo: where's my ice cream? Daddy said we were getting ice cream!!!!!
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

We tend to go early and don't commando ever, he can't keep up. We found if we do a sit down meal breakfast by far is our best bet at a relaxed meal. Infact a non-charater oneis even better, Captains Grill is our by far fav. Both our boys are huge breakfast fans so the food is something they are totally into and they are fully rested and functional vs a dinner or lunch that may or may not end up with one of us eating alone with one child and the other running back and forth with the unruly one trying to regain control of the nightmare that is ensuing. So somebody dines alone somebody gets cold food or no food eaten at all. We found that a reclining stroller can make all teh difference too if they fall asleep at a park in the stroller we find a cool place to chill and let them sleep waking them before they are ready is dicey at best.

You live and learn and sounds like you'll remember for next time! Something else even if he was sleeping 'in' if it's not his typical sleeping situation or his sleep wasn't restful due to the snoring it could have had a huge impact on how he was behaving and his emotional ability to cope with all the people in close quarters. One trip after what seemed like our DS #1 was sleeping well at night on our 4th day he was so out of sorts we went back to the room and he napped for 4 hours. We weren't running him all night or anything and he'd wake up happy but he was tired and it made such a difference on the rest of the vacation and he didn't nap like that everyday. I hear it gets better and I'm clinging to it! It's amazing how they can be so snuggly and I love you mommy to you're not the boss of me in about .2 seconds.

Yay! Another Reader! So glad you stopped by... :banana:

I LOL'd at your post b/c you have DEFINITELY been where I've been! I was like you: I had the sweetest, most wonderful child: until four! I woke up one morning and asked: where did my sweet little baby go???? But, thankfully, we are starting to outgrow that stage, though it rears its ugly head from time to time! (Example: Just last week, I left Wal-Mart with a screaming child and yes, endured the meaningful stares coming from others, and left my cart full of groceries right where it was).

That's what I should have done at Disney - left when things became too much for DS4. Shamefully, I'll admit, I didn't want to leave because we had so little time at the parks anyway, I didn't want to go back to the room and have us both miss out any more than we were.

Oh yes, I have learned my lesson! The next time I go, with or without DH, I am going to have a set plan in place and we will divert from said plan if I find that DS has a need for a break. Because all in all, it was really all about him, anways.

I also laughed about the ice cream example you put in your post. That's pretty much what happened that first night at DHS. I want ice cream, he said, and I stand in the forever long line to get that strawberry ice cream he just had to have, and then he didn't want it. Go figure! I'm glad to know that its not just me!

Thank you so much for sharing with me!!!!! :flower3:

(Enjoy your upcoming trip, by the way!!! :cheer2:)

[portocall]

I just finished reading your trip report. We are about to bring our three sons, the youngest being 4. I am going to try my best to learn from you, and the advice of the other posters. I am really thrilled to hear that as the trip gets further away in time, you are remembering more and more of the good memories.

I also wanted to say that my boys become absolute terrors around their grandparents due to what they feel is a difference in treatment. I have to agree with them... however I would never tell them that.

Have fun in the mountains.. I would love to do that someday.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I just finished reading your trip report. We are about to bring our three sons, the youngest being 4. I am going to try my best to learn from you, and the advice of the other posters. I am really thrilled to hear that as the trip gets further away in time, you are remembering more and more of the good memories.

I also wanted to say that my boys become absolute terrors around their grandparents due to what they feel is a difference in treatment. I have to agree with them... however I would never tell them that.

Have fun in the mountains.. I would love to do that someday.

Thanks for taking the time to read my report! I am so glad that some of this may help you on your trip. How exciting that you get to go. :woohoo: The next few months will fly by!

I know what you mean about difference in treatment: and you're right - its hard to side with your children even though you know they are right. That's just a hard situation all the way around!

I'm excited for the trip to the mountains, I really am, but its not Disney. I seriously have an addiction here! :laughing: I haven't even really started planning it yet, and if it were a Disney trip, I'd already have everything set in place, ready to go! Oh, well!

Thanks again for stopping in! I hope you do a TR when you get back. :)

[longing2Batdisney]

As I mentioned on Mickeystoontown, I read your report last night. Reminds me of my family at little. Until recently we ALWAYS went on any/all vacations w/my parents. My mom is a fanactic about the kids and everyone eating. That is what she enjoys and think they will become malnourished:rotfl: w/in a day if they do not eat ALL their food:cutie:.

When we went in '96 Dayne was 4; all he ate was apples, popcorn, and water (he as soooo hot--most of our pictures he has a red face). The swimming pool was his favorite part of his Disney trip. We had stayed at the POFQ and it has a sea serpent slide; not long ago we were talking about where we are going to stay next year (we did a value this year--and want to do a mod next year). He tells me I want to go back to that place that had that great big slide (now he was four and he is 17 now-- I just don't think the slide will be "that great big slide":rotfl2:). He did not have tanturms like your little one but he was a handful at times. He managed to drop his sword from the top floor of the resort, Gwendolyn was out with him, I had just poked my head in the door to the room to call Danny and just that fast Dayne had managed to pass his entire body through the railings and was holding on for dear life. I was sooooo weak with shock that all I could do was hold on to him and SCREAM for DAnny:headache::scared1:

So, I guess next year with a four year old will be lots of fun--Ashton will be four if we go back in Sep or Dec.

I do agree that you need to have some alone time.... over the years I have learned that if you want to keep your sanity and the sanity of others you need to split sometimes...it is so hard to travel with other people...it's getting hard to travel w/Gwendolyn...she has her own agenda...;)

Great report!!! :thumbsup2enjoyed meeting you and your son...sharing your pics and your travel adventure look forward to next go round:)...I really hope that DH gives in and goes along w/you.:upsidedow..although he does not care for Disney he should enjoy seeing it through DS and your eyes:hug:
Danny does not care for WDW but he and the older kids love IOA at Universal
although they will not miss WDW. We had friends who went to IOA/U only two years in a row and they all chose not to join them if we could not afford to do WDW as well:confused3:rotfl2:

Connie:flower3:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I'm so glad that you have popped in to read this report, Longing2batDisney! I have enjoyed the interaction with you and others on other threads. Yeah, this was quite the adventure with my four year old and it sounds like you had quite the adventure with yours!!! :scared1:

The good thing was that I learned a lot about this trip is that you can't worry about what others think of you and you can't force your child to do anything while on vacation. I think that if I and my family had just gone with the flow more, things would have turned out much smoother.

Thanks again for stopping in. :hug: I'm going to your TR now to read about your adventures!!!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I'm so glad that you have popped in to read this report, Longing2batDisney! I have enjoyed the interaction with you and others on other threads. Yeah, this was quite the adventure with my four year old and it sounds like you had quite the adventure with yours!!! :scared1:

The good thing was that I learned a lot about this trip is that you can't worry about what others think of you and you can't force your child to do anything while on vacation. I think that if I and my family had just gone with the flow more, things would have turned out much smoother.

Thanks again for stopping in. :hug: I'm going to your TR now to read about your adventures!!!

I read it too. I was in my shy stage and didn't talk. Just lurked my way right through like I knew what I was doing.

My heart broke for you have to make choices between your son and your parents. You're brought up to respect your parents but you are your son's voice. Your parents were adults. They should not have made you make a choice.

Next time you will know how the are and will be prepared to make the right decisions and not question yourself and the decisions you make. You have your son's best interest at heart and that is (as Austin says) "how I roll"

Ginny

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I read it too. I was in my shy stage and didn't talk. Just lurked my way right through like I knew what I was doing.

My heart broke for you have to make choices between your son and your parents. You're brought up to respect your parents but you are your son's voice. Your parents were adults. They should not have made you make a choice.

Next time you will know how the are and will be prepared to make the right decisions and not question yourself and the decisions you make. You have your son's best interest at heart and that is (as Austin says) "how I roll"

Ginny


Awww! Well, I'm glad you read it and that's okay that you lurked. I did that alot and then I just couldn't keep quiet anymore! LOL!

I had to keep my lip buttoned a lot on this trip and that was part of the "frustration" that I refer to in the title. I definitely respect my parents, and you're right, I am my child's voice, so I felt a bit like I was between a rock and hard place. Whew! Glad that's over!

I love your "how I roll" statement. You are one cool grandmother! I can tell that your family is EXTREMELY valuable to you. I think that's wonderful that you are all so close...

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Awww! Well, I'm glad you read it and that's okay that you lurked. I did that alot and then I just couldn't keep quiet anymore! LOL!

I had to keep my lip buttoned a lot on this trip and that was part of the "frustration" that I refer to in the title. I definitely respect my parents, and you're right, I am my child's voice, so I felt a bit like I was between a rock and hard place. Whew! Glad that's over!

I love your "how I roll" statement. You are one cool grandmother! I can tell that your family is EXTREMELY valuable to you. I think that's wonderful that you are all so close...

I feel very blessed in that closeness too. I am not at all close to my own mother and I knew when I was a mother (let alone grandmother) I would not allow myself to be anything like her. When my girls were in that pre-teen mode where you want to strangle them one minute and have them sit on your lap and cuddle the next I would tell them if I start acting like Grandma to send me to my room. It was funny at the time but there were a few times I ended up in my room. It sure beat yelling.

When my grandchildren were small I was sitting in the back seat with them and at that moment I knew why I was here. I may not have been the best Mom and I know I wasn't. I married young and had children young so we had to grow up together but I knew I could be a grandmother that every child deserves. I hope to date I have done that. Sorry to be sappy once again. The need a smilie for sap.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I feel very blessed in that closeness too. I am not at all close to my own mother and I knew when I was a mother (let alone grandmother) I would not allow myself to be anything like her. When my girls were in that pre-teen mode where you want to strangle them one minute and have them sit on your lap and cuddle the next I would tell them if I start acting like Grandma to send me to my room. It was funny at the time but there were a few times I ended up in my room. It sure beat yelling.

When my grandchildren were small I was sitting in the back seat with them and at that moment I knew why I was here. I may not have been the best Mom and I know I wasn't. I married young and had children young so we had to grow up together but I knew I could be a grandmother that every child deserves. I hope to date I have done that. Sorry to be sappy once again. The need a smilie for sap.


I'm not close to my real mother, either. She is just too selfish to know how to be a mother (or a grandmother, for that matter) and now that I'm older, she totally regrets it. I've given her plenty of opportunities to try (even tho it could never be the same), but she's still too wrapped up in herself to really give it a go. Every couple of months or three or four, she'll call me up and try to make me feel guilty about us not being a closer-knit family, but I'm not about to let her make me feel guilty. She made her bed, now she can lie in it. None of this was my fault, she's the mother, she should have acted like one when she had the chance. Too harsh??? :confused3

My dad remarried when I was five and my stepmother became the woman I knew to be my mother. Now, there's a whole long story associated with that and we never got very close, but after I had DS4, we became closer and I'm happy to say that my son knows them very well as his grandparents. He doesn't even know my true mother at all (she hasn't seen him since his third birthday and he's almost five now :sad2:).

Now that I am a mother, I try very hard to be there for my son and not make the same mistakes that my own parents made. However, I KNOW that I am not a perfect mother and I have made plenty of my own mistakes, but I try to do right by my child. I guess that's why throughout this TR, you'll find me questioning myself a lot. I SOOOOO WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!

[longing2Batdisney]

Now that I am a mother, I try very hard to be there for my son and not make the same mistakes that my own parents made. However, I KNOW that I am not a perfect mother and I have made plenty of my own mistakes, but I try to do right by my child. I guess that's why throughout this TR, you'll find me questioning myself a lot.

I SOOOOO WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!

Relax, you have done that already. You are in a very loving and giving relationship w/your DH. DS will feed off of that. And, because you are so intuned to wanting to "do the right thing" no matter what you do it will always be out of love and NO ONE can ask for more than that. Just enjoying your son, loving your son, and disciplining your son...you are doing the right thing...
ENJOY him, love him and like I said RELAX:grouphug:

P.S. my trip report has been closed by the moderator so I can edit but you can't post...:confused3

[longing2Batdisney]

I wanted to add and just remembered:
have fun in TN--we do that about every 5-7 years also.
we usually get a cabin, ride through the park two or three days while there, walk through Gatlinburg, & Dollywood. Our last trip May '07.
In fact when I first planned our May '09 WDW vacation Danny & Dayne wanted to go there instead. We love CO also although we haven't been there in about 12 yrs, as our children get older (and more costly) our trips tend be closer to home. Last year it was just a week in Ft. Walton Beach. We have our favs that we try to repeat in a cycle we are trying to add to that as life should start in the next two years to get a little better money wise.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Relax, you have done that already. You are in a very loving and giving relationship w/your DH. DS will feed off of that. And, because you are so intuned to wanting to "do the right thing" no matter what you do it will always be out of love and NO ONE can ask for more than that. Just enjoying your son, loving your son, and disciplining your son...you are doing the right thing...
ENJOY him, love him and like I said RELAX:grouphug:

P.S. my trip report has been closed by the moderator so I can edit but you can't post...:confused3


Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it. I hate feeling so insecure about it at times. I guess all mothers go through it at some point.

Why did the moderators close your thread? That totally stinks. I'd ask them to re-open it. I'm going to head over there soon and see if I can catch up. I wish I'd found it sooner! It's been a pleasure getting to know you and you have a beautiful family. I'm glad your little one is feeling better...

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I wanted to add and just remembered:
have fun in TN--we do that about every 5-7 years also.
we usually get a cabin, ride through the park two or three days while there, walk through Gatlinburg, & Dollywood. Our last trip May '07.
In fact when I first planned our May '09 WDW vacation Danny & Dayne wanted to go there instead. We love CO also although we haven't been there in about 12 yrs, as our children get older (and more costly) our trips tend be closer to home. Last year it was just a week in Ft. Walton Beach. We have our favs that we try to repeat in a cycle we are trying to add to that as life should start in the next two years to get a little better money wise.

I'm totally getting excited about our trip. We've decided on the cabin we want to get, finally! And we've never been to Dollywood, but I cannot wait to check it out. I hear it is so much fun. I haven't really figured out the rest of the trip, but I think the Ripley's Aquarium is on the list. The sky lift just scares me with a fidgety four year old and I don't think I'm brave enough to do it with him. Visions of him falling fill my head and that's just not a chance I'm willing to take!!! I guess this is one trip we'll just have to play by ear, though the "planner" in me dislikes this option very much. :laughing:

We do have Six Flags day planned in the next couple of weeks, just a day trip, but I'm ready!!!

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm totally getting excited about our trip. We've decided on the cabin we want to get, finally!
:thumbsup2that is always my favoirte part our last cabin was three floors, pool table, hot tub

And we've never been to Dollywood, but I cannot wait to check it out. I hear it is so much fun.
let me just say from experience if you like rollercoasters and big rides do those first---go to the left when you enter the park--it is a STEEP climb up a hill--we did it at the end of the day:confused3 I knew I was out of shape but OMG! and it was sooo hot
I haven't really figured out the rest of the trip, but I think the Ripley's Aquarium is on the list.
never did this heard it was nice

The sky lift just scares me with a fidgety four year old and I don't think I'm brave enough to do it with him. Visions of him falling fill my head and that's just not a chance I'm willing to take!!!
Ashton was only 10 months old last time so we skipped this, also--can't say that I blame you if you skip it:eek:
I guess this is one trip we'll just have to play by ear, though the "planner" in me dislikes this option very much. :laughing:

sometimes the "unplanned" ones make the best trips--although I have always found other than the beach I have to have some sort of basic plan or we end up argueing over what to do:laughing:

We do have Six Flags day planned in the next couple of weeks, just a day trip, but I'm ready!!!

Six flags sounds fun!!!:banana: have a wonderful time!! Gwendolyn and JOe are trying to plan a day at the one in Dallas before she goes back to school

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Thanks for the info on Dollywood, Longing2beatDisney! Wow, that is some really useful information about Dollywood. I'm heading to the left and getting in shape before we go!!! Goodness knows I need to start exercising. Ugh!

I had a woman that I work with who took her ONE YEAR OLD grandaughter on that Sky Lift and showed us the picture. I was like WHAT??? :scared1: Just looking at the picture scared me half to death. No way am I putting DS4on there.

By the way, I guess I could tell you his name. I guess DS4 is so short to type I never thought to tell you. My favorite person in the world is named: MITCHELL!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I'm not close to my real mother, either. She is just too selfish to know how to be a mother (or a grandmother, for that matter) and now that I'm older, she totally regrets it. I've given her plenty of opportunities to try (even tho it could never be the same), but she's still too wrapped up in herself to really give it a go. Every couple of months or three or four, she'll call me up and try to make me feel guilty about us not being a closer-knit family, but I'm not about to let her make me feel guilty. She made her bed, now she can lie in it. None of this was my fault, she's the mother, she should have acted like one when she had the chance. Too harsh??? :confused3

My dad remarried when I was five and my stepmother became the woman I knew to be my mother. Now, there's a whole long story associated with that and we never got very close, but after I had DS4, we became closer and I'm happy to say that my son knows them very well as his grandparents. He doesn't even know my true mother at all (she hasn't seen him since his third birthday and he's almost five now :sad2:).

Now that I am a mother, I try very hard to be there for my son and not make the same mistakes that my own parents made. However, I KNOW that I am not a perfect mother and I have made plenty of my own mistakes, but I try to do right by my child. I guess that's why throughout this TR, you'll find me questioning myself a lot. I SOOOOO WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!

Your mother is the loser in this situation. I know it doesn't make you feel better but you have learned that your son is very important to you and he is why you want things better.

You are a good mom. You proved that already.

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Relax, you have done that already. You are in a very loving and giving relationship w/your DH. DS will feed off of that. And, because you are so intuned to wanting to "do the right thing" no matter what you do it will always be out of love and NO ONE can ask for more than that. Just enjoying your son, loving your son, and disciplining your son...you are doing the right thing...
ENJOY him, love him and like I said RELAX:grouphug:

P.S. my trip report has been closed by the moderator so I can edit but you can't post...:confused3

Wonderful statement:grouphug:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Thanks for the info on Dollywood, Longing2beatDisney! Wow, that is some really useful information about Dollywood. I'm heading to the left and getting in shape before we go!!! Goodness knows I need to start exercising. Ugh!

I had a woman that I work with who took her ONE YEAR OLD grandaughter on that Sky Lift and showed us the picture. I was like WHAT??? :scared1: Just looking at the picture scared me half to death. No way am I putting DS4on there.

By the way, I guess I could tell you his name. I guess DS4 is so short to type I never thought to tell you. My favorite person in the world is named: MITCHELL!

I love that name. I'm so glad to have name with that beautiful face.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Your mother is the loser in this situation. I know it doesn't make you feel better but you have learned that your son is very important to you and he is why you want things better.

You are a good mom. You proved that already.

Wonderful statement:grouphug:

Thank you, Ginny and Connie. I appreciate you both very much! You have certainly made me feel all warm inside and confident that I am doing right by my child.

In regard to my mother, it doesn't really bother me that she's not a part of our lives. I'm used to it and I think I just get more upset that she tries to make ME feel guilty when I know I have no reason to.

I don't want her popping in and out confusing Mitchell by any means, though. When he starts asking questions about it, we may have to rethink some things.

[longing2Batdisney]

Thank you, Ginny and Connie. I appreciate you both very much! You have certainly made me feel all warm inside and confident that I am doing right by my child.

In regard to my mother, it doesn't really bother me that she's not a part of our lives. I'm used to it and I think I just get more upset that she tries to make ME feel guilty when I know I have no reason to.

I don't want her popping in and out confusing Mitchell by any means, though. When he starts asking questions about it, we may have to rethink some things.
the little girl I watch...her mom has a similiar problem. They have introduced her grandmom as an special aunt. The mom says she does not deserve Grandmom as a title but did want her to have some contact. I think she sees her once a year, if that; and the little girl knows it is her mom's mother but she calls her aunt ???. Good Luck with that one...that will take a lot of soul searching from you and DH. But, I agree you are doing the right thing and family is not always made by blood (believe me I know).

[aaaateamsgrandma]

the little girl I watch...her mom has a similiar problem. They have introduced her grandmom as an special aunt. The mom says she does not deserve Grandmom as a title but did want her to have some contact. I think she sees her once a year, if that; and the little girl knows it is her mom's mother but she calls her aunt ???. Good Luck with that one...that will take a lot of soul searching from you and DH. But, I agree you are doing the right thing and family is not always made by blood (believe me I know).

Too weird. That is exactly what I was going to say. Sandi's father in law has remarried and Alex calls her Aunt? I call her Dr. Strangelove.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I love that name. I'm so glad to have name with that beautiful face.

Again, AWWW, you're so sweet! :goodvibes I love the name, too. We didn't know what we wanted to call him until he was born, and well, he just looked like a Mitchell! He tells me all the time he likes his name, LOL.

the little girl I watch...her mom has a similiar problem. They have introduced her grandmom as an special aunt. The mom says she does not deserve Grandmom as a title but did want her to have some contact. I think she sees her once a year, if that; and the little girl knows it is her mom's mother but she calls her aunt ???. Good Luck with that one...that will take a lot of soul searching from you and DH. But, I agree you are doing the right thing and family is not always made by blood (believe me I know).

Yeah, I am struggling with cutting off the relationship off altogether. I don't want him to be hurt later on when he realizes that she doesn't want much to do with him. I've been there and I don't want my little one to go thru that. DH tells me not to cut off ties, but I'm battling my thoughts b/c I just feel that is the right thing to do. I don't want to have to deal with it anymore, either. It takes too much thought!!!

I wonder how the grandmother feels being called "aunt". I can't imagine not being a part of my son's children's lives. He'll have to beat me away with a stick!!! :laughing:

Too weird. That is exactly what I was going to say. Sandi's father in law has remarried and Alex calls her Aunt? I call her Dr. Strangelove. :laughing: "Dr. Strangelove"! Too funny!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

:laughing: "Dr. Strangelove"! Too funny![/QUOTE]

It was either that or Wicked Witch of the West. I thought the other was better and it took Alex longer to catch on. I cannot in my wildest dreams imagine not having my grandchildren in my life.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

[/QUOTE]It was either that or Wicked Witch of the West. I thought the other was better and it took Alex longer to catch on. I cannot in my wildest dreams imagine not having my grandchildren in my life.[/QUOTE]


Me neither! My child is only four, but I look forward to spoiling some children since I can't spoil mine! (Well, he is spoiled, but I try really hard not to, LOL!)

[aaaateamsgrandma]

It was either that or Wicked Witch of the West. I thought the other was better and it took Alex longer to catch on. I cannot in my wildest dreams imagine not having my grandchildren in my life.[/QUOTE]


Me neither! My child is only four, but I look forward to spoiling some children since I can't spoil mine! (Well, he is spoiled, but I try really hard not to, LOL!)[/QUOTE]

My g kids are rotten. By the time Sheri and Mike were married 2 years Mike told me no more toys. So I went to Pokemon card, videos. Legos didn't count as toys. Austin has made every big thing they have. They are stashed in his moms closet and in the attic. The last thing he did was 3 years ago and he got the USS Missouri when were at the navel base in Pensacola

[MICKEY4EVER!]

My g kids are rotten. By the time Sheri and Mike were married 2 years Mike told me no more toys. So I went to Pokemon card, videos. Legos didn't count as toys. Austin has made every big thing they have. They are stashed in his moms closet and in the attic. The last thing he did was 3 years ago and he got the USS Missouri when were at the navel base in Pensacola

Yes, you grandparents know how to "get around" the rules!!! Truth be told, we parents really don't mind. We just don't like picking up all the toys that make you say "ouch" in the middle of the night when you find them underfoot!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

:yay: I have picked our cabin for our Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg vacation and on Friday, I was talking to DH about booking it and when we needed to call and reserve it. DH said, "Why do we have to wait until November? Can't we do it sooner?"

I said, "Sure, we can do it sooner. When do you want to do it?"

He said, "I don't know. September?"

Me: "DONE!"

So, now our vacation to the mountains is in September, rather than November which means less waiting time for me. :cool1: The only thing is, it will no longer be an anniversary trip, which was part of the reason I chose to go to the mountains. That's where we honeymooned nearly nine years ago and I wanted to kind of re-create the experience, only this time we would have little Mitchell in tow. Oh, well!

So, now I'm off to change my ticker!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

September is a wonderful time to go to the mountains. You will love it then. We were there in late September years ago and it was fantastic. Cool evenings still warm days. You will have to think of something for you and DH to do for your anniversary.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Now I've picked the date, and then I checked my calendar and it looks like my "special friend" will be along for the ride. Oh the joys of being a woman. I think I'm going to pick another date just so I won't have to deal with that hassle while on vacation. I don't want to have to do anything but have fun and I want no worries.

Last year was an election year and wouldn't you know it, the Presidential Election fell right on my anniversary?? And I had to work it! Didn't get home until 11 o'clock or later that night and totally missed it altogether. We were on our honeymoon when Bush got elected and I can still remember them having to recount Florida's votes! I want to do something special for this one. Perhaps you guys can help me think of something nice to do for DH!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I would defineately change the date. That is the joy of old age. ::yes:: What does your DH like to do for fun, besides you? :blush: and DS? Give me ideas, I will find you a trip.

[longing2Batdisney]

September is a wonderful time to go to TN. I have never been but my parents go often. For your anniversary a dinner show might make for a nice evening or one of those resturants sitting alongside the creek.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I would defineately change the date. That is the joy of old age. ::yes:: What does your DH like to do for fun, besides you? :blush: and DS? Give me ideas, I will find you a trip.

Yeah, I think I will change the date. That is one "friend" who I can leave behind. I won't miss it when it's gone, either. My husband LOVES golf! I'm not sure who he loves more, me or his golf clubs! :rotfl2: Even he admits that, :laughing:.

September is a wonderful time to go to TN. I have never been but my parents go often. For your anniversary a dinner show might make for a nice evening or one of those resturants sitting alongside the creek.

I'm excited about getting to go earlier. Since we're going to Dollywood, the warmer weather will probably be nice. A dinner by the creek sounds lovely! There is a park where we got engaged that I could take him to. We used to go there on dates all of the time and walk around the lake and we carved our initials on one of the tables. That was where he asked me to marry him. :love: So sweet! We could do that again, though November may be a bit chilly. I could bring a blanket to snuggle up in, I guess!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good Grief: You are as sappy as I am. :guilty:

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm excited about getting to go earlier. Since we're going to Dollywood, the warmer weather will probably be nice. A dinner by the creek sounds lovely! There is a park where we got engaged that I could take him to. We used to go there on dates all of the time and walk around the lake and we carved our initials on one of the tables. That was where he asked me to marry him. :love: So sweet! We could do that again, though November may be a bit chilly. I could bring a blanket to snuggle up in, I guess!

I was worried about Dollywood hours (limited hours after Labor Day); but, I just checked it out (Sep--they are closed on Tue and Thurs and open all other days--I'm sure you already checked);).

I love the idea of the lake and park great romantic picnic sounds like a winner:woohoo:snuglling sounds like soooo much fun:love:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Good Grief: You are as sappy as I am. :guilty:

Yep! Guilty as charged! I can cry at the silliest things. My DH loves to poke fun at me. Sometimes I might cry at a commercial. :laughing:

I was worried about Dollywood hours (limited hours after Labor Day); but, I just checked it out (Sep--they are closed on Tue and Thurs and open all other days--I'm sure you already checked);).

I love the idea of the lake and park great romantic picnic sounds like a winner:woohoo:snuglling sounds like soooo much fun:love:

Actually I had not checked out park hours yet. What the heck is the matter with me??? Thank goodness you've got my back! I just assumed they'd be open all days like Disney World. :sad2:

Yes, the more I think of snuggling by the lake and having a picnic, I think that's the winner! I wouldn't have thought of it, either, if you hadn't mentioned a restaurant by the creek. Thanks, Connie! And Ginny, I think I'm going to get the golf lover a round of golf on me, somewhere. Best of both worlds, don't you think? :dance3:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Yep! Guilty as charged! I can cry at the silliest things. My DH loves to poke fun at me. Sometimes I might cry at a commercial. :laughing:



Actually I had not checked out park hours yet. What the heck is the matter with me??? Thank goodness you've got my back! I just assumed they'd be open all days like Disney World. :sad2:

Yes, the more I think of snuggling by the lake and having a picnic, I think that's the winner! I wouldn't have thought of it, either, if you hadn't mentioned a restaurant by the creek. Thanks, Connie! And Ginny, I think I'm going to get the golf lover a round of golf on me, somewhere. Best of both worlds, don't you think? :dance3:

That sounds like a good plan. Snuggling for you, golf for him. How can you go wrong? I bet he likes the snuggling part too.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

That sounds like a good plan. Snuggling for you, golf for him. How can you go wrong? I bet he likes the snuggling part too.

Yeah, he likes the snuggling, too, but he won't admit it!!! ;)

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Yeah, he likes the snuggling, too, but he won't admit it!!! ;)

Men don't like to admit they are softies too.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

He's a softie, all right! And the older he gets, the more he becomes that way. Isn't that strange?

[aaaateamsgrandma]

He's a softie, all right! And the older he gets, the more he becomes that way. Isn't that strange?

No, it's wonderful. I think if Don had remained the same as when we married 42 years ago we would have divorced 38 years agol.:) That is what age does, either mellows you out or hardens you. I like the mellow part.

[mousebymarriage]

Great trip report and pics. I loved your total honesty in your report, the good, the bad and the cranky:rotfl2:!
I completely understand about your crying in Disney out of frustration, embarrassment etc. I have done the same thing, I have sat in the bathroom in our room after everyone has gone to sleep and bawled my eyes out. Being a mom can be challenging and even more so in Disney. I have 2 kids DD12 and DS8 and have seen my fair share of "sassy" behavior in Disney. It will get better as your son gets older, although my 12 year old daughter has been pushing my buttons to the limit lately! Have a great time on your Tennessee trip this fall and Disney in June:cheer2:.

[MaryAz]

I remember your report from when it had no pics, I really like all that you added. A WDW vacation has so many variables and throw in family there is bound to be issues. I think he did ok considering-I had some not so fine parenting moments as well. There was a a "booty smack" or 2 as my 2 yr old calls them. Also in the restroom but clothed. Eating was an issue for us as well. Often times we would just get the 3 sides for the kid's meals-grapes,applesause,salad. We had cereal in the room each morning. Next time we will also take more pool breaks-we had so much rain we tried to soak up HA HA every minute. Hope you do go again-we are going the last week of May and hubby can join you.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

No, it's wonderful. I think if Don had remained the same as when we married 42 years ago we would have divorced 38 years agol.:) That is what age does, either mellows you out or hardens you. I like the mellow part. My DH has gotten WAY more mellow the older he has gotten. I find myself becoming more like DH was when we were dating and he is becoming more like I used to be! :laughing: We've switched places!

Great trip report and pics. I loved your total honesty in your report, the good, the bad and the cranky:rotfl2:!
I completely understand about your crying in Disney out of frustration, embarrassment etc. I have done the same thing, I have sat in the bathroom in our room after everyone has gone to sleep and bawled my eyes out. Being a mom can be challenging and even more so in Disney. I have 2 kids DD12 and DS8 and have seen my fair share of "sassy" behavior in Disney. It will get better as your son gets older, although my 12 year old daughter has been pushing my buttons to the limit lately! Have a great time on your Tennessee trip this fall and Disney in June:cheer2:.

I'm glad you enjoyed the report. :goodvibes I tried to be as honest as I could be, though I felt that at times the TR seemed a bit whiny! :laughing: I really did have a good time, though. It's so funny about what you said about crying in the bathroom. I've done that, too! I guess there is so much going on in Disney that everyone is just overstimulated and stressed (even though they are having fun) and the emotions get the best of us, even the little ones. The TN trip is still on! The Disney trip in June may not be. DH says he wants to go on a cruise, and sadly, not a Disney one! :sad2: We'll see!

I remember your report from when it had no pics, I really like all that you added. A WDW vacation has so many variables and throw in family there is bound to be issues. I think he did ok considering-I had some not so fine parenting moments as well. There was a a "booty smack" or 2 as my 2 yr old calls them. Also in the restroom but clothed. Eating was an issue for us as well. Often times we would just get the 3 sides for the kid's meals-grapes,applesause,salad. We had cereal in the room each morning. Next time we will also take more pool breaks-we had so much rain we tried to soak up HA HA every minute. Hope you do go again-we are going the last week of May and hubby can join you. I'm glad that you stopped back in to see the pics! You know, when I started this TR, I had no idea how to insert pictures until I went to the help threads on DIS. Then I discovered Photobucket! :cheer2: The more I go to Disney and the more I experience (good and bad) with DS4, the more I learn and I plan to do it differently next time. Even if I'm with family, I may have to branch off and go alone with DS in the morning when the parks open and take a break around lunch and meet back up with the fam. Since they don't like to do Disney until evening-time, that will be a perfect break for DS and we can all go back to the parks together at night! I don't know why I didn't think of that in March! :sad2:

I hope you have a wonderful upcoming Disney Trip!!!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good morning Mel. Just wanted to let you know I re-read your whole report last night. So enjoyed the pictures. There is one particular pic of Mitchell that I dearly love. I'll go back and find and tell you which one. His whole personality just explodes in his eyes. Have a great day. It is raining here. Again

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I did post some cruise pics on FB last night.

[aaaateamsgrandma]

This picture does not tell the story: this is BEFORE the misbehaving began!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009058-1.jpg


When we returned to DS4, I found that my poor baby was sound asleep in his stroller, exhausted from the long day he had had.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/disney2009064.jpg

These are my two fav pics of your sweet boy.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Good morning Mel. Just wanted to let you know I re-read your whole report last night. So enjoyed the pictures. There is one particular pic of Mitchell that I dearly love. I'll go back and find and tell you which one. His whole personality just explodes in his eyes. Have a great day. It is raining here. Again

I can't believe you re-read the whole report! I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. I wish I had gotten them in the first time around, but better late than never! Yes, my Mitchell is full of personality. Takes after his momma, he he! :rolleyes:

I did post some cruise pics on FB last night.

That is the very first thing I'm gonna do when I get home. Get on FB and get caught up with you and Connie! I haven't logged on in days! Oh, and you can look at the entire 2009 Disney album on FB, too, if you're interested.

These are my two fav pics of your sweet boy.
The one in the Steamboat Willie hat is one of my favorites from the trip. It's so seldem that I get a photo of him where he's actually looking at the camera or sticking out his tongue! :laughing: Too bad that stroller didn't recline for his nap, though. We had to wake him up when we got going b/c we were afraid he'd fall out...

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Too bad that stroller didn't recline for his nap, though. We had to wake him up when we got going b/c we were afraid he'd fall out...

That precious sweet face. It needs a hug. There is something about little boys when they sleep that I just love. I raised two girls and am so thankful to have the grandsons. I see everything I missed. I admit my girls were really good except when Sheri beat Sandi up on a routine basis. But they never gave me any big trouble. But Sheri's boys and Sandi's boy are wonderful. So very different. My granddaughter is so unlike what my girls were I really have problems with understanding her. She is very confused and no matter what we try to do she doesn't want our help. Stinks too.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Yes, you can still see the baby in him in that sleeping picture! I will miss the baby in him as he grows up, but he tells me "I'll always be YOUR baby, Momma!" Awww.

Too funny that Sandi beat Sheri up! Girls are so rough, too! I had my two nieces on Saturday (4 & 6) and they fought like cats & dogs. They played rough, too, and I was glad when their mom came and got them! LOL! Made me really glad for my little boy.

From what you said about your GD, she's not happy living with her mother. She's probably still trying to figure out her life and the teenager or young adult in her is too stubborn or proud to accept helpful advice. I remember those days when "I knew it all."

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Yes, you can still see the baby in him in that sleeping picture! I will miss the baby in him as he grows up, but he tells me "I'll always be YOUR baby, Momma!" Awww.

Too funny that Sandi beat Sheri up! Girls are so rough, too! I had my two nieces on Saturday (4 & 6) and they fought like cats & dogs. They played rough, too, and I was glad when their mom came and got them! LOL! Made me really glad for my little boy.

From what you said about your GD, she's not happy living with her mother. She's probably still trying to figure out her life and the teenager or young adult in her is too stubborn or proud to accept helpful advice. I remember those days when "I knew it all."

It is true about Andrea. It breaks our hearts. You cannot change someone who doesn't want change.

Sandi beat Sheri up!

It was worse, Sheri beat Sandi up. The younger was stronger and more of a tomboy than the older. I hear about all of these issues now that they are adults. When they were about 13 and 15 we came home to find Sandi with a black eye. She said she ran into the door. We let it go. About 10 years later the fessed up and Sheri hit her with the telephone. I am sure looking at them together now you would never believe that would have happened.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

It is true about Andrea. It breaks our hearts. You cannot change someone who doesn't want change.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It was worse, Sheri beat Sandi up. The younger was stronger and more of a tomboy than the older. I hear about all of these issues now that they are adults. When they were about 13 and 15 we came home to find Sandi with a black eye. She said she ran into the door. We let it go. About 10 years later the fessed up and Sheri hit her with the telephone. I am sure looking at them together now you would never believe that would have happened.

Hang in there with your GD. Our Father above can work wonders, so never lose hope. It may take a long time, but hopefully, she will see how much you all truly love and care for her.

Oops! I got the sis's mixed up. Even though they fought, there was still a great respect between the two of them if they kept the black eye secret for ten years! Wow!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Hang in there with your GD. Our Father above can work wonders, so never lose hope. It may take a long time, but hopefully, she will see how much you all truly love and care for her.

That is exactly what we are praying for too. HE is getting a lot of interference from mom.


Oops! I got the sis's mixed up. Even though they fought, there was still a great respect between the two of them if they kept the black eye secret for ten years! Wow!

They really do like each other. Makes a mom happy and proud. We must have done something right.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

They really do like each other. Makes a mom happy and proud. We must have done something right.

Don't worry, HE will take care of "dear old mom"! I will pray for you guys.

And I have no doubts about that you've done something right with those girls! You've done a lot of "somethings" right, looks to me. :thumbsup2

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Don't worry, HE will take care of "dear old mom"! I will pray for you guys.

And I have no doubts about that you've done something right with those girls! You've done a lot of "somethings" right, looks to me. :thumbsup2

Awww. that brought a tear to my eye. I feel I have done ok with the girls and it is nice when other people notice it too. The rules to live by: 1. Never loan money you can't afford to give as a gift. 2. You want for your children to be self-sufficient, to know they were loved and are not afraid to give love. and 3. Never make such a fool of yourself in public that you couldl not go back and see those people again.

Outside of that it's all easy. I know that HE is on my side. I have known it my whole life and He will take care of my needs.

Ok, I've preached my sermon for the day. Hey Lisa, ask Lacey how I did.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I think you did a great job on your sermon, LOL!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I think you did a great job on your sermon, LOL!

I never knew I could be so preachy. My dad would be proud. He was a Gideon and preached to anyone that would listen.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I never knew I could be so preachy. My dad would be proud. He was a Gideon and preached to anyone that would listen. My dad is a minister and he calls just to chat and ends up preaching to me! :goodvibes

[aaaateamsgrandma]

My dad is a minister and he calls just to chat and ends up preaching to me! :goodvibes

That is what Dad's do best. Be sure to love him while you can and don't ever hang up the phone without telling him you love him. OMG. Two sermons in one day. I better work a while

[MICKEY4EVER!]

That is what Dad's do best. Be sure to love him while you can and don't ever hang up the phone without telling him you love him. OMG. Two sermons in one day. I better work a while
I am getting no work done today! Darn DIS! :love:

Yes, I always tell my Dad I love him. He seems awkward with me on the phone, but he will be the first to call if its been a few days since he heard from me. I think he's another typical man who doesn't really know how to talk to girls! :laughing: That, and our issues we've had in the past probably don't help matters, but we love one another, that's all that matters!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I am getting no work done today! Darn DIS! :love:

Yes, I always tell my Dad I love him. He seems awkward with me on the phone, but he will be the first to call if its been a few days since he heard from me. I think he's another typical man who doesn't really know how to talk to girls! :laughing: That, and our issues we've had in the past probably don't help matters, but we love one another, that's all that matters!

You got that right and you know he will always be there for you no matter what.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

You got that right and you know he will always be there for you no matter what.


Yes, he would, for sure!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Yes, he would, for sure!

That is why we are the fortunate ones.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I count my blessings every day. I know I complain a lot, too! But I know I am blessed. :goodvibes

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I count my blessings every day. I know I complain a lot, too! But I know I am blessed. :goodvibes

You certainly don't complain than any other mother I know of a 4 yo. It is hard to be the Mom.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Yes, it is hard to be the mom. You want to give in and make them happy, but then, you gotta do what's right b/c in the longrun, if you don't, they end up hurt. And they don't respect you. I tell myself that when I don't give in to his every whim.

[longing2Batdisney]

Wow! missed another great day of love learned lessons shared:thumbsup2. Ginny your girls sound just like me and my younger sister--when we were young:lmao:. and yes we need to enjoy all of our family while we have them. I never tell my dad I love him; it would probably make his day, week, year but he would get all embarassed and walk away like he was mad (he does not handle affection well:hug:). And, I do not talk to my sister she had three dgt, I see maybe once a year (she is married to a perv):sad2:.

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Wow! missed another great day of love learned lessons shared:thumbsup2. Ginny your girls sound just like me and my younger sister--when we were young:lmao:. and yes we need to enjoy all of our family while we have them. I never tell my dad I love him; it would probably make his day, week, year but he would get all embarassed and walk away like he was mad (he does not handle affection well:hug:). And, I do not talk to my sister she had three dgt, I see maybe once a year (she is married to a perv):sad2:.

I too have a sister and I haven't spoken to her in probably3 years. She lives on the other side of town. It goes back to my mother and her issues. My two brothers and I are extremely close. Talk daily on the phone. One lives here and the other lives in the town my mother lives in. My father-in-law used to be like your dad. But the past 2 years he has become extremely affectionate to us. We are all enjoying the change. Tell you dad on the phone then no one else has to know what was said. He'll come around. I hope for him he does. My father was very affectionate, so I grew up with that.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

My dad is not affectionate at all. He doesn't mind giving hugs and telling us that he loves us, but you can tell he's not comfortable with it at all.

I have a brother who is quite the trouble maker and currently resides in prison. This is his fourth trip in and I'm sorry to say, he never seems to learn from his mistakes. I wish that I had a sibling that I could be close with, so I envy those of you who do (in a good way! ;) ) I have never had a good relationship with my step-sister, either.

Welcome back to the conversation, Connie! We missed you yesterday!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

My dad is not affectionate at all. He doesn't mind giving hugs and telling us that he loves us, but you can tell he's not comfortable with it at all.

It certainly makes you appreciate your DH even more.

I have a brother who is quite the trouble maker and currently resides in prison. This is his fourth trip in and I'm sorry to say, he never seems to learn from his mistakes. I wish that I had a sibling that I could be close with, so I envy those of you who do (in a good way! ;) ) I have never had a good relationship with my step-sister, either.

That is too bad about your brother. All you want is to make things better and there are some people you just can't help how ever much you try.:hug:

Welcome back to the conversation, Connie! We missed you yesterday!

Yes Connie, welcome back to the real world. No more parties without us.:love:

[longing2Batdisney]

Sorry, one more day.:rotfl2:.. Saturday we celebrate w/friends turning "3":thumbsup2

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Sorry, one more day.:rotfl2:.. Saturday we celebrate w/friends turning "3":thumbsup2

Eat cake for me. My week of desserts is finally over and I'm back in weight watcher mode.:sad2:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Eat cake for me. My week of desserts is finally over and I'm back in weight watcher mode.:sad2:

Do you like strawberries? I've found this yummy dessert that's fat free called Del Monte fruit chillers. I've only had the strawberry flavor, but you freeze them and they taste soooo good! I could, and have, eaten two at once. But it's real fruit and fat free, so no guilt! :rolleyes:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Do you like strawberries? I've found this yummy dessert that's fat free called Del Monte fruit chillers. I've only had the strawberry flavor, but you freeze them and they taste soooo good! I could, and have, eaten two at once. But it's real fruit and fat free, so no guilt! :rolleyes:

I shall look for them. I like everything. Remember? That is why I am in the situation I'm in. I could do 2 at once or maybe even 3.:rotfl2:

[longing2Batdisney]

I just realized how funny we are;)...
we have at least two subjects going on each thread
we couldn't do that in person; that would be just plain rude:rotfl2:

what made me think this is when Ginny invited Lisa back to her own board:lmao:

THIS IS FUN!
oh well it's time for our lesson time we are still on the letter "D" number"5" and a review of all the shapes--looks like rain so I guess no pool time today

talk w/ya'll later..
Have a great lunch and be back around nap time...:grouphug:
unless I crash with them:upsidedow

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I shall look for them. I like everything. Remember? That is why I am in the situation I'm in. I could do 2 at once or maybe even 3.:rotfl2:


3 will give you brain freeze! :hyper: LOL!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I just realized how funny we are;)...
we have at least two subjects going on each thread
we couldn't do that in person; that would be just plain rude:rotfl2:

what made me think this is when Ginny invited Lisa back to her own board:lmao:

THIS IS FUN!
oh well it's time for our lesson time we are still on the letter "D" number"5" and a review of all the shapes--looks like rain so I guess no pool time today

talk w/ya'll later..
Have a great lunch and be back around nap time...:grouphug:
unless I crash with them:upsidedow

You might crash yourself. You were the one up at 5.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Connie: Speaking of Birthday Parties, I found pics of my Mitchell's fourth birthday party in Photobucket. Naturally, Mitchell picked Mickey Mouse as his party theme.

Here's the Mickey cake that I attempted! Don't laugh. There are actual tears in the batter!!!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/2323232327Ffp4323C3A3Enu3D32523E23C.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/motorinmickeycake2.jpg


NOTICE THE LOPSIDED EAR!!! :laughing:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/motorinmickeycake1.jpg

[longing2Batdisney]

I DID NOT LAUGH!!! in fact I'm impressed:thumbsup2...I did not think to do that...thinking hmmmm might just cancel that walmart cake and copy off of you!!!!:cutie:

ok now I'm signing off for a little while...later ladies:rolleyes:

three wild little ones need to reel them in and see if I can accomplish any study time

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I just realized how funny we are;)...
we have at least two subjects going on each thread
we couldn't do that in person; that would be just plain rude:rotfl2:

what made me think this is when Ginny invited Lisa back to her own board:lmao:

THIS IS FUN!
oh well it's time for our lesson time we are still on the letter "D" number"5" and a review of all the shapes--looks like rain so I guess no pool time today

talk w/ya'll later..
Have a great lunch and be back around nap time...:grouphug:
unless I crash with them:upsidedow

I noticed that, too! Hey, when you're good, you're good! :laughing:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I DID NOT LAUGH!!! in fact I'm impressed:thumbsup2...I did not think to do that...thinking hmmmm might just cancel that walmart cake and copy off of you!!!!:cutie:

ok now I'm signing off for a little while...later ladies:rolleyes:

three wild little ones need to reel them in and see if I can accomplish any study time


You can most certainly copy me if you like. Let me know and I'll give you the details... Enjoy some quiet time and take a nap. That sounds nice!

[mousebymarriage]

Connie: Speaking of Birthday Parties, I found pics of my Mitchell's fourth birthday party in Photobucket. Naturally, Mitchell picked Mickey Mouse as his party theme.

Here's the Mickey cake that I attempted! Don't laugh. There are actual tears in the batter!!!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/2323232327Ffp4323C3A3Enu3D32523E23C.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/motorinmickeycake2.jpg


NOTICE THE LOPSIDED EAR!!! :laughing:

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/motorinmickeycake1.jpg

I think you did an excellent job with the Mickey cake, much better than if I had done it. :thumbsup2

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I think you did an excellent job with the Mickey cake, much better than if I had done it. :thumbsup2


Well, thank you very much! That's so sweet of you.

I remember I had to bake three cakes to make this one and then the cream cheese/oreo filling and by the time I was done, my ENTIRE kitchen was covered in flour and bowls and splattered cream cheese and salty tears! I was so stressed out, but then I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. It tasted pretty good, too!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

That is a very cute cake. When my girls were small my husband worked food service at the college. They ended up with 3 huge birthday cakes each year. The ladies always fought over who got to make one for them. Where were those ladies when it was my birthday? I had to eat 4 desserts at the Golden Nugget.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Funny how the mom's don't ever get birthday cake! Actually, I take that back. For my 30th in June, DH brought home a slice of red velvet cake and put three candles in it and then he and Mitchell sang happy birthday to me. That was VBS week, so I didn't get home until nearly ten o'clock and he wanted to do something special for the big 3-0.

Even though it was a small gesture, it meant a lot to me!

And on the topic of cakes, I watch all of these cake decorating shows and I sit and think how I wish I could do that! They make it look easy, but then when I think back to that Mickey cake which was nothing more than three circles, I'm like "Nah. I can't do that!"

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I watch those shows in amazement. I am so not talented. My sis (whom I don't speak to) used to do all of that when she was younger and my sis in law (Don's sis) still does and makes wedding cakes and everything. ( I so don't like her). Just kidding. I love her dearly

[MICKEY4EVER!]

You truly have a talent if you can do that! It's edible art. What's better than that?

[aaaateamsgrandma]

You truly have a talent if you can do that! It's edible art. What's better than that?

Between talking about food and ordering food for my Friday night bash at the ballpark I have to go forage for something to eat Now! Be back later

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Enjoy your lunch! Hope you have something more exciting than what I've had today.

For Breakfast, V8 Fusion and a Fiber Plus Bar, plus another b/c I was still hungry!

Lunch: Chicken & Cheese Lean Pocket, Black Grapes

Dessert: Watermelon chewing gum.

(I do plan on eating a Fruit Chiller later, though! I'll think of you as I begin to eat. :laughing: BRAIN FREEZE!)

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Enjoy your lunch! Hope you have something more exciting than what I've had today.

For Breakfast, V8 Fusion and a Fiber Plus Bar, plus another b/c I was still hungry!

Lunch: Chicken & Cheese Lean Pocket, Black Grapes

Dessert: Watermelon chewing gum.

(I do plan on eating a Fruit Chiller later, though! I'll think of you as I begin to eat. :laughing: BRAIN FREEZE!)

I did have the Fiber One bar and 3 cups of coffee. Then peanut butter crackers for a snack. My fav for lunch. Chicken salad sub w/cashews.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I did have the Fiber One bar and 3 cups of coffee. Then peanut butter crackers for a snack. My fav for lunch. Chicken salad sub w/cashews.
I love peanut butter crackers and Chicken Salad sandwich sounds wonderful! I just polished off my Fruit Chiller snack and thought of you as I did so. It was yummy!

Now I have a Dark Chocolate Milky Way staring me in the face, and I've done pretty well today, so I don't want to ruin my day by eating it. But it's calling my name. Eat me!!! Eat me!!! :rotfl:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I love peanut butter crackers and Chicken Salad sandwich sounds wonderful! I just polished off my Fruit Chiller snack and thought of you as I did so. It was yummy!

Now I have a Dark Chocolate Milky Way staring me in the face, and I've done pretty well today, so I don't want to ruin my day by eating it. But it's calling my name. Eat me!!! Eat me!!! :rotfl:

I love anything dark chocolate

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I love anything dark chocolate

I didn't used to, but here lately I find myself crossing over to the "dark" side. Hee, hee!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Okay, I'm venting again, but I'm really peeved. There was a little boy outside of my office just talking away, and I stopped to ask him how old he was b/c he seemed exactly my son's age in the way that he conducted himself. Before the little boy could even answer me, my supervisor (who has been here about nine years less than I have been, she's been here two years to be exact) tells me not to be comparing him to Mitchell! In other words, I must talk about Mitchell too much here at work (which is so not true).

This is from the woman who has no children and thinks her dogs are her offspring and talks about them constantly, non-stop, irritatingly incessantly. Nothing wrong with being an animal lover and talking about your pets, but I mention my child for the first time today, literally, and I get told not to. Grrr. That makes me so angry. :headache:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Okay, I'm venting again, but I'm really peeved. There was a little boy outside of my office just talking away, and I stopped to ask him how old he was b/c he seemed exactly my son's age in the way that he conducted himself. Before the little boy could even answer me, my supervisor (who has been here about nine years less than I have been, she's been here two years to be exact) tells me not to be comparing him to Mitchell! In other words, I must talk about Mitchell too much here at work (which is so not true).

This is from the woman who has no children and thinks her dogs are her offspring and talks about them constantly, non-stop, irritatingly incessantly. Nothing wrong with being an animal lover and talking about your pets, but I mention my child for the first time today, literally, and I get told not to. Grrr. That makes me so angry. :headache:

If she had Mitchell for her son she wouldn't be saying those things. Dogs are sweet but they can't hug the way Mitchell can. Jealous and lonely would be my guess. Vent away.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

If she had Mitchell for her son she wouldn't be saying those things. Dogs are sweet but they can't hug the way Mitchell can. Jealous and lonely would be my guess. Vent away.


Thanks, Ginny! I was just sitting here thinking that I had probably over-reacted. I probably did, but snarky comments build up and build up until I have a reaction. :laughing: I feel better now!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Thanks, Ginny! I was just sitting here thinking that I had probably over-reacted. I probably did, but snarky comments build up and build up until I have a reaction. :laughing: I feel better now!

I have a hard time dealing with people like that. If you have a complaint just say it. You did not over-react. You love your son and there is no reason for another person to bad talk the things you say about him.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I have a hard time dealing with people like that. If you have a complaint just say it. You did not over-react. You love your son and there is no reason for another person to bad talk the things you say about him.


Well, ain't that the truth? I'm a momma bear with a cub, and them there's fightin' words! :rotfl:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Okay, I'm in planning mode again today. This is the cabin we want to book for our trip in August/September.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/pool1.jpg

Look at those views!



http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/ht1.jpg

I can just picture us here on a late September afternoon...Well, I could picture myself there NOW!

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/MEL66325/deck1.jpg

Ya'll keep your fingers crossed that we can get this one. It's available right now, but it could go at any time. My DH wants me to wait until the end of next week to book it after our credit card cycle has closed out for this month. Grrr. If we lose it, I'm going to pinch his head off! :laughing:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I hope you get that. What a beautiful room. Sorry I have been so busy today. Tomorrow will be worse. Christine is off tomorrow so I will be alone till time to get off at 3. It's not a big deal but I will be at her computer instead of mine and busy doing her job.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I hope you get that. What a beautiful room. Sorry I have been so busy today. Tomorrow will be worse. Christine is off tomorrow so I will be alone till time to get off at 3. It's not a big deal but I will be at her computer instead of mine and busy doing her job.


No worries, Ginny! When you're at work, sometimes you gotta work! :rotfl: Unfortunately.

I'll miss chatting with you tomorrow, but hopefully the busy day will make your time fly by!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

No worries, Ginny! When you're at work, sometimes you gotta work! :rotfl: Unfortunately.

I'll miss chatting with you tomorrow, but hopefully the busy day will make your time fly by!

I know. It sure makes the day go faster. I was hoping to get an update tomorrow also. We are going to a Springfield Cardinal baseball game tomorrow nite. I got 18 tickets in the CONCO (it's a concrete company) suite during relay and I ordered $250.00 worth of food and drink for everyone. It will be a regular party. The games are a lot of fun and fireworks after. My brother (he is a bachelor and 62) is spending the nite with us on Saturday nite and Don is going to see his parents on Saturday for the day. His mom gets to leave the nursing home for 4 hours. She should get to come home in a couple of weeks tho. Somewhere in there I have to do housework. Oh and tonite we get to go buy an new dishwasher.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I know. It sure makes the day go faster. I was hoping to get an update tomorrow also. We are going to a Springfield Cardinal baseball game tomorrow nite. I got 18 tickets in the CONCO (it's a concrete company) suite during relay and I ordered $250.00 worth of food and drink for everyone. It will be a regular party. The games are a lot of fun and fireworks after. My brother (he is a bachelor and 62) is spending the nite with us on Saturday nite and Don is going to see his parents on Saturday for the day. His mom gets to leave the nursing home for 4 hours. She should get to come home in a couple of weeks tho. Somewhere in there I have to do housework. Oh and tonite we get to go buy an new dishwasher.
Wow! That baseball game sounds like a lot of fun. I have done the Nascar Suites twice at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and it was a sweet suite! :thumbsup2 Totally awesome to see the race from there. We were there for the first night race ever and that was b/c it had rained cats and dogs all day, yet me and hubby were dry as bones. He had won a contest at his company (twice) and that's the only reason we were able to do that.

Sounds like a busy weekend. I hope you enjoy it! We're not going anywhere, so you get the update in when you can. :goodvibes

[longing2Batdisney]

OK! I'm slow to the post again today, sorry...
Gosh, Ginny that sounds like a great weekend; never done anything so grand at anytype of game; never been to Nascar, although I plan to surprise Danny w/a trip one day soon.

Mel, rant well deserved, I agree w/everything Ginny said and I have never understood how people get "that" attached to a pet. I love our pets and we all enjoy them but they are not my "children", they are family but not children...:confused3:

the cabin looks great; great view...but don't sweat it too much...they have alot of GREAT cabins out there. Our last one had a pool table, two decks, and a hot tub and three floors...I know you don't need anything that big,,,but, lots to choose from...not only that I know it will still be there; just Karma... :)

[longing2Batdisney]

Oh! I was just sitting here thinking we once stayed in this cabin in Gatlinburg that was over 100 years old. I was soooo quaint...still bigger than you probably need; and not the new pretty log type cabins...but, it was soooo romantic; hot tub in the basement, fireplance in the basement and in the living room...

and I'm so sorry I will be MIA again 2morrow...shopping for Ashton's party on SAT. still don't know what food I'm serving; mom is making a jambalaya and potato salad--I was supposed to be doing BBQ pork and coleslaw but she bugged me until I finally said yes. So, now I;m thinking finger food: deviled eggs, veggie tray, fruit tray, watermelon, corn on the cob... your cake(chocolate) along w/the walmart cake(white) not to mention Danny & I still have to get Ashton something else for his bday--not anything grand just a little something more...he seems to really like his Diego dino cave "tree" ??? thinking of getting him the Diego treehouse...

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Oh! I was just sitting here thinking we once stayed in this cabin in Gatlinburg that was over 100 years old. I was soooo quaint...still bigger than you probably need; and not the new pretty log type cabins...but, it was soooo romantic; hot tub in the basement, fireplance in the basement and in the living room...

and I'm so sorry I will be MIA again 2morrow...shopping for Ashton's party on SAT. still don't know what food I'm serving; mom is making a jambalaya and potato salad--I was supposed to be doing BBQ pork and coleslaw but she bugged me until I finally said yes. So, now I;m thinking finger food: deviled eggs, veggie tray, fruit tray, watermelon, corn on the cob... your cake(chocolate) along w/the walmart cake(white) not to mention Danny & I still have to get Ashton something else for his bday--not anything grand just a little something more...he seems to really like his Diego dino cave "tree" ??? thinking of getting him the Diego treehouse...

Have a good busy day. Sounds like you will be very busy. Yes we will have a fun evening. I'm looking forward to it for sure. Hope you have a great party.

Ginny

[MICKEY4EVER!]

OK! I'm slow to the post again today, sorry...
Gosh, Ginny that sounds like a great weekend; never done anything so grand at anytype of game; never been to Nascar, although I plan to surprise Danny w/a trip one day soon.

Mel, rant well deserved, I agree w/everything Ginny said and I have never understood how people get "that" attached to a pet. I love our pets and we all enjoy them but they are not my "children", they are family but not children...:confused3:

the cabin looks great; great view...but don't sweat it too much...they have alot of GREAT cabins out there. Our last one had a pool table, two decks, and a hot tub and three floors...I know you don't need anything that big,,,but, lots to choose from...not only that I know it will still be there; just Karma... :)

Yesterday, I was thinking, if I hear one more sentence about her dogs, I will just scream! Thankfully, I was able to contain myself. :laughing: Just one more day until the weekend. Thank goodness!

That cabin sounds wonderful. It actually sounds EXACTLY like the one we stayed in on our honeymoon nine years ago. It also had three floors and two decks. Super nice, but way too big for our honeymoon. We loved it, though.


Oh! I was just sitting here thinking we once stayed in this cabin in Gatlinburg that was over 100 years old. I was soooo quaint...still bigger than you probably need; and not the new pretty log type cabins...but, it was soooo romantic; hot tub in the basement, fireplance in the basement and in the living room...

and I'm so sorry I will be MIA again 2morrow...shopping for Ashton's party on SAT. still don't know what food I'm serving; mom is making a jambalaya and potato salad--I was supposed to be doing BBQ pork and coleslaw but she bugged me until I finally said yes. So, now I;m thinking finger food: deviled eggs, veggie tray, fruit tray, watermelon, corn on the cob... your cake(chocolate) along w/the walmart cake(white) not to mention Danny & I still have to get Ashton something else for his bday--not anything grand just a little something more...he seems to really like his Diego dino cave "tree" ??? thinking of getting him the Diego treehouse...


That old cabin sounds absolutely lovely! I haven't found anything remotely close to that, but if I did, I'd be booking it for sure.

Enjoy the birthday party. They are a lot of work, but so worth it when you see your child's utter excitement and pure joy. I hope you have a wonderful day! I saw that Diego toy on your FB and it was clear to me that your sweet boy was thoroughly enjoying his birthday present!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Okay, another update on the status of our TN Mountain Getaway! I'm so darn wishy-washy. DH and I decided over the weekend that we could save a lot of money if we went with a motel vs. cabin, so I was inclined to agree with that so long as I could find something that would fit our needs and not leave us feeling as if we were on top of each ofher for an entire week. Space is very important to me, especially after staying at Disney!

I indeed found a hotel in Sevierville that offers us a two bedroom (yes, I said TWO BEDROOMS!) suite with a balcony, a king size bed, a queen sized bed, and a sitting area and fridge (no stove or microwave, though). The laundry room is on the same floor that we are on, the trolley stops there every 30 minutes (so we don't have to use our car!) and they serve free hot breakfasts every morning and you can even make your own waffles. So, that also saves us the cost of breakfast each day. There is an indoor and an outdoor pool with a nice waterfall over a rock sculpture. Pretty, and cheap! All this for only $85 a night. This is a savings of over $150!

I've read the reviews of the place online and though there are a few bad reviews, most were good, so I'm inclined to give it a try. I can do a lot with that extra $150, don't ya think?

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Oh, and this time next Monday, I'll be screaming at the top of my lungs on a roller-coaster, I hope! Six Flags Over Ga, Baby! :woohoo:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Okay, another update on the status of our TN Mountain Getaway! I'm so darn wishy-washy. DH and I decided over the weekend that we could save a lot of money if we went with a motel vs. cabin, so I was inclined to agree with that so long as I could find something that would fit our needs and not leave us feeling as if we were on top of each ofher for an entire week. Space is very important to me, especially after staying at Disney!

I indeed found a hotel in Sevierville that offers us a two bedroom (yes, I said TWO BEDROOMS!) suite with a balcony, a king size bed, a queen sized bed, and a sitting area and fridge (no stove or microwave, though). The laundry room is on the same floor that we are on, the trolley stops there every 30 minutes (so we don't have to use our car!) and they serve free hot breakfasts every morning and you can even make your own waffles. So, that also saves us the cost of breakfast each day. There is an indoor and an outdoor pool with a nice waterfall over a rock sculpture. Pretty, and cheap! All this for only $85 a night. This is a savings of over $150!

I've read the reviews of the place online and though there are a few bad reviews, most were good, so I'm inclined to give it a try. I can do a lot with that extra $150, don't ya think?

I am all for the hotel. My reasoning is I work everyday and have to cook and clean every night. When I go on vaca I don't want to spend all my time cooking and cleaning. I wouldn't mind a meal or two but not every day. The two bedroom would be ideal for you 3 so Mitchell could have his own room and you could have spread out room and not feel like you are on top of one another. And the money you save will buy your meals.:cool1:

jmo

Ginny

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Oh, and this time next Monday, I'll be screaming at the top of my lungs on a roller-coaster, I hope! Six Flags Over Ga, Baby! :woohoo:

Fun, Fun, Fun!
:jumping1:

[longing2Batdisney]

they do have a lot of really nice hotels in the seiverville, pigeon forge area. They have this one place that has rooms w/balconies right next to a creek/river w/fast rushing water--seems really nice and close to dollywood.

:yay: on six flags over GA :yay: have a great time!!!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I am all for the hotel. My reasoning is I work everyday and have to cook and clean every night. When I go on vaca I don't want to spend all my time cooking and cleaning. I wouldn't mind a meal or two but not every day. The two bedroom would be ideal for you 3 so Mitchell could have his own room and you could have spread out room and not feel like you are on top of one another. And the money you save will buy your meals.:cool1:

jmo

Ginny

That's exactly what we were thinking. I was like, how many meals am I actually gonna cook? One, maybe two? And then, at the hotel, they'll bring you fresh linens everyday. I won't have to wash my own. Yay! I think the free hot breakfast will pay for some other things we want to do in the long run.

Fun, Fun, Fun!
:jumping1:

Thanks! I'm really excited. I haven't been in ten years and this will be Mitchell's first trip there. I can't wait to see his face when he sees those coasters. He's such a little daredevil! I'm glad he's tall enough to get a few of the "big" rides so he won't feel left out.

they do have a lot of really nice hotels in the seiverville, pigeon forge area. They have this one place that has rooms w/balconies right next to a creek/river w/fast rushing water--seems really nice and close to dollywood.

:yay: on six flags over GA :yay: have a great time!!!

I saw that place that you're talking about. I mean, those balconies are RIGHT ON TOP of that river! Really nice! We're going to look around while we're down there so we'll have a good idea of where we want to stay next time (in case we don't do the cabin route again).

Any ideas on something fun for Mitchell to do?

[longing2Batdisney]

Any ideas on something fun for Mitchell to do?

Obergatlinburg has alot of fun things**check out their web site**, there are alot of tourist traps on the main strip, there is a place where the bldg is crooked can't remember the name it is a great children's museum type place...Dayne had to go do this the last time we went (Danny & I had never been, Dayne had been the year before with some friends) well the friend he had with him this go round was not into being silly and they were MUCH TOO OLD for it ...and of course Dollywood...

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Obergatlinburg has alot of fun things**check out their web site**, there are alot of tourist traps on the main strip, there is a place where the bldg is crooked can't remember the name it is a great children's museum type place...Dayne had to go do this the last time we went (Danny & I had never been, Dayne had been the year before with some friends) well the friend he had with him this go round was not into being silly and they were MUCH TOO OLD for it ...and of course Dollywood...


I am getting tickets from the hotel for Dollywood, where you buy one day, get a second full day for free. I'm excited for this b/c it looks like Dollywood has a lot to offer Mitchell.

I did look at Ober Gatlinburg on the website yesterday. Do you recommend it? It looks like you have to pay for each individual thing you do. Is it worth the money?

I know the building you are talking about, I think. Isn't it upside down or something? We'll look into that for sure.

[longing2Batdisney]

yes, Ober gatlinburg you pay individually but you don't have to do everything. We have always enjoyed the ride up and walking around. Although, we did not do that this last time; we did the upside down crooked falling apart bldg and go carts instead. I would have preferred ober gatlinburg just because the boys were not having fun and Ashton was waaayy too young at the time.

Great ticket find for Dollywood!!!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

yes, Ober gatlinburg you pay individually but you don't have to do everything. We have always enjoyed the ride up and walking around. Although, we did not do that this last time; we did the upside down crooked falling apart bldg and go carts instead. I would have preferred ober gatlinburg just because the boys were not having fun and Ashton was waaayy too young at the time.

Great ticket find for Dollywood!!!

Yes, we are excited about the Dollywood tickets. My DH who never gets excited about anything but golf actually perked up when I told him that. :upsidedow

Ober Gatlinburg it is. They have these things called Alpine Slides that we can try out. It's kind of like skate boarding down the mountain! Mitchell can even do that with one of us riding with him. I did it when Racoon Mountain had them about seventeen or eighteen years ago, of course they are no longer there now. So much fun!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Just wanted to give you a heads up on Jaycns new pre trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2239617

[SunnieRN]

Hi, I read your report prior to you adding pictures, tried to respond and the dis shut down for maint. that night. A couple of days later I left to go to the world!! When I came home I couldn't find your report, and I had forgotten your dis name. So please forgive this VERY tardy reply.

When I became a Mom I had a very easy going little girl. I lived in CA and started taking her to Disneyland at 18 mos. and she LOVED it. We lived 8 hours north and all our trips were by car. Now she is 25, married with 2 sons, 3 and 1. We all live in TX, in the same house. We have been to WDW twice now, both times with both boys. The first trip, my younger grandson was 7 mos old and my older grandson had just turned 3.

My grandsons are NOT as easy as my daughter was, but oh my goodness, they are just as much fun!!! My daughter still remembers things from when she was 18 months old. My grandson talks about wdw at least twice a week and wants to go back. (We are going this September).

When children get angry, they can only react the way they know how, which is by having a little hissy fit! Unfortunately those hissy fits often embarrass the parents and grandparents.;) I know, I've been there.:scared1: You demonstrated love, discipline, and respect to both your son and your parents all week!! Kudos to you for being such a loving and responsible parent and daughter!!

I'm sure that your parents not only treat your niece differently, but treat you differently then your step sister. Your son will sub consciously pick up on this and react!! I think this "favoritism" is probably due to the fact that they know them better. I have a feeling if they knew they treated you differently they would feel really badly about it.

I hope you have a wonderful time at Dollywood and in wdw next summer!!:goodvibes Keep up the good work!!!:thumbsup2

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Just wanted to give you a heads up on Jaycns new pre trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2239617

Thanks, Ginny! I'm going to go over and check that out now. I loved her last TR! :yay:

Hi, I read your report prior to you adding pictures, tried to respond and the dis shut down for maint. that night. A couple of days later I left to go to the world!! When I came home I couldn't find your report, and I had forgotten your dis name. So please forgive this VERY tardy reply.

When I became a Mom I had a very easy going little girl. I lived in CA and started taking her to Disneyland at 18 mos. and she LOVED it. We lived 8 hours north and all our trips were by car. Now she is 25, married with 2 sons, 3 and 1. We all live in TX, in the same house. We have been to WDW twice now, both times with both boys. The first trip, my younger grandson was 7 mos old and my older grandson had just turned 3.

My grandsons are NOT as easy as my daughter was, but oh my goodness, they are just as much fun!!! My daughter still remembers things from when she was 18 months old. My grandson talks about wdw at least twice a week and wants to go back. (We are going this September).

When children get angry, they can only react the way they know how, which is by having a little hissy fit! Unfortunately those hissy fits often embarrass the parents and grandparents.;) I know, I've been there.:scared1: You demonstrated love, discipline, and respect to both your son and your parents all week!! Kudos to you for being such a loving and responsible parent and daughter!!

I'm sure that your parents not only treat your niece differently, but treat you differently then your step sister. Your son will sub consciously pick up on this and react!! I think this "favoritism" is probably due to the fact that they know them better. I have a feeling if they knew they treated you differently they would feel really badly about it.

I hope you have a wonderful time at Dollywood and in wdw next summer!!:goodvibes Keep up the good work!!!:thumbsup2

Awww, what'd you have to go and make me cry for????? :goodvibes Your words were so kind and I appreciate the encouragement. I often wondered during the trip if I was doing the right thing. I struggle with that a lot.

You hit the nail on the head as far as the "favortism" goes. My step-sister was favored all throughout our childhood. I don't know why, but she was. She could do no wrong, I could do ALL wrong. I got used to it and it really doesn't bother me as it did at one time. I guess I've grown up! They ABSOLUTELY know one another better because they are together nearly every day of the week. It comes across as favortism to my Mitchell and he reacted badly to it. I wasn't sure how to handle it because I was trying to balance having fun, discipline, respect for the other family members, and my sanity! :laughing: I came out alive and learned some lessons along the way!

Thank you so much for stopping by again to comment. I hope that you enjoy your trip in September with those grandbabies. It sounds like you have a wonderful daughter and a very close-knit family. You know it's funny that you said that your dauthger remembers things from 18 months old. I never thought that was possible until my son, now four, remembers things from his first trip at 23 months and he talks about it all the time, just like your GS. Disney just sticks, doesn't it???? :laughing:


Do you have a Pre-Tr in the works?

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I was talking to my mother (step) last night and she was telling me that my step-sister and niece are not able to go to WDW with them in November. I guess they can't afford it this time, but they had already booked a two bedroom suite in the WL (I believe, or it could be SSR). She asked if we wanted to go.

I said, "Don't do this to me! You know I can't go!"

She said, "Well, we tried to change the reservation to a smaller room, but they are booked solid and there' nothing else available."

Me, thinking of all that wasted space in the suite. Arrggh!

Later on, I was telling DH that we were invited to go to WDW this November and he said, "if you want to go to Disney instead of the mountains, you can."

I knew there was a "but" coming.

"-but, you'll have to go alone b/c I'm not going to Disney World!"

I, being the loving and devoted wife that I am said, "No, honey. What's important is that I spend time with YOU and Mitchell. I can live w/out going to Disney again this year." Gosh that was hard to say! I love spending time with DH, but it's hard to turn down a trip to my favorite place on earth, even if I have already been once this year.

Now, if he had told me he'd go to Disney with me instead of the mountains, then I'd have some serious thinking to do! :laughing:

I hope DH knows how much he is loved!!! :love:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I was talking to my mother (step) last night and she was telling me that my step-sister and niece are not able to go to WDW with them in November. I guess they can't afford it this time, but they had already booked a two bedroom suite in the WL (I believe, or it could be SSR). She asked if we wanted to go.

I said, "Don't do this to me! You know I can't go!"

She said, "Well, we tried to change the reservation to a smaller room, but they are booked solid and there' nothing else available."

Me, thinking of all that wasted space in the suite. Arrggh!

Later on, I was telling DH that we were invited to go to WDW this November and he said, "if you want to go to Disney instead of the mountains, you can."

I knew there was a "but" coming.

"-but, you'll have to go alone b/c I'm not going to Disney World!"

I, being the loving and devoted wife that I am said, "No, honey. What's important is that I spend time with YOU and Mitchell. I can live w/out going to Disney again this year." Gosh that was hard to say! I love spending time with DH, but it's hard to turn down a trip to my favorite place on earth, even if I have already been once this year.

Now, if he had told me he'd go to Disney with me instead of the mountains, then I'd have some serious thinking to do! :laughing:

I hope DH knows how much he is loved!!! :love:

You are such a good wife. But as much as I would love to do Disney again this year, being with my family and what they want outweighs everything else. I will now be banned for saying such words. But even Walt would agree with that statement.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

You are such a good wife. But as much as I would love to do Disney again this year, being with my family and what they want outweighs everything else. I will now be banned for saying such words. But even Walt would agree with that statement.

I believe Walt would agree with that statement, indeed! We mothers and wives make our sacrifices to be with our families, that's what's most important.

Gosh, I'm ready to get those two boys all to myself! No distractions, just us three together.

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I believe Walt would agree with that statement, indeed! We mothers and wives make our sacrifices to be with our families, that's what's most important.

Gosh, I'm ready to get those two boys all to myself! No distractions, just us three together.

You will have a great time just the three of you. Don and I have to do that also. We try one of just us for a few days then do one with everyone for a few days. I am always telling my girls to do that too. Sheri and Mike always do something with just the two of them around her birthday since is normally Labor Day weekend but this year we are celebrating my mother in law's 80th birthday. Then of course football starts and every Friday night will be at a game somewhere and Saturday will be college and Sunday Pro. Do ya think we like football a little?:confused3

[longing2Batdisney]

Great choice! time with "your" family is the great choice and TN is soooo beautiful and laid back; a very nice change....Disney will still be there next year...
Have a great day!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey, Connie! Yes, Disney will still be there next year. Time to experience new things!

How's potty training going with sweet Ashton?

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Great choice! time with "your" family is the great choice and TN is soooo beautiful and laid back; a very nice change....Disney will still be there next year...
Have a great day!

How is your day? Is it still raining? It is supposed to start raining here this afternoon. Can hardly wait. NOT

[longing2Batdisney]

Just watched the weather channel; looks like Lisa is about to be hammered and you not long after, but, it looks like we may get away with just a few small showers. Trying to decide if I want to hit the road with Ashton and go to New Orleans. Danny will probably have a cow if I go alone. But, he never wants to go! :rotfl2:LOL! I can't stand going to the store alone since I had Ashton:confused3 but I'll get in the car and go to gulfport and now New Orleans; I think this child made me crazy or I was already there and he really brought it out.:rotfl: I use to be the type of person to board a plane or drive to MO w/o a second thought.:cutie:

[longing2Batdisney]

How's potty training going with sweet Ashton?

Ended up giving up on letting him go on his own. So, I will just keep reminding him and hopefully he will make the decision on his own, soooooonnnn!:rotfl:
After, I gave up yesterday he wore big boy underpants all evening until bedtime.:cutie:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Just watched the weather channel; looks like Lisa is about to be hammered and you not long after, but, it looks like we may get away with just a few small showers. Trying to decide if I want to hit the road with Ashton and go to New Orleans. Danny will probably have a cow if I go alone. But, he never wants to go! :rotfl2:LOL! I can't stand going to the store alone since I had Ashton:confused3 but I'll get in the car and go to gulfport and now New Orleans; I think this child made me crazy or I was already there and he really brought it out.:rotfl: I use to be the type of person to board a plane or drive to MO w/o a second thought.:cutie:

We've got rain headed our way, too. Thunderstorms, even. Blech!

People make fun of me b/c I won't drive on the interstate. I guess I'm afraid of merging more than anything, but I can go anywhere I need to go so long as I don't have to get on the interstate!

Ended up giving up on letting him go on his own. So, I will just keep reminding him and hopefully he will make the decision on his own, soooooonnnn!:rotfl:
After, I gave up yesterday he wore big boy underpants all evening until bedtime.:cutie: Sweet! All evening wearing big boy underwear! Hang in there, it'll come.

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Just watched the weather channel; looks like Lisa is about to be hammered and you not long after, but, it looks like we may get away with just a few small showers. Trying to decide if I want to hit the road with Ashton and go to New Orleans. Danny will probably have a cow if I go alone. But, he never wants to go! :rotfl2:LOL! I can't stand going to the store alone since I had Ashton:confused3 but I'll get in the car and go to gulfport and now New Orleans; I think this child made me crazy or I was already there and he really brought it out.:rotfl: I use to be the type of person to board a plane or drive to MO w/o a second thought.:cutie:

I love to go to New Orleans. If I could do it in a day I would. 12 hours is pretty much the norm. We can get to New Olreans or Gulf Shores in 12 hours. Don and I love road trips.

[longing2Batdisney]

Well, I told you Danny would have a cow. Told me to WAIT...wait for what, it's just me and Ashton no extra kids...so, I think we are just going to plan on going Thursday . I did not realize it was this late anyway. Maybe my mom will want to come along; I'd say Friday would be a great day and Danny could be made to come along but I have a little girl (I am only suppose to watch them M-Th--don't know how I let her wrangle me into that one:confused3)

Just watched the weather again...looks like we are getting ready to be hammered again today...maybe its best I just stay home and play with my boy.

[longing2Batdisney]

Don and I love road trips.

I wish Danny did! He drives an hour to work and back home four days a week. So, I understand he can't wait to get home on Thursday an stay home for the next three days. But, I'm home with three year olds, so I'm always ready to go go go....:rolleyes1

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Well, I told you Danny would have a cow. Told me to WAIT...wait for what, it's just me and Ashton no extra kids...so, I think we are just going to plan on going Thursday . I did not realize it was this late anyway. Maybe my mom will want to come along; I'd say Friday would be a great day and Danny could be made to come along but I have a little girl (I am only suppose to watch them M-Th--don't know how I let her wrangle me into that one:confused3)

Just watched the weather again...looks like we are getting ready to be hammered again today...maybe its best I just stay home and play with my boy.

I do hate driving out in the rain. Sheri drives everyday and she said today is the first day in 3 weeks she has not been rained on. She went toward St. Louis today.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Your DH sounds just like mine. "Wait" he'll say. "For what?" says me.

He tells me to "wait" on everything I want to do! Arrg. :headache:

[longing2Batdisney]

Well, it's probably a good thing I did not go anywhere today. We just had a wind burst so strong it just blew my 9 ft umbrella out of the table and onto the roof and turned Ashton's umbrella inside out. We need to just stay home, today! and leave the car safe in the garage...

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Well, it's probably a good thing I did not go anywhere today. We just had a wind burst so strong it just blew my 9 ft umbrella out of the table and onto the roof and turned Ashton's umbrella inside out. We need to just stay home, today! and leave the car safe in the garage...

The garage is a very safe place for the car to be. I hate it when it storms here and my poor car is sitting out in the lot and not in my safe garage. That is some might strong winds.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Gosh, I'm grumpy today. Don't know why, tho. :confused3 I think it's because I never get a moment's peace. On my lunch break, I go down to the break room for a semi-quiet lunch and there are two teenage boys down there, just shooting the breeze back and forth. Apparently they were there to fund-raise for their church by selling lunches. Good for them, great cause. But could you please speak quietly? Everyone in the Break Room could hear them!

Then I come back to my office and I have to answer phone call after phone call and greet people and I feel like I've had no break. We don't get breaks throughout the day, even though we're required by law to have them. And I work for the government. How's that?

So I'm trying to tell my "boss" that I'm just grumpy and hinting at her to quit hanging over my shoulder and I try to explain that as a full-time working mother, I never get any peace. That the only quiet time I have to myself during an entire day is when I'm in the shower. I'm sure a lot of you can relate to that!

This is our conversation, and I'm sure many of you will find this humorous b/c most of you have kids. Please note, "boss" has no kids. She can't relate.

ME: "I have no time to myself, ever! I just need a moment of peace." Venting. That's all. Looking for someone who understands. Not her!

HER: "Can't you put a movie on when you get home for Mitchell to watch. Doesn't he watch movies?"

ME: Laughing on the inside. "Yes, he watches movies, but he doesn't sit quietly for an hour and a half while its on. He still plays and talks to me and asks me questions and stuff. It's not quiet time!"

HER: Looking at me like I've grown four heads. "Well, he needs a playmate at home. You could invite a neighbor kid over to play."

ME: "Um, that would defeat the purpose of me needing 'quiet time'. That's just more work for me!" I'm exasperated by this point and getting more irritated.

HER: "Yeah, but you could send Mitchell over to their house one day to play."

ME: "I could do that, but the only other child who is his age in the neighborhood is never home anyways, so that wouldn't work".

HER: "Well, why don't you go home early today."

ME: "No."

HER: "I GIVE UP!" throwing her hands in the air.

ME: "See, if I leave early, then I would have to pick Mitchell up from daycare first."

HER: "Yeah, but you can go home for a bit and then go pick him up."

ME: "Yes, but that's backtracking for me because then I'll have to come all the way back here, plus the drive to his daycare and all the way back. It's not worth it." Ill as a hornet because I just wanted to vent. She wasn't letting me vent, LOL!

HER: "I'm going to lunch!" She lives a half mile away from here, and gets an hour for lunch, so she's probably going home for some "peace and quiet". Which makes me ill that she gets to do that, too! :rotfl:

Whoo! I feel "some" better now. I'm sure you all have been right where I'm at, huh?

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Well, it's probably a good thing I did not go anywhere today. We just had a wind burst so strong it just blew my 9 ft umbrella out of the table and onto the roof and turned Ashton's umbrella inside out. We need to just stay home, today! and leave the car safe in the garage...

Yeah, that's the best place for the car in bad weather. Maybe the storms will get out of the way so that you can go on Thursday. Fingers crossed.

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Vent away dearie. You deserve it. When my girls were in grade school they used to go to the girls club after and didn't get done till 6 so I got off work at 430 and it gave me an hour at home by myself (Don left for work at 2:30). It was fantastic. There was never time in the mornings cause there is always that rush to get everyone out the door. It saved me for over a year.

We all must vent. Can't keep stuff locked up and hidden. It will come back to bite you in the you know where.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I have never been one to say, "I need a break" very often, especially from Mitchell, but there are times lately, especially b/c naps are fewer and more far between, that I've asked DH to take him somewhere so that I can have a few moments alone. Half the time, DH doesn't b/c he wants to do his own thing.

And when I complain b/c DH gets a WHOLE lot of alone time, he says I get a break anytime I need one, all I have to do is ask. A lot of good is does to ask when all he ever says is "NO". :rotfl:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Vent away dearie. You deserve it. When my girls were in grade school they used to go to the girls club after and didn't get done till 6 so I got off work at 430 and it gave me an hour at home by myself (Don left for work at 2:30). It was fantastic. There was never time in the mornings cause there is always that rush to get everyone out the door. It saved me for over a year.

We all must vent. Can't keep stuff locked up and hidden. It will come back to bite you in the you know where.


Have I told you lately that I think you're the best??? :hug:

[longing2Batdisney]

you go right ahead and vent...when I was working before Ashton came along...I never had a break either (although--the smokers in the group always had two or three) our lunch the doctors paid us if we did not leave. that was so we could stop eating and answer the phones or go to the front desk if someone came in (except the smokers, again who went outside --on the clock)...so, I know exactly where you are coming from...on the weeks when I have all three kids--and that time of the hormonal month; by the time Danny gets home I sometimes feel crazy...you know what he says "go get a job"...I have a job thank you! and I don't get to leave it or send it away...just need a break:confused3:cutie:

So, tonight (if you can) pick up something to eat on the way home...put in a movie for Mitchell, and have DH sit with him for a little while...grab a magazine and go take a nice long bath and a good cry if that helps (always makes me feel better--clears the soul, I think) come out give Mitchell a nice long tight hug and find someway to have quiet time together...:grouphug:

sounds like TN is very very needed:hug:
:upsidedow

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Have I told you lately that I think you're the best??? :hug:

As are you.:hug: right back at ya.

I've said it before. Men kinda have to be guided

[longing2Batdisney]

As are you.:hug: right back at ya.

I've said it before. Men kinda have to be guided:thumbsup2

[MICKEY4EVER!]

you go right ahead and vent...when I was working before Ashton came along...I never had a break either (although--the smokers in the group always had two or three) our lunch the doctors paid us if we did not leave. that was so we could stop eating and answer the phones or go to the front desk if someone came in (except the smokers, again who went outside --on the clock)...so, I know exactly where you are coming from...on the weeks when I have all three kids--and that time of the hormonal month; by the time Danny gets home I sometimes feel crazy...you know what he says "go get a job"...I have a job thank you! and I don't get to leave it or send it away...just need a break:confused3:cutie:

So, tonight (if you can) pick up something to eat on the way home...put in a movie for Mitchell, and have DH sit with him for a little while...grab a magazine and go take a nice long bath and a good cry if that helps (always makes me feel better--clears the soul, I think) come out give Mitchell a nice long tight hug and find someway to have quiet time together...:grouphug:

sounds like TN is very very needed:hug:
:upsidedow

I knew you guys would get it! It feels good telling you guys b/c you know what I mean! "Boss" doesn't have a clue. I don't even know why I bothered telling her. It just made things worse for the moment, :rotfl:.

Yes, those smokers will get their breaks, won't they? nothing wrong with smoking, by any means, but it always seems that the ones who smoke have an "excuse" to go outside and take a break and those that don't smoke don't have a good enough excuse to go anywhere. :rolleyes:

And yes, the TN trip is very much needed. And you hit the "hormone" comment right on the head. I'm very "hormonal" today! LOL!

As are you.:hug: right back at ya.

Awww!

:thumbsup2 Double :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

you go right ahead and vent...when I was working before Ashton came along...I never had a break either (although--the smokers in the group always had two or three) our lunch the doctors paid us if we did not leave. that was so we could stop eating and answer the phones or go to the front desk if someone came in (except the smokers, again who went outside --on the clock)...so, I know exactly where you are coming from...on the weeks when I have all three kids--and that time of the hormonal month; by the time Danny gets home I sometimes feel crazy...you know what he says "go get a job"...I have a job thank you! and I don't get to leave it or send it away...just need a break:confused3:cutie:

So, tonight (if you can) pick up something to eat on the way home...put in a movie for Mitchell, and have DH sit with him for a little while...grab a magazine and go take a nice long bath and a good cry if that helps (always makes me feel better--clears the soul, I think) come out give Mitchell a nice long tight hug and find someway to have quiet time together...:grouphug:

sounds like TN is very very needed:hug:
:upsidedow

Excellent advise Connie.:grouphug:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I'm telling you, you guys are the greatest. :grouphug:

[hhockman]

Okay I only just finished page 4, but as it looks like I'm through the TR and the rest is chatter, I will catch up on the chatter when it's not 12:40am. ;)

I just wanted to say that I'm glad you and DS4 managed to have a good night together. I also have a DS4 and though I'm not expecting that kind of behavior (I know you weren't either), I know it's possible.

I seriously think that (unfortunately) most of your DS's behavior had to do with your family. Maybe I was feeling tension that wasn't there, but it sounded to me like he was trying to get attention any way he could. How old is your DN? She seemed slightly rude to me, and so did her mother. And it felt like there was some tension with your DF and DM too. Like they felt like they were doing you a favor by inviting you and you felt like you had to give in to their every whim. Next time I think you should definitely go with just you, your DS, and your DH if you can.

I mean, I could almost feel the favoritism just reading the TR. I found myself very annoyed with your family and feeling very sorry for your son.

But maybe I read it wrong.

In any case, thanks for the story and the pictures. It does sound like you guys managed to have some fun. :)

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Wow, I finally finished reading! Great trip report! Thanks for sharing....

I almost didn't want to respond because I felt like I was intruding on a little click of friends chatting! So nice how people can become friends without ever seeing each other...

I as well can relate to your son's tantrum issues, although they are a distant memory for me now (thank God). My daughter just turned 16 last month... need I say anymore? And my baby, also a Mitchell, is 12 and is as cool as a cucumber. We too did not know what we were going to name him until we saw his face and we were both "Yup, he is definately a Mitchell"...

I too got the "lets create cakes" itch. I took the Wilton Cake Decorating classes at a local craft store and did end up making some pretty cool looking cakes BUT when you factor in the costs involved and the time and frustration (i am a prefectionist in some things), it is so much easier to order a cake!

Thanks again for sharing and I will keep on listening to you and your friends chatter :laughing:

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Okay I only just finished page 4, but as it looks like I'm through the TR and the rest is chatter, I will catch up on the chatter when it's not 12:40am. ;)

I just wanted to say that I'm glad you and DS4 managed to have a good night together. I also have a DS4 and though I'm not expecting that kind of behavior (I know you weren't either), I know it's possible.

I seriously think that (unfortunately) most of your DS's behavior had to do with your family. Maybe I was feeling tension that wasn't there, but it sounded to me like he was trying to get attention any way he could. How old is your DN? She seemed slightly rude to me, and so did her mother. And it felt like there was some tension with your DF and DM too. Like they felt like they were doing you a favor by inviting you and you felt like you had to give in to their every whim. Next time I think you should definitely go with just you, your DS, and your DH if you can.

I mean, I could almost feel the favoritism just reading the TR. I found myself very annoyed with your family and feeling very sorry for your son.

But maybe I read it wrong.

In any case, thanks for the story and the pictures. It does sound like you guys managed to have some fun. :)


No, you're not wrong. You absolutely read it right. I was trying to be "nice" in my report and left a whole lot of things out. I didn't want my TR to come off as a whiny report! In some ways it did, though! :goodvibes

My niece is 11 years old. Yes, she can be rude and so can her mother. I found myself feeling sorry for DS4 alot on the trip. DSis and I never had a very good relationship while growing up together, though I tried to be a bigger person and be kind anyways (always have). There was tension between DF and DM, also and I kind of felt like they wrote DS4 off some.

They know that DSis and I don't get along and we've never had the very best of relationships, but they tend to side with DSis and please her however they can. They also paid for her ENTIRE vacation, tickets and all, just so she could go. :confused3. I knew all of this going in and was nervous about how it would go, but again, try not to let it get to me. I may be stuck in that "trying to please" mode when it comes to them, too, because I always want to get along. It makes for a tough situation! And it really irritates my DH that I'm that way with them because he doesn't think I should be. I can't help it!

Thanks for reading my TR. Yes, we did have some fun along the way and I'm glad for the experience! I definitely want to go back and I'm willing to give it another go with the family, HOWEVER, I will take the lessons learned from this trip and apply them to the next one! I think this may be why DH didn't enjoy his trips to Disney so much, so perhaps a solo trip would be more fun for him!

Thanks again for stopping by!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Wow, I finally finished reading! Great trip report! Thanks for sharing....

I almost didn't want to respond because I felt like I was intruding on a little click of friends chatting! So nice how people can become friends without ever seeing each other...

I as well can relate to your son's tantrum issues, although they are a distant memory for me now (thank God). My daughter just turned 16 last month... need I say anymore? And my baby, also a Mitchell, is 12 and is as cool as a cucumber. We too did not know what we were going to name him until we saw his face and we were both "Yup, he is definately a Mitchell"...

I too got the "lets create cakes" itch. I took the Wilton Cake Decorating classes at a local craft store and did end up making some pretty cool looking cakes BUT when you factor in the costs involved and the time and frustration (i am a prefectionist in some things), it is so much easier to order a cake!

Thanks again for sharing and I will keep on listening to you and your friends chatter :laughing:

Oh, no! Please don't feel like you couldn't join in! :flower3: I love it when people stop in and let me know they are here. I feel like I have made some really wonderful friends on this board. I never expected that, I just figured I'd post my TR and that would be that, but now I have a whole new circle of friends to just vent and chat away with. I'd love to have you join in!

Yes, the cake bug has bit me! But you are right, when they don't come out just perfectly, I tend to get stressed (hence the tears in the Mickey Cake Batter!) and so I tend to agree with you, purchasing one is a lot easier!

I love the fact that you named your son Mitchell and knew it as soon as you saw him. I look at him now and think, I couldn't picture you with any other name. It suits him perfectly.

Good luck with your teenager and "soon to be" teenager! I am not looking forward to my little boy growing up, but I know it's coming sooner, much sooner, rather than later!

Come back again and post, okay?

Oh, yeah, one more thing: I know this is a Disney board, but I think I'm going to post a little mini-TR of our Six Flags Day trip when we get back on Monday.

[hhockman]

Okay, now I know why there is so much chatter on this thread.

You've got Connie and Ginny over here. Does Lisa know you two have this side thing going? I'm surprised she hasn't been here yet.

Mel, if you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I mean, I know you probably don't want to POST it. I don't want my exact location posted either. But you could PM me.

The reason I ask is that I live in the Atlanta area too and I have a 4 year old DS (though he just turned 4 and I think yours is almost 5). I also have a 7 year old DS. We could do a DISmeet sometime.

I've been wanting to get to SixFlags all summer. Actually promised DS7 we'd go because he earned a free ticket at school (they had to read for 6 hours to earn it and he doesn't like to read at all). But we never made it (too expensive for 4 people) and DS7 goes back to school on Monday.

Anyway, feel free to vent. We all have family issues, as you can see, and I know it feels good to get it off your chest.

Looking forward to hearing about TN!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Okay, now I know why there is so much chatter on this thread.

You've got Connie and Ginny over here. Does Lisa know you two have this side thing going? I'm surprised she hasn't been here yet.

Mel, if you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I mean, I know you probably don't want to POST it. I don't want my exact location posted either. But you could PM me.

The reason I ask is that I live in the Atlanta area too and I have a 4 year old DS (though he just turned 4 and I think yours is almost 5). I also have a 7 year old DS. We could do a DISmeet sometime.

I've been wanting to get to SixFlags all summer. Actually promised DS7 we'd go because he earned a free ticket at school (they had to read for 6 hours to earn it and he doesn't like to read at all). But we never made it (too expensive for 4 people) and DS7 goes back to school on Monday.

Anyway, feel free to vent. We all have family issues, as you can see, and I know it feels good to get it off your chest.

Looking forward to hearing about TN! Yes, I have Ginny and Connie! Aren't they great???? Lisa hasn't made her way over here yet, at least not to chatter. I guess she feels she has enough to keep up with on her own thread, :laughing:!

I live in Alabama, and Atlanta is only about two and a half hours away. We are so excited about Six Flags b/c we haven't been in about ten years. DS4 was squealing in the car this morning. We believe he is tall enough to ride Scream Machine and Mindbender! He should be right at 42 inches.

I cannot believe school starts back so early in the season. Is that why Six Flags is only open during the week for one week in August?

[hhockman]

Christian is right at 42 inches too. I was SO hoping he'd get to 44 by September, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Our county actually starts earlier than most of the others. We have a "modified year round" schedule that basically means we start two weeks earlier than others and then we get a week off in September and a week off in February (plus a whole week at Thanksgiving instead of just getting off on Wednesday). I love the schedule and Will is ready to go back so it works for us.

I know a friend of mine from high school who is also a teacher (but she has a job, and I don't LOL) is supposed to be starting back next Monday too and she is somewhere south and west of Atlanta, so we must not be the ONLY county in the state.

Most of the counties don't start for a couple more weeks, though, so I'm not really sure why Six Flags is only open for one week. Probably, though. I think most of the counties start on the 10th or the 17th.

I guess you do live a little farther away than I thought. Too bad we can't go to Six Flags on Monday! That would be fun. But it IS the first day of school, so we're just a little busy. ;)

I made Will do the Mindbender when we went to Six Flags right after we first moved here three years ago. He was about 4 1/2 at the time. He was NOT happy with me afterward. But he has never been my daredevil. I'm sure Christian would enjoy it.

Have a great time!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Yes, I was thinking it was too bad you couldn't go on Monday, too! But, I think the first day of school definitely is your FIRST priority!

I'm glad your little one is excited about school. Christian sounds a lot like my Mitchell. He LOVES the rides! BTMR was his favorite at Disney. We had so much fun together on that ride!

I can't wait for your September trip. I know the TR is gonna be great. I started on your 2007 report and I just have to say, I loved the matching FL Gators shirt. (Did you notice Mitchell's sweatshirt in the photos?). I love that big hat your DH had on. And my son LOVES the buses, too. We came home with a bus souvenir ourselves!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good morning Mel. Hope your day is going good. Tell your new friends they can join our circle anytime. That is the nice thing about a circle. It just gets bigger and everyone can be included. Love to you all

Ginny

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Good morning Mel. Hope your day is going good. Tell your new friends they can join our circle anytime. That is the nice thing about a circle. It just gets bigger and everyone can be included. Love to you all

Ginny


Ginny! :wave2: There you are! I've missed you this morning.

Yes, we are always open to more friends!!! The bigger the circle, the better. :cheer2:

[longing2Batdisney]

Good morning to all!!! I've been redoing my siggie, again...spent a while on it last night was not happy with it. So, I took off the personal pics and put up three banners...

Hope everyone's day is going smoothly today. It's Wednesday we are halfway to the weekend :yay:!!!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good morning to all!!! I've been redoing my siggie, again...spent a while on it last night was not happy with it. So, I took off the personal pics and put up three banners...

Hope everyone's day is going smoothly today. It's Wednesday we are halfway to the weekend :yay:!!!

I do like it. I liked the personal pics too. I was wondering where you were this morning as I hadn't "heard" your voice yet. I will chat later. Have a great day and give that Ashton a big hug.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey, Connie! I like the siggy, too, but I thought the pictures were nice, also. Too bad our space for sigs isn't just a TAD bit larger!

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey, Connie! I like the siggy, too, but I thought the pictures were nice, also. Too bad our space for sigs isn't just a TAD bit larger!
that was the problem two of the pics were too big and I got tired of trying to redo them! Oh well! maybe when we choose our date of return I will put up a pic, again.!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

that was the problem two of the pics were too big and I got tired of trying to redo them! Oh well! maybe when we choose our date of return I will put up a pic, again.!

Isn't it hard not to have an exact date for your next trip to look forward to? Since the June 2010 trip is most likely off for us, I don't know when we'll get to go back!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Isn't it hard not to have an exact date for your next trip to look forward to? Since the June 2010 trip is most likely off for us, I don't know when we'll get to go back!

I am going to try to do a girls week for 2010 to the world, but I know we will go to DL in Sept 2011 for Sheri's big 40. I should work on a siggie for that. It should keep me busy

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I am going to try to do a girls week for 2010 to the world, but I know we will go to DL in Sept 2011 for Sheri's big 40. I should work on a siggie for that. It should keep me busy


You totally should! That way, every time you post, you'll know you're that much closer to your fun trip!

[longing2Batdisney]

cool two siggie's -- a girls trip to the world would be fun:thumbsup2; although I don't think I could leave Ashton behind. (don't fret Ginny, I was not inviting myself on yourtrip w/ you and your girls:laughing:--just saying) But, in that thought I bet we would have a grand time; this dissing group...

I would probably enjoy going just Ashton & I; considering on our last trip we did things as a group and they did things together and Ashton & I went our own way. Although, I would like our next trip to be just Danny, Ashton & myself; I do enjoy having Dayne there for Danny and Gwendolyn& Joe was OK to have around.:rotfl2:

Oh well we will just have to pick a date everyone can go back. Maybe we'll get lucky and WDW will have the military offer again and Danny & I can just pay everyone's way. EXCEPT for food, they are going to have to take care of that themselves this go round (that is the most expensive part:eek:).

[DISNEYLOVER70]

We are going to a Six Flags on Monday as well!! Have a great time ! Enjoy your Mitchell, tantrums and all, because too soon he will be as old as my Mitchell ...Time flys ...Tomorrow is his 12th birthday! :goodvibes

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm125/Disneylover70/mitchelltreybaseballallstars006.jpg

Trey and Mitchell(on right) after their first All Star tournament (took first place!)

[aaaateamsgrandma]

cool two siggie's -- a girls trip to the world would be fun:thumbsup2; although I don't think I could leave Ashton behind. (don't fret Ginny, I was not inviting myself on yourtrip w/ you and your girls:laughing:--just saying) But, in that thought I bet we would have a grand time; this dissing group...

I would probably enjoy going just Ashton & I; considering on our last trip we did things as a group and they did things together and Ashton & I went our own way. Although, I would like our next trip to be just Danny, Ashton & myself; I do enjoy having Dayne there for Danny and Gwendolyn& Joe was OK to have around.:rotfl2:

Oh well we will just have to pick a date everyone can go back. Maybe we'll get lucky and WDW will have the military offer again and Danny & I can just pay everyone's way. EXCEPT for food, they are going to have to take care of that themselves this go round (that is the most expensive part:eek:).

I think all of us girls would have a great time together at the World. But I know you mommas of young ones would struggle leaving them behind. Been there and it is rough. This was the days before cell phones. ;)

I would go with just Don as he and I have a lot of fun but he doesn't do rides so I need the girls to do them with me. I can't believe I said that. I was never a rider till this year. :woohoo:

[aaaateamsgrandma]

We are going to a Six Flags on Monday as well!! Have a great time ! Enjoy your Mitchell, tantrums and all, because too soon he will be as old as my Mitchell ...Time flys ...Tomorrow is his 12th birthday! :goodvibes

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm125/Disneylover70/mitchelltreybaseballallstars006.jpg

Trey and Mitchell(on right) after their first All Star tournament (took first place!)

Congrats to your boys. They are handsome young men.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

We are going to a Six Flags on Monday as well!! Have a great time ! Enjoy your Mitchell, tantrums and all, because too soon he will be as old as my Mitchell ...Time flys ...Tomorrow is his 12th birthday! :goodvibes

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm125/Disneylover70/mitchelltreybaseballallstars006.jpg

Trey and Mitchell(on right) after their first All Star tournament (took first place!)


What a good-looking young man your Mitchell is! And congrats to them for taking first place in the tournament. That is totally awesome!

How funny that you and I will both be at Six Flags on Monday. Too bad its not the same one or we could meet! I hope that you have a wonderful time! It's looking like the weather in Atlanta may be a bit rainy that day (30% chance), but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather!

[MICKEY4EVER!]

cool two siggie's -- a girls trip to the world would be fun:thumbsup2; although I don't think I could leave Ashton behind. (don't fret Ginny, I was not inviting myself on yourtrip w/ you and your girls:laughing:--just saying) But, in that thought I bet we would have a grand time; this dissing group...

I would probably enjoy going just Ashton & I; considering on our last trip we did things as a group and they did things together and Ashton & I went our own way. Although, I would like our next trip to be just Danny, Ashton & myself; I do enjoy having Dayne there for Danny and Gwendolyn& Joe was OK to have around.:rotfl2:

Oh well we will just have to pick a date everyone can go back. Maybe we'll get lucky and WDW will have the military offer again and Danny & I can just pay everyone's way. EXCEPT for food, they are going to have to take care of that themselves this go round (that is the most expensive part:eek:).

I would LOVE to do just a SOLO trip, me and Mitchell. I think I could talk DH into that when Mitchell gets a little older. We could fly down and fly back and never have to worry about transportation in between.

I want you to pick a date, too, so that you can start planning!!!!

I think all of us girls would have a great time together at the World. But I know you mommas of young ones would struggle leaving them behind. Been there and it is rough. This was the days before cell phones. ;)

I would go with just Don as he and I have a lot of fun but he doesn't do rides so I need the girls to do them with me. I can't believe I said that. I was never a rider till this year. :woohoo:
I'm so proud of you for being converted! :thumbsup2

[maxie]

Just joined in! Your little guy is adorable.

There's so much stimulation in WDW lots of kids act up so don't beat yourself up over your DS's behaviour.

BTW have you ever considered using TGM? If you follow is guidelines you would never wait 60 minutes for SM! We rode SM 8x over 3 days with no waits this past winter using TGM.

[longing2Batdisney]

Just joined in! Your little guy is adorable.

There's so much stimulation in WDW lots of kids act up so don't beat yourself up over your DS's behaviour.

BTW have you ever considered using TGM? If you follow is guidelines you would never wait 60 minutes for SM! We rode SM 8x over 3 days with no waits this past winter using TGM.
Ok, what is TGM?

[maxie]

Ok, what is TGM?


Tourguide Mike. Go to the Theme Board forum and click on the banner on top. He's a DIS sponser.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

WELCOME, Maxie! Glad you joined us!

I will definitely check out TGM. That's good advice! Thanks.

[stego]

Mickey4ever, thank you for sharing your trip report. There are many posted here on the DIS...but yours is refreshingly honest.

Can’t believe sometimes it’s been 10 years since my son was 4. Seems like a lifetime ago. The time was 1999, the year after AK opened. It was our 2nd trip to the world. Being as I was a single dad, the budget was for 2 days to the parks. We have very many distinct memories of that time. My very best friend in the world lives in the Tampa area and we flew in to spend the week with him. Not many single men are interested in running after a pre-schooler for a vacation. He was able to get us free rooms at the local hotel so I could budget around that. I think back to those times when life was so much more simpler and there were some hard lessons in humility.

Your personal and honest sharing about your son reminds me of my son and the times we went through. I met a wonderful lady after some time being alone and we were married Sept ’01. Yes, 2 weeks after 9/11. That late spring we had taken my son to WDW and he had exhibited many of the behaviors you shared about your son. We have returned a few times to the world and every now and then we see kids just being kids. My son is old enough to say: there is much unhappiness. I know better than to walk up and say: unhappiness is not allowed here!

I think quite simply it’s just being overstimulated. Kids get tired and staying up until 1am is NOT the norm. Not in our household, anyway. I did give up the idea of naps, and we got a stroller 1 time, but I ended up pushing it most of the day with him running around. Each child is unique and different in their own way. My son does well with crowds; his dad does not. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the crowds, heat, being on your feet all day. I think often of a photo I see of the average WDW tourist with a huge honking backpack, sludging on. Why people beat themselves to death on vacation is beyond me but I am not immune to that. For 2010 I am going to take the steps to slow down. Well, that’s the plan anyway.

I see your husband took the week off and I can’t say I blame him. It’s not every guy’s dream to chase around a 4yo old at the theme parks for 13-14 hours days. You kind of have to see how sane his decision was. Don’t be offended…it’s just an observation. But I see you are planning a trip to the mountains as a family and that is what works for you. I read many reports on the DIS about how it is only WDW every year and that is the way it is. That works for that family and far be it for me to cast a stone. We have been indeed fortunate to go to the WDW many times, but other places as well each year with our beloved friend from Tampa. Yes, he goes with us every year. Our family adventures wouldn’t be the same without him and now that he’s getting a little older, we have to slow down a bit.

That is the other observation I had about vacationing with extended family. It works for some people; others…not so well, or kinda sorta ok, and then there are the tales of just epic disaster you have to sit there and cry. I think the dynamic has changed in your family and maybe that will resolve itself in the time ahead. I personally have nightmares about going ANYWHERE with my extended family so we’ll just leave it at that.

My final thoughts…I entered the Tanger Outlet mall sweepstakes and won a trip to DL back in ’02. So, we flew out on someone else’s dime to the west coast. While in that part of the country we went to San Diego, then up the coast to Legoland. Our son was just at the perfect age to enjoy this park. Yes, there are some other theme parks around the US that I could think of and I’m just putting it out there. But we did finish our trip at DL. We were put up in the GC and it did indeed have it’s own entrance into DCA. Every now and then I hear about a WDW’er finally going out to Walt’s park and experiencing it through new & fresh eyes. I had surprised my bride on our honeymoon with a trip up from San Diego the year before for our 1st trip to DL for the day. Think 2 weeks after 9/11 and crowd levels were low.

My years on the ‘net and sifting through the big Disney sites has left me with rose colored glasses. I won’t drop any names, but to say I know more than the average DIS nut is pretty accurate. A few years back I heard about this place across the ocean…Disney Sea. We have the old ancient dinosaurs monorails at DL; they have the full blown Mac Daddy! We get the MK pooh bear ride, they get the bomb! I’m not interested in 5 hour stand-by lines to see Journey but I am envious. I’ve seen many pictures and it just makes me cry…but hopeful…one day.

[MICKEY4EVER!]

:)Hello, Stego! Thanks for stopping in and posting! I have received lots of remarks about the honesty of my report and I am glad that I was able to provide as honest of an account of our trip as I could. I still left lots of things out, but for the most part, I just wrote what I felt!

I love Disney World a whole lot and I would visit as often as I possibly could, but I am aware that there are other things that my family could enjoy, so I am excited to explore new things as a family! I love my DH and son more than anything and spending time with them is what is most important.

You mentioned my DH taking the week off. I don't blame him at all for not going! WDW is just not his thing and it is mine and DS4's. He was excited about his week home alone and we were excited to go to Disney. However, we both missed each other and knew we would, despite our anticipation over what was to come. It was a bittersweet vacation! I learned a lot about myself and my son, and my family on this trip. I tried not to be too hard on myself, but between feeling tired and frustrated, at the time, I was thinking what a horrible mother I was! ANd worried about what my family members were thinking, too, I'll honestly admit! I know I shouldn't worry about such things, but I can't help it!

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with me. I hope that you and your family will get to see all of the wonderful things that this world has to offer. I hope to make it to CA one day to see the redwood trees. That is my one ambition! When DS4 is old enough to travel so far away, I think we'll just plan that trip.

Oh, and I couldn't help but smile at your remark that you just couldn't walk up to someone and say, "there is no unhappiness here!". I found myself telling DS4 that a lot. "We're in Disney World. Be Happy!" LOL!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Hey Mel, Good morning. That was certainly interesting to hear from a man's point of view of your situation. It is not often that we see that on the Dis. I'm sure the words were appreciated.

I feel I am fortunate that we can do extended family trips as I know not everyone can. It is especially hard when the favoritism game is played. That is why we don't see my mother as you know. But what the heck. That is what makes the world go round. Thank you Stego for the input.

Ginny

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Good Morning, Ginny! I totally agree with you. I enjoyed hearing a man's point of view, as well. It was quite refreshing! I also admire him for being a single dad and for taking on the task of taking a pre-schooler to the World! :thumbsup2

He is correct in saying that my son was over-stimulated and stayed up too late. I'll know better next time! And I won't go during high crowd times, either. Whew! That was rough, :laughing:.

I mentioned to DM the other night that we should take DNiece to Six Flags sometimes, and she was like, "no, she likes Disney World." I shook my head. Whatever. She ONLY likes Disney b/c they haven't let her experience anything else. THEY want her to only like Disney, which is strange to me, but they baby her like crazy. Oh, well!!! :laughing: It is what it is.

Thanks again for posting, Stego. And I hope you don't have to work too hard today, Ginny!

[aaaateamsgrandma]

It is the last day of the month. I got the bills paid, patient statements sent so now just waiting on the mail so I can close out July. Don got my dishwasher in and working so I can cook dinner tonite. He is going to see his folks tomorrow. His mom gets out of the nursing home tomorrow and he will help get her in and settled. She will have the therapist come every day and home health for a while yet. She still has to use the wheelchair and can only take about 10 steps with the walker. I know she is anxious to get home. Sheri stopped yesterday and visited a couple of hours with her. Took her ice cream and rolled her to the dining room for dinner. I bet I clean house tomorrow.