Where Pixie-Dusted Birthday Dreams Come True! A July Trip Report! PTR Link! Pg. 116

[Charleston Princess]

I think you handled the melt down quite well. Glad you were able to get the hoodie at the gift shop.

Thanks! I don't know how I managed not to lose it right then and there.

I was glad to find the hoodie there.

I waited for this update! I so love to read about your trips Jackie!!

Thanks, Jen!

Sounds like it was an eventful trip to DTD!!! Never have been inside the lego store so I will take your word on it. Glad he did finally find something he would like and Pirate themed...that is just cool!!!

It only took him 45 minutes to decide.

Oh...what a moment at TrenD!!

YAY for getting Chelsea the hoodie!!! It is so cute!! Is she wearing it now that it's getting cooler?

It was quite the experience.

She was wearing it Friday night.

OOOH can't wait for your DHS night?? Any park at night is a lot of fun!!!!

Yes, it is! I love park nights, and we had a great time overall at DHS that night.

Oh, no.....

Oh, dear!

I dread.

I fear!

He's going to be

an


engineer!!!

That makes me scared after reading Jill's Facebook post about wrapping presents. LOL! Really, we are hoping Connor's goes the engineering route, so I am glad he is already showing signs.

At least twenty.
To date, I have read twenty-three trips reports entitled 'The Wild Child and the Red-faced Woman in Downtown Disney'.

At least I am not alone! LOL!

Didn't you know that for the next few years much of your mission in life will be to make her days miserable? To go against anything and everything she desires at all costs. You'll be pulling double duty. You'll be nice mild-mannered wife/mom/teacher/friend in the eyes of the world, but underneath, you will be secretly lurking around every corner and doing much research on how to say 'stupid things' and do things that make life unbearable for your sweet, perfect teenager.

This made me laugh out loud, MeMom!

In all honesty, I was lucky with Jill, and it will be the same way with Chelsea. We stayed so busy with school activities, especially basketball, when we came home, we were too tired for drama. Plus, she was a good girl, like Chelsea is, so to give you hope, these moments will probably be few and far between. Like you said, she was tired, so that added to the event. I know you can look around at any given time, see other dramatic girls and moms, and be more than grateful you get to take your own home. There will be a few days along the way that you will want to 'ring her neck', but when you look back on it, you'll realize you both made it through very well.

Ah, thanks, MeMom!

Enjoy your ice skating or cookie baking today.
Or both.
Whatever you choose.
Since I'm doing neither, I'd be more than happy to see your pictures later, if you want to share.

We opted for cookie baking -- three out of four of us decided it was just too cold to be outside (Chelsea, on the other hand, was all for freezing to death). I took lots of pictures of our creations -- the sprinkles were out in full force, so I will try to get them up this week.

Cute. So sweet for you to get it for her. I know she loves it, and it is probably special to her because of how she got it.

She does love it! I just wish it was my size because I know one day, she won't want it anymore.

That's a long time in the lego sore, but I know the feeling. There's a lego store at the mall and one near Rockefellar Center and my nephew takes just as long!

It is excrutiating because there is nothing in there for me to browse through.

Awww poor Chelsea. When you're 13, you just don't realize your mom knows what she's talking about when it comes to fashion, make-up, and boys! I'm glad you were still able to get the hoodie for her.

She thinks I am completely clueless, that's for sure.

Agree! The hoodie is very cute!

Thanks, Jill!

Love those measuring spoons-- too cute! Aww, poor Chelsea-- we all remember too well treating our mothers like that! From what you said, definitely seems like tiredness let a monster invade her body-- glad you were able to pick up that hoodie for her. It's really nice and $25 is a GREAT deal!

I know I had plenty of those moments, but I never had them out in public. I probably would have never talked again if I had.

Wow, our kids have a lot of a lot in common! That would do be Amy deciding on her purchases for an hour. I can't wait until she is older and I can leave her in the mall to shop by myself.

Connor takes FOREVER on everything. Taking him shopping is an exercise in patience!

I'm sorry, but I was cracking up at the melt down. I know I wouldn't be if I was there, though. I have had a couple moments like that with Emily, though. Don't you just love teenagers?!
I must get more Mickey sprinkles!!
That sweatshirt is cute!

Oh, laugh away! I would laugh too from the standpoint of having been there myself. Chelsea seems to have these momentary lapses of judgement, and it just kills me. There are some days...

I think you handled Chelsea turning into a monster very well. It does seem like it definitely came from the fact that she was tired. Oh to be 13 again! (Um, no thanks!)

I think she was exhausted. She probably would have still mouthed off to me, but I don't think it would have been quite as extreme.

Connor's indecisiveness reminds me sooo much of my brother. I swear, it has always taken him hours just to figure out what he wants to buy. He used to save all of his souvenir money and not spend it. Little did we know (until later) this was all a tactic of his. My mom would take pity on him, and then would buy him stuff, without him spending a dime of his souvenir money! Crafty little bugger!

My brother used to do the exact same thing with my mom!

I haven't seen that Mickey Bar antenna topper. I love it!

Thanks! I do, too! I haven't even used it yet because I don't want it to get dirty yet. LOL!

And the measuring spoons are great. I have aspirations of slowly turning my kitchen into a Disney kitchen. If I do it slowly enough, my husband will never know it's happening.

That's what I did with our entire house. I don't think there is a room that doesn't have at least a picture from one of the trips. I started slowly in the kids' rooms.

My sweet Claire is 8 months old now and I can't even imagine her as a 13 year old. I know it will happen and I know we will have moments like Chelsea's. And I hope to handle it with as much grace as you did!

Yes, I remember thinking the same thing when Chelsea was a baby. It happens quickly, too.

Ah, thanks! I didn't feel particularly graceful at the time -- I just knew I needed to get out of there before I became one of those parents screeching at their children in the middle of Disney.

Love the DTD shopping pics. I want to get some sprinkles next time. I love the hoodie. Very cute.

Thanks! I love Mickey sprinkles!

Oh no-they took turns with their little "snits" huh?? I guess Disney & heat can bring out the worst in us at times. I'm sure it is the heat & exhaustion that does it. I have had my moments also.

Yes, they were taking turns on our last day.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Ah yes the teenage speak before you think disease.

Chelsea seems to have a pretty constant case of it! LOL!

You handled it way better than I would have, that is for sure.

Oh, I was holding on by a thread, let me tell you!

I am also glad you took the car to DTD so the horrible ride back was in your own car and not on a Disney bus.

I couldn't agree more!

Have the elves invaded your house yet? I bet they are keeping you busy with their mischief too?

Oh, yes, they are at our house and keeping us very busy with their antics.

Great update !!!Don't ya love the TEEN emotions !!I can just hear my DGDs saying that !!Only thing is they are well endowed !!!

Chelsea would be very jealous!

OY, to the yelling. You handled it very well. I think I may already be there with Cayley-who is 4. She had a falling on the floor crying episode the other morning because there were no clean pink shirts in her closet. "Everyone will laugh at me" I cannot wait until next year when she will wear a uniform!! The hoodie is cute and it was sweet of you to get it for her.

Oh, no, about Cayley and her pink shirts! I wish we had school uniforms! It would be so much better.

"the red glow of fury"!!! That's a good one!

It's true! I swear I was seeing red.

I'm surprised Chelsea wouldn't have been embarrassed for screaming at you in the store. Most teens don't seem to want that kind of attention.

I don't think she was even thinking about where she was...

"My DDs test me so much now, I can only imagine it will get worse. We have had to leave stores too. I hate that, because, as you said, then you miss out on things too. The price we pay to be good parents, eh?

I can't tell you how many times I have kicked myself for not making it to the Christmas store. Maybe next time I will leave them back at the resort.

You handled it beautifully, and score extra points for finding the hoodie on sale elsewhere.

Thanks! I didn't feel like I was handling anything but trying to get out of there before I started screaming myself.

Connor - too funny with the indecisiveness. I too suffer from that particular ailment! Thank God I don't buy legos!!!

I have to confess it takes me a long time to make shopping decisions, too. LOL!

"Last night?? Boo hoo.

Yes, it was sad to think of leaving our favorite place.

45 minutes in the Lego store? Yikes! At least it looks like Connor came away with some good purchases!

Connor was very pleased.

Wow...you handled the situation with Chelsea so well! Unfortunately when you're overly tired, sometimes it can get the best of you. Glad to hear that Chelsea apologized to you...I guess it's safe to say that we all have our moments.

Thanks! I just knew we needed to leave before I became a story on the DIS boards. LOL!

LOVE the hoodie...so cute!

Thanks!

Oh MeMom, your comment about Connor becoming an engineer made me laugh out loud! I recall Jill's post on Facebook the other day about wrapping presents with John --

Me too!

Jackie - I feel your pain. Henry is already like that in the Lego store and he's not even making a purchase! He's just browsing! Seriously, this kid could spend an entire day in the Lego store just looking at the boxes! This past trip I shopped around DtD while Joe and Henry did the Lego store - and we'll be doing that same thing this coming trip.

Good idea! I will have to make sure Charles comes along next time!

And for the teen-meltdown in TrenD. You handled it very well! And good for Chelsea for apologizing and realizing what she did wrong - many kids are not that mature and would stay in their sulk! How sweet that she got that sweatshirt too, I'm sure it meant a lot to her. And it's adorable!

Chelsea is pretty good about realizing the error of her ways after the fact.

Well that was a doozy of a moment for sure, but looks like you handled it in stride!!

As much as I was able to...

I totally relate with the fill a container of lego saga.... WHY do they give so many choices!!!!

I kept trying to speed things along by making suggestions, but for some reason, Connor didn't think he needed any lime green legos. LOL!

Looking forward to your DHS night, not looking forward to round two of difficult children syndrome, but I completely understand it!! Who HASN'T been there, right?! Seriously.

At least when Connor pouts, it is silent pouting.

Sorry you didn't get all your DTD shopping in, but that means you are due a solo shopping session one night next trip you go... totally worth it!

I like the idea of a solo shopping trip!

And what a good mom, getting that hoodie for her. It is very cute.

I couldn't pass up the $25 hoodie!

I just had a feeling it was going to be TrenD....
They have such cute things there, just right for a couple of fashion plates as the two of you!!!

They do have cute things -- love it in there! Chelsea just lost her mind!

Yikes.

Gotta love those teenage girl moments.

I think you handled it well! And what a good Mom getting her that hoodie at the giftshop!

Thanks, LL! I couldn't pass up a hoodie on sale for $25 even if she didn't really deserve it.

 

[vamassey1]

You handled that much better than I would have. Of course you could always take a page from "The Sweet Potato Queens". She suggests when your teens behavior is bad in publc just do something to embarass them, like singing loudly off key! When will those girls lean that Mother knows best. I just went round and round with Danielle yesterday and or course I was right. She was riding in our local very small Christmas parade with the Girl Scouts. It was cold and very windy. I kept telling her she needed more clothes for warmth. I told her at least 3 times to grab her gloves. She was in such a snit she didn't do it just to spite me. And of course her hands froze while she was throwing beads. I was a good mom and made her hot chocolate when we got back home to warm her up.

I'm so sorry you missed going to all the other stores too, but you did the right thing.

 

[TarzansKat]

Awww. She had a teenage girl moment. I hate to say that it won't be the last, as sadly, I remember some of my finer ones. Bless my mother. And you handled it really well.

You know, I had no idea that you could do that at the Lego Store!!! That sounds like so much fun, something that we must do with Nemo. He is SO into Legos this year, it's what he asked Santa for.

I love TrendE as well. I was always feel like I can never see everything in that store, I almost love the sensory overload of it all, you know?

 

[Cat0727]

Connor reminds me of my boyfriend. He takes forever to do things. Although he insists he is considering every which way of whatever he is deciding on!

I can only imagine how furious you must have been, but you handled Chelsea's meltdown very well. The Minnie hoodie you got her is so cute!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Great update Jackie!! Dimitri also loves Legos and could also browse there for hours. It's a boy's paradise for sure. Tell me why those blasted mini-figures are so darn expensive. $10 for three teeny pieces of plastic is crazy. lol! We have tons of them floating around here.

I feel your pain about the meltdown. Morghan is only 11 but we are showing signs of stuff like that too. And I remember being the same way with my mom. You obviously are a wonderful mom and handled it so well. And my girls and I are in the same boat as you two; far from well endowed. ha!!!

 

[luvfigment]

Oh my goodness 45 mins the Lego store...hopefully Connor was happy with his choices.

I too think you handled Chelsea's outburst very well. Poor thing she probably just wanted that top so badly. What a great Mom you are though for finding the hoodie she wanted and still bought it for her.

 

[Charleston Princess]

You handled that much better than I would have. Of course you could always take a page from "The Sweet Potato Queens". She suggests when your teens behavior is bad in publc just do something to embarass them, like singing loudly off key! When will those girls lean that Mother knows best. I just went round and round with Danielle yesterday and or course I was right. She was riding in our local very small Christmas parade with the Girl Scouts. It was cold and very windy. I kept telling her she needed more clothes for warmth. I told her at least 3 times to grab her gloves. She was in such a snit she didn't do it just to spite me. And of course her hands froze while she was throwing beads. I was a good mom and made her hot chocolate when we got back home to warm her up.

Love the Sweet Potato Queens advice -- especially when you consider that my singing voice is really quite atrocious!

Chelsea is the worst about not believing anything I tell her. I will tell the kids, it is cold and to get their coats and gloves before we leave the house. Chelsea will declare she is fine, and by the time we reach school she looks like a smurf, she is so cold.

I'm so sorry you missed going to all the other stores too, but you did the right thing.

I will just have to make sure I make up for it on the next trip.

Awww. She had a teenage girl moment. I hate to say that it won't be the last, as sadly, I remember some of my finer ones. Bless my mother. And you handled it really well.

Mine, too! I had some really stellar moments. I remember my mother telling me she hoped I had a daughter just like me. She got her wish.

You know, I had no idea that you could do that at the Lego Store!!! That sounds like so much fun, something that we must do with Nemo. He is SO into Legos this year, it's what he asked Santa for.

Yes, I liked that Connor could do his own Legos since all the rest of them are ones we can get in the "real world." I really wish Lego would do some exclusive Disney Legos.

I love TrendE as well. I was always feel like I can never see everything in that store, I almost love the sensory overload of it all, you know?

Yes! It's so great in there -- I love the decorating scheme.

Connor reminds me of my boyfriend. He takes forever to do things. Although he insists he is considering every which way of whatever he is deciding on!

That must be what Connor is doing as well.

I can only imagine how furious you must have been, but you handled Chelsea's meltdown very well. The Minnie hoodie you got her is so cute!

I really did see red at the time.

Great update Jackie!! Dimitri also loves Legos and could also browse there for hours. It's a boy's paradise for sure. Tell me why those blasted mini-figures are so darn expensive. $10 for three teeny pieces of plastic is crazy. lol! We have tons of them floating around here.

Same here. It is an outrageous price, but we pay it, so I guess there is no reason for Lego to reconsider.

I feel your pain about the meltdown. Morghan is only 11 but we are showing signs of stuff like that too. And I remember being the same way with my mom. You obviously are a wonderful mom and handled it so well. And my girls and I are in the same boat as you two; far from well endowed. ha!!!

Ah, thanks! I really didn't feel like I was handling it well at the time -- I just knew I needed to get out of there before I started yelling and became one of those Disney parents that just lose it out in public. LOL!

Oh my goodness 45 mins the Lego store...hopefully Connor was happy with his choices.

He was very happy!

I too think you handled Chelsea's outburst very well. Poor thing she probably just wanted that top so badly. What a great Mom you are though for finding the hoodie she wanted and still bought it for her.

Chelsea did really want that top -- she could not seem to comprehend that there was no way it would stay up the way it should even with a strapless bra.

 

[Tinkerbellgal]

Making sure that I get updates on new posts now haha Loving this trip report btw. Don't worry about Chelsea, I was like that at 13 she'll grow out of it haha You handled it better than my mum ever did with me

 

[Charleston Princess]

Making sure that I get updates on new posts now haha Loving this trip report btw. Don't worry about Chelsea, I was like that at 13 she'll grow out of it haha You handled it better than my mum ever did with me

Thansk! I am glad you are enjoying it!

I know I had my moments, too, when I was Chelsea's age -- being a teenager is so hard.

 

[Charleston Princess]

July 22, 2010: Part Six

Once Charles was up from his nap we went back to DHS for our last night in Disney .

Our first order of business was to see if Chelsea’s Bo was there. As we had feared, he was still not back. (Other DIS boarders had warned us that he hadn’t been there for most of the summer.)

We stopped by Guest Relations to ask, and they informed us that he was getting some work done.

Chelsea was so sad not to see her “main man.”

Charles decided he wanted “real food” for dinner even though I tried to convince him that ice cream from the dinosaur would be just as good. We sat down to ponder our options for eating, and I informed Connor that I would not be riding Tower of Terror. I had thought I might be able to handle it, but as the day progressed, I realized there was no way I would be able to find the courage to plunge down in that elevator.

He was really not pleased with me. The look says it all.

We made our choice and walked in the direction we needed to head.

Connor was momentarily cheered up by the well near Indiana Jones. If you have never pulled the rope, you really must. It is too funny!

Where were we headed?

Pizza Planet!

Chelsea and I split a pizza and salad; the boys each got their own pizzas and salads. They didn’t want to share with each other.

The Little Green Men kept us company while we ate.

Connor also got the LGM souvenir cup -- it is very cute although I must confess that no one has used it since we have been home.

After dinner we headed to a galaxy far, far away. It would be our last ride on Star Tours before the big change. A part of me is sad to see it change -- it is one of those rides I have always loved -- but the other part of me is really excited to see the changes they are going to make.

Then, onward to Toy Story Mania! I was so so so close to beating Charles, but it didn’t happen.

Our last ride of the night was the Tower of Terror. I tried to convince Connor to ride without me, but he was having none of that. I was surprised because he had conquered every other ride on this trip, but when Connor is in a snit, he doesn’t mind “cutting off his nose to spite his face.” While Chelsea and Charles rode, Connor found a book to read in the gift shop, and I meandered around taking some pictures.

Sadly, after the Tower of Terror it was time to go. We bought our last iced cappuccinos of the trip and made our way to the entrance. I toyed with the idea of staying to see the second show of Fantasmic, but the line for it stretched all the way to the entrance of Sunset Boulevard.

There were a couple of squirrely moments in the parking lot when Charles was hit by an upset stomach -- there was some debate as to whether we should head back to the entrance of the park or try and make it back to the hotel room. We managed to make it back to the resort with no accidents. LOL!

The rest of the evening was spent packing and getting things ready to leave the next day.

UP NEXT: Some last minute shopping and saying good-bye.

 

[jenjolt]

You know how you figure out you are addicted to a TR!! When you notice a FB comment and you log off immediately and head to the DIS to read the update!! LOL!! I was so excited, who needs to workout this morning I had a Jackie update to read!!

Stay warm and safe today!!!

NOoOOOOOOooooOOOO....it can't be over Jackie!! Say it isn't so!!!!!!!!

I'm glad you guys had a good last night, even if Connor wouldn't ride TOT, maybe next trip for him and maybe for you

I am going to miss Star Tours this trip!! Even though its the one ride that makes me feel afterwards I take one for the team because I LOVE IT!! I can't wait to see the new ride!!!!

 

[disneyfan61]

Jackie it took me 3 years to get the nerve to ride ToT but once I did it was great!! So Connor would not try it without you huh? My youngest DS & I rode it for the first time together also. My DH & oldest DS had been riding it way before we did. I still hang on the the bars though.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

I haven't commented on your report since October and I was craving those Mango shakes!


That mickey bar antenna is too cute! I've never seen that one before... have yall put it up on your car yet?

So sad that Bo wasn't out for Miss Chels to see That just means yall have to go back to see her main man! I'm sure he misses her just as much!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a very pleasant treat to have an update this morning! The DIS and coffee together is such a nice combo!

Poor Chelsea missing out on Bo! They must have brought him back shortly after your trip! That just stinks. He better be there for your next trip!

I love how you tried to convince Charles to just have ice cream for dinner.

Sounds like a great night at DHS, too bad Connor wouldn't ride ToT though!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so sad that Chelsea didn't get to see Bo!! He must have really missed his yearly visit with her.

So if this TR is wrapping up, do we get a new Jackie PTR?? I'm used to your PTRs starting in October!

 

[MegansMom]

All caught up my dear friend!!!! So sorry to hear about Chelsea's tirade.....NOT......LOOKING......FORWARD.....TO.....THOSE.....YEARS!!!!! I hope she was happy when you came back with that hoodie!

I am with LL though........should we be looking forward to a new PTR any time soon?!?!?!?!?! HOPE SO!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

What did you think of Pizza Planet? Standard Disney pizza? I think we'd maybe go just for the fun theme.

I'm sorry Chelsea's Bo wasn't around. She looks so sad.

Next time you and Connor can do ToT together.

 

[klacey1]

Awww, last night Sounds like you guys made the best of it, though! I'm with you on Star Tours-- upset they're changing it (I think its line is seriously underrated. One of my favorites at DHS), but excited to see what's to come!

 

[jillyb]

Boo! Last night! Chelsea looks so sad not to see her main man. He is back, though, and hopefully he'll be there for your next trip.

I saw the pic of Connor and said "Ohhhhhh". I've seen that look before! I didn't ride ToT on our trip either. I just can't do it. Love the pictures you got while you were waiting.

We've got some of those big souvenir cups from other places which go in the cabinet never to see the light of day again.

Glad ya'll made it back to the resort without further incident!