Basking in the Glow of the (not so) Creepy Clown -2/11-Pictures, Final Thoughts, PTR!

[brookelizabeth]

Nice update Brook! Isn't it funny how kids grow quickly? Henry is big enough to have his own gun at TSM! Awww. Big boy.

Glad you were able to have a fun Dis meet. Great pictures! Congratulations on being able to go on the trip for sure. Lots of fun to plan now. Yay!!

It is! It's been really fun to watch him grow through our Disney pictures. I love all the stories I read on here about kids "growing up Disney" and am happy that Henry will! I always wanted to be one of those kids when I was young!

I am having a lot of fun planning this two weeker. It's not easy, I thought it would be, but making sure each park gets so man visits, etc. Blah. So we are just hitting it harder the first week, doing each park, then doing whatever the second week! Very minimal plans. Should be fun!

Great Dis meet!! I would look really tiny next to you too as I am only 5 feet tall

That's great that you made your decision about your trip & job. Going on the trip & then concentrating on the job is a good thing.

Sounds like a lot of fun for all of you meeting at IASW meet!! I will be thinking of you all that day.

You would look teeny! I'm almost 5'9" so I would be a monster next to you.

I'm really looking forward to the IASW meet. So many DISers in one place. I think there are several I don't know all that well too, which is always fun! Are you on my FB? I'll be sure to post a pic or two of the meet there as it's happening!

Holy cow! I haven't been on here much lately and I had a LOT to catch up on!

Loved all the updates and that you still get to go on your trip! A job will happen when it happens. Enjoy your vacation and eat a mickey bar for me!

Noah kept finding those same buses everywhere (it's like he could smell them), but we never gave in and bought them. He got a little toy monorail instead.

How is the potty training going? I hope H takes to it before long. It's so nice not to have to take a diaper bag everywhere as long as I don't have Audrey. I'm sure the ride maker at the Disney store will work some .

BTW, SO jealous of your disney store! I would love to get my hands on some of that stuff. You can never had too many Mickey shirts, right?

Henry now wants the monorail...but not a little one - the BIG one. I told him it was for potty training and he repeated, "No, the monorail is NOT for potty training." I want to buy it for him, but I was him potty trained!!! I keep talking to him about it all, and he is interested-all the potty books are his current favorites, he gets it, but he just refuses. Stubborn. NO IDEA where that comes from.

I hope to visit the Times Square store sometime soon again - we haven't been back. Maybe seeing the RideMakerz thing again there will spur Henry on. They really have some great shirts though, the Mickey Head NYC one will be purchased for the upcoming trip! I can pick something up for you if you need it though, just let me know!

They didn't have it fixed in November either. I just had to take a picture of it too! I guess you actually have to be ON the ride for it to work?!?

I THINK it should work now. I remember an update coming out shortly after we got back that said it fixed that bug. So, hopefully! I hope you don't have to do it while ON the ride.

I love seeing pictures of Henry with the Lightning McQueen and Mater, he looks so happy!!

Love the laundry pose!! How wonderful having a DISmeet in front of the China Bowl. Henry has some great karate moves, that boy has skillz!!

We had the same question when we went to TSM, the wait time said 75 minutes and the queue was as empty as yours was, what is up with that? Are the people just forgetting to turn in the red time lanyards to the CM's so it never gets updated?

Awww I love how Henry hugged the tinkertoy pole.

Sorry I hadn't been posting lately, Bill and I have been sick, but I have been reading along. I hope to keep up from now on. Congrats about your upcoming trip!

You started your TR - I gotta get over there!

I think the CMs post a longer time at TSM on purpose in attempts to filter people away to other areas. I've seen it way too many times to think it's a fluke....something fishy is going on there!

I hope you both feel better soon!

Well... we did have plans to meet...

I know what happens! I know what happens!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Arent' those on-the-spot DISMeets fun?? Love it!

yup, you must have only met the shorties on this one.

Yes! It was a blat! And we met again later too, totally by chance! Love that.

If I remember correctly MeMom and Jill aren't on the super short side, so I won't be so giant-esque in the next TR!

First:

CONGRATS ON YOUR TRIP!! HOORAY FOR TWO WEEKS OF DISNEY!!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled commentary.

How sweet is it that Henry was trying to talk to McQueen and Mater? I just love kids and their total innocence.

What a great homage to Jordan. Through the last few months I've read his TR and see what he is going through. He is honestly only about an hour from where I live, but I've never replied on his TR's before, so I'm nervous about sending him a letter.

I agree with PP, I don't think you're a giant, just that everyone else is slightly vertically challenged.

Don't be nervous! Send that letter on! Jordan will love it! I think there was another DISer a month or two ago in the same situation - or someone that had read a long time ago, but just read the news--they sent Jordan a letter anyway. That will mean a lot to him, I'm sure!

While they are vertically challenged, I am vertically advanced.

Hooray for your trip! (Though boo for the ongoing job-search frustrations.)

I might be there March 1-5 (though it's far from set in stone), so maybe we'll run into each other -- which would be funny, considering we live in the same city!

The job search is frustrating - but it'll happen. I do have minimal NYC experience plus a year+ out of work, so I do have those things against me. Something will turn up. Once H is in school I'd be more willing to take "whatever" jobs because I don't have to be concerned about pay as much. Just something to get my feet wet again. We'll see. It'll work out eventually. Thankfully we aren't completely desperate. Life would just be much easier if I had some income!

That is exciting about being there in March maybe!!! Keep me posted on your plans - it would be great to run into you! Would you be solo?

 

[pooh'smate]

I do so wish that it had worked for us to go down at the same time as the rest of you. I was soclose to being able to go at the end of Feb and not the beginning but alas one of Jon's coworkers is going to Hawaii at the beginning of March and only one person at a time can be on vacation on his shift (there are only 3 of them so it isn't usually a problem). Our dates would have been exactly the same. However I am happy that we are so blessed to be finally going so I am not complaining. Lexi, Henry, Brooklyn, Bella, and all the other Dis kids could have had such a great time together (well all of adults would have too).

Bribes did not work with Lexi when it came to potty training. I tried everything charts with stickers, candy, toys she really wanted and I don't remember what else but she was/is very stubborn and just had to do it in her own time. It helped a lot when I started watching three of her friends and she saw they were potty trained, but she had to do it on her own, the more I pushed the worse it was. I was really discouraged but one day she just decided she wanted be like her friends and she started using the potty. Just hang in there it will happen one day.

 

[MeMom]

The short trips are hard to plan! I can understand the stress. It is very strange to be planning a long one too - we aren't generally park hoppers (at least we don't plan to hop), and I tried to make a plan with hopping all over, but it just wasn't flowing for me, so we currently have plans for the first half of the trip, and NOTHING for the second half. We are just going to do whatever we feel like doing those days. Joe is lovin' it. Wake up, look at the projected crowd levels and think, "Hmmm....Hollywood Studios sounds good today, let's go." Perhaps we'll even do the "Whatever bus comes first" game at some point!


I'm very excited about the DIS meet! If we get there at RD we will hit Dumbo first too. And we might join ya on Peter Pan, Henry hasn't ever ridden it, so it's on The List for this trip.


...but there is also a possibility my SIL might be moving here, so if SHE could be our nanny that would be even better! Who knows!

Yes, it nice on the longer trips just to decide some things as we go along. It's nice for those who like to sleep late to have a few lazy days added in to the early mornings. You'll never look upon a 3-4-5 day trip the same again.

In DIStown, I would have a cute little day care area with a fun backyard and be everyone's nanny. I would be quite content.

If I remember correctly MeMom and Jill aren't on the super short side, so I won't be so giant-esque in the next TR!

I am as tall as you and much wider, so you won't feel like a giant.
When the shorter people show up, I'll just sit down.

 

[Poolrat]

I love that the pose gave it away! Jordan would be so proud! I'm guessing my very PINK shirt helped you spot us too!

There was no Liesa Greeting when she met you though, right????

The pink shirt did catch my attention. I think as I was walking I glanced down the street to give that nod to Jordan and I spotted you and the family.
I may have thought "Why didn't I tell you to meet me there?" Then I looked closer, thought "no way that would be too funny", meaning if it were you and lo and behold it was you. TOO FUNNY.
That was some Jordan intervention.


I will admit there was no Liesa greeting.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Another tall female! Woo-hoo!!! I'm almost 5'9". We gotta meet up sometime and take a pic together so neither one of us feels like a giant! I like your idea of two trips. Oh, I wish! Your ticker is looking soooooo good. Do you have most everything together, or running around doing all those last minute things?

Or-wait! You could just EXTEND your trip to at least the 26th. That could work too, right????

On a serious note though-if it freaks you out to post your face, I think Photobucket has the tools where you can blur faces, or put a big dot over it - I know TarzansKat does that, and other DISers too. Or just show the pics without people. I'd love to read your TR!

Yup, I'm 5'9". DH calls me a tall glass of water! I can't figure out if that's a compliment or not though? I agree, let's plan a meet where the requirement is 5'9" or taller! Then we'll look normal and not like Amazons! Maybe I'll take my pic next to Bo at DHS and you'll see how tall I am!

Oh how I'd love to stay till the 26th! I don't think DH will mind, do you? I'm pretty much ready to go, just need to actually pack the suitcases. I have all my ADR's lined up, printed out, new tunes for my Ipod, yup, I feel ready! I'm jealous that you get to spend 2 weeks though! I'd love 2 weeks but DH's limit is about 8-9 days and then he's ready for home.

Thanks for the tip about photobucket too.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I do so wish that it had worked for us to go down at the same time as the rest of you. I was soclose to being able to go at the end of Feb and not the beginning but alas one of Jon's coworkers is going to Hawaii at the beginning of March and only one person at a time can be on vacation on his shift (there are only 3 of them so it isn't usually a problem). Our dates would have been exactly the same. However I am happy that we are so blessed to be finally going so I am not complaining. Lexi, Henry, Brooklyn, Bella, and all the other Dis kids could have had such a great time together (well all of adults would have too).

Bribes did not work with Lexi when it came to potty training. I tried everything charts with stickers, candy, toys she really wanted and I don't remember what else but she was/is very stubborn and just had to do it in her own time. It helped a lot when I started watching three of her friends and she saw they were potty trained, but she had to do it on her own, the more I pushed the worse it was. I was really discouraged but one day she just decided she wanted be like her friends and she started using the potty. Just hang in there it will happen one day.

The kiddos would have had a blast together - and us adults too! Maybe next trip, right?

Thank you so much for your words about Lexi with potty training. We are in the exact scenario - NOTHING works. Henry has one potty trained friend, who is actually over today playing-and wearing very cool Scooby Doo underwear. I've totally laid off the training and we just talk about it sometimes when I change him, so hopefully someday-soon!-he'll decide he's ready. Your words are very encouraging.

Yes, it nice on the longer trips just to decide some things as we go along. It's nice for those who like to sleep late to have a few lazy days added in to the early mornings. You'll never look upon a 3-4-5 day trip the same again.

In DIStown, I would have a cute little day care area with a fun backyard and be everyone's nanny. I would be quite content.

I am as tall as you and much wider, so you won't feel like a giant.
When the shorter people show up, I'll just sit down.

And you know this family likes to sleep late and be lazy at WDW! I do want to make RD at MK again in attempts to see the real show. It better happen at least once since we will be at BLT for the 2nd half!

I would LOVE to have you has my nanny. Seriously. I want to move to DIS town right now! It's right next to WDW, right? And has public transit for the ease of my husband???

I like your idea when the shorter people show up!

The pink shirt did catch my attention. I think as I was walking I glanced down the street to give that nod to Jordan and I spotted you and the family.
I may have thought "Why didn't I tell you to meet me there?" Then I looked closer, thought "no way that would be too funny", meaning if it were you and lo and behold it was you. TOO FUNNY.
That was some Jordan intervention.

I will admit there was no Liesa greeting.

It was Jordan intervention! I guess Liesa is just apt to one of her traditional greetings per trip....

Yup, I'm 5'9". DH calls me a tall glass of water! I can't figure out if that's a compliment or not though? I agree, let's plan a meet where the requirement is 5'9" or taller! Then we'll look normal and not like Amazons! Maybe I'll take my pic next to Bo at DHS and you'll see how tall I am!

Oh how I'd love to stay till the 26th! I don't think DH will mind, do you? I'm pretty much ready to go, just need to actually pack the suitcases. I have all my ADR's lined up, printed out, new tunes for my Ipod, yup, I feel ready! I'm jealous that you get to spend 2 weeks though! I'd love 2 weeks but DH's limit is about 8-9 days and then he's ready for home.

Thanks for the tip about photobucket too.

I think the "tall glass of water" is a compliment, I've heard that before. I think.

8-9 days is pretty good for a hubby who's not all keen on WDW. We've done two trips in that length, this one I'm writing about here and back in January 2009. Both were awesomeeeeeeee. Plenty of time for doing nothing and getting most everything done. I cannot even wrap my head around 15 days.

 

[lovealldisney]

Brooke,
On the whole potty training thing I had the same thing with my son. I used this book and it worked like a charm!

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Training-Less-Than-Day/dp/0671693808

He really was trained in one day. He is a special needs child (autism), he was terrified of the potty at the time. You might want to give it a try since your home with Henry??

 

[hcmommy]

Brooke-My first son did not potty train until a few months after he turned 3. I was so stressed because he had to be PT to start preschool and he finally just got ready and PT himself a few weeks before he started school He just did not care. One day he peed allover the floor while he and his 4 yo friend were playing "men" and I caught them waterskiing the men thru the pee!!! I promised him a Leapster and when he finally did it he got the Leapster and we invited his friend over and had a potty party with cake. You should have seen the lady at Walmart when I ordered a cake that said "Goodbye Diapers", she misspelled Goodbye and I just took the cake that way because of the looks she was giving me LOL!

Son No. 2 potty trained himself a couple weeks after he turned two without ne pushing him AT ALL! All kids are different. I am so glad he did that.

Glad you get to keep your two week trip. We changed our trip from POP at Thanksgiving to WL in August. We can't stay as long but I just could not pass up the 40% off deluxe resorts. It will be the only way we can ever afford to do it. Can't wait. Hope we can tolerate the heat. Being from hot and humid Houston I think it will be ok.

Good luck on the job hunt. Something great will come along I am sure.

 

[chloe770]

Brooke - My DS didn't potty train until he was almost 3 1/2 and even then he would not do it for me. His Daddy had to potty train him and he did it in 1 weekend. DH went to Walmart and bought those cheap plastic metals and had potty training bootcamp. Every time DS would use the potty he was get a medal and they would do a cheer. They didn't leave the house the whole weekend. It was movies, junk food and medals. DS loved those medals. After that weekend we had very few accident. Might have DH potty train DD when the time comes.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Great updates BE! I was a bit behind so I got to enjoy several in a row. I’m glad you guys enjoyed Mama Melrose’s. We enjoyed out meal there as well and it was a nice change from the standard park fare. Of course I poopooed the Italian offerings and went with steak, but still…to a Texan that’s comfort food.

Excellent photos of everything. Jordan would be proud of your posing. I also loved the geek shot.

Good stuff that!

Good luck on the sitchyashun.

 

[brookelizabeth]

In my last update we left off after riding TSM. As we walked out of the building and picked up the stroller I checked the Times Guide, it was almost time for Playhouse Disney Live, so that is where we adventured off to next.

Joe was excited to see this - he has yet to see the movie in theaters, but I might make him go this weekend, I know he REALLY wants to see it! I do too, but I don't think Henry would sit still during it, and I can wait until DVD.

We had a while to wait before Playhouse Disney would start, and Handy Manny was out, so we hopped into that line.

After the meet we still had quite a bit of time to spare so we headed over to the Animation Building to hit up a few more meet and greets.

We have never seen people at these desks - it was a great surprise and a lot of fun to peek in on their work!

We saw that Mr. Incredible didn't have a line at all, so we encouraged Henry go to over there - he LOVES that movie, but he adamantly refused. So we went on to find Lotso.

We found the Lotso meet & greet area easily and quickly, it's a very cute queue area decorated to look like the Sunnyside Daycare.

Henry found a hand print on the wall that was just about his size.

He had a lot of fun pointing out the various drawn characters.

Isn't everyday Messy Day with toddlers?!?!?!?

We overheard a CM telling a couple the story of why Lotso was here, even though he was a "mean bear". Apparently Lotso REALLY wanted to come to DHS, so they allowed it, but he had to promise to be really, really, really good and only nice. So far it's worked out great.

She also said that Lotso isn't scented strawberry due to allergies; however, "it is in the air". Kinda cool.

Very soon we rounded the corner and...

Like Sully, Lotso about swallowed Henry.

It was a fun meet. I do wish they had Hamm, Rex, or the Alien guys too though!

We walked around the building a bit, and Henry mentioned he wanted now to meet Mr. Incredible. Of course, he wasn't out anymore and we had a very unhappy Henry.... But, he got over it when I said, "Let's go get ice cream!"

We took just a couple minutes to browse a few things in the very cool gift shop.

And then outside we went to find that ice cream.

Henry chose

And Joe and I chose

However, after seeing that the ice cream was indeed Mickey shaped, and his was not; Henry wanted mine. And yes, I told him this BEFORE he selected the banana, but you know...

I was totally fine with this though, I happily traded.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

It was 483 million degrees out and the Block Party Bash was heading down the street. We attempted to get some sort of view of the parade, but failed miserably and we were all soon completely covered in ice cream.

I attempted to get a couple pictures of the parade, which was a bad move because it's when the chocolate started to drip down my arm...

Joe HATES to get messy so he was more annoyed than anything. I was annoyed because I truly wanted to see the parade, but couldn't...Henry was happy as a clam devouring that Mickey Bar to the best of his ability.

After all was eaten or melted we wiped ourselves clean - I think I will carry baby wipes with me until Henry is a teenager. And perhaps even then.

I am still bummed I never really got to experience the Block Party Bash. And from the video I have seen of the new parade, it just pales in comparison. Which is a shame. Perhaps this new Countdown to Fun Parade is just a filler in waiting for something new and fantastic. Or maybe they will beef it up as time goes on.

Anyway, it was now time for Playhouse Disney Live so we moved over in that direction and got some great seats on the carpet right in the middle section. As always, we had a great time! We were sitting next to a family with two little girls and they were just adorable. The older one was beyond excited, gasping every time the scene changed and she about lost it when bubbles came down from the ceiling - she was dancing all over the place. Her Mom and Dad were just glowing watching the magic through their child. It was very, very sweet.

I think this goes down for refurb very soon and back up as Disney Junior right during the middle of our trip. I gotta look into that! The new show should be fun, even though Henry won't know any of the new shows they are adding. Are they even on the Disney channel yet?

Henry was jumping all over the place - he loves this show! As you can see chocolate even ended up on the back of Henry's shirt!

After the show we decided to go catch Lights, Motor, Action - the plan was for to go shop while the boys went in and enjoyed the show.

On our way to LMA

Our favorite street in DHS

We cut through the Streets of America a bit

We've arrived!

Oh, but wait...

(clutching all three buses!)

Hmmm...change of plans.

We moseyed around a bit and then decided to go Baby Swap it over on RnRC and ToT.

When I rode RnRC I stupidly didn't keep my head back against the headrest at first. My head bobbed back and forth - and let me tell you, wearing earrings on this ride when you don't follow directions is a BAD idea. Ouch!

Aside from that, LOVE this ride! Always a blast. And I don't think I'll ever forget to not put my head back again!

I rednecked Joe's ride pic

The boy was still snoozin' so we went back to Star Tours, which only had a FIVE minute wait! FIVE! On the last day it's open!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

I took a LOT of pictures attempting to capture it all. Most of them didn't turn out all that great unfortunately.

As I rounded the corner I saw the few guests in line, stopped in random places or walking very slowly through the queue with cameras in hand. It was very quiet in there, people just soaking in the queue and taking pictures.

I hadn't truly realized just how many details were in this queue. It's amazing!

People just hanging out, watching the robots do their routine and enjoying the queue.

I didn't remember this from being in the queue before, little robots carrying things on tracks above. If you've ever shopped at B&H here in NYC then you've seen this outside of Disney too! They literally have robotic arms above the store on tracks carrying products to the cashiers. It's an ingenious system and completely prevents shoplifting since you can't actually touch the merchandise unless an employee is assisting you, or you have purchased it.

I personally love the dated feeling to this area. It has that same feel of the original three movies, it will be interesting to see how they refurb it all. I learned last night that it opens on May 20!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Eventually the doors opened and we were seated. After the CM did his spiel and left the vehicle a dude two seats away from me whipped out his video camera and started filming. I have a feeling a lot of that was going on that day!

I always enjoy this ride, and this time was no exception. I really tired to "escape" into the ride in attempts to truly remember it.

On the way out...

I met up with Joe in the gift shop who went and took his ride. I found a small ledge to sit on while I waited in the busy, busy gift shop. Henry was still snoozin', so I just people watched. There were several executives in the store - going in and out of the back rooms. I would have loved to just take a peek into what they were up to! I imagine all the last minute details of shutting down the ride and preparing for the start of construction the next day.

Once Joe was back to Earth we started to slowly meander to the front of the park.

Ahhhh, palm trees.

We took our time walking out of the park and dipped into a few shops.

This morning when we were on our way to DHS I had said we always had good days at DHS, and this one was no exception!

We opted to take the boat back to BWV and as we boarded, who do we see??? It's Poolrat again!!!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Joe and the sleeping Henry went into the air conditioned cab while I joined Pat on the back portion of the boat. She was on her way to Epcot for an ADR and we weren't sure what we were going to do at that point. Pat and I chatted about a number of things...one of them, and I haven't a CLUE how we got on this subject, but it was kids throwing up. And we both are "puke catchers". When a kid starts to go, instinctivly we reach out our hands in attempts to catch what we can so they don't get it everywhere. I never truly mean to do this, and often regret doing it...but I do. Anyone else out there want to admit you are a puke catcher???

Pat decided to get off early, at the Dolphin, knowing she could probably walk faster from there over to Epcot since she was running behind for the ADR and you were meeting up with your son too, right?

Anyway, she hightailed it off the boat the moment we docked. I went inside to Joe, who stood up right away and suggested we get off too - just to walk through the Swolfin for kicks. So we did! Pat was well up the path by the time we rolled off the boat.

These resorts really are beautiful. I'm not fond of the coloring on the outside, but beyond that, really nice.

We still didn't know what we were going to do for the evening, we went through a few different ideas and landed on heading over to DTD.

So through the Dolphin and into the Swan.

And out to the bus stop where we met up with

They have TVs at their stops!

We waited quite a while for a bus, but eventually one came. We boarded on and made the circle around to all the neighboring resorts. I cannot recall which resort it was, but a mother with a toddler came up to the bus - kid strapped into the massive stroller. She had no idea she had to fold up her stroller.

She also had about 18 bags with her. No joke.

So ever so slowlyyyyy she pulled the kid out and had him board the bus. She pulled off all the bags and brought them on. Then she went back off to fold up the monstrosity but she didn't know how.

She figured it out and then attempted to carry it onto the bus. But she was little, and the stroller was not. Finally a nice man from the back came down and helped her - he took her stroller with one hand and carried it into the back with him so she could focus on her child and her bags.

We were at that stop for a good 10 minutes or more.

I believe the Boardwalk was the last stop. People boarded the bus and just before we were about to leave a family walking down the sidewalk signaled the bus, so the driver stopped and waited. The family was still a distance off, and they continued to walk. They didn't hurry one bit even though a bus was waiting for them.

Let me tell you, that was one PATIENT bus driver.

And one loooooooooooong ride to DTD.

But we made it. Good thing we weren't in a hurry!

And I'll share our exploring of DTD for the next update!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Continued from previous post

Eventually the doors opened and we were seated. After the CM did his spiel and left the vehicle a dude two seats away from me whipped out his video camera and started filming. I have a feeling a lot of that was going on that day!

I always enjoy this ride, and this time was no exception. I really tired to "escape" into the ride in attempts to truly remember it.

On the way out...

I met up with Joe in the gift shop who went and took his ride. I found a small ledge to sit on while I waited in the busy, busy gift shop. Henry was still snoozin', so I just people watched. There were several executives in the store - going in and out of the back rooms. I would have loved to just take a peek into what they were up to! I imagine all the last minute details of shutting down the ride and preparing for the start of construction the next day.

Once Joe was back to Earth we started to slowly meander to the front of the park.

Ahhhh, palm trees.

We took our time walking out of the park and dipped into a few shops.

This morning when we were on our way to DHS I had said we always had good days at DHS, and this one was no exception!

We opted to take the boat back to BWV and as we boarded, who do we see??? It's Poolrat again!!!

Continued in next post

I want some of those shirts. Also those earrings.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Great update Brook! You indeed did have a great day at DHS! Too bad Henry fell asleep for LMA but I bet the little car addict has seen it before, right? Boys just love that show!

How neat to see the executives go in and out of Star Tours. That kind of stuff always interests me! Do you know when the ride reopens?

I had to laugh at your bus situation. Patience would definitely have to be required in those circumstances. Wow. Some people.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brooke,
On the whole potty training thing I had the same thing with my son. I used this book and it worked like a charm!

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Training-Less-Than-Day/dp/0671693808

He really was trained in one day. He is a special needs child (autism), he was terrified of the potty at the time. You might want to give it a try since your home with Henry??

I have heard of that book, thank you for the reminder! I looked up the method too and read the amazon reviews just now - it sounds interesting. Henry throws tantrums pretty quickly when I ask him to sit on the potty and that makes it really difficult, it's not fun for him. However, in our last attempt, after one tantrum he started sitting on the potty right away when I told him too - I actually set a timer and even now when he hears the timer he says, "Potty?" So perhaps this go-around will be a good one. I think I will see if the library has the book and then make Joe do it, he has way more patience than I and I've done all the other failed attempts. Henry also LOVES spending one on one time with Joe, so it could be really special.

Thank you for the tip!!

Brooke-My first son did not potty train until a few months after he turned 3. I was so stressed because he had to be PT to start preschool and he finally just got ready and PT himself a few weeks before he started school He just did not care. One day he peed allover the floor while he and his 4 yo friend were playing "men" and I caught them waterskiing the men thru the pee!!! I promised him a Leapster and when he finally did it he got the Leapster and we invited his friend over and had a potty party with cake. You should have seen the lady at Walmart when I ordered a cake that said "Goodbye Diapers", she misspelled Goodbye and I just took the cake that way because of the looks she was giving me LOL!

Son No. 2 potty trained himself a couple weeks after he turned two without ne pushing him AT ALL! All kids are different. I am so glad he did that.

Glad you get to keep your two week trip. We changed our trip from POP at Thanksgiving to WL in August. We can't stay as long but I just could not pass up the 40% off deluxe resorts. It will be the only way we can ever afford to do it. Can't wait. Hope we can tolerate the heat. Being from hot and humid Houston I think it will be ok.

Good luck on the job hunt. Something great will come along I am sure.

Waterskiing through the pee!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY WORD! That is hilarious! Henry just doesn't care either - hopefully I can convince him to start caring!

I think you'll be just fine about the heat in August since you are used to Texas heat. Otherwise, the WL has a great pool! I LOVE the WL, it's such a beautiful resort. I enjoy the dark colors of it that are soothing on a hot day.

Brooke - My DS didn't potty train until he was almost 3 1/2 and even then he would not do it for me. His Daddy had to potty train him and he did it in 1 weekend. DH went to Walmart and bought those cheap plastic metals and had potty training bootcamp. Every time DS would use the potty he was get a medal and they would do a cheer. They didn't leave the house the whole weekend. It was movies, junk food and medals. DS loved those medals. After that weekend we had very few accident. Might have DH potty train DD when the time comes.

I am wondering if Daddy is the key in our case too. Henry is currently 3 years 4 months, so we are rapidly approaching that 3 1/2 mark.

I like your idea of the medals! Henry might really get into that too. And rewards of movies and junk food. Hmmm...you guys have got me thinking on all this, thank you so much for these tips and advice!!

Great updates BE! I was a bit behind so I got to enjoy several in a row. I’m glad you guys enjoyed Mama Melrose’s. We enjoyed out meal there as well and it was a nice change from the standard park fare. Of course I poopooed the Italian offerings and went with steak, but still…to a Texan that’s comfort food.

Excellent photos of everything. Jordan would be proud of your posing. I also loved the geek shot.

Good stuff that!

Good luck on the sitchyashun.

I don't even recall that MM had a steak on it's menu! But, it's generally a good standard choice. I remember your meal from MM and that is what originally got me interested in it, then LL and JenJolt's review sent me to really make that ADR.

I thought you might appreciate that geek shot. One of these trips I'm going to try to get more geek shots, gears from the rides and all that fun stuff.

As for the job thing, I've got peace about it. It'll happen.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I want some of those shirts. Also those earrings.

I really like the designs of the shirts lately too. Lots of cute ones. I just wish that price tag was a bit more reasonable. That shop started my "need" for Mickey earrings, but nothing was purchased....yet!

Great update Brook! You indeed did have a great day at DHS! Too bad Henry fell asleep for LMA but I bet the little car addict has seen it before, right? Boys just love that show!

How neat to see the executives go in and out of Star Tours. That kind of stuff always interests me! Do you know when the ride reopens?

I had to laugh at your bus situation. Patience would definitely have to be required in those circumstances. Wow. Some people.

Oh yes! Henry has seen LMA before, a year prior. And we plan to hit it up on the next trip too, it will be like brand-new to him probably.

Star Tours reopens May 20! I really look forward to hearing all about it and reading the reviews.

I couldn't believe that long bus ride. It was like one thing after another. Joe and I both sighed in relief when we got off!