Cruisin into Spring Training-VWL & 4 Nt Dream 3/22-28/13 COMPLETE! 8/11

[englishrose47]

Looks like Timmy is still growing

Tooo Funny!!!

 

[podsnel]

On the dream, the Pirate party is done differently than on the Magic- there is a party earlier in the evening, followed by another party after dinner with fireworks. I had missed part 1 on the last Dream cruise, so that's where I went next-





Truthfully, it looked like the young kids up there were enjoying themselves, but me? I was FREEZING!!!! It was very windy up on deck, so after a bit, I made my exit. Soon it was time for dinner- I did get dressed up, and Timmy was a sport and wore a pirate tshirt I had picked up in Mexico this past January (but truthfully, I know that our pirate adventures are coming to a close as he gets more and more teenager-ish...sniff sniff0 and he EVEN put on the bandanna when we got to the table.

He's a good kid. Even if he DID leave me stranded on an island in the Bahamas....

We were all ready for dinner, except....Tim's pal Avery was skipping dinner with us tonight. Which resulted in....Timmy, who is the world's SLOWEST eater, shoving his food into his face at LIGHTENING speed! As a matter of fact, he ate so fast, I didn't even get a pic of his food! I did, however, get a photo of us together before he scurried off to Vibe- so if i have to choose, I'm pretty sure you can guess which pic I would rather have-



And by the way- the only reason he is shorter than me in this photo is because he was crouched down on the floor next to me- had he been sitting next to me, my not yet 14 year old baby would have dwarfed me by a mile!

i do have pics of my own plates, however.... I started with a salad- Mr. Smee's Bibb Lettuce Salad - with bibb lettuce, baby greens, chicory, tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and raspberry vinaigrette



And went with Treasures of the Seas Grilled Shrimp and Seared Scallops - served on strings of pasta and fresh creamy tomato sauce for my entree



I did enjoy both! We all decided that on the Dream, Animator's Pallette is the best restaurant to be in- the whole night, the walls were awash in Pirate Art- ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!!





I'll be back later- have to run to an appointment!

 

[JKSWonder]

Now that I'm all caught up, since I got extremely behind due to vacation, I can say without hesitation that I am thoroughly DISGRUNTLED on Tim's behalf. Those so called adults were completely WRONG. And secondly, perhaps its just me, but even IF Tim had been at fault (which he so totally wasn't), where was their concern for wacking into a kid? I realize he's a big kid, but he's still a kid. I would have felt terrible for knocking a kid over, no matter who was to blame.

We loved Pirates Night in Animator's for the same reason you mentioned....the decor there definitely lends itself to the overall ambiance. I'm going to try to get the same rotation we had our next cruise.

 

[rentayenta]

Adorable pirate pic of you both.

 

[Goofy442]

We did not do Pirate night and probably should have, because I don't think my 16 year old DS will do it now. I love that picture, it came out good. One to treasure, he tells me he is to old for pictures.

 

[podsnel]

Ok- sorry I had to run out, we are in the process of squeezing every doctor/dentist appointment imaginable in in between baseball FINALLY ending and our vacation coming up in 20 DAYS!!!!!!! Tyler is having his wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow- a dear friend who is an oral surgeon is doing it down in Maryland. We are actually going home with the surgeon and sleeping at his house afterwards- how incredible is THAT?

So...back to Pirate night....

Our servers, as I think I have mentioned, were really wonderful this cruise. Francisco was our Asst Server, and he was so sweet and charming, as I am sure you can tell by all of his smiling photos-



We were ordering dessert, and he had brought a crayon trick for us- well, he brought it for the one remaining boy at the table, but, we all played with it, of course! For my dessert, I was having Banana-Chocolate Crepe - with mango coulis and coconut- it was on the sugar free menu, and whenever I have seen it on the DIS I have thought it looked interesting-



And it was....interesting! Really it was fine, but there was something i did not love about the cold crepe. Next, SOMEONE got a hat-



Then those of us who were left had a pirate pic- AAAARRRGGGHHHH!



I like that photo alot- all very nice peeps in the pic with me! More pirate pics-



He was a really sweet young man. And one more with us wenches-



We had a really nice time at dinner that night!

Anyway- we parted ways, but there was still some time to kill before the Pirate Party. So I went to



Pink to hang with some girlies. The usual suspects from the night before, and their entourage of officers. One of whom said, "Didn't I leave you three here in the same seats last night?" Yup. That's right Mr. Officer Cocktail or whatever- we never left- spent the whole day in Pink! Alex was once again making magical champagne cocktails, so tonight I tried an Elderbubble- which was St Germain and champagne. And which did not suck. Then it was probably time for the fireworks, so up on deck I went...

And if I thought it was cold at Pirate Party 1, well, I had seen nothin yet! It was positively FRIGID for Pirate Party 2! SOOOOO windy- shiver me timbers! Yea, I am very clear on the appropriate use of THAT particular term! I found a spot, kind of in a corner, to watch a little of the show-



And lo and behold, right as the fireworks were about to begin, i was joined by Timmy, Avery, and every other crazy boy from Vibe! How funny is that? A whole ship full and timmy and his friends end up standing right with me for the show. Magic!







The fireworks were really good. Ya know what was even better? Seeing Timmy, running with his Cruise -pack, smiling ear to ear- he was so happy hangin with those kids in Vibe, he was having the time of his life.

Oh- and for what it's worth- all those boys in tshirts and shorts? They were all very clear on the true meaning of "Shiver me Timbers" too!

 

[podsnel]

well, as soon as those fireworks were done, me and those shivering boys were outta there! I retreated back to the cabin, where this was waiting-



UGH. It's already Tiny envelope time. That's the thing about these cruises...they are all TOO FAST!!!! Especially when they are only 4 nights. Just so much fun, you never want it to end.



I changed into some warmer attire, and went back to Pink, where the usual suspects were still doing the usual...



Looks like it was dessert time-



Those little things are super yummy! I chatted a little bit, there was a really nice couple at the bar, they had been there the previous evening as well. But soon it was time to call it a day, I was actually exhausted! Could not WAIT to be rocked to sleep up there in my cabin bed-

One more sea day of cruising to go! Looks like I really am going to finish my TR before I have to start the Cali one!

 

[jedijill]

I am so spending lots of time in Pink this cruise! It looks so good!

Jill in CO

 

[franandaj]

What a sweet picture of you and Timmy! Cherish these moments while you still have them!

WOW! Thank you so much Alison! How wonderful to have such a concerned friend! When I say stop for dinner, I mean a drive through, too- we were going to hit In n Out Burger, since we don't have them out here, and how can we be in CA and NOT have one?

Yeah, I tend to like In-and-Out much better than those other Guys. And if you're not familiar with the "secret menu" at In-And-Out, you might want to check it out before you go. Jenny has a thing for the animal style fries. I haven't tried it, but I'm thinking about getting a 1x2 instead of my regular cheeseburger with onions next time we go.

I'm glad you will make it safely to Santa Clarita, thus avoiding the scurge of Bakersfield! I wish I could offer you suggestions for breakfast the next morning that were creative and tasty. Many, many, many, many years ago there was a place at Lyons Avenue that made these awesome Polynesian drinks, but I'm pretty sure that place is long gone. It was so long ago that I went there before I was even 21 (fake ID).

I don't know how late you plan to get started, that's Wednesday the 21st right? The night we're getting together? But if you stop for lunch don't plan on doing it anywhere off the I5 once you pass the 110 until after you pass Lakewood/Rosemead or the 605. That whole area is not so good.

Santa Clarita to DL is only about 1 1/2-2 hours without traffic. But I'm not sure when "without traffic" happens!

 

[dizneeat]

All caught up again, Ellen.
Sorry I haven't been around much, but there are still so many things I need to get done until we leave for the US again.

Love that you got to visit Pink on a regular basis. Those little desserts that come with the champagne are sooooooo yummy!

I was really surprised to hear that it was so chilly. I would have never thought that. Well, maybe because for us going to Florida always means warmer than at home.

 

[dvc4life]

What a great Pirate Night. Love that Animator's had pirate art on the walls. That would be cool. And I'm not surprised that Tim found you for the fireworks. You are an awesome MOM!

 

[Beth D]

Love the pics! It's so great to see you and Timmy have such a great relationship, even as a teenager.

Good luck with the teeth! Hope you've got lots of jello and ice cream ready!

Looking closely at your sig, i've got a few threads to catch up on!

 

[MEK]

Love the pirate night costumes.

Ahhh - Pink - you speak of it so often. It must be THAT good.

So you are driving to Maryland for the oral surgeon? Hope all goes well with the wisdom teeth extraction. I have video from when Nick had his done and it was hysterical. He was stoned off those meds. But he recovered super quickly. Brian, on the other hand, was in pain for days. I guess its very variable. Good luck to Tyler.

20 days to vacation! Woo Hoo! Lucky you!

 

[MEK]

p.s. I could use that dessert right about now!

 

[rentayenta]

Animal fries Alison.

If you haven't been to an In N Out Ellen, you must go. Best burgers ever. Simple, good.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Ellen! I will be back to comment on the TR, but I just wanted to deposit my 2 cents. We have driven down from Oregon many times. Sometimes we take 99 and my DB and DS both lived in Bakersfield for years. 99 all the way down would be really slower, but coming out of Yosemite it just makes sense. There were some good hotels and restaurants in Bakersfield, and you can catch the 5 just south of there in no time at all. I wouldn't go over the Grapevine at night, either. I don't think Bakersfield is quite the hole it used to be, but it isn't ultra safe either.

Harris Ranch is famous for their steaks, but the area smells so bad from the cattle stockyards that I couldn't possibly eat there. I'm still bummed that we won't get to meet up at DL!

ETA: Oops! Sorry - I see you've decided on Santa Clarita.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a sweet picture of you and Timmy! Cherish these moments while you still have them!



Yeah, I tend to like In-and-Out much better than those other Guys. And if you're not familiar with the "secret menu" at In-And-Out, you might want to check it out before you go. Jenny has a thing for the animal style fries. I haven't tried it, but I'm thinking about getting a 1x2 instead of my regular cheeseburger with onions next time we go.

I'm glad you will make it safely to Santa Clarita, thus avoiding the scurge of Bakersfield! I wish I could offer you suggestions for breakfast the next morning that were creative and tasty. Many, many, many, many years ago there was a place at Lyons Avenue that made these awesome Polynesian drinks, but I'm pretty sure that place is long gone. It was so long ago that I went there before I was even 21 (fake ID).

I don't know how late you plan to get started, that's Wednesday the 21st right? The night we're getting together? But if you stop for lunch don't plan on doing it anywhere off the I5 once you pass the 110 until after you pass Lakewood/Rosemead or the 605. That whole area is not so good.

Santa Clarita to DL is only about 1 1/2-2 hours without traffic. But I'm not sure when "without traffic" happens!

Now you're talkin' - In N Out is our first restaurant of choice on every trip to Cali! I love the fries animal style - and don't forget to order your burger animal style too! It is just a little plain without it. I love the chocolate shake, too. Might as well not order a diet soda when you are already belly up, right?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Ok, all caught up now! Good thing I caught you before you left! I can't believe your trip is in 19 days! I'm really looking forward to reading all about it!
I can't believe those people were so terrible to Timmy after knocking him over - and then the stroller lady - he's trying to be nice and go around her and then she has the nerve, too?
Wow! Love the pirate pics in animators! So Looks like you had a great time, even if you got dumped again! Too bad it was so cold for the party - I know how that is from the Canada cruise - it would have been funny if it wasn't so miserable. Proud of you for getting this one finished before the next one, but sad you only have one day left.

 

[marquislaura]

Can't wait to go to PINK!!!! Thanks for the TR and Pics.

 

[englishrose47]

All caught up again, Ellen.
Sorry I haven't been around much, but there are still so many things I need to get done until we leave for the US again.

Love that you got to visit Pink on a regular basis. Those little desserts that come with the champagne are sooooooo yummy!

I was really surprised to hear that it was so chilly. I would have never thought that. Well, maybe because for us going to Florida always means warmer than at home.

Glad you are okay Karin I was getting worried about you!!!! No posts on yours or anyone's threads in a while !!! But August is fast approaching!!!