A Daily Lesson in Parenting and Manners: A TR by a real life Wicked Stepmom!

[KMH1]

Thank you for posting another chapter before I logged off for the night.

This one is going to go down in the Trip Report Hall of Fame!

Amy

 

[disneydance]

OK great job and guess what i want MORE NOW!!!

 

[Punky's Mama]

Awesome, awesome, awesome......more please!

 

[PrincessFan0809]

Miss Cammie, this is the BEST trip report I have ever read! Seriously...it's awesome. Keep it coming!

 

[snowwhite325]

Can't wait for more

 

[CampbellScot]

Thank you thank you everyone for your positive and encouraging comments!!

I'll be working on the next installment when I get home. I have "Nuts and Bolts meetings" at work this morning...which stinks...b/c I would, very much like my friend Brenda, like to get paid for reading the Dis and writing my Trip Report!

OH and I LOVE the idea of teaching parenting classes that would focus on a good "mommy voice" and the wicked "eyebrow arch"!!! The world would be a different place.

And just b/c it's funny...there is a little boy i work with who is freaked out by my ability to raise my eyebrow...if he's acting up in class and I happen to walk by, he'll cover his eyes and shout "SORRY! OKAY! I'll BE GOOD!!! JUST DON'T DO THE EYEBROW!!!

wicked power is fabulous!

 

[winkers]

MissCammie...does Mickey Mouse burp?

That's priceless!!!

 

[HappyTrouble]

Your report is fantastic......when you started to describe your outfit for P & P Party (then remembered you where there on the 21st)....We were there also that night and I saw you guys!!!!! Adorable is all I can say.....I remember the Belle Dress and your outfit!!!!!!! Good Luck on Friday!!!!!! I have 2 tummy bugs that are now 13 and 15......... We went to the P&P Parties on the 18th and then went back on the 21st!!!!!!!

 

[TandT]

Fellow Wicked Stepmother subscribing!! Love your report so far!!! Best I've read in a long time!!! My hubby and I are going to Disney Sept 8-15
days away!! I am also a step-mother and can relate TOTALLY to all the garbage you have to go through!! When I get down and discouraged, I just say "Find My Happy Place" "Find My Happy Place" and it seems to work, AND Xanax does a pretty good job too

Great Report...keep it coming

 

[CampbellScot]

Where were we? Oh YES...Teddy had inquired as to whether or not Mickey Mouse burped or not...

Before I could say a word, Sally smacked him with an eye roll and said in her must annoyed, huffy, my little brother is so irritating voice:

"Teddy, Mickey Mouse has MANNERS. He does NOT burp, or poot, or chew with his mouth open. Only people who are GROSS do that."

What she desperately wanted to say, but did not say b/c she knows it would have been addressed by a parental unit was:

"Mickey Mouse is NOT gross like YOU are". That is SO what she was thinking. Her eyes said it all.

Teddy had stopped listening before the sentence was even finished. Something else had caught his eye and he was off on another tangent. Mostly it was "LOOK AT THAT!!"

"LOOK OVER THERE!!!"

"DADDY!! LOOK!!! CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT!!! AWESOME!!!"

THAT was funny. As Teddy was exclaiming over the construction equipment, Sally said "Oh LOOK, it's the CASTLE!!!" Different Strokes I suppose!

We pulled up to the Contemporary, we were wished a Magical Evening and directed towards the 4th floor! Chef Mickey's at last!!

We walked in and towards the elevators and Jay says to me...

"Y'know babe...the Contemporary isn't my favorite...it's too...Contemporary!"



A comedian he is not.

He tells these jokes often. Usually to lighten my Donald Duckishness. I had to give him a courtesy laugh. Gotta love a man like that.

Sally was so excited she was bouncing up and down.

"Minnie is going to remember me! I KNOW she is...right MissCammie?"

That is classic Sally...she'll make a definitive statement and then back pedal a bit just to make sure. Such as "I like carrots a lot...don't I?"

We're working a lot on trusting our own feelings. It's a hard thing to do for any person I imagine. It's darn near impossible for me on most days!

We walked into the waiting area and checked in.

"Hi, we're checking in for our 5:30 reservation. Under CampbellScot..."

*snort* (that was Jay)

I stepped very lightly on his big toe to say "Let it GO already"

"Great. Welcome to Chef Mickey's Mrs. CampbellScot. Here is your pager. It will light up when we are ready to seat you. You can head right over there for your picture."

We had almost gotten away when she wished the rest of the CampbellScots welcome as well.

*SNORT*

I gave him an eye roll to say "Geez, what are you? A BULL? Let it GO!"

He gave my pony tail a yank to say "Change your name already"

Sally gave us both a look to say "Quit arguing without words you FREAKS"

*ahem*

So we went and got in line for our $3000 picture. Oops...I meant $30.00 picture...

or did I?

There was a GIGANTIC family in front of us. We're talking generations here. They all looked happy and excited. It was a grand gathering! I'll say!! Once they got everyone situated and in the frame and a picture snapped, it was our turn!!

We jumped up behind the spoons. We all had our best smiles on. I could tell. We had that happy "First day at Disneyworld, whole trip ahead of us" feeling going on. That is the feeling that produces the BEST smiles. Smiles that aren't fake or forced. They are just real. We are smiling because we ARE happy. We're excited. We're inside a year long dream. They are Disney smiles...b/c it IS the Happiest Place on Earth. At least on your first day!

(I TOTALLY bought the picture package. I was right. They are best smiles of our whole trip. Nobody is sweaty or hot or squinting in the sun. We're just happy. Period. SOLD! Disney sure is smart not allowing this picture to be a photopass picture...or do they? Please say they don't...b/c if they do I am a big dope and way over paid for a picture package...but then, overpaying is the Disney way!)

After our picture we went and took a multi-colored seat and waited. Teddy was fascinated with the "Gigantic Windows".

My attempt at an artistic shot!

Soon enough our pager lit up and we were shown to our table. It was a nice table, not too far from the food, behind a glass partition thing. It was a good location for us. Mostly b/c MissCammie IS a freak...and she gets nervous when forced to sit in the middle of a room filled with people. I'm not a big fan of having people behind me when I'm sitting. It gets the paranoia going and I keep having to look over my shoulder.

Yes...I have issues. The medication is working well. For the most part...

moving right along...

Our waitress was Debra. She was VERY nice. She noticed right away that Jay and I were wearing our Anniversary buttons. She nicely asked how many years. Jay told her "It's our first".

Can I just tell you that when a cloak of judgment settles on your shoulders you can SO feel it...

Seriously...she looked at Sally and Teddy and said "Ohh...oh, your first? Well how nice...better late than never right?"



I SWEAR what she REALLY said...with her eyes...was:

Well aren't YOU a shameless HUSSY. Having two children out of wedlock! What terrible people you are. You should be plastered with Scarlet Letters and pelted with tomatoes on the racks in Liberty Square...BEFORE being banned from Disneyworld FOREVER...shameless SHAMELESS HUSSY.

*cough*

Thankfully Sally rescued us from public humiliation and ridicule by adding:

"MissCammie is our STEP-mom...but she's nicer than the Cinderella's step mom".

SO THERE!

Suddenly the cloak of judgment lifted. Debra was once again the friendly waitress ready to take our drink orders.

indeed.

Debra explained that Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy would be around to our table during our meal, she pointed out where the buffet was and she was off to bring our drinks...taking her cloak of judgment with her.

Jay took Teddy off to the bathroom to wash his hands one more time. Sally and I were going to go but we didn't want to risk missing Minnie Mouse. So we used the anti-bacterial wipes and the Purel instead. Normally I insist on running water and lots of soap, but missing Minnie would have been too crushing to take.

Sally could see Minnie getting closer. She began to chew her already ragged nails. If Minnie remembered her, then Magic was real. A beautiful memory was NOT a lie. It wasn't babyish, or silly. It was real. She could feel good about it. She could believe in something. Even if it was just Minnie Mouse. This was more important to her than any other moment we were to have while on this vacation.

Minnie approached our table. Sally was still as a statue. Minnie was standing in front of her. I was praying that whatever needed to happen to make Sally feel good about this would happen.

I said a great big forced "HELLO MINNIE, WE ARE SO GLAD TO SEE YOU!!" just to give Sally a little courage. To let her know that it was okay to talk to her.

She took a deep breath and took the plunge.

"Hi Minnie, do you remember me? You picked me to open Toon Town with you when I was 3. I'm 8 now...do you remember me?"

I swear y'all. Time stopped right there at Chef Mickey's. We had all been through SO much this year. This little girl cried more tears than any little girl should ever have to cry. She lost faith in everything she knew to be true..to be REAL. Her whole world was turned upside down. My heart was in my throat as I waited for Minnie to give some sort of sign that she remembered Sally.

I should not have been worried. This is Disney after all.

Minnie put her hand to her mouth in surprise. She nodded profusely and pointed at Sally and gave an excited little jump.

"You remember me? You really do?"

Minnie nodded again and pulled Sally in for a hug.

needless to say, I was weeping. Tears streaming down my face, bawling my eyes out. So was Sally. You could SEE relief pouring out of her in those tears.

Minnie was wonderful. She held Sally close and sort of rocked her back and forth. It was exactly what Sally needed.

All this time I'd been holding the camera. I got a picture of Sally putting her arms out to Minnie. It's the most precious picture I think I've ever taken in my life. It's not that good, aesthetically speaking, but it says it all to me.

(I'm sure y'all have guessed that I'm crying right now, remembering that moment. It's freaking my puppy out. He's jumping all over me. He's good that way. Like Lassie...but shorter...)

I took some more pictures of Sally with Minnie. She looks happy. She looks like her little soul is at peace...if only for that moment. Minnie IS real. She remembered her friend Sally. Magic DOES exist. For right that moment there was no more worry or anxiety. I wish we could bottle that feeling. It would be an instant cure for depression. Better than Xanax that Disney Magic!

When Jay and Teddy arrived back at the table, we had sort of cleaned ourselves up a bit. I looked like a nightmare of course. Jay gave me a "What happened?!" look.

I gave him a "I'll tell you later, can't explain it right now" head shake.

(Jay and I learned to say A LOT without words. Sally has super human hearing and she LISTENS to everything. She's been known to sit outside of closed doors to "make sure everything is okay". So we developed an "eyebrow arch,shrug,head shake, toe stepping, ponytail tugging, look throwing..." language. *cough* yes we are weird. we know...don't judge... )

Debra aka "MissJudgment" arrived with our drinks. She also brought two "It's our Special Day" place mats for Jay and I!

As we are easy to please, we decided to forgive her. We LOVE laminated place mats with Mickey and Friends signatures!

Jay took Teddy to get some food and then I took Sally. Teddy is a monster mouth and will eat anything pretty much. His favorite foods are coleslaw and spinach...with peas and carrots a close second. I don't even like spinach.

Sally is another story. of course. This child has food "issues"...along with everything else. These issues are a direct result of the fact that she was allowed to eat BABY FOOD until she was FIVE YEARS OLD. I know...can y'all believe that. Jay tried and tried to put a stop to it. But his wife and mother in law didn't see anything wrong with it. He'd throw all the baby food out and declare it GONE for good. But he had to work. As soon as he would leave for the day, Grandma would show up with more baby food. They told Jay he was MEAN for making Sally eat things she didn't like... Most babies will show some resistance to new textures. Sally threw a fit one day about something they tried to feed her, so mommy and grandma freaked out...which freaked Sally out more. It planted a seed of fear in her little head about new foods. It got really out of control. It didn't help that the dingbat pediatrician they were seeing said that "As long as Sally is getting the nutrition she needs, he didn't see it as a problem".

Jay tried. He tried hard. But he could not fight those women. They berated him and told him what a terrible person he was to be so mean to his daughter.

SO...when the kindergarten teacher told mommy that Sally could NOT eat baby food at kindergarten unless it was for a specific medial reason beyond "she cries"...mommy wanted to change schools! It taught Sally that running away from fear was better than facing it.

At that point reality was starting to set in. Sally was using the crying bit to get her way in other areas too. So finally the babyfood was thrown away. She lived on yogurt and cheese for a while. After Jay moved out, he started "insisting that Sally try everything he put in front of her. She had to try it. If she hated it, she could have some yogurt later. It was through that system of not forcing her that he taught her to eat regular foods. She was so stubborn that she would flat out NOT eat rather than eat something she wasn't familiar with. He had to give her the hope that something she was comfortable with was in the refrigerator, just as long as she TRIED.

eating disorders much? SERIOUSLY...

Even now, she's afraid of pretty much anything that is not a carrot, a slice of cheese, yogurt, pasta, or a hotdog. Which is pretty much what she ate at Chef Mickey's!

The kids weren't so interested in the food anyway...the characters were too thrilling!!

DONALD!!!!

PLUTO!!! (it just cracked me up how Pluto had to sign these books!)

GOOFY!!!

It was all really exciting!! Sally was thrilled to hear the "Napkin Twirling" music. Somebody had a reason to celebrate!!! Guess who it was?!

It was the CampbellScot's!!!!

Debra announced that the CampbellScot's had an anniversary and would everyone please twirl their napkins and dance in honor of our big day!!

Jay just shook his head. He didn't even bother to throw a look at me.

Teddy twirled his napkin with gusto! The guy in the picture was getting his groove thang on... I like his shirt...it was the "Mine Mine MiNe mIne MINE" seagulls from Finding Nemo!!

Debra brought us CUPCAKES!!!

MissCammie LOVES her some cupcakes!!! I gave most of mine to Sally though as my tummy was just started to feel normal and I didn't want to risk upsetting the beast within!

Throughout all of this, there was a little boy who kept running up to the characters when they were at our table. He kept getting in the pictures. This was bothersome to me as I don't know this child and didn't want him in our family album. His parents were watching him with amused little smiles as if to say "That little SCAMP! Look how he isn't waiting his turn and showing zero respect for others...how CUTE is that?!" RAR! It's not like the kids was a toddler...he was AT LEAST 6 or 7.

It was annoying the characters too, b/c they had to wait while I had to wait for the kid to move. It was throwing them off their schedule. Finally, as I was about to make a threat of bodily harm...Jay says

"We are trying to take pictures of our family. Are you in our family?"

Jay waits for the kid to answer.

The kids says "No".

Jay says "Then go SIT and WAIT until the characters come to you." PERIOD.

I died laughing on the inside. Jay works with some VERY difficult kids. He has a gift. He truly does. His philosophy is "If parents won't do their job, I'll do it for them" (but only if the parents are paying him to, or a kid is interrupting our disney family pictures!)

The kid went and sat. He didn't bother us again. He DID bother other families however. Don't get me STARTED on the irresponsibility of parents in today's world. It's an epidemic. THEY ARE YOUR KIDS. THEY MAY BE THE CENTER OF YOUR UNIVERSE, BUT THEY ARE NOT THE CENTER OF MINE OR ANYONE ELSES!!! PARENT THEM. TEACH THEM. GUIDE THEM...PUNISH THEM IF THEY NEED IT....PERIOD.

*ahem*

Okay...next up...FINALLY...The Pirate and Princess Party arrives!!!

 

[CampbellScot]

Your report is fantastic......when you started to describe your outfit for P & P Party (then remembered you where there on the 21st)....We were there also that night and I saw you guys!!!!! Adorable is all I can say.....I remember the Belle Dress and your outfit!!!!!!! Good Luck on Friday!!!!!! I have 2 tummy bugs that are now 13 and 15......... We went to the P&P Parties on the 18th and then went back on the 21st!!!!!!!

Oh my GOSH!!! Really?! Wow!! Talk about a SMALL WORLD!!! HOw cool is that?!

well thanks for the nice words! I can't believe it. The park was pretty packed that night!

Thanks for reading!!!!

 

[CampbellScot]

Fellow Wicked Stepmother subscribing!! Love your report so far!!! Best I've read in a long time!!! My hubby and I are going to Disney Sept 8-15
days away!! I am also a step-mother and can relate TOTALLY to all the garbage you have to go through!! When I get down and discouraged, I just say "Find My Happy Place" "Find My Happy Place" and it seems to work, AND Xanax does a pretty good job too

Great Report...keep it coming

Glad to see there is another Wicked Stepmother out there!!

My happy place is sometimes locked unfortunately. Then Donald has a big old tantrum and usually breaks a window or something and I can get in!

thanks so much for reading!!!

HOpe you have an AWESOME trip!!!

 

[tina_la]

I am soo hooked. I keep pressing the next button to see another page and there's not one I have to know the ANSWER to you cliffhanger. I thought the same thing about your "tummy trouble" when I first read it. Your two sound just like mine. Shelby is more timid but thoughtful and thinks everything through. Also is the first one to call you out if you aren't following the rules. Todd is funny, carefree and has to be watched at all times . Hope everything works out with the courts. Keep us all informed on that. Hate to think of the kids moving, changing schools. Know what that would do to your oldest firsthand. Thanks for some great writing. Waiting for more.


Disney Trip September 9-15 All Star Sports
DD 11
DS 8
little DS 1 ("tummy bug" #3)

first trip for all three and DH

 

[Microcell]

Thanks for the kind words. I have my Master's in psychology, I'm currently in school for my doctorate. I am also a *certified* behaviorist. Impressed huh? Right now I work at a private school as a School psychologist. I work mostly with autistic children, but we've got some kids with emotional "disturbances" in there too. I hate that term "disturbed". It gets under my skin.

The world needs more dedicated Special Ed. teachers! Autism is on the rise and we need people who are interested in and dedicated to these kids. Good for you!!!

I thought there was something I liked about you!

I am also a "Certified Behaviorist" (Residential Treatment Programs for Adults with Developmental Disabilities with a minor in Early Childhood Autism- Garsh even the title is impressive) and I am fully aware of how impressive that is! That and $3.10 will get you a cup of coffee, at Starbucks!!

My school was funnier yet. The school was a sub section of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences- Human Development and Family Life until the Department head Dr. Morris (who I will never forgive for giving me a "C" in his class...) actually wrote all the Alumni to alert them the name had changed to "Applied Behavioral Sciences" and we were to change our resumes accordingly. I was ten years out of college, and after two kids too tired to change anything, muchless my resume!

I think all of us in that field are sympatico, and have issues! Keep up the fight for sanity and good luck with the blended family, it can get messy! I am not a Wicked stepmother (just a wicked mom) but I had one, a real one!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

I've got to tell you, Miss Cammie, that besides just enjoying your TR, I LOVE that there are people like you out there in the world. I, too, firmly believe in PARENTING. Sometimes, like yesterday when I had my youngest 2 at Barnes and Noble and the kid at the train yanked a Thomas car out of my 4 year old's hands and said "That one is MINE!", and there wasn't another adult around, and I was forced to intervene and introduce said child to the world of sharing and compromise, I think I might be the only one out there. It's nice to know I'm not alone. And nicer, still, to know that when my 4 year old turns to me and says "Momma, that boy has no manners and didn't play nicely," that there are kids like Sally and Teddy, so mine are not alone.

Thank you.

 

[Momof4gr8boys]

Truly enjoying your TR! I am also at work and keep getting the funny looks because you are making me laugh out loud one minute and cry the next. Please keep it coming.

 

[skywaywaver]

Love it, love it, love it!
What time is your doctor's appointment tomorrow? Because about 2 hours after I will be here looking for an update!
Seriously though, ulcers can make you throw up, and feeling badly can make you cry...so it's possible.
Love Jay's comment to the infringing kid. I can't believe that the waitress was Miss Judgemental Perfect Woman...geez, a "Congratulations!" would have sufficed.
Can't wait to read more! I agree with PP, I love your writing style. Tangents are good, they give us more to read! (But I also like Southern fiction...makes me sad I am a tri-state girl )
More please!

 

[diannamaria]

Great trip report. can't wait to hear more!

 

[ENSOCK]

Ok you are going to get me in trouble at work. I am sitting at my desk with tears streaming down my face. Gotta love that Minnie. Am waiting for the next installment. (might have to read it at home)

 

[Thmacs1]

I started reading your reports last night at work and am now hooked. The Minnie Mouse momnet had me crying as well. Thank you for sharing your trip, I look forward to reading more!