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

[Briarmom]

Hey Miss Cammie! I just found JunkFood Brand t-shirts for kids that have the Beatles on them at Gap.com. I thought of the kiddos.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Another great update. Loved the bus ride home!!!

 

[chip91]

I don't stick with too many tr's but yours is awesome, and I'm here for the long haul!!

Keep it comin' and btw, I don't think your a wicket stepmommy at all!!

Chip

 

[Caboosey]

Thanks for such a FANTASTIC trip report! I read it all today (AND managed to get my culminating project for Grad School done - so my Graduation trip won't be in vain!) and I need more!!!

 

[suevee]

"Oh man this child and his spontaneous gushes of joy. He kills me. And when he is sorely testing my patience and sanity, I remember moments like this. This five year old boy who is still baby enough to laugh with abandon and delight for no other reason than he feels it inside himself. God bless this child and protect his joy. "


I am on Page 20 of your report and enjoying it immensely. What is it about 5 year old boys?????? Teddy reminds me of my grandson, Will. When Will was about 3, I took him to Florida to visit my father. It was his first plane trip, first time seeing his great-grandfather, and first WDW day. It was just a Grammy and Boy trip.

Well, we had just gotten on the plane and he started to shiver with his arms wrapped around his little body. I asked him if he was alright. He said, "I am just so happy!" It set the tone for the whole trip!!! It was particullarly special as Will's father decided he didn't want to be married or a FATHER! Will just didn't understand why his dad chose to move several states away from him and never called. So for him to shiver with happiness just made a grammy's day!!!

Sally and Teddy are so lucky to have a dad like Jay and a loving stepmom like you!!!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

His voice went up about five octaves as he squealed "I GET TO LICK ALL OF IT?!"

"Umm, MissCammie...I apparently got ice cream cone in my ear..."

You should put a "Best of Teddy" compilation CD together. I'd buy it. That mini-man of yours always puts a smile on my face.

 

[Fluffypants]

Just when I was thinking "boooooo . . . it's Monday!," I check the Dis and there's a new chapter from Miss Cammie! Suddenly Monday seems so much brighter!

Yet again you have me laughing out loud (Teddy with ice cream APPARENTLY in his ear), followed by involuntary tears (cancelling your Artists Point ressie to BE TOGETHER). Your family is just so sweet. I know I will be thinking of you next week, when I am on patrol for rule breakers and searching for zebra eggs!!!!

I almost want to take a laptop with me so I don't miss any installments!!! But maybe they will help me get over Disney withdrawal when I get back.

Sending you all a big huge hug!!!

 

[*DisMom*]

Miss Cammie- another great chapter and another teary eyed mom reading it!! i feel like i am right there with you! there is nothing like a big hug from your children just to say they love you---brings on the tears every time!! i am preparing for our upcoming trip in 2 weeks and every time i read your TR, it gets me even more excited about ours!!! can't wait for more!

 

[suevee]

Currently I am on page 43. We've just finished day one. Did you keep a notebook with jotting down notes during the course of the day? Or was it just one of those memorable days that just get better with time?

 

[jenb1023]

I was so excited to see a new chapter so soon after the last one!

Glad to read that Sally didn't mind being wet. Loved Teddy Apparently getting ice cream in his ear!

Reading your report always makes me smile - between the excellent writing and your family that I think we have all fallen in love with and the fact that you say/do a lot of things that I say/do to my DD and how much my DD is a lot like Sally but with the funny oneliners of Teddy.

Hope that you all are well and that the ex situation is getting better!

 

[CampbellScot]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their incredibly kind comments! I've tried twice to multi-quote, but it's not working right...I got as many as I could! So I'm doing a shout out to all!!!

Another wonderful chapter!

Please tell us about the "swim towel"!!!! Where can I get it, who makes it (Speedo, TYR, ?). Bottom line...we NEED this towel! Thanks!

BTW...what strokes did you swim, and do Sally and Teddy also swim?

www.swimoutlet.com has swim towels for VERY reasonable prices. I think Jay got ours at Target in the automotive section! Some swim towels feel damp all the time, others don't. But they work just the same. It's all a personal preference thing. I've used both...I like the "dry" ones. You can also get "camp towels" that do pretty much the same thing...but they come in large regular towel sizes as well as small sizes. They really are one of the best things we bring with us to Disney!!

YES!!! I finally caught up. This is the first trip report I've ever read and it's great. I've laughed, cried, and laughed some more. I'll be here waiting for the next installment.
Andrea

Thanks for reading!! Glad you joined us!!

Miss Cammie-

You should write a book for kids going through divorce, you seem to have a special understanding for what they need and how they feel. Then when you have a best seller on your hands, you can quit your job and go to Disney so we have more trippie's from you.

I am SO down with going to Disney for professional research purposes! I appreciate the kind words. Sometimes I feel like I don't know ANYTHING and I'm just flailing around like a kid myself. Divorce is difficult in even the best situations. Sadly we do NOT have a "best" situation. We're on the "make it has hard as possible" route.

grrrr.

Hey Miss Cammie! I just found JunkFood Brand t-shirts for kids that have the Beatles on them at Gap.com. I thought of the kiddos.

THANKS!! I ran right out and got one of those for Sally this weekend! She got straight A's on her report card and nothing says "Good Job!" like a Beatles tee!!!

"Oh man this child and his spontaneous gushes of joy. He kills me. And when he is sorely testing my patience and sanity, I remember moments like this. This five year old boy who is still baby enough to laugh with abandon and delight for no other reason than he feels it inside himself. God bless this child and protect his joy. "


I am on Page 20 of your report and enjoying it immensely. What is it about 5 year old boys?????? Teddy reminds me of my grandson, Will. When Will was about 3, I took him to Florida to visit my father. It was his first plane trip, first time seeing his great-grandfather, and first WDW day. It was just a Grammy and Boy trip.

Well, we had just gotten on the plane and he started to shiver with his arms wrapped around his little body. I asked him if he was alright. He said, "I am just so happy!" It set the tone for the whole trip!!! It was particullarly special as Will's father decided he didn't want to be married or a FATHER! Will just didn't understand why his dad chose to move several states away from him and never called. So for him to shiver with happiness just made a grammy's day!!!

Sally and Teddy are so lucky to have a dad like Jay and a loving stepmom like you!!!

I'm sorry your little grandson is having to go through that kind of heartbreak. Thank goodness he has people around him who love him enough to see that his joy in life won't be crushed. Yay for grandson having a good grandma!!!

Thanks so much for reading!!!

Just when I was thinking "boooooo . . . it's Monday!," I check the Dis and there's a new chapter from Miss Cammie! Suddenly Monday seems so much brighter!

Yet again you have me laughing out loud (Teddy with ice cream APPARENTLY in his ear), followed by involuntary tears (cancelling your Artists Point ressie to BE TOGETHER). Your family is just so sweet. I know I will be thinking of you next week, when I am on patrol for rule breakers and searching for zebra eggs!!!!

I almost want to take a laptop with me so I don't miss any installments!!! But maybe they will help me get over Disney withdrawal when I get back.

Sending you all a big huge hug!!!

Have a BLAST!!! How exciting!!! I'll be first in line for your Trip Report!!!

Currently I am on page 43. We've just finished day one. Did you keep a notebook with jotting down notes during the course of the day? Or was it just one of those memorable days that just get better with time?

I actually had a notebook with me and I'm forever jotting things down. I'm a "memories" girl. At the end of every day I'd enter everything into my passporter. I also tend to have a steel trap memory. Music and sounds in general keep scenes in my head pretty accurately. My mother is frequently shocked when I'll say "Do you remember..." and the memory is of something that happened when I was two years old...

that's my quirk. I annoy my sisters to DEATH with it!

 

[cherjp]

Hi Miss Cammie

I have just stumbled across your trippie and WOW , it is absolutely fantastic, its well seen that you are of irish descent , you have the craic!! you must seriously consider writing as a profession , you are fantastic , i think you are a great role model for sally and teddy and they are great little cherubs, I have only just started and obviously have a lot of reading to do , but just wanted to let you know how fantastic your trippie is.

keep writing and we will keep reading!

cheryl

 

[CampbellScot]

Hi Miss Cammie

I have just stumbled across your trippie and WOW , it is absolutely fantastic, its well seen that you are of irish descent , you have the craic!! you must seriously consider writing as a profession , you are fantastic , i think you are a great role model for sally and teddy and they are great little cherubs, I have only just started and obviously have a lot of reading to do , but just wanted to let you know how fantastic your trippie is.

keep writing and we will keep reading!

cheryl

The CRAIC!!! I love it...my cousin's were forever answering the phone like that..."What's the craic?"

I feel like I just got a big old pat on the back from my older cousin's whom I idolized as a child!

Thanks so much for the kind words and the celtic nod! Made me laugh out loud in my office...

*people get nervous when you are sitting alone in your office laughing...which is good...keep people guessing I always say!!*

 

[Jacklynn]

I started reading a few days ago and just got done! Can't wait to hear the rest. I must say I love your personality and your self proclaimed "Type A/OCD" helps me to know I am not the only one like that Your family is adorable!

Your amazing details in your writing thrill me btw.... because I am a dork like that.

 

[sunnyday123]

Teddy took this moment, of course, to point out that "Lookit, we're a family all together! We're all sitting together like LIONS!"



Oh Teddy is just too funny.

It was a nice bus ride. It was quiet and warm...the rain was pouring down outside...it was very COZY!! Nobody was naked...nobody needed saving. We were able to just sit and *be* together...even ME.

As we were pulling in to the Wilderness Lodge I found myself wanting to stay on that bus. I wanted keep a hold of the kids and of Jay...of myself...for just a bit longer.

I turned to Jay with every intention of telling him that I thought perhaps we should cancel the Artist Point reservation...to tell him that I really wanted to stay together...

but he beat me to it!

I had opened my mouth to give word to my thoughts when Jay said,

"Hey Cam...would you be really upset if we maybe didn't do Artist Point tonight? I really want to keep all of us together tonight...would that be okay?"

I love my husband.

Of course I could NOT control myself. I sniffled and I smiled and nodded at him and said,

"Took the words right out of my mouth babe! Let's just be together...I love it!"

Things had changed too much for us in the last few months. There was just no point in being at Disney with the kids and not being WITH them. Not for the Campbellscot's anyhow...not this year. Every second counted.

Sally was OVERJOYED at the change of plans. She was NOT feeling the "kids club". She had been okay with the idea when she knew she didn't have a choice, but once plans changed I could SEE the relief on her face.

She was right...and really, I was relieved too. The frenzied feeling had been replaced with a calm and a sense of relief. I didn't need to rush...Sally didn't need to get her worry wart on about the unknown of a new situation...There would be no anxiety tonight. We were sticking together.

Like Lions!

and because every second counted.

Miss Cammie, I just wish that someday my DD has a step-mother as wise and caring as you. Seeing the things she does through every other weekend ( when she goes ) and the way her DH ( NOT DARLING!) F treats her like an afterthought breaks my heart, and let me tell you, my inner Donald wants to quack up one side of them and down the other! Some people just don't get it, and Sally and Teddy are so lucky to have you! I only wish *everyone* involved in their lives could get over whatever they are stuck on and agree to what is best for the children!! Sounds like a little bit of jealousy is running rampant, and *someone* needs to be reminded who the children are.

Keep writing, it gives me hope!!! ( and I think I love your husband too!)

 

[suevee]

it's a mess. As I am nobody, there is nothing I can do. Which makes me frustrated...which makes me grouchy. Poor Jay.


:

PLEASE don't say you are a nobody and there is nothing you can do!!!! As Sally would say it is AGAINST THE RULES!!!! You are doing a lot. You are doing everything you can to give love and stability in a difficult situation. They need you!!

I am up to page 61!!!!!

 

[CampbellScot]

Miss Cammie, I just wish that someday my DD has a step-mother as wise and caring as you. Seeing the things she does through every other weekend ( when she goes ) and the way her DH ( NOT DARLING!) F treats her like an afterthought breaks my heart, and let me tell you, my inner Donald wants to quack up one side of them and down the other! Some people just don't get it, and Sally and Teddy are so lucky to have you! I only wish *everyone* involved in their lives could get over whatever they are stuck on and agree to what is best for the children!! Sounds like a little bit of jealousy is running rampant, and *someone* needs to be reminded who the children are.

Keep writing, it gives me hope!!! ( and I think I love your husband too!)

's to you...it's just so hard isn't it? There are no words to describe the situation we live in...it's not a natural state for children to be in and it's so hard for them to understand.

Hang in there. Remember to be good to yourself too. Don't let the world weigh too heavy...it's bad for your posture!

PLEASE don't say you are a nobody and there is nothing you can do!!!! As Sally would say it is AGAINST THE RULES!!!! You are doing a lot. You are doing everything you can to give love and stability in a difficult situation. They need you!!

I am up to page 61!!!!!

thanks for kind words. We're trucking along as best we can!!

 

[luv2tvl]

Hi Miss Cammie!

I also just found your trippie yesterday while I was at work, and I haven't done a thing for 2 days. I just keep reading everytime I get a free second!

You are a great step mom and a fantastic writer! You do those wonderful kids proud by being so devoted to them through thick and thin.

The funny thing, is I think you and I were seperated at birth! The similarities are so hilarious that I printed our your report to show to DH last night. He feels very relieved there is "another one" out there, and sends his condolences to your DH. HA!

Keep on making me smile and my husband feel better about his crazy wife! I love it!

ps.... looks like we might be in Disney the same time... Great minds think alike! (we are at WL 8/23-8/29)

 

[Dis-obrn]

Miss Cammie, I've been lurking in this here trip report () for awhile and I just had to tell you it is truly wonderful. All of it. The way that you have with those kids is sent straight from Heaven. Your whole family is in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[TexasBelle]

Miss Cammie:

Isn't it ironic that the very small things in life bring us such joy, the bus ride.

Most of the time we sit on the very cold buses expecially after an afternoon down pour waiting for our stop and we forget to take in the moments...

Thank you for reminding me to enjoy the small things in life.
TexasBelle