A Fourth of Pixie Dust! A Fourth of Fun! A Fourth of Attitude! NEW! 4/6 pg. 26

[micandminforever]

Great update, I love EPCOT at night and the summer concerts. It sounds like you had the perfect ending to the day with a Dis meet.

 

[brookelizabeth]

How fun that the Henna tattoo lady was the same for all your trips! I love that! I might have to add this to my Disney list.

Love the DIS meets too!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Just checking in to see if you have updated! Anxiously awaiting a new update.

 

[cdotla]

Hey Jackie! I am all caught up once again!

Too funny about Chelsea's red shirt. Even though the red shirt was not only more flattering, cooler in that July sun, and more patriotic, I am sure it was discarded simply because it was chosen by mom! I have a 9, almost 10yr old daughter and I am just starting to get into this now...fun time are clearly ahead, I can see!

Sounds like a great 4th of July. I would love to one day see those spectacular fireworks!!! I was only ever in WDW for 4th of July once...in the mid-1980's as a kid with my parents and I still remember the crowds to this day! Oy! Fortunately it doesn't sound like the crowds were much of a factor at all for you...except for the 45 min commute home! Yikes!

Was there anything special going on at the resort for Charles to do? Could he see any of the fireworks? Or did he just have a relaxing time with full AC, the remote to himself, and best of all, no crowds?

Hopefully after a fun nite for you and the kids, and a relaxing nite for Charles, everyone is in the mood for another great day on July 5th!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Jackie,


Please come back and play... (know you're busy...but...just a little...?) Miss your warmth and wit...

 

[scottny]

LOL. Connor saying “Why can’t music today sound like this”?
Sounds like it was a good night except for the traffic back to POR.
And now I am caught up.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh my goodness, Jackie, just catching up....
Chelsea's henna was really pretty. I don't think i would have wanted to get it wet either. So I completely understand her attitude towards swimming.
She really is a charming girl, it's just that she saves the attitude for you. We really enjoyed seeing you late at the BC. The kids seemed to be holding up really well.

Hi, Anita! I miss you!!! Chelsea is becoming more and more charming -- she has been a joy to be around lately. We'll see how long that lasts. LOL!

Getting caught up today! How was the crowds on the 4th at Epcot? Was it manageable? We have been to WDW 2 years at the 4th and never been on Epcot that day. I think it would be fun to see all the characters in their patriotic attire. I know it won't be this year but thought about the 4th in 2014 again.

The crowds were completely manageable! I was pleasantly surprised.

Too funny about Chelsea and her attire! I am sure it wasn't for you.

She is a nut!

Love that Connor like Bon Jovi music!!!!

He likes his old school music for sure.

I have always been too chicken to even try the tame side of Mission Space. What is it like? I am slight claustrophic and don't like tight places. It always looked like a ride with not much room.

If you are claustrophobic, I wouldn't recommend it. It is very tight quarters.

Loved reading the update! Those partly Minnie era are hard to find! I don't remember seeing any either. I bought v some in 2011 and she hates them of course!
Can't wait to see where you end up next I can't remember if our paths crossed at all as we arrived on the 5th.

Thanks! Chelsea still wears them around the house. LOL!

Hey Jackie. I am getting caught up on all the TR's & I need to start updating mine again! I took quite a long break & now I need to get back to it.

I understand completely!

That Connor is so funny..Oh no it's just my skin burning...

I love the Henna that Chelsea got. Very pretty!!

Connor's sense of humor is one of my favorite things.

Chelsea loves her henna tattoos.

So glad you got to meet up with Anita, MeMom & gang.

Ok now I plan to stay caught up!!

Anita, Marc, MeMom and their gangs are tons of fun!

Getting caught up again! What a fun way to end the day! The drinks look so yummy & the concert sounded great. That's definitely one I would have been interested in seeing or at least walking by to listen for a little bit.

Fun visit with the DIS Town crew too!

I am so glad we sat and enjoyed the concert -- it was a highlight for sure!

Great update, I love EPCOT at night and the summer concerts. It sounds like you had the perfect ending to the day with a Dis meet.

I love any Disney park at night!

How fun that the Henna tattoo lady was the same for all your trips! I love that! I might have to add this to my Disney list.

Love the DIS meets too!

Getting henna is one of Chelsea's favorite things!

Just checking in to see if you have updated! Anxiously awaiting a new update.

It has been a crazy winter. I will update about that soon.

Hey Jackie! I am all caught up once again!

Too funny about Chelsea's red shirt. Even though the red shirt was not only more flattering, cooler in that July sun, and more patriotic, I am sure it was discarded simply because it was chosen by mom! I have a 9, almost 10yr old daughter and I am just starting to get into this now...fun time are clearly ahead, I can see!

Life with a teenager is a roller coaster for sure!

Sounds like a great 4th of July. I would love to one day see those spectacular fireworks!!! I was only ever in WDW for 4th of July once...in the mid-1980's as a kid with my parents and I still remember the crowds to this day! Oy! Fortunately it doesn't sound like the crowds were much of a factor at all for you...except for the 45 min commute home! Yikes!

I was very pleased that the crowds weren't as bad as I had feared.

Was there anything special going on at the resort for Charles to do? Could he see any of the fireworks? Or did he just have a relaxing time with full AC, the remote to himself, and best of all, no crowds?

He just enjoyed his room time. LOL!

Hopefully after a fun nite for you and the kids, and a relaxing nite for Charles, everyone is in the mood for another great day on July 5th!

Oh, yes, July 5th became another really fun day!

Hey Jackie,


Please come back and play... (know you're busy...but...just a little...?) Miss your warmth and wit...

Ah, thanks, Patricia! I am back and will update our tale of woe in a few minutes.

LOL. Connor saying “Why can’t music today sound like this”?
Sounds like it was a good night except for the traffic back to POR.
And now I am caught up.

It was a good night except for that traffic.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, everyone! Did you think I had disappeared for good? No chance of that!

I don't normally "air our dirty laundry" on a public forum. I debated whether or not to do so, but I decided to do so from the standpoint of explaining where I have been, and maybe others will be helped in some small way in knowing that when things get bad, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It has been a rough three months, and I am hoping things have turned a corner. Soon after the Christmas holidays, Connor went through an extremely rough patch -- angry, oh-so-angry, withdrawn, hating school, crying -- it was heartbreaking, frustrating, and very grim to be a member of our household. I felt like there were a lot of factors contributing to his state -- as some of you know, my mother died in August, 2011, my brother died the following April, and then for Connor to be a 7th grader -- well, that's hard all by itself. We took him to see a doctor and a therapist, and I think we are turning a corner. His sense of humor is back -- when he started quipping a week ago, I wanted to cry from sheer relief. I hope he continues to makes improvements -- there is nothing worse than feeling completely helpless as a mother, and when it is mental illness, it is even harder to deal with -- no pat solution like taking an antibiotic for a virus.

Added to that, we discovered termites at the beginning of March -- good-bye vacation budget for this summer.

Plus, work, my specialist degree work (which ends May 11 -- thank goodness), and the coldest soccer season I have ever endured, can you see why I crawled under a rock to hide?

Anyway, that's where I have been, but I am hoping with turning in my specialist portfolio, Connor doing better, and soccer almost over, I can "play" on the DIS again. I know I am plotting another Disney trip when there is money again for vacations, and I don't have to spend it on treating termites and replacing struts in the kitchen walls. There is definitely a lightening of moods around here, and I know longer feel like our family is cursed.

I have missed everyone, and hope to catch up on everyone's TRs this week.

 

[teekathepony]

Oh Jackie. I'm so sorry you hit a rough patch and sincerely hope that it is getting better (as it sounds).
Mental illness is such a tough issue, I've dealt with small bits and pieces in my own family. Connor is so lucky to have such a wonderful and caring mother who is obviously doing everything possible to help him. I am so glad to hear you say his sense of humour is coming back. My thoughts are with you guys, hoping for a bright, happy spring and smooth sailing ahead.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Jackie! I'm sorry you've been going through so much lately, and I'm sorry things have been so rough for Connor. I'm happy to hear he is feeling a litle better and seems to be heading back toward his "regular" self. I know it must be hard to see because he is usually so much fun!

Also sorry about the termiites - Nice to see you back!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Oh Jackie- having a 7th grade boy myself< I can so relate! Big hugs and I am happy things are turning around!

Yuck on the termites! So much fun to spend a bundle and have nothing tangible to show for it, especially if it cancels a vacation!

Good luck!

 

[MEK]

I have missed everyone, and hope to catch up on everyone's TRs this week.

Good to see you back on the boards Jackie!

As fas as Connor - my nephew LJ is the same age - 7th grade - and I can attest to the fact that it can really put a damper on some kid's spirits. Especially the kids like LJ who don't fit into the "rough and tumble" boy stereotype. I am happy to hear that Connor is feeling better and I hope its just a bump in the road.

Ugh to the termites. What an unexpected house guest. That stinks.

Yeah to almost be done school. I admire you for working, raising a family, and finishing your degree.

Is it wrong if I say that I don't feel sorry for you for having a cold spring soccer season since its always like that up here.

We are going to HHI this weekend and making a special overnight stop in Charleston on the way home. Kaminiski's is on the list and I will make sure to have a slice of cheesecake for you.

Oh - and what seemed like an eternity ago I told you that Nick applied to Georgia Tech - he ended up wait listed. I doubt very much that his wait list will come through, but I am proud of him for not getting "denied". He really had extremely stiff competition for admission there. His college future is still undecided. He was accepted everywhere else he applied and now is down to the last three schools for consideration, all of which offered him scholarship money. Tell Connor to start taking his SATs as soon as possible and add as many science EC's as he can. Those kids have high SAT scores.

 

[disneyfan61]

So glad to have you back on the DIS Jackie!!

Very sorry to hear about everything. Poor Connor. He seems so happy & witty and to hear he went through this rough patch is very sad. I am glad to hear he is back to cracking the jokes once in a while.

UGH-termites!! Sorry to hear about that & no summer trip. I am going through withdrawals as this will be the first Spring in 8 years that we do not go to Disney. Lots of "other" things came up but we are booked for Food & Wine in Oct. so I have something to look forward to.

I have been seeing your posts on FB & your adventure with Chelsea to find a prom dress. You did great with that one!!

 

[MeMom]

Well, since I was once a cheerleader...

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
that's the DIStown battle cry!
Gooooo, Jackie!!!



Okay, okay, I admit I was never a cheerleader.
I was a volleyball, softball, and basketball player,
and not great at any of them.


Although I do have a favorite cheer:

Ra ra ree,
kick 'em in the knee!
Ra ra rass,
kick 'em in the other knee!

Yeah, I am twelve.

I was thrilled to get your 'finished product' picture and message while I was in Disney World! I know that took loads and loads of time and smarts. We are all proud of you!

I saw tons of teenagers with groups while I was on spring break, and I can certainly say I am glad I do not have to be one in this day and time. So many of them I could tell were doing and saying things just to impress the group. It's tough to be a kid these days, but I know Connor-man will come through with flying colors.

Hope you enjoy your much deserved down time this week. So sorry about those little wood-eaters invading your house. That is definitely a bummer when they also eat up your vacation money.

 

[scottny]

Glad to hear Connor is doing better. It is a tough age to be, I know I did it.

Termites. YIKES!!!! So sorry to hear that.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hey Jackie! Good to see you!
It is tough being in 7th grade (my least favorite for myself!) and you are smart to help Connor along - often times people will just say, "oh, it's his age", but you know your child and when they are changing.

Sorry about the termite fiasco! I hope you never have that kind of issue again!

But a hearty CONGRATULATIONS! on getting your specialist work done! That does take a lot of time and effort - and with kids and a job...OY!

Anxious to hear more about the rest of your July trip! Happy Belated Easter and enjoy your spring break!

 

[Poolrat]

So sorry to hear of Connor's woes. 7th grade is hard and both my kids had struggles during those middle school years.

As they both made it to High school things got so much better. So glad you listened to your heart and got some help.

Connor will come out on the other side of this and will make you proud.

Hang in there - it gets tough and seems way more than we bargained for but in the end that same heartache turns to joy.


Sorry about those pesky termites. Especially sorry that they ran off with the vacation buget.


Good to have you back.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm sorry to hear that things have been so stressful by you lately!!! That's wonderful that Connor is starting to feel better though! Sending lots of good thoughts your way!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Well, since I was once a cheerleader...

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
that's the DIStown battle cry!
Gooooo, Jackie!!!



Okay, okay, I admit I was never a cheerleader.

Well, I am a cheer coach, so I will cheer MeMom's cheer! :cheer2 :cheer2

Glad that Connor is breaking through his hard times. Since we are both teachers of children in this age, we know how hard middle school can be. It's very different though when it's your child you have to watch going through these problems. Patience and prayers! You will get through it!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I thought all this time it was your specialist work that had you bogged down.... Big hugs to welcome you back! After recently living through middle school with my girls and Baylor, and looking back and those years for myself, I agree with the others, the hardest years of all!!!

So happy that he is feeling better and keeping my fingers crossed that he has made it back to the land of happy.

Now those stinkin' termites! Did you find a reliable pest control company to take care of the problem? What a mess! So not fair...

What are you thinking about a timeline for another Disney vacation?