A Gem of a trip-quality, clarity, color and "Cut that out!" completed 8/4

[Diamondintheruff]

Many moons ago I knew how to quote people and get it to read "posted by...." but somehow that part of my brain is absent now. Can anyone help me remember?

For now I will "fake it till I make it" which is my new motto this year. It especially applies at work where I went from a grade 4,5 and 6 french teacher down to my own kindergarten class (in english). Always wanted to do kindergarten so I was pleased as punch but am still amazed when people think I actually know what I am doing.

Posted by lazydowy66

This doesn't look good!

You know on second thought maybe this should be my new motto.

Posted by Tnkrbelle565

I'd be happy to join you...with good meds and alcohol

The next family trip is tentatively scheduled for 2010 or 2011. My brother (he hates Disney-yes, I know very sad indeed) and his wife are coming. They have two boys aged 3 and 1 right now. Actually it is my sister-in-laws family that are planning the trip and the diamonds are coming along for the ride. That one will be interesting for many reasons.

1)my nephews are like little Eeoyres. They are spooked by their own shadows.
2)Dbro is not looking forward to it and will be grumpy.
3)One of the sister's of my sister-in-law(who has been to disney once decades ago) feels she knows more than I do and wants to take control.

I'll let you know when the dates get closer!

Posted by Nemo32

UPDATE...please??

Since you asked so nicely it is in the works.

Posted by ILuvCrush

I'm glad you told us that... I think that using those terms are brilliant! It's very hard for kids to understand and talk about 'feelings' as opposed to 'things' at that age.... kudos to you!

I wish I could take credit for the whole "wizard and dragon" vocabulary but I read it in a book.

Posted by scottny

Hi,
Just read your report tonight and am loving it. Too much rain though.

The tour sounded like fun.

Love the pics.

looking forward to more.

Welcome! So glad you popped over.

So I did mention that it rained did I? I thought maybe I forgot to add that part.

You've got to fill me in on this enchanted thing.

Posted by DearDaisyinDurham

We'll have to coordinate a shopping trip to Buffalo some time! Do you like Boulevard Mall? I like to go every other month. I also want to go to downtown TO sometime this month for the holidays .

Did you get the tiny bit of snow last night that looks so pretty this morning?

I was just down in Buffalo shopping with my girlfriends two weekends ago. We had fun but I really didn't get any bargains. I haven't been to the boulevard mall. Just the outlets, target and the Galleria Mall. I can't believe you go down everyother month!

Speaking of which I lost/misplaced my passport. I'm freaking out about it. I couldn't find it when we went to cross into the states. I was so hoping that I left it out on the kitchen counter but it is no where to be seen. What am I going to do?

Yesterday I had to go into Toronto (Leaside) for a funeral (a relative of a relative) and did some shopping (along Bayview Ave) then I hit the Miko toy outlet in Richmond Hill and finally the new superWalmart in Oshawa. It's open 24 hours this month. I was there until almost midnight.

I did hit snow on the way home. It was coming down pretty heavy. The kids are out shovelling/playing right now.

posted by purplepeg

oh man! you can't do that to us! Declutter and organize, did you put that in there just for me?

I am a work in progress. I know I need to declutter and organize (hence not being able to find my passport!) but it doesn't mean that I actually do it.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Okay so where were we?

That's right at soarin with Eeoyre having a panic attack over getting on the ride.

I should mention this is THE ride he has been talking about all year. THE ride he couldn't wait to do again and THE ride that has been declared his favorite.

We didn't have a lot of time this morning for rides as we have a late breakfast ADR for Norway with the princesses . Eeoyre knows this and sure enough which ride does he want to make sure we don't miss out on before breakfast. Soarin.

Everyone else is moving towards the seats. Eeoyre is at a standstill.

The boy is pale naturally I was so hoping for some Florida sun for him-but as you might have heard by now it was raining again however when the blood is stripped from his face like that he really becomes ghostly.

His eyes became saucers and I swear I could see his heart pounding in his neck.

Here it is. I'm about to tell you what he actually said. I wish it were more profound.

He squeezes my hand and looks me in the eyes and says.....

"Mom…. I can't"

I wasn't expecting him to be anxious on this ride today. It caught me by surprise. I didn't have much time to think as everyone had passed by us now and it was time for the next group to step on the numbers.

Dh and I exchanged glances. I believe the message that passed through us was it was up to me to handle Eeoyre.

"You're right. You can't do this ride."

Insert a pregnant pause here.

"Not without your wizard. Let your dragon know that your wizard is here and can handle it from here on."

I smile at him and firmly pull him toward the seats. He complies as if on autopilot.

Luckily Dh and Poppa have the other kids under control.

I get him thinking about something else.

"I need some help pushing the dreaded backpack into the cubby hole here. Can you kick it for me?"

He complies and as it takes quite some effort to ram the thing in there. He has no time left to back out because a CM is standing over him and putting his seatbelt on.

Eeoyre is not happy about having the CM there but as he is almost 10 years of age also embarrassed to have the CM think he is nervous.

"So our seatbelts are all done up properly?" I ask the CM.

"Yours are. But Ma'am" he says to Nanny "Your bag has to placed under your seat".

We all crank our necks to look at Nanny. She missed this ride last year so this is her first time. There is some commotion as Nanny who is not a small agile person undoes herself, shoves her bag into the cubby hole and then does herself back up. She is sweating as she finishes.

Meanwhile, I remind everyone to take their crocs and leave them on the floor. This is yet another distraction for Eeoyre.

Which is just as well as he hasn't had anytime to protest and back out of the ride.

I glance at him as we make our assent up in front of the screen. He is a mixture of excitement and fear.

Memories of seeing his face like this before flood through me.

It's a kind of I don't know whether to laugh or cry look but I know I can't keep it all contained. I waited for the explostion but he managed to keep it all in. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.

I on the other hand was not able to keep it contained. I hastily wiped my cheeks as we descended. He didn't notice though as he starred straight ahead the whole ride. He dared to swing his legs a bit over the mountains and even let go of my hand for a brief period. I was so proud of him.

Eeoyre of course doesn't even remember the whole incident. He only talks about how much he loves that ride.

Up next our princess breakfast and Dh's favorite food in all of WDW. Click here http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29124607&postcount=430

 

[MapleGirl]

Hurray!! Great job working with Eeoyre on the ride. You sound like a terrific parent.

Can't wait to read about the princess breakfast.

 

[MapleGirl]

3)One of the sister's of my sister-in-law(who has been to disney once decades ago) feels she knows more than I do and wants to take control.

What the heck?! Doesn't she realize that the Disboarders are the Masters of All Things Disney? I hate it when people think they know more than me. Good luck with the trip and dealing with your S's s-i-l. Maybe you can all take another tour and laugh when she starts arguing with the tour guide about Disney trivia!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

What the heck?! Doesn't she realize that the Disboarders are the Masters of All Things Disney? I hate it when people think they know more than me. Good luck with the trip and dealing with your S's s-i-l. Maybe you can all take another tour and laugh when she starts arguing with the tour guide about Disney trivia!

I'll be packing my boxing gloves and my tour guide Mike printouts. We'll just see who's left standing.

And thanks about the terrific parent comment. Some days I'm better than others.

 

[scottny]

that was a great update. that is great he liked it. one of favorite rides.

 

[ILuvCrush]

Great update!! I'm so glad it all worked out for Eeyore

Paula

 

[Nemo32]

I'm SOO HAPPY Eeyore enjoyed the ride! You handled the situation flawlessly.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Many moons ago I knew how to quote people and get it to read "posted by...." but somehow that part of my brain is absent now. Can anyone help me remember?

For now I will "fake it till I make it" which is my new motto this year. It especially applies at work where I went from a grade 4,5 and 6 french teacher down to my own kindergarten class (in english). Always wanted to do kindergarten so I was pleased as punch but am still amazed when people think I actually know what I am doing.

Posted by Tnkrbelle565


The next family trip is tentatively scheduled for 2010 or 2011. My brother (he hates Disney-yes, I know very sad indeed) and his wife are coming. They have two boys aged 3 and 1 right now. Actually it is my sister-in-laws family that are planning the trip and the diamonds are coming along for the ride. That one will be interesting for many reasons.

1)my nephews are like little Eeoyres. They are spooked by their own shadows.
2)Dbro is not looking forward to it and will be grumpy.
3)One of the sister's of my sister-in-law(who has been to disney once decades ago) feels she knows more than I do and wants to take control.

I'll let you know when the dates get closer!

Oh i am so there for that!!! That is pure comedy in the making

BTW, you quote everyone by hitting the multiquote button (the 2nd button in) and then hit post reply when you have everyone you want to quote. It will bring up everyone's quotes on a reply screen.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

After soarin we ran onto Nemo. Honestly we didn't run through the whole zigzag queue because we started getting silly and were going under and over them. In my opinion it was more fun playing in the empty queue area than the actual ride.

Once we got to the shells we had to wait because they insisted we take off our plastic ponchos before we sat in the shells. I'm thinking they are shells and we are supposed to be underwater in the ocean. Why would a few rain drops matter? This would be my chance to remind you all that it was raining in case you forgot.

So off went the ponchos. They got scrunched up and put into their assigned baggy and out came the windbreakers because it is gosh darn chilly in there. We were all ready to go when Nanny finally arrived. She had to go in her own shell once she disrobed like the rest of us.

My opinion of Nemo is been that I have been there and done that. It was cute the first time but seemingly stale after that. In the hot Florida sun I bet it is a welcome escape into the cool air conditioning.

It is a shame that Eeoyre didn't share my opinion. I guess his dragon hadn't backed down yet because he was determined not to do this ride again either. When pressed for a reason he told us he didn't like the part where the shark jumps out at you.

Now for those of us who have ridden Nemo you know that the shark doesn't really jump out at you. It is in a screen about 30 feet away from you and it is obvious that there is a screen or glass partition which ever way you wish to think about it.

Eeoyre is also spying the moving carpet thing and I can tell he is about to freak out about that next.

"Hon, you have done this ride before."

"I know. I didn't like it before either".

"What is going to make it easier for you to ride this now?"

"Can I ride with you Mom?"

"Of course. Excuse me" I ask the CM working the loading station who is just standing around as NO ONE else has entered the ride in the last few minutes.

"Can we get three in a shell?"

"Depends on which three" Oh, we have funny one this morning. I am in the middle of dealing with a potential freak out and this guy wants to talk semantics with me. DH and Jedi have already left. They are probably wondering where the rest of us are. Poppa is over in the queue area helping Nanny put her umbrella down as it popped up during a wind gust. I am standing alone on the platform with Eeoyre and Cindy. Which three people did he think I meant?

"Um.. Myself and my two children that are standing next to me" I flash one of those passive aggressive smiles that we Canadians are so fond of.

"Sure Thing"

"But I don't want to ride with Eeoyre" pouts Cindy folding her arms.

"I'm not playing this game with you today young lady. I will give you a choice. You can ride with your brother and I or you can ride with Nanny and Poppa. What will it be?'

"Nanny and Poppa"

"Fine. Nanny and Poppa. I'm riding with Eeoyre and you guys can take Cindy. We'll see you at the end of the ride."

I waited for Poppa to acknowledge Cindy. He waved her over to him. Then I grabbed Eeoyre's shoulders and guided him firmly and most importantly as quickly as I could into the nearest shell.

He held his ears and closed his eyes most of the ride. It made me sad and yet proud in a way. When he was younger he would have hidden his face in my embrace. He needed my encouragement to go on the ride but he didn't need me physically anymore to make it through the ride. I know our jobs as parents are to help our children become independent but it is a bittersweet journey. I had to reach out and rub his shoulders because I just couldn't help myself.

Eeoyre detached himself from me when we got to the last song. The big blue world (or something like that). He did need a hand to steady him getting out onto the moving carpet again but he quickly regained his composure when we hit the very public aquarium area at the end of the ride.

Eventually Nanny and Poppa caught up with us. They rode in separate shells! Nanny's umbrella was still popped up and she needed a shell to herself.

Here are the kids exploring the aquarium area. Eeoyre found a kidcot table upstairs and prefered to work away at it. So Nanny and Poppa stayed with him and Dh, Cindy, Jedi and I roamed around. I just wanted you to know why I don't have any pictures of Eeoyre too.

We left for Norway at 10:15. They seated us right away. We got a really crappy table to the (okay I am directionally challenged) Malstorm side of the door. They did try to speed us up a bit as we were the last seating but we knew that was probably going to happen so we were fine with it. There certainly wasn't any waiting around for the check.

The kids went together for their picture with Belle. I would have liked a group shot but Nanny and Poppa are hard to convince to get into pictures with us.

When they seated us the hotess mentioned that our reservation said we were celebrating a birthday. Well that set Eeoyre off.

"It was my brother's birthday yesterday"

The hotess explained that we could still celebrate his birthday today too.

"But he's already had two cupcakes."

Jedi didn't particularly want the princesses making a fuss over him. So I declined any birthday festivities for Jedi.

We had breakfast here last year too so it wasn't a big deal to see the princesses. I mean it was nice but none of them had any meaningful interaction with us. Here are our pictures with them.

When we were taking pictures both Poppa and I took them. I thought these two were funny as one is Poppa's and one is mine. Obviously Mulan and the kids are looking at different cameras.

So now we can get to Dh's favorite food in all of Disney World.

The potato casserole!

Here he is in all his glory consuming it.

Up next-Norway, the kids discover Kidcot. Click here http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29200811&postcount=444

 

[Nemo32]

Great update. As you remember, I didn't get on the Nemo ride so I'm looking forward to it this time.

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

I do not like Nemo. It is too short for the amount of time it takes to walk through the queue and the queue itself is better to look at than the ride.

Looks like a nice breakfast at Akershus.

 

[lazydoxy66]

I'm very proud of Eeyore for overcoming his anxieties. What a challenging day!
MMMMM, potato casserole!! I'm with your DH on that one!

Great pics again!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Yet another great update!! Eeyore is certainally growing up... I know how you feel..... My DS shaved off his rather noticable moustace for the first time this past week....almost did me in...

He keeps getting less and less dependent on me.... I feel for you. I know how wierd it is being so proud of them, yet not wanting to grow up 'just' yet. Pretty soon we won't be needed at all except to give them $$!!!!

Paula

 

[pl'smama]

I am proud of Eeyore to and he doesn't even know it. I think your eldest has a little DIS fan club Diamond! It seems to me that you handled both Soarin and Nemo with great tack and caring. Your son will be all the better for it. I do admire how well you can distrack him and yet help him to overcome his dragons. Wow, is all I can say.

Suz

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

How funny. We had the same exact princesses (and I use the term princesses lightly since 2 of them are NOT princesses) at our breakfast!

 

[DisneyJo]

I'm so pleased you got Eeyore on Soarin and the Mulan photos are so funny

 

[Diamondintheruff]

HELP

Somethings FUNKY with my computer.

I lost my trip report!

I didn't get any email notices after my last chapter and it doesn't show up for me on the trip report boards.

I can only find it by clicking my link on my signature.

I'm hoping it's not lost in cyberspace.

Can anyone read this?

 

[Sorsha]

I read you Diamond!
Sorry you are having computer problems!

Did you try clicking on "usercp" and finding it in your subscribed threads control panel?

 

[ILuvCrush]

I'm finding you... but i'm subscribed and it popped up as having new messages this am