A Princess, Pirates and Pixie Dust!

[Djjsperry]

I have really enjoyed reading about your family. I hope it all works out for you. I look forward to continuing to finish your vacation with you as I read along.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Love how you still kept it very Pixi and Disney happy even when lil Ms Grumpy came into your space. what a evil step mother LMAO. Glad you were able to pack a lot in until the clouds opened up on ya.

Love hearing about how the kids are doing in their new environments. Hoping everythings goes smoothly and works out for yall in the end!!!

Cant wait to read more!

Yeah, I did okay with her, but I couldn't find my glass slippers We did have a lot of fun in a little bit of time!

Thanks for the good thoughts. It is definitely a day to day journey for Mark and Lindz - all the case worker meetings, etc. for two kids can wear on them sometimes.

I have really enjoyed reading about your family. I hope it all works out for you. I look forward to continuing to finish your vacation with you as I read along.

Hello! I'm not sure if you have posted before, but if I haven't said it before, Thank you so much for reading, and for your good thoughts!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

In our last episode, we had a near miss with a mad cabana mama, dodged the rain, posed for another photo op. We decided to see what fun could be had at Disney Quest. None of us had ever taken the time to check it out so today seemed like a good opportunity!

Mark and Lindsay decided to take Mav back to the hotel for a nap, and sent Myles and Londynn with Jim and I. Ryan's had their car this day, and we took the bus. Anyone ever go to DTD from BB? How about AK? Yep. I used to know this. I don’t remember why, but it took us a long time to get on the bus and get to the West Side DTD area. I am thinking it was that we went to TL first? Then we hit the Market Place. Just before the West Side stop, Jim asked the driver if he would be stopping at West Side for DQ. Yes, the West Side stop is coming up. Apparently, you were supposed to just jump out as the bus drove by West Side. Actually, there was a stop. At a stop sign.

I saw DQ straight ahead, and a sign on the wall that said, “Downtown Disney West Side” with no arrow. I jumped up and said, “Jim! This is West Side, this is where we need to get off!” He wasn’t having it. He is a rule follower. We were at a stop sign, not an actual bus stop. In his very good impersonation of a most irritated Grumpy, he said,
“No! THE DRIVER SAID HE WAS TAKING US TO WEST SIDE!” “This IS West Side – see the sign?” “This is not it!” “This is not a stop!” Of course the driver did not announce West Side after being asked, either. I knew we should get off – why would we stay on when our destination was clearly right in front of us? But I decided to have an “I told you so moment without saying “I told you so.” We women are good at that. Sorry, now I spoiled it for everyone!

So we stayed on the bus all the way to AK! “Now what do we do?” Suddenly, I was to answer for why we were off course. (I assure you , he is usually not such a Grump, but leaving a high powered job where you are in control of everything to no one caring what you think will make a guy try to control everything else in his life. I have been really good, Thank God, at giving him Grace for this, and he is starting to relax and be himself again.) And then it happened. Right in front of the grandkids, and all the very uncomfortable people seated around us – we became THOSE people – the ones you just shake your head at. No bad words were spoken, but we had an argument on the bus where everyone could awkwardly observe us. I am not going into the details here, because that is even more awkwardness, but it was not our best moment. We worked things out later, and Mr Grumpy did not show up again the rest of the trip thank to my princess abilities  You do not get to 33 years of marriage without a few arguments and without some coping skills. Myles and Londynn were completely oblivious, or they seemed to be.
We started to stay on at AK, thinking the bus would go back to DTD eventually. We were stressed because Ryan was texting and asking where we were. I thought to ask the driver to be sure. No, this bus was headed to AKL from here. So we jumped off at the last minute and started looking for the bus line for DTD. Cue heavenly music here, along with a bright light and Pixie Dust. I had an epiphany! We took the kids by the hand and jumped in a cab! We were right at the same DQ/West side sign mentioned above within 5 minutes!!! The kids were excited to not be in booster seats.

Funny how you can get your head so set on going a certain direction, that the obvious answer almost escapes you!

I don’t know why I didn’t take any pics of DQ. It was pretty dark and it was hard to keep tabs on two kiddos. I did borrow some from the web, though.

It was a really fun place, and I would have loved to have more time there. Some of our time was wasted just trying to navigate and find Ryan’s (that’s how my MN family categorizes a family, so you don’t spell everything out K?) took some time, and then figuring out what everyone wanted to do, When I found Ryan’s they were all four riding in a real rubber raft with paddles, while navigating a virtual river on a screen ahead of them!

That looked like fun, but we didn’t make it back to that. Dana and I found the area with games Evan and Londynn would enjoy, while Jim and Ryan took the boys on some kind of virtual coaster or something. I know we played a lot of dance, dance and smashed a lot of squirrels. This is pretty cool because your entry gets you free play on most of the games.







There is a huge snack bar and it looks like you could rent parts of this place and have a killer birthday party!



Soon we were all back together and played for about another hour, and then the tummies were feeling rumbly and it was time to head to the resort for some food and play time. Jim and I took the boat over to the resort with the kids. We have never eaten at the resort this much but it was very nice and relaxing - may do more of that in the future.

We all got our suits on and ordered food from the pool bar – I might have had another adult beverage. WE had a really fun night at the pool, until this young guy, maybe 32ish came and got in my space in the hot tub and struck up a conversation. (we had seen him arguing loudly with his wife awhile earlier - THOSE people) I had not said more than about 5 words to him when he started hitting on me. SERIOUSLY??? I mean it was very blatant, and inappropriate, and I didn’t even know how to handle it because I was so shocked and it was so stupid. DUDE! I’m a grandma! What about me says Cougar? There were other people in the hot tub. I really just wanted to relax, so I didn’t let him chase me out at first, but then he asked if I was alone. Ummm, just then, my big boy with the barb wire tattoo on his arm came strolling up – “This is my son, “ “There’s my other son – and my 5 grandkids” “There’s my husband…” Ryan came over –“Mom, are you ready to go in? I think we’re all turning in.” You should have seen the look on that guy’s face. Ryan waited for me and when we got over to our chairs and towels, Dana told me that he had been following her around earlier (makes more sense) and Ryan had to chase him off once before. What a Dork (or other D word of your choice). I didn’t even say anything to Jim - you do not want to see how he acts if he thinks he has to defend my honor.
Well, that crisis averted, it seemed a good time to go and sit on my patio and read my nook and have a glass of wine, which is just what I did.

NEXT UP: Bippity Boppity Boo!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oops I missed getting you in on the replies, so you get a private session. I'm glad you enjoyed the updates and pics - we tried really hard to set up the facial expressions and poses to be the same - turned out pretty good!

Well the crabby lady was just having a bad day, I think.

Mav's parents have failed badly enough - in fact, the dad is on the run because it came out there is a warrant out for him in another state - that the judge is seriously moving the process up and they should be able to finalize in December. Little Faith is kind of a wild card - the case worker is on her mother's side rather than watching out for the child - lets her show up high to visits, etc. As of yesterday, mom is in jail so who knows? They are also playing the "tribal" card as she is part American Indian. That means the tribe officials could just come and take her at any time, so it is really an unsure situation at this time. We just don't want to see them play this game to get her back and then she'll end up in the same place again, only with another family when we already love her.

Did anyone notice I used Faith's name here? It's okay I'll just use it - it's her middle name and it's what we call her, except for Mav, who calls her "pate."

 

[KatMark]

What a horrid bus ride to the West Side? And why didn't the bus driver announce it after you specifically asked about it? Smart move in hopping in a cab.

We've not been to Disney Quest since it first opened. I was a bad momma and told my kids after the first visit that it wasn't popular enough and they closed it down.

Glad you had some fun in the pool and food to enjoy while there.

Tammie, you are obviously a "hot" grandma as this guy was hitting on you. I love that your son came to your rescue.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a horrid bus ride to the West Side? And why didn't the bus driver announce it after you specifically asked about it? Smart move in hopping in a cab.

We've not been to Disney Quest since it first opened. I was a bad momma and told my kids after the first visit that it wasn't popular enough and they closed it down.

Glad you had some fun in the pool and food to enjoy while there.

Tammie, you are obviously a "hot" grandma as this guy was hitting on you. I love that your son came to your rescue.

I KNOW! It reminded us why we always rent a car - just wasn't feasible with this big a group, and Lindsay wanted to give the kids the experience of the Disney transportation which was fun for them! You would think the driver would announce the stop, especially since it was just a stop sign, and he didn't wait any longer or open the door or anything. To be fair, there was construction going on, so maybe it messed up the stop, but a little common sense was in order.

Oh GEEZ, now I'm He always takes good care of me - he's a good boy.

 

[Poolrat]

Oh Tammie,
From DTD to AK!!!!!

And then back again. Oh yes the snit was in order.

The construction makes it insane at DTD. More than usual.


Glad you all got there eventually and had some fun in DQ. My DS loved the place and would just spend hours there. I can handle it in small does and all the noise is a bit of a sensory overload for me.

 

[Poolrat]

Oh Tammie,
From DTD to AK!!!!!

And then back again. Oh yes the snit was in order.

The construction makes it insane at DTD. More than usual.


Glad you all got there eventually and had some fun in DQ. My DS loved the place and would just spend hours there. I can handle it in small does and all the noise is a bit of a sensory overload for me.

Getting hit on in the hot tub- priceless. I think you handled it great even if was a bit creepy.

 

[englishrose47]

That Bus ride definitely has my name all over it !! I never know which stop to ge off for DTD, I have finally figured out Market Place is for the shops and EOS and Pleassure Island is for Raglan Road , now I have learnt that West Side is for Disney Quest. But would I know unless the driver announced which it was oh **** NO!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh Tammie,
From DTD to AK!!!!!

And then back again. Oh yes the snit was in order.

The construction makes it insane at DTD. More than usual.


Glad you all got there eventually and had some fun in DQ. My DS loved the place and would just spend hours there. I can handle it in small does and all the noise is a bit of a sensory overload for me.

Getting hit on in the hot tub- priceless. I think you handled it great even if was a bit creepy.

At least I remembered we had made that mistake once 6 years ago - it was a 2 hr stuck at TL for an hour ride - we could have walked and taken the friendship boat if I realized how close we were.
or took a cab.

Yes, the sensory overload kicks in for me, too. I was glad it wasn't an all day activity, but it was a fun change of pace!
I should have just shushed the hot tub guy - I'm old enough to be his mom - I should have told him to shut it and get in his own corner and behave himself.

That Bus ride definitely has my name all over it !! I never know which stop to ge off for DTD, I have finally figured out Market Place is for the shops and EOS and Pleassure Island is for Raglan Road , now I have learnt that West Side is for Disney Quest. But would I know unless the driver announced which it was oh **** NO!!!!

I feel your pain! I always think I have it all figured out, and then if the plan changes, I get all flustered and don't remember how to get where. The view in my first pic of DQ is what you see when you pull up to West Side on the bus. If you start out shopping at Market Place, you can go down to the boat dock and catch a ferry to West Side.

 

[ladylyons]

Wow! What a creep in the hot tub!! Glad you guys were able to salvage your time at DQ. Good to know the kids had a good time.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow! What a creep in the hot tub!! Glad you guys were able to salvage your time at DQ. Good to know the kids had a good time.

I know! It was very creepy - he acted like a 13 yr old trying to be smooth. It did turn out fun for the kids, which is what matters!

 

[Thumper_Man]

 

[blessedmom4]

Tammie, I have to smile at your latest post. It could be an episode on a reality show. Not really, but it was adventuresome! Just a quick post to say


​

 

[JB Meier]

Looking forward to the report!

Which meet and greet was the pic taken from? We still haven't hit all of them yet and don't recognize the setting.

-JB-

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

Finally catching up. Sorry i've been MIA. I really love all the new family experiences this trip. You seem to be doing a lot more things you haven't had a chance to do. It seems no matter where you go, and Disney it's almost necessary, when you are showing others around, or have others in tow, you want them to experience everything at once and it's hard to take the time to enjoy the little things. DQ sounds like it was fun for all (adults included).

As for the transportation...I think we've all been there at some point. I really can't believe the driver didn't say anything, and I'm pretty sure that you standing up and saying this is our stop, should have been a point in which the driver will look back and say "do you need to get out here?" I'm just glad you were able to get back into the swing of things afterwards and enjoy your time.

I'm about the hot tub incident. Not because it's funny per se, but because that guy had nerve. I'm just glad it didn't go beyond just being a little uncomfortable and you got out when you did. He seems a little creepy to me.

Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[pkondz]

We decided to see what fun could be had at Disney Quest. None of us had ever taken the time to check it out so today seemed like a good opportunity!

I've never been and have heard very mixed reviews.
Some people go nuts for it.
Others think you're nuts if you go for it.

Anyone ever go to DTD from BB? How about AK?

Ummm... That's the wrong way!
Turn around Tammie!!!

Just before the West Side stop, Jim asked the driver if he would be stopping at West Side for DQ. Yes, the West Side stop is coming up. Apparently, you were supposed to just jump out as the bus drove by West Side.

Don't forget to roll.
It's easier that way.

I jumped up and said, “Jim! This is West Side, this is where we need to get off!” He wasn’t having it. He is a rule follower. We were at a stop sign, not an actual bus stop. In his very good impersonation of a most irritated Grumpy, he said,
“No! THE DRIVER SAID HE WAS TAKING US TO WEST SIDE!” “This IS West Side – see the sign?” “This is not it!” “This is not a stop!”

When is a stop not a stop?
When it's a stop.


Or something like that.

But I decided to have an “I told you so moment without saying “I told you so.” We women are good at that.

You're maybe expecting me to argue with you about that?

Nope.
When you're right, you're right.

Sorry, now I spoiled it for everyone!

That's all right. I'd already read the book.

I assure you , he is usually not such a Grump, but leaving a high powered job where you are in control of everything to no one caring what you think will make a guy try to control everything else in his life.

Oh, I know.
I know.

Been there, learned the hard way not to do that.

And then it happened. Right in front of the grandkids, and all the very uncomfortable people seated around us – we became THOSE people – the ones you just shake your head at.

uh, oh.

No bad words were spoken, but we had an argument on the bus where everyone could awkwardly observe us. I am not going into the details here, because that is even more awkwardness, but it was not our best moment.

You do not get to 33 years of marriage without a few arguments and without some coping skills.

Yup. People who say they never argue either are now divorced or lying.
Or both.

I had an epiphany!

I had one once. I didn't mind the taste at first.
But the aftertaste wasn't so great.

We took the kids by the hand and jumped in a cab!

I know just how you felt.
Sometimes, getting away from something you've got all planned out can be very difficult.
And when you do, and it works?
You feel like you just became the smartest person in the world.

It was a really fun place, and I would have loved to have more time there.

Score one in favour of DQ.

Some of our time was wasted just trying to navigate and find Ryan’s (that’s how my MN family categorizes a family, so you don’t spell everything out K?)

Oooohhhh...
I thought it was a typo the first time you did it.

We all got our suits on and ordered food from the pool bar – I might have had another adult beverage.

You're on vacation.
What's better then sitting by the pool munching munchies and drinking grown up drinks?

(we had seen him arguing loudly with his wife awhile earlier - THOSE people)

I had not said more than about 5 words to him when he started hitting on me.

Atta girl!
You still got it!

SERIOUSLY??? I mean it was very blatant, and inappropriate, and I didn’t even know how to handle it because I was so shocked and it was so stupid.

Seriously, sorry you had to put up with that doufus.

Ryan came over –“Mom, are you ready to go in? I think we’re all turning in.” You should have seen the look on that guy’s face.

Did everyone have to get out then?
You know, 'cause of the code brown?

Dana told me that he had been following her around earlier (makes more sense) and Ryan had to chase him off once before. What a Dork (or other D word of your choice).

dill pickle?

I didn’t even say anything to Jim - you do not want to see how he acts if he thinks he has to defend my honor.

I'm guessing Mr. Over-heated-libido would not have escaped unscathed.

NEXT UP: Bippity Boppity Boo!!!!

Thanks for the chapter, Tammie!

 

[pkondz]

We've not been to Disney Quest since it first opened. I was a bad momma and told my kids after the first visit that it wasn't popular enough and they closed it down.

 

[ladylyons]

Had to say Happy Halloween from Neverland!!

 

[anewmac]

I think everyone is THAT couple on vacation at least once. Its just the unknown/tention/and wanting everything to go just perfect. E and I have been THEM many times LOL... we have THOSE kids too.. and were THAT family a lot also! lol.

As for THAT guy at the pool OH MY GOD! that's crazy what a jerk!

Also you have reminded me I need to learn more patience when you talked about Jim leaving his military job and having the control/being in control then. That is E, I can only imagine how he will be in 9years LOL.