A Two Short, Too Different Spring Break Trip (Time to Say Goodbye)

[Charleston Princess]

Welcome home, MeMom. Get some rest tonight so that you can load all those photos I know you took tomorrow.

 

[IluvXU]

MeMom---- we got some special Disney mail today! Thank you so much! The girls were super excited!

Hope your kids at school behaved!

 

[lmillercrew]

Welcome home MeMom!! So happy that you had a good time and we all can't wait to hear all about it!
Glad to hear that you are still holding on to that little BellaRie, Jill!!!

 

[MeMom]

Drew is off to school, Trent is off to work out, the cat is sleeping - no surprise. I've got laundry going and pictures uploading. I've also got a mess in the kitchen and school work to do, but I had to take a little time to Dis before I get moving again.

We did have a good trip. Kay is a long-time friend, and she's one of the most honest and giving people I have ever known. It was nice to spend time with her and also to see her have fun away from all of the stresses in her life. We had a lot of laughs, and it was good having time to catch up with all the news on her husband, four kids, and three grandkids.

Although the trip was fun and Disney is an incredible place, it did confirm my thought that some degree of the magic is created by the people you share it with. It was still nowhere near what a trip with my family is like. It was great - the sights and sounds and aromas are all just the same, but just to a lesser degree of excitement.

It's hard to explain.

I guess if I could explain it in color comparison, our trip was a very nice light pink color, pretty in and of itself, but trips with my kids are that bright bold pink (the one that Dawn doesn't like) in the dresses of the dancers in Beauty and the Beast.

In taste comparison, a friend trip is a delicious bowl of ice cream, but a trip with the kids is a Kitchen Sink.

In sound comparison, a friend trip is a great high school band, and a family trip is a symphony orchestra.
The friend trip was good, but family trips are still much gooder.
I mean, better.

Did any of that make sense to you?
If not, I advise you to run far away now while there is still time.
If you completely comprehend what I was saying, it is already too late.

Please make yourself at home on this report. This is our report - not just mine. I just throw out the pictures, and then you all join in and tell about what happened when you rode the same ride or how much you liked the same show or how wonderful the meal was when you ate at the same restaurant. This is our hang-out until July, so come in the back door, of course, take your shoes off, and make yourselves comfortable. Please do share your thoughts and pictures and ask your questions. It helps us all learn how to do Disney better!

I thought of so many of you guys when I was there; most of you I have never met in person. It would be cool if we had a humongous Dis meet one day. Everyone could plan vacations to overlap for at least one day, and we could go ride everyone's favorite rides together, eat lots of good Disney junk food, and then maybe sit out on the Poly beach and watch Wishes to end the night. Just a whole bunch of Disney dorks hanging out together and finally sealing the friendships we've formed on these reports - ours and all of yours.

I'll start this out, and then I really do have to get away from here, because I have report cards due Wednesday and a lot of unpacking to do. We're also having our Disney Day party Saturday, so I have a lot to do to get that together. Trent said the weather is not looking like it's going to be so friendly, as showers are predicted, and we planned to do a safari outside. But, we can't change the weather, and just like at Disney, we will forge ahead. I am aching to see Brooklynn and Jill again. I missed those two so much. I got a little misty-eyed a couple of times missing my little Brooklynn girl. (Now you know where she gets her 'old Genie boy' thing, I guess.) I kept thinking we needed to go get the stroller first, before we moved to another section, just out of force of habit! When I saw other grandparents with those special grandparent smiles on their faces as they watched their own little ones hugging characters or squealing on rides, I really, really, really missed my little girl.

I am very excited about our summer trip, and I can't wait not only to see Brooklynn enjoying it again, but watching her as she shows her baby sister all around her favorite place!

So, I had this brilliant idea that my pal, Eeyore, would come along with us and make little comments along the way. He is smaller than a plush doll, so easier to carry, and his little photo holder would be a place for comments.

Here's Eeyore on Wednesday morning.

Trent has to go to work early on Wednesdays, so he volunteered to drive us to the airport. He is a good guy.

Here is Eeyore at the airport.

We were there in plenty of time, got everything checked in, and after restroom stops just before loading time, we were on our way.

Pictures from the plane.

Eeyore read up a little on the first park we would hit.

On the ground at MCO.

Eeyore was finally convinced this trip was really going to happen.

He was not fooled by the transportation.

A Magical Express bus was ready to take us to our destination.

It's interesting to hear the conversations of those around you. The couple in front of us had not been to Disney in many, many years, so the guy across from them, right behind the driver, was telling them all about the ins and outs. Only his ins and outs were really out, because after all of the wisdom he expounded to them, he said it had been ten years since he had been there last!

Eeyore held his tongue and did not make a fool out of the man by adding in his two cents' worth. He just sat back and got ready for his journey in the usual Magical Express way.

Soon, we were feasting our eyes upon one of our favorite signs of all time.

And with that, I bid you all a good night. I have to get busy, and I am still tired enough that an early bedtime is sounding good. I think I'm also missing the only night I watch TV. I bet I've missed Little People, Big World, and I'll probably be asleep when that new big family show comes on later. I gave up Jon and Kate. The kids are cute, but the parents just kind of bore me these days with their same old stuff, so I do other things while that's on these days. Time better spent, I believe.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts for us and of us while we were gone. I appreciate your friendships, and I will be thinking of all of you, as well, as you go on your own trips - some of you very, very soon!

 

[hlrababy]

Welcome home MeMom!!!!! I am so excited to hear about your trip!

I know you will have some gorgeous pictures as always!

 

[Nicole786]

SO glad you had a great trip and I know exactly what you mean! I feel the same way when I go with friends vs. family!! You took the thoughts right out of my head.

 

[Happy Elf]

Did any of that make sense to you?
If not, I advise you to run far away now while there is still time.
If you completely comprehend what I was saying, it is already too late.

Made perfect sense to me!

I have report cards due Wednesday and a lot of unpacking to do.

Yuck report cards so soon after break! Nothing like having to put your nose to the grindstone right after you get back! I understand, I'm working on mine too!

I enjoyed seeing Eeyore and getting his messages, that is a cute idea!

 

[moparop]

Once again Memom, welcome home. I totally get what you are saying about your trip and teared up as I read about you watching other grandparents. :

I am glad to hear Eyeore is joining us. I've always thought his comments were very wise and he is proving to be thus far.

 

[punkin413]

good to "see" you, memom!

i love the eeyore idea. very cute.

Pictures from the plane.

did you see me waving? i was the girl limping around with my broken toe in my back yard with two beagle hounds waving at your plane.

Eeyore held his tongue and did not make a fool out of the man by adding in his two cents' worth.

i would've been very tempted to open my big mouth and give the guy my two cents if the other guy had told him incorrect information, but i don't think i would've. it would've been hard not to though. good eeyore!

holy moly - look at that traffic! i guess because we never get there early we never see this!

 

[shannon47142]

welcome home!!! The eeyore idea is awesome

 

[tinkgurl]

Aw little Eeyore is so cute! I'm getting all excited for you as you get there!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I love the Eeyore idea!

I absolutely know what you mean about the magic of Disney being affected by the people with whom you travel.

For me, Disney is the BEST with my best friend, Beth or with my brother. They just get it and it's so much fun to share those moments with them.

Fortunately, you have a fun summer trip to look forward to with your family plus one new addition!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yay, you've started! I like your little Eeyore, he's cute, what a fun idea.

I am watching the new TLC show right now, "Table for 12". It's pretty good so far. I haven't quite got the story if all the kids were natural birth kids or adopted...?

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

So lovely to see you back!
I can't see your piccies this morning
I will check in at home tonight!

I think I love going to Disney with many people for many reasons - but they are all family!

My sister and her hubby because they like doing parks 'commando' style and we always see so much!

My Daddy because he spoils me!

My Mummy because she spoils me and we love doing the same things in Disney... shopping mainly! But just wandering around slowly, taking in the atmosphere etc.

And of course my hubby Rich! Because everywhere we go together is special and life would not be the same without him. I keep saying it but I can't wait until we can take our baby with us to Disney. He got a good bonus at work, due in August, and I've pleaded and pleaded with him to take us but keep getting a firm no!

Can't wait to read more! xxx

 

[Charleston Princess]

Ahhh, MeMom, I know what you mean about Disney being so much about who you go with -- Chelsea and Connor's joy and delight are the main reasons we go back over and over.

Eeyore pithy comments of "It's very early" and "Not the monorail" had me cracking up -- I can just hear his drawling voice saying those things!

 

[MeMom]

If you will all please forgive me for not going back to the beginning, I'm going to start with replies at the point of whatever came in after the first installment of the trip. That's the only way I'm going to be able to get cauht up and still do everything I need to do this week. I want to thank all of you who are sticking wth us from past reports, and I want to welcome all new readers and posters. As I said before, this is our place, so feel free to join in at any time.

Welcome home MeMom!!!!! I am so excited to hear about your trip!

I know you will have some gorgeous pictures as always!

I am hoping I don't have as many blurry ones as I did in the last report. I'm still disappointed that I didn't grab the video camera bag so that I could film Fantasyland for Brooklynn, but I'll film this summer when she can actually be in the movie herself, and she'll love that.

SO glad you had a great trip and I know exactly what you mean! I feel the same way when I go with friends vs. family!! You took the thoughts right out of my head.

I don't mean to say anything against friend trips or the friends that go, but I think you just have to go into it with entirely different expectations.

Made perfect sense to me!

Yuck report cards so soon after break! Nothing like having to put your nose to the grindstone right after you get back! I understand, I'm working on mine too!

I enjoyed seeing Eeyore and getting his messages, that is a cute idea!

Made sense to you? I'm sorry; you have officially crossed over to the crazy side, and I feel responsible for that.

Report cards are due, and to help give us plenty of time to get them done (not), they saw that we had a meeting yesterday during planning time and there will be another one today. I have tutoring this afternoon until 5:00. So, it's either bring them home and finish them, or put in a video at the end of the day and work on them. With this new Safari Montage thing, it's so easy to key in what you want to show, such as Fractions, Landforms, Space, etc., and a nice 23 minute video appears to delight the kids while I catch up on some task.

I thought Eeyore deserved a Disney trip, but you will see that the 'brilliant' idea kind of fizzled in and out over the five days.

Once again Memom, welcome home. I totally get what you are saying about your trip and teared up as I read about you watching other grandparents. :

I am glad to hear Eyeore is joining us. I've always thought his comments were very wise and he is proving to be thus far.

You know, I might have even had a whole different view of things if the trip had always been planned as a friend trip. I think I would have a different mindset from the beginning. But, this trip started out in the early stages being two grandmas and our special little people, so the fact that they weren't there was a definite letdown.

good to "see" you, memom!

i love the eeyore idea. very cute.

did you see me waving? i was the girl limping around with my broken toe in my back yard with two beagle hounds waving at your plane.

i would've been very tempted to open my big mouth and give the guy my two cents if the other guy had told him incorrect information, but i don't think i would've. it would've been hard not to though. good eeyore!


holy moly - look at that traffic! i guess because we never get there early we never see this!

Some of those pictures were over your house. Zoom in, and maybe you will see yourself. I tried to explain to Kay about my Dis friends as I went along, such as who I was taking a picture for at what spot. I think she was beginning to understood after about three days, but she mostly kept thinking I was talking about people at school, and she thought you all had funny names.

Picture the way you are walking now, with your lame toe. That's how I walk through WDW a lot of the time with my knee and foot so bad. Not a lot of fun sometimes. I may be forced to do the electric chairs someday, but I'll hobble as long as I can. I think if they could make a skinnier version of the chair, it would be nice. I know they have to make then wide for stability, but they take up so much space in restaurant and shop aisles that sometimes it's like a maze trying to get out of a place.

I just listened to the guy talk. He called restaurants and rides wrong things - close enough that I knew what he meant, though. It would have been different if he had prefaced things with the fact that he hadn't been in a long time, but he was talking like such the expert, and I think the couple was soaking all of his wisdom in, unfortunately.

welcome home!!! The eeyore idea is awesome

Thanks for the welcome home. I was glad to see my boys again, and I am anxious to see my girls on Saturday.

Eeyore had a good time the first day, but I kind of forgot about the poor guy the next two days. Then I tried to make it up to him the last two days.

Aw little Eeyore is so cute! I'm getting all excited for you as you get there!

That sign is always an exciting sight! You know the fun is about to begin!

I love the Eeyore idea!

I absolutely know what you mean about the magic of Disney being affected by the people with whom you travel.

For me, Disney is the BEST with my best friend, Beth or with my brother. They just get it and it's so much fun to share those moments with them.

Fortunately, you have a fun summer trip to look forward to with your family plus one new addition!

Yep, four and a half months until another big trip, which means lots of working to get the money situated to do it!

I'm glad you have friends who really get into it with you. Kay likes Disney, but she's been to Cancun with some of her extended family, and she likes it better. I'm sure me going to Cancun with her would be something like her coming to Disney with me.

Yay, you've started! I like your little Eeyore, he's cute, what a fun idea.

I am watching the new TLC show right now, "Table for 12". It's pretty good so far. I haven't quite got the story if all the kids were natural birth kids or adopted...?

I had it on in the background. I didn't hear anything about adoption. I have heard on the commercials that she had two sets of twins and then the sextuplets. She seems more down-to-earth and less showy and self-involved than Kate, so I hope she stays that way. I didn't see enough of it to make a good judgement, though. By next week, I will hopefully be able to sit down and watch the whole thing. Monday is the one night I watch TV, but I had to get the suitcases out of my way last night, since they were in my way.

So lovely to see you back!
I can't see your piccies this morning
I will check in at home tonight!

I think I love going to Disney with many people for many reasons - but they are all family!

My sister and her hubby because they like doing parks 'commando' style and we always see so much!

My Daddy because he spoils me!

My Mummy because she spoils me and we love doing the same things in Disney... shopping mainly! But just wandering around slowly, taking in the atmosphere etc.

And of course my hubby Rich! Because everywhere we go together is special and life would not be the same without him. I keep saying it but I can't wait until we can take our baby with us to Disney. He got a good bonus at work, due in August, and I've pleaded and pleaded with him to take us but keep getting a firm no!

Can't wait to read more! xxx

Shopping?
Yay for shopping!
I took lots of shopping pictures, too, so stay tuned!

It will be extra special when you go back with a husband you adore and that most precious little baby of yours!

Ahhh, MeMom, I know what you mean about Disney being so much about who you go with -- Chelsea and Connor's joy and delight are the main reasons we go back over and over.

Eeyore pithy comments of "It's very early" and "Not the monorail" had me cracking up -- I can just hear his drawling voice saying those things!

I don't know what we'd do if Brooklynn wasn't a Disney girl. I hope she stays a Disney girl for life!

I got a few funny looks at the airport taking those pictures, but I didn't care. I was thinking of all of you guys and having fun with it.


***********************

I haven't been to all of the exciting places that many people around here have, and I know that I would love to see rainforests and historical sights and museums and all kinds of places, but right now Disney World is just the place that makes me the happiest. I get a little touch of lots of things all in one place. During this trip, I went to Morocco, flew over California, lived in a treehouse, traveled with pirates, dove under the sea, rode a wild mountain train, stood with people from all around the world to watch Illuminations, and saw a tiger get a check-up about five feet away from me. I don't know any other place I coud have done all of those things in five days.

 

[micandminforever]

Have a good Day. Good luck with the report cards.

I look forward to the shopping pictures, with Eeyore.

 

[kschafer]

Please make yourself at home on this report. This is our report - not just mine. I just throw out the pictures, and then you all join in and tell about what happened when you rode the same ride or how much you liked the same show or how wonderful the meal was when you ate at the same restaurant. This is our hang-out until July, so come in the back door, of course, take your shoes off, and make yourselves comfortable. Please do share your thoughts and pictures and ask your questions. It helps us all learn how to do Disney better!

this is why we all love MeMom. it feels like home...comfortable, where you can share.

I love the Eeyore! Does Kay like to remain "hidden" too?

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Aww, I missed your daily reports. I'm so happy you have started, despite ALL the many things you have to do.

Eeyore's comments make me smile. What a cute idea.

I can completely understand what you felt about going with your friend instead of with family.
We have all attached our memories to our families.
I have debated about going on a solo trip but I think I would get too sentimental without my family.
Disney is so much more fun when you are with the people you love.
Seeing thier enjoyment and experiencing new things together, is the best.
It's a time when we are all together and not doing our own things.

I know I'll miss my DS, like you missed Brooklynn. I'll be thinking he would like that or his favorite ride is this. I will feel like something is missing.

I get sad thinking this may be the last trip with Aaron, as he isn't as Disneyfied as us three girls are. It's not that he doesn't like WDW alot, he does. He just gets bored shopping, standing in line for characters and going on rides like "Its a Small World". (no, I don't make him but, he doesn't like standing alone)

It's a shame we couldn't round up a friend for him to hang out with, I think he would have more fun at this age (15).

He is currently back on the..."I want to stay home in August with my friends and you guys go without me". I feel so torn, part of me wants to be selfish and make him go. The other part just wants him to be happy.

This would be the first family vacation without him, I would miss him so much.

Sorry to rant on, have a Terrific Tuesday!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't know what we'd do if Brooklynn wasn't a Disney girl. I hope she stays a Disney girl for life!

My mom did a really good job raising me to be a Disney girl and I have stayed that way for almost 35 years -- I am sure Brooklyn will be the same way.

I got a few funny looks at the airport taking those pictures, but I didn't care. I was thinking of all of you guys and having fun with it.

I am glad the funny looks didn't deter you -- they were just wondering why they weren't as creative.

I haven't been to all of the exciting places that many people around here have, and I know that I would love to see rainforests and historical sights and museums and all kinds of places, but right now Disney World is just the place that makes me the happiest. I get a little touch of lots of things all in one place. During this trip, I went to Morocco, flew over California, lived in a treehouse, traveled with pirates, dove under the sea, rode a wild mountain train, stood with people from all around the world to watch Illuminations, and saw a tiger get a check-up about five feet away from me. I don't know any other place I coud have done all of those things in five days.

Let's get an Amen for this one! Well said, MeMom!