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

[MeMom]

I am enjoying your report in Roland, Arkansas today. I am visiting with my niece for the weekend, today is her birthday.

I am glad to hear your last day at school went well. The teachers at our middle school would line up in the parking lot on the last day and wave at the kids as the buses passed by.

Have a great weekend.

I'm glad you are getting to spend some special family time with your niece.

Our kids would love it if the teachers lined up and waved to them. That's a great idea! We may have to think about doing something like that next year. We would have to just line the halls or front walkway since our kids are young and with the way our dismissal is done.

Sorry I have been away for awhile! Thanks for the PM you sent me, that meant a lot to me. It was a rough week!

It was so sweet of Jill to send you the yummy fruit! You are so lucky that school is over! 7 days to go!!! Not that I am counting down or anything! My kiddos get crazier everyday! We do have field day next week, so that should be fun!

We have a busy weekend! Nana and Papa took the kids to Kentucky with them, so Ben and I have a "date" tonight. We are going out to dinner and to the movies. It's been so long since we have done that. Then on Sunday, we are going to the Indy 500. Ben got free tickets this year!

Then on Monday, Hannah turns 4! Needless to say, she is excited!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Enjoy you family!

I just wanted you to know we were thinking of you as your family went through a difficult time.

Happy Birthday to Hannah! I look forward to seeing pictures on the blog, but feel free to share some here, as well, if you would like to. I think everybody would love to see that sweet little red head enjoying her big day.

Good luck with your Field Day!

Congrats on finishing your year MeMom!!!

I'm just catching up and have a question for those who talked about a virus causing muscle pain. I have been having awful back pain since Monday. I have been to the chiropractor 3 times this week and the regular doctor once, neither of them mentioned this as a possibility. I did get a prescription for the pain but it still hurts like crazy. If I have this virus, how long might it last? Not that I want a virus but it would be nice to have an explanation and to know it will go away!

I sure am sorry to hear about all of you guys who haven't been feeling well.
I hope you get to feeling better very soon.

i think it lasted for my sister in law maybe a week...she had it....then DH grandma....then they think my newphew might have had it since he complained about his legs and wrists hurting...they (doctors) at first thought he had pediatric rhemuatoid arthritis...but luckily it went away and doesn;t bother him anymore...which is good cause i read about what that disease is and i really wish i would have never looked it up...about made me cry thinking he could have it.

I'm glad your nephew didn't end up being diagnosed with arthritis. That would be so hard on him and his family.

I enjoyed the peek at Dinoland.

Lexi loves this area.
She hasn't braved Primeval Whirl or "scary swirl" as she refers to it. She has a real issue with the black & white swirl at the top of the ride.
She thinks it will suck her in....

kschafer I originally woke up with this aweful pain in my neck/upper back. I even needed help to get out of bed.
I thought I must have slept wrong, so I rested that day.
It got worse by the next day so I went to the doctor. He said it is muscle spasms caused by a virus going around.
I've never heard of it before, but it's very, very painful.
I'm on day three, and it's still bad.
I have started to cough tonight and I have a headache. So far no fever.
I hope you don't have this.....

Tell Lexi I have ridden Primeval Whirl, and I promise that it did not suck me in! it is a bit jerky, though, on the turns.

I hope your medicine finally kicks in and you start getting some relief from your pain.

That's too bad about the teachers not passing their Praxis -- that always makes me sad .

We love the tackiness of Dinoland as well -- in fact, I can't think of an area of Animal Kingdom that I don't adore!!!

I am going to guess Florida is the state where you were born.

It is sad, and it's kind of awkward as you don't really know what to say to them.

I can't think of an area of the whole of Disney World that I really don't like either. There are things I like better and things I like less and things I think they could have done better with (yes, I am talking about Stitch -sorry, Connor), but I just like all of the different themes all around the parks and resorts for what they are.

Thanks for the Animal Kingdom pictures. We have had such nasty weather lately and it has put me in a bad mood. Your pictures are a great way to start the day with a smile on my face.

I'm glad I was able to help make your day better.
Now you didn't have to go through the whole day being a grumposaurus!

Those Dinoland pictures made me really happy looking at them this morning! And the treats look sooo delicious even though I'm not feeling so hot this morning

Oh, no...not you, too!
Stop it, all of you!
Heal thyself NOW!

Thanks guys! I don't have any other symptoms (its been 6 days now) so maybe it's not what is causing the pain.

Is there a DIS doctor on the house?
If so, you are badly needed over here!

Morning, I was up at the crack of dawn to make my ADR's.

I was on hold for about 45 mins. Only to find out there is some computer problem that won't allow some restaurants to show up.

I decided to book whatever I 'could' get in the meantime.

The ones I really, really wanted were...O'Hana, Le Cellier, Teppan Edo and Sci-Fi.

I got off the phone and decided to check menus & reviews and make another potential list and call back a second time.
I tried Captain's Grill, Spoodles, San Angel, Olivia's, Shutter's and got N/A at this time due to computer issues.

I am not giving up hope yet, and I will try again tomorrow....

So you wanna know what I got?

Okay, here's the list so far....

1. Boma (bkfst)
2. 1900 Park Fare (dinner)
3. Crystal Palace (dinner)
4. Cafe Cape May (dinner)
5. Whispering Canyon (dinner)
6. Chef Mickey's (bkfst)
7. Chef Mickey's (dinner)
8. Tusker House *Donald's Safari buffet (bkfst)
9. Garden Grill (dinner)

We only have 8 T.S. credits so I'll get rid of one or pay OOP.

We will be going to TRex one night for dinner OOP.

I'm still hopeful I can score ADR's at the other favorite ones.

So what do you think?

I think that's a lot of good eating!
We're only doing four big meals, and the rest will be counter service. I'd like to do Kona, but we'll save that for another trip. I also want to do Boma, but I think we'll probably do that toward the end of next summer's trip.

Right, Jill?

Well MeMom, the movie wasn't that great. While it had some good moments, they were trying way too hard to be funny.

Sorry to hear that. Movies are too expensive to come out unhappy!

I'm guessing Oklahoma!

I'll give it until tomorrow night to see if anyone else want to guess, and then I'll reveal the answer.

I know everyone is just on edge to find out!

I am thrilled to say...I just got all my ADR's!!!

Le Cellier, Teppan Edo, O'Hana and Sci-Fi!!!

I can now rest easy as my wishes came true....

Now I have to decide which of the others I will keep....

MeMom I missed you today, what have you been up to?

Lexi wanted to say "I like the Dinoland pics."
She was happy to see her Yeti doll. She also pointed out that her Gramma had a camper like the dino one. She likes the TRex with the Potatoe Head.

I went over to the mall to find Trent some Crocs. We worked in the yard some. I Dised a little off and on, washed dishes, washed clothes, put away clothes...nothing important.

I'm glad you got all of your dining fixed up. We'll be doing Teppan Edo in Juy, and we've done the other three - Le Cellier, 'Ohana, and Sci-Fi. It's making me full just to think about all that food!

I don't believe Brooklynn has gotten a Yeti doll yet, since she's not big enough to go on Everest and know about it.

Really, I don't think I'm big enough to go on Everest! It was crazy!

That's hilarious about the camper!




I smell barbecue in my kitchen. I think I'm going to have to go join in the partaking of it!

I guess I wasn't that full after all.

 

[IluvXU]

We line our bus drive and all wave to the buses as they pull away! Lots of teary teachers and kids... especially again this year due to redistricting that is moving our kids and causing some teachers to go to new buildings...

I am a bit sad already, because the last day of school is a "morning" work day for me. I am not sure if I will still be there!

 

[Charleston Princess]

We line our bus drive and all wave to the buses as they pull away!

We do that, too! Our school resource officer turns on the lights and siren on his car, and all the buses follow him blowing their horns while we wave them off. So fun!

 

[Hedy]

Congrats on Bella arriving! (holy cats I'm behind on my DISing)

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Lexi hasn't rode Everest yet.....she just wanted the doll....

Actually none of us have been on it (a bunch of chickens)

It was a crazy day with Disney dining.
I can't wait for you to give your review of Teppan Edo when you get back.
You can give me a thumbs up or down.

 

[nowellsl]

I'm glad you got all of your dining fixed up. We'll be doing Teppan Edo in Juy, and we've done the other three - Le Cellier, 'Ohana, and Sci-Fi. It's making me full just to think about all that food!

I love Teppan Edo here's a preview for you...

 

[MeMom]

We line our bus drive and all wave to the buses as they pull away! Lots of teary teachers and kids... especially again this year due to redistricting that is moving our kids and causing some teachers to go to new buildings...

I am a bit sad already, because the last day of school is a "morning" work day for me. I am not sure if I will still be there!

Right now it just feels very good to me to be

a) off for a week

and

b) being rid of the thoughts of TCAP for at least a year.

And I could add

c) about to move over into the 50's on our countdown!

We do that, too! Our school resource officer turns on the lights and siren on his car, and all the buses follow him blowing their horns while we wave them off. So fun!

I think it's funny when the kids realize that the teachers are looking just as forward to being out as they are!

Congrats on Bella arriving! (holy cats I'm behind on my DISing)

You are a little behind, but she's not very big yet, so you've got time to catch up.

It's about time for Jill to give us some new pictures, don't you think?

Lexi hasn't rode Everest yet.....she just wanted the doll....

Actually none of us have been on it (a bunch of chickens)

It was a crazy day with Disney dining.
I can't wait for you to give your review of Teppan Edo when you get back.
You can give me a thumbs up or down.

You should go on it just because you should experience everything once, but be prepared, because it's pretty wild, I thought. I don't know how people do it multiple times in one day. I think it would turn my stomach inside out to do it more than once.

I'll get lots of pictures at Teppan Edo. That will be our first all-group meal, as that is the night all the guys are supposed to arrive. Trent and Jarvis are coming for sure, and Drew says he and his buddy, Mitchell, are probably coming, too. We'll see.

I love Teppan Edo here's a preview for you...

Very nice - it looks scrumptious! I'm looking forward to the food and the experience.


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

It was rainy this morning at church time, but it has cleared up as the day as gone on. I thought of my former student, Jason, and his family, as they were flying out early this morning. Right now they are right in the middle of the magic of Disney, and I hope they will have an awesome time! They have been looking so forward to this trip for a long time.

Back to the report:

After Dinoland, Kay wanted to get a Mickey bar, so we walked around to find an ice cream cart.

I took a few pictures as we walked.

Shirt at a kiosk.

We found the ice cream.

For just about the same price as a half-gallon of ice cream at home, you can get one of these.

Kay demonstrating the fine art of eating a Mickey bar.

She thought it was very good.

We walked back through the Dino area, and I got a picture or two in the kids' play area.

One last sign picture before we left the area.

We stopped to watch these guys for a few minutes.

Then we headed toward this.

By the way, two months from today, we can say we're leaving tomorrow!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I haven't seen this one before -- is it on the approach from Dinoland?

I do believe I will be purchasing a Mickey bar to eat while holding my Mickey bar tote -- doesn't that just sound like the perfect photo?

[By the way, two months from today, we can say we're leaving tomorrow!

 

[moparop]

Can you believe I've never had a Mickey Bar before?? How un-Dis is that?

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I haven't seen this one before -- is it on the approach from Dinoland?



I do believe I will be purchasing a Mickey bar to eat while holding my Mickey bar tote -- doesn't that just sound like the perfect photo?

This a great idea, leave it to you Jackie to think of it! I'll be stealing that one!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

It's about time for Jill to give us some new pictures, don't you think?

Since you asked you shall receive:

Before church Wednesday night. Brooklynn found John's toboggan and thought it completed the outfit.

At a friend's party at JumpZone (she always sleeps so well after)

Bella watched her sister playing like a monkey

Bella had her first official tub bath and loved it!

Until about 2 seconds after she got out and then she was mad!!!!!

Friday night we went to an area close by that is set up kind of like Downtown Disney complete with pop jets. It was warm and so I let Brooklynn play for about half an hour.

So there you go MeMom! I'm sure we will have more after MeMom comes to visit on Tuesday.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I love that first picture of Everst MeMom. It looks so real!
Jill, great pictures of the girlies. Brooklynn's hat totally completes that ensemble.

 

[Happy Elf]

The SHOCKING thing is the Disney prices seem cheap after what we saw at the track today! It was $5.00 for an ice cream bar. Needless to say, I did not get one. I did however, have a turkey leg! Yummy! Reminded me of Disney!

We had a great time at the Indy 500. We are tired and sore from all the walking we did. I told Ben it was just a warm-up for Disney!

 

[IluvXU]

Since you asked you shall receive:

I love this sweet little face ... and the last one of Brooklynn she looks so old... you have a big girl there Jill.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[k_reile]

as bella is getting older...she and brooklyn really look alike! And I love the last past pic of brooklyn!! Looks like she had a blast!
Caleb and I just got back from the campgrounds where my inlaws are camping at this weekend (Daddy was home sick!) and the last two nights he has been up later than he has ever been and has been sleeping in til 8am! Normally he cannot make it past 7-8pm at night and is normally up around 6:30am...so I got to sleep in this AM...it was GREAT!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Jill what a pair of sweetie pies! Brooklynn looks mighty tickled in that last one!

MeMom you will have so much fun with them!

 

[MeMom]

I haven't seen this one before -- is it on the approach from Dinoland?


I do believe I will be purchasing a Mickey bar to eat while holding my Mickey bar tote -- doesn't that just sound like the perfect photo?

Near the entrance. If you look very closely on the right hand side of the picture, you can see the entrance time signs in the background.

We'll definitely need a picture of the Mickey purse and Mickey bar combo.

Can you believe I've never had a Mickey Bar before?? How un-Dis is that?

Pretty un-Dis, I'd say. Save your $2.75 for the next trip and remedy that, please.

Those strawberry bars are so good, too!

This a great idea, leave it to you Jackie to think of it! I'll be stealing that one!

How about a picture of both of you with Mickey bags and bars, wearing light up jewelry, while waiting for fireworks?

Is it Illuminations you guys are seeing together?

Since you asked you shall receive:
So there you go MeMom!

I'm sure we will have more after MeMom comes to visit on Tuesday.

Oh boy, today I wish for videos!

More pictures tomorrow! I want to get Brooklynn on video singing Small World.

I love that first picture of Everst MeMom. It looks so real!
Jill, great pictures of the girlies. Brooklynn's hat totally completes that ensemble.

I almost didn't put that one up, because it didn't look very exciting. I'm glad you liked it.

Brooklynn can come up with some crazy outfits!

The SHOCKING thing is the Disney prices seem cheap after what we saw at the track today! It was $5.00 for an ice cream bar. Needless to say, I did not get one. I did however, have a turkey leg! Yummy! Reminded me of Disney!

We had a great time at the Indy 500. We are tired and sore from all the walking we did. I told Ben it was just a warm-up for Disney!

Trent was telling me the story of the guy who won the race. Very interesting.

I like turkey legs! Some people think they're disgusting, and one does feel a little caveman-like eating one, but they're so good, and they smell so good, too!

I love this sweet little face ... and the last one of Brooklynn she looks so old... you have a big girl there Jill.

Thanks for sharing.

I can't wait to be kissing all over that little face tomorrow!
Jill was just commenting while looking at pictures on how much Brooklynn has grown since last summer's trip.

as bella is getting older...she and brooklyn really look alike! And I love the last past pic of brooklyn!! Looks like she had a blast!
Caleb and I just got back from the campgrounds where my inlaws are camping at this weekend (Daddy was home sick!) and the last two nights he has been up later than he has ever been and has been sleeping in til 8am! Normally he cannot make it past 7-8pm at night and is normally up around 6:30am...so I got to sleep in this AM...it was GREAT!!

That's nice that you got to sleep in a little. I slept until 6:30 this morning!
-
-
-


Pause for Jill to say, "WHAT?!?!?"

But I didn't go to bed until 4:00, so there's the explanation.
I've started my online course, so I spent a few hours on the computer.

Jill what a pair of sweetie pies! Brooklynn looks mighty tickled in that last one!

MeMom you will have so much fun with them!

Yes, I will! I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to spend the night down there and come back Wednesday afternoon. Then Jill is coming up Saturday so we can go to a friend's wedding.


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



Happy Memorial Day, everyone!
I hope you enjoy family time today as we stop to remember those who sacrificed their lives for this country and the families who lost them. There will be sadness mixed with pride today all across the country. Let us stop for at least a few minutes during this day of grilling out and good fellowship to remember the origin of the day.

Have a good one, all!


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

I decided I'd borrow some Disney red, white, and blue from last year's trip to add, since we've never been there on Memorial Day.

Jill, add Memorial Day in Disney World to our list!
To those of you who might be doing some Disney packing today, have great fun with that!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Morning, I'm still home...........I will never be so glad when I finally can return to work.

Thanks BrooklynnsMommy for the sweet pics of your beauties. They both are changing and growing. So cute.

So if MeMom goes for a visit tomorrow, that means Brooklynn will get my package. I can't wait for her to open it.

After seeing the Mickey icecream sign, I pictured my family taking a break from the parks and sitting on a bench somewhere enjoying the treats.
Lexi trying to eat hers before it melts....

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!

Do I smell BBQ cooking in Tennessee.......

 

[xoktenox]

Yummmm a Mickey bar is one delicious treat! I wish I could get one right about now. Except where can you get a half gallon of ice cream for $2.75? Here is $5.99 for a half gallon!!

What cuteeeeee pictures of those precious little girls too! I love seeing pictures of them!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Happy Memorial Day, MeMom, Jill, and the gang! Love the red, white, and blue photos from Disney!!!

I think a picture like the one you described, MeMom, would be perfect while we are waiting on Illuminations!