Celebrating 9 days with my 4 kids(7,6,4,2)May 2009, I know I'm late starting this TR

[smithpack]

Just to let you know, two weeks before we left on this trip was when all the hoopla over the swine flu came out. I remember getting on the computer and tracking where cases had broken out on the CDC because I was so nervous about getting it. There were people on the DIS canceling their trips, and it was making me even more nervous. I took a bunch of clorox wipes and germ x. There is a reason why I am telling you all of this, and I will get to that later. I also just want to note that we did end up getting this H1N1 in August, and it was no big deal. Plus I have a son and my DH are severly asthmatic. It did take them longer to recover from it, but it was not nearly as bad as the seasonal flu that came through in 2008. My DH was in the bed for nearly 3 weeks with that one. He was in the bed for 3 days with H1N1. I just think that whole thing was blown way out of proportion. Yes, I know people died from it, but more people died from the seasonal flu in 2008. Now, let me get off of my little tangent and say that there has been some good news that has come from the H1N1. They now make a bra that converts into a surgical mask
Take a look at this.

If that doesn't make your day, I don't know what does. My sister sent me this picture. I did have to make the comment that for all those big breasted women out there, this would not work. I am going to have this printed on a shirt and sent to my sister!!

Ok, I will now get back to the TR in progress. So we made it into the Lion King show. This show is so awesome. I have a few little clips and some pics. I didn't use my flash, so I waited until it was light enough to get a few clips.

I personally like this one at the 16 second mark when they do their little dance. This was one of my favorite parts of the show



So we got done with the show and headed out. Here is where the H1N1 comes into play. I see this guy standing right next to our stroller sneezing all over it, blowing his nose and resting his hand on one of the handles, and his face was so swollen and red. He could hardly open his eyes. I thought for sure he had the swine flu and we were all going to get it. So I got out my clorox wipes and wiped down the whole stroller. I think the guy got the point because he walked away still sneezing and hawking loogies. Yuck!!

Well, thankfully none of us got it. We stayed healthy the rest of our trip. I have never done one of the animal trails, but it was so hot that the kids wanted to go back to the pool and swim. I decided that we should take it easy since they were going to be up late. So back to POR we went. On the way out we saw a photopass person so we had some pictures done.

 

[smithpack]

Actually we only have 3 kids, I just mentioned a family of 6 because I was referring to your family. We are only a family of 5.

POR would actually be about $600 less than AsMu for us! We have the 20/30/40 pin but I think dh wants to save as much as he can!

I guess I was looking at your dog as one of your kids in your signature.

In that case, I would definitely do it. But also in my case, I would end up spending that $600 on other stuff while there, so I wouldn't actually save it. There is plenty of space for five, and my son loved the trundle bed!

 

[TokyoDina]

Wow love the music! I would have dancing along with them! Haha the guy that got on the drums was funny at the end! I hope we get to see that when we go this year!

 

[tink1957]

I just found your trip report today & I'm really enjoying it. Your kids are just too cute. I know what you mean about not wanting them out of your sight, when my DS was 2 he got lost at a water park, my ex-DH looked down to get money from his wallet & took his eyes off him for a few seconds, he was gone that quick. We didn't go to another park for four years. He was 16 before I took him to WDW for the first time. Seeing the joy on your kids faces makes me almost wish I had taken mine when they were that age.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[MouseTriper]

Aww loving your TR so far!!! When I was reading about your time spent in the Boneyard, I could totally relate! The last time we were at WDW, I took my DD into the "Honey I Shrunk the Playground" place and she disappeared. I am a worry-wart too and had gone up a slide with her and then watched her slide down. She then wanted me to take a picture of her coming down so I said she could go up the stairs to the slide as I watched but she had to come right down. Well I watched her go up the stairs and then went to the bottom of the slide....and I waited...and waited...and waited. I started to panic when I could not find her after looking everywhere. I immediately notified a CM that I could not find my child and described what she was wearing...my heart was beating so fast as I saw a bunch of CM's come out of nowhere and start looking for her. After an eternity (okay, maybe just a few minutes) they found her in some "cave". Talk about relief. She had decided she didn't want to slide down after all and had walked back down the stairs. It was so crowded in the playground that I could not find her and I wasn't sure if she had exited the playground. It can be very scary. Anyway....just thought I would share my experience and tell you that you are not alone in wanting to "see" them in such play areas!

I am so sorry to hear about yoru experience as a child!!

Ohh and I loved all the new pics with Daisy...those were so cute!

 

[jamjar84]

Just found your TR.

Your kids are beautiful, sounds like you had a great trip.

Can't wait to hear what the surprise was.

 

[smithpack]

Wow love the music! I would have dancing along with them! Haha the guy that got on the drums was funny at the end! I hope we get to see that when we go this year!

I hope you see the mullet woman while you are there too.

I just found your trip report today & I'm really enjoying it. Your kids are just too cute. I know what you mean about not wanting them out of your sight, when my DS was 2 he got lost at a water park, my ex-DH looked down to get money from his wallet & took his eyes off him for a few seconds, he was gone that quick. We didn't go to another park for four years. He was 16 before I took him to WDW for the first time. Seeing the joy on your kids faces makes me almost wish I had taken mine when they were that age.

Can't wait to read more.

Oh my goodness! I would be totally freaked out if something like that ever happened to me. I am always telling my husband it is ok to spend the money on Disney because they grow so fast, and we are making memories. I am sure your son had just as much fun at 16. At least he got to go, and you made those memories with him!!

Aww loving your TR so far!!! When I was reading about your time spent in the Boneyard, I could totally relate! The last time we were at WDW, I took my DD into the "Honey I Shrunk the Playground" place and she disappeared. I am a worry-wart too and had gone up a slide with her and then watched her slide down. She then wanted me to take a picture of her coming down so I said she could go up the stairs to the slide as I watched but she had to come right down. Well I watched her go up the stairs and then went to the bottom of the slide....and I waited...and waited...and waited. I started to panic when I could not find her after looking everywhere. I immediately notified a CM that I could not find my child and described what she was wearing...my heart was beating so fast as I saw a bunch of CM's come out of nowhere and start looking for her. After an eternity (okay, maybe just a few minutes) they found her in some "cave". Talk about relief. She had decided she didn't want to slide down after all and had walked back down the stairs. It was so crowded in the playground that I could not find her and I wasn't sure if she had exited the playground. It can be very scary. Anyway....just thought I would share my experience and tell you that you are not alone in wanting to "see" them in such play areas!

I am so sorry to hear about yoru experience as a child!!

Ohh and I loved all the new pics with Daisy...those were so cute!

That playground scares me too. There are a lot of tunnels in there, and it can get very confusing.

As far as me getting almost kidnapped, I can still remember it clearly. I was in 1st grade and had gotten off of the bus, which stopped 4 houses down from my house. There was a car sitting there with a man in it. He motioned for me to come near his car. I went over there and he started asking me for directions on how to get to a sawmill that was a couple of miles away. I remember thinking it was weird for an adult to ask a kid for directions, but I stood there anyways looking at that man. Then he said he had some candy in his glove compartment and he wanted me to sit in his car and have some candy with him. He opened his door, and at this same moment my 7 year old brother with asperger's grabbed me by the backpack and pulled me backwards. He pulled me back so hard and fast that we both tumbled backwards a couple of times. He then yelled at me, "Becky!! That is a stranger!!" The guy took off, and we ran home to tell my mom. She called the cops, and they asked me lots of questions and filled out a report on the guy. It still freaks me out when I think about what might have happened had my brother not been there.

Thanks for the compliments!!

Just found your TR.

Your kids are beautiful, sounds like you had a great trip.

Can't wait to hear what the surprise was.

I am glad you have joined me. Thanks for the kind words.
I am almost to the surprise part.

 

[smithpack]

Boy, I thought for sure I would get some Lurkers out with the whole bra used as a gas mask thing. Am I the only one that thinks that picture is hilarious?

We got back to the room at about 3:00. The boys were wanting to go swimming, but Princess(DD2) needed a nap. DH and I debated for a bit about who would take a nap with Princess(DD2) and who would take the boys to the pool. At this time he starts looking around and says he can't take the boys to the pool because he forgot his swimsuit. I assured him that I packed not one, but two of his swimsuits because I knew he would conveniently forget them so as to not have to be in the pool with the kids. Then I just told him not to worry about it, I didn't mind going to the pool. So, DH stayed with Princess(DD2) while I took the boys to the pool. About an hour later, DH came down to the pool with Princess(DD2). He was also very thoughtful as he brought the camera to get some daylight pictures of the pool. So, thanks to DH we have some more pics of the pool.

You can see the little island in the middle of the pool that has water shooting off of it.

Here is the slide. You can't see the top of it because it is covered by the plants.

This is the boat that takes you to DTD. It is located just past this pool at Ole man Island.

Here are some pictures of Riverside Mill. My husband took these on the way to the pool because you had to walk past it and across the bridge to Ole Man Island. Such a beautiful walk.

On the way back to the room, we saw these ducks.

one of the many paths that you can get lost on at POR.

Now that the kids had cooled off and rested up, it was time for us to get ready for dinner. We had a reservation for 6:10. We took a bus to AK and then switched to another bus that would take us to AKL for our dinner. Here we are waiting for the bus again. This time we did not take strollers, even though we knew we would be going to DTD after dinner. We just didn't want to lug them unless we were going to a park.

Princess(DD2) doing a little spin in her bday dress.

Lego(DS6) Princess(DD2) and Goofy(DS7)

We also had a little Disney Magic as Goofy(DS7) found a caterpiller. Yipee!(This was said with a sarcastic tone.)

 

[smithpack]

We made it to Boma's at 5:45 so we still had 25 minutes until our ressie. They were packed, so they couldn't get us in early. This actually worked out good for us so that we could walk around just a little. I would love to stay at the AKL sometime, if only we had the money. It is so pretty.

We then went in the gift shop and looked around. They had a bunch of really neat musical instruments. My kids loved these.

Princess(DD2) loved this one. You spun it between your hands and it had little beads on it that would hit the sides and make a drum noise.

Here is how mad she got when dad tried to put it down.

and then here is how happy she was when we bought it for her. Of course, you knew we were going too since it was her birthday.

Our buzzer went off right at dinner time and we were seated at our table. Here is a picture of the guys. Of course, Donald(DS4) was making a silly face.

and here is the princess.

I always carry an extra change of clothes for Princess(DD2), and it is a good thing I did. Shortly after she got her chocolate milk, she spilt it all over and it soaked her dress. Now, I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of our dinner. I remember it being really good, so it must have been so good that I couldn't wait to dig in. DH really loved this place. They had a huge buffet with so many choices. The good news is that I did get a picture of my dessert plate. That is the most important part, right? Don't ask me what anything is because I don't remember.

Our server then brought out a cupcake for Princess(DD2).

You can see in this picture that she loved the Mickey sprinkles. She kept picking them out and eating them..... One by one.

We had a wonderful meal. Now, ideally I would have loved to go back to the room at this time for the surprise, but you all know we had to go to the Lego store. Lego(DS6) had been really good this day and I didn't want to break my promise. That and I wanted both of us to enjoy the rest of the trip. So here it was getting close to 8:00 and we were getting on the bus to DTD....

 

[smithpack]

We made it to DTD. Here are some pics I took on the way to the Lego Store.

We made it to the lego store and it was packed!!

Here are some cool lego displays they had

Now, Lego(DS6) loves the little lego guys. He will buy a set just to get the figures that are in it. He likes to build the set too, but he will pick out which one he wants by the figures it comes with. So since his birthday was coming up I wanted to get him some little star wars figures that he didn't have yet and put them up until his birthday. I was surprised to find out that the little guys are $4.00 a piece. I don't know if it is just me, but that is a lot for one little guy. I then found some magnet sets that came with lego guys on them. You could take the guys off of the magnet stand and play with them. I got a set of star wars and a set of spongebob ones and purchased them for future use. I must say my son loves to keep these on the fridge. He will take the guys off and play with them and then put them back on the magnets on the fridge so he can keep up with them. Next time I go back I am getting more. Here is the woman that checked me out. I also was wanting to get a picture of the wall behind her with all those little lego guys that cost $4 a piece.

While I made this purchase, DH stayed with the boys at the lego table.

After being in this store for almost an hour, Lego(DS6) finally picked out a lego set that he wanted with his money and we left. Here are some of the lego windows on the outside of the store.

The boys loved finding all these little moving pieces in those windows. Now, it was time to head back for the surprise!! Too bad Princess fell asleep on the boat ride home.

Here we are walking towards the room, somehow Donald(DS4) got talked into carrying the bag.Would the Princess wake up in time for her big surprise??

Next up, the big surprise............................

 

[yellowtink]

Awwwww. Come on. You just left us hanging. Love the Trip Reportby the way.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

We wanna know, we wanna know!!! LOL

 

[jamjar84]

Aww, I thought I was going to turn the page to find the surprise there.

Great updates, I love the birthday dress, I want one for my little girl.

 

[Cory's Gal]

Wonderful updates!! Your daughter's birthday dress is so adorable! I too think $4 is waaaay too much for one Lego guy!! Can't wait to see what the surprise is!!!

 

[tigerdragon]

In 3 trips to WDW, I have never seen the Lego store not packed. It's always such a madhouse! The cost of the minifigs is outrageous. My DS always tries to get all the Star Wars ones too.

I can't wait to see what the surprise is!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

Love the TR so far! We were there at the same time, May 3-13th!! I SO remember those HOT days, that is our usual time to go and it's usually 85-90 and not as humid, 2009 was crazy hot! I love your DD's birthday dress, so adorable. I'm looking forward to the surprise!

 

[MadiMouse]

I just found your report and read the whole thing in one sitting! You have a beautiful family. I cannot wait to hear about the surprise!!!

 

[gallmcduck]

Awhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh still hanging on for the suprise. So hope that she woke up for it x

 

[JLR]

I am really enjoying your TR. I am now officially 12 weeks out from my first Disney trip and I was so grateful to find a TR in the same time period - so I say thank you for starting this late! What a nice family you have and I am dying to know about the surprise! (My girls would fall asleep too....)
Julie

 

[smithpack]

Awwwww. Come on. You just left us hanging. Love the Trip Reportby the way.

Thanks for joining. You had to know I was going to leave you all hanging.

We wanna know, we wanna know!!! LOL

It's coming! It's coming!

Aww, I thought I was going to turn the page to find the surprise there.


Great updates, I love the birthday dress, I want one for my little girl.

HaHa! Surprise is on the way. Hopefully I can get it done today if DD will let me sit at the computer for a minute.

Thanks. I got that at Kohl's the year before when it was on sale.

Wonderful updates!! Your daughter's birthday dress is so adorable! I too think $4 is waaaay too much for one Lego guy!! Can't wait to see what the surprise is!!!

Thanks for the kind words. I am glad to know that I am not the only one that thinks that is a lot of money for one little guy.

In 3 trips to WDW, I have never seen the Lego store not packed. It's always such a madhouse! The cost of the minifigs is outrageous. My DS always tries to get all the Star Wars ones too.

I can't wait to see what the surprise is!

I am surprised they can keep that place stocked! How old is your DS?

Love the TR so far! We were there at the same time, May 3-13th!! I SO remember those HOT days, that is our usual time to go and it's usually 85-90 and not as humid, 2009 was crazy hot! I love your DD's birthday dress, so adorable. I'm looking forward to the surprise!

Glad to know it is usually not that hot in May, we ended up getting a couple of those little fans connected to the waterbottles so that we could mist ourselves with some coolness. I think your DD is absolutely adorable. I love the picture of her in your signature! What a cute pose, and I love her little earrings and the headband. Cute, Cute, Cute!

I just found your report and read the whole thing in one sitting! You have a beautiful family. I cannot wait to hear about the surprise!!!

Thanks!! I can't believe you read it all in one sitting. I like the title of your TR in your signature. I am going to have to check it out for sure. Sounds like there might be some good food pics.

Awhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh still hanging on for the suprise. So hope that she woke up for it x

I am getting ready to post it. Hopefully DD will let me do this next installment.

I am really enjoying your TR. I am now officially 12 weeks out from my first Disney trip and I was so grateful to find a TR in the same time period - so I say thank you for starting this late! What a nice family you have and I am dying to know about the surprise! (My girls would fall asleep too....)
Julie

Awww. Thanks, this made me feel better about being a procrastinator. How old are your girls? I am so excited for you going on your first Disney trip!!! You are going to have so much fun, and the 12 weeks will go by fast.