Come to the Dark Side...4 Weekends of Fun with the Force(Updated 11/12)

[lovethattink]

Have a great day and hoping MNSSHP is amazing tonite with tons of pixie dust!,

Hope you had a good time at MNSSHP!

Alison and Ann, it was a fabulous party. The crowd level was very low. We got to see the villain's show twice, most of the first parade, got in most of the trick or treat stops, saw Pooh and friends and Jack and Sally!!

I am hooked on the sweet potato fries at Pecos Bills, so we tried to eat there during the fireworks, but our timing was off and we were finished eating before the fireworks even started.

The pixie dust was flowing that night. JJ got a surprise which was huge pixie dust. And one of the characters grabbed dh's lightsaber and there was a duel between that character and JJ. Pictures to come.

 

[annmarieda]

I am glad to hear that the party was a food one for you. Especially when JJ is now dealing with what sounds like harder tics?

I will definitely say a few prayers for him and you this morning.

Prayers for continued strength... Obviously you and JJ both are strong since you both push on. I am sure there are some who would shut down and not attempt all the things you do. You are both strong for not letting his illness stop you!

Prayers for courage.... While I know you have strength, it still takes courage. Courage to take those steps outside and not shut down. Also courage to brave all that you have before you that will require strength.

Prayers for peace.... It truly is not fair you are always required to find that courage and strength. You and JJ need those moments of peace (like at the party). Where things come together and you are both allowed to enjoy life with less worry.

Prayers that all things related to the play (practice and performance) go exceptionally well and cause those days to be deemed "the best day ever!"......

 

[lovethattink]

great he is using his new techniques!
happy you still had a fun night at Epcot and got to see your other friends!
its just worked out that way with our MB, didn't even think about them being Christmas colors, my fav color is red and Megan's is apple green and teal, she wanted the blue one first but thought it was more of a true blue rather than the teal!
we did have a fun weekend, the party was good and helped my SIL get the kitchen all unpacked and organized which was a big job! DB treated us to dinner and breakfast which was sweet!



hope you had a great time at MNSSHP!

When he remembers to use them, they do help.

Yes, the blue isn't a teal, it's more of mix of royal blue and blue. Do you get new magic bands with each WDW vacation? Or will those follow you for any future trips?

Glad you had a fun weekend. I'm sure your SIL appreciated the help unpacking. Very sweet of DB.

sending prayers and

Thank you. I truly appreciate it.

 

[lovethattink]

I bet it will be a Magical Monday at MNSSHP!

The party was Sunday. And it was perfect. And with a DIS meet with Liza(don't remember the numbers after her DIS name) and her son C. It wasn't exactly planned. I saw on her fb she was at the MK. So we met up with them before their dinner at the GF and before our party. The boys had fun doing the pirate adventure interactive game in Adventureland.

We did have a Magical Monday, complete with meeting up again with Liza and C. This time planned. We met at Epcot.

Will be back for more comments later. This morning was occupational therapy. We are finished with lunch so it's time to get to the books before theater practice. I am seeing Chinese carryout in the future for dinner tonight.

 

[lovethattink]

I think we talked more with you riding in the car, than we do when you are home.

How was the party? I am so happy you were able to get the tickets and I HOPE it was much better.

Yea for JJ self-soothing, that is HUGE! Tell him we are proud of him.

There are much less distractions when I'm a passenger of a car, than at home.

The party was fabulous. The crowds were low. Before the party, JJ got to see his friend and play the Pirates adventure game. And before that, he got to ride an attraction for the first time ever.

New goal for OT. To be able to look side to side without getting nauseated. Last week he felt so sick afterwards and hyperventilated once he got home. Now he has new exercises to do to help him feel comfortable looking side to side. I had noticed that when he looks at something he turns his whole body in the direction he's looking. Now we know why.

I will tell him. He's really been tough on himself. He thinks he has to be perfect and no matter how many times we tell him nobody is perfect, he still places that high demand on himself.

 

[mommy2mrb]

When he remembers to use them, they do help.

Yes, the blue isn't a teal, it's more of mix of royal blue and blue. Do you get new magic bands with each WDW vacation? Or will those follow you for any future trips?

Glad you had a fun weekend. I'm sure your SIL appreciated the help unpacking. Very sweet of DB.



Thank you. I truly appreciate it.

that's great they are working! hope practice goes better,nice they are being good about giving him space!

happy you had a magical day at the parks and party! looking forward to the photos!

not sure about the magic bands, supposed to have a battery that lasts a couple years, but don't think we will be back before that.

I would do anything for them....the other brother and SIL not so much

 

[lovethattink]

I am glad to hear that the party was a food one for you. Especially when JJ is now dealing with what sounds like harder tics?

I will definitely say a few prayers for him and you this morning.

Prayers for continued strength... Obviously you and JJ both are strong since you both push on. I am sure there are some who would shut down and not attempt all the things you do. You are both strong for not letting his illness stop you!

Prayers for courage.... While I know you have strength, it still takes courage. Courage to take those steps outside and not shut down. Also courage to brave all that you have before you that will require strength.

Prayers for peace.... It truly is not fair you are always required to find that courage and strength. You and JJ need those moments of peace (like at the party). Where things come together and you are both allowed to enjoy life with less worry.

Prayers that all things related to the play (practice and performance) go exceptionally well and cause those days to be deemed "the best day ever!"......

Thank you so much. I was holding back tears reading your prayers.

OT started off rocky today but was great by the end. He was afraid the therapist was going to be angry at him for not documenting when he did the homework. He goes back again tomorrow with a different therapist. It will be his second time seeing her.

School work is mostly done. He finished his geography/history, language arts, and math. He has a few things to do after theater. Then he is finished. I had hoped to be finished with all his school work by mid-May, but it's now looking like early June will be more realistic. He lost so many days back in August when he was having all those problems.

 

[lovethattink]

that's great they are working! hope practice goes better,nice they are being good about giving him space!

happy you had a magical day at the parks and party! looking forward to the photos!

not sure about the magic bands, supposed to have a battery that lasts a couple years, but don't think we will be back before that.

I would do anything for them....the other brother and SIL not so much

Practice went well tonight. Most of the blocking they did, he is sitting on the stage. Which is good. It's a 45 minute play so he won't have to stand the entire time.

It's really neat to see all the "kids" on the stage. About 50 of them. The group started out as 16 and has grown so much over a year and a half.

I didn't realize there were batteries in the bands. Guess I need to check out some of the threads about them.

Gotta love family dynamics.

 

[annmarieda]

Thank you so much. I was holding back tears reading your prayers.

OT started off rocky today but was great by the end. He was afraid the therapist was going to be angry at him for not documenting when he did the homework. He goes back again tomorrow with a different therapist. It will be his second time seeing her.

School work is mostly done. He finished his geography/history, language arts, and math. He has a few things to do after theater. Then he is finished. I had hoped to be finished with all his school work by mid-May, but it's now looking like early June will be more realistic. He lost so many days back in August when he was having all those problems.

I am happy to hear that the day ended on a better note than it started.

JJ (and you) should be proud that he is able to keep up with school like he does! Early June?

 

[lovethattink]

I am happy to hear that the day ended on a better note than it started.

JJ (and you) should be proud that he is able to keep up with school like he does! Early June?

All's well that ends well.

I think he'll finish his Science and History before then. He really loves it. He's almost done with November's work in both of those subjects. But the Language Arts and Math have so much material and projects that it's going to be tough.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Practice went well tonight. Most of the blocking they did, he is sitting on the stage. Which is good. It's a 45 minute play so he won't have to stand the entire time.

It's really neat to see all the "kids" on the stage. About 50 of them. The group started out as 16 and has grown so much over a year and a half.

I didn't realize there were batteries in the bands. Guess I need to check out some of the threads about them.

Gotta love family dynamics.

that's great! love that the group has grown, such a fun outlet for everyone!

not sure what kind they are though

yah, NOT I finally unfriended those family members on FB , done with their you know what!

we are leaving for Boston tomorrow so will check in with you next week! have a fun weekend then I get to be in full blown WDW mode, 3 weeks tomorrow we leave

 

[blessedmom4]

Practice went well tonight. Most of the blocking they did, he is sitting on the stage. Which is good. It's a 45 minute play so he won't have to stand the entire time.

It's really neat to see all the "kids" on the stage. About 50 of them. The group started out as 16 and has grown so much over a year and a half.

I didn't realize there were batteries in the bands. Guess I need to check out some of the threads about them.

Gotta love family dynamics.

So happy to read things went better at practice!
​

 

[kaoden39]

I am thrilled to hear that JJ is learning to self calm. That is huge!!


I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!!

 

[ladylyons]

Glad JJ is learning to self sooth.

Wanted to say Happy Halloween from Neverland!!

 

[lovethattink]

that's great! love that the group has grown, such a fun outlet for everyone!

not sure what kind they are though

yah, NOT I finally unfriended those family members on FB , done with their you know what!

we are leaving for Boston tomorrow so will check in with you next week! have a fun weekend then I get to be in full blown WDW mode, 3 weeks tomorrow we leave

It's a great outlet and they all learn so much from each other.

I know you really had to watch what you wrote and what others wrote on your wall that you didn't want them seeing.

Have a great trip. I know we texted last night. I hope the BeLikeBrit Gala goes well. I know you'll have a great time seeing friends and meeting new people.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

So happy to read things went better at practice!
​

Happy be-lated Halloween! Wednesday and Thursday went very well.

I am thrilled to hear that JJ is learning to self calm. That is huge!!


I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!!

The last two days and so far today, have gone very well. JJ and I went on a date last night instead of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood or answering the door. We did a first for us both. We ate at Chef Mickey's!!! It was great! Pictures to come. And hopefully a SWW update to come today.

Glad JJ is learning to self sooth.

Wanted to say Happy Halloween from Neverland!!

Love the costumes. I hope they had fun! They look adorable!!

 

[lovethattink]

GKTW and Trev's MAW, SWW Day 10

Here we are, weekend 4 of SWW. Our weekend started early, on Thursday with a visit to GKTW to visit JJ's friend Trevor on his MAW trip. The two boys quickly became good friends over the month's of anticipation for Trev's trip.

The morning started with texts between me and Jackie, Trev's mom. Andrea was in full force dumping rain, wind and tonado watches all across central Florida. A hurricane was a new concept for this Washington state family. Their wish trip was filled with rain almost from start to finish.

We pulled into GKTW and parked. I texted that we were there and Jackie came out to meet us. We were inside the building, and she and Trev went outside to wait. I spotted them and went over to say hello.

The boys didn't seem to mind the rain. It was just a drizzle and JJ loves to use an umbrella. We went to their villa and spent a some time chatting while the boys and Trev's twin sisters played hide and go seek. Jackie gave us the times and a run down of their itinerary. We'd see them at Trev's Jedi Training Academy time.

Dh had to go to work, so we headed out after stopping for ice cream. Trev and JJ both got cones. I can't find my pictures, but Jackie posted a picture of the boys on her TR.

From here we went to check into the motel. We stayed offsite and down the road from GKTW. The room wasn't quite ready yet. It needed housekeeping manager's approval. Dh needed to get to work, so they let us put the luggage inside, then we headed back home. Then back to the motel after dh got out of work.

Friday morning, JJ popped out of bed. He was so excited about his friend's MAW day. THIS was the day his wish would come true, to be a real jedi. JJ insisted I text them to see if they were at the park yet. They were a step or two behind us, but we wouldn't see them until just before parade time.

JJ was asked to be in the parade again. Trev was also asked, however their itinerary had them viewing the parade in a special area and meeting with their guide just before. So they needed to find out if he could be in the parade and stopped at Guest Services to see if something could be worked out.

JJ and dh went over to the meeting area for the parade. Trev was not there, so we didn't know if it was approved or not. I went over to the parent viewing area and sat down. I put my back pack beside me and spread out just in case they ended up viewing the parade here. Jackie and I were texting back and forth. She saw my guys and was leaving them heading to wherever the guide was taking her to see the parade.

Their viewing area ended up being right where I was. I'm so glad I spread out. I was able to move my bag and get Jackie and the girls right up front. Had I not been there, they would have been far in the back.

​

Soon we saw Mickey. The boys followed shortly after. Now here is where some disappointment sets in. I asked what Trev was wearing. Jackie told me red shirt, blue hat. Through my little eye piece on the camera I spotted a red shirt and a baseball cap. Turns out I was taking pictures of another boy wearing a red shirt and black baseball hat. Boy, did I take a ton of pictures of this unknown boy. Drat!

We figured photopass would save the day. Would you believe there isn’t a single picture of Trevor in the parade on the photopass either?! Double drat!!

I managed to get one of JJ though.

​

Once they were at the foot of the big stage, then I was able to spot Trev and get pictures of both boys. They weren’t near each other so the pictures are all separate.

This weekend the celebrities were Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams, and Tom Kane. The media was out in full force too.

Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca



Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian



Tom Kane, who voices Yoda



Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka





James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi













​

Did you see the big lightsaber cane belonging to Peter Mayhew? This cane caused him big trouble at the airport. They weren’t going to let him carry it with him. It is his functional cane, not a decoration.

​

I asked a photopass photographer if he could take a picture of the boys. He said sure. But the picture never showed on the photopass.  I’m glad I took one too.

​

Also took a picture of Jackie’s dad. He is super friendly. He seemed to really be enjoying himself this trip, despite the abundance of rain and the lack of sleep.

​

With the parade over, it was time to part ways. The boys would have liked to spend more time together. We knew we’d all meet up later for Trevor’s JTA, where his wish would come true to be a real jedi!

 

[Lilfoot93]

Here's the pic!!

Trev and JJ. Trev getting ready to enjoy his 2nd bowl of ice cream that morning

So glad we got to meet you guys during our MAW trip! The kids had SO much fun together! They still talk about playing with JJ at GKTW

My Dad enjoyed everything too! The rain didn't get to him as much as it did to us. We do get rain here but NOTHING like what we experienced there! While it may rain all day here it is more like a drizzly rain. Not buckets of rain ALL. DAY. LONG. We don't get that much in a whole month what came down that week from TS Andrea!

Hopefully some day we can meet up again. We had fun with you guys and we were glad you could experience part of Trev's wish too!

Jackie

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks for posting the picture, Jackie. I'm so glad we were able to meet up and be a part of your trip. The kids had a blast. I still have some Star Wars stuff sitting on my dining room table to mail out to Trev. I'm so bad about getting snail mail out.

It REALLY doesn't rain like that all the time here, I promise.

Hopefully, it will work up to meet up again.

 

[kaoden39]

It's a great outlet and they all learn so much from each other.

I know you really had to watch what you wrote and what others wrote on your wall that you didn't want them seeing.

Have a great trip. I know we texted last night. I hope the BeLikeBrit Gala goes well. I know you'll have a great time seeing friends and meeting new people.

Look forward to seeing you soon!



Happy be-lated Halloween! Wednesday and Thursday went very well.



The last two days and so far today, have gone very well. JJ and I went on a date last night instead of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood or answering the door. We did a first for us both. We ate at Chef Mickey's!!! It was great! Pictures to come. And hopefully a SWW update to come today.



Love the costumes. I hope they had fun! They look adorable!!

I am glad that it is going well. I am praying that it stays that way. A date with JJ sounds like a nice way to spend the evening. I can hardly wait to see the pictures! The parade looks great!

I wanted to share the latest home pictures.

 

[lovethattink]

I am glad that it is going well. I am praying that it stays that way. A date with JJ sounds like a nice way to spend the evening. I can hardly wait to see the pictures! The parade looks great!

I wanted to share the latest home pictures.

Love the house pics. Can't wait til you get to move back home! Does it feel like home when you visit?