Disney done differently, (BOG dining updates pages 202 and 203)

[kaoden39]

I agree about picking your battles but sometimes it is hard. I think that it is too bad if they were upset over the grape situation. As far as the people not understanding about Anakin maybe they need to walk for a mile in your shoes.


All that being said I bet that was a great place to eat when there were characters in there.

 

[lovethattink]

New outfits! How fun! What a thoughtful gift. It's always nice when they gifts like that.


I hope they get a handle on his seizures and figure this all out.

I responded to everyone in one giant post and I hit something on my laptop and everything was gone. So going to do this individually.

I got a call last week from the giver asking if he would like Duffy outfits. She was going to buy 3 and we'd buy the other 3. She asked which ones I thought he would like. I knew of 4 he has been asking for. She knew about a new one we hadn't seen before. It's a Jedi Training Academy outfit. Has a t-shirt, cloak, and a light saber that lights up!! I knew he would love it!!

I sure hope they get a hand on the seizures too. It's good to know this doctor is specializes in epilepsy. I just wish the office offered a payment plan of some kind.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh I bet I know which outfit is his favorite!!

 

[lovethattink]

Prayers for DH family.

I think given the circumstances that Anakin has been going through a melt down would be last thing I would worry about too and try to avoid, although people around you dont know the full story. Thanks to Ann and you I stop and think a little more before I do any judging of children's behaviors!

Hmmm....sounds like a pretty good way to celebrate a birthday! Can I be your child?

I saw there are business cards on Zazzle that can be ordered to give to onlookers. I'm thinking about getting some made. http://www.zazzle.com/autism_cards_business_card-240002291237997874

Another site with different cards http://www.danasview.net/cards.htm

I think differently too. Things were not like this until Father's Day 2010. Amazing how one event can change life so drastically. I strongly recommend every parent with a child with a sensory disorder and every educator to read The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.

Birthday meals at Disney are awesome great! Any day at Disney is great! We all need to escape reality every now and then. Would be great to have had you celebrating with us! There was one cupcake left, guess it had your name on it.

 

[lovethattink]

We got to eat at LTT when they still had characters and it was a lot of fun. Plus the food was pretty great. We had ADR's there this past trip but I cancelled them. My boys were in a "let's not eat anything" phase this whole trip and I couldn't see wasting money on a big dinner.

I can relate to having a seven year old melting down such as Anakin does. Jayden has a severe mood disorder/NOS r/o bipolar. Started when he was 5 and has pretty much taken over our lives. Long story ... But getting better. It's tough and I know the feeling of dagger eyes from people who have no idea what is really going on. No advice ... Just a hug of support from another mom who "gets" it.

What did the boys like to eat this trip? Did you eat off site since you had a car some of your trip?

I bet it was fun with the characters! I think they still do dinner, but lunch is not character. The prices were very reasonable. My mahi mahi was $18.99. The server said in the summer they are switching to a salmon rolled up over some kind of salad. The switch is suppose to happen in the next few days.

One of the chefs from the Flying Fish showed them how to make the Mahi Mahi when it started on the menu. He taught them well!!

Sorry about Jayden. It really does change how you live. Some days I feel like I'm walking on egg shells all day and others are really good. Thank for the hug, and "getting" it.

 

[lovethattink]

It sounds like you had a wonderful lunch! I will admit that eating at LTT is our favorite place - and always on the must do list. I used to eat the William Penn pasta, but it's no longer on their menu... The girls and I all tried the Freedom Pasta this time, and we all loved it - LTT will continue to be on our must do list.

I am glad you were able to avoid a meltdown... I am sorry that there are so many steps back after you had just gone forward, I just can't imagine how hard it must be for you to have to feel the judgement of others who have no idea of the situation. I agree with Tammie - reading about Ani and other children on The Dis has really taught me to think twice about the knee jerk reaction of judging the kids who are having a rough day. (((Hugs)))

D~

I don't know why we waited so long to try it for the first time. Good to know about the pasta, I'm not much of a bread and pasta person but dh is!!

There have been a few steps backwards recently. But I am just amazed how things work out. Once again, he has forgotten how to read. I started going to a Tuesday morning Bible study a couple months ago. One of the ladies at my table is has her masters as a reading specialist. She is guiding me on what to do and how to help him!!

Looks like there will be more trips to Epcot. The pyramid steps at Mexico are great therapy!!

Twice recently we went places in public that had stairs. He was unable to go down any steps by himself. Breaks my heart because he was at the point where he didn't even need to hold a hand to go down steps, just a railing. People just stared as he tried to get down and clung to me. At the last place, there were 5 steps down. I had him from the front and dh from the side. People stared and gawked. When we reached the bottom he jumped up and down exclaiming, "I did it, I did it!!"

The most stares and unapproving looks come from people seeing him when he is in the medical stroller.

Thanks for the hugs and understanding!

 

[lovethattink]

Sorry to hear about your loss !! You know I understand the myclonic jerks , having dealt withnit with a consumer !! The doctors seem to differ on whetehr it is seizure related or not , it is very frustrating . The turkey platter lokked yummy!

It's confusing for sure, especially if it comes from the spiking?

I didn't try the turkey, but it did look good. Anakin didn't like the mashed potatoes, so he made a face in it with the green beans and carrots.

He was sooooo excited to discover that there are little "beans" INSIDE the green beans. He didn't think we'd know that. That discovery occupied him for most of the meal. As he tried to free them. Then he wanted to take them home and plant them.

 

[Moodyzblu]

What did the boys like to eat this trip? Did you eat off site since you had a car some of your trip

Pretty much anything chicken. Nuggets mostly. They DO love fish and chips from England so we ate there once. Oh and rice. We didnt eat anywhere else but the parks or GKTW and CBR. None of us really had a big appetite during our stay .. In fact I lost like 3 lbs !! Another reason why I don't get the dining plan. The biggest meal we ate was at the 3 Broomsticks at IOA and we tossed half of it. It was really good though !!

 

[lovethattink]

I agree about picking your battles but sometimes it is hard. I think that it is too bad if they were upset over the grape situation. As far as the people not understanding about Anakin maybe they need to walk for a mile in your shoes.


All that being said I bet that was a great place to eat when there were characters in there.

Oh I bet I know which outfit is his favorite!!

It is hard, because my own parents trained me with because I say so, and we wouldn't think of questioning it. We just obeyed or were punished and learned. The difference with him, is he doesn't learn from punishment. That's where this book I am still reading with a fine tooth comb is coming in handy.

Oh yeah!! That Jedi one left him speechless.

 

[lovethattink]

Pretty much anything chicken. Nuggets mostly. They DO love fish and chips from England so we ate there once. Oh and rice. We didnt eat anywhere else but the parks or GKTW and CBR. None of us really had a big appetite during our stay .. In fact I lost like 3 lbs !! Another reason why I don't get the dining plan. The biggest meal we ate was at the 3 Broomsticks at IOA and we tossed half of it. It was really good though !!

Sounds familier, except for the rice!

Is 3 Broomsticks counter or table service?

We have the Tables in Wonderland for the 20% off food and beverage. We wouldn't do well on the dining plan. I'd rather have an appetizer as a meal, dh would rather have an appetizer over dessert. Grumpy loves soup and orders it wherever we eat. Anakin would be fine on the dining plan, he gets the kid's meals, just has to be chicken or pizza.

Wish I could lose 3 pounds!! We need to go back to Epcot. We use to walk the entire park and I was able to maintain my weight pretty good. Going to MK all the time now doesn't have all that walking.

 

[lovethattink]

Heading to the testing last week, we saw a bunch of hot air balloons. Several in the sky and these were just taking off from the ground!

Anakin loved the testing. He enjoyed having the deep pressure on his head and it kept him calm the whole time. We think we need to get him a close fitting hat to wear at home!! It did itch him a couple times. But for the most part, he was preoccupied playing video games. The first day he played for 7 hours, only breaking for lunch, a nap, and supper. After supper we watched a movie, then Dancing with the Stars. Never had it been so easy to keep him entertained. We couldn't believe we weren't seeing anything from the video games. One of the technicians asked if we had an old tv, she said they tend to be worse for those photosensitive to light. All our sets are old.

The second day, he played videos all day again. He was in heaven.

Video games have always been calming to him too. The processed foods and refined sugar snacks did not cause any seizures. He even ate those Little Debbie Brownies that caused the problems a few weeks ago. The Nurse practitioner said that his increased dose of medication was enough to stop the seizure from occuring, because they did see some spiking, but mostly in his sleep.

 

[mommy2mrb]

love Anakins practice birthday! yay for new duffy outfits too! we ate at LTT back in 2008, still had characters then and really enjoyed it! loved the bread!

its so sad when adults have to stare and be rude when they see a child with difficulties, some people just have no manners....hope Anakin can start to relearn his stairs again soon

tell him and give him a big hug from us!

 

[lbuzz52]

Hi Tink! I'm so far behind i'm not even sure where i was. i took a little DIS break. Anyway, i just wanted to pop in and see how you all were doing?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just wanted to check in with you and see how everybody was doing. Any further word from the tests?

 

[lovethattink]

I will be posting a Disney update in a few! A quick update on Grumpy, he went to his senior prom. It was a semi-formal dance. His "date" was one of his female friends. They've been friends since elementary school. He did not get anyone to take his picture there. I should have followed him to her house and took a picture of them. I have a picture of him, but not of her. He said the food was out of this world, especially the Mac and Cheese.

Anakin goes back to the orthodontist this week for a check up. His braces have been off since October sometime. His teeth have moved a little, but his bite is perfect! The top teeth go in front of the bottom, originally his top teeth went way behind the front teeth.

Both kids are working hard to get all their class work done by May 18th.

Our trip to CSR is still on, Grumpy is going to visit his grandparents while we go to CSR. He is excited to see them and all his old friends. Originally this was the time he was going to his girlfriend's prom, but she is now an ex-girlfriend, so he's just going to visit family for the weekend.

love Anakins practice birthday! yay for new duffy outfits too! we ate at LTT back in 2008, still had characters then and really enjoyed it! loved the bread!

its so sad when adults have to stare and be rude when they see a child with difficulties, some people just have no manners....hope Anakin can start to relearn his stairs again soon

tell him and give him a big hug from us!

It's good we had a practice birthday, dh flew back home on Anakin's birthday. I was hoping to post the new Duffy outfits, but photobucket won't let me sign in from my phone so I can download it. I did download other practice birthday pics.

Just wait til you read my next update. The rudeness and no manners continue. I guess we must have got in front of a Do Dumbo or Die family, because they tried to trample over Anakin.

There aren't many places around here that have stairs. Sliding boards don't cut it because he can go up, it's the down steps that's problem again. I think the steps at Mexico is our best bet for practice.

At this point we are still keeping the May trip to CSR. There are steps to practice on too. Steps to get into the Dig Site. Steps up then down to get over the bridge over the Jaguar slide. Steps at the different buildings, maybe we can go up the elevator and down the steps once he can do that many.

Hi Tink! I'm so far behind i'm not even sure where i was. i took a little DIS break. Anyway, i just wanted to pop in and see how you all were doing?

Welcome back!! We are doing great! Anakin has had a bit of regression, but the seizures haven't been as frequent!

Just wanted to check in with you and see how everybody was doing. Any further word from the tests?

No further word on the tests. May 7th is our appointment to discuss it.

 

[lovethattink]

After Anakin was showered he was too awake to go back to sleep, but too tired to be productive. We decided to head to the MK instead of heading home!!

When we arrived at the TTC, neither the monorail nor the Ferry were running. We were sent over to the buses. This was a real treat for Anakin because even when we stay on property we use our own car. It's easier with the medical stroller.

We got lucky and got one of the buses with the lower steps and wider aisles, but less seating. We had to stand, but an older man let Anakin sit in his seat. It was so nice of him!!

We thought we'd get there just in time for rope drop. The park opened at 8am and it was 7:45am. But apparently when there is EMH the rope drop is done at 7. They let us into the park right away. I grabbed a times guide. It said Mr. and Mrs. Bunny were greeting. It wasn't them, but it was Snow White instead.

Snow White had Anakin mesmerized. She kept petting his hair and he was under her spell.

The Trolley Show passed by us and everyone waved before performing at the Train Station. I had never seen them perform on the platform!

Saw one of our DIS friends working and stopped by to see her!

Then the fire station opened and we headed over there to get our Sorcerers cards!!

We saw some painters across from one of the portals. Did you realize there is a little stream there? The ducks love that area!

We got to the last round and it took us from Frontierland to Fantasyland.

He was hungry for grapes so we stopped at the fruit stand to get some. They now have sweet potatoes there. I asked if there is anything to put on the sweet potato? The cm said all sweet and regular potatoes come only with kosher salt on them. He said that you can ask for cheese, sour cream or butter for them.

And once again, we have completed a round of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom!

It was now 9:05 am, and Anakin was soooo tired. He wanted to go home and take a nap.

We took the Ferry back to the TTC. Saw an odd sight along the way, a beached boat with people on it.

Anakin fell asleep in the car and continued sleeping at home. When he woke up he ate then finished all his school work. He was so happy to be home with his stuffed animals and toys.

 

[mommy2mrb]

sounds like a quick and fun morning at MK! for completing another round with the sorcerer's!

yum, love me some baked potatoes and sweet potatoes too! hope they keep them around!

 

[lovethattink]

sounds like a quick and fun morning at MK! for completing another round with the sorcerer's!

yum, love me some baked potatoes and sweet potatoes too! hope they keep them around!

It was very fun, and probably our shortest visit to the MK ever.

I think the baked potatoes have been on the menu for a while, but the sweets are new! I think they should still be there.

 

[lovethattink]

The Practice Birthday
Anakin's practice birthday was celebrated at the food court at Pop Century. It was just us and a couple who are like 2nd parents to both me and dh and like an additional set of grandparents to our kids.

We met for lunch. Both dh and I had the parmesan crusted chicken. He had his with marinara sauce on it, and I had mine with alfredo sauce. Anakin had pizza. Everyone else had a Greek salad.

Once we were done eating, they went out to their car and came back with a huge bag!

Anakin opened the card, and went crazy with excitement. He loved that it was Star Wars themed, and jumped up and down. Then he hugged them and said, I love it, I love it. They wouldn't have had to get him anything else. He held the card close to his heart.

He became quickly overwhelmed by all the Duffy outfits. I think he made the comment about only having one Duffy, what would he do with all these outfits? Our friend saved the Jedi custume for last. He loved it. She showed him how to turn on the light saber!

Of course it was declared the Best Birthday Ever!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Sweet! Anakin is so cute! looks like Duffy is going to be decked out for all Disney occasions!