"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[scottny]

OOH I cannot wait to find out all the answers. It is like a soap opera you must tune into or the old Batman series.

Hope it is a wonderful day.

 

[swwake]

I can't believe how similar Katie's dress is to your bridesmaids' dresses in the back.

Ridiculous, huh? I need to find those old pics. Do you really think we have similar tastes? Or is this a fluke? I never remember being a bit of a tomboy as she is...

Well, DH went to bed, I finished catching up (skimming) my 70+ subscribed threads, and Katie just announced that she's going to bed now, since it's officially her birthday. I will head to sleepyland and wait to see what adventures tomorrow brings.

Nite all!

 

[swwake]

OOH I cannot wait to find out all the answers. It is like a soap opera you must tune into or the old Batman series.

Hope it is a wonderful day.

Dontcha just love suspense? I have a love/hate relationship with the TRs where they give you clues to the next installment. A little tease. I get frustrated, though, when those authors disappear for days, or even weeks on end!

 

[scottny]

Dontcha just love suspense? I have a love/hate relationship with the TRs where they give you clues to the next installment. A little tease. I get frustrated, though, when those authors disappear for days, or even weeks on end!

that is the worst

 

[Native NYer]

I can't wait to find out how the answers to all of those questions. It's a cliffhanger!! You should write for All My Children

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am eagerly awaiting the answers!

Is today Katie's birthday? If so, I hope she has a magical 16th birthday!!!

 

[swwake]

that is the worst

I know. I promise not to do that to y'all. And you know I have a back up, so if I were to ever disappear, Mom would fill in.

I can't wait to find out how the answers to all of those questions. It's a cliffhanger!! You should write for All My Children

We shall see.....

I am eagerly awaiting the answers!

Is today Katie's birthday? If so, I hope she has a magical 16th birthday!!!

Yes, today is the big day. Thanks for the wishes.

 

[swwake]

Mid-day Birthday Update

I have a minute in between errands, so I thought I'd post an update. Katie got up this morning and went to school with our neighbor, her regular ride. I stayed home and took care of some personal business, including mapping out my errands today (I took the day off).

Katie texted me around 9:30 and asked me to bring her car when I picked her up, so I did. Thought she'd drive from school to the DPS, but that plan didn't work out.

I was waiting in the attendance office, when Katie and Tate rounded the corner. Tate was carrying this:

And Katie was carrying these:

(that is two full bunches of balloons from two friends), along with a dozen pink roses, and a bag full of cupcakes from two different friends and a blueberry muffin from Tate. Wish I had pics of the roses, but she took them back to school. maybe tonight.

Since Katie was afraid to try to drive without being able to see her rear-view, due to the balloons, I agreed to drive her home. We dropped off the balloons, which, incidentally, Harry is petrified of. I have no idea what it is. It caused a little involuntary bladder leakage, and he ran to the farthest point where he could stand and see us. He would not come NEAR those balloons. Poor boy.

We then charted our course to DPS. True to my ongoing theme of practicing things, I had Katie practice driving through the pharmacy to drop off a prescription for me. Then, since I wasn't going to give her a car that was on empty, she practiced filling it up at the gas station. Each of these was quite the experience, but I won't bore you with the details...

Sometime around this point, I asked Katie to verify that we had everything we needed.
Learner's permit - check
VOE (Verification of enrollment) - check
Drivers' Ed certificates - check
Good. We have everything we need.

Off to the DPS. Fortunately for me, it was all right hand turns. This means very little fear/stress. haha As we walked in, I immediately noticed all of the signs posted on every flat surface (well, except maybe the floor), reading "Proof of Social Security Number is required for all licenses and renewals". Oh boy. I turned to Katie and said "I don't have your birth certificate or SS Card". She fussed at me for a moment "Mom, I told you last night to be sure to bring my birth certificate." I reminded her that I had asked her back near the house to verify that we had everything and she immediately dropped the subject.

Fortunately, Miss Nicety Nice Nice at the counter said that Katie's permit is enough to verify her Social, even though it's not on the permit. She asked Katie to state her SS#, which Katie only knows the last four digits of (it was her PIN for elementary school lunches). So I gave the number and Miss Nice said to Katie "you will have to recite your SS# again at the counter." So I told Katie she better memorize it.

Now, we wait. Our number was 13. Which we thought was a nice low number. Until we looked at the sign and saw that they were on number 88!!! All I could do was hope that it only counted to 99, NOT 999 before switching to 00. Let's see, that gave Katie time to study for her chemistry test. I quizzed her on "polys". I don't know what those are but I think it's polymers or something. All I know is that I was reading strange combinations of letters and numbers, some little and up high, some down low, some with a minus sign, and she would respond with some ridiculously long foreign language that I had never heard of (or maybe I knew it in 10th grade, but I don't remember it now). I take that back, I have heard of Cyanide. When she said that one, I said "which can KILL you!", to which Katie replied - "Yes, they use it in gas chambers." How does she know all this stuff?

Also, I got a call from my cousin Kellye, who chatted with Katie for about 10 minutes about her birthday, her car, and all the party plans. That helped to pass the hour and 20 minutes we waited.

Finally, when they called 13, Katie jumped up faster than a bolt of lightning. Heaven forbid she doesn't respond quickly enough and they call Number 14....

The gentleman must have been a former CM. His customer service skills far exceeded my expectations of a state employee. First, he congratulated Katie. Then he had her take the vision test while he processed her paperwork. He had her read "Line 5" FOUR times, each time, pausing, looking at me, shaking his head, looking down and chuckling. Finally, he said "do you wear glasses or contacts?"
Katie: no.
Obvious Former Disney CM: Do you need glasses or contacts?
Katie: I don't think so.
OFDCM: Ok, let's try Line 4.
Katie: Ok BCMGHTIELGINS (or something like that)
OFDCM: Great! (moving on)

Katie then continued to try the eye test about 10 more times, realizing on the 10th time that she had missed a whole column (the right one) because she was closing her right eye. She is laughing at herself for this, while I'm trying to convince her that it is not appropriate to drive with one eye closed.

Then OFDCM presented Katie with a tiny strip of paper with a microscopic paragraph on it (come on! you know she can't read Line 5! How can she read this??) He says "Be sure to read this. These are your new restrictions, such as: no driving between midnight and 5am, no passengers under 18, and no cell phones or wireless devices. There will be a test at the end."

Katie reads the strip (with both eyes open) and proclaims "I already know all this." (Smartypants!). OFDCM responds with "GREAT! Because you know there will be a test."

Next, she is instructed to fingerprint her left thumb, which confused her as much as it confused me. I mean, how do you fingerprint a thumb?? Isn't that a thumbprint?? Well, once Katie discerned her left thumb from her right (without even using the L for Left trick), she did the scan. Now the right. Then take three steps backward for your picture.

This is the princess part. Mr. OFDCM was not allowed (by Katie) to snap the photo until her hair had been properly removed from the ponytail holder, appropriately tousled so that the curls would set just so, lips licked for adequate shine, shirt straightened, etc. Now, as Numbers 14-23 are sufficiently upset with how long this is taking, Katie is finally ready. OFDCM says "You have to move that piece of hair out of your eye". Oh geez! Doesn't he know this could devastate a 16 year old girl? I mean, he HAS to see these creatures several times a day, right? On "2". "1", "2", <snap> Whew, that part is done.

From there on it was downhill. Katie was handed her temporary license with a smile and another congratulation and off we went. I just loved Mr. OFDCM. He was such a great player. As we left, me walking, Katie skipping, she said "there was no test! What was he talking about?" I told her he was messing with her the whole time and she finally said "ohhhhhh".

Alright, to shorten this up (did I say "shorten"?), we checked Katie back into school for her Chemistry test and purchased her parking permit. $25 for SIX WEEKS?? Are you KIDDING me??!! Oh, and she asked if she can stop at Sonic on her way home from school, because it's her birthday. It took awhile, but I finally decided there is very little risk or harm in this, so I said she can, but ONLY if she calls me the MINUTE she arrives home safely.

Wow, these next few weeks are going to be hard, as she drives alone. Which, by the way, after driving from the house to school all alone (I followed her), Katie said "it's so lonely and boring driving without anyone in the car." Get used to it, kiddo!

 

[swwake]

I have to say, if you made it through that post, you deserve a medal. Thank you for reading. I apologize for boring you.

 

[Charleston Princess]

It wasn't boring at all!!! Congrats to Katie for getting her license and lots of pixie dust for you as you deal with Mommy Worries as she drives on her own!!!

The cake looks delicious -- I wish I had a piece of that right now!!!

OFDCM:

Katie getting her hair just right:

Have fun the rest of the day!!!

 

[scottny]

that was not boring. brought back memories of when I went to get my license. I actually stood there and shook my hair out too.

we don't have Sonic around here.

glad she got it and it sounds like she is having a nice birthday.

 

[stagemomx3]

Not boring at all! It did make me scared for when Daisy turns 16 though. I loved that Katie made everyone wait while she fixed her hair for her photo!

 

[brewzoo5]

Katie texted me around 9:30 and asked me to bring her car when I picked her up

What? Katie is texting while she's at school? She would so get thrown out of school here in Tennessee. I guess Austin accepts the change of time.

(with both eyes open)

So, she's a pirate! No big deal, maybe she can get 1/2 off of all those fashion sunglasses.

Thumbprint? What if you don't have thumbs? what then?

Wow, these next few weeks are going to be hard, as she drives alone. Which, by the way, after driving from the house to school all alone (I followed her), Katie said "it's so lonely and boring driving without anyone in the car." Get used to it, kiddo!

So, how long does she have to drive all alone? gosh, that's no fun. Does that mean that all the highschool kids run out of class and load into their individual cars? That's no fun at all. I have such great memories of running from the M building at Gtown , then through the B building, and oh yeah, through the B annex toward our car..... which, for some reason.... I remember we always forgot where we parked that day....... and once we got to the car, we piled in it like clowns at a circus. I remember piling tons of people in, the more the merrier. And the memories of driving through McD's--- DAILY. Eating french fries every day on the way home. And that trip home was CRAZY. We drove down that very narrow, winding road. All the way to cordova, with tons of teenage bodies in the car, tons of hot french fries, and maybe a text book or two.

I'm saddened that the kids don't get to travel with each other. That was the thrill of it. We would all chat about what we were going to do, with who, and when. We made plans and the gossip... oh yeah... that is when the gossip happened. And --- Susan--- what was that girl's name that rode with us? Was is Sasha or Sonia or something like that. She was that big girl, with the big personality, and the big BLond hair. I remember that we gave her a ride alot, but we didn't like her. Now I can't remember why we did that. Hummm?

Well, tell Katie Happy Birthday. And tell her we have some goodies in the mail for her. I am sending them out tomorrow. So, I guess she will get them later when things start calming down. It will be a nice trailer to her birthday week. She can keep on celebrating.

Jo

 

[dddisrunner]

YEAH! for Katie Way to go! Sounds like she is having an awesome day! What a great mom helping her study for a test

 

[Beana9802]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Happy Birthday Katie and congrats on being able to drive alone!!!

The cake and balloons are so sweet.

Can't wait to hear more about her birthday.

 

[swwake]

It wasn't boring at all!!! Congrats to Katie for getting her license and lots of pixie dust for you as you deal with Mommy Worries as she drives on her own!!!

The cake looks delicious -- I wish I had a piece of that right now!!!

Thanks for the pixie dust. I think I'll need it. I remember when Katie was really young and it was one of those first times I had to let her go out from under my wing. Maybe she was spending her first night with a friend - something like that. I called Mom all worried about it. I said "How can I do this? Not knowing if she's ok. Letting someone else be in charge of taking care of her. Wondering if she will make it back home safe and sound tomorrow?" Mom said "From the day your child is born, you will always worry about whether they are safe wherever they are, even as adults. You just have to trust her to be in God's hands." I will tell you that every night, I pray that Katie is and will be safe, happy and healthy. I have to just have faith that those same prayers will hold up as she is now driving on her own.

that was not boring. brought back memories of when I went to get my license. I actually stood there and shook my hair out too.

I LOVE the visual, Scott!

we don't have Sonic around here.

WHAT?! You, my dear, are missing out on some of the finer things in life - like Cheesecake Bites and fried mac n cheese. And my sole pregnancy craving, a cherry slush a day.

Not boring at all! It did make me scared for when Daisy turns 16 though. I loved that Katie made everyone wait while she fixed her hair for her photo!

Believe me, it will be here sooner than you know. I know, wasn't the hair story funny? I hope the pic turns out ok.

What? Katie is texting while she's at school? She would so get thrown out of school here in Tennessee. I guess Austin accepts the change of time.

It's not Austin. It's this school district. They say it's because the teachers don't have phones in their rooms that cells are allowed. They are pretty lenient with them, as long as they aren't disrupting the class. I think they have to put them away during tests (I hope!). Also, she might have been changing class or something.

So, she's a pirate! No big deal, maybe she can get 1/2 off of all those fashion sunglasses.

Oh she would love to be a pirate. I tried out that machine. I figured out that the machine is set up so that your left eye sees the left column, right eye sees the right column, and both eyes see the middle column. That's why she couldn't see the last column with her right eye closed.

Thumbprint? What if you don't have thumbs? what then?

Good point! (no pun intended)

So, how long does she have to drive all alone?

She can always have one other person under 18 in the car with her, PLUS any family members under 18. I think "family" must be loosely-defined, as she believes that includes Haley. Wondering if Haley's mom is going to go for that one.. She can also take more kids with her only to and from school. I don't know all the specifics. Maybe I need to research them.

I have such great memories of running from the M building at Gtown , then through the B building, and oh yeah, through the B annex toward our car..... which, for some reason.... I remember we always forgot where we parked that day....... and once we got to the car, we piled in it like clowns at a circus. I remember piling tons of people in, the more the merrier. And the memories of driving through McD's--- DAILY. Eating french fries every day on the way home. And that trip home was CRAZY. We drove down that very narrow, winding road. All the way to cordova, with tons of teenage bodies in the car, tons of hot french fries, and maybe a text book or two.

That brings back SO many memories. Fun times! But, with Katie driving now, I'm not exactly sure what Mom was thinking letting us do all of that. GTown road was so scary! Do you remember leaving for school at 6:40 to get to school by 7:20?

And --- Susan--- what was that girl's name that rode with us? Was is Sasha or Sonia or something like that. She was that big girl, with the big personality, and the big BLond hair. I remember that we gave her a ride alot, but we didn't like her. Now I can't remember why we did that. Hummm?

Shawna Wright. How could you forget?

I am going to keep this post and give it back to you in 3 years when Haley turns 16 and is off driving on her own. I think you will change your tune about carloads full of teens gossiping and eating fries.

YEAH! for Katie Way to go! Sounds like she is having an awesome day! What a great mom helping her study for a test

Thanks! What else was I going to do? I didn't have a magazine! j/k We work on her vocab packages a few nights a week. It's some of the only quality time we get together and we enjoy it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

She says Thank You!

Happy Birthday Katie and congrats on being able to drive alone!!!

Thanks! I don't know how I will survive this!

 

[swwake]

Before I answer the unanswered questions, a little lead-in.

The first gift Katie opened was the one from Tom and Becky. It included a nice card, a $50 gift certificate to Kohls (which she really liked!), and

Katie had never seen a watch with interchanging bands, so she is really intrigued by this one. I think she is going to like it.

Next, Katie opened the pink box.
- What did Katie's dad get her and why was it logistically difficult?
It was in the pink box you saw a picture of last night. She did not know it was from her father. It was an

She knew she was getting this, but he had told her that it was being shipped and would arrive at the end of the month. He told her it was the 8 gig and she planned to pay her own money to upgrade to a 16 gig. It is a 16 gig.

This one was logistically difficult because he is in Arkansas, and they wouldn't sell him the phone at the ATT store there because he isn't the account holder. Didn't really bother me much, but he was annoyed with the hassle. I just stopped in at ATT last Saturday and bought it in about 15 minutes. I opened and charged it last Sunday so it would be ready for her.

Next, she opened her card from us:

And then the pink bag with the mysterious black ribbon. It had three gifts inside. First...

Just a little sticky note pad. I thought this was cute and saw it at Target.

Next,
- What did I get Katie that she has asked for daily for the past two months? (I bought it in January)
A ticket to Austin City Limits Music Festival. This is a three-day pass. I got three tickets for us they day they went on sale, when they were least expensive. They are now $170 each. She was ecstatic!

Before I continue, let's get to a couple of the other questions from last night:

- How will the licensing go tomorrow?
Well, read above. I think we all know.

- How will Katie's first alone driving experience go tomorrow afternoon?
She did fine. She did make her Sonic stop and made it home safely, calling me as soon as she got home, as directed.

So, that leaves:
- What's the deal with the black ribbon?
- What gift have I had for Katie since she was born and have planned to give to her on her sixteenth birthday since she was about three years old?

Hmmmm.....you will have to wait and see...

 

[brewzoo5]

you are so mean.... making us wait for the rest!!!

the phone is insanely cool!!!

and the watch will be fun... i hope it is waterproof for the pool.

now.. what's with the ribbon? is it a thong?

really? is it?

Jo

 

[stagemomx3]

Come on I'm the most impatient person in the world. Tell already!