Ever, Ever After: The TR Formerly Known as Wishing You Were Here- May 2011

[lbuzz52]

I never realized there was so much fun to be had at the digsite!

Does Carter talk a lot? I picture him quiet, just taking it all in.

 

[pinkxray]

Another successful lunch I am always so impressed by how easy you make it seem. I know that if I were in your situation I would probably be so stressed getting everything ready for the kids and worrying about what they are doing that I would never actually get to eat.

Ketchup covered grape? You are a better person than me, no way could I have eaten that.

 

[afwdwfan]

Good call on deciding to go with the early lunch to wait out the rain. It looks like it worked out very well for you. Do you have any plans to try any more ketchup dipped grapes in the future? Just wondering, Carter might have stumbled across something there. Our Landon loves ketchup too. He'll dip his chicken nuggets, fries, whatever into it until he doesn't want anymore of them, then it is time to dip the fingers.

 

[TeresaG]

Hi! Remember me? I dropped off the face of the earth (aka went to Disney ) but I'm back now!

I just caught up and I love seeing all the pics of the boys. They are so adorable.

We never went to Flame Tree even though we meant to. But I agree, eating early with less people is almost always the way to go when your kids are small. It sounds like it was a very nice and relaxing meal which is nice.

You sound very calm and serene during your solo-parenting trip so far. Kudos to you. I honestly don't think I would've been able to do it.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Shannon84]

Nice to hear that the CM offered to help you out with your tray The boys are too funny Landon covered in ketchup and Carter so interested in the rain...seems like early lunch was a great choice

 

[amazingact21]

Mmm, ketchup flavored grapes...the things mothers do for their children. Glad to see lunch went over smoothly. Occasionally, it is kinda nice to sit inside and watch a FL rainshower. I laughed that Carter wanted to be in the rain, though, not just gazing at it from under shelter. I could just imagine the mayhem that would have been. One boy soaked, the other covered in ketchup.

 

[tammy]

Your boys are so adorable. You remind me of my sister when she had two littles ones 13 months apart and often had to do things alone since her husband is always working. She too made it look seamless...Kudos to you both!

 

[basketkat]

How nice that the CM offered to help you!

Hmm...I don't know if I could handle a ketchup grape....oh the things we do for our kids!

 

[*Seanaci*]

I LOVE to sit and watch the rain. It's relaxing.

What a trooper you are to eat a grape dipped in ketchup. Looks like Landon had fun discovering dipping. Keegan hates to get dirty like that...so he's always used a spoor or fork. I have no idea where he gets it either. *shrugs*

 

[Thadine]

When we are at the Flame tree in December, I will eat a grape covered in Ketsup and think of you

 

[PirateKate]

i so love flame tree. my and devyn love the ribs. Salad is a good choice. i should try eating those! glad the weather got better!

Maybe I should have gotten the ribs. Landon could have chewed on a rib bone. My salad was good, though. I was pretty sure the worst of the rain would blow over quickly.

I never realized there was so much fun to be had at the digsite!

Does Carter talk a lot? I picture him quiet, just taking it all in.

I'm sure there's even more fun to be had at the Digsite than what we had time to do. Maybe we'll find some more fun places in October.

Carter's not really a big talker. He seldom talks in front of strangers, so at a place like the Boneyard, he would be quietly taking it all in. He pays a lot of attention to things, too. He often looks like he's studying the things around him.

Another successful lunch I am always so impressed by how easy you make it seem. I know that if I were in your situation I would probably be so stressed getting everything ready for the kids and worrying about what they are doing that I would never actually get to eat.

Ketchup covered grape? You are a better person than me, no way could I have eaten that.

It was a pretty easy lunch, aside from cleaning up ketchup fingers. I'm pretty good at eating with the boys and I learned really quick that one of the keys to motherhood is becoming a fast and efficient eater.

I'll be honest- the ketchup covered grape was not a tasty combination. But it did make Carter very happy, so I figure it was worth it.

Good call on deciding to go with the early lunch to wait out the rain. It looks like it worked out very well for you. Do you have any plans to try any more ketchup dipped grapes in the future? Just wondering, Carter might have stumbled across something there. Our Landon loves ketchup too. He'll dip his chicken nuggets, fries, whatever into it until he doesn't want anymore of them, then it is time to dip the fingers.

It did work out really well. I think all the playing in the Boneyard made the boys hungry, so it was a good meal. I don't intend on trying any more ketchup dipped grapes, although if Carter made one especially for me, I'd probably try it again. I'm sure that your Landon would be more than happy to make one for you, if it sounds good. I'm just glad Landon didn't want me to try his ketchup fingers, too.

Hi! Remember me? I dropped off the face of the earth (aka went to Disney ) but I'm back now!

I just caught up and I love seeing all the pics of the boys. They are so adorable.

We never went to Flame Tree even though we meant to. But I agree, eating early with less people is almost always the way to go when your kids are small. It sounds like it was a very nice and relaxing meal which is nice.

You sound very calm and serene during your solo-parenting trip so far. Kudos to you. I honestly don't think I would've been able to do it.

Looking forward to reading more!

Hi! Welcome back! How was your trip?

Thanks, I thought the boys looked cute in their pictures.

Flame Tree is great, when the weather is pleasant and it's not too crowded. It was really nice to get to eat lunch before it got crowded. Something about that lake with Everest in the background is so relaxing.

Thanks! The calmer I am, the calmer the boys are.

Nice to hear that the CM offered to help you out with your tray The boys are too funny Landon covered in ketchup and Carter so interested in the rain...seems like early lunch was a great choice

I thought it was really nice of her to offer to help. I could have managed it, but it was easier to have help. I suppose what I should have done was let Landon get out in the rain so the rain could wash the ketchup of off him. It was still a fun lunch, despite ketchup fingers.

 

[lbuzz52]

I made sure that Landon's hot dog and grapes were not choking hazards and gave him a fork to hold while he ate. He likes that.

I love how Carter shared with you after you shared with him!

My kids are big fans of anything dipped in ketchup. Some of their combinations make me want to swear off ketchup forever!

hope the rain went away for the rest of your day

 

[jc040404]

Ketchup covered grapes? Can't say I would've taken that one. Sounds like a nice lunch out of the rain though.

 

[PirateKate]

Mmm, ketchup flavored grapes...the things mothers do for their children. Glad to see lunch went over smoothly. Occasionally, it is kinda nice to sit inside and watch a FL rainshower. I laughed that Carter wanted to be in the rain, though, not just gazing at it from under shelter. I could just imagine the mayhem that would have been. One boy soaked, the other covered in ketchup.

It sounds gross and tastes just like it sounds. Carter is one of only two people in the world that I would have eaten it for. Lunch went really nice and the rain actually helped cool down the day. It was really pleasant.

I'm sure that Carter did not get his love of rain from me. I guess to him, it seems like a giant sprinkler, for him to run around in and enjoy. I would have had a big mess on my hands, if Carter had gotten rainy while Landon was getting ketchupy.

Your boys are so adorable. You remind me of my sister when she had two littles ones 13 months apart and often had to do things alone since her husband is always working. She too made it look seamless...Kudos to you both!

Thanks! I don't hear about many other people with two little ones 13 months apart. It gets easier everyday. Luckily, Jeremy doesn't travel for work very often, so I'm only on my own during the days.

How nice that the CM offered to help you!

Hmm...I don't know if I could handle a ketchup grape....oh the things we do for our kids!

I thought it was really nice to have help with the tray. Disney people are usually very helpful with things like that.

Carter was so proud of his dipping skills and he offered it to me so sweetly that I couldn't bear to refuse it. He thought he had done something very grand.

I LOVE to sit and watch the rain. It's relaxing.

What a trooper you are to eat a grape dipped in ketchup. Looks like Landon had fun discovering dipping. Keegan hates to get dirty like that...so he's always used a spoor or fork. I have no idea where he gets it either. *shrugs*

Rain falling on the water was especially fun and relaxing to watch. It was a nice meal.

Landon had a great time discovering how to dip things in ketchup. He loves getting dirty and Carter, like Keegan, hates getting dirty. It's kind of ironic, because Carter doesn't mind me cleaning him up, but he seldom needs it and Landon hates getting cleaned up and he always needs it.

When we are at the Flame tree in December, I will eat a grape covered in Ketsup and think of you

Just make sure to pick a mangled grape that has been ripped in half to avoid choking hazards, in order to get the full experience.

 

[Nermel9]

Mmm Flame Tree looks pretty good! I've never been there, I'm not even sure where it is, but I'd like to try it sometime! Looks like you and the boys had a great lunch together, with the exception of the ketchup flavored grape!

 

[Queenofallthings]

How nice of the CM to give you a hand...it's nice when they notice!

Looks like you had a great lunch and what a great spot to enjoy the rain!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Another successful lunch I am always so impressed by how easy you make it seem. I know that if I were in your situation I would probably be so stressed getting everything ready for the kids and worrying about what they are doing that I would never actually get to eat.

Ketchup covered grape? You are a better person than me, no way could I have eaten that.

Totally agree! I would not have ever consumed a grape covered in ketchup!

And, truly...what would we do without Wet Ones? They are a godsend!

Flametree looks great...someday we'll try it...but I keep wanting to do breakfast at Tusker, which means we don't end up getting lunch of any substance anywhere...plus I'm in love with the jalapeno pretzels!

I'll be glad when Landon outgrows the putting everything in his mouth phase. He'll try eating anything. The boys did both have a lot of fun, though.



The Boneyard is always one of the places where the boys have the most fun. I'm glad Disney included cool playgrounds, for those of us who need them. I hadn't thought of eating rocks in the Digsite either, but apparently, they looked great to Landon.

Ah...yes, the everything is edible phase. Luckily, it passes!

I love the playgrounds at AK and DHS...wish they had thought to add one at EPCOT. While Max did find a lot to do there, it would be nice to have a playground to park in while Mark and I snuck off to take turns on Soarin'!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Yum, flame tree! Its my favorite. I can't believe that you resisted the siren song of barbecue and went with a salad, you have strong willpower!

EWWW- no way I'd eat a ketchup covered grape, or ketchup anything for that matter. I HATE ketchup and just the thought of having to touch it makes me want to gag. Sorry Everett, no ketchup for you!

It was so nice of the CM to help you! I wonder if they'd always help if you asked? I'm thinking ahead to next year when we (possibly) move back to Florida and how I'm going to manage solo trips. You are my inspiration, if you can do it with two, I'm sure I could do it with one!

 

[fi46re129]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your writing style! You have me thinking about doing a trip report for my sept trip.
Where did you get those mats Landon eats off of? They look like they stick to the table and just an awesome thing to have!

 

[PirateKate]

Mmm Flame Tree looks pretty good! I've never been there, I'm not even sure where it is, but I'd like to try it sometime! Looks like you and the boys had a great lunch together, with the exception of the ketchup flavored grape!

Flame Tree is a fun place to eat. I'm surprised you haven't smelled it before. As you walk to Dinoland, the smell of barbecue is very enticing. I'd recommend anything but the ketchup covered grape.

How nice of the CM to give you a hand...it's nice when they notice!

Looks like you had a great lunch and what a great spot to enjoy the rain!!

I thought it was nice of her to notice that I was alone with two little kids. CMs are usually pretty nice.

We did have a great lunch and I think the rain made it even nicer.

Totally agree! I would not have ever consumed a grape covered in ketchup!

And, truly...what would we do without Wet Ones? They are a godsend!

Flametree looks great...someday we'll try it...but I keep wanting to do breakfast at Tusker, which means we don't end up getting lunch of any substance anywhere...plus I'm in love with the jalapeno pretzels!

Ah...yes, the everything is edible phase. Luckily, it passes!

I love the playgrounds at AK and DHS...wish they had thought to add one at EPCOT. While Max did find a lot to do there, it would be nice to have a playground to park in while Mark and I snuck off to take turns on Soarin'!

You should have seen the look on Carter's face when he dipped that grape in ketchup- so proud and excited and eager. I'm sure if Max looked at you that way, you couldn't have disappointed him.

I love Wet Ones. They're great when we're out and they're great at home. I like to keep a package right by Landon's high chair at home. Of course, for some reason, Landon doesn't seem to care for Wet Ones...

I agree, breakfast at Tusker House could certainly overshadow lunch. I do like those jalapeno pretzels. We're going to get one of those in October, too.

I hope Landon grows out of that stage soon. I don't really know how long it lasts. Carter skipped that phase and never put anything in his mouth unless he was sure it was finger food.

I wish they had a good playground at Epcot, too. The one they put up during the Flower and Garden Festival helps, but a bigger one would be even better. Actually, a big indoor playground would be cool. Somewhere to play when the weather isn't nice.

Yum, flame tree! Its my favorite. I can't believe that you resisted the siren song of barbecue and went with a salad, you have strong willpower!

EWWW- no way I'd eat a ketchup covered grape, or ketchup anything for that matter. I HATE ketchup and just the thought of having to touch it makes me want to gag. Sorry Everett, no ketchup for you!

It was so nice of the CM to help you! I wonder if they'd always help if you asked? I'm thinking ahead to next year when we (possibly) move back to Florida and how I'm going to manage solo trips. You are my inspiration, if you can do it with two, I'm sure I could do it with one!

It wasn't willpower at all. For some reason, I just thought the salad sounded really good. It had been a few years since I had one and I remembered it being tasty. It was just as good as I remembered.

Luckily, I have no ketchup aversions. Ketchup and grapes aren't the best combination, but Carter was so happy with himself that I couldn't stand to turn it down. I hope Everett doesn't love ketchup like Landon does.

I bet they would always have helped, if I had asked. Unfortunately, I'm kind of odd about asking people for help when I'm out with the boys. I sort of feel like I should be able to handle absolutely anything by myself, since they're my boys. I'm sure you would do great on solo trips with Everett. It would be really, really easy to go to Disney World with just one kid.

LOVE LOVE LOVE your writing style! You have me thinking about doing a trip report for my sept trip.
Where did you get those mats Landon eats off of? They look like they stick to the table and just an awesome thing to have!

Thanks! Writing trip reports is a lot of fun. You should give it a try.

I got Landon's mats at Target. They are wonderful. They do stick to the table, which prevents Landon from dumping his whole plate of food on the floor.