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

[chloe770]

I'm just loving this TR, they way you are telling through the kids eyes. I had to LOL and your youngest eating the mulch. DD has eaten a lot of mulch, sand, sticks, soap...you name it she'll eat it.

I think you've got the "Mommy Mule" ( as DH calls it) thing down. It's amazing how our balancing skills kick in once we become moms.

 

[KatMark]

What a great first day! I love how the boys fell in love with the goalie and how Carter talked himself to sleep. A most successful first day in my book!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I think you've got the "Mommy Mule" ( as DH calls it) thing down. It's amazing how our balancing skills kick in once we become moms.

That is so funny- my mom used to call herself "Pack Mule Barbie". Great minds think alike!

 

[chloe770]

That is so funny- my mom used to call herself "Pack Mule Barbie". Great minds think alike!

Oooh, I like that one better. Kinda puts a feminine spins on it.

 

[Thadine]

Excellent first day!

I always loved it when my boys starting to use their first words, so funny.

 

[PirateKate]

Another update where all I can do is sit here in awe at your Mommy magnificence! I remember when Max was between the ages about nine months and two (ish) and he just would not sit in a stroller. Of course, he had to at times, but he was not happy about it. Nor did he want to be carried. He wanted to walk everywhere! Now, at nearly four, he's got no problem rolling along in his stroller and he is often asking to be picked up. And you're right...they do get easier!

Thanks! Carter has always been a good stroller rider, even when he was younger. He likes walking, but will ask to be carried sometimes, which is getting more and more difficult as he gets heavier. I can't imagine carrying Carter once he's Max's age. I think Landon wants to walk all the time, just to keep up with Carter. It's tough being the youngest.

That cheesecake looks yummy! i miss pop food court i found myself eating there more this past trip than ever. we ate dinner there 3 out of the 5 days we were there.

I loved that cheesecake. I'd like another piece right now. I think eating at food courts can be a lot easier when traveling with little guys. How was your trip?

How sweet.. Carter does seem pretty cool to me, too. Poor Landon's knees though! That must've been rough for him, not that little ones ever let on when they have that freedom. He's adorable. How's the walking going now? I know he'll have it down next time!

Way to go on first day success! I can't wait to see how this goes once you get into a park with them.

I always like to hear Carter call himself cool. His Buzz Lightyear shoes and pirate pillows are two of his favorite things.

Landon very seldom lets on when something is hurting him. He'd never admit to the ground hurting his knees. What if he got put back in his stroller.

I am very happy to report that Landon is walking completely independently. I'd say that overall life satisfaction for both Landon and me has gone up by at least 75% since he started walking.

I'm really loving your trip report! I was completely surprised by your photos of Pop Century's surroundings. I have to admit that I never would've thought the landscaping & views would be so pretty at Pop. And I loved Carter talking himself to sleep - so, so sweet!!!

Thanks! I didn't really expect much from Pop Century, either. I had stayed there before, but it didn't seem nearly as beautiful last time. Maybe I was in the wrong part before. I loved hearing Carter talk to himself that night, too. Partly, because at least he wasn't sad, but he also came up with some interesting stuff.

Aww, so sweet. Looks like they had a great time exploring!! I can't wait to hear your first park update. I still think you're superwoman for doing this at all.

They did have a great time exploring. Carter and Landon probably would have had a fine time if we had done nothing but hang out at Pop Century. I'd never go for that, though. Thank you!

 

[PirateKate]

It is amazing the way kids take all they know about their world and draw conclusions. Carter put two and two together and decided Mommy wasn't making any sense! Everyday is a chance to learn something new, for little kids and big kids at heart too.

Congrats on your first trade of the trip! I would say that Clock Cleaner for Muppets Scooter is a great start. I am wishing you a trading experience devoid of Big Babies and Animation Phils!

Carter always seems so smart to me. I don't know why I'm still surprised by the stuff he says and does. I'm sure he's some sort of a genius. (Just like every other mom in the world.) He was certainly having a hard time understanding the concept of a business trip, though. It was too bad I ever brought up Jeremy's car.

Thanks! I thought Scooter was okay. It was really fun to get started on trading again this trip. Thanks for the Anti-Big Baby and Anti-Animation Phil wishes!

Yay on getting through the first day! The boys looked like they were enjoying themselves. I had to giggle that Landon insisted on copying everything Carter did. I remember being a kid and getting frustrated when my younger brother did the same thing and wanted to join me. Carter looks like he handles it pretty well, though.

Can't wait to see how the following morning went!

I think the boys had a nice day, aside from Carter's anxiety over Jeremy being left in Jacksonville without his car. Carter does handle Landon pretty well. Landon's not an easy person to have as a younger brother, I don't think. Carter's a good big brother, for the most part.

Alright, a new Vinylmation! I wondered how long it would be before you traded. I love the pictures of walking around POP Century. I love that resort! I always enjoy seeing the oversized toys, so I'm sure they were extremely impressive to Carter and Landon. I feel sorry for Carter missing his Daddy, but I'm sure he'll be extremely excited to see him once he gets there.

I couldn't go too long without trading. I had a lot of Vinylmation to trade and only four days for trading. Carter and Landon seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of all of the big toys around Pop Century. So much for them to see. I felt really bad for Carter missing his Daddy, but there was nothing to do for him at that point, other than explain as best I could and offer lots of juice boxes.

Great update! Glad to hear that Carter and Landon had fun exploring Pop! The pictures of them with the Foosball men are really cute!

I also agree that it is tough with a crawler to find a good place to play. On our Oct trip I let Everett crawl around on the ground at SSR once, and he managed to scrape his feet and wrists. I felt like such a bad mommy!
Luckily on your next trip you'll have two walkers, not that I think it will be any easier!

They had a great time exploring Pop, especially since they had a little bit of freedom to go where they wanted to. Thanks, I thought they looked cute next to the Foosball men, too.

I felt sorry for Landon, being the only crawler this trip. I could tell he really wanted to walk and he didn't want to be crawling, yet he just wouldn't walk. Poor Everett. They should make more places for crawlers to play at Disney. Two walkers on my next trip is going to wonderful. It will be so much easier than Landon crawling.

It looks like the boys had a great time exploring. I just love all the pictures, especially the one with Carter looking up at the Big Wheel.

Too bad people kept interrupting the boys play time with Goofy. It really stinks that the pop jets weren't working during your trip. They always seem to be a big hit with little kids on all the trip reports I see.

It is so adorable that Carter talked himself to sleep.

They had a lot of fun that night, probably more fun than if we had actually gone to Epcot. Thanks, I loved that expression on Carter's face when he was looking at the Big Wheel.

I did wish people would just leave us alone at the pop jets. My boys were having so much fun and the kids being photoed really weren't having fun. Seemed kind of silly. I wish the jets had been working, but I guess it all worked out. If they had been working, there probably would have been even more kids there.

Thanks! I thought it was really cute, to hear what he talked about that night.

 

[Connie96]

I liked it well enough, although I'd most likely trade it in the morning.

Hey Kate. I'm still lurking and loving your TR but had to come out and claim the quote from... The Princess Bride! And, that Muppet's name is "Scooter", isn't it?

I thought it was priceless that Carter was concerned about Jeremy not having a car. My daughter, Erin, is 4 now and it still surprises me to find out that she is definitely paying attention to everything. Except when I send her to brush her teeth and then, not so much.

Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[*Seanaci*]

You know...I just may have to go to the Disney Store and buy a couple Vynalmation (sp?) so I can get into the trading next year. I can't trade pins because I can never ever let go of my cute/special ones. So, trading Vynalmation would be a blast!

Anywho. The boys looked like they had a blast crawling/walking around and blowing off a little steam/energy.

Boy oh boy. Carter is a smart little boy! Sounds just like Keegan...putting two and two together regarding his daddy's car being at home. They grow up soooooooooo fast!

 

[DisneyMomma09]

Great update! How sweet that Carter is so concerned about Daddy! The way he was worried about Daddy's car made me think about Colby. I had to switch cars with DH yesterday and when I picked Colby up from the sitters, he walked out and said, 'Daddy's car! Daddy go?' He was very concerned about where Daddy was and why he was not in Daddy's car! It is so amazing to hear what he is thinking sometimes, now that he is talking more!

 

[lbuzz52]

Smart and cute. Your going to have your hands full when these two get older lol!

I think vinylmation looks fun. My dh thinks it's silly- unforunately I let mt thougys be swayed.

I always admire how you and Jeremy just take tour time and go with the flow!

P.S. My phone is acting up. It's giving me a screen and invisible letters. Forgive my spelling. O can't see what it says to proofreader!

 

[Nermel9]

Looks like you and the boys had fun exploring Pop! Carter is so cute, looking at the huge Big Wheel! Can't believe he realized that Daddy's car was left at home, sometimes kids amaze me with how smart and observant they are!

 

[PirateKate]

Now I know the people at work must think I have gone crazy...I am laughing in my office reading your report I loved the comment about the lady and all the Mickeys...I mean really...what did she think was going to be on everything And Carter talking himself to sleep is too funny..he is a cool Carter!

Glad I could brighten your co-workers' day! I thought that comment was really funny, too. She was talking really loud and sounded very serious about it. I don't know, maybe she was a Donald Duck fan? Thanks, I think he's pretty cool, too.

You do have a beautiful view there! Glad you got to take the time to enjoy it. I hope all of your meals go as well as that one!

The Vinylmation trading has begun! You are the reason I'm going to try it. I just ordered some online for the boys, to give to them on the drive down. I might have to sneak a peak at them first though!

As for the questions about Daddy and his car being at home... isn't it amazing the things they pick up on! I don't know if we can ever really explain things to them. My 4 year old makes me repeat my explanations many times, and they get me no where! I wonder why I bother, or if I'm speaking a different language!

I loved our view looking out on the lake. It was a really good location for us. Very quiet and peaceful, but still pretty close to everything. I think that meal went about as good as it possibly could have.

Ooh, Vinylmation trading is so much fun! I hope you like it. I love trading. There was a really good deal on Vinylmation a couple days ago, I think $5.99 for Park Series 3 at Disneystore.com. They don't make it easy to sneak a peek at them. I suppose if they did, everyone would look to see which it was before buying it.

I definitely felt like I was wasting my breath a couple times, trying to explain it to Carter. I think maybe he understood, but just didn't like it. I'm always amazed at how much he notices about everything.

I'm just loving this TR, they way you are telling through the kids eyes. I had to LOL and your youngest eating the mulch. DD has eaten a lot of mulch, sand, sticks, soap...you name it she'll eat it.

I think you've got the "Mommy Mule" ( as DH calls it) thing down. It's amazing how our balancing skills kick in once we become moms.

Thanks! I think I see most things through Carter and Landon's eyes these days. Just another side effect of motherhood. Landon is just the same, he'll try eating anything. Sometimes, he gets a big bite of something he doesn't like and spits it all out and two seconds later takes another bite. It's actually kind of convenient when it's peas. Luckily, he only tried mulch once.

I guess Mommy Mule is another pleasant side effect of motherhood. I'm always amazed at how much stuff we travel with now that we have the boys. It's crazy.

What a great first day! I love how the boys fell in love with the goalie and how Carter talked himself to sleep. A most successful first day in my book!

I thought it went really well, for a first day. The boys were cute standing next to the goalie. They both looked so tiny. And I thought it was really fun to hear Carter talk. I don't think he realized anyone else could hear him.

Excellent first day!

I always loved it when my boys starting to use their first words, so funny.

I was happy with our first day. It could have gone much worse, but it ended up being pretty fun. I am really enjoying Carter starting to talk. I've suddenly learned that kids really do say the darnedest things.

Hey Kate. I'm still lurking and loving your TR but had to come out and claim the quote from... The Princess Bride! And, that Muppet's name is "Scooter", isn't it?

I thought it was priceless that Carter was concerned about Jeremy not having a car. My daughter, Erin, is 4 now and it still surprises me to find out that she is definitely paying attention to everything. Except when I send her to brush her teeth and then, not so much.

Looking forward to the next installment.

You got my Princess Bride quote! I watched that movie so many times when I was a kid. Yes, I think the Muppet is Scooter. I probably need to brush up on my Muppets.

I wished I had never mentioned the car, once Carter started asking about it. I had no idea he'd worry about the car being at home. Carter pays attention to every little detail, even brushing his teeth. Landon, on the other hand, just tries to suck all the toothpaste off.

You know...I just may have to go to the Disney Store and buy a couple Vynalmation (sp?) so I can get into the trading next year. I can't trade pins because I can never ever let go of my cute/special ones. So, trading Vynalmation would be a blast!

Anywho. The boys looked like they had a blast crawling/walking around and blowing off a little steam/energy.

Boy oh boy. Carter is a smart little boy! Sounds just like Keegan...putting two and two together regarding his daddy's car being at home. They grow up soooooooooo fast!

I like buying Vinylmation at the Disney Store even more than at Disney World. It's like a little piece of magic in an otherwise ordinary day. Trading is really fun, but it is still fairly easy to get attached to one and not trade it, just like the pins.

I think the boys had a lot of fun playing at Pop Century. They both love being outside and being outside with all sorts of new cool stuff around was great for them.

Carter sure seems smart to me. I would have thought that there would be plenty of explanations for how the car at home could get to Jacksonville, but I guess not. Toddlers seem to always know more than you'd expect.

Great update! How sweet that Carter is so concerned about Daddy! The way he was worried about Daddy's car made me think about Colby. I had to switch cars with DH yesterday and when I picked Colby up from the sitters, he walked out and said, 'Daddy's car! Daddy go?' He was very concerned about where Daddy was and why he was not in Daddy's car! It is so amazing to hear what he is thinking sometimes, now that he is talking more!

Thanks! It was really sweet, but sad at the same time. That's funny, Colby and Carter both worrying over Daddy's car. It's so nice to get to know more of what they are thinking as they start talking more. I'm usually completely awed by Carter's ideas although some of them are still pretty confusing.

Smart and cute. Your going to have your hands full when these two get older lol!

I think vinylmation looks fun. My dh thinks it's silly- unforunately I let mt thougys be swayed.

I always admire how you and Jeremy just take tour time and go with the flow!

P.S. My phone is acting up. It's giving me a screen and invisible letters. Forgive my spelling. O can't see what it says to proofreader!

I already have my hands full with those two. I'm sure they'll get easier and easier as they grow up.

Well, I'll admit that your DH is probably right. It probably is silly. But that's what's so much fun about Disney. There's all sorts of silliness that's considered acceptable.

Thanks! I'm sure we couldn't tour commando even if we wanted to.

I think you did very well, for having had invisible letters.

Looks like you and the boys had fun exploring Pop! Carter is so cute, looking at the huge Big Wheel! Can't believe he realized that Daddy's car was left at home, sometimes kids amaze me with how smart and observant they are!

We did have a lot of fun exploring Pop. It was all so exciting for Carter and Landon and that made it extra fun for me. Thanks! I love that expression on his face. Carter is often astonishing. He's a genius disguised as a two-year-old.

 

[cadek]

Ooh, Vinylmation trading is so much fun! I hope you like it. I love trading. There was a really good deal on Vinylmation a couple days ago, I think $5.99 for Park Series 3 at Disneystore.com. They don't make it easy to sneak a peek at them. I suppose if they did, everyone would look to see which it was before buying it.

I definitely felt like I was wasting my breath a couple times, trying to explain it to Carter. I think maybe he understood, but just didn't like it. I'm always amazed at how much he notices about everything.

I did make my first Vinylmation purchase, and I did get 2 of them for $5.99! And a Tron one, and 2 that weren't on sale Yeah, when I got them, I realized that peaking wasn't an option. Forgot about that! The suspense was killing me though! I've explained the trading to the kids, and Evan seems interested.

The other day my 4 year old Evan was "helping" me wash the car, and I mentioned that it looked like we might get a thunderstorm. He said, I guess we better check The Weather Channel. I'm not sure where he got that, we rarely watch it (there's an app for that ) They seem to amaze me everyday in some way or another.

 

[Thadine]

I was happy with our first day. It could have gone much worse, but it ended up being pretty fun. I am really enjoying Carter starting to talk. I've suddenly learned that kids really do say the darnedest things.

I am the owner of a Pre-school, and little kids for sure say the darnedest things

 

[leshunlenese]

I loved that cheesecake. I'd like another piece right now. I think eating at food courts can be a lot easier when traveling with little guys. How was your trip?

haha! me too!
my trip was great! i learned quite a few things as well

 

[PirateKate]

As always, Carter was the first one up.

"Yo ho! Yo ho! Yo ho!"

I took that to mean he wanted to watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates, so I found the remote and turned on Disney Junior for him.

Landon, naturally, got up as well, to see what was on television. Just as well, really. Now we could start our day. After taking it easy our first night, I was eager to get to the parks.

"All right, boys! Let's get ready. We have an exciting day coming up."

Carter's face lit up with pure joy and he smiled bigger than ever before.

"Daddy?"

Oh. "No, sorry, baby. It's not Daddy, it's just the Animal Kingdom. It'll be fun, we'll go on some rides and play in the Boneyard and see some cool animals."

Carter looked disappointed. Apparently, Animal Kingdom was not as exciting as Daddy.

"Daddy go work?"

"That's right. Daddy's at work. But Daddy will be here tomorrow. This is the last day we'll be without Daddy."

Carter was quiet and I could see him thinking it through very carefully. I wondered what he was going to come up with.

"Carter go work?"

"Well, people your age usually don't go to work. Someday, you'll be the daddy in your family and then you'll go to work and be a money hero, just like Daddy."

"Daddy go work. Carter go work. Blue Dog go work. Bear go work."

"I'm sure Daddy would be very happy to see all of you. Carter, would you like a juice box?"

"Carter juice box! Lucky!"

I gave him his juice box and a cereal bar and found breakfast for Landon, too. Then, I was able to get ready in peace, while they ate and watched Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

Once I was ready, I got the boys dressed and then we were all ready to go. I made extra sure that I had our room key and everything we would need and then we left.

First, I wanted to stop by Everything Pop again to refill our mugs. While walking past the yo-yos I realized that I had forgotten to eat breakfast myself.

I decided not to go back to the room for it and instead planned to look for something breakfasty at Everything Pop.

Everything Pop was a madhouse. There were tons of people refilling mugs and hanging around the food court.

I pushed my way through with the stroller and quickly surveyed my breakfast choices. There were so many people around that it was hard to get a good view of everything.

I settled for an Uncrustable that would count as a snack credit and that was available without waiting in a line or pushing others out of my way.

Oddly enough, the lines to pay really weren't too bad, compared to how many people were there.

I stopped to refill our mugs, and aggravated at least two people by how many cups I was filling up. I didn't bother to feel bad about it.

It was too crowded to consider doing any more trades, so I walked to the car, eating my breakfast as I walked.

When I got in the car, it was only 9:20. If I hadn't gone to Everything Pop, we might could have made rope drop. Maybe one of these days.

I lucked out with a great parking spot in the Giraffe section, right at the beginning of the row. Perfect.

I unloaded the boys and loaded up the stroller with everything we might need later and started walking toward the entrance.

Along the way, I saw a big bus full of Grad Night students. At first, I was worried they would be worse than the Brazilian tour groups, but then I figured that they would most likely be busy riding Expedition Everest for most of the day.

I was halfway to the gate when I realized that while I had carefully sunscreen-ed myself, I had neglected to sunscreen the boys. Oh well. I had come too far to turn back now. I'd just have to buy some really expensive sunscreen from the gift shop.

I stopped off at The Outpost and picked out some baby sunscreen. Despite having been prepared for it to be overpriced, it was still more overpriced that I had been expecting.

I bought it anyway and got the boys properly sunscreen-ed. They giggled when I sprayed them.

There was some slight congestion at the turnstiles, reminding me of why I never go to rope drop. At last, I made it through and stepped inside the Oasis.

I felt that initial rush of Disney happiness that always hits once I'm actually inside a park. The sounds of the Oasis promised adventure and I was ready for it.

I took my time exploring the Oasis with the boys. I stopped to look at some pink flamingos that I thought were pretty cool.

Apparently, Carter and Landon weren't quite as impressed as I was.

I saw something moving across the path and it turned out to be an anteater. Wow! I'd never seen the anteater before.

I turned the stroller so Carter and Landon could see it.

"Look, boys! It's an anteater!"

Of course, as soon as I spoke, everyone who had been hurrying to get to the rides stopped in front of us to look. I should have seen that one coming.

Feeling good about having spread some Anteater Pixie Dust, I passed them all and made it to Discovery Island.

The Tree was beautiful. I loved seeing it in the Spring, when the bright green didn't look quite as unnatural as it had in December.

It occurred to me that being in the park alone with the boys was almost like a solo trip. It was entirely up to me to decide what we would do next. I had some ideas.

 

[amandaw]

I can't wait to see what you did in Animal Kingdom with the boys. That's was so sweet of Carter still just wanting to be with his Daddy. I'm sure that tugged on your heartstrings. And I absolutely love your term "money hero". I guess I need to go let Ed know that he's me & Reid's money hero!

 

[afwdwfan]

It looks like you did pretty well getting the boys ready and into Animal Kingdom. I wouldn't worry too much about holding up the line at the drink stations. I'm sure they aren't too concerned when they're holding others up while they fill a few mugs. Sorry about the sunscreen. I'd hate to guess what the mark up is on it in the parks.

I like the strap thing that is on Carter's cup in the picture of the boys in the stroller. Is that something to attach them to the stroller, or to the boys? I've never seen anything like that before, but it looks like a fantastic idea.

 

[Shannon84]

At least the forgetfulness was just minor things, so it didn't really slow you down Sounds like a great start to your AK morning, I love that initial rush when you get to a park at Disney