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

[PirateKate]

WOW, that little girl sounds like a piece of work. If I was a parent there is no way I would let my kids act like that (maybe it's the teacher in me). Where the heck was the mother, or any supervision, anyway?!

I'm not a teacher at all, and I still wouldn't let my boys act like that. I was never sure who that girl was with. If her mother was there, she was too far away to do any good.

I love that Landon knew just what his mommy needed and was able to "make it all better" for you! I guess he realized that kisses can make all boo-boos better. What a magical moment for you!

The Fairy Gardens look beautiful. Maybe one day, we will get to see them! I am such a Mama Bear when it comes to my kids. I can not stand to see older kids be mean to them or pick on them.

Can't wait to read more!

He sure did think he could kiss me and make it all better and I guess he was right. He knew just what to do. It was a very special moment for me.

The Fairy Gardens were lovely. There is something about Tink and the rest of the fairies that make for a cool garden and play area. I hope you all do get to see it one day. I'm very much a Mama Bear, too. I wish all parents would teach their kids to be nice to littler ones.

Yep, we miss you by a day. We're leaving the MK at 3 p.m. for Marco Island on the 29th.

That's what I thought. Oh, well.

I am sooooo with you in Tink. They turned her into a princess.. and a dumb one, too. My boys really seem to like those movies if they happen to be on, but I can't stand what Disney has done to her!

Looks like the boys had a lot of fun exploring. I didn't know there was so much back there!

I would've felt the same way about that little girl. Wasn't anyone watching her??

I think they still could have done the whole Disney Faires world and all that and just had Tink be a renegade fairy who hangs out in Neverland and kept her character in tact. I guess kids like those movies, though. My boys have never seen them and I have no current plans to change that.

The boys had a great time exploring in the garden. I thought it was a pretty cool play area, too. It was nice to have a section devoted to little kids.

If anyone was watching her, they didn't care what she was doing. Someone should have put a stop to the mulch throwing immediately.

 

[pinkxray]

I must have missed a few updates. Last time I was over here you were just discovering that there were no chewy caramel bars

Landon could not have picked a better time to give you a kiss. Both of your boys are such sweethearts

Thank goodness Jeremy has arrived. It would have been awful dealing with 2 crying boys in Epcot by yourself.

I love that you utilize the baby care centers. If we ever have another child I will have to remember to use them.

Good for you putting that little girl in her place. Who acts like that? Did you see her parents around anywhere just watching?

 

[Bamadisdreamer]

I'm so glad I found your report! I've been stressing over our Oct trip. My son will be 26 months at the time. I feel much better now, if you can do it alone with 2, I think that we should be good! I'll have my DH and inlaws and only 1 child! You give me hope!
Do you have any other trip reports? I'd love to read them all!

 

[PirateKate]

It looks like Landon and Carter enjoyed exploring yet another playground! At this rate, they are going to become Disney Playground Experts. Sorry about the run in with the mean little girl. I probably would have been tempted to start throwing mulch back at her.

My boys know just what to do with a playground, especially at Disney. Maybe in October, we'll go to every play area at the parks. I'm sure the boys would like that. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if some of the other parents had thrown mulch back at her.

I'm all caught up again.

I'm happy that Jeremy arrived and could help out on a day when you needed help the most!

Landon giving you that kiss is the sweetest thing ever!

Glad you were able to catch up! I'm sure there's a lot of fun to be had over in Switzerland.

I was very happy that Jeremy arrived just in time. I needed plenty of help on that Epcot day.

Isn't that really sweet? Landon can be very charming, when he chooses to be.

I love Marco Island! I would have never thought about combining it with a trip to WDW, but that would be the perfect place to relax after a busy vacation! How far is Marco from WDW?

Have a great time... I'm so jealous!

I've never been to Marco Island, but Kathy makes it look like a fabulous place to go after Disney.

I agree...I was really surprised at the person Tink was in the fairy movies...didn't seem to fit the Tink that I knew from before

That was a cute playground they had set up...minus the little brat!!

Maybe they figure all the kids watching the new Fairies movies won't really pay much attention to the old Tinkerbell. I still can't get used to Tink's voice either. I think the little tinkles suited her just fine.

It was a really cute playground. That's one of our favorites, because it's smaller and intended for little kids. I'm pretty sure that little girl should have been in the big kid playground.

Kate,
I think I turned my DS (10 1/2) into a Vinylmation addict.
Also, I think some of the resposibilty belongs to this TR
We were at the Disney Store this past Saturday and I said let's stop in the store and see if they have Vinylmations. (I had shown him a picture of one previously). They had the buy one get one free. He bought an Urban and picked out another Urban for his free one. They had 3 different ones on hand they could trade. He ended up trading one of his in the store. He is now all caught up in it. In fact, he was talking about selling all of his old gameboy games on Ebay and then he could buy more Vinylmations. Then he would be stocked when we go to WDW next June.
Rapunzel's castle looks really neat and I can't wait to try a caramel bar. I don't like plain chocolate - it has to have a filling such as peanut butter or caramel. I'll be there way after you - so don't worry about there not being any because of me.
Looking at the pictures of your boys remind me of when we first went to WDW. DS was 2 1/2 yrs then and some of the things like stroller naps bring back memories. I wish I had know about the babycare centers as a little get away for him to play. I know he would have enjoyed it - so would have my DD who was 5 at the time.
Can't wait to read more.
Amy

I have to say, I think that Vinylmations are a much better addiction than video games. I love that Buy One, Get One free deal at the Disney Store. It was hard not to buy a lot of those. Isn't it fun trading in the store, too? I stop by a lot to see if there's any new trades I want to make. The only trouble is that now I've got mostly Vinylmation that I like and will need to buy more before our trip. Maybe I can sell some games on Ebay, too.

There's actually no chocolate at all in the Chewy Caramel Bar. I wish I had been able to get a picture of it to show everyone, because it's hard to do it justice with words only. Maybe I'll be able to get a picture in October. And really you should be worried going after us- we may buy all the Chewy Caramel Bars.

I think toddlers are a lot of fun at Disney. It's always an adventure, that's for sure. Stroller naps are the best. Those Baby Care Centers are wonderful! Before we had kids, we would go to Disney with my brother's kids and I couldn't understand why they kept going to the Baby Care Centers so often. Now I get it.

 

[PirateKate]

Count me in as another non-Tink fan! I keep saying they need to make the movie where they explain why she goes from this sweet, dumb fairy to the sassy, bratty, mean thing she is when she is with Pan! Of course, I'm sure it wouldn't be as popular with most parents, but I'm curious!

Maybe that's the master plan behind all the new Tink movies! I'd be very interested in hearing what they come up with to explain how she goes from a Tinker fairy to Peter Pan's sidekick. Maybe they're trying to hold off on making it until all the little kids who like the new Tinkerbell grow up a bit.

Good for you for standing up for your boys! That little snot nose needed to be taken down a peg or two..... I'm just sayin. If my daughter ever acts like that and I catch her, oh boy. Nastiness will not be tolerated. Period.

I hope for cool shopping. Literally and physically.

I would have preferred to have nothing to do with that girl, but I wasn't about to let her be mean to Carter when he was just trying to play and have fun. I would never let my boys act like that either. I'm baffled as to why any parent would tolerate it.

The boys look like they had so much fun in that play area! I agree that they need a play area permanently in Epcot. I have had some similar experiences at our local water park this summer that you had with that girl. Their parents sit along the edge of the kids play area and let the kids run around, doing whatever. They are always trying to push in front of Colby in line for the little water slides. It drives me nuts! I'm glad your day is turning back around!

The boys did have so much fun playing there. It's always good for them to get to stretch their legs some at Disney. Maybe they will add a permanent playground at Epcot someday.
That would make me really mad, if kids were pushing in front of my boys at a water park. It really wouldn't be that hard for their parents to make them stop, either.

go mama go!
I surely hope that little girl's mother was not that close because if she was it is naturally polite for her to correct her own child but kids are kids

I was kind of surprised that her mother didn't come over and get involved. If I saw another grown up at a playground talking to my boys, I'd at least get close enough to know what was going on.

I must have missed a few updates. Last time I was over here you were just discovering that there were no chewy caramel bars

Landon could not have picked a better time to give you a kiss. Both of your boys are such sweethearts

Thank goodness Jeremy has arrived. It would have been awful dealing with 2 crying boys in Epcot by yourself.

I love that you utilize the baby care centers. If we ever have another child I will have to remember to use them.

Good for you putting that little girl in her place. Who acts like that? Did you see her parents around anywhere just watching?

Yes, that was a bad moment, discovering that there were no chewy caramel bars.

I'm still amazed that the day turned around so well, after the caramel bar tragedy. I guess a perfect kiss from Landon is a powerful thing. And I sure do have some very sweet little boys.

It would have been bad to be in Epcot with the two crying boys without Jeremy, but I suppose I could have figured it out somehow.

The baby care centers are the best! It's such a nice place to relax and the boys love them. I'd definitely check them out, if you have another child.

I'm not sure that I did see her parents around anywhere. There was a group of people standing in the middle of the playground, talking amongst themselves and the girl sort of looked like she could have been related to them, but they never once glanced at her, so maybe not.

I'm so glad I found your report! I've been stressing over our Oct trip. My son will be 26 months at the time. I feel much better now, if you can do it alone with 2, I think that we should be good! I'll have my DH and inlaws and only 1 child! You give me hope!
Do you have any other trip reports? I'd love to read them all!

I'm glad you found my report, too! You all will be fine with 4 adults and only 1 toddler. I've always found my boys to be a great enhancement to our trips, since it's so much fun exploring Disney with them. I have one other trip report- That's the Second Biggest Double Stroller I've Ever Seen.

 

[PirateKate]

I judged the nearest air conditioned place to be Mouse Gears, so we hurried in. Ahh. The air conditioning felt wonderful.

I handed Carter and Landon each his sippy cup. After all the playing in the heat, I was sure they'd be thirsty.

With the boys drinking happily, I was able to find the Vinylmation trading box. I asked for number 22.

I said a cheerful farewell to Quasimodo.

My new Vinylmation was fine. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

I like Chip and Dale, but I just wasn't crazy about this Vinylmation. It was a quite a bit better than Quasimodo, though, so I figured it was a successful trade.

Carter's sippy cup ran out of water. He started crying real tears, completely heartbroken and sure that we'd never give him anything else to drink, ever.

"Carter, it's okay. You don't have to cry. We can get you more water."

"Drink...Out!"

He sobbed uncontrollably. I felt sorry for him. He probably was really thirsty. I figured the Electric Umbrella would be the closest source of good water, so we headed that way, with Carter sniffing bravely every few seconds.

At the Electric Umbrella, I sent Jeremy off to buy drinks for us, since I was thirsty, too and I stood by the fountain station, refilling Carter and Landon's drinks.

Carter drank two full cups of water without stopping. By his third cup, he was starting to slow down a little.

Jeremy arrived with cups for us. I sort of felt like I should just get water. That's what I really wanted and what I thought would be the best for hydration.

But then, it seemed silly to have paid for Cokes and get water, which would have been free, if I had ordered water.

I got a Sprite. Of all the Cokes, it seemed closest to water.

We stood right there in the Electric Umbrella and drank as much as we wanted to. Once everyone was mostly done drinking, Jeremy suggested we go get ice cream.

Ice cream sounded good to me, and I thought the boys would enjoy it. Carter and Landon love ice cream. I'd just make sure not to get Oreo ice cream for Landon.

 

[DisneyMomma09]

And after ice cream, you will be heading to the bathroom! 3 cups of water! Carter really was thirsty! Yummy...Disney Ice Cream! Just one short week and I will be enjoying some!

 

[amandaw]

to a very refreshing update! Sounds like you had a very successful Vinylmation trade, too!

 

[CandleontheWater]

How did I miss two updates!

Well, I'm back on track now! It looks like the playground at Epcot was very nice, I'm sorry we never made it over there. I wish they would have a permanent playground in Epcot also, but there are lots of places for kids to get out and run around, so it isn't as much of a necessity as in other parks.

Sorry that little girl was so mean to your kids! I always feel like I'm disciplining other kids at the playground, but that is because I live in the land of nannies, and they are too busy sitting on the sidelines and texting to actually watch their kids. I don't get too bent out of shape if the other kids are just being bossy, but I do jump into action if they push Everett or snatch sand toys out of his hand. The playgrounds around here are like the wild west!

I'm also happy to see that you ended up with a better vinlymation, but then again, there probably aren't too many worse than Quasimodo (well, I guess Big Baby ).

Poor Carter! I just love how melodramatic toddlers can be, I'm sure he really did think he was never going to drink again EVER! We have similar instances in this house all the time, I laughed out loud when I read that line!

 

[KatMark]

I still don't get those Vinylmations, but the new one is MUCH better than the other one.

Poor thirsty boys....I bet a lot of diaper changing had to be done after all that water.

Ice cream is a great way to beat the heat.

 

[chloe770]

My son is soo looking forward to trading his vinylmations on our upcoming trip. We actually just got that Chip and Dale on saturday. BOGO at Disney store was a nice surprise!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Carter's sippy cup ran out of water. He started crying real tears, completely heartbroken and sure that we'd never give him anything else to drink, ever. "Carter, it's okay. You don't have to cry. We can get you more water."

Porter and Audrey Anne will do this on occasion. I can not figure out why they get hysterical when they run out of snacks/drinks. They always have everything they need, so I am not sure why they get so upset...

Carter drank two full cups of water without stopping. By his third cup, he was starting to slow down a little.

I am amazed at how much liquid my children can consume at times Sounds like he was really thirsty. Its a good thing he was so vocal about his cup being empty.

Ice cream sounded good to me, and I thought the boys would enjoy it. Carter and Landon love ice cream. I'd just make sure not to get Oreo ice cream for Landon.

Yummy... ICE CREAM!

Your Vinylmation would be ok, except it looks like his stomach split open and the acorns are spilling out! Gross!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hey PK! Just wanted to let you know, I've come around and read the update. Funny how kids pick the things to cry about that they do. some things you look back at over the day and think they were a much bigger deal. He must have already been on edge...

Anyway, great to "see" you again!!

 

[afwdwfan]

I thought the Chip & Dale Vinylmation looked kind of cool.

Poor Carter. Just having a rough afternoon. I'm glad that you were able to find him plenty of water so that he won't dehydrate. Ice cream is always a good thing, no exceptions. Great idea!

 

[teachermommy78]

Love the update!!! We've trained our kids to freak out on accident. With three, they have to wait! And I admit it, sometimes, I am busy. GASP! I know! AWFUL PARENTING!!! They are usually pretty good with patience, but sometimes they get all worked up and can't wait even 5 seconds for what they need. Then I need to remind myself that I am inconsistent and that they are still learning. Sophie is much better, but she can usually get her basic necessities herself. It is so hard when they depend on you for EVERYTHING and you are trying your best!

And vinymation bliss!!! Sophie got 6 new ones for her bday! She got 2 at her party and then bought 4 more (well, BOGO) with her own money. I think we have between 25-30 between the 3 kids now. We also have a "Doorway to Dreams" DVC model showcase at a mall near us that does the blind trading! How fun! They also do pin trading. So we've gone there to trade. We are going to a vinylmation event there in a couple weeks. They will do the DVC spiel and give us a tour of their rooms as well. Scott and I never did the tour at WDW, so we are excited to go. We can't afford it now, but it gives us something to look forward to. We fully plan on becoming members one day, maybe even when the kids are grown. Who knows!

 

[amazingact21]

The chip and dale Vinylmation is definitely an improvement over your previous one.
I think ice cream is a great next stop!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Wow, thirsty boy! I'm sure a next stop will be a bathroom close by!

One of these, please!

 

[Shannon84]

I am sure it must have been hot when you guys were there, plus the playground must have worked up a thirst!

I think you made a great trade with the vinylmation...I can see what you mean - wouldn't 'love' it, but a HUGE improvement!!

 

[PirateKate]

And after ice cream, you will be heading to the bathroom! 3 cups of water! Carter really was thirsty! Yummy...Disney Ice Cream! Just one short week and I will be enjoying some!

That's right! Carter sure was thirsty. I'm glad he was able to drink as much as he wanted. Only one week left, that's great. I hope you have some great Disney Ice Cream!

to a very refreshing update! Sounds like you had a very successful Vinylmation trade, too!

It was a refreshing update, wasn't it? I got kind of thirsty writing it. I thought it was a pretty good trade, overall.

How did I miss two updates!

Well, I'm back on track now! It looks like the playground at Epcot was very nice, I'm sorry we never made it over there. I wish they would have a permanent playground in Epcot also, but there are lots of places for kids to get out and run around, so it isn't as much of a necessity as in other parks.

Sorry that little girl was so mean to your kids! I always feel like I'm disciplining other kids at the playground, but that is because I live in the land of nannies, and they are too busy sitting on the sidelines and texting to actually watch their kids. I don't get too bent out of shape if the other kids are just being bossy, but I do jump into action if they push Everett or snatch sand toys out of his hand. The playgrounds around here are like the wild west!

I'm also happy to see that you ended up with a better vinlymation, but then again, there probably aren't too many worse than Quasimodo (well, I guess Big Baby ).

Poor Carter! I just love how melodramatic toddlers can be, I'm sure he really did think he was never going to drink again EVER! We have similar instances in this house all the time, I laughed out loud when I read that line!

There are a lot of places for kids to get out and run around in Epcot. Of course, it's the best for kids, when Epcot is not too crowded. There's just something about an actual playground that gets my boys all excited.

Oh, yes, there's plenty of nannies here, too. They sit there and let the kids do anything. The worst is actually summer camps, when twenty or thirty kids come in with just one or two adults. We were recently at a playground when kids from a Tae Kwon Do summer camp arrived and that was pretty bad. They weren't mean kids, but they just weren't paying any attention to my boys and it wasn't safe.

I thought Chip and Dale was an improvement over Quasimodo and Big Baby. At least it wasn't an Urban one. Those are all kind of freaky. I think I'd prefer Big Baby to some of those.

I'm sure Carter did believe that he was never going to drink again and was sincerely sad. Toddlers do have a flair for the melodramatic.

I still don't get those Vinylmations, but the new one is MUCH better than the other one.

Poor thirsty boys....I bet a lot of diaper changing had to be done after all that water.

Ice cream is a great way to beat the heat.

I'm often impressed at how Disney can take something that's completely useless and get people to buy it and love it. I thought the new one was pretty good.

Three cups of water does make for a wet diaper. That was okay, though. I knew exactly what to expect and we were able to avoid any leaks.

Ice cream is wonderful when it's hot outside. I'd like some right now.

My son is soo looking forward to trading his vinylmations on our upcoming trip. We actually just got that Chip and Dale on saturday. BOGO at Disney store was a nice surprise!

I'm looking forward to trading on our trip, too. I have an urban one that I want to trade, but our Disney store has the same one in the trading box, so I can't trade it there. It's been there for weeks and I'm started to suspect that I'm the only one trading here. I thought BOGO was a nice surprise, too. Every time I go in, I'm tempted to get two more, since it's such a good deal.

 

[PirateKate]

Porter and Audrey Anne will do this on occasion. I can not figure out why they get hysterical when they run out of snacks/drinks. They always have everything they need, so I am not sure why they get so upset...

It does seem kind of silly sometimes. I've taken care of them every day of their lives and they've never starved to death, yet, but they still get upset sometimes. I would have thought that I should have more credibility by now, but I guess not.

I am amazed at how much liquid my children can consume at times Sounds like he was really thirsty. Its a good thing he was so vocal about his cup being empty.

I've been amazed lately at how much my boys can eat! They've both been finishing every scrap of their two kids meals at restaurants. Must be a growth spurt. I am glad that Carter did speak up about his drink. I would have hated for him to be that thirsty and not get anything else to drink.

Your Vinylmation would be ok, except it looks like his stomach split open and the acorns are spilling out! Gross!

Exactly! I think that's precisely why I didn't like the Vinylmation very much. I don't want to see any Vinylmation guts.

Hey PK! Just wanted to let you know, I've come around and read the update. Funny how kids pick the things to cry about that they do. some things you look back at over the day and think they were a much bigger deal. He must have already been on edge...

Anyway, great to "see" you again!!

Hey! I'm glad you found time to stop by! I'm sure Carter was already on edge. He usually naps around 1:30 or 2 and it was already nearly 4 and he hadn't slept at all. Of course, kids are very funny people. That is very often brought to my attention.

Great to "see" you, too!

I thought the Chip & Dale Vinylmation looked kind of cool.

Poor Carter. Just having a rough afternoon. I'm glad that you were able to find him plenty of water so that he won't dehydrate. Ice cream is always a good thing, no exceptions. Great idea!

Maybe you didn't notice the acorns spilling out of its innards...

He was having a rough afternoon. It's hard when your cup is empty and you have to rely on others to refill it. We always try to let the boys keep a sippy cup of water with them at all times at Disney, especially on the hot days, so they won't get dehydrated. I thought ice cream sounded wonderful.

Love the update!!! We've trained our kids to freak out on accident. With three, they have to wait! And I admit it, sometimes, I am busy. GASP! I know! AWFUL PARENTING!!! They are usually pretty good with patience, but sometimes they get all worked up and can't wait even 5 seconds for what they need. Then I need to remind myself that I am inconsistent and that they are still learning. Sophie is much better, but she can usually get her basic necessities herself. It is so hard when they depend on you for EVERYTHING and you are trying your best!

And vinymation bliss!!! Sophie got 6 new ones for her bday! She got 2 at her party and then bought 4 more (well, BOGO) with her own money. I think we have between 25-30 between the 3 kids now. We also have a "Doorway to Dreams" DVC model showcase at a mall near us that does the blind trading! How fun! They also do pin trading. So we've gone there to trade. We are going to a vinylmation event there in a couple weeks. They will do the DVC spiel and give us a tour of their rooms as well. Scott and I never did the tour at WDW, so we are excited to go. We can't afford it now, but it gives us something to look forward to. We fully plan on becoming members one day, maybe even when the kids are grown. Who knows!

I think three would be really challenging. I knew we couldn't have three kids, because I only had two hands. We're trying to teach Carter not to cry when he needs something or has to wait for us to do something. We tell him that the best way to wait is quietly and cheerfully. I think he tries, but it's hard for him. Oh, well. I think it will be a very good day when both of my boys are completely independent and don't need me any more.

Wow, you all are set for Vinylmations! I'm glad the BOGO deal was still going on during Sophie's birthday. The Doorway to Dreams DVC thing sounds really cool! I didn't realize they had those anywhere but places with DVC properties. I think a tour would be really fun, if I wasn't sacrificing prime park time to take it. I still can't make up my mind on DVC. I'd like it, but it's also such a huge commitment. Maybe someday.

The chip and dale Vinylmation is definitely an improvement over your previous one.
I think ice cream is a great next stop!

I thought that Chip and Dale were better than Quasimodo. Probably not one that I would seek out, but it could have been worse.
Ice cream sounded so good after how hot it was at the playground.

Wow, thirsty boy! I'm sure a next stop will be a bathroom close by!

One of these, please!

He was very thirsty! I'm glad we went somewhere with self serve fountain drinks so it was easy to fill up again and again.

Mmm..Mickey bars. You know, I just realized that I'm not sure if my boys have ever had Mickey bars. That's kind of sad. Maybe next time.

I am sure it must have been hot when you guys were there, plus the playground must have worked up a thirst!

I think you made a great trade with the vinylmation...I can see what you mean - wouldn't 'love' it, but a HUGE improvement!!

It was a really hot day at Epcot and it was probably at the hottest part of the day when we chose to go play at the playground. I guess that wasn't the best timing, but if I'd had it my way, the boys would have napped during the hot part of the day.

Definitely a huge improvement. Sometimes I'm just as glad to trade and get something I don't like that much, since that means I can keep trading it.