Wednesday, January 18
Had alarm set for 5 a.m. and got up for shower, etc. Ate a little something and packed some apples, tomatoes and strawberries for DGD to snack on, along with other treats, including apple juice boxes. DD (she and her husband are living with us while they purchase and move into a new home) got up and dressed DGD and then drove us to the airport. (Save on parking costs.) Of course, up until today we had not been having a bad winter at all, but rain had turned to snow during the night and it was still snowing as we made our way to the airport. Not good. DD left us out at the curb and we hurried in. With our boarding passes already printed it was just necessary to check luggage -- praying all the while that we would not be overweight. NOTE: They have become really strict with that and our home scale was out last night to see just how we were doing, but you never know. Whew! We are okay no repacking necessary.
Arrived at the gate. Still snowing announcement made that the jetway was icy and please be careful. We trooped down the jetway and of course, the man right behind us fell flat. We were careful and had no trouble. And then the plane did not fill right away as they were taking care of him and they did not let any more people board until they had spread some de-icer. Took a cute picture of GPA and DGD. DGD is all set up watching Kronks New Grove on the portable DVD player with her ear phones and cute ponytail braids! You can see the snow on the ground. Plane all loaded and announcement made that we would have to de-ice and subsequently we had to wait in line and were one hour late in taking off. (And no DVD player allowed during that wait!!) DGD is so good during this time, playing with other things and eating some snacks. Thankfully, we had a direct flight so no connection to miss.
DGD seemed just fine as she has flown before. Looked out the window some and watched Kronk when the all-clear was given for electronics. Started talking about her ears. We told her to yawn and then she had pretzels and some Sprite. We told her that would help. Became rather subdued and once in awhile would look at us with those big, blue eyes and say something about her ears or not hearing. We assured her that would clear up after awhile. A smooth flight after the late start and we got into MCO around 11:30 a.m. Sunshine ☺, but cool temps.
We had pre-checked in online with Alamo, so went directly to the cars, picked one out and drove to check-out. DGD is being a real trooper with her backpack and even at times pulling one of the smaller suitcases with GPA carrying the backpack. Out of the garage and were on our way down I-4, etc. (We prefer going that way and have never run into a lot of traffic). DGD still rather subdued and fell asleep in the car. Not really unusual (or so we thought) since we had awakened so early.
Arrived at Old Key West around 12:30. No line at check-in and very nice CM. Gave DGD her balloon and DGD was excited about it. Lo and behold the Studio was ready and in a nice location with a water view. So there would be water fowl for DGD to check out. We drove over to our building and unloaded the car with DGD helping carry. I called Housekeeping to ask for an egg crate mattress for on top of the bed and a step stool for ease in having DGD brush teeth. Then it was a quick wash and over to Olivias for lunch. DGD still complaining about ears especially one of them. We are starting to worry. Lunch was delightful as I remember it DGD has chicken fingers (the first of many varieties of chicken fingers she was to have during this vacation.) GPA always has conch chowder it is really good and since it was rather a cool day it hit the spot.
Lunch over, we looked around just a little and went into Conch Flats General Store and looked at the lanyards they had, but none of them exactly suited any of us and we told her we would keep looking. Then went back to room, thinking we would get settled and rest a little. Hard for DGD to rest and ears were still bothering her, but both she and GPA did nap a bit. (NOTE: Surprised to find that no egg crate or stepstool delivered while we were out). After our rest we decided to dress warmly and drive over to Boardwalk for a trek to Epcot and then some dinner. It was getting dark by this time and was definitely chilly and we were glad for the warm clothing. DGD still complaining about ear and really dragging along. We went into Epcot and there picked up GPAs annual pass (which I had given him for Christmas) and traded in DGDs 5-day pass and put the amount toward an annual pass for her. Since we were going to be there with her for 12 days, an annual pass made sense and also gave her family the AP perquisites.
Then we walked through International Gateway and into the store which is right inside that gate. We were going to let DGD choose her lanyard and pin set from the selection there. She looked at all of them, and we thought she had one picked out. As any good woman shopper will do, she looked some more then she reached up and said, how about this one? It was a special edition for the Happiest Celebration on Earth price tag -- $50! The others were in the $30 range. Yes, Princess, said GPA, this is a nice one and promptly produced his credit card and from there we were off on the pin collecting journey. More on this later.
.On to Future World to ride Spaceship Earth. DGD really loved that! ☺ We rode once more why not? ☺☺ Then over to Universe of Energy, but that attraction was about to close. We were walking all this time and wind was cold. DGD was complaining and concern was mounting.
Quite hungry by this time and we tried a couple of places in Epcot, but long waits, so we walked back to Boardwalk and went into Spoodles for some dinner. By this time DGD was listless and really cranky. Ordered pizza and fruit for her. She ate a lot of the fruit but only a bit of the pizza. GPA had rigatoni which he asked for without cheese as he is lactose intolerant. I ordered the salmon. Very shortly after ordering the Chef Dave appeared at our table to assure GPA that they would be very careful not to put cheese or dairy on anything and they might even have a dessert he could eat without dairy. Very impressive. A Disney Moment.
Dinners were good, but we did rush through as we had one very cranky girl who at one time said she wanted to go home! I asked, Which home? She said the one where we are staying the hotel. Whew! I was picturing a homesick, sick little one who wanted to go home to Mommy. Okay. We needed a few groceries for breakfast and snacks, so drove over to the Publix on the other side of I-4 past the designer outlet, etc. Picked up fresh fruit, juice boxes, muffins, bread, peanut butter, a thermometer and some Tylenol pain/decongestant liquid. DGD and GPA stayed in the car and DGD did some complaining but mostly was just quiet. We got back to OKW and I took her temperature which was 100.2 (axillary) which means a point more than that. Yikes!
I called DDIL and told her what was going on. She concurred that I should give her some of the Tylenol to bring the temp down and get some of the fluid out of the ears. She also mentioned that sometimes DGD was susceptible to placebos as in how about trying one of these special green gummi bears they will help you feel better. DDIL also said DGD was terrible about taking medicine and wished me luck and said she would pray. We did manage to get medicine down with bribery and some apple juice. Also did a little gummi bear medicine, then put her to bed and we went to bed, too as it had been quite a day.
Still no egg crate mattress, etc. I decided I would be fine for the night. I was wrong! Neither of us slept very well, as we were alert to DGD and she was somewhat restless and talks in her sleep. Oh my!
Day 3 coming up!
Had alarm set for 5 a.m. and got up for shower, etc. Ate a little something and packed some apples, tomatoes and strawberries for DGD to snack on, along with other treats, including apple juice boxes. DD (she and her husband are living with us while they purchase and move into a new home) got up and dressed DGD and then drove us to the airport. (Save on parking costs.) Of course, up until today we had not been having a bad winter at all, but rain had turned to snow during the night and it was still snowing as we made our way to the airport. Not good. DD left us out at the curb and we hurried in. With our boarding passes already printed it was just necessary to check luggage -- praying all the while that we would not be overweight. NOTE: They have become really strict with that and our home scale was out last night to see just how we were doing, but you never know. Whew! We are okay no repacking necessary.
Arrived at the gate. Still snowing announcement made that the jetway was icy and please be careful. We trooped down the jetway and of course, the man right behind us fell flat. We were careful and had no trouble. And then the plane did not fill right away as they were taking care of him and they did not let any more people board until they had spread some de-icer. Took a cute picture of GPA and DGD. DGD is all set up watching Kronks New Grove on the portable DVD player with her ear phones and cute ponytail braids! You can see the snow on the ground. Plane all loaded and announcement made that we would have to de-ice and subsequently we had to wait in line and were one hour late in taking off. (And no DVD player allowed during that wait!!) DGD is so good during this time, playing with other things and eating some snacks. Thankfully, we had a direct flight so no connection to miss.
DGD seemed just fine as she has flown before. Looked out the window some and watched Kronk when the all-clear was given for electronics. Started talking about her ears. We told her to yawn and then she had pretzels and some Sprite. We told her that would help. Became rather subdued and once in awhile would look at us with those big, blue eyes and say something about her ears or not hearing. We assured her that would clear up after awhile. A smooth flight after the late start and we got into MCO around 11:30 a.m. Sunshine ☺, but cool temps.
We had pre-checked in online with Alamo, so went directly to the cars, picked one out and drove to check-out. DGD is being a real trooper with her backpack and even at times pulling one of the smaller suitcases with GPA carrying the backpack. Out of the garage and were on our way down I-4, etc. (We prefer going that way and have never run into a lot of traffic). DGD still rather subdued and fell asleep in the car. Not really unusual (or so we thought) since we had awakened so early.
Arrived at Old Key West around 12:30. No line at check-in and very nice CM. Gave DGD her balloon and DGD was excited about it. Lo and behold the Studio was ready and in a nice location with a water view. So there would be water fowl for DGD to check out. We drove over to our building and unloaded the car with DGD helping carry. I called Housekeeping to ask for an egg crate mattress for on top of the bed and a step stool for ease in having DGD brush teeth. Then it was a quick wash and over to Olivias for lunch. DGD still complaining about ears especially one of them. We are starting to worry. Lunch was delightful as I remember it DGD has chicken fingers (the first of many varieties of chicken fingers she was to have during this vacation.) GPA always has conch chowder it is really good and since it was rather a cool day it hit the spot.
Lunch over, we looked around just a little and went into Conch Flats General Store and looked at the lanyards they had, but none of them exactly suited any of us and we told her we would keep looking. Then went back to room, thinking we would get settled and rest a little. Hard for DGD to rest and ears were still bothering her, but both she and GPA did nap a bit. (NOTE: Surprised to find that no egg crate or stepstool delivered while we were out). After our rest we decided to dress warmly and drive over to Boardwalk for a trek to Epcot and then some dinner. It was getting dark by this time and was definitely chilly and we were glad for the warm clothing. DGD still complaining about ear and really dragging along. We went into Epcot and there picked up GPAs annual pass (which I had given him for Christmas) and traded in DGDs 5-day pass and put the amount toward an annual pass for her. Since we were going to be there with her for 12 days, an annual pass made sense and also gave her family the AP perquisites.
Then we walked through International Gateway and into the store which is right inside that gate. We were going to let DGD choose her lanyard and pin set from the selection there. She looked at all of them, and we thought she had one picked out. As any good woman shopper will do, she looked some more then she reached up and said, how about this one? It was a special edition for the Happiest Celebration on Earth price tag -- $50! The others were in the $30 range. Yes, Princess, said GPA, this is a nice one and promptly produced his credit card and from there we were off on the pin collecting journey. More on this later.
.On to Future World to ride Spaceship Earth. DGD really loved that! ☺ We rode once more why not? ☺☺ Then over to Universe of Energy, but that attraction was about to close. We were walking all this time and wind was cold. DGD was complaining and concern was mounting.
Quite hungry by this time and we tried a couple of places in Epcot, but long waits, so we walked back to Boardwalk and went into Spoodles for some dinner. By this time DGD was listless and really cranky. Ordered pizza and fruit for her. She ate a lot of the fruit but only a bit of the pizza. GPA had rigatoni which he asked for without cheese as he is lactose intolerant. I ordered the salmon. Very shortly after ordering the Chef Dave appeared at our table to assure GPA that they would be very careful not to put cheese or dairy on anything and they might even have a dessert he could eat without dairy. Very impressive. A Disney Moment.
Dinners were good, but we did rush through as we had one very cranky girl who at one time said she wanted to go home! I asked, Which home? She said the one where we are staying the hotel. Whew! I was picturing a homesick, sick little one who wanted to go home to Mommy. Okay. We needed a few groceries for breakfast and snacks, so drove over to the Publix on the other side of I-4 past the designer outlet, etc. Picked up fresh fruit, juice boxes, muffins, bread, peanut butter, a thermometer and some Tylenol pain/decongestant liquid. DGD and GPA stayed in the car and DGD did some complaining but mostly was just quiet. We got back to OKW and I took her temperature which was 100.2 (axillary) which means a point more than that. Yikes!
I called DDIL and told her what was going on. She concurred that I should give her some of the Tylenol to bring the temp down and get some of the fluid out of the ears. She also mentioned that sometimes DGD was susceptible to placebos as in how about trying one of these special green gummi bears they will help you feel better. DDIL also said DGD was terrible about taking medicine and wished me luck and said she would pray. We did manage to get medicine down with bribery and some apple juice. Also did a little gummi bear medicine, then put her to bed and we went to bed, too as it had been quite a day.
Still no egg crate mattress, etc. I decided I would be fine for the night. I was wrong! Neither of us slept very well, as we were alert to DGD and she was somewhat restless and talks in her sleep. Oh my!
Day 3 coming up!
