It's all part of the plan... More or less! A Dec TR!

[Caretames1]

Hey, you just take care of that family and yourself. We'll all be here when you update. Hope everyones doing fine.

Carey

 

[KatMark]

Tam, as we've said before, we're not going anywhere and we will wait until you have time with all the things you need to take care of with your family.

 

[jenseib]

Take your time .I am so behind anyways that it is kind of nice that you are going slow. LOL!

 

[stephielela]

Hey Tammy! Hope everything is going well for you guys, and Happy Easter!!!

 

[jenseib]

Happy Easter Tammy!

 

[chrisw127]

I love this trip report. It's nice to see WDW through a first-timer's eyes, particularly one who really values what's happening.

I hope you and your family are doing well and look forward to reading more.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Take care of your family Tammy! We will be here when you are ready. I totally understand how painful it can be sometimes to DIS when things in 'real life' are all crazy and hectic!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Hello all my loyal readers who stick around... even though it takes me too long to get a post together! Thank you all for your kind words and understand over the past few weeks. Things here have been pretty nasty, but I am in no way going to dwell on that. What I am going to do is get an update posted! I know, I know... you all are saying "its about time"... so on to our second full day!

This day we decided to change a bit. The original plan was to get up bright an early and hit a park till it was lunch time. We were all still kinda sleepy that morning so the night before we had decided that it would be a great day to just sleep in.. After all its all part of the plan... more or less! So we slept till we woke up which was probably around 9. Someday the kids are going to kill me for this but here is a wake up picture of both of them...

and cool man Gavin...

I was really hoping to get a second day from Brenda's hair but it was all fine. NOTHING was going to get me down! After I thought about it the bun didn't really go with her dress for this day anyway. So I hurried and gave the kids a quick bath and got them ready for the day.

This day we would take the car. It seemed as if we would be hoping from one place to another and only being the second day we weren't too sure about things just yet. So we got in the car and headed to the Grand Floridian. I must tell you all this is a BEAUTIFUL hotel but I don't think I would ever feel comfortable staying there. I think I will stick to Pop!
The first thing that caught Gavin's eye was the big white car... check out my 2 cuties...

We first headed over to the quick service place for a quick lunch. Brenda was really too excited to eat to much. I had the BEST hot dog in the world!!! It was the Rubin Dog and my oh my was it yummy! They also had this cucumber salad there. It honestly brought tears to my eyes. Not for the usual reason. My gram used to make this ALL THE TIME and I loved it! It was very close to tasting just like hers. I should also mention that my gram died soon after my mom in 2003. I know many people will think I am nuts but there were a few times when it seemed I would run across things that reminded me of mom and gram and made it almost as though they were there with me.
After eating we headed back to the lobby and tried to get a good family picture at the tree... well this is the best we got between our camera AND photopass...

We also checked out the amazing gingerbread house... They kids couldn't believe that it was all "cookie".

Finally, it was time for Brenda's special treat! She would be off to the tea party. Here is Brenda in the Alice dress that Jon's mom made her.

We were a little early so the kids all gathered on the floor to color till it was time to go in. Then it was time to line up.

Brenda went in and got a seat. Here comes another sweet story about my daughter. There were 2 children that came in together after all the other kids had been sitting down. The one was having a very rough time of things and I do think there was some mental handicap there but I have no idea what... nor was it any of my business. There were 2 empty chairs... way apart. One was beside Brenda and the other was at the end of the table. The one girl sat in the one empty chair beside Brenda and the other child started to cry really hard because she was already having separation issues. BRENDA decides without being asked to give her seat to the crying girl. She tells her to sit with her friend... Then Brenda goes on to give each of them one of the empty coloring sheets she had gotten by being early. She then takes the seat on the end. I know its not a huge thing but at 4 yo it really says a lot about Brenda. She is so loving and kind. So, after this all takes place its time to wave good bye and have some fun...

I grabbed this quick shot as I was ushered out. Alice and the Mad Hatter before making their entrance...

The Photopass shot!

So you all are probably wondering what Gavin was doing with Jon during this time...

I found them sitting in the TV area enjoying some black and white Mickey cartoons. Gavin goes on to tell me that he thought the color had ran away! Then he left me know that Daddy had told him that they didn't have colors when this was made! It was too cute. We walked around but didn't go too far. Just enjoyed the scene at the GF. We did buy a Phineas and Ferb Christmas CD to listen to in the car. It came in really hand this day because as you might remember we drove to everything on this day. And we are ALL big Phineas and Ferb fans!!!

Soon it was time to pick Brenda back up. The time seemed to have gone really quickly. Here is Brenda with the flowers for me and a beautiful teapot frame she made for me. What a sweetheart!

I keep the frame on my nightstand with a picture of us from the trip. Its a nice reminder every morning of just how good life can be. I then come down stairs and have a soda in my resort mug. Got to love those mugs! So wish they would have had the cute beachy-water mugs when we were there but that came much later. The resort mug is wonderful because I don't like the kids to see me drinking soda for breakfast, but I usually need the caffeine! We don't let the kids drink soda (other than 2 times on this trip) but I definitely don't want them to see me having it for breakfast.

After I got Brenda from the tea party both kids were asking if we could go on a monorail ride. So we rode around... twice! and then headed back to the car for our next destination of the day.... But where is that???

I am going to work on the update right now....

 

[KatMark]

Tam, what a BEAUTIFUL Alice in Wonderland that Brenda made. And what a very sweet, sweet child to offer her seat to the two girls separated. You have done good, Mom. And I love the photopass picture with the Mad Hatter and Alice.

I love that Gavin thought the "color ran away."

 

[mrsksomeday]

The wake up pictures are adorable!!

Brenda's Alice dress is so cute!! She has such a kind heart giving her chair up, you should be proud of yourself Tammy she is taking after you.

LOVE the photopass picture.

How cute is Gavin about the color running away. He has my heart .

Your comment about "how good life can be" made me cry. I am so sorry your family is having a rough time with medical issues . You are in my prayers every day and I hope things get better very soon.

Great idea to drink out of the mug.

I love that you rode the monorail loop twice, we like to do that too.

I can't wait to see where you go next.

 

[jenseib]

Great update. I love the dress. It looks like a lot of kids were there. I heard they now do photopass pictures there now. I sure wish they would've when Claire went in 09. I do want to take her back to it in the future again. It has slightly changed from what I have read, but still looks fun. It was one of her most favorite things she's ever done at Disney.

I am so proud of Brenda. What a sweet girl. Most kids wouldn't even have noticed that, let alone dome anything about it. What a sweetheart.

I hope things get better for you soon.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I am going to try to wrap this day up today.. Don't want to let you all hanging for another month. To be honest, I have to do them on days that are good. If not I start to write, and cry, at the same time... and I just can't do it. The biggest part of me has to wonder if this will ever happen again. We have all had so many health issues lately. Gavin surgery last month didn't go so well and I fear we could have lost him. Jon has surgery next month and will be without income for 6 weeks... and Brenda has been having some issues with her weight and has been unable to gain. And well, lets just skip over me.. I even checked into the whole donating Plasma thing that I jokingly said about before. Only to find out that we are all unable because of being unsure of Gavin's health... and where it is going. Anyway... on with the day...

As we last left off we took 2 spins around on the monorail. When we got off the monorail we hit the gift shop. Tracy and Bill had gotten the kids a gift card to spend on something they wanted while they were there. I knew almost immediately what they would choose. When we went into the gift shop Brenda spotted what she wanted as soon as she hit the rack. It was one of those light up toys... Tinkerbell to be exact. She had wanted one so badly. And of course Gavin did too. Only his was a Buzz Lightyear! We had talked to the kids a few times about how we couldn't buy EVERYTHING we saw. We had also told them that morning that if they saw something they REALLY wanted that they had a GF from Tracy and Bill. This is what they really wanted. I am sure I have pictures of them somewhere with their lights but not on this particular day. They loved the lights so much! It was the best thing in the world. The really funny part is I didn't see this particular Tinkerbell light anywhere else while we were there. And the other funny thing, everyday when we left they asked if it would get dark while we were out and if we said yes they would tell us they had to take their lights. Even now they still play with them almost everyday. Thank you Tracy and Bill!

Ok, after leaving GF we headed back to the car. We had a special reservation for something special for Gavin...

Brenda changed into regular clothing in the car when we got there. It was getting much chillier at this point. Even the adults were putting on coats. We had about an hour to an hour and half till it was time to check in so we thought we would check out a few stores... A FEW I said! instead we made it to 1! The Lego store. This is where I would find out so much about my "little" boy! I should also tell you that even at 36 Jon is a Lego fan. I think that is part of the reason he wanted kids... so he had someone to build with!

At Lego they have a great play area outside to build with Legos. We had Megablocks at home and I knew the kids loved to build. So first we go inside to check things out...

The kids then spotted that play area and I told Jon to stay in and look around and I would take them out to build.

I took both kids out. Put Brenda at a table with the little building blocks and Gavin at the table beside her that had duplo... and what I got in return for this kind gesture??? A MELTDOWN OF MEGA PROPORTION!!!! Yes, Gavin had a HUGE meltdown. He went into a rant about how he didn't want these stupid baby blocks and he wanted to be over at the other blocks with his sister! He then went on to tell me how unfair it was that I thought he was a baby and he could build every bit as well as Brenda!!! It so took me by surprised so I told him that as soon as a spot opened at Brenda's table I would take him there. He did his very best pouting till one child left. Let me tell you, I have never seen such a meltdown in my life, from Gavin! Brenda, I get from time to time but not Gavin! So, as soon as a spot opened I took Gavin over beside Brenda and he was once again a happy camper! This is where I also found out that he was indeed right... those duplo blocks were too easy for him. He built great with the little blocks... you know the ones rated for 5+ year olds!!

And an awesome picture... Gavin has decided that his "big boy" room when we switch him to a twin bed later this year has to be Lego. I am going to blow this shot up!

When I told Jon about the meltdown you kinda had a laugh... not in front of him though. I did explain to him that all he really had to do was tell me he wanted the smaller blocks. I didn't need the attitude. He of course said he was sorry and I got a huge hug.

It was now getting close to time for our reservation. We had only made it to the Lego store. I had already figured out that Gavin would be getting a Lego set for Christmas so we would be back. That was the only thing that got the kids to leave the table!

We headed over to T-Rex and had a very short wait! The food was awesome!!! I got a burger that was too big to fit in my mouth! Here are some shots...

Gavin loves T-Rex!!!

We all did really!!

Then came time for dessert!!! I think this was the most awesome part!! We all shared the Chocolate Extinction.

It was yummy... Can you tell???

I will give everyone a hint too. T-Rex can be pretty expensive. At least for us. If you belong to MyPoints you can earn FREE Landry Gift Cards that can be used at T-Rex. That saved us $50! This is such a do again for us!!!

After T-Rex our time was limited. As soon as the kids saw Lego I knew we would be going back there. Which was ok since we didn't have much time... and we would be going back to DTD again. So.. back to Lego again. This time I avoided the meltdown and went right to the little blocks! This is how we ended our night...

After this it was getting VERY late for the kids. We headed back to the car and back to Pop. We headed right back to the room and got our baths and cuddled into bed. It became a pattern that Brenda and I would chat at the end of the night while cuddling till she fell asleep. I remember this night she had the best day ever and that when we came back we had to do T-Rex again for Gavin... even if it meant no BBB or Tea Party for her. I asked if she liked BBB and Tea party and she said "yes, I just want Gavin to be happy. He is sick all the time, but he really smiled at T-Rex." It warms my heart to know that she loves her brother so much but bothers me a little to know that she will give up things she likes to make others happy. That is a tough balance to teach sometimes. Brenda soon fell asleep and I laid beside her and for a long time trying to doze off. I have to tell you that I love that she wants Gavin to be happy, but it makes me sad that she is willing to give up her happiness to allow him to be happy. Much later than I would have liked I fell asleep and I am sure had happy dreams.

 

[KatMark]

Tam, I am so sorry about all the health issues you guys are still dealing with. Could Brenda just be going through a stage? Or is she worried about her brother or her dad? I hope things turn around soon for all of you...you've endured so much.

Gavin, as all little boys, are entitled to a meltdown every once in awhile. I vividly remember several that my boys had...mostly my youngest son. And, of course, Gavin is a big boy and should play with the big boy Legos.

I love the pics at T-Rex. We've passed by it, but we've not eaten there. Without kids, we tend to avoid those type of places (too much like Rainforest Cafe and we didn't particularly care for hte one we ate at in Chicago and Las Vegas).

Can't wait to see what Day 3 brings.

And your daughter just has a good soul and she wants her brother to be happy. Nothing wrong with that at all (there are a lot of people that could take lessons from her!).

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Tam, what a BEAUTIFUL Alice in Wonderland that Brenda made. And what a very sweet, sweet child to offer her seat to the two girls separated. You have done good, Mom. And I love the photopass picture with the Mad Hatter and Alice.

I love that Gavin thought the "color ran away."

Thanks! I think Brenda looks beautiful too but than again she's mine so if I didn't think that there would be issues! Thank you for the comment on the good job on raising her. I try very hard to raise "good kids".

On the good days, Gavin will keep you in stitches! I have no idea where he gets it sometimes!

The wake up pictures are adorable!!

I am going to use these pictures to scare off future dates!

Brenda's Alice dress is so cute!! She has such a kind heart giving her chair up, you should be proud of yourself Tammy she is taking after you.

I would love to take credit for Brenda's kind heart but I think its something special she has inside her. She tries very hard to make friends with everyone and make sure everyone is having a nice time. Such a sweetie... but she can get a mean streak sometimes too!

LOVE the photopass picture.

How cute is Gavin about the color running away. He has my heart .
He has such a funny way of looking at things! Its so nice to see this side of him when he is feeling well.


Your comment about "how good life can be" made me cry. I am so sorry your family is having a rough time with medical issues . You are in my prayers every day and I hope things get better very soon.
I am sure things will look up soon. Everyone has ups and downs in life, if how you find your way out of the bad times that matters.

Great idea to drink out of the mug.
Don't want to pass my bad eatting habits on... or give up my morning soda!

I love that you rode the monorail loop twice, we like to do that too. THe kids could ride it all day!!!

I can't wait to see where you go next.

Great update. I love the dress. It looks like a lot of kids were there. I heard they now do photopass pictures there now. I sure wish they would've when Claire went in 09. I do want to take her back to it in the future again. It has slightly changed from what I have read, but still looks fun. It was one of her most favorite things she's ever done at Disney.

I am so proud of Brenda. What a sweet girl. Most kids wouldn't even have noticed that, let alone dome anything about it. What a sweetheart.

I hope things get better for you soon.

Thanks! They do have photopass at the Tea party now. You just go to the desk on the second floor and have them added. They were basically shots of everyone. There were a few shots of Brenda eating her cupcake. Brenda loved the tea party but talks more now about BBB.

 

[Caretames1]

Sounds like you had a wonderful 2nd day! Brenda's dress was adorable, and it's a reflection on you and your DH that Brenda is such a sweet giving child. I've always tried to teach my girls to be nice to everyone, and warms my heart to see them act that way.
Gavin is such a cutie. He reminds me a little of my niece(she's little beacuse she was born at 26 weeks) she's a feisty one too! His spirt is what's going to keep him running 2 steps ahead of you!

 

[smidgy]

I must tell you all this is a BEAUTIFUL hotel but I don't think I would ever feel comfortable staying there. I think I will stick to Pop



you know, I used to feel this way. not anymore! I would feel comfortable staying anywhere, if I had the means or wherewithall (be it renting points, or 40% off code, or, whatever)to be somewhere.. then I belong! no classism!

first, my prayers are with your family and your health issues. your kids sound so great! wish we could have met your family.

brenda, giving up her seat without being asked.... being PERCEPTIVE enough, having such empathy, what a great girl!

and it's so great that shoe is concerned about her brother's happiness. I am happy that you guys make sure to make her feel special, too!

avin, and legos:sometimes kids know what they can do better than we do!!

 

[jenseib]

Sometimes kids have meltdowns over the strangest things...I've been there too. In fact, last night!

I really want to give T Rex a try someday. I just need to get back first. Who knows when that will be though.

 

[pintamino]

Love seeing the updates... sorry to hear why they're delayed. Hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weather we had yesterday and are staying dry today.

 

[exwdwcm]

great update!

I am so sorry you guys are really struggling more lately with health issues. I keep you all in my prayers and thoughts! HUGS!!!

What a sweetheart and kind soul Brenda is, first giving up her spot at the table at the tea party and then speaking so kindly about Gavin and his needs. what great kids you've raised!!!

t-rex looks like fun and we love the lego store too. I think we are ready to step up to the smaller legos for William too now- so we might be spending lots of time in the lego store next time!

can't wait to hear more about your magical trip!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Tam, I am so sorry about all the health issues you guys are still dealing with. Could Brenda just be going through a stage? Or is she worried about her brother or her dad? I hope things turn around soon for all of you...you've endured so much.
Brenda has always been on the small side. Its just been lately her weight is going down instead. She continues to grow taller but she is getting quite thin. She has once again, even at 5 yo, dropped to just over 28 lbs. They have run some tests and we simply wait to see what they can find. I am hoping it all comes down to she isn't much of an eater. We just went shopping for some new spring/ summer things because she has grown taller. Problem is I have to take the waist in on everything! Height wise she is where she should be... weight wise she could wear a 2T.
Gavin, as all little boys, are entitled to a meltdown every once in awhile. I vividly remember several that my boys had...mostly my youngest son. And, of course, Gavin is a big boy and should play with the big boy Legos.
I have no idea what I was thinking... perhaps that he was 3 and those blocks are supposed to be for 5+! He sure left me know it though!
I love the pics at T-Rex. We've passed by it, but we've not eaten there. Without kids, we tend to avoid those type of places (too much like Rainforest Cafe and we didn't particularly care for hte one we ate at in Chicago and Las Vegas).
I am not sure its a place Jon and I would have eaten had it not been that Gavin oves Dinosaurs. We have eaten at Rainforest before at a few different locations (MN, Canada, MD) and its always hit or miss. T-Rex was a hit though! But again, I don't know if I would do it without kids.

Can't wait to see what Day 3 brings.

And your daughter just has a good soul and she wants her brother to be happy. Nothing wrong with that at all (there are a lot of people that could take lessons from her!).
She is so sweet! Don't get me wrong, she can get her feisty attitude sometimes but she is always thinking of others.

Sounds like you had a wonderful 2nd day! Brenda's dress was adorable, and it's a reflection on you and your DH that Brenda is such a sweet giving child. I've always tried to teach my girls to be nice to everyone, and warms my heart to see them act that way.
Gavin is such a cutie. He reminds me a little of my niece(she's little beacuse she was born at 26 weeks) she's a feisty one too! His spirt is what's going to keep him running 2 steps ahead of you!

It does make me feel good when I see the kids being so kind. I know that there are lots of parents that teach their kids to be out for themselves, and hurt who ever gets in their way. I see that a lot being near the college here. Makes me want to pull them aside and say "don't listen to you parents!" but of course we know we can't do that.
Gavin's spirit is how I can judge how he is feeling... the feistier the better with him.

I must tell you all this is a BEAUTIFUL hotel but I don't think I would ever feel comfortable staying there. I think I will stick to Pop



you know, I used to feel this way. not anymore! I would feel comfortable staying anywhere, if I had the means or wherewithall (be it renting points, or 40% off code, or, whatever)to be somewhere.. then I belong! no classism!

I guess I really did state that wrong. If it were just Jon and I, GF would be amazing. I just don't see it as very kid friendly. Pop wins out with the bright colors and things that appeal to the kids. So, maybe GF in 20 years when the kids are either grown, paying for their own trip, or staying home!

first, my prayers are with your family and your health issues. your kids sound so great! wish we could have met your family.
Thank you for your prayers. I really wish we could have bumped into you while we were there. When you tell people you stayed 11 nights they saw "wow! You were there a long time" but in reality everything goes so fast that you could stay 3 months and I would still feel rushed... maybe its just me. There were so many Dis friends I was hoping to run into and never got to.
brenda, giving up her seat without being asked.... being PERCEPTIVE enough, emphatic enough, what a great girl!
and it's so great that shoe is concerned about her brother's happiness. I am happy that you guys make sure to make her feel special, too!
Brenda really is a great girl. I lucked out with her that is for sure! She is currently in the other room trying to figure out where we are going on girls day this week. She is too sweet!
Gavin, and legos:sometimes kids know what they can do better than we do!! I guess he sure told me! It was so funny to hear him though. It was really the first tantrum of that magnitude that I have ever gotten from me... there have been a few since, and well... they aren't so cute anymore!

Sometimes kids have meltdowns over the strangest things...I've been there too. In fact, last night!

I really want to give T Rex a try someday. I just need to get back first. Who knows when that will be though.

It was the first meltdown I have gotten from him! I had to turn away from him so he didn't see me laugh. Then I had to tell Jon when he was involved in something so he didn't see Jon laughing. He does tend to meltdown more often now... and can I just say... not so cute!

If you want to do T-Rex you really should do the whole Mypoints thing. That $50 card came in so handy! Who doesn't like a free $50 for simply clicking on e-mails?!?!

Love seeing the updates... sorry to hear why they're delayed. Hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weather we had yesterday and are staying dry today.

What happened to our beautiful weather??? I even heard the word SNOW in higher elevations later this week!!! What is with that? Later this summer I will be complaining about how hot it is! No winning with me and the weather!

great update!

I am so sorry you guys are really struggling more lately with health issues. I keep you all in my prayers and thoughts! HUGS!!!

What a sweetheart and kind soul Brenda is, first giving up her spot at the table at the tea party and then speaking so kindly about Gavin and his needs. what great kids you've raised!!!

t-rex looks like fun and we love the lego store too. I think we are ready to step up to the smaller legos for William too now- so we might be spending lots of time in the lego store next time!

can't wait to hear more about your magical trip!

We so appreciate all the prayers we get. I know that things could always be worse and I try to remember that but sometimes I just get to feeling a little sorry for us all. If that happens fill free to send me a cyber slap across the head and tell me to get over it already!

I am a pretty proud mom! I have the best kids ever! We had many issues trying to get pregnant and when we did we had several miscarriages. When we finally had Brenda it didn't take me long to figure out I needed to quit my job and stay home with her. I know its not the right decision for everyone but it has worked out great for us. Yes, the extra money would be great with another income but this way I get to teach Brenda and Gavin our family values and that they are and always will be first in my life. Its just what has worked for us.

Enjoy the Lego store! Just take my advice and avoid the meltdown... go straight to the little blocks!