Karlyn’s Wish Is Coming True ***1st hair tutorial***

[HeatherN]

YEAH!!!!!!!! I am so loving your report so far!!!! I really love that you took pictures of everything, it is giving me warm fuzzy feelings reliving some of the places I have seen.It really makes me want to go back though...maybe someday.
I am sorry I have not stopped over sooner-I got a job last week and have had zero computer time all week.I have been thinking of you though.

Couple of thoughts:
The girls hair looked so cute
Diet caffeine free pepsi is my favorite drink!
I LOVED the kids outfits and also the wish shirts from the first day
LOVE the seaworld dolphin pics, we didn't get to do that and I was kind of dissapointed(I guess it was a timing thing) But I am so glad you got a wonderful experience with them.Hannah refused to touch the fish so it made me giggle to see Karlyn holding them.We loved feeding the rays too.
How cool that you got to meet Misty and her family!

Can't wait for more but I know what you mean about how time consuming it is to do!

 

[bigdismom]

what a wonderful update! And so fantastic that you got to meet up with Misty and Dilly. We'll be looking out for any other Wish Trippers while we are there.

Sorry for the quick reply, and now 2 questions, please excuse me...

You mentioned the breakfast cart at GKTW. I'm wondering if that will be a good way to go for us on a few early (for us!) mornings. What can be found on the breakfast cart?

You described the wonderful special attention w/feeding the dolphins. Mark is very excited about seeing the dolphins - originally he wanted to swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove, but that is just not in the budget and also I think the water is likely too cold for him anyway. I have booked the special Dolphin Tour at SeaWorld as a surprise for the rest of the family, but would divert those $$$ if I knew with some certainty that Mark could have come unrushed feeding time with the dolphins. How did they arrange this for you and the other wish families?

Thanks!

Alison

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. We have gone from one activity to the next this week.
We did use the breakfast cart once. We were in too much of a hurry to use it anymore than that. It had bagels, little donuts, cereal, fruit and bread for toast. Then of course milk and juice to drink. It is your traditional continential breakfast selections. The breakfast at GKTW was about the only thing that the kids actually at. We have very picky eaters.
As far as the dolphins go we had a wonderful experience. When you get to the park make sure you ask what time they are feeding them, we feed at 11:30. You will want to plan shows around that. When you get to the feeding area there is a Sea World staff memeber trying to do crowd control and counting peolpe as they only allow a certain number of people to feed at each feeding time. Walk up to the staff memeber and let them know you are from GKTW and they will make sure you are taken care of. When we were there they took the familys from GKTW first so we could feed with out too much of a crowd. I do not feel like we were rushed at all. Even after we were done feeding we stood there for another 15 to 20 minutes just splashing in the water and petting the dolphins. It was more than we ever expected it would be.
Hope this helps answer your questions.

 

[Lambflock]

I am loving your TR so far!!! The pictures are great! I started crying when I was reading. I just know it was magical for all of you and I can't wait to hear and read the rest of it.

This is a great way to spend the time while Hank recovers. I want to make sure he is ready when our turn comes in November!!!

 

[Lambflock]

Also, I think we all need a hair tutorial!! I am going to go get some elastics today and play with Mackenzie's hair while looking at the picture. But I think that I am going to need some step by step help.

Also, what about the shoe laces?!?!?! Tell me about those!! Do you all make them with just ribbon? And how do you get them thru with out fraying???

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Also, I think we all need a hair tutorial!! I am going to go get some elastics today and play with Mackenzie's hair while looking at the picture. But I think that I am going to need some step by step help.

Also, what about the shoe laces?!?!?! Tell me about those!! Do you all make them with just ribbon? And how do you get them thru with out fraying???

I called Lindsey and told her to put a little tutorial about the hairdos in the post. She says she will.

About the shoe laces. They are 40" long pieces of ribbon. The Satin ribbon ties tighter that the Grossgrain ribbon does but either one works really well. You cut the ribbon on a slant and then use a match or lighter or candle to gently melt the cut edges of the ribbon and then they won't fray. Lindsey really want the girls to have shoes that matched their outfits so she got cute leather tennis shoes at Target and then different colored ribbons for laces. She also bought those ruffly nylon socks for the girls with the lace trim and then sewed colored ribbons on the edge of the lace as well. We had lots of comments on them and they were really simple and relatively inexpensive if you can get a great buy on the ribbon. Of course, if you are only doing one little girl it isn't too bad at all! I think the shoes were around $10.


Denise

 

[Lambflock]

Awesome!!! I am so excited about the hair tutorial!!! Make sure you post a link to it to for me!!! YEAH!!

And the laces!!! How easy and exciting!!! I am all over it!!!

 

[bigdisgrandma]

So after we fed the dolphins and the rays, we headed toward Atlantis and Kraken. Grandma, Grandpa and the little girls were going to sit this adventure out but everyone else was really ready to go. Grandpa went and got ice cream for the girls and we began our wait. As we watched, boat after boat on the Atlantis ride went by without any riders. Then the skies got a little dark and we began to hear announcements that the ride was temporarily having problems. So we waited and waited some more.

Finally, Mandy came running back and told us to head off to the Shamu show and they would meet us there. So the four of us started off to the other side of the park to the Shamu theater. I think we walked about 50 miles, sorry, slight exaggeration, but it did seem like a really long way. We got pretty good seats and then began the watch for the other 6 people to show up. The only bad thing was that we had all the cell phones so there was no way to let them know where we were sitting. Now you need to understand that it makes Grandpa Kelly absolutely crazy to have to save seats. He is a true believer in everybody get to your spot and that is that. So I have the little girls taking up as much space as 2 35 pound little girls can take and we wait. I am just really glad that the park was not overly full so there were lots of seats. We didn’t have to feel guilty saving those seats. With about 10 minutes until the show started, everyone else showed up. Atlantis never did open up so they had ridden Kraken instead. I don’t feel one bit bad that I missed that one! Sorry, no pictures of us waiting, I didn’t realize that we had the cameras with us. Besides, once again, I don’t do picture taking!

The show was great. Mandy had been to SeaWorld in San Diego in February and said that the show then was kind of boring. She described it as “Roll over whale!” This was much, much better. I am thinking that they might have been training a new Shamu in San Diego. Once again, the kids were amazed by the show!

When the Shamu show ended, we were ready to find something to eat. However, the skies opened up and began to pour once again. Out came the ponchos but I am not sure what’s worse, being rained on or having a poncho stick to you!

We waited under the bleachers for the stadium till the rain slowed down a little bit and then we headed off for the SeaFire Inn and Bar.

It was not crowded and was nice and cool inside. The kids meals were served in Shamu lunch boxes and were really cute. I had a kid’s meal and brought my Shamu home with me. They also had very cute Whale shaped bowls with strawberries that the adult “kids” had a lot of fun using as props for jokes. The pics of foods did not turn out well. However, we obviously liked it!

There was also a cute show about animals on the stage in the restaurant that we enjoyed.

After food, it was time to head in the direction of the Seymour and Clyde show. Now I have been going to SeaWorld for about 30 years and I never miss Seymour and Clyde.

Karlyn and Grandpa liked imitating the seals.

A few of the jokes have changed but for the most part it is truly a classic show! We really love the Mime that is the preshow entertainment. You don’t want to miss it!

Don't we look like we are having fun?

After the show, we headed for the penguins display. We just love penguins and they were really fun to watch.

This is where we finally got a chance for Gabby to do a handstand so that we could get pictures for her to take to her Gymnastics class.

Now it was time for a little shopping and then we needed to head back to GKTW for Christmas and Santa. But we had to make one stop for another handstand picture.

Once again, though, the rain was coming down in buckets.

Next, Christmas at Give Kids the World.

 

[bigdisgrandma]

YEAH!!!!!!!! I am so loving your report so far!!!! I really love that you took pictures of everything, it is giving me warm fuzzy feelings reliving some of the places I have seen.It really makes me want to go back though...maybe someday.
I am sorry I have not stopped over sooner-I got a job last week and have had zero computer time all week.I have been thinking of you though.

Couple of thoughts:
The girls hair looked so cute
Diet caffeine free pepsi is my favorite drink!
I LOVED the kids outfits and also the wish shirts from the first day
LOVE the seaworld dolphin pics, we didn't get to do that and I was kind of dissapointed(I guess it was a timing thing) But I am so glad you got a wonderful experience with them.Hannah refused to touch the fish so it made me giggle to see Karlyn holding them.We loved feeding the rays too.
How cool that you got to meet Misty and her family!

Can't wait for more but I know what you mean about how time consuming it is to do!

Congrats on the new job. I have worked for the same group of pediatricians for almost 17 years. I think I will retire from Wasatch Pediatrics and hopefully never work full time again! But not for a couple of more years.

It was so much fun to meet Misty, Dennis and Dylan. I think one of the greatest things would be to have a big get together so that we can hug everyone!

Give your kids a hug for me.


Denise

 

[bigdisgrandma]

I thought today was going to be so exciting. I got a package from DisneyWorld and I knew what it was. Mike bought me a Cinderella Snowglobe for my collection. He chose Cinderella because this was truly the "Princess" trip. When I went to open the package, it was easy to tell that something was broken, really broken. At some point the whole package must have been wet from the water leaking out from the broken snowglobe.

Oh well, no harm, just make the call to Disney and get a replacement...not so fast. The lady on the other end of the line was very sorry, but there is not another Cinderella snowglobe available. She said that they had been sold out for quite sometime and she was surprised that I had been able to purchase that one in Hollywood Studios. She then asked me if I knew what snowglobe I would like to replace it with. I explained that I was in Utah not Florida and didn't have a clue. They will be crediting our Visa card but I am so sad not to have that particular SnowGlobe. I told Mike that this means another trip to Orlando just to buy a replacement!

Sorry, I just had to have a feel sorry for myself moment!

Denise

 

[Khalana]

Love, love, LOVE your update!!! And the pictures are great! I laughed when I saw the picture of you guys sitting and not smiling at the camera, lol.

I'll be waiting by my computer for the next installment!

 

[Khalana]

I thought today was going to be so exciting. I got a package from DisneyWorld and I knew what it was. Mike bought me a Cinderella Snowglobe for my collection. He chose Cinderella because this was truly the "Princess" trip. When I went to open the package, it was easy to tell that something was broken, really broken. At some point the whole package must have been wet from the water leaking out from the broken snowglobe.

Oh well, no harm, just make the call to Disney and get a replacement...not so fast. The lady on the other end of the line was very sorry, but there is not another Cinderella snowglobe available. She said that they had been sold out for quite sometime and she was surprised that I had been able to purchase that one in Hollywood Studios. She then asked me if I knew what snowglobe I would like to replace it with. I explained that I was in Utah not Florida and didn't have a clue. They will be crediting our Visa card but I am so sad not to have that particular SnowGlobe. I told Mike that this means another trip to Orlando just to buy a replacement!

Sorry, I just had to have a feel sorry for myself moment!

Denise

That's too bad! But if it leads to another trip soon, maybe something good wil come of it.

 

[ibdamamma]

I love the handstand pictures!!! The day we went to seaworld it rained too. I hate those poncho's, I really do. The girls looked like they were having a blast. And I am so sorry for your snow globe. I know you must be heartbroken. Try checking ebay for one

 

[Lambflock]

I can't wait to hear and see the pictures from Christmas at GKTW!!

Your pictures are wonderful!!!

 

[GoofyDoo]

Denise, I'm here!! I've been incredibly busy at work these past few weeks, and it's so much fun to log in when I get a sec and catch up on your trip. I'm loving every minute of it!! YAY--the handstand picture! I've been waiting for that one!! And I SO know what you mean about walking fifty bazillion miles to the Shamu show. I'm glad it's not just me that felt that way! I love SeaWorld, but the one in Orlando seems extra spread-out. Of course, we were there on Day 7, so I'm sure exhaustion had something to do with it. I'm so sorry about your snowglobe!! That stinks!! I love snow globes. Every time disneyshopping.com puts them on sale, I look through every single one of them and put several in my shopping cart, then I get a hold of myself and come to my senses before I spend the money. It's hard, but no telling what Little-spender Lance would say if thirteen snowglobes arrived in the mail all at once. When we got back I did buy a snowglobe from GKTW. I'm giving to the kids for Christmas.

Anyway, just wanted you to know that I am here! I'm loving your updates and look forward to more!! xo

 

[maroo]

Oh my gosh! I can't wait to hear about Christmas! I hope it comes before we leave!!

We are missing Christmas...somehow we are there from Friday to Thursday (leaving Thurs afternoon), so I am sad about that.

Loving the TR!!!

 

[AURORA73]

Great report so far! I am so sorry about the snowglobe. I know how sad you are about that. It's too bad they didn't have another one to replace it. Like you said that means another trip to get a new one.

I love the handstand pictures. You are glad you missed out on Kraken. From what Mandy told me I would have sat that one out myself!!

Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[bex271]

I've been catching up with your report and i too love the hand stand pictures and can't wait to see the GKTW christmas pictures. I hate it about the snow globe.

becca

 

[Robin+5]

Denise,

We would have so much fun if our families got together I love your report. I agree with you 100% about the ponchos. Sweat or get Wet which one is worse. We loved the Shamu show too. That park does feel very spread out. I am so sorry about the snow globe Have you tried the mail order phone number on the Disney Parks reciept? I called that number looking for doll clothes that we had seen in a store at the Contempory Resort. They were able to locate the items I wanted and I was able to order them for my younger daughters for Christmas. You need to tell them a full item description, price, and where you saw it. Maybe
We didn't make any of the GKTW events. There just wasn't enough time I can't wait to read about yours

 

[kimmylaj]

just letting you know i am loving your report and cant wait for more

 

[jham]

Okay, here's my first attempt at "The Karlyn" This is on day 2 so it's not in prime form but Lindsey, I LOVE this hairstyle! You are right, it stays in really well! I mean day 2 on a 3 year old that naps and pulls blankets over her head--not bad! Thank you! Maybe someday I will be brave enough to attempt "The Gabby" bun, but it looks hard!