Kat visits mouse -- Story at 11 with pictures! Updated 11/1

[Kat in GA]

Hi Kat, great trip report so far and wonderful pics, can you do something in Latin for us though?

I can wax rhaphsodic about Latin and the gloria Romae antiquae -- it's so much fun to teach! Actually, I had not done anything with Latin since high school -- but I started teaching it last year, and I amaze myself with how much I remember. I could still conjugate all those verbs. I remembered my case endings and could decline. I even remembered vocabulary. I wonder how it is that 2 pregnancies killed most of my brain cells, but not the ones regarding the lingua Latina. Hmmm.

I completely credit my studying of Latin with my SAT scores. Well, the verbal portion that is. The math part was pure luck. My math score was higher than my engineering husbands. Which is funny in sooo many ways. But we don't discuss this. Ever.

Back to the verbal portion. Latin helped with that -- and of course being an avid reader. I actually had someone accuse me of being pedantic. (Is it okay to accept an accusation such as this as a complement?! ) But, actually I find it quite ironic that someone who possesses the word pedantic as part of their lexicon would throw this word around in an accusing manner.

But I digress...which is something I am good at...

 

[Kat in GA]

I am enjoying your trip report! Some more please!

BTW, your girls are beautiful. I have two redheads myself!

The girls are actually blonde -- but they do get a little strawberry glow in the summertime. I am working on the next installment for sometime this afternoon.

 

[Kat in GA]

We decide to go to Downtown Disney for lunch – and because I need/want to get to guest services there to see about that annual pass – AND to go ahead and get the beer discount card (oops…I mean, the Disney Dining Experience card). I had told the girls before we left that I would buy them each a shirt, the My Little Pony box at DTD, and a pearl from Japan. They each had $60 to spend as they wished – and Madalyn knew exactly what her money was going to buy: A Hello Kitty in Japan!

We left our room and started towards the river to find the boat to DTD when my cousin calls and says that they have arrived. They arrange to meet us at the dock. A boat was leaving right before we got there…so we knew that they had time to check in and find us. They walk up right as a boat arrives – and were the last 3 to get on the boat. Close one!!

The girls waiting for the boat:

Michael and Madalyn -- Jennifer and daughter Liv:

Me and Katie -- and Jennifer's mom Debbie sitting right behind me. Notice that is not looking at the camera. Is she afraid? Michael took the picture, called her name to get her attention -- but she refused to look. All my pictures that include her have her either not looking or with her eyes closed.

Cameo Cousins introduction:

Cousin Jennifer: Jennifer is the daughter of my mom’s brother Steve (not the brother John who worked for Disney and is pictured on page one!). Jennifer is going through a quite nasty divorce. She is also not very computer savvy…so I have taken over the planning for them – added them to our reservations – and made an extra for the three of them tonight at Tony’s before the Halloween party. They all live in North Carolina.

Daughter Liv: Liv is 19 months old – and such a sweetie. She is a real trooper through this whole vacation.

Mom Debbie: Jennifer’s mom Debbie – Debbie lives with Jen and Liv and helps with Liv while Jen works. She’s very overprotective – quite the mother hen – but has very good intentions.

So…we get off the boat and Debbie mentions that her friends told her to be sure and check out the sandwich place there. Sounds good to me…Earl of Sandwich it is. The Earl is SOOO crowded! We stand around to check out the menu and everyone makes their decisions. Jennifer and I get in line and Michael and Debbie work on finding us a table that is inside as it is quite sweltering outside. Debbie befriends a man eating by himself at a table for six – and gets herself invited to sit down. Who knew this was the way to find a table?!

While waiting in line I was FOCKED! Yet another confession from me – I can’t do Ben Stiller movies. I find them painful to watch – so I have not seen the movie. I wasn’t quite sure what being focked would look like (so…how’s that feel?! ) – but now I know! My first DIS encounter…but it was my turn to order so I couldn’t even say anything! I ran into her again while I was waiting for my order – they were leaving that day (or was it the next?) – and I never got her name. Was this you?!

Jennifer got salads for herself and her mom. I got Le Frenchy (ham, brie, and dijonaise), Michael got the Caribbean jerk chicken, Katie got PBJ and Madalyn a grilled cheese. At Earl you can either get chips or a dessert – but not both – so I got 2 bags of chips to split and 2 of these ginormous (is this word in YOUR lexicon? Gotta love Will Ferrel!!) cupcakes with sprinkles to split. We all got sodas except Michael, who got snobby beer. Time for playtime with Debbie: When Jennifer got back to the table with her salads her mom chastised her for not getting a sandwich for Liv. So…Debbie goes to get in the huge line to get a sandwich. In the meantime Liv (who eats quite well) is enjoying salad, chicken, cheese, cranberries and a little bit of cupcake. By the time Debbie arrives with the grilled cheese, Liv is full and antsy to get down. This scenario repeats itself over the course of the trip

I know this is not the restaurant review thread – but I’m planning to put them here anyway. It’s neater and more concise. And most of the time I forgot to take pictures of the food. Le Frenchy was fab – so much so I keep thinking about it. Still. Today. Katie did not like her PBJ – it was too “jellyish” and she did not like the bread. What?! The bread was wonderful! But she’s 8…I let her complain. The dessert was devoured and quite yummy.

After lunch Jen and gang went back to the resort to see if their room was ready and if their luggage had arrived. They also had reservations at Tony’s for 5pm and they needed to get ready. We made plans to meet in front of Tony’s at 6pm (along with more cousins who live in Plant City who come out to see all of us!). Michael and the girls head off to check out the carousel. So do they ride a horse? No...not when you could spin (and please notice Madalyn just sititng back and enjoying the ride -- and look at how Katie works hard to turn that wheel!!):

and Once Upon a Toy while I go and attempt to do the ticket upgrade. I did not see any “You are Here” maps around…so I asked and was quickly directed to Guest relations. I was still not 100% sure that we could upgrade – but I thought we would be able to. From what I had read, from the magnetic strip, they can tell how much you paid for your tickets…and you get a dollar credit towards the upgrade. I had budgeted about $800 for the upgrade. I talked with a lovely CM who was originally from Indiana – she was just so helpful! Anyway – I explained what I wanted to do – and it is not a problem! She asks if we want the regular or premium annual pass – thanks…but I think we’ll stick with regular this time. So she is click clicking away on the computer – and I ask about the 1day tickets we got for the dining plan – I had wondered if when we come back if we could trade those in for water park passes – and she says “of course.” Well…just for fun and kicks, I ask – “is there a way to apply the one day tickets along with the 5 day to our upgrade?” And she says “I don’t have a problem with that!” MAJOR PIXIE DUST OMG – Yippee! So…our $800 budget item is now a $450 budget item. Very cool.

After we are finished I practically skip (well not really because I just walk. Just barely.) over to Once Upon a Toy to give my $5 saving husband my savings report. Since we are in the toy store…and I had promised ponies…we start to fill boxes. And because it’s about how much you can fit into the box – my engineering husband is all over this. How much more could we fit into that box? I think we got everything – in duplicate. Is this cheating? Maybe they should say as much as you can fit in the box without bringing an engineer to help you.

While waiting for the boat, I call DDE and order my card. It will be waiting for me at Epcot today at 5:30. Since we will be at the MK today and tomorrow I don’t feel the need to get over and pick up our beer discount card -- we’ll go by on our day off on Sunday. The girls are itching to check out the serpent slide so we head back to the resort

Madalyn and I on the ride home

Saratoga Springs

Katie

change and head to the pool for a short swim.

That's Katie on the slide and Maddie swimming in the water:

Me and the girls in the pool

I stay about 45 minutes and then go to the room to shower with Michael and the girls arriving a little later. We all get Halloweened up and head for the bus stop and our first experience with Disney transportation.

 

[Figments Pal]

I'm in, too! What great pictures! I love the ones from the 70s! I can't wait to hear more.

(By the way, I've always wanted to learn Latin! It must be so much fun to teach!)

 

[Kat in GA]

DAY TWO CONTINUED – THE HALLOWEEN PARTY

Ever since we made plans to go to MNSSHP, I have been looking for a costume for Katie. She is quite tall – she wears a girls 12 – and most cute costumes stop at a 7/8 – and occasionally you’ll find a 10/12 – but I figured a 14 would be better. If I looked for “teen” costumes, the ones that are there either have the word “sexy” or “goth” in the description. She’s 8 – she doesn’t need a trampy costume. I don’t want her to have a trampy costume when she’s 13 either . But what looked like a possibility was a pirate costume. There were some cute ones for both girls – and everyone was in agreement. Except they weren’t.

One weekend we stopped at a costume shop and Madalyn found “the one.” Actually what she found was a Toto stuffed dog that she could not live without – and rationalized a Dorothy costume to make it work . Katie also found a costume – and it was not expensive (yeah!!) – we got a grass skirt and pretty pink flowered leis, bracelet, anklet, and crown. I knew she could wear this with some clothes we already have. Costumes done!

So…back to the present (well...the present for this trip)...we are getting ready for the Halloween party and I decide that this is a great time to talk to the kids about what to expect. I tell them that there will be all kinds of characters out (especially ones that we don’t normally see) that we can get our pictures with – and even get autographs – there will be dance parties – a special parade and fireworks show – a mix and mingle with the villains (and villains are Madalyn’s favorite!) – candy and more! So…if we don’t get to do all the rides, that’s okay because we’ll be back tomorrow – and let’s do the special things for the Halloween party. Everyone was in agreement. Except they weren’t.

We leave the room about 5:15 to catch the bus to MK. The bus stop was so close – and we took a seat on the benches to wait – and snapped a bunch of pictures of the girls in their Halloween costumes.

(please notice Madalyn's ruby red crocs!)

The bus arrived after about 15 minutes – and pretty much filled with people headed to the party. The bus didn’t have anyone standing – but we did not even head over to Port Orleans – straight to the park. We were dropped off and we walked towards the entrance. First stop is the guard station. Katie could not understand why they might want to look through her backpack! Next stop – the turnstiles to put in our tickets and get our wrist bands:

Now we are off to find Tony’s. I was pretty sure that I knew where I was going (how I missed finding – or even thinking about a map is beyond me!) – but I asked a CM just to be sure. I see my cousin Todd and his family waiting outside Tony’s.

Another Cameo Cousin introduction:
Todd (my cousin – and Jennifer’s half brother) – his wife Samm and their 4 children – Kayleigh, Shawne, Brianna, and Connor. There’s a quiz later.

Todd said that Jennifer and Debbie were finishing up – so we stopped to get some pictures of all the cousins together. Jennifer, Debbie and Liv came shortly – and Liv was dressed up as a pink cowgirl! Jen had found the free strollers – which Madalyn managed to finagle a spot for herself in as well!

Since Todd and gang live so close to Disney, they come a lot – and Samm know’s all the shortcuts and where everything is – I am operating on the memory of my childhood. We let Samm lead! Where do we go first?

Before our trip – several years before – Katie got a 2005 Birnbaum’s Kids guide to WDW – which I believe she memorized (she is still reading it!). She told Madalyn about everything she read. They both asked me what my favorites were at each park. They asked Michael what his favorites were. My favorites were Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan. Since Haunted Mansion was my favorite…Madalyn had convinced herself that it would be her favorite, too – so to the chanting of “haun-ted man-shun; haun-ted man-shun” off we went to the Haunted Mansion.

As we are walking towards Liberty Square, we pass lots of people headed out of the park – and lots of people parking themselves already for the parade! We get to the HM – and of course there is no line and we move directly into the stretching room “Please get off the blood red carpet and move into the dead center of the room.” Now…Madalyn is a scaredy cat at heart – she just talks a big game. So, I pick her up and tell her what is going to happen. That the room is stretching to show all of the pictures, and how in just a second it will go all dark – but then a door will open for us to get into our doom buggy. She did just fine! We got into our buggy – Madalyn riding with me – Katie riding with her cousins – no idea who Michael rode with! Madalyn is holding my hand the whole time – Katie and the giggly girls are screaming (well…you know…girly screaming…happy, funny, screams). When we get to the graveyard part, Madalyn asks if there are real bodies in there. No, I assure her it’s all pretend. (For the rest of the week, she keeps asking this – and about the graves outside the HM, too. ) I had told the girls about the hitchhiking ghosts at the end of the ride – so they were looking forward to seeing who would be in the doom buggy with us. They gave each one a name. Which escape me now.

After we exit the HM, we decide to split up. We have not eaten dinner yet. I see Columbia Harbor house just in front of us – and I arrange to call them when we are done and meet up. We walk into CHH – it’s empty. Hmmm…closed. So…we head back to the front of the park to eat at Casey’s. We find a table outside that is not surrounded by ducks

And I go inside to order. We get 4 sodas, 2 hotdogs, 2 corndog nuggets, 4 fries, and 4 brownies. Wow is that a lot of food?! Would have cost $40 something – but I giggle the whole way back to the table. Ahhh, free food tastes great.

Michael goes back inside to gussy up his dog. I like mine nekkid. We finish off the dogs, some of the fries (we are good citizens and mind the signs that say “do not feed the ducks”) and one of the brownies. One brownie was plenty to split between the four of us. The other three go into the backpack for a snack for later (actually, they are never eaten and are brought home. I think my mom finished them off!). I call Todd to find out where they are but he does not answer his cell…so we head toward the castle and fantasy land.

Cinderella’s fountain.

A note about the pictures. I love taking pictures. I have been scrapbooking for almost 10 years. I have been using a Canon Rebel G for years. Yes…film. I had not embraced digital. A few years ago we bought a digital – an Olympus point and shoot. I hate it. You press the button to take the picture – wait for it – wait for it—wait for it – and by the time it actually decides to take the picture, my children have moved on to something else. So, I keep using my film camera. Everytime I drop off a roll at Sam’s the guy behind the counter looks at me like I am a crazy person because I use film. He tells me I need to go digital. He shows me his impressive photos of the Sam’s Club building. Yes, they are nice – but the building does not decide to go quack at the ducks that are playing nearby – the building does not take a quick glance at its sister. If all I did was take pictures of inanimate object, then digital would be for me.

The only way I would move to digital is if I could afford a Canon digital. There is no shutter lag – and I could use the lenses I already have for my film camera. Well…low and behold that day came. We got a great deal – and took the plunge! Now, I have used a Canon for 7ish years – but have never (yes really) used anything other than automatic setting. My SLR is used like a point and shoot. But it takes the pictures when I push the button.

I have a very good friend who is a photographer who met with Michael and me at a local park to talk with us about manual settings. She spoke in a foreign language. Michael listened with engineering like intensity. This is a gadget. He is all about the new digital. That being said – Michael took most of the pictures you see. Now…he did have me saying – “hey, you should take a picture of the fountain” or “now would be a good time to get a picture of the castle” or “how about you take a picture of me and the girls.” I have to say he did a good job. Our night time pictures are great because he kept playing with the settings. My only criticism is the angle that he used. I would not have put my stomach in those pictures…or my legs…or the side of my arm…just up close and personal. But…what is really nice (besides not having to carry the camera!) is that I am in these pictures. And not in just one or two…but in lots of them. My children will never say…”did mom go to Disney with us?”

 

[NewOrleansLady]

Since we are in the toy store…and I had promised ponies…we start to fill boxes. And because it’s about how much you can fit into the box – my engineering husband is all over this. How much more could we fit into that box? I think we got everything – in duplicate. Is this cheating? Maybe they should say as much as you can fit in the box without bringing an engineer to help you.

When we took our vacay in May, my engineering husband also filled the pony box to max capacity

I really thought the girls were redheads

Loving the report and pics; your DH did a great job

 

[lucky978]

I'm hooked !

Really liking your Trippie and can't wait for you to post more!

By the way - we were there the exact same dates as you, but we did MNSSHP on 9/29!

 

[Kat in GA]

I'm in, too! What great pictures! I love the ones from the 70s! I can't wait to hear more.

(By the way, I've always wanted to learn Latin! It must be so much fun to teach!)

Thanks so much for reading! So...what's stopping you with the Latin?! Unless it's the obvious -- a lot of schools don't offer it. One of the nice things about homeschooling -- Katie is in her second year of studying it. I love it when she sees a word and knows the Latin word it is derived from.

 

[Kat in GA]

When we took our vacay in May, my engineering husband also filled the pony box to max capacity

I really thought the girls were redheads

Loving the report and pics; your DH did a great job

That's why he packed the car as well -- I would never have gotten everything to fit I posted his picture of the Cinderella fountain on the Picture of the day thread -- it has gotten some major praise. I am trying to keep it from going to his head!

 

[Kat in GA]

I'm hooked !

Really liking your Trippie and can't wait for you to post more!

By the way - we were there the exact same dates as you, but we did MNSSHP on 9/29!

Welcome Lucky! Thanks so much for joining in. Did you see many Dissers while you were at the world? I saw the one I already mentioned -- plus one more. That's it.

I see you are in the NE -- my DH grew up in Tewksbury, MA.

 

[meloneyb21]

Great job! Can't wait for more!

 

[Kat in GA]

Great job! Can't wait for more!

Hi Meloney -- thanks for joining in. Is this shameless post boosting to respond to each person individually? It's just so exciting to have people read along. I have learned not to lurk but to jump out and say "hi" on the threads I read.

Your daughter is soooo cute!! What a fun picture!

 

[meloneyb21]

Hi Meloney -- thanks for joining in. Is this shameless post boosting to respond to each person individually? It's just so exciting to have people read along. I have learned not to lurk but to jump out and say "hi" on the threads I read.

Your daughter is soooo cute!! What a fun picture!

There's nothing shameless about it at all! It's a great thing to let someone know that you appreciate the fact that they appreciated something about you (I think).....

Thanks for the compliment .

 

[lucky978]

Welcome Lucky! Thanks so much for joining in. Did you see many Dissers while you were at the world? I saw the one I already mentioned -- plus one more. That's it.

I see you are in the NE -- my DH grew up in Tewksbury, MA.

No - I didn't see any Dissers. And I was looking - believe me!

Tewksbury is right around the corner. I live in Methuen and work in Billerica! Small world!!!

 

[Hypermommy]

Michael comes back with the first load of stuff. Bell services does not lend carts – but they will come to the car and bring the luggage to the room. Does Michael do this? Well, of course not – he could save a $5 tip and do it himself. Well...I am not helping with the lugging of any luggage anywhere that someone else might do for me . I would happily part with $5. It took him about 6 trips – and he had some child helpers along the way to carry those heavy pillows.

Are you sure you're not married to my DH?????? LOL LOL LOL That sounds soooooooo familiar!!!!!!

I was thinking of posting a trip report but I'm kind of scared to now. Your report is so enjoyable and such a fun read, I don't know if I can measure up. Maybe I'll give it a try..... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Martha7]

Your trip report is excellent so far! Your girls are adorable, and the pics are terrific! Thanks for taking the time to post it all!

 

[Kat in GA]

There's nothing shameless about it at all! It's a great thing to let someone know that you appreciate the fact that they appreciated something about you (I think).....

Thanks for the compliment .

Then...thank you for thanking me for thanking you for reading my report

 

[Kat in GA]

No - I didn't see any Dissers. And I was looking - believe me!

Tewksbury is right around the corner. I live in Methuen and work in Billerica! Small world!!!

We must have been passing each other! We had our LGMH on our backpacks -- and I even wore my lime green crocs. I'll still be looking when we are there in January!

 

[Kat in GA]

Are you sure you're not married to my DH?????? LOL LOL LOL That sounds soooooooo familiar!!!!!!

I was thinking of posting a trip report but I'm kind of scared to now. Your report is so enjoyable and such a fun read, I don't know if I can measure up. Maybe I'll give it a try..... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I am sure that we are not married to the same man -- that would be an expensive proposition!

Hysterical -- my trip report inspires fear, trepidation, inadequacies...no, no, no -- if you want those feelings, try reading Hucifers, Twinkiemama's, Lala's, or kpk's Meanest Mother in the world -- and then you hesitate

But...after reading your signature -- how many times have you been this year? I think you have some s'plaining to do ...get writing!

 

[Kat in GA]

Your trip report is excellent so far! Your girls are adorable, and the pics are terrific! Thanks for taking the time to post it all!

Thank you so much the cheers -- it makes doing this so much fun!

I need to get to work on the next chapter -- but I have been writing Latin quizzes instead . More soon!