Kids, Disney, Action! Extreme Trip (Report). Three-Peat and Done 7/11

[kpk89]

amy your mom sounds great. can't wait to meet her, and YOU!!!!!

my fist space ride was in 78 with my Verne.

 

[brandt79]

Yeah, another pre-trip update! I can't wait to hear more about your family - I love the "take me back in time" Disney World moments. Unfortunately, I wasn't around in '76 but I still remember my first trip to Disneyland as a youngster - thanks for helping me relive it!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Thanks everyone -
I don't think that was a funny episode, at least not for others, it is for me because I can hear my Mom's laugh, which IS hysterical, maniacal, possessed.

UM ~ in 1976 I was 6. I was beyond pissed about this incident at the time. BECAUSE with the whole E ticket thing, it wasn't like I could go ride again. Nope. One non-ride was all I got. Until I went to Disneyland in the 9th grade, ten years later.

AND. Seriously, NoFear takes after me. She wants to ride the big coasters NOW. Actually, she wanted to ride them LAST year at 6 flags when she wasn't even CLOSE to the height restrictions. Coasters scare her not. but the Great Movie Ride and Dinosaur would probably send her into a jello-like cocoon (you know, jiggling and shaking . . .).

I think she's going to want to ride the Tower of Terror. I do not believe that my mother will, she has a thing about falling. So, I don't think my Mom will let the girl ride, even if I would. and I know her daddy won't let her ride.

Who wants to meet me at TOT on October 1?

 

[Grammyof2]

Lord help me. in 1976 I went to WDW, on my senior class trip

I will hold Grammy's hand from the ground, watching, TOT.

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Good Kitty.

This is BAD stuff.

But... in the good use of the word bad.

Capish?

Anywho... I'm in too. Now.

Cheers, Mel.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Amy ~~~~~~~ I like the use of this thing: ~ but it took me a minute to find it on the keyboard!~!~!~!~!

Do any of you remember what the World was like in 1976?

Oh yes, my first trip was then. Almost Sr. Class Trip.... Grammy....I was 15!

And too chicken to ride Space. So my little bro did!

I'll come to TofT on Oct1st.....to hold all the stuff and to hold the hands of Grammy X2!!!

Looking forward to more!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

I can't wait to see cute pics of your darlings in costumes.

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this is a request for photos, no?

Previews of the costumes. . . .

I would post the old Cindy, but I actually finished a new Cindy dress for her this weekend, except for the zipper and hem. So, no previews of that one yet. And my sis is working on Aurora. (I love my Sis!)

 

[blue_river]

Don't tell me you made those costumes yourself?

If you did - all I can say is WOW! The only thing I can sew is a new button on. I should have paid more attention in school!

Your DD looks like a little darling

I can't wait to see the new Cindy costume too.

 

[UtahMama]

My poor daughter had to SCHLEP around in the Disney Store Cinderella costume.
Pooey!
LOOK AT YOUR TALENT! I am (almost) speachless!

 

[NAB]

Amy the grammy story was great, I think I did that to poor Hannah on EE. I watched her and held on to her.

You definetly have to get the BBB pictures done of Nofear.....I went back twice you may have to go back more with all those dresses but it is so worth it.




-

 

[horsegirl]

Bump! Love your mom! What a sweet grammy. Your baby in her custom outfits is gorgeous!

More! More! More! You are one hot writer woman....your heart is the very best thing about you!

Did I say more? More, More, More! Please?

 

[blue_river]

I agree with horsegirl...more more more

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

A story about NeatKid:

My niece, joining us on this adventure, is the younger of two sisters. Her older sister, bless her, was decidedly NOT a snuggler as a baby. Truth be told, I think my sister (their mother) would state that not only did she not snuggle, she also did not sleep, EVER, as a baby. (This has ALL changed now that she is a teenager, but, please, this is a taboo subject with my sister.) So, when NeatKid came along, my sister psyched herself up to another six months of sleep deprivation. That never arrived.

Because, NeatKid was a snuggler extraordinaire. She was perfectly content for her first two years of life as long as she was being cuddled in SOMEONE's lap. She was not very discriminating in choosing whose lap that was to be, either. (Of immediate concern to her mother.)

I believe that this early start in life is what has led her, in part, to be the gentle, caring, and loving soul that she is now. She is only 13, but she is better with kids than lots of young mothers I see. Again, this is a taboo topic with my sister. Who doesn't want to think about that . . . But, this is the reason that I am so glad that she is coming with us.

NeatKid is also incredibly bright. Smart. Brainiac. Example: they were testing her for the gifted/honors program before her fifth(?I think) grade year (what do I know, it might have been fourth). She is an outside the box thinker. Very intuitive, etc. Unfortunately, most of the standardized tests these days have a hard time quantifying the kind of thinking she does. One of the questions was probably intended as a math question: A soda costs X, popcorn costs Y, and candy costs Z. If Bubba goes to the movies and buys one of each, how much did he spend on refreshments? She got the question wrong. She answered that Bubba spent X. Later, when going over the test with her mom her explanation was as follows: "Well, yes, he only spent X on refreshments. What's refreshing about popcorn or candy? Soda is the only item that is refreshing."

I love that. I love that a child (she couldn't have been more than nine or ten at the time), can think like this.

She also submitted the word "sycophant" as a proposed vocabulary/spelling word in the 6th grade (gifted class). It was rejected as obscure, and not used in regular conversation. She argued that if Disney used it in a movie aimed at her age group, how could it be considered obscure?

That's my girl!

Oh, the observations she is likely to make on this trip! Her perspective is unique. She is unique. Special. Wonderful. Neat.



(The movie is 101 Dalmatians by the way. The live action film with Glenn Close. The lines are something close to this: Cruella's assistant is fawning over her. She asks him "What kind of sycophant are you?" He responds with "What kind would you like me to be?" I just about peed my pants.)




Packing (and other fiascos) before I go . . . . (Page 4, Post 60)

 

[blue_river]

oh i can't wait to hear neatkids take on the trip - be sure to write down some of the stuff she mentions/notices so you don't forget!

 

[ZZUB]

Here's an embarassing admission: sycophancy is also used in the Special Edition of Lion King. It's a lyric in Morning Report.

From this we can conclude that:
1. I am in fact a colossal Disney nerd;
2. I own the Special Edition of the Lion King;
4. I've paid attention to the lyrics in Morning Report.
4(c). I know the lyrics to Morning Report.
7. I eat breakfast during the morning.
8. I'm pedantic enough to want the record of your trip report to correctly reflect that sycophant and its derivations are included in another Disney movie.
10. I no longer think you smell like goat cheese. If I ever did.

I don't normally tune into pre-trip reports which are posted pre-trip. I think of them as opening your presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning (discuss). But I had a well-founded suspicion that this would be excellent reading. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all pans out when you come back.

And here's a tip you may be able to use but don't tell anyone else. In fact, everyone else reading this, kindly divert your attention. There's nothing to see here.

GA: it looks like you will be in Disney World before the end of Sept. Do everything you can to be in the MK during one of the Magical Beginning mornings. My recollection is they are Sunday, Weds and Fri from 8 until 9. They open Fantasyland for resort guests only. But here's the thing. No one knows about it. When we were there, no lie: 12 families. 12! Not only can you ride whatever the heck you feel like, you can even search for the mythical golden bow on the Carousel. Also, there's a ton of characters playing games with the kids.

Now then. On with the show.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Z man. Thanks for the tip. I've seen it now - go edit so that I am special, blessed, SINGULAR in the wisdom which you have bestowed!

And.

I didn't know that about the Lion King (Special Edition), as I have the original, and I was told (by the same sister of NeatKid) that the particular sequence (the new song in the morning report) ruined the best part of the classic film (the morning report). So. I tend to watch the original rather than the special edition (which I also have.)

And that, I think, proves that my entire family are Disney nerds.

Sigh. (like everyone didn't know that already!)

One other thing I forgot to mention about NeatKid: Mulan is her all-time favorite Disney movie. Not a bad choice, I must say. . . . At least Mulan has a strong, independent, but devoted to family female character.

 

[Grammyof2]

Amy - I love "outside the box". I had an experience with what I termed a thinker, a former student. Took everything for face value. Way smarter than I could ever be. Kept me on my toes But you can't really argue the truth. What is refreshing about popcorn or candy????

You will have a ball with her

 

[nicolemarie]

Hey Ga Girl!

I'm loving your pre-trip report! The background about your mom is hilarious!! And Neatkid sound like...well...a neat kid. Glad she can join you.

You are a great writer and I'm looking forward to the report when you return!!

And that, I think, proves that my entire family are Disney nerds.

Sigh.

Don't sigh about being a Disney nerd!!! Embrace it!!! Buy a Mickey head for your car! Spout wise trip-planning advice to anyone who mentions they are thinking of taking their kids to the World! Recite the lines to MK rides at the dinner table! (It's the wildest ride in the wilderness!!) Use your refillable mug for your morning coffee long after you return from your trip! These are just for starters.

Great writing!! Let's eat some Sonny's soon!!

NM

 

[NAB]

Amy for some reason instead of Neatkid I see Nakedkid.

Z is right the little ones early opening day is Wed. with only Fantasyland being open for the kids. We loved it because no one was there either. Guess people don't want to get up that early or they don't know.

Can't wait to hear more.....

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Well, here I am, three sleeps away from my kids first magical trip to Disney World. I'm so excited I can barely sleep. That, and stressed about all that I need to do before I go.

Here is what I have done:
1. Made costumes. That is, three princess dresses, 3 musketeer smocks, added feathers to two hats, MADE a 3rd hat for the shrimpster, and passed on making poet's shirts as too much trouble. (I couldn't decide that before the 3 princess dresses?)
2. Made t-shirts, including the height of Disney geekiness: MATCHING family t-shirts for the drive down. They are mighty cute. Anyone interested should go take a gander at the Creative DISigns board - some very talented folks. Last t-shirt count was something like 24. I never do anything by half-measure.
3. Started my packing lists: my "don't forget" list, "shopping" list, "to do" list, "my clothing" list, "kids clothing" list, and, of course, the list of my lists. Just in case.
4. Took the Silver Bullet van in for 60,000 mile servicing. Yikes. Even the dealership is getting into the Disney spirit. Just look at their pricing.
5. Obsessively measured NoFear in all her different shoes to make sure she makes 40" in each. (I really think Disney should go with a single measure, then armband deal, so I don't have to stress about that crucial standing up straight, 1/4" gamble or resulting meltdown at each ride.)
6. Thought about pulling out the suitcase(s).

Here is what I have yet to do.
1. Actually pull out the suitcase(s).
2. Organize my "Tinkerbell" gifts. They are all stuffed in the Shrimpster's closet someplace.
3. Buy more ziploc bags so that I can organize the kids clothing.
4. Pack
5. Clean
6. Pack some more
7. Clean some more
8. Put all the stuff I have packed into the Silver Bullet van.
9. Give the house one last scrubbing.

I am still waiting on a package from my sis. It is to contain one more Mickey t-shirt for each of the kids (with the mickey heads appliqued on the front. I do iron on. She does actual quality work). This package is also to contain NoFear's fourth princess dress: Aurora. I am anxious about that package as the Aurora dress is KEY for a certain breakfast we have scheduled on Saturday. With a certain little Prince. Who also has an adorable costume, if I do say so myself.

I believe that I am taking off work the day before our departure to (hopefully) accomplish a good number of items that will STILL not be done at that point. (Namely 5, 7, and 9 on the above list).

I find it strange that while I (and my family) generally live in squalor, [I seem to be incapable of working full time, raising two children, AND keeping the house clean] I am INSISTENT that the house be clean before we leave on vacation. Maybe it's like the whole clean underwear thing that Grammy told me when I was young. I wouldn't want to show up at the hospital with dirty undies, and I sure wouldn't want anyone to see the way we live in case something (God forbid) happens to us.

Either that or I think that the sour milk smell is just gross.




The PreTrip Shadow/Tragedy (Page 5, Post 72)