Laissez les bon temps Rouler...Feb 2010 2/20 MK Last part of the Night updt 9/70 pg65

[brookelizabeth]

How exciting and it will only cost about $1000 and we had to put a $200 non refundable deposit to hold her spot as soon as possible. Of course being the avid fans we are we couldn't tell her no. I'm happy to say her deposit has been paid and she better work real hard to fund raise a big portion of what's left to be paid.

How awesome for Danielle!!! And what a nice little treat for you and your DH too! That $1000 pricetag is hefty, but what a very, very, very cool experience that will be! I've only heard of this program, I need to look more into it - perhaps something Henry would be interested in doing as he gets older.

I planned on doing a DHS round up and possibly starting our last park day but I got distracted. Disney release the 2012 packages! I have spent the last 2 hours booking our trip and looking at pictures and menus. Anyone want to guess where I booked?

POR?

 

[All7OfUs]

It doesn't bug me at all to ride any of the rides single rider. I did it for 4 days and never felt wierd. In fact, it sparked some really cool conversations. But I would feel badly about having my kids have to do that. So I do get what you're saying.

Yes, the tour order did get messed up a bit. You really have to strategize more, and in the end a ride or two on at least one of them has to go.


Hmmm. where did she book?? I'[m going to say POP or POR.

 

[vamassey1]

How awesome for Danielle!!! And what a nice little treat for you and your DH too! That $1000 pricetag is hefty, but what a very, very, very cool experience that will be! I've only heard of this program, I need to look more into it - perhaps something Henry would be interested in doing as he gets older.



POR?

Ding, ding, ding we have a winner! I can't believe I talked my "too cheap to stay at a moderate" because we're never in the room to 2 back to back stays at moderates! I'm really hoping for a discount or free dining to help the ouch.

It doesn't bug me at all to ride any of the rides single rider. I did it for 4 days and never felt wierd. In fact, it sparked some really cool conversations. But I would feel badly about having my kids have to do that. So I do get what you're saying.

Yes, the tour order did get messed up a bit. You really have to strategize more, and in the end a ride or two on at least one of them has to go.


Hmmm. where did she book?? I'[m going to say POP or POR.

Since I would love a trip by myself for a few days it doesn't bug me to ride alone either. I also enjoy talking to others.

You are also a winner!

 

[vamassey1]

Well it's finally here...our last park day. Since we drove there was no UnMagical Express envelope waiting on the door, but I still felt the sadness. Looking back, even though it was our last day it was my favorite day. Dennis had finally settled in and wasn't in a rush to do everything. On this day we took it slow and just did some family favorites and most of them are the more corny rides or as TGM calls them the "minor attractions".

On this day it was a beautiful sunny day and the warmest day we had the whole trip. Even though we were going to take it slow we still got up early and we were at the park for rope drop. Since we had already seen the opening show we lined up with the massed under the train station.

I have to put out another warning. Since it has been well over a year since this trip and I had quit taking notes several days before this day there are lots of holes in this day. Looking at my pictures this is the first picture I have of the day.



My photo information states it was taken at 9:00:33 am. So either we got into the park early and hightailed it here or my camera was still on central time and we did some other stuff for an hour. Oh well.

Enjoy some pictures from one of our favorite corny rides. Jungle Cruise.















I took this as we headed back out of Adventureland.



I headed off to BTM to grab some FPs while Dennis and the girls did something they like to do every trip. Another "minor attraction"



Dennis is sporting the safari hat he got at AK.



More in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

More pictures.







We were really just biding our time. We wanted to try something we had never done. We wanted to hit Tom Sawyer Island and look for the paint brushes. We didn't make the first boat over but we did ask if all the brushes had been found. We were in luck only 1 brush had been found. When we hit the shore we split up and started to hunt. We looked everywhere. But we didn't find any brushes. Danielle was pretty disappointed but we did have fun looking and Tom Sawyer Island is another family favorite.

First Michelle's pictures.

Something I still have never done.



BTM as viewed from the island.



While we were searching someone else on the island took these of the girls.







Here are the pictures I took. I didn't start taking pictures until we hit the Fort. The first couple of trips to the island we couldn't find the fort. Anyone have trouble finding it?









More Tom Sawyer Island in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

I love this one. Michelle can be sooo much fun.





Now for the rest of the island.



Oh no! The scary caves!



Check this out. This was taken with the flash.



Without the flash.



Anyone else see a skull?

So even though we didn't find the paintbrush and earn a fp for a ride we still had a blast.

Up next "The wildest ride in the west"...

 

[glennbo123]

I really like the pictures that someone else took of the girls with BTMRR in the background!

Bummer that you didn't find a paintbrush, but for getting a fastpass anyway. I'd like to look sometime too.

Yes, I see the skull!

 

[mom3sonstt]

How fun out on Tom Sawyers Island! Michelle is quite the ham

The last time we were out there Danny had his good camera hanging around his neck, walked into the cave - which was dark - and instead of maybe putting a hand out in front of him to feel where he was going until his eyes adusted he just walked straight ahead .....into the wall ....camera lens first . Yes, it was broken. Fortunately, on our way back home, the luggage carrier we had on top of the van caught fire while we were at the hotel, and our insurance guy felt bad for us and let us turn both claims in as one so we only had to pay one deductible

 

[Charleston Princess]

Michelle cracks me up with her poses!!!

What a fun way to spend the morning -- the shooting gallery and Tom Sawyer Island are both things I have been meaning to do with the family for quite awhile.

 

[MeMom]

Nice pictures. We have spent limited time out on Tom Sawyer's Island, but we need to let the girls explore it more often. I can't do the caves, but the rest of it is neat.

 

[vamassey1]

I really like the pictures that someone else took of the girls with BTMRR in the background!

Bummer that you didn't find a paintbrush, but for getting a fastpass anyway. I'd like to look sometime too.

Yes, I see the skull!

I love the way people will help you with pictures in WDW. They didn't even ask, she offered.

I still want to go back and look again.

So glad someone else sees it too.

How fun out on Tom Sawyers Island! Michelle is quite the ham

The last time we were out there Danny had his good camera hanging around his neck, walked into the cave - which was dark - and instead of maybe putting a hand out in front of him to feel where he was going until his eyes adusted he just walked straight ahead .....into the wall ....camera lens first . Yes, it was broken. Fortunately, on our way back home, the luggage carrier we had on top of the van caught fire while we were at the hotel, and our insurance guy felt bad for us and let us turn both claims in as one so we only had to pay one deductible

Michelle can be sooo much fun! She doesn't mind being the brunt of the joke.

So sorry about the camera, but thanks for the warning. It is really dark in there and very easy to get turned around. I don't know how I did it but I did get a little lost this last time and ended up going around in circles.

Michelle cracks me up with her poses!!!

What a fun way to spend the morning -- the shooting gallery and Tom Sawyer Island are both things I have been meaning to do with the family for quite awhile.

I think I'm going to do a scrapbook page just of her funny poses. Since I'm still working on our 2006 trip I think it will be a while till I get to it.

We love these simple attractions. Dennis and the girls always insist on the shooting arcade and we all like the island. I bet Connor would love to play around the island.

Nice pictures. We have spent limited time out on Tom Sawyer's Island, but we need to let the girls explore it more often. I can't do the caves, but the rest of it is neat.

Thanks MeMom. I be the girls would love the playground, bridges and the fort. There is also a bathroom in the fort and some water fountains. I wish Aunt Polly's was still open.

 

[All7OfUs]

Fabulous new pictures. It's been ages and ages since I"ve been over to TSI, but have vivid memories of the scary caves as a kid. My friends would always jump out and scare me, then we'd laugh ourselves silly.

YES! there is definitely a skull there. Good shot! Another secret hidden park gem I'd never even read about before!

 

[englishrose47]

I have been to TSI a couple of times it is really cool !!

 

[MEK]

Wow. Sorry I got so far behind. I know you are going to POR, but I didn't know the whole background story. That educational program sounds absolutely fabulous. Very, very cool!!!! I would love that and I am done all my education.

Loved your last couple of updates. You got great pictures of the girls and Michelle's antics bring a smile to my face. I love all your TSI pix and wish I had thought to take pictures in the caves when I was there.

I'm glad your last day was the BEST. So great to end the trip on a high note.

 

[vamassey1]

Fabulous new pictures. It's been ages and ages since I"ve been over to TSI, but have vivid memories of the scary caves as a kid. My friends would always jump out and scare me, then we'd laugh ourselves silly.

Michelle's first memories of the island is Brent scaring her in the caves. Now we just enjoy exploring them.

YES! there is definitely a skull there. Good shot! Another secret hidden park gem I'd never even read about before!

We've been in there a few times and this was the first time we noticed it. I wish I could remember where it was.

I have been to TSI a couple of times it is really cool !!

We really like it. I think Kyle would love it too.

Wow. Sorry I got so far behind. I know you are going to POR, but I didn't know the whole background story. That educational program sounds absolutely fabulous. Very, very cool!!!! I would love that and I am done all my education.

I want to sit in the classes too! She going to be so lucky to get to do this.

Loved your last couple of updates. You got great pictures of the girls and Michelle's antics bring a smile to my face. I love all your TSI pix and wish I had thought to take pictures in the caves when I was there.

Michelle is always a ham. She's able to get Danielle to join in the fun.

I'm glad your last day was the BEST. So great to end the trip on a high note.

It was the best day. Makes you want to go back all the more when you end on a high note.

 

[vamassey1]

I am once again trying to get caught back up on everyone's reports. I was kind of absent last week since it was both Michelle and Danielle's birthdays. Every year this really hits me hard. Being 9 years and 2 days apart is hard for us. Michelle really is past the age for birthday parties but if we do something for Danielle she feels left out.

So this is how my week went last week.

It started off really good. I got my first new car in 14 years and only the second brand new car I've ever had. There are 2 reasons for this. Reason number one is my DH is car obsessed. He thinks he needs a new or different car/truck every 2 years or so. Since this is something that is so important to him I usually don't fight him on it. Reason number 2 is the car I drive isn't that important to me. As long as it is in good condition and has an ac and heater I'm okay. So over the years I've had lots of nice used cars and lots of cars passed down to me from DH because he just HAD to have a new vehicle. Well he decided it was time for another new car and this time I would get it. DH loves looking at cars and trying to work the best possible deal, it his hobby. I just sit back let him narrow it down and then give my opinion. I'm not near as picky as he is but I do have some things I do like or don't like. When he told me I would finally get a new car I started to get excited. Since I don't drive much the plan was to get me a new car, it would stay in warranty a lot longer than any new car he got. Once it was paid off it would become Danielle's car. Believe it or not she will be driving in 4 years (that's a scary thought). So whatever we got had to pass his high standards and be approved by both Danielle and I. It also had to only cost us as much as what we are currently paying for his car, which he would be trading in. He has only had his card for a little over 3 years and it is out of warranty. I've been driving our 2006 Mazda 6 and it doesn't even have 48,000 miles. There was a brief time period where he went a little nuts and wanted to get himself a new Fusion, which meant I wouldn't be getting a new car. Normally I really wouldn't care but he had gotten my hope all high. In the end he came to his senses and we got a 2011 Mazda CX-7 that I am driving.







And here's a picture of our new roof.



I love my new car! I'm really dying to take a road trip.

So this was Monday. I worked Monday and Tuesday but took off work from Wednesday on. My Wednesday started with an 8:00 a.m. doctors appt. Then it was off to the local Vera Bradly store to pick up a purse Danielle wanted for her birthday. I went by Dennis' work to drop off this to hide in the trunk, go over what we still had to do and pick up some free food. Then it was off the the mall to get some sunglasses she wanted too. Finally I headed home to do some deep cleaning. I cleaned all the kitchen cabinet, scrubbed baseboards until my Magic Erasers gave out and them started scrubbing the grout in the kitchen floor. Danielle helped me with the grout and let me just say it looks so much better. Once Michelle was home from her test we hit the road to run errands for the parties.

On Thursday, Michelle's actual birthday the running around started back up. Danielle had cheer practice from 8 to 10. From there it was Hobby Lobby, pedicures for the 3 of us, grocery shopping and I can't remember what else but we went non stop. Once Dennis was home Michelle was given her one present. The only thing she asked for. Can you guess what a 21 year old would want?







A Margaritaville machine.



Not that she drinks a lot but she thought this was so cool.

She was off to the restaurant she works at for a combined party. Two of the regulars were having birthdays too. One customer was turning 50 and another was turning 60. They were all three celebrating together. I went with her for a little while. It was really neat. They had an area decorated. They were handing out party hats and she even got a few gifts. I don't have pictures of this since they were taken with her camera.

I do have pictures of her in her birthday sash she made. She also made one for each of the others.



Friday was clean house day and last minute stuff from the store. Dennis was off too so he did all the outside clean up. Danielle's party was set to start at 6. This was going to be her first boy and girl party unfortunately only one boy showed up. She had a good time but she was a little disappointed.

I used my cricut to make this for her.



Other decorations all bought at the dollar tree.



The kids did some Just Dance 2 on the wii. We feed them Little Cesar's Pizza and they just hung out and got loud. It was soon present time.



Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

More pictures.





This is a hand painted parasol from Italy. The one boy who did come gave it to her along with several other things from Italy. Right before he left to go to Rome with his parents she told him about her birthday so his mom went all out while they were there. She got a fan and a little purse and a heart necklace and no he isn't her boyfriend.



The purse and sunglasses she wanted.



And Harry Potter Legos.



Time for cake.





What pre-teen guy wouldn't love this?



So one party down and one more to go.

I forgot to mention that my sister Tena came for the parties too. She and Bailey drove from Lake Charles. She also came to see Mom. If you need an introduction to Tena just check out my first trip report.

We had a theme for the party Saturday night. Normally we take the girls out to a family dinner for their birthday. This year since Michelle was turning 21 she wanted to do something special and include some of her friends. I borrowed the idea of a Fiesta from Ms. Anita. She posted some pictures of the party for her daughter on FB. I also lucked out on some decoration at the dollar tree. So we planned a family/friends Fiesta. Michelle would use her new machine to make margaritas and daquis (I don't like margaritas).

A few party decorations before we put out the food.



Do you see the cool margarita glasses we found at the dollar tree?

Our photo opp area that would be used later.





More to come.

 

[vamassey1]

more pictures.







My lovely girls before the party.



Love this picture!



Photo Opp time.











Presents.





Still more to come.

 

[vamassey1]

Pajama Jeans!





Time for Cookie Cake.







Then it was time for some Just Dance 2 for the adults.



We let the kids play too.

The party wrapped up around 10:30.

We had fun but I was so glad it was over with.

My Sunday was spent not doing much of anything. But the girls and I did go see Cars 2. It was okay but didn't have the heart that Cars had.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I would have to agree -- that new car is begging to be taken on a road trip!

Fun, fun, fun parties!!! I love the girls' dresses for the Fiesta party -- so pretty!