MagicBands + Margaritas + Muggles + Minions = TRP. New TR link is up! 10/31

[franandaj]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. It's so good that you got the two trips in this year with your family. I don't want to be doom and gloom, but I think you and Jeff need to work in this trip however you can swing it. Bring in a combination of folks, get a team together to take care of the Es, but the two of you need this trip.

Luckily your parents are still young, but it's likely that you have reached a life changing event here with their independence and lives. Nobody wants to face this, and I know that when we hit that spot with Fran's parents we didn't recognize it until it was all over. As I said your parents are young, and hopefully once you can get them moved and situated, things will turn back around and they will regain their independence. I don't envy you because you most likely have a long road of caring and assistance ahead of you.

Take this trip for you and Jeff so that you can recharge and get through the tough times ahead.

 

[Chilly]

Your poor Dad. It's just one thing after another with your family isn't it. You are due some major pixie dust. Sending hugs from over the pond.

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad...that is just awful. I hope you don't have to cancel for a selfish reason...Mark and I were looking forward to meeting you and Jeff and the second is I know how much you've been looking forward to this trip.

We are looking forward to meeting both of you as well! Well, Mark for me and both of you for Jeff.

I hope we don't, we will just have to see what Jeff's mom can pull off.

Girlie, I'm behind and didn't know about your dad.

No worries, I've been pretty mum on FB about it, it's my mom's story to tell, and my Dad's before it is mine. Poor guy isn't quite online yet.

Your cruise plans look fabulous! You've got a lot coming up. I have faith that this will all work out and you'll get to cruise and your dad will heal.

I hope so, it really will come down to what Jeff's mom can pull off at work and with her DH. I hope we know soon, I hate the not knowing. He will heal, it is just going to be slow.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. It's so good that you got the two trips in this year with your family. I don't want to be doom and gloom, but I think you and Jeff need to work in this trip however you can swing it. Bring in a combination of folks, get a team together to take care of the Es, but the two of you need this trip.

I am SO grateful we had our trips this year! Not just the 2 Disney ones but Evan had a magical 9 days with my folks in NYC just the week before it happened. Very grateful for all of that, it truly is a blessing.

Sigh. Here's the thing. We really need one point person. We have done the team combo thing before and it's been a logistical nightmare. While we can do some of it, overall it adds huge stress to the vacation and there is a break point where it is not worth it. Problem is, this time, there really isn't a team at our disposal to pull in, even if we wanted to. It's going to come down to what Jeff's mom can pull off and if it's enough to work around any holes. She wants to but we don't know yet.

Luckily your parents are still young, but it's likely that you have reached a life changing event here with their independence and lives.

Honestly, I don't think so. Not long term. They do need to get to one level living, they've needed that for a long time. But overall my dad's health is excellent (heart aside) and he's had zero other issues. While it will be a long haul, the long term prognosis for it is quite good. Barring anything else once he is healed, I think he will have his independence back. It will just be a while.

Nobody wants to face this, and I know that when we hit that spot with Fran's parents we didn't recognize it until it was all over. As I said your parents are young, and hopefully once you can get them moved and situated, things will turn back around and they will regain their independence. I don't envy you because you most likely have a long road of caring and assistance ahead of you.

It happens to everyone. I don't think we are unprepared for that and I am lucky to have a LOT of siblings, relatives, kids etc to help all of us. No shortage of help in that way.

Whether they move or not is really the big question. They need to. They get overwhelmed with the process and give up. Then a health event happens, it comes back up. hey get overwhelmed with the process and give up.

Can they convert their house to make it mostly one level living? Yeah, technically they could. Does that really solve the issue? No. Is it possibly what will happen when he comes home? Maybe. I visited my dad today. It's interesting, I always thought my mom was the roadblock in this and now I think it may be my dad.

hey get overwhelmed with the process and give up.
Take this trip for you and Jeff so that you can recharge and get through the tough times ahead. [/QUOTE]

Thanks Allison! I really hope we can, I know it would do wonders for both of us on so many levels

Your poor Dad. It's just one thing after another with your family isn't it. You are due some major pixie dust. Sending hugs from over the pond.

Thanks Claire! We did have some magic today, stay tuned!

 

[eandesmom]

First of all, thanks everyone for your thoughts and wishes for my dad, I visited with him today and have an update.

First though, the happiest kind of news.

I am an aunt again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kerri had her baby today and

It

Is

A

GIRL!

this is VERY exciting news. While we have Kendall to qualify as a girl in the kid/cousin mix, she didn't join us until she was 7 and was not a girly girl in any sense of the word until a bit later in life.

I have one niece in Germany, and another in Ohio.

7 boys here in the total cousin mix. It is all boy, all the time, the 6 boy cousins (not including Taylor as he is so much older) are all within a 4 year span. It is all boy, all the time. Those boys are close.

It

Is

A

GIRL!

The aunties and grandma are VERY happy!



I was able to visit my dad and take my phone, with had a picture of his youngest granddaughter. He is anti smartphone and not set up with his laptop yet so I was happy to be able to to that much.

I will be honest.

It was depressing.

I thought he had his own room at this place.

Nope.

It really looks just like a hospital room.

And he doesn't even have the window spot.

He will be in full leg immobilizer braces for 2 weeks and then in full legs casts for 4 weeks. Then they see. They are going to get him some things that will help like a trapeze bar, side rails, a special chair so he can actually leave the room and go outside (someone taking him of course).

Other than all that, he is good. Pretty mad, a bit bummed but mostly bored out of his mind. We will hopefully get him fully set up computer wise over the weekend, we just need to figure out some kind of cool project he can really "lose" himself into so he doesn't dwell. He is completely off pain meds and not in any pain, sleeping and eating ok.

He is however convinced he will be going home to his house, albeit with some modifications. I really don't know that is best though it is, to some extent, doable. I'd always thought my mom was the roadblock on selling and moving...but I suspect my dad has a bigger role in it than I thought. It's long and not worth going into but it was an educational conversation to say the least.

There is another option that is doable while he is out, a better long term one. We will see how that conversation goes with he and my mom, I didn't bring it up. After today I worry they won't do a thing and this situation will go on until it is critical. Which is silly and can be avoided.

But, at the end of the day, it is their call. They are by no means incapacitated and get to make that call.

On the cruise front Jeff spoke to his mom last night. Of course it was in the evening here, so later there and was after she'd been to her own birthday party thrown by the neighbors. She was having a very happy birthday lo1l! Hopefully she remembers the conversation. She wants to help but needs to check with work. And, I imagine, her DH! So...we will see. I just hope we know sooner rather than later

 

[jedijill]

Congrats on the new niece! I know you guys will be thrilled with a girl to finally break the stinky boy spell.

I hope your folks figure out what they want to do. Its got to be tough to have to make those decisions but maybe this will be the impetus they need.

Fingers crossed Jeff's Mom comes through!

Jill in CO

 

[dizneeat]

Congratulations on your baby niece! Awesome to have a little girl joining the "boys club".
Hope your dad gets a lot better pretty soon - he sounds like a trouper!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congrats on the new niece! How lovely.

I think there comes in time in every family where that discussion about selling up and going into something more manageable takes place. My parents went through it about 7 years ago and it was a hard decision for them to make. It was a case of one wanted to move and other wanted to stay. I don't even want to have been a fly on the wall for those conversations. I hope your parents figure it out.

And I hope Jeff's mom comes through soon!

 

[eandesmom]

Congrats on the new niece! I know you guys will be thrilled with a girl to finally break the stinky boy spell.

She is adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!! Evan could not get over how small she was. Normal healthy baby size but he's never seen one that little and certainly never held one before. It was pretty cute, he was so excited to see the baby.

I hope your folks figure out what they want to do. Its got to be tough to have to make those decisions but maybe this will be the impetus they need.

I would hope so but I can tell my dad is going to be a tougher nut on this than I realized.

Fingers crossed Jeff's Mom comes through!

Jill in CO

Well, she says to "count on her" but I'd feel better once actual tickets are in place and dates are set. She's been known to be a bit "flexible" where dates are concerned in the past. She is also saying her DH may come. Which would be great and the boys would LOVE that but....we weren't planning on buying 2 plane tickets. Ouch.

Congratulations on your baby niece! Awesome to have a little girl joining the "boys club".
Hope your dad gets a lot better pretty soon - he sounds like a trouper!

Thanks Karin!

She is so cute! We saw her last night

Congrats on the new niece! How lovely.

She is!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We saw her last night. So cute. I forget how very tiny they are.

I think there comes in time in every family where that discussion about selling up and going into something more manageable takes place. My parents went through it about 7 years ago and it was a hard decision for them to make. It was a case of one wanted to move and other wanted to stay. I don't even want to have been a fly on the wall for those conversations. I hope your parents figure it out.

Sigh. This has been a conversation for the last decade. Something happens, their house is a problem, it gets "looked into" and then the health issue of the moment passes and they don't do anything. And then the cycle happens again. I can think of at least 4 health events that have supposedly been the one thing that would push them to make a move on this...and then nothing happens. After my conversation yesterday with my dad....I don't think anything will happen. Realistically though it could be a solid 6-12 months after the casts come off before he has full range of motion and quad strength and I don't think that the mods we can make to their house is really a solution for that long a period of time. He needs to realize that on his own though and it may not happen till he actually gets out. Which is frustrating as we will do a ton of work to make it sort of work in their house now, only to have to do it again. Be a heck of a lot easier on everyone to do it all at once. Not to mention realistically our ability to help is a LOT greater during July and August than once school starts back up, not just for me, but for my siblings as well.

They aren't that old and it is possible they've got another 5 or so years there but UGH, it's going to be just as much an issue then and arguably more.

And I hope Jeff's mom comes through soon!

Thanks, she says to "count on her" and maybe her DH but I will feel a LOT better once actual tickets re booked and we have her locked into dates. They've been known to be date changers

 

[Poolrat]

Good to hear that your Dad is off pain meds and moved to rehab.

Hopefully he can stay entertained and not go stir crazy.

As for the cruise, you are one step closer so I know you have a couple more steps to go and hopefully you will get there and can be stress free to go on the cruise.

Totally almost forgot about the BABY!!!! At first I was like Kerry was so early in her pregnancy and then I realized duh... That was 7 months ago.

Congrats on the pink frillies!!! Now watch she will be a tomboy like mine is.

I am sure all the boy cousins will be looking out for her in the future.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

So sorry to hear about your Dad! That is going to be really rough on everyone and hopefully everything goes smoothly and he heals quickly. I know he will be trying to escape as quickly as possible after that long without using either leg.

Your trip and cruise sound wonderful! Love to try that one day. Hope you can get it all worked out along with everything else!

 

[glennbo123]

Oh my gosh, your poor Dad! That sounds awful! But I'm glad that it's something that can be rehab'd.

Yay and congrats on the new niece!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wow! A lot has been happening here! Sorry I missed it all.

SO SORRY for your poor dad!! What a suc*y injury!! Glad the surgery went well and hope he can find something to ward off that extensive boredom. I'll keep your family in my prayers as he recovers.

I sure hope your trip still happens for you and Jeff. I'm sure you don't want to give it up or change anything, but it will all work out in the end. Glad his mom is so willing to come and help.

My parents moved to a one level house (albeit with a full basement) 11 years ago. The idea is that they don't have to go downstairs ever, but they are still able to if they want or need to. A lot less worries for sure as they age.

Your trip plans look fabulous! What a gorgeous cruise itinerary!! It would be tough to choose from those excursions! For you, I mean. Most of them are too active for me! HA! I hope that we are able to hook up even briefly back at AKV.

OH! I forgot to congratulate you on your new niece!! Fun to have a girl around!!

 

[KatMark]

Congrats on your new niece.

 

[annmarieda]

First, congrats on the new baby girl. That is so exciting! In our family... it is boys that are in the minority (well, even for dh and I since we have 2 of each) but his brother has 3 girls and his sister has a girl and one boy...so the girls out number the boys 2 to 1.

Second, I am so sorry that your dad has to stay where he is. I have had some extended stays in hospital with dd and sharing a room is not fun...and when you don't get that window side, even less so.

Last, I still am keeping my fingers crossed for your mil to be able to help!

 

[eandesmom]

Good to hear that your Dad is off pain meds and moved to rehab.

Hopefully he can stay entertained and not go stir crazy.

I hope so, that part is going to be hard!

As for the cruise, you are one step closer so I know you have a couple more steps to go and hopefully you will get there and can be stress free to go on the cruise.

I hope so, need to try and move the flight aspect forward for my MIL, I will feel a lot better then.

Totally almost forgot about the BABY!!!! At first I was like Kerry was so early in her pregnancy and then I realized duh... That was 7 months ago.

Congrats on the pink frillies!!! Now watch she will be a tomboy like mine is.

I am sure all the boy cousins will be looking out for her in the future.

I know, right? She doesn't look pregnant in this TR...other than she was still feeling pretty crummy. Kerri was a TOTAL tomboy. I don't expect a ton of frillies (I was a tomboy too) so that's ok, but a little bit...and just having a little girl.....will be very fun. A dress every now and then never hurt anyone!

So sorry to hear about your Dad! That is going to be really rough on everyone and hopefully everything goes smoothly and he heals quickly. I know he will be trying to escape as quickly as possible after that long without using either leg.

I can't even imagine, it makes me ill just thinking of him stuck lying there like that

Your trip and cruise sound wonderful! Love to try that one day. Hope you can get it all worked out along with everything else!

You really should try a cruise, it's a blast!

Oh my gosh, your poor Dad! That sounds awful! But I'm glad that it's something that can be rehab'd.

Yay and congrats on the new niece!

Wow! A lot has been happening here! Sorry I missed it all.

SO SORRY for your poor dad!! What a suc*y injury!! Glad the surgery went well and hope he can find something to ward off that extensive boredom. I'll keep your family in my prayers as he recovers.

It's a nightmare of an injury!

I sure hope your trip still happens for you and Jeff. I'm sure you don't want to give it up or change anything, but it will all work out in the end. Glad his mom is so willing to come and help.

Willing I expected, able with her schedule...I hope so.

My parents moved to a one level house (albeit with a full basement) 11 years ago. The idea is that they don't have to go downstairs ever, but they are still able to if they want or need to. A lot less worries for sure as they age.

Getting them to move, which has been discussed for over a decade now...2 hips ago for my mom lol, is a real issue. One I'm really not sure they see. Or want to see. Which I understand. There is knowing you need to, and then bringing yourself to actually do it. Bottom line is they get overwhelmed with the process and just quit. And don't want anyone else to do it for them. Which I also can relate to. No fun.

Your trip plans look fabulous! What a gorgeous cruise itinerary!! It would be tough to choose from those excursions! For you, I mean. Most of them are too active for me! HA! I hope that we are able to hook up even briefly back at AKV.

OH! I forgot to congratulate you on your new niece!! Fun to have a girl around!!

LOL! Not all are active, just really 2 I think. We can't do them all though.

YAY for a little girl!

Congrats on your new niece.

Thanks Kathy!

First, congrats on the new baby girl. That is so exciting! In our family... it is boys that are in the minority (well, even for dh and I since we have 2 of each) but his brother has 3 girls and his sister has a girl and one boy...so the girls out number the boys 2 to 1.

Second, I am so sorry that your dad has to stay where he is. I have had some extended stays in hospital with dd and sharing a room is not fun...and when you don't get that window side, even less so.

Last, I still am keeping my fingers crossed for your mil to be able to help!

Thanks, with my siblings we outnumber the boys 4:2 but the grandkids are another story.

I bet you have dealt with the shared room situation, UGH! Hopefully my dad can see the baby soon, not sure what the plan is there. Of course they have to go home first, which should be today I think.

Me too on the cruise, I need to lean on her about dates/flight times and get her booked.

 

[eandesmom]

7 of us boarded the boat together. 3, sadly got off at SSR to hope on DME. Goodbyes were said. 2 very dejected boys and 2 semi thrilled adults got off at the next spot, THV.

I love my family. I do. I see them all the time. But, after 7 nights, 8 days, insane crowds and a lot of non stop activity, both Jeff and I were ready for a bit of peace and quiet. The boys, not so much.

Arrving back at our treehouse it was decreed that we would go to the pool.

The boys were not interested.

They missed their cousins.

It was BORING with two.

We didn't care

Or give them a choice

It was in the 80's and the weather was NOT supposed ot hold.

We were going to the pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We paid a visit to the THV pool, a short walk away











We had the place to ourselves

We soon discovered why





That look on Evan's face?

IT'S FREEZING MOM!

Yep.

January in Florida

Pool not heated

It had been cold for many days

No one was going in that pool!

We decided to drive over to SSR

The main pool seemed the way to go



The clouds were rolling in



Honestly, it was a bust.

Boys were crabby, didn’t want to go in the pool. Eric would go in if Evan would, and Evan most decidedly would not.

It was crowded and somehow the whole vibe for us, was just "off". Finding enough chairs in a decent spot was a challenge. Both boys lay down and sulked, eventually Eric went in for a bit and then straight to the hot tub.

Those clouds? They rolled in.

It cooled off.

Sigh.

Being too cheap to buy a pool drink with crabby boys and clouds, we decided to head back to THV. We had an important dinner to get to!

Except

It was still pretty nice out

If not quite pool nice out

We had a deck

Crabby boys could suck it up and sulk inside front of the tv



We were going OUT!

Ah, that's better

Treehouse Recovery Program!







Nice and Quiet!



We enjoyed our drink, stealing the gift of extra time thanks to the fact we would be driving to dinner. Before we left I decided we needed a few villa shots



















Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Continued from previous

Leaving the villa later than we should have, we arrived at our destination. And took a picture of our spot, which was basically in Egypt.



The boys mood had improved.

Perhaps it was their "Florida Sweaters" I had been conned into buying them earlier in the day.





Perhaps it was the fact that we were here.

Those that had left were...having issues.

Kerri and Eric had made it to Denver.

From Denver they were scheduled on a flight to Boise.

They'd have to figure it out in Boise.

Melissa was still at the airport. Their flight, while not cancelled, kept getting delayed.

The monorail was down. Which didn't bode well for us.
We were already late.

But....it WAS pretty out! And significantly warmer than it had been. Not hot but certainly quite pleasant.




Arriving, we BOOKED it to our destination





We were quite late. I want to say at least 30 minutes, maybe more, probably closer to 40. And, we were now a party of 4 instead of the party of 6 I had an ADR for.

Would they seat us?

 

[KatMark]

Already missing their cousins? Not a good sign.

Sorry the pool was a bust. I thought all Disney pools were heated?

Smart move on letting the boys mope while you and Jeff enjoyed an adult beverage out on the deck.

The monorail was down? What a surprise! I've not gotten to it yet in my TR (it will be my last day), but it was down on our trip and you wouldn't believe what we had to do.

I see you are going to Be Our Guest. I sure hope you get seated.

 

[franandaj]

Crabby teens doesn't sound fun. I'm glad you and Jeff found some time to chill and take advantage of your TRP.

I hope they let you in and have a nice meal.

 

[Pinkocto]

I like the 'sweaters', not something I'd expect teen boys to want to buy but I like them!

Bummer they were missing the cousins so soon and that pool time didn't quite go as planned.

Thanks for all the THV pics, I will have to stay there at one point.

I hope you get seated!