MINMATE'S Trip Report: Day 8 -- And Now It's Time To Say Good-Bye...

[minmate]

I just found out last night that another friend of mine bought into DVC while we were there!!!! I'm so envious! We are looking at it, but having a tough time making that official commitment. I think that having DVC would probably make it more affordable in the long run, but I still know in my heart, for us, it is always a question of "when" too -- never has been an "if" -- not for me anyway!

 

[Krispe]

What a wonderful report! Really made my day! Thank you so much for sharing.

 

[minmate]

Here's the link to the pics:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/minmate/my_photos

Click on WDW April 2005 album.
Hope you enjoy!

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Oh my Gosh, I am so sad !!!
I totally know how Meg feels. Right now at three weeks till our WDW vacation, I am not ready for it to be here quite yet, because i know it will end too soon, and I will be sooooooooooo sad !! I have a little 5 yr. old Megan and she will just sigh, and tell you how she feels. ANd, you just want to hug her and laugh or cry with her forever !

Well, thank you so much for a "fantasmic" trip report, and thank you for bringing such an amazing anticipation into my life, while waiting for "my turn" to come soon. And, thanks to you, I have made my PS for Storybook lunch in Epcot on May 14th, at 1:10. !!! Me and My Meg just love the princesses ! My hubby and son will just have to put up with "us girls" for lunch !!

Also, thanks to your report, I am bringing lots of pull-ups for bed time !!! And, an extra set of clothes EVERY time we are in the parks !!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Mindy!!!

Those are great!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

 

[minmate]

Oh my Gosh, I am so sad !!!
I totally know how Meg feels. Right now at three weeks till our WDW vacation, I am not ready for it to be here quite yet, because i know it will end too soon, and I will be sooooooooooo sad !! I have a little 5 yr. old Megan and she will just sigh, and tell you how she feels. ANd, you just want to hug her and laugh or cry with her forever !

Well, thank you so much for a "fantasmic" trip report, and thank you for bringing such an amazing anticipation into my life, while waiting for "my turn" to come soon. And, thanks to you, I have made my PS for Storybook lunch in Epcot on May 14th, at 1:10. !!! Me and My Meg just love the princesses ! My hubby and son will just have to put up with "us girls" for lunch !!

Also, thanks to your report, I am bringing lots of pull-ups for bed time !!! And, an extra set of clothes EVERY time we are in the parks !!

I hope you enjoy your Princess lunch and have minmal use for pull-ups... but to err on the side of caution may make your trip a less "wet" one than mine! Have a super time and definitely plan to let us know how your time in the world went!

 

[minmate]

Mindy!!!

Those are great!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Thanks... have you posted any more on your trip report? I haven't been able to locate it!

 

[bopper]

Great Trip Report!

Two things I have learned about kids and vacations and potties:

1) If one of us has to go (potty), we all have to go!
You must sit down and try.
2) You don't *ask* kids if they have to go potty before you leave somewhere. You must sit down and try!

 

[vettechick99]

Finally finished your report and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed each installment. I can tell you are a scrapbooker because you take the time to mentally note and then physically document all the happenings in life.

You seem like a fantastic and thoughtful mother and Joe is a father any child would love to have...caring, easy-going and involved.

Your children are dolls....thanks for the report! I'm going to add you to the Favorite Trip Reports Thread!!!

 

[bigsis1970]

My DS is 8 and we have been on multi trips to Disney - I gave him some of my extra maps from our last trip to plot out his faves for this trip and he goes "hey Ma (so cute he calls me this old lady name) I am circling all the potty's for when I need to go" He is my baby bladder child!! We also have the rule "if one goes in we all go in" .. Loved your reports .. Thanks again

 

[kdtwiss]

I just wanted to say, I have read each and every word of your reports and well simply...thank you.
I have been planning our very first trip to Disney - with our 4 children - 2,5,6and my oldest son is 11 and is also autistic. Your reports have been so real, almost like I was experiencing them with you, that now I think I have a more realistic expectation for our trip. You know how it is - you plan and plan and spend and spend nd in your heart you have this perfect vacation scenario running through your brain and heart. Your reports have brought me back to reality - kids are still kids- even in Disney World. Sometimes it is just the littlest things that mean the most to not only the kids - but to the grownups. I am readjusting my attititude toward the vacation and while I am hoping for a wonderful (if not perfect) vacation,my expectations have become a bit more realistic. I know in my heart that will be better for everyone - your trip report was a dose of what a vacation with kids is really like - potty breaks, whining, fighting but also precious, precious memories to treasure forever. I thank you for taking the time to report your trip, your point of view has certainly been invaluable!! THANK YOU!

 

[fizz13]

I too want to say THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU! I have laughed, cried, reminisced and felt like I lived the experience too. I went in january with 3 kids (DD5, DS3 and DS1) so could empathise a little, especially about split feelings of guilt and desperately wanting them to have a good time. Well done and I just know you'll be back with another great report some day.

Much pixie dust,
Claire

 

[wicket2005]

Have really enjoyed your reports and seeing your photos.

 

[toystoryduo]

Wonderful trip report! I enjoyed reading it!

 

[minmate]

Thank you for all the wonderful compliments.

Kdtwiss -- your reply is really touching. I never considered that my report would affect another person -- positively or negatively -- I am so happy to hear you are prepared for any pitfalls and not let it ruin your upcoming vacation. I hope you and your family make awesome, magical memories!

fizz -- It's so nice to know we're not alone -- not the only family that experiences less-than-magical moments at the most magical place on earth! Takes some of the pressure off, just knowing that perfection is not what makes the trip great, but enjoying the overall experience!

bopper -- I agree with you in theory. Unfortunately, JayJay dons quite the little Miss Attitude and pretty much considers anything anyone 'TELLS' her as optional, not a necessity. Thankfully, she is usually easygoing and complies and of course, we are working on that, but 'telling' Miss Attitude she MUST sit down and go potty is not as easy as that... she yells, screams, cries and generally makes you feel like her head is being cut off, which gleans a bunch of stares from mothers that seem to whisper, "How Dare You!" -- JayJay is a "new" potty goer anyway -- less than six months under her belt, but fascinatingly well-trained, so I didn't want to do too much "forcing" for fear of a major regression. I never have to ask or tell her to go anywhere else... this trip was a major eye-opener to us!

 

[Nanajo1]

I just finished your trip reports. They were a great read. Thanks for posting. I had four in five years so I identified with you. My kids are all grown with kids of their own. There is a sweetness to watching your kids deal with their kids. One DD who to this day has not had an idea she didn't think was perfect has a like-minded 3 yo.

 

[froggieos1]

Minmate, my just two year old DD sounds like yours as far as the potty goes. She is new to the potty, about 2 months, but if I ask her if she needs to go, then the answer will be no, but she will go on her own no problem. If I try to force her to go, she screams her head off, and you get the look from everyone, like what are you doing to that child. I am starting to wonder if I should have held off on the Potty training til after our trip. We are thinking of just putting her in pull ups though.

Ondy

 

[minmate]

Minmate, my just two year old DD sounds like yours as far as the potty goes. She is new to the potty, about 2 months, but if I ask her if she needs to go, then the answer will be no, but she will go on her own no problem. If I try to force her to go, she screams her head off, and you get the look from everyone, like what are you doing to that child. I am starting to wonder if I should have held off on the Potty training til after our trip. We are thinking of just putting her in pull ups though.

Ondy

Well, just bring a change of clothes too, whenever you head out. You'll probably be fine... I hope! Maybe when you stop with the other kids, she'll voluntarily go -- sometimes! Good luck!

 

[minmate]

I just finished your trip reports. They were a great read. Thanks for posting. I had four in five years so I identified with you. My kids are all grown with kids of there own. There is a sweetness to watching your kids deal with their kids. One DD who to this day has not had an idea she didn't think was perfect has a like-minded 3 yo.

Great to hear of someone's who's lived through it!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Thank you for such a entertaining and honest report of Disney with kids. I admire your patience and understanding for your kids. I have 3 (11, 8 and 4) and I must admit, I don't always keep my cool when I should. We are heading back to the World on 5/28 (our third trip in a little over a year) and I will keep you and your family in mind during our trip and I will try to emulate when possible.

Thanks again for a great report, hope you are able to take another trip soon.