"Mom, Dad, 3 Kids & a Gingerbread Boy" Matty's Wish Trip December 10-18, 2009

[cantwaittoseemickey]

oops.I have never been to Sea World. I have been typing when Im exhuasted lately from running around so much. We had one in Ohio years ago and would have loved to have gone but we never did.

WOW that ICE looks really beautiful. I can't imagine how cold you all were. Can't wait for what's next

 

[buzz for boys]

Wow you were so brave - Ice with bare feet !!
How were the kids in there did they find it too cold?? Im toying with the idea of taking my 4 but not sure how they will take to the cold really.
Another gingerbread man you must have a nice little stash of them now

 

[jenb1023]

Great SW updates! What amazing animal encounters you had and it sounds like you got a lot done in a short amount of time. The shows look great! We live 2 hours from SP and have never gone - I have not heard very good things about it locally.

Ice - BRRR! Bet it was amazing to see though!

 

[rosedolph]

We love ICE! We live in Nashville TN - home of Gaylord Orpyland Hotel and they also have a ICE display every year. The first time we went my youngest was just 2 months old. Everyone was worried about her getting too cold, but she was the warmest of the bunch! I carried her under my beautiful blue parka in a baby sling. She just nursed and napped and you couldn't even tell there was a baby under there!

Your poor feet! We always double up on the socks and wear sneakers - and our feet still freeze, so I can only imagine how you felt! They should offer foot warmers with the hot chocolate.

 

[pacrosby]

oops.I have never been to Sea World. I have been typing when Im exhuasted lately from running around so much. We had one in Ohio years ago and would have loved to have gone but we never did.

WOW that ICE looks really beautiful. I can't imagine how cold you all were. Can't wait for what's next

I do notice that at times you're up replying to my last post not long after I've gone to bed LOL

Wow you were so brave - Ice with bare feet !!
How were the kids in there did they find it too cold?? Im toying with the idea of taking my 4 but not sure how they will take to the cold really.
Another gingerbread man you must have a nice little stash of them now

Chilly feet is an understatement LOL I don't know why I didn't think to bring a change of shoes. Being from the Northeast I was well aware of how cold it would be The parkas, while not the most attractive LOL, really are amazingly warm so with long pants, maybe a shirt and a sweatshirt AND close-toed shoes they would be fine. I'd recommend going as it was really something but be forewarned it will get expensive with 4 kids and it's really no more than a 60 minute attraction (if that). I think if we had paid it would've been about 80 bucks! Of course, what isn't expensive with four kids

Great SW updates! What amazing animal encounters you had and it sounds like you got a lot done in a short amount of time. The shows look great! We live 2 hours from SP and have never gone - I have not heard very good things about it locally.

Ice - BRRR! Bet it was amazing to see though!

You live 2 hours from SP and you've NEVER BEEN???!!!! Oh, I don't know if I can allow you to continue reading my TR

We love Sesame Place....................it's sort of been like our little Disney (ducking for the tomatos now LOL). We started going in 2002 and have only missed one summer; many summers we have gone more than once (we've purchased annual passes over our Labor Day weekend visit and gotten the next summer free). Interesting that locals don't have great things to say about it. It's always been clean and only a couple of times have the crowds been crazy. To each their own I suppose. I must admit I have a high tolerance for chaos at such places. I figure it comes with the territory so why not just roll with it

We love ICE! We live in Nashville TN - home of Gaylord Orpyland Hotel and they also have a ICE display every year. The first time we went my youngest was just 2 months old. Everyone was worried about her getting too cold, but she was the warmest of the bunch! I carried her under my beautiful blue parka in a baby sling. She just nursed and napped and you couldn't even tell there was a baby under there!

Your poor feet! We always double up on the socks and wear sneakers - and our feet still freeze, so I can only imagine how you felt! They should offer foot warmers with the hot chocolate.

My dh was at the Gaylord in Nashville years back for a business conference. He brought me home a coffee table book specifically about the hotel as I'm really into architecture and decor and that stuff. The pictures were lovely.

Yeah, I guess some socks were in order LOL

 

[yinyanggirls]

I've walked around the Gaylord in Grapevine Texas and it is gorgeous also. Never went during their Ice show though. Sounds like fun, wish you had been able to get better pics. And the slide??? BRRRRRR!

 

[kdzbear]

I admit, I did not see why you wanted to go to the ICE display in your pre-trip report, but now I can understand why. It is enormous and you described it so wonderfully! I hope that they kids enjoyed it as much as you did! What a great idea to stop and see it!

 

[pipersmom]

Yeah! I'm finally caught up! I'm so glad you all had such a great day at the village, SeaWorld, and the Gaylord Palms! : It all looked like so much fun. So neat that you got to go on the dolphin tour as well. We're already excited, but following yours and Stefanie's PTRs are definitely adding to it!

 

[bubbleann0605]

Pam
OMG! what a TR, absolutely incredible! I was riveted to the computer for hours reading this! Love love love it!!!
hopefully, we will see you soon!

Cheryl Elder

 

[pacrosby]

I've walked around the Gaylord in Grapevine Texas and it is gorgeous also. Never went during their Ice show though. Sounds like fun, wish you had been able to get better pics. And the slide??? BRRRRRR!

I'm a sucker for a beautiful hotel.................too cheap to actually stay in one, but love to look at them Yeah, I was soooo disappointed in the pictures................the fact that so few came out and that those who did were of such poor quality I had promised the kids I would do the slide too but my feet were FREEZING by the end!

I admit, I did not see why you wanted to go to the ICE display in your pre-trip report, but now I can understand why. It is enormous and you described it so wonderfully! I hope that they kids enjoyed it as much as you did! What a great idea to stop and see it!

I love how everyone confesses their 'real' feelings once the TR's come out I had seen the pictures from their site and that's what hooked me when I was planning (trust me, my pictures are HORRIBLE!). The kids really did enjoy it too. Alot of the ice sculptures were colored which was really cool. I'm still sorry we didn't do the F&F's Family Chocolate Night (I don't know if you remember me talking about that). Next time!

Yeah! I'm finally caught up! I'm so glad you all had such a great day at the village, SeaWorld, and the Gaylord Palms! : It all looked like so much fun. So neat that you got to go on the dolphin tour as well. We're already excited, but following yours and Stefanie's PTRs are definitely adding to it!

Hey Amanda!!! Are you home??? I've been on hiatus for a bit. I'll have to go check out your PTR








Sorry guys..............still no update. Maybe tonight as the kids are going to my Mom's to stay for a couple of nights (school vacation week).

 

[kellyw8863]

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment!

I hope you are all well...

 

[pacrosby]

Pam
OMG! what a TR, absolutely incredible! I was riveted to the computer for hours reading this! Love love love it!!!
hopefully, we will see you soon!

Cheryl Elder

OMG!!!! Mrs. Elder!!!!!!

How are ya girl??

Thanx for checking us out. Skippadoo logged on the next day and 'requested my friendship' but I don't know if he found the TR or not. I can't believe you actually read this in one sitting. I owe you a drink!

Stevie and I have talked about having everyone here soon. We'll be in touch. You just have to explain your screen name


Pam

 

[pacrosby]

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment!

I hope you are all well...

Hey Kelly................we were typing at the same time. I'm having a hard time getting back into it, I knew this would happen. When you're on a roll it just keeps coming but once you step away for awhile..................

I think I'll be updating tonight.

Hope you guys are doing well...............I know things have been tough for you lately. Keep the faith.

 

[pipersmom]

We are finally home! Just in time to stress about packing and planning! Looking forward to the next update!

 

[yinyanggirls]

I remember the referral for the chocolate making. I still have the info but I just don't see how we'll fit everything into that week.
Don't give up on the TR now! We need MORE!!!!

 

[pnutallergymom]

Awwww....was hoping to find another update!!!

Girl, you are holding out!!! What is up???

Hey, are you seriously taking the Autotrain down in December?? You've got my wheels turnin!! That would be sooo much fun!!

I was trying to convince DH for a trip in Dec...but think I'm going to plan for a cruise this winter. Not a Disney one... <gasp> I know, I know!! Thinking of holding out for another Dis trip until Fantasyland is finished and actually being there for Christmas!!

 

[pacrosby]

We are finally home! Just in time to stress about packing and planning! Looking forward to the next update!

Planning?????? Aren't you done yet

I remember the referral for the chocolate making. I still have the info but I just don't see how we'll fit everything into that week.
Don't give up on the TR now! We need MORE!!!!

I'm holding onto that info myself. It looked like so much fun and although we have a Candy Mansion one mile down the street from us they do nothing like that. Go figure???

Awwww....was hoping to find another update!!!

Girl, you are holding out!!! What is up???

Hey, are you seriously taking the Autotrain down in December?? You've got my wheels turnin!! That would be sooo much fun!!

I was trying to convince DH for a trip in Dec...but think I'm going to plan for a cruise this winter. Not a Disney one... <gasp> I know, I know!! Thinking of holding out for another Dis trip until Fantasyland is finished and actually being there for Christmas!!

I know, I know................I've been a baaaaaad baby! Now that I'm not staying up 'til four am anymore I can't find the time to sink my teeth into another installment. It's sooooo time consuming.

We ARE taking the autotrain down. The cost for the six of us AND our oversized SUV is about 900 bucks!!!!!!! Talk about crazy silly cheap! I'd love to do a cruise someday but they are so darn expensive...............well, you know, you've got four too. PLUS the airfare. I can't wrap my head around that kind of money for one vacation. I need to spread the wealth

I don't think Fantasyland is scheduled to be finished until at least 2012.................are you really prepared to wait that long?????????





ok.....................I'm off to do an installment, I promise (I think LOL)

 

[pacrosby]

So did we make that 7 am wake-up call?



What do you think?



Fat chance!



Time check as we roll our behinds out from beneath the sheets? 9:00 Will I ever learn?

We make it to the Gingerbread House at 9:58 JUST as they are about to lock the door. Whew! Not that we couldn't have used an excuse for some early morning ice cream but I was really looking forward to some scrambled eggs and hash browns. Unfortunately though we have missed the Nickelodeon characters..............I wonder who was there? Hopefully it wasn't SpongeBob.......................that'd have been a tragedy! After breakfast the kids are itchin' to return to...........................you guessed it...................the Castle of Miracles!!! You'd think my kids didn't have any toys at home

On our way into the Castle Nick poses with his pal 'Rusty':

before creating some more 'spud buddies' with his brothers:

and then begging Daddy for a few coins in hopes of hearing the wishing well 'burp':

On our way out the kids find a few of Santa's elves hangin' by the 'Parlor' (maybe hoping for a little ice cream of their own):

and Matty just has to visit 'the clown' (gimmegimmegimme..................some papaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa):

Don't they say that imitation is the biggest form of flattery?




And then...........................

finally,

we are on the road to Hollywood.

It's 11:00

Nope, I'll never learn!

On the way dh informs me that maroo had called last night while I was asleep!!!!!! Maroo???? "Why didn't you wake me up????" Fortunately we have her cell phone number and I quickly retrieve it to return the call. Now maroo has a very very strange 'ring' to her phone. Actually, scratch that...........it's not a 'ring' at all. It's a song. No ring. Just suddenly, out of nowhere, this song starts playing on my phone (maroo..................are you reading this?????). I have never heard of such a thing. I almost hang up but fortunately think better of it and decide to wait and see what happens. And then....................'she' answers.

Maroo and her party are on the Florida Turnpike on their way from Mississippi. She's sounding a bit 'stressed' (and now, having read the start of her TR for December, I know why ) but gives me the 'tentative good news' about 'Thursday' (in case you've lost track, it's Tuesday ). It's not definate yet, but things are lookin' good.

That maroo..................gotta love her

After a brief chat (how I hate cell phones) we agree to catch up again tomorrow.

Right now though...................

it's 11:30 and

we're on our way to Hollywood!!

I just love this sign

 

[maroo]

On the way dh informs me that maroo had called last night while I was asleep!!!!!! Maroo???? "Why didn't you wake me up????" Fortunately we have her cell phone number and I quickly retrieve it to return the call. Now maroo has a very very strange 'ring' to her phone. Actually, scratch that...........it's not a 'ring' at all. It's a song. No ring. Just suddenly, out of nowhere, this song starts playing on my phone (maroo..................are you reading this?????). I have never heard of such a thing. I almost hang up but fortunately think better of it and decide to wait and see what happens. And then....................'she' answers.

Maroo and her party are on the Florida Turnpike on their way from Mississippi. She's sounding a bit 'stressed' (and now, having read the start of her TR for December, I know why ) but gives me the 'tentative good news' about 'Thursday' (in case you've lost track, it's Tuesday ). It's not definate yet, but things are lookin' good.

That maroo..................gotta love her

After a brief chat (how I hate cell phones) we agree to catch up again tomorrow.

Yep!

I am here! Lurking and laughing out loud!

You are so funny!!!

That strange thing on my phone is a "ring back" - it is a song that plays instead of a ring...and with the exception of my friends here in MS - most of my friends have never heard such a thing.

I get a dozen "hang ups" a week.

My mother called me 4 times one night and I thought someone died (my mother rarely calls and certainly not four times in a ROW!)...but turned out she was so confused by my new ring back that she just kept calling and calling...

So...yes...I am listening!

And...YES...I was STRESSED!

 

[pipersmom]

Woohoooo for an update! Good for you guys for sleeping late, we'll see what happens with us, I'm planning 6am wake-ups with Piper's treatments.. :scary: But..we also only have two late nights planned, so hopefully that will help. LOL@ Maroo's ring thingy..the first time I called it threw me off for a minute too..the ex has that though..I hate his..but, Maroo..yours is great! You do know I expect you to have this done before we leave, right, Pamela? LOL!