Not so much a savings, more like reallocating where the money goes (Part 20 pg14) NEW

[sheridac]

I am not a perfect parent, and I have a quick temper. Sometimes I even get a bit snappish. But I always catch myself, and I always apologize. I am big on that. With my kids. If I am wrong I like to apologize. I am not so good about that with Steve. Well actually I am just never wrong about anything with him. Yeah, that’s it.

Two things:
1) I think you are describing me, either that or you are my twin.
b) The female is ALWAYS right. Ask my other twin, Wendy.

I think we pretty much blow through France. Been there done that.

Wait, what??!!! You don't LIKE France???

The number of overpriced kitschy items they request in there is astounding.

A true battle for your wallet here.

We tend to see humor in just about everything, it is a nice way to go through life.

It is the only way.....

 

[HaleyB]

Two things:
1) I think you are describing me, either that or you are my twin.
b) The female is ALWAYS right. Ask my other twin, Wendy.

We are the Borg, baby.

Wait, what??!!! You don't LIKE France???

I like France. I love the movie, but we skipped it this time. I wish they sold better stuff in France...

I love the actual place too. I do not find French people rude at all. Paris is a wonderful place. Wonderful. And about two hours outside of Paris into the countryside is a little town named Riems (I bet I am spelling it wrong) where friends of my family live. I stayed there for awhile one summer and it was such a nice place. Love the old churches. And the red wine from the area was outstanding.

 

[HaleyB]

Haleybug, you and I are alot alike woman. I knew it...only I do apologize to my dh when I am snarkish or unfair. Course I never am...

Borg again I agree, we are alot alike.

True at Disney but not of airplane food....

Very true. Yuk. or Ick or Yik, maybe Yucky even.

I love your description of your children. Clearly they are a product of the smart, silly and sensitive parents that raised them. I so agree about the need for humor in dealing with life and parenting. Sounds like you have a wonderful philosophy about life in general, and certainly about going to Disney.

Haley, this was by far your best installment yet. I loved it- every word. Thank you. Keep on writing!

Aww, thanks. That is very sweet of you to say. Love ya. And I will keep going, we are on our next to last day now.

 

[HaleyB]

Great post as always. Haley. I am sure you will finish before 2007! We are a patient bunch of Vikings, with certain things... Just git 'r done

So Haley, do you think you might be done with this report before your next trip?

How proud you must be of your kiddies that they are happy for each other.

Hmm, are you guys twins???

My goal is to finish this one up in a week or so. I need to start working on my pretrip report for October soon

I am proud of my kids. They are almost always kind to each other and love each other dearly. That brings me great joy.

 

[sleepydog25]

We are the Borg, baby.



I like France. I love the movie, but we skipped it this time. I wish they sold better stuff in France...

I love the actual place too. I do not find French people rude at all. Paris is a wonderful place. Wonderful. And about two hours outside of Paris into the countryside is a little town named Riems (I bet I am spelling it wrong) where friends of my family live. I stayed there for awhile one summer and it was such a nice place. Love the old churches. And the red wine from the area was outstanding.

AAARGHH! I'm being assimilated. You and that sheridac have dragged me into your vortex of twin-ness. Maybe it's because I love using elipses. . .or parentheticals (I can't stop myself, in fact). . .or asides--don't even get me started on Bill Shakespeare! I'm more than a little bit certain that my feminine side has been exploited, and I'm okay with that. Sensitivity is good. Just ask my poker buddies. As for TS: never read it. However, I did read Ulysses by James Joyce twice. That oughta count for something, right?

Enjoy(ed)(ing) your trip report(s?). I soi-tainly am.

P.S. Southern France is the reason I love wine. Before my experience there, wine had better be sweet (much like me ). Now, the deeper and darker the red, the better. I like my wine seductive, luscious, and full of character. Sorry, but I digress off your digressions. Mea culpa.

 

[ZZUB]

I just finished Chapter 7. I had stopped reading your TR after the first two chapters b/c I have a well-deserved fear you'll abandon us again. I have abandonment issues. But I was killing some time this afternoon and thought I might plow back into your Trip Report. I was not disappointed.

He wanted a cinnamon roll, and he knew the risks (tummy upset and possible rejection of the food by his body, to put it nicely).

Someone in my family (not me) is lactose intolerant. Can't stand it. Occasionally, we suffer the consequences of this person (not me) enjoying ice cream. So I know from whence you speak.

Ha ha ha Mr Funny

Isn't his name, Mr. Silly? Maybe you shouldn't make fun of him for losing a little old locker key when you can't even remember his name. Sheesh!

I wanted to use the word ‘wee’ as in the onomoniapia [sic] ‘wee’ but thought that might be a wee bit over the top.

Haley, you are nothing if you're not over the top. Still, any time you wish to be onomatopoetic, I say go for it. Whoosh!

We eat [sic] at Boma. The food was yummy as always

This is where your Trip Report is headed right to the dumper. How in the name of free food can you eat at Boma and NOT be enthralled with the mulligatawny?! Not to mention the Zebra Domes. Come to think of it, you didn't mention the Zebra Domes! Outrageous. What's next? Unauthorized use of a refillable mug? Making oatmeal in your crockpot? Endless asides?

I was looking forward to catching up on the remaining chapters, but now. . . I don't know.

Nevertheless, Cause you're good people.

 

[sheridac]

AAARGHH! I'm being assimilated. You and that sheridac have dragged me into your vortex of twin-ness.

hehe!!!! Just wait until you start using the multiple exclamation points baby!!!

I like my wine seductive, luscious, and full of character.

You are talking about me right?? You smooth talker, you!!!

 

[HaleyB]

This is where your Trip Report is headed right to the dumper. How in the name of free food can you eat at Boma and NOT be enthralled with the mulligatawny?! Not to mention the Zebra Domes. Come to think of it, you didn't mention the Zebra Domes! Outrageous. What's next? Unauthorized use of a refillable mug? Making oatmeal in your crockpot? Endless asides?

I was looking forward to catching up on the remaining chapters, but now. . . I don't know.

Nevertheless, Cause you're good people.

Four things. First of all, you forgot pool hopping. Second, there is no such thing as unauthorized use of a refillable mug, geesh. Fourth, I switch between past and present tense on purpose.

Right back at ya. Have you come up with a snappy title for your next trip report yet?

 

[HaleyB]

AAARGHH! I'm being assimilated.

....

Sorry, but I digress off your digressions. Mea culpa.

Resistance is futile.
You have been assimilated.
Welcome to the collective.

We like to digress over here , stop by any time. You do not need to read the entire thread, just jump in at the end and ask questions as needed.

 

[HaleyB]

Not so much a savings...
(slightly late free dining trip report)


Part 16, in which I go way off topic (again).​

For those of you who just want the short version- Japan. Italy. Boat. Test Track. We ate at Coral Reef. It was good but not great.


Just as we were finally going to escape from Japan the sky opened up.

It did not rain, it poured. So we decided to go look at the tin toys display. Fascinating.

I had a tin toy as a child, one of those banks that were triggered when you put a coin into it. Mine was a monkey that did something (danced maybe?) when you put a coin into its hands and then stuck the coin into the slot.

I think maybe it didn’t dance, maybe it hit a drum.

Well, it did something and I thought it was very cool.

We also discover the Kidcot station for Japan. We almost missed it. The horror. By the time we finish looking around and waiting out the rain it is getting late. We have dinner plans at the Coral Reef and don’t want to be late. We head over to Italy for a quick ‘hello’

Despite our best efforts to dissuade them, Max and Sophia were collecting the paper charms from the Kidcot stations again this year.

At least they were attaching them to the necklace style thing they got in The Land at its Kidcot station instead of the darn will-no-fit-into-the-backpack-is-a-pain-to-carry-and-gets-ruined-by-rain-mask things.

So we take a few mandatory photos by the fountain in Italy, buy some really expensive candy, and hang out at the Kidcot station.

As it turns out, the CM there was named Max and he got a huge kick out of the fact that Max was also named Max. He (the CM Max) was in a talkative mood, and Max (ours) is a talkative guy. So we stayed and chatted awhile. Max is in his element when chatting with adults. Adults always find his quirky use of language and his rather impressive vocabulary charming. I love to watch him ham it up. That must be a recessive gene because Mom and Dad are both rather quiet people. Max (the CM) goes on break so we depart from Italy. It is creeping up on dinner time so we head out.

We decide we could use a little cruise, so we saunter down the ramp. Note my oh so Southern word choice there. I am trying to make peace with my address.

Max and Sophia consider this a ride. They consider all the Disney transportation choices rides, even the bus.

Maybe especially the bus.

Disney is the only place they ever ride one and they love to stand up while riding the bus. That is big fun, bus surfing. Perhaps it will make the redneck olympics as an official sport next year.

Max and Sophia are easily amused sometimes. Actually I just thought of another time we get to ride the bus. Austin Parks puts on a huge wildlife show every year. Sort of an expo I guess. We go. We go because Max can get a lot of Scout stuff done easily at the expo. We got suckered into Cub Scouts by Max’s best friend. Who knew it was a lifetime commitment (for the Parents, the boys can quit if they want too). We park at a High School and get bused in. Boy oh boy does the wildlife come out of the woodwork for this event. It is very special. Very Texas. The things you do for your kids... We were in Epcot, I think.

So we have just enough time to use a set of fast passes on Test Track. After that we check to see if we can get another set (Sophia really likes to ride things over and over again) but, alas, they are out for the day. It is after 6 so no big surprise there.

It starts to rain again as we make our way over to the Coral Reef. We are ready to eat. Last year we had a wonderful meal there. When the Chef came out to talk to us about Max and his special needs we mention that Steve is a vegetarian and not excited by the only vegetarian choice on the menu. The Chef (man I wish I knew his name, he was fantastic, Aussie I think) asked him a few questions and offered to make him something special. He made him the most amazing meal. It was fantastic and I was really sorry that I ordered off the menu. He also made Max a special dairy free brownie for dessert. Max was thrilled. He doesn’t often get anything besides Rice Dream Ice Cream at WDW, so this was a tremendous treat.

We go to WDW for many reasons. Please note I am about to stray off topic a bit.

In part because of nostalgia and/or tradition, in part because I love amusement parks (always have), in part because it is always clean and so pretty there, in part because I like the all inclusive nature of a WDW vacation, in part because of the looks on my kids face when we walk into the MK, and of course, we go to get away from the world and its weight, but there is one more very big reason we choose WDW or DL (but more so WDW on this front).

We love it there because they are so wonderful about Max and his allergies. I love to eat and I love to eat out. Doing so is a challenge with Max, and even when we do find somewhere that he can eat at safely dessert is out of the question. At best he gets fresh fruit, which, thankfully, he loves. But other than fruit no desserts for Max when we eat out. So even the Rice Dream ice cream seems special to him, but to have a brownie, warm from the oven, made just for him, that is priceless. It is so true, that the little things often matter most. For Max a special dessert is pure magic. For any parent, seeing your child have a special moment is as good as it gets.

So, with high hopes for another magical meal, we walk into the lobby of the Coral Reef...

More, um, later...

 

[Grammyof2]

Not so much a savings...
(slightly late free dining trip report)


Part 16, in which I go way off topic (again).​

For those of you who just want the short version- Japan. Italy. Boat. Test Track. We ate at Coral Reef. It was good but not great.


So, with high hopes for another magical meal, we walk into the lobby of the Coral Reef...

More, um, later...

Geez - I love precise and to the point. But "We ate at Coral Reef. It was good but not great" and then "So, with high hopes for another magical meal, we walk into the lobby of the Coral Reef" in the same chapter. Does this mean I get to skip the next one or you are confused

J/K Haley. Moving right along as we are we just might finish this before Oct.

BTW BTW I think I saw you and Mr. Silly in a book store the other day - buying Russian poetry. Looked just like ya, too

 

[HaleyB]

I guess I went too far in my short version. Consider that a sneak peek

I you too Grammyof2

Look, we made it to page 11

 

[offwegotoneverland]

Nice stories about Max and Max and then a nice story about Max and the brownie...I totally get what you mean about when they take the time to make something just right for your children...nothing on earth is more magical than that!!

 

[Chapter 11]

I read your last installment, and was drafting a fairly lengthy critique of your continued reluctance to consult dictionaries and E.B. White's Elements of Style, but gave it up as a lost cause. So, I'll just comment on this one.

I had a tin toy as a child, one of those banks that were triggered when you put a coin into it. Mine was a monkey that did something (danced maybe?) when you put a coin into its hands and then stuck the coin into the slot.

I think maybe it didn’t dance, maybe it hit a drum.

Well, it did something and I thought it was very cool.

Meant a lot to you, obviously.

Max is in his element when chatting with adults. Adults always find his quirky use of language and his rather impressive vocabulary charming.

Cannot imagine where he picked up the "quirky use of language". Oh, wait a minute ...

We decide we could use a little cruise, so we saunter down the ramp. Note my oh so Southern word choice there. I am trying to make peace with my address.

Embrace your inner belle.

Max and Sophia consider this a ride. They consider all the Disney transportation choices rides, even the bus.

Maybe especially the bus.

My kids are the exact same way. I'm considering foregoing park tickets next visit, and just spend the time riding the buses, boats and monorails.

Nice installment, and only one negligible spelling error, which I will pass on pointing out. Don't take my forebearance, however, as proof that I'm not really reading -- I'm just cutting you a break. Next time .... look out.

 

[sheridac]

I had a tin toy as a child, one of those banks that were triggered when you put a coin into it. Mine was a monkey that did something (danced maybe?) when you put a coin into its hands and then stuck the coin into the slot.

I think maybe it didn’t dance, maybe it hit a drum.

Well, it did something and I thought it was very cool.

Umm. At this point, I am not even convinced you know it was a monkey. Just sayin'.

We head over to Italy for a quick ‘hello’

Please do NOT tell me your quick "hello" even remotely had anything to do with that swill a certain someone tries to pass off as wine???

 

[sleepydog25]

Umm. At this point, I am not even convinced you know it was a monkey. Just sayin'.


Please do NOT tell me your quick "hello" even remotely had anything to do with that swill a certain someone tries to pass off as wine???

I refuse to sleep until the report is cahmpleetlly don, an' i don kair if'n i be getin so trired my ahhs won' fokush an' i cannolongerkeptmyhedoff'nnnnthekeyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Haley,

So I haven't had a chance to catch your latest update till tonight and decided to just start from the beginning again (which was March 3, if I might say!!).

Excellent read, especially taken in one session without months in between You kept me up till 2 AM. You are a gifted writer.

You would think working for Disney they would want me to read Dis stories at work, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO!! They want me to do boring numbers stuff instead.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I am so enthralled! I want more! Its 4:00 am and I NEED MORE!

 

[Mr. Silly]

If I am wrong I like to apologize. I am not so good about that with Steve. Well actually I am just never wrong about anything with him. Yeah, that’s it.

I don't really have anything to say. I just wanted to quote that.

Next would be the pavilion we love to hate, or hate to love. Sophia and Max treat the huge store in Japan like some sort of treasure trove. The number of overpriced kitschy items they request in there is astounding. We mostly talk them out of everything, by laughing when they ask of (sic) they can have it. However Max did purchase a Pokemon origami book, in the end. I point out a few cute Hello Kitty items to Sophia but she never wants them. I never wanted any of that sort of stuff as a child either, but I am oddly attracted to them now. We all play with the cool paint with water thing towards the back. We look through the store very carefully. Aside from Max’ big find we purchase nothing.

Sophia and I also spent about an hour in that store watching people pick out oysters and then having the pearl-extractor-ladies slice them open squeeze out their guts, then find the pearl in them, rub it in salt (or something that looks like salt), clean it off, put it in the little measuring template, and then say something unintelligible. There were big ones and small ones, pink pearls, dark pearls, gold pearls, silver pearls, bluish pearls, and pearl-colored pearls. Lots of variety, really. Sophie was mesmerized by this whole process. At the point that I was about to go ahead and offer to get a massively overpriced pearl the candy lady appeared, so my wallet was saved. Briefly.

 

[HaleyB]

Sophie was mesmerized by this whole process. At the point that I was about to go ahead and offer to get a massively overpriced pearl the candy lady appeared, so my wallet was saved. Briefly.

I forgot about that. They also always declare the pearl much more valuable than the price of opening one. I doun't think there is any chance of escape this year, though.