Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[kgoldenh]

MY CHILD LEARNED TO SWIM IN ORLANDO!​

This is as emotional for me as the day he first walked! We had him in swimming lessons this past summer, just to prepare him as much as we could for Captain Marvins. What the lessons gave him, was confidence in the water, and bravery to attempt new things. He learned to float and swim With the help of a life jacket, but never learned to do this unassisted. I bought him a snorkle set from Costco this summer too to have him parctice in our backyard pool. Having the mask over his face though, sent him into a fit, and refused to try again. Well, I brought that set here with us. DS7 through a fit in our hotel room when I said I was bringing this down to the pool. Now granted, the little guy was so tired and could have used a nap. The tears and tantrum, and when he does this, his face gets all blotchy red,,, my goodness. I told DH, leave him, I'll stay up here with him and get him to have a nap. But no DS's tantrum got even bigger with that news. At this point DH quickly got his attention the old fashioned way, and the tantrum stopped and off we went.

Well, WELL, later at the pool, DS on his own decided to take that mask and try it out. Once he had it on he began to practice by putting his face in the water and breathting through the snorkle tube. He liked that!!! Then he said, "Now all I need to do is learn how to swim" after which he tried doing the doggy paddle then realized HE WAS ACTUALLY DOING IT! For the next two hours, all this child did, was SWIM, UNASSISTED for the first time EVER!!!! He wouldn't stop! Kept swimming face down, breathing through the tube, floating on his belly, kicking his legs, and making strokes with his arms, from the steps to the 4ft marker, back and forth, back and forth!!!! HE LEARNED TO SWIM HERE IN ORLANDO!!!! Now THIS, THIS is MAGIC!!!
You can see him here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZnDsAU8SRw

woohoo! that is totally awesome. Stephen learned to swim in cape canaveral. I swear it is that warm water.

 

[kgoldenh]

last day of work and school!!! so why does it have to be such a rough day?

24 hours from now we will be taking off from Dulles!!! we are packed, FE gifts sent. FE is done and looks so awesome....

Addie and Stephen cannot wait to make friends and leave us behind for a week.

safe travels everyone

kate

 

[schimj]

...so why does it have to be such a rough day?

I couldn't have said it better myself! It seems like the past few days of work have been dragging for me. But I'm over half way through my shift for today, and I'm only working a half day tomorrow. All said and done, I have 7 hours of work left before I punch out. Tonight is a night full of packing, then tomorrow we pick up my parents.

 

[krisces]

Safe Travels everyone!

See you on Saturday!

 

[nenner1]

We're HERE!


It was a nice drive over, weather is absolutely gorgeous.

We are all checked in at the Country Inn and Suites. It's very nice! We have a kids' suite- the room is awesome! Got the 10:00 shuttle to the Port Saturday. They have 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 shuttle times.


Here's a pic for you...of course this is the Wonder but hey, made us smile nonetheless.

In a few minutes we are heading back to MNSSHP!

 

[pdarrah]

Just an FYI for Fish Extender Group A - we are on the list as LATE seating which was correct, however our not-so-impressive substitute TA at Dreams has changed us to MAIN seating. I just found out about it when I was at DCL's site for something else. (Our original TA from 2 years ago retired from Dreams and we were assigned this new one - I will NOT be giving the ressie to her when we rebook on board!) We don't have really strong feeling about which seating and I think it is more likely to just confuse things if I try and get it changed back now, so I guess we are now MAIN seating.

 

[Fastpaks]

In line for fantasmic now. Disney does a lot of things right fantasimic is not one of them. There was a 2 hour wait for the 900 show. It's shameful that this is the only. Real downside to the trip.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Kids and husband are sound asleep. We leave for the airport about 6:30am. The girls were so tired we skipped baths tonight so we need to get up early to dunk them in the tub. Hope's asthma is kicking in so I've packed all the meds I can think of to get us through the vacation.

I'm tucking some homework assignments into the girls' travel folders before I turn in. Thanks for the tip, Judy. I just about copied everything you suggested from Milliepie.

Fastpaks, your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

We land around 11ish in Orlando and head straight to the Kennedy Space Center. I'm sure we will run into several Disers later on at the Country Inn Suites. Nenner, I am wheeling on a cooler with a few bottles of something and so will have spare room for some of the TOT candy. Guess we'd better do the exchange tomorrow night as we aren't planning on taking the shuttle the next morning. Steve is dropping me and the girls off at the Port while he returns the rental car to Hertz and then he'll take the car rental shuttle back to the Port. So let's look around for each other tomorrow evening.

Can't wait to meet all of you!

Beth

 

[Pudo]

Well after our car service was late an hour and drove like a maniac to get to the airport to make up for the time they were behind we still made our flight because I always pad our travel plans with extra time to spare.

The flight was good and on time, we got on the Magical Express and made it to BLT by around 4:00. Just enough time to check in and then hop on a bus to DTD (whew).

We had 5:30 reservations at T-Rex at it was awesome. The food was good, the place is very cool and Build-A-Dino was fun.

We will be at MNSSHP party tomorrow night.

Pictures of T-Rex, Catherine and Sarah holding their dinos in the last picture.

Jeff

 

[Beachbumpirates]

We too are off to bed - our flight is at 650am and we are about an hour from the airport. It will be an early morning for sure.

I am so happy it Vacation Eve!!! We have had the busiest past two weeks with birthday parties, business trips, school concerts and more. So happy it is now all behind us and we are packed and ready to go!

Now my only worries are hoping our FE box makes it to our cabin and we arrive in time to the port. Just called the BW and our transfer is picking us up at 12:45pm. Seems kind of late and I see there may be heavy traffic near the port. PLEASE dont let that ship leave with out us!!!!!

Safe travels all. We can't wait to meet you all!!

Laurie

 

[Fastpaks]

Totally worth it!!! WOOW Fantasmic is UNREAL!!!! and we didn't wait like others (30 mins max)!See everyone at the Radison

 

[nenner1]

OMG my feet....pain....ah....

MNSSHP was amazing! It was wonderful to meet Vikki (figmentnnemo) after an extended session of phone tag that spanned several attractions- and also- a surprise!- Janice (Dizney-Cruiser) and Linda! Played text tag also with Ellen (podsnel) for awhile but we never found eachother!

Got five bags full of candy- we did hit all of the ToT stations- the last thing we needed right? MORE candy! LOL!

Beth we'll see if we need to get with you tomorrow evening- we might be able to handle the candy...it is all in one duffel bag, it's heavy but seems manageable so I'll see what Ron decides tomorrow. (Like how much beer is he going to buy that would hamper us further etc. )

Looking forward to meeting more of you at Grills/Radisson, and whoever we see in the halls of CIS!

Nite nite, we officially sail *tomorrow*

 

[pdarrah]

Just about to shut down the PC - limo will be here for us in about 15 minutes. Survived 6th grade classroom party and got the costume safely packed! I even managed to iron up t-shirts with the group logo this morning before work so DS11 and I will be wearing them (DH is a party pooper and won't do it )

Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow!

 

[morgansmom2000]

Ahhhh! You're all already there! I'm still stuck here in Massachusetts! Our flight is at 6:00 am, DH refused to go a day early. Good news is we are all packed, and ready to go! Leaving our house at 3:00 am for the bus to Logan.

See you tomorrow!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

We made it to CIS after a good flight, KSC tour, check-in at the hotel, trip to urgent care for Hope (she's doing ok, but the asthma is rearing it's angry head)' a visit across the street to CVS to fill more meds, good fish dinner, short drive by to the port, and now back to our room. THe girls are waxing poetic about the bunk beds in their little room. I'm about to go through the bags to pull out the swimsuits for the carry-ons.

Jenn, we are in 230 (van beek) if you change your mind and need me to carry on any TOT stuff. Just give me a call or grab me at breakfast.

Jeff, thanks for reaching Steve. Sounds like you are having fun at WDW. See you tomorrow!

Can't wait to see everyone. We will all have a great cruise no matter what comes our way!!!!

Beth

 

[morgansmom2000]

I hope the asthma is under control.

 

[bfosbenner]

At beach club
see all tomorrow!

 

[tjbaggott]

We're at CI&S now too! Just finished putting the luggage tags on our checked luggage. I may be one or two tags short, which I hope to take care of at the port in the morning.
We met with Joanie, Sam and Nenner's family at Grills for a nice dinner. DH had to make a side trip after as I had forgot to pack his dress pants (can't really blame me, seeing as how I WAS packing for 4 people, I was bound to forget something).

Did my laundry here so I won't have to do that on the ship (gotta love those Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets!!
JKS Wonder, if you are seeing this, I WILL have your FE with me as carry on, unless I can refind room for it in my suitcase.
The boys had fun going for a swim after dinner, Jen and Ron and family too, and Jonathan and Amy (Fastpacks), joined us as well. I'm beet now, but waiting for the laundry to finish before heading to bed. It will be an early morning for us. The plan is to have DH drive us and the luggage to the port, then come back here and park the van and take the 10 am shuttle back to port.
Can't wait for tomorrow!!

 

[figmentnnemo]

The lanyards are gorgeous! My friend Jen is jealous! Les should be here in an hour of so.

Tonight we sat on our balcony at BLT and watched Hallowishes again (this time with drinks in hand)--is it wrong that we know every single word?

See you all in the terminal & onboard!

OMG my feet....pain....ah....

MNSSHP was amazing! It was wonderful to meet Vikki (figmentnnemo) after an extended session of phone tag that spanned several attractions- and also- a surprise!- Janice (Dizney-Cruiser) and Linda! Played text tag also with Ellen (podsnel) for awhile but we never found eachother!

Got five bags full of candy- we did hit all of the ToT stations- the last thing we needed right? MORE candy! LOL!

Beth we'll see if we need to get with you tomorrow evening- we might be able to handle the candy...it is all in one duffel bag, it's heavy but seems manageable so I'll see what Ron decides tomorrow. (Like how much beer is he going to buy that would hamper us further etc. )

Looking forward to meeting more of you at Grills/Radisson, and whoever we see in the halls of CIS!

Nite nite, we officially sail *tomorrow*

 

[figmentnnemo]

I know a good agent for when you rebook!

Just an FYI for Fish Extender Group A - we are on the list as LATE seating which was correct, however our not-so-impressive substitute TA at Dreams has changed us to MAIN seating. I just found out about it when I was at DCL's site for something else. (Our original TA from 2 years ago retired from Dreams and we were assigned this new one - I will NOT be giving the ressie to her when we rebook on board!) We don't have really strong feeling about which seating and I think it is more likely to just confuse things if I try and get it changed back now, so I guess we are now MAIN seating.