Our Grand Gathering Adventure:Surprising the Boys! 9/17 WE LEAVE TOMORROW!!!

[hhockman]

You must have a small first aid kit. I put mine in a small cosmetic bag. moleskin, AAA antibiotic ointment, bandaids, motrin and chewable pepto. I even have little scissors and needle and thread in case a button pops.

The needle and thread is a great idea as is the chewable pepto! I'm adding both to the list.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

It will work out better that you are not tagging along a friend. We have done trips both ways; its easier for us and our pocket book w/o but the kids do always have more fun. Thank goodness they did not know; so, as you said no hurt feelings for the boys. I CAN'T believe YOU were paying Cole's way. I take friends but parents have to chip up the main expense (tickets and food in the parks). And about your mom we have always had that problem too! we usually have my parents along with us and they will buy snacks and things and feel they have to include the friends and she always complains why do we have to bring tag alongs.

Can't help with moleskin never used it!

your meeting the first thing that needs to be said "WE ARE HERE FOR THE CHILDREN!!!"

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

It will work out better that you are not tagging along a friend. We have done trips both ways; its easier for us and our pocket book w/o but the kids do always have more fun. Thank goodness they did not know; so, as you said no hurt feelings for the boys. I CAN'T believe YOU were paying Cole's way. I take friends but parents have to chip up the main expense (tickets and food in the parks). And about your mom we have always had that problem too! we usually have my parents along with us and they will buy snacks and things and feel they have to include the friends and she always complains why do we have to bring tag alongs.

Can't help with moleskin never used it!

your meeting the first thing that needs to be said "WE ARE HERE FOR THE CHILDREN!!!"

CONNIE, CONNIE, she'e our er-man-. If she can't do it no one can.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather you get moleskin anywhere but go to the foot products in the pharmacy area. It is in about 4 inch square and you cut it to fit where you need it. I can't find anything but the padded kind anymore and it works fine. Just remember take it off every night and don't let it get wet. If it does be very careful peeling it off. That little bit if info will save you a world of hurt. Sheri has a pair of flip flops that bother her so everyday just a piece. I needed much bigger pieces. I know my Barney Ruble feet are bigger than hers.

On the note of Cole not going. I know how glad you are that your boys did not know. You went to an awful lot of trouble for him to have everything just like your boys. Someday what they have done to Cole over a 'game' is going to come back and bite them in the butt. That will be their worry. You are doing the right thing.

When we cruise Austin's friend Joel goes with us. I love Joel. His mom is Sheri and my best friend. She pays his way and he has been a part of our life since he was 6 also. So he is like having one of my own. He would even go with us if Austin didn't. I'll have to put pictures on my TR of our cruise last Nov.

But not everyone can have that friendship. I treasure it. He really doesn't have grandparents either so I have always been grandma to him. I thought at one time Aust might be a little jealous of that fact and he just told me that "everyone should get the opportunity to have a grandma like you" Ok say it. Awwwwwwwwww.

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Awwwww!!!!!!!!! Ginny, really, everyone should have a grandma like you! I'm glad your grandchildren are smart enough to recognize.

Heather, I know you're looking at the bright side of things on the Cole issue, but my heart breaks. Like Ginny said, you went through an awful lot of trouble to make sure that he was treated just as equally as your kids. I'm proud of you, though, for taking the high road. You're a good person and you should always know that you did what was right.

I agree with Connie about making sure they know the conversation is just about the kids. Good Luck! Please be sure and post back so we know how things went.

You!

 

[dismagiclover]

Sorry about the whole Cole situation, but hopefully things will work out for the better in the long run. They usually do I hope you do the Pirate's League. I want a first hand report on it. It's something I've thought about for my boys when I take them next summer. And they changed the discount for the photo session That is really a bummer. I loved our session, but I don't think I loved it enough to pay $150. The quality is not that good. I'm sure you'll be able to come up with pictures just as good by taking them yourselves and having the park Photopass guys take a few as well. You are getting closer every day

 

[hhockman]

It will work out better that you are not tagging along a friend. We have done trips both ways; its easier for us and our pocket book w/o but the kids do always have more fun. Thank goodness they did not know; so, as you said no hurt feelings for the boys. I CAN'T believe YOU were paying Cole's way. I take friends but parents have to chip up the main expense (tickets and food in the parks). And about your mom we have always had that problem too! we usually have my parents along with us and they will buy snacks and things and feel they have to include the friends and she always complains why do we have to bring tag alongs.

Can't help with moleskin never used it!

your meeting the first thing that needs to be said "WE ARE HERE FOR THE CHILDREN!!!"

Yes, we were paying for him. I'm not sure if they would have given us any money for him or not when the time came, but they didn't up front. It was our idea to take him and I guess they just took it for granted. He was only about $300 extra and when you're paying as much as we are, that's not THAT much. And we truly wanted him to come. But I'm okay with getting that money back too.

Heather you get moleskin anywhere but go to the foot products in the pharmacy area. It is in about 4 inch square and you cut it to fit where you need it. I can't find anything but the padded kind anymore and it works fine. Just remember take it off every night and don't let it get wet. If it does be very careful peeling it off. That little bit if info will save you a world of hurt. Sheri has a pair of flip flops that bother her so everyday just a piece. I needed much bigger pieces. I know my Barney Ruble feet are bigger than hers.

On the note of Cole not going. I know how glad you are that your boys did not know. You went to an awful lot of trouble for him to have everything just like your boys. Someday what they have done to Cole over a 'game' is going to come back and bite them in the butt. That will be their worry. You are doing the right thing.

When we cruise Austin's friend Joel goes with us. I love Joel. His mom is Sheri and my best friend. She pays his way and he has been a part of our life since he was 6 also. So he is like having one of my own. He would even go with us if Austin didn't. I'll have to put pictures on my TR of our cruise last Nov.

But not everyone can have that friendship. I treasure it. He really doesn't have grandparents either so I have always been grandma to him. I thought at one time Aust might be a little jealous of that fact and he just told me that "everyone should get the opportunity to have a grandma like you" Ok say it. Awwwwwwwwww.

Thanks Ginny. I will look for it. The boys will mostly be wearing Crocs everyday, but it's better to be safe and all that.

I definitely agree with Austin that everyone should have a grandma like you! I sure am glad I have you as a friend at least!

Awwwww!!!!!!!!! Ginny, really, everyone should have a grandma like you! I'm glad your grandchildren are smart enough to recognize.

Heather, I know you're looking at the bright side of things on the Cole issue, but my heart breaks. Like Ginny said, you went through an awful lot of trouble to make sure that he was treated just as equally as your kids. I'm proud of you, though, for taking the high road. You're a good person and you should always know that you did what was right.

I agree with Connie about making sure they know the conversation is just about the kids. Good Luck! Please be sure and post back so we know how things went.

You!

Don't worry. I will let you know. I have two friends that want me to call them too. All this drama over 7/8 year old baseball! Silly. I wanted to do it for Cole because I know at home nobody really every spoils him. I really wanted him to have a fun trip. But I can't do anything about that now and I just want to put everything into making sure my boys have a great time. I will if they do.

Sorry about the whole Cole situation, but hopefully things will work out for the better in the long run. They usually do I hope you do the Pirate's League. I want a first hand report on it. It's something I've thought about for my boys when I take them next summer. And they changed the discount for the photo session That is really a bummer. I loved our session, but I don't think I loved it enough to pay $150. The quality is not that good. I'm sure you'll be able to come up with pictures just as good by taking them yourselves and having the park Photopass guys take a few as well. You are getting closer every day

As soon as we get our refund from Disney I'm planning to make the Pirate League reservations. My only worry is that the day I want to do it (the one day we're supposed to spend most of the day at the Magic Kingdom), there is a MNSSHP that night. We're not going because it's too expensive (we went last time-it's a lot of fun, but just not really worth THAT much money this time). I'm afraid the whole day will be booked up because of the party that night. I want to wait until we get the refund (which will probably just take a couple days I would think-it's going back on my card) because I'm afraid they're going to make me pay for it right then. Christian LOVES pirates, and Will really does too. I think they will think it's the best thing ever (next to Jedi Academy) so I really want to do it. I'll let you know if we get in.

As far as the portrait session, the guy I talked to said it was $99.95 for the session, the CD, and the print package. That's not really that much more than the $70 we were planning on, but my dad said to ask my mom (they were going to pay for it) and I decided I just really didn't want to mess with it. Just too many people involved. I think we are going to do it (even if it is $100) next summer when it's just the four of us (and possibly my MIL) and I know we'll get the pictures we want instead of worrying about how fast we have to get them all done with 14 people. I REALLY want that one like you got on the beach!

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Christian has his first practice (I did tell you guys that I'M Christian's coach didn't I? ) at 5:45 so I've got to get ready for that in a bit. I'll be back tonight though. Off to do a little reading before I have to change....

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I am very proud of the way you have worked through this situation. I wish your mom could see what a good adult you have become. You have done the right things for you and your family and that is what matters more than anything else.

Have a good practice. I was a coach for Sheri's fast pitch softball team when she was 10. It's lots of work

 

[DisneyMomLiz]

Heather, sorry about the Cole situation but as others have said it will all work out for the best. And as you said, thank goodness the boys didn't know about it. Very smart of you and DH to keep the "secret" from the boys!!

In regards to your list, WOW borrowing again...can't ever have enough lists, I say One thing I know I need, not sure if you do, an eyeglass repair kit, if no glasses in the house, then a mini srewdriver tool kit thingie?!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good morning Heather. Just wanted to wish you a good day. I know you will handle yourself with grace and dignity. You are the better person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ginny

 

[mickeystoontown]

Mornin' Heather,

Lacey played softball until she was in the 7th grade and then everything because really political and there was too much drama going on. She as one of the best catchers around. All the coaches wanted her but her uncle was the sponsor of our team and she wanted to continue to play for them. Then, one day the coach's daughter decided she wanted to play catcher (she never had before). Guess who got the boot? You guessed it, Lacey. Our team really suffered for it because the coach's daughter wasn't as agile as Lacey and missed a lot of balls which cost us a lot. Many of the parents complained but it didn't help. We finished out the season and we never looked back.

I don't know about around your house but here in West Monroe, Louisiana, sports are almost everything. People falsify their addresses so that their child can play for a certain school. Our high school football team has been State and National champs. It seems like the parents care more about the sports than the academics. It's sad that they can take something that supposed to give the kids and their family pleasure and turn it into something ugly.

I am very thankful that Hunter plays football for the private school he used to attend. The coaches all attend church. The team say prayers before and after practice and games. The coaches praise the kids more than they discipline them. We may not be the most winning team around but we have fun and fellowship.

I have said a prayer for you today, Heather. Actually, one for you and your entire family. It's going to be okay. I have faith that it will.

Lisa

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Hey Heather! Just stopping by to let you know I'm still reading. I haven't been posting much, but I do read.

Love all the stuff you've made, you are very creative. Your kids are going to have the best time.

Sorry about Cole. I feel bad for him. At least he didn't know what was coming. And you may be better off with just your family anyway.

Can't believe how close you are!

 

[hhockman]

Thank you again, everyone. "The Talk" did not go well. There wasn't screaming or yelling or anything like that, but Matt and I tried to be honest and really put everything out there and he just didn't want to hear it. We even offered to just change parks (he said "You don't need to do that. You've just got to stop the outbursts".) Over and over again like a broken record he just saying I need to stop the outbursts, even as Matt and I kept trying to tell him that none of the 3 situations he was talking about was what he said it was. Finally we just told him we were done. That we're not putting any more into friendships or helping or anything (Matt will continue to help Will of course, but he's not "coaching" because we're coaching Christian). He just seemed to get more and more upset. Especially when I suggested that there were times when he actually got upset. Finally he just said, "Well, I'm leaving. I'll see you guys tomorrow," and walked off. Nothing was accomplished. I feel much worse and Matt and I both feel like he's angry. We meant what we said. We ARE done. But at one time we felt like they were really good friends and I'm sure you all know how much it hurts when a relationship ends.

Will is still going to be on his team. We're not changing teams for the fall, and Tony has Will "frozen" in the Spring. If I understand correctly, he is not allowed to unfreeze Will. Only we can request that, and we won't because that guarantees that Will gets to play with his friends. I don't know if we will be invited to play All Stars next year or not (Tony will most likely coach again. Will is definitely one of the best players in his age group, but like you said Lisa, sometimes that doesn't matter). If not, we'll be okay. There are plenty of other things we can do (and spend our money on). As long as Will doesn't get hurt, we're fine. If Will gets hurt somehow, we'll leave.

The whole thing stinks, but there's nothing we can do about it.

Lisa, sports are like that here too. Kids start football at 5. If you start at 5, you are pretty much guaranteed a spot on the team of the middle school that you attend. People are serious about baseball too. We have five Dizzy Dean/Pony associations that are close enough that we'd be willing to drive to them, and 2 or 3 more that we could drive to if we really wanted to. A team from our district almost always wins state (or is at least runner up). The whole thing is crazy. Will is good enough to play in middle and high school (maybe college, who knows, he's 7), but we're not going to make our whole world about it. It's just not worth it.

Hopefully this will be the last time I hijack my own thread with this mess. I'm getting REALLY excited about our trip! I finally started working on the boys' travel journals last night (and I'm also starting to think ahead to our next trip).

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather, I think it was a matter of timing. This was going to explode anyway. I feel he had been searching for his time to do it. What a shame. I wish he could see what he is doing to those children.

Sports is very competitive here also. I Aust was always very fortunate to get to play. He was good. He broke his hand (at the sphenoid joint, below the thumb) playing football his 8th grade year. He said nothing to anyone till the next summer when he started playing baseball. He couldn't grip the ball. So his baseball career ended. He does fine with a football. It's about the size. He wore a cast for 6 months and the Dr. still says he needs surgery but it really doesn't affect anything but baseball. He was a great outfielder. Could throw from the fence in to the pitcher. And he was a really good hitter.

Your life will go on and you will be the winner despite what that "friend" wants. So sorry it couldn't work out. He just did not want it to. I think he probably needs some prayer and forgiveness in his life.

Ginny

 

[hhockman]

Heather, I think it was a matter of timing. This was going to explode anyway. I feel he had been searching for his time to do it. What a shame. I wish he could see what he is doing to those children.

Sports is very competitive here also. I Aust was always very fortunate to get to play. He was good. He broke his hand (at the sphenoid joint, below the thumb) playing football his 8th grade year. He said nothing to anyone till the next summer when he started playing baseball. He couldn't grip the ball. So his baseball career ended. He does fine with a football. It's about the size. He wore a cast for 6 months and the Dr. still says he needs surgery but it really doesn't affect anything but baseball. He was a great outfielder. Could throw from the fence in to the pitcher. And he was a really good hitter.

Your life will go on and you will be the winner despite what that "friend" wants. So sorry it couldn't work out. He just did not want it to. I think he probably needs some prayer and forgiveness in his life.

Ginny

Yes Ginny. I'm sure it would have happened sooner or later. It will be interesting to see how practice goes tomorrow. Although Matt and I will be working with Christian's team anyway. I'm so glad Christian is able to play this fall (we weren't sure they would let him since he misses the cutoff by about a month. Apparently they're being flexible. We have another little boy on our team who is 2 days younger than Christian).

As long as Will doesn't get hurt (I mean emotionally, of course. Physically he's been hurt several times-that's part of baseball), I'm good. I just want Will to be happy. And he's happy with his friends. It will be fine.

I so appreciate everyone's prayers. I know that is part of what got me through today. Tony could definitely use some prayer. There is so much more to him than I've even mentioned here. No need to really get into it, though.

Poor Austin! I can't believe he can't play baseball anymore. I don't know what Will would do. I'm glad Aust still has football.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I waiting on photobucket. That is your main objective to be sure your children are taken care of. You will always be there for them to watch. I'm glad you are helping Christain. It will help keep you busy and that never hurts. Have a great day tomorrow. This weekend has flown by. Don says I have to get up early. He is going to the attic and you have to get there before the sun comes out. I will go back to bed.

 

[hhockman]

I know I have already mentioned our trip next June here somewhere. As I start to come to the end of the plans for this trip (don't worry, I still have a TON to do), I'm also starting to think about our next one.

We decided when we moved from Florida we would only go to Disney every other year. That worked the first time, we didn't go at all last year.

This time? Not so much. We originally started planning this trip so I could meet up with my Birth Club friends. It's already looking like some of them won't be able to come. I'm really hoping at least a couple of them can come as meeting them is my "excuse" for going (when my dad starts asking why we're spending all that money and we "just" went this year).

Since then we have decided we are going no matter what. Looking at past Disney pictures a couple weeks ago, I came upon some pictures of a trip we took with MIL when Will was 15 months old (that was June 2003. We also went in August 2003 with my family and I think in December 2003-I MISS living 2 hours from Disney!), so I mentioned to Matt that we should invite MIL to go with us next summer. JUST her (she lives with Matt's sister, who has a tendency to tag along for this kind of thing, thus resulting in Will and Christian not getting their Nana's undivided attention). We're really hoping she will be able to go.

We are planning the trip around June 9th, which is Christian's 5th birthday. I want to be in Disney on his birthday but I also want to go to both Sea World and Universal this time. I've been tentatively planning for June 8th-16th, but there are a lot of variables to factor and those dates will probably change.

1. I want to be in DISNEY for Christian's actual birthday on the 9th.
2. We want to Star Wars weekends on the 12th and 13th.
3. I've thought about coming a little early, but the Gay Days weekend will be the 5th and 6th and while I have no problem with homosexuality personally, I do not particually want my kids to witness that much sexuality of any kind. That being said, I believe when we were there for Christian's 1st birthday it was during Gay Days and I don't really remember it being a problem, so unless it has gotten MUCH bigger in the last 4 years, we probably won't let it affect our plans too much.
4. I have to wait and see what kind of promotions will be offered by both Disney and Sea World or Universal during that time period. I'm hoping for the buy 3/get 2 free that was offered this year by Sea World to be offered again, because I found a GREAT offer on the Nick hotel through that promotion and I would love to let the boys stay there. Of course the nature of the promotion could present a problem with us having to stay there for 5 days. Especially if Disney offers the buy 4/get 3 free. Now we are talking about a 12 night vacation, which is quite a bit longer than we've ever taken. I'm also toying with the idea of just renting DVC points instead of doing the promotion. If we did that, we would not be at Disney for 7 nights.
5. The idea came to me today that if Disney is still doing the "What Will You Celebrate?" theme (and really, even if they are not) we are also going to celebrate Will's birthday and our anniversary, even though Will's birthday is in March and our Anniversary is in April. We will have an "unbirthday" for Will and make sure Disney makes just as big a deal of it as they do for Christian (although 5 is a pretty important birthday). Next year is our 10th anniversary so we will also make a big deal of "celebrating" that two months late. Disney likes to do year long celebrations, I think we can celebrate 10 years for longer than a day. If MIL comes I'm planning to let her watch the kids one evening so that Matt and I can have a dinner out together. If she doesn't, we'll probably take advantage of a kids' club.

That's where I am so far. We can't really afford to spend any more on that trip than we are on this one (and we might need to spend less), but I want there to be a lot of fun surprises and things to do so I'm going to have to try to get the best bang for my buck.

I will more than likely start a PTR for coming trip as soon as we get back from the one that is only 24 DAYS AWAY (by Lisa's way of counting-it's after midnight here)!!!

I'm headed to bed. I'll check in with you all tomorrow, dear friends.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Heather:

Your trip is so very close and I'm glad that this whole debacle is over and done with so you can toss that aside and get excited about the trip again.

As far as next year's trip goes, it looks like you've got a great plan going. Don't listen to anybody who starts talking crap about "Why do you want to go every year? I've learned years ago to just blow them off. If we want to go to Disney every year that's our business.

We've been to Disney multiple times during Gay Days. We simply avoid the parks that they are scheduled to be at and we're fine. My kids have never even really taken notice of them. Well, except for the one time where a couple (guys) were wearing bride and groom hats and they were both guys. Lacey understood but Hunter thought they were just being silly.

I don't know what kind of "theme" Disney will have next year but I, too, wonder if they'll extend the What Will You Celebrate theme like they did the Year of a Million Dreams.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with including all of your family's celebrations at Disney. That's exactly what we did. We had our 25th anniversary there. Lacey celebrated her 2nd year of college graduation. And, Hunter celebrated his birthday which was actually in May. I even had a castmember tell me to "celebrate everything".

Have a good day,

Lisa

 

[lisalonglash]

Heather, first: and and more - what a schlemozzle!

Second, your plans for both this trip and your next one sound fantastic! I know you'll all have a blast

Third, more for your past couple of weeks of totally unnecessary stress!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather, I am so going to need your help. I am going to make Austin a scrapbook for his senior year. Right now I'm in gathering mode. So when you get back from your magical trip we will chat so you can give me ideas. You know I've only done one scrapbook ever and after I put $90. in it I decided maybe that wasn't my thing. So I'm gonna give it another try.

Ginny