Pocahontas1
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2002
- Messages
- 362
Part 8: Slurping Jell-O through a Straw
Cast of Characters:
Me: 35 year old major Disney fan. DH bought into DVC in 2002, so I now get to go at least once a year.
Omi: My mom. She is 59 and enjoys Disney (but not nearly as much as I do), but she was wiling to go to spend time with the grandkids.
Tater: DS Almost 5 years old (to be exact he is 59 months old this became important later on in the trip). Has been to Disney about 6 times. Knows exactly what he wants to do.
Princess Squidgy: DD 13 months old. This is her second Disney trip. Walks everywhere, but not independently. Has just begun to have major temper tantrums.
For this to have been our down day, it has actually been quite busy. Im tired and wishing the kids would take a nap, but that doesnt look promising. As we drive from the pool back to our room at OKW, it is raining pretty hard (and this is surprising because?). Its about 3:30 and we have 5:30 PSs at Trails End at Ft. Wilderness. I figure we need to leave by 4:45 to get there in time. Were planning to go to the campfire and watch the movie, too.
After we make it back to the room, Tater plays with his cars and Squidgy wanders around trying to take whatever he has. Omi and I enjoy the conch fritters. They were pretty good. Theyd cooled a bit on the ride back to the room and I bet they were really good when they were hot. Enjoyed a refreshing Diet Coke as well you know even a vacationing girl has to watch the calories.
For tonight, we have special outfits. Everyone but Squidgy has bright blue Disney shirts to wear. I bought these for our trip last July (where even DH wore his) and Im really glad were going to get to use them again. I know it looks dorky, but I think it is really cute when the families dress the same. Taters excited hell be same-same as Omi and me. Luckily, were leave on time cause I tend to stress when we get behind schedule.
Now, in past posts Ive complained about Disney signs. This is a prime example of how the Disney way isnt the shortest way. When we leave OKW, they want us to take a left and come in the main entrance to MK to get to Ft.W. Now, since Ive been here (and took the bus yesterday), I know the shortest way is to turn right, then make another left and come in past Osprey Ridge (?) golf course and end up at Ft. W., totally bypassing MK and the MK resorts. I always know a better and shorter way to get to where we are going. Sometimes it actually works. In this case it does and were there in about 10 minutes (compared to the 25 it would have taken to go the other way).
We have a little time and its not raining so we unload the stroller and we check out the horses at the Tri-Circle D ranch. DH and I have horses at home, so I always enjoy checking out others that are pretty and well-cared for. Disney horses fit the bill. Maybe someday, Tater and I can take a trail ride. One of the other things Ive always wanted to do, but never had the time. We find a bus to the settlement area and hop on.
Its a pleasant and short ride to the settlement and I think about how much I would love to stay at Ft. W., except for the fact that I hate camping. DH and I have a travel trailer, too, but dont use it except to go to the NASCAR races (go Jeremy Mayfield). There are just too many rules in camping make the bed, clean up after yourself, cook all the meals ugh. Im a full service kind of gal give me a hotel anytime. Ft. W. is well laid out, the campsites are big and there is lots of shade. So, if you like camping, I would highly encourage you to try staying here at least once.
When we get there, the Hoop-Dee-Do hasnt taken in yet. Ive been a couple times and wanted to take Omi on this trip. I knew Tater would enjoy it. He went when he was three, but fell asleep before they even served dinner. We pulled a couple of chairs together and he slept the entire show I still had to pay full price, though. Anyway, I decided to save HDD for another trip when Squidgy is a little older. I was afraid she wouldnt sit through the entire show. And, based on her performance so far, I made the right choice.
We check in at Trails End and are seated immediately. We have a very nice server who has a 5 yo daughter, so we briefly compare notes on child rearing. Our hostess managed to snag three containers of Fruit Loops so, for the moment, Squidgy is happily munching on those. Tater also wants Fruit Loops, but I put my foot down. There is other stuff hell eat; he needs to eat off the buffet that is what Im paying for!!!
As usual, the meal was very good. I had lobster bisque which I really enjoyed. The fried chicken is the same at HDD and was excellent as usual. By the time I went back for seconds, they had put out a fresh batch and it was hot and crispy. We also had some good mixed veggies and potatoes. I really like their cornbread. It is a sweet cornbread, more like a cake. For dessert we had hot apple cobbler. Tater enjoyed his pizza and watermelon. However, what he really enjoyed was his Jell-O.
During our trip in 12/03, we went to Trails End the first time. We had an awesome server called Uncle Gary. DH and I were very tired and hungry and didnt have a lot of patience with Tater. I was 4 months pregnant with the Squidge, so that could have had something to do with it. Anyway, Tater was kind of dancing around at the table and slipped. He fell and hit is head on the wall. In all probability, it must have hurt and he had a lump for a couple days, but we had been telling him to sit down, so at the time I didnt have a lot of sympathy (I know, bad mommy). Anyway, our server, helped calm him down by telling him how much fun it is to suck up Jell-O using a straw.
If you have never watched a child slurp Jell-O through a straw, you dont know what you are missing. It is the most disgusting sound you can possibly imagine. He loved it. We impressed upon him that this is the only restaurant where you are allowed to use a straw to eat your Jell-O. I had visions of him using the straw when we went for Sunday brunch with my Nana at the home. On our visit last year, as soon as he got his plate, he ask our server for a straw for my Jell-O, please and she says Oh, you must have been here before and had Gary as your server.
So, as usual, he is happily slurping up Jell-O while the other diners look on. The louder he slurps, the happier he is and the louder he giggles. Squidge thinks that Jell-O slurping noise is pretty cool, too. I just sit there and cringe every time he takes another bite (slurp?). I know people were thinking What kind of manners is she teaching that child?, but I swear, this is the only time he uses a straw. Some of the other kids look a little jealous that they dont have a mom as cool as me and they have to use their utensils to eat their Jell-O boring.
Overall, it was a very pleasant dinner. Squidgy actually sat for the entire time so maybe the rest of the trip will be better. Maybe we have turned the corner and she is willing to sit. She still didnt eat anything that she couldnt feed herself, but she was quiet and for that, the other diners should be thankful.
After dinner Tater and I go play a game while Omi and Squidgy go for a walk. Unfortunately, Tater has now reached a point where he understands that it takes money to actually play the video games. We went several years where he thought he was playing, but no longer. The problem is, he wants to play the driving games but cant reach the pedals. On top of that, he has no hand eye coordination. I mean, come on, hes only four. So, he has to sit on my lap and wedge himself in under the steering wheel while I operate the pedals. Mercifully it is a short game. Oddly enough, he didnt do to well and our time wasnt extended.
We catch up with Omi outside and it is only about 7:15 or so. She and Squidgy are over at the playground. Squidgy is too small to play on the slides and swings, but she enjoys stepping on and off the landscape timbers over and over and over again. Tater hooks up with some kids and took off playing. Im amazed at how when you are four every other kids is your friend. They havent started forming judgments yet, they are just happy to play with another child.
While we are there we overhear a family discussing the campfire that starts at 8:45pm. There is no way well make it that long. I really wanted to go to the campfire because Ive been craving Smores, but we just cant keep Squidgy occupied for an hour and a half and then for more time during the movie. It would be one thing if she fell asleep, but there is no guarantee that will happen. After a quick conference Omi and I decide a change of plans are in order. Well check out the petting zoo and head back to the room and just chill. Tater knows that when we wear matching shirts, its movie night, so hes not happy that hes going to miss out. We try to explain that it is just too late to stay up and that we have to get back early so we can get some sleep and have breakfast with Donald. Hes not buying it. Hes crying and whining and I feel really bad for him, but its just not going to happen today.
He finally settles down and we head over to the petting zoo. There seem to be a lot of ponies this time. I dont remember this many ponies before. We did find some goats and pigs, but that was about it. We head over to the big barn to check out the draft horses. One of our horses is half Clydesdale, but Im always amazed at how big a full blooded draft horse is. Their feet are enormous. Being an interested equestrian, I check out their feeding scheduled and am amazed that they only get between one and two pounds of concentrated feed a feeding. Wow! That just doesnt seem like a lot. Im really surprised because we feed our horse a whole lot more than that. However, each Disney draft horse got about a bale of hay a day. That is a lot of hay.
After weve checked out the horses and socialized with the caretaker, its time to head back to OKW. Its almost 8pm by now and were tired. We catch the first bus back to the Outpost and hop into the van. I briefly toy with the idea of taking Tater to DQ, but this just doesnt seem like a good night. Well try to go tomorrow night.
We get back to OKW and realize it is too late to do laundry tonight. Well have to do that tomorrow. Omi is getting a little concerned cause she is starting to run out of clothes so laundry is a priority tomorrow evening. We set up Squidges pack-n-play and realize we have a problem.
At PO-R, we put Squidgy in the dressing area behind a curtain. She doesnt necessarily need quiet to sleep, but does need her own space. If she sees you, she wants out. OKW is bigger, but there isnt a good place to put her bed. If we put her in the kitchen, she can see us. If we put her in the bathroom, we cant use it, the sink or the shower. We choose the bathroom. We put her down with Baby Tad and he plays music for the next six minutes. The rest of us lay on the beds in the dark and try not to make any noise. We watch TV with no sound just subtitles. Usually by the time the music stops, she is asleep.
Not tonight. We can hear her talking to herself, moving around, hitting the buttons on Baby Tad. The princess played for a half an hour before she finally went to sleep. The rest of us are tired too. I whisper a story to Tater and he falls asleep shortly after that. Omi and I discuss tomorrows plans and I tell her we have to be up by 6:30am and gone by 7:30am to make our PSs for 8:00 at Donalds. Tomorrow is our AK day with dinner at Olivias. It should be another early afternoon as we usually finish at AK about 2:30pm or so.
As Im lying there thinking of how much Im enjoying spending this time with my kids and my mother another thought goes through my head. I hope we dont have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, cause one of us will break our necks tripping over Squidges bed.
Next: Part 9: I thought there might be a problem when
Cast of Characters:
Me: 35 year old major Disney fan. DH bought into DVC in 2002, so I now get to go at least once a year.
Omi: My mom. She is 59 and enjoys Disney (but not nearly as much as I do), but she was wiling to go to spend time with the grandkids.
Tater: DS Almost 5 years old (to be exact he is 59 months old this became important later on in the trip). Has been to Disney about 6 times. Knows exactly what he wants to do.
Princess Squidgy: DD 13 months old. This is her second Disney trip. Walks everywhere, but not independently. Has just begun to have major temper tantrums.
For this to have been our down day, it has actually been quite busy. Im tired and wishing the kids would take a nap, but that doesnt look promising. As we drive from the pool back to our room at OKW, it is raining pretty hard (and this is surprising because?). Its about 3:30 and we have 5:30 PSs at Trails End at Ft. Wilderness. I figure we need to leave by 4:45 to get there in time. Were planning to go to the campfire and watch the movie, too.
After we make it back to the room, Tater plays with his cars and Squidgy wanders around trying to take whatever he has. Omi and I enjoy the conch fritters. They were pretty good. Theyd cooled a bit on the ride back to the room and I bet they were really good when they were hot. Enjoyed a refreshing Diet Coke as well you know even a vacationing girl has to watch the calories.
For tonight, we have special outfits. Everyone but Squidgy has bright blue Disney shirts to wear. I bought these for our trip last July (where even DH wore his) and Im really glad were going to get to use them again. I know it looks dorky, but I think it is really cute when the families dress the same. Taters excited hell be same-same as Omi and me. Luckily, were leave on time cause I tend to stress when we get behind schedule.
Now, in past posts Ive complained about Disney signs. This is a prime example of how the Disney way isnt the shortest way. When we leave OKW, they want us to take a left and come in the main entrance to MK to get to Ft.W. Now, since Ive been here (and took the bus yesterday), I know the shortest way is to turn right, then make another left and come in past Osprey Ridge (?) golf course and end up at Ft. W., totally bypassing MK and the MK resorts. I always know a better and shorter way to get to where we are going. Sometimes it actually works. In this case it does and were there in about 10 minutes (compared to the 25 it would have taken to go the other way).
We have a little time and its not raining so we unload the stroller and we check out the horses at the Tri-Circle D ranch. DH and I have horses at home, so I always enjoy checking out others that are pretty and well-cared for. Disney horses fit the bill. Maybe someday, Tater and I can take a trail ride. One of the other things Ive always wanted to do, but never had the time. We find a bus to the settlement area and hop on.
Its a pleasant and short ride to the settlement and I think about how much I would love to stay at Ft. W., except for the fact that I hate camping. DH and I have a travel trailer, too, but dont use it except to go to the NASCAR races (go Jeremy Mayfield). There are just too many rules in camping make the bed, clean up after yourself, cook all the meals ugh. Im a full service kind of gal give me a hotel anytime. Ft. W. is well laid out, the campsites are big and there is lots of shade. So, if you like camping, I would highly encourage you to try staying here at least once.
When we get there, the Hoop-Dee-Do hasnt taken in yet. Ive been a couple times and wanted to take Omi on this trip. I knew Tater would enjoy it. He went when he was three, but fell asleep before they even served dinner. We pulled a couple of chairs together and he slept the entire show I still had to pay full price, though. Anyway, I decided to save HDD for another trip when Squidgy is a little older. I was afraid she wouldnt sit through the entire show. And, based on her performance so far, I made the right choice.
We check in at Trails End and are seated immediately. We have a very nice server who has a 5 yo daughter, so we briefly compare notes on child rearing. Our hostess managed to snag three containers of Fruit Loops so, for the moment, Squidgy is happily munching on those. Tater also wants Fruit Loops, but I put my foot down. There is other stuff hell eat; he needs to eat off the buffet that is what Im paying for!!!
As usual, the meal was very good. I had lobster bisque which I really enjoyed. The fried chicken is the same at HDD and was excellent as usual. By the time I went back for seconds, they had put out a fresh batch and it was hot and crispy. We also had some good mixed veggies and potatoes. I really like their cornbread. It is a sweet cornbread, more like a cake. For dessert we had hot apple cobbler. Tater enjoyed his pizza and watermelon. However, what he really enjoyed was his Jell-O.
During our trip in 12/03, we went to Trails End the first time. We had an awesome server called Uncle Gary. DH and I were very tired and hungry and didnt have a lot of patience with Tater. I was 4 months pregnant with the Squidge, so that could have had something to do with it. Anyway, Tater was kind of dancing around at the table and slipped. He fell and hit is head on the wall. In all probability, it must have hurt and he had a lump for a couple days, but we had been telling him to sit down, so at the time I didnt have a lot of sympathy (I know, bad mommy). Anyway, our server, helped calm him down by telling him how much fun it is to suck up Jell-O using a straw.
If you have never watched a child slurp Jell-O through a straw, you dont know what you are missing. It is the most disgusting sound you can possibly imagine. He loved it. We impressed upon him that this is the only restaurant where you are allowed to use a straw to eat your Jell-O. I had visions of him using the straw when we went for Sunday brunch with my Nana at the home. On our visit last year, as soon as he got his plate, he ask our server for a straw for my Jell-O, please and she says Oh, you must have been here before and had Gary as your server.
So, as usual, he is happily slurping up Jell-O while the other diners look on. The louder he slurps, the happier he is and the louder he giggles. Squidge thinks that Jell-O slurping noise is pretty cool, too. I just sit there and cringe every time he takes another bite (slurp?). I know people were thinking What kind of manners is she teaching that child?, but I swear, this is the only time he uses a straw. Some of the other kids look a little jealous that they dont have a mom as cool as me and they have to use their utensils to eat their Jell-O boring.
Overall, it was a very pleasant dinner. Squidgy actually sat for the entire time so maybe the rest of the trip will be better. Maybe we have turned the corner and she is willing to sit. She still didnt eat anything that she couldnt feed herself, but she was quiet and for that, the other diners should be thankful.
After dinner Tater and I go play a game while Omi and Squidgy go for a walk. Unfortunately, Tater has now reached a point where he understands that it takes money to actually play the video games. We went several years where he thought he was playing, but no longer. The problem is, he wants to play the driving games but cant reach the pedals. On top of that, he has no hand eye coordination. I mean, come on, hes only four. So, he has to sit on my lap and wedge himself in under the steering wheel while I operate the pedals. Mercifully it is a short game. Oddly enough, he didnt do to well and our time wasnt extended.
We catch up with Omi outside and it is only about 7:15 or so. She and Squidgy are over at the playground. Squidgy is too small to play on the slides and swings, but she enjoys stepping on and off the landscape timbers over and over and over again. Tater hooks up with some kids and took off playing. Im amazed at how when you are four every other kids is your friend. They havent started forming judgments yet, they are just happy to play with another child.
While we are there we overhear a family discussing the campfire that starts at 8:45pm. There is no way well make it that long. I really wanted to go to the campfire because Ive been craving Smores, but we just cant keep Squidgy occupied for an hour and a half and then for more time during the movie. It would be one thing if she fell asleep, but there is no guarantee that will happen. After a quick conference Omi and I decide a change of plans are in order. Well check out the petting zoo and head back to the room and just chill. Tater knows that when we wear matching shirts, its movie night, so hes not happy that hes going to miss out. We try to explain that it is just too late to stay up and that we have to get back early so we can get some sleep and have breakfast with Donald. Hes not buying it. Hes crying and whining and I feel really bad for him, but its just not going to happen today.
He finally settles down and we head over to the petting zoo. There seem to be a lot of ponies this time. I dont remember this many ponies before. We did find some goats and pigs, but that was about it. We head over to the big barn to check out the draft horses. One of our horses is half Clydesdale, but Im always amazed at how big a full blooded draft horse is. Their feet are enormous. Being an interested equestrian, I check out their feeding scheduled and am amazed that they only get between one and two pounds of concentrated feed a feeding. Wow! That just doesnt seem like a lot. Im really surprised because we feed our horse a whole lot more than that. However, each Disney draft horse got about a bale of hay a day. That is a lot of hay.
After weve checked out the horses and socialized with the caretaker, its time to head back to OKW. Its almost 8pm by now and were tired. We catch the first bus back to the Outpost and hop into the van. I briefly toy with the idea of taking Tater to DQ, but this just doesnt seem like a good night. Well try to go tomorrow night.
We get back to OKW and realize it is too late to do laundry tonight. Well have to do that tomorrow. Omi is getting a little concerned cause she is starting to run out of clothes so laundry is a priority tomorrow evening. We set up Squidges pack-n-play and realize we have a problem.
At PO-R, we put Squidgy in the dressing area behind a curtain. She doesnt necessarily need quiet to sleep, but does need her own space. If she sees you, she wants out. OKW is bigger, but there isnt a good place to put her bed. If we put her in the kitchen, she can see us. If we put her in the bathroom, we cant use it, the sink or the shower. We choose the bathroom. We put her down with Baby Tad and he plays music for the next six minutes. The rest of us lay on the beds in the dark and try not to make any noise. We watch TV with no sound just subtitles. Usually by the time the music stops, she is asleep.
Not tonight. We can hear her talking to herself, moving around, hitting the buttons on Baby Tad. The princess played for a half an hour before she finally went to sleep. The rest of us are tired too. I whisper a story to Tater and he falls asleep shortly after that. Omi and I discuss tomorrows plans and I tell her we have to be up by 6:30am and gone by 7:30am to make our PSs for 8:00 at Donalds. Tomorrow is our AK day with dinner at Olivias. It should be another early afternoon as we usually finish at AK about 2:30pm or so.
As Im lying there thinking of how much Im enjoying spending this time with my kids and my mother another thought goes through my head. I hope we dont have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, cause one of us will break our necks tripping over Squidges bed.
Next: Part 9: I thought there might be a problem when
but I have managed to get some on the DIS album area - get them on your PC, upload to photobucket, save back to your PC as reduced sizes and take them from there to the DIS site (if that makes sense)> I'm sure there's an easier way but that (sort of) worked for me. Can't wait for the next installement!! 
