Prelude to a WDW Dream...Sept. 08 *NEW 9/9 Post 350*

After leaving the museum we once again made our way back to the hotel and enjoyed another room service dinner. We also did some pay per view movies and kicked our feet up. When dh made it back to the room after his dinner, we headed down to the swimming pool and the boys jumped in and had some watery fun.
may-june08144.jpg


may-june08142.jpg


may-june08151.jpg


may-june08147.jpg


may-june08158.jpg


may-june08156.jpg


And a few shots of our Little Prince watching his big brothers frolic like dolphins.
may-june08135.jpg


may-june08140.jpg


After swimming we headed back up to our room and purchased the movie "College Road Trip" on pay per view and cracked up along with the boys.
may-june08164.jpg
 
Oh my goodness, I can't believe how big the baby has gotten! It seems like he was just a newborn, time just passes so fast. He's a cutie, just like his big brothers!

I loved all your architecture photos! DH and I just went downtown today to our Art Museum, they have a huge display of pieces from the Roman Empire that are on loan from The Louvre, it was very cool! Unfortunately, no photography allowed though. :sad2:


BTW, I think I've decided to dive in and a do a trip report on our California trip, I'll send you the link as soon as I get started - I'll need all the support I can get! :laughing:
 
Our last full day found us enjoying the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. It was GREAT museum! We wish we could have spent a few extra hours here. It was one of the very best children's museums we have ever enjoyed!

We started out getting a snack in the morning. I was eating part of a soft pretzel when the Little Prince grabbed a piece and sucked on it until it was time for us to leave the snack area. He was not a very happy camper when I took his mushy pretzel from him! :rotfl:
may-june08168.jpg


His unhappiness was very short lived and within a minute or two this is the sweet smile that replaced his frown.
may-june08166.jpg


may-june08169.jpg


Daniel the Tiger from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and the Owl too!
may-june08171.jpg


may-june08173.jpg


Before we really got into the exhibit part of the museum we spent almost two hours in the art project area. The boys made paper, used a printing press to make a print of a picture they created, had a design of their own silk screened (they all LOVED doing this), painted, created a 3-D art project with found objects and "trash", did a spin art project and then did it all again!


After that we headed in to the exhibits. And WOW we sure did have a whole lot of fun!
Climbing through a structure that was three stories high!
may-june08178.jpg


may-june08176.jpg


After that we headed to the colors and light area. Goofy really liked this area.
may-june08179.jpg


may-june08181.jpg


may-june08189.jpg


may-june08188.jpg


may-june08195.jpg


may-june08194.jpg


The boys said this area reminded them of the Haunted Mansion ride because you could make yourself look like a ghost.
may-june08185.jpg


Another area where the boys stopped to make some fun projects. Stitch was really into doing this!
may-june08198.jpg


After playing for another hour or so we headed up to the infant area. Here the Little Prince had a whole lot of fun!
may-june08206.jpg


may-june08201.jpg


may-june08199.jpg


may-june08208.jpg


After his time in the nursery area we had just a little bit of time left to explore the water area (very amazing and even more wet!) before the museum closed for the day.
may-june08209.jpg


may-june08210.jpg


may-june08217.jpg


And even the parking lot had something interesting to look at.
may-june08218.jpg


This evening we had one final meal of room service and then packed up to head back home the next day. While dh was finishing up his meetings in the morning, I took the boys for a final swim, did a bit more shopping, got the boys' haircut at a place with movies/video games at the haircut stations and went out for lunch. By the time we had finished doing our morning run around the boys were tired enough to enjoy a restful and LONG ride home.

THE END of the mini Pittsburgh trip report.
 
Oh my goodness, I can't believe how big the baby has gotten! It seems like he was just a newborn, time just passes so fast. He's a cutie, just like his big brothers!

I loved all your architecture photos! DH and I just went downtown today to our Art Museum, they have a huge display of pieces from the Roman Empire that are on loan from The Louvre, it was very cool! Unfortunately, no photography allowed though. :sad2:


BTW, I think I've decided to dive in and a do a trip report on our California trip, I'll send you the link as soon as I get started - I'll need all the support I can get! :laughing:
I know, he is growing so fast. Sometimes I feel like I blink and all of the boys grow! But him especially. He is crawling, rolling, creeping, scooting and every other mood of four legged transportation all over the place. To think that this time last year he was just barely a bump in my stomach just wows me! Thanks so much for saying he's a cutie, I think I might just have to agree on that count! ;) And he does look so much like all of his brothers. We cannot figure which one he seems to favor more. One day I will pick one, the next day it's another.

Photography was not allowed in the art parts of the Carnegie Museum but I think this exhibit was a joint art/history museum display so photography was allowed. Which was nice so that we could take so many pictures. We really enjoyed our time there!

PLEASE post a link to your trip report as soon as you have it started. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip! GREAT new picture in your signature btw!
 

Oh my gosh! I can't believe how big that baby has gotten - and om, he has now lost those baby features and looks so much like your other boys. OH MY! The old lady is blown away!

Loved your little trippie - it's like a bonus in your trip report - and who would have thought of Pittsburg as a destination? But that museum sounds right up my alley!

Happy Day Jay, dear.
 
Up next- A very short mini trip report on our time in Pittsburgh (as promised to Skygirl).

I haven't read it yet, but I'm soooo excited! Thanks, Jay!! :goodvibes :hug:

I finished it!!!!!!!!

First of all, the boys, all four of them, are getting so big!! I was shocked at Aladdin for some reason -- he's starting to look like a teenager! Oh, and the Little Prince! Jay, he's so cute and chubby and darling! I keep thinking back to when you were pregnant and how tiny he was!! He really made me smile.

I'm glad you had a good time in my hometown! The main things I remember from the Zoo was all the walking, a tiger peeing through a cage and onto my cousin, and the bears. Everything changes but I used to love going there every year as a kid. The museum pictures were great. Pittsburgh has great museums. Too bad you didn't make it to Kennywood. It's a good, old fashioned amuesment park. Well, it was ...... lol ........ I haven't been home in a long time.

I'm off to buy some hurricane supplies in case Fay decides to visit us in the next few days!!!
 
I remember when you sent me a PM telling me you were pregnant. Isn't it amazing how quickly babies grow?

Those other 3 boys..... OMGosh!!!! Have they grown. When I first "met" you on one of your previous TR's, THEY were so little, now look how they've grown. Young men, indeed.

IIRC, your oldest two are about the same age as my 3. (11, almost 12) I just feel like this summer has been one of transition for us. With middle school in 2 (!!) weeks, othrodontist appointments, physical changes... I'm not sure how I'm handling MY babies growing up. :dance3:

So glad you got to tour Heidi's home town. Did she send you a list of "must-do's"? Those museums sound amazing.
 
I loved reading this, Jay!! :goodvibes I know you hear this CONSTANTLY, but I can't believe how all your boys are growing up! :yay: Your three oldest look like they have so much fun playing with the Little Prince, that's so nice :cloud9: I'm with Aladdin, Greek mythology is very interesting! :thumbsup2

I just realized you're leaving for Disney in a few......weeks! :scared1: :worship: I'm excited for you and your family! DM and I have just over three months ourselves! :upsidedow
 
Just like everyone else I was amazed at how much your boys have grown!!

And the Little Prince-he is so darling!!!!!!!!!!! I love them baby chubby rolls. :goodvibes

Henry is cruising along the furninture and just started walking while pushing his little cart toy. He hasn't braved it yet enough to stand without balancing on something or walking, but I'm sure they are both just around the corner. :sad2:
 
Oh my gosh! I can't believe how big that baby has gotten - and om, he has now lost those baby features and looks so much like your other boys. OH MY! The old lady is blown away!

Loved your little trippie - it's like a bonus in your trip report - and who would have thought of Pittsburgh as a destination? But that museum sounds right up my alley!

Happy Day Jay, dear.
I know, they all have no business denying which family they belong to! :rotfl: I think they look a whole lot like their dad (as does almost everyone else who has seen the five of them together). It's almost like he ended up with four clones of himself of differing ages.:laughing:

I know, who would have thought of Pittsburgh as a vacation destination! BUT...now that I have been, I would happily return for another stay. We didn't have enough time to see nearly everything we wanted to do and we even had a few things we wanted to revisit!

I haven't read it yet, but I'm soooo excited! Thanks, Jay!! :goodvibes :hug:

I finished it!!!!!!!!

First of all, the boys, all four of them, are getting so big!! I was shocked at Aladdin for some reason -- he's starting to look like a teenager! Oh, and the Little Prince! Jay, he's so cute and chubby and darling! I keep thinking back to when you were pregnant and how tiny he was!! He really made me smile.

I'm glad you had a good time in my hometown! The main things I remember from the Zoo was all the walking, a tiger peeing through a cage and onto my cousin, and the bears. Everything changes but I used to love going there every year as a kid. The museum pictures were great. Pittsburgh has great museums. Too bad you didn't make it to Kennywood. It's a good, old fashioned amuesment park. Well, it was ...... lol ........ I haven't been home in a long time.

I'm off to buy some hurricane supplies in case Fay decides to visit us in the next few days!!!
It is shocking how quickly they grow. I look at pictures from just a few months ago (that I still have yet to get developed:lmao: ) and I can see so much change in all of them. I love seeing how chubby that little guy has gotten (he is in the 95th percentile for length and the 75th percentile for weight). For a little guy that had so many scary times before he was born and that lost over a pound at birth and took two months to get back to his birth weight...seeing him growing by leaps and bounds is VERY satisfying! I don't take a second of his health and growth for granted. I am so grateful that things turned out the way they did!

You be careful riding out the storm! TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU!

I remember when you sent me a PM telling me you were pregnant. Isn't it amazing how quickly babies grow?

Those other 3 boys..... OMGosh!!!! Have they grown. When I first "met" you on one of your previous TR's, THEY were so little, now look how they've grown. Young men, indeed.

IIRC, your oldest two are about the same age as my 3. (11, almost 12) I just feel like this summer has been one of transition for us. With middle school in 2 (!!) weeks, othrodontist appointments, physical changes... I'm not sure how I'm handling MY babies growing up. :dance3:

So glad you got to tour Heidi's home town. Did she send you a list of "must-do's"? Those museums sound amazing.
I remember that PM as well. I was still in a bit of shock as I was typing it. I didn't figure I would be typing those words ever again. :rotfl2: I guess that sometimes you really never know where life will lead you. I am so glad it was here! I didn't foresee being the mom of a 12 year old, an almost 9 year old, a 7 year old and a 7 month old (all of which would be boys)...BUT...it's the very best thing that has ever happened to me. :cloud9: :lovestruc

I would love to see some recent pictures of the triplets! WOW TRIPLETS! I still hang my mouth open in awe of you surviving three babies all at once!:thumbsup2

I loved reading this, Jay!! :goodvibes I know you hear this CONSTANTLY, but I can't believe how all your boys are growing up! :yay: Your three oldest look like they have so much fun playing with the Little Prince, that's so nice :cloud9: I'm with Aladdin, Greek mythology is very interesting! :thumbsup2

I just realized you're leaving for Disney in a few......weeks! :scared1: :worship: I'm excited for you and your family! DM and I have just over three months ourselves! :upsidedow
I promise the time will fly quickly until your vacation...well, that is until you get to about the last 6 weeks, now every day seems to pass even more slowly than the one before. :rotfl: It doesn't make any sense at all, the days seem to pass slowly but my boys grow even more quickly!

The boys really do enjoy their newest brother. All three of them love to pitch in and help and they really do love to play and cuddle with him. Our Little Prince has been the addition we didn't know we always needed but now that he is hear, none of us would ever want to imagine life without him!

OK, Jay, as promised, here is the link to my trip report!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=27004364#post27004364
I just posted...I was the first post!:woohoo: Great start! Thanks for posting the link! I cannot wait to hear all about your travels!
 
I LOVED your mini trip report! As always, it looks like your family had such a great time! I think it's wonderful that you take the time to do so many cool things with your boys......they will definitely cherish the memories as they grow up! :goodvibes By the way, I LOVE the picture of your 4 boys together......so cute! :thumbsup2
 
Wow, ok I finally caught up! Sorry Jay, but I took a bit of a DISboards break but now I am back and have finally caught up with all your goings on.

First, my condolences for you and your family. It's wonderful though that your grandmother lived such a full life.

Next, you have to stop giving your kids Miracle Gro! How can they be getting so big so fast??? :lmao: Especially your little prince (who is cuter than a box of buttons, btw.)

I'm so excited to read your next trip report! I feel like I wait all year just to read it. Reading your trip reports is almost as good as being there…..Well, not quite, but it helps in the long spans in between trips! :rotfl: You are so lucky to get to go every year. Then again, DH and I went this past January, and we might get to go again next February! We've never gone in back to back years before! :banana: :banana: At this point it's just a maybe so I am trying really hard to not get my hopes up (and failing miserably!!) It's terrible too because every time I say I will write a trip report but I never do! Any tips for me?

Anyways, thanks for all the awesome plans that you share, oh and, adopt me please?? I really want to go to that Indiana Jones dessert party!!! :woohoo:
 
Just like everyone else I was amazed at how much your boys have grown!!

And the Little Prince-he is so darling!!!!!!!!!!! I love them baby chubby rolls. :goodvibes

Henry is cruising along the furninture and just started walking while pushing his little cart toy. He hasn't braved it yet enough to stand without balancing on something or walking, but I'm sure they are both just around the corner. :sad2:
Oh my goodness..up and trying to walk already! I remember your posts about him being born! Time truly does fly when it comes to kids growing! I have to confess, I already miss our own little guy being a tiny baby. Ahhh...but the fun we are having now makes it almost okay. ;)

Wow, ok I finally caught up! Sorry Jay, but I took a bit of a DISboards break but now I am back and have finally caught up with all your goings on.

First, my condolences for you and your family. It's wonderful though that your grandmother lived such a full life.

Next, you have to stop giving your kids Miracle Gro! How can they be getting so big so fast??? :lmao: Especially your little prince (who is cuter than a box of buttons, btw.)

I'm so excited to read your next trip report! I feel like I wait all year just to read it. Reading your trip reports is almost as good as being there…..Well, not quite, but it helps in the long spans in between trips! :rotfl: You are so lucky to get to go every year. Then again, DH and I went this past January, and we might get to go again next February! We've never gone in back to back years before! :banana: :banana: At this point it's just a maybe so I am trying really hard to not get my hopes up (and failing miserably!!) It's terrible too because every time I say I will write a trip report but I never do! Any tips for me?

Anyways, thanks for all the awesome plans that you share, oh and, adopt me please?? I really want to go to that Indiana Jones dessert party!!! :woohoo:
I know, I think someone is truly slipping them the Miracle Grow behind my back! :lmao:

It's so great to see you back around again! I totally understand the DISboards break...I take a few of those myself every now and again. However, I think my addiction to all things Disney keeps me from breaking for too long. :rotfl:

Thanks for your condolences. Each day gets easier...although it will be really hard when Thanksgiving rolls around. That was a time of year when our entire family was together most of the time and I know we will really miss her being there.

WOW, back again next February already?! That's great. :wizard: Pixie dust that it all works out! And if it does, you MUST write a trip report! YOU CAN DO IT! If I can do it, anyone can. Use me as inspiration. :laughing: Seriously though, the best tip for writing a trip report is to just do it. It ALWAYS seems overwhelming at the start but if you "just do it" and actually start putting words down, it will eventually get done. Some people seem to have a knack for getting an entire trip report out in the matter of only a few days. I am not that talented. It usually takes me a few months to get it all together, written and posted. I have seen others take even longer.

A few helpful things to do in order to make writing a trip report easier:
-Keep a travel journal. Even just a small notebook or single piece of paper with a few thoughts about each day, your room number, what you ate, if it was rainy, or whatever other assorted details you might think to scribble down really helps take you back to that day memory wise (at least it does for me). I usually take a small notebook and write down my best memories of the day in it. Just a few short sentences to jog my memory. I also try to include a few details like our room number, a few words that sum up a new experience and the names of our favorite (or not so favorite) cast members so that I can write a letter to guest relations upon our return.

-Save stuff. Park maps, ticket stubs, wrappers, hours schedules, receipts, stickers, even parking stubs. I bring one manila envelope and throw everything in there all week long. Once I get home, I stick the stuff in envelopes by day. Before I write about each day, I grab that envelope and look the stuff over. You would be surprised how an empty candy wrapper can trigger the memory of what you were doing when you enjoyed the treat! And more than once my notes have been lacking enough that I am confused as to which park I even went to that day. :rotfl2: So having the park map we picked up that day in the envelope makes for a great refresher! ;) It also helps with the real names of rides, shops, etc.

-Take loads of pictures. Even if you are not one who wants to share your images online, just looking at the pictures you snapped that day will really bring it all back into focus.

-Save your planning stuff. If you wrote it in a notebook, saved it in a computer program or just marked up a planning book. Compare your plans to how things turned out. I don't know if this one does a whole lot for a trip report, but the obsessive side of me thinks it is a lot of fun. :rolleyes1 :rotfl2:

-JUST WRITE! Seriously, almost nobody thinks that they are writing a good trip report! Turns out, almost every trip report I have ever read I did learn a trick or two, stay entertained and enjoy. So, most people are wrong, they truly are good at sharing the happiness they felt, the things they saw and the magic they experienced. YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Okay, I am starting to sound like a professor...so I will stop my mini TR lecture right here. :teacher: :rolleyes: :laughing:
 
I LOVED your mini trip report! As always, it looks like your family had such a great time! I think it's wonderful that you take the time to do so many cool things with your boys......they will definitely cherish the memories as they grow up! :goodvibes By the way, I LOVE the picture of your 4 boys together......so cute! :thumbsup2
I hope they do cherish it. I try to make sure that at least a few times each month we visit somewhere we have enjoyed in the past or we explore somewhere new. A lot of the time it's hiking somewhere local or going to a favorite place for dinner and then a walk by the lake. But I want the boys to have childhoods full of happy memories of time spent together doing fun stuff as a family. I figure if we can give them that, they will want to give us visits in return when they are older. :rotfl: My secret greedy motivation aside, it really is a whole lot of fun to do new things with the ones you love the most. :thumbsup2

How have you been lately? It's good to see you!!:goodvibes
 
How have you been lately? It's good to see you!!:goodvibes

I've been great, thanks! :goodvibes It's been a busy summer.....DH and I were able to spend 2 wonderful weeks in Hawaii in late June/early July. I also have a new nephew that I've been spending tons of time with. Plus, DH and I have been entertaining relatives who have been in town for the past couple of weeks. So, needless to say, I haven't been able to DIS too much lately, but I'm back now! :)
 
I've been MIA - so haven't read everything - but I agree with everyone else who said "wow, did that baby get big fast!" And he is such a cutie! Your trip is coming up quickly now - I can't wait for the TR! :)
 
OMG...Jay the boys have gotten, TALLER since your last TR. Especially Alladin (eldest, I hope I have the name right). They must be eating you thru the roof....:rotfl: I have one just turned teen boy and I just cannot keep up with his appetite. He is ALWAYS hungry :lmao: Prince looks so adorable smiling away....time sure flies!!! Can't wait to hear more :)
 
I just loked at my photos from the party. THEY STINK (an understated way of putting it). I had the wrong setting picked on my camera and they are all blurry. :confused: How do I always manage to do things like this with my pictures?!:sad2: :rolleyes1 I guess it wouldn't hurt me to take some sort of picture taking class. :lmao:
:lmao: Sorry Jay.....first rule of thumb...ALWAYS check those settings!!!! (just teasing you....you know how I am...lol)

This is a DARLING photo.....I love it. The boys are just so adorable. I love how they dote on the littlest guy!!! It is so sweet.


It sure looks like you had a great time on this mini-trip. How fun for all of you. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
 
I've been great, thanks! :goodvibes It's been a busy summer.....DH and I were able to spend 2 wonderful weeks in Hawaii in late June/early July. I also have a new nephew that I've been spending tons of time with. Plus, DH and I have been entertaining relatives who have been in town for the past couple of weeks. So, needless to say, I haven't been able to DIS too much lately, but I'm back now! :)
Hawaii...I would love to read about that!! **Not so subtle hint ;)** Awww, a new nephew, that is so worth not being around the DIS for! :goodvibes Sounds like your summer really kept you hopping (in the best of ways). I cannot believe how fast time has flown and that in less than one month I will be enjoying WDW!!:woohoo: :woohoo:

I've been MIA - so haven't read everything - but I agree with everyone else who said "wow, did that baby get big fast!" And he is such a cutie! Your trip is coming up quickly now - I can't wait for the TR! :)
Dh just asked me last night if I was really going to bother writing another trip report as he was sure that everyone must be sick of hearing about WDW trips already!:rotfl: I tried to explain that those that visited the DIS boards were here because we wanted to talk Disney. To that he replied that he as sure nobody wanted to hear about someone else's trip. I then tried to explain about the whole Trip Reports forum. He persisted in wanting to know why anyone would care about our boring vacations. :confused: Whatever, boring my patootie! That man is Disney spoiled and he doesn't even have the good sense to know it!:rotfl: :lmao: ;)

OMG...Jay the boys have gotten, TALLER since your last TR. Especially Alladin (eldest, I hope I have the name right). They must be eating you thru the roof....:rotfl: I have one just turned teen boy and I just cannot keep up with his appetite. He is ALWAYS hungry :lmao: Prince looks so adorable smiling away....time sure flies!!! Can't wait to hear more :)
I know, none of them can fit into the same jeans they wore even as recently as this past spring...a sure sign that they are growing fast as fast can be! **SHUDDERS** The thought of feeding multiple teen boys sends shivers down my spine! :laughing:

:lmao: Sorry Jay.....first rule of thumb...ALWAYS check those settings!!! (just teasing you....you know how I am...lol)


This is a DARLING photo.....I love it. The boys are just so adorable. I love how they dote on the littlest guy!!! It is so sweet.


It sure looks like you had a great time on this mini-trip. How fun for all of you. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
That was the problem!! I tried to pick the setting to shoot low light shots. Evidently I shouldn't have done that when I was running around snapping shots behind moving targets.:rotfl:

I love that photo as well. Surprisingly some of my favorite shots of the boys are all of them piled up on a couch, bed or bench. I just love seeing them all together. :lovestruc

UPDATE TOMORROW-Plans for our "off days" start to take a bit of shape...
 




New Posts









Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom