Stitch's Great Escape...A Mom and Me Birthday Celebration! *7/26 Link to new PTR*

[valleygirl]

Hi Jay,

I just recently discovered your trip reports and I love them. I also love the different dynamics when travelling with just one child. For my daughter's 7th birthday I decided I would take her on a girls trip to the world. I started buying disney birthday gifts for her, including a snowglobe that played when you wish upon a star. Unfortunately, I shared my plans to fly out of Logan on 9/13/01 with her and we spent the summer planning our girls trip. Obviously that trip never happened so DH and I decided to plan a surprise girls trip for her 8th birthday, figuring if anything happened she wouldn't know about the trip. We didn't tell her about the trip until the day before we were leaving. I loved her reaction - she started crying and then went and got the snowglobe that I got her the previous year and carried that around with her the rest of the night listening to when you wish upon a star. Although I love vacations with my husband and stepson, vacationing alone with my daughter ranks right up there on my favorite vacation list.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Of course you would leave us hanging! It just wouldn't be a Jay trip report if you didn't make us wonder what is going to happen next.

That is so cool that Stitch wanted to be surprised. See, all those surprises you have planned in the past got your kids craving them! You inspired me to try and keep our next trip a secret from the kids, but I already failed! I am going to try and have a few surprises during the trip that they know nothing about though - I may need to pick your brain for ideas!

Looking forward to more....

 

[k_reile]

i'm subbing in...i'll be back to read later!

 

[jaycns]

Oh my gosh Jay....that's it?? I want more right now!!!! I LOVE reading your TR's. Okay, okay, I will try and have a little patience!!!

How cool that your DH surprised Stitch that morning. He is such a little cutie. I am glad he loved flying. Can't wait to read more!!!

I might just have to start holding updates 'hostage' until we can find time to chat. I am glad you are here, my friend, it will make telling the story even more fun!

JAY JAY...I am IN, I am IN for the Mom and Me Birthday Celebration!!!

Glad you are here, Kar!

Hi!

I was a lurker on your last trippie and I loved it!

I know how amazing you are at surprises so I am really looking forward to Stitch's surprises!

So far so good can't wait to find out where you two end up staying

I have become addicted to surprises. It's just so much fun to watch happiness dawn on someone's face! One of the best feelings ever!

Jumping over from your last TR. Cant wait to read more!

Thanks for coming over!

I'm in!

Oh my gosh, I am SO excited that I am able to catch your trip report from the very beginning I didn't catch your last one until way into the game, but I still enjoyed every last sentence of it!!

First, I have to say that you are an incredible writer, in both reports you had me hooked from the very beginning.

Second, your kids are stinkin' adorable!!

Lastly, what a great gift to be able to give your kids.

I can't wait until the next update!!

Thanks! I love writing about our trips. It helps me relive the fun/magic/precious moments. What better way to spend some time online. Thank you, I think they are pretty adorable too (even if I did just have to wipe yogurt out of Buzz's ears...let's just say that feeding yourself is an aquired skill). The next installment is on the way.

Great Start! I love the surprise element Stitch wanted... just goes to show you how much Disney Spirit you've passed down on him!

Count this long time lurker in!

I am glad that nobody in my family is a 'surprise hater'. It just gives me such great joy to surprise them! Thanks for coming out of 'lurk'.

Yay!!! You've started! Now I have to go back and read! You do a great job of keeping us all "in Disney" when we aren't. Can't wait to go on this adventure with you and Stitch!!

Don't you wish that someone had invented teleporters already? I would love to be able to beam myself to Disney anytime I needed a Disney fix! Until then, I will make do with loving reading/writing trip reports.

Horray, Jay is back with another TR

Jay, I can't wait to see what surprises you have in store for your little guy.
Stitch is such a cutie pie, and I find it easy to forget how young he is, he looks so mature.

Count me in for the ride

He still looks so young to me because Goofy (who is only 17 months older) is SO much taller than him. However, when I look back at pictures, he looks SO much older. It's hard to believe how quickly all of the boys have grown.

 

[jaycns]

Woohoo another Jay trip report starring my favorite Jay kid (I can have a favorite since they aren't my kids right?)

I am pretty sure that it's allowed. I just won't tell him since his head is already twenty sizes too big after being the first to get to go to WDW alone.

JAY!!!!! You've done it again!! I am sitting here with my coffee reading away, waiting for the surprise when the elevators doors open and...... aaahhhhhhhh! Don't leave us hanging! You are the queen of cliff hangers!
I didn't realize that this was Stitch's first plane ride, what a great destination to be first!
Ok, to answer from your last TR, my names for our kids are Mary Poppins for DD and Tigger for DS. DD thought it all a bit strange that I would give her a Disney name (she's 18 in 2 weeks) and DS actually liked Tigger (he's 13 in a week). Both names suit their personalities.

Mary Poppins and Tigger...how cute! It's so much fun to find the perfect 'name', isn't it? Even if your kids do think you are crazy for doing so.

I think the whole cliff hanger thing has come from my newly found obession with surprises. I cannot seem to help myself.

Glad to see you started your newest TR. Can't wait to see the surprises.

Thanks for joining in! I am excited to share the surprises with you all!

So glad that you started!

So glad to see you here!

Wooohooo another Jay trippie

Sounds absolutely fantastic so far and how cute of Stitch wanting lots of surprises

He's a boy after my own heart...I am so glad he enjoys surprises ALMOST as much as I love to plan them.

Hey Jay! So glad I got over to your new TR quickly!! Wow, it seems like you just got back from your other trip, but you were SO dedicated to that 17 day TR, it led us to another trip so quickly! I'm SO excited for Stitch's birthday adventure, can't wait to read more and see what all you have up your sleeves!

I think this trip report seems a lot less daunting of a project since it was so much shorter...though I am not wanting to rush through it either as I am going to have to wait months before I get back to my little slice of paradise (WDW of course).

UGH! You and your cliff hangers!! Drive me nuts!

Hmmm....the 1st suprise......Stretch Hummer Limo???

Sounds like a great trip! Can't wait to follow along!!

HA HA HA Good guess, but not quite.

I LOVED reading (lurking?!) your last trip report. Your family is adorable and I'm excited to read about Stitch's birthday trip. That is one lucky fella!

Tell me about it...I wish I had gotten a trip to Walt Disney World for any of my birthdays!

Can't wait to read about your trip! I loved your last report and was so sad to see it end. Yay for sequels!!!

Thanks for hopping on over.

Jay - So excited about another trip report

What a great idea to spend one-on-one time with each of your boys. I love to travel as well, so maybe I can do that one day with the kids that we will (eventually) have!

I really do love to travel and although dh likes it, he is honestly just a happy at home (?!). So, for our family, this was a great treat (as long as I don't have to leave home without the rest of them after this year for a good long time, I really did miss them so very much).

Hi Jay,

I just recently discovered your trip reports and I love them. I also love the different dynamics when travelling with just one child. For my daughter's 7th birthday I decided I would take her on a girls trip to the world. I started buying disney birthday gifts for her, including a snowglobe that played when you wish upon a star. Unfortunately, I shared my plans to fly out of Logan on 9/13/01 with her and we spent the summer planning our girls trip. Obviously that trip never happened so DH and I decided to plan a surprise girls trip for her 8th birthday, figuring if anything happened she wouldn't know about the trip. We didn't tell her about the trip until the day before we were leaving. I loved her reaction - she started crying and then went and got the snowglobe that I got her the previous year and carried that around with her the rest of the night listening to when you wish upon a star. Although I love vacations with my husband and stepson, vacationing alone with my daughter ranks right up there on my favorite vacation list.

The dynamics were so different. Right down to the pace and priorities. It was great fun!

Of course you would leave us hanging! It just wouldn't be a Jay trip report if you didn't make us wonder what is going to happen next.

That is so cool that Stitch wanted to be surprised. See, all those surprises you have planned in the past got your kids craving them! You inspired me to try and keep our next trip a secret from the kids, but I already failed! I am going to try and have a few surprises during the trip that they know nothing about though - I may need to pick your brain for ideas!

Looking forward to more....

OH OH OH I love thinking up surprise ideas, so feel free to pick away! How far out is your next trip?

i'm subbing in...i'll be back to read later!

Thanks for joining in.

 

[Jeanine3kids]

Jay LOVE THE START OF YOUR NEW TRIP REPORT YOU HAVE A LOT OF TALENT YOUR TRIP REPORTS ARE VERY ENTERTAINING

 

[SkyGirl]

You started!!!

How our Stitch has grown from that little boy in your first TR worrying about his Un-birthday to this big boy!! The picture of him just waking up is totally adorable!

I can't wait for the first surprise!!!

 

[jaycns]

Just Beyond the Elevator Doors...

Stood nobody?! Huh, I thought we were supposed to meet him there? As I stepped out, I looked around and then I squinted my eyes and saw him down near our flight's baggage claim area. It was perfect! As we were walking toward our baggage carousel, I could hear him calling out for Stitch. As we got nearer, Stitch finally heard his name being called and looked around. When he finally spotted the source of his name, he got a very odd smile on his face. The look on his face was (if I could use only one word to describe it) priceless!

So, who did Stitch see? He saw "Jeeves" (I cannot remember his real name to for the life of me). A fully decked out chauffeur (knee high boots, gold buttons, jaunty cap and all) who was holding a sign with his name on it in one hand and a balloon bouquet in the other. Actually the sign read "Happy 8th Birthday Stitch". I didn't get any pictures while we were at the baggage claim because I was so caught up with enjoying watching Stitch look like he was going to either a. float away because he was so happy or b.start strutting. He was so excited that it was literally too hard for me to look away from him long enough to snap a picture. Not to mention having to id our baggage for our chauffeur to lug out for us. The chauffeur was amazing. He made a great treat ten thousand times better! I have no idea if he is actually British but he used an English accent the entire time he was with us. He led us through the airport to the place he had our Rolls Royce Phantom limo waiting for us calling out the entire time. "Say happy birthday to Stitch. Did you know that Stitch here is celebrating his 8th birthday today? Give a birthday hello to this nice young lad, he is celebrating his 8th birthday today." Over and over again he called out and so many wonderful people responded back with well wishes, smiles and birthday greetings that Stitch felt like the king of the world (or at least of MCO).

While our wonderful chauffeur was loading our luggage in the boot of the limo (ha, he even said boot instead of trunk, I LOVED him being so in character) I snapped a few quick pictures of the happy birthday boy.

One of the both of us together.

And finally one of Stitch and our favorite chauffeur, Jeeves (or so I am calling him).

The limo was gorgeous both inside and out. It is one of only three Rolls Royce limos in all of Florida. We felt so spoiled to be whisked away in such luxury! Here's a picture from the company's website that shows the limo from the side, I guess I never did end up taking one from that vantage point. I highly recommend them for airport transportation (if you don't want to use Magical Express or rent a car). The company was Sir Randolph's Classic Transportation/Orlando Limos. Along with many different kinds of limos, they offer sedans, vans and other classic cars. You can find more information about them at http://www.sirrandolphsclassictransportation.com/index.htm

I think Stitch was sort of in shock once he actually got into the limo.

Ignore the odd look, I was just really happy to be there too!

Luxury at our fingertips.

Toasting our arrival with a gold rimmed crystal glass.

Calling to his dad and brothers back home to tell them that he was calling them from a limo.

Stitch has long asked for a limo (not just a ride, he wants to own a limo...fat chance little man). I was really excited to be able to let him enjoy a limo ride as part of his birthday surprise.

We had a twenty minute shopping stop included with our pick up. I believe it was a Publix we stopped at. Twenty minutes was more than enough time to grab some bottled water and granola bars for the room. I loved walking out of the store and seeing our friendly chauffeur waiting outside for us.

Before long, our pampered time came to an end as we pulled up to the entrance of our resort home for the next week, Disney's __________ Resort.

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[MollyAnna]

Okay, I'm spoiled! I came into your last TR at the end and was able to read all the updates at once. Now I have to wait along with everyone else!

Can't wait to hear all about your adventures on this trip!

 

[jaycns]

Jay LOVE THE START OF YOUR NEW TRIP REPORT YOU HAVE A LOT OF TALENT YOUR TRIP REPORTS ARE VERY ENTERTAINING

Thanks, sometimes I feel like I a fountain of babble. But, no matter what, I love remembering/writing.

You started!!!

How our Stitch has grown from that little boy in your first TR worrying about his Un-birthday to this big boy!! The picture of him just waking up is totally adorable!

I can't wait for the first surprise!!!

He has come so far! We are so blessed to have him as part of our lives. I couldn't imagine our family without him. He has totally overcome his sensory integration issues and whenever I am reminded of how things 'used to be' I am a mixture of amazed, thankful and inspired by him.

 

[MouseTriper]

I'm here, I'm here Jay. We do NEED to chat. Please do NOT hold any updates "hostage"..hahaha!!!

Oh my gosh what an awesome surprise for Stitch...a LIMO. I bet he was just grinning from ear to ear as "Jeeves" got everyone to wish him a happy birthday!!! I love how you make each trip so special. You are the ultimate expert in trip planning surprises Jay!!!!

I can't wait to read the next part VERY soon!!!!! Heheehehehe

 

[SoonerGirl]

OH OH OH I love thinking up surprise ideas, so feel free to pick away! How far out is your next trip?

It's so far away! We are going for Christmas, December 19th-27th. I've got a couple of little ideas floating around in my head, don't be surprised if I send you a PM to get your thoughts before it's all said and done!


The limo driver sounds just awesome! I bet Stitch was on top of the world with all that attention

 

[CJsMom]

Only 2 updates in and it already sounds like the best trip ever! That is one happy little boy in that limo (and his mom looks like she's having a blast too)! I'm loving this...keep it coming! Oh, and I may be shamelessly stealing some ideas...because I would LOVE to do this with each of my boys.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I am pretty new to this board but have been lurking for quite a while. As a grandma to the best 4 grandchildren in the world (all names start with the letter A) I would add your four young men in my life in an instant. I absolutely fell in love with your last report and read every word. You are so fortunate to be able to take your children to so many places. Those memories will be with them forever. What I love most about your writing is I feel every emotion possible while reading. But most important I feel the love you have for your children and no matter what the future will bring for your family there will always be the love.

We get to go on our surprise family trip in May. Surprise because my DH, younger DD and older DD's DH have planned this for a birthday surprise for older DD and younger DD's DH. So not only do they not know neither do the grandkids. Older DD's DH and her DS have never been to Disney so what fun for them.

I will continue to wish for nothing but the best for you and your family.

Ginny

 

[Aburns8]

Jay - you are truely the best mom ever! Wow, you did a great job surprising Stich!

 

[lovegrumpy]

loving it. I've been thinking about doing separate trips with my boys.

 

[Tatania]

Jay - glad to see another trip report from you as your trips are pure magic. I can't even imagine how excited I would have been at 8 for something remotely like this. Growing up, my siblings and I wanted to go to Disneyland so badly it hurt but it wasn't affordable for our family. I think that's one of the reasons I love your reports because they are like the dream come true for the kid in all of us.

 

[mdrob214]

Hi Jay! I've lurked on your 17day trip report and am excited to read this one. I love your surpises! I need to come up with something for DHs bday this July. Maybe I'll get some ideas

 

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

What a great place for Stitch to choose.
Can't wait for more.

 

[29apr00]

wow what a great suprise!!! I should look into that for DEC. it's only us 5 that i have to worry about, everyone else is heading straight to the boat on wednesday....sounds like fun!!!