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

[CJsMom]

So sorry for the loss of your Dad. My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[BewwyBootiful]

Dearest Jay -

I am so sad that the first time I am writing you it is for this reason.

I spent the weekend reading all of your trip reports, and I feel a if I "know" you and your family. I cheered when I heard good news of your father in previous reports, and I am crying for you as I write this.

I am so sorry for your loss; you and your family are in my prayers.

From everything I have read, I have doubt in my mind that you are a fabulous daughter to your father. I have no doubt that he was so proud of you, and appreciated the precious gifts you gave him in your sons. I also have no doubt that you could not be the woman you are without your father, and that your father lives on through your relationships with your sons.

I'm sure you will make it through this difficult time with courage and grace (as you seem to handle everything!)

You are in my thoughts and prayers...

Jaime

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Jay, once again I am saddened to hear of your father's passing. It is never easy to lose a loved one. Our fathers are so special to us girls. Parents are hard but fathers are super special. Remember the good times and what he meant to you and your sons. It is going to be very difficult for you in the coming days and nights. My prayers are with you and your family.
Ginny

 

[lovesdumbo]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[5DizFans]

Jay,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you and your family had happy moments with your father in the end.
My prayers are with you.

 

[shannn]

Oh Jay,

I'm so very sorry for your loss. While I agree that your father is now experiencing a new life full of joy, it's never easy to let a loved one leave us behind in this life. Losing my Daddy was one of the hardest things I've ever had to live through. I'm so glad you have your amazing family to support you through this. I will add you all to my prayers.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Jay, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. I am happy your family had that special time together. It is something you will never forget.

 

[mylag1rl]

Sorry for your loss Jay. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

 

[lazydoxy66]

Jay,

Please accept my deepest sympathy for the passing of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Tatania]

Jay - just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and heart felt sympathy are with you during this time of grieving.

 

[RachelTori]

Jay,

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[Candice30]

jay i just found your trip report today. i am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. it is a sadness i can't imagine. i am glad that he is at peace. you and your family are in my prayers.

 

[29apr00]

Hi Jay, I hope you and your family are doing well. Sending you lots of hugs during this difficult time. Know that we are all thinking of you!

 

[jess98ac]

I've been out of the loop for a bit, but just wanted you to know I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[kaysmommie]

Jay,
So sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
to your family.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi Jay,
I'm finally all caught up on your TR and I'm loving your trip so far. The pic of Stitch on the golf cart with all the balloons is so great-it had me laughing out loud! And what a magical trip so far (minut the t-shirt shop CM ). CSR sounds wonderful!

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I rejoice in that he is now in a better place and completely PAIN FREE. I am saying a prayer for you and your family in this difficult time.

,
-Brook

 

[jaycns]

Thank you all so much for you the supportive comments, thoughts and especially prayers. To say it's been hard lately is a bit of an understatement but it has also been a very close time for our family as well. Life is too short to waste it in tears or drinking deeply of sorrow, so I have officially decided to 'turn the corner' and get back on track with Stitch and my 'mom and son birthday bash' trip report.

Please forgive me for not answering each kind post and know that each and every one of them did bring me great comfort (and a few smiles as well). I consider myself blessed to have such wonderful/supportive DISers here for me.

BUT...without further adieu, I am going to be posting the next trip report installment very shortly and getting this trip report train back on the magical WDW track.

 

[jaycns]

Day 2...EPCOT, Here We Come!

Our day started with me missing being at a resort that had a balcony. I have really come to cherish my morning 'me' time out on the balcony while the rest of my family continues to dream. The lack of a balcony is one of the only things that detracted from the CSR for me. And it was a minor detraction at that. Both Stitch and I felt at home at the CSR and we both agree that we would be happy to return for another stay.

But back to that morning...Stitch and I made a quick but tasty breakfast of a gigantic cinnamon roll we had picked up from The Pepper Market the night before. When combined with a bottle of milk it made for a very easy (and satisfying) breakfast. You can practically see the smile of approval on Stitch's face.

We made quick work of our breakfast and then headed straight down to the Casitas bus stop (the first one on the way to the parks). Once again a shout out to the CSR thread for providing this very useful information. I would have been so disappointed to have to stand almost every time I boarded a bus (which is what those who got on at the last bus stop seemed to have to do each time...sometimes even those at the second to last bus stop ended up standing). Taking the bus tacked on quite a bit of time to our morning routine. If you are staying at the CSR, be aware that it takes time (over ten minutes) for the bus to make it's way to all of the internal stops at the resort itself before you are underway to the park. It's not much of a hassle, it's just something to be aware of and to plan around.

About 50 minutes after leaving our room (we had an almost 15 minute wait at the bus stop before the next bus came), we were stepping off of the bus at EPCOT and thanking our driver for the ride.

With a day of fun awaiting us, we almost skipped into the park. We were both excited with the possibility of doing just about whatever we wanted this day. I was happy for the chance to make one of my boys' happy without having to balance in what was good for everyone else in the family as well. For Stitch, it was a rare opportunity to set out not to cooperate with your brothers and parents but to pick and choose to please only yourself (and he did so with a great big happy smile on his face). Here is a picture that a Photopass CM took at the very start of our day.

And another snapshot taken very early on in our day of some neat topiary ostriches (and Stitch).

Our morning was spent enjoying Test Track, Soarin', Journey Into Imagination With Figment and Mission Space...over and over and over again. We had so much fun! The only other thing we did besides walk to and from the those rides and enjoy the heck out of them was stop by the Kim Possible station near Innovations. While there, we signed up to take part in our own Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Upon sliding our KTTW card were given a small receipt with a return time and place printed on it (sort of like a fast pass). We tucked that carefully into our pocket and continued on with our ride fest. By the time our morning had come to a close our ride count was this:
Mission Space-2
Test Track-3
Soarin'-2
Journey Into Imagination With Figment -2

Next up for us? Why, a journey 'around the world' of course. Well, a journey around the World Showcase anyway. Our first stop was in Mexico. We wanted to take some time to enjoy the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. It's one of Stitch's favorites. Here are a few pictures I snapped while enjoying it.

Before long we were making our way to Norway (where we would soon check in for our Kim Possible Adventure). As we took the short walk to Norway, Stitch informed me that it was time to eat (and my stomach was in full agreement). We ducked into the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. What we came out with was VERY tasty! I chose the chicken salad sandwich (best tasting chicken salad sandwich I have ever had), schoolbread (tasty) and a bottle of water.

Stitch chose a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (just an uncrustables one in a little plastic package), grapes and carrots. For his dessert he chose a large Viking decorated chocolate chunk cookie. He gave it two thumbs way up.

As we finished up eating, I looked down at my watch and saw that it was time for us to pick up our very own Kimmunicator and begin our our World Showcase Adventure (Kim Possible style). Here is Stitch holding our Kimmunicator. It's a cell phone instead of a wristwatch like Kim always used but still very cool indeed!

After a very short set of instructions from the CM distributing the Kimmunicators and us giving her our 'secret agent names'. She said we could just make up anything so we came up with Agent Mom and Agent Stitch. Very original, I know.

I don't want to give too much away (trust me, it's so much more fun to experience this one yourself). If you are so inclined, you can take a peek at the actual adventure we went on. I didn't tape it, but I found it posted on youtube.
Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYR-D_Q-fzY

Part 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNy_DBVPJkc&feature=related

Here is a picture I took at the end of our adventure. I don't think that (by itself) it gives much away.

While we both had a lot of fun, we chose not to experience a second adventure (your Kimmunicator asked you if you wanted to start another one at the finish of your adventure and listed the countries which were open for you to immediately start another adventure). Instead of doing that, we chose to relax a bit and just sort of ramble our way around the World Showcase. We poked into a few stores and did a bit of shopping for the guys left back at home. Here are some of the pictures we took along our rambling walk.

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Just spent a few days reading all of your Trip Reports

1. I'm very sorry for the loss of your father

2. Your sons are adorable! Aladdin there is quite the handsome young man (if only he were a few years older... )

3. Love your writing style--it makes me feel like I'm there!

4. Of course, waiting for updates :

 

[jaycns]

Day 2 Continued...

Along the way, we picked up a tangerine kaki gori (shaved ice) and both of us throughly enjoyed it! What a tasty treat and a good way to cool down during the hottest part of the afternoon!

When we once again passed by the Germany area, we met up with a dope who we are both fond of. Dopey!!

Dopey tried teaching Stitch some secret dwarf handshake. I was laughing so hard at the many mishaps before he finally (somehow) communicated to Stitch just what it was that he wanted him to do.

Dopey then made note of Stitch's birthday button and via hand signals led the character attendant CM and myself in a rousing verse of Happy Birthday to You. He looked just like a conductor.

Once we finished up with our short friend (who was huge for a dwarf by the way ) we came full circle and ended up back in the Norway area. Since we were both a bit hungry again at this point, we shared another one of those great chicken salad sandwiches and a sweet pretzel (along with a bottle of water).

Hunger sated once again (or rather gluttons finally stuffed) we made our way to Maelstrom. We rode it twice (with no wait). We found this cute little guy hidden away near the fast pass distribution area.

All of this was done and it was still only mid afternoon! So, back to the World Showcase we headed to do a bit more exploring there.

TO BE CONTINUED...