That Mickey sure is one smart cookie!! May 2011 CBR TR (update 08/13)

[lbuzz52]

We are scheduled to hit the "North Side" of Orlando the second week of Dec.-(got a GREAT pin code from the nice folks at HRH!) -and then take advantage of the "Free Le Cellier" about 10 times the next week-and-a-half! (well, maybe just a coupla LCs, but many other spots too!) Character meals hafta account for several TS meals, just for "The Boy"! He rarely eats anything during the Character meals, he is just WAY too worked up! He is already brushing up on You Tube Parades and Hidden Mickeys!

i think i must have been really tired and undercaffeiniated this morning wehn i responded to you- of course your signature didn't show up- i was on the reply page when i was looking

sounds like a great time to go! we too LUV youtube for trip prep and just general quick disney fixes.

i'd love to go Christmas time. i think that one time i will plan a trip that overlaps MNSSHP & MVMCP

 

[photographymom517]

I finally caught up on your report!!! I am so sorry it took me so long!!!

I absolutely LOVE all of your pictures!!! I am so impressed that you got so many pictures from PhotoPass!!! I got around 560 and I thought that was alot!!!

Looks like a fun day at Animal Kingdom!!! I love all of the little details at the park & how everything is themed so well! You saw all of the same characters that I saw last June (at Rafikis) -- Luke was sleeping so I had my pic taken with Pocahontas & Rafiki alone and he was a little afraid of Jiminy!

I love the pictures of James with the Pooh characters!!! You can just see how much he adores them!!! The same with Maya & the Princesses!!! She looks soooo happy to see each one of them! My favorite was of her & Cinderella!!! You really got a ton of beautiful pictures of your kids!!!

I also wanted to tell you that I absolutely love reading your report because it really shows the love a mother has for her children! You are such a wonderful, dedicated mother & I really admire you alot for those qualities!!!!

I hope school is going well for Maya!!

 

[ReneeDisney]

Wonderful trip repor! Your children are just adorable. What a super mo you are making the special bags and daily notes!!!! Looking forward to reading more.

 

[lbuzz52]

I finally caught up on your report!!! I am so sorry it took me so long!!!

I absolutely LOVE all of your pictures!!! I am so impressed that you got so many pictures from PhotoPass!!! I got around 560 and I thought that was alot!!!

Looks like a fun day at Animal Kingdom!!! I love all of the little details at the park & how everything is themed so well! You saw all of the same characters that I saw last June (at Rafikis) -- Luke was sleeping so I had my pic taken with Pocahontas & Rafiki alone and he was a little afraid of Jiminy!

I love the pictures of James with the Pooh characters!!! You can just see how much he adores them!!! The same with Maya & the Princesses!!! She looks soooo happy to see each one of them! My favorite was of her & Cinderella!!! You really got a ton of beautiful pictures of your kids!!!

I also wanted to tell you that I absolutely love reading your report because it really shows the love a mother has for her children! You are such a wonderful, dedicated mother & I really admire you alot for those qualities!!!!

I hope school is going well for Maya!!

I got way to many photopass. I think some of them were duplicates. You know how the site it- sometimes you click save or whatever and it doesn't do anything and you click it again and then find out it did something after all. and then i get all nervous to delete them in case it is doing something when i dont think it is and i accidently delete too many. another bulk of mine were from BBB, because i have no idea if we will do that on future trips. You'll get a lot more when you have two cuties to capture too!

It's funny how you never know who is goign to set your kid off. I think we both are lucky our kids are pretty easy going with it for the most part.

I love that the character pictures give me an opportunity to photograph my kids when they are not paying attention to the camera. Just true emotion, no fake smiles or silly faces. Thanks for the compliments!

Your post made me absolutely smile! Those are about the nicest words anyone could ever give me and i really appreciate that!

I responded to you on FB- not sure if you saw it because i dont' think it notifies you if you respond to a wall post- but anyway, i'll update a bit here.
Maya is so independent. I didn't think i was going to have any real problem with her and Kindy. The first full week- last week- we were allowed to walk the kids to the classroom. She came home and told me she had spent all the time on the playground playing with a friend in another class who was in her preschool. The third day she said she was sad on the playground because he didn't play with her until the middle of recess. So her assignment from me for the rest of the week was to introduce herself to someone new each day. The next day she came home and said she had a new friend. She is so very friendly and has never had a problem making new friends. but i didnt think about the fact that you have to spend so much time being quiet. I also underestimated the difference between a 7:15 start and a 9:30 start, which her preschool was.
We walk them up to the front of the building and then wait in line until the bell rings. I noticed last week that she wants to hold my hand and hug on me. It's not that she never does this, its just that it is sort of the antithesis of her normal public very friendly and independent behavior. But then we we get to her classroom she just gives me a couple hugs and goes about her day.
So today was the start of the second week, and the first day that parents were not allowed in the building to walk the kindergarteners to the classrooms. The bell rings, and we start walking towards the door- well all of a sudden she just stops in her tracks and tells me no and starts crying. She just wants me to walk her to her classroom. I tell her to look in the line and find a classmate to walk with. She does so, but then still refuses because now she's decided they are going to call her a baby. Then the principal comes to the door and tells her she needs to come on and i tell the principal that she is just nervous about walking by herself. So the principal tells her she'll walk with her, to give me one last hug and come with her. so maya does so. and i was glad she did so because by this point i was fighting tears and didnt' want maya to see me- that would only make it worse. they have to walk through a glass hallway to get to the classroom, and i watched them walk through it from outside. she still had her sad face on. it really broke my heart. She rarely cries, and never did at mother's day out of preschool. When she does cry at home on occassion, we are able to change the mood quickly by being silly. I'm really not sure how i should have responded. If she had been at her classroom, i would have just given her a hug and left, as my being there would only make it worse. but i couldn't really do that outside of the building as easily. i want her to know it is something she can handle and something she needs to be brave about, but i don't want to go so far with it that she thinks she needs to stiffle emotions and feelings. this part woudl have been easier in preschool, because if she had gone in there sad a teacher would have given her individual attention and reassured her. not thinking she'll be recieving that at "big" school. ugghh. it makes me sad just to think of it. i called my mom to tell her about it this morning and she said, i know what you are going through. apparently my little brother cried every day of school for months and months! i'm not sure i could handle that!

Wonderful trip repor! Your children are just adorable. What a super mo you are making the special bags and daily notes!!!! Looking forward to reading more.

thanks for the kind words! I really value any time i get to spend with my family!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I can just picture her sad face walking throught the glass hall..oh that must have killed your heart so bad. I am dreading that in a couple of weeks but for now 4 more days and we are at Disney we shall laugh now and cry later...

 

[lbuzz52]

I can just picture her sad face walking throught the glass hall..oh that must have killed your heart so bad. I am dreading that in a couple of weeks but for now 4 more days and we are at Disney we shall laugh now and cry later...

It was really not fun but it did help me feel more secure about not putting her in last year as the youngest. Today seems very long, waiting for her to get out and call me once Chris picks her up. Thanksfully there are many TR's to read and get my mind off it a bit!

I can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[buckeev]

oh No!....our 'Lil Maya crying!
(oh, btw, we've sorta semi-adopted her here at our house )

Sounds like the principal knows her stuff! Today was our oldest grandson's 1st day of kindergarten and he did quite well, better than Mom, Granny or GrandPa! So, after school I felt a trip to Sonic was deserved. His Momma warned me that I couldn't do that every day though.

 

[lbuzz52]

oh No!....our 'Lil Maya crying!
(oh, btw, we've sorta semi-adopted her here at our house )

Sounds like the principal knows her stuff! Today was our oldest grandson's 1st day of kindergarten and he did quite well, better than Mom, Granny or GrandPa! So, after school I felt a trip to Sonic was deserved. His Momma warned me that I couldn't do that every day though.

I did half day kindergarten, and i'm pretty sure my mom had to come in to pick me up. But i remember going to first grade and crying a couple of days. It's really hard going to a new school, where the few people you know are in other classes and you are only allowed to talk at recess. Pair it with early mornings and long days and it can really stress a poor kid out.

So i wasn't horribly surprised that she was upset- i just expected if she did get upset that it would come before her 7th day!

This morning she asked me to take her in, and i told her once again i could not. she decided when she grows up she is goign to have a school and parents can take in the kindergarteners all year long until they get to first grade.

she found a classmate this morning and asked if she could walk in together. the bell rang, and she started to get upset again- but then i told her i stuck a cookie in her lunchbox and she smiled and they went on their way. i tried to watch for her through the glass hall. i saw the girl she was walking with, but not her. i wondered for a minute if she was hiding in the hallway, but her teacher and the principal were both out there, so i'm certain they wouldn't have done that. so i *think* today went better.

and we took Maya to one of those self serve, load your own toppings frozen yogurt places after her first day.

i think it's sweet that you've "adopted her" and that you are a very involved grandparent

 

[jenseib]

Finally catching up.
I have to ask....where di you get her headband for school? Claire wears the same uniforms and she would love that headband.

 

[lovethattink]

Loving the AK pics. Thanks for the heads up about the birds, big fear of Anakin! Love the first day of school pics. She looks so pretty and excited and James soooo cute. Was that breakfast in his hand? Her headband is very cute.

Lessa, I don't know if I've ever been on that secret trail or not? We don't go to AK very often anymore, and I sure don't remember it. Glad you posted that comment on here, now I'm curious.

 

[lbuzz52]

Friday, May 13th cont.


When we last left off, the kids had cooled off at the water jets near Kali River Rapids.


The kids were soaked, so the Boneyard was out of the question. The thought of riding back to the resort with kids plastered in wet sand just didn't appeal to me

But the rest of dinoland was not! Well, some of it was. The kids aren't tall enough for Primeval Whirl yet (which was closed anyway). And I'm not sure if Maya would enjoy Dinosaur. But we were all eligible for Triceratop Spin, and there was no wait! Again, James kicked his legs at the various lifts but was all smiles when it was over.

I wanted to quickly peruse Chester and Hester's shop. Chris and the kids did the photobooth thing before joining me.

We saw one set of the Rapunzel figures, but the box was really beat up. It was hard to tell if everything was in there. I assured her that if they were here they would be elsewhere in the parks and surely we would come across them again before we left.


On our way out of the shop, Maya asked for a dino picture. She had taken one here on her first trip.

We boarded the bus at 5. I asked Maya what her favorite thing was. There was no hesitation in her answer-

"getting wet!".

James answered matter of factly as well-

"DINO!"


I know that i posted this picture earlier in the report, but i feel that i'm taking so long some of you may have forgotten what our resort looks like. Plus, this is when i actually took the picture.

We also saw these guys hanging out again outside of our room.

When we returned to the room, our curtains were closed! But we noticed it didn't seem as cool as other days. We hoped this was due to the fact that we were returning in a hotter part of the day.


Chris noticed that James' boo-boo looked larger than it did earlier. He examined it more closely.

"I don't think this is from a fall. I think he was stung."

Whoops. Thankfully he didn’t seem to be allergic. Chris applied an old boy scout remedy of tobacco and a Pooh bandaid.

(side note- did you know that if you put the word boo-boo without the dash, the DIS will exchange the first 4 letters with ****)

I started stain treating some clothing I planned to wash while everyone else rested their feet. Have I mentioned I am in love with blue dawn?


We heard thunder, so we decided to go ahead and go to OPR for dinner. It was started to sprinkle, so we took our rain coats. No sooner had we ordered our food than the bottom dropped out of the sky. It was raining buckets and we had perfect timing!

None of us had a burger yet this trip, and Chris decided it was time. He thought it was very tasty, especially with the addition of bacon. Bacon makes everything better in his book.

Maya wanted the thanksgiving meal, so she got turkey, and mashed potatoes. I decided to order there as well, so I chose rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes.

turkey meal​

We each got a second side, so we both got macaroni and cheese and gave that to James for his meal. Maya picked out our two desserts- worms in dirt and another m&m cookie the size of a dessert plate. The kids split the cookie and we took the worms back to the room.

you can see my chicken here​

I dont' remember what the cost would have been out of pocket- probably a little over $30- but it was three counter service credits.


We all thought the meat was tasty and a nice change from the standard quick service fare.

We changed into our swimsuits. Here we were, the fourth day of our trip, and my children had still been denyied the beach. Well, no longer would that be the case. We headed over to the quiet area just around the corner from our room.

the room next to ours- see the beach chairs and how close we were to the quiet area for Jamaica.​

So what would James think of his first visit to "the beach"? And would they behave, because i sure hate cleaning sand out of ears!

 

[lbuzz52]

Finally catching up.
I have to ask....where di you get her headband for school? Claire wears the same uniforms and she would love that headband.

after your trip, i think i'd still be resting my feet

Unfortunately i picked up that headband some time last year. I know i got it at The Children's Place, and i want to say it was 2/$5 before coupons. They won't have it anymore though, unless they have something similar at the outlets. I will say i have picked up other hearbands there and Maya seems to always go for them. Maybe they are more comfortable than others?

Loving the AK pics. Thanks for the heads up about the birds, big fear of Anakin! Love the first day of school pics. She looks so pretty and excited and James soooo cute. Was that breakfast in his hand? Her headband is very cute.

Lessa, I don't know if I've ever been on that secret trail or not? We don't go to AK very often anymore, and I sure don't remember it. Glad you posted that comment on here, now I'm curious.

Those birds were not scared of the people, that's for sure.

thanks for the kind comments!

Yes, that was a poptart in James' hand. what can i say? i'm not much for homecooked breakfasts at 5:40am. Maya survives on cereal, fruit, and/or nutrigrain bars.

I'm determined to find that trail next time. I'll have to go earlier in the day so i'm not too hot to bother like i was this last trip. But i'm determined.

 

[basketkat]

The dino pictures are sure cute and fun!!!

Your dinner looks pretty tasty!

I am going to guess the kids had a blast at the beach, and were model citizens!

 

[jenseib]

I just got one at childrens place and of course Claire broke it

 

[lbuzz52]

I just got one at childrens place and of course Claire broke it

I baby those suckers! They cost too much for what they are and i certainly nag until they get put up! They are too easy to break though. I try to get Maya to wear soft ones so she can't break them but she won't go for it

The dino pictures are sure cute and fun!!!

Your dinner looks pretty tasty!

I am going to guess the kids had a blast at the beach, and were model citizens!

Here's one from November 09

It's hard to tell because of the way this picture was taken, but she's 6 or 7 inches taller. That's a pretty good amount for only 18 months!

Dinner was a good alternative to the chicken nuggets, that's for sure!

 

[lovethattink]

Wow! You were nice and close to the quiet area!

Cute bunny! I think I will go searching with Anakin one day to find wildlife at CSR if the weather cooperates this weekend.

I'm kind of laughing about the finding the trail when it's cooler comment. I remember thinking how stinking hot it was in May. I'm sure Jen can attest for me, the heat and humidity NOW are super hot, hot, hot. Yesterday was particularly hot and humid. I baked at 9am at Anakin's swimming lessons. He said the pool was cold. Today there was a nice breeze!

 

[lbuzz52]

Wow! You were nice and close to the quiet area!

Cute bunny! I think I will go searching with Anakin one day to find wildlife at CSR if the weather cooperates this weekend.

I'm kind of laughing about the finding the trail when it's cooler comment. I remember thinking how stinking hot it was in May. I'm sure Jen can attest for me, the heat and humidity NOW are super hot, hot, hot. Yesterday was particularly hot and humid. I baked at 9am at Anakin's swimming lessons. He said the pool was cold. Today there was a nice breeze!

I don't think i've gotten this far in the TR- but i went out one evening when the sprinklers were on and there were tons- no exageration- of frogs just sitting on the sidewalk, waiting for the sprinklers to finish.

i know most of May was in the 80's there, but the first half of our trip was that warm period that month- I pulled it up and the highs then were 96 to 94, with 94 on our AK day. But i'm with you- when the first part of the summer hits, i think there is no way that i will make it through August if its this bad already. then when september hits and we start hitting low 90's, upper 80's again, it suddenly feels cool!

But I've been joking about it here too- we've had our usual nasty summer weather. we have hit as high as 106, and had a heat index as high as 125!

most days we sit around 95 or so with heat index about 105. Yesterday was so sticky- at 6 am we had 97% humidity! The difference between here and there though is we will have many days below freezing this winter.

 

[DisneyMomma09]

I'm back and all caught up! I'm glad Maya's first days of school have gone pretty well, with just a few tears.

Your day at Animal Kingdom sounds great! When we were there last week I saw this poster at Rafiki's Planet Watch and thought of you. Your turtle was released back into the wild! Here you go!

(side note- did you know that if you put the word boo-boo without the dash, the DIS will exchange the first 4 letters with ****)

Why, yes, I did know this...you used this naughty word in my PTR!!

 

[PirateKate]

I can just imagine two wet kids covered in that fake sand from the Digsite. Not a pretty picture. It sounds like something that might happen in one of the Home Alone movies.

Dinner looks great! I'm assuming the storm must have passed by, since you all are going out for a swim. I love how Florida rain stops so quickly.

 

[lbuzz52]

I'm back and all caught up! I'm glad Maya's first days of school have gone pretty well, with just a few tears.

Your day at Animal Kingdom sounds great! When we were there last week I saw this poster at Rafiki's Planet Watch and thought of you. Your turtle was released back into the wild! Here you go!

Why, yes, I did know this...you used this naughty word in my PTR!!

i can't believe that they actually had an update posted about that. that is really cool. thanks for the picture

you know, i must be really tired this week- when i was typing this update, i had all ready forgotten about what i'd discovered on your PTR.

I can just imagine two wet kids covered in that fake sand from the Digsite. Not a pretty picture. It sounds like something that might happen in one of the Home Alone movies.

Dinner looks great! I'm assuming the storm must have passed by, since you all are going out for a swim. I love how Florida rain stops so quickly.

Chris and I got married on a beach in California. My best friend was our witness- we did things a little backwards and actually had been living together for a few years, had bought a house, and already had Maya.

well, during the ceremony, Maya and my friends kids were just playing on the beach next to us. In ten minutes, they had managed to get sand in every nook and cranny you can imagine. wouldn't have been too bad if we were at a beach house or something- but we were right outside of a super ritzy hotel that we were not staying at. and about an hour away from where we were staying with my best friend. we got quite a few stares while we sat our kids in the sink of this marble bathroom and tried to get the sand out of their ears. i'm sure that the hotel guests thought we were quite the rednecks.

the rain did pass very quickly, thankfully.