The "Are you CRAZY?!! April trip with 2 moms, 7 kids and 2 grouchy, grandparents TR

[Sonoma]

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your WS day.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Liesa,

I'm serious about hearing more about your work. All I've ever done in 3rd world countries is blow things up and duck. I'd like to hear about some positive things. A bunch of my friends are in A-stan right now, so some background would be very interesting to me. If you have time, start a new thread and enlighten me (us).

Your kids are adorable by the way. Thanks

I agree! Well, except I can't say that I've blown stuff up. And I can't say that I've been to a 3rd world country. And I don't have a bunch of friends in A-stan right now.

But other than that I agree completely with everything Al said!

Still really enjoying your TR! I'm sorry that this day at Epcot was not going your way ... and poor DD15 -- nothing will ruin a day like, well, you know.

When you get the chance we'd love to hear more, about all of the above (except the , no more details needed).

 

[maroo]

Hello!! I found your TR!

I love it so far...although I have only gotten through the first page!

But I am subbing and will be back to read more! Right after I clean up this room! and do a little laundry! I know, I must, I must!!!

I *can* stay away from the dis for a few hours...I *can*... *sigh*

I will check back in a little later.

 

[maroo]

ha ha!

I did finish reading....but then I realized that this TR was written forever ago!!

Where is your new one? I am so confused!

lol

 

[All7OfUs]

7 months after the fact... what can I say?? By now I'm sure ALL of you have forgotten this TR ever existed, but that's okay, I wrote it mostly for myself anyway, and as a way to share with you if you wanted to come along for the ride.

Since coming back to Kaz-land, I've been lurking on the boards, dreaming of the day I can be back at the "happiest place on earth", and well, okay, I just got to feeling insanely guilty at not ever writing up my last day!!! I know that NO ONE is going to read it, and that's okay. I really want to use this report as a tool to hone my skills in posting anyway, like getting links into it! So this whole thing is now my experimental laboratory.

I left off with my parents finally deciding to spend a day in the park with us, and instead of having a great time, now they just want to leave! Trust me they were being very vocal about it too. I think once they realized I wasn't budging on this one, they trudged along and tried to have an okay time.

After lunch and the American Pavillion stuff, we kept the clockwise rotation thing going and ended up in Italy next. Italy has always been my least favorite pavillion I think. Just never very much going on there. We did see the clown "Sergio" who we watched for all of about 5 minutes, but maybe it's just me--- I didn't think he was that funny. I don't know, kinda on the kids' birthday party caliber, and not very Disney-ish... JMHO!

Another thing it was obvious we weren't going to get to do this time around was hang out in all the lovely shops WS has to offer. It was a day filled with pop in, take a photo or two, and rush back out! Sad. So. Sad!! But one of my favorite pics. of the whole trip was this one from Italy of the masks; just LOVE those colors!

Next up... Germany. I like this one! I really do, not my fav. here, but fun! Everyone was feeling the need for some refreshment of the dessert kind, so we found the German snack place and got a studel. You know what kinda bugs me?? They serve all the snack-like things in the World on paper plates. Okay, don't flame me, really, I know - I DO know they HAVE to, and it wouldn't work to be handing out little pieces of this and that on ceramic plates, but wouldn't everything just taste better if it weren't on a Dixie?? I guess that may be one reason folks spring for TS meals. I know next time we go, we'll be doing more TS for sure. When I started this TR, I hadn't been on the boards very long, and certainly wasn't hanging around on the food boards, so I didn't know that getting pictures of food was like what some people lived for. So no pictures of strudel... Sorry!

One thing I really, REALLY do like in Germany is the mini. train village! I can stand and watch that thing for like and hour. Here are a couple of shots...

After stuffing ourselves on strudel (and a LARGE German hot dog for DD,5) we rolled on over toward Canada. We didn't spend any time here at ALL, but I did dash in to get the kids the little hangy thingys for the masks that they had wanted to collect, but couldn't - remember, rush, rush, rush!! I did get good photos though of this:

We learned that Off Kilter would be playing in about a half hour, so we headed off to the UK for a spell before they started. I had heard about them from my fellow DIS peeps and well, commentary coming up.

But first the UK. Isn't this a dreamy, romantic sort of place?? I'd love to spend more time here someday... Very nice, but again, not enough time.

Is it just me? or are the character lines much more manageable in WS. We saw loads of characters and there was never more than 4 or 5 families in line at a time. We don't stop no matter how short they are (okay, maybe if there is no line at all), but it might be something some families would want to know.

Off Kilter was about to start so we headed off to catch their gig. I really thought I'd like them, but not only my kids, but all the adults thought it was just way too loud of a show! The music might have been okay, but we were distracted by the volume. For those of you who have to see:

We stayed for the 20 or so minutes of their show, and then, I had to give it up. That the frosting on the "let's go home cake". We headed out toward the gates, with heavy hearts. For those who just don't get it, they'll never understand. We knew we wouldn't be back there for a long, long time, and we were just SAD!

As I go about my daily life here, homeschooling, doing ministry, cooking, cleaning, I dream of ways I can get back there. I 'm thinking that when my oldest graduates in 2010, SOMEONE will have to take him back and help him get settled into University life. Hmmm, "ME, ME, PICK ME!!!!" I've done up a hundred itineraries of varied scenarios. 3, 4 and 7 day solo trips, a family week-long trip for that someday, you get the idea. Figured out budgets- all that. But the reality is, it won't be for a long way off. Meantime, I'll hang out with you (I'm here, even if I don't post too much) and enjoy your company.

MAN, it feels good to get this finished!

Now, how to get those links going...????

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Those were sme great pics , I really enjoyed them.
Wow, just my opinion, but you seened to have a "dark cloud" out-look at the end of this, yet, you seemed to have some fun. I hope you did.
Well. heres hoping your next trip will be bigger, brighter, and a little slower pace.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Frank-

OH, I really didn't mean for it to sound so "dark cloud-ish". We really did have such a wonderful, amazing time; we did almost everything we wanted to see and do, and after all this, we can't wait to get back someday!! I think the biggest downers were knowledge we have to wait so long to get back, and that we had misguided expectations of going with family. I think ending the trip in such a hurry the way we did, rushing through my favorite park, was not a good way to end an almost perfect time.

So here's what we'd do differently when (notice I didn't say if) we go again:

1) We will NOT go with extended family again. There was an warped expectation that we were supposed to do everything together or at least their way, even though we had laid it out beforehand we should do our own thing and meet up for an occasional (sp.?)rendevous.

2) We will NOT go during a time when there is a meeting/conference hanging over our heads competing for our time. Racing across Orlando leaving everyone else behind for half days at a time was a poor set up.

3) I'm not sure we'd slow down our pace, there was only one meltdown during the entire 9 days on my own kids' parts. (The first night at Epcot during late EMH) They are very well- behaved and ultra flexible (maybe because they've grown up overseas??). Late nights, rope drops, etc... didn't seem to phase them. It was definitely nice having teens who could stay behind if they felt like it and meet up later if they wanted to.

4) I think we'd do the DDP next time as well, and eat breakfasts out. We ended up not cooking at the site at all (only 1 or 2 meals) and it wasn't worth all the fuss of bringing stove, food etc...

 

[Born 2 Fish]

ALL7OFUS ; So here's what we'd do differently when (notice I didn't say if) we go again:

#1.

#2.

#3.

#4.


Here's to a wonderful new year to ya'll ,
and a wonderful new trip this year for all of us.

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks and to you too! See you on the boards

 

[Luvamouse]

Leisa--I saw your Help Us all Fit! Post on the resorts board and since I was intrigued by your location, I headed over here to your trip report. How funny to get to the end and see you are posting today!? I loved your trip report! Completely funny and well written! I agree with many of your observations and choices too. We do mostly CS meals or split TS-- too much food when we are supposed to be touring the park and hitting the rides! We like to hit the rides and then enjoy the atmosphere too. Diligent, but not militant, is our motto!

We will be heading to WDW in April with only our family of 4. It occurred to us a few months ago that the longest (even up to 2 week trips) that we have ever been away with only our immediate family of 3 (then) and 4 (now) is only 3 days. We always end of traveling to family or with family. We are very excited to only have 4 of us to consider this time. We don't even always agree on what to do, but it is better than 15 of us the last time!!

Thanks for sharing-- I am going to search your posts to see if you have more on your life in Kazakhstan. That is a pretty amazing life you live and I think it is wonderful that you are willing and able to help others and expose your children to this wonderful opportunity to experience another life. Don't think I don't believe it must be a hard choice sometimes too!

Thanks for sharing; I'll certainly hope to see more trip reports from you in the future!

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh, that's really sweet of you to say. Really, it makes my day!

A lot of people here on this board have asked to see more about my life here, so I did start a blog a couple of months ago. I can't imagine that it would be very interesting to hear about my latest power outage, or how cold it was today, or that my husband was arrested the other day, but here ya'll go just in case your are intrigued. One thing, I won't be saying much at all about our work or what we do, and I won't show you face shots; it's just the nature of our work and where we are. Nevertheless, it's a peek into our world.

Enjoy

http://steppesisterssongs.blogspot.com/

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh, yeah, and I LOVE your motto! Diligent, but not militant! That's so perfect!

 

[maroo]

I enjoyed your TR! I am so glad that I found it!


I can't wait to read more of your blog. Your life sounds very interesting! nothing mundane about it, I assure you!

WTG!

 

[iu97alum]

Found your TR through Maroo's tr. What a great trip! I know what you mean about others not going with your plans. We had that our last trip to WDW or rather I had that. LOL! And that was with my family (plus MIL!) LOL. We did do a huge family vacation a few years ago for Christmas and I had unrelastic expectations (having help with an 18 month old who only wanted ME!) so I've adjusted that thinking and have learned my family has to do their own thing. Period.

Also, kudos to you for your family's work. I think that is amazing We've got a program at our church (Water is Basic) that just amazes me when I hear all the things being done to bring water to those that don't have it! Hugs to you and your kiddos!

 

[All7OfUs]

Yes, we had to learn the hard way, that our family, from now on, does their own thing. Rule #1 is now, "split up whenever you can, and don't look back!" Otherwise you waste your whole day waiting around until everyone can get on the same page.

Thanks for all your sweet words too! We do enjoy our work, but feel like we may be nearing the end of our time here. Our 3rd term will be done in June, 2011 and I can honestly say we are getting tired after 10 years. The primitive conditions and the fact that 2 of our kids will have graduated make us want to be "home" more than ever.

Until then, we will serve Him however He calls us to

Liesa

 

[maroo]

Yes, we had to learn the hard way, that our family, from now on, does their own thing. Rule #1 is now, "split up whenever you can, and don't look back!" Otherwise you waste your whole day waiting around until everyone can get on the same page.

Thanks for all your sweet words too! We do enjoy our work, but feel like we may be nearing the end of our time here. Our 3rd term will be done in June, 2011 and I can honestly say we are getting tired after 10 years. The primitive conditions and the fact that 2 of our kids will have graduated make us want to be "home" more than ever.

Until then, we will serve Him however He calls us to

Liesa

Aw!! You could move to Mississippi! We don't live quite as primitively, but we could occasionally remind you of the good old times in the Middle East. We even have indoor toilets!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I know you finished this report long ago, but I just stumbled upon it yesterday. What a wonderful, unique story you have! Not just your trip, but your family and lifestyle. I read a little of your blog too - fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing with us! Hope life is going well in your part of the world