The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 4

[kc10family]

We were on page 838 when we left, so I have some catching up to do!!!

Of course, Alyssa's birthday party is this Saturday, and we have a ton of things to do yet, so it might take me awhile...and Kevin's not allowed to post pictures until he finishes his "to do" list!!!

Our trip was amazing! While the weather varied (the hottest day was 78, the coolest day 65), we were lucky enough to have NO rain...just one cloudy day.

The photopass CD is the best deal ever, because Alyssa was a photo magnet, and we had over 300 pictures taken in six days (mostly of Alyssa hugging characters).

Kevin got to ride Everest. I did not eat a Dole Whip (sorry Marti!).

Alyssa's absolute favorite attraction was the carrousel (aka the "horsies")...I think we rode that about 6-7 times.

Though it was spring break, crowds were manageable. The only extra magic hours we took advantage of was an evening at AK, but we were at 9 a.m. park openings every day.

We saw every parade and Wishes, but skipped Illuminations and Fantasmic (respecting Alyssa's mood/schedule).

Alyssa's birthday autograph book was a huge success...lots of characters took the extra time to write "Happy Birthday," especially when I mentioned this was her birthday trip (it was written on every page, but they didn't always see it). We got close to 60 autographs, but I was surprised that some of our favorites weren't out and about (Meeko, White Rabbit, and Genie, to name a few).

Kevin's mouse head/name t-shirt design earned us lots of attention, but absolutely no one commented on his other design. Kate's (slightly modified) Little Squirt design got lots of response too, as did Alyssa's two birthday shirts.

My Nile crocs were a huge disappointment. Kevin claims I didn't break them in properly, but how can you really prepare for all that WDW walking?!! Anyway, I actually got blisters! But maybe that has something to do with how I walk or my pregnancy? I don't know, but after the first two days, I packed them away.

We rented a minivan and that was awesome. We stayed in the 90's section of Pop, 1st floor, so commuting was a breeze. Mousekeeping left Alyssa 3 towel animals on our first day and Pop also gave her a balloon bouquet with a birthday card from Cinderella (at check in, the CM asked Kevin her favorite character). The only drawback of Pop this time around was we had the LOUDEST next door neighbors...and they were there the entire time we were, so we had seven nights of their loudness. Alyssa slept through their talking/child screaming, but they bothered the heck out of me.

We only had four ADRs (lunch at LTT (yummy!), breakfast at Ohana (Stitch was extremely rushed and we had to wait in line to meet Lilo...they gave Alyssa a birthday certificate and breakfast was tasty), breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (they gave Alyssa a birthday crown, placemat, and cupcake, the food was awesome and the characters were very attentive), and lunch at Garden Grill (they gave Alyssa a whole birthday cake and birthday card signed by all the characters and the characters came around twice and the food was pretty good).

Last night, we also spontaneously ate at 1900 Park Fare, this time for dinner, since we were at the GF inquiring about the gift shop hours to make sure we got our photopass CD before we left. That's our favorite dinner buffet, but Cinderella, Prince Charming, Perla and Suzy were all in a hurry...Fairy Godmother was more attentive in the lobby. And they gave Alyssa another crown, placemat, and cupcake.

We ate lots of counter service: Cosmic Rays, Columbia Harbor House, Pinocchio's Village Haus (Figaro Fries are so yummy!!!), Tusker House, Flame Tree BBQ, Toy Story Pizza Planet, and another one of our favorites, Beaches and Cream!

Okay, that's all I can think of right now, plus Alyssa's show is almost over and Kevin's at City Council, so I need to get this little girl to bed!

Wish me luck with all the birthday "tasks" I have left to do: frost cookies, bake cake, prepare games and treat bags....ACK! So much to do!!!

I promise I'll get caught up as soon as my family leaves this weekend. By the way, my brother's girlfriend had her baby this past weekend, so I'm an aunt to another beautiful niece!

Amy

P.S. Thank you Julie for transferring our reward dollars!!!

Sounds like you had a fabulous time.
Congratulations on being an Aunt again.
Have a wonderful time with the family this weekend. I hope all goes well with the birthday party.
Welcome home!

 

[kc10family]

OK I don't know what's going around?
I just want all these sick little 1's to get better.

Ramiro is starting to get better.
He still feels a little c****Y as he stated.
He is so bored at home.
He would be at the YMCA.
Going bowling, rollar skating, Pappas Pizza.
I hope he is feeling better by Friday.
They're going to see Ice Age 2.

So happy to hear Ramiro is getting better. I am so done with everyone around me being sick. As Kate said... bring on summer!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

You guys are not going to believe what I saw this morning - it was only for a very brief period of time and I could be mistaken b/c it has been so long -

but I believe that for one brief moment the sun was out in Cincinnati Ohio today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should have seen Nick running circles around the light on our floor and diving into it - yes it has been that long since we had a sunny day here!!!!

But alas - it is gone again

 

[rosiejo]

so according to my calculations the DDA is 50 strong -

5 us will be there - so that means we need to have 45 drinks on behalf of the DDA

that is 11 drinks a day - WOW - that could be a really interesting Segway Tour!!

I think you should all start a slush fund for us!! or would that be lush fund?

Perhaps you should change the words under your sig picture to read 1... 2... 34...42... have we drunk 45 yet?

 

[rosiejo]

I think I have Glynis's email address... I was thinking about finding it today as I pm'd her and had no response.

Wasn't her DH going in for an operation? I remember her making a pecan pie and then posting the recipe... has she posted since then?

 

[kc10family]

OK! THAT IS IT!!! I am going to the mall after I weigh in at Weight Watchers tomorrow and getting one of these things. I have never eaten there, but I am this week.

You all wont stop talking about it and now I can’t take it anymore! I hope you are all happy!

 

[bear74]

okay - can I ask you all a favor on the map??!?!?

could you all edit your entries to reflect your screen name?!?!?! I know as queen I should know everyone but even I am a little confused by the real names - maybe you could put your screenname after your real name -

I love the pictures too!!!!

that is an awesome site - good find clare!!!

done. I just noticed that the queen is not on their yet.

 

[bear74]

I think I have Glynis's email address... I was thinking about finding it today as I pm'd her and had no response.

Wasn't her DH going in for an operation? I remember her making a pecan pie and then posting the recipe... has she posted since then?

no that was her BIL I think he was having the same operation as she had.

 

[kc10family]

We just found out tonight that we're going to be Grandparents!! Our oldest (DH's son, my Stepson) and his wife, that got married this past June, are expecting in late November. I'm so excited, even if I do think I am too young to be a Grandma! I told DDIL I can't wait to take our Grandchild to Disney. She asked, "can I come too?" Oh, I suppose I will have to share!

So very happy for you all!!

 

[tink2020]

You guys are not going to believe what I saw this morning - it was only for a very brief period of time and I could be mistaken b/c it has been so long -

but I believe that for one brief moment the sun was out in Cincinnati Ohio today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should have seen Nick running circles around the light on our floor and diving into it - yes it has been that long since we had a sunny day here!!!!

But alas - it is gone again

Then you should drive down the road a bit..... it's bright as can be here! The dog (who is NOT an outdoor dog, as she is the prissiest thing you'll ever see), has been outside for about 3 hours!

 

[rosiejo]

no that was her BIL I think he was having the same operation as she had.

Oh was it? I obvioulsy didn't read that page properly.

I just dropped her an email so I'll let you all know if I hear from her.

 

[tink2020]

done. I just noticed that the queen is not on their yet.

She is, she is just hiding behind me If you zoom in on Ohio, you should see her down there!

 

[kc10family]

Strawberry Daiguiri Cake

Cake:
1 package of Supermoist White Cake Mix
3/4 cup water
1 package (0.14 oz) of strawberry Kool-aid mix (powder)
1 tablespoon grated lime peel
3/4 teaspoon rum extract
1 10 oz carton of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and undrained.
3 eggs

Lime Frosting:
1 tub vanilla frosting (I like the pourable kind best)
2 teaspoons grated lime peel

1. Heat oven to 350. Grease bottom of 13x9 inch pan or line cupcake pan with liners. (will make 24 cupcakes)
2. In large bowl beat all cake ingredients with electic mixer on low for 30 seconds, then beat on medium speed for an additional 2 minutes scraping the bowl occasionally.
3. For cake cook 30-35 minutes. For cupcakes cook 18-25 minutes. Both are done when toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes before icing
4. Mix remaining 2 tablespoons of lime peel into icing and stir. It helps to heat the icing for about 20 seconds in the microwave first, and makes it easier to poor or spoon onto the cake.
5. Top with fresh, sliced strawberries.

Note: I put strawberries on the pieces I serve so the left over ones don't go bad. I also keep left overs of this cake in the fridge, it keeps a lot better.

I made this cake for my DH's birthday last year and it is now the hit in our family. I hope you guys enjoy it!

You are like the "Cake Mix Doctor"! I will have to make this very soon. LOVE IT!!!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

done. I just noticed that the queen is not on their yet.

I am but Jennifer and Julie are covering me up - we all live so close together that we are getting lumped - same thing happened to Tammi

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Then you should drive down the road a bit..... it's bright as can be here! The dog (who is NOT an outdoor dog, as she is the prissiest thing you'll ever see), has been outside for about 3 hours!

Don't make me come beat you up!! Don't worry - the clouds should be there shortly!!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I just called Glynis -

there was no answer and I didn't leave a message - what exactly do you say -

this is your queen?!?!? or your neurotic online friend checking on you?

If we don't hear from her I will try again this afternoon -

 

[kc10family]

It would be more fun if I could post in real time instead of in the morning when all you late nighters are still sleeping....

I agree, except it's the other way around for me.
I get up about 6:00 every morning because the girls get up at that time or very soon after.
By the time I get on the net, most of you all are getting ready for lunch.
Then when things calm down in the evening, most of you are off to bed.
This can cause a lot of P3's for you Tammi and some P4's for me.

 

[kc10family]

Well it's my official day off today - meant for studying - and I ended up sleeping until 1pm - still sick

The maps looking really full now - looks like we could dominate the world after all!

Have a good day everyone - I'm all caught up and off to find some food...

Get well Clare.

 

[weluvdisney]

You guys are not going to believe what I saw this morning - it was only for a very brief period of time and I could be mistaken b/c it has been so long -

but I believe that for one brief moment the sun was out in Cincinnati Ohio today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should have seen Nick running circles around the light on our floor and diving into it - yes it has been that long since we had a sunny day here!!!!

But alas - it is gone again

I didn't even get any sun yet!!!!! Oh well 69 on Friday isn't too bad even though it is 80% chance of rain!!!

 

[kc10family]

so according to my calculations the DDA is 50 strong -

5 us will be there - so that means we need to have 45 drinks on behalf of the DDA

that is 11 drinks a day - WOW - that could be a really interesting Segway Tour!!

I think you should all start a slush fund for us!! or would that be lush fund?

Do we get to request the drink you all have for us?

I request you all have a Pineapple juice and Parrot Bay (don’t know the actual drink name, just what’s in it) drink for me.
Yummy, yummy, yummy.