The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Your pictures made me smile 'cause I can tell ya'll were having such a good time. I have to agree that the theming and the sights at Typhoon are great! You've just confirmed our need that we must go back next trip.

I don't blame you one bit for sticking to the shallow waters of the wave pool. Those waves come at you so fast and hard! I'd be right there by your daughter running away!

Oh and I almost forgot, pass along my congrats to your baby girl on her gynmastics wins!

We really did have a great time! And yes, you need to go back next year!

That wave pool is pretty scary. I had read before we left that it was really intense, but once I saw it firsthand, I knew it was not for young kids. Heck, I don't even think I could have stayed on my feet in that thing!

Thank you! I will tell her that all my DIS friends are proud of her too!

YAY an update!!!


I'm so sorry things aren't getting any better with your daycare kids. How did VBS go?

Congrats to your DD!! That is so great!


Awesome update. It looks so beautiful there. I like how you can see other attractions while getting to your destination.

As you know, we have never been to a WDW waterpark. But one of my DH's co-workers was at one of them a few years back and him and his wife were sitting on chairs not too far from the end of the wave pool and he said a wave came so hard that it knocked them both off their chairs and his wife skidded across the pavement and ended up having to buy a new swimsuit.

VBS went well, but my trouble maker's parents decided not to let her go! All the other girls have really enjoyed it though and one of them asked how to be saved last night!! So at least something AWESOME came out of it!

Things are definitely NOT getting better though. The shy girl has really come out of her shell and is doing great, but the other girl has gotten much worse. Yesterday she 'accidently' tripped my DD, threw sand in her hair, fell on top of her head, and smacked her in the face playing dodgeball. I am pretty certain that none of that was an accident and I'm just about at the end of my rope. If I don't see some big improvements, I'm going to have to tell her parents not to bring her back. And that is going to go over like a lead balloon!

But thank you for asking, and please say a few more prayers for me... and her!

Oh my gosh! I can just see that happening at TL! That wave pool is something else! I just knew I couldn't let DD get in it too far. I really think they need to calm it down a bit. I did notice though that they have certain times of the day when they have bobbing waves. I think I would have really enjoyed that. Next time!

Btw, DH and DD still aren't budging on the fall trip. Time is ticking!! They need to get with the program here!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Welcome back to the land of DIS! So sorry to hear your summer of watching the girls has started off on a sour note. Hopefully thing will get better perhaps the new girl is just testing you and will soon settle in.

Tell your DD Congratulations on winning the medals! I could not be happier for her if she was my own. Way to Go!

I use to spend my entire time on a tube in the lazy river at TL.

I'm glad I've been able to get something posted today. And yes, my new girl is definitely testing me. I'm just not sure that it is going to get better. I've worked with children for almost 20 years now and I've never been one to let a child beat me, but this time, it just might not be worth the fight.

Thank you so much for the congrats! I didn't even have my camera on when they started announcing the winners b/c I would never have guessed that she would win anything in her first competition. When they called her name, you could've knocked me over with a feather! I'm just so glad she has found something that she really enjoys and is doing well at. I think it will help her with self confidence as she goes through the difficult teen years.

I am so with you on the lazy river! I could stay there all day!!!

Congratulations to your daughter! She looks so proud!

What a great afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon. I would love to take my kiddos there someday. Your camera was waterproof, right? I love how you were able to get such great, action shots!

Thanks Kelli!

Yes the camera is waterproof. I wouldn't take a regular camera there really. You'd have to leave it in the lockers most of the time. You could get a few shots coming into the park and near the wave pool, but everything else is pretty far from the front of the park (which is where I assume the lockers are). If you don't have a WP camera, you could use those disposable ones. They won't be the best pictures, but at least you would have some from the day. You can buy a WP camera though a lot cheaper than they used to be.

 

[mermaid764]

Yay your back!!

I'm so sorry to hear about the trouble your new girl is causing you...it's terrible the way some children are brought up in this day and age.

Typhoon Lagoon looks gorgeous....you definitely have me adding it to our to do list

 

[SoonerGirl]

As for the chair rental.... I think it would depend on the time of year. I noticed your ticker said your trip is 2 months away. Is that when you are going to TL? If so, it might be worth it in August or over Labor Day week. We definitely did not need anything like that in Oct/Nov though. The park was very empty and we had no problem finding a chair to leave our stuff on.

It's over Labor Day week. And I didn't even think about it when I was working out our plans, but we are actually going to TL on Labor Day, so now that I have realized that, I think the chairs will probably be a good idea....

Things are definitely NOT getting better though. The shy girl has really come out of her shell and is doing great, but the other girl has gotten much worse. Yesterday she 'accidently' tripped my DD, threw sand in her hair, fell on top of her head, and smacked her in the face playing dodgeball.

OK, this makes me mad and it's not even my kid getting the brunt of her bullying. Have you discussed her aggression with her parents? I would tell them that if her behavior doesn't improve soon that they will have to make other arragements for her

 

[monica23535]

Glad you're back Rinky

I almost forgot just how much fun the wave pool is, can't wait to go there again in October.

at Ostrich Legs!!

Your daughter did an amazing job to win all those medals!

Sorry to hear about the child care situation, I pray things get better real soon. That mean girl seems to have some major issues going on!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Yay your back!!

I'm so sorry to hear about the trouble your new girl is causing you...it's terrible the way some children are brought up in this day and age.

Typhoon Lagoon looks gorgeous....you definitely have me adding it to our to do list

I've seen a lot when it comes to children, so nothing really surprises me. I've certainly seen much worse behavior than this child, but it's just different when it is in your home and affecting your child. But you are right, the way some people parent is unbelievable these days.

It's over Labor Day week. And I didn't even think about it when I was working out our plans, but we are actually going to TL on Labor Day, so now that I have realized that, I think the chairs will probably be a good idea....



OK, this makes me mad and it's not even my kid getting the brunt of her bullying. Have you discussed her aggression with her parents? I would tell them that if her behavior doesn't improve soon that they will have to make other arragements for her

I think the chair rental would be a very good idea since it's Labor Day! I wouldn't want to be there all day with no place for my stuff. And we did sit and dry off a bit before we left the park too.

I am pretty sure that I am going to have to do just that with my new girl. I really hate confrontation and don't want to have to tell her parents she can't come back, but I WILL NOT tolerate her bullying my child in my own house. I've even had one of the other parents tell me that her child has been complaining to her that she doesn't like the new girl. Really, she has just turned everything upside down at my house. There's always been some girl drama, but never hatefulness. I just wish I had been flying a kite the day her mom called and asked me to keep her. I was really hard on her today though and called her out for every little thing she did. She told me that she wanted to call her mom at work b/c she didn't like coming to my house anymore. Funny how all the other kids I've kept have loved staying here except her. I figure if I stay on her hard enough though, she'll talk her parents into sending her somewhere else and the problem will sort of solve itself. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Glad you're back Rinky

I almost forgot just how much fun the wave pool is, can't wait to go there again in October.

at Ostrich Legs!!

Your daughter did an amazing job to win all those medals!

Sorry to hear about the child care situation, I pray things get better real soon. That mean girl seems to have some major issues going on!

Thanks!

I think I would really like the bobbing waves and I am going to try to make sure we do that next time.

I swear those things really are ostrich legs!

She does seem to have major issues. I'm hoping things will get better very soon, and if not, she's going to have to leave.

 

[jenseib]

Yay!!! You are back!

Does the turkey leg count as a snack credit or CS. Claire thinks she wants one next trip.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

HI!!! nice to "see" you again!! I'm not much of a swimmer, but we may have to take a day at TL!! It looks so fun! Someone gave my DH some tickets that supposedly don't expire and have some waterpark days on them. We're going to check them when we go in October and if they do, we may just use them!
About how long did you spend at TL (in hours)?

Congrats to your DD! That's awesome!

As for your new girl you're watching - OY! That makes me mad! Uh, I agree - I would not tolerate any of that either. I wish I could help somehow. I know it must be hard to tell people that their child is being so naughty that you don't want her to come anymore. But you need to protect your DD and the other kids. It's not fair to them to have someone like that there. Is there a way you can ask them if she tells them anything, or if she likes coming? Maybe they'll mention she's not happy and you can say why you think it is - she's not behaving and getting along with the others. Just my .02.

 

[Happy Elf]

Congrats to you DD! That is awesome!

Just loving your update! Your pictures have convinced me we need to spend a day there! It looks like so much fun! I think I could handle relaxing on the "highway." Yummy turkey legs....that right there would make DH a happy man!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Yay!!! You are back!

Does the turkey leg count as a snack credit or CS. Claire thinks she wants one next trip.

The turkey leg was $9 I think, if you paid out of pocket, or you could use a CS credit and it came with a dessert and a drink. It was too pricey for a SC. You don't get a side item with it either since it is so expensive. That's what the guy told us anyway. The hot dog came with a side, dessert and drink though. I can just see Claire with one of those things! It's going to be bigger than she is!

HI!!! nice to "see" you again!! I'm not much of a swimmer, but we may have to take a day at TL!! It looks so fun! Someone gave my DH some tickets that supposedly don't expire and have some waterpark days on them. We're going to check them when we go in October and if they do, we may just use them!
About how long did you spend at TL (in hours)?

Congrats to your DD! That's awesome!

As for your new girl you're watching - OY! That makes me mad! Uh, I agree - I would not tolerate any of that either. I wish I could help somehow. I know it must be hard to tell people that their child is being so naughty that you don't want her to come anymore. But you need to protect your DD and the other kids. It's not fair to them to have someone like that there. Is there a way you can ask them if she tells them anything, or if she likes coming? Maybe they'll mention she's not happy and you can say why you think it is - she's not behaving and getting along with the others. Just my .02.

YES, if you have free tickets, you need to go! I think you would like the lazy river and you can just stand at the end of the wave pool like we did. The family raft ride would be great too and the Crush N Gusher is exactly like the Aquaduck. There are severl slides that you don't have to go underwater to ride.

We got there right after opening (around 10:00) and left about 4:00, although we could've stayed until closing at 5:00. We had to cleaned up for an ADR though. We had plenty to do to keep us busy the whole time, but we spent quite a while in the shark tank. If you only want to do the tame stuff, you could probably do all you want in about 4 hours if it's not crowded.

I'm watching the new girl like a hawk and I'm pretty much on her like white on rice every time she steps out of line. I'm not usually like that, but I just have to with her to make sure she doesn't hurt anyone! She's already getting fed up with me too. She asked me yesterday if she could call her mom to come pick her up b/c she didn't like coming here anymore. So I am thinking she is going to weed herself out. You are right though, it is really hard to tell a parent that their child is not the angel they think she is! I've already talked to them once as kindly as I could, but I really think they are the kind of parents that have their heads in the sand about their kids. When/if I have talk #2, I'm going to have to be VERY blunt, and boy, I dread that!! Thank God all my other girls are sweet, kind and respectful for the most part!

Congrats to you DD! That is awesome!

Just loving your update! Your pictures have convinced me we need to spend a day there! It looks like so much fun! I think I could handle relaxing on the "highway." Yummy turkey legs....that right there would make DH a happy man!

Thank you!

That is a pretty awesome highway isn't it? I love the way the park is designed. It was sooo nice to be able to get off our feet for a while and just cruise from ride to ride! If you like the water, I think you will love TL!

What is it about men and those turkey legs!

 

[Woth2982]

Sorry about the Child drama! It has to be the age. Kids just don't listen at that age anymore. I was teaching three little girls swimming lessons and they would not listen to me. I felt like I was talking to myself half the time. Needless to say I have quit. Im too old for this lol.

Another great update! Such great pictures you got of the TL scenery. I have not been there in a very long time and probably won't be back for a very long time. I know too much about water parks to step foot in one these days. Working in the pool and water safety world for 8 years will jade you for sure lol. I have heard the turkey legs are actually Emu legs! So you aren't that far off from ostrich! That could also be a rumor to explain the size though.

Can't wait to see what you have after lunch!

 

[partyof2]

Glad you're back!

Congrats to DD on her Olympic achievements.

RE: the problem child, I think you're doing the right thing by refusing to tolerate her bad behaviour and leaving her to be the one to tell her parents she's not enjoying spending the days with you. I also like to avoid confrontation!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Sorry about the Child drama! It has to be the age. Kids just don't listen at that age anymore. I was teaching three little girls swimming lessons and they would not listen to me. I felt like I was talking to myself half the time. Needless to say I have quit. Im too old for this lol.

Another great update! Such great pictures you got of the TL scenery. I have not been there in a very long time and probably won't be back for a very long time. I know too much about water parks to step foot in one these days. Working in the pool and water safety world for 8 years will jade you for sure lol. I have heard the turkey legs are actually Emu legs! So you aren't that far off from ostrich! That could also be a rumor to explain the size though.

Can't wait to see what you have after lunch!

I am starting to think I am too old to work with kids too! Hey, and I am older than you so I am way past due for a new career!

I don't even want to know what you know about water park 'issues'. I'm certain it is a vile and disgusting thing for sure. But you know, most of the things we partake in probably are. I'm sure we have all eaten some horribly grose things in restaurants and stayed in hotel rooms that really were not 'clean' at all. We'd all be horrified if we knew the truth about everything we're involved in.

EMU!!! Oh my gosh! That is hilarious! I have tasted one before and to me it tasted exactly like ham. Again... I just don't even want to know!

Glad you're back!

Congrats to DD on her Olympic achievements.

RE: the problem child, I think you're doing the right thing by refusing to tolerate her bad behaviour and leaving her to be the one to tell her parents she's not enjoying spending the days with you. I also like to avoid confrontation!

Thanks!

I really do hate confrontation... always have. She has actually been fairly calm and quiet today though. I think she might finally be realizing that she isn't going to win this one.

 

[sharonW]

Just saw the update
No notification again, of course!!!
Congrats to your dd on her gymnastic awards!!
The waterpark looks like great family fun, not to mention
refreshing!! great pics as always!!

 

[pooh'smate]

Just caught up and wanted to sat congrats to your daughter on her gymnastics and I am praying for you in regards to the new girl.

 

[MeMom]

So sorry about your new kid. Maybe she will complain enough, and her mom will find another arrangement. I wouldn't count on it, though. Just be glad it is only for the summer, and not for an entire school year.

You may have a picture of an extinct Disney item, as I have read the balloon may not be going back up at all after an overseas incident.

I agree with you about the beautiful flowers on Disney properties. I usually don't know the names of anything, but I think they are so colorful and pretty!

I've been known to tackle a turkey leg in public. It may not be pretty, but it sure is delicious!

I'd love to float down a lazy river for a couple of hours. I'd most likely fall asleep, and then my snoring would cause some sort of tsunami, most likely. It's probably best that I stay away.

 

[petals]

Congrats to your DD and I am luvin the updates. Welcome back

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Just saw the update
No notification again, of course!!!
Congrats to your dd on her gymnastic awards!!
The waterpark looks like great family fun, not to mention
refreshing!! great pics as always!!

Thanks! I was so proud of her!

The waterpark is very refreshing and just a nice break for your feet and legs after all that walking.

Just caught up and wanted to sat congrats to your daughter on her gymnastics and I am praying for you in regards to the new girl.

Thank you so much! I will take every prayer I can get. She hasn't been here for the last 3 days because of the holiday and it sure has been peaceful without her. I sure hate that I feel that way.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

So sorry about your new kid. Maybe she will complain enough, and her mom will find another arrangement. I wouldn't count on it, though. Just be glad it is only for the summer, and not for an entire school year.

I bet I've said that a million times already... 'thank goodness it's just for the summer.' She hasn't been here for several days and it has been such a nice break for me and my DD.

You may have a picture of an extinct Disney item, as I have read the balloon may not be going back up at all after an overseas incident.

I hadn't heard about the balloon, but that doesn't surprise me. I was actually shocked that they put something like that in in the first place.

I agree with you about the beautiful flowers on Disney properties. I usually don't know the names of anything, but I think they are so colorful and pretty!

I've been known to tackle a turkey leg in public. It may not be pretty, but it sure is delicious!

They are good, but it's just a hard thing to eat and maintain any dignity. I always end up wearing foods like that.

I'd love to float down a lazy river for a couple of hours. I'd most likely fall asleep, and then my snoring would cause some sort of tsunami, most likely. It's probably best that I stay away.

I could have easily gone to sleep in that lazy river if I had been by myself. But I have good news for you... they have music playing all through the park so no one would even hear you snoring!

replies in red

Congrats to your DD and I am luvin the updates. Welcome back

Thank you! Another update coming up!