They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab, But I Said No No No! Updt 11/7: Solo no more Pg.27

[Sarilas]

Awe, happy birthday, Jake! I hope his was as fun as Tatiana's was! And can't wait to see the pics!

 

[loribell]

JAKE​

 

[kaysmommie]

Happy 7th Birthday Jake!!!


After your last update I just had to post. I'm sure most of us on DIS feel exactly the same way you do and your update made too. One of the nights on this trip DD and DH were on rides. DS4 and I had just got done riding TTA and he was just falling asleep in his stroller and I sat down with a cream cheese pretzel and just enjoyed being at MK soaking in the atmosphere. It was a nice moment just sitting there enjoying everything while we waited for the others who were on Astro Orbitter at the time.

 

[earthfaries]

Hey there Sorry I've been MIA this past month ~ but I'm BAAACK!!!

I had to be off of DIS for awhile so I wouldn't miss NOT going to WDW last month...and it worked, I didn't Of course now that I'm back here I want to go again, you know , out of sight, out of mind, lol.

Wow, your TR is amazing as usual ~ I am caught up ~~~ what a wonderful time you had solo. I can't wait to read about all the fun you had when the rest of your family arrived! You got the perfect trip, a couple of solo days and a couple of days with your family!!!

I'll be following along daily again ~ and I'm glad that everything was okay and back to normal after the hurricane.

Have a super fun Halloween and enjoy the party, boy would a laser tag party be FUN!!! Tell Jake happy birthday for me!

 

[snowwhite325]

 

[jake&samsmom]

When I last left y'all, Wishes had just ended. I walked towards the Train Station, hoping to catch a ride. However, I forgot that the train service is stopped temporarily right after Wishes for safety reasons - they have to clear the fireworks debris off the train track.

So I decide to sit and people-watch instead. See the mass exodus here:

Now that is why I like staying inside the parks 'til closing time. It is a scary thing trying to fight the crowds after Wishes.

After a little while, I walk back down to Main Street and sit on the curb in front of the Watch store. I am exactly across the street from my Dreams Come True Parade spot (from the afternoon).

A little girl, no more than 5 years old, and dressed in an elaborate Belle costume, sits to my right. To my left is a Mom with her two teen-aged daughters. There are still people leaving the Magic Kingdom as the next Spectro Parade is still about 30 minutes away.

I smile back at all the happy faces, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath....I smell the enticing vanilla-cinnamon scent coming from the Main Street Bakery. I listen to the hearty laughter of both the young and old alike. I embrace the Magical mood that enfolds me.

Once again the lights dim, and just like Jiminy Cricket, let me proudly introduce to you (in photos) the Magical Worlds of Disney in a million points of musical lights --- Spectromagic!

The procession is lead by the Spectromen, the green/yellow/purple-haired trumpeters and whirlyball riders:

Here comes Mickey Mouse casting his spell over a lightning ball:

Mickey's 24 tier cape extends 17 feet up and over his head:

Bye, Mickey!

Goofy, playing the timpani, rides on a float along with the Golden Harp from Mickey and the Beanstalk:

Liberace-like Chip 'n' Dale plaing a grand piano:

You can clearly see their faces reflected on the piano's mirror here:

A peacock leads in Sleeping Beauty's three-float flower garden:

Human dragonflies dancing alongside the floats:

This dragonfly's battery pack peeks out from underneath her cape :

This float carries the three good fairies from Sleeping Beauty: Flora (blue), Fauna (green), and Merriweather (red). Their float changes colors from a sparkling multicolor day, to a mysterious blue and green night:

A school of huge fishies lead-in the Little Mermaid floats:

Continued in the next post....

 

[jake&samsmom]

A spinning Ursula:

She stops to flirt with some guests ("Hello, Handsome!"):

Here comes Ariel's float:

A swimming Ariel and Flounder:

A closer look:

Sebastian singing "Under the Sea":

A sea-horse drawn King Triton:

The Fantasia garden float:

Then Chernabog, the monstrous bat-winged demon:

Notice the eerie dry-ice clouds as Chernabog dramatically spreads his wings to a 38-foot span:

Chernabog folding his wings to turn back into the Bald Mountain:

The Three Little Pigs flick paint brushes to change the colors of the final floats from a silvery white to a full-color spectrum:

A crown spins above Cinderella's coach:

Prince Charming waves to the crowd:

Captain Hook and the Evil Queen from Snow White on Hook's pirate ship:

A silvery Bashful along with Snow White and the other dwarves:

Alice in Wonderland:

Mary Poppins with her light-up parasol:

Peter Pan dressed in DIS-lime green:

Imagineers say that the carousel float was the most difficult one to make due to its intricate design. Btw, Dumbo is one of the carousel animals:

You know how during Christmas, when the tree is fully decked with ornaments and lights, and the whole family gathers 'round the tree in the dark living room.....Then Mom (or Dad) turns the tree lights on? It's as if your heart skips a beat as you gaze in wonder at all that radiant splendor -- that's how Spectromagic makes me feel......



Up next, the final solo moments!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Awe, happy birthday, Jake! I hope his was as fun as Tatiana's was! And can't wait to see the pics!

Hey Lara! Happy Birthday to Tatiana too! I'll post more Bday pics after this Saturday's Party.

JAKE​

That is fabulous Birthday cake, loribell! A huge "thank you" from all of us for the Birthday wishes!

Happy 7th Birthday Jake!!!


After your last update I just had to post. I'm sure most of us on DIS feel exactly the same way you do and your update made too. One of the nights on this trip DD and DH were on rides. DS4 and I had just got done riding TTA and he was just falling asleep in his stroller and I sat down with a cream cheese pretzel and just enjoyed being at MK soaking in the atmosphere. It was a nice moment just sitting there enjoying everything while we waited for the others who were on Astro Orbitter at the time.

Hi Nichole! Thanks for the Birthday greetings! I'm so glad you are reading along Thanks for sharing your lovely Disney moment, I can totally relate. It is really special to be able to simply soak in the Disney atmosphere. I did have several opportunities to stop and smell the roses, and I think being solo (at least for two full days) had a lot to do with that.

Hey there Sorry I've been MIA this past month ~ but I'm BAAACK!!!

I had to be off of DIS for awhile so I wouldn't miss NOT going to WDW last month...and it worked, I didn't Of course now that I'm back here I want to go again, you know , out of sight, out of mind, lol.

Wow, your TR is amazing as usual ~ I am caught up ~~~ what a wonderful time you had solo. I can't wait to read about all the fun you had when the rest of your family arrived! You got the perfect trip, a couple of solo days and a couple of days with your family!!!

I'll be following along daily again ~ and I'm glad that everything was okay and back to normal after the hurricane.

Have a super fun Halloween and enjoy the party, boy would a laser tag party be FUN!!! Tell Jake happy birthday for me!

HI!!! I missed ya! I totally understand about being on a DIS-diet so to speak After being off the DIS while we were camping, I felt like I didn't miss the World as much. But when I was working on my Spectro update, boy did I get an attack of the "wanna-go-back-again-blues"!lol! Thank you for all the warm wishes, I'm so glad you're here again!

Hi Snow! Thanks for the sweet greeting!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wonderful Spectro pictures!

 

[Loafmastermom]

I am trying to get caught up and just read your report of Akershus. I loved your interaction with Cinderella; almost made me cry! You are a terrific writer!

Your pics are so different from the norm...things most don't notice when they're fussing over their family (like me). I've been to the World countless times and never even noticed the grass on the roof. Guess I'll be looking up more next time.

 

[loribell]

Wow! Another great update!

 

[earthfaries]

Wow, your spectromagic pics are awesome!

We saw it years ago, our first visit to WDW actually, back in '03...I really want to see it again ~ it's so beautiful and magical and special

It does get really crazy trying to get out of the park after Wishes, this past Jan. MK closed right after the fireworks and imagine trying to find our way out with an ecv and a double stroller I'll never forget that!!!

Anyway, great update, and as always, looking forward to the next

 

[snowwhite325]

Fantastic update Jen

Your pictures and discriptions make me feel as if I am sitting on Main Street right now

 

[foodrocksluver]

Oh man, I can't believe I JUST found your TR!! I haven't started it but I wanted to pop in and let you know I'm here and I'm so excited to start reading!!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Wonderful Spectro pictures!

Hi Lessa! I was hoping you'd enjoy that post , fellow Spectro-fan!

I am trying to get caught up and just read your report of Akershus. I loved your interaction with Cinderella; almost made me cry! You are a terrific writer!

Your pics are so different from the norm...things most don't notice when they're fussing over their family (like me). I've been to the World countless times and never even noticed the grass on the roof. Guess I'll be looking up more next time.

Thanks for the kind compliments You know I've passed by Cinderella's water fountain several times before, and this is the very first time I've actually stopped to see the crown over her head. I agree, being solo gives you more freedom to notice the little things

Wow! Another great update!

Thanks loribell! So sorry that some of my Spectro pics were blurry, but I went ahead and posted them to "keep it real" so to speak

Wow, your spectromagic pics are awesome!

We saw it years ago, our first visit to WDW actually, back in '03...I really want to see it again ~ it's so beautiful and magical and special

It does get really crazy trying to get out of the park after Wishes, this past Jan. MK closed right after the fireworks and imagine trying to find our way out with an ecv and a double stroller I'll never forget that!!!

Anyway, great update, and as always, looking forward to the next

Awww, thanks! Y'all inspire me to keep on writing!

Fantastic update Jen

Your pictures and discriptions make me feel as if I am sitting on Main Street right now

Everytime I listen to the Spectro CD in my car, it makes me miss it more and more! I'm so happy that you'll be back at the Magic Kingdom soon enough to see Spectro!

Oh man, I can't believe I JUST found your TR!! I haven't started it but I wanted to pop in and let you know I'm here and I'm so excited to start reading!!

OMG! KATE!!! How are you? It is soooooo nice to see you back on the DIS!! How was your trip? I'm so glad you found me! Hope you enjoy reading this TR as much as last year's. Stay tuned, there's plenty more to come I'm gonna try and post tonight if I don't faint from exhaustion from {gulp} 2 Halloween Parties! lol!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To all my DIS-buds (as we say here in "Texus"):

HAPPY HALLOWEEN Y'ALL! ​

 

[jake&samsmom]

We interrupt this WDW Trip report for an up to the moment semi-live update.

Remember when the family evacuated to San Antonio due to the hurricane?
Here we are at Sea World San Antonio:

From Left to Right: my Bro. Ace, my Sis. Tats, my Mom peeking out from behind, Me, Jake, Sam and lastly DH/Derrick


Now here's some camping photos from last weekend when we celebrated Jake's 8th Birthday at Fairfield State Park (close to Dallas,TX):

Jake and Sam attending a boy scouts' seminar about wildlife:

The boys at our campsite, Jake with his Bday cake:

By the lake's swimming area:

My Auntie MJ, My Mom and the boys:

Then yesterday, Sam's Kinder class at Saint___Catholic School in Houston had a Halloween bash for the Kindergartners and their parents and teachers. When Jake was in Kindergaten, the school allowed the kids to dress in any kind of decent Halloween costume. Two years later, the school changed policy, and the kids can now only dress up as saints! What the -- "Saints"?!!

Fortunately, someone had just recently been at EPCOT, and was totally inspired by a statue of Saint George the dragon-slayer in Germany. And that "someone" scoured all the Disney Stores in the area, searching for the perfect Knight attire. Hit the jackpot with a gorgeous Prince Eric knight suit (from the Little Mermaid)!

With a little modification (i.e. crafting out a red St. George cross on a white background to be attatched as a chest-plate), this is Samuel at the school party, dressed as the Patron Saint of Soldiers:

The kids played games, made crafts, then ate fruit, Halloween cupcakes and goodies while under the shade of the schools' towering old oak trees:

After the party, Sam and I picked up Jake from the 2nd graders' class. Jake was named "Student of the Week" from Oct 27 to Oct 31, and was featured on the bulletin board. Here are the boys loading up their backpacks in my Tahoe whilst proudly displaying the poster that Jake/Mom made:

The collage above is a collection of Jake's favorite photos, places we've been, and everything else Jakob wanted to show the school about himself.

We met up with my Sis, my Baby Niece and Mom and we had an early dinner at Fuddruckers. Then we went to my house so the kiddos can shower and change into their Halloween costumes.

Boy, did dressing up take forever, esp. with Jake's cosume! Too many accesorries! lol! Here's my Sis and the kids in the front yard after the kids were all dressed up:

Standing by the front door:

Sam as Commander Rex in Star Wars the Clone Wars:

Jake as everyone's adored buccaneer, Captain Jake, I mean Jack Sparrow:

And my Sister's daughter, River, sweetly dressed as Tigger:

Sam used to go to SGCS, a pre-school close to our home. The school has a huge Halloween carnival every year where the kids participate in Trunk-or-Treat. We make it a point to go every time, I love it because it provides a safe place for children to trick-or-treat from car trunk to car trunk. Not to mention the fact that the volunteers are extremely generous with the candy.

Here are the boys with a lady dressed as a bag of popcorn -- way cool!!:

The family waiting in line for trunk-or-treating (my Mom, my Sis and the kids):

All the photos with me in them are in my Sis. camera. I was dressed in a Jack and Sally long-sleeved t-shirt.


Leaving the party late in the evening:

Trick-or-treating at home (of course, this is DH giving away Disney lollipops ) :

We went to a couple of our neighbors' homes while my Mom stayed at my house to give away candy. We were all so exhausted at the end of the night, and finally returned home around 9 pm or so. We had trick-or-treaters til 10pm, I think. Sam had a blast giving away candy to the kids who came up to our door. We ourselves collected bucketfuls of sweets.

After eating several mini-bags of chocolate , Sis, Mom, and River left for home (they live around 15 mins. away).

We had a fantastic Halloween! Especially River who celebrated her very first one. Hope y'all did as well!

Today is Jake's Laser Tag party. I gotta go prepare now. Hope you enjoyed seeing our family's present-day pics. I'll be back soon with an update!

 

[snowwhite325]

Wonderful mini-update I can't believe how much Jake and Sam have grown since last year!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Wonderful mini-update I can't believe how much Jake and Sam have grown since last year!

Hi Snow! I know, they have grown so much since last year's WDW trip!!! The boys are not my babies anymore. They are BIG boys now. That Jake was even shying away from giving his Mom a kiss on the cheek in front of his classmates yesterday!
Thanks for being a loyal Dis-friend, Snow. Can you believe it'll be almost a year since we met on my old TR?!

 

[snowwhite325]

Hi Snow! I know, they have grown so much since last year's WDW trip!!! The boys are not my babies anymore. They are BIG boys now. That Jake was even shying away from giving his Mom a kiss on the cheek in front of his classmates yesterday!
Thanks for being a loyal Dis-friend, Snow. Can you believe it'll be almost a year since we met on my old TR?!

Kids grow up so fast...I get the kids across the street of the bus everyday and the youngest won't give me a hug until the bus pulls away since his friends may see

I can't believe it has been a year...time sure does fly

 

[Kat73]

Happy Halloween! Your kids are adorable GREAT costumes!! And what a cute tigger Thanks for sharing with us, HUGS!