Walking on Sunshine : Celebrating Spring at Universal & SeaWorld - an April/May 2016 PTR

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Well, my happy dancing can't quite keep up with @bankr63 's, but I'm doing a little jig of joy tonight myself .

After watching flight prices daily since the New Year, our flight home finally dropped today . After sitting at $195 for Blue Plus (which includes one checked bag) since mid-January, fares dropped all the way down to $128 this afternoon......so we were able to book Sunshine's ticket home with our travel bank credit (and still have just under $10 left over ).

Not having her flights booked has been definitely been a worry for Sunshine, so it was so fun to be able to call her and let her know that one way is finally taken care of. She literally had a smile on her face all afternoon and evening.....there was a lot of trip talk tonight over dinner and our grocery shopping expedition that followed.

We are watching, waiting, and praying that the current price of $279 for the way there is the next fare to drop like a stone. Here's to the power of positive thinking!

 

[pepperandchips]

got to see my three favorite animals all in one day, a Sloth, an Anteater and an Armadillo. My head almost exploded. Here is the Sloth hamming it up for the camera.

Uh oh... I am definitely going to have to do DC now. I love sloths!!!

If it's not one man it's another keeping me awake all night long...and not in a good way.

LOL I can't believe no one else remarked. I was cracking up. dancin at her finest...

 

[ElenaJane]

@pepperandchips The Sloth was amazing!! She is not guaranteed though. They bring out an animal twice a day I think, but they leave it at "special guest", so it depends on which animal is feeling up to it!

 

[RocketCityMama]

Gina, it's like the vacation fairy is hanging on tight for you guys to have an amazing trip with J & S! I can't wait to read the actual TR and see all the wonderful pics that are to come!

I am silently (haha) counting down days til our vacation, school is been rough this semester, the kids activities have kept us super busy and then add my dad in the mix, Ugh I need a break!

 

[dancin Disney style]

LOL I can't believe no one else remarked. I was cracking up. dancin at her finest...

Well it's about time. I dangled that meatball and no one took a bite.

 

[dancin Disney style]

So....how splurgy did you go? A 6s, maybe?

Not that splurgy.....it's a slightly used 6. Only six months old though. I was introduced to someone who works for the carrier and I, jokingly, mentioned that I needed a new phone. I was then offered the one he had in his pocket. I got it for about half of what it's worth.

 

[pepperandchips]

Not that splurgy.....it's a slightly used 6. Only six months old though. I was introduced to someone who works for the carrier and I, jokingly, mentioned that I needed a new phone. I was then offered the one he had in his pocket. I got it for about half of what it's worth.

I just replaced my work 6 with a personal 6. I don't know what the 6s offers beyond the 6 but I don't need to know because the 6 is so great! *hands over ears - la la la la* You are going to LOVE it!

 

[dancin Disney style]

So....how splurgy did you go? A 6s, maybe?

Not that splurgy.....it's a slightly used 6. Only six months old though. I was introduced to someone who works for the carrier and I, jokingly, mentioned that I needed a new phone. I was then offered the one he had in his pocket. I got it for about half of what it's worth.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just replaced my work 6 with a personal 6. I don't know what the 6s offers beyond the 6 but I don't need to know because the 6 is so great! *hands over ears - la la la la* You are going to LOVE it!

LOL...I'm so not techie I really have no idea what this phone does that my old one doesn't do. The kids yesterday were saying "it's exactly the same" but mark my words at some point very soon they will be singing a totally different song. What I am VERY happy about is not having a lag on the screen any more. I can't believe how bad the old one really is.

DH has now decided that he wants to use my old 4. He has an android and doesn't like it, mainly because he won't listen to what we have all been telling him about how he uses the phone incorrectly (do men ever listen? or, since we're on the subject, read instructions?). I give him 1 week with this old 4 before he loudly and constantly declares that it's 'crap'. He likes the old man belt clip phone case so if he, by some fluke, gets through that 1 week for sure he will drop the phone and smash it taking it out of the old man belt clip case.


This is the youngest DD's face when she discovered my purchase...

I soooooo enjoyed that face yesterday.

 

[bankr63]

Well it's about time. I dangled that meatball and no one took a bite.

Well I tried to take a bite, but I choked on it. A+ had to give me the Heimlich. That's what happens when you diss the guys...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Uh oh... I am definitely going to have to do DC now. I love sloths!!!

LOL I can't believe no one else remarked. I was cracking up. dancin at her finest...

Discovery Cove is simply AH-MAZING! If you can ever work it into the budget, I can't recommend it highly enough. Its every bit as awesome as it sounds....and I will agree with ElenaJane, the sloth is super cool! (they are also at Wild Florida in Kenansville, too, if you wanted another Sloth Sighting Option for a future trip!)

Yeah, we caught that little tidbit tossed out by our sharp-witted friend......I certainly wasn't going to be the one to take the bait .

Gina, it's like the vacation fairy is hanging on tight for you guys to have an amazing trip with J & S! I can't wait to read the actual TR and see all the wonderful pics that are to come!

I am silently (haha) counting down days til our vacation, school is been rough this semester, the kids activities have kept us super busy and then add my dad in the mix, Ugh I need a break!

Aw, I am so sorry that things have been rough for you the last little while . I hope easier days are to come. Having a trip to look forward to is such good therapy on the days that really test your patience....I know we often find ourselves quietly chanting "just 50 days until we're in Florida" at those moments when you wonder just how you'll manage to keep your sanity.

Vacation fairy, indeed . We have been so incredibly blessed with kindness, generosity, and sheer good fortune this trip, I am truly humbled. The Jetblue pixie dust, first with earning the credit and then with the return fare dropping to allow us to buy one whole ticket for her.....well, that was just the icing on the cake. I have said more than one prayer of thanks these last few weeks, that's for sure!

Well it's about time. I dangled that meatball and no one took a bite.

See? I am finally learning from experience . What is it that they say about letting sleeping dogs lie?

Not that splurgy.....it's a slightly used 6. Only six months old though. I was introduced to someone who works for the carrier and I, jokingly, mentioned that I needed a new phone. I was then offered the one he had in his pocket. I got it for about half of what it's worth.

How awesome! That's a serious step up from a 4 to a 6!

You have no excuses now not to post a selfie or two of you enjoying yourself by the pool next week .

LOL...I'm so not techie I really have no idea what this phone does that my old one doesn't do. The kids yesterday were saying "it's exactly the same" but mark my words at some point very soon they will be singing a totally different song. What I am VERY happy about is not having a lag on the screen any more. I can't believe how bad the old one really is.

DH has now decided that he wants to use my old 4. He has an android and doesn't like it, mainly because he won't listen to what we have all been telling him about how he uses the phone incorrectly (do men ever listen? or, since we're on the subject, read instructions?). I give him 1 week with this old 4 before he loudly and constantly declares that it's 'crap'. He likes the old man belt clip phone case so if he, by some fluke, gets through that 1 week for sure he will drop the phone and smash it taking it out of the old man belt clip case.

This is the youngest DD's face when she discovered my purchase...
View attachment 155245
I soooooo enjoyed that face yesterday.

You know mom, its not fair for you to have newer phones than your offspring. I think you should buy them both 6s's for Easter. It's the right thing to do .

Well I tried to take a bite, but I choked on it. A+ had to give me the Heimlich. That's what happens when you diss the guys...

Oh oh....I think someone's feelings are hurt. Don't worry Munro, we ladies think you're awesome . Even @dancin Disney style ..... as long as you don't snore loud enough in your SVR villa that she can hear you over at her Disney resort .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Well, it was a busy weekend here. Jake worked three night shifts in a row at the group home, Sunshine was in CPR training both Saturday and Sunday, and Steve and I managed to accomplish the grocery shopping, house cleaning, laundry, an assortment of household chores for my mom, and even squeezed in a Saturday night of euchre with a couple of friends, a Sunday afternoon swim at the Y, and a family pizza and movie night in with the kids earlier this evening (Despicable Me 2 ... the movie choice courtesy of Sunshine, who loves those adorable minions as much as I do!).

Steve and I were chatting yesterday on the way to my moms, and we have decided to go ahead and book the Behind the Scenes tour for our final day of the trip. That day (Monday, May 2nd) was already slated for SeaWorld on the unofficial itinerary, and we thought it will be a really nice way to end off our vacation. This tour has always been one that drew Sunshine and Jake's attention.....hers for the opportunity to pet the penguin, his for the chance to touch a shark....and with it being offered BOGO to pass members, it really does seem crazy to pass it up. So, that's my task for tomorrow (I am not sure if I will book via the website or via phone....I guess it will depend on whether or not I remember to bring my AP with me to work!!) but we're not telling the kids just yet. I may work it in as part of Sunshine's birthday surprise, I'm not sure. We are super excited, though, to add this little extra special, and unexpected, feature on to our trip.

I also spent some time today seeking out some swimwear options.....I need a couple of new suits (not only for this trip, but for my aquafit classes at the Y), and can usually find a much better selection and prices in the States versus here at home. I usually try to order at least a couple about two weeks before we travel and have them shipped to our park and fly hotel. While its not my favourite pre-trip to-do item (hello, insecurities and body image issues! It's nice to see you again....NOT!) I think I found a couple of different suits that I don't hate (those which will hopefully disguise some of the ... um .... less attractive features of my physique ) and at a very reasonable cost, even with the exchange factored in. So, that's a bit of a victory for the day.....hopefully it will still be considered a win when I try them on 7 weeks from now .

48 days to go!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Well I tried to take a bite, but I choked on it. A+ had to give me the Heimlich. That's what happens when you diss the guys...

and you survived because she read the instructions

 

[dancin Disney style]

See? I am finally learning from experience . What is it that they say about letting sleeping dogs lie?

You get bitten in the meatball

How awesome! That's a serious step up from a 4 to a 6!

I now feel like I have joined the land of the living. This one should last me a good 5 years...hopefully.

You have no excuses now not to post a selfie or two of you enjoying yourself by the pool next week .

Perhaps I can accommodate. According to grumpy cat, I can now just leave my camera at home and just take pics on the phone.
Be forewarned...you may see more than you want to see.

You know mom, its not fair for you to have newer phones than your offspring. I think you should buy them both 6s's for Easter. It's the right thing to do .

The oldest already has a 6S+ and grumpy cat got her sisters 1 year old 5S at Christmas. So no, but we would all be happy to accept gifts of brand new 6S's if anyone's offering???

Don't worry Munro, we ladies think you're awesome . Even @dancin Disney style ..... as long as you don't snore loud enough in your SVR villa that she can hear you over at her Disney resort .

 

[toystoryduo]

Yay for the Behind the Scenes Tour! I talked to my DH this weekend about it, and I think it's a go for us as well.

Less than 50 days til your trip! Woohoo!

 

[pigletto]

Yay for booking the tour!! Though I have to say I knew from the moment you mentioned it that it was a done deal. Even if you didn't.

And congrats on ordering the new suits! I know what a trial it is. Costco has awesome suits and I was there with two in my hand on Saturday. You can't try them on, and I am currently in the process of losing some weight and getting fit (25 pounds down since November!!). So I'm looking at these swimsuits and trying to guess what my size will be by the time we leave. It's bad enough that you can't try them on and have to guess your current size, but then to try and guess where I will be in 53 days... well I gave up. It was crowded and I was just not feeling the bathing suit love. I will go back on a week day when it's quieter and once I've given some thought to it and done some measuring. It's the only way.

Funny all this phone talk lately. I've declared several times that I am keeping my Iphone5 until it just sucks too badly to use, but that date is approaching quicker than I had hoped. It's getting glitchy and weird and slow. I can't afford to buy one outright, and I don't want my bill to go up so I just keep limping along with it. We were discussing a phone for ds12 for his birthday, but considering the mommy meltdown I had over the lost clothing the other day, I don't even want to consider how long it would take to lose a phone. I think we will wait another year on that one.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Perhaps I can accommodate. According to grumpy cat, I can now just leave my camera at home and just take pics on the phone.
Be forewarned...you may see more than you want to see.

Just remember....this a family thread . Keep it PG.

Yay for the Behind the Scenes Tour! I talked to my DH this weekend about it, and I think it's a go for us as well.
Less than 50 days til your trip! Woohoo!

That is so awesome! Yay for your tour too!

I didn't get a chance to book it yesterday (bad case of the "Mondays" at work), so that's on my to-do list for today. It's going to kill me keeping the secret from Sunshine!!

Yay for booking the tour!! Though I have to say I knew from the moment you mentioned it that it was a done deal. Even if you didn't.

And congrats on ordering the new suits! I know what a trial it is. Costco has awesome suits and I was there with two in my hand on Saturday. You can't try them on, and I am currently in the process of losing some weight and getting fit (25 pounds down since November!!). So I'm looking at these swimsuits and trying to guess what my size will be by the time we leave. It's bad enough that you can't try them on and have to guess your current size, but then to try and guess where I will be in 53 days... well I gave up. It was crowded and I was just not feeling the bathing suit love. I will go back on a week day when it's quieter and once I've given some thought to it and done some measuring. It's the only way.

Funny all this phone talk lately. I've declared several times that I am keeping my Iphone5 until it just sucks too badly to use, but that date is approaching quicker than I had hoped. It's getting glitchy and weird and slow. I can't afford to buy one outright, and I don't want my bill to go up so I just keep limping along with it. We were discussing a phone for ds12 for his birthday, but considering the mommy meltdown I had over the lost clothing the other day, I don't even want to consider how long it would take to lose a phone. I think we will wait another year on that one.

LOL, you know me well . Much as I try to be mysterious and keep everyone guessing, the truth is I'm rather transparent and predictable .

I haven't ordered the swimsuits just yet, I always have them shipped to our park and fly hotel (saves me a ton on duties and shipping) so I generally wait to order until 2-3 weeks before our trip. The hotel staff are always kind enough to hold the packages for us, so I don't want to have them arrive too early and be in the way (or worse yet, get lost in the front desk shuffle). A huge congrats to you on such a remarkable weight loss!! Way to go! Wondering how much smaller to go in a swimsuit is a very, VERY good problem to have. Keep up the good work, and you'll be in a teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini by May .

Yep, your little fellow is definitley poised on the edge of "needing" a cell phone (at least socially if not practically speaking). The irony is, while his pants and other clothing items tend to get less than his best attention, he would probably guard his phone like the crown jewel . Ah, parenthood...isn't it entertaining?

 

[ElenaJane]

I saw Groupon has a discount on the Orlando Eye running through September...just in case you missed it!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Yay for booking the tour!! Though I have to say I knew from the moment you mentioned it that it was a done deal. Even if you didn't.

And congrats on ordering the new suits! I know what a trial it is. Costco has awesome suits and I was there with two in my hand on Saturday. You can't try them on, and I am currently in the process of losing some weight and getting fit (25 pounds down since November!!). So I'm looking at these swimsuits and trying to guess what my size will be by the time we leave. It's bad enough that you can't try them on and have to guess your current size, but then to try and guess where I will be in 53 days... well I gave up. It was crowded and I was just not feeling the bathing suit love. I will go back on a week day when it's quieter and once I've given some thought to it and done some measuring. It's the only way.

Funny all this phone talk lately. I've declared several times that I am keeping my Iphone5 until it just sucks too badly to use, but that date is approaching quicker than I had hoped. It's getting glitchy and weird and slow. I can't afford to buy one outright, and I don't want my bill to go up so I just keep limping along with it. We were discussing a phone for ds12 for his birthday, but considering the mommy meltdown I had over the lost clothing the other day, I don't even want to consider how long it would take to lose a phone. I think we will wait another year on that one.

Congrats on the weight loss.

Until I got this new phone I had no idea how bad my old 4 was. I totally agree with Gina...your DS will not loose a phone.

On the phone topic. I'm a Candy Crush fanatic and I finally sat down to play a little this morning. When the kids transferred all my stuff from the old to the new phone I asked if I would still have my 300ish levels. Oh yes they said...don't worry. NOT. So I text Grumpy Cat and she responds "HAHAHA...you didn't sign into your game centre". So being the I-idiot that I am I only do what they tell me to do and they NEVER told me to sign into game centre. I think it's time to remind her that I taught her how to use a spoon.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Just remember....this a family thread . Keep it PG.

Moi??? Not PG???