What's the Big Deal With Staying On Property Anyway? *Goodbyes* 12/17 p.114

[irene_dsc]

Catching up here...

T-Rex looks pretty cool! I don't think I've seen pics of the inside before. Definitely something to consider for the next trip, whenever we can swing it. We weren't brave enough to let ds see the Lego store last time, lol.

I love the matching yellow Mickey jackets! Too bad you had to use them, but at least the boys looked cool in the process.

And pooh on the silly guys at Seaworld, mucking with your day.

I'm not surprised you haven't been keeping up with everything, considering everything else you are doing! Let's see...unpacking, homeschooling, single-mom'ing...

 

[mnkyboy24]

I had forgot how hard it rained that day. After about an hour or so, the rest of the day was fine. Feeding the stingrays was quite fun. The manatees was pretty cool...very peaceful and relaxing.

 

[liznboys]

HI

reply to your 8/5 update...

HA! Love Connor's pose!

That was the one Kids Discovery spot that we didn't get to do.

8/8...

That is a GREAT family picture of you guys at Tusker!!!!

I've never seen that planter with all the rats climbing out either!

We sat in the very front row when we saw Nemo too! It was an interesting experience being that close.

8/15...

Fun pix on Kali!!

Ewww, that beetle in TRex!

Ha, I took a picture of that Mickey head in the green fence too.

Love the pins. One of my boys liked that Mickey as Jack Skellington pin.

8/16...

Sorry about that guy at the Sea World gate, grrr.

Looks like you saw some neat stuff that morning.

Welcome to your family, Stitch!

 

[eandesmom]

~ April 3, 2009 ~

And then we went to go through the turnstiles. Chuck went through with Sully at a different one, but I had Owen (and maybe Connor – don’t remember) with me. This employee proceeded to ask me for Owen’s i.d card. The military will not give an i.d. card to a child until they’re ten years old. I told the employee this and he questioned me and basically told me I was wrong. To say I was upset was an understatement. Don’t tell a military spouse she doesn’t know what she’s talking about when it comes to military dependent stuff!! He called someone else over and she said if he was under ten it was okay for him to go through without an i.d. No apology or anything. This really gave me a bad feeling for the start of the day.

We always joke how Chuck is the pack mule for the family. When he had his poncho on over his backpack, it just made for such a funny look that I had to take a picture (and this one is really blurry, but you’ll get the idea).

I would have been livid, so glad it got handled! on the pack mule. We have one of those too. Although more often than not, it's me! Looks like you had a lot of fun, despite the rain.

My goodness - it sure feels like I have been neglecting my TR and Disboards in general these past few months. I thought I should take a minute to give you an update on how things are going around here.

We are gearing up for a short visit home from Chuck over Labor Day weekend. It has been two months since he left for Florida and while the meet up in Georgia was wonderful, it'll be nice to have him home for a few days.

The boys and I continue with school work. We've only completed four weeks since we've been taking time off for trips and visits. But, that's why I decided to homeschool year round - to have that flexibility. We'll be taking a trip up to Maine in October to visit with family and friends and shortly after our return, Chuck should be finished with school.

The boys, Connor especially, have really been missing Stitch. So, the other day we went to the Disney Store and I used my rewards card to buy our own Stitch. He's a bit bigger than our previous visitor, but just as cute.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer! I'd love to hear what exciting adventures you had these past couple of months.

I'm so glad you got your own Stitch! Homeschooling sounds like a good fit for your family, I couldn't do it but I think it can be a wonderful thing. I'm glad you don't have to wait until October to see Chuck!

We've been busy, lots of little trips and 2 more coming and then for us, it's back to school and hopefully, soon, a new job for me!

 

[littlezar]

Sounds like Sea World was an overall good day for the most part!

UGH on the ID card! When we went, I had given my DH my ID card & license to keep in his wallet since I wasn't gonna carry a purse all week. I didn't even consider that I might need my oldest two's ID cards (11 & 13 at the time) My 11 yr old had no problem, my 13 yr old (who's taller than I am) was stopped and asked for ID. I said "Are you kidding? My oldest never uses his ID card so we didn't even bring it." I then offered to go swap out the kiddie ticket I bought for my then 7 yr old and change it to an adult one so we wouldn't have an issue (apparently they didn't realize my 2nd son was old enough to have an ID card and didn't ask for his) and a supervisor/manager person came over and said to let us through and apologized. We loved the Seamore & Clyde show. Did you see the Believe show, too? We happened upon it a few minutes before starting and had "nosebleed" seats but the boys still enjoyed it.

 

[Goofster57]

Hey Carissa,

Nice updates,

I liked your pin choices.

I always enjoy Sea World out here in San Diego, we have never gone to the one in Orlando...maybe someday.

So I see you're adding a bit more Stitch guilt.....LOL

 

[jordanyosh]

Sea World and rain......it doesn't look like the rain put too much of a damper on things.

Did I know you homeschooled...?

 

[MeMom]

I'm glad you guys have your own Stitch now. I know he is happy to be living wit such an awesome family, and he's in for many fun adventures with the boys, I'm sure!

Sorry you were treated less than kindly at the SeaWorld entrance. I am glad it was quickly resolved, but I can see where you would be slightly aggravated.

We want to get over to SeaWorld in the next couple of years. Brooklynn would love it, and the last time I went was I can't remember how many years ago! It's just hard to go over there and spend more money when the Disney options are already paid for.

I'm glad Chuck gets to spend some time at home and that you get to go spend time with family. That gives you two great things to look forward to, and then when that's done, it'll be about time for Dad to get back home for good.

I'm happy you are getting to spend so much time with the boys through the homeschooling. I bet they are loving it! Are you planning to do it for the whole year, or just until Chuck gets back?

What kind of new job are you thinking of?

Take care of yourself. You're a strong girl, and your guys are all blessed to have such a good Mom!

 

[MagicShell]

I enjoyed your updates. I am glad you all are going to get to spend some time as a family over the holiday.

 

[carissanboys]

We've never been to Sea World but I'd really like to go someday. Sorry it rained on you, but glad it cleared up. And yah for a weekend visit from Chuck! I'm sure single parenting gets old What a cute picture of Connor with Stitch The flexibility of home schooling would really be great! I hope you get more chances to enjoy it

Yes, it definitely gets a bit old sometimes!

Love the pins you bought and traded -- especially the Davy Jones one!

I would have been peeved about the military ID as well -- you would think they would know this already -- surely you were not the first person to go through the turnstiles with someone under 10.

The Clyde and Seamore show looks very cute!

Stitch looks like a great addition to your family!

He is - hopefully he'll keep the mischief to a minimum.

Hi Carissa and family,
The end of AK sounded nice and for completed all the Kid stations...did they get a prize in the end

J-

No, because we didn't do the station at Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Chuck looks like the Hunchback of Seaworld!

I like the looks of the Clyde and Seamore show.

Cute picture of Connor and Stitch.

I'm glad homeschooling is going well and you're able to take advantage of your flexibility to have some family fun.

I hope your next family time with Chuck is wonderful. You must miss him, and he you all, tremendously.

Thanks! Yes, we do.

Catching up here...
I love the matching yellow Mickey jackets! Too bad you had to use them, but at least the boys looked cool in the process.

And pooh on the silly guys at Seaworld, mucking with your day.

I'm not surprised you haven't been keeping up with everything, considering everything else you are doing! Let's see...unpacking, homeschooling, single-mom'ing...

I know - I should do better.

I got the jackets for our first trip back in 2007 on clearance through the Disney store online. They were pretty much too big for the boys back then. Now they're almost too small.

I had forgot how hard it rained that day. After about an hour or so, the rest of the day was fine. Feeding the stingrays was quite fun. The manatees was pretty cool...very peaceful and relaxing.

Poured cats and dogs.

HI

I've never seen that planter with all the rats climbing out either!

We sat in the very front row when we saw Nemo too! It was an interesting experience being that close.

Welcome home! I can't believe I have a picture of something you've never seen before!

We've been busy, lots of little trips and 2 more coming and then for us, it's back to school and hopefully, soon, a new job for me!

A new job? How exciting!

Sounds like Sea World was an overall good day for the most part!

UGH on the ID card! When we went, I had given my DH my ID card & license to keep in his wallet since I wasn't gonna carry a purse all week. I didn't even consider that I might need my oldest two's ID cards (11 & 13 at the time) My 11 yr old had no problem, my 13 yr old (who's taller than I am) was stopped and asked for ID. I said "Are you kidding? My oldest never uses his ID card so we didn't even bring it." I then offered to go swap out the kiddie ticket I bought for my then 7 yr old and change it to an adult one so we wouldn't have an issue (apparently they didn't realize my 2nd son was old enough to have an ID card and didn't ask for his) and a supervisor/manager person came over and said to let us through and apologized. We loved the Seamore & Clyde show. Did you see the Believe show, too? We happened upon it a few minutes before starting and had "nosebleed" seats but the boys still enjoyed it.

Yes, we did see Believe. That's coming up in the next installment or two.

Hey Carissa,

Nice updates,

I liked your pin choices.

I always enjoy Sea World out here in San Diego, we have never gone to the one in Orlando...maybe someday.

So I see you're adding a bit more Stitch guilt.....LOL

Take it as you will.

Sea World and rain......it doesn't look like the rain put too much of a damper on things.

Did I know you homeschooled...?

Probably not. We homeschooled Sully for kindergarten and first, but they've been in public school for the past two years. We just decided to try it again this year.

I'm glad Chuck gets to spend some time at home and that you get to go spend time with family. That gives you two great things to look forward to, and then when that's done, it'll be about time for Dad to get back home for good.

Unfortunately, he'll probably be heading right to the ship after he returns home.

happy you are getting to spend so much time with the boys through the homeschooling. I bet they are loving it! Are you planning to do it for the whole year, or just until Chuck gets back?

We're planning to do it until they graduate or I go crazy, whichever comes first.

I enjoyed your updates. I am glad you all are going to get to spend some time as a family over the holiday.

Thanks!

 

[KathyRN137]

Guess what we bought Saturday?? A new Stitch. The boys (especially Connor) were really missing him so I used my Disney Rewards card and bought one. Ours is bigger than the Cali Stitch, but the boys are happy.

I'm still catching up, but had to stop and comment on this!

Which Stitch will go to WDW next?? Is there another family "on deck?"


Kathy

 

[carissanboys]

I'm still catching up, but had to stop and comment on this!

Which Stitch will go to WDW next?? Is there another family "on deck?"


Kathy

Well, our Stitch is staying with us and due to us just starting to follow Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, there will be no WDW trips in the near (or far) future. But, I'm sure he'll have other adventures with us!

As for the original Stitch, I believe after Keith, he's supposed to get sent back to Heidi. But, I'm not real sure on that.

 

[jmskinner]

Love the new Stitch!

Sorry to hear about the issue at the gate of Seaworld. We would have been in trouble with Jacob since he doesn't have an ID yet. Need to get that when Dad gets back. But we didn't have a problem at Busch Gardens.

I sure hope the rain stopped.

And, you read my TR so you know what we have been doing over the Summer.

 

[liznboys]

...Welcome home! I can't believe I have a picture of something you've never seen before! ...

I could have seen it and just forgotton too. LOL! JK

 

[lazydoxy66]

Wow, I can't believe that the ticket guy wanted to argue with you about the I.D. That really does put a damper on the whole thing when it happens right at the start. I hope you were able to enjoy the rest of the day despite that and the rain. It did look like fun.

I love Stitch! He is my fav. I am planning on buying myself a little guy on this trip.

My DH and I want to visit Maine some day. He loves seafood, especially crab. I think we would have a blast just staying somewhere along the coast.

 

[carissanboys]

Love the new Stitch!

Sorry to hear about the issue at the gate of Seaworld. We would have been in trouble with Jacob since he doesn't have an ID yet. Need to get that when Dad gets back. But we didn't have a problem at Busch Gardens.

I sure hope the rain stopped.

And, you read my TR so you know what we have been doing over the Summer.

The new Stitch is so cuddly.

I could have seen it and just forgotton too. LOL! JK

Why'd ya have to burst my bubble??

Wow, I can't believe that the ticket guy wanted to argue with you about the I.D. That really does put a damper on the whole thing when it happens right at the start. I hope you were able to enjoy the rest of the day despite that and the rain. It did look like fun.

I love Stitch! He is my fav. I am planning on buying myself a little guy on this trip.

My DH and I want to visit Maine some day. He loves seafood, especially crab. I think we would have a blast just staying somewhere along the coast.

You should definitely visit Maine. It's a beautiful place. But, if you want crab (and it's my favorite seafood as well), take a short drive to Maryland!

 

[Happydog]

HELLO!!!! I finally made it back and through two weeks of TRs and PTRs!!!! So I must say I loved seeing all your AK pics, I didn't take as many there as I would have liked in July -- I love the Tree photos, and the photos along the walk to Kali -- that is such a fun area!

T Rex looked neat! I have seen quite a few reports about it -- mostly families with BOYS, go figure!! And DTD is a fun place to just hang, I know!

Sea World!!! WOW!!! The Sting Rays??!! YOU CAN FEED THEM??!! I had no idea!! The one photo you have it is a little blurry, sure, but see his eye!!

We were thinking of Sea World four our trip NEXT summer.

Pins and Stitch TOOOOOOOOOO cute.

 

[lisalonglash]

Carissa, I know I've been neglecting everything Disney related too - sorry

Aww, love the Stitch picture - so adorable!

 

[praisehisname]

Hi Carissa! I'm finally caught up on your trip report, and it's almost over. It's been a great read, though!

Denise

 

[winkers]

Seaworld looks like alot of fun!

I wonder why the gate nazi had to bug you about an id card.....I guess he didn't have anything better to do!