wind blowin',sun shinin',Soarin'on a magical celebration!April/10: Final thoughts!

[Charlefours]

Great visit with the Fab Five! I am looking forward to DD meeting the characters. We just the F&G festival on our last trip. I really would like to get back during it one of these years.

You have lots going on right now!! Going back to school is a big decision but I know you can do it!!

 

[casiland]

Waiting somewhat patiently for the rest of your trip report.

 

[Cory's Gal]

Hi Connie!! Glad you wrote up some more of your report! Bummer you guys' missed the RD at Epcot! You still got some awesome pics at Character Connection! Ashton's face just makes me smile!! He is just so darn cute!! Pretty fountain pics too!! And YEAH for you getting on MS!!!!! Sounds like you have a very busy fall coming up, I hope you and Danny get one more beach trip in for your birthdays too!!!!

 

[racefanof88]

Hey Connie . Great updates .

I know you are happy Gwendolyn only has 2 semesters left in school. I was so happy when Amanda graduated . Now if I could get Tyler to make a decision . I'm not pushing him though, with the economy like it is, it doesn't even matter if you have a college degree . Hopefully Dayne will make some new friends and begin to enjoy college life. It is such a big transition from high school to college.

I think you should try college when Ashton starts this Jan. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish .

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hey Connie!!
Happy Saturday!! It is a BEAUTIFUL morning here in Boston. Hope it is nice where you are too!! Great updates!! You can really see how much Gwendolyn adores Ashton in these pictures. She is always with him and they are just adorable!! I am going to take Owen to the Character Greeting Spot in Epcot this year. I figure if he isnt tall enough for all the rides rather than have him sit outside and cry like last year, I will take him to go get hugs from the Faboulous 5! That should put a smile on his face

Cant wait to hear more about the trip!!!

 

[KatMark]

Great updates, Connie. I love the pics at Epcot -- of Ashton and the F&G. And good for you deciding to go to school once Ashton starts. I can't wait to hear what you decide to be when you "grow up."

 

[jenseib]

Fun update! You got some great pictures!

 

[aprilisis]

Awesome photos!! I think it would be great for you to go to college in January!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Really great pics at the character stop. We missed doing that this year. I mistakenly thought it wouldn't be a big deal since we were having breakfast at Chef Mickey's, but we didn't get great pics there. Would have loved to have the fab 5 on the photopass. Oh, well. Glad you didn't miss out!

I am anxiously awaiting your US/IOA update. I hope you can find the pictures.

Sounds like you have alot going on at home. My Chloe just started kindergarten this year and even though she went to pre-k 3 days a week last year (5 hour days) it has been a hard adjustment. I am sure the pre-k helped, but 8 hour days really wears her out. I can't imagine if she hadn't had the pre-k; I know it would be even harder on her. So, my two cents is put him in. It can't hurt and hopefully will make the transition to kindergarten easier! I ask myself all the time "What am I going to do when I grow up?". It's hard to make those steps towards more school/work. Good luck! And congrats on getting that ball rolling! I hear the ticking of the clock til the time Noah is in Kindergarten (in just a year) and I have to make that decision.

Thanks! I think I have the US pics in my photobucket and have been using Danny's photobucket acct for the last WDW pics need to go check still...


I think I plan to let Ashton attend T,W,and Th in January and than the entire week from the last week of April through May. I also plan to start at a half day and than at the end try the entire day.

I enjoyed your updates and pictures very much! Congrats on doing MS! I still haven't gotten up the nerve to do it yet. Love the FAB 5 pics.

Thanks! I was so much fun!!! I would def do it again and I will probably be just as nervous but it was a BLAST!

Great visit with the Fab Five! I am looking forward to DD meeting the characters. We just the F&G festival on our last trip. I really would like to get back during it one of these years.

You have lots going on right now!! Going back to school is a big decision but I know you can do it!!

thanks! Stephanie...the F&G festival is beautiful but I think I want to try the fall or winter next time we go (we have gone in the spring our last two visits)

I am so scared to go back to school; but, if I have to go back to work I want it to be something that I enjoy and get paid for

Waiting somewhat patiently for the rest of your trip report.

COMING UP!

Hi Connie!! Glad you wrote up some more of your report! Bummer you guys' missed the RD at Epcot! You still got some awesome pics at Character Connection! Ashton's face just makes me smile!! He is just so darn cute!! Pretty fountain pics too!! And YEAH for you getting on MS!!!!! Sounds like you have a very busy fall coming up, I hope you and Danny get one more beach trip in for your birthdays too!!!!

Thanks! Beth
we have decided to forgo the return to the beach for now. We have been invited to join some friends in Gulfshores for Labor Day weekend but I don't know if we are going to go or no, we'll see...

Hey Connie . Great updates .

I know you are happy Gwendolyn only has 2 semesters left in school. I was so happy when Amanda graduated . Now if I could get Tyler to make a decision . I'm not pushing him though, with the economy like it is, it doesn't even matter if you have a college degree . Hopefully Dayne will make some new friends and begin to enjoy college life. It is such a big transition from high school to college.

I think you should try college when Ashton starts this Jan. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish .

hey Dana! Thanks!
Dayne just does not have a clue what he wants... I just really hope he sits back and thinks hard. It is going to get really bad around here in the next two years so I hope he sees this and gets his brain into to gear.
Although, he was talking about checking into the offshore jobs (good money-but again not sure about the outcome with the government doing their thing at the moment). As for me and school, I am so scared and I just don't know if going back in Jan is a good idea with Ashton going to PreK. I'm thinking when he goes to Kindergarten in Aug may be the winner.

Hey Connie!!
Happy Saturday!! It is a BEAUTIFUL morning here in Boston. Hope it is nice where you are too!! Great updates!! You can really see how much Gwendolyn adores Ashton in these pictures. She is always with him and they are just adorable!! I am going to take Owen to the Character Greeting Spot in Epcot this year. I figure if he isnt tall enough for all the rides rather than have him sit outside and cry like last year, I will take him to go get hugs from the Faboulous 5! That should put a smile on his face

Cant wait to hear more about the trip!!!

It is soooooo hot, here! Love your idea about character connection at Epcot that is sort of what I did last year when we went. Ashton and I went one way and the older crew & Danny went their way; made for a lot less stressful time.

Great updates, Connie. I love the pics at Epcot -- of Ashton and the F&G. And good for you deciding to go to school once Ashton starts. I can't wait to hear what you decide to be when you "grow up."

thanks! Kathy--thinking nursing
the only two fields at this point in my life I am interested in is nursing or teaching

Fun update! You got some great pictures!

Thanks! Jen

Awesome photos!! I think it would be great for you to go to college in January!

Thanks! April

 

[mickeystoontown]

Connie, I'm so proud of you for riding Mission Space! I was happy to hear that you loved it too!

Of course, I loved all of the pictures with the characters. You can never have too many of those.

I think it's going to be good for both you and Ashton to let him attend a Pre-K part time. Kids need to have interaction with other kids. And, like you said, it will help him adjust when Kindergarten time rolls around.

So, have you decided what you want to be when you grow up?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I last left off we had just boarded a friendship boat from Epcot heading to Hollywood Studios with all the kids. We were going to meet mom and dad at the Studios (they had headed over to the Studios for lunch while we took pics with the characters and I rode Mission Space along with TT). What did dad have for lunch?!? if you guessed chicken you were right...I need to look up the name of where he went but it was on the street heading to ToT, he said this was one of the best BBQ havles he had ever had and mom agreed.

a little scenery from our ride over

and a shot while waiting for mom and dad to meet up with us...

with that we were on our way...
but, where to?!?

Lights, Motor, Action...
Gwendolyn & Joe had not eaten breakfast so they had decided to meet up with us for the show or right after..so, we proceeded to the theatre to wait what seemed forever for the next show...(with mom being in an ECV we could have wandered off to find Lightening and Mater, but did not think of that --she had reserved seating so we waited all that time and would have ended up in the same seats anyway)
waiting...

and I managed to get a shot of the elusive Dayne...

on our way to our seats

someone is getting sleepy...

I won't bore you with ALL the photos I took
I took a lot more than I thought...
here are a few...as Herbie splits from the stage area

Ashton loved it!

I knew the guys would love this show...but, Gwendolyn and I loved it too! it was a great show!!

the older kids decided to head out to DisneyQuest from here so we would not see them again until it was time to load up the car the next morning...they said they had a blast at DQ and DTD on their last day!

from here we toured the Backlot! we had not been on this tour since 2001 it was fun to see all the inventory

from here I wanted to see the Beauty and the Beast show but first I wanted Ashton to meet Buzz & Woody (our first trip to DHS it was closed for the night) well, today it was closed for breaktime when we passed. We decided to head over to meet with the UP characters and head back for Buzz and Woody. Well, remember that sleepy little boy I showed you earlier...he would come back with a vengence while waiting in line...I did not bring his bag with me and Danny, mom and dad went walk around the building. Well, there was a little boy and girl playing with some Star War toys and he wanted to play...but, not being able to make new friends he cried the entire 35 min we waited in line! BUT! the second he saw the characters he lit up and was a whole new person...

from here we decided to head out! Danny & Daddy had had enough, Ashton was tired and I just knew the line for Buzz and Woody was probably very long so we headed for the busses.

How would we finish out our evening of WDW magic?!?...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey Lisa! we were posting at the same time

I really did love MS; BUT NOW, Gwendolyn & Dayne can't understand why I still will not ride any of the roller coasters or flume rides.

I'm thinking nursing...my only current interest are nursing and teaching...I like the hours I can have by working in a hosp; but, I like the idea of same holidays as Ashton...I can get my RN in two/probably three years. It would take me four/probably five to get my teaching certification so doing the math (and pay) I think nursing is the clear winner.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I just caught up. Looks like you guys had a fabulous time!

 

[mickeystoontown]

First off, I enjoyed the latest update.

I think you'd make a great teacher or nurse. Both are wonderul professions.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Shannon and Lisa...if you checked out the last post with the picture mess up I have fixed it and hope you get a chance to check it out once more...having problems with the copy and paste feature today...

for those joining in or catching up...don't forget about the quick links...
Connie

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Connie. A nurse or teacher are both great choices. I think I'd lean towards a nurse because there seems to be a shortage and they keep letting teachers go (my oldest is student teaching now for ten weeks and who knows when he'll be able to find a full-time position).

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Great updates!!! And you are leaving us hanging

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I just caught up. Looks like you guys had a fabulous time!

Welcome Back! Shannon!! I noticed your new ticker; how exciting to be planning a new trip with Madeline and Duncan! and yes, we had a great time!

First off, I enjoyed the latest update.

I think you'd make a great teacher or nurse. Both are wonderul professions.

Thanks! Lisa

Great update, Connie. A nurse or teacher are both great choices. I think I'd lean towards a nurse because there seems to be a shortage and they keep letting teachers go (my oldest is student teaching now for ten weeks and who knows when he'll be able to find a full-time position).

Thanks! Kathy ~ I know Gwendolyn is planning of going in to teaching and I was telling her the other day how bad things are at the moment. But, here in LA (as I'm sure all over the country) it seems all professions are hard to come by at this time.

Great updates!!! And you are leaving us hanging

Thanks! Pam yes I'm trying to drag it out...all I have left is the last evening and the two days at Universal...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

As we were leaving DHS and mom had heard the story of Ashton's crying in line for the UP characters she told Ashton to go and find a new souvie... Well, of course he wanted the Star Wars figures the other children had and we were in the Pixar area no SW toys to be found. Daddy & Danny were not into going to the other side of the park (which I secretly would not have minded - I had not ridden SW this year or last year). But, when my parents are with us for some reason I cannot get the idea of splittting to make everyone happy to take on (this is one of the reasons I do not see an amusement park in our near future of trips with my parents, again--although, I know they were happier that morning going off on their own for a short time as was I not having that feeling of trying to keep everyone happy). So, what did we do...we told Ashton to wait until we got to the POP to choose something, and believe it or not he was OK with this idea...

off to the busses we were...our afternoon consisted of Ashton and I eating a late lunch early dinner at the POP(we had shared a pasta chicken plate w/an extra breadstick), Danny went in search of the pizza the kids had been ordering all week, mom & dad went take a nap and had dinner at Cosmic Rays (we were to meet up with them for the parade that night at MK), Dayne & Luke were still at DHS or hopping around the world, Joe was napping (I don't think he was feeling bad) and I had forgot last post Gwendolyn was to meet Ashton at the pool for a swim.

Ashton had bought Toy Story figures as his new souvie and was very happy (the best purchase of the entire trip--he still plays nice a quiet with the figures). I did not plan to swim this afternoon once Gwendolyn said she was joining us I decided I would do laundry. As I was getting our laundry started Gwendolyn ran up to their room to collect her and Joe's clothes and put her swimsuit on. Boy, she took a long time while waiting for her to do all that I had found Ashton a swim vest and he was not waiting too paitently for her. As I was placing our things on a table he decided to hit the pool -- well bad mom that I am let him go (he had on a swimvest) he does not like to go under yet...
not a very happy face

and I know double bad mom...but, I laughed so hard after he popped up and was so startled at what he had done...

I used this opportunity to explain why it was important to listen to mommy and why he had to have a swimvest on around the pool area...I believe the idea went over very well with him...he was sure to tell Gwendolyn, Danny, and my parents what he did and why he would not doing it again!

Gwendolyn did finally make it down and to the pool

and Danny finally made it back and joined Ashton for a quick swim while Gwendolyn and I went finish up the laundry (I don't know it I will ever plan to do laundry while at WDW...I think I will just be sure to have enough clothes for the entire stay next time. In May '09 we had a laundry unit in the townhouse we stayed in and it was just so much more convient).

after Ashton's swim, laundry put away in the luggage, a quick snack for Danny and Ashton and a quick shower for the two of them we were off again for our last evening of magic...

would we make it in time ?!? how will the magic end....

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Here are some of Mom & Dad's photos from Day 4...I had forgot that I had placed them in a seperate folder...

we were trying to help Gwendolyn & Joe some of the food choices on the way to Light, Motor, Action...

This is a short quick nap on the way to meeting the UP characters (which we thought was going to really rejuvinate him--but only made things worse as we were waiting)

finally! the meet...

searching for the right souvie...