My Best Trip Ever! A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making About This Page:

[chezp]

I'm with the others. Kudos to you on rising above all the drama, that's the last thing you need on vacation.

[KMB733]

Another one who agrees with the others on how you are able to just push the drama aside.

[honeybee723]

Maybe you could teach me a better way to deal with the wack-a-doodles of the world. Good for you for not stooping to their level. You probably saved yourself a big headache in the end. Sounds like a great dinner too.

[Cam22]

I can't believe Evan is now registered for kindergarten! Such a big boy! Glad you chose to take the high road with all the wackiness. Sounds like a good time at HDDR.

[OhToodles!]

I love how you say 'real school not daycare' because we call daycare school too. I have another year before registration, but I'm not looking forward to it.

I can't believe all the drama still. Kudos to you though. And love all the attention Evan is gettting!

[ilovedisney247]

Sounds like HDDR was great and you get a gold star for patience!

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry for all the drama with Christine! Sounds like a good time at dinner!

[mommapants]

Originally Posted by emvenable77

I totally know the feeling about Evan starting kindergarten! My DD (Abby) is starting too!
We registered in february. I don't think it has hit me yet but I know I will lose it on the first day. I guess as long as I don't lose it in front of her its ok. right?!!

I hope I don't lose it too.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

You continue to amaze me with your patience, and ability to let things roll off! I KNOW I wouldn't have been as good at that.

Sorry about the kindergarten thing! My youngest is about to complete elementary school, so I'm getting all teary too, but at the other end of the party. Kids do just grow up TOO fast. My oldest got his learner's permit last week. How did THAT happen?!? Just all reminders to appreciate every day, and be more like you - letting the little things roll by.

Thanks and congrats - I think - with the leraner's permit

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Sorry for the walking drama but glad it did not stop you from enjoying. LOve the ice cream and Beaches & Cream...my favorite meal there, the onion rings and a chocolate shake
HDDR sounds like a great time!!!

I could go for a chocolate shake right now

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

More drama, but you seem to be staying above it. I agree with your mom's opinion and have several "difficult" people in my life, but I also try to let it roll off my back. I just don't have the confrontational gene, I guess.

Can't believe Evan is going to the big K! Super exciting!

I don't have that gene either. And I thank God every day about it.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Again your ability to not get involved in bad adult behavior saved the day. As you say, I'm sure if you had responded with what was in your head you and Christine would have been in a screaming match that would have ruined everyone else's time. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."! (Am I the only one who knows that line?) HDDR sounds like fun. That's one I've never done. I think you have to go with a group for that to be a fun time. Evan's birthday button is still going strong!

HDDMR is better with a group and seeing it through your kid's eyes is even better.

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Catching up again. Sorry about the continued drama. I love how Christine thinks her kids are perfect angels. NO kid is perfect. Anyway, I love how Evan's birthday pin continues to pay off! And even at Gatorland. I have a photo of myself with that big fake gator just like the one you took of the boys!

We really enjoyed Gatorland. Unfortunately Christine isn't the only one who thinks her child(ren) are perfect. It seems to be a growing trend.

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

Sounds like a good day all in all. I agree with the other poster who said you have amazing patience. I know I wouldn't.

Glad to see the next update is some alone time. Can't wait to hear about it!

Getting made wouldn't have solved anything so no point in it.

Originally Posted by chezp

I'm with the others. Kudos to you on rising above all the drama, that's the last thing you need on vacation.

agreed - I hate drama

Originally Posted by KMB733

Another one who agrees with the others on how you are able to just push the drama aside.

Thanks - I have had years of practice.

Originally Posted by honeybee723

Maybe you could teach me a better way to deal with the wack-a-doodles of the world. Good for you for not stooping to their level. You probably saved yourself a big headache in the end. Sounds like a great dinner too.

Not only myself but everyone else as well too.

Originally Posted by Cam22

I can't believe Evan is now registered for kindergarten! Such a big boy! Glad you chose to take the high road with all the wackiness. Sounds like a good time at HDDR.

Thanks Cam - thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

I love how you say 'real school not daycare' because we call daycare school too. I have another year before registration, but I'm not looking forward to it.

I can't believe all the drama still. Kudos to you though. And love all the attention Evan is gettting!

He was quite spoiled by the end of the week with all the attention. Evan never wants to go to school in the morning but then never wants to leave when I pick him up. Every was very nice to him at regisitration and think he will be excited for K once September arrives.

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Sounds like HDDR was great and you get a gold star for patience!

Thanks - Dinner was fun!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry for all the drama with Christine! Sounds like a good time at dinner!

I like to keep my life drama free so better not to get involved.

Here is photo taken at HDDMR

My nephew Aaron, The one who's shoulder I have my hand on, is now as tall as I am. And this photo was only taken in October.

[KMB733]

What a great picture from HDRR!

[mommapants]

“Some much needed alone time”

Today I woke up with the sad realization that our trip would be coming to a close all too soon. Only today and tomorrow and that would be it. There were still so many things I wanted to do and knew I wasn’t going to get a chance to do them. Not this trip at least.

Christine decided she was going to take her boys to Sea World for the day. Shades had a shuttle there and she had made all the arrangements herself. I think she needed the break from us as much as we needed the break from her.

Mom, Evan and I were going to go to EMH at AK for a few hours to do things we had missed before and then were planning on heading to the Studios. Jill and family were sleeping in and not sure what they doing after that. We said we would just text each other as the day progressed and hopefully meet up at some point.

So we get up an hour early to head over to AK. We get in without any problems and begin to walk around to see what we can do (what is open) and what we want to do (aka Evan wants to do). I wanted to do MJT so Evan could see Tigers. I wasn’t sure if it was open during EMH but the tip board read “see now” so assumed it was open. Other attractions had “5 minutes” or “10am” so you can understand why I assumed that. We marched over and it closed. Grrr! So was Kali. Double grrr! I knew Evan wouldn’t do EE or Dinosaur it was then I realized we just got up an hour early for nothing. I was a bit annoyed.

There was nothing listed on any of the signs or maps as to which attractions were open during EMH and I asked a CM what was available and he didn’t know either. It was getting to the end of the vacation and I was tired and disgusted and just wanted to go back to the hotel. But instead I pulled the bug out of my butt and put on a happy face. After my little hissy fit I did actually enjoy the peacefulness of the park. And that relaxed atmosphere is one of my favorite memories which again just prove that the best times can be had when you stop to smell the roses.

We meandered around and Evan played the drums for a while





I don't want to work - I just want to bang on the drum all day!!

WDW Oct 2011 :: 100_0674.mp4 video by hbryfogle - Photobucket
sorry about the camera works

Then we got a breakfast snack. I wanted to get some African art to have at home but I wanted some thing authentic not made in china. I found a mask set and spoon set that I had them sent back to the hotel. That was the first time I ever used that service and it was way-cool. I loved not carrying around a bag all day.




We decided to ride the safari again. As we entered the queue line the cast member, having seen Evan’s birthday pin, tells us “be sure to ask for the birthday seat”. It was basically a walk-on so we get to the boarding area and said “we were told to ask for the birthday seat” pointing to Evan. The CM looked at us like we were speaking a foreign language but quickly recovered. He placed us (just by dumb luck really) in the row right behind the driver “here you go, birthday seat just for you”.

Actually it was a great seat because the driver was so awesome and she really played up to Evan. She saw his pin and had everyone on the truck wish him before we left on our 2 week journey. All along the safari she kept checking in with Evan to make sure he saw what she was talking about. Or when we went over the rickety bridge with the crocodiles she wanted to make sure we didn’t lose him. She asked Evan if it was OK with him if we cut the trip short so we could catch some poachers. And when we made it back safely wished him a “Happy Birthday” again. I would have loved to have gotten a but she was on to the next tour all too soon. I also wish I had remembered her name because it was without a doubt the best safari ride ever. Plus the female lion wasn’t laying up way up high but on a lower rock and we got a really awesome view of her.

BTW on a side note we watched African Cats this weekend – I really enjoyed it but what a hard life these animals lead.

After the safari it was getting close to a Lion King show so we made our way over to CMM. Having just the 3 of us we made really good travel time and it was nice to just have only the 3 of us for a while.

Now I’m not a huge fan of the Lion King show. In all honesty it’s not my favorite movie either. I went to AK in 98 the first year it opened and then again in 2000 and wasn’t totally impressed with the show. I think it was just soooo hyped up I was expecting to be wowed out of my seat but wasn’t. It was good but just didn’t live up to the hype. So When I went on my last trip in 2006 I didn’t even bother to go see the show.

I figured this time I’d give it another go, after all Mom and Evan had never seen it and it was over 10 years since I had last seen it. I actually had never seen it in the enclosed theater. Let me just say I really liked it. I know the show is basically the same as before but I think I was looking at it differently. I wasn’t expecting so much so I was really able to let go more and enjoy it better. I still like Nemo better and probably because I like that story more. But all 3 of us give the FOLK thumbs up.

My mom wanted Jill’s kids to see it so we texted them to see what they were doing. They were at HS so we decided to join them. Saying good bye to AK for this trip we drove the van over the HS.

Coming Up Next
“I grid-lock in Disney before”

Birthday pin surprise count: 11

[lauriep]

What a nice, relaxed morning it turned out to be. I just love it when I get a good safari driver. Makes such a difference. Sounds like yours was really great.

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry some things weren't open for EMH! Glad you had a great ride on the safari and enjoyed the Lion King show!

[OneLittleSpark]

Sounds like an excellent morning Holly! I your animal masks!! They are really neat. I may have to look around at some geniune african art myself.

I liked FotLK when we went, and it inspired me to go see the Broadway musical. OMG! I fell in love with it. I have seen it twice now. While, the FotLK is a great show, it now just doens't seem quite as magical to me somehow after seeing the Broadway production.

[cubfancolleen]

Love the masks you got, and I have the exact spoons, bought directly in Africa, though!

[OhToodles!]

What a wonderful morning!

Dylan is the same way about 'school'. Never wants to go in the morning, but wants to be the last one there too.