Our Disney Vacation Part 2: Sunday and Monday

Our home away from home

We got to our resort (All Star Music Resort) around 1:30pm or so.  Our room was ready and since I already "checked in online" we got our welcome folder and were on our way to our room to unpack!

The name of our section of the hotel

My tip: Do the online check-in.  It is very quick and easy and really does save time.  Also, if you can, get there before the actual "check-in" time.  Especially during the "low season" they usually have your room ready.  Kent went by the lobby to return a luggage cart and he said the line was out the door.  When we arrived an hour or so earlier we only had to wait a minute or two. Also, we packed a lot of our own groceries for our trip.  We got a Dining Plan (which I highly recommend) but it didn't cover all 3 meals for all the days we were there (although there is a Dinging Plan that will).  So we brought our own snacks and breakfast foods, stuff for lunch, drinks, etc.  If you buy these things there it will cost you twice as much.

Sunday
Our first day at Disney we used to check out Downtown Disney.  We didn't want to use up one of our 5 day tickets on just half a day so we took transportation to Downtown Disney. (Sidenote: Disney has bus transportation to all it's parks, resorts, Downtown Disney and various other places that are on Disney property. However, if you don't like waiting.. take your own car.) While at Downtown Disney we visited the Lego Store and the World of Disney store.  We also ate a Earl of Sandwich (it was good, but I probably wouldn't go back).  Zoey also got a hair wrap while we were there.  Apparently a "must" for her whenever we go on vacation as this is probably her 4th time doing it. :)  We then headed back to our room for some much needed rest.

Taken at a Christmas Shop in Downtown Disney

My tip: If you aren't in a rush, take the bus.  If you aren't one for waiting take your car (if you have one).  We did the bus thing for a few days but later found it to be a waste of time.  When your kids are tired and cranky.. standing in line is the last thing you want to do.  Plus, we had to wait over 30 minutes at the Magic Kingdom for a ride and that was while other resorts got two or three buses to them while we were still waiting for our one bus.  Also, do not go to Downtown Disney on a Friday night.  I will probably repeat this..

Monday
Our first day in the parks!  Since Animal Kingdom had early magic hours (hours when the park is open early or late for resort guests only) we decided to go there.  We were told to go straight to the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride.  It takes you on an expedition of sorts through African savannas.  You see all sorts of animals all along the way.  And they are pretty close.  We had giraffes running right along with us. Next up, was Expedition Everest.  It's a roller coaster that only Kent and Zoey conquered.  It was Zoey's first time ever on a roller coaster.  She got off not too happy.  Kent said it even caught him off guard.  Nathan was too short to ride and Jon Kent was too.. cautious to ride.  So while Zoey and Kent went I pulled out the disposable cameras and let Nate and Jon Kent take pictures.  I can't wait to have them developed.  There is no telling what pictures will come from them. Once Kent got his stomach back we headed for more adventures at The Boneyard. It a playground built around dinosaur fossils.  The kids loved it and it gave Kent and I time to look over the map and rest a bit.  Next, we went to DINOSAUR.  That was a mistake.  It completely scared the kids.  I wasn't thrilled myself.  And it was LOUD.  You get in this car like thing and you are blasted into the past to hopefully bring back with you a dinosaur.  All three kids had their hands over their ears and their eyes shut most of the way.  From that point on before we got on any ride, Nate asked if there would be dinosaurs on it. So, to chill out for a bit we went to TriceraTop Spin. Thankfully this was a friendlier ride for the kids. Also, while in Animal Kingdom we went to Affection Section (petting zoo), rode the Wildlife Express Train (takes you to the area of Rafiki's Planet Watch from Africa) and saw It's Tough to be a Bug (very cool 3D show with lots of "surprises").

On the safari

Ready to see It's Tough to be a Bug!

The Tree of Life

My tip: There were a few rides and shows that we didn't get to see.  But we were all tired and ready for a nap.  I recommend nap time to those with kids.  Or really adults, too.  You don't realize how much walking you do and how tired you can get while on "vacation" at Disney.  I went in to this trip knowing we wouldn't get to everything we wanted to and told myself that it would be fine.  I wanted to make the most of this trip and wanted to get out as much as possible.  But if you have cranky kids who are over tired then that's not fun for anyone.  So sometimes you just have to let go of "the plan" and rest.  Also, get a photopass card.  You pay nothing for the card and you can hand it to dozens of Disney photogs at all the parks.  They are usually in areas that offer great backdrops for the photo.  Then you just register the card and you can buy and share any picture you want.  We have several family pictures that turned out really well.

...to be continued

Our Disney Vacation Part 1: Planning

I'm not sure how many parts this will have.  It may only have one, to which I will change the blog title and you'll never know. :)  I am mainly doing this for my own future reference and for my children's future reference when they tell me I am mean and never do anything for them... :)

I did my travel plans and booking through Small World Vacations.  They were awesome.  I worked with a lady by the name of Daisy and she was great.  Small World Vacations does not charge you a fee.  They book directly with Disney and earn commission that way.  They also look for any discounts that may come up before your final payment and will notify you of a better deal.  I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone.

As far as the time of year we went, I think we went during a pretty good time.  The only place that was crowded was the Magic Kingdom.  And like I told Kent, the Magic Kingdom is probably always crowded or at least more crowded than the other parks at any given time of the year.  The weather was still hot but not unbearable.  It was nice to be able to take a day off from the major parks and hit up one of Disney water parks which we wouldn't have been able to do if we went later in the year.

I did a lot of research on the internet and found two sites to be the most help.  Those two sites being MouseSavers.com and Allears.net.  They had tons of inside info on what to do, what not do to, packing lists, discounts, etc.  I also was a daily visitor to Disney.com once I set up our reservations.  They have a cute little countdown that lets you know how many days until your vacation and they will keep track of all your reservations to various shows and restaurants.  Also, Disney will send you a free planning DVD that gives you a look at all the parks.

I also asked a lot of people who had gone for their advice.  What worked for them, what didn't, what would they have done differently, etc.  I got some of my best tips from friends who had gone before.  Plus, it's easier to learn someone else lessons than having to learn the hard way on your own. :)

And lastly, if all else fails... Google.

We went to Disney

It only took 8 months to plan, but we finally got out Disney vacation under our belts.  OK, so it wasn't like I planned the WHOLE 8 months, but a lot of time and research and planning went into it.  I would like to think we all had a great time.  It was a trip that I will always remember and I hope my kids will do the same.  I will be back soon to give a full post for it.  Until then...

Weekend at the beach

This past weekend we headed to the beach with Kent's grandparents (the kids' great grandparents).  We decided to check out a beach that is semi close to us (semi being 3 hours away instead of 5 hours).  We went to Hilton Head Island.  It would be the first time the kids have actually been in a "real" ocean versus the Gulf of Mexico.  We all had a good time.  Spent a full day at the beach and then went out to eat a one of the local seafood places.  After supper we went out for some putt-putt golf.  It was Nathan's first time.  All in all it was a good weekend.  The kids had fun and we all came home with some new memories.  However, HHI is nothing like Panama City Beach.  Nothing could compare to those white sandy beaches.. well maybe Hawaii.. or the Bahamas..

First Day of School 2011

"Just me and you kid." is what I told Nathan once we returned home from taking Jon Kent and Zoey to their first day of school.  This is the first time that Nathan will have just me to himself for an extended amount of time through the year.  I am looking forward to it.  Looking forward to teaching and playing and napping (for him and cleaning for me).  The start of school is bittersweet.  I miss my older babies while they are gone, but I am loving having Nathan all to myself.  And he has really soaked it up today.

As for Jon Kent and Zoey and their start up of school: They both did very well.  No tears.. from them or me. They were both really excited.  Zoey had trouble going to sleep last night because she was just "too excited".  Jon Kent tried to play it all off cool, but he was excited about his first day.  I am sure that will disappear once the homework starts rolling in.  But for today he was excited.  I can't wait to hear about their day.  It's hard to believe that Zoey is in kindergarten and Jon Kent is in first grade.  I can still see both of them.. still in diapers.. playing inside one of their closets with all the books and toys.  Sweet memories.

Surgery and the little red shovel

Zoey and Nathan had surgery Monday.  It was a simple umbilical hernia repair.  Simple being the keyword.  And for the most part it went like we thought it would.  Well, except the 2 hour over appointment time wait.  The sleepy juice not making either child sleepy and let's not forget the little red shovel.  More on that later...

We were told to get there at 10am.  I figured we would have to wait a bit over our "start time" but 2 hours.. yeah, I wasn't thrilled.  No explanations, no "sorry we're just running behind", nothing.  Just sitting in a small box of a room which at least had a TV in it.  Zoey was going to be first so they came in, got her vitals and such and then we waited some more.  Finally the "sleepy juice" was given and we thought the ball would be rolling now.  Or not.  More waiting.  Zoey goes from calm to silly and then finally sleepy.. only to go back to silly.  She was every where and I was worried that it would wear off before they got her back there.  Finally at 12:35pm they took her back.  Now on to Nathan... we waited for a bit and then they came in and got his forms filled out.  Told us in a few minutes they would be back to give him his sleepy juice.  Few minutes pass and nothing.  Finally they come in, give it to him and he goes calm.  He is almost asleep when out of no where he bucks up and starts getting mad at me because I'm not laying just the right way with him in the bed.  After attempting to move every way possible he finally starts pushing on me calling me a "bossy head". {Kent's bursts into laughter which makes me laugh and makes Nathan madder.}  So he has this little red shovel that came with a toy he got to pick out in the lobby and starts smacking me with it.  {Nathan is a strong willed child.  I will give him that.  And he stands his ground and doesn't back down, but when it comes to me he has never hit me or shoved me.  And I can always "scold" him and he will return back to the way he should be acting.} This was completely out of his nature.  So the nurse and anesthesiologist come in about the time he is repeatedly calling me a bossy head despite my telling him not to and giving him the "mommy face".  The nurse and doctor said, "Yeah, most of the time it makes them sleepy, but sometimes.. rarely it... well.. doesn't."  YA THINK?  So they wheeled him away at 1:35pm and said he went right to sleep once they put the mask on him.

They both came out of recovery find.  Tired, but fine.  We got home around 3:30pm.  And so far their recovery has been pretty good.  I am having to keep them from doing more than they should and trying not to let boredom set in, although I am pretty sure it already has.

We go back in a little over two weeks to get the bandages taken off and stitches removed.  And speaking of 2 weeks.. the kids will be back in school by then as well.  Summer is quickly coming to an end.  Makes me very sad.

30 Looks Good on You

Kent turned 30 last week.  I am now married to a 30 year old.  Something seems odd about that.  Not really in a bad way odd, but sounds unfamiliar I guess.  We have been together since he was 16 years old and now all these years later here we are and it just seems surreal in a way.  Or maybe I am just odd myself.. either way.. Kent is a 30 something now and I in all my youth am still a 20 something.  Don't think I haven't rubbed that in...

This past weekend we invited family and some close friends to come celebrate Kent's 30 years.  We had about 20 some odd people packed into the house.  Kids running around crazy, adults chatting, food being consumed, cake being gobbled down.  It was a good time.

Here's to 30 more years plus 30 more!