[gemdisney]

I'm gonna try to get the rest done in one shot because I can't have this dragging on and taking forever.
The second day there we went for a stroll in DTD but it was so packed I sweat in every store we went into so we did what we came for and got out of there. DS got his lego's sets and I picked up our ornaments I get for every trip. DH snuck a Christmas gift for DS and had it sent back to the Resort and we found a bus stop which my parents were already at and had to hide thier gift for DS. So I have to point out there are more than a few reasons for us trying to fit this in for the end of trip from now on. The main DS believe it or not would have rather stayed in the room putting together his Spider Walker than going to parks and other Disney related things!
While DH took the kids back to room after DHS he didn't knowtice DD getting into the chocolate milk that he had in his backpack all day. So she spent the night throughing up and the next morning seemed fine. So we headed to AK and really enjoyed the Tusker House. DD didn't eat which was fine with me, I wouldn't have wanted to either. But she drank about 3 glasses of the juice. The Safaris was so bumpy that it just brought it back up. Luckily and I say that lightly, it came up after we were off and waiting for the train. She fell asleep after we cleaned her up and she slept almost half the day. We just hung out and watched the talking recycling bin while DS went with parents pouting that he wasn't on EE, which he was petrafied on last year! So we headed that way and DH & DS crazy as they are hit Kali and didn't get more than splashed. If I had gone...SOAKED, so I stayed behind with parents. EE was great and DS loved it this time...so he says.
This was a really great trip for me because Dad and I didn't have the best relationship while growing up. Sense I have "matured" things have grown to a much better place with us and I really enjoyed having my Dad there to ride the rides with! Something that would have never happened in my teenage years! When DD woke we made the 3:00 Nemo show and she loved it but I was so worried she owuld get sick again, I brought her back shortly after. We all met up at Boma that night and as always LOVED it!
The next morning we had our first breakfast at Boma and it was so great we did it again the following day!
DH went off to Bass Pro shops while we went to MK. Luckily he was still in room while we were on the bus and I realized I forgot the camera on the back of my chair! He ran down and luckiy found it still there! But he let me sweat it out for hours until he arrived at MK. DS had somehow "left" his DS in the backpack, like he would be board at MK or something...so the security guy enjoyed teasing him for a little over that. DS has no decided never to carry the backpack again, like that was the problem!
We split up again so I could take DD to her favorite rides and DS could hit his with my parents. Disney Magic allowed us to return for our fast passes and meet up with DH all in one swoop! In tomorrowland I was so happy to find DD could do the speedway. She loved driving until after the first turn. She did really good until then but got discouraged when she just went one way then hit and started going the other. So after bouncing back and forth on the track she asked me to take over. She was so small she couldn't really see where she was going though.
That night as we got off Buzz we were able to catch the fireworks. We didn't stay until EMH were over but still enjoyed a great day at MK.
The last day of parks we hit Epcot and DD was excited, she really enjoys rides. There just aren't that many for her there though and she kept asking for me to take her on Dumbo, the horsies or Pooh. Talk about heart braking for a 2yo who just doesn't understand. We never made it to the CandleLight Procession. The lines were crazy everytime we were near and knew the kids wouldn't handle the wait. DS already had one melt down because he found the Chinese YoYo's that he has wanted sense summer camp. The problem...he had $ of his own to get it but Mom had to be the bad guy and say no. My Mom had already gotten it for him from Le Nouba for a Christmas present. So he poutted until DH started joking with him and doing whatever it took to make him smile. He wasn't even happy in his pictures of trying to hold up Epcot and wouldn't listen to instructions on where to move his hands. Life can be difficult for these kids in Disney but what can you do.
DD was in love with all the fountains and one of my favorite pictures are of her and my Dad at the one in France. It holds a special place in my heart, I think because everyone loves my Mom but it takes my DD to have a great relationship with my Dad who I am only recently enjoying the same!
We just waited at the bridge for the fireworks even though it was a good hour away. We were just tired by then but didn't want to miss them. It was cold so I had a great run back to America for Hot Cocoa. Lickily DS & DH needed a bathroom brake because I could have never carried 6 back myself! DS complained about how hot it was so I ended up losing my finger tips to 3 very hot cocoa's! I can only think of someone on here have seen me and laughing at the crazy lady practicly running from one trash can to the next but 3 hot cocoa's, what else could I do.
The fireworks were awesome! The lasted about 45 minutes because they added on to it this whole peace on earth good will to men section. Oh it was just great. We all loved it!
We kind of cheated though, we Valet parked at BC to avoid the crammed buses, which was a great idea! We were able to check out more Christmas decorations and I loved the walk back. What a great way to end the night. A peaceful stroll ust taking in the Disney attmosphere. I really recommend it.
For some crazy reason Mom, Dad and I went for a walk once back at the Resort. Luckily we brought the camera's! We met this great Savanah guide Peace. She was such a wonderful addition to our day. There was this Blesbok I believe right up against the rocks of the lookout area. He crossed the boundary lines and decided the grass was greener on the other side! He was so funny just grazing against the rocks.
The last day there we went to Old Town with my Aunt & Uncle who live in Tampa. DS & DH were in love with the magic shop and spent a lot of time there. We headed back for a late dinner at ASMovie. DD fell in love with the kidie pool area. She would shake her bum in the sprinklers and run from them to the pool and thought it was the greatest. I'm really glad I decided to put pull-ups on her for the trip! She ended up playing in those because we had no suit. Then Mom took us to "Andy's Room." I thought the kids eyes might pop out of thier heads! They thought this was great. These huge toys all over! We had missed a rain fall aparently because everything had a fresh coat on it. But they didn't let that stop them!
The next morning my parents were gone before we got up and I'd never missed them so much! Amazing what a family vacation can do.

[gemdisney]

I forgot about the pool! When it was warm enough for us northerners we did enjoy it. Yes we were also crazy enough to hit the hot tubs at night when you have to run back into the building because outside was so cold!
DD2 actually did the waterslide by herself! It was so nice to see she's adventurous. Poor DS 11 crept down in and only because the life guard and all these little kids and I mean little were egging him on and he knew it was his only way down because Mom wasn't letting him down those stairs. If I didn't do it, he would never try anything!
He did try to help DD swim and it made such great pics!
The drive hom stunk again! I end up doing the long hard hours of the night. At 2am we hit Washington I believe and that stupid GPS took me through a downtown area. There was a large man in a big coat standing in the barrier between the roads right when I get the stupid red light. Everyone is alseep and he's approaching the car with something...I live a very secluded life. I have only seen 2 homeless people and both on this trip. I cry just about every time I see them and feel awful at the things I have even though we struggle to make ends meet at times.
So, yes, I was very scared! I finally glance as he's approaching my car and am so glad it's just a window washer instead of a gun or something...I have no idea-never been in a situation like this! I just keep saying no thank you. I have to repeat myself so many times it wakes up DS who sees what's going on and becomes scared and wants to know why he's not going away. Finally DH, whose a BIG guy, sits up and the man backs away and finally that stinking light turns green!
Again in NY we get stuck in such bad traffic I could have cried. I was shaking, honestly, I live a very secluded life. I don't know how to act or drive in these situations but DH whose worked in the cities does. I begged him to switch seats but I think he wanted to toughen me up. All it did was cause my nerves so much damage I was shaking through the ordeal. Then when I was back at home and my body relaxed, I spent the night sick in the bathroom!
Secluded life!!!!