On with the randoms! (Which aren't really random at all, but more cohesive and like minded. In fact, let's just forget about RTT for a couple of minutes.)
Yes, we went back to Disney World this weekend. Yes, it was a lot of fun. Yes, we crammed way too much activity into way too little time, and I am now paying for it with a severely reduced capacity to concentrate and a child who thinks Mickey Mouse is our favorite relative since she seems him at least once a month and he gives her presents, never mind if Mom or Dad is the one paying for it.
Now, this trip had been on the radar since late last Spring when we were budgeting for Christmas and discussed what we would do for our nephews Cristian and Cameron. They're all around great kids with quick smiles and a propensity for getting on your good side no matter how annoying they may seem at times, and all teenagers can be annoying, and one of them, not saying who, made a comment on Facebook about how he wanted to go to a theme park. John and I decided we would be the coolest aunt and uncle in the whole world and started saving separately for a weekend of fun for them which included a day in Disney World. After clearing it with their parents, come Christmas morning, we made the announcement and got some excited smiles.
And that's how this weekend happened. Of course, cramming it all into one weekend was a bit of a feat, and we may have been kicked a couple of times by that same feat (word play, go with it) starting with the drive over:
Will someone please tell me why the one major artery for Western Florida has to close in two separate places for two separate reasons on the same day at the same time which forces people to detour into parts unknown hoping to find their way to a street that will migrate them a little further so they can get back onto the highway if and ONLY IF the highway is open at that point? And will someone please explain why they can't bring out a blinking sign that tells everyone how to go about the detour and what streets to look for if they're not familiar with the area instead of expecting us to all imitate lemmings and just follow each other through whatever outskirts town because "he's moving forward, that means he knows where he's going, follow him!"?
(And will someone please tell me why other driving age adults in the car will probably think there wouldn't be a detour or two in the first place if THEY were driving?) (Just a question. And a silent one at that, hence the parentheses.)
Despite the rough start, we made it to the land of Money Mickey by 10:30 AM for a quick check in at the hotel, a moment to dump the luggage, claim beds, (when there's seven people involved, it can get risky and negotiations tend to break down when blood sugar is low) and grab only what we needed for a day in the Kingdom.
And then the real fun began:
With exception of the second photo on Thunder Mountain (which was taken with my point and shoot and given a little radiating touch in Photoshop), all of the pictures were taken by me and were just okay. Until John got to them in editing. And now I love them.
We had a wonderful time, met up with my parents, sister, and other nephew who were also playing in the park (we're not the only Floridians with Season Passes, you know), and spent the time just playing and forgetting that Monday was looming just around the corner.
I love my nephews. All of them, including the one who will be coming next month. But boys, especially teenagers, MUST have attention. At one point in the evening, there were 11 of us in the hotel suite, and while there were 3 separate areas complete with balconies, it got crowded. QUICKLY.
And on Sunday, while we were touring Downtown Disney, both Cristian and Cameron thought I must have had it too easy during the weekend and took turns playing with my patience to the point that I may have yelled out, "I don't want any more children if only for the 50% chance that it may be a boy!" and drawn attention to myself.
No, really. They're great kids and love Sprite to the point that she protested terribly when they left to go home. Stupid Monday and it's stupid rules.
Now, go shower some attention on Keely.
Teenage boys take up a lot of room but they can be a great deal of fun. Sounds like you had you some.
Posted by: Michele | February 01, 2011 at 06:46 AM
I'm a fan of teenage boys, myself. Not in a cougar-y way, though. Stop it!
Posted by: unmitigated me | February 01, 2011 at 07:13 AM
Ha! Just wait until Sprite hits her teens! So much drama!!! Boys are a breeze compared to teenage girls!
Glad you had fun though.
Posted by: Joanie | February 01, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Looks like fun. You definitely win at being Aunt and Uncle :)
Posted by: Jenni | February 01, 2011 at 09:36 AM
ALL of the pictures are awesome. Just sayin'.
Um, as someone who has raised 3 teenage girls and 2 teenage boys, I'll take a teenage boy over a teenage girl ANY day of the week.
Again, just sayin'.
Posted by: Jan | February 01, 2011 at 09:41 AM
You make me both look forward to and dread when my boys become teenagers! Ha ha. I'm sure it'll be fine though. Happy Tuesday.
Posted by: Claire | February 01, 2011 at 09:41 AM
I have two teenage boys in the making. Remembering being a girl--I'm quite happy with my boys. Now we have to start planning the trip we will be making to seethe mouse when Bruiser is five. We got three years--I think we can do it.
Posted by: VandyJ | February 01, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Your pics are awesome! It looks like you guys had so much fun. Boys rock and teenage boys are the BEST! I'm glad you had a good time (mostly.)
Posted by: Gina | February 01, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Love the photos - so cute!
Posted by: Aimee Giese | Greeblemonkey | February 01, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Hey, now. Little boys are fun! And this might be the final straw. We need to move closer to the house of mouse.
Posted by: Mama Badger | February 01, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I always thought the same thing when my nephews were that age - though I'm really dreading with Princess Nagger hits the tween and teen years - all signs point to trouble. ;)
Looks like a lot of FUN! :)
Posted by: Stacy Uncorked | February 01, 2011 at 01:32 PM
I must agree, you are the coolest aunt EVA'!!!! As the mom of once teenage boys, they really do rock most of the time!!!!!
Posted by: SuziCate | February 01, 2011 at 02:34 PM
I really like the pic of the hat lady with lemonade. Sounds like a fun time. Glad all fun was had and now you know what boys will be like. Mine is sweet most of the time, but he's not a teenager yet either.
Posted by: Laufa | February 01, 2011 at 03:54 PM
I have never been to Disney World, but it's on my bucket list. Sounds like a fun-filled day to me!
Posted by: ~the south dakota cowgirl~ | February 02, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Actually, the teen years are what makes me glad I have a boy. From what I can tell, they just grunt and slouch and sometimes smell a little. There's not as much...*whispers*...DRAMA.
But, um, I'm sure that Sprite will be a drama-free teenager. Positive. ;)
Posted by: Keely | February 03, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Great...as always!!
Posted by: Kate | February 04, 2011 at 08:05 PM