Let Them Eat CAKE!!! Trip Report

sweetpee_1993 · Sep 3, 2011

Ooooh...the WL is so beautiful! I'm so pumped to be checking in there one week from today! :sohappy:

I'm so glad the cake was yummy! I was worried when you said you'd be ordering from the Contemporary's bakery especially knowing that you are a cake baker yourself. Oh! And I did get our cake design nailed down and ordered. I'm anxious to see how it turns out. I hope it's a good one. I was prepared to pay twice what I was quoted (just $75) so I'm already feeling good about it. Plus I'll be using TiW to pay for our meal so we'll be getting 20% off that! I explained to the Y&B Club Private Dining Coordinator about our cake flop last November. She said she hopes things turn out far better this time and asked if I'd send pics and let them know how they did when we get back home. Yep, already feelin' good on this one! Yay! :sohappy:

Wow! Y'all are braaaaave taking the girls to California Grill! I was a lot younger when the boys were little guys so everything seemed so much more magnified to me then. Like you said, you always are more critical and nervous over your kids' behavior and notice stuff nobody else does. Being so much younger then I think my patience and sensitivity was waaaaay worse. I know I'd have never even tried it.....well.....considering I wouldn't consider taking the boys to WDW when they were that little, too. LOL! I was such a chicken! LOL! When they were both in diapers it was a very rare occasion I'd go anywhere with them alone. Period. :lol:

Awwww....so sad this will be your last WDW sleep for this trip. But yay for starting to cook up another adventure! :sohappy: After this next trip we aren't planning to go back to WDW until 2013 either. Instead we're in search of different Disney magic-n-wonder....

HouCuseChickie · Sep 3, 2011

sweetpee_1993 said:
Ooooh...the WL is so beautiful! I'm so pumped to be checking in there one week from today! :sohappy:

I'm so glad the cake was yummy! I was worried when you said you'd be ordering from the Contemporary's bakery especially knowing that you are a cake baker yourself. Oh! And I did get our cake design nailed down and ordered. I'm anxious to see how it turns out. I hope it's a good one. I was prepared to pay twice what I was quoted (just $75) so I'm already feeling good about it. Plus I'll be using TiW to pay for our meal so we'll be getting 20% off that! I explained to the Y&B Club Private Dining Coordinator about our cake flop last November. She said she hopes things turn out far better this time and asked if I'd send pics and let them know how they did when we get back home. Yep, already feelin' good on this one! Yay! :sohappy:

Wow! Y'all are braaaaave taking the girls to California Grill! I was a lot younger when the boys were little guys so everything seemed so much more magnified to me then. Like you said, you always are more critical and nervous over your kids' behavior and notice stuff nobody else does. Being so much younger then I think my patience and sensitivity was waaaaay worse. I know I'd have never even tried it.....well.....considering I wouldn't consider taking the boys to WDW when they were that little, too. LOL! I was such a chicken! LOL! When they were both in diapers it was a very rare occasion I'd go anywhere with them alone. Period. :lol:

Awwww....so sad this will be your last WDW sleep for this trip. But yay for starting to cook up another adventure! :sohappy: After this next trip we aren't planning to go back to WDW until 2013 either. Instead we're in search of different Disney magic-n-wonder....

First off- hope you are getting some rain from TS Lee! It looks like the Beaumont area had some decent rainfall. We are nothing but dry and windy here :cry:

The wind has knocked power out at least 30x today- it's driving us NUTS! :hammer:

I'm sure you guys are going to have a blast at WL!!!

I was pretty nervous about the cake considering your prior experience with them. It was really the mousse that made it for me. I was terrified that it would taste like some kind of artificial flavoring marketed as passion fruit. Someone on the cake chatter assured me it was really good and thankfully they were correct. I'm so happy that you got your cake design settled! :sohappy: $75 is a GREAT price! From what I've seen, unless you get a 3D edible topper or want a 6" or bigger mad hatter cake...most of the quotes are under $100. Sounds like a good call with private dining- can't wait to see pics of the cake!!!

I was nervous with Cali Grill, but this was probably the girls' finest behavioral dining experience during the trip. While it helps that things are loud in there and we also gave them the whole "this is mommy's bday dinner and it's not a restaurant where you can be bad b/c they'll yell at us and make us leave" - they were just generally good that night after K's initial issues. I don't know if it was the view, the decks, the fireworks or what, but Kendall informed us that it was her fave meal of the trip! So, Cali Grill beat out 7 character meals to be the trip fave of a 5 yr old...now that's impressive! I know a lot of people think we're nuts doing things like this with the girls, and it may be b/c we had them when we were older, but we've always tried to do a lot with them regardless of age- even if it means me flying on my own with them. Not easy- but worth it.

We'll have to see how it goes, but I don't see us returning to WDW until 2013, but there's a chance we'll spend a day or two at Disneyland if we follow through with my San Francisco to San Diego summer vacay idea for 2012. Can't wait for your cruise TRs!!! That's another thing we're considering since my parents - who are huge fans of cruising - really want to do a DIsney cruise with us. Thinking I'm going to wait on adding another update until tomorrow- it's been a long day! :snore:

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

The last few hours and the silver lining on the way home

I woke up feeling really sad...knowing this was our last morning at WDW, but I was also patting myself on the back for sticking with my gut and keeping the breakfast at 'Ohana this morning. I just kept telling myself that at least we get one last hoorah with Mickey before hitting the road.

We made our last walk over to the tower to catch the monorail over to the Poly. Kendall was still having a rough time walking, but DH insisted it was a big fake out. He'd label me the enabler for the rest of the trip b/c of this, but these were really bad blisters and I don't blame her for not feeling well enough to walk.

We finally made it onto the monorail. On our way around the loop we saw a few hot air balloons hovering in the distance. I just love hot air balloons and would love to ride on one some day (DH is like- NO WAY), and taking a ride near Disney sounds so neat. I can't remember why I couldn't get to my camera, but I missed pics of this.

We arrived at the Poly pretty quickly and checked in. The girls loved the flower leis, but Kendall realized that she wasn't wearing her bday button. I had already packed all of this stuff up...so she'd just have deal...and thankfully, she really didn't care. Our buzzer went off quickly and we were seated at a table that would probably be pretty nice for Wishes. Of course half of my pics from this window would suffer due to condensation.

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Still...a pretty view that improved as the condensation disappeared (pics on that later).

Maybe this guy had something to do with our nice seating spot...

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While I didn't get a pic of it, I could see the small spray of fireworks set off at the end of the MK rope drop show while we were eating. Very cool! And a bit sad knowing we wouldn't be going there. When we checked in on day 1- DH thought we might add a 4th or 5th day of park tickets, but by day 2 he was happy we had a break day and weren't messing with crowds on our departure day. He loved being there, but was having a fun time just taking in the little things.

Back on track- We had such a great server this morning. He was funny and very attentive...also noted that the hostess forgot to give us the little flower they leave at tables for people with food allergies. Thankfully, it was a very allergy safe meal. At least everyone had settled in nicely at the table for our last morning and Disney breakfast...

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I really didn't take much in the way of food pics at this meal...

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I have to be honest- the food was mediocre at best. DH really wasn't feelin' the potatoes!

… but the girls wanted nothing to do with food as soon as they saw Stitch enter the dining room. They even went as far as asking our server “where's Lilo???” before Stitch had even made it to our table. Our server had a great reply- told the girls Lilo was putting on her make up and it takes a while. They erupted in laughter and started going “make up? Lilo wears make up?”

It wasn't long before Stitch was at the table.

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This movie has only recently become a fave for the girls, but we have owned it since it came out b/c it's DH's fave. So naturally DH had to get up in the pics.

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I asked Stitch how bad he'd been so far today, but we both agreed it was early and he didn't have time to get in much trouble- YET!

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(I believe the arm spread was how bad he'd be later)

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

I was hoping the girls would fail to notice Lilo's entrance into the dining room and maybe nibble on some food- but no such luck!!! Instead, they started proclaiming to all those around that Lilo's done putting on her make-up. It took Lilo some time to make it to our table- so in the meantime the girls noticed the music...it was the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room! And yes- they were shakin' it in their chairs! The music at this meal would be one big hit for them...I'd hear Sammie singing her best rendition of “The Bare – a – sessities” all day.

I was actually pretty excited for the girls to meet Lilo. I'd seen mixed Lilo reviews on places like AllEars- but it was very clear from the couple of tables before us that this was an EXCELLENT Lilo. She bear hugged the girls...

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...and you could hear the kisses- so sweet.

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She also really liked Sammie's unbirthday shoes. I think she was trying to ask at some point if they came in her size. All in all- it was just a big happy fest with Lilo at the table.

Following closely behind was Mickey. I felt that lump form in my throat as I told the Big Cheese we were about to leave to head home. He was sad, but we got some nice pics with him and the girls would later tell me they were happy to have a chance to say good-bye to him.

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(kisses for the fave Mouse before they leave)

Mickey even said good bye to DH.

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It was the final snuggle from Mickey and I was just trying not to think about it.

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Pluto was also sad that we were about to depart...nothing like a sad puppy, but he was very playful and snuggly- all in all- a big fave of the girls.

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(I think he was trying to hide)

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They were very interested in his face this morning for some reason...

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

At least we got one semi posed pic of them with Pluto

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FINALLY...these girlies could eat. Kendall really enjoyed the sausage, but as I noted before the food as a whole was only so/so. Not bad...but not great either. The juice of course was super yum!

Of course just as we got the kids eating- they were handed maracas.

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They really were pretty good with them...probably because Kendall's dance recital number incorporated maracas and she's been schooled in proper maraca etiquette. Come parade time, the girls willingly ran to join in the fun.

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We caught Mickey and Stitch coming our way with the parade...

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...but shortly after, I could see our server waving me down on the other side of the dining room.

I figured it was Kendall's foot...like she decided she couldn't walk again and Sammie wasn't leaving her sister's side, but it wound up being something I never expected. The girls were right there with Lilo- I was so concerned it might be her foot that I didn't even take a pic of the girls parading right there with Lilo. And of course- once I was over there- the girls left the parade and came to me thinking something was wrong. Turns out the only thing wrong is that Lilo is slow. At her pace, our server was afraid that the girls wouldn't make it back to the table and get lost. The parade ended about 10 feet from where we were standing and the girls probably would have been stranded- so great call on our server's part!

Now- with ALL of the excitement over...the girls decided they could officially dig in. DH and I were cracking up b/c before they were just grazing and how we had two kiddos suddenly digging in.

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(still not sure why they put her in a high chair??? although she liked some of the baby treatment)

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

I at least caught a few decent pics from our table sans condensation before we left 'Ohana...

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...and one last shot of the place on the way out.

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Sadly, breakfast was over and it was time to take our last monorail ride back to the Contemporary. And of course I snapped shots all the way back.

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DH ran into Contempo to use our 9 remaining snack credits and fill up the mugs for the road (funny, Kendall checked the mugs when we got home b/c she thought refillable mugs automatically refilled- boy was she sad when there was no soda), and the girls explored...actually, Sammie bolted.

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She is so fearless! At least the girls gave me a sweet pose...

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(of course the best of the three I got like this was fuzzy)

I really like all of these windows!

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

I snapped some more pics around the Contemporary, including the 5-legged goat...

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...and then it was time to make that final walk back to the room and getting those last visuals of everything on the way back...including somebody parasailing.

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As we approached the door to our section of the wing, we saw this...

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...we were just hoping it wasn't some kind of omen. Actually, we weren't surprised to see the vulture hanging out. All trip there were vultures constantly circling overhead. Most of the birds were circling wooded areas, which makes sense...but there were usually several just circling right over the top of the Contemporary tower. Maybe they wanted some dinner at Cali Grill too?

With no DME this time for second to last day hanging on the door sadness, I did have last day hanging on the door sadness.

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All there was really left to do was do those last bits of packing, clean up the cake, and leave. It was at this point when we realized that area under the tv lights up...kind of like a modern fireplace. Reminds me of a martini bar I used to frequent with a digital fireplace and aquarium.

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It was one of the neat modern aspects of the room. We were also big fans of the motion activated nightlights in the bathroom. DH didn't feel they were bright enough, but I liked them...and don't remember them being at WL.

The cake was fun to clean up. I put belle and the flowers in one of our ziplock bags and jammed as much cake as humanly possible in another gallon zipock bag. A semi melted Belle is still in our fridge and enough of the cake made it home in good condition to be eaten once at home. There were a few dirty towels from the process, but we were able to clean up the cake pretty well.

Side note on ziplock bags- I would like to send a HUGE shout out to the people who recommended putting the girls' outfits in ziplock bags when packing. Last trip my suitcase was such a mess from all the outfits and accessories, causing me hours of missed sleep and down time. This time – outfits were a BREEZE! And I got more rest and time to explore! As well as a lot less stress! Mega Thanks!

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

Now there was just the walk to the car...

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I felt like crying, but I channeled it all into taking pictures as we departed...

Good Bye boats...

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Good Bye Contemporary...

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Good Bye Castle...

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Good Bye Magic Kingdom...

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Good Bye DVC...

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*GULP*

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

Good Bye Walt Disney World. :cry:

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At least we made a wrong turn on the way out and got one last little sign of the mouse.

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It was about this time I asked DH what he got with our last of the snack credits. I know Contempo doesn't get the best reviews, but I was hoping for some fun treats. He got 2 apples, 2 packages of grapes, a bowl of mixed tropical fruit, 2 bottles of juice, and 2 bottles of Vitamin water. It was about this time when I remembered that I left the complimentary mouse ear cookie I the fridge back at the room. At least I got to eat one ear!

I grabbed a few pics of Sea World and Hogwarts on the way back to the Turnpike.

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While we have a Sea World in San Antonio, and we like it...the Florida park will always hold a special place for me. On our first trip to WDW back in 1985, my dad wanted to do one full day at MK and one full day at EPCOT; however, he also didn't want to waste day 1 of our trip...so we headed to Sea World. We knew Disney was the main attraction and just like day 2 of our trip (i.e. the night before the big surprise and check in), I felt so close yet so far from the magic. We really enjoyed Sea World Orlando that trip and it would mark the beginning of many trips to WDW.

On the flip side, we are huge Harry Potter fans...HUGE! Kendall even got a plush Harry doll as a gift for her preschool graduation. She's still furious that we didn't take her with us to see Deathly Hallows Part 2. In fact, this video details the elaborate plan Kendall hatched to get to the movies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjIYCizqXs

She and Sammie are just too short to enjoy IoA, so it's a must do as soon as they reach the height limits.

We hit the first toll booth on the turnpike and all DH had were really big bills (while we spent very little OOP at WDW, this will make sense once you see where we're headed). The guy at the toll booth actually thought it was funny that we were leaving Disney with money still in our pockets.

We made a quick stop at the Okahumpa rest stop (I'll spare you my dad's joke on this one) and then it was back on the road...back to 75N. It wasn't too too long before we were driving through Payne's Prairie and into Gainesville. We didn't have any plans to stop in Hogstown, but the girls needed to make a pit stop- so once again- Gainesville sucked us in.

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(I really hope this guy isn't actually hauling Frito Lay products with all that hay hanging out of this truck)

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We stopped for lunch in Tallahassee and then I took over at the wheel...driving until we got to Alabama.

It wasn't long before we were in Mobile and while we hit during what I presumed would be rush hour, there was no traffic. Unlike the drive out, we would not be spending the night in the Mobile area.

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We were in Mississippi before we knew it...

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So now the question was, how much longer to Biloxi? (and we heard it a lot)

It wasn't too much farther to Biloxi and since the casinos are pretty close to I10, we were rolling up to the Beau before we knew it.

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

The night at the Beau was a Father's Day gift for DH.

We realized we wouldn't be making it to Vegas this year, so this seemed like the next best thing. I gave him the option of the Beau Rivage or the Hard Rock...and while we went with the Beau b/c of better gaming reviews, the day before we left for FL- he actually asked me if we could switch to the Hard Rock. Ummmm- no.

The hotel is so pretty, reminds me a lot of the Bellagio in Vegas...

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-However, I wouldn't classify it as kid friendly. Sure, I know- it's a casino/hotel, but before Kendall turned 1 she had been to both Atlantic City and Vegas. We counted one time and realized she'd been in at least 12 major casino/hotels before her first bday … and not once did any of those establishments make us uncomfortable to be there with a child. Now, maybe the Vegas and AC places were just hoping we'd spring for their babysitters that cost around $45 an hour with a 4 hour minimum and 20% required gratuity, but we never felt unwelcome. DH left us at the front to park the car (didn't want to mess with valet) … I went in with the girls, got a few glares and the check in process had that “let's get you in your room and out of sight feeling.”

We decided to head straight upstairs rather than wait for DH. While I didn't spring for a gulf view (no point when it's only one night), we were greeted with a lovely room- lovely and HUGE!

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The girls also had a blast playing in the bathroom! They called the tub their in room pool. The shower was also fun for them.

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Certainly not the stunning Gulf views on the other side nor were we on a high floor, but not bad either as far as views go...

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The girls were starving so we headed down to the cafe (but not without a scowl from the woman entering the room next to us). At least even things like elevators are fun for the girlies...

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

That's at least one of the things I love about casino hotels- a 24 hour cafe. We had a fabulous view of the fountain from our table...

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Dinner wasn't overly exciting...I was afraid their seafood gumbo might have stock made with clam broth/juice so I opted for a Mexican torta made with carnitas. Good, not great, but it hit the spot.

We made the trek back to the car to get a few more things and I admired some of the mosaic floors along the way as well as the lobby.

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We went back to the room after the hike back and forth from the garage. DH took his shoes off for a sec and Sammie swiped them not realizing he'd be leaving shortly...

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DH came up to the room to say good night to the girls and then he went back down for a night of blackjack.

I was hoping for some kind of internet access (even if I had to pay for it) since only DH got a chance to utilize the free internet in the Contemporary lobby. While I found someone's personal unsecured line- no hotel wifi, so no internet for me. I edited a few pictures and was off to dreamland pretty quickly. While I didn't sleep well at the Microtel or the Super 8, the beds and pillows at the Contemporary and the Beau were nice!

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DH didn't come back to the room until about 4:30am. It's all pretty hazy, but I remember he was happy. In the morning I'd find out that he won about 5x the amount that he initially sat with at the table. Happy Father's Day to him!!!!

We were up pretty early to get back on the road...and once again, I was finding windows and views to be a distraction for the girlies...

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It took forever, but we finally got them out of there and on the way out the door!

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

So we ventured over to the valet area to wait for DH to pull the car around. We took some fountain pics, but Kendall was busy reading about Harry (DH picked up a Universal brochure for her back when we were at Okahumpa).

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(she thought the rocks were toys- boy was that FUN)

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DH finally pulled up and we headed to a gas station nearby. I took some pics of the Hard Rock (right next door/walking distance) while we gassed up and got some soda for the road and then we were off.

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(just LOVE the purple windows)

Sadly- this is the only pic I took that incorporates the Gulf, but the stop really gave me perspective on why Katrina was so devastating to Biloxi and ultimately, why other hurricanes, like Ivan – had wreaked so much havoc on I10.

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We passed Imperial Palace on the way out and had a military plane fly overhead.

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...and in no time we were back in Louisiana.

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HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

We stopped at a Cane's just after we entered the Baton Rouge area. Of course all the TX A&M people have this whole Layne's obsession, but we were happy with the food and the atmosphere is pretty fun.

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(still clinging to her Harry Potter brochure)

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Sammie also showed us that she's bringing home a TON of pixie dust!

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I was originally going to drive the next leg, but DH let me stay in the passenger seat since I didn't photograph this leg of the trip on the way out. So, I got shots of Baton Rouge including LSU's stadium on our way over the Mississippi.

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We wouldn't be stopping in Grosse Tete when heading back over the Atchafalaya.

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So, no tiger but we did stop in the Frog Capital!!!

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Didn't stay long- didn't see a single frog.

It seemed like an eternity, but we were finally back in the Lone Star State.

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***OK- time to go be productive today. I'm really hoping I'll finish this report up tonight and get to some closing comments/thoughts about that time as well. Thanks for readin!!!***

sweetpee_1993 · Sep 4, 2011

Awwww....

Okay! You had me totally welling up with tears on all the looking back and saying goodbye to stuff! Ugh! I do that every time I'm leaving and I cry. Tracey always fusses at me and says, "If it makes you sad, why do you do it?" Because I have to. Same reason why whenever my dad would take us home from our visits and he'd leave I would sit outside or in a window and watch until I couldn't see him anymore. It wasn't very often my dad was within sight so I couldn't miss the opportunity no matter how sad it was. It's the same at WDW. It's not everyday it's there to see so I have to see it as long as I can.

I'm glad you said something about the cake & the ziplocks. I hadn't thought about it but I guess I should throw at least 1 big Gladware tub in with the stuff to pack. I dunno. Maybe not. We have almost a solid week to eat it. Hhhmmm...things to think on.

So y'all stayed a night at the Beau! Cool! My brother goes to the Hard Rock frequently. They give him a lot of players rewards. Shame on them for acting weird about the girls being there. Hello??? It's not just a casino! I got the same odd looks when my brother and I took the boys to the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, Alabama (maybe 30 minutes from my folks' house) to eat dinner at the buffet. You'd think there it'd be no big deal. There aren't a lot of big restaurants like that around. It's a nice dinner option. Sheesh! Glad y'all had a big room & comfy bed. Yay for that! And aren't those Contemporary beds super comfy?! We really enjoyed that.

Anywhoo, fantastic report. I totally enjoyed it. Fun stuff! Thanks for all the detail on the cake, too. You and your BatB theme inspired the direction I ended up going with ours. :wave:

***edit***
More roadtrip stuff! Isn't Raising Cane's the yummiest?! Tracey & I used to swing into the drivethru on our commute home just to get some of their toast. Mmmm.....

BigRedDad · Sep 4, 2011

I am only half way through the trip report. I envious and anxious. You had been to many places we are eating. I am 2 weeks out from arriving at AS Sports at this very moment.

It makes me even more anxious seeing the excitement in your girls' eyes. I will finish reading up on the other half soon.

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

sweetpee_1993 said:
Awwww....

Okay! You had me totally welling up with tears on all the looking back and saying goodbye to stuff! Ugh! I do that every time I'm leaving and I cry. Tracey always fusses at me and says, "If it makes you sad, why do you do it?" Because I have to. Same reason why whenever my dad would take us home from our visits and he'd leave I would sit outside or in a window and watch until I couldn't see him anymore. It wasn't very often my dad was within sight so I couldn't miss the opportunity no matter how sad it was. It's the same at WDW. It's not everyday it's there to see so I have to see it as long as I can.

I'm glad you said something about the cake & the ziplocks. I hadn't thought about it but I guess I should throw at least 1 big Gladware tub in with the stuff to pack. I dunno. Maybe not. We have almost a solid week to eat it. Hhhmmm...things to think on.

So y'all stayed a night at the Beau! Cool! My brother goes to the Hard Rock frequently. They give him a lot of players rewards. Shame on them for acting weird about the girls being there. Hello??? It's not just a casino! I got the same odd looks when my brother and I took the boys to the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, Alabama (maybe 30 minutes from my folks' house) to eat dinner at the buffet. You'd think there it'd be no big deal. There aren't a lot of big restaurants like that around. It's a nice dinner option. Sheesh! Glad y'all had a big room & comfy bed. Yay for that! And aren't those Contemporary beds super comfy?! We really enjoyed that.

Anywhoo, fantastic report. I totally enjoyed it. Fun stuff! Thanks for all the detail on the cake, too. You and your BatB theme inspired the direction I ended up going with ours. :wave:

***edit***
More roadtrip stuff! Isn't Raising Cane's the yummiest?! Tracey & I used to swing into the drivethru on our commute home just to get some of their toast. Mmmm.....

DH just didn't get it. I got a lot of ... haven't you taken enough boat and castle pics already? I told him I was saying good bye and he just shrugged it off. The story with your dad reminds me of what we do when family comes to visit. It's usually them driving away from our house, but we stay outside until their car is no longer visible.

I had wanted to bring a big container, but I used my last two free ones with the scraps from the Barbie cake in hopes that I'll make cake balls in the near future. You may have enough time to finish off yours, but you never know. I just hated having to toss any of it. It's a cake crime!

I was really pushing towards the Hard Rock, but everyone else pushed us to the Beau. What's funny, I think we'd fit in more with the age range at the Hard Rock but DH is probably sold on the Beau since he beat his all time high in table game winnings. He was so pumped he drove most of the next day! Good for me! :sohappy:

I can't wait to see the cake!!! Now you've got me really curious about the design. I'm just going to have to devote my creative cake thoughts into designing Sammie's cake and helping a friend with a cake for Disney in December.

Really loved Raising Cane's!!! We got all excited to see one going in right down the street from Sammie's preschool...of course they were the source of all of my stress this week and we no longer go there as of Friday. Still...at least Cane's still isn't too far! YAY!!!:wave:

BigRedDad said:
I am only half way through the trip report. I envious and anxious. You had been to many places we are eating. I am 2 weeks out from arriving at AS Sports at this very moment.

It makes me even more anxious seeing the excitement in your girls' eyes. I will finish reading up on the other half soon.

Wow!!! So close to your trip starting. I can't wait to hear about your daughter's big surprise!!! :sohappy: I was looking over your PTR and I think we've eaten everywhere you're going at some point in time or another. Great choices!!!

That's a big part of why I come home with thousands of pics. I just love capturing them in the moment. Thanks for reading!:wave:

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

We stopped at the TX Welcome Center because they have a really neat nature trail. Every time we've ever been it's been nice and swampy- and full of things like turtles, snakes, frogs and gators.

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Sadly, this is what the drought has done to it...

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Still pretty, but bone dry. The only snakes we saw were inside and part of a traveling exhibit.

although I do like my orange and blue dragon flies – even though a tad fuzzy from cropping/magnifying.

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(this one was for all of my Gator friends and 'Cuse friends)

(this guy doesn't seem to care much for Kendall- can you blame him?)

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We headed back in and the girls were really digging the rocking chairs.

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And then it was back on the road again for the final leg home...

(love some of the signs on the way in to TX)

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DH chose to drive the west of the way home and it wasn't long before I could see downtown Houston in front of me.

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We were coming in during rush hour, but it was a Friday on the last weekend before the start of school- so traffic was lite. The girls were asleep, but we moved them inside – started cooling the house off- and I ran out to get our Daisy doggy (smooth collie/red tick coonhound mix)...and tried to fathom that this trip was actually over and I had 2 days to finish getting Kendall ready for Kindergarten. Too bad I had no idea that we'd go through 2 weeks of pre-school headaches and before and after school transportation nightmares for Kendall that would make this trip feel like it took place months ago instead of weeks ago. I think that's why I've really threw so much into this TR.

***I'll post my closing thoughts a little later...and maybe even finally log in to photopass to see if there are any pics worth sharing. Thanks again for reading.***

fractal · Sep 4, 2011

Wow, you did a great job of describing that last day feeling. I was getting almost as sad as my last day! Your pics are wonderful ( I love the dragonflies!) and I am enjoying the report.

I'm looking forward to your closing thoughts, but not to the end of your TR. :cry:

<3caseyscorner · Sep 4, 2011

What an AMAZING TR!!!! It gave me something to look forward to each night in bed. Instead of reading a book I have been reading you and fractal's TRs!!! It inspires me and gives me ideas of my TR when we get back. Question....How do you remember all those things through each day?? Do you write it down or something?! It was sooooo touching from Kendalls cake, their outfits, their excitement in their faces with character to the pictures of WDW in the background :cry:

I had a lump in my throat!!! Thanks for a wonderful experience of WDW from home! It made me that much more excited for our trip! :sohappy:

HouCuseChickie · Sep 4, 2011

fractal said:
Wow, you did a great job of describing that last day feeling. I was getting almost as sad as my last day! Your pics are wonderful ( I love the dragonflies!) and I am enjoying the report.

I'm looking forward to your closing thoughts, but not to the end of your TR.

Thanks! It was kind of cathartic doing all of the farewell pics. The dragon fly pic was kind of funny. When I took it, I initially thought I'd just taken a pic of a blue one...upon magnfication...I saw I had a lot more in there.

I wish there were more to write. :cry:

I at least still get to read your report!!!

<3caseyscorner said:
What an AMAZING TR!!!! It gave me something to look forward to each night in bed. Instead of reading a book I have been reading you and fractal's TRs!!! It inspires me and gives me ideas of my TR when we get back. Question....How do you remember all those things through each day?? Do you write it down or something?! It was sooooo touching from Kendalls cake, their outfits, their excitement in their faces with character to the pictures of WDW in the background I had a lump in my throat!!! Thanks for a wonderful experience of WDW from home! It made me that much more excited for our trip! :sohappy:

Thank you!!!!!

There are a few things I do to remember...first off are the pictures- they are a giant visual timeline. Beyond that- I type up key bullet points each day-especially the little funny things- and then once home, I use the bullet points and pics to form the narrative. I'm sooooo glad the girls' excitement and enjoyment really came through. We've always loved WDW, but there's just something about going with the girls that adds this whole new layer of magic. Hope you have a great trip and can't wait to read your TR when you return!!! :wave:

Let Them Eat CAKE!!! Trip Report

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