You bet your aft we had a good time! A Wonder trip report Update 12/30 p.59-611

[eandesmom]

I think it's the therapist in me that's able to moderately separate the behavior and the person. Its fairly easy for me to tell where someone is fractured. Parent= bad choices, bad men, etc.... It doesn't justify it but it does lend insight. She's trying, overcompensating, the lack of boundaries are about spoiling or making up for things. It doesn't make sense I'm sure as you don't do that but I see it every single day. Without empathy, I couldn't be a therapist.

I can empathize with that. Understandable I guess doesn't necessarily equal likable for me but I do get what you mean. I see this with my ex MIL and my current MIL and I guess I can like them as a person while totally disliking some of the choices they make (enabling).

From what we could tell and what we were told, she stole the KTTW card. The parent and AC were not in the same room. Like I said, I don't think the parent was trying to be a bad parent, she saw her child hammered again, and didn't know what to do. I am speculating as to why she told. The parent didn't tell us that. Very time Pam and I talk about this we say the same thing: we hope the tween gets OUT!

Ok so in that light, honestly, it makes me like her more. It's an intervention of sorts. Admittedly probably not remotely effective as they never are but at least it's not enabling. I just wish she wouldn't ditch the tween while trying to rescue someone who ultimately has to rescue themself.

Yes there were parents there and older siblings so it was really the older sibling's party so to say. If someone had even a sip, they turned their keys in. The party was only about 20 people. We are pretty real when it comes to what these kids are faced with, same things we were faced with, and what is age appropriate as fas as experimentation. Utah is a funny funny place. Even Gabby will tell you, kids here can't just have a drink or two, they have to get snot slinging drunk or be chanting bible verses; there isn't a medium here, not a lot of moderation taught here. Alcohol is seen as totally prohibited even for adults so the mystery placed around it just makes these kids want to drink. Same goes for dating. You either date/sleep with anyone and everyone, no one ever because you are terrified, or promise to get married at 18. The logic is totally counterproductive. The few friends Gab has, who's folks have the same *rules* we do, also don't drink. The ones who can call their folks for a ride etc....Its such a strange dynamic. I don't claim to know it all or even half but human nature is human nature and if we don't talk to our kids, they will find out some how. We have also sat down with Gab and her fella regarding this issue and he also knows where we stand. This teen/young adult thing is a crap shoot and so far they all three seem to be doing okay. No subject is off limits and they know that. I'm sure they'll need therapy for something we've messed up on though.

Well I guess I am glad someone was collecting keys but definitely not thrilled that it was offered so openly to underage kids. WTG Gabby all around though.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Well I guess I am glad someone was collecting keys but definitely not thrilled that it was offered so openly to underage kids. WTG Gabby all around though.

It's relative.

The legal drinking age in Australia is 18. I started University when I was 17'ish and the pubs around the University regularly checked the student IDs and Driver's Licenses. They still sold soft drinks for those not quite 18 but the day I turned 18, I could order what I wanted from the bar. What a difference a day makes.

 

[jedijill]

I think its crazy that we have a drinking age of 21 but you can join the military and serve your country at 18. Somehow I think there is something out of whack. However, everyone's maturity in handling alcohol (or other substances) is different.

Jill in C O

 

[rentayenta]

It's a whole different ball game when you only live half an hour away, and you wake up with the feeling that going out there for just an hour or two is possible nearly every day.




What school is Gabby going to? I don't think you've ever said.

I'll email you....

Gabby is transferring out with Starbuck's and taking advantage of their tuition reimbursement through ASU. There were many reasons she chose this route but one of the main was not having to wait a year to attend school to gain residency. Another was they pay 100% for Junior and Senior year. I wish they were around when I was that age. ​

Did you know that you can order at the drive through and say, "an order of blank-size fried, and please make them hot." Sometimes they will make you wait in that "special parking space", but when we've asked for them to be hot, they have always done it. The receipt usually says, "Ask me" under the fries, so that the person filling the order talks to the person taking the order and figures out what it is you want.

I didn't know that! If mine weren't up to par the time before I will tell them and then it almost insures a perfect order. I am going your route next time.​

Heck there are places on my room where I can reach the roofline without a ladder. There are already nails until the eaves to hand the lights on. That's why I figured it would be easy to do. I have 180ft of lights, so that should be enough.

I took all my decorations down on Friday.

Sounds great. Glad it's not a daunting task. I could never attempt ours. ​

I can empathize with that. Understandable I guess doesn't necessarily equal likable for me but I do get what you mean. I see this with my ex MIL and my current MIL and I guess I can like them as a person while totally disliking some of the choices they make (enabling).

Its totally different when it's not family and close to home. I have zero tolerance for toxic on a personal level. Like zero. I don;t talk to my own mother. She's the most toxic person I have ever encountered in an intimate setting. Tragic.​

Ok so in that light, honestly, it makes me like her more. It's an intervention of sorts. Admittedly probably not remotely effective as they never are but at least it's not enabling. I just wish she wouldn't ditch the tween while trying to rescue someone who ultimately has to rescue themselves.

Exactly. Its not cut and dry from a therapeutic stand point; not that I was acting in a therapist role but the whole picture isn't so cut and dry. She was the perfect example of perhaps being a mom too young and the effects of that snowballing.​

Well I guess I am glad someone was collecting keys but definitely not thrilled that it was offered so openly to underage kids. WTG Gabby all around though.

This is a hard one for me. Kids are going to drink. They just are. Except Gabby. I am so proud of her. She will tell us she does;t drink because we don;t make a big deal out of it; no temptation, no will to rebel. We've been very open about it.​

It's relative.

The legal drinking age in Australia is 18. I started University when I was 17'ish and the pubs around the University regularly checked the student IDs and Driver's Licenses. They still sold soft drinks for those not quite 18 but the day I turned 18, I could order what I wanted from the bar. What a difference a day makes.

This. Exactly. One day.​

I think its crazy that we have a drinking age of 21 but you can join the military and serve your country at 18. Somehow I think there is something out of whack. However, everyone's maturity in handling alcohol (or other substances) is different.

Jill in C O

Totally agree here too. Maturity totally plays a factor as well. I am not saying kids need to pickle their brain but moderation is not a terrible thing to teach. What's right for one child may be totally wrong for another. I know people in their 40's who still shouldn't drink.


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[pierresgirl]

He didn't love the club. He spent very little time in it. He loved the sports deck and running all over the ship with his friends but wasn't a big fan of the club. It looked super cool to me but it just wasn't his thing. I think maybe if he had friends from the beginning in there but there seem to already be a clique which turned him right off.


Pic heavy is all I have when my memory fails me. ​

Good to know, ds isn't that interested either (they are the same age) He'll probably be up on the sports deck most of the time as well. Ball is life yo

And the funny thing is we told her if she drinks, while asking her not to, but if she did to call us or spend the night. We know all too well what it was like to be that age. She said she was the only kid there who didn't lie about where she was. The parenting thing is such a total crap shoot.

​

Good for her, that's awesome! It's so tough being a parent nowadays! Both of my kids had 8 friends each over for NYE and when I spoke to other parents I told them I was going to be looking in bags. Can't be too careful!

It's been soooo cold here! Like below zero cold most of the week. It was -6 Wednesday when I left for work! I'm ready for warm weather...

Netflix is great! Alison, have you watched Orange is the New black yet?!?!?

Jill in CO

It's only the beginning of Jan and I'm SO over the cold, shivering right now in bed, ugh! I love OITNB!!! A couple of the cast came to a casino near me last month so I took my daughter. It was awesome! My dd loves Dasha (Daya) and got hug kiss and autograph They we're fantastic!

There's not much I don't watch on tv

 

[MEK]

Good to see any update from you. Clearly I am behind on this DIS as well because it took me a week to read this!

Having now been to CC I have to say that these pictures have so much meaning. Denny and I found that we really loved the family beach areas much more than the adult beach. We did a double dip and spent both late afternoons on the family beach.

Joshua looks like he is having a wonderful time and those girls are too cute.

We had a very similar view from our verandah.

Can't wait to go back to CC in December. Denny wants to ride those big water bikes!

 

[rentayenta]

Good to know, ds isn't that interested either (they are the same age) He'll probably be up on the sports deck most of the time as well. Ball is life yo

He really enjoyed it especially with late dining. He'd play during the shows while a lot of kids were at dinner and it was less crowded. ​

Good for her, that's awesome! It's so tough being a parent nowadays! Both of my kids had 8 friends each over for NYE and when I spoke to other parents I told them I was going to be looking in bags. Can't be too careful!

You just have to. People are so litigious now. You can never be too careful.​

It's only the beginning of Jan and I'm SO over the cold, shivering right now in bed, ugh! I love OITNB!!! A couple of the cast came to a casino near me last month so I took my daughter. It was awesome! My dd loves Dasha (Daya) and got hug kiss and autograph They we're fantastic!

How fun!!!! We love OITNB. Daya is one of my favorites too. She's the only one I consistently like. ​

There's not much I don't watch on tv

The Bachelor is back on now. Do you watch that?​

Good to see any update from you. Clearly I am behind on this DIS as well because it took me a week to read this!

I am glad you're here and sorry it took so long. I still haven't started one for Disneyland becuase life is just nuts and I am not sure I can committ right now. ​

Having now been to CC I have to say that these pictures have so much meaning. Denny and I found that we really loved the family beach areas much more than the adult beach. We did a double dip and spent both late afternoons on the family beach.

That's how I feel. I search out reports with photos of CC even if I never post. Having been there makes the pics so much more amazing. Do you have a trippie for it?​

Joshua looks like he is having a wonderful time and those girls are too cute.

We had a very similar view from our verandah.

Can't wait to go back to CC in December. Denny wants to ride those big water bikes!

December? Sooooooooo jealous. Is it connected to a trip to WDW? I need to be on a coast!


The girls were adorable; such a fun family.​

 

[rentayenta]

I have a minor real life/Disneyland update:



Spring Break is official. Sadly it'll be off property but I was able to nab some amazing rates due to a connection. It'll include split-staying but I am always up for a good challenge. So as of now:

3/29 arriving from Vegas (non-Disney day): Embassy Suites less than 8 miles from the DLR. Free breakfast and cocktail hour.

3/30-4/1 Disney days: Embassy Suites South, 1.4 miles from the DLR. Free hot breakfast, cocktail hour, and we can use ART.

4/1-4/3 The 1-2 are Disney days: Hilton Anaheim, .75 miles from the DLR. I think we can walk?

4/3-4/5 Beach days: Hilton Waterfront Huntington Beach. Parking is outrageous but we can walk to the beach as it's right across the street.

I know it's a lot of hotel changing but we are youngish and able bodied.


​

 

[ACDSNY]

Sounds like fun to me. I never really unpack in hotels anyway so moving isn't too bad.

It must be the day to work on DL trips as I'm working on our May trip.

 

[rentayenta]

Sounds like fun to me. I never really unpack in hotels anyway so moving isn't too bad.

It must be the day to work on DL trips as I'm working on our May trip.

When in May?


I am a total unpacker but it'll be okay. I can not unpack for the money I'm saving. LOL!​

 

[kid-at-heart]

I have a minor real life/Disneyland update:



Spring Break is official. Sadly it'll be off property but I was able to nab some amazing rates due to a connection. It'll include split-staying but I am always up for a good challenge. So as of now:

3/29 arriving from Vegas (non-Disney day): Embassy Suites less than 8 miles from the DLR. Free breakfast and cocktail hour.

3/30-4/1 Disney days: Embassy Suites South, 1.4 miles from the DLR. Free hot breakfast, cocktail hour, and we can use ART.

4/1-4/3 The 1-2 are Disney days: Hilton Anaheim, .75 miles from the DLR. I think we can walk?

4/3-4/5 Beach days: Hilton Waterfront Huntington Beach. Parking is outrageous but we can walk to the beach as it's right across the street.

I know it's a lot of hotel changing but we are youngish and able bodied.


​

Sounds fun. I actually like trips where we move from hotel to hotel, within reason. And I am not youngish and able-bodied, just cheap and adventurous. I love staying at Embassy Suites, free breakfast with fresh cooked omelets and a happy hour in the evening with free food and drinks. How can you go wrong?

Kate

 

[ACDSNY]

When in May?


I am a total unpacker but it'll be okay. I can not unpack for the money I'm saving. LOL!​

It's looking like 5/17 - 5/21 VGC, then 5/21 - 5/23 Carlsbad (beach), then 5/23 - 5/24 in San Diego at a friend's place. It's the all adults trip to DL and then we'll be on our own the rest of the week.

 

[rentayenta]

Sounds fun. I actually like trips where we move from hotel to hotel, within reason. And I am not youngish and able-bodied, just cheap and adventurous. I love staying at Embassy Suites, free breakfast with fresh cooked omelets and a happy hour in the evening with free food and drinks. How can you go wrong?

Kate

My thoughts exactly Kate. I don't mind split stays on property because they make it so darn easy. We'll pack light......hopefully. I'm poor and adventurous and totally out of DVC points. ​

It's looking like 5/17 - 5/21 VGC, then 5/21 - 5/23 Carlsbad (beach), then 5/23 - 5/24 in San Diego at a friend's place. It's the all adults trip to DL and then we'll be on our own the rest of the week.

That sounds lovely! I haven't been to Carlsbad in ages. Its awesome!​

 

[franandaj]

I have a minor real life/Disneyland update:



Spring Break is official. Sadly it'll be off property but I was able to nab some amazing rates due to a connection. It'll include split-staying but I am always up for a good challenge. So as of now:

3/29 arriving from Vegas (non-Disney day): Embassy Suites less than 8 miles from the DLR. Free breakfast and cocktail hour.

3/30-4/1 Disney days: Embassy Suites South, 1.4 miles from the DLR. Free hot breakfast, cocktail hour, and we can use ART.

4/1-4/3 The 1-2 are Disney days: Hilton Anaheim, .75 miles from the DLR. I think we can walk?

4/3-4/5 Beach days: Hilton Waterfront Huntington Beach. Parking is outrageous but we can walk to the beach as it's right across the street.

I know it's a lot of hotel changing but we are youngish and able bodied.


​

Yay for booking hotels! I hope that you make it to So Cal in time for the Happy Hour the first night!

Is the second Embassy Suites the one on Harbor? That's not far at all. I hope that I can come out and hang with you again for a day. That was fun! Maybe we could have a little longer for the "adult time".

 

[jedijill]

Ooh, I really like your plans so far. I hate changing hotels but if its saving you mad money, then I say change and change often!

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Yay for booking hotels! I hope that you make it to So Cal in time for the Happy Hour the first night!

Is the second Embassy Suites the one on Harbor? That's not far at all. I hope that I can come out and hang with you again for a day. That was fun! Maybe we could have a little longer for the "adult time".

We'll make it, we'll be driving from Vegas post soccer. Less than 5 hours away!

The second ES is the close one on Harbor. And YES to longer adult time! For sure. Let's plan on that. We'd love to have you come hang with us. That was so much fun. ​

Ooh, I really like your plans so far. I hate changing hotels but if its saving you mad money, then I say change and change often!

Jill in CO

Mad money. Like mad. I'll message you details on FB. If it wasn't, I wouldn't even consider it.

I like our plans too. We'll arrive in Vegas the evening of March 26th, they'll play that Friday and Saturday. They'll play Sunday if they make it to the finals which we never do because they Vegas teams are very very very good and play a different game than our little white boys. ​

 

[pierresgirl]

Girl, if anyone can do it....

 

[rentayenta]

Girl, if anyone can do it....

Birds of a feather.....





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[Pinkocto]

Hooray for Spring Break plans!!!

That is indeed a lot of resort changing. Kudos for your stamina! I did not like changing resorts at WDW. But mad money is mad money!

 

[rentayenta]

Hooray for Spring Break plans!!!

That is indeed a lot of resort changing. Kudos for your stamina! I did not like changing resorts at WDW. But mad money is mad money!

I feel ya but I am looking at rates similar to the other's I have found so it's a no brainer.


It's official now, flights booked for Alison's Big 50th Bash! So excited. ​