The "Every theme park BUT Disney (this time) Spring Break, family vacation, cheerleading competition tour!!! PTA" **Updated 5/24** COMPLETE About This Page:

[Angileyze1]

Day 4


Woke up sore. Again. Am sick of the rotten sunburn and how it hurts every time I go out in this heat. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE the heat and being in Florida. It just smarts a little. I’m hoping the pain is gone at least by Monday at Busch. I think its possible as today’s only Saturday. I mean it looks a little better.

We ate pop tarts for breakfast in the room and I caught up on my writing for the trip report. More aloe and I got dressed, and walked the grounds to get some quiet early morning pictures.

We watched Batman on the tv and then a strange thing happened. The kids’ natural father called. Great. (more sarcasm) he made it. He’s here. WHAT?!?!? Explain HERE. Here at this hotel?!?!?!?! This was NOT part of the deal he was supposed to just get a room in Tampa not HERE!!!! What if the kids are uncomfortable? I mean he DID bring a whole entourage including the present wife, her small son, her older daughter, her husband and their youngster. I can’t imagine what was going through his mind. You’d think that upon meeting his children for the first time in 14 years he might want to come alone before subjecting them to the WHOLE family, but I guess not.


I should inject here that my DH is not wanting any part of this, as a matter of fact, he’s against it. He’s been with the kids since they were practically babies, and doesn’t think that a father that has had basically nothing to do with them all this time should be able to see them. He is also no doubt uncomfortable with the fact that this man and I never really broke up. We didn’t have a horrible relationship, I was just homesick after the birth of my DS and I wanted to raise him near my family in Maine. So, I left. He visited me once, I waited for a year but when he finally decided to move up to Maine, I had given up. I should also mention that this little meeting is more for DS than DD. With her Autism, it has prevented her from caring much one way or another but DS has really had anger/build up issues with not knowing his bio father. I think a little closure might be good. ANYWAY, I tell him to meet the kids & I in the lobby. Alone.

He looked the same as in years before. Just like me a few pounds heavier and a little more gray hair, but the same. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him. This day was long in coming. He spoke to the kids for a while and my DS and DD decide to go with him to his room and meet everyone. I tell them to hurry, we have to leave for the competition soon. Their father decided not to go as they just arrived, want to unpack, enjoy the pool, relax, and besides, his dad just died, I wasn’t going to push the issue. So, the kids come back, none the worse for wear, and I get DD ready.

For those of you that don’t know, this is a process. Makeup (special performance kind) hair and uniform. It takes about an hour. Its all worth it though. We pack the apple for her to eat whie waiting to compete because they will charge a million dollars for snacks.
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At the Sun Dome, Karon calls, they are almost there! I miss her so much. Will I be able to recognize her outside? And then, there she was! It was like 14 years had suddenly been erased. Karon is great, the greatest friend a girl could have. When I was in the Marines and she lived next door to me, we decided to live together to save money. She had a 3 year old and It was a great idea. Later, I became pregnant with DD and she was my coach since the father was away at the time of delivery. So you could say we were very good friends. When it came time to go our separate ways we were both very sad but never lost touch. We’ve been dying to the chance to see each other again.
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Our team comes in second! Karon and I make plans to see each other tomorrow at their home in Largo. Back at the hotel, the kids go swimming and we get pizza delivery. I unpack the cheering bag. Yup, there’s the stupid apple. I take more pictures, I can’t wait til tomorrow! My sunburn feels a little better. DD was tired and went to bed but DS waited for his father to return from supper, spent some time with him and we all went to sleep. Our older team we learn later came in first!
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[DyanKJ130]

Nice update! Sounds like the reunion went well, even though I'm sure it must have stirred up all sorts of emotions for everyone. How awesome that your DD's team placed 2nd!! Can't wait to hear more

[B.M.]

I hope your son gets some closure from meeting his dad. And it sounds like your daughter did good in the compitition (2nd place) Hope the sunburn gets better, cant wait to hear more.

[Colexis Mom]

Great update! Glad DD's team did so well, and the kids got to see their Dad!!

[MGW]

Thanks so much for sharing. Can't wait to read more!

My parents spent a winter in Largo, very nice. We went to Clearwater Beach and saw the Ringling Bros. Circus in dowtown Tampa. I wonder if that was at the Sun Dome?

I love Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, it is such a nice park! Of course, Va Beach is nice too. Hope you enjoyed it!

[Angileyze1]

Day 5

We got up, I aloed (I swear if I peel after all this I’ll scream) Got dressed for a fun day at Karons. The kids went to say goodbye to their father. I told them to meet me later to get a few pictures of them all first. I checked the hotel for times for Busch tomorrow and waited til the kids and their father were ready. The call came and we met by the pool. We sat and all talked for a while and we took pictures and said goodbye. I don’t know how long it will be before they see him again and so I thanked him and I think overall, it was the right thing to do and I hope my DS feels better about everything.


The drive to Largo didn’t take long, maybe 30-40 minutes. We got to the house a lot earlier than any of us expected to so we watched the Bee Movie while everyone there took a shower and got dressed. Then surprisingly my Dh, who is NOT a “people person” volunteered to stay with the kids and David (Karon’s hubby) and his daughter while Karon & I run errands & go to the grocery store. THAT was my first shocker.

We chatted and I mentioned that DD JUST informed me that she had been invited to prom. She was invited in February. Like I would have time to come back for vacation and find a dress and have it altered while returning to work and finding one that every girl didn’t already have. I told Karon she probably wouldn’t be able to go. Karon would hear none of that. In typical best friend fashion, she said she probably has something of Brittany’s that DD could use. She seems so excited about it!! We got home & put stuff away and called in DD to try on a few. It went well, We borrowed two that I couldn’t choose from. Yeah. More to fit in the suitcase. Hmmm, how am I gonna make THAT work??????

Now I have to backtrack to before the vacation. Years ago, when she was first diagnosed with Autism, DD was in theraputic horseback riding. She loved it and hasn’t ridden in a long time. She has really been wanting to. Now I KNEW Karon had horses. We set it up that DD would be able to ride. It was a surprise I was able to keep a secret. So we tell her that Brittany is coming over and then we are going to meet a “Friend” of Karon’s. We pull up and she has no idea what’s going on. When she finds out she is smiling like crazy. Again, it’s the laugh and smile on her face. I try to take pictures and DH records the whole thing. I’m teary the whole time. She rode Karon’s horse, then Brittany’s.

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After that we went back to the house and started to cook lunch. Well, dinner. Karon mentions neighbors are coming over to celebrate an anniversary. We all feel a little weirded out because really DH is NOT a new people person and I really didn’t feel like spending my vacation with strangers. Even just 1 afternoon. Boy were we wrong. I want these two to be MY neighbors! We all loved them. The day was perfect. The kids loved the pool and the dogs that Karon has, and the steak dinner couldn’t be beat. Right before dinner, everyone played “washers” some of you will know this game, some will not. it’s a game where washers are thrown like horseshoes into little holes in a crate or something. My husband joined right in. Really he just surprised me all day. He really had a good time.

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Karon & I did get some alone time in the kitchen to talk and it was like we were never apart. We just picked up right where we left off 14 years ago. I never knew how much I missed her until I saw her. We laughed and before we knew it it was goodbye time. OK Goodbyes are REALLY starting to suck at this point. We took LOTS of pictures and as we got in the car I unrolled the window. I hung out and as we were driving away I could hear Karon calling “Come back! Come back!” I haven’t cried like that in a long time. In fact, I cried all the way back to Tampa to the hotel. DH felt so bad he asked me if I wanted to turn around. I said no though, it wouldn’t be any easier later. Back at the hotel, we packed up the suitcases (somehow). When we go to Busch tomorrow its out of here and off to Orlando!!! We showered and said goodnight.
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There was NO time for apples today. So, it travels on.

[B.M.]

Great update! Glad everything went well with the kids meeting their father. And it sounds like you had a great time with Karon. She was very kind to your daughter ; horseback riding and prom dresses! Can't wait to hear more!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update!!

[mcc0313]

Just caught up...second place, how wonderful for your daughter. I am glad the visit with thier father went well...

Sorry that your visit with your friend could not have lasted longer....but glad the whole family had a great time.

[RobDVC]

There were wonderful reunions that you guys had! So glad the reconnections were able to be made.
Congrats to DD for the 2nd place finish!

[Hugmonster]

I love your reporting style.

[Angileyze1]

Day 6

DH did NOT sleep well last night. We got up and went to the grocery store for a fruit bowl breakfast and some $. THIS is when it occurs to me to mention the still yet uneaten apple to my DD. “Yeah I know mom, maybe after Busch on the way to Orlando“. We were first in line for Busch. The attendant talked to us for a long time. Since all 3 of us were past military, we talked about that while studying the park map he gave us.

We got in first and handed in our Salute to Veterans tickets at the special window just for us! We were told about a special dining plan thing too but since we weren’t sure yet about our plans, we decided to wait and get them later if we wanted them.

We had decided to run in and do all the roller coasters first to avoid waiting in line later. Shiekra would be first. My mom stopped riding coasters in her 30’s. She always warned me that someday it would be the same for me. I would get to the point where I couldn’t anymore. (Side note: I MUST get to Cedar Point before this happens) So every year, I hold my breath hoping THIS isn’t the year. Keeping all this in mind, I watch MUCH older people going on the coasters and think well obviously it doesn’t happen to everyone! So while climbing up the initial lift I am deep in prayer. The ride is awesome. I was fine and we did the last row and then went back and did the first. We proceeded to all the coasters. We rode them all 2x.
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We decided that the dining plan WAS a good deal. It gave an entrée drink, ect for one price. We went back and bought it. After doing all the coasters, we went back to the entrance to the park and did it right from the beginning so not to miss anything. We had already done the coasters, so we left the long lines to the other guests. I should mention though, that this was a day of really short lines. I think the longest wait was 5-10 minutes. Also, the only people there were from the NE.
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We had decided ahead of time to buy Maine shirts and all wear them on the same day. Its amazing how many conversations were started and how many people we met from home! Also, there were some of them that asked the dumb question, “You from Maine?” DUH. All in all DH who was the MOST against wearing matching shirts thought it was the best idea and wants to do it again for WDW next year. He really enjoyed it. We have another set of matching shirts too and we will be in those at SeaWorld later in this TR.
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ANYWAY,We did some other awesome rides and ate at the smokehouse, which was terrific. The gentleman at the front had told us that that would be where we would get the most bang for our buck as far as the dining plan. The smosehouse seating is outside right along Shiekra, so it was fun to watch.

Later in this day DS was getting to be a real pain. He was ok with the coasters but to do animals and stuff, we got attitude. At 14 he just is NOT into it. Also at this point, he really misses his social life and the girls back at home. He will continue to be a pain for a few days.
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I missed the show I really wanted to see because there is just so much to see & do there, but it was ok. At the last stop, we decided it would be cool to get something small from every park we go to as a family so we shopped. I wanted shot glasses but to conserve space and to avoid breakage, we went with magnets. We hope to fill up the freezer at home with them someday.

We left Busch and headed for Orlando. I KNEW this was going to be tough for me since we had decided long ago that even though we all have unused inactivated AP’s we would NOT go to WDW during Spring Break and Cheerleader season. I nearly cried seeing the Mickey Ears and the WDW sign. I DID plan some Disney magic for this trip though and we even got some unexpected magic.

We finally got to SOG. It was beautiful, just like the pictures I had on my desktop for months from Webshots! It took forever to check in due to some trouble with Visa gift cards I brought to pay for it. (Do not use these without reading up HEAVILY about them particularly with rental cars and hotels) We got to the room and unpacked. It was getting LATE!!! The kids showered & went to bed in our beautiful and large room and DH did some laundry.
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At the appropriate time, I grabbed him by the arm and we RAN upstairs to the top of the garage. We found a spot just in time. Our first piece of the Magic. The teenagers in bed and just DH and & watching wishes over the Magic Kingdom. After crying like a baby that I couldn’t be there, that was when Dh pulls me close and promises that if we keep doing everything right with finances and I can manage to plan and save like for THIS trip, We could come back next year!!! I’ll take what I can get. I am 37 and haven’t been to WDW since I was like 16-17. Epcot was new! DH DD AND DS have never been.

I think tomorrow we’ll take the kids and let them experience this Magic from the beach at the Poly. The apple has traveled from Maine to Ft Myers, to Tampa now Orlando. I refuse to take it back to Maine or throw out a good still unbruised apple. I WILL eat it myself if I have to!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great day at Busch Gardens!

[B.M.]

Great update! How neat that you were able to see Wishes from your hotel! Cant wait to hear more!

[RobDVC]

Looks like you guys had a great time in Busch Gardens.
Glad you got to experience a little bit of the WDW Magic.
for the budgeting to work out for you so you can get to WDW next year!