The Ducks are Back...A Birthday, An Anniversary and a Grand Gathering - FINAL THOUGHTS, Finally **Updated on 6/4** About This Page:

[Pax]

Originally Posted by MaryEL8775

The girl-teasing thing though is a big one here too. DS is such a flirt. He is 11 soon to be 12 in April and he flirts with one of the girls at his therapist's office. And she is like in her 20's somewhere.

Speaking as a guy, I can explain this one to you: she's sufficiently older than him (and presumably friendly enough) that she's safe to flirt with, just for the fun of it. He knows that SHE knows he's "just a kid", so he can't make a serious fool of himself ... it's just a game, all in good fun.

[Meggera]

I your costumes. My DH would wear the costume, too. Men are so awesome when they do those little things to show us they love us.

Your boys are so cute, and they seem to get along so well. Plus, your teen doesn't seem to have that teen angst/attitude yet. My 14 year old DD doesn't either. Phew! I hope it never comes!

FANTASTIC slide pictures. Those are awesome! And, I love the pictures of Jason sound asleep on the bed with the assorted props. Too cute! Hurry back with more. I'm really enjoying your TR and pictures.

[Disneymommyof2]

great pictures...and TR

[T-I-double F-ER]

Great timing on the slide pics! Your boys are beautiful and it looks like they really care about and look after one another. Can't wait to read more!

[dsteiny23]

I'm a baaaad TR writer...I have no excuse...But I hope to have something up either tonight or tomorrow night. Just getting back to school and homework and post-holiday stuff. Hopefully I haven't run too many off with my delays .

[rieandmatt]

Love the TR so far and I agree with everyone else....I love the photos! They are all so good. Can't wait to read more and see more pics!!

[dsteiny23]

Okay…so where did we go on Sunday??





That’s right…Epcot. We got there for the Food & Wine Festival, but this day we didn’t make it out if Future World. I had been waiting for this particular day for a few months now and I was nervous and excited all at the same time. The big surprise was coming up on this day. But, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.


We slept in a bit. Well, we really didn’t but getting 3 very excited boys ready in the morning seemed to take us more time each morning than we thought it would and we always seemed to get out a bit late. So, the first place we headed was an attraction that none of us had been on yet. The Seas with Nemo and Friends. I have not been here since they remodeled and I was looking forward to it. (Good thing I liked it, because it fast became one of Jason’s favorites and we would revisit it often this trip). The ride was so cute, and the boys loved the enormous aquarium. We tried all of the interactive games and each of them emailed home the Mr. Ray certificate. (That was fun to get when we got home). Then of course, I had to save my boys from the man-eating sharks in the pavilion. Seriously, you’d think Disney could keep a better eye on these guys!!





When we left Nemo, the skies opened up. We grabbed the stroller and booked to The Land. Which of course no one else thought to do in the rain…NOT!! We found a place to park where the stroller wouldn’t get soaked and decided to spend some time inside. First we went downstairs and got FPs for Soarin. Another “first” for us. Then we decided to grab something to eat. I love the choices here. Yet again, the Disney pins (be it anniversary or birthday) come in handy. We were given huge chocolate chip “Anniversary Cookies”. And my DH has never met a chocolate chip cookie he didn’t like. After some breakfast we headed onto one of my all-time favorites…Living with the Land. I don’t know why, but I have always loved, and will always love, this ride.





While on this ride, when we got to the greenhouse, we could see it was a typical Florida thunder shower and the rain had let up and the blue skies were coming through. On our way out of The Land, we found our very first Kidcot stop. Yet another “first” on this Epcot day. The boys got their lanyards and their first tag and colored a ladybug before we ventured out.


We headed across to the Universe of Energy.





I love the dino-topiary here and, yes, I tape Ellen and my boys are forced to watch with me. But, in this case, it worked out well because they thought it was neat to see her fighting a giant snake-like prehistoric beast. And by “they” I do not mean Jason, who decided this would just join the long list of rides he did not want to go on again. (Little did he know we’d drag him on one more time when Nana and the gang got here).


Craig and Zach decided then to try Mission Space, which after riding it 5 years ago I put on my list of rides I do not want to go on again. So the boys and I grabbed some refreshments and sat and waited for the big boys to get back.

After that we decided to head over for our FP time for Soarin’. Can I just say WOW!!! I absolutely loved it and it is on the top of my DH’s list of favorite new rides. Jason of course…well, you can guess. I must say for all of the rides he didn’t want to go on again, he at least tried them all not kicking and screaming.


The boys wanted to get some autographs, so we headed over to the character spot. Which is also new for us. There was quite a line inside, but it seemed to be at least moving. This was another cool moment when we got to the front of the line and realized the handler was the same one that was working with Tarzan on Halloween night. He recognized us and asked the boys “Hey, aren’t you Huey, Dewey and Louie?” Then he brought us up to Mickey and introduced us and told Mickey who we were for Halloween. That got a great response from Mickey, and I thought it was pretty neat for him to remember the boys.











As we were walking out the door we looked down the hallway and realized that Chip & Dale were on their own down there. We had already walked out but the boys wanted some more chipmunk love. So…yes, we snuck back in the door to snap another pic .





Then the time had come…the BIG surprise that I had been waiting to bestow upon my DH. So, we headed over to the coral reef. I had to think of something to get Craig away from the desk, so when we got there I told him to take the boys and go sit, I was going to ask for a table by the tank, but in case we didn’t get it, I didn’t want the boys to hear me ask. He fell for it, whew! But, the girl behind the desk heard me say that and when I walked up she knew who I was before I said anything. She said, whenever someone sends another someone away from the desk, there’s something you don’t want them to know. She had the personalized menus all ready and within 5 minutes we were seated at the end of the tank, in a booth. Perfect for the boys to watch the fish.





Our waiter came and gave Craig and I the personalized menus. Craig was sufficiently surprised (points for the wife) (maybe I’ll post the pics I used in another post) Then our waiter brought us champagne on the house. That was a bonus I wasn’t counting on.








Now, by this time I can barely keep it together. My heart is pounding and I keep searching the tank. I “practiced” taking pictures of the fish to get a good setting on the camera. Then I hear Craig say “hey boys, look there’s a diver getting into the tank”…then…”Hey look, he’s swimming this way”…then…”what is he doing”…then…





And Major points for the wife!!!





It was so exciting, the boys loved it, Craig loved it. People were clapping and wishing us a Happy Anniversary. The family right next to the tank made their kids get up so we could get close and took a pic for us. It was awesome!! Debbie from the Coral Reef Rocks!!!


After our awesome dinner, we headed over toward the World Showcase to try to get a spot to watch Illuminations. On the way we used our FPs for Test Track which we had gotten earlier. And guess what list this ended up on for Jason…yup, first and last time for him. (And I don't know if you can see it in this picture...but Tyler in the back center...whenever he gets a bit scared doesn't close his eyes, but plugs his ears. Yeah, I know, cute...but strange)





On the way out, we did another Kidcot stop and sat in a few cars. Where all I could think was…3 boys…3 licenses and 3 new people on our insurance. Yeah, I can wait for that.





On our way into World showcase, we stopped to do another Kidcot stop in Mexico. The boys got their masks and did a little shopping in the market.





And I have this picture from our last trip (without Jason) so I thought maybe this would be a pic I would try to take on all the trips to see how the boys change.





Then it was off to find a spot for Illuminations. We got a great spot right in Norway and really enjoyed it. This always brings a tear to my eye. After Illuminations, we headed off back to the Poly to get some rest for another day in the parks…








Tomorrow, our first “Expedition”

[MaryEL8775]

OMG major points for the wife. That is great. I am so glad that you all liked the fun at Coral Reef. Someday I might get there.

[chezp]

What a great day at Epcot - and I love the diver's message!

[Wendyismyname]

Very cool!!! Great update!! I'm glad the Coral Reef went how you planned!!

[rieandmatt]

I'm planning to surprise my DH for our anniversary at Coral Reef too! I just hope I can pull it off! Glad it went as planned.

[scrapbookmomma3]

Great update. I am showing my three kiddos your pictures and they are getting very excited for our upcoming trip. More please!

[yjgirl]

I too can't wiat to hear more- this is my first time reading the trip reports- I just recently learned of this site. I have managed to talk my family into dressing alike when we go to Disney in Sept- all 9 of us. (Well my DS5 has similar attire). Thanks for sharing.

[KMB733]

Major points for you Dawn! The menus and the diver, what a great surprise for your DH! And the rest of your day at Epcot sounded wonderful, and love the pictures!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great day at Epcot and everything worked out at Coral Reef!! Great pictures!!