Today was mothers day. I had planned an easy day in anticipation of our jet lagged state. This was a good idea, although we didn't take things too easily.
The kids slept in and it was strangely the only day Steve thought it would be a good idea to wake them up. I think he thought our lunch reservation was earlier than it was or something. Anyway I slept like a baby knowing I was going to be allowed to sleep in and I was woken by Steve with breakfast in bed. There was scrambled eggs, American style bacon, sourdough toast and tuna salad.... The kind that is tuna, mayo-ish type consistency with finely diced onions and celery. We bought it in a tub for sandwiches but Steve had a stroke of genius that made him think it would go nicely on the breakfast plate. I ate the normal breakfast items and left the tuna.
Peyton came in and gave me her mothers day card while Steve got Brandon up. It was about 9:15am which is the longest he has ever slept in. They wrote on my card together and then he gave it to me with the gift he got me at the mothers day stall, a mouse mat in the shape of a heart with flower print and a pen. Steve then hustled us to get ready and we headed out for our first full day in Orlando.
We decided to go to the Nike store just down the road. Steve and B went to town. Steve got 3 pairs of sneakers and B got a pair of Jordan's. They both got socks and Steve got a Florida gators muscle shirt. Then we headed to downtown Disney to explore and for lunch.
We parked and headed in to look around. We walked down towards the AMC theatres as we were looking for the Ridemakerz store. It had moved as they were renovating so we decided to look later. We went to the Lego Store and looked around and took photos. The kids played with some Lego and Brandon made a car to race. The only thing we bought was a Ninjago headband ninja thing for Peyton.
Sometime in the process a certain Princess had a very messy #2 accident and we needed emergency undies. I searched and eventually came across some in the World of Disney Store. A pack of 6 Princess undies that came inst $30. Bloody expensive undies! I also got my mum the first of her mothers day presents, a Chamilia Disney charm. I got her Tinkerbell. Speaking of mothers day it was time for lunch. We headed to T-Rex and it was only about 5 minutes until we were seated, despite being pretty busy. I'm glad we had an ADR!
Lunch was delicious as usual and we left stuffed to the gills without even thinking about dessert. We wandered around and ended up in Ridemakerz. The boys made two cars, a Francesco and a black Mustang or something. I took Peyton who was seriously bored to buy her something. It was the start of a ridiculous collection of stuffed animals accumulated on this trip. It was a baby Simba. She had cherished the thing though so maybe not too bad of a purchase. We returned and the boys were just finishing up. We then went somewhere for me. The Disney Christmas store. I went a little crazy and got a heap of ornaments and a gorgeous tree skirt. I walked away really happy though cause I looove Christmas stuff! Then I dragged everyone into Goofys Candy Co and got pretzel rods, dipped in milk chic, rolled in crushed butterfingers and drizzled with white choc. Mmmm, I had a bite and ate the rest later in the week.
We finished the afternoon off with dessert at the Ghiradelli Soda Fountain. We shared a banana split, it was as huge as I remembered. We didn't finish it. We went back to the car and headed home. Don't ask me if we ate dinner cause I have no idea. I think we ate eggs on toast or something.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Day 2 - LAX - MCO
The kids woke up in the middle of the night. Their poor body clocks were so off. They were probably awake for an hour or do but it wasnt too hard to get them back to sleep.
My alarm went off at 5:30am and I got up about 10mins later. I got everything I could get ready then I woke the room up and we all got dressed. We were downstairs on time for their 6:30am opening of breakfast and we had our fill. They had the usual Holiday Inn breakfast fare: toast, bagels, muffins,, pancakes, sausage patties, gravy, eggs, bananas, yoghurt and cinnamon. Scrolls. It hit the spot and while the kids and I finished up, Steve went up to the room to load the bags. We got to the 7:00am shuttle in time and were off to the airport.
We were at LAX about 1 hour 45 minutes before our flight. United check in was long but fast. We got through check, security and to the gate with about 15 minutes to spare. B and I went for a walk and got some water and snacks then we got ready to board.
It was an uneventful 4 and a bit hour flight. We were split up but it was Steve and B and P and I and we were on the opposite side and two rows back from the boys. All of us got at least two and a half hour sleep so it was very good.
We arrived in Orlando on time but it took awhile for our bags to come down to the carousel. As usual it also took along time to get our rental car. The line for Dollar is always long but the price is right so we stick with them. We went to the lot and picks our car, a shiny black Dodge Caravan. It was brand spankin' new with only 8 miles on the clock! I installed the car seats while Steve loaded the bags. We plugged in our Garmin and we were on our way.
We went straight to Super Target and loaded up on groceries then ran to the townhouse to drop them off and put the cold stuff away before we went out to dinner. We met Steve's niece Bec and her family and we all went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. I liked the country stuff and store. The food was good and hit the spot. We all went home and had showers/baths, unpacked and went to bed.
Waiting to get on the airport shuttle @ the Holiday Inn
Best Buy Vending Machine @ LAX
We were at LAX about 1 hour 45 minutes before our flight. United check in was long but fast. We got through check, security and to the gate with about 15 minutes to spare. B and I went for a walk and got some water and snacks then we got ready to board.
It was an uneventful 4 and a bit hour flight. We were split up but it was Steve and B and P and I and we were on the opposite side and two rows back from the boys. All of us got at least two and a half hour sleep so it was very good.
On the monorail at MCO
We arrived in Orlando on time but it took awhile for our bags to come down to the carousel. As usual it also took along time to get our rental car. The line for Dollar is always long but the price is right so we stick with them. We went to the lot and picks our car, a shiny black Dodge Caravan. It was brand spankin' new with only 8 miles on the clock! I installed the car seats while Steve loaded the bags. We plugged in our Garmin and we were on our way.
8 Miles on our brand spankin' new car
We went straight to Super Target and loaded up on groceries then ran to the townhouse to drop them off and put the cold stuff away before we went out to dinner. We met Steve's niece Bec and her family and we all went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. I liked the country stuff and store. The food was good and hit the spot. We all went home and had showers/baths, unpacked and went to bed.
Really good biscuits (scones) with grits and gravy. I didn't eat these.
Eggs and sausage, pretty ordinary
Cool rockers
Ones for the little peeps
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Day 1 - Continued
So I set my alarm for 2:30pm to allow us to get two hours nap. I actually woke up a few minutes before and got up and started to get clean clothes for the kids and work out the number for a taxi etc.
I got the kids up and got them clean and dressed and then we got Steve up. We then headed down to the lobby and got reception to call us a cab. They called us a lovely guy called Steve with a nice town car to take us to Culver City Westfields. It was a short 10minute drive. We got his card so we could call him to get us later that evening.
We were on a mission to buy B some shoes but we had no luck. We went to Foot Locker and Foot Locker Kids but we didn't like anything. We also went to Target and got a new car seat for Brandon. I also picked up a really cute set of onsie jammies for P in a size 3. They are pink with lil monkeys and were on clearance for $6. I also got B a Swampy (from the app Wheres my water) t-shirt for about $8, he loved that! after Target Steve went to Best Buy to check out something and we also went to Old Navy. Steve got a hoodie and two polos. We had a snack from Burger King, I had a honey mustard snack wrap for like $1.69. Score! We looked at a few more stores, Steve took the kids to a candy store and they got a little bag of things each. We also had a quick look in the Disney Store. After a while we realized it was 6:10pm and we had to meet my friend Rose for dinner.
We called a taxi and within a few minutes one picked us up outside the mall. It was only about a mile away but with tired kids and some shopping it was impossible to walk. We met Rose at Dinah's Restaurant which is famous for its fried chicken and had been around since 1959. The food was delicious. I ordered the fried chicken with coleslaw and fries. It also came with a salad. It was all really good, except for the coleslaw which was ridiculously sweet, even for my sweet tooth! Steve got the fried chicken and ribs and B got ribs and P got grilled chicken and mash. The kids got along really well with Roses two boys. Roses two were both adorable and well behaved. My two were cranky and irritable. It made for an interesting night. We finished dinner and called it a night early. We called Steve and he was there in less than 10 minutes. It was baths and bed for the kids while I packed for our flight the next morning. Alarms were set for 5:30am
I got the kids up and got them clean and dressed and then we got Steve up. We then headed down to the lobby and got reception to call us a cab. They called us a lovely guy called Steve with a nice town car to take us to Culver City Westfields. It was a short 10minute drive. We got his card so we could call him to get us later that evening.
We were on a mission to buy B some shoes but we had no luck. We went to Foot Locker and Foot Locker Kids but we didn't like anything. We also went to Target and got a new car seat for Brandon. I also picked up a really cute set of onsie jammies for P in a size 3. They are pink with lil monkeys and were on clearance for $6. I also got B a Swampy (from the app Wheres my water) t-shirt for about $8, he loved that! after Target Steve went to Best Buy to check out something and we also went to Old Navy. Steve got a hoodie and two polos. We had a snack from Burger King, I had a honey mustard snack wrap for like $1.69. Score! We looked at a few more stores, Steve took the kids to a candy store and they got a little bag of things each. We also had a quick look in the Disney Store. After a while we realized it was 6:10pm and we had to meet my friend Rose for dinner.
Rose and I
Our lovely kiddos!
We called a taxi and within a few minutes one picked us up outside the mall. It was only about a mile away but with tired kids and some shopping it was impossible to walk. We met Rose at Dinah's Restaurant which is famous for its fried chicken and had been around since 1959. The food was delicious. I ordered the fried chicken with coleslaw and fries. It also came with a salad. It was all really good, except for the coleslaw which was ridiculously sweet, even for my sweet tooth! Steve got the fried chicken and ribs and B got ribs and P got grilled chicken and mash. The kids got along really well with Roses two boys. Roses two were both adorable and well behaved. My two were cranky and irritable. It made for an interesting night. We finished dinner and called it a night early. We called Steve and he was there in less than 10 minutes. It was baths and bed for the kids while I packed for our flight the next morning. Alarms were set for 5:30am
Sleeping kid #1
Sleeping kid #2
Day 1 - Travel Day
This morning started off bright and early. After getting to sleep around 1:00am, my alarm went off at 5:00am and after one hit of the snooze button I was up. I got up and hit the shower while everyone else slept. I made a coffee and straightened my hair and then got the kids up to get ready. I realized we were our of bread and milk and I also needed to get some cash our for the airport shuttle. Got back and fed the troops while I chucked some last minute things in the suitcases and got them out the front ready for the shuttle about 5 minutes before it showed up. We had a ridiculously early pick up time in relation to our flight but it was fine. We left home at 7:43am and then did a pickup at Northmead and another at Eastwood then it was through Lane Cove tunnel and over the Harbour Bridge and on to the airport. We were last off at the international terminal at 9:30am.
The driver insisted we pay for the return journey as well so Steve had to go find an ATM, despite me having an email saying to pay the driver on the day. I will take that up with the company when I get back. We were still there an hour before check-in but Steve spoke to someone and they opened it about 20mins after we for there. There were only two people in front of us so we were soon at a counter. The attendant put my details into the computer and immediately saw a problem. Out tickets weren't confirmed and were also showing us leaving a day later. I was asked to go down to the service desk to have it fixed. We dragged the kids and luggage down there to be greeted by the lovely Jessica. She was perfect and apologetic and lovely. It wasn't Virgin Australia's fault, but that of a certain TA from Flight Centre. I had emailed, with no reply, called and left messages with no return calls and finally a call to Flight Centre's "Compliment and Complaint" line on Tuesday before I had my tickets sent to me. I emailed her back querying the dates on the e-tickets as they showed the old dates. Once again I had no reply. I thought well it must be ok to use them as the itinerary showed the amended date. Well it wasn't. I know it was sorted in the end but that is not the sort of issues I want to deal with when using a TA. I'd be better doing it myself! Anyway so back to the lovely Jessica, she chatted to us while the tickets were being fixed up. She also made sure P's cars seat was ok to use onboard and and gave us some seats I was happy with. We have B and Steve in seats 41AB and C and P and I in seats 42 AB and C. She then sent us to the business check in queue to check our bags and we were away. Though customs and security with surprisingly chatty staff at both and over to McDonalds for an early lunch and a play in the park.
We ate then I went to the chemist to grab a few last minute things and a few lollies to have as bribery for later. I also used the free wifi to check My beloved Facebook, DisBoards and also to activate my T-Mobile sim card. Hopefully it will be good to go when I switch it on in LA. We also got in with the early boarding group so we could install P's seat and get organized. We all got settled and it was a smooth take off right on schedule.
It is now 5:40pm and we are 1/3 of the way into the trip. We have an ETA of 9:21 am while I'd an hour and ten minutes earlier than expected. I really hope we stay on that target! we were served lunch about an hour and a half into the flight. I had a butter chicken with basmati and veggies and Steve had the braised beef and mash. Both meals came with a pesto penne pasta, a bread roll and cheesecake. My meal was really nice. The bread roll was dry as usual and the cheesecake not that great but the real food was a winner. The kids had a burger which was like a slider with a thick pattie. P got me to pull the meat off and cut it up. She ate it all. B didn't rate it. They also got a potato salad with a slice of chicken on top, a bread roll, cheesecake, water crackers and yummy cracker barrel cheese and a Kit Kat. I swear next time I'm ordering a kids meal!
The kids are only being slightly painful with mostly just little whinges. They have both been asleep for about An hour. I'm off to try and join them now. It's going to be a long Friday (again) for us when we get off this plane!
It's now 6:45pm Australian time. I finally convinced Peyton too go to the toilet. She has held on for 6.5 hours. She has a phobia of plane toilets. She honestly thinks she'll get sucked down them or something. I talked her into it and promised I'd let her out before I flushed and I'd hold her on the toilet. We got to the doors and she was backing u into me and literally shaking but I dragged her in and held on to her and she went. Yay!!
For drinks so far we have had a bottle of spring water on boarding. I've had a vodka and lemonade, a white wine, a cup of tea and I just helped myself to another bottle of h2o from the snack bar. Last time over the snack bar was stingy. Nothing but a jug of water and some tiny cups. This time there is the jug, bottles of water and small packs of Smith chips and Fritos.
Another positive is I got 45mins sleep lying across two seats. That's a rare advantage of being only 153cms high on one of my tall days! Even the fetal position is more comfy that the furthest economy recline. Happy days!
So the rest of the flight was ok. The only bad part was I didn't sleep anymore. I got lugged with Peyton sleeping in her seat, Brandon across the other two, Steve in front across all three and me perched on the edge on my row. It sucked. This lasted for 2.5 hours. Then it was time for breakfast.
Two or so hours later we landed at LAX. By the time we got off went through customs and immigration, collected our bags and got the shuttle to the hotel it was 11ish. We checked in right away and got a room on the 5th floor. The kids were asleep in minutes and after Steve and I had showers we were asleep too.
Bags waiting for our shuttle pick up
P on the bus
The driver insisted we pay for the return journey as well so Steve had to go find an ATM, despite me having an email saying to pay the driver on the day. I will take that up with the company when I get back. We were still there an hour before check-in but Steve spoke to someone and they opened it about 20mins after we for there. There were only two people in front of us so we were soon at a counter. The attendant put my details into the computer and immediately saw a problem. Out tickets weren't confirmed and were also showing us leaving a day later. I was asked to go down to the service desk to have it fixed. We dragged the kids and luggage down there to be greeted by the lovely Jessica. She was perfect and apologetic and lovely. It wasn't Virgin Australia's fault, but that of a certain TA from Flight Centre. I had emailed, with no reply, called and left messages with no return calls and finally a call to Flight Centre's "Compliment and Complaint" line on Tuesday before I had my tickets sent to me. I emailed her back querying the dates on the e-tickets as they showed the old dates. Once again I had no reply. I thought well it must be ok to use them as the itinerary showed the amended date. Well it wasn't. I know it was sorted in the end but that is not the sort of issues I want to deal with when using a TA. I'd be better doing it myself! Anyway so back to the lovely Jessica, she chatted to us while the tickets were being fixed up. She also made sure P's cars seat was ok to use onboard and and gave us some seats I was happy with. We have B and Steve in seats 41AB and C and P and I in seats 42 AB and C. She then sent us to the business check in queue to check our bags and we were away. Though customs and security with surprisingly chatty staff at both and over to McDonalds for an early lunch and a play in the park.
This place will look familiar to any travelers our of SYD with little'uns
Waiting...
Our pretty V Australia Plane
We ate then I went to the chemist to grab a few last minute things and a few lollies to have as bribery for later. I also used the free wifi to check My beloved Facebook, DisBoards and also to activate my T-Mobile sim card. Hopefully it will be good to go when I switch it on in LA. We also got in with the early boarding group so we could install P's seat and get organized. We all got settled and it was a smooth take off right on schedule.
It is now 5:40pm and we are 1/3 of the way into the trip. We have an ETA of 9:21 am while I'd an hour and ten minutes earlier than expected. I really hope we stay on that target! we were served lunch about an hour and a half into the flight. I had a butter chicken with basmati and veggies and Steve had the braised beef and mash. Both meals came with a pesto penne pasta, a bread roll and cheesecake. My meal was really nice. The bread roll was dry as usual and the cheesecake not that great but the real food was a winner. The kids had a burger which was like a slider with a thick pattie. P got me to pull the meat off and cut it up. She ate it all. B didn't rate it. They also got a potato salad with a slice of chicken on top, a bread roll, cheesecake, water crackers and yummy cracker barrel cheese and a Kit Kat. I swear next time I'm ordering a kids meal!
Kids Meal food porn
Burger
Adults Meal: Pesto pasta, Bread roll, Butter Chicken and Rice, Cheesecake
Butter Chicken
Pesto Pasta
The kids are only being slightly painful with mostly just little whinges. They have both been asleep for about An hour. I'm off to try and join them now. It's going to be a long Friday (again) for us when we get off this plane!
It's now 6:45pm Australian time. I finally convinced Peyton too go to the toilet. She has held on for 6.5 hours. She has a phobia of plane toilets. She honestly thinks she'll get sucked down them or something. I talked her into it and promised I'd let her out before I flushed and I'd hold her on the toilet. We got to the doors and she was backing u into me and literally shaking but I dragged her in and held on to her and she went. Yay!!
For drinks so far we have had a bottle of spring water on boarding. I've had a vodka and lemonade, a white wine, a cup of tea and I just helped myself to another bottle of h2o from the snack bar. Last time over the snack bar was stingy. Nothing but a jug of water and some tiny cups. This time there is the jug, bottles of water and small packs of Smith chips and Fritos.
Snack Box. See below for contents.
Lavosh Crackers, Apricot Jam/Preserve, Lemon Shortbread, Cranberry/Pepita/Almond Mix
Shortbread!
Another positive is I got 45mins sleep lying across two seats. That's a rare advantage of being only 153cms high on one of my tall days! Even the fetal position is more comfy that the furthest economy recline. Happy days!
Sleeping Child #1
Sleeping Child #2
Kids Breakfast, I couldn't stomach the grown up one so there is no photo
Two or so hours later we landed at LAX. By the time we got off went through customs and immigration, collected our bags and got the shuttle to the hotel it was 11ish. We checked in right away and got a room on the 5th floor. The kids were asleep in minutes and after Steve and I had showers we were asleep too.
Bed @ Holiday Inn Express LAX
Peyton testing the bed
Brandon testing the chair
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