A New Pitman Movie

I think it's official: Meet the Robinsons is the current Pitman family favorite movie.

Although it didn't make much of a splash at the box office, it has in our family. We've been quoting it all week!

We have constantly repeated lines like:

"Keep moving forward."

and

"Excellent"
"Ex-cell-ent"
"Did you say 'excellent' because I said excellent?"
"Um...no."
"Excellent."
"Ex-cell-ent."

At dinner tonight, Sofia even cracked her brother up out of a bad-mood-attitude by making a joke of that second one.

I just love how the movie makes failure not to be a big, bad, scary thing. Just part of learning.

And I love seeing my kids crack up when they blurt out "Dr. Einstein Kool Aid!!" in their best imitation of Dr. Krunklehorn's over-caffeinated voice.

It's also fun to be moving toward a monorail, remind the kids in a normal voice, "Keep moving forward" and have them break out into operatic song not matter what mood they're in.

Thanks Disney.

"Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things - because we're curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We're always exploring and experimenting."

--Walt Disney

Photos from Day - what day is this?

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Day 4: A morning in the Animal Kingdom

Grampa came last night. Boy were the kids surprised!

I just love seeing the joy on their faces.

Today we went to his favorite park: Animal Kingdom.

It was a fun, hot, day. And another day of being grateful that we didn't have to pack-it-all-in-today-because-we-might-never-be-back. It's awful watching families get so frutrated and angry with each other while they're "having fun at Disney."

And we would've missed the cool animals at the front held by cast members. One cast member was great at interacting with the kids as the looked at a centipede and learned it was an exoskeloton, etc. (Can we call this a school day?) She encouraged us to go see the snakes in jungle trek. (I warned the kids to not speak parseltongue!)

So today, we went on Expedition Everest, a roller coaster that goes frontwards and backwards and tangles with a Yeti! (Cale opted not to join us.)

Em, Sofie, Anna, Cale, and I enjoyed the TriceraTop Spin. It was a great speed and the kids ended up doing it multiple times with a different mix of Pitman adults.

Cale, Grampa, and I went on the Primeval Whirl. Loaded with signs like, "The End Is Near," we had a blast on this mini-roller coaster that spun around like a tilt-a-whirl!

I guess Caleb's over his Rock'n shock! (Another family told Em it was two years before their son got over the shock of the Rock'N'Roller coaster!)

Then Dad, Mom, and I went on Disney's not-so-creatively named Dinosaur. Pretty much the same as the former "Race to Extinction" (I think that's what it was called) but this seemed rockier and louder. Definitely a fun ride. And one I'm really glad I didn't try to talk Caleb into!

The grandparents took the grandkids and Emily and I got to walk around the park a bit. With blisters on both feet, I'm doing a bit more limping than walking. We bought some cool stuff at the shops and enjoyed the "feel" of Asia. We even looked for tiger balm! (From Grandma, her feet are worse than mine.)

We came back to Old Key West seconds before another downpour!!

Looks like a quite afternoon awaits.

It's all kind of a blur now...

Day 3 - was a Day off. The kids spent most of the day and night with Grammy. Marc and I rented a car for a day, went grocery shopping and found a Starbucks (btw, if you get a chance to try their added energy I highly suggest it). We spent some quiet time with the kids in the afternoon, then we went to Downtown Disney and saw Prince Caspian (WOW).

After the movie we went over to the Boardwalk and had dinner at what is becoming our favorite restaurant - Big River Grille. Great food, Great service.

Day 4 - divide and conquer day. Anna spent the morning with Grammy in the Pool. Sofia and I spent part of the morning exploring all the transportation wonders of Disney - from bus to monorail to ferry to van. Then we spent in the rest of our time in the pool. Caleb and Marc returned the car (did I mention that it was a Toyota RAV4), then went to Hollywood Studios.

During the afternoon, Caleb and Anna and I went back to Magic Kingdom. Daddy, Grammy and Sofia took naps. At the Magic Kingdom we went on Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, Magic Carpet ride, Pirates of the Carribean (bad mommy choice), the train, and the Goofy rollercoaster.

On the way home we experienced a fullout Florida cloudburst and were glad that Daddy had the pizza made for Pizza Night. After dinner, the kids and Daddy went to the pool, and Mommy puttered.

Last night the final surprise guest for vacation, Grampa, flew in from Mississippi.

This morning the kids found Grampa, and we are headed out to the Animal Kingdom.

Photos from 3 and 4

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You could bring the DVD player to us...

What a day!

There are lots of things to do right here on the resort. The kids love just hanging by the pool.

Yesterday, I'd gotten a couple movies from Hank's, the rental place. Since we're with a DVC member, we didn't have to pay.

Gram had babysat for us last night, so the movies were supposed to help. Unfortunately, the DVD player totally blitzed out within seconds of the first movie going in!

So today, I called Hank's because the DVD's were due back at noon. After explaining that one of the DVD's was stuck in a non-responsive DVD player, the cast member said, "No problem, you can just bring us the DVD player."

Excuse me?

It's a 10-15 minute walk to the center. The better part of a mile. And have we mentioned, Florida's HOT.

I was not about to hike over with a DVD player.

Fortunately, after checking with someone, he did give the option of me calling housekeeping and having someone come over to look at the player.

I took the prize behind Door #2. The guy came and "fixed" it be simply unplugging it and plugging it back in.

The funny thing is that I'd told Sofie we could go back to the Dumbo ride after the DVD player was fixed. So she took a nap. And boy was she out! I tried waking her 2-3 times between 1:30 and 3. Nothing got her up.

So I took a nap too. It was wonderful!

She finally woke up around 4:30. Completely refreshed.

By then it was pouring. One of those Florida thunderstorms. There was no way i was returning the DVD's then. So we still have them. Hope there's no late fee!

Disney Studios fun

Today, each adult took a kid. So I got to spend this morning with Cale.

We opted to go to Disney Studios. He'd had a blast on the Goofy rollercoaster in the Magic Kingdom so his first request was for us to find a roller coaster.

Dad was happy.

The roller coaster there was the Rock'n'Roller Coaster themed around an Aerosmith soundtrack. The ride goes from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds! We did loop-de-loops and corkscrews all in the dark. We screamed alot!

Cale's decided he made a mistake. He's also decided to never go on a roller coaster again in his life.

We had fun in the new Toy Story Midway Mania game/ride. This was a much tamer experience. And we got to shoot things.

Cale was happier with this.

We ended the morning with a ride on Star Tours, in which a beginner pilot robot accidently misses Endor and took us into the heat of battle with the rebels as they destroyed the Death Star.

This made Cale's day! And our ship was filled with people really into the thrill of the ride. That made it even more fun.

Outside, we saw Darth Vader and two goofy Stormtroopers defeated by a new set of young jedis.

It's always nice to see good triumph over evil. :)

And it's really nice to not have to try to pack it all in. We left around 11:15, before we were at our wit's end.

It's cool seeing Cale on this trip. He's talking to almost everyone we meet! And he's such a good conversationalist. He talks. He listens. He asks insightful questions.

He even comes with a kung-fu grip.

Just kidding. (Although he is getting stronger and his playful punches are stinging a bit now!)

Day 3

Day 2 (Wednesday, aka Anna's 6th birthday) was packed! (We just got internet access from the room last night, so we will be playing catch up on pictures and writing.)

Everybody was awake EARLY! Because we haven't gone grocery shopping yet, we ate at Olivia's restaurant on the campus. Yummy fresh fruit and Mickey Mouse shaped waffles.

From there we went to the Magical Kingdom. Anna got to choose where we would spend the morning and I was glad that she chose what I think might be my favorite spot.

In the Kingdom we: rode the train, went on Splash Mountain (we were in first two seats) and got TOTALLY soaked, were making our way to FantasyLand and got waylaid by Woody's roundup which I got to actually participate in, went on the Small World ride, Dumbo ride, Peter Pan ride, up to Goofy's Barnstormer. Lunch time. Then off to Speedway (Grammy and Caleb went twice), and the girls and I went to the Mad Tea Party.

Time to rest. Back to rooms, nap until 5. Up and off to EPCOT. Spaceship Earth ride, Marc and Caleb played a video game on the floor that was about using more efficient electricity, Marc and Caleb went on the Test Track, while Grammy, the girls and I went to a butterfly garden, played on a playground, and sat and enjoyed the music and crowds.

Then it was time for the birthday dinner, so we made our way over to Norway in the world pavilion of EPCOT, met up with the boys, and had dinner at Akershus. The girls got pictures with five princesses. Immediately after dinner, we went outside and watched the fireworks show. Big smiles. Noisy, bright, spectacular.

A late night, we stumbled home and were all quickly asleep, dreaming many different dreams.

After I post photo albums, I hope to get some more reflective writing done, and from everyone in the family, but for now, while I have memories in my head, I am getting down as many details as I can.

Day 2, Part 2 Photos

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Day 2, Part 1 Photos

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Day 1 Photos

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Unexpected beginnings

So, as Em said, she didn't make the trip to WDW with us today.

In a way, it's God's grace. If I'd known I'd be the only adult with three kids 9 and under, I'd have freaked out. But, in the necessity of the moment, it was peaceful.

Things went pretty well. Even having the kids all take bathroom breaks in JFK. God's helping me learn to trust even when I can't physically see the kids.

The plane from JFK to Orlando went well overall. But that leg of the journey is under the shadow of a Sofie freak fest for about 15 minutes in the plane. I'd been so pleased that she'd finally taken a nap. But waking from it didn't go so well.

15 minutes of tantrum.

I tried everything: peaceful reasoning with her, helpful hints on clearing your ears, quiet but very angry commands, ignoring, praying for peace, casting out anything that needed to go.

15 minutes can be a long time! Especially when people 2 and 3 rows in front of you are turning back to look.

*sigh*

But she did get over it. And she did say "sowwy" to some of the people around us.

We were then signed up for the Magical Express. But that didn't go the way I'd expected. I thought we'd simply hop on a bus. Instead, we went to the hinterlands of the airport and stood in a l-o-n-g line. I couldn't believe it when I, the only parent with three kids, was told by a cast member, "Only one person in line please. The rest can wait out here."

I know she was just in a verbal rut, but I wasn't impressed.

Fortunately, the bus was ready for us. Pretty cool.

When we got here at Old Key West, we had a bit more of the non-Disney-Magic. Our front desk person kept talking about my parents' reservation--in front of the kids after I told her their coming was a secret!

I couldn't believe it.

Her: "Are you Kathy Pitman?"
Me: "No. But we're under her DVC membership. (whispering)They don't know grandma is coming. It's a surprise.

Her: (almost shouting) "So would you like to check in for your mom since she hasn't arrived yet?"
Me: (more tersely) "Please keep it down, the kids do not know. It's a surprise. (In a happier, but forced, voice) Kids, why don't you go around the corner here in the lobby and check out the movie?"

Her: (after I'd checked in for Mom and after Sofie had returned to the counter) "Will your mother be driving a car?"
Me: (with a very forced smile) "I've told you, this is a surprise. My daughter is right here. Please keep it down."

You get the picture. The cast member beside her was really trying to help her make the situation more magical. But it wasn't working.

The cool thing? As we were going to the golf cart to be taken to our apartment, Grandma stepped out of the Magical Express bus right in front of us!!!!

The kids were shocked. Caleb told another family, "I was so surprised, I was staring with my mouth wide open." He went on to say, "But then I remembered Mary Poppins and closed my mouth." :)

And Emily had a similar experience. She got here while the kids were at the pool near the main entrance.

Very cool.

Day 1

As we were getting ready for bed last night, and as I checked our boarding passes one more time, it registered that we were leaving an hour earlier than I had in my mind. EEEKS. So the alarms were set for 2:00 (Marc) and 2:20am (mine, which I forgot to turn on).

Waking the kids was very easy. Sofia simply rolled over and said "Thank you". Caleb said, I think I just fell asleep (that was about how I slept, too). And by the time I got to Anna she had heard the noise and was almost ready to smile.

Peaceful leaving the house and a peaceful trip down the interstate. Kids made up a cool game of movie quotes, putting their knack for remembering quotations and voices to good use.

Got to the airport in Portland, at which point I realized I had forgotten my pocketbook - with my ID, credit cards, mine, Anna, and Calebs prescrip sunglasses, and camera. I did have the boarding passes in my carryon bag.

So after I emptied my bladder and everyone else emptied their bladder, we set out to see what could be done. Our jetblue agent was going to help me get on without ID, but we have a friend who works for TSA that we ran into who strongly advised we try to make other plans and that I go get my ID.

SO, Marc and the kids are flying together on our original flights, and I'll be catching another one in a couple hours out of Portland. I've been to and from Waterville, have my ID, have checked through security, bought a coffee, joined Boingo so I can surf the web in the airport, and found out that I will be able to make an actual book of this blog when our vacation is over.

The goal will be to upload pictures and at least brief updates daily, so that our family and friends can keep up with us.

I hope you enjoy it, and that we have fun doing it as a family.