Animal Kingdom

The forecast said to expect rain in the morning. The ominous clouds rolled over us. As we got out of the car they opened up and poured rain as we walked to the entrance. Halfway to the turnstiles there was a covered pavilion where of course, conveniently, there was a Disney worker selling ponchos who had her first customers of the day.

SHOULD WE STAY OR GO?
We decided to go for it (much to Zach's dismay) with the hopes that it would clear, and by lunch time it did. We filled our morning with shows followed by an extended hot lunch indoors. The first show was "It's Tough To Be A Bug," which has permanently damaged Graham's perception of Bugs. We were up front right next to the spot where the giant evil grasshopper comes out and it terrified him. Since that trip he even freaks out if a fly comes near. After that we saw the "Nemo" the musical which was really good.

In the past, Animal Kingdom had been my least favorite park, but I've changed my mind now. We had never gone to the shows before, but with the kiddos and weather we saw them all and really enjoyed them. Also having to escape a Yeti on the Himalayan roller coaster adds a major bonus to the park. Don't let those turned stomachs below fool you .....THEY LOVED THE RIDE!

The Himalayan Outpost gift shop also had some unique pieces. Who can pass up a blue fiber optic mullet wig? Not me. Also they had Christmas ornaments made from air canisters retrieved from the real Mount Everest. One climber was disgusted with all the garbage left over from expeditions and decided to do something about it. So, now we own a piece of someone's adventure garbage. :)
I'm not sure how we got so lucky, but during this week someone from our family was picked to participate in almost every show that took volunteers. This time it was Aunt Ryanne's turn. They had this giant bird fly from the back of the theater, swoop down, and land right behind her.

Everyone, especially Zach was much happier halfway through the day as the rain stopped and his stomach settled. We actually look like we're sorta enjoying our day together! ;)

Chris had only one thing on his list this day and everything else was trivial in his eyes.

While the kids took a break to beat some drums instead of each other.....

he sought out the refreshment of all refreshment in his eyes. After much searching he finally found the kiosk that sold a....

COKE SLURPEE!
In the end I'm not sure he got much with 3 little sharers.
Lesson learned.

These 3 little cuties weren't quite sure about one another at first. It was very much a love hate relationship as usually goes with toddlers.

But Graham REALLY decided he loved baby H. and let him know often. So often that he passed on pink eye and a nasty cold that we didn't know was brewing. By the end of the week they were equally affectionate.

One trip on my list of places to go with the kids is a real African Safari. A group from Aramco goes each year but I want to wait and go on a more "Younger Family Friendly" one. For now we just have to settle for this.

Which didn't really feel like settling because it really is an enjoyable ride.

Unlike the Jungle Cruise, where Disney Animatronics are on display, these are the real deal.

These animals do have it good as they are fed on time and apparently have A/C piped in when it's hot. That way when they relax by the vents it also a good viewing point for us.

Our last show of the day was from the Lion King with wonderful music, high flying monkeys that picked and ate imaginary bugs out of our kids hair. And once again the kids got to participate, which they loved.

The last hour before the park closed we decided to divide and conquer. Lauren and I went back the Himalayan Coaster to use up the last stroller pass. Reggie, C, and Zach went on a Dino adventure.
While Chris and Ryanne took the rest of the kiddos on one last Safari in hopes they might get a better look at some of the animals.

Plus it was just plain fun with a silly photo shoot to boot.

Just when we thought the day was done a dance party broke out with Goofy and friends right at our meeting point.
Now something you may not know about baby H is that he LOVES, LOVES, LOVES music and can't help but groove and move when it comes on.

He was so excited it was contagious and the Disney Dancers just couldn't get enough of him.

Silly Shopping and Epcot

Have you ever gone to one of those Time Share presentations.....so pushy! We went to one years ago and almost signed on the dotted line but decided to pass and we never regretted it. Fast forward to our move KSA and we decided it would be a great way to gather family in one place in a fun destination. This time we (meaning Chris) did his research first and then approached them instead of the other way around. We chose a three bedroom that sleeps 12 in hopes that if we provide the place they will come.

AND COME THEY DID!

Our time share in Orlando just opened last year so we, over Spring Break, met up with my little bro Reggie and his crew and my youngest sister Lauren and her one and only. Happily the Time Share did not disappoint. We decided that if we live in a military style row house most of the year that we wanted to be in something really nice and relaxing. Next time we go we will spend more time at the resort itself and do half as many parks. Then again all the kids will be in different stages so the experience will be new all over again.

While the cousins reunited at the fabulous pool Ryanne and I went shopping for all the snack food for the week. Something we do for our kids on trips like this that works REALLY well is buy lots of healthy snacks along with a few goodies to put in big Zip-lock bags with their names on it. With 7 kiddos in tow someone is ALWAYS hungry and this way they can snack at will.

Our first evening we spent some time goofing off at Downtown Disney.There was a Lego shop that needed exploring and some ice cream that needed to be eaten.

We got home pretty late (which became a trend for the trip) that first night but the next morning no one had to be up early except Chris & Reggie (ahem who never surfaced) to pick up Lauren and baby H. from the airport.

iPads + iPhones for 7 kids = Peaceful Meal at Cheesecake Factory for the adults.
We also spent a bit of time at the pool relaxing before the craziness of the week set in.


One day at Epcot is just not enough but we did the best we could using Strollers & Fast Passes. We caught the last week of the Garden Show where the park has topiaries of different characters throughout, some fun and some a bit creepy. Have you every seen topiary with a toupee.....it made Prince Charming not so charming.

If you asked the kids their favorite part of the day it would be the Test Track, Norway Boat Ride, Sampling Sodas from around the world, Soaring, and the new Turtle Talk. OK did I just name all the rides in the park? Oh well. Turtle talk is completely interactive and "Totally Su-weet." This computerized turtle picked S. out of the audience and answered her question along with others. It's hard to explain but it was impressive.

We also enjoyed the Oompa Band at the German Buffet along with the sausages and salads. I was surprised at how many rides have become interactive- actually putting your faces into the ride. The kids really enjoyed that.

Not sure if staying for the fireworks was a good idea but we did. They enjoyed it but it quickly turned to melt down mode with trying to exit the park.

Aunt Lauren made these awesome Toy Story themed shirts for the boys. It made it extremely easy to keep track of our three little guys in red.

Nassau, Bahamas

The night before our Bahamian adventure the Kids Club hosted Pirate Night stolen treasure and all. While Chris and I dined on Parisian Fare the kids partied Pirates of the Caribbean Style. This little turtle was Ethan's prize from the treasure hunt.

The big excursion for this stop was swimming with the dolphins at the Atlantis hotel. Since we had already done that at the Atlantis in Dubai we opted for other destinations.

The first of which was the Pirates Nassau.....

where we were greeted by this Scurvy Pirate. He really played it up for the boys so much so that Ethan began to take it seriously- a bit too seriously. Not in an 'I'm scared,' way but an "I'm bigger, stronger, and stinkier than you," way so just watch it buddy.

I had done a little research on this place before going and it had really good reviews. As we walked through town I wasn't so sure. But this museum EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS. It was on the Smithsonian level of museums. We walked through a boat, saw surgery performed by the ships carpenter, and read every single sign answering True/False questions along the way.

There was no better way to spend the afternoon with our three little scalawags.

The exit a la Disney style is through the gift shop.

And boy did Ethan shop! We really tried to convince him not to spend it all in one spot because we would be in Orlando for our last week. So he didn't spend it all on a pirate bear, treasure chest, and semi precious gems (rock tumbler rocks) but he almost did.

We then walked on and up a hill to an old fortress on Bennet's Hill for some climbing and views.

To get back down we took the Queen's Staircase.

Nassau's most visited attraction is the Queen's Staircase. Climb the 65 steps, recently renovated, carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the late 18th century, between 1793 and 1794. It is reported that slaves were forced to cut through rocks with axes and other sharp hand tools.

This 102 foot staircase was named in honor of the 65 years of Queen's Victoria's reign. Construction of this monument is still regarded as remarkable.

Our walk back to the ship was a bit adventurous. Graham decided he no longer liked his stroller and learned to unlatch the seat belt himself. The sidewalks were too crazy, narrow, and in disrepair for his two year old gait so he was carried mostly by Chris. Ethan decided he did like the stroller and after one last purchase of a large sea shell he could hear the ocean in; Zach decided to send Ethan unaided back down a steep hill in reverse almost crashing into a vendor's stall full of goods. Luckily a lady ran out and stopped the stroller just in time or Zach's long saved spending money would have been spent on lots of broken tourist trinkets in payment.

St. Thomas

We did have a bit of a plan for our port day in St. Thomas but our scheduled tour wasn't until 11:00.

After a walk around the port area we decided to visit a nearby Butterfly Farm and Bird Show.

If you must live your short butterfly life in a cage this is a beautiful setting.

I had no idea that butterflies each have their own host plant. Meaning they only lay their eggs on one kind. So all of the butterflies here are shipped in because the owner isn't allowed to breed non native butterflies in St. Thomas.

He makes sure that he doesn't have their host plants so they live their short lives eating and mating without a place to "nest".

I also learned that after the caterpillar makes it's cocoon it completely dissolves into a pool of DNA which then reforms into a butterfly.

They love fermented fruit like bananas.

We all enjoyed it, except for Graham that is. He was scared that the butterflies were getting him. Watch how fast his head whips around when one darts by.

This was a bit of a trying afternoon. Ethan had a major melt down before our tour...something about not getting his way. Then both Zach and I got motion sick on the windy road ride across the island to Ghetto.....I mean Ocean World.

The bigger boys were signed up for a submarine adventure and Graham and I were going to just roam the park. We ordered lunch while Zach recovered and Graham napped. The fruit smoothies kinda smoothed everything over.

It did rain a bit off an on but we were all in water wear so it didn't matter. Along with the roaming iguanas, there were sharks, fish, giant sea turtles, stingrays, and other hands on sea life. At the end you'll see how Graham and I passed the time while the big boys were gone.

We thought we'd have time to visit the adjacent beach but the timing didn't work out. I really enjoyed the submarine tour but overall this place was nothing to get excited about. It did offer some other pricey adventures but again we were not eligible.

So he knows lots of numbers....now we just have to work on getting them in the right order.