Flu-cation 2009

... or how I spent my teachers' convention



.... or 8 days of love, peace, and harmony {hrmph...}in the happiest place on earth (too mushy?!?)



.... or whatever... just a general recap of Disney 09.




so I suppose I will try to squeeze 30 minutes or so between diaper changes, toy fights, meals, work projects, and everything else to get some updated info available in order to keep the masses - and you know who you are ;-) - happy, so on with the show.


Anyway, you will notice many of these pictures have only a portion of the brood, and either Susan or me because we tried to do as much as possible with everyone while the infirmed were resting in the villa.


So for the basic story... we had a lovely flight out of AC to Orlando - I mean you can't beat it... out the door at 4 AM and in warm, sunny Orlando by 8:15, the gates of Disney by 9, and in the pool by 10. Of course it goes downhill from there as we shuttled Olivia over to Urgent Care (PS - not so urgent as much as a walk-in clinic for those who may be interested) by 2 PM that afternoon.... 2 1/2 hours and a positive H1N1 later, and it was bedbound with Tamiflu. In the meantime, the rest of the crew had plans for dinner. I guess Tae wasn't so happy about it, but definitely priceless. Otherwise, Kira had fun with Tigger, Eyeore, and Piglet. Even Cooper enjoyed a visit from Piglet. And it seems the only way for Tae to have fun with the characters is when they sneak up on him... otherwise, characters are persona non grata in Tae's world.

And we always have to greet Ariel when we get in... just has to do it in shifts this year. And a lot of time was spent by the pool this year... Tae's first experience was a positive one. Kira without swimmies this year, YAHOO!!! and Liv just before the plummet and relinquishment to isolation. Even Mimi got a few hours out poolside.

So while the sick rested, the others got out for a little fun.... you would think by this look that Kira was heading into some hugely scary ride, and not small world. Fan favorite, the Carousel, was another stop along the way for Cooper and Kira. Minnie's house offered some entertainment for all. Toontown has the slow pace for the kids.. and I just love pictures of the castle.. just reminds me of fun and happy times. And for Tae's first, time he seemed to find fun, even when waiting for his brother and sisters to come off a ride... cell phones offer wonderful entertainment... and things are much better when you can stand and walk around; Pooh's playland offered a nice diversion... and I know I am biased, but I happen to think the kid is darned cute. But I guess all the time in the room wasn't all bad as Olivia was able to garner

'Artist of the Day' at the Beach Club... and Kira was all proud to be sister of the artist of the day.

And finally, it was nice when we could all get out and participate a little. And of course, this tends to be when the boys are best behaved... go figure. Woody and Jessie take time to welcome the girls. Nice breakfast with the characters at Chef Mickey's. Donald Duck welcomes the kids... and of course Aunt Babette's favorite, Goofy!! Minnie shares a moment between sugary breakfast vittles. And Pluto joined the crowd... but don't interrupt Cooper's breakfast. Even waiting for everyone to gather together is enjoyable.. Mimi and Liv share a moment.

And what would a trip to Disney be without the morning ritual of dad taking the kids for a walk to the Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast and a little exercise. Funny to see the difference between the morning before daylight savings time, and only a few days later when the clocks changed. A night our for Mom and Dad (and Tae...)... yeah, that's right notice the Eagle jersey on the day of their huge destruction of the Giants... {insert loud, boisterous laugh!!)

And of course, the fun of Halloween.... Can you determine the theme??? Cooper, possibly the first Korean-American Peter Pan?? And Tae, one of Captain Hook's pirate henchmen. Me and my boys... Olivia as Tinkerbell after only 2 days on Tamiflu... and of course we have to have the one who has to be different... Kira as Cinderella. Nice to see the boys share a peaceful moment. And how great for Aunt Babette and Uncle Donald to join the party. Mom as Wendy with Cinderella. Hmmm... Aunt Babette as Goofy, Uncle Donald as Grumpy.. what's that phrase about perception and reality becoming one in the same??? And the kids enjoyed the fountains outside Wolfgang Puck's. And what's the deal, why won't anyone come close to me?!?!? And yes, real men wear silk dickies, you got a problem with that? And perhaps a few of my favorite pictures of all time... mom and Tae just having a few quiet moments. How cool is this picture??

And finally, nothing like a few sisterly moments.... and some quiet reflection. Tae says "I hope you enjoyed the update... Love You ALL!!!"

For those of you who haven't completely bugged out looking at all the pictures, or are just gluttons for punishment, feel free to check out the remainder of the slideshow.

For now, I bid you adieu.... be well.... will check back in with Olivia's 9th (yeah that's right 9th!!! birthday), Thankgiving, and winter holidays.

S