Not an ideal way to end a vacation
May 6, 2009 – 6:59 amWe have two hours left at the Magic Kingdom before we have to climb aboard our P.T. Cruiser (aka “the buggy”) and head to the airport. Our week at Disney World has been magical, and we really don’t want it to end.
“I think we should go on Splash Mountain,” I announce, “That would be a great way to end our trip.”
CJ shakes his head adamantly. “NO, I am NOT going on Splash Mountain.”
“Come on,” Jay pleads, “You’ll like it. Really! It’s not even as scary as some of the other rides you’ve gone on.”
But the problem with Splash Mountain is that it has this large and very visible plunge into darkness. And there’s splashing. And screams.
The drama of watching boat after boat of screaming people plunge into darkness… and not come out… is too much for CJ. He shakes his head firmly. He will not be boarding that boat.
Jay thinks for a minute and then says, “How about if I buy you a really cool toy… Like something from the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop. You can pick out any toy you want!”
CJ looks… interested. “You’ll get me TWO TOYS?”
I giggle. I can’t help it. When it comes to negotiation, CJ is the master.
“Two toys? I never said two toys…”
CJ folds his arms across his chest and frowns.
“Ok, ok, I’ll buy you two toys.”
I roll my eyes. Classic bad parenting move. Still, if it gets us one last thrill, it’s worth it.
CJ keeps his arms crossed. ”I will think about it and then I will give you my answer. If I say yes, then we can go. But if I say no, then we won’t go.” He pauses and then asks, ’Mommy are you WAITING to hear my answer?”
“Yes, CJ, I’m waiting.”
“Are you SO excited to hear what I will say?”
“Oh, I’m just dying of excitement.”
CJ grins. He’s enjoying this.
“My answer is…” He looks at me and then at Jay, raising his arm for dramatic effect. ”My answer is… YES!”
I clap my hands. “Hurray! I’m so glad you said that!”
This time Jay rolls his eyes. ”I’ll believe it when I see it. He already said yes and backed out three times.”
But I remain optimistic as we make our way towards Frontier Land. I breathe in the sweet smell of churros and sunscreen and revel in the humid warmth. Almost over…
As we approach Splash Mountain, CJ’s steps get slower and the screams grow louder. Soon he’s at a dead stand-still.
“I’m NOT going.” he says.
“But CJ, what about the TWO TOYS?”
CJ doesn’t care about the two toys. No amount of beginng or pleading is going to budge him.
Finally I look over at Jay. ”It’s useless,” I say. ”Why don’t we just go separately.”
I make my way towards the line when suddenly CJ is beside me. ”I will go, mommy!” he says, and then surprises us by actually doing it.
We ride, we plunge, we scream, we splash… we even buy the $20 picture to commemorate the event.
And then we make our way to the gift shop for CJ to pick out his TWO TOYS.
Sitting on the monorail, on our way back to the parking lot, we review our day.
“That was great,” Jay says, “Really, really fun. I’m glad we got to do one more day.”
“Me too.”
“I can’t believe I liked Splash Mountain!” says CJ, “I even want to go on it again!”
And then, before we know it we’re in our car blundering our way to the airport. And then we’re returning our rental car and then…
“Mommy? Mommy where’s the bag with my TWO TOYS and the picture from Splash Mountain?”
I look and I look but I don’t see any bag.
Jay looks.
Joe, the rental car company guy, looks.
The bag has gone missing.
And then Jay remembers. “Um, I know exactly where it is. I left it on the monorail.”
I have to stop the story at this point and pat myself on the back because I did NOT give in to my overwhelming urge to sucker punch my darling husband while shouting WHAT KIND OF AN IDIOT ARE YOU HOW COULD YOU LEAVE THE FREAKING BAG ON THE MONORAIL THAT’S $40 DOWN THE DRAIN AND LOOK AT YOUR POOR CHILD!
Instead I take a deep breath and turn to comfort CJ.
He’s sad. And then he’s angry. Very, very angry.
He announces, “Daddy you are the WORST BAG REMEMBERER EVER!”
At this point I pretty much agree. But again, I hold my tongue.
CJ is unhappy on the shuttle, unhappy at the bag check, unhappy in the security line.
An enormous bag of jelly beans helps a little. But still…
This is not an ideal way to end a vacation.
***
Updated 5/6/09 at 9:42 am
But the story doesn’t end there! Click here for the grand finale.
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By Liz@thisfullhouse on May 6, 2009 | Reply
But, in the grand scheme of things and all that, what a wonderful time you had! [blank stare] I know, but I thought I try and help out the “worst bag remeberer” a little. Mmmm, good move on the jelly beans.
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By scarlett on May 6, 2009 | Reply
well, I guess you could use it as a teaching moment and point out that the memory of how much fun it was is not at improved with toys and photo nor diminished by the loss of them…
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By MonsteRawr on May 6, 2009 | Reply
As someone who had to ask her husband to turn the car around because she left her purse in the restaurant 3 states back, I’m sympathizing hardcore with your husband. He must have felt terrible! I hope he got a giant bag of jelly beans, too.
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By Lynette on May 6, 2009 | Reply
I know the feeling! I am constantly leaving things behind. My purse, cell phone. I’ve even left money (Thank GOD the bartender was honest) My poor poor scattered brain.
Lynettes last blog post..Because I’m all about striking up conversation
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By feefifoto on May 6, 2009 | Reply
The Worst. Bag. Remberer. Ever.
I think that says it all.
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By Dumblond on May 6, 2009 | Reply
Awww man! What a bummer.
But at least you got to go to DisneyWorld!! How cool is that?!
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By Bev Stephenson on May 6, 2009 | Reply
Ring Disney - they honestly have the most amazing lost and found department of any place in the world
Tel: (407) 824-4245 between 9am and 7pm local time
I’d not be at all surprised to hear they had found it and were postingit out to you
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By Krista on May 6, 2009 | Reply
Oh that’s so frustrating!!! I’m sorry! I hate it when you lose memories like that.
I left my camera in the taxi the first night I arrived in Costa Rica… for a 4 month stay. And didn’t realize it until 3 days later. Not that it would have mattered when since Costa Rica is notorious for stuff being stolen. :(
Kristas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Dragonfly
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By Midwest Mommy on May 6, 2009 | Reply
Do they have a lost and found you can call? Hopefully they can ship it back to you. I would love to see that pic, lol!
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By Shannon on May 6, 2009 | Reply
I read the finale before the beginning, but what a great story. Glad you had such a great trip. My son agreed & backed out of the Rock’n'Roller coaster 10 times, too. And of course finally went on (twice) and loved it.
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