Coffee on the Verandah -The Last Slide, Recap & Souvies 5/29 - Link to Aulani TR 5/31

[Poolrat]

Yikes Missing children. Well Teenage child but ugh. I am sure she was lost and trying to find her way around bur it probably would have been better if she had taken the phone.



Adult area looks great and sorry it took so long to find it but it looks like no one else even looked.




NYE---- I am booked BCV Dec 28 - Jan 4 for me easy peasy. Did the first 7 on Mon the 28th and then actually emailed this morning to add the extra day. Sent it this morning by the time I was going home I had the confirmation email.

 

[momof2TNboys]

Great update! The adult area does seem confusing. Looks like you had a pretty relaxing day though. I am not a huge fan of cruising. I think a 3 or 4 day would be enough for me. I went on a 2 week cruise to Hawaii with my parents and I was so bored!! I want to try the 4 day Disney Cruise though. Looks like a lot of fun!

 

[natebenma]

Finally have a few minutes to sit down and actually comment on your post.

I like the picture of the two of you. Really cute hat! Must have been tough keeping it on in the wind, though.

on finding the super secret adult spot! We have done that on a cruise before, when the last day was the only day at sea. We found parts of the ship that we didn't know were there.

Swag every day? Cool!!!

Neat idea to get some nibblies from room service.

 

[eandesmom]

Very cool - I am glad things are working out well for the reservation! You're in the home stretch now. Glad that the treehouses won't be an issue!

Yep, THV looks wide and clear so unless something dramatic changes over the weekend I'll just book online on Monday and probably not at 5am!

BWV is completely gone for all 2B and studios categories for New Years, starting that Sunday prior, some the Sat. Still availability for a 1B though for pool or standard which is a bit surprising. I'm glad I walked and honestly with as many site issues as they've had I keep checking to make nothing has been messed up.

I am going to come back and read up last update on my computer, complete with pictures. I have it here, but happened to be working on this computer when the irresistable pull of the DIS boards hit me.

I know the pull well!

I know it has to be due to the angle and perspective of the picture, but that thing looks like a kiddy pool and 2 5 gallon buckets.

I think it is pretty much. Possibly why no teens were at it!

I'm sorry it took so long to find a good location. That's how it always works, it is the last place you'd look. I guess that's why it is so quiet and peaceful there.

It is always how it works, why is that?

The whole spa situation would really be stressing me out too. It would be a little harder to unwind and relax after worrying about getting everything taken care of there too. All in all though, it looks like it was a nice afternoon to try to read, drink and relax by the pool.

Were it not for the wind we'd honestly have been happy as clams where we were. Nice and close to the music, good people watching but not busy at the same time.

hmmm, coffee on the veranda while the kids were away?

Now now, coffee is a morning beverage don't you think? Or late night....with baileys...

too bad it took so long to find that extra adult area, hope you were able to use it again.

smart move on keeping wine glasses from the first night, much classier than my drink from the bottle or syrafoam coffee cups

Well given that it was our only at sea day due to the short cruise, no, we didn't make it back there.

True, we could have used the small drink cups from the refill station

Or our colored hurricanes from the first day DOTD. Which we did have as back up if needed.

For a relaxing, do-nothing afternoon, you guys were sure busy!

Our version of relax and do nothing

The adult pool area looks like a joke. There is hardly any room there.

Glad you found the bigger area.

It was VERY small. I'd read about it and heard the complaints so expected it but still it boggles my mind. You make a ship that holds 1,000 more passengers and other than a pool for the TEENS you make the other pools smaller?????? Not to mention how they mucked up the location of the adult pool. I mean I get it, as a parent you do kind of want to be close to the kids pools in case they need you but, not as a through-way!

That cheese plate and wine looks good!

It was!

I think that those ships have a serious design flaw with the adult deck. It should have an adult only entrance and not have a bunch of people and children wandering through it to get to other areas. I know that it is a Disney cruise, but I like my adult time too!

I couldn't agree more. They did such a better job of it on the Wonder/Magic I can't understand why they'd change it like that?

Sounds like you had a bit of a stressful morning, but I'm glad that Kendall made it!

A bit but overall, pretty darn lovely. Brunch, pool, drinks, loungers....it didn't suck!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh the picture of you Jeff together is so cute! I love your hat!

Thanks! I love that hat, it's my only true "sun hat" and I've had it for eons. You can totally squash it into anything without wrecking it, it's wonderful for travel.

It's too bad that you didn't find the adult-only section sooner. It looks quite nice.

It is too bad, although we probably wouldn't have been able to hear the music nearly as well and despite the wind, we did enjoy that!

So now I know the correct location to get away from all kids. Cool! Sorry it took you so long to find it. There must be so many little (and big) nooks and crannies on that ship.

Oh my word, there are! And some are SOOOO big and some are SOOO small!

Glad Kendall was able to at least get a pedi. Better than nothing.

Yep, and it saved me some $$ too!

So the moral of this story is I better send a Wave phone everywhere with Denny because he is certain to get lost and misplaced.

they are handy although we were always challenged with the text feature.

Great updates!

Your meal at the Royal Palace looks very yummy and your family picture and the individual shots turned out great!!

Thanks! It was a lovely night all around

Your Palo brunch looked wonderful as well. YUM!

Wow! The adult pool does look small….and crowded. So much for relaxation there. Glad you were able to find a more relaxing spot!

Palo was absolutely wonderful. That pool was crazy small, we didn't even go in it!

Full bikini? Hot mama! You're motivating me to do a few sit ups right here in my office.

Ugh. Not.

I need to figure out something I can do for my core without injuring my neck. It is making me crazy.

I broke down and got a new suit for Hawaii in the right size. Now that is motivating, as it doesn't exactly have the "flexiblity" that a string bikini does (I wanted something that would will stay on in surf lol). I figure I have another month to be a sloth and then better start behaving. Winter is hard. All I want is mac and cheese, wine and...mac and cheese, wine and...



Oh wait, that's what I had for dinner. Don't get me wrong, I do hit the gym 3-4x a week but thanks to the dumb neck and elbow I am limited in what I can do and it's making me a bit nutty.

Great update. I think Michael really needs to reevaluate his whole anti-cruise stance. I think he'd like the whole checking in with kids thing while we do our own thing.

I think he would and I think your kids would be hooked. Ok so maybe you shouldn't go.

Great update! I hated where the adult only area was on the ship. I really felt bad when you walked through there with Jeremy. It was all so confusing anyway and if you ended up on that elevator there was no way to avoid it. Funny thing was that it was never crowded like it was on your day. Tom and I had it to ourself one day while Jeremy was in the other pool watching funnel vision.

Wow, must be the difference in the time of year? It is a horrible location, I really can't imagine what they were thinking. I know that you want to be semi accessible for your kids if they are at either of the other pools but really? Not well done at all.

Anxious to see what you did. Oh, and did you book another cruise? I hadn't heard about that. How exciting if you did!! I am looking at a 7 day for 2014. Summer is getting hard to plan with all of Jeremys scout camps and 4-H plus I go to an annual conference in the summer each year. Trying to find a right time that will work with Tom taking minimal vacation time.

We booked a dummy cruise. Right not it's been moved to an Eastern on the Fantasy for August of 2014 (around the 23rd I think) but Jeff is of the mindset of Med, or nothing. And I'm not sure flights to Europe (if the Magic even goes there, don't know yet) are going to be in the budget for that summer. So, we will see. It is nice to have a placeholder booked and I like the itinerary and price (is livable at least) even if I don't like the time of year so much. Plus (and I found this out later) a whole bunch of folks that were in our FE on the Alaska cruise are booked on the same one. So that's kind of fun!

 

[eandesmom]

Lots of drama for a relaxing afternoon! I'm glad you were finally able to find a spot to get away from the crowds/kids/wind. Whew!

Ah well it wouldn't be a eandesmom TR without drama now, would it?

I am a big fan of hiding. From crowds, kids, wind....other things I'm sure.

Overall a very nice day with a few annoying moments.

Great update, Cynthia. However, your "do nothing day" seems to have been a lot of doing a lot of somethings.

Story of my life huh! And hey, for us, that was a do nothing day. Even in retrospect!

Too bad you didn't find the more "private adult area" until later in the pool time. I thought your self-portrait turned out just fine.

Glad that Kendall finally found her way to the spa and at least got part of her treatment. And if I were the boys ages, I'd probably rather do the Aquaduck rather than a comedy show myself.

If I were them, I would too! I am glad she at least got something, and that she was trying to make it. Overall it really was a lovely day! I could have skipped the wind but at least it wasn't raining. The risk of sailing during hurricane season.

I took something for my back two hours ago (so I'm not currently the sharpest knive in the drawer) and have no idea what to say about your room situation for NYE other than I really hope it all works out and you get exactly what you want...

Oh I hope you are feeling better, that sounds like a nasty fall! I was able to get what I wanted for the 1st part of the trip, I'll be booking the 2nd part on Monday. Very happy and glad I walked it, it is now completely gone for all 2B's, any view from the 29th-31st and for some the 28th-31st. The new members site has been crashing like crazy and had I not walked it is very likely I'd have not gotten it at all on my 11m day. Worth a couple of extra phone calls for sure.

The brunch at Palo looks yummy... it's weird that more people aren't there... Sleeping still...?

I have no idea! It was so odd to me. Still is.

I love the adult area that you eventually found... that would so totally be me... Very pretty part of ship... great design...

It is very pretty and oh, those loungers were SO much nicer!

I have to say I'm on you with the Kendall thing... I think I'd have needed more check in time... but a lot of men seem more laid back with the kind of thing... I think it was nice that she still got to get a pedicure...

I am very glad something worked out for her and she seemed to enjoy it. It's a funny thing, I can't really insist on the check in, as the stepmom it's not my role but oh at times it drove me nuts on the ship.

I'm sure that David would have absolutely preferred doing the Aqua Duck to just about anything else...

you are rockin that 'kini...

What tween/teen boy woudn't? We got it and happily made some alternate arrangements

Thanks

First off, before I forget, thanks for the french onion soup recipe. Made it this weekend and... YUM!!!! Not as good as if sitting in "France" and being served by a cute waiter but a close second.

I'm so glad you liked it! I thought the broth had lovely flavor. NO, not the same as being in france with a cute waiter (though I always seem to get a waitress in france...what is up with that?)

I would have been so stressed worrying over whether Kendall would make it to her appointment. Glad she got there even if it was only for a partial treatment.

I was stressed, annoyed, relieved and then finally, relaxed. I am glad she got something too!

Have to say that the photos of the pools on the Disney (& other) cruise lines scare me. I know there are a hundred other activities to do while onboard but I am a beach bum at heart. I love the lounge chair and parking it there with a good book. It looks so small!! But then again there is Castaway Cay... which looks like

Well the larger upper deck is lovely for just parking if you don't need to be "in" the pool. And yes, CC has a lovely adult only beach.

It seems there must be a reason why all cruise ship pools are so small relative to the number of passengers. I just don't know what it is!

I'm sure there is a design or economic (or both) reason but for the life of me I don't get it either. It's funny, I don't know where my head was but I didn't take much in the way of pics of the other pools...which were also quite small.

I can totally see why Kendall got lost - she probably didn't think she should be near the adult area and had to work around/through that to find the spa! Well at least she got her pedi!

Oh I can definitely see how she got lost, Jeff and I have our own adventure coming up.

Lots of people complain about that design flaw with the adult area - don't you also have to go through cabanas to go to the pool deck or something weird?

No, Cabanas is on the same deck but opposite end of the ship. But if you were turned around...pretty easy to take the elevator up to where you think it opens into Cabanas and...you are at the spa/fitness center and adult pool

You look awesome in that bikini! All that exercise is worth it. Almost inspires me to start working out. Almost.

What could you do with your free time?...hmm...gosh, I have no idea.

Thanks! I am having a hard time at this time of year not indulging in comfort goods. I need to cut it out though for Hawaii! I've been pretty good about the gym though there is still a lot I can't do for fear of injury and that is frustrating me a lot but what can you do? Shopping for the trip will hopefully help me stay on track.

 

[eandesmom]

Doesn't seem to be the best design for a ship does it, very claustrophobic. Glad Kendall made her pedi, as the spa is pretty expensive it would have been terrible to lose the money. I've had 2 massages on board but not sure I will again because of the cost even with my bad back.

I had a mani/pedi on the Wonder and loved it. I would have liked to do it on the Dream but it just wasn't in the budget. I'm always leery of spa massages, they seem to be very nice but never as deep and therapeutic as I'd like. Not to mention crazy overpriced! Of course I do have one booked for Aualni so I am completely contradicting what i just wrote.

I'm glad that Kendall made it to part of her appointment and didn't miss the whole thing. I'm sure the inability to communicate was frustrating. Everyone's on vacation, so you want them to have fun...but every so often, information needs to be conveyed, right?

Yes, unfortunately the telepathy thing just wasn't working! I am glad she made it too, I think it was a fun treat for her.

That adult pool didn't look like my thing -- a little too close quarters.

Yep, which is why we stayed a deck up! Not to mention it felt really enclosed with just the layout, even without all the people and no place for a lounger in the sun on the actual deck the pool was on.

Yikes Missing children. Well Teenage child but ugh. I am sure she was lost and trying to find her way around bur it probably would have been better if she had taken the phone.

Yes, but then again she'd have needed to remember how to use said phone which was a bit of a problem as well. in all fairness it's a little odd how they work and we had issues with them as well. The boys had it down though. When they had them. We typcially didn't let them take them, the $250 lost phone fee is a big deterrent for me, I'd rather have a lost child. Not really but...the white board helped a LOT. Old school texting.

Adult area looks great and sorry it took so long to find it but it looks like no one else even looked.

It was so odd, just packed in spots and so not in others.

NYE---- I am booked BCV Dec 28 - Jan 4 for me easy peasy. Did the first 7 on Mon the 28th and then actually emailed this morning to add the extra day. Sent it this morning by the time I was going home I had the confirmation email.

I didn't know you could email to add a day, that's pretty cool! We will be neighbors!!! Booked 29-4 at BWV and will add 4-7 at THV on Monday.

Great update! The adult area does seem confusing. Looks like you had a pretty relaxing day though. I am not a huge fan of cruising. I think a 3 or 4 day would be enough for me. I went on a 2 week cruise to Hawaii with my parents and I was so bored!! I want to try the 4 day Disney Cruise though. Looks like a lot of fun!

2 weeks would be too much, 4 nights was actually too short, I think 5-7 nights is just right as long as it has some ports you like. The Hawaii ones, if leaving from CA are a LOT of sea days! No thanks. I like the at sea days mind you but not that many.

Overall it was a very lovely day.

Finally have a few minutes to sit down and actually comment on your post.

I like the picture of the two of you. Really cute hat! Must have been tough keeping it on in the wind, though.

It's funny but it's actually very well fitted so stays on surprisingly well in most situations. I've had it forever and love it as I can just squash it into anything for packing.

on finding the super secret adult spot! We have done that on a cruise before, when the last day was the only day at sea. We found parts of the ship that we didn't know were there.

Swag every day? Cool!!!

Neat idea to get some nibblies from room service.

Yep, DVC swag every day if you swing by the booth. VERY cool and talk about zero pressure, they were just happy to chat! We did a lot of exploring and found stuff and couldn't find stuff we swore was there. It was so funny!

The fruit and cheese plate is just lovely, a very fun treat.

 

[eandesmom]

Life has gotten away from me this past week. Crazy busy in good ways, and sad ways. It's been full of soccer games, jazz festivals, joint concerts, a spontaneous superbowl party of sorts and well, work. It's also been a bit sad, we spent most of Saturday at a memorial for Jeff's co worker and then went straight to a fundraiser for the couple I've mentioned before who are both battling different cancers.

God does work in his own ways though. As sad as the death of Jeff's friend and co worker was, a single man with no family, it was lovely to see such a large turnout at the service and a family of it's own, work, band together to celebrate his life. He did have a family, a strong and connected one, just different from what might be considered traditional. The fundraiser for our friends then raised almost $16,000 which was beautiful to see. A dear HS friend who has been battling lymphoma and seemed to be in remission after a successful stem cell transplant is back battling the monster but there has been good news in the midst of it for her as well. I don't know about all of you, other than so far 2013 has been tough for lots of folks but focusing on the good news really does help to trudge through the bad.

It's been very musical around here, Evan had a full day Jazz festival last Friday that I attended. It has been a LONG time since I chaperoned anything. Between work and the fact that my kids acted worse if I was there it just hasn't made sense for most things. This one worked out and not only did I get to hear some great music, my child actually told me he really liked having me there. On Monday, both boys had a concert together. Which hasn't happened...ever. They attended different elementary schools beginning when Eric was in 2nd grade and so at that point we realized they wouldn't be together again until Eric was in 9th and Evan 11th! Not entirely true. On Monday all the 6th graders from our side of the school district did a concert with the Wind Ensemble from the Middle School and the Marching Band from the HS. I have a huge soft spot for this event. It really is what I call "the 6th grade sales job" as those kids are just starting middle school registration and choose to continue in music or not but you know what? It works. Evan walked in to that concert 2 years ago thinking he was quitting band. He walked out a changed kid. I'll confess, 2 years ago, hearing that middle school Wind Ensemble play made me as a parent resolve to not let him quit but honestly at the level he was at then, I didn't think in a million years he'd be part of that group 2 years later being part of a very inspirational group showing those 6th graders that yes, you can do music, honors classes, and sports and a language and not only survive, but thrive.

We will have another similar event in about a month with the 6th grade honor band and the top Jazz Band from the middle school which both boys are in and I'm looking forward to that. Then we will have a 2, really almost 3, year hiatus until they are in Marching Band together. Assuming it all sticks. But....since said marching band will be going to Ireland again in 2016, they are pretty motivated to stick it out. Plus they actually like it! Music that is, can't say yet on the Marching Band part. I think they just want the kilt.

In other exciting news it looks like Kendall is headed to France this summer with her French Class. Not entirely sure how that will play out with summer soccer, college visits and ID camps but it is an amazing opportunity and somehow we will all pull it off.

I've also been busy on the Disney trip front a few updates there

Aulani
I've started shopping. I think it's the January/February gloom and some decent sales getting to me but I have picked up a new swim suit, 2 tank tops and another one is on the way. All that's left is maybe some shorts if I can find something I like that is at the right price, both of which I'm struggling with, and maybe a pair of sandals. I do have my eye on another swim suit and if I am able to get a discount may pick it up in March but we will see.

WDW NYE Trip
Oh there has been drama here! I'll start with the fun stuff. We do have our villa's booked!

12/29-1/4 at BWV, in a Boardwalk View 2 bedroom.
1/4-1/7 at THV

In those villas we have 3 adults and 5 tween/teen boys. (12/13/14/14/15)



It lays out pretty well at the BWV with an air mattress (throwing ALL the boys in the studio portion) but I can't quite figure out THV. I've decided I won't try to either, at least not yet. Dates for others could change between now and the 7 month mark and as much as my 2 want a treehouse, I'm not opposed to changing that ressie if I need to and with those dates probably can at 7m. The good news is at least I was able to confirm their school winter break for next year. The E's will miss 2 days which I am ok with. Not sure that the other parents will want the same for their (or that the one nephew will have the same dates) plus my sister may have to be back earlier for work. So in my mind those dates are pretty movable for the 4 of us, I just hope we will have some idea of the rest the group's dates by then (those in the villa anyway). It is possible we won't though. My sister that is in the villa is just finishing up getting her teaching certificate. It is almost certain that by May 29, our 7m day, she will not have a job lined up yet as most around here don't seem to do their hiring until right before school starts, or even just after when they get approved for additional headcount.

I did "walk" the Boardwalk reservation for 3 days and am glad I did. Of course I am now terrified that it will be too noisy for Jeff and he will whine about it for 6 nights, even though he was the most insistent on having that. I'm packing earplugs.

As you may recall, the group is so large that we won't all fit in one 2B. I don't have enough points for villas for all. The original plan had been to have the others do a couple of studios on cash, hopefully with my member discount on a few days. My parents, bless their hearts, are vacationing maniacs. They are taking my nephew on a Alaska cruise this summer (they take each boy somewhere in the US of their choosing at 14), they are going on a 2 week River Cruise in Europe right after that and then just 3 months later is our Disney trip. As a result all of a sudden they didn't want to pay for a deluxe hotel. My youngest sister, the other cash room at present was ok with spending less as her DH is not remotely sold on going at all. My mom and I spent a good hour on the phone going over options and (I) thought we had a plan.

We met for lunch on MLK day and here is where it stands.

Youngest sis wants Swan/Dolphin. Which had they booked then they could have got a killer rate for the 29-31st. Jan rates weren't out yet. They are partially out now and it's gone up. Hopefully it will go back down. She and her DH are probably looking at 5-6 nights which means we will have to do HP earlier in the trip than is ideal for me.

Mom is pushing for POP of all places. I think she's insane. At the holiday rack rates both Swolphin or a Mod aren't that much more. When she and I had chatted on the phone POR/PORFQ had been in the front running so it was a bit of a shock to me. She doesn't seem to understand that getting a king bed is not guaranteed. Good news is little sis thinks she's insane too and is leaning pretty hard on her so I don't have to.

Dad. Well my dad is showing his cheap Scot side. He wants to look at offsite locations that have shuttles to the parks. All I can do is present the challenges with that, the loss of EMH and the large chunk of time they will spend getting back to their hotel. His take is he will just be sleeping there so who cares. Which is a valid point but the tradeoffs, for what he might save, just aren't there for me. Youngest sis is leaning hard on him too.

BIL. Just sits there and goes "whatever"

LOL! About the only thing that was decided at lunch was one day at IOA only for Harry Potter, the rest have no interest, or not enough, in Universal so it will be a one day outing.

In other drama, as you might recall our current villa line up included my sister, her 2 boys and my youngest brothers youngest (how is that for confusing!). My brother as well as his ex are both wildcards for the trip. originally wildcards as their oldest (my godson)will be in Austria for a year, starting in July, for a year abroad program in HS. Between the cost of sending him and the thought that my brother would go visit at some point (even though they are not supposed to) they weren't sure they could afford to go themselves though both want to. Separately of course. However, apparently my brother is even more of a wildcard than I'd thought. He invited himself and his boys over for the superbowl (it was pretty funny how it went down) which ended up being a lot of fun for all of us, they don't live as close as my sister and her 2 boys so it was great to have the other 2 over. Apparently he was laid off starting 1/1 and has some grand plans to start a business so....we will see how that all plays out.

Last but not least the middle sister who is in our villa now? Things are getting more serious between her and the guy she is dating, who has 2 girls of his own and is like my sister, the primary parent. I have NO idea how that may or may not impact things, but it could. Love him, love his girls (in the same age ranges as the boys)but, OY.

And that, for the moment, is how my world turns. I will have the rest of our night up in the not to distant future, I promise.

 

[afwdwfan]

First of all, I'm sorry to hear about some of the bad things that have been going on, but at least you've been able to find silver linings amidst the doom and gloom.

Secondly, congratulations to the E's on their musical accomplishments and good luck to them in their upcoming concert. I'm sure it will be very nice to be able to see them both perform together. And I'm not really sure what to make of the fact that your company was appreciated as a chaperone...

And for the upcoming trip planning. Good luck. It looks like you'll have a lot of challenges to work through. On the positive side, it should keep you busy planning Disney trips and I can think of worse things to be doing.

 

[dizneeat]

Wow! You've got a lot going on ...........
I would be overwhelmed with it all.

So your godson is coming to visit me in Austria? Any idea where he will be staying? What about aunt Cynthia coming to visit him ?

 

[glennbo123]

All I know is....if anyone can stay on top of that turning world, it's you!

I'm glad that your boys are staying involved with music. Lauren's still doing marching band in college. James is in junior-high band, which in our district is the tough one -- I don't want to bash the teacher, but kids seem to lose interest at this point, but they enjoy it if they can last until high school. Marlene is the funny one -- she was dead-set against marching band a couple of years ago. She wanted to do concert band, but not marching band. She was even working out every day over the summer (a couple of years ago) so that she could make the volleyball team, in hopes of getting out of marching band. It didn't work, but it turns out that she LOVES marching band. And now she's a huge advocate. She went to James' Christmas concert and sought-out the 8th grade flute players to make sure that they were going to continue-on next year.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Wow, you've got a lot going on! I'm sorry to hear about your DH's coworker who passed, and your friends who are battling cancer. I'm glad that the fundraiser went so well though - it is wonderful to see people pull together for things like that.

Buying stuff for Aulani must be exciting! I really need to get there some day.

I hope that you can sort out your rooms, people, and dates situations without too much trouble! There are way more "wildcards" than I'd be comfortable with!

 

[rentayenta]

Our weeks sound similar in terms of sadness. I leave for my cousin's funeral on Friday. I'm chalking up Feb 2013 to total crap.

Bathing suit shopping? I need to do that too but emotionally I;m not ready.


I'm glad you got your villas!

 

[KatMark]

All I can say is wow! I don't know how you do it.

I'm sorry to hear about Jeff's coworker.

That was a nice success in the fundraising department for your friends. Congratulations.

Nice purchases for your trips.

And glad you got your rooms for NYE. Sorry your mom and dad are being undecisive and hope that all gets settled soon.

 

[englishrose47]

Cynthia , How in the World do you do it !!!My mind is spinning !!!!I tookthe day off today from my full time job as I had 2 meetings for my part time jobSome day off!! Well it started off wonderfully with Breakfast out with Kyle and Judy as Kyle was receiving Student of the montn for his class , so of course I had to go !! Then I was OFF to meeting #1 and then to the car wash as some sweet sould had egged my car , took 2 trips through plus detailing to remove it Not even sure if it happened on my block or at work !! Then it was time to pay billsand off to the Post Office to mail them where I encounted a huge line as some guy was mailing 50+ packages and a woman whose english was poor thought the guy could pay her bills I think !!It was ridiculous !! Then it was time for meeting #2 Sooo not exactly a fun filled day

 

[MEK]

I'm very sorry to hear about Jeff's coworker as well, but happy to hear the fundraiser for your other friends was very successful.

The E's sound very busy but I am happy to hear they are both so passionate about music.

France this summer for K sounds wonderful.

Yeah for getting your reservation. Boo for the difficulties that are bound to arise for the people unsure about their accommodations.

However, I gotta say that for the money the rest of the group could probably find a rental car and a house for cheaper than POP. How about Bonnet Creek as a possibility for the rest of the crew? I'm honestly not sure how many still need accommodations. You know I always have trouble following your trip plans.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oy. Just. Oy!

All you've got going on makes my head spin. Life just gets nuts and we just have to plow through it, right? We are in the midst of one of our busiest weeks, and I will be so glad when it's over!! Sunday night! Luckily for me, I get to go on a girls' weekend scrapbooking tomorrow night! Have to come back early for more kid stuff, but that's okay. I get a couple nights/days away!

I'm glad things are working out (at least some of it!) for your future trips!
France sounds great!
How fun that the Es are getting so into the music and playing together too.

 

[MeMom]

You certainly have a full plate.

I am glad that the boys are into music. I have always been a bit envious of people who can play instruments, as I have had no talent for that ever.

A trip to Ireland will be a nice perk! How cool!

 

[natebenma]

Just wow! That is a lot going on!

I'm glad that some of the sadder events of your week were counterbalanced by some really special family events. I love the way you shared the importance of the 6th grade concert- it made it a lot more meaningful to read about.

I can't even imagine what it is like trying to plan a trip for a group as large as you have for NYE, especially with so many people with situations "up in the air"

And who in their right mind would go to Disney with all those teens?

Oh. Wait.

Never mind!

 

[eandesmom]

First of all, I'm sorry to hear about some of the bad things that have been going on, but at least you've been able to find silver linings amidst the doom and gloom.

I have to or I'd lose my mind! There is always a silver lining though, sometimes they are hard to find.

And I'm not really sure what to make of the fact that your company was appreciated as a chaperone...

I'm not either!

And for the upcoming trip planning. Good luck. It looks like you'll have a lot of challenges to work through. On the positive side, it should keep you busy planning Disney trips and I can think of worse things to be doing.

Oh no more challenges than any other trip and yes, planning Disney trips is a great way to keep busy and make the time go by.

Wow! You've got a lot going on ...........
I would be overwhelmed with it all.

I think you've got just as much Karin but your trip is MUCH closer! Actually more than one of your trips is closer

So your godson is coming to visit me in Austria? Any idea where he will be staying? What about aunt Cynthia coming to visit him ?

It's a year long exchange student program. He won't know who the host family is for quite some time so no idea exactly where in Austria. He just found out the country about a month ago. He's actually not supposed to have visitors, or come home to visit, to help with the immersion. Or at least it's strongly discouraged. It will likely not play out that way as my brother does live in Germany so I know that finagling is already going on for holidays etc. But it does mean he will miss the family Disney trip which we are all bummed about.

All I know is....if anyone can stay on top of that turning world, it's you!

At the moment I'm trying to let it spin on it's own. Control what you can and let the rest go.

I'm glad that your boys are staying involved with music. Lauren's still doing marching band in college. James is in junior-high band, which in our district is the tough one -- I don't want to bash the teacher, but kids seem to lose interest at this point, but they enjoy it if they can last until high school. Marlene is the funny one -- she was dead-set against marching band a couple of years ago. She wanted to do concert band, but not marching band. She was even working out every day over the summer (a couple of years ago) so that she could make the volleyball team, in hopes of getting out of marching band. It didn't work, but it turns out that she LOVES marching band. And now she's a huge advocate. She went to James' Christmas concert and sought-out the 8th grade flute players to make sure that they were going to continue-on next year.

That is great that Lauren is still doing it in college! I only did it for 2 years of HS and then moved on to cheer and flags so was peripherally involved in marching band but did vocal jazz for the last 2 years of HS. Jeff did it through MS but at some point bailed and he really regrets it. It's a pretty big focus in our house and it's part of all 4 kids lives and that makes us happy. Although I'm not sure music major would have been our first choice for Taylor, he is enjoying it and Kendall loves choir. The boys have spoken of having interest in doing marching band in college but who knows how they will feel by then. We are very lucky to have an incredible middle school program but even with that it's hard to compete with all the other things kids want to do, I've seen enrollment in music go down just in the 3 years I've been tracking it. Evan has a huge group at his grade but the 7th grade group is quite a bit smaller. I do believe there is a strong correlation between music and academic success and hope they continue. Of course knowing that the HS band will be going to Ireland to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin is a pretty good carrot to dangle.

Wow, you've got a lot going on! I'm sorry to hear about your DH's coworker who passed, and your friends who are battling cancer. I'm glad that the fundraiser went so well though - it is wonderful to see people pull together for things like that.

Both events were really nice. Sad but nice at the same time.

Buying stuff for Aulani must be exciting! I really need to get there some day.

I wish that day was sooner, May seems SO far away!

I hope that you can sort out your rooms, people, and dates situations without too much trouble! There are way more "wildcards" than I'd be comfortable with!

Honestly, they are big people and they need to sort it out. I'm really trying to focus on what I can control and what I can't. They seem more interested in plotting ADR's!

Our weeks sound similar in terms of sadness. I leave for my cousin's funeral on Friday. I'm chalking up Feb 2013 to total crap.

Nothing is total crap. You've started to plan an amazing trip for Josh and I bet there is something else magical in the midst of all the other yuck too. It's just hard to see.

Bathing suit shopping? I need to do that too but emotionally I;m not ready.

Emotionally

Ok that's funny. Online baby, that's the only way to go. Plus in Jan/Feb you can sometimes snap up great items on sale. If it doesn't fit, it goes back, easy peasy! 2 years ago I snagged a bunch of pieces up for dirt cheap but they are starting to show their wear a bit. More importantly I wanted something that if we did anything more active in the surf, that I wouldn't have to worry about KWIM? Sadly the deals weren't quite as good but I did get one I like that could take a good hit by the waves if needed. They are so stinking expensive it drives me nuts. I've found 2 brands I like that fit right so I'm at the point where honestly, I don't look elsewhere. If nothing else it will keep me on track as it is a size smaller than the previous ones and I swear I'm somewhere in between the 2 sizes. It works but I have to be good between now and then. Healthy fear is not a bad thing.

Shorts though are the bane of my existence. It should not be that hard to find shorts.

I'm glad you got your villas!

Me too!