BAND GEEKS Takin' Over the World! LINK TO NEW TR!! Go to last page 10/17

[dddisrunner]

Welcome Back Sooze! Hooray for school being over!!! I hope your computer is up and working soon! Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip!

[timandlesley]

Bring it on! Can't wait Sooze, hoping I get to see a video of the American Idol experience before we leave! Are you still up for meeting on the 20th before we leave?
Lesley

[Sooze]

Originally Posted by dddisrunner

Welcome Back Sooze! Hooray for school being over!!! I hope your computer is up and working soon! Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip!

Hey there! We are still waiting on the computer... Matt ordered it Sunday... so we're just waiting around for it to show up...

Can't wait to get back to the DIS... I miss everyone!

Originally Posted by timandlesley

Bring it on! Can't wait Sooze, hoping I get to see a video of the American Idol experience before we leave! Are you still up for meeting on the 20th before we leave?
Lesley

Sorry Lesley, there is NO video evidence of my AI experience I would've shelled out big bucks for one, too... but they didn't even offer it.

I am ABSOLUTELY still up for meeting on the 20th. We can hash out details on Facebook!! We are very excited about finally hanging out with you guys for a bit!

[Sooze]

While I'm waiting for the computer (which, according to the tracking # is on a Fed Ex truck in Indianapolis TODAY!!!), I figured I could do a little update about the souvies I got for the class!

I took Tim's amazing idea and went with it! On our last day at each park, I snagged about 30 maps. I was able to bring them home neatly and got to present each student in my class with a fresh map from each of the four parks. They were so excited to open them up and look at all of the great places to go! Only a few of my kids have ever been to Disney (I teach in a pretty low socio-economic area), so it was fun for them to see what is there.

After they browsed for a few minutes, we did some map activities! We looked at the map keys and I quizzed them on what symbols on the map meant. We listed some things that the kids would love to do or see most. Finally, I gave them a times guide for Animal Kingdom. We decided if we were able to go see "Festival of the Lion King" AND "Finding Nemo:the Musical" if we didn't arrive at the park until after lunch. It was a blast!

So.. thanks Tim!! The idea was perfect!

Now, my next dilemma... I'm looping with my class.. so I'll have all of the same kids in 4th grade. You KNOW I'll be visiting the worlds AT LEAST once next school year. So, start thinking of new ideas!

By the way.. I did bring a little banner that I was going to have all of the characters sign. But after the first few hours in the rain.. and the banner didn't fit all the way in my bag... I was done with that! So maybe I can try that one again!

Hang tight, everyone. Trip Report coming soon!
Man... I hope I remember what we did!

[FauntleroyFAN07]

keeping with the mapping theme and no cost to you, before you leave on your trip, you could tell them to map out your path around the park, and on the board put down the time that it will take to wait and ride certain rides, and you have to be done at a certain time to make it to the 3 oclock parade, and see what they come up with

or something along those lines.

[Sooze]

Originally Posted by FauntleroyFAN07

keeping with the mapping theme and no cost to you, before you leave on your trip, you could tell them to map out your path around the park, and on the board put down the time that it will take to wait and ride certain rides, and you have to be done at a certain time to make it to the 3 oclock parade, and see what they come up with

or something along those lines.

Nothing like applying real-life math skills! Sounds like a lesson plan to me!

[Sooze]

It's here.. our brand new iMac... it's HUGE!!! It doesn't even fit in our desk.. which kinda looks bad... but, man is it awesome!

All I did was plug the thing in... it found our wireless signal all by itself and bam! I was ready to go. Still have to set up mobile me accounts and stuff like that, but I'm plugging the camera in TONIGHT!! It's time to get this TR going!

[tinkerbell615]

Can't wait to read your report. Sure do wish it was April again and we were back there watching DD march. I am sure your report will take me right back!

[PrincessV]

Originally Posted by Sooze

After they browsed for a few minutes, we did some map activities! We looked at the map keys and I quizzed them on what symbols on the map meant. We listed some things that the kids would love to do or see most. Finally, I gave them a times guide for Animal Kingdom. We decided if we were able to go see "Festival of the Lion King" AND "Finding Nemo:the Musical" if we didn't arrive at the park until after lunch.

This is brilliant - I love it!

Originally Posted by Sooze

It's here.. our brand new iMac... it's HUGE!!! It doesn't even fit in our desk.. which kinda looks bad... but, man is it awesome!

All I did was plug the thing in... it found our wireless signal all by itself and bam! I was ready to go. Still have to set up mobile me accounts and stuff like that, but I'm plugging the camera in TONIGHT!! It's time to get this TR going!

And I am soooo jealous! Gotta get me a Mac one of these days.

[Hedy]

Looking forward to more!

[Sooze]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell615

Can't wait to read your report. Sure do wish it was April again and we were back there watching DD march. I am sure your report will take me right back!

It seems so long ago, doesn't it? It's about time I get this going!

Originally Posted by PrincessV

This is brilliant - I love it!




And I am soooo jealous! Gotta get me a Mac one of these days.

I can't take credit... Tim really gave me a GREAT idea.. one I'll be sure to share with other teachers heading to WDW.

So far, I am LOVING the Mac... I miss my right click, but that's the only downfall I've found so far!

Originally Posted by Hedy

Looking forward to more!

Coming soon!!!

[nicolepdonnelly]

Yay!
Can't wait to read all about it!

[Sooze]

I have to say, the countdown calendar was the most fun during the last week!! We couldn't believe it was time to remove the LAST, picture-hiding Mickey head!! It was time to goooooooooo!!







After bidding farewell to our Band Geek friends the day before, our itch to leave was getting UNBEARABLE... and no amount of Cortizone could fix it. First, we had to get through Ty's basketball game that morning. Then, we had to make sure I could squeeze in a little nap. Believe it or not, I slept for about an hour. Finally, we had to make sure the car was loaded up and ready to go. Matt did most of that while I was sleeping... but it was time for the final addition:



Don't they look comfy and ready for a LOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG drive?!
GPS was set and ready to go. Love this thing!!



We decided to leave a bit ahead of schedule (note, itching mentioned above). But we also heard of some nasty weather between Indy and FL... we were hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Once we hit Nashville, all weather hell broke loose. It was AWFUL!!





And it lasted until ATLANTA!!!






We had to stop several times because we heard there were tornado warnings in the area. My poor hubby kept plugging away. I kept offering to drive for him, but he kept saying he was 'fine'. I know how hard it is to drive in that weather.. shoulders all tense, fingers gripping the steering wheel, no cruise control for hours on end, eyes straining to see what's ahead. Exhausting. But I guess Disney was calling.. so he kept going!

FINALLY as we crossed into GA, he was ready to turn the wheel over to me. I basically drove through GA... once we hit Atlanta, the weather let up. Wow... what a relief.

Matt woke up once we crossed into FL and took us the rest of the way in. Wouldn't you know, once we got about an hour from Orlando, the rain came AGAIN!!

We were exhausted and hungry, so we stopped at a Cracker Barrel at 6am. Man... if you want quick service, and you don't mind dining with the local assisted living facilities... eat at 6am.. for real!

Ok kids... let's go!





Why are they smiling so big? Is it because they got to sleep for 90% of the ride? Is it because they weren't too stressed about the terrible weather we just drove through? Is it because they earned lots of tickets and opened fun presents throughout the ride? Is it because they have cute little animal neck pillows from Wal-Mart?

Of course not... it's because of THIS:



and THIS:



Oh my GOSH.... we're HEEEEERRRREEEE!!!!


Up next... DVC Resort vs. Pop Century... thoughts?

[Hedy]

I love how excited they are!

[PrincessV]

Originally Posted by Sooze

That's like the mother of all nasty skies!

Why are they smiling so big? Is it because they got to sleep for 90% of the ride? Is it because they weren't too stressed about the terrible weather we just drove through? Is it because they earned lots of tickets and opened fun presents throughout the ride? Is it because they have cute little animal neck pillows from Wal-Mart?

Up next... DVC Resort vs. Pop Century... thoughts?

I can only imagine!