I'm pretty sure we're going to change our V&A dinner for dinner at Jiko. Tom was, surprisingly, downright enthusiastic at Jiko. I'm dying to check out AKL since I've always wanted to stay there (and I'm hoping that Tom will love the resort enough that we will stay there some day!). And I've read that the wine list at Jiko is spectacular. I posted a thread about the curry issue and the unanimous answer was that I'd be totally fine eating there. So I'm convinced!
I thought I'd give a little update on our house buying because it's a nice story. The house we're living in is an estate property. That doesn't mean it's huge or anything, but the woman who owned it died several years ago (she was 96). She never married or had children so the house is part of her estate, most of which goes to charity. The lawyer for the estate lives locally and is lovely. We met her when we moved in and she said, "Your family is exactly what this house needs. Lots of children and laughter and a dog. The house never had a big family but it's a house that should have a big family." She's always wanted us to buy this house. Our problem has always been down payment money. Just to give an idea the median house price in our town is over $1 million dollars. This house costs much less than that but you need to think NY prices to understand the obstacles we face. I've religiously saved down payment money and we can borrow from retirement accounts but closing costs are going to be high. Tom explained our situation to the lawyer. She talked to the various beneficiaries of the estate and wrote a lovely email. They are taking $10,000 off the sale price and are willing to make concessions so we can include some of the closing costs in the mortgage. This will make it possible for us to have enough money to proceed. I didn't think human decency existed in real estate (we had bid on a different house and had a terrible experience!) so my faith in humanity is restored!
Amanda
I thought I'd give a little update on our house buying because it's a nice story. The house we're living in is an estate property. That doesn't mean it's huge or anything, but the woman who owned it died several years ago (she was 96). She never married or had children so the house is part of her estate, most of which goes to charity. The lawyer for the estate lives locally and is lovely. We met her when we moved in and she said, "Your family is exactly what this house needs. Lots of children and laughter and a dog. The house never had a big family but it's a house that should have a big family." She's always wanted us to buy this house. Our problem has always been down payment money. Just to give an idea the median house price in our town is over $1 million dollars. This house costs much less than that but you need to think NY prices to understand the obstacles we face. I've religiously saved down payment money and we can borrow from retirement accounts but closing costs are going to be high. Tom explained our situation to the lawyer. She talked to the various beneficiaries of the estate and wrote a lovely email. They are taking $10,000 off the sale price and are willing to make concessions so we can include some of the closing costs in the mortgage. This will make it possible for us to have enough money to proceed. I didn't think human decency existed in real estate (we had bid on a different house and had a terrible experience!) so my faith in humanity is restored!
Amanda
It may not even have been a post from me. She did ask a question about if wifi was free and someone may have mocked the thought that Disney would do anything for free. IDK.
I mean I am a bad enough mother that we've lost said child at Disney twice, but even I have my standards! 
