PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[kaoden39]

OK, mini update, if only to keep the thread from falling off the page!

We are sweltering here in AZ (over 105 most days this week) and I would love to be in CA!! DH and DS(now 17!) are headed to Catalina for a week at the Scout camp there to do SCUBA. Younger kids and I will probably go for a week in July but likely no Disneyland. I have a museum pass that we will probably use to get in free at several in OC and LA.

I finally have mostly-official info from DS17's band for the fall! It took them a long time figure it out because they were waiting on the district for a final budget, district was waiting on the state, etc. The last two weeks in September still look good for me to sneak away to DLR and call it a birthday trip (I think as long as you're within a week or so of your birthday it's a birthday trip!)

The band usually goes to CA for their fall tour and does a competition there, plus time at DL two of the last three years. The band info said no Disney this fall because it would raise the trip price almost $200 per kid! I guess it's the ticket plus the bus plus extra time in CA. Interesting side note: In our district, they can't do "entertainment" on field trips during school hours, so they couldn't go to the park until 3:00 even if they had time!

I am going to give you some bonus photos of my kids. They are Disney-related because they did the Cinderella ballet for the recital this year.

DD11 was a village girl for ballet and also a jester at the ball with her crazy tumbling friends. We have to get her feet (and the rest of her) to grow in the next year if she wants to be on pointe!

DD13 was the dance instructor trying in vain to get the stepsisters ready for the ball. She was also a village girl for clogging and a lady of the court. My friend backstage with me said she looked like she was born for pointe shoes and I will have to agree with her.

DS17 is amazing. His sisters talked him into being the prince because we have no big boys in the studio. His role is more being dragged around by the stepsisters and escorting Cinderella than real dancing. Someone was giving me a little grief about him being in the dance and I told them I thought it was one of the manliest things he could do -- make a girl's dream of being a princess come true.

I made the programs, stage-manage in the wings, and direct traffic. The hardest part about being backstage is that I can't cheer when they are amazing. But there is definitely some silent celebration dancing going on!

Thanks for indulging me if you made it to this point ... I am busting with pride for my kids.

PHXscuba

Okay I somehow missed this before. How wonderful!! And how manly of your son!! Real men do things like that!!

 

[PHXscuba]

Kaoden, I love the wall graphics for the bathroom. Love that you can change them as you want without major repainting or wallpaper (hate hate wallpaper -- finally got the last of it out of this house in November). Maybe some sassy "villain quotes" on plaques or vinyl lettering?

I imagine choosing a whole new kitchen would be overwhelming. I know the look I love in magazines or home shows is not practical for the way we live in a kitchen with 4 kids and a Labrador. Good luck!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

The trip frame is DONE! After striking out in the first few places I looked, for awhile I became a slacker about hunting down a great frame. I finally found this one last weekend at Kohl's and I had a coupon to knock the price down.

I know this is not a great photo; I couldn't get the lighting right and DH is out of town with the good camera. So here are all of the pictures that are in it. A couple are cropped differently than originally in the TR.

Had to include the treehouse photo and the Tigger photo of course!

DH gets to put it up on the wall when he returns from his trip. I am just glad to have that project done and out of the way!

... wait, does that mean the trip is really truly, over?

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Trip frame DONE. Looks really nice.

I should hang more of our vacation pictures.

Getting more ready for our DL trip. Kids are now out of school and enjoying a small break before they go to camp. So happy I don't have to pay for my DS. He is now officially part of the workforce. The camp hired him as a Junior Counselor. So happy too that I have both kids at the same place, on the same schedule.

I told my DD to look online at the GCH. She really doesn't remember much of it last time we were there. I don't think we spent much time there though, as we were staying at the DLH. I like the cabin look, but I am not sure how my kids will like it. They liked the brightness of the DLH. I think when they want to ride Grizzly Rapids twenty times in a row, they will be happy to use the GCH entrance and run back to our room to change.

 

[PHXscuba]

Trip frame DONE. Looks really nice.

I should hang more of our vacation pictures.

Getting more ready for our DL trip. Kids are now out of school and enjoying a small break before they go to camp. So happy I don't have to pay for my DS. He is now officially part of the workforce. The camp hired him as a Junior Counselor. So happy too that I have both kids at the same place, on the same schedule.

I told my DD to look online at the GCH. She really doesn't remember much of it last time we were there. I don't think we spent much time there though, as we were staying at the DLH. I like the cabin look, but I am not sure how my kids will like it. They liked the brightness of the DLH. I think when they want to ride Grizzly Rapids twenty times in a row, they will be happy to use the GCH entrance and run back to our room to change.

I didn't have the pictures up until a couple years ago. My birthday fell two weeks before our WDW trip and DH bought me a collage frame and said to fill it with photos when we got home. It was a very thoughtful gift and after I filled it I wanted to do the same with our previous 2009 DL trip and the family cruise we took. We have them all hung together in the loft so the kids can see them as they walk through. Honestly, photos are my best vacation souvenirs ( part of why I was willing to invest in Photopass Plus).

I'm sure your kids will love GCH; how could they not? Especially the location -- they'd probably do sleeping bags on a porch if they could be right there practically in the park!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

There's very little that's magical when it's 119 here! I was wearing high-heeled sandals to church today and stepped in some asphalt that had liquified a little. It took the base of one heel right off. Luckily DH glued it back on, but really!?!

We saw "Monsters University" yesterday as a family. I liked it quite a lot. They have a good plot twist about 3/4 of the way through that I didn't see coming -- definitely elevated my respect for the movie. DS17 asked if he could go to Monsters U. The "Blue Umbrella" short before the picture was sweet too, kind of like "Paperman" (which I think I preferred).

The kids were watching "Finding Nemo" just now, which is one of my favorite Pixar films. I am disappointed they didn't call me to watch the seagull-flying scene -- still makes me laugh every time. Although we have all of the shorts on the separate collection DVD, they still insist on watching them with the movie too.

We got the DVD of the Cinderella dance recital (that I posted the pictures of) and the girls have already watched it twice. I didn't even realize until I watched the DVD that the dance teacher thanked me for doing the T-shirt fundraiser -- I was backstage at the time and we couldn't really hear what she was saying!

I am definitely looking forward to going to Orange County in a couple weeks to get out of the heat. It will be hard to be that close to Disneyland without going there but it would be another $300 (plus food) to take the 3 kids I would have with me, and July ranks as one of my least favorite times to go. I'm holding out for grown-up trips in September and December.

Have a lovely week and Happy 4th of July!

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Wow, cannot believe the heat your part of our country is having. It is hot and steamy here, but there has been a fair amount of rain, so nt as hot as it could be.

Our August DL trip is creeping up. Hope your fall trips will be warm, but not too hot.

I do like vacationing when it is warm. At least when we go, there is a lesser chance of rain. Last time we were there at the same time of year, I was glad my DD brought a pair of jeans, as the nights were almost too cool for us. I wonder if the temps are the same for San Diego. My DD really wants some beach time.


We might go see the Monsters movie, just not a lot of time right now. Hope you have a cooler July 4th!

 

[PHXscuba]

Wow, cannot believe the heat your part of our country is having. It is hot and steamy here, but there has been a fair amount of rain, so nt as hot as it could be.

Our August DL trip is creeping up. Hope your fall trips will be warm, but not too hot.

I do like vacationing when it is warm. At least when we go, there is a lesser chance of rain. Last time we were there at the same time of year, I was glad my DD brought a pair of jeans, as the nights were almost too cool for us. I wonder if the temps are the same for San Diego. My DD really wants some beach time.


We might go see the Monsters movie, just not a lot of time right now. Hope you have a cooler July 4th!

San Diego will likely be a little cooler than Anaheim, just because you are closer to the water. And the Pacific is always cold!

We are so used to the heat that I always bring jackets to CA even when we go in the summer. We wear them at night outside because we get cold!! When I pack for trips I bring most everything for the weather we think we will get and one set of things for the opposite weather -- one pair of jeans and a sweatshirt for a summer trip or one pair of shorts for a fall/spring trip.

PHXscuba

p.s. It's cooling down here ... predicted high of ONLY 115 today!

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

I spent a good part of my day reading this entire TR. I enjoyed your photos and it was a great way for me to get excited about my upcoming trip.

 

[PHXscuba]

I spent a good part of my day reading this entire TR. I enjoyed your photos and it was a great way for me to get excited about my upcoming trip.

That's us, a walking advertisement for Disneyland! Wish we could get paid for that!

I'm glad we could help you kill time and get pumped for the trip. I hope you have fun; we sure did!!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

OK, this one is especially for Kaoden39:

The Boy Band Dapper Dans are coming back for Limited Time magic next week. <--- my emotions, courtesy of smilies.

You all know my feelings about the boy band stuff from when it was announced last fall. The Dapper Dans have great voices, and I'm sure some visitors get into it, but I am not one of them. I also have voiced my opinion here and in other places about the lame Limited Time Magic weekly themes overall -- merchandise, voting, extra 2 minutes of fireworks, etc. I think the only one I have seen that was really cool was the Long Lost Friends (which WDW is getting again next week). So the Boy Band thing was dorky the first time, and now recycling it? Are they out of ideas halfway through the year (although I would argue they didn't have many good ideas to start with).

OK, rant over. But it's my thread so I get one paragraph of ranting per month.

The really amusing part of all of this is that I will be in Southern California next week visiting family. I'm not planning to go to Disneyland, but it's almost like the universe is taunting me. In four-part harmony, no less.

PHXscuba

 

[aidensmom31]

I loved reading your trip report. I just started my PTR for my December trip (my first as an AP) and hope to keep at it as good as you did.

 

[Sisa]

I also really enjoyed reading! Thanks for sharing your experience, hope you get to go back and use that AP again.

 

[kaoden39]

OK, this one is especially for Kaoden39:

The Boy Band Dapper Dans are coming back for Limited Time magic next week. <--- my emotions, courtesy of smilies.

You all know my feelings about the boy band stuff from when it was announced last fall. The Dapper Dans have great voices, and I'm sure some visitors get into it, but I am not one of them. I also have voiced my opinion here and in other places about the lame Limited Time Magic weekly themes overall -- merchandise, voting, extra 2 minutes of fireworks, etc. I think the only one I have seen that was really cool was the Long Lost Friends (which WDW is getting again next week). So the Boy Band thing was dorky the first time, and now recycling it? Are they out of ideas halfway through the year (although I would argue they didn't have many good ideas to start with).

OK, rant over. But it's my thread so I get one paragraph of ranting per month.

The really amusing part of all of this is that I will be in Southern California next week visiting family. I'm not planning to go to Disneyland, but it's almost like the universe is taunting me. In four-part harmony, no less.

PHXscuba

Oh wow!! Crazy!! I thought it was funny when they did it before but now this is just silliness. With something as diverse as Disneyland you would think that there would be thousands of things they could think of to do.

 

[PHXscuba]

I loved reading your trip report. I just started my PTR for my December trip (my first as an AP) and hope to keep at it as good as you did.

Thanks! I don't know if I'm good, but I'm persistent! I'd never done a TR before, but I decided either I was all-in or nothing. It turned out to be a lot of fun!

I also really enjoyed reading! Thanks for sharing your experience, hope you get to go back and use that AP again.

Yes, that AP is burning a hole in my pocket!! Still looking hopeful for a September visit to see/eat the Halloween stuff, and working on a December visit to do the same for Christmas!

Oh wow!! Crazy!! I thought it was funny when they did it before but now this is just silliness. With something as diverse as Disneyland you would think that there would be thousands of things they could think of to do.

Couldn't agree more!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

So I briefly talked to DH about our plans and commitments for the next few months and I have him tentatively on board for me to visit my parents and go to DLR with my Mom in September! I might have another short trip elsewhere just a couple weeks later, so I think that was his big hesitation.

And now Southwest is running one of their $59 sales. The cheap flight times with SW aren't great, but it appears US Airways is matching their prices and I should be able to get good flight times through them.

So now I have to nudge a bit more and see if I should go ahead and purchase a plane ticket!

I can already smell the pumpkin and apple ... I need something to look forward to when the weather is nasty here!

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Chanting: Do it! Do it! Do it!

Hope your summer has been good. DS is actually enjoying his employment at the camp my little one goes to. I hope they hire him again next year, as it's so nice to have both kids coming and going at the same time. We never got to Monsters U yet, but they are begging for DM2. We are starting to love US things as much as D things.

SW sent me an email, saying your trip is soon. Define soon: almost a month from now. We are so ready for vacation. I hope our Limited Time Magic is not Dapper Dan Boy Band.

 

[PHXscuba]

I hadn't even thought about what the LTM might be when I am there in September. Most likely I won't even notice it. It will be right after the Villains Day, so I don't expect anything from the week.

I really need to sit DH down for a good chat about a few $ things. The trip being one, but we also need to buy a new intercom (our 8-year-old system broke and I am going hoarse yelling up the stairs), and I am looking into seeing The Lion King when the tour come through this fall. Trying to decide how many of us should go when the tickets are . I am grateful that we should be able to purchase these things in the next few months.

Summer (the non-school part, not the heat part) is coming to a close quickly around here. DS17 started band camp today, I took DD11's shot records to the school this morning, and DD14 is begging me to take her to the mall to spend the money she made babysitting this summer. Less than 2 weeks until they all go back!

I will post when I have the plane tickets in hand. Wish me luck!!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

I have a PLANE TICKET!! That means it's real!!

I will be back at Disneyland the third week of September for one precious day!!

I will get to sample fall/Halloween goodies.

I will get check a few things off that "AP bucket list" I made myself!

I will get to be out of the heat for a few days and spend time with my parents (my mom will most likely come with me to DL for the day too)

I am excited!! I am always happiest when I have a trip to plan, especially one -- even a short one -- to the Happiest Place on Earth!!

Deserving of a Dancing Banana --->

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Wow! Just wahoo!

Yep, plane tickets in hand is always a good thing.

Saw DM2. It was cute. Not the best story, but fun. Also rented John Carter. Not what I was expecting, but amazed that the story was from the 1800's. Glad we rented it and not saw in theater.

I so want to see the parks decorated. We are definitely going to do HM and the Matterhorn the weekend we are there, as both will be closed the restof the time we are in DLR.