ª"˜˜ª¤.¸Official Team August 2013 Thread!¸.¤ª˜˜"ª&#9733

[thetorit]

As the kids get older, they become more independent and involved with their own lives, and you'll find more time for yourself!

As much as I enjoy them being little.....

 

[zabache]

I have to wait until my 20 month old falls asleep to workout. It does get easier the older they get to find the time to workout.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have to wait until my 20 month old falls asleep to workout. It does get easier the older they get to find the time to workout.

Hmmmmmmm sometimes I have to wonder if that's actually true.

My teenager is such a busy guy, I'm as busy with him now as I was when he was smaller. Its just a different busy.

Dropping him off and picking him up from work, ensuring he gets back and forth to his volunteer commitments, grocery shopping (have you ever fed a teenaged boy? ), attending his sporting events, trips to Staples for project materials, proof-reading 5000 word English essays, getting him to his drivers ed commitments, etc.

At least with smaller kids, they are in bed nice and early and you have laundry time, etc. during the evening hours. With older kids, their day begins earlier (mine has to be at his first class before 8 am) and end later (tonight his basketball game doesn't even start until 8:45 pm.....and between the end of his grade 11 classes at high school, he has a drivers ed in-car session and a work shift....oh yeah, and somewhere in there we have to find time for dinner ).

Sometimes I think my "workout" is just getting through the day with my sanity still in tact!!

 

[chuckinthechat]

QOTD: Is anyone doing any weight loss or exercise plans to build up endurance prior to walking a million miles a day at the parks?

My answer is both yes, and no. I am doing a exercise program where I do try to go to the gym at least 4 days a week and on each day do some type of cardio and weight training. But I am not doing it strictly for Disney. Soy goal is to be down at least 30lbs by our trip in the end of August.

 

[squirrel4569]

At least with smaller kids, they are in bed nice and early and you have laundry time, etc. during the evening hours. With older kids, their day begins earlier (mine has to be at his first class before 8 am) and end later (tonight his basketball game doesn't even start until 8:45 pm.....and between the end of his grade 11 classes at high school, he has a drivers ed in-car session and a work shift....oh yeah, and somewhere in there we have to find time for dinner ).

Sometimes I think my "workout" is just getting through the day with my sanity still in tact!!

Here in Texas they do things backwards. The elementary kids are at school at 7:50am and the high schoolers don't go until 9am! With after school activities and home work it can be a long day indeed. And of course as parents we have other things to do that don't involve the kids like laundry and cleaning so we get even less sleep than they do! Is it any wonder we're all tired?

 

[thetorit]

Hmmmmmmm sometimes I have to wonder if that's actually true.

My teenager is such a busy guy, I'm as busy with him now as I was when he was smaller. Its just a different busy.

Dropping him off and picking him up from work, ensuring he gets back and forth to his volunteer commitments, grocery shopping (have you ever fed a teenaged boy? ), attending his sporting events, trips to Staples for project materials, proof-reading 5000 word English essays, getting him to his drivers ed commitments, etc.

At least with smaller kids, they are in bed nice and early and you have laundry time, etc. during the evening hours. With older kids, their day begins earlier (mine has to be at his first class before 8 am) and end later (tonight his basketball game doesn't even start until 8:45 pm.....and between the end of his grade 11 classes at high school, he has a drivers ed in-car session and a work shift....oh yeah, and somewhere in there we have to find time for dinner ).

Sometimes I think my "workout" is just getting through the day with my sanity still in tact!!

Just wanted to say what a fabulous Mom you are! By the time we were in high school my parents believed we could fend for ourselves. Need a ride? Find a friend with a car. Not home when they serve dinner? Make your own. I had 2 siblings in high school at the same time as myself, and we were all out the door before my parents were even awake!

Here in Texas they do things backwards. The elementary kids are at school at 7:50am and the high schoolers don't go until 9am! With after school activities and home work it can be a long day indeed. And of course as parents we have other things to do that don't involve the kids like laundry and cleaning so we get even less sleep than they do! Is it any wonder we're all tired?

I should have gone to high school in Texas!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just wanted to say what a fabulous Mom you are! By the time we were in high school my parents believed we could fend for ourselves. Need a ride? Find a friend with a car. Not home when they serve dinner? Make your own. I had 2 siblings in high school at the same time as myself, and we were all out the door before my parents were even awake!

Aw, thanks . I am motivated by the example set for me by my parents. They were the most supportive, most loving, most attentive people I have ever met (my Dad passed away in 2010, but my Mom is still that way).

I am also very aware that fate only blessed me with one opportunity to be a mom. To do it well is my sole focus, or at least until he's left the nest. The hard part in it all has been to make that kiddo my sole focus without inadvertently teaching him to be selfish. So far, I think I'm doing okay. A good example.....he will get home slightly before I do tonight, following another in-car driving lesson with his instructor. As he hopped out of the car and grabbed his school bag, he leaned back in and said "anything you want me to start for dinner before you get home?" (he's a great cook, that boy). After we eat, he'll be the first to grab a tea towel and dry the dishes as I wash....without me asking. I keep joking he'll make someone a good wife some day . He doesn't think I'm funny .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Here in Texas they do things backwards. The elementary kids are at school at 7:50am and the high schoolers don't go until 9am! With after school activities and home work it can be a long day indeed. And of course as parents we have other things to do that don't involve the kids like laundry and cleaning so we get even less sleep than they do! Is it any wonder we're all tired?

Hats off to some smart folks who run the show at your state school boards. Texas has it right!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am doing the Happy Dance today!!! 13 weeks away and ALL PAID OFF!!!

That deserves a dance!! Way to go! (what a good feeling it is!)

I will join in your celebration, as our trip planning (and paying) also wrapped up this week. I ordered our Disney waterpark AP's on Monday, which was the last little bit of housekeeping we needed to do. Everything out of pocket (or unable to be paid in advance) is budgeted for with the cash in a special account in the bank, our US currency has been purchased and is sitting happily in our US savings (earning a teeny tiny bit of interest until we travel) and we even have a tidy lump sum set aside for a shopping spree at the outlet malls.

Bring on August!!!

 

[pigletto]

Hats off to some smart folks who run the show at your state school boards. Texas has it right!

Around here the Elementary schools and High Schools share buses so they have to start and end at different times. DD gets her bus at 7:30 a.m. for an 8 a.m. start and ds gets picked up at 8:30. DD gets home at 2:40, and ds gets home at 3:30.

I also do daycare from my home so I bring kids to the Catholic school bus stop, the French school bus stop and the public school bus stop (all at the same intersection and on different corners). Then I pick 2 up at lunch and go out for anywhere up to 3 buses after school. My life is completely scheduled down to the minute according to bus times

 

[kristenm514]

So, the creeping budget finally got to DH, and he had a little fit about the cost last night. We changed our dates to save on airfare, we're staying 6 nights instead of 7, and we're staying at AoA (LM room) instead of YC. We'll also probably cut back to just a couple ADRs, instead of one every day. It's hard not to be disappointed, but it'll save us almost $1000 all totaled, and DH will be no fun at all if he's stressing about money the whole trip.

Plus, Little Mermaid!

 

[Koh1977]

Aw, thanks . I am motivated by the example set for me by my parents. They were the most supportive, most loving, most attentive people I have ever met (my Dad passed away in 2010, but my Mom is still that way).

I am also very aware that fate only blessed me with one opportunity to be a mom. To do it well is my sole focus, or at least until he's left the nest. The hard part in it all has been to make that kiddo my sole focus without inadvertently teaching him to be selfish. So far, I think I'm doing okay. A good example.....he will get home slightly before I do tonight, following another in-car driving lesson with his instructor. As he hopped out of the car and grabbed his school bag, he leaned back in and said "anything you want me to start for dinner before you get home?" (he's a great cook, that boy). After we eat, he'll be the first to grab a tea towel and dry the dishes as I wash....without me asking. I keep joking he'll make someone a good wife some day . He doesn't think I'm funny .

Awesome! Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing wrong with my kids...DS6 used to be just that - an absolute doll. Now he has attitude and he's only 6!! And DD2 (on Friday) is simply Miss Sassy Pants and Miss Independent!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DISNEYGAMMIE]

I don't have time to read back a couple pages but, did you all see this thread about new August discounts coming out?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3103784

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

So, the creeping budget finally got to DH, and he had a little fit about the cost last night. We changed our dates to save on airfare, we're staying 6 nights instead of 7, and we're staying at AoA (LM room) instead of YC. We'll also probably cut back to just a couple ADRs, instead of one every day. It's hard not to be disappointed, but it'll save us almost $1000 all totaled, and DH will be no fun at all if he's stressing about money the whole trip.

Plus, Little Mermaid!

Yay for Little Mermaid, and yay for saving money!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I don't have time to read back a couple pages but, did you all see this thread about new August discounts coming out?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3103784

No, this hasn't been discussed yet, so thanks for sharing! Although many people expected room-only discounts to be announced for late August, if it's true it will be announced at the same time as free dining, that would be great. The wait is painful!!

 

[lovingeire]

QOTD: Is anyone doing any weight loss or exercise plans to build up endurance prior to walking a million miles a day at the parks?

I should be! I had just started Couch to 5K when I found out I am pregnant! If I were exercising regularly before that I would continue, but for the past 3 months I have done nothing. I have had a very hard time losing the weight from the first baby (to the point none of it is gone) so I know I need to exercise, but think I will stick to vigorous walking.

Before our Dec trip last year I was very active doing Zumba and running 4-5 days a week. I really miss Zumba but don't have a gym member ship since we moved. As such, I too have a hard time making the time for exercise. I did purchase a jogging stroller to do C25K and can take the toddler out in that. It's no joke to push your 35 lb toddler in a 60 lb stroller! That's hard work! I need to look at other exercising options to add in as I have a pregnancy workout video. Hopefully I will feel better and more a part of the world soon! I know I just need to suck it up and git er done though!

 

[pigletto]

So, the creeping budget finally got to DH, and he had a little fit about the cost last night. We changed our dates to save on airfare, we're staying 6 nights instead of 7, and we're staying at AoA (LM room) instead of YC. We'll also probably cut back to just a couple ADRs, instead of one every day. It's hard not to be disappointed, but it'll save us almost $1000 all totaled, and DH will be no fun at all if he's stressing about money the whole trip.

Plus, Little Mermaid!

I can understand that. It really does creep up doesn't it? And trust me.. you are going to have a wonderful trip regardless. I think you'll be happier if you and dh aren't stressed about what you are spending. I think I mentioned it before but we spent a week at the Poly once. I had a 40% off code and we had a very nice time. But on the way home I was thinking "I just spent how many thousands for a HOTEL ROOM?!?!". I could have had two trips for that one price. Since then I try to stick to the budget and we've yet to come home disappointed.

 

[jennluvsdis]

I have DD7 and DD who will be 10 by our trip. Many ppl have told me to rent a Disney double stroller. I honestly haven't used a stroller in a good 4+ years. However we never walk as much as we will be walking in WDW.
I found a largerer single stroller which holds up to 100lbs for rent from Orlando Stroller called the Liberty Push Chair. It would be $120 for the week. We are planning to take mid-day breaks and have 8:30 ADRs several mornings.
SO the question:
Is it a good $120 investment? Or is it a waste of $ as we are not going comando beyond our ADRs, so there's no rush to our TP?
(The $120 would bite a large hunk out of my $500 "spoil the kids cash")

Sorry a little late on this. I would also not rent one for the week. When I brought my 7 year old a few Augusts ago he did great. However, we did rent a park stroller for one of the final days at Epcot. It is. But EPcot is one of the bigger parks.

 

[mrstomrice]

QOTD: Is anyone doing any weight loss or exercise plans to build up endurance prior to walking a million miles a day at the parks?

We have been working on losing weight since the new year. DH is down about 30 pounds and I am down 15. We can't wait for our new photos in front of the castle! My goal is to lose at least 20 more by August, then to keep on going! My total goal would be to lose 60 pound by this time next year. I have been using the My Fitness Pal ap to count calories and I walk 2 miles a day, as well as go to Curves and Zumba 3x a week.

 

[squirrel4569]

QOTD: Is anyone doing any weight loss or exercise plans to build up endurance prior to walking a million miles a day at the parks?

We have been working on losing weight since the new year. DH is down about 30 pounds and I am down 15. We can't wait for our new photos in front of the castle! My goal is to lose at least 20 more by August, then to keep on going! My total goal would be to lose 60 pound by this time next year. I have been using the My Fitness Pal ap to count calories and I walk 2 miles a day, as well as go to Curves and Zumba 3x a week.

Great job by both of you! Keep it up!

My wife and I bought new shoes for the trip tonight. She got a pair of Vibrams fivefingers and I got some Keen water sandals. Hopefully it's $227 well spent.