08 DEC 2007 - 7 Day Eastern Magic

[brack]

Bill has just informed me that we will be receiving some information on DVC in the mail. All this talk has peaked his interest.

- Jennifer

Cool

 

[pfishgirl]

Hope all turns out ok for your DS's friend. Grandparent's houses are sometimes safe havens in troubled times.

Thank You

I know DS is concerned for his friend.. It was the first time he heard his friend Cry over the phone and ask him to come get him..

DS told me he has fought with his step father before, when mom is home, she jumps in and stops them.. but never has he called DS crying

 

[JsMom2]

They actually gave a discount on the last cruise I was on.. but.. we were in a Cat 3 so we didnt get to use it.. December we will be in a 8 because I wanted to try out the room... sooo maybe we will luck out..

They are offering discounts in cats 4-8. Call DCL and either upgrade your room, or get some $$$ back!!!

 

[plutojudy]

Fall has arrived. Tomorrow night is the big Oktoberfest party in our neighbor's yard. This is the 25th year and they have over 100 people. It is just so much fun. People who were kids at the first one are now bringing their own children. There is no rain forecasted. We have spent some cold and wet ones in the past. They do a great job and eveyone has a great time.

 

[brack]

DS & I had a mini ordeal last night... Him and I were both worried and upset..

DS is still concerned because the boy didn't go to school today..

 

[JsMom2]

Wendy:

I remember when I lived in Belgium it rained almost every day! Even when we went to the coast on holiday it would rain! Also, I remember waiting for the school bus in the dark most mornings. Unlike the school bus routes in the states, mine went all around town picking up kids. Mine went right by Supact (do they still have that?). I swear I was on the bus for an hour the first two years I lived there because we lived in downtown Brussels. Finally, when I was a Junior we moved closer to BAS! Then, it was within ten minutes to school, a much better ride!

- Jennifer

PS- Do you still have to drive to Chievres for the "BIG" PX? I remember it was always a treat when we drove down there. Also, my Step-Dad was initially stationed at SHAPE. So, they still had friends down there to visit too.

Yep that's Belgium all right. Luckily we only live a few minutes from the school. The bus stop is 4 houses down, and DD has like a 20 minute ride - including the 2 stops along the way. Supact? If you mean the support activity. It was the NSA right before we got here, and then they changed it to US Army Garrison Brussels. Still there, still tiny. But at least we can get American milk close by. We still drive to Chievres, but for me it's no treat. I take it you were too young to drive at the time, right??? For you it was a chance to eat pizza and have your parents buy you stuff. I try to keep my visits to once a month. I fill up the freezer, and then buy produce, bread and milk locally.

 

[JsMom2]

DS & I had a mini ordeal last night... Him and I were both worried and upset..

Apparently one of his friends got into a physical fight with his step father and DS left in a cloud to go pick him up.. however, he called back and said his Parents drove him to his Grandparent's house to spend the night.. which confuses me a bit..

DS is still concerned because the boy didn't go to school today..

Stacy,
It might not be a bad idea to call child protective services. They have experts who can determine how safe the boy really is in the home. I'd hate for you and your DS to look back later and say "we should have called someone."

 

[JsMom2]

I would LOVE that too. We worker bees have talked about that. One of us would need to be at work each day, but the other 3 could work from home. But, the hive queens and kings are not having it!

Keep pushing for it. I would LOVE that!

 

[BethC1952]

I've been on both sides of the "taking kids out of school" situation. I was a teacher for about 10 years. I agree that kids can learn a lot more on vacation than they do in the classroom, especially when they're very young. I always encouraged parents to take their kids on vacation. Of course, I taught a kindergarten class with 32 students and no aides, so a few less students was usually a good thing.

Here in Long Branch, our public school system starts with full days at age 3, although it's not mandatory. It's a wonderful system, and DS was encouraged to take DGD out of school for their family trips. Her class loved her report on her Disney Cruise! She was three years old at the time, and she brought some photos that we took on the cruise as well as pictures that she drew of the servers and of her room on the ship. She told her classmates all about going to a whole other country (The Bahamas), and that they spoke "just like us" meaning English. I think that's what she remembers most!

Beth

 

[JsMom2]

Well I guess just because there are discounts it doesn't mean everyone can go between Thanksgiving and Hannukah like we can. Maybe it won't sail totally full. Maybe that will mean an upgrade as they fill up those lower category cabins. However we are thinking of not taking anything less than a 7 to 4 upgrade. Why move from our location for the same size room, KWIM?

Sometimes they just offer a great price for a cat 12 guarantee. They may still do that for the general public. But right now the discounts they are offering to FL residents and Military are in all categories. And they are hefty! Plus I believe CMs get the same rate as military also.

And trust me they have a waiting list full of TAs who want to go on fam trips. They will fill the cabins so that they can make money on the incidental expenses.

Just relax, and accept that the ship will be full. You will still have a great time!

 

[AmberDaClown]

Strangers in the night.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Trying for a pirate.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Will she make it now?

 

[AmberDaClown]

It seems doubtful.

 

[JsMom2]

I've been on both sides of the "taking kids out of school" situation. I was a teacher for about 10 years. I agree that kids can learn a lot more on vacation than they do in the classroom, especially when they're very young. I always encouraged parents to take their kids on vacation. Of course, I taught a kindergarten class with 32 students and no aides, so a few less students was usually a good thing.

Here in Long Branch, our public school system starts with full days at age 3, although it's not mandatory. It's a wonderful system, and DS was encouraged to take DGD out of school for their family trips. Her class loved her report on her Disney Cruise! She was three years old at the time, and she brought some photos that we took on the cruise as well as pictures that she drew of the servers and of her room on the ship. She told her classmates all about going to a whole other country (The Bahamas), and that they spoke "just like us" meaning English. I think that's what she remembers most!

Beth

Yes, I usually ask the teacher for a project that DD can do while we're traveling. And here in Europe they are very supportive about the kids missing school for travel; there are so many things to learn about. Jasmine has become a big history buff after visiting Olympia. Dublin also had some really cool (kinda gruesome) historical stories too.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Are the discounts hefty or are the prices hefty? I wish we could get them or list our address in FL or borrow someone else's.

 

[JsMom2]

Okay, I must get off this board and go home to let my poor dog out!!

I was in a meeting all day, and made the mistake of trying to get a quick DIS fix before I left the office.

 

[AmberDaClown]

The 40 second rule is killing me. Plus I am not even stop to change my color to happy red.

 

[JsMom2]

Uh oh, I almost did a Jennifer.....

 

[AmberDaClown]

I have several hours, I wonder if I can do this until I hit 3000.