12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 4

[klineyqueen]

Brandi – I know this is a big day for you but you and your DS will be fine. He will love preschool and you will be amazed at how much they learn.

DS didn't even cry! i can't believe it! He gave me a kiss and a hug then went over to the kitchen playset and started right in playing! He asked me on the way to school if I could stay but I said that only 3 year olds get to go to school. He was fine with that answer. He was also excited about snack....since I signed up for the first week. He loves homemade cookies and chocolate milk. I took that along with pretzels and orange drink. I have to leave in about 30 min to pick him up. I am anxious to see how his day went!

If anyone else has any good crockpot recipes please share them. I really should use my mine more than I do. I also didn’t know you could put frozen meat in them. That would be a really nice thing to know since I always forget to take things out of the freezer.

I don't know if you are supposed to use frozen meat...but my DMom always did and I always do. I seriously use it at least everyother week! I give music lessons on a Monday night during the school year. That ensures we get a hot meal that my DH doesn't need to cook. It really works out for us.

Spa – That wrap thing does NOT sound fun at all and I can’t imagine relaxing during it.

I agree...I am a bit clostrophobic...I would freak out if I was all wrapped up and couldn't move...I think I will get a massage on the beach in Costa.

WDW Dining – We really love to eat at the different restaurants. Deciding where to eat is a big part of my trip planning. In fact I kind of miss it because you don’t have that on the cruise. We have only been to Le Cellier once but DH claimed it was the best steak he has ever had. I thought it was really good but I still don’t quite understand why it is as popular as it is. I think maybe it is an easy choice for those who are afraid of the other more exotic choices in the World Showcase.

My DH claims the same thing! He loves the steak...we are going back this coming trip.

1900 Park Fare was really good in February and I definitely would like to go back again. The food was really good for a buffet and the kids of course loved the characters. They keep the kids entertained so DH and I can actually eat.

We ate there on our last trip. Please don't flame me...but....DH and I thought it was a bit snooty for our liking. Our waiter wasn't very good and I think that kind of made the whole experience bad. I told DH that we will be going back there when Eliza get a bit older to see Cindy...but neither of us is in a big rush to hit it again.

Spoodles on the Boardwalk used to be our best kept WDW dining secret but when I checked for our last trip they had ruined the menu. It is now so limited and some of our favorites are no longer offered.

We are going there for the first time this trip. I hope it is good.

Well I probably should sign off now before I win the longest post award!

I think you may have won that anyway!

 

[MrsMork]

Just for those that don't know me. I went on the Dec 05 cruise with Lisa and Mike (LBGraves), Angie and Dennis (MrsMork and DrHug), John and Amy (JHalkias), and Vanessa and John(lillygator)....I was scheduled to go on this cruise,but dropped out a few months ago....

I am mouthy and started the whole trying to get the 00 posts..thanks to Angie.

WHO ME??? What's he talking about.

 

[elaineteresa]

lillygator - talk me into spending $35. on it - too much - yet a nightgown costs $20. Anyway, there are 2 different versions of them on Ebay - blue satin - very pretty. One is $39 I think. I keep thinking there will be a sale.
Maybe if several of us buy together they will give us a discount?

I don't see the Wendy tea on the Navigator for May am I missing it?

elaine

 

[klineyqueen]

My DMom, Eliza, and I are taking Jake to lunch today. I have a few things to do here first.

Lisa - What day are you leaving?

 

[MrsMork]

Jordan, you are always welcome here. Well, the kids got to school at 8 again today. We haven't run late yet. I want to keep this up...though DS has the habit of staying up to read & it is making it difficult to get him up at 7 am. I don't remember if I posted yesterday but I got an email from DS's teacher last night. He told her about his warning...gave her until 11/1 to challenge him or he wants to be homeschooled. When I asked him about it he said it told her before class started. He didn't know why she laughed. I cracked up when I read her email. I guess you can't really complain about a student insisting on being challenged in school. She is going to start giving him extra homework next week and since he likes history, will have him start a research project in the library too. He might regret asking.

Yes, could be an early lesson in "being careful what you ask for." Smart little guy you have there, Lisa.

 

[DSharpe]

DS didn't even cry! i can't believe it! He gave me a kiss and a hug then went over to the kitchen playset and started right in playing!

that's wonderful! - but - what about you?
Every year - not just the first - I BAWLED all the way home after dropping off my little one!!

 

[DSharpe]

what DH will think if he comes home for a 2nd day in a row,
and I've done absolutely NOTHING but ??

 

[elaineteresa]

I think it's really important that even the youngest students see the teacher as their partner in finding the right educational path for them. Uh oh - am I a Sudbury candidate. But we always saw the teacher as god and were told not to question them. This just doesn't work and kids are bored at school.

M kids start K next Wed. Someone told me a story about their son last year and the K teacher - thank god she got bumped up. But she told this boy that if he couldn't stand still in line she was going to put his name on the board, then after 3 times it would be a trip to the principal. How ridiculous can you be? What K 'er understands anything about having their name on the board - why do they have to use shaming to get behavior? - how uncreative.

That is why so many are opting for home schooling.

oh that's my rant for the day.

elaine

 

[becka]

The first time we went to 1900 Park Fare years ago it was our first trip over to see the GF and I got the same snooty feel. I was REALLY uncomfortable and felt like "people like us" did not belong there. I have to admit that I would probably never stay at the GF but I have been able to feel like on short visits that we are not entirely unwelcomed, kwim? Although on our last trip we did have some unfriendly behavoir at the valet. We had never valet parked before and I got the impression they didn't appreciate having to help us.

 

[lillygator]

Brandi - glad your DS was ok during the drop off. I can only imagine how hard it would be if my girls didn't love shcool and their teachers....(hmm....maybe they don't like me??)

almost 11...waiting for the next update on the storm. It looks to be hitting the other coast...hopefully there will not be too much damage for all the folks in his path.

 

[lillygator]

Elaine - I'll have to check Ebay tonight....(one of those forbidden work sites!)

GF --- the first time we went I thought the same thing about "snooty" but we've been over there for dinner, the spa, etc quite a few times and as of late everyone seems very friendly. I was actually trying to get a room there before the cruise but they are booked. We tend to always valet as it's free with the DDE card....saves $6 or $9 or whatever it is now.

 

[elaineteresa]

I think with the GF it's all whether you feel you belong or not. The people working there are all schlumps like us. LOL. (speaking for myself of course)

I always valet park there because the self park is across the road and there is no way I am doing that with young kids.

Once you are familiar with the hotel it doesn't seem that imposing and everyone is very friendly.

If you have never gone to listen to the big band there - they start around 4 - it is really fun - grab and drink and dance or listen. It is a big orchestra and they are great.

The gift shop there is great and they often have things that I don't see at the other shops. We always do a monorial circuit of the gift shops - the COntempo is really good too and there is a goofy candy shop there.

elaine

 

[elaineteresa]

I'm going to check Ebay - UK and see if I find anything there. Sometime you can get stuff cheaper even with the shipping.

elaine

 

[elaineteresa]

Does anyone know if there is a Goofy candy shop on the ship in the gift shop?


I wish they did Bibbity Bobbity or Club Libby Lu type stuff on the ship - it would be fun.

elaine

 

[elaineteresa]

Can I ask about the gift exchange?

Is it ok to just buy for the group that will be in the clubs with my kids (5-7 yr olds). Not sure what I could get that would appeal to a 12 yr old and a 5 yr old.

What is everyone else doing?

Would I trust Oriental Trading or one of those places to ship directly to the ship or should I resend it?

just thinking ahead.

elaine

 

[lbgraves]

Lisa - I NEVER thaw it out and it always gets fully cooked! I put it in around 9 AM. We eat at about 5. I cook it on low all day. It is done cooking before 5 but it doesn't get over done...it is always perfect...honestly! I cook beef roast and pork roast that way. Frozen meat with fresh veggies. PERFECT! No fuss no muss...

Well, I will have to try that next week. It sounds like the perfect solution to my cooking problem.

 

[lbgraves]

I don't see the Wendy tea on the Navigator for May am I missing it?

elaine

That is one thing that is not listed in the Navs. You just have to know about it. It is on the voyage overview but I doubt that many people read that entirely on the first day.

 

[lillygator]

Can I ask about the gift exchange?

Is it ok to just buy for the group that will be in the clubs with my kids (5-7 yr olds). Not sure what I could get that would appeal to a 12 yr old and a 5 yr old.

What is everyone else doing?

Would I trust Oriental Trading or one of those places to ship directly to the ship or should I resend it?

just thinking ahead.

elaine

I don't know about any gift exchange.....

 

[lbgraves]

The exchange isn't just for the kids. You can see a list of DIS Goodies on the site to get an idea of what some are getting. Others are still trying to decide and a couple are a secret. You can bring something for the kids, something for each person, just the adults, or one thing per family.

 

[lbgraves]

I don't know about any gift exchange.....

Vanessa, I think that Elaine is referring to the goodies that everyone is bringing to share.