12/10/05 ~ Anyone else cruising.....??

[lbgraves]

I didn't say that DD was clingy even at PS, crying for those 10 seconds after I dropped her off until the 4 year PS class. She just started opening up & talking to people that we know & see on a regular basis. I also think that the main reason she wanted to stay out of the club the first time was that she enjoyed all of the individual attention that she received from DH & myself. We went to the Mickey pool, the movies, and all over to see the characters. DH is away from home alot with work & this was one time where she didn't have to say goodbye to him for a whole week.

 

[lillygator]

Lisa - that's great that your DD, DS and John's DD will all get to be in the same club! I'm sure they will have a blast.

We are headed to Sanibel tomorrow for the weekend although I think it will probably be rainy with TS Katrina coming right over that area on Fri/Sat...at least that is what the current forcast says....we aren't that far from home so we'd have the same weather in either place I'm sure. We can't cancel or anything as DH "won" this from the owner's of his store.

But this does signal the last weekend in August...

Hello 'ber months, football season, fall and soon our Disney Cruise!

 

[lillygator]

Lisa - wasn't today DD's first day of school?

How did she do? and you?

 

[missmulan]

Okay, I've officially started my Christmas shopping today. Everything has to be sent out before we get on the Magic!!!

 

[lbgraves]

Great start Jen! I need to take the gifts out next week since it is DD's birthday. That is when I usually start wrapping. I might wait until DS's birthday in November this year.

DD loved Kindergarten & DS was so happy about being in first grade that he cried.

Ready for school.

DS was very happy to find out that he is sitting next to one of his many girlfriends. LOL!

DD's first art project...a self portrait. Please notice the purple tiara since she loves to be Cinderella & she always has a tiara on.

 

[missmulan]

Lisa! Your kids are beautiful! They look so "grown up" now that they are both in a big boy big girl school! My DS started Kindergarten (right after July 4th weekend...we're on year round school) and he & I worked on that little cutout person too.

 

[Jhalkias]

Lisa,

Great pictures - I showed Sophia the picture of William and the "other woman" LOL!

Sophia also had her first day of Kindergarten on Friday - they invited parents to come for the first 45 minutes or so, and Sophia was fine until it was time for us to go. At that point she started yelling that she wanted to go to Grandma's, and would not let go of me. They had to "peel" her off of me, and as I was making a quick exit I could hear her yelling Daaaaaaaaaaady!

I had a HUGE lump in my throat as I left. Of course the other kids (who have probably spent more time in day care) were fine.

Her teacher called me 15 minutes later to say she was fine 2 minutes after I left, and she is now looking forward to Monday! She had a great day on Friday.

What we are REALLY hoping, is that this all-day K-garten will help her have an easier time acclimating to the clubs, and wanting to be there. We had the same experiences as Lisa last year, and while we would never leave her there for full days (unless she wanted to) some free adult time would be much appreciated!

We have found that kids wanting to stay there is more the child's personality than the staff or club itself.

John

 

[lbgraves]

DD use to do that to me every day of 2 & 3 year PS. She would start crying & then five seconds after I went out the door she would stop & go play. It never really got easier to go thru that. It was really nice that the teacher took the time to call you. Glad that her day went better on Friday. It probably will make a difference on the ship.

 

[lillygator]

Glad to hear everyone started the year off well!

Lisa - your pics are awesome! It's amazing the change in your sig pic to now of your little princess!!

I still can't believe September is this week along with football!!

Our cruise is going to be here before you know it!

 

[lillygator]

ok everyone - I had to get us off page two and guess what - Tomorrow is SEPTEMBER!!

This morning on my way to work they were talking with people that were hit by the storm. Katrina was such a devastating storm, I have been watching the news and listening to all those who are let homeless, I just want to cry for them. Last year, when this happened, families would come in to Home Depot, having driven up from Port Charlotte area, crying as they were writing out checks for tarps, coolers anything they could get their hands on. On our way to Sanibel this last weekend there was a HUGE area off the interstate of what I am assuming was the temporary housing set up for all the families left homeless...so even after a year they aren't close to being back to what they were, New Orleans, Bilioxi will have even longer I'm sure. It just amazes me that those who could get out chose not too, especially people with children. I pray for the speedy recovery for everyone and their families.

 

[Disney Di]

My brother & his wife were in New Orleans last week for their wedding anniversary. I'm glad they came home before Katrina hit.

I was told alot of people did not leave because they had no money, no place to go to, no car to leave town or they could not afford a hotel in another town. It would have been nice if the city had organized sine kind of transportation out of town for those people. It will take along time to rebuild. Makes count your blessings.
Disney Di

 

[jordanyosh]

Finally paid my cruise portion off yesterday. Flight prices have stayed pretty constant and not really dropped...I may have to buy today b4 they start going up.

Any reports on folks getting upgrades? From the Disney Cruise website it still looks like there are staterooms available categories 4-9.....I wouldn't mind getting an upgrade, but REALLY like my location and deck....

Getting ready for NFL and NHL to start. That should keep me occupied until the cruise. Looking forward to complete relaxation.

 

[lillygator]

I doubt we'll get an upgrade...we did on our first cruise - booked a cat 11 and ended up in a 9.....this cruise we booked a cat 6 and next year we booked a 9. Hopefully next year we will!!

I did see on the website the amout of available cabins...I am SO hoping this leads to the Florida Resident Rate being released (I check every day!!) they did last year. And I think there is some website somewhere that tells the actual number of open cabins - does anyone know?

We are paid off as well and am trying to rest up for that upcoming late night of booking!! I still have to figure out what we are doing and when. I am wondering if the tours fill up as fast? I think we are going to do a snorkel tour in the AM, come back to the ship for lunch and get the girl's and then take a cab on our own to Magen's Bay for the afternoon. On CC we will probably lay around and not really do anything other than the beach although I am interested in the Stigray City....

 

[missmulan]

I have 9/10 as the day we CC members can make our ressies...is that right? are we on the same page or am I too early?

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay just booked my flight from Los Angeles to Orlando on Dec 5th and returning to LA on Dec 18th. I am driving to Tampa after the cruise with a friend. We're going to the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings game.....
Anyways, the fare was 346 round trip. Yikes!!! With all my limitations that was the best I could do. With all the gas issues right now, I don't expect fares to go anywhere but up.........Hard to believe was able to get a round trip in January for 196....oh the good old days.

 

[Jhalkias]

I don't want to make you all nuts about what I got our airfare for, but I've got to brag a bit . . .

On our trip last February, we had a problem with the flight (engine blew out on the plane, and we had to return to the airport - delayed by several hours). Anyway, we got a $25 off certificate each, and later got a letter for a free one-way fare from Airtran.

They were having a sale this week on flights south for this fall/winter, so I called in to book with all of our discounts.

After all of our discounts and free one-way - TOTAL fare for three of us from Akron-Canton to Orlando roundtrip . . . $158.10!!!!!

We'll probably NEVER have another deal like this again. Sorry Jordan.

 

[jordanyosh]

Should I throw myself under the bus now or later......

Wow. Congrats on the great 3 person fare......utilize the savings to buy me a round on the cruise and we'll call it even.

 

[cristit14]

Wow, John! That is a great price! Maybe you should buy me a drink along with Jordon. I just spent just over $1300 for the four of us.

 

[lillygator]

Wow - that is an awesome price!

 

[LittletonLinda]

Feels weird to talk about this with all the devastation in the south. Since we had the REAS package, I was able to book the Palo dinner, brunch and high tea. As of right now, multiple times are still available on many days. Make sure you click the "update" button, if you are booking more than 2 for Palo. I tried to book 4 for brunch, but did not hit update, and it booked two. Then I was scared to cancel the reservation in fear I would not be able to get it back for 4. Luckily, I cancelled then re-booked for 4 people. My DD is listed as "male". I think this was a travel agent problem, it wouldn't let me change it!

As for the Castaway members, is it Sept. 11th at 3am east coast time? My sister needs to book Palo then.

Linda