12/19/2009 - 12/26/2009 Magical Christmas Cruise! It's not that far Away?

[itutorfortravel]

Hi everyone! Hope you all had great weekends and ready for the week.

It snowed here it Boston yesterday!!! It's mid-October! I hope this doesn't mean we'll have a rough winter! We need to make it on the cruise and I'm now worried about the weather delaying/canceling our flight down to Florida... Keeping my fingers crossed for good weather!

Also, are there any food allergies in our group? I just want to make sure my FE gift will be ok for all and if not so I can make some adjustments!

Have a great well everybody!

No food allergies for itutorfortravel and my crew!!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

I found this board before we booked last month. I wanted to make sure we were going before I introduced us.

My husband and I have been on RCL a couple of times and once with our second child when he was 4 months old. I should have thought that one through a little more.

We currently have two category 12 cabins. I'm hoping to at least get two cabins on the same deck.

I need to go back a couple of pages and read, but are you talking about a Christmas for at home or for your cabin?

Hey Michelle! I added your DH's name to the roll call

My family also booked 2 cat 12's. It wasn't much more than putting us all in one cat 12, and I wasn't sure how the bathroom situation would work out for all of us, especially since there will be two adult women in our group (me and step-DD who is 19).

Hey, I see your location is Charlotte! If that is NC, then we are neighbors! We live in Union County, so technically we are south of the city, but still close enough...

BTW, the Christmas tree thing I was talking about was whether to put one up at home or not and if I did put one up whether to get an artificial one or a real one...there was some talk here though about trees in the stateroom. I'd love to have one, but I don't think I have the packing space. I thought DCL offered trees for the rooms, kind of like a floral arrangement, something you could order. Anyone know?

In terms of the FE, I have tried before to explain it but I don't do a very good job of it! So I will just say that the FE itself is like a little hanging organizer that hangs from the fish hook outside your stateroom door. The FE exchange is when a group of people on a particular group get together and decide to exchange little surprises throughout the week to each other by putting them in the FE's. You can buy or make a group gift for the other families, or put together an assortment of things for the individual members. And it doesn't have to be anything big or elaborate. It's just a way to have fun with your fellow DISers...it's kind of like a secret Santa on this trip! Okay, so that was my best attempt at explaining it. Anyone else, please feel free to come along and add to what I've said!

Kimberly

 

[bpescar]

Kim
I think you did a marvelous job at explaining what we do. As for the organizer maybe I can help give some detail to that. When I was looking up patterns to make ours they were called locker pockets. Don't forget Michelle can also go to ebay and type in Disney Fish Extender and it will show her one for sale. Michelle we hope this helps. Last year my daughter did this. She is a single mom with two children and a low budget. When she told me about it I thought it was a great idea. Almost everyday of the cruise there was something being exchanged. The items were small gifts and fun little items like pencils, stickers, and homemade goodies too! This year being Christmas we will be secret Santas except for the family who is Jewish. There will be a list with a set of preferences which we can print out before we sail.

Kim did this help you out....


Mark and I are trying to work on our banner for the boards but I am not sure it is going to come out. Watch our future posts.

 

[stichlover87]

So if we do the flash mob thing how many practices do you think we would need to get it down pat? I hope we have enough people that are going to do it to make a big effect!

 

[Downrivermama]

Things are finally quieting down here. Can't wait till 11/1 when I can do cruise planning all day every day! Going to start creating my FE stuff! So far looks like we have a nice size group.

Some great places to pick up FE gifts are the dollar spots at Target, Michael's, JoAnn's and of course $ stores. Homemade is good too. Just have fun with it. I lucked out at JoAnn's and picked up stuff clearance to 50 cents for the kids.

 

[3DAN]

Hi Tina, Barb, Kimberly, Michelle, and Tiffany!!!!!!
The cruise is still on. F for Billy in chemistry so far. I suspect other grades as well. We use edline up here, but the teachers are not timely. Looking bad for his chances for college. Oh Well!!! They tell me that there comes a time where you just have to let go. I guess that time has come. Lots of pressure here, not just with Billy.
I was searching the boards and found a list of all of the most common cruise songs. That will make me feel better. HEY!! on a brighter side, We got the ressies for the 2 bedroom at the Kidani village savannah view for the animal kingdom lodge after the cruise. It was sold out and I actually thought we were going to end up at the boardwalk in a one bedroom. In a two bedroom, each kid has his own bed. We really enjoyed the savannah view the last time we were there. Kristen , particularly did. The zebra backed up and kicked a giraffe. Seems like I need a Chiquita moment.


It is sort of like valium,,,, it kinda relaxes you.
It is midnight here. I am at the office. I am paying bills. This is awful.
Bill

 

[owensamo]

Speaking of FEs - I had planned to make one out of Christmas stockings, but found an *adorable* Christmas Card Holder at Bed, Bath and Beyond! I was having a tough time trying to figure out how to put my idea together anyway

So if you're still looking, look for Christmas Card holders - there's one online at the BB&B website (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15913517) that's not the same as the one I got, but is also really cute!

Can't wait! Just under 2 months!!!!

Amanda

 

[robynchic]

I'm baaaaaack...AND MARRIED!!

Just thought you all may like to know that I'm back safely!

ETA: and thank you all for the well wishes. The weather was perfect! The sun was setting during the ceremony, there were few issues, and we had a blast! There are a few Facebook albums from a friend. If you want to see them, PM me and I'll send you the link.

 

[robynchic]

This sail date is available for cast member booking, so they're still trying to fill up the ship.

 

[riggins]

I'm baaaaaack...AND MARRIED!!

Just thought you all may like to know that I'm back safely!

ETA: and thank you all for the well wishes. The weather was perfect! The sun was setting during the ceremony, there were few issues, and we had a blast! There are a few Facebook albums from a friend. If you want to see them, PM me and I'll send you the link.

Welcome Back Robin! I'm glad things went well and you had fun.

Now, just under 2 months to go!!!

-Leslie

 

[Downrivermama]

Hi Tina, Barb, Kimberly, Michelle, and Tiffany!!!!!!
The cruise is still on. F for Billy in chemistry so far. I suspect other grades as well. We use edline up here, but the teachers are not timely. Looking bad for his chances for college. Oh Well!!! They tell me that there comes a time where you just have to let go. I guess that time has come. Lots of pressure here, not just with Billy.
I was searching the boards and found a list of all of the most common cruise songs. That will make me feel better. HEY!! on a brighter side, We got the ressies for the 2 bedroom at the Kidani village savannah view for the animal kingdom lodge after the cruise. It was sold out and I actually thought we were going to end up at the boardwalk in a one bedroom. In a two bedroom, each kid has his own bed. We really enjoyed the savannah view the last time we were there. Kristen , particularly did. The zebra backed up and kicked a giraffe. Seems like I need a Chiquita moment.


It is sort of like valium,,,, it kinda relaxes you.
It is midnight here. I am at the office. I am paying bills. This is awful.
Bill

Glad to hear you guys are still coming!
Sorry to hear about ds's grades.
dd just got her first progress report and she got 4 assorted A's and a B-. the B is in language arts which she has an IEP in. Her grade school didn't use grades, it was based on multiple intelligences so we got progress reports. this is her frist indication of ABC grades. We have Zangle- Parent Connect so we have been checking at least once a week. She wants to get on the honor roll!

Speaking of FEs - I had planned to make one out of Christmas stockings, but found an *adorable* Christmas Card Holder at Bed, Bath and Beyond! I was having a tough time trying to figure out how to put my idea together anyway

So if you're still looking, look for Christmas Card holders - there's one online at the BB&B website (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15913517) that's not the same as the one I got, but is also really cute!

Can't wait! Just under 2 months!!!!

Amanda

That is so cute! I might have to go get one. I'll try tomorrow, I have a furlough day and am going to IKEA after I drop off dd!

Only 2 more months Yeah! Since we didn't have much of a summer here, bring on the sunshine!

 

[bpescar]

Bill
Don't give up hope yet.There is always community college. I teach there and you would be surprised at the number of students we have that failed high school courses and are able to take developmental course and catch up to college course with in a couple of semesters. See me on the ship and I can fill you in... I teach those classes for English. It is a good deal for kids like Billy. Besides remember the stats. US Department of Education reports 68% of high school graduates can only perform at a seventh grade reading. writing and math level anyway so they end up taking these type of courses before taking college courses. Glad you are still going. Tutors can help also. Talk to Kim. See you in 2 months. PS that is great news about the savannah view-lucky dog...

 

[itutorfortravel]

Yeah Bill! Glad to hear your family is still coming on the cruise

Barbara is right, lots of kids go to community college before heading off to 4 year colleges. Sometimes because they need to catch up a little bit, and sometimes for financial reasons. I'll tell you what, more and more of the students I tutor are doing their first 2 years at CC and then transferring. It is mind-numbing how much their parents are saving on tuition (maybe think of it that way!!). Plus, with CC, the children typically live at home which tends to keep them out of trouble, as in the partying scene that is sooo hard to resist when you are a freshman away from home for the first time ever! So, there's a lot of good things about starting out in CC, if that ends up being your DS's choice.

We are getting really close to maybe knowing our stateroom assignments! Sue mentioned on the main thread that it's only 53 days away. I can't believe it!!! So, that means that maybe by next Wednesday some of us will know where we'll be! Doesn't matter to me where it is, as long as it's on the Magic. I'm so excited!

Have a great night everyone

Kimberly

 

[Peaceableone]

Yea Bill. Glad you guys are still coming! Mine are 11 and 13, so I'm listening and learning from you and others. I try to prepare for the worst, and suspect the same will be heading my way.

Anyway, can I have a min. to brag, too? I have been working on one of my FE gifts. OMGosh, the first item (of which I have made 3 and have 4 more 'going') are just turning out so darn COOL! I've never made this item, so wasnt and really sure and still aren't too sure, how to do it, but it's working and it's cool. Friday starts my next project. Another thing I have never done and well, um, we'll see how it comes out . Did I mention I don't even have an FE Extender yet? ha ha.. I have the fabric.. that is about it. .

 

[itutorfortravel]

Anyway, can I have a min. to brag, too? I have been working on one of my FE gifts. OMGosh, the first item (of which I have made 3 and have 4 more 'going') are just turning out so darn COOL! I've never made this item, so wasnt and really sure and still aren't too sure, how to do it, but it's working and it's cool. Friday starts my next project. Another thing I have never done and well, um, we'll see how it comes out . Did I mention I don't even have an FE Extender yet? ha ha.. I have the fabric.. that is about it. .

That's great! Can't wait to see them I've seen and heard about so many unique and beautiful things that people have made for FE gifts. Wish I had that kind of talent!

& Tina, sooo happy for you and your coming retirement! I can't imagine having nothing to do but cruise prep and planning for over a month before we sail. I'm so jealous! Enjoy it...

 

[shannonetherton]

I am so excited to find this link! We will be there for Christmas also! My husband Tony, My DD Emily (9) and myself Shannon. This is our sixth cruise and our second on the Magic. This is also one of the few we have done without out travel buddies so I would love to see some other folks on board! I really would love to get in on the FE exchange. I think this is perfect for Christmas! I will have to go warm up my cricut and see if I can locate my creative juices!! Please let me know how I go about being part of the exchange (how do I get cabin numbers, how many folks......) this is a new one for me! Thanks for including us!
Shannon

The Disney Wonder - 4 times
The Disney Magic - Soon to be 2 times
WDW- 25+ times! I lost count!

 

[bpescar]

Welcome to your family! Kim and Tina will take care of you I am sure. Just stay tuned and keep chatting with us. Many of us are teachers, how about you ?


Kim
Mark and I created a personal banner on Mickey path but now do not know how to insert it here, can you help? It said we need to enable the HTML which is off. How do we do that? Hope you can help us. We chose a picture from one of our past cruises so you all would know who to look for on the ship.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I am so excited to find this link! We will be there for Christmas also! My husband Tony, My DD Emily (9) and myself Shannon. This is our sixth cruise and our second on the Magic. This is also one of the few we have done without out travel buddies so I would love to see some other folks on board! I really would love to get in on the FE exchange. I think this is perfect for Christmas! I will have to go warm up my cricut and see if I can locate my creative juices!! Please let me know how I go about being part of the exchange (how do I get cabin numbers, how many folks......) this is a new one for me! Thanks for including us!
Shannon

The Disney Wonder - 4 times
The Disney Magic - Soon to be 2 times
WDW- 25+ times! I lost count!

Hi Shannon! Welcome to the group!!!

I'll add your family to the roll call, on page 1. I know there are a couple 8 year old girls and a 10 year old girl in our group, so your DD should be able to make new friends in our group!

If you look at the roll call on page 1, you'll see a note as to whether the family is participating in the FE exchange. Counting you it looks like 16 families and a little over 50 people are participating at the moment. We don't have cabin numbers listed for most people on the roll call. If you want to send that to me, I can keep it in an offline spreadsheet I'm maintaining as I update the roll call. I'm helping to compile the info right now, but Downrivermama (Tina) is going to take over as our FE coordinator closer to the cruise. She had mentioned something about a google document that she'd send to everyone with cabin info and then she'd also post something on her stateroom door with any updated cabin info due to upgrades, etc.


Hope that helps!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Kim
Mark and I created a personal banner on Mickey path but now do not know how to insert it here, can you help? It said we need to enable the HTML which is off. How do we do that? Hope you can help us. We chose a picture from one of our past cruises so you all would know who to look for on the ship.

Hey Barbara! I wish I knew how to guide you. My Mickey path image is also not working and I just haven't had time to look at it. I've never posted pics on the DISboard, but maybe someone else in our group will come along and know what to do...this might also be a great question for the main DCL thread...let me know if you find out what to do!

Have a good day,
Kimberly

 

[riggins]

Kimberly- I think MickeyPath must be having some technical difficulties. I've noticed a whole bunch of people with countdowns that have the same message as yours. I hope they fix it soon. I always look to your posts to see how many more days we have!!

Hi Shannon! Welcome to the group! My DDs are 6 and 8 and I'm really excited to see your daughter is 9. My girls will be in different age groups on this cruise, so I'm really hoping they get a chance to meet some other girls who will be with them in Club/Lab with them.


Speaking of meeting other kids, we should talk about plans to actually meet once onboard. Does anyone have a good ideas about time or place? I only did a meet one other time and frankly, it didn't work out that well. We met up on Deck 10 right after the lifeboat drill just as the Sailaway Party was starting. It was too crowded and too noisy to actually get to talk to anyone and my kids really wanted to be down on the dance floor. Does anyone have thoughts?

Happy Wednesday!
Leslie