2 Castles, 2 Send out 2011 & Ring in 2012...12 Days of Christmas

[momabaarjo]

Ah......now it makes sense. You gotta do what you gotta do. Since you plan on getting to bed fairly early on Christmas night and get straightened out for the next day, I'm sure ya'll be fine. We're sort of doing a crazy first day too with flying out early and staying up for the Christmas party all the first day. But...we get to sleep in the second day so that should be fine. I can handle one sleep deprived night, just not two in a row.

It does seem like the scavenger hunt reveal would be a little more fun the night before when you don't feel so rushed to get a plane, yet I can totally see how it will pump up the kids and you'd never get them to bed! You guys are going to have so much fun!! I can't wait to hear all about every detail!

My reveal plans have changed...I am spreading the scavenger hunt across the 24 days leading up to Christmas Day...one clue, one gift, one activity/task a day until the final big reveal!

 

[Dream426]

No, don't stop answering...I just figured that no one was stalking me. I kinda like it...makes me feel like someone cares what I have to say (and after working with a room full of teachers today I would like someone to care about what I have to say...goodness knows they didn't today)!

I hear you on that. I miss working in the schools though. I always loved the first day and meeting the new kids but missing my old class.

 

[momabaarjo]

I hear you on that. I miss working in the schools though. I always loved the first day and meeting the new kids but missing my old class.

So I am guessing a teacher staying home with a new baby. Congrats! How old is your baby? Him/Her? What did you teach?

I miss the first day of school (sometimes) with a class of my own, but then there are other times when I am grateful not to be a classroom anymore! I can't fault the teachers I was working with today it is hard to be out 2 days within the first 3 weeks of school and learning content that is hard to get your head wrapped around at times.

I spent 16 years in the classroom, and now on year 5 of curriculum. My job is to improve classroom instruction so in turn student achievement as a result is improved both at a campus level and district level, mainly in elementary math. Most days I really love my job, but there are times (here recently) when I feel like I have gone to the dark side of adminstration...

 

[momabaarjo]

Wednesday's Question:
When does Mary Poppins say she will leave the Banks' house?

 

[lovethattink]

When the children and parents go fly a kite!

 

[lovethattink]

Trying having a 14 year old quoting Nemo all the time...and she knows how much Dory annoys me....

It is amazing how much kids take in from watching movies and can quote lines back at you after watching it once!

On a long car trip once Goo watched CARS at least 5 time straight and by the end of the trip...we all had seen it well over 10 times. UGH...I think I can quote the whole movie. We are on DVD #4 of that movie...talk about wearing a DVD out...it can be done!

Anakin quotes Star Wars all the time. When I was in middle school, it was Grease that I had memorized.

No, don't stop answering...I just figured that no one was stalking me. I kinda like it...makes me feel like someone cares what I have to say (and after working with a room full of teachers today I would like someone to care about what I have to say...goodness knows they didn't today)!

I'm still here! But spend most of my time in the morning on the DIS. Homeschooling kicks in around 10am.

My reveal plans have changed...I am spreading the scavenger hunt across the 24 days leading up to Christmas Day...one clue, one gift, one activity/task a day until the final big reveal!

Oh that sounds like it will be so much easier on you!!

 

[Dream426]

So I am guessing a teacher staying home with a new baby. Congrats! How old is your baby? Him/Her? What did you teach?

I miss the first day of school (sometimes) with a class of my own, but then there are other times when I am grateful not to be a classroom anymore! I can't fault the teachers I was working with today it is hard to be out 2 days within the first 3 weeks of school and learning content that is hard to get your head wrapped around at times.

I spent 16 years in the classroom, and now on year 5 of curriculum. My job is to improve classroom instruction so in turn student achievement as a result is improved both at a campus level and district level, mainly in elementary math. Most days I really love my job, but there are times (here recently) when I feel like I have gone to the dark side of adminstration...

I have been with toddlers, preschool, all the way up to 6th grade. The economy is so bad and they are letting teachers go all over that I can't imagine getting a job in it now. I was a sub for awhile and then got a few leave replacements that would lead to full time position but then everything happened and they let teachers go. I am still on the sub list but it isn't the same as when I had my own classroom and I need a full time position. My daughter will be 2 months on Friday. I can't believe how fast that went. So in a way I am also happy I didn't start school here yesterday because I can spend more time with her. I know I will have a hard time leaving her.

 

[Dream426]

Wednesday's Question:
When does Mary Poppins say she will leave the Banks' house?

When there is a change in the wind. I couldn't help and answer because this is my favorite movie..haha

 

[shocky5]

Okay - I'm starting movie nights... we have 14 Saturdays until trip... not sure if I will do Sun or Sat nights... football season makes it difficult but I seriously read your trivia questions and know very few answers... but have seen the movies! It's just been too long, I guess!!

 

[hunterfaimly]

Our Christmas Eve services are at 9. So we should be home, open gift of Pj and in bed by 10:30. We will be back up at 5 so we can open gifts, finish last minute packing and be on the road by 7-7:30. DH and I won't sleep much anyway due to excitement. We are always like that before a big trip 8^). I'm thinking lots of little gifts and the last big gift will have ballons pop out and a letter taped to the bottom with explanations of trip for DD. Do you know of a place to get ballons I could fill with Helium?

Noelle

 

[momabaarjo]

Our Christmas Eve services are at 9. So we should be home, open gift of Pj and in bed by 10:30. We will be back up at 5 so we can open gifts, finish last minute packing and be on the road by 7-7:30. DH and I won't sleep much anyway due to excitement. We are always like that before a big trip 8^). I'm thinking lots of little gifts and the last big gift will have ballons pop out and a letter taped to the bottom with explanations of trip for DD. Do you know of a place to get ballons I could fill with Helium?

Noelle

Sounds like you have basically the same plans Christmas Eve and morning timewise like me! We can think of each other.

Are you driving? Where do you live? When are you leaving WDW for home?

I plan on taking a day off that week before when the kids are still in school so I can pack everyone and then hide the suitcase. I have been secretly making a list of things I am going to start stealing out of drawers when the weather gets colder around here and shorts are not needed anymore.

As for the helium, I am going to get one of those little disposable tanks you can find at places like Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or Party Stores...it will be a waste for 3 balloons, but I figure I can use what is left sometime! Or I was thinking of just getting the balloons at a party store (if they have Mickey, a dolphin and Harry Potter)...but that will take some planning on how to get that done Christmas Eve day without kids around!

 

[momabaarjo]

Wednesday's Question:
When does Mary Poppins say she will leave the Banks' house?

When the children and parents go fly a kite!

That is what happened...but the question was when did Mary say she would leave. I am going to give you a point for this answer!

When there is a change in the wind. I couldn't help and answer because this is my favorite movie..haha

That was the answer I was looking for....

 

[momabaarjo]

I have been with toddlers, preschool, all the way up to 6th grade. The economy is so bad and they are letting teachers go all over that I can't imagine getting a job in it now. I was a sub for awhile and then got a few leave replacements that would lead to full time position but then everything happened and they let teachers go. I am still on the sub list but it isn't the same as when I had my own classroom and I need a full time position. My daughter will be 2 months on Friday. I can't believe how fast that went. So in a way I am also happy I didn't start school here yesterday because I can spend more time with her. I know I will have a hard time leaving her.

I visit a teacher board frequently online and am amazed on how the economy is hitting the east coast and teachers...thank goodness things here are pretty stable when it comes to education...we had a school board and superintendent that had sight of the economic downturn and while the belt got tightened this year, no one lost their job and we got a modest raise to cover rising health care costs.

Okay - I'm starting movie nights... we have 14 Saturdays until trip... not sure if I will do Sun or Sat nights... football season makes it difficult but I seriously read your trivia questions and know very few answers... but have seen the movies! It's just been too long, I guess!!

I am excited for you and the kids. They really love these nights...and this week we are going to start doing them a few times each month with the K-Quad cousins. They are going to WDW in March. This week they are doing a craft and us the dinner.

 

[FosterA]

As for the helium, I am going to get one of those little disposable tanks you can find at places like Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or Party Stores...it will be a waste for 3 balloons, but I figure I can use what is left sometime! Or I was thinking of just getting the balloons at a party store (if they have Mickey, a dolphin and Harry Potter)...but that will take some planning on how to get that done Christmas Eve day without kids around!

I've bought helium balloons for a surprise before and left them in the trunk of my car until everybody was in bed. Or..with a neighbor.

 

[momabaarjo]

I've bought helium balloons for a surprise before and left them in the trunk of my car until everybody was in bed. Or..with a neighbor.

Good thought...but I have a Texas Station Wagon... Surburban...my issue is sneaking them home and trying to get a chance to shop without 3 kids in tow. Can I skip them down to you for a couple of hours? You have really got me thinking on just how sneaky I can be!

 

[momabaarjo]

Dinner & a Movie Weekend Double Feature:
Song of the South
Tom & Huck
(September 3rd & 4th)

This weekend we celebrated the end of summer and a long weekend in the cabin...and yet another chance to escape the heat the drought plaguing home. We got to have our movie night again with the K Quad Cousins who live down the street from us and have a cabin down the hill from us (plus everyone is matched up with a same age cousin except K3...but she gets along with everyone). I decided to pair 2 movies about the South as well as take advantage of the setting around us for activities to do with the movies...but only if the weather decided to cooperate...which it did not!

DH loves Song of the South and it really is a great movie. I know how politically incorrect it is but the music is wonderful and who does not love a good Uncle Remus story?! DH wanted a copy of the movie several years ago...and of course this movie is not released any longer in the United States...so where do I go but eBay?! He was so excited to get it in his Christmas stocking. I had to do a lot of searching for Tom & Huck however...now I have a subscription to Netflicks (but my mom had a VCR tape). The girls of course fell in love with Jonathan Taylor Thomas...who wouldn't he was such a cute kid!

Activities:
*Go Fishing (did not happen, instead it was cold and rainy)
*Play Marbles (forgot the marbles)
*Play Fishing Game (the batteries were dead...)

So what were we able to do?

Make our own rafts and float them down the stream

K3 works on her raft

Ab & K4 work on their rafts

K2's raft floats...and we were all doubters!

Let's Race

Make homemade ice cream and cobbler

Goo helps make the cobbler...using Great Grandma's Recipe

K2 makes the homemade vanilla ice cream using Great Grandma's Recipe

Menu:

We had planned a fish fry with all the trimmings (fried okra, fried squash, cole slaw)...but since we could not fish...we went to town and had Mexican food (that is southern, isn't it...south of the boarder?! ) And we had dessert back at the cabin...

Peach Cobbler & Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Last night we had our southern dinner...

Southern Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Fried Okra

Lemonade & Sweet Tea

Mississippi Mud Pie

​

 

[annmarieda]

I am sorry to have not been around much...life has gotten a bit hectic...

My reveal plans have changed...I am spreading the scavenger hunt across the 24 days leading up to Christmas Day...one clue, one gift, one activity/task a day until the final big reveal!

I love this idea!!! How fun! I can't wait to hear how it goes.

Dinner & a Movie Weekend Double Feature:
Song of the South
Tom & Huck
(September 3rd & 4th)

This weekend we celebrated the end of summer and a long weekend in the cabin...and yet another chance to escape the heat the drought plaguing home. We got to have our movie night again with the K Quad Cousins who live down the street from us and have a cabin down the hill from us (plus everyone is matched up with a same age cousin except K3...but she gets along with everyone). I decided to pair 2 movies about the South as well as take advantage of the setting around us for activities to do with the movies...but only if the weather decided to cooperate...which it did not!

DH loves Song of the South and it really is a great movie. I know how politically incorrect it is but the music is wonderful and who does not love a good Uncle Remus story?! DH wanted a copy of the movie several years ago...and of course this movie is not released any longer in the United States...so where do I go but eBay?! He was so excited to get it in his Christmas stocking. I had to do a lot of searching for Tom & Huck however...now I have a subscription to Netflicks (but my mom had a VCR tape). The girls of course fell in love with Jonathan Taylor Thomas...who wouldn't he was such a cute kid!

Activities:
*Go Fishing (did not happen, instead it was cold and rainy)
*Play Marbles (forgot the marbles)
*Play Fishing Game (the batteries were dead...)

So what were we able to do?

Make our own rafts and float them down the stream

K3 works on her raft

Ab & K4 work on their rafts

K2's raft floats...and we were all doubters!

Let's Race

Make homemade ice cream and cobbler

Goo helps make the cobbler...using Great Grandma's Recipe

K2 makes the homemade vanilla ice cream using Great Grandma's Recipe

Menu:

We had planned a fish fry with all the trimmings (fried okra, fried squash, cole slaw)...but since we could not fish...we went to town and had Mexican food (that is southern, isn't it...south of the boarder?! ) And we had dessert back at the cabin...

Peach Cobbler & Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Last night we had our southern dinner...

Southern Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Fried Okra

Lemonade & Sweet Tea

Mississippi Mud Pie

​

That food looks sooo yummy. I have to go make dinner but I am procrastinating. I need something far less involved to make tonight...but I am totally jealous of what you made there.

 

[momabaarjo]

I am sorry to have not been around much...life has gotten a bit hectic...
No worries...been worrying about you...hope all went well today and good news comes soon!



I love this idea!!! How fun! I can't wait to hear how it goes.

I think I am more excited now about the advent countdown then the scavenger hunt Christmas morning!



That food looks sooo yummy. I have to go make dinner but I am procrastinating. I need something far less involved to make tonight...but I am totally jealous of what you made there.

I must admit I had to use some stock photos for the fried chicken dinner...of course I did not make dinner last night...I stopped at the grocery store deli but we finally got our true southern dinner after a weekend of mishaps! Ab made the Mississippi Mud pie...thinking I need a piece of it right now but DH hate the last piece and the boys did not polish off tonight after dinner... Oh well...keep telling myself PHOTO PASS PICTURES you have no excuse not to be in any family pictures this trip!

 

[hunterfaimly]

I live in very rural Indiana. We are a 2 hour drive to the airport. So even though our flight looks to be 11:30 we have to leave by 7:30. We are returning on the 31st, although my DH asked about changing to the first. We will see how the airfare plays out for the next week or so. I hadn't put much thought into the logistics of how to blow up the balloons and wrap them at the last minute. We have a helium tank already for birthday parties and such. Just wondering where to buy the actual balloons. Was thinking of taking them to the airport and giving the balloons to kids coming off the plan to extend the magic for another family. must get back to the potty training I'm determined to get this done

Noelle

 

[shocky5]

Love the Huck and Finn movie night and craft! And food! My stomach is growling... May have to hit chickfila on the way home... <just say no!>

I will let you know if movie night works out this weekend!