4.33 years is WAY too long between visits!

[tyandskyesmom]

Still unable to get Mama Melrose in any way, shape, or form...preferably December 19th for lunch with a Fantasmic Package... or Sci-Fi to take it's place.

Nothing is open for late on New Year's Eve for La Hacienda or Le Cellier. I am ok with what I have for those two but would like either one later (we have a 6pm but would like an 8pm). There is availability at almost every other venue around 8pm except for those two. Initially I thought maybe La Hacienda was not seating that late because of the celebration and it's proximity to the water but Le Cellier too? It's no where near the water and had no external view of anything. Have either or both of those places done something special for the New Year's Eve Celebration that they are not booking for yet? Or are either or both used for something else during the evening on New Year's Eve?

In real life news...I have my first root canal yesterday...and I'm not feeling good today! My jaw is sore but my cheek, lip, and tongue are horribly painful! And I have to go back in two weeks to finish it up! Good news is the kids had their check ups (Skye's 6th grade physical) and no cavities still (even though I cannot get them convinced that they have to brush at least twice a day...and at this rate they will never believe me). But they both are going to need braces and Tyler may be at the point of needing his wisdom teeth pulled (which he is not a fan of) because his mouth is not big enough (coulda fooled me!). So that is on my expense list for next year...Tyler probably first because I think my insurance (for what it's worth) will only help cover braces until they are 18...and my baby is turning 17 on our trip in December!

Also, Tyler drove in a car with me for the first time yesterday. He has been scared to drive. The only 16 year old I have ever heard of who would pass at the chance to get behind the wheel if offered...and he came away from about 30 minutes of driving around our side streets saying "That wasn't too bad."...but still does not want to drive on busy streets and said he will never drive in the rain or on the express way...I assured him his outlook will change as he gets more comfortable. He did suggest going to pick Skyler up from tumbling last night but thenchanged his mind when he had tome to think about it. It's across town so he'd have to hit some busy streets. I tried to reassure him that at 8:30pm there would not be that many cars on the road but he did not buy it. He'll get there!

 

[Disneychix]

Sorry about the root canal, hope you are recovering well.

My 8yr old already has a hefty bill for ortho and they've already told me my 4yr old will be on the same path. Ugh! Thank goodness they don't have cavity/dentist issues, just ortho.

I hope you keep checking to get what you need for NYE!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I think I am the only person not jumping on a Candlelight Processional ADR right now. I just don't think any of those restaurants are worth 2 credits each (including Skyler) for us. We have been many times between Thanksgiving and Christmas and have yet to see it but I just cannot see wasting food credits like that. SO, while I'd like to see it, we'll take our chances.

I am still not able to get a later Hacienda ADR. Must not going to be open later than 6pm on New Year's Eve.

And my biggest dining issue is Hollywood Studios. While I have what I need, it's not what I want. There is still nothing available for Mama Melrose for a Fantasmic package or otherwise! I am also watching for a Sci-Fi to open up for lunch to take the place of Mama Melrose just in case they never open ADRs but nothing! At this time we have a San Angel Inn ADR for lunch that day...which is ok but I'd like to not have to leave Hollywood Studios for lunch. I guess we'll wait and see when it gets closer!

We have not had a chance to get our tentative day to day plans in order yet so we have not really thought about fast pass + yet. Skyler and I will have to get down to that soon.

We are slowly doing some research on what to do with Nina. She is old and very set in her ways. I don't think she'd like to be cooped up in a cage for two weeks. But, we don't have much family to take her. My parents might do it but Cary is afraid Nina will not be nice to other animals because of a run in with some stray cats in her year a few years ago. My parents have a cat, a puggle, and a macaw. So we'd have to do some test visits and see how she does...but my parents do not know we are planning yet and because of our past relationship, I do not want them to know until it is paid off and all. SO that cannot happen for a while. Tyler's friend has been living with us for the most part (he spends the night almost every night since school got out) and he is familiar with the house and Nina and how we do things and such so it is also a possibility to give him some cash to come over a few times a day (or stay there ... he lives a couple of blocks away...or should I say his family lives a couple of blocks away...LOL) to let Nina out and watch the house. He will be 17 at the time...he has a job and quite frankly, I wish some of his sense of responsibility would rub off on Tyler! But, it is winter in Illinois and it is Christmas time...so depending on weather stopping by everyday might be difficult...and being that it's Christmas time, his family might want him home (meaning he wouldn't be staying at our house). And we seem to have some good neighbors to look after the well being of the house but I am not sure about Nina letting them in (or if we would feel that comfortable letting them in) since she does not know them like that.

We are having some issues with Dylan and behavioral things that has been very exhausting and time consuming. Cary has visited with a mental health clinic on the recommendation of Dylan's PCP and Dylan has an appointment next week. His PCP has diagnosed a possible behavioral disorder, social disorder, anxiety, and depression. I am not a doctor but I am a great parent and I hope that some counseling and medication can help this 15 year old get his head/life in order. He has always been a bit on the difficult side due to circumstances of his youth. But as of about January, he started trying to make teachers mad. He had been an A and a couple B student for the past two years and he had teachers who really thought he was a great kid. It started with the music teacher and disrupting the class repeatedly. When she finally got that under control, it transferred to his Language Arts teacher (who used to think he was a great kid and even was considering letting him teach some of the books he had already read) where he ended up with an F for the third quarter and then barely pulled out a D for the last. At parent-teacher conferences I brought up the theory of needing meds or something like that and three of his teachers said in their opinion Dylan was in total control of the situation and could turn it on and off as it suited him...and in part, I agree. So of course this gets him in trouble at home and he gets mad at the world rather than himself. We have had to lock up the pantry and the refrigerator because he steals food out of them. He steals food, toys, money, etc...from Tyler and Skyler when they have it. He throws candy and gum and garbage out his bedroom window onto the roof ledge. He will not bathe when told to and then lies that he did. His room is a mess. He writes on everything...and I am a huge advocate of NOT defacing your things and ruining something I worked hard to obtain. He stores food wrappers he has stolen in his room to get moldy. He change the administrator to himself (while he was grounded and not supposed to even be downstairs!) on my computer. We have gone to having to lock my bedroom door and tape the other one out of his room so we at least had proof if he leaves his room when we are gone. He has no respect for authority, his father, his home, nothing...he thinks I am the cause of all of this and takes no blame on himself. So hopefully, someone can figure out what this kid needs and help him because at this rate he is going to be in jail by the time he is 19!!!! So he may be another kink in our plans. I do not want to reward this behavior with an awesome vacation and I do not want to ruin our vacation with his behavior BUT what do we do with him if we decide he cannot go? And what do we do with him if we decide we have no other choice? I cannot leave him alone...while I am sure he would be fine when we returned, nothing else would be. I don't think that would be a safe bet...plus, he's probably have his 19 year old brother who was kicked out/chose to leave out home (went back to be spoiled and do nothing at Grandma's where they were before we all got together) just before he turned 18 rather that follow rules, get a job, and function in our family over and THAT is unacceptable! Plus, I kind of want him to see what he's giving up by doing all of this...but at what cost? He has no family to take him in for the time we will be gone. A live in babysitter (if such a thing exists) would cost too much. I may not have any choice but to bring him whether he is on the road to functioning or not. Anyone with any experience with this, please chime in! We could use all the help we can get!

Tyler has finally seen that driving is fun. He got over his fear, mostly. He has driven on the expressway, at night, in a traffic jam (out of fireworks on the fourth of July), through downtown Joliet, etc. I now have a driver. This is the last week of class but they have to hold a permit for 9 months now...I did not know that and was somewhat upset that no one found it necessary to provide that info ahead of time for families to make the best arrangement for their kids. I mean, when most of the parents of kids turning 16 went through it, there was no waiting period...now there is. So he will not be able to get his license until January or February...he will be 17. We might have tried harder to fit it in sooner had we known he'd have to wait 9 months! Football camp has officially started so he gets to school at 7am for drivers ed and is there until at least 1pm for football...and then sometimes has to schedule "behind the wheel" time after that. He comes home exhausted! He has filled out a few job applications but nothing yet.

Skyler is taking tumbling twice a week for two hours a night for the summer and is pre-tumbling team and has been asked about joining the team but I don't think she has the time nor do I have the money. She can't wait for August 15th for Nutcracker auditions too. She's hoping to get 34 parts this year! She is anxiously awaiting September when dance classes start again. She is planning 11 classes...if I can swing the money. Ballet 6 (for extra practice), Pointe 1 (for extra practice), Tap 6 (that's the highest Tap class), Competition B/C (for extra competing), Advanced Technique, Advanced Ballet, Pointe 2, Advanced Hip Hop, Advanced Jazz, Performance Jazz (which is the highest competition team), and Performance Lyrical (the other highest completion team). The Performance teams are mostly made up of high school kids and due to IHSA rules they cannot compete until the competition seasons are over at school so those two teams will only compete once or twice so she wants to dance with the younger team (which is actually where her age group mostly is) to get more completion in. She is also hoping to compete a solo and a duet this year. And guess what the theme is for this year....DISNEY!!!! She is moving to junior high this year on the Academy side (where all the kids from the magnet school she came from go). She is excited to be able to be on a dance team there too among other things (like student council, track, scholastic bowl, choir, etc).

Cary had his work bought/franchised last week so we were a little worried about what was going to happen to the manager and staff but all turned out good...even better with some sales incentive!

I am finally not feeling tons of pain from my root canal...well actually not from the root canal itself but from biting my cheep and lip and the inside of my tongue form rubbing against the temporary cap! UGH...

But there is a vacation in the future and I hope to have it paid off by mid August...then I will really get excited!!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I am very happy this morning...

I was able to snag a Sci-Fi Dine In ADR for December 19th!!!! It is a bit later than I wanted...we were thinking between 2pm and 3pm but I got a 4:10pm. So that day we will have ...

Ohana Breakfast @ 7:30am
Sci- Fi lunch (although it is technically dinner time) @ 4:10pm
Flying Fish dinner at 9:45pm

I am thinking we will head over to Hollywood Studios after breakfast and hopefully get to do a lot quickly...I think I will probably book fast pass + for mid morning. That way, if we feel done (it sure is seeming like there is just not going to be that much to hold us there that long right now!) we can either hop somewhere else for the afternoon or even go back to the hotel and rest of swim for a little bit before heading back for lunch/Osborne Lights/Fantasmic/dinner that evening. Or if we find there is still enough to hold our attention all day, we will snack between breakfast and lunch and hang out.

I think it is early enough in our trip that encouraging everyone to eat a huge breakfast at Ohana should be able to hold us over with maybe a snack mid day until lunch. At lunch, it is possibly that Cary and I can share a meal, if not we all kinda share and we don't order 4 appetizers/entrees/desserts in anticipation of dinner that evening...Sci-Fi is one of those places that has been iffy for us in terms of food so I don't think we will miss each ordering our own meal...plus I am one credit short over all so that would be my one credit saved.

Is it ideal? No. Would I still like to snag a Mama Melrose Fantasmic package ADR? YES!!! And I will keep looking but Skye really wants to take Cary to Sci-Fi so I think I would prefer the package to replace Brown Derby rather than Sci-Fi if possible.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

oops!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Well, I'm bored and dying to do something Disney related...I NEED A VACATION SOOOOO BADLY!!! So, you guys (all 3 of you, if I still have that many readers around) are going to be privileged to view my planning mind and the work I went through to determine if the deluxe dining plan was something we would benefit from...so if you want to tune me out, I won't be offended...I'm really just trying to entertain myself. However, while reading along, if you so choose, you feel the need to throw out some suggestions, I'm all ears!

Arrival Day #1 Friday December 18, 2015
Lunch at 50's Prime Time Café

Skye : Kid's Grandma's Macaroni & Cheese with green beans and carrots, drink, and ice cream $ 8.59
Dylan : Beer Battered Onion Rings & horseradish sauce $ 6.99
A Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes - fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf with all the fixings $21.99
Dad's Brownie Sundae $ 6.49
Root Beer Float $ 4.99
Tyler : Beer Battered Onion Rings & horseradish sauce $ 6.99
Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken $ 19.99
Dad's Brownie Sundae $ 6.49
Vanilla Milkshake $ 5.79
Cary : Fried Herb & Garlic Cheese $ 8.99
A Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes - fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf with all the fixings $ 21.99
Traditional Warm Apple Crisp a la mode $ 7.49
Chocolate Milk Shake $ 5.79
Sherry : Grandpa's Crab Cake $ 11.49
Dad's Stuffed Pork Chop $ 23.99
Mama's Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Layers Cake $ 5.99
PB&J milkshake $ 5.79
DDDP SUBTOTAL $179.83
TAX $ 11.69
DDDP TOTAL $ 191.52

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 8.59
OOP TAX $ .56
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $ 9.15
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 33.40
OOP TOTAL $ 42.55

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #1 Friday December 18, 2015
Dinner at California Grill

Skyler : Kid's Hand Formed Provolone Cheese Pizza and drink $ 9.00
California Grill Signature Puffed Rice Sushi $ 6.00
Dylan : Three Meat Signature Meatballs $ 16.00
Oak Fired Filet of Beef $ 49.00
Chocolate Pudding Cake $ 14.00
Coke $ 3.00
Tyler : Pine Island Roasted Prawns $ 18.00
Oak Fired Filet of Beef $ 49.00
Sundae Sampler $ 13.00
Coke $ 3.00
Cary : Chili Coffee Rubbed Pork Flatbread $ 16.00
Bison Striploin $ 50.00
Peanut Butter & Peach Jam on Cinnamon Toast $ 13.00
Sprite $ 3.00
Sherry : Hand Crafted Charcuterie $ 18.00
Atlantic Swordfish $ 45.00
Warm Housemade Fritters $ 13.00
Diet Coke $ 3.00
DDDP SUBTOTAL $326.00
TAX $ 21.19 DDDP TOTAL $ 347.19

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 15.00
OOP TAX $ .98
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $15.98
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 65.37
OOP TOTAL $ 81.35

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #2 Saturday December 19, 2015
Breakfast at Ohana

5 family style meals @$26.62 each = $133.10

DDDP SUBTOTAL $133.10
TAX $ 8.65
DDDP TOTAL $ 141.75

OOP TIP $5.00 - $10.00 (depending on service...I personally do not tip 18% at a family style or buffet meal)

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #2 Saturday December 19, 2015
Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In

Skyler : Kid's Popcorn Chicken, drin, & Ice Cream $8.99
Dylan : Crispy Onion Rings $8.49
House Smoked St Louis Style Pork Ribs $23.99
House Made Sci-Fi Candy Bar $7.99
Oreo Milk Shake $5.19
Tyler : Chicken Wings $10.99
Flame Broiled NY Strip Steak $31.99
Out of this World Turtle Cheesecake $6.99
Vanilla Milk Shake $5.19
Cary : Fried Dill Pickles $8.49
Build Your Own Angus Chuck Burger $17.49
Warm Glazed Doughnut $7.99
Chocolate Milk Shake $5.19
Sherry : Sci-Fi Popcorn Treat $9.49
Shrimp Pasta $23.99
Hot Fudge Sundae $7.99
Oreo Milk Shake $5.19

DDDP SUBTOTAL $186.64
TAX $ 12.13
DDDP TOTAL $ 198.87

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 8.99
OOP TAX $ .58
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $9.57
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 37.50
OOP TOTAL $ 47.07

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #2 Saturday December 19, 2015
Dinner at Flying Fish Café

Skyler : Kid's Bowl of Mickey Pasta $8.00
Dylan : Crispy Togarashi-scented Calamari and Rock Shrimp $16.00
Signature Char Crusted Angus NY Strip Steak $47.00
Citrus Mascarpone Icebox Cheesecake $9.00
Coke $3.00
Tyler : Tasting of Worldly Artisanal Cheeses $19.00
Signature Char Crusted Angus NY Strip Steak $47.00
Early Spring Berry-licious Sundae Deluxe $9.00
Coke $3.00
Cary : Yellowfin Tuna Tartar & Crispy Tempura Tuna Vegetable Sushi Roll $19.00
Signature Char Crusted Angus NY Strip Steak $47.00
Plant City Strawberry and Lemon Cornbread Shortcake $9.00
Sprite $3.00
Sherry : Flying Fish Café Signature Crab Cake $17.00
Flying Fish Cafe's Idaho Potato Wrapped Red Snapper $40.00
Sinfully Nutty Chocolate Delice Creation $9.00
Diet Coke $3.00

DDDP SUBTOTAL $300.00
TAX $ 19.50
DDDP TOTAL $ 319.50

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 8.00
OOP TAX $ .52
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $8.52
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 59.04
OOP TOTAL $ 67.56

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #3 Sunday December 20, 2015
Breakfast at Crystal Palace

5 buffets @$28.75each = $143.75

DDDP SUBTOTAL $143.75
TAX $ 9.34
DDDP TOTAL $ 153.09

OOP TIP $5.00 - $10.00 (depending on service...I personally do not tip 18% at a family style or buffet meal)

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #3 Sunday December 20, 2015
Lunch at Coral Reef

Skyler : Kid's COral Reef Mac & Cheese, drink, and a cupcake $8.99
Dylan : Coral Reef Sriracha Shrimp $12.99
Grilled NY Strip Steak $32.99
Turtle Cheesecake with Caramel $7.99
Coke $3.00
Tyler : Coral Reef Sriracha Shrimp $12.99
Grilled NY Strip Steak $32.99
Turtle Cheesecake with Caramel $7.99
Coke $3.00
Cary : Tuna Tataki $13.99
Baked Cheese Manacotti $29.99
Baileys & Jack Daniels Mousse $7.99
Sprite $3.00
Sherry : Creamy Lobster Soup $8.99
Seared Mahi Mahi $26.99
The Chocolate Wave $8.99
Diet Coke $3.99

DDDP SUBTOTAL $216.88
TAX $ 14.10
DDDP TOTAL $ 230.98

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 8.99
OOP TAX $.58
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $9.57
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 43.30
OOP TOTAL $ 52.87

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #3 Sunday December 20, 2015
Dinner at Narcoossee's

Skyler : Kid's Mickey Mac & Cheese, drink $8.00
Nemo Cupcake $5.00
Dylan : Crispy Rhode Island Calamari $15.00
Grilled Filet Mignon or Black Angus NY Strip Steak $49.00
Chocolate Torte $11.00
Coke $3.00
Tyler : Slow Poached & Chilled Shrimp $16.00
Grilled Filet Mignon or Black Angus NY Strip Steak $49.00
Narcoossee's Candy Bar $11.00
Coke $3.00
Cary : Barbecue Shrimp & Grits $18.00
Grilled Filet Mignon or Black Angus NY Strip Steak with a butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail $75.00
Plant City Strawberry Shortcake $11.00
Coke $3.00
Sherry : Artisanal Cheeses $19.00
Grilled Filet Mignon or Black Angus NY Strip Steak with a butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail $75.00
Almond-Crusted Cheesecake $12.00
Diet Coke $3.00

DDDP SUBTOTAL $372.00
TAX $ 24.18
DDDP TOTAL $ 396.18

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 13.00
OOP TAX $.85
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $13.85
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 73.80
OOP TOTAL $ 87.65

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #4 Monday December 21, 2015
Breakfast at Tuskerhouse

5 buffets @$33.01each = $165.05

DDDP SUBTOTAL $165.05
TAX $ 10.73
DDDP TOTAL $ 175.78

OOP TIP $5.00 - $10.00 (depending on service...I personally do not tip 18% at a family style or buffet meal)

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #4 Monday December 21, 2015
Dinner at Cape May Café

5 buffets @$59.59 each = $297.95

DDDP SUBTOTAL $297.95
TAX $ 19.37
DDDP TOTAL $ 317.32

OOP TIP $5.00 - $10.00 (depending on service...I personally do not tip 18% at a family style or buffet meal)

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #5 Tuesday December 22, 2015
Breakfast at Cape May Café

5 buffets @$30.88 each = $154.40

DDDP SUBTOTAL $154.40
TAX $ 10.04
DDDP TOTAL $ 164.44

OOP TIP $5.00 - $10.00 (depending on service...I personally do not tip 18% at a family style or buffet meal)

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #5 Tuesday December 22, 2015
Lunch at Via Napoli

Skyler : Kid's Brocconcini (mozzarella bites) $9.50
Dylan : Calamari Fritti $14.00
Individual Pepperoni Pizza $21.00
Coppa Brutti Ma Buoni $14.00
Coke $3.00
Tyler : Fritto de Verdura $8.00
Individual Pepperoni Pizza $21.00
Gelatie Sorbetto $9.00
Coke $3.00
Cary : Arancini $11.00
Individual Piccante Pizza $21.00
Tiramisu $9.00
Sprite $3.00
Sherry : Mozzarella Caprese $9.00
Individual Quatro Formaggi Pizza $21.00
Zeppole Di Caterina $10.00
Diet Coke $3.00

DDDP SUBTOTAL $180.0
TAX $ 11.70
DDDP TOTAL $ 191.70

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 9.50
OOP TAX $ .62
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $10.12
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 36.33
OOP TOTAL $ 46.45

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #5 Tuesday December 22, 2015
Dinner at Artist Point

Skye : Kid's Penne Pasta with Cheese Sauce $8.00
Dylan : Cold Water Mussles $15.00
Grilled Filet Mignon $46.00
Warm Housemade Donuts $12.00
Coke $3.00
Tyler : Confit Duck Strudel $14.00
Grilled Filet Mignon $46.00
Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee $10.00
Coke $3.00
Cary : Jumbo Lump Crab Cake $15.00
54 degree c buffalo strip steak $49.00
Artist Point Cobbler $11.00
Sprite $3.00
Sherry : Smokey Portobello Bisque $10.00
Cedar Plank Roasted King Salmon $39.00
Strawberry Chevre Cheesecake $12.00
Diet Coke $3.00

DDDP SUBTOTAL $291.00
TAX $ 18.92
DDDP TOTAL $ 309.92

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 8.00
OOP TAX $ .52
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $8.52
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 57.32
OOP TOTAL $ 65.84

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Day #6 Wednesday December 23, 2015
Lunch at Tony's Town Square

Skyler : Kid's Spaghetti & Meatballs, drink, ice cream sundae $8.59
Dylan : Calamari $11.99
Chicken Parmigiana $21.99
Chocolate Cake $5.99
Coke $3.00
Tyler : Seasonal Melon with Prosciutto $7.49
Chicken Parmigiana $21.99
Chef's Signature Cheesecake $5.49
Coke $3.00
Cary : Zucchini Fries $8.49
Cannelloni $17.99
Tiramisu $6.49
Sprite $ 3.00
Sherry : Tomato and Mozzarella Salad $7.99
Shrimp Scampi $18.99
Pistachio Crème Brulee $5.99
Diet Coke $3.00

DDDP SUBTOTAL $152.88
TAX $ 9.94
DDDP TOTAL $ 162.82

OOP SUBTOTAL $ 8.59
OOP TAX $ .56
OOP SUB SUB TOTAL $9.15
OOP TIP TOTAL $ 30.95
OOP TOTAL $40.10

 

[Disneychix]

My thoughts are that is WAY too much food at Via Napoli. There is no need for OOP food for that meal. I would probably even just use 3 credits and all split.