A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/12) New Thread Begun on TR Board!

[GlassSlippers]

Hello again, DIS-friends!

I'm just doing a drive-by post tonight; I've been staying up waaay too late the past few nights and my mouth is aching me a bit. . . it's probably a good idea to get to bed before midnight!

Thanks for the comments. . . I'll post individual replies tomorrow, if you don't mind.

I was having a pretty good day until it was time for Billy and me to go pick Tricia up from Field Hockey practice. I ran out of the house and locked the door behind me with not only my keys inside, but my cell phone as well!

Go ahead, say it with me. . . DUH!!

It took me about ten minutes to pry one of the new screens off of one of the new windows without damaging it (thank goodness it wasn't locked) and to climb through the window to get my keys and phone.

This story is Disney-related because I used my Mickey Mouse metal bookmark to break in! Thanks, pal!

Then, as I was calling Tricia to explain why I'd be late, I got stung by a bee! This just wasn't my day. . .



Here is the picture of the day:


Who can forget the time Stitch decided to tag along with our family in '07?

I'll be back tomorrow!


Kathy

How cute is that photo! I'd love to see more of your family with your little Tag-A-Long alien! We're taking our favorite plushy with us on our Girls Only trip. He's a little gray elephant who wears a Pirate Mickey t-shirt intended for one of those Disney bears. We call him Wallace Hubert and plan to take pictures of him doing all sorts of things all over the parks.

It's too bad about locking yourself out. Been there, done that! Except there was no way at all for me to get back in. I had to call my husband home from work using the neighbor's phone. He commutes an hour and a half *one way* on the train! Longest morning of my life! Oh! And poor you with the bee sting on top of it! I hope it's not bothering you too much! Cuz...like...Ouch!

Hope you have a better day tomorrow!

Lori in East Podunk

 

[KathyRN137]

Today's picture is from 2006, the year that DStepson, Eddie, joined us for the 3-day weekend at the end of our trip. Although it was not his first trip to WDW, it was his first trip with us!

Eddie was here in NJ visiting for the Labor Day Weekend and I tried my very best to beg, wheedle, nag, and guilt him into agreeing to fly to WDW for the MNSSHP. I figured he could meet us there Friday night, swim in the pool and do the Halloween party with us on Saturday, and then return to NC State on Sunday. No classes to miss, so it would be do-able, right?

Wrong.

He hemmed and hawed and made a lot of noise about having tons of homework to do.

I mean, come on! His first class isn't until 4pm on Monday, so if he got home on Sunday afternoon he'd have time to do homework, right?

Wrong.

He won't commit, no matter how much I tried to persuade him. I don't like College! Then, to make matters worse, Tricia started complaining that she would be in High School next year and that she wouldn't want to miss 1/2 a week to go to WDW during Jersey Week. Same worry... too much homework and that she wouldn't be able to catch up.

Now, it's not as if my kids miss a lot of school and it's not as if their grades aren't good. I really don't know why they have this fear of missing a couple of days of school or in Eddie's case, a couple of days to do homework. I'm all about behaving responsibly, but I think this is a bit ridiculous!

So, the upshot of the whole thing is that:

1) Eddie will not be joining us for the MNSSHP, and

2) We will not be going to WDW during Jersey Week next year.

The first one isn't such a big deal, but the second one is. This means we have to vacation during times when the kids are out of school... always more crowded and expensive.

I refuse to go to WDW in the summer... I can't take the heat and humidity. So that leaves Christmas break~week between Christmas and New Year's (Never! Too crowded and too expensive point-wise!), Winter break~the week of MLK (still very crowded and DVC point-expensive), or Spring Break~(probably our best option.)

Spring break for public school in our town is always the week of the Jewish holiday, Passover, which is the week before not after, Easter. This is the time of year that we traveled to WDW in '08. It was more point-heavy than November, but the weather was good (early April) and there is the perk of the Flower & Garden Festival at that time. I don't think this week would be as crowded as Easter week (and certainly not as crowded as Christmas week), so we'll most likely end up going then.

So... now that means that there will be almost 1 1/2 years between this upcoming trip and our next one. *SIGH* Oh well, we do what we have to, right?

Right!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

How cute is that photo! I'd love to see more of your family with your little Tag-A-Long alien! We're taking our favorite plushy with us on our Girls Only trip. He's a little gray elephant who wears a Pirate Mickey t-shirt intended for one of those Disney bears. We call him Wallace Hubert and plan to take pictures of him doing all sorts of things all over the parks.
Lori in East Podunk

Hi Lori!

Pictures with stuffie-friends are so much fun! You can get really creative with "themes" for your pix, or you could just find cute spots around the World.

If you truly want to see more Stitch pix, I'll find them. Because we've got


Five Weeks!!! until our vacation!!


Kathy

 

[GlassSlippers]

Hi Lori!

Pictures with stuffie-friends are so much fun! You can get really creative with "themes" for your pix, or you could just find cute spots around the World.

If you truly want to see more Stitch pix, I'll find them. Because we've got


Five Weeks!!! until our vacation!!


Kathy

We have 32 days until we leave. We're overlapping your trip, but only one day. Sorta. We arrive late on 10/27 and check out at O Dark Hundred on 11/1. It doesn't look like we'll be doing MNSSHP either. After a lifetime of celebrating Halloween with trick or treating and maybe carving a pumpkin at the very most, my sister has developed a religious objection to Halloween. *sigh* It's not that I don't respect people's convictions about such things, because I really, really do. I'm a Believer myself. It's just that she knows she never held any pagan beliefs nor did we connect any religious significance to Halloween. The holiday was only about dressing up as something cool and getting candy. Pretty darned innocent if you ask me, but she wants no part of the party. Whatcha gonna do? DD and I are pretty disappointed, but it's not like it will ruin the whole trip, right? Of course right! *sigh* I intend to live vicariously through your party report. So have *lots* of fun for us!

I'd love to see more of your Stitch pictures! I'm sure Wallace Hubert would too.

Lori in East Podunk

 

[eandesmom]

Is there ever a good time to have unexpected expenses? Oooh, stung on the eyelid? Yikes! I got it on the "v" of the neck... I think yours was worse!

Kathy

Did I mention the fact that I was in my sisters wedding 2 days later? Thankfully it was an outside wedding so I could wear sunglasses. I got a lot of grief from one aunt (my sister didn't care) that I wouldn't take them off for pictures but it was BAD!

We all still find it funny now...except maybe my aunt.

Today's picture is from 2006, the year that DStepson, Eddie, joined us for the 3-day weekend at the end of our trip. Although it was not his first trip to WDW, it was his first trip with us!

Eddie was here in NJ visiting for the Labor Day Weekend and I tried my very best to beg, wheedle, nag, and guilt him into agreeing to fly to WDW for the MNSSHP. I figured he could meet us there Friday night, swim in the pool and do the Halloween party with us on Saturday, and then return to NC State on Sunday. No classes to miss, so it would be do-able, right?

Wrong.

He hemmed and hawed and made a lot of noise about having tons of homework to do.

I mean, come on! His first class isn't until 4pm on Monday, so if he got home on Sunday afternoon he'd have time to do homework, right?

Wrong.

He won't commit, no matter how much I tried to persuade him. I don't like College! Then, to make matters worse, Tricia started complaining that she would be in High School next year and that she wouldn't want to miss 1/2 a week to go to WDW during Jersey Week. Same worry... too much homework and that she wouldn't be able to catch up.

Now, it's not as if my kids miss a lot of school and it's not as if their grades aren't good. I really don't know why they have this fear of missing a couple of days of school or in Eddie's case, a couple of days to do homework. I'm all about behaving responsibly, but I think this is a bit ridiculous!

So, the upshot of the whole thing is that:

1) Eddie will not be joining us for the MNSSHP, and

2) We will not be going to WDW during Jersey Week next year.

The first one isn't such a big deal, but the second one is. This means we have to vacation during times when the kids are out of school... always more crowded and expensive.

I refuse to go to WDW in the summer... I can't take the heat and humidity. So that leaves Christmas break~week between Christmas and New Year's (Never! Too crowded and too expensive point-wise!), Winter break~the week of MLK (still very crowded and DVC point-expensive), or Spring Break~(probably our best option.)

Spring break for public school in our town is always the week of the Jewish holiday, Passover, which is the week before not after, Easter. This is the time of year that we traveled to WDW in '08. It was more point-heavy than November, but the weather was good (early April) and there is the perk of the Flower & Garden Festival at that time. I don't think this week would be as crowded as Easter week (and certainly not as crowded as Christmas week), so we'll most likely end up going then.

So... now that means that there will be almost 1 1/2 years between this upcoming trip and our next one. *SIGH* Oh well, we do what we have to, right?

Right!


Kathy

Oh Kathy..



welcome to my world.

Tricia may feel differently next year. Teachers are great about it, and it can be fine if the kids are on top of it but it really depends on the child. As you know, we had issues with it on our trip and won't pull them out again but I feel your pain, it REALLY restricts the planning.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I feel your pain, Kathy, about when to travel during the school year. I love being a teacher, but I do hate the options it leaves me for heading anywhere -- and you are right -- Disney is always more expensive when the kids are out of school.

 

[MRYPPNS]

So... now that means that there will be almost 1 1/2 years between this upcoming trip and our next one. *SIGH* Oh well, we do what we have to, right?

Sounds like Miss Kathy might need a weekend in the World without the family....maybe with your sisters or some girlfriends!

How is Aunt Rae doing these days??

Have you given any serious thought to switching your MNSSHP tickets to Nov.1 and going to DTD for their Halloween festivites on 10/31???? I'm really worried how busy the party is going to be on Halloween night for you (especially with Billy). I know you added the first night on so you could go to the party but there is no reason that you have to keep that plan (I'm sure Disney would re-issue you new tickets if you explain the situation.

 

[All7OfUs]

I think I know just the gals you could sneak away with... uh hummm....

 

[mousescrapper]

A Dis friend trip....when are we going


hear you about the restrictions of going just when school is out....except for the anni trip in '11 and in my dreams a solo Dis friend trip in '12...most of our family trips will be confined to the Spring Break and Thanksgiving Break time frames...(after June '08 I'm hesitant on traveling arounf that time again)

but I guess we'll just take it one trip at a time...all I care right now is that we do go

 

[irish dancer]

Hi Kathy! Yikes on losing the crown, glad your dentist was able to get you fixed before she went out of town.

Love the old pic, I remember reading about that trip!

I hear ya on trying to schedule around school. DS9 is in public school for the spec. ed. but my girls are in Catholic school. The only holiday they have off together is Christmas. We've tried going right when they get out in June but it hasn't worked too well, already too hot! We used to always go the week after Tgiving but now DD12 doesn't want to miss school and I think it's going to get worse once in high school. The girls are going to miss 3 days before Easter as DSs Spring Break is always the last week of March which happens to be the week before Easter this year, it is the closest it'll be for years so we're going to HHI. Hopefully DD12 will survive. I'm hoping we might make it to WDW for Tgiving week in 2010, the girls will only miss 2 days and DS is off the whole week. I know it's more crowded then but it has to be better than the week after Christmas, right? Ugh, if I had more patience I'd homeschool so we could be more flexible!

 

[KathyRN137]

After a lifetime of celebrating Halloween with trick or treating and maybe carving a pumpkin at the very most, my sister has developed a religious objection to Halloween. *sigh* It's not that I don't respect people's convictions about such things, because I really, really do. I'm a Believer myself. It's just that she knows she never held any pagan beliefs nor did we connect any religious significance to Halloween. The holiday was only about dressing up as something cool and getting candy.

I know what you're going through (kind of). I once made the mistake of mailing Halloween cards (with cute little Jack 'O Lanterns, etc) to the niece and nephew of a guy I was dating right after college. Their mother returned them to me with a curt note saying that they did not "celebrate" Halloween.


History of Halloween, from HolidaySpot:

"History of Halloween, like any other festival's history is inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. We follow them mostly as did our dads and grandpas. And as this process goes on, much of their originality get distorted with newer additions and alterations. It happens so gradually, spanning over so many ages, that we hardly come to know about these distortions.

Behind the name... Halloween, or the Hallow E'en as they call it in Ireland , means All Hallows Eve, or the night before the 'All Hallows', also called 'All Hallowmas', or 'All Saints', or 'All Souls' Day, observed on November 1. In old English the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctify'. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherians used to observe All Hallows Day to honor all Saints in heaven, known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church year. And Catholics, all and sundry, was obliged to attend Mass. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them, and made oblations to them. The festival was celebrated on February 21, the end of the Roman year. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed the date to November 1. The Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Despite this connection with the Roman Church, the American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called "Samhain", celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced "sow-in", with "sow" rhyming with cow. In Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, or La Samon, the Feast of the Sun. In Scotland, the celebration was known as Hallowe'en. In Welsh it's Nos Galen-gaeof (that is, the Night of the Winter Calends.

According to the Irish English dictionary published by the Irish Texts Society: "Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of the dead in Pagan and Christian times, signalizing the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season, lasting till May, during which troops (esp. the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season. From it the half year is reckoned. also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess). The Scottish Gaelis Dictionary defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All Soula. Sam + Fuin = end of summer." Contrary to the information published by many organizations, there is no archaeological or literary evidence to indicate that Samhain was a deity. The Celtic Gods of the dead were Gwynn ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the Welsh. The Irish did not have a "lord of death" as such. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who conquered them."


I'm Catholic, so I've always thought of Halloween in relation to All Soul's Day, not it's pagan roots. But most Christian holidays contain remnants of pagan traditions. Colored eggs at Easter, mistletoe and holly at Christmas, and Jack 'O Lanterns at Halloween have all taken on new Christian meanings for those that choose to see them that way and secular ones for those who don't. We have numerous Christian and non-Christian families alike in our town who put up Halloween decorations and let their children go trick-or-treating for candy.

I think the holiday is what you make of it.

That said, I think you are doing the right thing by respecting your sister's convictions, but frankly, you have the right to disagree with her and I'm sorry that you will not be able to enjoy the party. Either way, I agree with you that it's not worth getting into a family argument. . . we have enough landmines in the field of family relations without fighting about something like Halloween!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Did I mention the fact that I was in my sisters wedding 2 days later?

Oh no! How awful!

Oh Kathy..



welcome to my world.

Tricia may feel differently next year. Teachers are great about it, and it can be fine if the kids are on top of it but it really depends on the child. As you know, we had issues with it on our trip and won't pull them out again but I feel your pain, it REALLY restricts the planning.

Well, she's annoyed at me also because she will miss her Field Hockey playoff games (if they make it to playoffs). The last one is on Oct. 31st and if you can't play in all the games, you can't play in any of them!

Now I'm finding myself in the odd position of hoping her team doesn't make playoffs so she won't be upset with me!

I feel your pain, Kathy, about when to travel during the school year. I love being a teacher, but I do hate the options it leaves me for heading anywhere -- and you are right -- Disney is always more expensive when the kids are out of school.

I only wish that we could add on some vacation points to our DVC contract, but we're still paying off our home re-model, so it's out of the question.

We may have to go during the more point-expensive time of year and cut off one day. But at least then she won't miss any school. The funny thing is, it's not the school that objects to her missing days, it's Tricia herself!

Kathy

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I think I know just the gals you could sneak away with... uh hummm....

You should totally go with these ladies. I think you would have a blast. Do you think your DH could handle the kids for a week? I know mine can't, at least not yet, mine are too little, but yours are older.

Sorry about your rotten day, I know all about those kind of days. Thank goodness for that Mickey bookmark right

You're trip is coming up quickly, love the pick of stitch on your head, very cute

 

[KathyRN137]

Sounds like Miss Kathy might need a weekend in the World without the family....maybe with your sisters or some girlfriends!

How is Aunt Rae doing these days??

Have you given any serious thought to switching your MNSSHP tickets to Nov.1 and going to DTD for their Halloween festivites on 10/31???? I'm really worried how busy the party is going to be on Halloween night for you (especially with Billy). I know you added the first night on so you could go to the party but there is no reason that you have to keep that plan (I'm sure Disney would re-issue you new tickets if you explain the situation.

They were very clear when I purchased them by phone that they were non-refundable. Oh well, I've got the advantage of lots of park-touring-know-how, so I think we can handle it. Besides, we're not so much looking to do rides as we are to soak up the party atmosphere and do the special activities and character greets. (I've just got to meet the 7 dwarfs with Snow White and DNiece has her heart set on meeting Maleficent!)

They are showing Hallowishes twice and running the Boo to You parade twice, so we will aim for both of the later showings. I'm thinking the families with little kids will want to do them earlier, so that's when we'll jump in line for character meets or to see the Haunted Mansion.

Aunt Rae is fine; no more falls. She is totally cool about not going to WDW.

As for weekend trips with sisters, well, that would be so much fun... but they are saving $$ for family vacations to Disney right now.

I may get in some "working" Disney time in the next couple of years... check out my blog to find out why!

I think I know just the gals you could sneak away with... uh hummm....

I'd love to be soldier #4! But I have to remember that we did make the big financial investment in our house last year, so I have to be judicious about expenses.

But thanks for the invite!!

A Dis friend trip....when are we going

hear you about the restrictions of going just when school is out....except for the anni trip in '11 and in my dreams a solo Dis friend trip in '12...most of our family trips will be confined to the Spring Break and Thanksgiving Break time frames...(after June '08 I'm hesitant on traveling arounf that time again)

but I guess we'll just take it one trip at a time...all I care right now is that we do go

The great thing about DVC is that you know there will be future trips on the horizon! For the next eight years we will have to work around school, but there's something like 40 years left on our DVC contract, so our planning needs will flex and change over time.

I also have to face the inevitability of trips without Tricia once she's in school and/or working. Billy, Ed and I will most likely be going by ourselves eventually. That's why I'm determined to go as often as possible while Tricia is still unencumbered by responsibilities.

We'll come full circle when "Grandma and Grandpa" can take Tricia and her family to Disney!!

Hi Kathy! Yikes on losing the crown, glad your dentist was able to get you fixed before she went out of town.

Love the old pic, I remember reading about that trip!

I hear ya on trying to schedule around school. DS9 is in public school for the spec. ed. but my girls are in Catholic school. The only holiday they have off together is Christmas. We've tried going right when they get out in June but it hasn't worked too well, already too hot! We used to always go the week after Tgiving but now DD12 doesn't want to miss school and I think it's going to get worse once in high school. The girls are going to miss 3 days before Easter as DSs Spring Break is always the last week of March which happens to be the week before Easter this year, it is the closest it'll be for years so we're going to HHI. Hopefully DD12 will survive. I'm hoping we might make it to WDW for Tgiving week in 2010, the girls will only miss 2 days and DS is off the whole week. I know it's more crowded then but it has to be better than the week after Christmas, right? Ugh, if I had more patience I'd homeschool so we could be more flexible!

I don't think there's any time more crowded than Christmas week!

I think its sad that the kids have so much schoolwork that they're afraid of missing just two days! And it is fear that is at work here... fear that they'll fall behind, fear that they will do poorly on a test, fear that they will be overwhelmed with work once they come back from vacation. It really speaks to the level of stress they are experiencing because of school demands.

When I was in middle school or HS I would miss 2 days without much flak on my part if my family was going away. College, well, that I can understand.

Still, I wish Eddie was able to come for even part of the time!


Kathy

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Today's picture is from 2006, the year that DStepson, Eddie, joined us for the 3-day weekend at the end of our trip. Although it was not his first trip to WDW, it was his first trip with us!

I refuse to go to WDW in the summer... I can't take the heat and humidity. So that leaves Christmas break~week between Christmas and New Year's (Never! Too crowded and too expensive point-wise!), Winter break~the week of MLK (still very crowded and DVC point-expensive), or Spring Break~(probably our best option.)


Kathy

I am sorry Eddie won't join you, how disappointing. I hear you on the summer heat and humidity. I stay inside in the summer here in GA because it gets so humid. We were lucky to have a relatively cool summer here. (fewer days in the '90s) Now the clouds and rain are keeping us cool but I have to keep the Air conditioning on to get rid of the humidity.

Would you be able to do a few 4 day weekends spread out through the year? Or a shorter trip during Jersey Week?

I hope Trishia doesn't have to miss any playoff games, but then again hopefully her team will do well. (Second Place?)

* 5 more weeks until Halloween!! Here in Georgia there are many people who don't celebrate due to religious convictions so Trick-or-treating is hit or miss. But there are some churches who have trunk or treating where everyone comes to the church, parks their car and passes out candy from their decorated trunk.
We are looking forward to the Halloween Party.Argh!!

 

[eandesmom]

Well, she's annoyed at me also because she will miss her Field Hockey playoff games (if they make it to playoffs). The last one is on Oct. 31st and if you can't play in all the games, you can't play in any of them!

Now I'm finding myself in the odd position of hoping her team doesn't make playoffs so she won't be upset with me!

Kathy

Oh I know that feeling well! We had a situation like that with basketball last year, she missed 2 practices so had to sit out the first 2 games...UGH. We just can't schedule it around school breaks period anymore, with the exception of summer and even then...there is a 50/50 chance that this trip will happen without Kendall or that she will leave early/come late/somthing. UGH!

I'd rather have it be for school than sports. For us, the kids didn't have the fear on the schoolwork side but the reality is, they should have. Neither did the level of work that they could have/should have while we were gone and both did poorly on a test upon return as a result. It just isn't worth that stress even if it was their own fault!

Still, I wish Eddie was able to come for even part of the time!
Kathy

He will get to a point where that will change I bet but I can understand being very disappointed. That's why I feel the need to take Taylor again NOW....and Evan before he hits middle school...it could be 5 years before we get another chance...if ever.

I will likely be planning some girls trips in the future to get my fix as kids schedules get worse.

In the meantime...bring on that August humidity. We do what we have to do!



We are having a HUGE debate at Evan's school about Halloween. Apparently some families are keeping their kids home from school that day because they don't feel "safe". His school historically lets the kids dress up at the end of the day, all the classes have a party and the primary grades have a parade. Trying to respect beliefs without getting rid of everything is HARD sometimes!

 

[irish dancer]

Well, she's annoyed at me also because she will miss her Field Hockey playoff games (if they make it to playoffs). The last one is on Oct. 31st and if you can't play in all the games, you can't play in any of them!

Now I'm finding myself in the odd position of hoping her team doesn't make playoffs so she won't be upset with me!

Kathy

We were in a similar position for our Oct trip last year. It was a surprise trip planned 11mos in advance (due to DVC). We went the week before Columbus day, they had always had a 4 day weekend and the year we planned it was even a 5 day weekend so we knew they'd only miss a few days and volleyball hadn't ended until late Oct.

Well.......the best laid plans quickly started to unravel as school started. Not only did they not have the 5 day weekend they didn't even have the 4 day weekend. The week we were gone was their week of state standardized testing! It also ended up being DD12s volleyball play offs and they went undefeated during the regular season and went in ranked 1st.

Since it was a surprise trip she didn't angst over it but I sure did! She was upset for about 30min once she figured she was missing the tournament but we were in WDW so she got over it quickly. Surprisingly the school was fine with them missing the testing, they made it up when we got back and because of the testing they didn't have too much make-up work either.

I agree that it is sad that they are so afraid to miss a couple of days for fear of falling behind and/or failing something. The expectations and pressure kids are under in school is much, much higher than when we were in school.

 

[joy13]

Just getting caught up! I locked myself out a couple of weeks ago too (no cell phone either) luckily my neighbor was home so I could call DH. Sorry about the crown too - dental expenses stink!

As for the kids and school - maybe it will just be one year anyway. I can see Tricia's worries because it will be her first year and she doesn't know what to expect. Her tune may change after a year in high school - and if it doesn't, it's great that she cares so much!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I hear you Kathy! It's a whole new world as the kids get older!!

It's so, so different when the kids hit high school (and college)! My big "aha" moment was going to oldest DS's Back to School night & they hand you your student's schedule & you have an entire night of scrambling to get from room to room, not even w/ their 50 lb backpacks, it gives you such a new appreciation for how hard the kids work, just getting from class to class. Add in the homework for 7-8 classes & that's not even mentioning social landmines, high school can be exhausting. Tricia probably doesn't want to let down her field hockey team either (love field hockey, btw! Oldest DD lettered as a sophomore!) so it's added peer pressure/pressure she puts on herself.

Hopefully you'll get your "girls" trips AND "working" trips to plan & that will help to ease the headache/heartache a bit.

 

[KathyRN137]

You should totally go with these ladies. I think you would have a blast. Do you think your DH could handle the kids for a week? I know mine can't, at least not yet, mine are too little, but yours are older.

Sorry about your rotten day, I know all about those kind of days. Thank goodness for that Mickey bookmark right

You're trip is coming up quickly, love the pick of stitch on your head, very cute

Hi! I think I'd be more concerned about the financial aspects of a solo trip, although it could also be tough for us with the child care because Ed works nights.

I'd also like to plan a romantic Disney weekend with Ed... oh well, perhaps next year!

I think we're all feeling the economic pinch these days!

I am sorry Eddie won't join you, how disappointing. I hear you on the summer heat and humidity. I stay inside in the summer here in GA because it gets so humid. We were lucky to have a relatively cool summer here. (fewer days in the '90s) Now the clouds and rain are keeping us cool but I have to keep the Air conditioning on to get rid of the humidity.

Would you be able to do a few 4 day weekends spread out through the year? Or a shorter trip during Jersey Week?

I hope Trishia doesn't have to miss any playoff games, but then again hopefully her team will do well. (Second Place?)

* 5 more weeks until Halloween!! Here in Georgia there are many people who don't celebrate due to religious convictions so Trick-or-treating is hit or miss. But there are some churches who have trunk or treating where everyone comes to the church, parks their car and passes out candy from their decorated trunk.
We are looking forward to the Halloween Party.Argh!!

The only problem with planning 2 shorter trips is that we get socked with the airfare. If I lived in GA like you I wouldn't mind driving, but as I discovered last year, driving from Jersey is really tiring and quite time-consuming because we split it into 2 days each way.

I've never heard of "trunk-or-treating"... it sounds like fun! Our town puts on a Halloween Hoopla at the high school every year. It's basically a costume party for the kids so they don't have to trek all over the neighborhoods in search of candy. We've never gone, though, because Tricia always liked to go door-to-door.

Our first-ever WDW vacation was in early September and the next was in early December. What a difference! I vowed never to go to WDW during the hot and humid weather again! I was wiped out by lunchtime every day in that heat!


Kathy