A Happy Dog's Summer of Sea and Shore - *cough,cough, nudge nudge* 7/11

[2xcited2sleep]

What a fantastic adventure you and your boys had! Thanks so much for sharing. Everything looks just beautiful!

Amazing how many Disney nods we can see everywhere we go!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh what a great description of your boat...80's and Vegas. I can just picture it!!!

The med is the one other cruise Jeff will consider, I hope it's in our future one of these days.

Wonderful trip pictures, my favorite might be your racing boys...that and the spartans. Fun fun fun!

Venetian car wash

 

[Native NYer]

Love the magnets!
What a fun European vacation!
I can't believe your trip is so close. Your boys are NEVER going to want to leave the Dream.

 

[MeMom]

These photos just made me laugh, because I found all sorts of "Disney" related things to share while I was away... So here are some fun details...

While on the cruise part of our vacation, when we boarded, the pianist in the lobby was playing "tale as old as time" from Beauty and the Beast.. I got a kick out of that-- DH rolled his eyes! (there was talk about NOT comparing this Italian cruise line with Disney, and DH didn't want me doing that the whole trip, I of course agreed, and didn't -- it was SO different -- but it was a funny introduction, needless to say!)

Who does this?

A race and roll down the hill in the stadium... a contest of OLYMPIC porportions... Kinda funny that they were actually having races in the stadium where the first olympic games took place!!!!

That is pretty cool.

A pretty view from our Gondola...

I would love to see this for real someday.

Those legs look like they are getting long, Mom. I think maybe you are about to watch your oldest really start adding on some inches.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great update!! It looks like you all had a ton of fun over spring break!

And only 30 (or 29) days to go!!

 

[Happydog]

What a great trip!! I would so love to visit Italy some day!!! Just breathtaking!!!!!

LOL Venetian car wash...that was funny!!!

The boys looked like they had a great time!!

Can I ask what you had at your V&A of Italy meal???? I love Italian food!!!!

Good luck finishing up the end of the year!! I know I'm ready to be done and start my summer!

Oh your summer is so close!!! YAY!!! We still have to crawl to the 16th, but finals week is hardly school or work, so If I can make it to the 9th, we'll be good!

Let's see, what did we eat. Maybe what DIDN'T we eat would be more like it!! We had the chef prepare the selections. The restaurant has been in Food and Wine magazine, and other places, and this is how it is "done" there, though he has a menu. Everything was fresh that day/night as the case may be. We were his last customers, and we closed the place down with him! We had some amazing seafood -- like five different kinds -- to start, some cold, some hot... then we had a pasta with a rocket and mushroom puree sauce... AWESOME. And a black squid ink pasta with a sauce I cant recall, but it had a light flavor, really good... Then we had a stuffed fish dish... (Venice is a place to get seafood). And roasted veggies, served with the fish... Came with focaccia (home made) ... Then we had a dessert sampler with four different things, he gave us an order to eat them in... as with the fish app, because the flavors grew progressively stronger, complimenting each other. From dessert I remember strawberries, and some creamy thing, and a chocolate thing that made me want to lick the plate... but we had a proseco appertif with blood orange flavoring and a sugared rim to start, followed by a regional wine, then after dinner conacs, he kept bringing things out for us to try... the final one, was made from pears. It was amazing. I didn't feel stuffed, it was all so light and well prepared...

Wow, what amazing pictures! Venice looks so beautiful.

Love the references to Disney! Too cute.

Yay for 30 days!!! It will be here before you know it.

Good Luck with the weeds today! I broke down and just sprayed mine yesterday. Too many to deal wtih!!

Oh I sprayed a few, those I can't reach!! I have a japanese weeder and it really has been a great tool to use for weeding in the spring after lot of rain. Venice is an amazing city. But basically this is how I feel about all of Italy. Amazing place. Disney everywhere! I know! SO fun to see it.

We'll get there! 30 days... I am so torn!! I am really excited though. The preparations will all get done! I am super excited for the boys.

What a fantastic adventure you and your boys had! Thanks so much for sharing. Everything looks just beautiful!

Amazing how many Disney nods we can see everywhere we go!

Oh I know! I was looking for them, believe me!!! We did have a great adventure. I am really lucky that my kids are good travelers, and we have had the fortune to be able to take them on these trips. They have seen a lot! But you know, they are happy seeing the park with a creek out back of our house, too. Kids find fun and wonderment wherever they are. I am just glad I get to experience it with them.

Oh what a great description of your boat...80's and Vegas. I can just picture it!!!

The med is the one other cruise Jeff will consider, I hope it's in our future one of these days.

Wonderful trip pictures, my favorite might be your racing boys...that and the spartans. Fun fun fun!

Venetian car wash

Hi!!! Yes, it was really that combo! But it was Italian, and I am sorry Italian anything just cannot be tacky!!! It is not possible!! Okay, well maybe there were a few outfits on board that bordered on tacky, but then they were probably not Italian..

I bet you all would enjoy that! This cruise line is really reasonable and well respected. I think RC takes tours in the Med, but COSTA is the cruise line we were on, and the funny thing is that many of the CMs on the Dream started on COSTA. So I thought that was neat.

We took some fun photos. I just took whatever. You saw the rest on FB!

 

[Happydog]

Love the magnets!
What a fun European vacation!
I can't believe your trip is so close. Your boys are NEVER going to want to leave the Dream.

I know. I feel somewhat guilty that we have booked dinner for the two of us a couple nights, but then I remember that the restaurant is NOT where it is at for the kids... that club is gonna be the main attraction! And heck, after what we saw??! WHO is gonna blame them!!! LOL!

The magnets came out well, I think. I am glad we are doing the FE. Should be fun!

Who does this?








That is pretty cool.





I would love to see this for real someday.




Those legs look like they are getting long, Mom. I think maybe you are about to watch your oldest really start adding on some inches.

MeMom you would know best about those 3rd grade legs I guess!!! LOL!! He is gangly, I wish a little thicker, so skinny! But indeed getting taller!!!

I know. NONE OF US EVER look for Disney outside of Disney.. HA!!!!

That island with the colored houses is so so so charming. It is beautiful...

Great update!! It looks like you all had a ton of fun over spring break!

And only 30 (or 29) days to go!!

Thanks, Amy!!! We did!!! YES, the finish line is getting closer!!!

 

[manntra]

What a beautiful trip. I need to go to Italy some day (a la Eat, Pray, Love ) Loved the pictures and all of the Disney references!! So cute!! I was walking today and saw a MH in blacktop....it's everywhere!!!
Oh your dinner sounds fantabulous!!! Right up my alley from start to finish!

Tracy

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Happydog!!! Since I woke up at 4:30 this morning because Charles left the hallway light on , I have a chance to catch up on the DIS. Love all the cruise pictures! Who knew there were so many Disney touches throughout Italy! I want one of those cage things in my house, too -- especially when the kids mope around and tell me they are bored! The boys look quite fierce in their Spartan helmets! I love that the cruise line gave you Easter eggs! Too cute! And can I just say how much I adore the fact that the boys had a race on the grounds of the first Olympic games! Just perfect!

Book suggestions? Oh, you know I am all over that! As far as historical fiction, has DS read anything by Richard Peck? His books aren't too long, but they are chockful of history, and he has written tons. Some of my favorites have been A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder (the 1930's), Fair Weather (1893 Chicago World's Fair), and On the Wings of Heroes (WWII in the US). Avi is another good one for historical fiction -- I liked Don't They Know There's a War On? -- another one set in the USA during WWII. Another great series is the Shakespeare one by Gary Blackwood. It is told from the point of view of an orphan boy who goes to work for a rival theater company in 1601. There are several books in the series -- The Shakespeare Stealer is the first one. Oh, and there is Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis about an orphan boy during the Depression. For fantasy, Connor really liked The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens.

Hope this helps!

 

[Happydog]

What a beautiful trip. I need to go to Italy some day (a la Eat, Pray, Love ) Loved the pictures and all of the Disney references!! So cute!! I was walking today and saw a MH in blacktop....it's everywhere!!!
Oh your dinner sounds fantabulous!!! Right up my alley from start to finish!

Tracy

Hey There!!! Am loving your TR with the girlies!!!! SO much fun!!!

RE Italy... yeah. Something in the gene pool over there. Men = amazing. period. Good grief.


It was funny how I spied all those touches. I agree! Made me laugh! Oh those MH images HAUNT you, right??!! I swear the spots I see in my eyes when I come inside from bright light remind me of MH's.....

It was a great evening. Really special, 100% italian, and our friend who is 100% Italian went with us so we were not complete tourists!!!!

Hi, Happydog!!! Since I woke up at 4:30 this morning because Charles left the hallway light on , I have a chance to catch up on the DIS. Love all the cruise pictures! Who knew there were so many Disney touches throughout Italy! I want one of those cage things in my house, too -- especially when the kids mope around and tell me they are bored! The boys look quite fierce in their Spartan helmets! I love that the cruise line gave you Easter eggs! Too cute! And can I just say how much I adore the fact that the boys had a race on the grounds of the first Olympic games! Just perfect!

So funny our body clocks do that too us I think! Weekends are no fun in our house... everyone gets up at school time, except DH, who somehow can sleep until 9am, unless there is a soccer game!

Oh the Olympus trip was great fun, so cool to actually be in that stadium where it all started!!! The eggs were neat for sure! We always buy them at Easter when we are in Italy b/c it is usually Easter time, they are everywhere!

Book suggestions? Oh, you know I am all over that! As far as historical fiction, has DS read anything by Richard Peck? His books aren't too long, but they are chockful of history, and he has written tons. Some of my favorites have been A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder (the 1930's), Fair Weather (1893 Chicago World's Fair), and On the Wings of Heroes (WWII in the US). Avi is another good one for historical fiction -- I liked Don't They Know There's a War On? -- another one set in the USA during WWII. Another great series is the Shakespeare one by Gary Blackwood. It is told from the point of view of an orphan boy who goes to work for a rival theater company in 1601. There are several books in the series -- The Shakespeare Stealer is the first one. Oh, and there is Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis about an orphan boy during the Depression. For fantasy, Connor really liked The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens.

Hope this helps!

Gee THANK YOU CP! I will grab a couple of these for certain! Never seen that author's name (Peck) but that isn't saying he hasn't! I will check them out! And Shakespeare inspired lit is definitely worth noticing in this household!! Can't wait for you to head to the beach!! Should be loads of fun!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Hi HD!
How are the cruise/Vero plans coming along?
Hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather!

 

[Happydog]

Hi HD!
How are the cruise/Vero plans coming along?
Hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather!

HELLO!!! Yes, the weather is so very nice and so very HOT! Like Orlando hot!!! We went to the Opening day at the pool party yesterday, always fun, and today again to the pool and then to KungFu Panda 2!! You know, those boys...

I finally finished all my FE gifts, just have to finish tagging them, finishing the backpacks for my boys tonight!

Worked out in the yard, and wrapping up the regular weekly chores tomorrow. a four day week, yay!, followed by a birthday weekend, followed by graduation and another four day week, then another TWO bday celebrations, then the final week of school another FOUR day week (final exams as well) And then school is out, and then WE are OUT the door!!!

It sounds so DOABLE... : We'll see....

Hope you are enjoying your Memorial day weekend as well!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

It sounds so DOABLE... : We'll see....

It is! It is! And with so much planned between then and now, it will fly by!

Have a great Memorial Day, HD! We are going to cram ourselves into the car and hope it doesn't all end up like something out of a National Lampoon's Vacation.

 

[Happydog]

I am really in a state of shock just typing that.... Yep, THREE weeks from today we will actually be on a train... CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! I really cannot! I am so thrilled though. SO looking forward to this wonderful trip! It is going to be very memorable, and some new adventures to boot...

So, as I continue working on my plans, I wanted to share my Fish Extender and the pirate bags I made for the boys! I had some help, of course, with the patches... the Etsy crafter I worked with made them for me, then I sewed them onto these string backpacks I made....I will be stuffing them this week...

So first my FE...

Here is a closer photo...

I was really torn about what to do, but in the end I tried to go with something simple and in the traditional colors of Disney that I think of... I added the ribbon to the top myself...

I was happy with the finished product! I liked the buttons and bows for my DH and I... and the mixing of the colors worked well. I think it is perfect!

THEN..... the bags...

They came out really well, maybe a few stitches had to be resewn... but they came out alright in the end!!! My DH shakes his head over this of course... amused that I think my older son will still accept such a bag (with Mickey on it!) But I explained that if he doesn't like it he can always turn it over, so the patch is hidden!!! Of course the idea that my boys are leaving such themed fun behind is SO sad to me... I keep telling him that is why we need to add another child to the family!!! NOT my best line of arguement I am afraid....

So at this point, I have finished making all my FE gifts, and put them in the bags. Just need to finish labeling them and stuff the gift bags for the kids. I have a few magnets to make, and finish the costumes for DH and I... basically I have all my piles, and my lists for packing... NOW I just have to do it!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend... ours was fun! Busy but restful... Lots of pool time, drinks, bbq and some yard work... productive! Just makes me wish Summer were here already!! DARN having to go back to work tomorrow!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOO...

Some of our DIS friends are on their way to WDW and some are already there! And others are on their way to the beach, and still more of us are counting the days until the East Coast Summer exodus from school... If you can believe it, we have made it!!! It is just around the corner...

More later this week, I will definitely add to my updates these last three weeks, I promise!!! I still have to report on Vero, etc!!!

 

[nowellsl]

I have no idea what a fish extender is, but it is so cute! The backpacks are awesome!!! You did a GREAT job!

 

[eandesmom]

Of course the idea that my boys are leaving such themed fun behind is SO sad to me... I keep telling him that is why we need to add another child to the family!!! NOT my best line of arguement I am afraid....

Oh that is so funny! Aww....

Everything turned out adorable. I probably went overboard on my FE, I think but we will see. She's stopped making custom ones for a bit now, just the silhouettes and I think I might have had something to do with it, pushed the poor woman over the edge.

We just told the boys about the cruise on Saturday, they are upstairs watching the DVD now, SO excited.

3 weeks

 

[MeMom]

Of course the idea that my boys are leaving such themed fun behind is SO sad to me... I keep telling him that is why we need to add another child to the family!!! NOT my best line of arguement I am afraid....


Some of our DIS friends are on their way to WDW and some are already there! And others are on their way to the beach, and still more of us are counting the days until the East Coast Summer exodus from school... If you can believe it, we have made it!!! It is just around the corner...

Come on, Dad! You did such a nice job on the first two, I think you owe the world another one just like them.

Back to school for us, too. Crowd control and a bunch of cleaning - that's about the extent of it at this point.

And paperwork for the teachers.
Lots of paperwork.

But it is almost here.
Last day for me is June 7th.

In the meantime, I am enjoying FB updates from all of our DIS friends who are already out there starting on their summer fun.

The FE is very cute. I need something like that as a mail/note holder for school stuff.

 

[jenjolt]

Your FE bag looks fabulous!!!! I love it, what a great job done with that!!

The bags for the boys are super cute too!!!!

I have to agree with you as I was at a friend's for dinner last night it dawned on me I was going to have to go to work this morning UGHHH...I know its just for half a day but STILL work after Memorial day just doesn't feel right LOL!!!!!

3 weeks...wow time is going to FLY by for you!!! I can't for another Happydog TR!! WOOT WOOT!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

The fish extenders and bags are adorable!

Yay for less than 3 weeks! We hit 3 weeks on Saturday and I can hardly wait. I am sure you are bursting with excitement!

 

[Happydog]

It is! It is! And with so much planned between then and now, it will fly by!

Have a great Memorial Day, HD! We are going to cram ourselves into the car and hope it doesn't all end up like something out of a National Lampoon's Vacation.

SO silly to hear about your car ride!! I am sure you didn't look like the Family Vacation crowd!!!

I have no idea what a fish extender is, but it is so cute! The backpacks are awesome!!! You did a GREAT job!

Thanks!!! Stitches N Bows is the name of the Etsy crafter. She did a beautiful job of course! I like the backpacks too!!!! A fish extender is the hanging pocket organizer (basically) for the "secret santa" type activity that some people sign up for during a cruise... it is like a little gift exchange surprise... I thought it would be fun with the kids...

Oh that is so funny! Aww....

Everything turned out adorable. I probably went overboard on my FE, I think but we will see. She's stopped making custom ones for a bit now, just the silhouettes and I think I might have had something to do with it, pushed the poor woman over the edge.

We just told the boys about the cruise on Saturday, they are upstairs watching the DVD now, SO excited.

3 weeks

Yes, she told me she was going to stop the custom FEs for a bit!! I just didn't want mickey faces and they didn't have a mickey head with a captain's hat... so after going back and forth, and knowing I didn't want red white and blue for the logo, etc. I went with the red, yellow, black combo! I was happy with the results... The boys will like their names and hopefully their backpacks!!!

How fun you already told them! I am dying to let them know!

Come on, Dad! You did such a nice job on the first two, I think you owe the world another one just like them.

Back to school for us, too. Crowd control and a bunch of cleaning - that's about the extent of it at this point.

And paperwork for the teachers.
Lots of paperwork.

But it is almost here.
Last day for me is June 7th.

In the meantime, I am enjoying FB updates from all of our DIS friends who are already out there starting on their summer fun.

The FE is very cute. I need something like that as a mail/note holder for school stuff.

Okay MeMom, well I will keep telling him what you said about it being his obligation to society ... lots of paperwork, I know!!! But it is almost over so be excited. The 7th is right around the corner!

I am loving the updates too from WigD et al!!!

An FE for your papers to organize is NOT a bad idea!!! I like it!