A precious gem of a weekend!7/23 Finished! link to new TR

[Diamondintheruff]

I've got good news and I've got sad news about my next WDW trip with my Mom and my oldest two kids.

The sad news is... I had to let go of my Beach Club reservation. I'm really hoping to stay there some trip but this will not be the trip.

The Good news....

I got the free quick service pin code!




It works out better for us financially (and believe me I spent many hours doing the disney math for a whole bunch of scenarios) to use it and just stay at CSR our whole trip.

My head is still spinning from all the numbers. They've been crunched a few times since I had a corporate code for CSR, a room discount code and the free quick service dinning pin number.

The major obstacles I had to work with was that you can't be on the dining plan if you use the corporate code, My DS11 eats like a bird and paying full adult prices for him just doesn't make sense, the free dining code I had expired three days into our trip plus you had to stay a minimum of three nights and the kids HAD to be at CSR by the 2nd with their team.

The kids had their dress rehersals for all their competitive dances today. Next weekend we have our first competition. I should have some pictures for you then.

Only those dances that score high enough at the competition next weekedn will make it to the competition at Disney which is considered the "National" competition.

So in reality, it might be that NONE of the dances score high enough to make it to Disney. But I doubt it. Not because I think my kids are great dancers (which I do) but because I am jaded enough (sadly I am) to believe that since the companies that run the competitions are privately owned-I know the more dances that make it-the more money they make.

So I'm sure at least one of the dances will make it. They are in 6 numbers. One is their duet. Which is still not finished never mind polished and ready to perform. But alot can happen in a week so I've got my fingers crossed. At least their costumes are ready.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Oh my friend, you crack me up My BFF and I had the margaritas in Mexico and as Jasmine tells the story, we could hardly walk to the bus, that it was a good thing she was there to help us they were strong, but she exaggerates.....but they were yummy!!!

We will HAVE to put the margaritas on our to do list for our girls trip. I want to be the one video-taping you as you wobble through Epcot.

HA!!!! Tentacles!!

Yup, it certainly felt as if there were eight of them.

 

[Queenofallthings]

DONE....you can do the video taping...clearly I won't be able to because one hand will have a grey goose slushie and the other a lime margarita

I got the free quick service pin too.....unfortunately I am out of cash to pay for everything else I did, however, make a bet with one of the guys at work about the Russia Canada hockey game the other night there....he said the Russia's were gonna win and I said put your money where your mouth is.....I made him buy me Lotto Max tickets for the $50 million draw last night.....if I've won, I'm paying for all us girls to go!!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Congrats on the PIN!

FDM can make your brain hurt, I'm glad you were able to crunch the numbers and figure out what works best for you.

I have a sneaking suspicion that your kids will be in more than one dance....

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Sorry about BC but congrats on the code

Much like God...Disney always gives back what it takes away

 

[Diamondintheruff]

DONE....you can do the video taping...clearly I won't be able to because one hand will have a grey goose slushie and the other a lime margarita

I got the free quick service pin too.....unfortunately I am out of cash to pay for everything else I did, however, make a bet with one of the guys at work about the Russia Canada hockey game the other night there....he said the Russia's were gonna win and I said put your money where your mouth is.....I made him buy me Lotto Max tickets for the $50 million draw last night.....if I've won, I'm paying for all us girls to go!!!!!

I'm holding you to that!

Congrats on the PIN!

FDM can make your brain hurt, I'm glad you were able to crunch the numbers and figure out what works best for you.

I have a sneaking suspicion that your kids will be in more than one dance....

I bow my head to you and your grand gathering disney (and universal) math. I only had one room to contend with. But we are possibly doing a big extended family trip in 2011. And I want my immediate family to go to Universal so I'll be watching your trip closely.

Sorry about BC but congrats on the code

Much like God...Disney always gives back what it takes away

Since I had got my kids into the idea of BC, , hoping that for our grand gathering next year we will rent DVC points and stay in the villas. So maybe it will all work out.

Opps just realized I need to re-evaluate my Cape May 7 am breakfast.

 

[MEK]

Yeah for the pin code. Boo to incessant number crunching!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Heavens, that is the pin code I need to get!!!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Maybe with my acting skills and your dancing skills we should take our act on the road. Or at least Disney. Think they would hire us?

Fo Sho! We could be like DIS streetmosphere performers. Dress in lime green. Recruit unsuspecting park guests. Break into random musical numbers. I'm off to www.disneyauditons.com right now to book us baby!

 

[All7OfUs]

Well, I certainly hated to see your Beach Club go, but was very stoked for you that you ended up with a code. That's a nice bonus.

I'd love to see the pix of the dancing! Esp. the costume. I think you'll be surprised (or not) that there will be more than one that makes the cut.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Just returned tonight from the kid's first dance competition this year. My oldest two children (DS11 Eeoyre and DD9 Cindy) compete with their dance studio. We go to 3 or 4 competitions a year. This year our Dance Season is climaxing with the National competition at Disneyworld.

It was a weekend of "first's".

1) This is our first year with this studio.
2) The first time the kid's competed in the same dances.
3) The first time DD9 Cindy did a duet (as opposed to a big group number).
and
4) Not to leave out my non-dancing child, DS7 Jedi went to his first NHL game.

It was a great weekend. The weather was wonderful and the dancing was even more wonderful. Four out of the six dance numbers the kids are in have qualified to compete in Disney.



I wish I had more pictures to show you but I listened to the rules and did not take any photos or film of the dancing. Cause I'm a good girl I am.



I can show you DS11 Eeoyre with DD9 Cindy early in the morning in their warm-up suits all eager and full of nerves.

And yes, I know that is waaaaay tooooo much makeup. Honestly on stage it doesn't look quite so.... what's the word for it?....

Trashy?

Here they are before they went on stage for their duet.

They danced to a song from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" called "Pure Imagination". It was a lyrical duet which for those of you who don't dance means it's kind of like a mixture of jazz and ballet but closer to ballet.

There weren't many boys at the competition. Not that there ever are lots of them. There were a couple older boys (4) but Cindy and Eeoyre were the only male/female duet in the whole competition.

My kids were very nervous (mostly Cindy as I mentioned earlier it was her first time doing anything but a large group).

Just after I took the above picture of them in their duet costumes Miss Cindy started to tear up and say "I don't want to do this anymore Mommy. Do I have to do this?"

Part of me wanted to tell her no she didn't have to and protect her but I knew she could do this and just had a terrible case of stage fright.

So I did what every good stage mother does in this instance...




























I got the heck out of dodge as quick as could be.








I ushered her back into the changeroom and left her in the care of her dance instructors.

Now please don't think me uncaring because I waited until I was safely out of her sight before I broke down into a sobbing idiot.

I wrestled with myself for a good couple of minutes trying to decide if I should just pull the plug and take her out or not.

Luckily another dance mom who had just left the dressing room came and rescued me. She told me she had seen Cindy and she was fine. The instructors and older girls in the group were doing a great job of keeping her preoccupied. My fellow dance mom lead me into the theatre, gave me a fresh wad of kleenex and sat down with me.

I thanked her. Although I later found out she lied to me. That Cindy was indeed still teary but determined to go on anyway. I've since forgiven her. My fellow dance mom not Cindy. There was nothing to forgive Cindy for. We all get stagefright.

Anyhow bhack to my story, I was too nervous to sit with anyone in the theatre to watch. I asked my fellow dance mom to leave me be. She left me but again later I also found out she had her eye on me the whole time in case she was needed again. Very sweet of her.


See I have forgiven her.


I wouldn't even sit with Dh. He and DS7 Jedi sat a few rows in front of me. I could tell Dh was nervous too. Jedi (DS7) really couldn't have cared less. He barely looked up from his nintendo.


Finally it was time for their duet. I was all set for them to be announced. But instead the announcer called for an unscheduled short break.





I figured Cindy had made a run for it and decided not to dance after all.

I didn't know whether to leave for the dressing room or stay put. If I left and they came on stage I would miss their performance. But if Cindy had chickened out she would need me.


I stood up.


I sat down.


I exchanged looks with Dh. I think he gave me a nod to say "Go".


I stood up.


I was saved by the announcer. I still don't know why they had an unscheduled break but it wasn't because of my Cindy.


It was time for their dance.


They looked really shaky walking on to take their starting positions. They were smiling but it was their fake smiles. A Mom knows these things.


My stomach clenched and I prepared myself for disaster.





But then, the music started and they began to dance and the stiffness and fake smiles melted into graceful movements and natural grins.


Their spins and lifts looked effortless (of course it helps that Cindy weighs close to nothing). Even the trouble spots during practise looked polished.


Other mothers sitting around me made lovely remarks about them. Before I could stop myself I blurted out "They're mine" and I was cocooned in more appreciative cooing and ahhing.


By the end of their dance I could barely see them through my tears.


Dh and I exchanged glances again. The kind of communication that only two proud parents can understand. He was in tears too.


It was a great moment. Only to be surpassed with the announcement during the award ceremony that they scored high enough to compete in Disney with their dance.


Which is a good thing as I've already put down my deposit (LOL). So watch out because I'm finally getting my wish...



my kids are gonna dance in Disney!


Next stop to have Disney actually put them on the payroll so Mama can qualify for family perks. Is that really so terrible? Maybe I'm asking the wrong crowd.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

YAY Diamond offspring!!! We knew you could do it

Our dance teacher always says that if their fathers don't say "you made my preschooler look like a street-walker"...they don't have enough make up on for stage

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Yeah for the pin code. Boo to incessant number crunching!

You're telling me! My head still hurts!

Heavens, that is the pin code I need to get!!!

You did alright after all. I was surprised they let you keep your old code. I think you got some pixie dust sprinkled your way.

Fo Sho! We could be like DIS streetmosphere performers. Dress in lime green. Recruit unsuspecting park guests. Break into random musical numbers. I'm off to www.disneyauditons.com right now to book us baby!

Okay I looked at the site. I'm in if you're in. Think we could get our families to relocate to Orlando?

Well, I certainly hated to see your Beach Club go, but was very stoked for you that you ended up with a code. That's a nice bonus.

I'd love to see the pix of the dancing! Esp. the costume. I think you'll be surprised (or not) that there will be more than one that makes the cut.

I still dream of the beach club. But overall I'm happy to have the dinning plan for the whole trip. It makes budgeting for the trip that much easier.

Yeah, four out of the six dance numbers made it to be eligible for Disney. I would have been happy with just one (more park time) but I'm glad for the kids.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

YAY Diamond offspring!!! We knew you could do it

Our dance teacher always says that if their fathers don't say "you made my preschooler look like a street-walker"...they don't have enough make up on for stage

Good quote. I'll have to remember that.

Well, miss Cindy certainly fit that criteria.

Poor Eeoyre looks so pale even though I put on a ton of bronzer and some blusher on him.

 

[eandesmom]

J

My kids were very nervous (mostly Cindy as I mentioned earlier it was her first time doing anything but a large group).

Just after I took the above picture of them in their duet costumes Miss Cindy started to tear up and say "I don't want to do this anymore Mommy. Do I have to do this?"

Part of me wanted to tell her no she didn't have to and protect her but I knew she could do this and just had a terrible case of stage fright.

So I did what every good stage mother does in this instance...

I got the heck out of dodge as quick as could be.



Finally it was time for their duet. I was all set for them to be announced. But instead the announcer called for an unscheduled short break.





I figured Cindy had made a run for it and decided not to dance after all.

I didn't know whether to leave for the dressing room or stay put. If I left and they came on stage I would miss their performance. But if Cindy had chickened out she would need me.


I stood up.


I sat down.


I exchanged looks with Dh. I think he gave me a nod to say "Go".


I stood up.


I was saved by the announcer. I still don't know why they had an unscheduled break but it wasn't because of my Cindy.


It was time for their dance.


They looked really shaky walking on to take their starting positions. They were smiling but it was their fake smiles. A Mom knows these things.


My stomach clenched and I prepared myself for disaster.





But then, the music started and they began to dance and the stiffness and fake smiles melted into graceful movements and natural grins.


Their spins and lifts looked effortless (of course it helps that Cindy weighs close to nothing). Even the trouble spots during practise looked polished.


Other mothers sitting around me made lovely remarks about them. Before I could stop myself I blurted out "They're mine" and I was cocooned in more appreciative cooing and ahhing.


By the end of their dance I could barely see them through my tears.

my kids are gonna dance in Disney!

You made me misty.

What a beautiful, stressful, heartfelt update.

And what a great mom you are.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

You made me misty.

What a beautiful, stressful, heartfelt update.

And what a great mom you are.

Thanks!

It was pretty stressful. I remember feeling sorry for the parents of the olympic athletes especially the ones whose kids do dangerous sports. I mean it wasn't like my kids were going to physically hurt themselves.

There was the potential for emotional scarring though. Luckily I think we made it through okay.

 

[All7OfUs]

Beautiful update, Diamond!! You really poured your mother's soul into giving us a glimpse "into the life". Glad they did well, and mustered through it , despite being nervous and unsure. Those the things that help us all grow and mature!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Those the things that help us all grow and mature!

Well then my Cindy grew a couple of inches in maturity that day!

It certainly was hard to walk away from her. I knew I was doing it for her own good but it didn't make it any easier.

At our last studio they had a mom's tap group that competed too. I thought it was all fun and games until about 10 minutes before I went on stage. Then I was sure I was going to throw up.

So I know how she feels.

 

[All7OfUs]

Well then my Cindy grew a couple of inches in maturity that day!

It certainly was hard to walk away from her. I knew I was doing it for her own good but it didn't make it any easier.

At our last studio they had a mom's tap group that competed too. I thought it was all fun and games until about 10 minutes before I went on stage. Then I was sure I was going to throw up.

So I know how she feels.

I'm sure she did! She learned that mom might not always be there to bail her out (in a good and healthy way). Someday she'll go to a job interview, or get pulled over for a traffic infraction or have a sick kid, and you might not be around. Don't get me wrong, but really, we need these skills to be mature.

That's so neat you were doing tap!! I'd love to do ballet again someday; so what if I look like a fat hippo with a leotard on?! Do you still dance??

 

[Applemomma]

Oh Man! I was anxiety ridded just reading that!!!! Congrats to all of you!