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

[topdog]

I have to agree with your "old" husband. I can't stand paying for taxi. We did that once on our 2005 trip with 2 of our friends. We were late for our dinner reservation at Fulton Crab House. So we took a taxi from WL to DTD. I don't remember how much. Whatever it is, it was too much even I only pay half of the fare.

I am not a drinker but looks like the food and alcohol thingie seem fun. I am not sure if I can surround by so much alcohol though. I drink only when I am in the mood. But I must say, the frozen mango margarita from Margaritaville was quite good. The last time I drank heavily was when we were at Aruba. Because we stayed at an all inclusive resort, we start drinking at 11am. Apple Martini for breakfast. I forgot what we had by lunch time.

Tonga toast is an awesome breakfast. Love the sugar rush. I know Kona Cafe is very tight but that's nothing compare to some of the Chinese restaurant in NY Chinatown. Those seat are so close, my chopstick can pick something off the bowl from the person who sat next to me.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Food and Alcoholic Thingie! That is so something Charles would say!

Ah, Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup! Yum! How I loved it!

Looks like you are having a wonderful time at the Food and Wine Festival!

 

[MEK]

to the food and alcohol thingie! That is one priceless comment! I am going to make sure that I get to that food and alcohol thingie next fall cause its sure sounds a lot more fun than that food and wine thing!

I love the pictures of the two of you with the beast. You really do look like you are having a great time!!!!! What a lovely afternoon in the world showcase.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[eandesmom]

These types of vacations are new to Dh and I. But we've both agreed to make them a priority from now on even if it's just a weekend away alone at the cottage.

It makes me giggle looking at those pics.

I'm awfully glad Dh made me slow down. It made it a much different trip than all my others. We didn't get as much done but we laughed a whole lot more.

It works both ways. He might have "made you" slow down, but you listened and made that choice.



Laughter

 

[praisehisname]

"How about acknowledging that when I say I'm upset that I'm upset. Instead of saying it doesn't matter. A little empathy maybe?"

"Sorry. (deep breath and in a monotone voice) I hear that you are upset that you don't know every single inkling of the inner workings of the transportation system to our resort. I still think it's not a big deal but I'm sorry that you think it is."

DH and I have had this conversation MANY times!

I did find out that the couple to our left were not pregnant. They have been trying for a while from the sounds of it but the woman found out this morning that they would have to start fresh again this month.

The couple on our other side were retired. They were enjoying and I quote “a damn nice meal without those darn grandkids and their nasty manners.

Probably a good thing you and DH kept quiet!

He checked out the bathroom while I sipped my coffee.

Did he have a ZZUB moment?

That is a great picture!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Yay for the Grey Goose slushies

Looks like you guys had a great time at F&W. So nice to slow things down and enjoy each other without the kiddos!

By the way, keeping meaning to tell you. I love you keep your part of the convo in pink and DH's in blue. Really helps us slow folks!!!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I have to agree with your "old" husband. I can't stand paying for taxi.

I'm sure my husband still agrees with you. It shows how much we both compromised this trip.

Apple Martini for breakfast. I forgot what we had by lunch time.

No wonder!

Tonga toast is an awesome breakfast. Love the sugar rush. I know Kona Cafe is very tight but that's nothing compare to some of the Chinese restaurant in NY Chinatown. Those seat are so close, my chopstick can pick something off the bowl from the person who sat next to me.

Tonga is awesome and if the only way I could experience it meant I had to let go of my perception of appropriate personal space than okay. It's worth it!

Food and Alcoholic Thingie! That is so something Charles would say!

Ah, Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup! Yum! How I loved it!

Looks like you are having a wonderful time at the Food and Wine Festival!

We were. The soup and the drinks helped but it was really the company that made it a good time.

to the food and alcohol thingie! That is one priceless comment! I am going to make sure that I get to that food and alcohol thingie next fall cause its sure sounds a lot more fun than that food and wine thing!

I love the pictures of the two of you with the beast. You really do look like you are having a great time!!!!! What a lovely afternoon in the world showcase.

Can't wait to read more!

I imagine the festival is more on the "alcoholic" side on saturday nights than it is any other time.

It works both ways. He might have "made you" slow down, but you listened and made that choice.

True. I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess we both made a conscious decision that trip to compromise.

DH and I have had this conversation MANY times!

I'm sure many of us have.

Did he have a ZZUB moment?

By the way, keeping meaning to tell you. I love you keep your part of the convo in pink and DH's in blue. Really helps us slow folks!!!!

I can't take the credit for it. I've seen others do it. I just adopted the traditional pink vs blue. Although usually it was symbolized two different writers in the thread. Someday Dh might actually post something himself. He's threatened to before. So you never know.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I last left off with Dh feeling poorly after splurging for a taxi and purging on Tonga Toast. We tossed the plans to do Future World at Epcot and instead choose to return to the room. Without meaning to we both feel asleep.

“I'm feeling just dandy now. What time do they sell it?”

“I don’t know exactly. I think the vendors keep the same hours as the showcase.”

“Okay. And what time is the world showcase is open till ...?”

“9 o’clock”

“So you want me to hurry up and rush around to buy some soup that is on sale until 9 pm tonight?”

“Well, I don’t want to wait until 9 pm to eat it. I was planning on having for lunch.”

Dh finally gets out of bed and heads over my way. He plunks he hands on my shoulders as if he’s trying to ground me.


“We’re already late to beat the lunch rush right?”

“Yeah I guess.”

“So we might as well relax a bit and take our time getting there. Why hurry up to wait in line?”

He had a point. I hate it when he’s right. If we left now we’d be in the thick of the Saturday F&W lunch time. So as much as I hated it I slowed down.

“Hey”

“Yeah”

“You’ve actually been listening to me with this planning thing haven’t you?”

“I’ve tried not to”

“Don’t be funny. I’m trying to tell you I’m impressed you’ve listened to me.”


We had to wait a while for our bus. But I didn’t mind. I was just happy to sit with Dh. It was one of the times when you remember that you didn’t come to Disney just to go to the parks. You came to be with each other. Really BE with them. I grabbed an information booklet and Dh and I sat down (see more sitting-I wasn’t kidding about the not walking miles this trip) and circled the items we really wanted. I think Dh circled everything. I made him prioritize. The Soup was still numero uno for me. Luckily Canada was at the beginning of the showcase. So we headed that way.

I rather enjoyed it. So did Dh. Although a better beer would have enhanced his enjoyment. As would have a grey goose slushie for me. So that is where we were headed next.


It was as good as I remembered. We walked around looking for another beer


I love this next picture of Dh and I. The photographer caught me in the middle of a genuine laugh and you can see that Dh is relaxed and having a good time.

Enjoyed this update, the cheese soup, the beer, in fact alcohol and food always are enjoyable especially at Disney
Love that you enjoyed your time together & the pictures with Beast rock & you have movie star hair! So pretty & shiny!!
Those pictures show the vacations we really love to have

 

[Diamondintheruff]

We've had some very exciting weekends lately.

Last weekend Cindy (DD9) and I had a girl's only sleepover in Toronto. She had an audition at The Canadian National Ballet School early sunday morning. Some of you who have been with me a while may remember that Eeoyre (DS11) is also a dancer and has attended this school.

So the stakes were high because Cindy knows that her brother got in and is hoping against hope that she will too. Although I have been reassured by many Ballet teachers that Cindy would make it in, you never know for sure. Plus she was soooo nervous that anything could have happened.

Well, I'm happy to announce that my Cindy was indeed accepted!




She will be one of 20 girls her age from across the country (sometimes from some other countries, I know my son had someone from France and England in his year). We're thrilled. It makes coming home early from our Disney trip this summer seem not so bad. We've had to cut down to 6 nights so the kids can still make it the summer dance program at the national ballet school. Cause Eeoyre will be there too.

Not that this can top that but I have pictures from the weekend before that and pictures are always fun in a TR. We went to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara. Thanks to some friendly people on the boards here, I got a great code for 50% off. Speaking of codes I just got a pin for Disney but it expires two weeks before we get there. Here's hoping another will come my way.

But back to GWL. I was sick as a dog. So I mostly hung out on the room by myself, watching movies, or reading. It was such a sacrifice! LOL

We went with my brother and his family, and two other families. We booked a kidcabin room. It had a single bed and a bunk bed (perfect for a three child family) all decorated like a log cabin. The kids loved it. We have had this room before.

Here is Cindy by dancing girl looking not so very graceful.

Here is Jedi (DS7 my non-dancing child although I keep trying but he prefers baseball and hockey) with his two younger cousins. I love the detailing on the wall.

Here's a pic of Dh and I.

Here are my kids and my nephews in front of their Wolfden room. It only sleeps two as it only contains one set of bunkbeds.

We only went for one night. But it was enough. We ate at the buffet restaurant. It was hectic as there were many kids. So not every relaxing but then I made up for it when I had my solo time in the room.

It was a first trip for the others in our group. They all loved it and we're thinking of making it an annual trip. Provided my good friends on the disboards keep sharing discount codes that it.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Enjoyed this update, the cheese soup, the beer, in fact alcohol and food always are enjoyable especially at Disney
Love that you enjoyed your time together & the pictures with Beast rock & you have movie star hair! So pretty & shiny!!
Those pictures show the vacations we really love to have

Maybe there was something in the WDW water that made it shiny?

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

CONGRATS to both kids, that's a lot of talent! So, they can go to the camp in the summer & then they try out again each winter/spring? I know you mentioned previously if they went full time it wouldn't be til they're older?
One day we'll be going downtown to watch them dance!!

 

[eandesmom]

Congratulations to both kids!

What does that mean for them during the school year? I am beyond clueless with dance and very curious!

GWL is a blast but one night is plenty. It's a great, quick getaway. Hmmn....codes, I didn't even know they had those! I'll need to remember that.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

CONGRATS to both kids, that's a lot of talent! So, they can go to the camp in the summer & then they try out again each winter/spring? I know you mentioned previously if they went full time it wouldn't be til they're older?
One day we'll be going downtown to watch them dance!!

Congratulations to both kids!

What does that mean for them during the school year? I am beyond clueless with dance and very curious!

GWL is a blast but one night is plenty. It's a great, quick getaway. Hmmn....codes, I didn't even know they had those! I'll need to remember that.

Yes, GWL has codes! I predict you'll visit more often now! I found mine on the canadian boards but I've seen people mention them on the budget boards and family boards. They also post some on their "special offers" page on their website and if you sign up with them they may email you some codes too.

About the Ballet school we are thrilled. It's such a great opportunity. I forget not every fully understands. Here is how it works.

The National Ballet School is a full-time school program as well as a Ballet training program. Think Fame only limited to just Ballet. It's a pretty intense program, and a wonderful education. The school starts in grade 6 and goes all the way through high school.

The audition process starts with an open call audition (what Cindy
DD9 just did) and ends with a four week summer camp program. Which is what both kids are doing this summer. The Teachers will watch them all summer and possibly offer them a spot in their full-time program for next fall. Except in Cindy's case she has been accepted a year early. She'll only be in grade 5 next year and the school doesn't start until grade 6. So they're just "watching" her this year. If all goes well she'll be invited back for the following summer which is when the pressure will start. Cause that summer they'll start to tell the students in the second week or so that they have made it in or not. Not everyone makes it so it is a life lesson for everyone.

Eeoyre DS11 is in grade 6 this year and was offered a spot at the school last year. But since the school is over an hour away, it would mean living away from home. We declined for now. It was a hard decision. If we lived near the school we would have sent him in a heartbeat. He wasn't ready to leave home. Not sure many 10 year olds are. Actually I'm not sure many 18 year olds are. But the school hasn't given up hope that Eeoyre will join them. So he's been offered a place a summer school again in the hopes that he (we) will change our mind. I've already told them they can't have him until grade 8 or 9.

Although some days with his pre-teen eye roll and sarcasm I wish we had sent him. He just bought an I-touch with his paper route money and is all about that. I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Uh oh, I have an itouch obssession and an almost automatic eyeroll too...

 

[eandesmom]

Yes, GWL has codes! I predict you'll visit more often now! I found mine on the canadian boards but I've seen people mention them on the budget boards and family boards. They also post some on their "special offers" page on their website and if you sign up with them they may email you some codes too.

About the Ballet school we are thrilled. It's such a great opportunity. I forget not every fully understands. Here is how it works.

The National Ballet School is a full-time school program as well as a Ballet training program. Think Fame only limited to just Ballet. It's a pretty intense program, and a wonderful education. The school starts in grade 6 and goes all the way through high school.

The audition process starts with an open call audition (what Cindy
DD9 just did) and ends with a four week summer camp program. Which is what both kids are doing this summer. The Teachers will watch them all summer and possibly offer them a spot in their full-time program for next fall. Except in Cindy's case she has been accepted a year early. She'll only be in grade 5 next year and the school doesn't start until grade 6. So they're just "watching" her this year. If all goes well she'll be invited back for the following summer which is when the pressure will start. Cause that summer they'll start to tell the students in the second week or so that they have made it in or not. Not everyone makes it so it is a life lesson for everyone.

Eeoyre DS11 is in grade 6 this year and was offered a spot at the school last year. But since the school is over an hour away, it would mean living away from home. We declined for now. It was a hard decision. If we lived near the school we would have sent him in a heartbeat. He wasn't ready to leave home. Not sure many 10 year olds are. Actually I'm not sure many 18 year olds are. But the school hasn't given up hope that Eeoyre will join them. So he's been offered a place a summer school again in the hopes that he (we) will change our mind. I've already told them they can't have him until grade 8 or 9.

Although some days with his pre-teen eye roll and sarcasm I wish we had sent him. He just bought an I-touch with his paper route money and is all about that. I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

Wow! So during the school year are they involved with the training at all or is it just over the summer if you opt out of the full time school?

6th grade is very young to go away...do they feel pressure to keep up their training during the school year if they aren't at the school?

WOW! You have some talented kids!

 

[Happydog]

Okay that is very very cool that you have dancers in your family! How neat! A big step for a young man to live away from home, but what a neat opportunity, and future! Very cool... a student at my school just signed out to move to CHINA for a year, so he could study table tennis... can you believe it? He is only 15....

Anyhow, I have heard really good things about the GWL there is one not toooo far from us! Yours is the second report I have read that really enjoyed their stay! Good to know!!!

 

[praisehisname]

Well, I'm happy to announce that my Cindy was indeed accepted!

Woo Hoo! Congratulations to Cindy!

Denise

 

[Charleston Princess]

Congratulations to the dancers in your family!!! I took ballet all until my senior year of high school, but I was never very good at it! I loved it though!

Great Wolf Lodge looks like a lot of fun! What a shame that you were sick and weren't able to enjoy it as much as you could have. I think we have one somewhat near us. It looks like a great way to spend the weekend.

 

[MeMom]

Although some days with his pre-teen eye roll and sarcasm I wish we had sent him.

I have often thought that sending kids away from about 14-18 would be a good thing. Lots of parent/teenager 'fun' times (NOT) would be avoided. But then again, we couldn't really get our fully-deserved parent badges if we skipped that part, right?

It would sure be a hard thing to send a ten-year-old away. Seems like the summer programs are enough for that age right now. I wish your family the best in all of these exciting pursuits.

The lodge looked like a fun place!

 

[Queenofallthings]

That is so wonderful....good for Cindy Eeyore GWL looks beautiful, I always said if I won the 649 I wanted a log cabin home....I'm still waiting