A Two Short, Too Different Spring Break Trip (Time to Say Goodbye)

[hlrababy]

Okay Jill and MeMom! I think I missed it somewhere on here, but when in December are you going back to Disney?

We will be there the first week!

 

[moparop]

So, I decided my house was clean enough and loaded the kids up and drove down to the zoo. We get there, drive to the first parking lot, FULL. Second parking lot, FULL. Third parking lot, also FULL. Most of the side streets, jam packed with cars. At that point, I decided the zoo wasn't meant to be and told the boys it was a no go. They both cried a bit but I promised we'd come next week when all the local kids were back in school and offered to do a picnic lunch instead. It took Liam a good 30 minutes to decide he wasn't angry with me and agree to eat lunch. Poor kids! I felt so bad!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Hi, have a fun tomorrow. Drive safe!

I was just thinking of you tonight. I am watching a movie and they keep playing a commercial for 'Pigeon Forge' in Tennessee. Are you close by? It looks fun.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Have a wonderful day with your family!

Somehow it did a double post. LOL

 

[VandyFan10]

We will be there the first week!

Meeeeeee tooooooooo!!!!!!

I think they are going to be there on New Years Day...not sure of the exact dates though

 

[micandminforever]

Wishing you a safe drive and a wonderful visit with your girls tomorrow.

All the talk about the new Disney movie reminds me of all the great nature specials Disney did in the 60's on the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. In the back of my mind I still remember the announcer's voice as the camera followed the animals around the wild. He made every step into a story.

 

[MeMom]

We requested a room in that general location and ended up in the same room. We use Dream Come True Vacations to book our trip and when she (Liz) put in the request she must have gave them the room number. It was like coming home. Liz is awesome!!

Interesting.
I have read your glowing reports about Liz before. I think being a Disney travel agent would be a fun job. Getting paid to make magic happen for others...yep, sounds good to me!

Okay Jill and MeMom! I think I missed it somewhere on here, but when in December are you going back to Disney?

We will be there the first week!

We will be there the 28th through the 2nd. I gave Jill the choice of what holiday she wanted, either a MNSSHP/birthday trip, another Thanksgiving trip, or Christmas, and she picked Christmas. Only it's going to be just a little after Christmas so the girls can be at home for Bella's first Christmas Day.

So, I decided my house was clean enough and loaded the kids up and drove down to the zoo. We get there, drive to the first parking lot, FULL. Second parking lot, FULL. Third parking lot, also FULL. Most of the side streets, jam packed with cars. At that point, I decided the zoo wasn't meant to be and told the boys it was a no go. They both cried a bit but I promised we'd come next week when all the local kids were back in school and offered to do a picnic lunch instead. It took Liam a good 30 minutes to decide he wasn't angry with me and agree to eat lunch. Poor kids! I felt so bad!

Sorry the zoo didn't work out. Sounds like it would have been way crowded, and you'll be able to enjoy it more when school is back in session. A picnic lunch is a nice consolation prize, though.

Pull your shades down and have a good time with your company!

Hi, have a fun tomorrow. Drive safe!

I was just thinking of you tonight. I am watching a movie and they keep playing a commercial for 'Pigeon Forge' in Tennessee. Are you close by? It looks fun.

That's over in East Tennessee - about a three hour drive. We've been there several times before. There are a lot of things to do, and it's a great place to shop. It is especially beautiful in October.

Have a wonderful day with your family!

Somehow it did a double post. LOL

It does that to me every once in a while, too.

Meeeeeee tooooooooo!!!!!!

I think they are going to be there on New Years Day...not sure of the exact dates though

Our plan is to watch NYE fireworks from the Polynesian.

Wishing you a safe drive and a wonderful visit with your girls tomorrow.

All the talk about the new Disney movie reminds me of all the great nature specials Disney did in the 60's on the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. In the back of my mind I still remember the announcer's voice as the camera followed the animals around the wild. He made every step into a story.

Jill said she was thinking abouit going to a yard sale, so we may do that first thing.

After reading some reviews of Earth, I'm a little more hesitant to go with Brooklynn. Someone said there were a lot of death scenes in the Planet Earth videos, (some of which Disney is using in this film), as there are in the circle of life in the animal kingdom. She gets very sad when there are troubles among her animal friends. If you could see her lips pucker in the Nemo show at AK, you'd know she probably can't take much more than that. As much as I want to see it, I wouldn't want it to upset her. I know there is a dose of death, destruction, and sadness in about every Disney movie, but this might not be the one that is her first official theater movie. I'm going to watch the reviews from next week carefully, as will Jill, and then she can decide if she thinks it would be okay to go for it or if it's best to wait.

 

[scottny]

I agree the 70's That is where I was and I was happy with the location. I had room 0203, third from the big wheel on the 2nd floor and about a 2 or 3 minute walk to the food court.

Great update and pics.

I had no idea there was a snack place by TSM.

Have a great weekend.

 

[anbouk]

We always are glad when our MIA's return to the fold!

Bella is absolutely perfect; I agree!

We have had good rooms in the 70's twice. Both were just a stone's throw from Classic Hall. I personally liked the poolside room we had in the Jukebox building, but it was not close to the main area. For closeness, ask for the Big Wheel building or the Lady building, unless you want to pay preferred and get in the closer 60's rooms. There are some non-preferred 60's, too, on the lake side, but if I were you, I'd probably ask for the 70's Big Wheel to be close. Anyone else want to chime in with opinions to help?

A Dis meet at the Poly sounds great! We're marking our calendar for NYE.

I totally agree about the Big Wheel building! When we stayed in April '08, we were just across from the Big Wheel and right next to the Mickey phone, overlooking the hooky table. We could walk down the hall and around the corner and get a nice view of the lake. I think that we were as close to preferred as we could get without actually paying for preferred.

MeMom, I hope you have a great weekend with your girls whenever you get out there!

In 2005, we were in the Big Wheel building right by the playground. That is considered preferred now, though. This summer, we were in the Mickey Phone building just a few doors down around the back away from the Goofy Jets. It took about fifteen seconds to walk down the stairs and be greeted by Goofy. The other rooms we've had have been a bit farther away, but since I'm a walker, none of the walking ever bothers me. This summer, I am asking for the 60's non-preferred, just because the 60's is the only decade I have not stayed in before.

I agree the 70's That is where I was and I was happy with the location. I had room 0203, third from the big wheel on the 2nd floor and about a 2 or 3 minute walk to the food court.

Thanks! I think we'll request a 70s building.

 

[Charleston Princess]

After reading some reviews of Earth, I'm a little more hesitant to go with Brooklynn. Someone said there were a lot of death scenes in the Planet Earth videos, (some of which Disney is using in this film), as there are in the circle of life in the animal kingdom. She gets very sad when there are troubles among her animal friends. If you could see her lips pucker in the Nemo show at AK, you'd know she probably can't take much more than that. As much as I want to see it, I wouldn't want it to upset her. I know there is a dose of death, destruction, and sadness in about every Disney movie, but this might not be the one that is her first official theater movie. I'm going to watch the reviews from next week carefully, as will Jill, and then she can decide if she thinks it would be okay to go for it or if it's best to wait.

Oh, no! I don't want any death and destruction in Earth! I was planning on taking the kids, but I don't like that sort of thing -- I always cry like a baby -- I can't even watch Meerkat Manor. I guess I will be keeping a close eye on the reviews as well.

 

[micandminforever]

I hope you and Jill were able to fine several treasures at the yard sale today.

Thanks for heads up about the new Disney Earth movie the old disney nature specials were up beat and fun.

At Pop dh and I have stayed in building 3 facing the lake(three times) and in the 60's facing the lake, both places were great. The rooms facing the lake seem quieter, even the first floor rooms. The upper floors are better for fireworks viewing.

 

[MeMom]

I agree the 70's That is where I was and I was happy with the location. I had room 0203, third from the big wheel on the 2nd floor and about a 2 or 3 minute walk to the food court.

Great update and pics.

I had no idea there was a snack place by TSM.

Have a great weekend.

The 70's buildings seem to be the voters' choice.

Thanks! I think we'll request a 70s building.

Hope it works out great for you! Call them five days out and give them your requests. I think that is supposed to be the optimum time for getting what you want.

Oh, no! I don't want any death and destruction in Earth! I was planning on taking the kids, but I don't like that sort of thing -- I always cry like a baby -- I can't even watch Meerkat Manor. I guess I will be keeping a close eye on the reviews as well.

Surely it will be okay. They wouldn't over do any of the bad/sad parts, I wouldn't think.

I hope you and Jill were able to fine several treasures at the yard sale today.

Thanks for heads up about the new Disney Earth movie the old disney nature specials were up beat and fun.

At Pop dh and I have stayed in building 3 facing the lake(three times) and in the 60's facing the lake, both places were great. The rooms facing the lake seem quieter, even the first floor rooms. The upper floors are better for fireworks viewing.

We came home with Simba, Abu, and Donald. Couldn't pass up Disney friends, and how often do you find Abu?

Just do some research frist and make sure it's right for your family. We might wait until it comes out on video.

I have thought it would be cool to sit out by your door and see fireworks some evenings!


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I had a nice day with my sweeties. I held Bella a lot, mostly while she slept. I just loved all over her tiny little head and ears and watched her make funny faces while she slept. I read books and tossed the ball with Brooklynn. Later, we went out to the swingset and I pushed her and we made up songs. It was a beautiful day.

The yard sale was made up of contributions from about 30 families from their church. The proceeds went to a children's home they are helping. They had a good crowd when we were there, so hopefully a lot of money was collected for a good cause.

We also went to a teacher store down there. I was looking for some things on endangered animals to go with my Earth Day activities this week.

We had hamburgers and tater tots for lunch. I came home and went to the grocery store and spent too much money. I hate it when you are out of all of the things like shampoo, detergent, trash bags, etc. all at once. It adds a lot to the bill.

Now I am in for the evening. I have to work on some school stuff for a little while, and then I will turn in around news time.

I lead a very exciting life.

 

[micandminforever]

Abu sounds like a great fine.

I am with you I hate it when I spend a lot of money at the grocery store and get home and realize their was very little food in those sacks.

 

[IluvXU]

I am a bit disappointed... no pics of the girls? No honestly good luck with testing... I left Friday glad that I don't have to say the word test anymore... I am sick of it! Just the morning of and I am done!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

MeMom didn't post pictures because she didn't bring her camera! So here are the two that I took.

The girls with our newly purchased friends.

My two cuties.

On an extra high note the yard sale made over $2500 today. So that is awesome!!!!!

 

[Nicole786]

Congrats on the yard sale! Your girls are too cute!!

 

[twob4him]

I just love the latest photos and that red dot dress that Brooklyn is wearing is right up my alley! So cute! Glad the yard sale was such a hit! That's wonderful!

 

[IluvXU]

I cannot believe MeMom did not have her camera. Thanks Jill. The girls look sweet as ever!

 

[MeMom]

Abu sounds like a great fine.

I am with you I hate it when I spend a lot of money at the grocery store and get home and realize their was very little food in those sacks.

The extras are needed, but they add so much to the grocery budget. As much as I know I will miss these big old boys when they are gone, I know that my grocery bill will plummet when I am only buying groceries for myself!

I am a bit disappointed... no pics of the girls? No honestly good luck with testing... I left Friday glad that I don't have to say the word test anymore... I am sick of it! Just the morning of and I am done!

I realized I forgot the camera a few miles down the road, but Jill saved me.

After this week of testing, we can have some fun with learning.

MeMom didn't post pictures because she didn't bring her camera! So here are the two that I took.

The girls with our newly purchased friends.

My two cuties.

On an extra high note the yard sale made over $2500 today. So that is awesome!!!!!

Thanks for the sweet babies...and for the pictures of them, too!

Congrats on the yard sale! Your girls are too cute!!

The yard sale money will be spent on a very worthy cause. Jill said the woman who was having it at her house was very worried about a good turnout. I know that she is thrilled to be able to take that money to church this morning!

I just love the latest photos and that red dot dress that Brooklyn is wearing is right up my alley! So cute! Glad the yard sale was such a hit! That's wonderful!

She had her picture made in that dress last time, but that's the one she chose to wear again. She likes twirling around in it.

I cannot believe MeMom did not have her camera. Thanks Jill. The girls look sweet as ever!

I was awakened a little after 11:30 by the rumbling of the house from a video game being played (very loudly) by some guys at the other end of the house. I didn't go back to sleep until around 2:30, and then I got up at 4:30. My brain was a little fuzzy.


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I finished out last night by working on some more of my Earth Day (week) activities. I made some color-coded cards with animal stickers on them. As I read the story I have chosen, I am going to periodically stop and ask them to turn a certain colored card. At the end of the story, they will see how many animals have disappeared before their eyes due to pollution, habitat clearing, and poaching. This will help solidify the idea of animal loss in their minds, I hope. I'm also showing some video clips from the San Diego Zoo website of a baby gorilla, an orangutan celebrating a birthday, and some pandas at play. The videos are so cute, and it's as close as I can get to having them see them in person for now. We are going to the zoo next week, so that will be great for reiterating the lessons of this week.

In honor of this week of awareness of our planet, I thought I would share some of the beauty in nature we have found on a few past Disney trips.

If I get the chances this week, I'm just going to throw out some random plant, animal, and landscape pictures that remind me of the simpler, more natural parts of Disney World. Jiminy Cricket reminds us to Make Every Day Earth Day.

I blew that up and have it on a bulletin board in my classroom. It gives me two nice reminders every day - taking care of my surroundings and Disney trips to come!

Have a great Sunday!

 

[Nicole786]

I love your earth day tribute, such beautiful pictures!