All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[wigdoutdismom]

Just checked in and enjoyed the pictures from your weekend! Oh how I wish our Disney Store would come back....
Good for Brooklynn trading that mouthless dino for the cougar. Much better choice!

Personally our family did fine during the tornado. However Marc's school and surrounding neighborhood had extensive damage. The district has no idea when they will be able to open again. Staff is meeting tomorrow in a local church. Possibly IF buses can get into the neighborhood they will pick-up kids and take them to that location next week and they will hold classes there. Maybe....
They just aren't sure of anything.

 

[MHTeacher]

The wonderful aroma of the nut kiosk greeted us.

I had some of these Easter weekend when I was wandering around Opry Mills!

Which outfit will the baby be wearing in October?

Inquiring DIS-minds would love to know!

Great update! The zoo looks like a good one, and looks as if everyone had a fun day!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Looking up at that picture of Bella with her loot! She sure is a great little shopper!
Both of the outfits that Jill is holding up are really cute! I need to get to a Disney Store for our new little grand baby!

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up .... again but failing miserably at staying caught up.

 

[disneyfan61]

Just checked in and enjoyed the pictures from your weekend! Oh how I wish our Disney Store would come back....
Good for Brooklynn trading that mouthless dino for the cougar. Much better choice!

Personally our family did fine during the tornado. However Marc's school and surrounding neighborhood had extensive damage. The district has no idea when they will be able to open again. Staff is meeting tomorrow in a local church. Possibly IF buses can get into the neighborhood they will pick-up kids and take them to that location next week and they will hold classes there. Maybe....
They just aren't sure of anything.

Glad to hear you are ok. Very sad about the school & neighborhoods.

Look out for some pics tomorrow. You too MeMom.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow! The BW was really pretty! I've never been over there, but your pictures make me want to go right now!

That pic of Jill hilding up the two outfits... is she wearing a hidden Mickey shirt? I think I see a few!

Anita: I am so glad to hear you are ok. I had no idea all that was going on! I guess I've not kept up with the news much lately. So sorry about Marc's school. I hope things get back to normal for all of you quickly.

 

[DWGal210]

Anita, I'm sorry about Marc's school, and I'm also glad you're all ok. Those tornadoes are nothing to mess with. We had one in our area about 5 years ago & after seeing the damage, my brother said he'd never again be callous about the sirens.

 

[MeMom]

I can't believe those new FP rules, my dad keeps telling me about them.

GF is too fancy for me too. I've just browsed the shops. Loro and I took our first Christmas picture together in front of the big tree after looking at the Gingerbread house in 07. AHH memories.

My 100 day dance for your Disney trip is late but I do have my own 100 day dance for my birthday If my math is correct you now have 77 days until Disney

I believe I commented on Bella's birthday party pics on FB. Looks like a great party! I too wish we all lived in Distown, so we could have a party together.

Hope you all had a fun time at Opry Mills! It also looks like you guys had a great time at the zoo.

Has my dad asked you when you are going back to Disney? He asked me and I told him I haven't DIS'd in a while. I'm hoping I get one Disney day while I am there for my sister's graduation. As I told my sister, I would like to eat at AoA (it should be open) and go to a park on Saturday. We shall see what happens.


I've had trouble just loading the DIS let alone trying to log in. I hope this posts.

Tell your dad we will be there June 23rd. It's a Saturday, so depending on which park we hit first, we may see him that day, or we might see him the next morning. I don't know what Jill has planned. We'll cross paths with him sometime during that week. We have to see Mr. Ed!

We're anxious to try out the Art of Animation food court, too.
I can't wait to get my camera over there to take tons of new pictures!

Just checked in and enjoyed the pictures from your weekend! Oh how I wish our Disney Store would come back....
Good for Brooklynn trading that mouthless dino for the cougar. Much better choice!

Personally our family did fine during the tornado. However Marc's school and surrounding neighborhood had extensive damage. The district has no idea when they will be able to open again. Staff is meeting tomorrow in a local church. Possibly IF buses can get into the neighborhood they will pick-up kids and take them to that location next week and they will hold classes there. Maybe....
They just aren't sure of anything.

I've seen some of the pictures from that area. We've seen similar sights here in TN and AL, and we know that the reality is so much more sickening even than the pictures.

I had some of these Easter weekend when I was wandering around Opry Mills!

Inquiring DIS-minds would love to know!

Great update! The zoo looks like a good one, and looks as if everyone had a fun day!

Those nuts always smell so good! I am a nut lover, too, and if I had the money, I would get a big bag every time.

Jill finds out next week what the baby is - Girl 3 or Boy 1.

Looking up at that picture of Bella with her loot! She sure is a great little shopper!
Both of the outfits that Jill is holding up are really cute! I need to get to a Disney Store for our new little grand baby!

When I saw Bella with all of the items gathered up in her arms trying to hold them all, but two things dropping out every time she picked up one, I thought I needed to send you a picture.

All caught up .... again but failing miserably at staying caught up.

I know. Our DIStown Poolrat is too busy to hang out on the DIS street corners these days.

Glad to hear you are ok. Very sad about the school & neighborhoods.

Look out for some pics tomorrow. You too MeMom.

I am ready for them!!!

Wow! The BW was really pretty! I've never been over there, but your pictures make me want to go right now!

That pic of Jill hilding up the two outfits... is she wearing a hidden Mickey shirt? I think I see a few!

Anita: I am so glad to hear you are ok. I had no idea all that was going on! I guess I've not kept up with the news much lately. So sorry about Marc's school. I hope things get back to normal for all of you quickly.

Accidental Hidden Mickeys - that's just an Old Navy shirt. Check out the website to see if they still have them.

Anita, I'm sorry about Marc's school, and I'm also glad you're all ok. Those tornadoes are nothing to mess with. We had one in our area about 5 years ago & after seeing the damage, my brother said he'd never again be callous about the sirens.

It really gives you a sickening feeling to drive through areas that have been hit like that and imagine the terror that was felt by the people in those houses and buildings.


**************************************

So, I have a teacher story for you.

I have a student (we'll call her G) - who is spoiled beyond a good kind of spoiling by her mother. Not to be ugly in any way, but her nature is that she is spoiled and lazy. She also has sticky fingers, and she has taken many things from many people this year. She loves to stir up chaos among her classmates, pitting one against the other. She craves attention, and according to her, she has been to every place we've mentioned this year, she's had one of every kind of animal we've talked about, her mom won the three million dollar lottery, etc. She is always trying to outdo what anyone else says, has, or does.

We had a picnic outside today, since it is so pretty, and the kids were talking as they ate.

Here is what I heard.

Student 1: My real mom was killed in a car wreck. (This is true. It happened when he was an infant.)

Student 2: My auntie was killed in a car wreck. (Very likely, since this student is not known to lie.)

G: My auntie was killed in two car wrecks. (This one I was not quite sure about. )

I have to say that this ranks right up there in my 'teacher's stories' collection with the boy who was growing beans in his ear and the boy with the hair that was so heavy it gave him a headache when he got it cut.

 

[vamassey1]

Loved the student story! I know you have to practice lots of patience with this little girl.

Great pictures from your weekend visit. I'm so glad you have your Disney store back. I have to travel to New Orleans for the closest one. I really wish they would reopen here. A one time we had had two stores!

Beautiful Boardwalk pictures. The decorations have gotten even better than they were in 2005/2006 when we saw them last.

 

[tinkgurl]

We'll be happy when you come back through here again, too.

What all did you do in St. Louis?

I'll be happy too!!

We went to a Cardinals game! Then, we went to this neat Italian restaurant not too far from the stadium. A friend recommended that we went there and he was right! Sunday, we went to the mall and ate at the Cheesecake Factory!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Can't remember when I posted last.
Great pics from the zoo and mall. Love the kids' shopping stuff! AND I loved seeing Jill with that little baby belly and the two cute outfits!!

What a story from your students! Oh my, some kids will say the craziest stuff. I'm so glad there are patient wonderful teachers like you (and my other DIS teacher friends). I know I could never do it! But you should keep a journal of these things - it would make a great book! I always say I should write stuff down that my kids say or stories from work. People just wouldn't believe the stories we hear at the courthouse!
I'm sitting here late tonight at work (well after our normal hours) waiting for a jury to reach a verdict in a DWI case. The defendant is a smart man, but delusional. So he is manipulative, and a little nuts. Makes for an interesting trial to say the least!! I think the poor jury is confused or they would have reached a verdict by now!

Okay, that's my little side chatter. Back to you MeMom and Jill! When is that ultrasound we're all waiting for again?

 

[MeMom]

Loved the student story! I know you have to practice lots of patience with this little girl.

Great pictures from your weekend visit. I'm so glad you have your Disney store back. I have to travel to New Orleans for the closest one. I really wish they would reopen here. A one time we had had two stores!

Beautiful Boardwalk pictures. The decorations have gotten even better than they were in 2005/2006 when we saw them last.

Patience is something you need a lot of when you are an elementary school teacher. You have to be willing to repeat instructions and rules so many times it'll make your brain crazy. You have to hold your tongue, especially with students who are all mouth and don't care about the education we are trying to give them. It's very frustrating sometimes, but overall, this has been a good year.

We went from three Disney Stores to zero, so we are happy to have this one.

Wouldn't it be nice to be sitting at a table on the Boardwalk this evening watching the sun go down?

I'll be happy too!!

We went to a Cardinals game! Then, we went to this neat Italian restaurant not too far from the stadium. A friend recommended that we went there and he was right! Sunday, we went to the mall and ate at the Cheesecake Factory!

I have heard so much about Cheesecake Factory, but I have never been there.

Can't remember when I posted last.
Great pics from the zoo and mall. Love the kids' shopping stuff! AND I loved seeing Jill with that little baby belly and the two cute outfits!!

What a story from your students! Oh my, some kids will say the craziest stuff. I'm so glad there are patient wonderful teachers like you (and my other DIS teacher friends). I know I could never do it! But you should keep a journal of these things - it would make a great book! I always say I should write stuff down that my kids say or stories from work. People just wouldn't believe the stories we hear at the courthouse!
I'm sitting here late tonight at work (well after our normal hours) waiting for a jury to reach a verdict in a DWI case. The defendant is a smart man, but delusional. So he is manipulative, and a little nuts. Makes for an interesting trial to say the least!! I think the poor jury is confused or they would have reached a verdict by now!

Okay, that's my little side chatter. Back to you MeMom and Jill! When is that ultrasound we're all waiting for again?

If the baby cooperates, we'll know what it is on Thursday, I think. Keep your fingers crossed that Baby knows we're all wanting to know so that we can start preparing.

Yes, I am sure courts hear stories like we hear in elementary school, only by bigger people. I can picture some of my students giving the same excuses about different things in a court one of these days!


********************************************

Back through part of Epcot, as I make my way back to Pop Century.

Name this item.

The population of France was about 1 million per square quarter mile that day.

And all of them wanted to 'manger'!

See the little Eiffel Tower in the Christmas decoration.

I wish I would have brought a French Minnie home with me. I have Disney friends from almost every Epcot country. France may be the only one I don't have, besides Morocco, which does not do the dolls.

I passed Belle and Beast.

I stopped to listen the the Japanese storyteller.

Next, my home country.

 

[MeMom]

America!

They had the whole Disney village set up in a big case.

Fun ornaments.

The story of Kwanzaa.

The theater ready for Candlelight Processional.

Time check.

Gift shop.

I went in to hear Voices of Liberty.

The fife and drum brigade came by.

I found a seat on the concrete planter and was going to wait to see the Candlelight Processional. As I waited and people watched, I got quite a show from a young man and woman who were in a heated argument in another language. She was really, really, really mad at him, and he looked like he was fed up with something. From the intonations and the few words I could make out, I think he might have been there with her family and that wasn't working out so well at the moment. She was going crazy screaming at him, and people were stopping to watch. I thought she was going to start hitting him. She got in his face and was screaming. Finally, she started crying, and she was talking in a choked voice rather than screaming. Eventually they both walked away, not hand in hand, but not screaming, either. It was not a pleasant few moments, but I didn't move, because I didn't want to lose my good seat!

After a few minutes, the high school kids started filing into the theater.

As always, the Candlelight Processional was moving and beautiful.

The narrator that night was Marlee Matlin.

 

[MeMom]

This lady in the middle is the one who always amazes me as she moves from instrument to instrument during the performance.

Here was the line-up for 2011.

I would have enjoyed seeing Susan Lucci.

A cast member helping to spread Christmas cheer.

I got a hot chocolate from her.

After CP, I moved on toward the front.

We're scheduled to eat here this summer.

I am looking forward to it.

Past Germany.

The Monkey King was closing out his show.

More Christmas storytelling in Norway.

Ever nearer to that big ball that leads me out to my ride.

Snowflakes on the monorail.

Stitch tangled up in lights.

Back at Pop, the girls had gotten some stickers.

My sweet Bella.

And that was the end of another Disney day. I had been walking for hours. My leg was screaming and swollen. We had several early nights in on that trip, and I feel sure we will do a lot of that this summer, too.

I'm not sure what the next day holds. Jill has to get the next batch of pictures loaded, and then we'll all know.

Have a good evening, all!

 

[Valgoof]

I dont know how to quote a picture, but I got a hot chocolate from her too!! We saw CLP with Neil Patrick Harris. Loved it!! Even in the pouring rain.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

So sad to say that we didn't stop for hot chocolate or gingerbread this Christmas. What were we thinking???

I am terribly anxious to find out if Jill is having a boy or girl baby!!!

 

[disney<333]

Sounds like a fun weekend with the girls! I'm so happy to hear you got your Disney Store back. AND a Vera Bradley, I think outlet, lucky you!!
I can't wait to hear if the girls are going to be getting a little brother or sister. My gut's saying the baby will be wearing the Toy Story outfit in October.
Wigd- I am so sorry to hear about all the damage. I will be keeping your area in my thoughts.
Can you believe I've never seen CP? I always enjoy a walk around WS. One afternoon, I was thinking about all of the junk I had eaten during the trip and decided to walk it off. What better place than WS?

 

[TCKK]

Loving the updates Memom! Disney Stores are so awesome. We just got a new one in our area and we went about 2 weeks ago for the first time. I may have gotten DH and I a couple of mugs that were on sale and DD may have gotten a Pocohantas Barbie! It's so cool to me that a 17 year old can still get into the Disney spirit and not feel "too old" to get a Barbie when it's a Disney character. In fact, her 20 year old sister has just recently found several online that she got with a gift certificate she was given. So love it that we've passed on the Disney love to another generation! Just like you have with your kids and grandkids!

The Nashville Zoo looks like a really nice place. One of these days we'll have to make a trip there.

Loved the pictures from the end of your day at Boardwalk and WS. It looks so beautiful with the Christmas decorations.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

It looks like you had a really fun weekend MeMom. I bet those girls sure love when you are able to spend time together.

I'm guessing that baby will get the Toy Story outfit. Thinking blue for Jill!

Yikes on the argument in Epcot! That is always awkward. But I'm glad you stayed and got to see the Candlelight Processional. Great pictures!

 

[frazers mum]

Thankyou for your lovely update Memom. I love looking at all the Christmassy stuff, and the candlelight processional looks amazing. How i would love to go at Christmas, but i couldn't leave my Mum ,Dad, Brothers and Sister. Being with family at Christmas is just too precious to miss.
I must admit that we are getting excited for our trip to Disney in a few weeks. Frazer has his countdown calendar up and running!!
Can't wait to find out if your next little baby bundle will be blue or pink!!