April 21, 2007 -- Western Magic -- anyone?

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I'm getting cuter by the minute! (Actually, my sig, avitar, etc...) It's only taken me two months to figure out how to do it! How does it look so far? I'm wanting to put a picture in, but since it turned out so big when I posted it before, I'm scared it will be huge. Any suggestions on how to shrink it? And where do tickers come from? I think I just figured the ticker out! Let's see...

 

[Cyndibear]

Val---looks great. I've been here awhile and haven't figured it out yet. Maybe one day. When I looked at your ticker, I thought WOW...only 1 mth left Yeah!!!!!

Amy--thanks for the tip on the luggage. We always have our own suitcase. Not anymore. Good idea!! I just imagine us ending up at dinner the first night in our shorts and flip flop crocs!!!

Cyndi

 

[curlybop]

Looks good Val! If you want a photo, just upload to photobucket, then click "edit" and resize from there, until it falls within guidelines for this forum.

Alright, I'm calling you out Corryn. Where are ya? LOL! Normally she's right in here chatting away, but I haven't "seen" her here much lately.

We were just talking over dinner how about a month from now we'll probably be stressing on what to pack, final details, etc. We'd better continue this thread for a long time after we return home, since I'll need a support group once it's all over.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Thanks Amanda, but I couldn't get it to shrink down. It got smaller on the photobucket album page, but when I pasted it here, it was still the same size. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow when it's not so late...

 

[dvc2themax]

Almost below 40 days!!

Sorry, but I am packed and ready. But will recheck again next week and a few days before we go. Have 4 large suitcases (yes, under 50 lbs each) for 3 of us. I usually only take 2 suitcases to WDW.

DH wants to know if anyone wants to play the Pirate Game - the one they played in teh 2nd movie with Davey Jones... Don't remember what it is called. He doesn't know how to play it yet though....

Seems we are still missing some pics

Spring is almost here in the New England Staes, ground hog said do. So do the robins and bluejays I saw this week. Now if the snow would go away! ANd the cold spell would get back to its unusual warmness.

Val, your kids will be fine at dinner. Enough people there to make them feel special and entertained. And hey, they are just little ones.

Took DD to the urgent care last night as she was fooling around at dance classs with a friend, and she landed hard on her arm. Not broken, but in a cast and sling for the next 5 days, 8 days before a dance competition in Londonderry! She is slightly mad at me because I was laughing at her and the doctor who kept making her move her arm ( or try to) to see what was wrong. He kept making her stretch out her arm an dhand an dfingers and she was tearing up and laughing (kinda of)(you knw when something hurts, but you don't want anyone to know, so you try not to cry and so you laugh - that was her). But it was kind of hilarous.

The get togethers sound fun.

Have a great day everyone!

-Paula

 

[alikat99]

Oh Paula, you're making the rest of us (well, at least me) look bad!! Packed, already???? Actually, I wish that I could pack that early, but since we're here in central FL, we'll need those shorts in the next few weeks. I do need to start gathering things and figuring out what I need to buy before the cruise, though. I can't believe that it's getting so close!!!

 

[curlybop]

Wow Paula, you are packed? I've sorted through my stashes of things, I know a bit of what I want to take, but am no way done. I'll definitely have to drag out the scales & weigh the bags when I finally do finish, since I don't want to start out the trip with fees from overweight luggage!

Anyone have good ideas to keep a child busy on the plane? I don't really want to lug around the DVD player - since our total flight time is only 1 1/2 hours nonstop. This will be DD's first flight ever, so I'm hoping the excitement will keep her busy for a few minutes anyway! I bought some Color Wonder markers & books to bring, since they will be easy & not messy. Trying to come up with a couple other things too that won't be loud or require 10,000 pieces.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Val, your kids will be fine at dinner. Enough people there to make them feel special and entertained. And hey, they are just little ones.:

Thanks for everyone's positive thoughts on mealtimes with the boys. I have learned from much experience that if I worry about them misbehaving, they will be perfect angels...but if I think things will go smoothly, then they fall apart! So, I'm not quite ready to think all positive thoughts yet (they are in the back of my head, though!).

Wow Paula, you are packed? I've sorted through my stashes of things, I know a bit of what I want to take, but am no way done. I'll definitely have to drag out the scales & weigh the bags when I finally do finish, since I don't want to start out the trip with fees from overweight luggage!

Anyone have good ideas to keep a child busy on the plane? I don't really want to lug around the DVD player - since our total flight time is only 1 1/2 hours nonstop. This will be DD's first flight ever, so I'm hoping the excitement will keep her busy for a few minutes anyway! I bought some Color Wonder markers & books to bring, since they will be easy & not messy. Trying to come up with a couple other things too that won't be loud or require 10,000 pieces.

Hopefully in the next week or so, we want to do a "trial run" with our suitcases to see how much we can actually stuff in our suitcases that we got last summer but haven't used yet. I'm not going to leave everything packed, though, so the clothes won't get wrinkled. I did read on the main board about rolling your clothes to take up less room and make less wrinkles. I'm going to try that!

My MIL (such a sweetie) is planning on making a small package for the boys with entertainment for the plane trips. I'm not certain what all she has yet, but I have given her some ideas to put in them. We will probably also make one for just the trip home, too, and not let them see it until then so it's still something new and exciting. Last weekend, I saw Sam's Club had several fairly thick Disney-themed sticker books, so MIL got those for them--no pieces to loose, plus they can do them fairly easily independently. It would be similar to a puzzle but not having to risk losing the pieces. Each sticker has a certian place to go in the book. They had one that was all Pooh and another that was Disney/Pixar movies (Cars, Incredibles, Nemo, Toy Story, etc.--that's Lennon's!). Hudson's has Home on the Range (his favorite movie)/Brother Bear/?Lion King, and then one more had Peter Pan/Mulan/?(I can't remember what else). They were around $8. I hope they stay entertained with those, but we'll keep looking for more stuff, too. Sam's also had write-on/wipe-off books that we thought about, too. It's kind of big and thick, but it had a tray to keep the 3 markers and wipe-off cloth from getting lost. They have different types of activites--crossword puzzles, word find puzzles, spelling puzzles, etc. (That was the one we were thinking about anyway. They also had some more challenging ones for slightly older kids--US maps, etc.) I think it might be too advanced for Lennon, so we might pass on it. Hudson would do great with it, but Lennon would be disappointed if he didn't get one, too. ColorWonder is great, isn't it? My boys don't stay entertained for very long with coloring, though. I would appreciate any other suggestions, too! Our plane rides are 1 hr 15-30 min plus another 3 hrs, so they'll need lots of entertaining!

How do my posts always end up so long?!?! I guess I tend to give too much information...Sorry!

 

[alikat99]

Anyone have good ideas to keep a child busy on the plane? I don't really want to lug around the DVD player - since our total flight time is only 1 1/2 hours nonstop. This will be DD's first flight ever, so I'm hoping the excitement will keep her busy for a few minutes anyway! I bought some Color Wonder markers & books to bring, since they will be easy & not messy. Trying to come up with a couple other things too that won't be loud or require 10,000 pieces.

Does she like playdoh? My girls have brought 2 jars before, the only thing is to bring a mat (I think that I just brought construction paper that was laminated) to keep the mess to a minimum. Also, bring some snacks, because those types of things keep my little ones occupied for a little while. And, maybe a brand-new small toy, so that it's something new.

 

[curlybop]

Yes Amy, she does like Play-Doh. But I have a problem with it. I just can not stand the smell. It grosses me out. She has some at home, but I make DH sit with her & play with it, and I go in another room. Yes, I'm weird. I have made a "homemade" version which wasn't quite as bad, but still has that distinct smell...yuck! Go ahead & laugh at me now, all grossed out by Play-Doh.

Right now her favorite thing is Barbie dolls. So I might buy her a new one, and bring some extra clothes for it so she can play with it - but we'll just have to leave those tiny Barbie shoes at home - we'll just say Barbie is on vacation too, and doesn't wear shoes during that time.

 

[alikat99]

Yes Amy, she does like Play-Doh. But I have a problem with it. I just can not stand the smell. It grosses me out. She has some at home, but I make DH sit with her & play with it, and I go in another room. Yes, I'm weird. I have made a "homemade" version which wasn't quite as bad, but still has that distinct smell...yuck! Go ahead & laugh at me now, all grossed out by Play-Doh.

Right now her favorite thing is Barbie dolls. So I might buy her a new one, and bring some extra clothes for it so she can play with it - but we'll just have to leave those tiny Barbie shoes at home - we'll just say Barbie is on vacation too, and doesn't wear shoes during that time.

No need to explain, I'm not a fan of the very distinctive Play-doh smell either. Barbie would be perfect for the plane, and maybe you could find one that has beach-type clothes, or maybe a princess one (if she likes that kind of thing). Mine have all of the princess ones, and I don't even know if we have a regular barbie doll. And, as for those shoes, in my house, if they're on the floor, they are fair game for my mighty vacuum.

 

[nancyr100]

We're going on our second Disney cruise 4/21-28 and we're very excited! It's another family reunion trip and I know will have a blast.

I do have a question though. My kids (DD10 and DS12) are the only kids in our group of 10. Anyone else have kids that age? My DD in particular would love to "meet" a few girls before the cruise. I tried looking through the entire post for other kids, but my eyes got blurry after about 10 pages!

Thanks!

Nancy

P.S. When my kids were small I used to go to the Dollar store before all long car trips and plane trips. I'd buy them each a handful of items and wrap them up. Wrapping is key! It makes anything seem more special. Then I'd just pulll out a new toy whenever they'd get bored. I only spent a couple of dollars and if things got lost on the trip it wasn't a big deal. Don't forget a few items for the trip back. The kids (and you!) are likely to feel tired and the trip home isn't very exciting!

 

[dadlvsdisney]

Welcome nancyr100. The kids actually have their own thread going. There are many girls posting on it as well as a few boys. My daughter is 13 and posts on it. We are planning a dis meet. I believe OHMom has the details.

 

[mickymania]

Hi Nancy -

Welcome. I have an 11-year old daughter. My 14-year old son is already posting on the kids thread and my daughter wants to start too.

Wendy

 

[ohMom]

oh oh oh!! i feel the excitement here and i it!! we are heading south for a disney cruise!

ok -- sorry for that. had to let it out! what a week!! nancyr100 to our cruisin' group!!! I have a DD age 10, her name is Paige. she posts as 'distinkerbelle' on the kids thread, she started it. She is in 4th grade and is way excited too and ready to chat with kids about our cruise. your DD can feel free to PM her on her account, she would LOVE a PM (private message) or have her just jump in the conversation. my oldest DD, taylor is still not into the whole DIS thing, she is too wrapped up in being a teenager i guess.

i also have a spreadsheet for our group to help you keep track of who is who and whose kids go where,etc. If you'd like to be a part of that, PM me the following info and i'll send you an updated list: Username, homestate, names of family members with kids ages, accomodations for Friday night, transportation, Deck/stateroom, dining time and email. Of course you don't have to include any info you'd rather not share, and i can keep your email private if you prefer

ok, my brain is going many different directions, let me try to get ahold of my thoughts

Val -- you are looking so pretty!! for your photo, try right clicking on the 'thumbnail' of your picture, you know the one where you see smaller versions of your photos before you expand them individually. is that too small to post? don't be afraid to post on the technical board for this type stuff, there are some great tech geeks on the dis if i can ever catch you online i'll try to help you too, if i can. i'm not fab at this type stuff though

and oh YES! i forgot the servers do cut up children's meals!! i was most happily stunned when our server stopped me from cutting Paige's steak one night, i was taken aback. then i realized he was going to cut it for her....you got it! this is MOMMA'S vacation..............oh yea............

curlybop-- i love that Barbie goes on vacation without shoes that is too cute. i was sooo sad when Paige declared Barbies just not cool anymore. i loved my Barbies and neither of my girls shared that maybe i could be on your flight and play too

and what a great idea to wrap each little travel gift!! i'm sorry i don't have great little kid ideas right now..........


back to my week -- i swear i'm trying to get everyone fit and healthy for this vacation but the mojo is working against me! Taylor had an orthopedic appt this week, she has an injured knee and has to have arthroscopic proceudre done. she is 14 and has worn out her cartilage in her knee already! we had to push it back to May b/c neither her or I could risk embarktion on crutches! Paige is recovering this weekend from her ankle injections to calm the swelling/pain from her JRA and then DH had a cortisone shot in his elbow tonight. ok this is most likely TMI -- sorry i'm just like ok, no more health issues please. we have a VACATION planned

boys night - - i love the visualization of them playing that dice game from Pirates!! hehehe and girls night -- you know it! i'm there

 

[curlybop]

And, as for those shoes, in my house, if they're on the floor, they are fair gamefor my mighty vacuum.

So far, she has about 10 Barbies. We bought her one just last week, it was "Derek" from the 12 Dancing Princesses movie. She wanted that thing for a long time, and we finally found one. Oh lucky us, he came with twelve pairs of shoes for the princesses. Goody, goody. For now, I have an older suitcase, and that's where all the Barbie stuff lives. If she wants to move it from room to room, just load it up and wheel down the hallway.

I booked two excursions today, and we are excited! Captain Marvin's for Grand Cayman, and a dune buggy one for Cozumel. DH really wants to do the dune buggies.....so I hope it works out OK! It's about a 5 hour excursion, and we have Palo that night - so we better get back on time or I will flip.

 

[alikat99]

I booked two excursions today, and we are excited! Captain Marvin's for Grand Cayman, and a dune buggy one for Cozumel. DH really wants to do the dune buggies.....so I hope it works out OK! It's about a 5 hour excursion, and we have Palo that night - so we better get back on time or I will flip.

Which Captain Marvin's did you book? The short excursion or the 1/2 day? We're trying to decide. I think that we might to the earliest short excursion at 8:30am, so that we're back for lunch on the ship.

 

[mickymania]

I see that many of you have booked the stingray excursion through Captain Marvin. I had also read that Moby Dick was good and we booked through them. Am I missing something by not going through Captin Marvin?

It is getting so close!!! I think that I have a dream about it every night. Does that mean I am obsessed?

Wendy

 

[curlybop]

I booked the 1/2 day starting at 10am. That way we'll still have the rest of the day to goof off.

 

[koby]

I am booked on the 2.5 hour excursion w/Capt. Marvin that starts at 11:15. DD (12) keeps telling me that she is not getting in the water with the Rays. I told her "oh well", I'm booking it anyway. I know once she does it she will love it. When we are done is there a beach nearby that we can hang out at? Can we walk to a nearby beach or would we have to take a taxi? DH and DS (14) are going diving here and in Cozumel. DD and I will be going it alone on these two islands. I'm not sure how far I want to venture alone w/her. On Cozumel, I figured we would take a taxi to Paradise Beach.