Back to Wonderland with a side of French Fries-New 3/15Mix up culture w/fun

[PracPerfPatricia]

COUNTING DOWN BACKWARDS to Paris & DLP...FRENCH FRIDAY NUMBER 11​

Well it's been an interesting weekend with all the drama going on...are the grandparents coming or not...are friends coming or not...?

But I'm going to focus on the positive right now and my good fortune-our end of March trip continues to creep closer...


(Although-there is again the small matter of figuring out where & who I need to make ADRs for Alice's 16th birthday in October...I figured out I will be needing to make those on April 9th...or a week and a day after we come back from Paris...)



Well despite the lunacy...We did have our First French Family Friday...the 2nd one...11 week countdown...


First we had our film...


Here we go...

Yes...The Three Musketeers...with Mickey, Donald and Goofy in the lead roles...It was quite cute but admittedly bears little resemblance to the original story but it was really a lot of fun...




Then we had a French Food...(this time I actually made it...)

I forgot to photo mine...so this is a stock image... but this is what mine looked like except no peas or carrots actually......This is Hachis Parmentier-(basically the French version of shepherd's pie)...The recipe came from The Young Chef's French Cookbook, (which kids can use with their parents)...which explains...

"The combination of minced meat and potato puree is so good that this may become one of your favorite French foods. Potatoes were not always so well likes in France. When Monsieur Parmentier for whom the dish was named, began growing potatoes in about 1785, no one liked them. Parmentier had to use tricks just to get people to taste them."
​

With that we had that with a baguette...(more dueling) and a mixed salad with vinaigrette. For dessert we had a Tarte Tartin...(which I did not make...actually Trader Joe's did...and it was pretty tasty too...especially with the whipped cream...which I did make...well at least I whipped it...

Ok again this is a stock photo...but ours truly didn't look that different...Trader Joes actually does carry some frozen products made in France and they really aren't bad...

Finally our book...

Crepes by Suzette-Suzette takes her crepe carte all over Paris making crepes for all different kinds of people...and since one of David's most important 3 things he wants to do in Paris is eat his body weight in crepes...I thought this was both cute and appropriate...

Emily and I are also reading and watching more mature films and books...we didn't get to Funny Face (that was the choice) but we were both feeling punky and went to bed earlier... but we will watch it during the week...we both love it...

Well time to catch up on my subscriptions and responses...

 

[manntra]

Looks like you had another fun FF!!
Your entree sounds like it was yummy....too many ingredients for me to mess around with!
I would have voted for Funny Face too....will be good for another cold evening this week

Tracy

 

[TyRy]

oooo Patricia, I think DH would love what you had for dinner. Can you share the receipe or PM me please?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Fun! I am just loving your French Fridays! Did you rent The Three Musketeers or buy a copy? I am wondering if it is still available for purchase.

Dinner looks delicious -- we are big fans of shepherd's pie at our house -- I tend to make it pretty regularly. Dessert looks even better! YUM!

So, what French books are you and Emily reading??? You know I am all about book recommendations.

 

[jenjolt]

Another great French Friday!!! OOOH the food looks simply delicious!!! YUMMY!!!!

Glad it seems that things are working their way out for the big birthday trip!!!! What a headache!!!

Hmmm...his body's weight in crepes...yummy tell David to eat some for me too LOL!

 

[Lady Lallie]

What a lovely French Friday!

I haven't seen that Three Musketeers movie in forever! Didn't Disney do a live action version as well with Charlie Sheen and Keifer Sutherland too?

I want to know what French books you are reading too!

 

[mousescrapper]

Ooh La La...another manufique (msp? but I know you kwim ) FF!

great job...this is oh so fun! I haven't seen Mickey's version of the 3 M's in a long time. and the food looked ever so yummy.

good luck on all your decisions and planning the logistics of it...even though I haven't personally done my own DVC trip yet...happy to help in that realm and taking parents w/ on trips too...haven't done 1 disney trip yet w/out one of our parents coming for part of it.

J~

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh my. And don't you just love how this all lands in YOUR lap to figure out??? You've got your hands full. I do hope it works out with the Grandparents. Do they mind trains? The Auto Train goes from somewhere in PA to FL, and their car can go on the train as well, so they would finish up the trip by driving to WDW. Not sure if that helps, but just tossing it out there since I know you aren't too far from PA!

I do like the idea of DVC. Even if you just rent points from someone for this trip it will probably be cheaper than 3 rooms. A 2 bedroom at WL sleeps 8, a 3 bedroom or Grand Villa sleeps 11 or 12 I believe.. But if you buy...then yes...you will have guaranteed Disney trips!

Thanks Brook...I really don't mind being the planner...I actually enjoy it and honestly am the most versed in Disney vacation info... what I mind is inflexibility and I need people to understand that we have time issues when making ADRs...

Hmmm...the train is an interesting thought...thanks...

Well DVC would be a positive outcome from all this lunacy...

Oy to the Vey!!



I don't know what I would do not being a parent.

As a former teenager though, I'll offer this opinion. As great as it is to have friends go along sometimes that brings unnecessary drama even with good kids. I know that we invited some of my friends to go on our vacations (never to Disney) and by the end of the week I just wanted some family time. But then again they would be there for a much shorter time so it might work out to be a good balance.

Oy to the vey just about covers it...

Oh believe me I know all about the drama, I live it, I see it, I smell it...well maybe not smell it...

If my inlaws back out she will most definitley be permitted to have some friends come for part of the time...because I am going to be feeling badly...even if they do come which I really hope they do...I'm thinking a couple friends for part of the time might be doable and festive...(for her)

Oh Patricia...all this at one time...yucky!! I'm sorry you are having to deal with all this chaos...I am no good at advice so I'm just going to give you a hug LOL!

Thanks Jen... I appreciate the good thoughts...

I always used to go on vacations with my bff's family when I was a tween & teen. Even twice to Disney! But that was very different - she was an only child so I fit neatly into their family. Plus you have boys in your mix...

Hey Amy...I have such a headache...ironically one of Em's best friends is a guy (like brother and sister) and some of the boys are actually easier...its just the whole/thing/concept/dilemma/mix thing...

Just wanted to say that I am sorry about your dilemma... Will post something sensible tomorrow, but just came back from a lovely dinner with nodnol and Remy and consumed too much tequila (actually not a lot, but since I don't drink that much, it feels like a lot! ), so I am not going to be very helpful at the moment! Don't worry, things will fall in place!

Good for you...It sounds like you had fun...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh Patricia!

My head is swimming just reading all that! You poor thing. Poor Em!



Lots to process for sure but financially Hatter does seem to have a good point about DVC.

Not that I'm enabling or anything....

Oh...enabling is ok...who was it...LL or Jen...who said that this was just a cesspool of enabling...

DVC is really looking like it makes sense...

I am going to get really angry if the grandparents don't come without a really good reason...

thanks for your sweet comments...I keep saying I'll get in that scrapbook room and clean up so I can get started...just haven't managed the time...but soon...only a week to make these special scrapbook pages to frame as part of my wedding shower present to my DBro and future DSIL....

I have to come check out your scrapbooking site and see what's new...




I know the above post has changed a bit w/ the below post...but first I ditto many of the thoughts the others have given...

ask inlaws

talk to parents

I like your idea have them [friends] be there for part of the time and pay tickets and airfare down + spending...

as far as the ADR's if you think it would be a possiblity to have a few friends w/ during part of the trip you can do a DisMomAmy thing (sorry Amy...) and book a few of your ADR's w/ the higher guest number and then lower it as needed once the final decision(s) has been made...I'm not sure you may be able to figure it all out and have the parents decide before you leave for Paris...but if you do ask the parents..I'd give them the numbers how much it would cost and a time line of when to answer you.

It seems to me there are going to have to be quite a few important conversations between now and March...My ADR date is April 9th, a week back from France...so this has to be settled before then...I think if any kids are coming that needs to be set by the beginning of March/end of February...conversations with parents/kids...

My inlaws coming is my first priority and they may be inflexible...

I think I am going to be doing a little bit of an Amy...


BTW not to be a snot...but she is 16 and yes this is a special day/vacation...but how many of us are great friends or in love w/ the boy we dated when we were 16? I wouldn't drag out your decision to ask parents if you and Hatter say yes...to avoid teenage agnst...kwim

I've thought about that...(& you're right of course...) but he is a really nice kid...(he's a boyscout...literally...) I can see them actually together at least for a while in HS...and even friends if not...who know what the long term future holds...but they are both sweet kids and whomever they date I hope they are also good kids...




looking forward to the next french friday...

J~

Me too...

EEEK -my head is swimming now as well. Would the kids all be able to go? Could you slyly speak to their parents before even saying yes or no?

And I'm with Hatter...your should just buy DVC...will make your life easier

Oh and hopefully I'll have an update tonight complete with videos!

I just read your update...Evil twin had just arrived so the evil can commence...

Oh the parents will have to be spoken to...won't that be fun... Maybe I'll have them over for brunch or something with mickey waffles...

DVC...wow. I'd go for it while the offer's on the table.

As far as bringing kids along....a girl's 16th is important..I'll have to think about that one. Trip dynamics are tricky and sometimes tenuous and that's just with family....adding 3 teens to the mix......

If we wind up with a DVC that will definitely take some of the sting out of the lunacy...

16 is important...She really is an awesome kid and I want to resolve this in a fair, fun, sane way...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I agree with Jordan.....and I would snatch up that DVC offer!!
Also you wouldn't want to be too separated from them all the time and lose the family time...

Tracy

I can't deny that a DVC would rock...

Oh regardless of who comes, when etc...there will be appropriate family time...I'm not just a field trip chaperone and won't be treated like one...

Sounds like you are beginning to figure things out!

French Kiss or Funny Face -- tough call. Depends if you are in the mood for Kevin Kline being hysterically funny with is French accent or in the mood for the cool sophistication of Audrey Hepburn and some great clothes. Can't wait to see which one you decided on.

We're actually watching Funny Face tonight......we love that movie even if Fred Astaire is much older than her-he's dapper at least.... (love Sabrina too but Bogart was not a good match for Audrey...Cary Grant was going to do that role...can you imagine how much better that would have been? French Kiss is absolutely hysterical... Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan...awesome...

Okay, as an adult who has taken other people's children (teenage children) all over various continents during spring break, I would simply say this:

Sqabbles between even the best of friends happen.

Truer words have not been spoken...


Friends do not necessarily make the best room mates... but if it is only for a couple of nights that should be okay.

Make it clear what they need to bring $ wise and for what, AND get this from the parents and possibly hold some money for them -- maybe their dinner $ if they are going to be participating in the family meal (see next item)

Oh this would have to be explicitly spelled out...


Plan ONE "group gathering" daily -- in the middle or later in the evening -- to rendezvous and check in. Dinner works great for this.

Every Day there will be group time...


Agree to certain expectations/limits with the kids and parents before hand.

Now some of this might be too stringent for a few friends and only a few nights but sometimes the closest kids are not the best traveling companions...
We take kids for 8 - 10 days, so more conflicts ensue...
God bless you...


I would say at some point kids may outgrow a Disney vacation, this is a way to keep it engaging and fun, and your daughter is definitely at the age where the social scene is important...

It is an interesting age...wanting to be adult but not entirely sure...


SO this is just based on my experiences the past 10 yrs with teenage travelers... maybe there will be something useful there!

Great idea about DVC... funny how that happens, huh?

Funny how that crept in...I never would have thought that someday I'd be talking about a DVC or doing so many Dis vacations either...

Can I vote for Funny Face? I love that movie..

And ha ha on the more planning versions of a LL Trip.

Funny Face wins...and if the multiple planning versions shoe fits...

 

[aprilisis]

Your French Fridays are such a great idea! I really can't wait to read your TR when you get back, too. What do you do with Macintosh while you are on vacation? I'm just curious- I'm lucky right now because my mom watches Isis.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Looks like you had another fun FF!!
Your entree sounds like it was yummy....too many ingredients for me to mess around with!
I would have voted for Funny Face too....will be good for another cold evening this week

Tracy

Actually it was pretty easy...great comfort food speaking of which Funny Face is such a delightful film....comfort food for the spirit...

oooo Patricia, I think DH would love what you had for dinner. Can you share the receipe or PM me please?

Hmmm...I'll post the recipe as soon as I remember where I put that cookbook...maybe French Minnie took it...

Fun! I am just loving your French Fridays! Did you rent The Three Musketeers or buy a copy? I am wondering if it is still available for purchase.

Dinner looks delicious -- we are big fans of shepherd's pie at our house -- I tend to make it pretty regularly. Dessert looks even better! YUM!

So, what French books are you and Emily reading??? You know I am all about book recommendations.

We actually had purchased the Musketeers...David adores it......We are big fans of Shepherd's pie in all its myriad forms...

I'll post a list of our more "mature books and films"...I just have to gather them first... (all over the house...)

Another great French Friday!!! OOOH the food looks simply delicious!!! YUMMY!!!!

Glad it seems that things are working their way out for the big birthday trip!!!! What a headache!!!

Hmmm...his body's weight in crepes...yummy tell David to eat some for me too LOL!

Thanks Jen...& I'm just taking the bday trip one day at a time...

Actually I think David truly wants to eat his weight in crepes...I'll have to make an executive decision as to when to cut him off...

What a lovely French Friday!

I haven't seen that Three Musketeers movie in forever! Didn't Disney do a live action version as well with Charlie Sheen and Keifer Sutherland too?

I want to know what French books you are reading too!

Thanks LL...I think Disney did do a live action version...hmmm will have to check that out on Netflix...

Book and Film List to come...

Ooh La La...another manufique (msp? but I know you kwim ) FF!

great job...this is oh so fun! I haven't seen Mickey's version of the 3 M's in a long time. and the food looked ever so yummy.

good luck on all your decisions and planning the logistics of it...even though I haven't personally done my own DVC trip yet...happy to help in that realm and taking parents w/ on trips too...haven't done 1 disney trip yet w/out one of our parents coming for part of it.

J~

Thanks Julie...hmmm since your parents all see more in the spirit of the thing...maybe you can send some of that goodwill this way...I'd appreciate it...

 

[eandesmom]

I'd like to eat my weight in crepes too. I mean really, it can be done for all three meals. There are breakfast crepes, savory crepes for lunch and dinner and sweet crepes for dessert, snacks or just because!

I am loving FF#2, what great movie choices. Tarte Tatin is one of my all time favorite desserts. Fruit and pastry, really what more does one need? Someday I'll get up the nerve to deal with finding a doable recipe and attempting it!

It sounds like you are getting your arms around the bday trip and have a solid plan. I really hope the in-laws come through and are part of the trip.

DVC! Huge upside!!!!!

 

[Happydog]

I really love the French Friday idea. And what a great way to have a family event night weekly! Shepherd's Pie (and the French equivilent) is quite yummy and a perfect cold winter dinner!

 

[Flossbolna]

Tarte Tatin is wonderful! Sounds like a very nice French Friday!

I think your plan about WDW at the moment sounds very good. As others have mentioned, I think dreaming about taking friends is quite different from actually having them there. But your plan with just a few days sounds pretty doable. And you already have gotten some excellent advise from others!

The only thing I wanted to mention is: remember that it will also change the sibling relationship if one of them has friends there. I am sure that you are aware of it (you seem to be the mother who notices stuff like that!), but I guess there will be moments when David will feel rather left out. First of all since this trip is all about his sister and then she will run off with friends while he is stuck with the boring parents...

 

[MEK]

Well now, SOMEONE has had a little drama going on! But first let me say that French Friday #2 sounded divine, even though I can not see the pictures.

Now....on to the dilema:

I have allowed Brian to travel with a friend our last two trips. It has worked out extremely well, although we didn't see a whole lot of Brian and his friend last trip. I think its true that many kids reach a point where they "outgrow" a Disney vacation, at least temporarily. Brian has reached that point. Because its such a safe place and the deluxe, DVC resorts offer so much for the kids to do, its a virtually worry free trip. Kids really enjoy experiencing Disney when they are with their friends.

Important note regarding ME....You have to be 17 (I'm pretty sure its 17) to ride the ME bus unattended. Make sure you double check this! An adult can ride to the airport on the ME bus to get them and then ride back with the teens. What a giant PITA this would be. The only reason I know there is an age restriction is because we lost the keys to our rental car back in June 08 when we were supposed to leave to pick up Brian's friend from the airport. I called to try to get him on ME, but no go - he was too young. Fortunately we found the rental car keys just in time and arrived at the airport just as he was getting to the luggage carousel. PHEW!

DVC - I think this is a great option. There are some really, really nice contracts out there now. If we had waited until now to buy our big contract we would have done considerably better than 2 1/2 years ago. Just saying - if you are going the resale route, its a good time! I look at the larger contracts and salivate.

We do not regret our DVC decision one bit. I absolutely love it because I am frugal by nature and its hard for me to part with the Deluxe room rate when the other resorts give a great vacation as well. With DVC there is no worry about getting codes, discounts, ect. It affords a top notch vacation with plenty of room. A 2BR provides soooooooo much flexibility in who can come. And your party size can change with very little impact. Adding the dining plan and paying for it at the last minute is also nice. That chunk of change doesn't leave your pocket until the last minute. You know that I intend to stay at ever DVC resort, so I am trying to use my membership to its fullest.

So good luck with the October plans. In the end, it will all work out!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a wonderful French Friday! The meal looks very tasty. I've never seen that version of the 3 Musketeers. I bet Henry would love it! I wonder if the library has it...

I am glad to read some figuring out has been going on with the Birthday trip too!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I'd like to eat my weight in crepes too. I mean really, it can be done for all three meals. There are breakfast crepes, savory crepes for lunch and dinner and sweet crepes for dessert, snacks or just because!

I am loving FF#2, what great movie choices. Tarte Tatin is one of my all time favorite desserts. Fruit and pastry, really what more does one need? Someday I'll get up the nerve to deal with finding a doable recipe and attempting it!

It sounds like you are getting your arms around the bday trip and have a solid plan. I really hope the in-laws come through and are part of the trip.

DVC! Huge upside!!!!!

Crepes do so to be the all around food...and you can fill them fill just about any food group...

I'm with you on the fruit and crust thing...I'm going to make one...I'll pm you the recipe...it's not so bad...

Ah the inlaws...

I really love the French Friday idea. And what a great way to have a family event night weekly! Shepherd's Pie (and the French equivilent) is quite yummy and a perfect cold winter dinner!

Comfort food at its most comforting...

Tarte Tatin is wonderful! Sounds like a very nice French Friday!

I think your plan about WDW at the moment sounds very good. As others have mentioned, I think dreaming about taking friends is quite different from actually having them there. But your plan with just a few days sounds pretty doable. And you already have gotten some excellent advise from others!

The only thing I wanted to mention is: remember that it will also change the sibling relationship if one of them has friends there. I am sure that you are aware of it (you seem to be the mother who notices stuff like that!), but I guess there will be moments when David will feel rather left out. First of all since this trip is all about his sister and then she will run off with friends while he is stuck with the boring parents...

That is very intuitive and empathetic of you to think of David......I'd have to make some special plans for him as well...

Well now, SOMEONE has had a little drama going on! But first let me say that French Friday #2 sounded divine, even though I can not see the pictures.

Now....on to the dilema:

I have allowed Brian to travel with a friend our last two trips. It has worked out extremely well, although we didn't see a whole lot of Brian and his friend last trip. I think its true that many kids reach a point where they "outgrow" a Disney vacation, at least temporarily. Brian has reached that point. Because its such a safe place and the deluxe, DVC resorts offer so much for the kids to do, its a virtually worry free trip. Kids really enjoy experiencing Disney when they are with their friends.

Important note regarding ME....You have to be 17 (I'm pretty sure its 17) to ride the ME bus unattended. Make sure you double check this! An adult can ride to the airport on the ME bus to get them and then ride back with the teens. What a giant PITA this would be. The only reason I know there is an age restriction is because we lost the keys to our rental car back in June 08 when we were supposed to leave to pick up Brian's friend from the airport. I called to try to get him on ME, but no go - he was too young. Fortunately we found the rental car keys just in time and arrived at the airport just as he was getting to the luggage carousel. PHEW!

DVC - I think this is a great option. There are some really, really nice contracts out there now. If we had waited until now to buy our big contract we would have done considerably better than 2 1/2 years ago. Just saying - if you are going the resale route, its a good time! I look at the larger contracts and salivate.

We do not regret our DVC decision one bit. I absolutely love it because I am frugal by nature and its hard for me to part with the Deluxe room rate when the other resorts give a great vacation as well. With DVC there is no worry about getting codes, discounts, ect. It affords a top notch vacation with plenty of room. A 2BR provides soooooooo much flexibility in who can come. And your party size can change with very little impact. Adding the dining plan and paying for it at the last minute is also nice. That chunk of change doesn't leave your pocket until the last minute. You know that I intend to stay at ever DVC resort, so I am trying to use my membership to its fullest.

So good luck with the October plans. In the end, it will all work out!

Wow...ME...lots to think about...thanks for the input on ME...I hadn't even thought of that...

I understand the impulse to want to have friends at a certain age...but if we do it...there are going to have to be "expectations"...

DVC would have so many advantages for us at this point...

What a wonderful French Friday! The meal looks very tasty. I've never seen that version of the 3 Musketeers. I bet Henry would love it! I wonder if the library has it...

I am glad to read some figuring out has been going on with the Birthday trip too!

Hey Brook...I'm sure Henry would get a big kick out of the 3 Ms especially with the Mickey, Donald and Goofy trio...

Yes we are moving forward with the birthday trip and I refuse to lose focus on the main thing...having a wonderful celebration of E's 16th b-day...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Your French Fridays are such a great idea! I really can't wait to read your TR when you get back, too. What do you do with Macintosh while you are on vacation? I'm just curious- I'm lucky right now because my mom watches Isis.

Thanks April...as for Macintosh...he usually goes to my mom's but I'm sure he'd be happy to come take a visit to Mass. if you'd like to meet him...I could put him on Amtrack...

 

[KathyRN137]

I'm torn...

on one hand it would be more intimate if it were just us...

on the other hand I do like these kids and I know that it would be a huge deal for Alice to have some friends with her on her 16th...("a dream come true")

I think she could do a good job balancing her time with us, them and all of us...

I just really don't know what to do...

Any thoughts...

Patricia, I was so glad we invited my DNiece, Catie, to come along with us on our last trip so that Tricia could have same-age companionship! It was good for Billy, too. If these kids are nice and you think they would roll nicely with your plans, then I say, "Go for it!!"

Okay... almost caught up now...


Kathy