Calling all Chicago DISers #2

[Bunchkin]

Good Sunday Morning!



slo Have a great time shopping with the girls and your mom! Where did you go for breakfast? I love going out for breakfast.



Donna Can you tell us what happened in the accident that your son's GF was in? I was just thinking about all of you last night.


Donald'sShrink The Smokey Mountains sounds nice! Have you been before?


Becky I hope your DD's tryouts went well. Waiting to find out will be hard, I'm sure!


piglet I hope your DD's ENT appt goes well.


Well, I need to run. We are going shopping this morning too.

 

[Donald's Shrink]

Donald'sShrink The Smokey Mountains sounds nice! Have you been before?

I used to vacation in the Smokies all the time when I was a kid. My family actually went to the grand opening of Dollywood and Dolly Parton was staying at the same hotel as us. As an adult, I proposed to DW in Pigeon Forge and a year later we got married in Gatlinburg. I have lots of fond memories of the area and hope to start making new ones with my DD.

 

[piglet too]

I have a vacation problem, and think you all can help. We want to go somewhere this summer with the kids. It needs to be no more than 6-7 hour drive from the Chicago area, and needs to have something fun for the kids. They will be happy with camping/fishing, zoos, museums, historical types places and so on. We would like it to be far enough away to justify staying in a hotel (with pool) or at least sleeping in a tent/cabin. So, any ideas????

 

[Donald's Shrink]

I have a vacation problem, and think you all can help. We want to go somewhere this summer with the kids. It needs to be no more than 6-7 hour drive from the Chicago area, and needs to have something fun for the kids. They will be happy with camping/fishing, zoos, museums, historical types places and so on. We would like it to be far enough away to justify staying in a hotel (with pool) or at least sleeping in a tent/cabin. So, any ideas????

Since moving here, I've had trouble finding good vacation spots within a 6 hour drive. The only places I can think of are Wisconsin Dells, Mall of America, and Louisville. I'd love to hear if anyone else knows of other fun places to go.

 

[roseprincess]

I have a vacation problem, and think you all can help. We want to go somewhere this summer with the kids. It needs to be no more than 6-7 hour drive from the Chicago area, and needs to have something fun for the kids. They will be happy with camping/fishing, zoos, museums, historical types places and so on. We would like it to be far enough away to justify staying in a hotel (with pool) or at least sleeping in a tent/cabin. So, any ideas????

Hi Kirsten,
Did you ever go to Cedar Point Amusement Park? It is in Sandusky, Ohio. I have never been there, but is about a 5 to 6 hr drive from Chicago. I think someone here has been there before- maybe Tiggerrn and Geffric?? I can't remember.
Cedar Point is east of Toledo, OH, but west of Cleveland- kinda in the middle of those cities.

Have you thought about Hershey Park in Hershey, PA? It is a 12 to 13 hour drive from Chicago, but we had split up the driving for 2 days to drive there and 2 days to come home. We stayed overnight south of Cleveland the 1st night and then drove hte 2nd day from Cleveland area to Hershey, PA. THe same thing when we came back home. We stayed 4 days in Hershey, PA. It was a good trip for us.
I know BethanyF knows about Hershey, also, b/c she went last summer as well.

Mall of America is nice too. It is all indoors tho. Tho there are zoos and museums in Minneapolis/ St. Paul. Mall of America has hte inside theme park. Used to be Camp Snoopy, but that got changed and is now Nickelodeon themed, just opened the revamped amusement area this month w/ the Nickelodeon theme. It is a 6-7 hr drive from Chicago.

Hope this helps

 

[Donald's Shrink]

I agree that Cedar Point/Toledo would be a good family destination.

I didn't realize Sandusky was within 6 hours of here. I guess I got used to it being 9 hours away from where I used to live, so I never bothered to check how far it was from where I live now. This is good to know. Like the Dells, they also have huge waterpark resorts, and there's a zoo in Toledo.

 

[m_kasch]

m_kasch ~ That is quite a drive. Walgreens on Lake Cook?? WOW from Frankfort.. that is dedication at least the 6 am to 2:30 isn't too bad for traffic but what time do you have to get up and leave to be there at 6 am??? 4ish???

geffric -- yes, Walgreens on Lake Cook. I get up around 4:15 and leave home at 5. It's not so bad though, i've been doing it almost 4 years so I am used to it. The long drive gives me time for disney planning in my head, LOL.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!! It finally seems to be thawing out around here...although there is ANOTHER winter storm watch for tomorrow, ugh. Does anyone on here do any of the endurance events? I just signed up for the 1/2 marathon with my dad, it will be my first distance longer than 5K. I'm thinking of doing the EE challenge at animal kingdom too, it's when we'll be there in September.

Oh well, have a good monday everyon!!!

 

[Donald's Shrink]

Whew, I just sent my mentor a copy of my finished 70-page draft of my thesis. He's already approved over 80% of it so I shouldn't have too many more revisions to make. Once this is over, I need to write a few more papers to submit for publication, then I have to start on my dissertation. Will it ever end?

 

[paintnolish]

DShrink- I know the feeling. Seems like it will never end. I am really struggling with my Spanish class. This is thefirst of three semesters, too! I like sticking to my English classes. Reading, thinking, writing papers- got that down!
m_kasch- Never ran a race but am an avid exerciser. I just want someone to do one with. Neighbor is training for Chicago Marathon but between school, kids, work, wedding planning- don't have time!
slo- Glad dd's surgery went well!
piglet- Cedar Point is fun, as is King's Island. The Dells is good, too. You could always come visit me, actually! We've got lots of fun stuff in Bloomington/Normal!

Okay folks. I need major PD. I have my first Spanish test tomorrow and am not feeling good about it. I studied but I don't think it is helping. I am stressin'!
Thanks for the pd and good thoughts about the sickies. My eyes are better and ds is much better, too.
Better finish DISing and get some rest. Night!

 

[macraven]

Please Note - All times listed are for the Eastern Time Zone. Adjust
accordingly.
---

On Thursday February 28, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM on ABC Family
Channel is

Family Matters - We're Going to Disney World - Pt 1
As a finalist in a contest, Urkel invites the Winslows on his trip
to Disney World, where Laura has a fantasy romance---with Stefan
Urquelle. Martin: Steve Witting. Oliver: David L. Lander. Zoralee:
Shari Ballard. Laura: Kellie Shanygne Williams.

This show will repeat
Friday February 29, 2008 from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM

---

On Thursday February 28, 2008 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM on ABC Family Channel is

Family Matters - We're Going to Disney World - Pt 2
Myra rushes to Disney World, fearing something is amiss with Urkel.
And it's no Mickey Mouse worry: he's proposed to Laura by the time
Myra arrives. India: Tanya Wright. Mrs. Monkhouse: Phynjuar. Myra:
Michelle Thomas. Martin: Steve Witting.

This show will repeat
Friday February 29, 2008 from 7:30 AM to 7:00 AM

---

On Friday February 29, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Walt Disney World Resorts: Behind the Scenes
Explore Disney's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, and
Disney-MGM Studios in this in-depth behind-the-scenes tour. Orlando,
Florida, once a sleepy town, has become the nation's #1 vacation spot
and a rite of passage for children the world over. Note - This show
has new content updated for 2007

This show will repeat
Friday February 29, 2008 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

---

On Friday February 29, 2008 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes
Explore the mystique of the world's first modern theme park and the
most enduring icons on the American landscape. Gain access to
off-limits places, such as the secret club concealed in the park, and
enjoy Tinkerbell's view as she starts the fireworks.

---

On Friday February 29, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Ultimate Walt Disney World
Disney World is known for family entertainment and thrilling
adventures. Find out how attractions like Tower of Terror and Space
Mountain make the
grade for classic thrills, and take a look at Mission: Space, where
passengers experience space travel.

---

On Friday February 29, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Detailing the Disney theme park that includes thrill rides, live
animals and animatronic creatures Note - This show has new content
updated for 2007

---

On Friday February 29, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Disney Cruise Line
An examination of the cruise line includes the ship's galley, engine
control room and provisioning areas, its Broadway-style theatre and
the palatial Walt Disney Suite.

---

On Friday February 29, 2008 from 11:00 PM to 11:30 PM on Cartoon Network is

Family Guy - The Courtship of Stewie's Father
Stewie has been taking out his aggressions on Lois, and she decides
that the reason is because he isn't close enough to his father, so she
orders them to bond. They finally succeed at Disney World. Carrie
Fisher provides the voice of Angela, Peter's boss at the Pawtucket
Brewery. (TVKirby note - This show is on late at night for a reason!
Rude and Crude and I was laughing out loud when Stewie fufills the old
Jungle Cruise joke and gets chained and forced to sing in the
attraction that approximates "small world" in the Family Guy universe
version of WDW.)

This show will repeat
Saturday March 1, 2008 from 2:00 AM to 2:30 AM

---

 

[HERSEY]

Paint for you I'm sure you will do fine. Why is it when we were in high school, we were happy with a C. Now we want A's.

Donald Good job on your thesis. The end is getting closer.

Slo I had on and off Migranes the past couple of days. I am sensitive to the changes in the weather.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. As usual mine zipped by.

 

[slo]

Yesterday was a very successful shopping day - we came home with a First Communion dress!!! It was really weird seeing Stephanie trying these dresses on - she just shouldn't be old enough to be having her First Communion. I feel like I just Baptized her, and now she's having her First Communion. I'm going to have a hard time not crying on April 26th - she's growing so fast !!!!!


Donna - I'm so sorry to hear that your son's girlfriend is still in ICU I will definitly keep her in my prayers that she will get better soon

Becky - How did your DD's gymnastic meet go? I hope she did well

Mac - Thanks for the listings!!!!

DMM - The cream takes approx an hour (or more, I can't remember), so ask your doctor for a prescription for it, so you can apply it before you go to the hospital. I don't remember the name, but I would just call it a numbing cream.

Bunchkin - We went out to dinner at a Greek restaurant by us - it was yummy!!!! I love going out to breakfast too
**We were in The Childrens Place yesterday, and I was thinking about you, since we were just talking about childrens clothes. They had some nice things for spring, and some great things on the clearance racks (at least by me they did). I bought a Stephanie a new sweater for $9.99, and I had a 15% off coupon You should go there and buy 1 thing, and get on their mailing list, than you will be on their mailing list, and get coupons too They also have boys clothes there, and you may like them for Hunter too

DS - I haven't been to Gatlinburg since I was a kid. Kevin and I would like to take the girls there sometime

piglet - I can only think of the same places DS said. I hope someone is able to give you a great idea.

Rose - I would like to take the girls to Mall of America sometime, but I was afraid of nothing else to do. It's good to know there's a zoo and museum nearby

m_kasch - My friend is a runner. If he mentions anything, I'll let you know

paint - I'm glad your eyes are better, and that your DS is better
**Good luck on your test tomorrow - I"m sure you'll do great!!!

HERSEY - I"m glad your migraines are better. I hope you stay better all week



I guess it's time to get ready and start this week - I'm not ready for the weekend to be over - it went by way to fast!!!!
Have a good day everyone!!

 

[geffric]

I have a vacation problem, and think you all can help. We want to go somewhere this summer with the kids. It needs to be no more than 6-7 hour drive from the Chicago area, and needs to have something fun for the kids. They will be happy with camping/fishing, zoos, museums, historical types places and so on. We would like it to be far enough away to justify staying in a hotel (with pool) or at least sleeping in a tent/cabin. So, any ideas????

how about Mamouth Cave and area..http://www.nps.gov/maca/ we stayed at the lodge right at the park and it was okay.. lots of better/other hotels in the area.

 

[Becky2005]

Good morning all. I am so not ready for another round of snowstorms.

DS-11 has a 5th grade concert tonight, so that's not going to be fun if it's dealing with driving in the storm.

This weekend went by all too fast. DD did OK at the meet. She was only competing against her other teammates. She got 4th place all-around which there were only 4 girls competing at that age/level group. She did get 2nd place on bars though. It makes sense. She has been losing about an hour/week worth of practice due to the school play practice. It would make sense these girls are a little better but in reality the scores were only 1/10th of a point off for some of them. For example, on beam she got 7.6 and another girl got 7.75. We were thrilled with DD's beam score as that's one of her worst events and she was convinced she would get a 2.0 since she doesn't have her back walkover. This was her first meet at Level 6, so overall I thought she did decently.

Of course, it all looks good to me. I could never be a judge since unless they do something obvious like fall I would never be able to judge the little things like form (i.e pointed toes/fingers, etc...).

It was interesting though as we somehow got talking about choirs & things and one of the moms has a Freshman in choir, so they just got back from their Disney trip...the poor mom...I then started bombarding her with questions on how it works for that trip. I did find out they take a bus there -- a 25 hour bus ride, how fun. (NOT), they do use parent chaperones and you are in charge of about 20 girls but I think I could handle it. Anything for Disney right? I also did find out DD was correct and it's *anyone* in any of the choir levels can go. So, even the basic general one can go. It was about $750.00 -- so that is way easier to come up with than the $1699 the other place is wanting. DH pretty much put the kabosh on doing that one anyway because it would cost about $5K for all of us to go. A little much for a weekend jaunt.

 

[piglet too]

Thanks for all of the ideas so far, I totally forgot about Cedar's Point. Last night I also thought about going to Indianapolis to see the zoo there. Just now I thought about Lexington too, and taking Lauren to go see horses.

DS ~ for your thesis

Paint ~ for your test

Hope you all have a great day, and that this storm they are talking about turns out to be nothing.

 

[macraven]

i always like to go to st louis when i want a quick get away.


it's about 5.5 hours from the city.


and Galena is an area i go to camp

 

[paintnolish]

Thanks for the pd! The test is over. Hopefully, I did well!

Piglet- Mammoth Cave is really cool. I've been there tons of times. The Cincinnati area is cool, too. Lots of great stuff like museums and Skyline Chili! Across the river is KY and they have a great aquarium.
Donna- Prayers and pd to ds' gf!

Bleh. It is so dreary. Good day for a nap but no time. We are supposed to get more snow tonight- 4". Guess nobody paid attention to our spring petition!

 

[piglet too]

Piglet- Mammoth Cave is really cool. I've been there tons of times. The Cincinnati area is cool, too. Lots of great stuff like museums and Skyline Chili! Across the river is KY and they have a great aquarium.

An aquarium is always good since Kevin is so into marine biology. Thanks, I'll have to check that out too.

 

[Donald's Shrink]

The NIU campus is a lot more crowded than usual this morning. I expected a lot of students wouldn't be back this week, but it doesn't appear that is the case based on the number of people walking around.

Jewel-Osco also donated a lot of food/doughnuts to be handed out to people. Too bad I'm on a diet because it all looked really good.

 

[paintnolish]

Piglet- http://www.newportonthelevee.com/ We also went to the City Museum. It is in an old train station and has several museums in one! We went to the Natural History and a special Nat Geopraphic exhibit on pirates. Way cool, esp. to ds (7)!
DS- Doughnuts! Mmmm! I can't tell you how tempting that Hot Now Krispy Kreme sign is. Why do things look so much better when you're dieting, too?!? I am getting married in a few months and said whereever we go on our honeymoon (hopefully WDW), I am going to eat pb and chocolate every day! That is my absolute favorite combination!