Can we? Should we? A Spring 2009 PTR - New 5/6 - The TR has begun!

[DisMomAmy]

We met back up and took a ride on the Ferris wheel. DH took a couple cool shots during the ride:

As you can see it was a bit overcast. It didn’t rain until we got in the car to drive back to the hotel!

Our last ride of the day was the Yule Log, which is where we found our last letter elf of the day, “Y”.
I don’t have any pictures, but it’s your basic flume ride with Christmas décor.
After the Yule Log we had to head back over the Elfabet University to get the kids their diplomas.

They got a couple of little goodies too.
Then it was time to say good-bye, but first we had one last stop to make:

Then we took about 20 shots outside of Santa’s house, hoping to get something that could work for a Christmas card this year… still not sure if we will use these or not?

Alex has the sideways head thing going again!

By the end, they weren’t very happy with us:

Overall it was a wonderful park and June is a great time to go. We were there on a Saturday and the crowds were non-existent. The alphabet hunt game is a fun treat for the kids too – they were excited about it the whole time. The Humbug ride was the only big disappointment, but at least I got a laugh from it.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I want to go just to feed those cute reindeer!!!!! I love the black and white one.....I have a stable at my house, do you think Santa will notice if I steal one and take him/her home with me???

Did you see any shows? There are only 6-7 rides that we can do with Liam so I'm thinking we'll try to see some shows to practice for Dinsey.

 

[Hedy]

Love the pictures of Santa's village.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I want to go just to feed those cute reindeer!!!!! I love the black and white one.....I have a stable at my house, do you think Santa will notice if I steal one and take him/her home with me???

Did you see any shows? There are only 6-7 rides that we can do with Liam so I'm thinking we'll try to see some shows to practice for Dinsey.

We didn't see any shows - our kids don't do very well with shows. The only show we saw on our last Disney trip was Nemo - and it was just me & Zachary. I'm thinking FOTLK on our next trip will be a good one because there's so much going on to keep their attention.

Love the pictures of Santa's village.

Thanks! We had a lot of fun.

 

[DisMomAmy]

DH is on board for spring 2009!

Last night we were talking about finances and Christmas. He wants to buy a Wii for the kids. I told him that I really want to get through birthdays and Christmas without using credit cards and I REALLY want to be able to buy airline tickets around October with cash too. He sort of laughed at me, but said we could do it! He said we'll do Christmas small for us and make it happen. Now I can move into full commando planning mode.

By the way... we ordered the Wii.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Wii huh? Wonder who that's really for!

I am so over Christmas presents. I'm going to be suggesting to my side of the family that we do a Yankee swap this year. DH and I don't need any more carp....if we need something, we buy it.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wii huh? Wonder who that's really for!

I am so over Christmas presents. I'm going to be suggesting to my side of the family that we do a Yankee swap this year. DH and I don't need any more carp....if we need something, we buy it.

I totally agree - and the boys get SOOOOOOOOOOOO much stuff. I am going to set a dollar limit on what their grandmothers can buy for them. You should see all the gifts around our Christmas tree after our mothers arrive. And that's after the 4 of us have opened all of our gifts that morning. It is WAY out of control. And unfortunately, I think my kids are old enough to remember Christmas's past and might be a little disappointed if we scale back. I would love to be able to wrap up Disney in a big box for them, but we are definitely going to keep it a secret until MUCH closer to our trip. There was way too much anxiety and excitement going on around here last year for about 2-3 months before our trip. Which is totally my fault because I can't stop talking about it.

As far as the Wii... that may have been why DH was so easy to agree with me about planning for another trip! I'll take it when I can get it!

 

[stagemomx3]

I am so over Christmas presents. I'm going to be suggesting to my side of the family that we do a Yankee swap this year. DH and I don't need any more carp....if we need something, we buy it.

What's a Yankee swap?

 

[mousescrapper]

DH is on board for spring 2009!


ALL right!

Last night we were talking about finances and Christmas. He wants to buy a Wii for the kids. I told him that I really want to get through birthdays and Christmas without using credit cards and I REALLY want to be able to buy airline tickets around October with cash too. He sort of laughed at me, but said we could do it! He said we'll do Christmas small for us and make it happen. Now I can move into full commando planning mode.

By the way... we ordered the Wii.

Wii huh? Wonder who that's really for! we have 1 too....DH was bummed after the storm last night that the satellite starting working again so I could check out the news and he couldn't play Mario-cart

What's a Yankee swap?

Yes, what is that?

We (DH & I) didn't exchange last year either and don't plan on it this year again...it's ok we'd rather take the $ we can use for Christmas (I agree w/ you Amy no CC's) for the kids and our family. We also told our parents last year only 1 thing for each of us and then we also got a vaccum from his folks and a nice new metal kitchen garbage can from mine...crazy you can get excited over that!

OK your SV didn't remind me of the one we had when I was a kid...but of course then it wasn't in any mountian full of pine trees either....glad you all had a good time and great thinking to ask about special passes or help for Alex...I really need to keep that in mind w/ Michael.

And the picture session for your card...isn't that the truth?

 

[DisMomAmy]

What's a Yankee swap?

I guess you have to be a Yankee to know about this...

I think there are other ways too, but how I know a Yankee Swap is each person buys a gift that could be good for everyone. You all draw numbers. The person with number one takes a wrapped gift and opens it. The second person takes a wrapped gift and opens it, they can either keep it or trade with person number one. Person number three unwraps a gift and can keep it, or trade with any of the others. Once everyone is done, person number one gets to trade with anyone they want, or keep what they have. Then it's done. So it's best to have number one, worst to have number 2.

When I was working we used to do this. I worked it HR and it was all women in our department so it was easy to buy a gift that would be good for everyone. I have a lovely glass serving dish that I got one year. Sometimes people do it with joke gifts too. Usually there's a dollar limit.

MRYPPNS - please chime in on your version if I'm off at all.

 

[stagemomx3]

I guess you have to be a Yankee to know about this...

I think there are other ways too, but how I know a Yankee Swap is each person buys a gift that could be good for everyone. You all draw numbers. The person with number one takes a wrapped gift and opens it. The second person takes a wrapped gift and opens it, they can either keep it or trade with person number one. Person number three unwraps a gift and can keep it, or trade with any of the others. Once everyone is done, person number one gets to trade with anyone they want, or keep what they have. Then it's done. So it's best to have number one, worst to have number 2.

I've done this before, it was just called something else. It can be fun.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yes, what is that?

We (DH & I) didn't exchange last year either and don't plan on it this year again...it's ok we'd rather take the $ we can use for Christmas (I agree w/ you Amy no CC's) for the kids and our family. We also told our parents last year only 1 thing for each of us and then we also got a vaccum from his folks and a nice new metal kitchen garbage can from mine...crazy you can get excited over that!

OK your SV didn't remind me of the one we had when I was a kid...but of course then it wasn't in any mountian full of pine trees either....glad you all had a good time and great thinking to ask about special passes or help for Alex...I really need to keep that in mind w/ Michael.

And the picture session for your card...isn't that the truth?

Hope my Yankee Swap explanation was helpful... do you do anything like that and just call it something else?

DH & I would really like to not exchange gifts, but I'm afraid the kids might think we don't have the Christmas spirit or something, so I think we'll just keep it very small - one small gift each or something like that. I love that you got a vacuum and a garbage can and were excited! I would be too.

Do the kids like the Wii or is it mostly DH? Alex loves to bowl, play air hockey, play computer games that have tennis or ping pong, etc. So we thought he might enjoy it. I'm not sure about Zachary?? We'll have to hunt for a game that might work him.

Sorry Santa's Village didn't bring back any memories for you. It did have a lot of pine trees. Story Land has trees too, but I felt like there were way more at SV. There was even one part where you walk from one area to another and it is pretty much just trees and a little covered bridge. Very New England... and very Christmasy.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I guess you have to be a Yankee to know about this...

I think there are other ways too, but how I know a Yankee Swap is each person buys a gift that could be good for everyone. You all draw numbers. The person with number one takes a wrapped gift and opens it. The second person takes a wrapped gift and opens it, they can either keep it or trade with person number one. Person number three unwraps a gift and can keep it, or trade with any of the others. Once everyone is done, person number one gets to trade with anyone they want, or keep what they have. Then it's done. So it's best to have number one, worst to have number 2.

When I was working we used to do this. I worked it HR and it was all women in our department so it was easy to buy a gift that would be good for everyone. I have a lovely glass serving dish that I got one year. Sometimes people do it with joke gifts too. Usually there's a dollar limit.

MRYPPNS - please chime in on your version if I'm off at all.

Same version here At office parties it's a really good way to re-gift stuff because no one knows who brought it

 

[mousescrapper]

Hope my Yankee Swap explanation was helpful... do you do anything like that and just call it something else?

DH & I would really like to not exchange gifts, but I'm afraid the kids might think we don't have the Christmas spirit or something, so I think we'll just keep it very small - one small gift each or something like that. I love that you got a vacuum and a garbage can and were excited! I would be too.

Do the kids like the Wii or is it mostly DH? Alex loves to bowl, play air hockey, play computer games that have tennis or ping pong, etc. So we thought he might enjoy it. I'm not sure about Zachary?? We'll have to hunt for a game that might work him.

Sorry Santa's Village didn't bring back any memories for you. It did have a lot of pine trees. Story Land has trees too, but I felt like there were way more at SV. There was even one part where you walk from one area to another and it is pretty much just trees and a little covered bridge. Very New England... and very Christmasy.

Ok 1st the Yankee Swap...we've done ornament exchanges that same way a couple times and then a few times at family & friend parties we've done the "White Elephant" which is the same concept except it's all jokes. I unloaded an old maganta bridesmaid dress on my very mascaline male cousin once

Wii! at first I was against it, we try to keep our house techo limited.... obviously we have a computer, but it's centrally located upstairs and the kids ONLY go-online or play games as a reward or for school. We have 1 tv hooked up to a satellite and during the school year, it's not uncoomon for the kids to go a month w/out watching anything...I tivo most shows and we watch when it's most family/child appropriate....

so the Wii I was nervous about because I really didn't want all those electronic games that take away from outdoor or family activities...but it has turned out ok.

The Wii Play has the ping-pong game and more, Wii Sports has the bowling, tennis, baseball etc. DH plays the most and alot at night when the kids are in bed, but we do play as a family and the kids have played w/ friends too. Mae the 5 yr old can play bowling and is quite good...I'm even better at it than at real bowling

We also have two Mario brothers games that are more arcade style, but the kids like to play, harder but they can do them and like to just watch DH too.

My overall impression is good! We keep it limited with the kids but we have fun playing together and for Michael sometimes he get's upsets if it's not working right "for" him, but generally it has been a positive experience for him. He's even played a few time at OT (therapy).

I think depeding on how you view games like that you will like it and so will the boys. There are tons of games, but do your research before buying...like my Mom got Spiderman on sale for Michael, and it's just way too hard for him and a little inappropriate w/ the fighting, etc.

Hope that helps...

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Same version here At office parties it's a really good way to re-gift stuff because no one knows who brought it

 

[DisMomAmy]

Ok 1st the Yankee Swap...we've done ornament exchanges that same way a couple times and then a few times at family & friend parties we've done the "White Elephant" which is the same concept except it's all jokes. I unloaded an old maganta bridesmaid dress on my very mascaline male cousin once

Wii! at first I was against it, we try to keep our house techo limited.... obviously we have a computer, but it's centrally located upstairs and the kids ONLY go-online or play games as a reward or for school. We have 1 tv hooked up to a satellite and during the school year, it's not uncoomon for the kids to go a month w/out watching anything...I tivo most shows and we watch when it's most family/child appropriate....

so the Wii I was nervous about because I really didn't want all those electronic games that take away from outdoor or family activities...but it has turned out ok.

The Wii Play has the ping-pong game and more, Wii Sports has the bowling, tennis, baseball etc. DH plays the most and alot at night when the kids are in bed, but we do play as a family and the kids have played w/ friends too. Mae the 5 yr old can play bowling and is quite good...I'm even better at it than at real bowling

We also have two Mario brothers games that are more arcade style, but the kids like to play, harder but they can do them and like to just watch DH too.

My overall impression is good! We keep it limited with the kids but we have fun playing together and for Michael sometimes he get's upsets if it's not working right "for" him, but generally it has been a positive experience for him. He's even played a few time at OT (therapy).

I think depeding on how you view games like that you will like it and so will the boys. There are tons of games, but do your research before buying...like my Mom got Spiderman on sale for Michael, and it's just way too hard for him and a little inappropriate w/ the fighting, etc.

Hope that helps...

J-

Thanks for the Wii info - we are definitely not techno-free. The kids usually play on the computer for about 30 minutes as a reward after school for a good day. The TV is on too much - Alex goes through phases where he wants to watch it all the time and then other times that he doesn't watch it at all. Since Zachary stopped napping at 2 1/2 (just after Disney 06 - watch out for that side effect) he lays down on the couch and watches tv every day. Plus they usuall watch it while I take a shower.

That's funny that you got rid of an ugly bridesmaid dress at a White Elephant party!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Don't invite me to a Yankee Swap this year because I'm bringing a bottle of Blueberry vodka!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Don't invite me to a Yankee Swap this year because I'm bringing a bottle of Blueberry vodka!

 

[mousescrapper]

Thanks for the Wii info - we are definitely not techno-free. The kids usually play on the computer for about 30 minutes as a reward after school for a good day. The TV is on too much - Alex goes through phases where he wants to watch it all the time and then other times that he doesn't watch it at all. Since Zachary stopped napping at 2 1/2 (just after Disney 06 - watch out for that side effect) he lays down on the couch and watches tv every day. Plus they usuall watch it while I take a shower.

That's funny that you got rid of an ugly bridesmaid dress at a White Elephant party!

I'm probably the one in the house who watched WAY to much tv and now I have this "addiction"

Mae would watch tv on end too a yr back and then of course when I was pregnant w/ Margaret lots of tv time for the kids...I've been trying really hard to cut it back, it will help now that Mae starts K this year, but I'm sure Margaret will go thru her megga tv phrase as well.

Let's see what else could I swap off? I'm gonna go look around and maybe find something to go w/ Heidi's vodka

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm probably the one in the house who watched WAY to much tv and now I have this "addiction"

Mae would watch tv on end too a yr back and then of course when I was pregnant w/ Margaret lots of tv time for the kids...I've been trying really hard to cut it back, it will help now that Mae starts K this year, but I'm sure Margaret will go thru her megga tv phrase as well.

Let's see what else could I swap off? I'm gonna go look around and maybe find something to go w/ Heidi's vodka

I'm way too addicted to tv. I do wait until the kids are in bed or when Zachary is resting. I record everything and watch it later, which I think has made things worse, because I record way too many things that I never would have been able to watch before the days of tivo and DVRs.


I'll have to think of something to match up with Heidi's vodka too!