Christmas all year long!

[annmarieda]

Wow... I can't believe all the stuff that is being thrown your way... Oh wait YES i can.. Don't you just love the in laws... You gave them plenty of time before you made your plans in stone and with the air-fare not going down you did the right thing by getting your plane tickets before the price became to high.. I agree with you if they want to be there with you guys in DW they need to work around your schedule... Good luck with everything..

I actually do love my MIL and FIL. For the most part they are pretty nice. They do drive me nuts with certain things (like lack of involvement stuff) However what can drive me crazy also is what makes them easy inlaws. All this being said... yes, they have to work around my schedule.

On a side note sorry I haven't been reading much lately but we have been in pre-evac mode with the wild fires that are near us.. I only live like 8 miles away from one of the three that we have here in AZ.. But thank GOD that all the pre-evac notices has expired for us.. Hope to get back to reading regularly every day again..

Oh my gosh!!! I hope everything is ok. I keep forgetting how dry and warm it is else where. I think we are never going to dry out. We get some sun..for a day and it warms a tad. Then cloudy and rainy for days after. At least today it was 70 even though it sprinkled here and there...

Of course MIL has changed her mind... but Steve is probably right, she'll change again.

I hope you're able to accommodate everyone, without too much hassle!!

I think he is right too... I was really stressing on how to make this trip work for Kira,Josh and Zach that when the thought of needing to work the inlaws into the plan became a possibility it sent me over the edge.

I'm terrible... my MIL asked me this past weekend, they were here for a visit, if we had any big vacations planned for this summer and I told her no, which is true! However, I did not mention our surprise trip - mostly because it's a surprise and we've managed to make it for 6 months in keeping it that way! Only 5 and half more to go! But I also didn't mention it because I'm going to be in the same boat as Tammie - while we are going to be home on Christmas Eve afternoon - we will be at our house and normally we go out to theirs the weekend before Christmas of which we will be in WDW! My parents are aware and think it's great - DH's parents won't 'get it.' BUT we are doing this for our family, our kiddos, and are very excited about it!

I think it will be wonderful and the fact you have managed to keep it a surprise all year Everyone else will just have to understand that you are taking this time for your family. We are of the opinion that we should take moments (vacations) so that we can enjoy our family. One thing that sil is forever doing is saying "some day" well, "some day" the kids will be grown and enjoying the magic of Disney is important while they are young. They will not always be this age.

Hang in there... stick to your guns and don't try to please everyone. You have had a crazy year, Ann, and remember you deserve this trip! And it should be about celebrating Zoe's successful surgery she's going to have, and you being able to absorb and embrace your happy place!

Thank you!

Just catching up and I had a couple of comments.

When you were looking at SW airfare and adding 1 ticket was less per person than adding 2 tickets, that is because there was only 1 seat left at the lower rate. When that happens and you try to book 2 seats, it will add the prices together and average them to give you a per-person rate that actually doesn't exist in their system. Does that kinda make sense?

That does make sense. I thought that might be the case.
]I wonder though... it happens for all the flights they have listed for 109. I can't imagine each of those flights only has one seat left.

Also, I wanted to add - don't fret if you have to check all those bags just you and Zoe. What I'd recommend is using a hotel shuttle, Josh or a friend taking you to the airport, and do curb-side check-in. It is free, but they expect tips. We generally tip $1-2 per bag. So for maybe $10 in tips, you check in outside and don't have to go through the regular check-in with all of your bags. I think that would save you a lot of grief and you wouldn't have to rent a cart, etc. I like the option of the non-stop flight, myself. But either way works. If you do the day before, you will get a good nights rest that night of arrival.

That is a very good idea! I tried to call SW today and I couldn't get through. It is good to have this back up plan.

Catching up here ...

I would prefer taking the flight on the 9th not just for the help with the luggage, but you would be there a whole day earlier, KWIM? But if the SW rates aren't working, I agree with PP and use curbside check-in. It is usually faster than waiting in the queue lines as well.

I think I am going to be ok either way. On one hand, the 9th would mean help with the luggage... I could sleep in... but I would arrive pretty late. On the other, the 10th would mean getting up super early, not having help with luggage but getting to orlando early enough to have dinner.

About the in-laws ... uggh! I wouldn't make any definite plans with them until a week or so before departure and that should include them driving to Orlando!

I have a feeling that you won't be too far off in your estimating a week. If they are down there, I can't see them wanting to plan anything until days before. Zoe has surgery in a few days and they are "playing it by ear" as to if they will be going to see her in the hospital. The one thing I hate about Steve's family is their ability to be noncommittal and indifferent to everything.

SERIOUSLY?!?!

I think you need one great big group hug Ann! If it was me, I would probably have gone off on MIL...(although I say that, dream that, but have never done that). I agree that Steve is probably right that they will change their minds...but it still is mind blowing! Your flights and plans are made...if they want to join in they should come to Orlando...but then again it might not be a happy place for you then!

Well, Steve took the call. Then he changed the subject on her when she was trying to get info. Now he tells me I should call her. Bottom line is if they want to see us they are going to have to work around what we have planned. Now... if for some reason it looks like Orlando will have a freak hot spell in December... I could see Steve wanting to bail on Disney for a day or two and head to the beach. I will just have to cross that bridge if and when it happens... but I think it would be more of a "Zoe and I are going to the parks and Steve and Alex decided to rent a car for the day" type of last minute thing.

Mom and daughter tea at the GFC sounds fab! Zoe will love it! [

I think so... now to book the flight so I am locked in and don't have to cancel the ADR.

Oh my gosh, Ann, is she for real? I am sorry she is your DH's mother, but do these people understand that you have made plans and checked things out and now they want to come too?
I really hope she changes her mind again and you can stick with your plans!

Don't get me wrong.. I love her. She is pretty easy to get a long with and for the most part I am lucky to have her as a MIL. But... you are very right. They do not understand making plans far in advance. I am sticking to my plans even if Steve doesn't.

This is why I would NEVER make any plans with my MIL. First, she thinsk Disney is stupid and doesn't understand our love of it; I truly believe she hates kids (not sure how she ended up having two) and she drives me AND her own son nuts!

Ann, don't let this be a downer for you. Stick to your plans, and I hope Steve does too.

Yeah, my inlaws say snide little things regarding me going to Disney so much. They don't have a clue. They equate it to a theme park... which it really doesn't compare. Corn dogs and fries and cotton candy does not compare to a nice ts meal at any of the restaurants in WDW. Any show at WDW is a million times superior to a magic show at an amusement park. If they ever took the time to go with me they would see why I like it so much. True, they still not find the characters as appealing as I do... but the overall experience would still be enjoyable. (I think)

And..as for plans.. Steve would be the wild card. I don't like the beach. I would have to have a reason to go. Having a room at WL and park tickets AND ADRS...welll, that is enough of a reason to keep me at WDW. But... like I mentioned above... Steve may get a wild hair one day during the trip and rent a car. If he and Alex go to the beach for a day... welll, just more dp credits for Zoe and I.

AMEN SISTA!!! TO think that you should have to avert your plans, change flights, etc just to squeeze them in... uh uh, no way jose... Ann stick to your guns and your plans. you need these

i am so overly glad my MIL hates Disney, doesnt get Disney and wont ever want to go to Disney (or so we pray), because if i had to deal with her i would pull my hair out.

Thanks so much. Sometimes, I really do wish they would come with us... just so they could see why I like WDW so much. Other times... I fear just like you, I would pull my hair out.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

This is why I would NEVER make any plans with my MIL. First, she thinsk Disney is stupid and doesn't understand our love of it; I truly believe she hates kids (not sure how she ended up having two) and she drives me AND her own son nuts!

Ann, don't let this be a downer for you. Stick to your plans, and I hope Steve does too.

That's my whole thing. MIL wants to come with us on our next family trip in a few years. FIL will never take her and she hears all our stories... the reality is that I'd go nuts.

Are they going to be upset by the answer? Yeah, probably. But you know what? Sometimes we have to separate for a holiday to do something with the nuclear family for once.

I'm with everyone else... if they are that bent, they can come to Orlando!

 

[ladytink75]

Oh my gosh!!! I hope everything is ok. I keep forgetting how dry and warm it is else where. I think we are never going to dry out. We get some sun..for a day and it warms a tad. Then cloudy and rainy for days after. At least today it was 70 even though it sprinkled here and there...

Yes everything is fine finally we had firefighters from Oregon, Texas, California and not to sure where else... Yeah girl its HOT and DRY here at 6:30 pm tonight we were at 102 degrees can you believe that.. I'm jealous that you get rain over there.. Our rainy season will start in a few days and i will FINALLY be on at least we will get to cool down a few degrees

 

[annmarieda]

Since today is almost over...

 

[dizneeat]

Now, that is a hard one .......

I am sure this is cute little Zoe, and mum's bag in the background. Guess this was taken at Pop Century (hopefully )

 

[annmarieda]

Now, that is a hard one .......

I am sure this is cute little Zoe, and mum's bag in the background. Guess this was taken at Pop Century (hopefully )

This was on our September trip! 3 points... 1 for Zoe. 1 for the bag being mine. and 1 for knowing the resort.

Not much of a story so i will do it quickly now. I just wanted to do Zoe's hair up like a princess. I found a really cool website that showed how to do a variety of styles. I thought this looked so cute. Course... the bun did not stay in long. Maybe more hairspray would have done the trick.

 

[dizneeat]

This was on our September trip! 3 points... 1 for Zoe. 1 for the bag being mine. and 1 for knowing the resort.

Not much of a story so i will do it quickly now. I just wanted to do Zoe's hair up like a princess. I found a really cool website that showed how to do a variety of styles. I thought this looked so cute. Course... the bun did not stay in long. Maybe more hairspray would have done the trick.

It really works out well, with you being up late and I am already up to do some work!

I love her hairstyle and you could have fooled me and told me she had been to BBB!

 

[annmarieda]

I love her hairstyle and you could have fooled me and told me she had been to BBB!

Here is the back....

Not sure if you can tell... but the bow ties in the center of the bun. Aside from the stray hairs attempting to get way, this is a super easy updo. Just a ponytail that you center a ribbon on the end of...and proceed to roll the end up the pony up in the ribbon. Then when the roll is complete, you tie the ends of the ribbon (making the bow in the center) A couple bobbypins to hold the roll up on top and voila!

 

[tankgirl427]

I knew I remembered that picutre from your TR, but it had already been answered.

Sorry about the whole MIL drama! I would still do what you have planned. They had their chance, and they should be able to work around your schedule, rather than other way around if it comes to it.

 

[annmarieda]

Wish us luck. Today we are off to the hospital to have Zoe pre checked for surgery. She is sniffling quite a bit. (allergies are really acting up) If they cancel again... we would likely be looking at a time when her allergies are not a problem. Know when that is? Yes, smack dab in the middle of the school year.(December and January) I really don't want her to potentially miss 2 months of school. At least if they cancel today, we can avoid an unnecessary hospitalization and surgery prep.

 

[swwake]

Ok good luck to you and Zoe today. Keep us posted!

 

[shocky5]

Lots of hugs and prayers for a good report for Zoe today!

 

[lfwhipp]

Lots of hugs and prayers for you and Zoe today!

 

[veggiemama]

Praying for you and Zoe. Hope all goes as planned.

 

[tankgirl427]

Hope you and Zoe are doing well!

 

[dizneeat]

Lots of hugs, prayers and pixie dust on the way for both of you!

 

[tinacaplan]

Sending lots of and prayers for you and Zoe.

 

[momabaarjo]

Lots of good thoughts, prayers and hugs today for you and Zoe!

 

[annmarieda]

Just a quick update. First, thank you all so much. I can't tell you how much it means to me so despite her allergies, Zoe was cleared for surgery. We are at the hospital now and she is being a trooper. Lots of icky medicine to drink..but she is tackling it! The room is on a different floor and we are having a MUCH better time. Tomorrow is surgery. I will make sure to let you all know how she is doing.

 

[swwake]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad they are able to go through with the surgery now so that you can get it behind you and move forward. Keep us posted!