Combo PTR & TR w/a side of Scrapbooking: I'm Back! TR link posted!

[NewCrew42]

I hope things are taking a turn for the better for your DS!!!!

I just love your scrapbook pages. Hmm..... Electronic scrapbooks. I might just beable to do that!

 

[Charlefours]

Oh what a horrible situation your DS was put in--I hope it has gotten better for him. I am glad you were able to maker your voice heard--I think some parents just role over and do not fight back. Is it all day? 29 kiddos in K!! What are they thinking? Are they able to get through anything?

LOVE the MK pages. I am hoping to scrapbook again soon one of these days. Hopefully next week!! I have a friend coming over for a scrapbook session.

 

[Monny2AE]

I just caught up on your PTR. You have a lovely family. I also enjoy scrapbooking although I haven't tried digital scrapbooking yet. My favorite thing to scrap are our Disney vacations. My DH and I also got married in 2001 and honeymooned in Disney World. Our next trip in June we will be staying at CBR for the first time. Do you have any tips or hints about the resort? I am looking forward to reading more!

Awww thanks for the kind words. I love scrapping Disney too. I got that album done soon after the trip but have yet to finish my DD's age 1 album or my DS's age 4 album.
Perhaps we saw each other in 2001...we were there in the sweltering heat of late July. We stayed CBR for our honeymoon and twice more after that. It's our favorite moderate- although we've never stayed at another one to compare We like the tropical and relaxed feel it has. Some don't like how spread out it is but we like it more for that reason. You don't feel squished. The paths can be a bit confusing so when you check in find a path to the food court and memorize it. My sister and I got lost once coming back from doing laundry. It probably had something to do with the mixed drink we had from the pool bar though.

I love looking at all your pages. Sometimes I feel like all my pages are so very similar to each other. No one else says that but I see it.

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time at the school. Glad you were able to put them in their place!! Do you have any public charter school alternatives near you? We ended up going that route for ours and it made the so much difference. If that did not work, I was looking at homeschooling... and umm... well, I wasn't a teacher so it might not have been the best decision I ever made.

I feel the same way sometimes, like I'm stuck in a rut and all my pages look the same. I try to remember that the main reason I scrap is to preserve memories for my kids. They aren't going to critique my layouts when they are looking back at those pages as adults. They're going to focus on the moments and feelings they have of those memories.

Awww, Kim Gosh that sucks so much that you are having such a rough time with school! I can now understand why their is such a high rate of homeschooling in the states! That many kids in a class? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NUTS Our school boards AND schools are government funded and mandated so things are a bit different here.

For the primary grades (k-3) class size is capped at 20 children! Intermediate grades (4-8) are capped at 23 and senior (HS) is capped at 30! My girls go to a smaller school in our neighbourhood and it is known around our Board as "The Island" we have 12 classrooms that hold 221 children! That includes our Special needs class! Needless to say - We our school! Great administration and the teachers are all GREAT! Last year and this year we have an ALL female staff!

I really hope that for Andrew and you guys too that things start to get MUCH better! What a great opportunity though to reinforce morals and values in your son! Way to go! You are a great mom!

Thanks for being my cheering section! I would love it if our schools had a cap. You're very lucky!

Glad to hear you got things squared away at the school. Hopefully things will improve each day. It sounds like that teacher really has her hands full with some rowdy kids. They really should give her a full time aide.

Love the MK pictures! I bet you are getting so excited!!

I'm relieved and hoping it all stays calm from here on out. Getting this aide in the next couple of weeks should help...I hope!

I hope things are taking a turn for the better for your DS!!!!

I just love your scrapbook pages. Hmm..... Electronic scrapbooks. I might just beable to do that!

You could do it!!!! It's so easy and fun! Thanks for popping over to say hi!

Oh what a horrible situation your DS was put in--I hope it has gotten better for him. I am glad you were able to maker your voice heard--I think some parents just role over and do not fight back. Is it all day? 29 kiddos in K!! What are they thinking? Are they able to get through anything?

LOVE the MK pages. I am hoping to scrapbook again soon one of these days. Hopefully next week!! I have a friend coming over for a scrapbook session.

It's full day which I think is part of why he's having trouble adjusting. He gets out early every Wednesday though- at 2pm instead of 3:30. At least one day a week he gets a little reprieve.
Hope your scrapping session goes well! Finding the time sometimes is the hard part.

 

[Monny2AE]

Okay, so this keeping Disney a secret thing is going to be harder than I thought it would be.
I got out the 2010 Birnbaum book from the library. I don't know why because it doesn't have anything in it that I haven't already learned from the DIS but I'm excited and wanted to look at the pretty pictures in it.
I made the mistake of leaving it out on the island in the kitchen. DS sits up there this evening, looks at the book and says to DH *Hey, this book is about Disney World!* Then he looks him square in the eye and asks if we are going back to Disney. He's onto us!!!!!
DH quickly told him no and that Disney costs lots and we have to save for a long time again. Then he shoots me a *way to go mom for leaving out the evidence* look. I'll be returning it ASAP and lesson learned when it comes to leaving out evidence .

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Awww thanks for the kind words. I love scrapping Disney too. I got that album done soon after the trip but have yet to finish my DD's age 1 album or my DS's age 4 album.
Perhaps we saw each other in 2001...we were there in the sweltering heat of late July. We stayed CBR for our honeymoon and twice more after that. It's our favorite moderate- although we've never stayed at another one to compare We like the tropical and relaxed feel it has. Some don't like how spread out it is but we like it more for that reason. You don't feel squished. The paths can be a bit confusing so when you check in find a path to the food court and memorize it. My sister and I got lost once coming back from doing laundry. It probably had something to do with the mixed drink we had from the pool bar though.

I feel the same way sometimes, like I'm stuck in a rut and all my pages look the same. I try to remember that the main reason I scrap is to preserve memories for my kids. They aren't going to critique my layouts when they are looking back at those pages as adults. They're going to focus on the moments and feelings they have of those memories.

ITA!! To all of it! I got three disney trips scrapbooked before I got to DD8's book to age 2. I get bored with the normal books sometimes too. I go to a retreat and scrap with others for a weekend, or get together with my neighbors and get ideas from looking at their stuff. And you're right - anything you do is for the kids to look back and see the wonderful family memories you made. They don't care about fancy paper and embellishments.
BTW- I did a weekend in October and got another year done in each of the girls' books. I'm going again in February! I still have our one day at WDW/Carnival cruise vacation to do in an album, but I'm forcing myself to wait until I'm more caught up with the girls' books. I'm vowing to work this winter on cropping pictures while I sit in front of the TV. (when I'm not DISing!)

And great news on the school front - I hope things continue to go well and improve. Must be terribly frustrating. But keep after them to do it right and treat your son well.

 

[Charlefours]

Okay, so this keeping Disney a secret thing is going to be harder than I thought it would be.
I got out the 2010 Birnbaum book from the library. I don't know why because it doesn't have anything in it that I haven't already learned from the DIS but I'm excited and wanted to look at the pretty pictures in it.
I made the mistake of leaving it out on the island in the kitchen. DS sits up there this evening, looks at the book and says to DH *Hey, this book is about Disney World!* Then he looks him square in the eye and asks if we are going back to Disney. He's onto us!!!!!
DH quickly told him no and that Disney costs lots and we have to save for a long time again. Then he shoots me a *way to go mom for leaving out the evidence* look. I'll be returning it ASAP and lesson learned when it comes to leaving out evidence .

Luckily, for me my DD does not quite grasp Disney yet. She knows the characters and is VERY curious about the pictures up here on DIS. I think when we go again, and there will be an again, she will. I would LOVE to surprise her someday.

I really do not know how you are able to keep it a secret!! I bow down to any of you who can manage to pull it off!! You are surprising them on Christmas, correct? Have you finished planning how you are going to do it?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Okay, so this keeping Disney a secret thing is going to be harder than I thought it would be.
I got out the 2010 Birnbaum book from the library. I don't know why because it doesn't have anything in it that I haven't already learned from the DIS but I'm excited and wanted to look at the pretty pictures in it.
I made the mistake of leaving it out on the island in the kitchen. DS sits up there this evening, looks at the book and says to DH *Hey, this book is about Disney World!* Then he looks him square in the eye and asks if we are going back to Disney. He's onto us!!!!!
DH quickly told him no and that Disney costs lots and we have to save for a long time again. Then he shoots me a *way to go mom for leaving out the evidence* look. I'll be returning it ASAP and lesson learned when it comes to leaving out evidence .

Don't worry, there were so many times when I thought the kids were onto us last year, but come Christmas morning I knew they never had a clue!!!

Hang in there, I know it's tough to keep the secret, especially when you are so excited!

 

[danceintherain]

Oh and you should have seen the principal's face when she talked to me with some educational jargon trying to talk above my head like I was some dummy and I threw it right back at her. She had NO idea that I used to be a teacher and have a degree in ECED! Boy, she got real quiet real quick. It was such a good moment- even DH was like *you go girl, way to put her in her place!* when we left

That's so great! I bet it does work on a lot of parents so I'm glad you held your own.

 

[Monny2AE]

ITA!! To all of it! I got three disney trips scrapbooked before I got to DD8's book to age 2. I get bored with the normal books sometimes too. I go to a retreat and scrap with others for a weekend, or get together with my neighbors and get ideas from looking at their stuff. And you're right - anything you do is for the kids to look back and see the wonderful family memories you made. They don't care about fancy paper and embellishments.
BTW- I did a weekend in October and got another year done in each of the girls' books. I'm going again in February! I still have our one day at WDW/Carnival cruise vacation to do in an album, but I'm forcing myself to wait until I'm more caught up with the girls' books. I'm vowing to work this winter on cropping pictures while I sit in front of the TV. (when I'm not DISing!)

And great news on the school front - I hope things continue to go well and improve. Must be terribly frustrating. But keep after them to do it right and treat your son well.

So terrible that we force ourselves to work on the kids albums but those Disney ones come so easy! Good luck catching up on your girls albums!!! I bet if wasn't on here a much I'd have PLENTY of time but it's hard to break the DIS addiction.

Luckily, for me my DD does not quite grasp Disney yet. She knows the characters and is VERY curious about the pictures up here on DIS. I think when we go again, and there will be an again, she will. I would LOVE to surprise her someday.

I really do not know how you are able to keep it a secret!! I bow down to any of you who can manage to pull it off!! You are surprising them on Christmas, correct? Have you finished planning how you are going to do it?

I sort of have a plan in my head but nothing too set in stone yet. I want to do some sort of treasure hunt and have it lead downstairs (our tree is upstairs) to a big box wrapped in Disney paper. I'm thinking of putting balloons inside and something that tells them we're going to Disney with pics so they can figure it out. I do know it will be the last thing they open that morning. I'm hoping it all goes well and I can keep my big mouth shut until then- and my books hidden

Don't worry, there were so many times when I thought the kids were onto us last year, but come Christmas morning I knew they never had a clue!!!

Hang in there, I know it's tough to keep the secret, especially when you are so excited!

Great to hear a little *you can do it* speech from the queen of Christmas surprises! Thanks for the pep talk!

That's so great! I bet it does work on a lot of parents so I'm glad you held your own.

It was hard to be that mom and I almost felt guilty for being so stern with them. It was hard not to get emotional and to stay professional. I'm usually not one for confrontation but when you mess with my babies I get fired up I guess. I've never been on the parent side of the principal office table before .

 

[Monny2AE]

I feel somewhat accomplished today- I've worked on my itinerary and I think I have it all set...for now.

I'm trying my best to keep this trip as relaxing and laid back as possible so I'm trying not to plan each day out to the nth degree.

Friday Jan. 22nd
Start Driving for Florida! Leave @ 4am
Hopefully make it across the FL border and stop overnight

Saturday Jan. 23rd
Arrive & Check In @ Caribbean Beach, Head to MK, then back to CBR again to unpack and relax a bit

Sunday Jan. 24th
MK or DHS

Monday Jan. 25th
Breakfast- Akershus @ 9:15am then explore a little at Epcot
Evening Plans ???

Tuesday Jan. 26th
MK- Pirate’s League @ ? I still need to make ressies for it
Evening Plans ???

Wednesday Jan. 27th- DH's Birthday!
Breakfast- Ohana’s @ 8:30am
DH gets to pick the park we head to after breakfast
Dinner- Coral Reef @ 4:35pm
Illuminations @ 9pm
Meet up with my Northern Friend, Kim at some point while at Epcot

Thursday Jan . 28th
AK- short visit and we'll probably be out of there after lunch
DHS Fantasmic @ 6:30? Still pondering this one

Friday Jan. 29th
Leaving this day open to go where we liked best or see what we missed
We'll also head to Downtown Disney for some souvie shopping
I'd also like to take the kids to see the oversized Buzz and Woody at All Star Movies Resort- we didn't get a chance to do that last time
MK- Wishes @ 8pm

Saturday Jan. 30th
Have breakfast one last time at CBR, Check Out & Drive Home

 

[drakes]

I feel somewhat accomplished today- I've worked on my itinerary and I think I have it all set...for now.

I'm trying my best to keep this trip as relaxing and laid back as possible so I'm trying not to plan each day out to the nth degree.

Friday Jan. 22nd
Start Driving for Florida! Leave @ 4am
Hopefully make it across the FL border and stop overnight

Saturday Jan. 23rd
Arrive & Check In @ Caribbean Beach, Head to MK, then back to CBR again to unpack and relax a bit

Sunday Jan. 24th
MK or DHS

Monday Jan. 25th
Breakfast- Akershus @ 9:15am then explore a little at Epcot
Evening Plans ???

Tuesday Jan. 26th
MK- Pirate’s League @ ? I still need to make ressies for it
Evening Plans ???

Wednesday Jan. 27th- DH's Birthday!
Breakfast- Ohana’s @ 8:30am
DH gets to pick the park we head to after breakfast
Dinner- Coral Reef @ 4:35pm
Illuminations @ 9pm
Meet up with my Northern Friend, Kim at some point while at Epcot

Thursday Jan . 28th
AK- short visit and we'll probably be out of there after lunch
DHS Fantasmic @ 6:30? Still pondering this one

Friday Jan. 29th
Leaving this day open to go where we liked best or see what we missed
We'll also head to Downtown Disney for some souvie shopping
I'd also like to take the kids to see the oversized Buzz and Woody at All Star Movies Resort- we didn't get a chance to do that last time
MK- Wishes @ 8pm

Saturday Jan. 30th
Have breakfast one last time at CBR, Check Out & Drive Home

I am jealous you're plans are so relaxed. I think that's the great part about not doing the TS parts of the Dining Plan , my itinerary is all food! Are you doing the QSDP and then your TS are OOP? I am sorry I can't remember? After looking at how my trip revolves around food, I was thinking about the QSDP. I think I should research it more...Right now I am reading about Disney Cruise Lines so DD thinks I am just researching for a future possible trip... I don't know how I can keep it a secret any longer!

 

[Monny2AE]

I am jealous you're plans are so relaxed. I think that's the great part about not doing the TS parts of the Dining Plan , my itinerary is all food! Are you doing the QSDP and then your TS are OOP? I am sorry I can't remember? After looking at how my trip revolves around food, I was thinking about the QSDP. I think I should research it more...Right now I am reading about Disney Cruise Lines so DD thinks I am just researching for a future possible trip... I don't know how I can keep it a secret any longer!

Us Secret Disney Trip Planners have to stick together! You can do it!!!!!

We're doing the QSDDP and just paying OOP for the 3 meals. If I did my math right I should have about 4 possible meals uncovered but I'm planning on sharing some meals or using a snack credit for something small for breakfast or something so we won't have any other QS meals OOP. My other plan is to get a few Disney gift cards and have the money set aside to use for the meals. We really liked the QSDDP last time. I'm hoping to do some menu research though before we leave to get the most for our money out of it. One can only handle so much chicken tenders, burgers and pizza. I'd like to go prepared with some different options.

 

[drakes]

Us Secret Disney Trip Planners have to stick together! You can do it!!!!!

We're doing the QSDDP and just paying OOP for the 3 meals. If I did my math right I should have about 4 possible meals uncovered but I'm planning on sharing some meals or using a snack credit for something small for breakfast or something so we won't have any other QS meals OOP. My other plan is to get a few Disney gift cards and have the money set aside to use for the meals. We really liked the QSDDP last time. I'm hoping to do some menu research though before we leave to get the most for our money out of it. One can only handle so much chicken tenders, burgers and pizza. I'd like to go prepared with some different options.

I agree with you on the One can only handle so much chicken tenders, burgers and pizza.- that's my concern... but there are some good options, plus it's nice to not worry about making your ressie. I can't wait to hear what you find out. Usually when I go to CS we were paying OOP so I was ordering on the cheap side... the one thing I did like about CS was we shared because DD was less than thrilled with the kids choices.
You know where to ask if you want any opinions .

I think we'll for sure cross paths on our Akershus day!

The good thing about me is I read my Disney books over and over, I love them and each time I learn something new. So having them out is not a surprise to DD. However I now have the Passporters Disney Cruises on the go and I am sure she'll question that! She did ask me who i was talking to on the phone on my ADR day , I luckily had the excuse of work, the computers went down and I was logged in working from home and then had to call, yes all at 6 am!

 

[Charlefours]

I sort of have a plan in my head but nothing too set in stone yet. I want to do some sort of treasure hunt and have it lead downstairs (our tree is upstairs) to a big box wrapped in Disney paper. I'm thinking of putting balloons inside and something that tells them we're going to Disney with pics so they can figure it out. I do know it will be the last thing they open that morning. I'm hoping it all goes well and I can keep my big mouth shut until then- and my books hidden

Happydog did a surprise for her DSs too and she did a similar surprise that you are thinking about doing. Here is the link to the page http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2106789&page=29 post number 431. Not sure if you are interested or if you have seen it, but I thought I would mention it.
.

I feel somewhat accomplished today- I've worked on my itinerary and I think I have it all set...for now.

I'm trying my best to keep this trip as relaxing and laid back as possible so I'm trying not to plan each day out to the nth degree.

Friday Jan. 22nd
Start Driving for Florida! Leave @ 4am
Hopefully make it across the FL border and stop overnight

Saturday Jan. 23rd
Arrive & Check In @ Caribbean Beach, Head to MK, then back to CBR again to unpack and relax a bit

Sunday Jan. 24th
MK or DHS

Monday Jan. 25th
Breakfast- Akershus @ 9:15am then explore a little at Epcot
Evening Plans ???

Tuesday Jan. 26th
MK- Pirate’s League @ ? I still need to make ressies for it
Evening Plans ???

Wednesday Jan. 27th- DH's Birthday!
Breakfast- Ohana’s @ 8:30am
DH gets to pick the park we head to after breakfast
Dinner- Coral Reef @ 4:35pm
Illuminations @ 9pm
Meet up with my Northern Friend, Kim at some point while at Epcot

Thursday Jan . 28th
AK- short visit and we'll probably be out of there after lunch
DHS Fantasmic @ 6:30? Still pondering this one

Friday Jan. 29th
Leaving this day open to go where we liked best or see what we missed
We'll also head to Downtown Disney for some souvie shopping
I'd also like to take the kids to see the oversized Buzz and Woody at All Star Movies Resort- we didn't get a chance to do that last time
MK- Wishes @ 8pm

Saturday Jan. 30th
Have breakfast one last time at CBR, Check Out & Drive Home

Love the plans!! I do not want to go schedule crazy either but rather have a few must dos/sees each day. I want to allow time to take it all in since it will be five years since DH and I have last been there.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Kim, your plans look great. Can't wait to read more!

I will check back in when we get home. We are leaving TOMORROW!!

 

[Monny2AE]

I agree with you on the One can only handle so much chicken tenders, burgers and pizza.- that's my concern... but there are some good options, plus it's nice to not worry about making your ressie. I can't wait to hear what you find out. Usually when I go to CS we were paying OOP so I was ordering on the cheap side... the one thing I did like about CS was we shared because DD was less than thrilled with the kids choices.
You know where to ask if you want any opinions .

I think we'll for sure cross paths on our Akershus day!

The good thing about me is I read my Disney books over and over, I love them and each time I learn something new. So having them out is not a surprise to DD. However I now have the Passporters Disney Cruises on the go and I am sure she'll question that! She did ask me who i was talking to on the phone on my ADR day , I luckily had the excuse of work, the computers went down and I was logged in working from home and then had to call, yes all at 6 am!

I definitely think we'll run into each other on Akershus day!!! Good work keeping the secret

Love the plans!! I do not want to go schedule crazy either but rather have a few must dos/sees each day. I want to allow time to take it all in since it will be five years since DH and I have last been there.

I'm trying the laid back way this time around. We did it that way on our honeymoon and it actually felt like vacation. Our last trip was more planned since it was a grand gathering. I'm really looking forward to it being more relaxed.

Hey Kim, your plans look great. Can't wait to read more!

I will check back in when we get home. We are leaving TOMORROW!!

Oh my goodness!!!! I can't believe you leave TOMORROW!!!!!! How cool is it to be able to say that!!!!!!

I'm leaving in 2 months 2 weeks and 2 days- nope doesn't sound nearly as cool!

 

[Monny2AE]

I did a little shopping today! A fellow mom in a mom's group that I belong to makes these adorable hair clips and I thought they would make great stocking stuffers for Emily!

I got these...
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.87315166.jpg

and drooled over these...
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.98840661.jpg
I just might have to get them before the trip!

 

[drakes]

I did a little shopping today! A fellow mom in a mom's group that I belong to makes these adorable hair clips and I thought they would make great stocking stuffers for Emily!

I got these...
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.87315166.jpg

and drooled over these...
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.98840661.jpg
I just might have to get them before the trip!

Oh no - more shopping - I thought I was done - but I love those princess clips! I have purposefully stayed away from etsy!
I love what you found... and dd will love them too! Would the tink clip look silly in my hair

 

[Charlefours]

I did a little shopping today! A fellow mom in a mom's group that I belong to makes these adorable hair clips and I thought they would make great stocking stuffers for Emily!

I got these...
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.87315166.jpg

and drooled over these...
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.98840661.jpg
I just might have to get them before the trip!

Oh my goodness!! Those are just adorable. I may have to get a couple for Lilian.

 

[Monny2AE]

Oh no - more shopping - I thought I was done - but I love those princess clips! I have purposefully stayed away from etsy!
I love what you found... and dd will love them too! Would the tink clip look silly in my hair

Not at all- in fact I think I'll have to get 2 sets so DD and I can match!

Oh my goodness!! Those are just adorable. I may have to get a couple for Lilian.

Aren't they the cutest!