"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[swwake]

you are so mean.... making us wait for the rest!!!

the phone is insanely cool!!!

and the watch will be fun... i hope it is waterproof for the pool.

now.. what's with the ribbon? is it a thong?

really? is it?

Jo

I am not mean. Chris calls it "gamey".
The phone is really neat. I want one. Chris got himself one today too. I think I might get to beta test one for our firm in the next few weeks.
The watch is not waterproof. But it will be fun.
Thong - ha!

Come on I'm the most impatient person in the world. Tell already!

I think I tie you for most impatient.

 

[stagemomx3]

I think I tie you for most impatient.

Do you watch the ends of movies first?

 

[swwake]

And finally,
- What's the deal with the black ribbon?
So Katie pulled on the ribbon

and pulled it...
and pulled it...
and pulled it...
and was getting quite annoyed...
When finally, out came the end with a big bow, tied around something a little heavy

- What gift have I had for Katie since she was born and have planned to give to her on her sixteenth birthday since she was about three years old?

This is the engagement ring given to me in 1988 by Katie's father. It is a little over half carat, near perfect. It has a 6-prong mount. 4-prong is prettier, but 6-prong is safer.

After the divorce, I wondered what to do with the ring. It has sentimental value, but also brings up not-so-good memories. I didn't feel comfortable selling it, and I believe it's a gift, so I wasn't going to return it. Since Katie is the best thing that ever came out of that marriage, she should have it. I thought it would have sentimental value to Katie, and I decided that her sixteenth birthday would be the best time to give it to her. Old enough to appreciate it, young enough to be passionate about it.

Katie looked at the ring in awe. I explained what it is and how valuable it is. I explained that I had intended to have the diamond re-mounted to a drop pendant for her, but as her 16th birthday approached, I wondered what she would really want in a mounting. There are some really pretty, trendy drops right now. Then there's the classic single-mount pendant. Or she may choose to wear it on a chain around her neck.

I told her that we need to take it to a jeweler to have it cleaned and appraised, and we can talk about mounting. She wants to keep it in ring form for now, and put it on a chain. She has a chain already, and wants to wear it Saturday night with her dress. We can take it to a jeweler at a later date and get her another nice chain. If she wants it re-mounted later, I will do that for her.

Later tonight, Katie came to me and told me how much the ring means to her. She gave me a big hug, and I further explained how meaningful it is. She said that she understood all that earlier, but really felt uncomfortable "because of Dude". I told her that he really doesn't care, because he doesn't really care if I have that ring anymore anyway. It's better in her hands.

I also told Katie that we will be keeping the ring in our safe when she's not wearing it. She wants to wear it daily, but I nixed that idea. (She might get mugged with her diamond and her iphone! I mean, seriously!)

Anyway, so I know Katie had a wonderful birthday. She is a spoiled only child, but she is our only one, and we think we're doing a great job rearing her. (I hate that word. I think raising is better, but my step mother always told me "You raise corn. You rear children.")

Katie is so grateful for all of her gifts. She even commented on how thoughtful our neighbor and her girls were (the ones who took her to school until today). She said they knew she loved Teddy Grahams and Life Savers and so they put them on top of the homemade cupcakes they gave her this morning.

Katie is going to write thank you notes this Sunday and next week. She made some phone calls tonight to personally thank a few people. She said this is the biggest birthday ever. She said "this has already been such a great year."

I love my Baby Girl.

 

[stagemomx3]

Awww now you made me cry tonight. That was a very sweet sentiment gift you gave Katie!

 

[scottny]

the ring is very nice but I would rather the Iphone.

 

[stagemomx3]

the ring is very nice but I would rather the Iphone.

Silly man!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I got all teary-eyed reading about Katie's birthday, and getting the ring. What a spectacular day for her!

 

[dddisrunner]

Susan! I have tears in my eyes, what a beautiful gift to give Katie! She truly seems like she is mature enough to handle it She will remember this b-day always!

 

[scottny]

I got all teary-eyed reading about Katie's birthday,

me too. she is 16 and has an Iphone and I am 38 and do not.

 

[swwake]

Text message received from Katie today:
"I feel like a different person like I got a new life or something. New phone. Driving. Its really weird."

Also, news flash: 114 Days!!!

 

[Marshay]

Just a quick post to subscribe...will try to go back and read it all later.

Sorry, I missed your TR earlier...

 

[irene_dsc]

Awww...just catching up before I gotta leave, but happy b-day!!!

 

[Donald is #1]

What an awesome birthday for Katie!

 

[Beana9802]

WOW, great idea for Katie's 16th. I am an only child "Katie" that grew up to be Kat...I have a very similar life to her....only child, step dad, dad that lives far away...we are spoiled, but apprecitive...we turn out ok...

 

[Native NYer]

Text message received from Katie today:
"I feel like a different person like I got a new life or something. New phone. Driving. Its really weird."

Also, news flash: 114 Days!!!

You are the sweetest mom! Your daughter is very lucky to have you. And you're lucky to have such a great child. Glad Katie had a great birthday.

Yay 114 days!!!!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

I'm back.
I've been busy this week helping to monitor during the state testing at Joann's school and being a caretaker .
I was a hall monitor at the school until I was assigned "double duty." The principal asked me to "proofread" the school's SIP. (All of you teachers know what this is. For the "laymen" who read this, SIP=School Improvement Plan.) This particular one was 67 pages long!
However, my "duties" changed with Hayden's illness. He became ill with something the doctor diagnosed as a sinus infection. But Jo and I think it may be more because he has been running a fever for four days now.

His school called me Tuesday pm to come get him. He was dizzy, nauseous, and headachy.
He stayed home with his dad Wednesday while I helped with the testing. That's when he went to the doctor. But dads never know the right questions to ask and Jo and I agree that we would have asked several and would have requested a strep test. But not to be.
Anyway, I stayed home with Hayden yesterday and nursed him with a good dose of Grandma Love.
Jo stayed home with him today. (The heck with testing!!!!) I haven't checked in for a Hayden Health Report since this am. So I don't know what the latest is in that arena.
Bottom line = I'm back on the "boards" and will try to catch up since entry #350 when I was last here.
Reminder: I'm old and STILL can't always copy those quote boxes correctly.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Tennessee does not have a state union for teachers. The majority of the public school teachers belong to the Unified Association (NEA, TEA, + local EA). A very few teachers in Tennessee belong to the AFT. More and more teachers are leaving those organizations and joining the CEA (Christian Educators Association) Remember, we are in the Bible Belt.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Ok, I have read enough and just sat back quietly as you guys chitter chatter about all the dis fun you are anticipating. So, I feel a bit left out and maybe, just maybe, i can live vicariously through you. I can fantasize. Can't I? Isn't that what Disney is all about anyway?

The sis....

Jo

Welcome aboard, Daughter #2. I wish one of the million Disney Wishes this year would be to find a way for you and your family to join us in August.
MOM

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Susan,
We actually got her a card about a week ago, but it was one of those with the music chip in it and the kids have been having so much fun with it that they ..... well... they have lost it. Now i have to go get another one.

Jo

I also sent Katie a card with a "working" music chip in it and she told me today that it didn't work when she opened it. Does anyone know if the post office could have ruined the chip via the cancellation process? This upsets me, not because of the extra cost for a music chip, but because my granddaughter couldn't enjoy it.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

I never remember being a bit of a tomboy as she is...

You weren't anywhere close to being a tomboy!! Neither was your sister. You were the "Preppy Girl" and she was the "Thrift Shop Queen."

For our disfriends (Another History Lesson): Susan would save up her allowance money to buy LaCoste. She didn't appreciate my Wal-Mart, Penney's, and Sears purchases for her.

Joann would take a $10 bill to three different thrift stores and return home with a week's worth of outfits, a full lenghth hooded woolen coat, accessories, and.............CHANGE!