"Double Dip Delight" 09.27.2008 - Take 3!

[NZMUM]

Hi Everybody. I am just now home--having left the house at 8:30 this morning--so this is the soonest I could post. I got through to MiL at about noon today and everyone (read MARIKA) is just fine. The runabout boat was working great--the adults just decided not to go make calls after all. MiL (curently missing the D ) seems to think it is odd that we and my DBiL were worried I am concentrating my energy on being relieved that my darling girl is safe and will be back in my arms in only a few days--rather than being angry (though at some point there will have to be a serious discussion about following through on promised well being calls if in-laws are ever to take one or both kids again!).

We picked Rio up from camp today and he had a great week. He chattered all afternoon about all of the fun things he did (and yes he freely admits he only wore 2 shirts, 2 pairs of shorts and one pair of socks all week ). His counselor said Rio is "the politest kid I have ever met--and so nice to everybody to boot" Yeah, I'm lovin' the counselor (even if his grammar leaves a bit to be desired ) Cute story: Rio actually did wear a clean (third) shirt and shorts for the dance they had with their sister camp (he does believe in dressing for the ocassion). So as Rio explains it they played mostly rock music (which he loves) but they also played a couple of "ballroom songs" and some swing. So he "got a girl and taught her how to dance it" He says everyone kept giving him thumbs up and taking pictures and he doesn't get what the big deal was Upon questioning he does admit none of the other boys seemed to know how to dance to that music.

And to top off such a lovely day---who remembers when I won the Melissa Etheridge concert tickets????? Well, the concert was tonight WOW. What a great show! I really do love her music--she sings with such intense passion nad I also totally respect (and pretty much agree with) so many of her persoanl and political views so it is just an absolute great thing to be able to be there and see/hear her live. I have wanted to see her in concert for years and years (more so than any other performer). It was also the first concert I have been to in New Hampshire. Funny how up here--even at a major concert with people from all over the state plus a lot from Vermont and Mass. we still run into people we know (New Hampshire is soooo small town). We saw the nurse from our Doctor's office, and Marika's former karate teacher and her wife, and the man who played Captain Hook in our recent production of Peter Pan was the announcer for the show (boy I want HIS job!).

Okay, I really must get to bed. It has been a long and emotional day. Thanks you all for helping to keep me sane when I was worrying myself sick about Marika (it really did help to see you all posting logical things AND letting me know it was noraml to worry).

So pleased Marika is fine. I would be upset with the in-laws too if there had been a deal to call while they were away.

Glad Rio had a good time.

I remember you getting those tickets. Glad it you enjoyed yourself .

Tania

 

[alleluia5]

DH, DD & I are always excited to see Stephen Curtis Chapman perform live. He's a contemporary Christian artist who has done such great work on behalf of adoption. In addition, he's a fantastic performer. We've been blessed to see him in concert several times - a Christmas concert (absolutely one of the best I've seen), a large outdoor concert venue, a smaller indoor concert venue.

I love Stephen Curtis Chapman as well - he is really an amazing role model and of course singer, even actor. I am guessing you heard what happened to his dd this year - those are the times when it is hard to understand why things happen the way they do. Anyways, dh and I were blessed to see him read for candlelight last year - it was AWESOME!

 

[googles111]

Here is a good site if you want to check the seats or what is on your flight.
http://www.seatguru.com/
Tonya

 

[Selket]

Glad to hear Marika is fine. The inlaws likely didn't realize you'd be waiting for that call! We're so used to be connected by cell phones these days (are you old enough to remember the days when no one had a cell phone? How did we EVER meet up in the mall or the airport? LOL!).

My 10 yr old got back from his first every Boy Scout camp. We realized as we were unpacking his bag that he literally wore one outfit the entire week (plus his boy scout uniform) - and that includes his underwear! I do NOT know who raised that child!!! Maybe he is already working on his "pirate" look with Fatcat......

 

[MagicMe]

Hadley - glad to know you're fears have been resolved and Marika is fine. I agree that it wasn't right for your MIL to tell you they would call and then not call. It would have been so much easier for you if they just said they'd probably not get a chance to touch base. To me it's a matter of doing what you said you would do even if they only checked in once during the week and said they would probably not call again!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm glad Rio is not the only one comming home with way too many clean clothes from camp

The odd thing about the whole no calls from Lake Powell thing is that both DBiL and I (and DH) inititially expected not to hear anything from them the week they were to be out on the lake and we were fine with that. However, the in-laws themselves insisted that they were going to call and check in (and they have done this same trip on this same boat without the kids about a half dozen times so they know what they can and can't do as far as reception and the like) "probably every day and at least every other day." It was because they had been so insistent that they were going to call (and wanted to) and THEN did not, that we got panicky and felt that something must be wrong. I also had no calls from Rio while he was at camp those same 7 days. But, I was not told to expect any from the camp so nothing seemed remiss there. . .
I was extra skittish because the last call I had before the got on the houseboat last Saturday morning I got told all about the wreck one of the trucks had been in the day before (somehow the boat trailer for THAT runabout malfunctrioned and dropped the boat and part of the trailer down and pulled the truck off the road and the boat and trailer were destroyed and THANK GOODNESS no one was injured). Marika was not even in that vehicle (but my nephew was) but it was just enough to put me a little on edge anyway and wondering about their luck with this trip.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hadley - glad to know you're fears have been resolved and Marika is fine. I agree that it wasn't right for your MIL to tell you they would call and then not call. It would have been so much easier for you if they just said they'd probably not get a chance to touch base. To me it's a matter of doing what you said you would do even if they only checked in once during the week and said they would probably not call again!

You posted while I was posting!!! Yep, you are 100% correct about what had me freaked out. THANKS

 

[Gramto3]

Hadley ~ I'm so happy that Marika is safe and sound. Prayers do work!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hadley ~ I'm so happy that Marika is safe and sound. Prayers do work!

Thanks Dianna. So what did you end up deciding with your airfare?

 

[Grandma4ever]

Glad to hear that everyone is home safe and sound. I would still be very angry that I was told they would call and did not. That is the point as adults we need to do as we say we will. You are right the next time the little ones go with family the expectations for who will call and when need to be set up in advance. Maybe in time they will understand why everyone was concerned.

Lois

 

[Scrappingjen]

We would LOVE to do the dolphin encounter but my son is only 4 so we can't. Hope you get it. I think in Cozumel that we are going to try for the ATV excursion/beach break.

Booking thru Disney they don't allow 4 YO but straight thru the web site 4 yo are free but they seem sold out at any time we can use.

 

[Fizzgig]

And 2goofy - just keep chatting on this board. There are a LOT of friendly people. My granddaughter will be 3+ on this trip. It's my first Disney cruise and her 3rd or 4th. I'm sure at some time we should get together because the kids will be in Oceaneers Club together. Check out Post #1 on this thread for links to the kids club on Fizzgig's DoubleDip website. (Sorry B - I don't remember the URL)
Ok - I'm going back to lurking now

Hiya, Mom! DISdoubledip.com is the URL.

Love you!

 

[nenner1]

We're always here
In fact, this is what I did to mine:

That's too much! Mine's a mess. Papers sticking out everywhere....DCL papers, homemade "spreadsheets" & cheat sheets, parts of this thread printed out, post its sticking out here & there (not neatly). But when I do decide to get organized, I love the deluxe since you can move things around & add/remove pages!

We go to Disney World about 6 times/year, but I'm thinking it might be worth reading the Passporter Disney guide to see if we miss anything or if there's any tips I don't know!

As often as we're there.....and I too have a WDW one. It does have decent touring plans in there, if you don't use TGM or UG for that! I also have the DisneyLand one for that trip, whenever it may be!

I got through to MiL at about noon today and everyone (read MARIKA) is just fine.

Whew! So glad you can finally breathe a sigh of relief!!

CAPTAIN MARVINS:

I know a lot of you have booked Stingray City through them.....anyone doing the 1/2 day????? The times did not work out with Moby Dick so we are probably going to switch to CM. Will we have company???

 

[2goofy2luv]

On GC, we've booked an excursion independently through Nativeway Water Sports - the "Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens, and Star Fish Snorkel" excursion. For what they are offering, I think their prices are very reasonable. Let me know if you need their web address.

We're also doing an independent excursion on Cozumel. One of the dolphin encounters through Dolphin Discovery. Since DD is 5, she's free. Gotta love that. Even w/o her being free, their prices were much less than what offered direct through DCL. I may be wrong, but I don't think Dolphin Discovery has a minimum age for at least one of their programs. They do have a height requirement for swimming w/the dolphins though.

Please give me the email addresses for both of those websites. That definitely sounds like something I would be interested in. Grandma4ever recommended Captain Marvin in Grand Cayman and he does the stringray city but not the starfish. I will check both.
Thanks.

 

[cyndifan]

Does anyone recognize these hotel descriptions from Hotwire?
3 star at $75 w/amenities:

• pool
• laundry facilities

2.5 star at $69 w/amenities:

• near beach
• fitness center
• pool
• high speed internet access

I still need to make pre-trip ressies & want to make sure we actually end up w/a hotel where we can park the van during cruise.

Thanks!

 

[cyndifan]

Please give me the email addresses for both of those websites. That definitely sounds like something I would be interested in. Grandma4ever recommended Captain Marvin in Grand Cayman and he does the stringray city but not the starfish. I will check both.
Thanks.

Here's the link for Dolphin Discovery @ Cozumel:
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-location-overview.asp

As other posters have said, they (Dolphin Discovery) may be booked up for times that would work w/our docking times & such, but it wouldn't hurt to check.

Here's the link for Nativeway:
http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/

 

[2goofy2luv]

Here's the link for Dolphin Discovery @ Cozumel:
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-location-overview.asp

As other posters have said, they (Dolphin Discovery) may be booked up for times that would work w/our docking times & such, but it wouldn't hurt to check.

Here's the link for Nativeway:
http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/

Just got on Native way and they have a special going right now that if 10+ people book you can save $5 per person. Anyone interested in doing a group? What time are you going cyndifan?

 

[anewmac]

Does anyone recognize these hotel descriptions from Hotwire?
3 star at $75 w/amenities:

• pool
• laundry facilities

2.5 star at $69 w/amenities:

• near beach
• fitness center
• pool
• high speed internet access

I still need to make pre-trip ressies & want to make sure we actually end up w/a hotel where we can park the van during cruise.

Thanks!

where are they listed on hotwire.? Cocoa Beach? Also # of nights you put in for also makes a difference. I used better bidding dot com and it helped me figure out that I was getting Country Inn and Suiets (which is where I wanted)

ok just by looking at better bidding.. and guessing this is for Cocoa Beach.
your 2.5* is Days Inn. Not sure for your 3*

Heres a listing might help others too!

Cocoa Beach (Cocoa Beach - Cape Canaveral)
3* Country Inn and Suites
Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Pool, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry

3* Hilton (amenities not confirmed, but believed accurate)
Amenities: Beachfront, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Laundry

3* Holiday Inn Oceanfront (previously 2.5*)
Amenities: Beachfront, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Tennis, Laundry

2.5* Best Western Oceanfront (previously 3*)
Amenities: Oceanfront, Restaurant, Complimentary Breakfast, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry

2.5* Days Inn
Amenities: Near Beach, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

I'm off to work - just wanted to tell everyone to have a great day! Hadley - so glad all is okay! I know what it's like to have the kids gone and the worrying about it even though we know they're having a great time and we're just sitting here dying a thousand deaths...

Oh, the gray hairs on my head from my kids...

Have a great Sunday!!

 

[zweihund]

My 10 yr old got back from his first every Boy Scout camp. We realized as we were unpacking his bag that he literally wore one outfit the entire week (plus his boy scout uniform) - and that includes his underwear! I do NOT know who raised that child!!! Maybe he is already working on his "pirate" look with Fatcat......

That's what my husband does when I'm out of town!
Don't tell him I told you all that

That's too much! Mine's a mess. Papers sticking out everywhere....DCL papers, homemade "spreadsheets" & cheat sheets, parts of this thread printed out, post its sticking out here & there (not neatly). But when I do decide to get organized, I love the deluxe since you can move things around & add/remove pages!

I want to see a picture of yours now! I need some ideas for spreadsheets. I do need to start my packing list this week, maybe that will kick my excel planning mind in to gear?