Hakuna Kidani, What a Turtleful Phrase!

[Mndisneygirl]

Hope your birthday was Magical MEMOM!!!

 

[daisylove]

Happy Birthday Again! I hope it was a great day! I'm so happy you have made it to Vero. I realized on the way home I really did not take a lot of pictures. So I will relive it through your posts. Just so peaceful and pretty.

Just saw my countdown. Sunday starts the kids and my ( no wdw hating hubby) big summer WDW trip!! We have been counting down all summer. Of course unfortunately it also means Summer is almost over. Sigh. Sorry you already had to go back.
The good is always tempered with some reality. But I will do my best to forget that for the next week

 

[uncw89]

Wow, we share birthdays. Have a wonderful Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you and Memom!!! Hope you all had a magical day!!!
I'm behind as usual! I'm also still in Cali!!! I'll post some pics next week when I get home!! There are a few on Facebook!!!

 

[LookinUp]

Gawrsh, I almost made it to Distown in time for your birthday! I hope you enjoyed sprinkles of pixie dust from breakfast to bedtime. Wishing you another wonderful, grand-girl-filled year.

Creative restroom sign.



This cute sign could be confusing. Did you notice that the girl symbol is under "Buoys" and under "Gulls" is the boy figure? Vero sure was having some sign hiccups when you were there!

 

[sunny_stace]

Happy belated birthday MeMom!! Hope it was a great day!

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Happy belated birthday! I am going to have to put checking in on your trip report on my daily to-do list! I am always so far behind because I just forget to DIS - silly me!

I can't wait to see cottage pictures! I am going to research Vero Beach right now.

Any pointers for our first time at Pop? It's just going to be a quick overnight next weekend - pool and resort time, no parks. We are seasonal pass holders so we are blacked out for a couple more weeks. Any favorites we should request when we do our online check in?

 

[Luv2trav]

I am loving your trip report.. So detailed and I can't wait for the next installment.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I'm a bad friend...I missed your birthday. Sorry!

I do wish you a wonderful year and I hope all of your wishes come true!
If Jill and the girls didn't get you that new WDW parks CD I will sent one to you!



An update on my DMom. We met with the eye specialist this morning and she actually has two conditions.
Neither of which will result in blindness, as first predicted.
This doctor does not want to do any surgery right away.
My DMom has another apt in January and they will decide the course of action then.
This was good news today!
Thank you to anyone who sent good wishes or prayers her way! you!

Trip is a go for August and she can fly so we are thrilled!
Only 22 more sleeps!
Lexi wants to add these...

 

[jillyb]

Happy belated birthday! I am going to have to put checking in on your trip report on my daily to-do list! I am always so far behind because I just forget to DIS - silly me!

I can't wait to see cottage pictures! I am going to research Vero Beach right now.

Any pointers for our first time at Pop? It's just going to be a quick overnight next weekend - pool and resort time, no parks. We are seasonal pass holders so we are blacked out for a couple more weeks. Any favorites we should request when we do our online check in?

I, personally, love Building 4! It's the '60's building and it has the giant can of Play Doh. Very close to the bus stops and lobby. The Hippy Dippy Pool is right there as well.

 

[princess_momma]

I'm a day late, but happy birthday!

 

[MeMom]

Ahhhhh - Vero Beach! It was actually my first DVC stay and I had the most fabulous view of the ocean.

I think the beach cottages look amazing and you were so lucky to be able to stay there. Wowsa! I really can't wait to see what they look like on the inside. I could only covet them from the outside.

The cottages are very nice. They could spoil a person very quickly! We are extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to stay there.

Yay! We're at Vero! We visited there in July 2010 just for lunch when we stayed in Cocoa Beach. We didn't know then that we'd be owners there just a few months later!! It was our first DVC contract, and we have yet to stay there. Maybe soon....

I wish we could have spent more time exploring that whole area. Hope you get to experience it for yourselves soon.

Okay, after just that introduction of pictures, you have me seriously considering renting points at Vero Beach after Disney in the next couple of years. All I can say is WOW!

It would the perfect ending to a Disney World trip. It's a nice place to do some relaxing and slow re-entering into the real world.

I am loving the last few moments of WDW and DTD as you hop in the car and head to Vero.

I did find the spelling error on the Breakfast sign but I did have to look close since my old eyes find the print so small. Either that or I need a bigger computer screen.


Happy Back to School Eve and I hope your year is filled with laughs, giggles and smiles from everyone.

Enjoy that part time job but don't overdo it. I hope it meets your needs and you can put some money in the Disney fund without burning the candle at both ends.

The first grade teachers have looked at my roster today. They have assured me that my good year last year will not be a repeat.

I think the job will be just what I need to give me a little help in taking care of some Disney meals in December. I will be paying for our table service meals for everyone as their Christmas/birthday gifts, since I don't buy things at those times. They all have more money than I do, and they don't really need anything else in their already filled houses, so this works out nicely. They don't have to worry about those big meals during the Disney trip, so that helps their travel budget. I don't waste time or money buying things here at home. We all get together around a huge Disney table and have a great time, so it works for everyone.

Speling eror? Their coulldn't possiblly be any speling erors on Dizney propurty. Do you think the singmakers would spell so weaklly??? No ma'am......no speling erors around hear..........

Lots of great pictures of Vero Beach. Haven't been there yet, but it looks like a relaxing resort. Now I just need to figure out what it's like to actually relax on a trip instead of rushing to make rope drop, a parade or a show.

I really liked the hatching turtle magnets(?)

The older I get and the more little ones we have coming along, the more we have learned how to relax in Disney World.

Yes, those were magnets.

Believe it or not, another error will be seen on another Vero sign in coming pictures.

The picture of the beach was wonderful. I can't wait to see more.

Wasn't it pretty? Add in standing there listening to the waves and feeling the ocean breeze - it was wonderful!!!

That is such a beautiful place! We go down to that area in March for a month, will have to drive to Vero & check it out.

Wow, school seems to start earlier every year. The first of August is too soon.

A whole month? Nice! Hope you get to check it out!

I think July should be exempt from any school activities - or even any mention of school.

Vero beach looks lovely so far! I'm excited to see more of it! My cousin and I have been considering a little family trip there so seeing it through your eyes will be awesome!

Good luck with back to school! Do we get to see pictures of this year's room?

You would be disappointed in my efforts this year. I have a bunch of Brooklynn's/my animals all around the room, and that's about it. I will try to remember to bring the camera and get a few shots, but I didn't go out of my way this year. I just wasn't into decorating too much for whatever reason.

Jill and I talked about Vero being a very cool way to end a WDW trip. We'd go, go, go in the parks for a week, and then we'd slide on over to Vero to put our feet up and relax for about three days before getting back into real life.

Finally catching up!
Yes, that's what I told you.
Lana. Be ready to take pictures of Lexi taking the oath when she joins up in the Club. I'm sure they will let her in. They were not nice at all about me joining. The things I do for MeMom.....
I'm wondering now if there are any youtube videos of folks joining up as well.... Hmmmmmm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHi7P_tDTuU

I will have to watch the video when I am at home. I appreciate your efforts and the amazing way you growled to be able to get the booklets.

I was exactly five pages behind!
It sure seems like an eternity....
I can't believe you spent the day in inservices already. I hope you weren't bored to tears or snores.
I can't begin to count the hours I have spent in this new classroom trying to get it to feel right.
It's beginning to take shape but thankfully we don't report for another 8 days. I have plenty to do in the meantime.

Caren, I am so happy that we have finally arrived at Vero. I am missing that place even more than WDW. Rest and relaxation sounds awfully good at the moment...

Oh and those Vero shopping pics, I did get the child's shirt for myself, and Marc and i both both bought the adult shirts. They are kind of a novelty since you don't see them everywhere!
The pins were a whole different story!

Lana, we also have used Garden Grocer many times and have been very happy with their service. One time they made a mistake and missed something on our order, we called them and they came out immediately with the missed item. However, I do prefer to rent a car and do my own grocery shopping.

I am between the school day and Meet the Teacher Night right now. Being at Vero would be infinitely better!!!

I am sure your classroom is amazing, as always! I couldn't get myself in gear this year. Nothing 'spoke' to me.

Of course I won't laugh. I'm not that great at bowling either.

I love that restroom sign!! LOL

I did find the spelling error.

Happy Birthday Memom!!

Thanks for the birthday wish. We ate together at Cracker Barrel for Sunday brunch, and Jill's gang is coming to Nashville this weekend. Brooklynn and I will share a birthday celebration at none other than.........

her favorite celebration place.......



Red Robin!

Vero Beach looks so pretty! I love the theming around the pool, very cool. And the merchandise there is pretty good for an off-property Disney resort. I love the shirts and those tubs of ice cream are making me hungry, not to mention the grub you grabbed on the pool deck.

Can't wait to see the photos of your cottage, I can imagine it must be so pretty!

It was a great cottage. OUr hosts spoiled us.

I think the burger with the tomato - mine - looks so much better than that plain one - Jill's.

Thank you Ms Anita & Dancin_Princess for your comments on Garden Grocer.
It's great to have that service available if I ever decide to use it.

Ahhhh....the first glimpse of Vero Beach is beautiful!
I love the beach! I would go there in a heartbeat.
I suspect this will not be the last trip you make there.
Cool decor in the store with all the oranges! When I think of Florida, that is the first symbol I think of.

Good Luck with your new school year! I hope this bunch of students will be kind to you!

I commend you for taking on an extra job to help fund your Disney trips...wish you well with it and I hope your leg doesn't bother you too much.

Florida oranges are delicious, no doubt. You need to get an Orange Bird souvenir next time.

I am looking forward to meeting some of the parents tonight. The norm is that about 1/4 to 1/3 of parents will come on this night. Most of the others will come tomorrow morning for the first day. A small percentage, we will never see. Not all year. Not for any activity. Never. It boggles my mind how they can let someone take care of and be with their children for so much time, and they never meet that person. I guess there are circumstances beyond what I understand with some. I am grateful that I knew my children's teachers well.

Honestly, the job is going to be a killer. I will be standing the entire time. I plan to keep Aleve in business.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

A little late on this, but Happy Belated Birthday MeMom!

 

[MeMom]

Hi MeMom! We just got back on Saturday from WDW. Things have been in full swing for me. I went yesterday to my new classroom to do some work. I'm going back today. Your pictures of Vero are bringing back memories for me. We decided to go there for Labor Day weekend with my parents. Just a short little weekend getaway, as our passes will have expired and we aren't getting new ones yet. It's about a 2 hour drive for us. Also, I noticed that you wanted info about the Wilderness Explorer activity at Animal Kingdom. We did it, but I don't have any pictures of it. What was I thinking! The next time we go we are planning on doing more as we had a severe thunderstorm roll through while we were there and got rained out. Well, I'm off to get ready but I'll be back later to tell you about it.

I thought I responded to this already, but I am not seeing it. I will be happy to hear about the Explorers program. After we get settled, I think I want to use something like this in my classroom.

Must be nice to only have a two hour trip to Disney fun!

Happy Birthday MeMom!!!

Happy birthday MeMom!!! I hope you have a magical day!

Happy, happy Birthday, MeMom. Hope it is a magical day in every way.

​

Happy Birthday MeMom.

I hope you have a great first day of school and a great Birthday

Happy Birthday! I hope you get to do something fun on this day.

May your Birthday be filled with blessings and pixiedust.

Happy Birthday!!!

Jill in CO

MeMom!!! Wishing you a magical day filled with and and lots of

MeMom's having a Birthday!!!

Hope you have a wonderful and VERY Happy Birthday!!!

Vero Beach is gorgeous! Can't wait to see the room pics (even though I saw them already on FB!).

Happy Birthday MeMom!!!

How beautiful! I've never been to Disney Vero Beach, but I have a cousin who is a pastor in Vero. DH (who is a pastor) and I keep trying to tell the Lord that people on the beach need a preacher too!

Looks like a beautiful resort. Looking forward to seeing more.

Hope you are having an awesome birthday memom!

Hope your day is as beautiful as those girls

Happy Birthday MeMom As Carol Burnett says" I'm so glad we've had this time together!

Your fan on Long Island! Deb

Happy Birthday Memom!!

Happy happy birthday!!!!

I'd got a bit behind again but have enjoyed reading through and catching up again today

Happy birthday MeMom

Happy Birthday!!!

Wow, Vero looks amazing! I'm really looking forward to hearing about your adventures there. The beach and Disney together? Too perfect for words!

Wow, we share birthdays. Have a wonderful Happy Birthday!

I hope you had a wonderful Birthday as well!!!

Hope your birthday was Magical MEMOM!!!

Happy Birthday Again! I hope it was a great day! I'm so happy you have made it to Vero. I realized on the way home I really did not take a lot of pictures. So I will relive it through your posts. Just so peaceful and pretty.

Just saw my countdown. Sunday starts the kids and my ( no wdw hating hubby) big summer WDW trip!! We have been counting down all summer. Of course unfortunately it also means Summer is almost over. Sigh. Sorry you already had to go back.
The good is always tempered with some reality. But I will do my best to forget that for the next week

Happy Birthday to you and Memom!!! Hope you all had a magical day!!!
I'm behind as usual! I'm also still in Cali!!! I'll post some pics next week when I get home!! There are a few on Facebook!!!

Happy belated birthday MeMom!! Hope it was a great day!

I'm a day late, but happy birthday!

A little late on this, but Happy Belated Birthday MeMom!

Thanks, everyone for the good wishes. Sorry I had to take out so many cakes, dancers, balloons, etc to fit you all under the smilies limit. I am happy that I got to celebrate some birthdays in WDW before we went to this balanced calendar, because it won't be happening again until after I retire. All of your kind wishes here and on FB definitely brightened my day!

daisylove, have a great trip!

Elena, I know you are having a blast out there! Can't wait to hear about it!

Cathy, Vero needs your husband! Now you just have to get one more daughter on board with moving south.

Wicket's mom, Happy Birthday to you, too! What did you do that was special?

Gawrsh, I almost made it to Distown in time for your birthday! I hope you enjoyed sprinkles of pixie dust from breakfast to bedtime. Wishing you another wonderful, grand-girl-filled year.

Creative restroom sign.



This cute sign could be confusing. Did you notice that the girl symbol is under "Buoys" and under "Gulls" is the boy figure? Vero sure was having some sign hiccups when you were there!

I absolutely did not notice that! I was looking at the words thinking it was so cute, and I didn't even look at the pictures. Another sign hiccup will be coming in a later picture. Vero might need a new sign person, huh? I bet there would be plenty of volunteers to go work in a neat place like that!

Happy belated birthday! I am going to have to put checking in on your trip report on my daily to-do list! I am always so far behind because I just forget to DIS - silly me!

I can't wait to see cottage pictures! I am going to research Vero Beach right now.

Any pointers for our first time at Pop? It's just going to be a quick overnight next weekend - pool and resort time, no parks. We are seasonal pass holders so we are blacked out for a couple more weeks. Any favorites we should request when we do our online check in?

I, personally, love Building 4! It's the '60's building and it has the giant can of Play Doh. Very close to the bus stops and lobby. The Hippy Dippy Pool is right there as well.

It depends on if you want a lake view or a pool view, I guess. Now that lake view means you are looking across at AoA instead of dead land and abandoned buildings, it's pretty nice. I have stayed in every building except Lady/Building #1. I prefer the 50's and 60's, but that's probably because I am old. My least favorite is anything around the Computer Pool, but many people love that area. Thanks to JillyB for her help. That is definitely a good building! Maybe others will chime in, too, and help you find some direction that fits your tastes.

I am loving your trip report.. So detailed and I can't wait for the next installment.

Sorry that I am not going to be very good at updates this week with school starting. I will try to make up for that this weekend. Don't give up on us, though. When I get the chance to do pictures, I try to put up a lot at once.

I'm a bad friend...I missed your birthday. Sorry!

I do wish you a wonderful year and I hope all of your wishes come true!
If Jill and the girls didn't get you that new WDW parks CD I will sent one to you!



An update on my DMom. We met with the eye specialist this morning and she actually has two conditions.
Neither of which will result in blindness, as first predicted.
This doctor does not want to do any surgery right away.
My DMom has another apt in January and they will decide the course of action then.
This was good news today!
Thank you to anyone who sent good wishes or prayers her way! you!

Trip is a go for August and she can fly so we are thrilled!
Only 22 more sleeps!
Lexi wants to add these...

Thanks for the cool Happy Birthday picture. So glad your mom got a good report on her eyes.

Lexi has plenty to woo hoo about! Keep counting. You are almost there!


*******************************

Okay, guys, I am wiped out. Time for a shower and bed. The buses roll in tomorrow!

 

[vamassey1]

Vero Beach is just beautiful. It looks so relaxing and calm. "Just go with he flow." Can't wait to see the pictures of the cottage. I know I saw them on facebook but that seems like such a long time ago.

Good Luck tomorrow with your new class. I hope they turn out better than the first grade teacher are predicting. My oldest has finally gotten a full time teaching job in Austin. He's going to be a Special Education teacher. He'll be working with the 4th graders that need help with math and reading to get them ready for testing. I'm so excited for him. He's always been so good and patient with kids. He's had lots of practice with Danielle. He's hoping it works into a music teacher position. Poor guy, his degree is in music education. He passed his certification for that here in Louisiana. He had to pass it there in Texas too. For this position he had to pass certification for special education for K-6. After being hired the district came back and said new for this year he had to pass certification to be a teacher for grades K-6. He had 5 days to study for the test and part of it was Texas history. Luckily he passed, so I guess now he's a jack of all trades.

Danielle has 9th grade orientation tomorrow all day. I have to show up at 2 so I pay for all her fees and buy uniform stuff. They start on the 12th. Summer sure went fast.

 

[MeMom]

Vero Beach is just beautiful. It looks so relaxing and calm. "Just go with he flow." Can't wait to see the pictures of the cottage. I know I saw them on facebook but that seems like such a long time ago.

Good Luck tomorrow with your new class. I hope they turn out better than the first grade teacher are predicting. My oldest has finally gotten a full time teaching job in Austin. He's going to be a Special Education teacher. He'll be working with the 4th graders that need help with math and reading to get them ready for testing. I'm so excited for him. He's always been so good and patient with kids. He's had lots of practice with Danielle. He's hoping it works into a music teacher position. Poor guy, his degree is in music education. He passed his certification for that here in Louisiana. He had to pass it there in Texas too. For this position he had to pass certification for special education for K-6. After being hired the district came back and said new for this year he had to pass certification to be a teacher for grades K-6. He had 5 days to study for the test and part of it was Texas history. Luckily he passed, so I guess now he's a jack of all trades.

Danielle has 9th grade orientation tomorrow all day. I have to show up at 2 so I pay for all her fees and buy uniform stuff. They start on the 12th. Summer sure went fast.

There is definitely a 'go with the flow' Crush factor at Vero. There were a variety of activities available if you wanted to stay busy, but whenever you wanted to just stroll the beach, hang out in a deck chair, or just curl up on the couch and watch a movie, all of those options were there and were fitting, as well. I liked the fact that there were some educational opportunities, too. Brooklynn got to see a sea turtle lay eggs, and every time I think about her getting to do that, it thrills me!

Good luck to your son in his new position. So many of our kids are in need of smaller groups and extra attention. They can be much more successful when given those optimum conditions.

Those beginning of the year expenses can zap a budget, can't they? I remember what it was like to pay three book fees and get all those supplies. The worst years were when one of them needed a high ticket item, like a calculator. Tell your 9th grader to enjoy these last carefree summer days!


*******************************


In about 20 minutes, the quiet halls outside my door will fill with the pitter patter of little (and big) feet. Some students will still be half asleep, having been used to sleep late summer days. Some will have tears. Some will be excited to see friends again. As teachers at this particular school, we have a mission that extends beyond the educational aspects, as many, many of our kids come from homes that are less than what you and I are blessed to have. We have some good parents, no doubt. We also have parents who should not be parenting in their present conditions. We have parents who pick up their kids smelling like alcohol or marijuana, or they are clearly impatient or agitated and cursing the child into the car. Some of those cars are barely running. Some of our kids have lived in their cars. Some live with grandparents who are doing their best to help out. We have a mixed bag of circumstances, much of which is not desirable. Our building is clean and safe. We have plenty of food here. We have teachers who speak and dress and act as good examples. This is a good place for our kids to be. I pray that we will have a safe, happy, healthy new school year for all as we begin this new adventure today.

I think this beginning is especially heavy on my heart, as one of our students was killed in a car accident about two weeks ago. Yesterday was his 7th birthday. His parents and little brother came to school yesterday for a celebration of his life and a balloon release. The mother is still in a wheelchair and has to undergo at least two more surgeries. She cried the entire time. Most of us did, too. I think we will all cherish our students just a little extra this morning as they arrive. Their little buddy, Abram, has gone on to play in a better world. We, as teachers, will do our best to make days good and happy for those still playing on playgrounds here. For those of you who are willing, your prayers are appreciated for this family, in particular, and for our school year here.

Also, our favorite Distown doctor is having some surgery Friday. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers, as well. Cara, we've got you surrounded in Distown love!

 

[DWGal210]

I'll definitely pray for that young man & his family - how awful.

The students are lucky to have you & the other teachers at your school. If I taught, I know it would be hard on me to see kids who's parents didn't care, were abusive, absent etc.

Have a great day!!

 

[DWGal210]

Oh & Cara - thoughts & prayers to you as well!

 

[KatMark]

Prayers for that little boy and his family, prayers for your students, teachers, administrators, etc., and prayers for Cara.

 

[jillyb]

That just breaks my heart about the little boy and his family My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

Prayers for Cara too!

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Prayers and hugs to the family of little Abram.
Prayers also for Cara..... as a Nurse, I always pray for the surgeon, the nurses and the anesthesiologist to be at their best and spread the healing power of God (or whatever anyone else would like to call Him).

MeMom, you made me cry today during your touching descriptions of the wee ones in your loving care. Hope that you all have a wonderful adventure this year!

Okay back to work for me. Lunch break over. Deb