I keep forgeting that it's Christmas time! Dec 2011 TR (*2/20*)

[disneydreamingdebby]

I'm hopping on the Walt & Minnie bandwagon - that is so precious! I'm a bit partial to Minnie, anyway, so...

The decorations all look so beautiful. The storefront windows look really well-done!

That is funny that the CM didn't think to ask if she knew her mom's number. We have a bracelet that we put on DD that has both our numbers on it and her allergy. It's not food - but medication. There is slim chance it would be important, but you never know, I guess!

Speaking of which, I better order her a new bracelet since she's getting bigger. I just made our reservations yesterday - we are staying at Pop for a long weekend in July!

I'm totally with you on getting back into the groove of school. It's so hard after Christmas break - I think even harder than after summer break.

Can't wait to see more updates!

If the girls didn't know our numbers, I would have purchased a bracelet or tattoo for them. I'm on the be safe boat. I've heard of others writing it in sharpee on a shoulder--hidden by shirt sleeve.

Which weekend in July? We don't have plans yet...Gregg picks vacation week in Feb. but I am thinking his weeks should be in July!

We (my colleagues and I) analyzed why it was so hard to come back. My theory is that I was away long enough to shut down and not worry about school, but not long enough to miss it and think of ways to make it better...summer gives you the time to walk away and the time to want to return...

Yay POP!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Debby! Did you find something to read? I am going to have to look up Project 17 -- it sounds interesting. I made the grievous error of thinking I would read Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury this weekend. Yeah, I am going to make a book blog about those first 100 pages, but I am now going to read a Fannie Flagg novel instead.

I love all of your pictures, but my favorite is the side one of Walt and Mickey and the pointsettas.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Hi, Debby! Did you find something to read? I am going to have to look up Project 17 -- it sounds interesting. I made the grievous error of thinking I would read Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury this weekend. Yeah, I am going to make a book blog about those first 100 pages, but I am now going to read a Fannie Flagg novel instead.

I love all of your pictures, but my favorite is the side one of Walt and Mickey and the pointsettas.

I started reading the 19th Wife, but I haven't picked it up since Friday...I think I better get to it before it vanishes from my nook!

I do have a set of very exciting analysis papers for Julius Caesar to read, and tomorrow will be an enthralling set of compare/ contrast papers. Truly, I enjoy reading my students's essay. I just HATE scoring them.

I read Sound and the Fury in college - but don't remember it. When I was a sophmore in college, I was assigned The Grapes of Wrath. I complained to my mom about it after reading the first page and she asked, "Want me to read to you?" So, at 19, I climbed in my bed, my mom pulled up a chair and read the first chapter. I don't remember her every reading to me as a child, but that memory makes up for it. It just goes to show you--a child's never too old to be read to.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

So, in keeping with my theme...I headed to Fantasyland solo. I wanted my kids to ride Dumbo so I could get the cool in front of the castle shot before the expansion changed the view. My kids weren't too thrilled so I dumped the plan and rode Dumbo solo. I wanted to get Fantasyland construction pics. I have to tell you. I felt dirty. Revealing the magic is just wrong...but I did it anyway!

I wait in line (feeling maybe sillier than waiting for my party of one announcement for Biergarten...), and end up chatting with the family in front of me. It was their first visit and the first day of their trip!

As we begin to load, I start to walk to a Dumbo, and see the LIME green one. As I am about to climb in it, a little boy comes running over- I want the green one! So, I am having an internal debate--little kid wants green Dumbo...demanding kid---I am an adult - it doesn't matter. Really, do I give in to a spoiled kid? It's a kid...

Then, the mom solves the problem. She promptly escorts him to the original Dumbo he was intended to ride.

This is a lucky family if they ever get my photo...if you know them let them know of this picture!

thought of Once Upon a Time...

looking at Tomorrowland Speedway...

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Heading over to Frontierland...solo or with family???

The reason you HAVE to go to the parks early!!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Okay so I had a really long reply typed and my internet shut down on me! I will start again...

Yay on riding Dumbo to get pics of the Fantasyland construction. Lol at the spoiled kid wanting to ride the Lime green Dumbo - am glad the mum solved the situation!

I never got to go on Dumbo (the queue was too long) so am enjoying seeing your pics - I can't wait for the work to be completed!

I am now even more intrigued by Once Upon a Time - can't wait to start watching it when it becomes available.

Wow going to the parks early sure makes a difference!

 

[creativeamanda]

Those treats look good!

Your pictures are so pretty! Thanks for sharing!

 

[MeMom]

Which weekend in July? We don't have plans yet...Gregg picks vacation week in Feb. but I am thinking his weeks should be in July!

There will be several DIS families there 4th of July week.

We (my colleagues and I) analyzed why it was so hard to come back. My theory is that I was away long enough to shut down and not worry about school, but not long enough to miss it and think of ways to make it better...summer gives you the time to walk away and the time to want to return...

Makes perfect sense.


Nice pictures of the construction. We look very forward to seeing it open little by little. It all started with a pile of dirt, and it's going to be awesome.

 

[DMGeurts]

Thanks for the great update Deb! I loved all the Dumbo pics, and I am glad you got to ride the green one.

I just hope that:

a. Dumbo is open again for our trip (very unlikely)
b. I can get a new picture of dd on Dumbo... Have one from 2003 and 2008 - in the exact same postition (wasn't planned), now I want a planned one.

D~

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Was that last picture a turkey leg rice crispy treat? I don't think I've ever seen that before.

I love pictures of the park when no one is around. Frontier Land is absolutely deserted.

 

[annmarieda]

I love all the pictures! Especially the expansion ones. When we were getting on dumbo, we were told we could not take pictures until or unless we were outside the gate. Before the ride even started, I got out my camera to just take a quick snap of my dd sitting next to me and I was quickly told by a cm to put my camera away. So... no expansion photos for me.

I have to agree with you on getting to the parks early. It really helps!!

 

[mgsmom]

Love the Dumbo pics! I'm hoping our last ones were enough - I figure by July the old Dumbo will be gone gone gone. I do like the expansion pics - I can't wait for them to open that!

Ditto on the turkey leg rice krispie treats. I see it says something about holiday on the display - so it is a dual purpose turkey leg!

We are not going over the 4th - probably the next to last weekend. Let me know your dates - maybe we will overlap! I'm already rethinking my original arrival date, simply because of our one park day. I do NOT want my one park day to be EMH p.m. for MK - we did that once and it was a mass of humanity, starting as early as 1pm! Our best experience at MK in the summer has been going the day after a p.m. EMH day. I guess everyone wore themselves out the night before!

So, what were the girls doing while you were on Dumbo?

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Okay so I had a really long reply typed and my internet shut down on me! I will start again...

Yay on riding Dumbo to get pics of the Fantasyland construction. Lol at the spoiled kid wanting to ride the Lime green Dumbo - am glad the mum solved the situation!

I never got to go on Dumbo (the queue was too long) so am enjoying seeing your pics - I can't wait for the work to be completed!

I am now even more intrigued by Once Upon a Time - can't wait to start watching it when it becomes available.

Wow going to the parks early sure makes a difference!

I hate when that happens to me!

Dumbo isn't really exciting, so you didn't miss much. Unless someone would have gotten your picture right in front of the castle while reading on a Dumbo in front of you... You'll be able to try the dueling Dumbos! (I don't think they are dueling, but there are two.)

You'll love Once Upon a Time!

Those treats look good!

Your pictures are so pretty! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! I'm glad your following along.

There will be several DIS families there 4th of July week.


Makes perfect sense.

Nice pictures of the construction. We look very forward to seeing it open little by little. It all started with a pile of dirt, and it's going to be awesome.

Dh loves the idea of being there for the 4th...me, not so much. BUT if I'd get to visit some of my dis townhall friends and THE MAYOR...I'd be excited and endure the crowds!

We won't know until Feb our summer dates. I am getting anxious, but just knowing we are going keeps me satisfied.

Thanks for the great update Deb! I loved all the Dumbo pics, and I am glad you got to ride the green one.

I just hope that:

a. Dumbo is open again for our trip (very unlikely)
b. I can get a new picture of dd on Dumbo... Have one from 2003 and 2008 - in the exact same postition (wasn't planned), now I want a planned one.

D~

I think that is one hard aspect of change. Rides have to go down, and someone misses out. Then, you have those changes that impact the yearly / anytime we visit photo.

Regardless, I know you ladies wouldn't let that cause more than a hiccup! You'll find another great place for the picture!

(I take one at the Animal Kingdom sign each trip -well, I think I missed a trip though...)

Was that last picture a turkey leg rice crispy treat? I don't think I've ever seen that before.

I love pictures of the park when no one is around. Frontier Land is absolutely deserted.

rice crispy turkey leg - fun, huh?!

I think it is fun to be there earlier for that very reason. It does seem like no one is in the parks!

I love all the pictures! Especially the expansion ones. When we were getting on dumbo, we were told we could not take pictures until or unless we were outside the gate. Before the ride even started, I got out my camera to just take a quick snap of my dd sitting next to me and I was quickly told by a cm to put my camera away. So... no expansion photos for me.

I have to agree with you on getting to the parks early. It really helps!!

Wow! No one said anything and I was there near the same time as you if not after... It was pretty obvious that I was riding it for the pictures too. I did have the honking DSLR out with an extra lens.

Love the Dumbo pics! I'm hoping our last ones were enough - I figure by July the old Dumbo will be gone gone gone. I do like the expansion pics - I can't wait for them to open that!

Ditto on the turkey leg rice krispie treats. I see it says something about holiday on the display - so it is a dual purpose turkey leg!

We are not going over the 4th - probably the next to last weekend. Let me know your dates - maybe we will overlap! I'm already rethinking my original arrival date, simply because of our one park day. I do NOT want my one park day to be EMH p.m. for MK - we did that once and it was a mass of humanity, starting as early as 1pm! Our best experience at MK in the summer has been going the day after a p.m. EMH day. I guess everyone wore themselves out the night before!

So, what were the girls doing while you were on Dumbo?

I am very excited for the expansion. I am not good at looking at construction photos to see what it will become. Heck, I am confused by the concept art...I need it to be real (and fast!)

New Dumbo will be ready for your dd's smiles and giggles!! I will certainly find a way to see you if we are in Florida at the same time!

While I was in line at Dumbo, the family came over from Space. I told them they didn't have to ride. (Kindly, they asked if I was sure...). I told them to head over to the speedway and I'd meet them there.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

As a family, we headed to Big Thunder. We rode a together and then the girls rode solo... This is a ride that I feel okay doing that. I walk them to the queue and go stand at the end. I can then see them on the ride...

We headed over to Splash, and I sent the three kids on. I refuse to walk around wet...especially in winter. While I waited by the photo viewing, the photo computer had issues and stopped working.

Dh walked towards me without the girls...the cm asked them if they wanted to go again, and they said yes! I guess dh either didn't want to or wanted to let me know...

CMs rebooted the computer and the photos popped up again!

After Splash, we had a train to catch. We were dining with Mickey!

Welcome Aboard Folks!

As we head into the American Wilderness...

Plenty of deer, antelope, and elk....

Almost out of the woods, folks...we are coming to the outskirts of Fantasyland...

Making future dreams come true...

For now it sure is exciting to think about all the fun that lies ahead...

We had some time, so we were going to ride the omnibus or another Main St. vehicle, but then I decided we would be cutting it too close. I wanted to check in to Mickey's early to see if we could make it in time for breakfast. I didn't know that our "lunch" time was still breakfast...

Park still somewhat empty...it was about 10:30 according to my date stamp...

We strolled to Contemporary

Enjoyed the decorations

I think Disney is the only place that inspires my dh to shop.

Then, we settled into some comfy chairs and waited for our buzzer to go off. I was ready for a nap, so I wasn't in a hurry.

 

[DMGeurts]

What an awesome update Deb... I just love looking at your pictures - they are so crystal clear!

I can't believe how empty the park was at that time of the morning, we always get there early too - but at that time of the day, we are usually still going round n' round on Splash, and don't notice that there aren't any crowds.

I am debating if there are rides I can let my girls go on alone too... ToT and RnR for sure, possibly SM - I don't really enjoy dark coasters all that much. I guess I will have to see how I feel and what my "mom's intuition" says to me that day, because normally I don't let them out of my sight.

D~

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I came here to vent. I think it is better than venting on facebook, but either way I wouldn't ever say anything unprofessional. (unless whining to friends is unprofessional)

I had a parent send me a nasty, nasty email tonight. She told me I laughed at her daughter and accused her of lying.

I had to take the high road and simply write what truly happened (without saying truly of course.) I had to ignore that she told me off; called me unprofessional, and threated to go to the superintendant.

I am spitting mad and sad at the same time. I am optimistic that I smoothed ruffle feathers, or will in the future, but it still sucks.

I try so hard, and I love my students (even the ones who sometimes make it hard to love them).

I thought I'd come to Distown and vent. It is silly, and I will get over it. It felt good to share.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

So sorry to hear that I had a mom come to my school several weeks ago and was upset with me and questioned my teaching/certificate/etc because I'm not Montessori trained. She pretty much told on myself and the other assistant which made me mad since the lead teacher seems to be in and out of the room all day socializing but thankfully the lead and director covered for us and assured the parent that everything was A-OK and you have to get your start somewhere. Meanwhile, I'm the only one with a legit education background unlike the others who had other careers and changed to the education where all you have to do is take an 8 week class to be able to teach...I bet you the mom doesn't know that one!!!!!

Anyways..sorry to steal your thunder but I know how it feels too I know it's far worse in the public schools but it's hard at my school too where they pay $10,000 per kid per year! I hope everything works out!!! <3

 

[MeMom]

I came here to vent. I think it is better than venting on facebook, but either way I wouldn't ever say anything unprofessional. (unless whining to friends is unprofessional)

I had a parent send me a nasty, nasty email tonight. She told me I laughed at her daughter and accused her of lying.

I had to take the high road and simply write what truly happened (without saying truly of course.) I had to ignore that she told me off; called me unprofessional, and threated to go to the superintendant.

I am spitting mad and sad at the same time. I am optimistic that I smoothed ruffle feathers, or will in the future, but it still sucks.

I try so hard, and I love my students (even the ones who sometimes make it hard to love them).

I thought I'd come to Distown and vent. It is silly, and I will get over it. It felt good to share.

Better here than Facebook, for sure. I know some teachers who put things on FB that make me shake my head and wonder how much they value their jobs.

I've been chewed out a time or two, as well, for situations that clearly did not happen. Kids can play on a parent's emotions and sway a story however they want it swayed. I always invite the parent(s) to make a drop-in visit any time they want to in order to alleviate any fears they might have of things they speculate are happening. Rarely do I have one take me up on it, but when they do, I welcome them to stay, get more acquainted with the class, and get a more realistic view of how things go.

I'm sure if the parent has any sense at all, they will take your words of wisdom to heart. Glad you were able to safely vent your frustrations here.

 

[Queenofallthings]

What is happening in our world today? When I was a kid, god help me if my parents got a call from the school...whatever punishment I got at school was nothing compared to what greeted me when I walked thru the door! I don't understand parents .... I really don't! You are a fantastic lady and an incredible teacher...don't forget that

 

[mgsmom]

I'm with you, Deb. I think it's probably harder on you to have that happen BECAUSE you are so dedicated and you KNOW you do a good job. All of us who truly care really take that stuff personally. You can always vent here.

And, love the pics of the girls on the rides. They must have had the best time, evah! And Disney inspires my DH to shop, too, strangely enough.

Hey, here's a question for you - you are the expert! We are only going to do MK one day on our trip. The Friday that I had originally planned is MK EMH in the evening. There is just no way we will take advantage of that - DD is better but will likely poop out before 10. So, I thought about pushing out the trip so that we would be there that Sat morning, in hopes that all the late-nighters were sleeping in and would choose another park that day. What do you think? Clever or silly?