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

[disneydreamingdebby]

I'm glad you decided to interact with the characters and oh no on not one of them getting your reference Suppose their not fans of the show.

I thought the strawberry soup was meh - didn't enjoy it but am glad Hannah did.

Great shots of the girls with the characters, the Gingerbread house and the Christmas tree

It was okay that they weren't fans of Once, but really Prince Charming was Prince Boring...he could have played along.

I liked the soup, but it isn't on the LOVE list like Tonga Toast or Ohana's pot stickers and bread pudding.

We didn't get to see Mickey and Minnie in their cute clothes. They weren't around when we were there.

That entrance is so pretty with all of the background trees!

At GF, you wait for a bus in style.

Their costumes were awesome! The bus stop is a hoot!

Love the classroom....love that quote on the wall, it really says it all doesn't it! I love how organized everything is...I am a bit OCD so I love organization! I used to dread some parent/teacher conferences because let me tell you, not all of their rooms looked like yours....heart palpitations anyone?

You pictures from the GF are breathtaking....I love the ones of the girls with the characters! The entrance way is stunning and Mickey and Minnie in their finest clothes...doesn't get better than that!

Thanks! I am a bit OCD too. The room actually has a couple of elements that I would have liked to have cleaned up before taking the pictures, but...

If I had known about M and M, we would have showed up in our finery for our Christmas card picture. Alas, we had that planned --that post will be coming in the furture.

Again, I am grateful for your TR. You seem to have taken pictures of little things I missed. I took pics of the gingerbread house, but totally missed Santa. I have never been to 1900 PF. I wonder if I should put it on my "bucket list" . DD loves strawberries and I am always reading about this soup...

Thank you! I am enjoying seeing your pictures and reading about your trip as your family viewed things!

We really enjoyed the experience at 1900 PF for dinner. I wouldn't pay the money for it again though. I think it is a good choice on the dining plan, and helps you maximize the benefit of the dining plan. Now, the breakfast is not ridiculously overpriced (YET) and I would go there without being on the plan.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Happy Friday! Here's a little gem that I noticed on my board at the end of the day. (You'd swear nothing productive happens in my room with the way they add stuff to the boards when I am greeting others in the hall or helping another student...Thank goodness they never put anything bad!)

We headed from the posh bus stop to DHS.

There is no way for me to do justice to this...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love your new quote and the rest of your classroom! Is it a wall decal or did you paint it?

Had to laugh about your drawing. My students are always leaving their artwork on my boards -- lately, for some reason , they have all been mouse-themed.

Beautiful pictures of the Grand Floridian and the Osborne lights! Just gorgeous! Too funny that you asked the characters if they had ever been to Storybrooke.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Oh my That is my favorite thing to see at Christmas so thank you so much for sharing those gorgeous pics! I will never forget being there the first year when Jasmine was still little and how she thought the fake snow was so funny...I guess when you get tons of the stuff every year a child would wonder

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I failed to mention that I met my friend and her family at Bo when we entered the park. They were spent and headed out, but they had Toy Story FPs to give to us. Three of them. I decided that the girls and dh could ride. So the plan was to see the lights and head to Toy Story.

While enjoying the amazing lights, Emma was melting. She was exhausted and couldn't take it anymore.

Change of plans...I took Emma back to BC and Gregg and Hannah stayed to use the FPs.

On our way out, I tried to snap some pictures. Em just wanted to go to bed, but she was okay stopping a couple of times for 10 second increments.

Emma and I exited the park and saw a very long line at the boat dock. A boat was leaving, so we probably would have waited for two boats to catch a ride. We decided to walk back. Then, we decided to jog back. Hahaha. I couldn't fit in a run the whole trip and then, I was able to fit in a mile...

As we jogged back, passing s family, I commented, we are running home to get some sleep. It was silly, but Emma was happy.

By the way, we beat the boat.

Once back at the resort, Emma was patient with me again for some pictures.

I LOVED the store windows!!! If I ever have a beach place, I will be decorating it for the holidays like this...

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Love your new quote and the rest of your classroom! Is it a wall decal or did you paint it?

Had to laugh about your drawing. My students are always leaving their artwork on my boards -- lately, for some reason , they have all been mouse-themed.

Beautiful pictures of the Grand Floridian and the Osborne lights! Just gorgeous! Too funny that you asked the characters if they had ever been to Storybrooke.

It is a wall decal. I can't even imagine the trouble I would have gotten into if I had painted it. (Although, if anyone damages any letters, I might paint it back in...) I ordered it from Writing on the Walls on etsy... It is a transfer and the brick wall wasn't the easiest to transfer it on, but it was the best location in the room.

About the Mickey, I posted the picture on my school facebook and said - "Who and when?" The kids commented and the artist said, I should have added Donald...


I love Once Upon a Time...I think I will ask more female characters about Storybrooke--someone is bound to be a fan!

Oh my That is my favorite thing to see at Christmas so thank you so much for sharing those gorgeous pics! I will never forget being there the first year when Jasmine was still little and how she thought the fake snow was so funny...I guess when you get tons of the stuff every year a child would wonder

I was surprised that the snow was cold! I really thought that it was quite realistic! I warned the girls not to open their mouths to catch it...which is totally normal snow behavior. We haven't had much this season... Our temps this week are 40 and 50 - last week we had two days that were 65 and 67...to compare- it has to be 30ish to snow and normally we are in the 20/30 range. Florida has been in the 80s- which is crazy for them! I'd like to see some white stuff- it would be more normal!

 

[annmarieda]

Your pictures of Osbourne Family lights are simply amazing!!! I really was impressed with the lights, but dh was so overwhelmed and wanting to leave that I had to do quick "click" and move on and "click" and move on shots.

I think it is cool you got to run back to BW! And you beat the boat!!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great night shots on the way out! Those store windows are gorgeous....can you imagine that being your job....I guess tho it will never be mine because I don't have an artistic bone in my body

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Your pictures of Osbourne Family lights are simply amazing!!! I really was impressed with the lights, but dh was so overwhelmed and wanting to leave that I had to do quick "click" and move on and "click" and move on shots.

I think it is cool you got to run back to BW! And you beat the boat!!!

Thanks. Dh kind of wandered off on his own to snap pictures with his phone. I had no idea where he was, so I plopped down on a bench and took it all in. The girls were worried about finding him; I really enjoyed the bench!

Great night shots on the way out! Those store windows are gorgeous....can you imagine that being your job....I guess tho it will never be mine because I don't have an artistic bone in my body

Poor Emma. I kept saying, "wait, just a minute."

I love the colors. It would be an awesome job! I take inspiration from other's ideas and then I look creative... ( I guess I am a little creative because I tweak things.) Have you checked out Pinterest yet? Warning: it is addicting.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

My dh was quite clear that he wanted our Christmas card to include a picture with Mickey. So I had to include in my plans times and places to get pictures with Mickey and other characters in their holiday attire! (I wish I had known about the GF - see previous post, but alas, I didn't.) I had to make sure we had our own Christmas attire. I shopped all over for green/ red short sleeve shirts for my girls. No luck. So I ended up getting them red and green tank tops!

I learned that Animal Kingdom was the best location for the picture shoot!

(look at how they've grown from my avatar pic!)

As we entered, my typical commando hubby stopped for these guys.

And as usual, I stopped for this lovely sight.

and this one:

The character trail didn't open until 9, so we had two hours...

up first- as always-

One of my most favorite captures!!!

I fufilled my obligatory ride, and shopped in the store while my family went on again (and again).

I headed down to Tusker to see about changing our reservation. Since I learned that the character trail wasn't open until 9, our breakfast time wasn't going to work. The CM was super nice and said just come when you can; it won't be a problem.

On my way, this guy was playing a Christmas carol. (I wish I noted which one!) Everyone is in such a hurry (as usual). I stopped, snapped picture, listened to the song, and clapped, which he was appreciative of. I think he was the apprentice to the other guy in the picture. I too was in a hurry, but it was nice to stop and enjoy the experience albeit briefly.

This tree calls my name again!

I have to run--literally... I will return later this afternoon with our choices for the Christmas card!

 

[annmarieda]

Looks like a great morning!

Cant wait to read more

 

[mgsmom]

Great updates! The Osborne lights look phenomenal!!! Wow!!! I'm sure that is definitely hard to feel like your pictures do justice to - but your pics are great!

I can't wait to see what you got for your Christmas card! I agree that the entry at GF would definitely have been a great one. And they have TVs and fans at the bus stop? I will definitely have to tell DH that one - he keeps asking me why the deluxes are so expensive - it's all those extras. And location, of course.

I love that capture you got of the girls, too - I actually teared up a little bit - made me think of my sister.

I also like the new classroom art! I'm going to have to work on mine - my stuff is getting a little old...

 

[MeMom]

I failed to mention that I met my friend and her family at Bo when we entered the park.

I want you to tell a non-DISer to meet them at Bo in Disney World, and see where they end up! Can't you picture someone trying to play it off like they knew, then scrambling to the WDW website and searching for BO?

As we jogged back, passing s family, I commented, we are running home to get some sleep. It was silly, but Emma was happy.

Unexpected, but a sweet few minutes of the trip, I am betting.

I LOVED the store windows!!! If I ever have a beach place, I will be decorating it for the holidays like this...

I love tropical themed Christmas stuff. I got pictures at Polynesian, Beach Club, Caribbean Beach, and Old Key West at Christmas. It's fun to see the unique decor.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Looks like a great morning!

Cant wait to read more

It was and those pictures were only the first hour... more to come.

Great updates! The Osborne lights look phenomenal!!! Wow!!! I'm sure that is definitely hard to feel like your pictures do justice to - but your pics are great!

I can't wait to see what you got for your Christmas card! I agree that the entry at GF would definitely have been a great one. And they have TVs and fans at the bus stop? I will definitely have to tell DH that one - he keeps asking me why the deluxes are so expensive - it's all those extras. And location, of course.

I love that capture you got of the girls, too - I actually teared up a little bit - made me think of my sister.

I also like the new classroom art! I'm going to have to work on mine - my stuff is getting a little old...

The bus stop at the other deluxes do not include a television or ceiling fans... I think the bus stops at the Poly are silly. They are like bus stops in the city...

But sideways...

Of course, the monorail going by is a pretty cool detail.

Glad you liked the pics and I am happy to bring you tears...

 

[MeMom]

The CM was super nice and said just come when you can; it won't be a problem.

On my way, this guy was playing a Christmas carol. (I wish I noted which one!) Everyone is in such a hurry (as usual). I stopped, snapped picture, listened to the song, and clapped, which he was appreciative of. I think he was the apprentice to the other guy in the picture. I too was in a hurry, but it was nice to stop and enjoy the experience albeit briefly.

We were typing at the same time a minute ago, but I realized I hadn't said anything about the Animal Kingdom part. You know we are serious AK fans!

It was nice that you stopped and listened to the performer. The side shows and activities are really a great Disney detail. I am sure he did appreciate your acknowledgement of his work.

I am glad you were able to easily work out the time issue with your meal.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

So, I ran. During the run, I kept thinking about the buffalo chicken dip I'd be eating later. The run allows me to eat... Meanwhile, I kept telling my girlfriend I have to start eating better because the runs shouldn't be that hard still!

Also, I attended the girls first indoor soccer game. It is with their travel team. They won 3 to 2. Super exciting. We were happy for them!


We left off at AK, and I am considering that based on the time, we must not have arrived at the park at 7. I think maybe closer to 7:45 based on my pics...

I wanted to be first at the character trails, so we headed there around 8:30. We were second, but it isn't a line. It's a rope drop circumstance. I don't like those...

Anyway, we waited among others who were excited to get to the Lion King show.

The actual walk wasn't memorable... We headed to get our mugs with the characters...

Minnie really appreciated the girls' outfits. She loved how they were wearing the same thing, but reversed. You might also note the necklace switches kids. My girl friend bought it for me, and that day, Hannah picked it up to wear. Emma also wanted to wear it, so they shared...

This was the picture we used for our card. It was the one dh liked best- after Chip and Dale (but I told him my hair was a problem in that shot!) I also cropped a picture of the girls with Mickey--they are his height... So the card turned out nice.

Chip and Dale's fan was on--made for an interesting shot... (PS it wasn't hot, my girls were cold without the fleeces, but they wanted to remove them for the pictures.)

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

On to Tusker and even more time with the characters...

I asked this great CM if he made the meat (okay, forgive me for not knowing what was at the carving station...), he said, oh yeah, we make everything here. I said, no, did you? he thought I was odd...go figure!

The girls played nice and smiled with all characters... as a reward, I will limit the character interactions in the summer! We skipped the Donald picture in the beginning--we were hungry and just saw him...

LOVE Daisy- she's a hard gal to find...

After Tusker, we ducked into Flights of Wonder (cute pun) just as it was beginning. We love this show.

I love how the CM is so proud to hold the eagle!

Off to Dinsosaur next...

And then, Primeval Whirl
Emma bought new ears at Chester and Hester's...

 

[fnrsgrl]

I love those Mickey ears. . . .must have!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I want you to tell a non-DISer to meet them at Bo in Disney World, and see where they end up! Can't you picture someone trying to play it off like they knew, then scrambling to the WDW website and searching for BO?

I am sad to admit; I told her to meet me at Bo (she isn't an active DISer). I described him as a mechanic... Really, I just know he's Bo. I had to laugh at myself about the "real" Bo. Luckily, he is at an easy to describe location.

Unexpected, but a sweet few minutes of the trip, I am betting.

It was!

I love tropical themed Christmas stuff. I got pictures at Polynesian, Beach Club, Caribbean Beach, and Old Key West at Christmas. It's fun to see the unique decor.

Me too!

We were typing at the same time a minute ago, but I realized I hadn't said anything about the Animal Kingdom part. You know we are serious AK fans!

It was nice that you stopped and listened to the performer. The side shows and activities are really a great Disney detail. I am sure he did appreciate your acknowledgement of his work.

I am glad you were able to easily work out the time issue with your meal.

We love Animal Kingdom too. I am sad for those who don't go to the park. There are too many cool spots. My dh and girls are huge animal lovers!

I love those Mickey ears. . . .must have!

They were very cute on her. They are a nice "fancy" pair.

 

[ToriPeanut]

What kind of camera do you have? It takes awesome pictures