I'll show you my Lapu Lapu if you show me yours!

[Castillo Mom]

I'm still here!
Yes folks, I'm still alive and kicking. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of activity what with work, work, work and the boys being off on spring break.

To bring things up to date, I got the best news this past week. DBIL is going on the trip which means DSis is going! I'm so happy and excited, I can barely stand it! Yes, as long as things go well with DSis' pregnancy over the next 4 months, it's a green light. It really is the best situation all around. My sis will feel more at ease with him along, she'll have someone to hang with in case she can't keep up with us at the parks and it'll be a wonderful surprise for the boys.

So the plan is that the boys, me and DSis will fly in on Tues. 8/21 and DBIL will arrive on Sat. 8/25. Adding DBIL to our plans has come with it's challenges, but I'm happy to take them on.

Challenge #1: Remember, we're already 5 in 1 room at the Polynesian and are on the Free Dining pkg. so no adding DBIL to our reservation and I can't arrange for another room for reasons I won't get into here. Believe me, it's waaay to complicated to explain. Forget that 6 is beyond the room occupancy, I have no intention of trying to squeeze 3 humongous teenage boys and 3 adults in one room, no matter how big the rooms are. Besides, DBIL can only take a week off work. What to do? Ah ha! I was forgetting that DSIL, DBIL and DN from South Carolina are driving down on 8/25 - perfect! My plan would be to gently ask whether we could put DBIL on their reservation and would they mind having one of the boys stay in their room. This way we wouldn't be breaking any Disney laws and everyone's happy. So I get on the phone last week and ask DSIL from SC and she checks with DH and he says no problem. I then call WDW and it's a done deal baby!

Challenge #2: Remember how happy I was that all our ADRs were set? Not! Now what? I have two options. I could call Dining and add DBIL to our ADRs and risk losing the times I wanted or risk just showing up and putting on the latina charm and letting the host/hostess know that we have an extra person. After posting my dilemma on the Dining board I decide to go with plan B and leave well enough alone.

Challenge #3: This one's a doozy - airfare. As a reminder, inlaws from SC and I with the boys are going on to the Disney cruise after WDW, so Dsis was going to have to fly back home by herself. Obviously now that DBIL is coming, she won't need to do that anymore. Problem is, I checked AA which is what I have us all booked on and DBIL's flight is running at $498! That's $150 more than the fare we got. The problem isn't the flight out, it's the return. I've tried rearranging things a hundred ways. If I put him on a connecting flight coming back home, it's in the same ballpark as our fare. But AA wants $100 change fee plus an addional 40 bucks for the difference in fare to switch my sister's return flight so I'm back to square one. Oi, I get a headache just thinking about it. I know, I need to just calm the heck down and hope that AA has a fare sale soon before that return flight sells out and Dsis ends up on the plane alone after all. But that just goes against my nature of being obsessive about getting things taken care of now! I think I need therapy.

 

[DisneyJo]

What time of day are you posting???? I'm up, showered, dressed, laundry done etc and you're meant to be fast asleep Anyway it's good to have you back but really what kind of an excuse is work and kids

So pleased your DSis and DBIL are now going and you've got most of the alterations done, don't fret eveything will be fine!

 

[PrincessV]

To bring things up to date, I got the best news this past week. DBIL is going on the trip which means DSis is going! I'm so happy and excited, I can barely stand it! Yes, as long as things go well with DSis' pregnancy over the next 4 months, it's a green light. It really is the best situation all around. My sis will feel more at ease with him along, she'll have someone to hang with in case she can't keep up with us at the parks and it'll be a wonderful surprise for the boys.

Terrific news!

I think I need therapy.

Or perhaps a Lapu Lapu or three?! You've got some hard-core strategizing going there - don't stress, you'll figure it all out

 

[Castillo Mom]

Terrific news!


Or perhaps a Lapu Lapu or three?! You've got some hard-core strategizing going there - don't stress, you'll figure it all out

V, Lapu Lapu or three is right!

What time of day are you posting???? I'm up, showered, dressed, laundry done etc and you're meant to be fast asleep Anyway it's good to have you back but really what kind of an excuse is work and kids

So pleased your DSis and DBIL are now going and you've got most of the alterations done, don't fret eveything will be fine!

Hi Jo! Yes, I was burning the midnight oil as they say. Actually I didn't get to bed until 2:30 once I got done reading posts on the Photography board.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Yay!! I'm so glad your BIL is going to make and be there for DSis! It will make it easier on everyone in the long run!

I hope my info works out for you, let me know if it did!

Hey looky, our tickers are identical!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Yay!! I'm so glad your BIL is going to make and be there for DSis! It will make it easier on everyone in the long run!

I hope my info works out for you, let me know if it did!

Hey looky, our tickers are identical!!

Oh my gosh, that ticker is totally freaking me out right now! I'm not ready yet, so many details to take care of and I just got started setting $$$ aside for spending!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Houston, we have a problem!
That was in the subject line of the email I received from DSIL in South Carolina. All of a sudden an ominous feeling came over me. Do I open the email and read it? Ignorance is bliss, right? I just knew it had something to do with the trip. So I open it and yup, bad news. Seems SOMEONE miscalculated the dates for my sweetie pie niece's first day of school. She'd be there for the first two days then would be out two full weeks due to the trip. So DSIL discusses the issue with a friend who works at the school and she's informed in no uncertain terms that the children are only allowed 9 days of unexcused absences - anything beyond that means a mandatory prison term of 40 years. I know, I know, I"m exaggerating but sheesh, being brought before the school board. C'mon people, it's just kindergarten for goodness sake! I mean, is this going to go on her permanent record or something? Oh wait, forgot to put my flame suit on - I know missing school for vacation is one of those taboo topics here on the DIS. Well know what? Not only are we keeping her out of school, the first day of vacation we're headin' on over to the BC with our Pop refillable mugs from last trip and we're sneaking into the pool area and then after that we're leaving our car parked there and walking over to Epcot where we'll pass off my 5 year old niece for 2.5 because she's really tiny and why pay for her entrance when she can get in for free and then when it's dinner time, we'll have no problem because no matter where we're at in the park we won't have to walk far to any restaurant because I've made 6 ADRs all at 7:00 because how the heck do we know what we want to eat 180 days in advance and then after dinner, we'll go back to the Poly where all 9 of us are sharing 1 room to keep cost down which will be fine because we're bringing 4 air beds but one thing I know for sure is we'd better get towel animals every day or I'm complaining to management. So there! He, he, just kidding, calm down! Really, where's your sense of humor?

Anyway, I get on the phone with DSIL and worst case scenario is if she can't work something out with the school, she'll have to cut WDW one day short in order to drive my niece back home to abuela, that's grandma for the spanish language challenged, and then have to drive meet back up with us at Port Canaveral for the cruise. How the heck can we leave her behind while we go on the cruise? Just last week I was talking to my niece on the phone and she was all excited about going on the Mickey boat. And that was no small feat to accomplish, let me tell you. A few months ago there was no way she was getting on a ship, ohhh no! She was terrified at the thought being in the middle of the ocean with land nowhere to be found. But DSIL has been able to get her to come around to the idea. So now we're supposed to burst here bubble? I can't bear the thought. I mean look at that face:

I even bought her some cute dresses for her to wear at dinner on the ship. Nope, sorry, I can't accept it. Somehow, some way, we're going to work this out. DSIL has an appt. with the school on Thursday, so we'll just have to hope for some pixie dust . Stay tuned....

 

[PrincessV]

You'll get no flames from me! Heck, I went to a small private school where half the student body was out for a MONTH each spring, visiting their FL homes. Schoolwork was assigned and they either kept up or failed. No daily policing by the school.

And. My DS was "2.75" years old,as far as Disney was concerned, for 4 years. TFI.

Oh, I do hope the school will work something out for your niece. That would be just awful if she can't make the cruise! Sending some pixie dust her way...

 

[DisneyJo]

children are only allowed 9 days of unexcused absences - anything beyond that means a mandatory prison term of 40 years. I know, I know, I"m exaggerating but sheesh, being brought before the school board.

Thank goodness you told me you were exaggerating as I was thinking wow they sure are strict in the States

I hope you get it sorted, she can't miss the cruise! Also how many school days would she exactly be missing as a 2 week holiday would only be 10 days, I wonder why the unexcused absences are for 9 not 10

 

[Castillo Mom]

You'll get no flames from me! Heck, I went to a small private school where half the student body was out for a MONTH each spring, visiting their FL homes. Schoolwork was assigned and they either kept up or failed. No daily policing by the school.

And. My DS was "2.75" years old,as far as Disney was concerned, for 4 years. TFI.

Oh, I do hope the school will work something out for your niece. That would be just awful if she can't make the cruise! Sending some pixie dust her way...

I need all the pixie dust I can get right now, thanks!

Thank goodness you told me you were exaggerating as I was thinking wow they sure are strict in the States

I hope you get it sorted, she can't miss the cruise! Also how many school days would she exactly be missing as a 2 week holiday would only be 10 days, I wonder why the unexcused absences are for 9 not 10

Believe me, the way the schools are about missing you'd think by taking a holiday the parents were commiting a capital offense. Don't get me wrong, school is a top priority in my home. My boys have excellent attendance. Two of them will be missing the first 3 days of school. I really had to think long and hard about making that decision but you know what? The last two years have been rough for us as a family and the boys have bounced back so well that I want this to be a trip to remember.

I had initially booked a 4 day cruise for after WDW but I don't want to go to the Bahamas and well, 4 days on a ship is not enough! So I chose to switch us to the 7 day eastern but the Disney Magic will be in Europe most of the summer which meant 9/1 was the only option. Do I feel guilty? Not one bit!

Jo, I could've sworn I heard DSIL say 9 but maybe it is ten. Either way, maybe DSIL can convince the school to come around if she promises to have her do something educational on the trip.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Houston, we have a problem!
So DSIL discusses the issue with a friend who works at the school and she's informed in no uncertain terms that the children are only allowed 9 days of unexcused absences - anything beyond that means a mandatory prison term of 40 years. I know, I know, I"m exaggerating but sheesh, being brought before the school board. C'mon people, it's just kindergarten for goodness sake!

OMG!! She might miss rocket science!! She could be scarred for life, Lisa!! What are you guys thinking??

Oh wait, forgot to put my flame suit on - I know missing school for vacation is one of those taboo topics here on the DIS. Well know what? Not only are we keeping her out of school, the first day of vacation we're headin' on over to the BC with our Pop refillable mugs from last trip and we're sneaking into the pool area and then after that we're leaving our car parked there and walking over to Epcot where we'll pass off my 5 year old niece for 2.5 because she's really tiny and why pay for her entrance when she can get in for free and then when it's dinner time, we'll have no problem because no matter where we're at in the park we won't have to walk far to any restaurant because I've made 6 ADRs all at 7:00 because how the heck do we know what we want to eat 180 days in advance and then after dinner, we'll go back to the Poly where all 9 of us are sharing 1 room to keep cost down which will be fine because we're bringing 4 air beds but one thing I know for sure is we'd better get towel animals every day or I'm complaining to management. So there!

No flames from me, either! Maddie was 3 for 2 years!!! I mean, c'mon, the kid won't ride anything! And I drop enough cheddar at Disneyland to more than make up for it!

How the heck can we leave her behind while we go on the cruise? Just last week I was talking to my niece on the phone and she was all excited about going on the Mickey boat. And that was no small feat to accomplish, let me tell you. A few months ago there was no way she was getting on a ship, ohhh no! She was terrified at the thought being in the middle of the ocean with land nowhere to be found. But DSIL has been able to get her to come around to the idea. So now we're supposed to burst here bubble? I can't bear the thought. I mean look at that face:

Oh no!!! I sure hope DSil can work things out with the school!! Good thing she's dealing with it early enough!!!

I even bought her some cute dresses for her to wear at dinner on the ship. Nope, sorry, I can't accept it. Somehow, some way, we're going to work this out. DSIL has an appt. with the school on Thursday, so we'll just have to hope for some pixie dust . Stay tuned....

OMG, have you seen the cute sundresses at Costco?? Way cute! :
Here's lots of pixiedust, Lisa!! I know it will work out!!
ixiedust: ixiedust: ixiedust:

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

WAIT!!!!!!!

Okay, I have solved your problem. For real. I'm in South Carolina. Here's the deal. Kindergarten is not mandatory here. She can waive it. Seriously. She doesn't HAVE to go. Your SIL could "plan" to homeschool your niece for the year, decide after a few weeks that it's not working and enroll her once you return. That is completely within her legal right. She doesn't have to do anything within the district. Don't even register her until they return.

 

[Castillo Mom]

OMG!! She might miss rocket science!! She could be scarred for life, Lisa!! What are you guys thinking??


:lmao :

Tell me about it!

No flames from me, either! Maddie was 3 for 2 years!!! I mean, c'mon, the kid won't ride anything! And I drop enough cheddar at Disneyland to more than make up for it!

Ha! Remind me on the plane to tell you the story of how I got in on the Bounceback promo.

Oh no!!! I sure hope DSil can work things out with the school!! Good thing she's dealing with it early enough!!!

I'm thinking positive thoughts!

OMG, have you seen the cute sundresses at Costco?? Way cute!

:

Yes! That's where I got her said dresses.

Here's lots of pixiedust, Lisa!! I know it will work out!!
ixiedust: ixiedust: ixiedust:

Thanks!

 

[Goofyluver]

OMGosh!!! That was a lot to read...

all right, all right! I'm late for the party...fashionably late maybe??

But, I'm here...betta late than never!!

Great report hon! Can't wait to read some more!

 

[Castillo Mom]

WAIT!!!!!!!

Okay, I have solved your problem. For real. I'm in South Carolina. Here's the deal. Kindergarten is not mandatory here. She can waive it. Seriously. She doesn't HAVE to go. Your SIL could "plan" to homeschool your niece for the year, decide after a few weeks that it's not working and enroll her once you return. That is completely within her legal right. She doesn't have to do anything within the district. Don't even register her until they return.

OMG, I don't think my DSIL has thought of that. What a wonderful idea! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I'm going to call her first thing in the morning! I'll let you know what happens.

OMGosh!!! That was a lot to read...

all right, all right! I'm late for the party...fashionably late maybe??

But, I'm here...betta late than never!!

Great report hon! Can't wait to read some more!

Wow, you read the whole thing? Gorsh, thanks! I sure ramble a lot, don't I?

 

[Castillo Mom]

The airfare dilemma has been solved!!!

Well, it's been almost two weeks of sleepless nights and endless attempts at trying to figure out how the heck to get DBIL to WDW as cheaply as possible. I tried every imaginable configuration of itinerary, checked every airline website and I still kept coming up with having to pay about $500 for a RT ticket from LAX to MCO. Then I remembered that DisneylandMama PM'd me with a great idea. Tonight I finally followed up on her suggestion and guess what? Problem solved! All I had to do is make a minor change in my DSis' return flight and viola! I got DBIL a decent fare of $348. DisneylandMama, I owe you many thanks!

Speaking of DSis, she had another visit with her OB today. She asked whether it would be ok to make the trip to Orlando and she said she should be fine as long as things continue to go well with her pregnancy.

It's going so well in fact, she hasn't had one episode of morning sickness AT ALL! No fair, huh? Oh man, I remember when I was pregnant with the boys. I had the strongest sense of smell ever! Anyone coming within 50 feet of me had better have showered and brushed their teeth 5 minutes before even trying get near me! Fried food smells were the worst. I get green just thinking about it. Anyway, she gets to have another ultrasound in 5 weeks so we'll get to find out the sex of the baby before we go on the trip. Ooh, I'm so excited! I get to be the first one to get the baby his/her first Disney outfit.

Now that we're on the subject of shopping, I was a baaaad girl this past weekend. Hey, it's my mom's fault! Not only did I inherit the shopping gene from her, she invited me to go with her for the weekend to San Diego since my aunt had to cancel at the last minute. My mom's plans were to go shopping at an outlet mall called Viejas. Never heard of it so I wasn't too excited and figured I could easily stick to a budget of about $100. NOT! I spent waaay more than that. But wait, I have a good excuse. Everything I got I would have purchased at some point anyway, because I need more vacation clothes and the boys needed more stuff too plus I figured I saved a grip of cash, DFM (Disney Fuzzy Math) 'ya know?

 

[PrincessV]

The airfare dilemma has been solved!!!... All I had to do is make a minor change in my DSis' return flight and viola! I got DBIL a decent fare of $348. DisneylandMama, I owe you many thanks!

Congrats on your bargain score!

Speaking of DSis, she had another visit with her OB today. She asked whether it would be ok to make the trip to Orlando and she said she should be fine as long as things continue to go well with her pregnancy.

I

t's going so well in fact, she hasn't had one episode of morning sickness AT ALL! No fair, huh?

No fair at all, BUT I wouldnt' wish it upon anyone! I'm not a puker, but I spent the first few months nauseated day and night.

Everything I got I would have purchased at some point anyway, because I need more vacation clothes and the boys needed more stuff too plus I figured I saved a grip of cash, DFM (Disney Fuzzy Math) 'ya know?

Excellent working of the FDM!!

 

[DisneyJo]

All I had to do is make a minor change in my DSis' return flight and viola! I got DBIL a decent fare of $348. DisneylandMama, I owe you many thanks!

Well done you and Tracy

Speaking of DSis, she had another visit with her OB today. She asked whether it would be ok to make the trip to Orlando and she said she should be fine as long as things continue to go well with her pregnancy.

Hope she keeps well

It's going so well in fact, she hasn't had one episode of morning sickness AT ALL! No fair, huh?

Maybe it's a girl as I had no sickness at all with both my DD's

NOT! I spent waaay more than that. But wait, I have a good excuse. Everything I got I would have purchased at some point anyway, because I need more vacation clothes and the boys needed more stuff too plus I figured I saved a grip of cash, DFM (Disney Fuzzy Math) 'ya know?

Uh oh this DFM is dangerous stuff

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Then I remembered that DisneylandMama PM'd me with a great idea. Tonight I finally followed up on her suggestion and guess what? Problem solved! All I had to do is make a minor change in my DSis' return flight and viola! I got DBIL a decent fare of $348. DisneylandMama, I owe you many thanks!

I have to give credit to Princessjv, who gave me the idea originally! BUT, I'm so glad it worked out for you!!!

Speaking of DSis, she had another visit with her OB today. She asked whether it would be ok to make the trip to Orlando and she said she should be fine as long as things continue to go well with her pregnancy.

Glad everything is going well! She is SOOO lucky not having morning sickness. I was the same way. Just a few days of naseau and poof, it was gone!

Now that we're on the subject of shopping, I was a baaaad girl this past weekend.

Did someone say shopping????? Well, that's my favorite subject!

Hey, it's my mom's fault! Not only did I inherit the shopping gene from her, she invited me to go with her for the weekend to San Diego since my aunt had to cancel at the last minute. My mom's plans were to go shopping at an outlet mall called Viejas.

Is that the one in Carlsbad??? If it is... I love, love, love that outlet!!! It's my favorite in So. Cal! We always hit that place on our annual pilgrimage to Lego Land.

Good use of the FDM!!! To quote our good friend LL, "You've got to spend it to save it!"

 

[Castillo Mom]

Congrats on your bargain score!

No fair at all, BUT I wouldnt' wish it upon anyone! I'm not a puker, but I spent the first few months nauseated day and night.

Excellent working of the FDM!!

Maybe what's helping is she's being very careful with her diet and making sure she doesn't ever go hungry. Greasy/spicy food is a surefire way to make you lose your cookies.

Well done you and Tracy

Maybe it's a girl as I had no sickness at all with both my DD's

Uh oh this DFM is dangerous stuff

Actually they theorize that when you carry a baby girl you have higher levels of the hormone HCG which could bring on more nausea during pregnancy than with a boy. Again, it's just a theory. I don't think they've figured out with 100% certainty what causes it but I wish they'd quit calling it morning sickness and find a cure!

I have to give credit to Princessjv, who gave me the idea originally! BUT, I'm so glad it worked out for you!!!

Well then kudos to Princessjv too!

Did someone say shopping????? Well, that's my favorite subject!

Is that the one in Carlsbad??? If it is... I love, love, love that outlet!!! It's my favorite in So. Cal! We always hit that place on our annual pilgrimage to Lego Land.

Good use of the FDM!!! To quote our good friend LL, "You've got to spend it to save it!"

No, it's in Alpine on an indian reservation. But did you say there's one on Carlsbad?! Maybe I need to take a trip down there. Oh, and I didn't even mention the stuff I got at the shopping center near the hotel we stayed at! They had a Nordstrom's rack - I must've spent a good two hours in there.