January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part I !!!

[Disney Mommy 3]

Mom of 2Disney Boys--I have a little man just like that!! The older one is much more independant, but the 2nd one loooooves mamma!!! In fact, when he was 4, he went to MDO @ church 2 days a week. Didn't last too long--he'd cry til he threw up-(did this twice) then one morning we were getting dressed for 'school' and he said-"mommy, if I can stay home I won't be bad-let me stay home with you'. WELL!! That was it--he's been home ever since!! We home school-the oldest came home for 3rd grade and the middle kid (the one I am talking about) was here for K. Now I have dd in K, ds9in 4th, and ds12in 7th. Even tho they have been here, time still flies!!!! I just felt so bad that he thought he went to pre-K for punishment!! Broke my heart.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Welcome Swittner!!! Jan is great!! We were there for our first Jan trip in 08 and the weather(for the most part) was awesome!!!!We can't wait!!! actually I can't wait----kids don't know it yet!!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Shelly- That is so sweet! I hope Belle loves me that much.

sarbah77- TTA is one of my favorites, too! I don't know why, but I just think it is so neat. It also brings me back to being a silly 14 year old, riding it for the first time.

 

[sharadoc]

Speaking of taking kids out of school - we have open house tomorrow night to meet the teacher and I'll mention it then.

Our school district has no problem with it. There is a form on the website to fill out and turn in to the teacher and principal. District policy is 10 days of non-school sponsored trips per year are excused. That's in addition to regular absences for sick days.

I think our district is pretty affluent so the parents probably require this, plus I think with so many divorced families, that kids have to spend family time during the year with one parent or the other. I'm sure there are many who take extended time around winter or spring vacations to travel far just to be with a parent! Policy also states that IF the teacher assigns work, then the student has twice the number of days to turn it in as the trip was. So, mine will be out 9 school days, and they'll have 18 days to turn in work! Nice. As long as they do fine with it, we'll be taking our trips to Disney every year in the off season. There's NO WAY I'll go when the temperature goes above 80

Shelly, unlike yours and many other districts, we don't have to prove anything is educational, even though I think there's a lot of educational aspects to WDW.

All in all, I think we're really lucky, based on what I've seen and read on other threads.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

What is your ULTIMATE, FAVORITE, MUST-DO RIDE at Disney World?

That's hard. I love so many but I would have to say that my favorite is the Haunted Mansion.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

So, we had DS's preschool open house tonight. He is going to LOVE it this year.

I worry because he has some separation anxiety but I think he'll do fine this year.

I was so proud of him. I went to talk to the preschool director and came back to find him putting a HUGE mound of blocks away. He was the only child to clean up anything before leaving. As we were walking out, he said "mommy, I want to play with the blocks every day!" The teacher had all of the blocks organized into little cubbies with different shapes and he really liked oraganizing them for her. We do a lot of that kind of stuff at home, as I am a super neat freak.

 

[skjj2009]

I think it took us about 16 total from MD. We left around 4am and made it all the way to the Florida border by early evening and stopped to stay overnight. The next morning we only had a few hours left in our drive and made it to WDW by 10am. We're hoping to do the same thing this time but maybe leave a little earlier than 4am this year.

Thats kind of what I'm thinking...drive until we reach florida then stop for the night. I'd like to be at WDW fairly early the next day as to not waste it. Obviously we'd do it much lighter than we will the other days but it would be nice to have that extra day. Our drive will depend on weather so I'm hoping it holds out and we'll be clear all the way there and back!

Okay, so how weird am I?!!

I don't have any little peanuts to haul off to school today. Instead, i'm extremely sad as it is the first time I have NOT gone to school! It's really hitting me... After 8 years of college, I really am done. No more books, no more papers, no more exams. It's amazing, when your in school, all you want to do is finish. Now that i'm out of school, all I want to do is go back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not wierd at all. It took me 12 years to complete my bachelors degree (working part time and going to school part time then working full time just taking 2 classes and finally after marrying dh going full time not working at all) and once I finished I had no idea what to do with myself. I was job hunting at the time (no kids) but I actually missed the routine of going to school. I'd like to go back when the kids get into school full time but after being out so long the studying and such doesn't seem appealing right now

My kids are home as well. DS6 says he does not like 1st grade. It's too long and he missed me. I was afraid of that. Him and I are rarely apart.

Hopefully he will adjust in a few days.

Oh how sweet is he! My son is a mama's boy...he really hates to be without me. I'm not putting him in preschool this year for a few reasons and one of them is because I think he'll have hard time being without me. DD on the other hand is really independent and could care less if she's with me or not

Oh, and I walked on my treadmill today for the first time in forever! Remember weeks ago when I said I was going to start walking? Well, I did...today.

congrats...I can't wait to start going back to the gym (dd is in school so while she's there I'm at the gym and ds goes to the gym daycare) and start again. I need it!

So, we had DS's preschool open house tonight. He is going to LOVE it this year.

I worry because he has some separation anxiety but I think he'll do fine this year.

I was so proud of him. I went to talk to the preschool director and came back to find him putting a HUGE mound of blocks away. He was the only child to clean up anything before leaving. As we were walking out, he said "mommy, I want to play with the blocks every day!" The teacher had all of the blocks organized into little cubbies with different shapes and he really liked oraganizing them for her. We do a lot of that kind of stuff at home, as I am a super neat freak.

Glad he really liked it! I worry about my son and his anxiety too...dd's teachers tell me they have more problems with boys leaving their parents than girls but they are always fine after the intial anxiety. I'm a neat freak too! That's nice that he was picking up...we make our kids do that at home everyday and anytime they are anywhere playing with other's toys too. So given that I was mortified last year when dd refused to pick up at preschool after choice time...ugh...I couldn't believe it because she does so well at home. We talked to her about it and it was all good afterwards but tomorrow I think I'll do my little reminder about how she has to be a good girl and help pick up or she loses her tv time. That punishment worked like a charm

 

[AussieAngel]

As a teacher here in Australia, I'm shocked by you all having to request leave for your children from school!!

Nothing like that ever happens here. We get a note from the parents that says something like, "Our family is leaving for vacation next week, and we'll be away for 2 weeks. Thanks!"

It's totally the parent's choice here. Because what would happen if you just took them on vacation anyway? Nothing, surely. What would the school do? Drive to Disney and drag the children back? Heh.

I guess if parents were continually taking their children out of school for weeks at a time, we'd have to discuss the issue. But that doesn't happen, so it's just not a problem.

Anyway, just thought I'd share!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning Snowbirds!

Hopefully DS will have a better day today. Not quite sure what is going on with him. He loved kindergarten and did fine with the separation. But like I said, he was home at 11:00. Now he's not home until 3:00. I told him I'd pick him up today, so he will get home a little earlier. Hopefully that will help!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Speaking of taking kids out of school - we have open house tomorrow night to meet the teacher and I'll mention it then.

Our school district has no problem with it. There is a form on the website to fill out and turn in to the teacher and principal. District policy is 10 days of non-school sponsored trips per year are excused. That's in addition to regular absences for sick days.

I think our district is pretty affluent so the parents probably require this, plus I think with so many divorced families, that kids have to spend family time during the year with one parent or the other. I'm sure there are many who take extended time around winter or spring vacations to travel far just to be with a parent! Policy also states that IF the teacher assigns work, then the student has twice the number of days to turn it in as the trip was. So, mine will be out 9 school days, and they'll have 18 days to turn in work! Nice. As long as they do fine with it, we'll be taking our trips to Disney every year in the off season. There's NO WAY I'll go when the temperature goes above 80

Shelly, unlike yours and many other districts, we don't have to prove anything is educational, even though I think there's a lot of educational aspects to WDW.

All in all, I think we're really lucky, based on what I've seen and read on other threads.

As a teacher here in Australia, I'm shocked by you all having to request leave for your children from school!!

Nothing like that ever happens here. We get a note from the parents that says something like, "Our family is leaving for vacation next week, and we'll be away for 2 weeks. Thanks!"

It's totally the parent's choice here. Because what would happen if you just took them on vacation anyway? Nothing, surely. What would the school do? Drive to Disney and drag the children back? Heh.

I guess if parents were continually taking their children out of school for weeks at a time, we'd have to discuss the issue. But that doesn't happen, so it's just not a problem.

Anyway, just thought I'd share!

That is interesting finding out what other schools do and don't do. If they were to not approve the absence here I guess it would be considered an "illegal absence" and would go on their record. Plus I think after so many illegal absences you get turned into the state or something. We've never had a problem and I've never heard of anyone else have a problem with getting it approved. A lot of people around here travel to WDW every year. And lots of us refuse to go in the summer! Plus my boys rarely miss school anyway. I think last year they each only missed one day for being sick, then the 5 days for Disney. I probably wouldn't take them out for more than 5 days (even though we are allowed 10 approved educational days) because DS9 would be overwhelmed with the make-up work.

There are many educational aspects to WDW. So I have plenty to write in the absence request. I'm not saying that we explore all the educational aspect, but they are there. The kids just aren't too interested in World Showcase at Epcot or much of AK, and that's where most of the education is!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly I know how you feel. My 4 1/2 yr old is starting preschool tomorrow and is taking a bus She is so excited she is counting the hours.

It is only a half day, but the thought of putting my baby on a bus makes me

How did it go this morning???

 

[AussieAngel]

Good morning Snowbirds!

Hopefully DS will have a better day today. Not quite sure what is going on with him. He loved kindergarten and did fine with the separation. But like I said, he was home at 11:00. Now he's not home until 3:00. I told him I'd pick him up today, so he will get home a little earlier. Hopefully that will help!

Obviously I don't know your DS and everyone is different, but as a first grade teacher, I wouldn't worry at all! Your DS is probably just going, "Whoa! This day is long!" and feeling a bit bamboozled by his new routines and new surroundings.

I'm sure everything will be fine and he'll settle in quickly. Maybe you could give him a little reward treat for being such a brave boy and going to school for 2 whole days in a row this afternoon!

It always makes me smile on the first day of school, when we're in the middle of doing a fun cutting and pasting activity, and without fail, one child will always say, "I've had enough of this now. Can I go play outside now?" because that's what they were used to at kinder!! It only takes them a few days to get used to the new routines though, usually.

 

[Laumau]

So, we had DS's preschool open house tonight. He is going to LOVE it this year.

I worry because he has some separation anxiety but I think he'll do fine this year.

I was so proud of him. I went to talk to the preschool director and came back to find him putting a HUGE mound of blocks away. He was the only child to clean up anything before leaving. As we were walking out, he said "mommy, I want to play with the blocks every day!" The teacher had all of the blocks organized into little cubbies with different shapes and he really liked oraganizing them for her. We do a lot of that kind of stuff at home, as I am a super neat freak.

Great news! I'm so glad he likes it.

My youngest has her 'Meet the Teacher" open house this morning. She's so excited. Her older siblings have been back to school for a week now and she's feeling left behind.

 

[Kazooie01]

The school year kicks off today for us. Our 4 year old daughter starts Kindergarten tomorrow (her open house is today). We're a bit worried about her being the youngest in her grade, but she was the youngest in Pre-K last year and did well. She'll be fine; it's Mommy and Daddy that are the basket cases! But look at the bright side; we’ll be one day closer to our Disney trip when she starts classes tomorrow.

 

[snykymom]

Because what would happen if you just took them on vacation anyway? Nothing, surely.

What happens in our school district is that teachers don't give make up assignments or homework in advance, nor do they allow for make up tests. So the kids get zeros for any work that they didn't do during the time they were absent.

The school district initiated this because so many parents were abusing the absences. It just got ridiculous and impossible for the schools to keep up with all the requests for assignments/make up work.

Luckily, I don't have any kids in the school system anymore!

(And check out the ticker - 4 months to go!)

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Obviously I don't know your DS and everyone is different, but as a first grade teacher, I wouldn't worry at all! Your DS is probably just going, "Whoa! This day is long!" and feeling a bit bamboozled by his new routines and new surroundings.

I'm sure everything will be fine and he'll settle in quickly. Maybe you could give him a little reward treat for being such a brave boy and going to school for 2 whole days in a row this afternoon!

It always makes me smile on the first day of school, when we're in the middle of doing a fun cutting and pasting activity, and without fail, one child will always say, "I've had enough of this now. Can I go play outside now?" because that's what they were used to at kinder!! It only takes them a few days to get used to the new routines though, usually.

Thanks for your kind words. I hope you are right and he gets settled in and adjusted soon! I think picking him up today will help. Our district has several buildings and his building is the first to get picked up to go home, then it's on to the next building to pick up those kids, and so on. So his ride home this year is very long. I'm just afraid he is going to want me to pick him up everyday!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The school year kicks off today for us. Our 4 year old daughter starts Kindergarten tomorrow (her open house is today). We're a bit worried about her being the youngest in her grade, but she was the youngest in Pre-K last year and did well. She'll be fine; it's Mommy and Daddy that are the basket cases! But look at the bright side; we’ll be one day closer to our Disney trip when she starts classes tomorrow.

Good luck tomorrow!

You are right, every milestone we concur this year is one day closer to our trips!!

My kids start soccer tonight. So we'll be at the soccer field every Wednesday night and most of the day Sunday afternoon for the next 8 weeks! I love watching them play!! Plus that's 8 weeks that are going to fly by! Then it'll be Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then JANUARY!!!!!

I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever looked forward to January before in my life!

 

[coffeehousemom]

Momof2disneyboys if that does start to be an issue you can always use it more as a "treat' example if you go 2 days without getting your name on the board then I will pick you up after school & do something fun." Or just set it up from the start as "you get picked up from school 2 days this week what two do you want" and let him decide there maybe a "more difficult day" of the week that he may want mom love for. My little guy did not like mon so we always planned something "special" for that day special snack after special movie etc. Hope this helps.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Good Morning Snowbirds!! Shelley--Hang in there!! Aren't little boys just the sweetest things!!! My little girl loves me, but my boys love me more I think! Nah---they just need mommy in a different way. I know when they were babies the boys were more cuddly and clingy than she was. I know I was a very independant baby/toddler. I love my mom to death, but, I wasn't as lovey/cuddly as my boys are----& my daughter is the same way. She has days that she's very clingy and kissy---but for all around--my boys win!!!!

Well, we didn't do school yesterday(homeschool)because things are still kinda weird around here after Gustav---our local schools didn't start til tomorrow and hubby caught a stomach bug and was home sick. So, we were out of our routine. BUT I am doing school today.We don't usually take off days when our ps school does, so we are justified when our holiday time to Disney comes--I didn't schedule for yesterday being off, so today & tomorrow will be long!! LOTS of reading to catch up--but that's ok--we'll get it done.

What's the QOTD ladies? I am tooooo overwhelmed to think up one!!! To all our Gustav cronies---prayed you would fare well!! We got about 5-10 minutes last night of super-light showers.Today is beautiful!!!! So--it's off to the grind for all of us!! Have a magical day

 

[KatiebugsMom]

QOTD......Name the first ride you can remember or recollect from your lifetime that you rode at WDW.


I can still remember my adventure on Mr. Toad's Wild ride back in 1977 but the first ride we actually got on that trip was 21,000 Leagues under the Sea. I still remember looking out and seeing the water and sealife go by......intense for a 6 year old.