Life is too short for self-hatred and celery sticks: final update 12/29, p.98

[rentayenta]

Whew you scared me. Which is not negating 4k in tuition plus flights. Yep that is a full family vacation right there.

I feel your pain, Kendall's soccer stuff alone is there @ the both kids level, add the E's camps and it currently equals no summer trip at all. I want to go to Denver to visit Jeff's mom but we'd still need to come up with flights and I'm not sure that's doable with college tuition as well.

Seriously though I was thinking 40k for camp? No wonder Michael works so much. LOL!

I didn't even add in two kids and their comp soccer. I can't imagine how many fabulous vacations we'd be taking if not for extra curricular activities. Plus Chloe's dance/tumbling. Our anniversary trip should be quite the vacation though. We're thinking Croatia or Montenegro. I hear they've got the best beaches anywhere. Ecuador is on the table too. Hawaii and Mexico are off as well as anywhere in the US. I want beach tropical, he wants beach historic....he's planning. We'll see if we make it to anniversary #21.

He does work a lot but he's home a lot too if that makes sense. He works 10-11 days a month at the FD and that's all he's worked since October. Once Jan starts he's back to a lot of travel. Miami for Land's End in Jan and then back to Africa in Feb I believe. Starting a business at our age is quite the venture. He retires from the FD in just over 3 years and we're really wanting that to happen so that's why we've got so much going on now. We're crazy for sure. he has worked some extra days come to think of it to pay back and pay forward shift trades. he tries to trade vs using leave when he travels.

College tuition for who? Are you going back to school? Have you checked Frontier for flights to Denver? I think CO is their major hub.​

I've got to agree with you on that, so I just try to forget its there. The rest of the park is stunning and I don't think I'll ever get tired of taking pictures of it.

It is so beautiful. I have so many photos from that day. They make me so happy. Its so brilliant. What is your favorite part?


Here's some fun side news: my friend and I are going to So Cal for our birthdays in March. It's not a Disney trip per say. We may sneak in.... The kids would be so sad if I went to Carsland without them but we'll see.....we'll only do Disney for a day though. We're planning some other really fun stuff and of course we'll stay with one of my dearest friends. Details to come soon. What I do have are our flights. JetBlue baby!​

 

[jedijill]

Whew you scared me. Which is not negating 4k in tuition plus flights. Yep that is a full family vacation right there.

I feel your pain, Kendall's soccer stuff alone is there @ the both kids level, add the E's camps and it currently equals no summer trip at all. I want to go to Denver to visit Jeff's mom but we'd still need to come up with flights and I'm not sure that's doable with college tuition as well.

Seriously though I was thinking 40k for camp? No wonder Michael works so much. LOL!

I could off my spare bedroom here in Denver if you need a place to stay.

Holy carp! $2k for camp! That's a lot of dough!

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

I could off my spare bedroom here in Denver if you need a place to stay.

Holy carp! $2k for camp! That's a lot of dough!

Jill in CO

It is a lot I agree but well worth it. Being Jews in Utah and the kids being literally the only ones in their schools doesn't give them much Jewish life during the summers. During the school year, Gab helps teach at religious school and Joshua is still in RS until next year when he'll have his bar mitzvah. If we were in Salt Lake we'd attend the synagogue down there but its too far. Our little synagogue is 15 minutes away but we're the only one for many counties so spending time with the other school aged kids is hard to coordinate. We're also so small that we don't have a full time rabbi; our rabbi comes just once a month. Camp sort of makes up/adds to their Jewish identity. The kids' camp is just outside Denver, Camp Shwayder, have you heard of it?​

 

[jedijill]

It is a lot I agree but well worth it. Being Jews in Utah and the kids being literally the only ones in their schools doesn't give them much Jewish life during the summers. During the school year, Gab helps teach at religious school and Joshua is still in RS until next year when he'll have his bar mitzvah. If we were in Salt lake we'd attend the synagogue down there but its too far. Our synagogue is 15 minutes away but we're the only one for many counties so spending time with the other school aged kids is hard to coordinate. We're also so small that we don't have a full time rabbi; our rabbi comes just once a month. Camp sort of makes up/adds to their Jewish identity. The kids' camp is just outside Denver, Camp Shwayder, have you heard of it?​

No, I have not but if its outside Denver I bet its really nice! It's great that you are giving your kids the opportunity (despite the cost) to go. I'm pretty uninformed about the Jewish faith but learning more as I go. Much different than my (now lapsed) Southern Baptist upbringing.

I did enjoy lunch on Christmas at The Bagel Deli near my house (was on Diners Drive ins and Dives) and had some awesome matzo ball soup.

Jill in CO

 

[mvf-m11c]

I caught up with your latest post at AK. Very nice pictures from AK that day. That is nice that your family got to ride EE three times that morning. EE doesn't have that long wait when it opened back in 2006 and now it is a walk-on in the morning which is a great time to take advantage of that ride. Those hats that your kids bought are very neat.

Very nice update.

 

[eandesmom]

I didn't even add in two kids and their comp soccer. I can't imagine how many fabulous vacations we'd be taking if not for extra curricular activities. Plus Chloe's dance/tumbling. Our anniversary trip should be quite the vacation though. We're thinking Croatia or Montenegro. I hear they've got the best beaches anywhere. Ecuador is on the table too. Hawaii and Mexico are off as well as anywhere in the US. I want beach tropical, he wants beach historic....he's planning. We'll see if we make it to anniversary #21.

He does work a lot but he's home a lot too if that makes sense. He works 10-11 days a month at the FD and that's all he's worked since October. Once Jan starts he's back to a lot of travel. Miami for Land's End in Jan and then back to Africa in Feb I believe. Starting a business at our age is quite the venture. He retires from the FD in just over 3 years and we're really wanting that to happen so that's why we've got so much going on now. We're crazy for sure. he has worked some extra days come to think of it to pay back and pay forward shift trades. he tries to trade vs using leave when he travels.

College tuition for who? Are you going back to school? Have you checked Frontier for flights to Denver? I think CO is their major hub.

Taylor is a sophomore in college. Private school. It's brutal! My co worker just got back from Montenegro, beautiful! No clue on the beaches but he was very impressed. As long as the beach part is there it'd work for me!

We are hoping to do Australia in 2014 just the 2 of us but tuition is starting to look like it will push back to 2015, very sad.

 

[franandaj]

I do remember the Prospector. There are a ton of good places to eat. Where are you thinking about going? Have you been to McKenna's on the Bay?

No way $20,000 for camp. I think $2,000 is bad enough but I hear its not expensive for a 2 week Jewish summer camp. Our friend sends her daughter to one in CA and it's closer to 4k for two weeks.

You should go to the Rose Parade. Play whatever card you've got! I went once when I was very very young. I don't remember it at all but saw photos years ago.

What is il6? Are you changing her dressings or do you have home health come in? I hope you are taking care of you and your needs too. Being a caregiver is so hard especially to those we love. Do they give her something for pain?​

I love the Prospector, just not for special dinners. We have been to McKennas on the Bay, but she remembers McKennas on the Creek and evidently it was much better.

We can't do the Rose Parade, that's just way too early for us now. We're talking about going to view the floats after the parade.

I'm not sure what il6 is but that is what her RA drug inhibits. With her current meds I have to do dressing changes daily. With the previous one they were only in the doctors office. Before that one they were every other day. It all depends. The good thing is that since I cam now do her dressing changes we can take trips and I can take care of this stuff. Otherwise we would be stuck at home with home health nurses.

Oh yeah, believe me they prescribe her pain pills! Much more than you would ever expect!

 

[Native NYer]

Yet being the operative word. Wanna place a wager? I'm so jealous. I think that should be their new promo: A Summer of Disney Parks. Not bad really? better than that memories thing they had.

I don't know when our next Disney family vacation will be. I tried like hell to plan August but with our 20th in August and Michael wanting to go international....plus we've got Joshua's bar mitzvah in October and 2 kids going to camp at a pretty penny or 20,000 each. I need a money tree.​

I like your promo idea!

An international anniversary trip sounds like fun. Camp is super expensive! Day camp usually costs my brother $300-400 per week per kid. Not cheap by any means! I actually think DVC and other timeshares make travel more affordable. My brother and SIL own at Harborside at Atlantis and The Westin Lagunamar Cancun. Between DVC and their timeshares, we're able to at least have a room somewhere.

 

[rentayenta]

I'll be back to respond to everyone but want to get this update posted.


I missed a few EE pics from my update. The darn kids starting making a ruckus and I lost my concentration. Why do they always need to eat?!?!

Tacky EE pic. Michael and I are in the front:

Best FP obtainer around

Waiting for our runaway train:

A group shot of the kids:

Even the food and drink carts are cool:

Tree of Life:

After EE we grabbed Safari FP’s and had about 90 minutes before our return time. Emma had been wanting to visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch. We had managed to miss it during our previous trips to WDW. It’s funny that as our kids get older we miss some attractions. Thankfully Emma was with us to lead us in the right direction.

A couple of pics while on the train to RPW:

Our main dude once we arrived:

The girls with the real Rafiki:

We took the above shot once with the phone and about 10x with the camera and the only one in which they are all 3 looking at the camera is the phone. Phones are like the mother ship for teenage girls.

Candids at the petting zoo:

TWINNERS! neither one look thrilled to be having their picture taken.

Partial group shot. It’s so odd that Jon didn't want to be near us.......not!

I truly have no idea what this is but it’s in focus so it must have meant something....

Continued in next post.....​

 

[rentayenta]

After Rafiki’s Planet Watch, we headed back to use our Safari FP’s. We were all getting hungry but knew returning after the time printed on the FP was no longer an option. I’m still in mourning over no more abuse of the system.

Safari in no order:

After Safari we were famished, like ready to gnaw our arms off famished. We had a terrific lunch near the water at Flame Tree. The line always moves sooooo slowly there but the food is worth it. And we got to use our TiW card. No food porn though, we were all too hungry.

After Safari, we did some shopping and then headed to Kali River Rapids. Jenna and I didn’t want to get soaked so we strolled around and took a few pics:

Admittedly, some of these pics may not be in the correct order. I took very few notes today...

After Kali we headed to Dinosaur. This was Jenna’s maiden voyage. She gotten braver/more brave though the years.

All of the kids wanted to do some of the carnival like Dinoland so the adults plus Jon sat and chatted and waited while they rode. We made a game plan for the evening.

After Dinoland we all wanted to do It’s Tough to be a Bug. Excuse or enjoy the far too many photos. We had a blast taking them and even as I post them I recall what a great time we had that day.

Looks like I was taking all of the photos.

Continued in next post....​

 

[rentayenta]

After ITTBAB we were pretty beat. It had been a very full day at AK. On our way out some of our party couldn’t help but stop and shake their money makers:

And here are some final random shots of AK:

I really cannot put into words how much we love AK. The music, the colors, the vive, the people.....such a great park, so magical. Because Michael has been to Africa 3 times I made him promise not to tell me what wasn’t depicted accurately. He did a fantastic job!

To be continued.....

​

 

[Native NYer]

Love all of your photos. Makes me wish I could teleport back to WDW.

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Ahh, you've done a great job, I know this cause now I'm missing AK something awful! When we are at WDW in May we have only 3 days set aside for Disney Parks (MK, EP and HS), with one extra day left up to the kids to decide were they want to go. So they could choose Sea World, Blizzard Beach or Gaterland or something like that...DH hopes they pick Blizzard Beach and I'm hoping for AK. We haven't told the kids we are going on this trip so I can't start to brainwash them yet

 

[Goofyluver]

AK is my favorite park, hands down. I just love the vibe.

Also, I want a yeti hat.

 

[PrincessInOz]

You've got really great shots of your family and friends at AK. I also like the animal shots as well.

I want a yeti hat too!

 

[franandaj]

Your family seems to have a great time wherever they go! You are so blessed.

OK, now I'm going ask a silly question that probably shows my ignorance, but in many of your pictures your kids make this "symbol" with their hands by extending their pinky and their thumb. Back in my day, we held that up to our ears for the sign "Call Me". However, it evidently means something else to teenagers in this century.

 

[rentayenta]

No, I have not but if its outside Denver I bet its really nice! It's great that you are giving your kids the opportunity (despite the cost) to go. I'm pretty uninformed about the Jewish faith but learning more as I go. Much different than my (now lapsed) Southern Baptist upbringing.

I did enjoy lunch on Christmas at The Bagel Deli near my house (was on Diners Drive ins and Dives) and had some awesome matzo ball soup.

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill. That's funny, everyone equals Jews to matzo ball soup. ​

I caught up with your latest post at AK. Very nice pictures from AK that day. That is nice that your family got to ride EE three times that morning. EE doesn't have that long wait when it opened back in 2006 and now it is a walk-on in the morning which is a great time to take advantage of that ride. Those hats that your kids bought are very neat.

Very nice update.

Thanks Bret. It was a fun day. I think it shows through in my very amateur photos though.​

Taylor is a sophomore in college. Private school. It's brutal! My co worker just got back from Montenegro, beautiful! No clue on the beaches but he was very impressed. As long as the beach part is there it'd work for me!

We are hoping to do Australia in 2014 just the 2 of us but tuition is starting to look like it will push back to 2015, very sad.

I didn't realize you had an older child, I keep thinking that K is the oldest. College tuition scares the bejesus out of me. And private no less.


Australia? Even if you have to wait, that would be so great to be able to visit there. I hear it's crazy expensive but worth every penny. My friend went there two NYE's ago for 2 weeks and said she could have bought a decent new car for the price of that vacation. She also said it was the most beautiful place she's traveled and she's been all over.

We've been pricing Montenegro flights and there are hovering around $1,300 which isn't too terrible considering how far we're going. United though and I hate United. I told Michael we just need to book the flights and then worry about the hotel/resort/apartment later. My friend who is from Bosnia said the way to go is to rent a flat from someone. Come with breakfast an maid service but you're generally on a floor in someone's home. She said we'd get such a great feeling for the people if we travel that way.​

I love the Prospector, just not for special dinners. We have been to McKennas on the Bay, but she remembers McKennas on the Creek and evidently it was much better.

We can't do the Rose Parade, that's just way too early for us now. We're talking about going to view the floats after the parade.

I'm not sure what il6 is but that is what her RA drug inhibits. With her current meds I have to do dressing changes daily. With the previous one they were only in the doctors office. Before that one they were every other day. It all depends. The good thing is that since I cam now do her dressing changes we can take trips and I can take care of this stuff. Otherwise we would be stuck at home with home health nurses.

Oh yeah, believe me they prescribe her pain pills! Much more than you would ever expect!

I haven't heard of McKenna's on the Creek. But I do remember the prospector. Even the names make me smile. Love memory lane.

Visiting the floats would be neat too. My friend's hubby was just there and took some pics. She posted them on FB and they're amazing. I wonder how they keep the floats so fresh until NYD? I know I don;t have to ask but please share the pics if you go down to see the floats. I love that parade.

Good point about you being able to change her dressings. You are a good woman! I can't imagine you'd be too happy stuck at home. I'd go bananas for sure. In fact I'm antsy right now. We took down the tree this morning and cleaned. My pantry looks like Trader Joe himself stocked it. It's ridiculous. Michael asked me to please shop for only perishables next trip.

I hate how the side effects of medications can really add to the uncomfortableness and symptoms of whatever they're trying to treat. How long do wounds like hers generally take to heal?​

I like your promo idea!

An international anniversary trip sounds like fun. Camp is super expensive! Day camp usually costs my brother $300-400 per week per kid. Not cheap by any means! I actually think DVC and other timeshares make travel more affordable. My brother and SIL own at Harborside at Atlantis and The Westin Lagunamar Cancun. Between DVC and their timeshares, we're able to at least have a room somewhere.

It's your idea, I just borrowed it.

I didn't realize day camp is so expensive. I don't feel so badly now. Plus they feed them really well. And treat them really well. They don't need any money while they are there. Gabby applied to be a camp counselor in training this year. If she gets accepted she'll be gone a month this summer. I can;t believe I have a child old enough to be gone that long. Good news is that the whole month cost $2000 as she'll be working. She won't garner a paycheck though.

Your brother and SIL are smart. I wish we'd have bought sooner.​

Love all of your photos. Makes me wish I could teleport back to WDW.

Me too! Right now! I miss it so much and it's so hard without a trip on the table, even if it's 3 years away at least it's there, ya know?​

Ahh, you've done a great job, I know this cause now I'm missing AK something awful! When we are at WDW in May we have only 3 days set aside for Disney Parks (MK, EP and HS), with one extra day left up to the kids to decide were they want to go. So they could choose Sea World, Blizzard Beach or Gaterland or something like that...DH hopes they pick Blizzard Beach and I'm hoping for AK. We haven't told the kids we are going on this trip so I can't start to brainwash them yet

Thank you! You need to let the brainwashing begin! What's Gaterland? I'm guessing it has to do with alligators? I'm smart like that. Do you like Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon?​

AK is my favorite park, hands down. I just love the vibe.

Also, I want a yeti hat.

They're cute huh? Next time I'm getting one too. I don;t know where I'll wear it though. Is AK really your favorite? I'm happy to hear someone else say that. I reads a lot about people not liking it and I just don;t get it. ​

You've got really great shots of your family and friends at AK. I also like the animal shots as well.

I want a yeti hat too!

Thanks PIO! I take so many photos that some are bound to turn out ok. And they always seem to be moving so I have to tell them: the sooner you smile and comply, the sooner we can move along. I've been known to take the same picture many times.​

Your family seems to have a great time wherever they go! You are so blessed.

OK, now I'm going ask a silly question that probably shows my ignorance, but in many of your pictures your kids make this "symbol" with their hands by extending their pinky and their thumb. Back in my day, we held that up to our ears for the sign "Call Me". However, it evidently means something else to teenagers in this century.

We do have a good time. Thank you. I feel blessed most of the time, lol!

That sign they're doing means *surf's up* but they don't even know that. I asked Gabby and she said it's just something they do and it has no meaning. Teenagers. What a joy.​

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Thank you! You need to let the brainwashing begin! What's Gaterland? I'm guessing it has to do with alligators? I'm smart like that. Do you like Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon?

We've never been to Gatorland (I miss spelled it in my previous post), but have friends that have and they really enjoyed it. You guessed right alligators are the attraction there. I am NOT attracted to alligators but my DSs might be I do like Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon, our DSs are 9 and 5 and I find it to be more our speed for our ages. TL's wave pool has much stronger waves and therefore not much fun for the 5 year old. My 9 year old loved swimming with the sharks though!

 

[rentayenta]

We've never been to Gatorland (I miss spelled it in my previous post), but have friends that have and they really enjoyed it. You guessed right alligators are the attraction there. I am NOT attracted to alligators but my DSs might be I do like Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon, our DSs are 9 and 5 and I find it to be more our speed for our ages. TL's wave pool has much stronger waves and therefore not much fun for the 5 year old. My 9 year old loved swimming with the sharks though!

Gatorland sounds like something any kid would love. You can't go wrong with any of your options but I hope they choose AK for you. True about the wave pool, it is strong. The bright white at Blizzard Beach gives me a headache after a while. I find Typhoon Lagoon more relaxing but my youngest is 11 so that may have something to do with it. You're going to have a great trip no matter where you end up that last day.


Happy 2013 everyone. Be safe out there tonight. This is where we're going to dinner tonight: www.thecopperonion.com Michael is still sick but said dinner is fine. Our friends are here from out of town and I'm glad he's feeling well enough so we don't have to cancel. I'm ready for a bubbly cocktail.​

 

[eandesmom]

After EE we grabbed Safari FP’s and had about 90 minutes before our return time. Emma had been wanting to visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch. We had managed to miss it during our previous trips to WDW. It’s funny that as our kids get older we miss some attractions. Thankfully Emma was with us to lead us in the right direction.

I'm glad you had a good experience here, our one attempt left us stranded out there for quite some time due to a medical emergency they shut the train down. There hadn't been much going on to actually watch and it was hotter than blazes. Sadly, I've no desire to go back. Until grandkids. Which is forever and a day away!

YAY for Flame Tree though it is a ridiculous amount of food! That is a serious amount of buggy pictures! Cute ones though.

After ITTBAB we were pretty beat. It had been a very full day at AK. On our way out some of our party couldn’t help but stop and shake their money makers:

For as outgoing as the E's are, they would never do this in a park at their current ages. I can't quite figure it out as lord knows Evan will do pretty much any of the poolside antics that they offer. If someone else (cooler than me) started it, they might join in. It will be interesting to see what happens when we have 5 teenage boys altogether next year.

I really cannot put into words how much we love AK. The music, the colors, the vive, the people.....such a great park, so magical. Because Michael has been to Africa 3 times I made him promise not to tell me what wasn’t depicted accurately. He did a fantastic job!

I couldn't agree more about the park, we absolutely adore ever inch of it. Even parts of the crappy carnival. LOL!

Thanks Jill. That's funny, everyone equals Jews to matzo ball soup.

I've never even had it. Heard of it but never had it.

I didn't realize you had an older child, I keep thinking that K is the oldest. College tuition scares the bejesus out of me. And private no less.

Well he's been off to college the past few trips so I'm not surprised you didn't know (although he is that random other kid on our xmas card lol). Between that and Jeff's plane...we are broke. Oh and DVC. All for good reasons but UGH. We have major issues with Jeff's ex and Taylor himself over this, neither of them seem to understand cashflow and cashflow burn and think it shouldn't matter whether tuition is paid monthly, quarterly or annually and have missed the windows twice now, putting us in some major binds, they seem to think it's an unlimited faucet. They also refused to file for any aid year one and year 2 left work study money on the table. It's insane, beyond insane. It is all I can do to bite my tongue.

I have to tell you, the E's will have it very differently. Granted I come at this from a completely different spot than Jeff and his Ex, who both didn't pay a dime for anything in college, didn't work, had cars handed to them. I put myself through school. I had some help on room and board, books if I kept a certain GPA. I will pay for school. For 4 years at the most expensive in-state option. Anything beyond that (private, out of state) they will have to figure out on their own, be in scholarships, loans or what have you. Do I want my kids saddled with debt and loans? No. Do I think working for part of something makes it mean a lot more, yes. Do I feel they are entitled to a college education that costs more than my first or second home that I owned? No.

Australia? Even if you have to wait, that would be so great to be able to visit there. I hear it's crazy expensive but worth every penny. My friend went there two NYE's ago for 2 weeks and said she could have bought a decent new car for the price of that vacation. She also said it was the most beautiful place she's traveled and she's been all over.

Jeff has been and is in love. It isn't an if, but it is a when and I do think much as he might like otherwise that with Kendall's tuition right behind Taylor's, we have a snowballs chance in you know what of doing it in 2014.

I didn't realize day camp is so expensive. I don't feel so badly now. Plus they feed them really well. And treat them really well. They don't need any money while they are there. Gabby applied to be a camp counselor in training this year. If she gets accepted she'll be gone a month this summer. I can;t believe I have a child old enough to be gone that long. Good news is that the whole month cost $2000 as she'll be working. She won't garner a paycheck though.

2K for a whole month is quite reasonable actually. Church Camp and Boy Scout camp which are residential for a week both run in the upper 300's. They are a deal comparatively. Bascially the E's get one of those each, it's all I can swing (or choose to swing so we can take vacation too lol). We have had the conversation when they ask for other camps and ultimately they'd rather have vacation as well. Week long away camps through the Y are in the 500's and up. Day camps, which my kids are too old for, in the 300's unless they are half days, which are a nightmare. I mean really if you work full time, and have to drop a kid at 9, pick up at 1, how do you do that and work?