Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) **** PART III ****

[miatamel]

I am taking full advantage of the two bags per person deal. Problem is, we can't carry anything on the plane because we get off the plane and go straight to Harry Potter's world while our bags go to the resort. I don't want to be toting carry ons all over the Wizarding World. So, in bags it must go.

For someone who doesn't have a shoe fetish, I sure am packing alot of shoes.

 

[colkath2005]

Today turned out ok after all. The opticians was amazing and instead of it taking 2 weeks to fix the glasses or money for a new pair (which was out of my budget) they managed to putthe lenses in a new frame for very little cost. Very happy with Vision Express .
Now tomorrow everyone has to have their haircut, my ds10 glasses to collect, bath the dog, and al the last minute bits. So excited to leave Wed lunchtime.
Colette

 

[skypixy]

Today turned out ok after all. The opticians was amazing and instead of it taking 2 weeks to fix the glasses or money for a new pair (which was out of my budget) they managed to putthe lenses in a new frame for very little cost. Very happy with Vision Express .
Now tomorrow everyone has to have their haircut, my ds10 glasses to collect, bath the dog, and al the last minute bits. So excited to leave Wed lunchtime.
Colette

So glad it was a quick fix for the glasses!
I forgot about everyone getting a haircut!
If you run out of time, I suggest skipping the dog bath. You really don't want to smell like a dog anyway...

 

[skypixy]

Hmmm. Some days I'm inclined to tell our DD, but we are still planning to wait until the night of the 16th. She thinks all the various stacks are just part of my "closet project" I hope!

Must be nice to have the stress of keeping the surprise over.

My boys still have NO idea....
I am starting to think we should tell them this weekend, just have to figure out how...

 

[mickey squared]

Yeah, this surprise thing is killing me!! I've got bags and boxes hidden everywhere. I have to sort out what's coming with us, what's staying, what's going in the stockings at home, what's being wrapped for the stockings in the staterooms...And, throw in 3 December Birthdays!!! Mine is tomorrow, DS is turning 11 on 12/15 and DD is turning 9 on 12/27.

Some of my kids still believe so you KNOW Santa has to have different gift wrap than the Mommy and Daddy presents!!

And, to top it all off, Daddy is away on an unexpected business trip!! Gotta go deliver those planes so everyone else can fly home for the Holidays!!

Gotta go back to stuffing and wrapping!! What's the DOTD today?!

Marguerite

 

[BBQMommy]

What's the DOTD today?!

Whatever it is, please set one up for me, too!

Easy packing vibes ----->


Caryn

 

[cquick]

I discovered the best way EVER for people who travel at Christmas to get cards out on time - hallmark.com. I downloaded my address shreadsheet a three years ago and it has been a lifesaver! This year I did photo cards and had them sent directly to the people - they had a savings of free postage and it ended up costing less than $1 per card for the card, addressed and stamped and I had them all done in less than 15 min. (I send out over 100 cards, so well worth the money for the hours of addressing and mailing!) I was even able to type a personal message - family update for the card. I would highly recommend it!

oh my! I am SO impressed! I thought I was doing well by having our names added to a photo card from Walgreens, but I still have to print out the Christmas letter, address labels and put the stamps on myself!

I might try that next time!

 

[CrusinLattas]

oh my! I am SO impressed! I thought I was doing well by having our names added to a photo card from Walgreens, but I still have to print out the Christmas letter, address labels and put the stamps on myself!

I might try that next time!

I did that for years and thought I had it down to the fastest and best too...smile! One year I was putting lables on the cards on our drive to Disney and mailed them along the road Another year I got the cards on the ship and sent them out when we got home - after New Year's Eve! I absolutely LOVE hallmark.com and they always have coupons that make it cheaper than you can do on your own. Last year it was a % off the total sale - including postage - so it was cheaper than sending them out myself! They even have Disney photo frames - but I must admit I sent the Grinchmas cards this year - they were just too cute! My photo's were Disney, so I didn't leave Mickey off the Christmas cards!

 

[decked out]

You know you are officially overpacking when you find yourself packing the drive-thru drink holder thingie from McDonald's to tote your drinks down from Deck 9 to your room.

Lord help my husband when he sees THAT.

I don't know what's so hard about packing? The "Final Reminders Before Your Disney Cruise" email that just came in makes packing sound so simple and easy...‏

Packing for Paradise.
Days
• Casual wear (shorts, slacks, sundresses, jeans)
• Comfortable shoes (sandals, sneakers, boat shoes)
• Beach and pool wear (swimsuits, wraps, t-shirts)
Evenings
• Don’t forget a jacket or sweater. Yes, it’s the tropics, but the nights can be a bit breezy.
• Nice dining attire (no swimwear, tank tops or shorts at dinner, please)
• Optional formal attire
• Themed attire is welcome for Pirates IN The Caribbean night.

 

[BBQMommy]

That email did make it seem simple, deceptively so ...

Caryn

 

[miatamel]

This picture of my girls won best beach photo this year for the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches...taken by a family friend, college student majoring in photography.

 

[BBQMommy]

Wonderful!!!

Caryn

 

[decked out]

That's a GREAT idea! I have one from Starbucks this morning. I am bringing it!

What are you going to do with it? Bring me coffee in the morning?

 

[mickey squared]

Miatamel - Love, love the photo. Your girls are beautiful and already have the right attitude!!

 

[jgura]

This picture of my girls won best beach photo this year for the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches...taken by a family friend, college student majoring in photography.

Oh wow! I can not believe I never thought of tutu's on the beach. I love it! I might be on a mission now to get bright tutu's before we leave. I love beach pictures and have plenty pics of the white attire. If you don't mind sharing, where did you get the tops?

Anyone out there a pro or semi professional photographer???? Pm me if you are.

PANICKING! NO packing started and a million other things to do!

 

[Cam Fam luvs Dsny]

You know you are officially overpacking when you find yourself packing the drive-thru drink holder thingie from McDonald's to tote your drinks down from Deck 9 to your room.

Lord help my husband when he sees THAT.

MY DH brought this one to my attention. This is a man who believes in minimalist packing. He has suggested that on the day which he and the kids are spending in Orlando before I arrive they will be sure to pick up a take out drink tray!

Any other thoughts he might buy into?

 

[miatamel]

Oh wow! I can not believe I never thought of tutu's on the beach. I love it! I might be on a mission now to get bright tutu's before we leave. I love beach pictures and have plenty pics of the white attire. If you don't mind sharing, where did you get the tops?

Anyone out there a pro or semi professional photographer???? Pm me if you are.

PANICKING! NO packing started and a million other things to do!

The costumes are from a Mississippi native, now an artist living in California, I believe. These are handmade in Bali (she says) and I love them. In fact, last cruise four years ago, I ordered and sent the pink ahead and it was waiting in the stateroom for Helena from Ariel--complete with water tracks from the verandah (Flannery already had one). We also have her Peter Pan costume which is beautiful and I've posted pics of it here earlier. Peter "left" it for Flannery same cruise, complete with pixie dust. Here is the link to her website:
http://www.jenniferjonesdesigns.com/childrens.html
Here are the costumes in full. The feet can be set inside the fin so it looks like a complete mermaid or the feet can be out for walking.

The tutu skirts came from chasing-fireflies.com. We have several in different colors--you'll be seeing at least one on the boat These are really good ones because they are VERY full.

 

[momssurprise]

Mel, I'm in shock and amazement...could you be a cooler mom? Those clothes! Those surprises! Those beautiful girls!

Jill, I am with you! I cannot pack yet, too many other things to do. Work is crazy and DD is in full schedule overload...and I'm almost out of wine.

Yikes!!!!

 

[miatamel]

I'm sorry for being so indulgent. I'm rather melancholy--with zero Christmas spirit and I find myself missing putting up a tree and designing my Christmas cards. In this mood, I was looking thru images and wanted to share this. This was my Christmas card last year with the theme "rockin around the Christmas tree." I designed all four sides in black--and did it up very goth. It was, um, a bit controversial for my neck of the woods My sweet college photographer indulges my every whim.

Oh, well, think I'll go downstairs and put Lola in the front window with the color wheel and she can be my tree this year.

 

[CrusinLattas]

I'm sorry for being so indulgent. I'm rather melancholy--with zero Christmas spirit and I find myself missing putting up a tree and designing my Christmas cards. In this mood, I was looking thru images and wanted to share this. This was my Christmas card last year with the theme "rockin around the Christmas tree." I designed all four sides in black--and did it up very goth. It was, um, a bit controversial for my neck of the woods My sweet college photographer indulges my every whim.

Oh, well, think I'll go downstairs and put Lola in the front window with the color wheel and she can be my tree this year.

Great Pics!!!!