May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 3

[granmaz]

I also wanted to say, when you folks PM me for the DIS master list, I'm not going to respond to each one because I'm getting so many...so don't be offended, but I am getting them!!!

Didn't expect you to reply Lisa. Thanks for doing this, it is a big job. Thanks Noel too!!!

 

[fourmcds]

Carolyn-I really think they'll do fine. I could be wrong but I watch my kids at church and other functions where they don't know kids (even at the park) and they usually gravitate to one child or another. I'm sure there will be enough activity on the ship....Disney knows kids, that's for sure. And they can have "playdates". On our last cruise I met a family from our DIS thread that had a boy the same age as my oldest. We all met up in the terminal and became friendly and seemed to be in the kids club at the same time...they had a playdate. It was as simple as playing on a Leapster together for an hour or two, but it was different and they had fun. We also met up at the pool several times. I wouldn't stress, children are so resilent! (This is the only child speaking!!!)
I know my oldest will have homework but I figure during down time in the cabin he can tackle it.

I know for my 2, as long as it is warm and there is a pool (esp with a slide!) they are set Having other kids around to play with besides just their sister even better For me, there was so much on the ship that we didn't even get to see I am really looking forward to so many at sea days. And homework, isn't that what the plane ride home is for OK, not really, but I know both girls will have to do a journal of some kind and then other assignments. Hopefully it won't be too much.

 

[fourmcds]

UGGG! I know we were all discussing state testing and it interfering with the cruise next year. I just signed up to be the "snack mom" for my DD's class for her WASL's this year. I went to school to get the schedule and due to the excessive snow days (or bad weather days) the state extended the WASL period. Now last year when I planned our WDW trip I made sure to check into this and I was set. Now DD will be missing 2 days of the 5 of testing. So, she has to make them up, but make up days are the week we are gone or the first week. Basically she is going to have to take the test 2 weeks before her classmates and miss all that prep time! I am so tempted just to pull her from the test all together this year. I know we can't control the weather and school closures....but this has just added one big stress onto our May vacation. Now, lets just hope they don't repeat this type of thing next year OK, done venting, thanks for listening......

 

[ibouncetoo]

I have to approach John tonight or tomorrow about my thought about the Dec 2nd Wonder cruise this year. I sort of asked my TA for some info and she provisionally booked it, as they do!! I have spent some days buying choc muffins, his favourite choc biscuits, making mashed potato, custard etc,lmao: ) and also asking for money of everyone for my birthday, but I still hesitate about mentioning it! I am hoping to use the fact that being Castaway Club members for our 2008 cruise would be a GOOD thing!!

AND, you could always use the THREE day on the 6th as a 'fall back' plan!!! It's got to be a couple of dollars cheeper.

 

[granmaz]

AND, you could always use the THREE day on the 6th as a 'fall back' plan!!! It's got to be a couple of dollars cheeper.

That is true!!! Will have to have a look. But........it is only 3 days!!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I got to meet Suze Orman today. She was at the station promoting her new book "Women and Money". She was very friendly and seemed quite tickled when I told her "9 Steps to Financial Freedom" gave me the tools to get out of credit card debt and get my FICO score into the 800's. Now it's that 3-6 months of 'back up' savings that seems a little out of my reach. Could DCL have anything to do with that....ya think?

 

[ibouncetoo]

That is true!!! Will have to have a look. But........it is only 3 days!!!

I know...tried to talk the gals into doing 3 days land/4 days sea, but some had booked the cruise already. But it worked out great as Peg and I most likely will be joining some friends in the Walt Suite. Hope we at least have one 'land' day that overlaps so we can meet!

 

[granmaz]

When are you planning on travelling home?

Wow, the Walt Suite will be great!

 

[pjpoohbear]

I read somewhere, not sure where, that the May repo in '05 only had a 1/3 the normal amount of kids or something like that. I thought that there were so few kids they actually opened up the kids club to adults one night. I know there are a few here who cruised then...am I right about this? I think because it is 2 weeks during school most people don't want to pull their kids and the kid #'s are lower. Even though there are quite a few kids in our group already, there are even more couples going alone (or it seems that way).

That is right, I am so up for it!

 

[clynne]

EXACTLY! We must have our priorities!

It's hard getting everyone here to agree with me! Is there such thing as a passive-aggressive Alpha Mom??

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

Carolyn-I really think they'll do fine. I could be wrong but I watch my kids at church and other functions where they don't know kids (even at the park) and they usually gravitate to one child or another. I'm sure there will be enough activity on the ship....Disney knows kids, that's for sure. And they can have "playdates". On our last cruise I met a family from our DIS thread that had a boy the same age as my oldest. We all met up in the terminal and became friendly and seemed to be in the kids club at the same time...they had a playdate. It was as simple as playing on a Leapster together for an hour or two, but it was different and they had fun. We also met up at the pool several times. I wouldn't stress, children are so resilent! (This is the only child speaking!!!)

Thanks, Lisa! I appreciate the encouragement. DS spent one 45 minute slot in the older kids' group (some trivia quiz) that he enjoyed, but wasn't ecstatic over. DD and I went to two activities for her age level and there were 60-80 (I COUNTED!) kids there. She danced. Did a lame craft. Left. Both are REALLY good with other kids. DS always gravitates toward older (boys and girls: equal opportunity! He's 8 and his partner in a computer tech class is a 14 year old girl!) and DD is just a happy, sweet thing. Clubs just didn't work last time, ya know? I would love to set up a casual play time, just to get some, "Hey, I know you!" face time in!

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

UGGG! I know we were all discussing state testing and it interfering with the cruise next year. I just signed up to be the "snack mom" for my DD's class for her WASL's this year. I went to school to get the schedule and due to the excessive snow days (or bad weather days) the state extended the WASL period. Now last year when I planned our WDW trip I made sure to check into this and I was set. Now DD will be missing 2 days of the 5 of testing. So, she has to make them up, but make up days are the week we are gone or the first week. Basically she is going to have to take the test 2 weeks before her classmates and miss all that prep time! I am so tempted just to pull her from the test all together this year. I know we can't control the weather and school closures....but this has just added one big stress onto our May vacation. Now, lets just hope they don't repeat this type of thing next year OK, done venting, thanks for listening......

Ugh! Geez, you try to plan and make it work and they just throw a wrench in it. How rude! Good luck with your decision. I'd opt just to take the test early to get a true representation (without the class prep) of what your DD can do. You can, also, buy practice booklets for standardized tests, so she can get a "feel" for them...

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

I got to meet Suze Orman today. She was at the station promoting her new book "Women and Money". She was very friendly and seemed quite tickled when I told her "9 Steps to Financial Freedom" gave me the tools to get out of credit card debt and get my FICO score into the 800's. Now it's that 3-6 months of 'back up' savings that seems a little out of my reach. Could DCL have anything to do with that....ya think?

How neat! I bet you made her day, as she probably just sees book sale numbers and doesn't always get to put a face to the sale.

Carolyn

 

[been2marceline]

Bellini for me!!

Noel,

Now I know we'll get along great! I love Bellini's!!!

Karen

 

[granmaz]

Good afternoon to you Karen.

 

[granmaz]

Are things any better today?

 

[nskjerven]

Hmmm....my money-making opportunity rears its head again....

don't tease me here, I'll hunt you down (we have the technology now ya know...thanks LiserAnn & Birkner)

Seriously, I'd really pay for a tutor on the ship. You may just have a spa day coming your way! It is a rotten thing to have to bug them to do homework. For some reason kids always behave better for people other than there parents.

I know my oldest will have homework but I figure during down time in the cabin he can tackle it.

what down time? We never spent a minute (okay maybe one) in the cabin on our last cruise.

UGGG! I know we were all discussing state testing and it interfering with the cruise next year. I just signed up to be the "snack mom" for my DD's class for her WASL's this year. I went to school to get the schedule and due to the excessive snow days (or bad weather days) the state extended the WASL period. Now last year when I planned our WDW trip I made sure to check into this and I was set. Now DD will be missing 2 days of the 5 of testing. So, she has to make them up, but make up days are the week we are gone or the first week. Basically she is going to have to take the test 2 weeks before her classmates and miss all that prep time! I am so tempted just to pull her from the test all together this year. I know we can't control the weather and school closures....but this has just added one big stress onto our May vacation. Now, lets just hope they don't repeat this type of thing next year OK, done venting, thanks for listening......

Totally hear ya babe..good luck and whatever your heart tells you to do is the right thing.

It's hard getting everyone here to agree with me! Is there such thing as a passive-aggressive Alpha Mom??

Carolyn

I LOVE THIS & I AM THAT MOM!!!! ok, maybe more of the aggressive and less of the passive, but I still love it!

 

[nskjerven]

Since the mouse was too far away and we need to feel the love and see each others faces....Northern CA Disers JWeiss and I are planning a mini meet at the Oakland Zoo on Sunday March 25th around 11am -3 pm.

If anyone is interested in coming pm me and I'll create a cell phone contact list to send out so if you can stop by that day you can find us that day...

Not as good as Dland, but a nice day at the zoo.

 

[granmaz]

I wish I could get over there for one of your meets. I'm hoping to see some of you in November or December at WDW.

 

[granmaz]

Well, just about bed time for me. Have a great evening chatting. Sorry I can't join you.