~~~ May 16, 2009 ~~~ Western Magic ~~~

[texfinn]

Mati - I'd love to join you for Tea on Monday - I haven't done much research (cause I knew Jim wouldn't be interested) have you already made resservations? Would I just book myself for the same time and then we just ask to be seated together??

Sounds like a plan! Any other takers? I could only book for two (me and DH) but don't think he is going so am probably good with you on my reservation but I guess it doesn't hurt for you to reserve too in case there are others? We can always change it as we get closer. I am not sure how the linking works -- does anyone know if we can do that before we get on the ship?

I woke up early this morning and was thinking about the cruise (so what else is new) and I think I decided on my FE gifts. Now I just have to find all the materials and make them. I also need to decide if I'm going to make my own FE or buy one ready made. I know how to sew, I'm just like the look of the embroidered characters and I don't have a cool enough sewing machine that has that feature. What is everyone else doing for their FE?

My husband says I am OBSESSED with the cruise. He thinks it is worth the money just for the excitement I have had planning it! I wish I could sew. Still have no clue on FE gifts but I am sure we will find something fun. My Mom has a fancy machine but don't know if she will create something embroidered for me. Can you buy patches? I was kind of hoping that might work?

I am so excited! I have never done this before - is the website quite easy to use when booking?

Yes, this was my first time to use it too and it has been easy. I will warn you though that if it gets hung up and you close the browser, you have to wait some time before it will clear your login and let you back in. One tip is to confirm each reservation as you make it. A bit more tedious but this way if it crashes in between, you haven't lost everything. I learned that the hard way last night!

Since there seems to be some open spots for the earlier dining, I went ahead and sent my request for the change. I'm still thinking that it may be earlier than we would like, but 8:30 is later than I would like. (Yes....I'm indecisive about travel details sometimes...) I figure if we get the earlier time, it will be nice and if not...we'll survive and be happy either way!

I can understand. Bummer to lose our possible table mates but I can understand. I am personally hoping for an 8pm dinner time. I hope it works out for you!

Hudson5&Lennon3 -- I finally got Sabrina's email figured out and added your email to her address book. I'll have her write an email later today. I hope the boys enjoy it!

 

[indigodisney]

Hi Pooh's Honey Pot - it is really easy to use - I thought it would be more difficult and it really was simple. Which was good when I was on the computer at midnight

I hope you have a great weekend!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Sounds like a plan! Any other takers? I could only book for two (me and DH) but don't think he is going so am probably good with you on my reservation but I guess it doesn't hurt for you to reserve too in case there are others? We can always change it as we get closer. I am not sure how the linking works -- does anyone know if we can do that before we get on the ship?

What time is your reservation for? I'll add it to my list of reservations to book tomorrow.

I've been spending the morning checking out the Disney store online. Trying to decide if I want to splurge on personalized polo shirts for Jim and I....Hmmm

And disney outlet has a dual time Mickey watch for only $20! I've wanted one forever, now I just have to figure out if I can splurge. I guess I should figure out our tax situation first...

If anyone is looking for a rolling cooler Disney outlet has one for $13.99. I'm not sure if it will fit through the security machines (have no idea what the correct size is) but you might want to check it out if you were thinking of bringing on a cooler with drinks.

 

[texfinn]

What time is your reservation for? I'll add it to my list of reservations to book tomorrow..

There is only one time for the tea I think -- 3:00pm on both sea days. I have it booked at 3pm on Monday the 18th.

I've been spending the morning checking out the Disney store online. Trying to decide if I want to splurge on personalized polo shirts for Jim and I....Hmmm

And disney outlet has a dual time Mickey watch for only $20! I've wanted one forever, now I just have to figure out if I can splurge. I guess I should figure out our tax situation first...

If anyone is looking for a rolling cooler Disney outlet has one for $13.99. I'm not sure if it will fit through the security machines (have no idea what the correct size is) but you might want to check it out if you were thinking of bringing on a cooler with drinks.

I LOVE the Disney outlet. I bought a ton of t-shirts online and a costume for DS (pirate!) from there about a month & 1/2 ago. The t-shirts were way too big which is a good thing so need to re-order and take these back. I think I can take them to my local Disney store. The cooler sounds great! We need one. I think we will bring some water/wine & beer with us and I was looking to buy one anyways. I can't imagine it would be too big. Buy the watch! That is a great deal! Of course, I am one to talk -- I need to do my taxes and am scared so just sort of avoiding the situation. I should probably do that just in case all of our money is now owed to Uncle Sam.

Good luck to you all tonight! I hope you all get all the ressies you want! From the looks of it last night -- it is WIDE open so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[tsarina13]

Welcome to tsarina13!!!!
We have a DD who is 7 so the girls will be in the club together. She is getting to know Jalen as a pen pal (another boy on this board -- cute as can be) and is LOVING (and I mean LOVING) getting and writing emails back and forth so if that is somethign you are interested in PM me.

Texfinn - We'd love to do the pen pal thing before the cruise but I'm new to the board and don't have PM privileges. How do I get PM privileges?

Your kids are beautiful. And I love your puppy! We had a golden retriever. He got cancer a couple of years ago and we had to put him down but we had 12 wonderful years with him. They are so great with kids and so loving.

We currently have second seating dinner. I've requested the main seating within the past month so the odds are out that I'll get it. I figure if Carissa is in the club she can go to dinner with them, and then eat with us again later.

I am dropping Carissa off at a Valentine's Day party, going on a date with my husband, and then ANXIOUSLY awaiting the reservation window to open. I'm thinking the Palo tea on Monday. I'm a little up in the air about everything else.

 

[texfinn]

Texfinn - We'd love to do the pen pal thing before the cruise but I'm new to the board and don't have PM privileges. How do I get PM privileges?.

Sabrina will be THRILLED! She is enjoying the boy pen pals (she just wrote Hudson and Lennon) but is asking if there are any girls on the cruise! I don't know if there are a number of posts you have to do get PM privileges. We can email you but until I have your email, Sabrina's account is locked up from receiving it. The whole parental control thing. Gotta try while you can right!

Your kids are beautiful. And I love your puppy! We had a golden retriever. He got cancer a couple of years ago and we had to put him down but we had 12 wonderful years with him. They are so great with kids and so loving..

THANKS! They are the spitting image (especially Sabrina) of my husband Yoni. They look like little Finnish children -- very little Mexican American (that is my background) at all. Who knew I would have kids with blue eyes! Cuervo is sweet -- about 7 months old now. He is very good with the kids and is very calm. I was against getting the dog -- enough to do already without a dog around -- but am warming up to him. Just don't tell that to my DH!

We currently have second seating dinner. I've requested the main seating within the past month so the odds are out that I'll get it. I figure if Carissa is in the club she can go to dinner with them, and then eat with us again later..

If you get stuck with second seating dinner, join us! We figure we will only have the kids with us about 1/2 the time. I want them with me all day (or at least most of the day) and then use evening as our "solo" time. I will want them around for the shows and figure that will keep their interest. I plan on feeding them late in the afternoon and then if they join us for dinner packing their Leapster/Ninetendo in case they get ancy. Is that tacky? It seems like a lot of folks are getting early dinner so you probably have a good chance though. I don't think we can get it together in time for such an early dinner. I want to request an 8pm seating if possible -- just not sure if we can. Maybe I'll email my TA.

I am dropping Carissa off at a Valentine's Day party, going on a date with my husband, and then ANXIOUSLY awaiting the reservation window to open. I'm thinking the Palo tea on Monday. I'm a little up in the air about everything else.

Sounds like fun! Looks like I am spending my V-day surfing the web, reading trip reports, responding to everyone.... I sent DH to the spa for a massage and it put him to sleep so he is out for at least another hour. We have a tradition of always watching a kid friendly movie on the big screen (we have a big tv upstairs that the kids don't normally get to use) and ordering in Chinese. Sounds hokey, I know, but it is our little family thing. We are watching Wall-E tonight since me and DH haven't seen it. AFter that, we put the kids to sleep and me and DH always watch Notting Hill (our first movie). I know I know -- totally incredibly hokey but what can I say? My family, a good movie, chinese food and oh, a bottle of Prosecco -- it will be a FABULOUS evening!

 

[austin77]

IM SO EXCITED!! excursions tonight!!!...I dont care how late I have to wait up!! Ill have to go to the store and buy a few RedBulls!! lol ill be up ALL night! lol

I dont know what to do in Mexico!!! Is there alot to do if we just walk around the town? I dont know!

 

[indigodisney]

Mexico is the hard one for us too - My DH is just looking on the website now as well. I thought ruins but have been second guessing that...guess we will decide in the next few hours!

 

[texfinn]

In case anyone is interested -- we are opting for a beach day in Cozumel with the option to get massages or go diving while we are there.

Here is the link I have:

http://www.cozumelcruiseexcursions.com

It is a resort called Nachi Cocom and it got fabulous reviews on this board. I booked it after looking up the other beach excursions. The price wasn't bad either but figure another $30 for cab fare.

 

[lucyddr]

Sounds like a plan! Any other takers? I could only book for two (me and DH) but don't think he is going so am probably good with you on my reservation but I guess it doesn't hurt for you to reserve too in case there are others? We can always change it as we get closer. I am not sure how the linking works -- does anyone know if we can do that before we get on the ship?

I can understand. Bummer to lose our possible table mates but I can understand. I am personally hoping for an 8pm dinner time. I hope it works out for you!

I'm definitely in for the tea on Monday! Do I need to book it tonight as a single you think or should we just add to one person's reservation?

I feel bad about changing dinner times... I just thought it might be better in terms of still being able to enjoy the nighttime buffets and events (which we missed on our first cruise secondary to our lingering). I love lingering AND the nighttime activities, so it's a tough decision. I truly will be happy if we don't get it as well, so don't count us out yet! (I'm totally with you on the 8 pm time!)

Good luck to all booking things tonight! I suspect I'll stay up until midnight and try. If we can't get on until 3 am, I'll probably just book things right when I wake up.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Ok, after waiting for DH to ask his friends about the KLP locations (and not getting any answers) I found a thread that asked for recommendations and there were two locations that were mentioned. Did a little research and found the info below.

Kermit’s Original
Key West
Key Lime Shoppe

http://keylimeshop.com/html/visit_us_in_key_west.html
Open Daily 9 A.M. to 9 P.M.

Located in Old Town
at the corner of
Greene & Elizabeth Street.

200-A Elizabeth St.
Key West, Fl. 33040
305-296-0806


Blonde Giraffe
http://www.blondgiraffe.com/home.htm
107 Simonton Street
Key West, FL
(305) 296-9174
9 am - 8 pm

1209 Truman Ave
Key West, FL
(305) 295-6776
10 am - 8 pm

802 Duval Street
Key West, FL
(305) 293-7874
10 am - 11 pm


I have no idea which location is closer to the port for the Blonde Giraffe.

Some people swear by Kermit's and some loved Blonde Giraffe. Guess we will have to try both to compare!

 

[dznyacct]

I like both Kermit's and Blonde Giraffe. We spent a week in Key West a few summers ago. I bought a whole Key Lime pie from Blonde Giraffe on our first day. I had a piece every morning for breakfast . My sister and her DH cruised with a stop in Key West last year. My very nice DBIL knew how much my sister loved the Blonde Giraffe key lime pie, that he had one sent via Federal Express for her birthday !! That was one VERY expensive pie, but he earned MAJOR brownie points .

 

[NoodlesMom]

I stayed up until midnight last night but I did it! This is a picture of our fish extender. DD and I went to Wal-Mart last night and got all the material we needed. I am not a crafty person at all. I have absolutely no creativity but I was able to put this together. There is hope for us non crafty women after all. I still need to go over the edges with one more layer of white ribbon to cover up the blemishes but I ran out of fabric glue last night. I think that I will try to find some mickey ear iron on's to put at the top by our family name.

I bought 1 yard of the red background fabric and one yard of the pirate fabric. I still have enough left over for two more fish extenders. I spent about $18 on the materials. The dimensions are 8 1/2 x 30.

Materials-
Fabric
Fabric Glue
1 wooden stick
Iron on letters
White ribbon


On another note, I would love to have tea with you ladies. I will pay our cruise of next week so if the time is still available I will try to book it so I can join you.

TexFinn,
My DH also thinks that I am obsessed with this cruise. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after its over

 

[lucyddr]

I stayed up until midnight last night but I did it! This is a picture of our fish extender. DD and I went to Wal-Mart last night and got all the material we needed. I am not a crafty person at all. I have absolutely no creativity but I was able to put this together. There is hope for us non crafty women after all. I still need to go over the edges with one more layer of white ribbon to cover up the blemishes but I ran out of fabric glue last night. I think that I will try to find some mickey ear iron on's to put at the top by our family name.

I bought 1 yard of the red background fabric and one yard of the pirate fabric. I still have enough left over for two more fish extenders. I spent about $18 on the materials. The dimensions are 8 1/2 x 30.

Materials-
Fabric
Fabric Glue
1 wooden stick
Iron on letters
White ribbon


On another note, I would love to have tea with you ladies. I will pay our cruise of next week so if the time is still available I will try to book it so I can join you.

TexFinn,
My DH also thinks that I am obsessed with this cruise. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after its over

Your FE is wonderful! I love the pirates and letters! I'm hoping to get mine in the mail in the next week or so... I asked the lady to be "creative" and gave her some of our preferences, so it will be a surprise when we get it!

I am staying up to book a few things, including the tea. Since I don't have your reservation number and stuff, I'm going to book the tea for 2 people. The ressie will probably say Adam and I, but he WON"T be coming! (So, you can be my guest and not have to worry about space being given up....If that's good for you!)

We've enjoyed our V-day, so now I'm watching Lady and the Tramp until booking time! (And will follow it with some other Disney movie until MN...)

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

I stayed up until midnight last night but I did it! This is a picture of our fish extender. DD and I went to Wal-Mart last night and got all the material we needed. I am not a crafty person at all. I have absolutely no creativity but I was able to put this together. There is hope for us non crafty women after all. I still need to go over the edges with one more layer of white ribbon to cover up the blemishes but I ran out of fabric glue last night. I think that I will try to find some mickey ear iron on's to put at the top by our family name.

Fantastic job!!!! I'm impressed. Guess I'll need to hit the craft store to see what I can find. I'm hoping I can find some cute fabric.

If the time is midnight, shouldn't my window open up at 9:00pm if I'm on the West Coast? Hopefully I'm right and I can book everything before I go to bed. Hmmm....

 

[dznyacct]

I can't wait to get on the DCL website in a little over an hour. I'm going to go hop on my elliptical for an hour to help pass the time. Hope everyone gets what they want and reports back here with their results . Good luck to all!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

(she just wrote Hudson and Lennon)

We got it, but they haven't seen it yet. We've been gone all day, and it's time for bed, so I'll have them write back tomorrow. I'll need to help Lennon write his, but Hudson should be able to do his own, too.

THANKS! They are the spitting image (especially Sabrina) of my husband Yoni.

That's funny because I thought they look exactly like you!!!

Cuervo is sweet -- about 7 months old now. He is very good with the kids and is very calm. I was against getting the dog -- enough to do already without a dog around -- but am warming up to him. Just don't tell that to my DH!

I'm sure Sabrina will hear all about our dog (a black lab)in the boys' emails, but we just got him recently, too. Justin & I had gotten a Dalmation many, many years ago, but he died 4 years ago when he developed stomach cancer at age 11. We had just moved into our new house right before he died, so for the last 4 years, I haven't had to put up with ANY dog hair, etc., and now we have a dog again. He was a stray that ended up on our porch the morning after Halloween. We ended up taking care of him for 5 days (!!) before we finally found his owner, but she was moving and needed to find a good home for him anyway. We talked about it for a few weeks and finally decided we would take him, so he came to live with us right before Thanksgiving. He really is a good dog, but he's a runner. We should've known since he ran away from his first owner!!! I had been the only one not wanting to get another dog because I knew all the responsibility would be on me--housebreaking, feeding, etc.--but I couldn't pass up accepting a housebroken dog! The boys are in charge of feeding him, so all I really need to do is take him out for potty breaks. The boys even take turns getting him loaded up in the Denali every day before we leave for school! (He LOVES going for rides, so he pretty much goes EVERYWHERE with us!)

I plan on feeding them late in the afternoon and then if they join us for dinner packing their Leapster/Ninetendo in case they get ancy. Is that tacky?

We brought along Leapsters last time, too. They had just gotten them 2 weeks earlier from the Easter Bunny. We definitely needed them to help us get through the flights! We made a rule that the only time they could play them on the cruise was in the morning if they were all ready to go but were waiting on Justin & me.

ordering in Chinese

Mmmmmm...we had Chinese tonight, too. MY FAVORITE!!!!

I stayed up until midnight last night but I did it! This is a picture of our fish extender.

Looks great!!!

My DH also thinks that I am obsessed with this cruise. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after its over

Start planning the next one!!!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

If the time is midnight, shouldn't my window open up at 9:00pm if I'm on the West Coast? Hopefully I'm right and I can book everything before I go to bed. Hmmm....

Yes, it should be!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Ok, so NOW I sit down to figure out which reservations I need to make and finally decide about the spa treatment. I haven't got any idea how much time to figure it will take for the High Tea. I was going to schedule my spa treatment for Monday in the afternoon, but now I'm not sure. I don't want to have to rush through what should be a relaxing time to go and relax.

Anyone have any idea how much time to allot for the tea? Maybe I'll do the spa treatment on Thursday instead.

Now the family wants to go and get ice cream for Valentine's day I guess I'll just book the stuff that I'm sure about when we get home and figure out the rest afterwards.

AGHHHH!!

 

[dznyacct]

I got 'em ! Palo for dinner for all 4 of us at 8:30 on 5/19 and Palo Brunch for all 4 of us at 11:00 a.m. on 5/21. The only thing I didn't get was Palo for High Tea on 5/18 . They only had 5/21 open. I think Brunch at 11, High Tea at 3 and lobster for dinner, might be a "bit" much !!