Mingos in the Watah! What in the Wuhld?

[vamassey1]

Glad you had a nice visit with the girls this weekend. I hope school gets better as the year goes on. It will be fall break before you know it. For the first time ever we're getting a little fall break. Danielle has Friday the 14th and Monday the 17th of October off. I would love to join all of y'all in Disney but we'll be traveling up to Arkansas for a wedding.

Animal Kingdom has some of the best shop with the most interesting stuff. Danielle chose AK for her birthday park day in 2009. This was when they were giving out the gift card. She spent most of it that day on pins, a drum and some other things.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Glad you had a nice visit with the girls this weekend. I hope school gets better as the year goes on. It will be fall break before you know it. For the first time ever we're getting a little fall break. Danielle has Friday the 14th and Monday the 17th of October off. I would love to join all of y'all in Disney but we'll be traveling up to Arkansas for a wedding.

Animal Kingdom has some of the best shop with the most interesting stuff. Danielle chose AK for her birthday park day in 2009. This was when they were giving out the gift card. She spent most of it that day on pins, a drum and some other things.

For a minute I thought you were going to say that you were going to be there with us!!!
Then here came the wedding.
Oh well, one of these days....

MeMom, I enjoyed our short chat this afternoon. I think after you get this first round of "new" observations behind you it has to get easier...

Last year I was a wreck when they dumped the new observation routine on us!

Up late here in Kansas waiting to see what new doll is being released from Disneyshopping. Gosh they are selling fast!!!

 

[uncw89]

Well, what do you know, I was only 41 pages behind instead of the 150 that I had predicted

I won't comment on everything, I'll just say that I love your reports and I'm so glad you have chosen to share your trips with us

Hopefully life will allow me to be back on here on a regular basis!

That's not too bad!! I more like the 150 pages behind. I skim from time to time but at this rate I will never be caught up. I'll try to do better.
Hope things at school get better!!! And at least you get a break in about a month. I wish I could do the girls only trip, but at least I should be at the NYE meet!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hey, Jackie, don't you have some of those AK pieces? Will you show us what you have collected so far?

Here are the two pieces I have. I tend to buy the smaller, less expensive ones.

 

[daisylove]

Just wanted to drop by and say Hi! Been AWOL since out trip. Its always hard right when I get back to come back to DIS. The reality that the trip is over I think interfering with me Dissing. :0) But we have another trip at the end of this month and I think I can handle it. lol
Have to catch up on what looks like 60ish pages. Memom- just reading this page it looks like there have been hard times at work and I am so sorry for your loss of the kids friend. So young. I hope today is a good day and the start of better days.

 

[MeMom]

Shopping at Animal Kingdom! What a wonderful way to end a weekend! There are always such great finds there! Good luck with your outlines.

I worked on it for a while more last night, and I am almost finished. I sure hope it is acceptable. That's a whole afternoon that was wasted, if not.

Brooklynn especially loves the plush animal selection of realistic animals at AK gift shops. She often comes home with a new friend.

Well, what do you know, I was only 41 pages behind instead of the 150 that I had predicted

I won't comment on everything, I'll just say that I love your reports and I'm so glad you have chosen to share your trips with us

Hopefully life will allow me to be back on here on a regular basis!

We are glad that you enjoy them. Lately, I haven't had the time to DIS much. Keeping up with the report has become more difficult, but when I do have the time, I sure enjoying reliving the good times we had.

Glad you had a nice visit with the girls this weekend. I hope school gets better as the year goes on. It will be fall break before you know it. For the first time ever we're getting a little fall break. Danielle has Friday the 14th and Monday the 17th of October off. I would love to join all of y'all in Disney but we'll be traveling up to Arkansas for a wedding.

Animal Kingdom has some of the best shop with the most interesting stuff. Danielle chose AK for her birthday park day in 2009. This was when they were giving out the gift card. She spent most of it that day on pins, a drum and some other things.

I was just on your TR earlier. The one where you are talking about changing the dates. I'm wondering if you are talking about March. I booked for March 30th, and then they changed the free dining dates. I hope that means we are 'grandfathered in' on that deal. I don't know that we can go, but if we can, I hope the dining deal holds.

For a minute I thought you were going to say that you were going to be there with us!!!
Then here came the wedding.
Oh well, one of these days....

MeMom, I enjoyed our short chat this afternoon. I think after you get this first round of "new" observations behind you it has to get easier...

Last year I was a wreck when they dumped the new observation routine on us!

Up late here in Kansas waiting to see what new doll is being released from Disneyshopping. Gosh they are selling fast!!!

I think our principal is making it worse, too. He spazzes out about stuff and makes everyone feel like incompetent sometimes. I think if our assistant principal was in chargem things would feel as pressurized, even with all the new mandates.

That's not too bad!! I more like the 150 pages behind. I skim from time to time but at this rate I will never be caught up. I'll try to do better.
Hope things at school get better!!! And at least you get a break in about a month. I wish I could do the girls only trip, but at least I should be at the NYE meet!!!!!

We will look forward to seeing a whole gang of DISers on NYE!

As for the fall trip - 4 weeks from Saturday. Brooklynn is going to be making a short beach trip in a couple of weeks, too. At first, Jill didn't think she was going to be able to get off in early October. That's why the 40th anniversary trip got changed. As time grew nearer, things at work changed and they got extra office help, so she now has the time off. They are going to the Florida panhandle for some beach time. Brooklynn is so busy that she won't even think about the WDW trip much, and I have enough school stuff to keep me very busy, so it will be here before I realize it.




Hope everyone has a very good (and very fast) work week!

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

Good Morning MeMom, Jill and everyone!
Well FINALLY after a week or so and possibly near 50 odd pages, I have caught up!
Its been lovely to read your report since coming home. I saw stuff and thought - "oohhh we bought that" and "oooh wasn't long since we rode that / saw that"!!!
Again - we are now in for a very long wait until we go again. My Mum hinted at another "girls" only trip in November, but I reminded her I will be too pregnant by then and I am not sure I could leave Toby for a week!!!
As it stands, we are planning to return some time in 2014 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - before this baby girl turns 3yrs and we have to start paying for her park tickets / food etc.!!!
Its a long time to wait, but it will be worth it. We're going to save hard and hopefully fly in a better class on the flight... plus stay at Disney for 2 weeks on the dining plan. It will be just US as well. As much as I love my family dearly, 3 weeks with them was just a bit too much!!!
Our trip was AMAZING and its so sad we are home and its fast becoming a very distant memory! Memories we will never forget though thankfully!
I have pretty much converted my hubby into a Disney lover now he's seen it through his little boys eyes. He said "I never appreciated the MK until we took Toby" and now thrill rides and off-site meals are a thing of the past! He is amazed at how much value the dining plan offers and can't wait to take Toby there again. He was SO good with Toby, he carried him SO much - he now has huge biceps LOL - he carried him throughout the queues and just generally through the parks because he felt sad Toby was stuck down in the buggy not being able to see everything!
It was hard with him in the heat and I took it harder this time being so pregnant. We will avoid August next time!!!
Toby enjoyed everything apart from the characters, he cried the first day during our breakfast at Chef Mickey's when Mickey sort of crept up behind him... he turned around and this huge Mickey Mouse was right in his face. Sadly Mickey got a rather large whack on the nose from a shocked toddler!!!!!!!!! But by the end of the trip he was better and we even managed to get some proper character meet and greet sessions done, with autographs and photographs obtained - all from the safety of Daddy's arms of course!
Needless to say we cancelled the remaining character breakfasts. Toby was really distressed after Chef Mickey's, it seemed silly spending the money to see our son so upset by it all!
But he loved the rides and did so well on them. He even paid full attention, and wore the glasses on all the 3D shows!
His favourite rides were "small world" "elephants" (Dumbo) "horses" (the Carousel) and "Peter Pan"!
Anyway - sorry that was a long update!!!
Great to be reading your reports again!
Julie xxx

 

[DWGal210]

Good morning all!!! Have a super day!!

 

[momof2TNboys]

Good Morning everyone!! I have not had a chance to catch up in the last few days. With Cooper in kindergarten and UT football in full swing, we have been busy! I just wanted to tell you to hang in there. I hope that things change soon. I had a conversation last night with our next door neighbor. She is a
4th grade teacher and she is overwhelmed right now too. She says many teachers are crying on a daily basis. I know it is hard, but I just feel there is no way they can fire all the teachers and it seems like everyone is stressed and being pressured. So, I would hang in there until this calms down. Easier said than done, right? Just keep thinking about being at your happy place.
We leave in 10 days!!(my ticker is wrong). I am so excited. My work is becoming busier and busier as my practice is building. That is a good thing, but exhausting.
Have a great day everyone!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Brooklyn and her zebra mask is just adorable!

The 2011 Animal Kingdom shirt with the gorilla outline on the bottom made its way home with Jeremy!

 

[DisneyFanLauren]

Hey MeMom!!! Hope you have a fantastic week of school! I am sorry it has been so tiring on you!!! However just think you are 33 days until your Disney trip and I am 31 days out so we have much to celebrate!!!! Are ya'll staying at Pop this time??? My sister and I are also trying to scrounge up enough for the deposit on a room for New Year's Eve I have heard it is lots of fun.. which i am sure you can vouch for!!!! I have not seen African cats yet but wanted to!! and I also loved the picture of Zebra Brooklynn!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

but has anyone seen Brooklynn?

Where, oh where has Brookie gone??

 

[vamassey1]

I was just on your TR earlier. The one where you are talking about changing the dates. I'm wondering if you are talking about March. I booked for March 30th, and then they changed the free dining dates. I hope that means we are 'grandfathered in' on that deal. I don't know that we can go, but if we can, I hope the dining deal holds.

We're booked for Mardi Gras. From everything I have read you should be grandfathered in as long as you don't change your dates. Can anyone else confirm this?

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Oh Caren, sounds like some serious headaches and pressure to have to deal with along with wanting to do what is best for your kids!! I feel your pain!!

Our motto this year is 211 degrees to 212 degrees it's the extra degree that matters...well as a science teacher I can tell you that while extra energy can get water to boil, so can REDUCING the pressure. I wish you all the best with your classroom this year.

What a great story about that little boy! I bet he was thrilled to see his work on the board and hopefully his improvement will continue!! He has found a friend in you for sure!!

YAY for Brooklynn knowing, but poor Bella...hopefully she will have much fun looking forward to Disney and Santa Claus!!

Jen, I had to laugh- this was our "big theme" a couple of years ago... Then we had Ruby Paine reps visit...and then 12 powerful words...This year the district initiative is Depth of Knowledge...I swore the first several times our principal said it he was saying Death of Knowledge...

Memom- Our district changed the lesson plan format into this ridiculous document a couple of years ago. It is really sad. The new teachers who need to use time for other things have to complete these forms that take extra time and make no difference. I am sorry that you have to spend time on something that simply doesn't help the kids.

And yes, you have a right to gripe. There are terrible events all around us, but when your teaching is impacted and you aren't waking up thrilled to go to work...it is your right to get comfort too.

I ask kids if I can hug them...teaching high school might make me a little suspect if I just walked around hugging... However, how sad for those little, little guys who don't get enough hugs!

I do want to report that my girls go to a public school (not in the district that I teach) and they have amazing teachers who are creative and keep my daughters loving school. Even though the state test is a huge pressure on the teachers, they are still able to function well. I know it is because they have teachers who love them (just like you love your students, Memom!) I do recognize, though, that my girls attend a school that is not low performing which changes the game immensely! (The school is hitting its plateau, though, and will soon not be meeting their benchmarks.)

On to happy thoughts- FALL BREAK!!!!

 

[MeMom]

Good Morning MeMom, Jill and everyone!
Well FINALLY after a week or so and possibly near 50 odd pages, I have caught up!
Its been lovely to read your report since coming home. I saw stuff and thought - "oohhh we bought that" and "oooh wasn't long since we rode that / saw that"!!!
Again - we are now in for a very long wait until we go again. My Mum hinted at another "girls" only trip in November, but I reminded her I will be too pregnant by then and I am not sure I could leave Toby for a week!!!
As it stands, we are planning to return some time in 2014 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - before this baby girl turns 3yrs and we have to start paying for her park tickets / food etc.!!!
Its a long time to wait, but it will be worth it. We're going to save hard and hopefully fly in a better class on the flight... plus stay at Disney for 2 weeks on the dining plan. It will be just US as well. As much as I love my family dearly, 3 weeks with them was just a bit too much!!!
Our trip was AMAZING and its so sad we are home and its fast becoming a very distant memory! Memories we will never forget though thankfully!
I have pretty much converted my hubby into a Disney lover now he's seen it through his little boys eyes. He said "I never appreciated the MK until we took Toby" and now thrill rides and off-site meals are a thing of the past! He is amazed at how much value the dining plan offers and can't wait to take Toby there again. He was SO good with Toby, he carried him SO much - he now has huge biceps LOL - he carried him throughout the queues and just generally through the parks because he felt sad Toby was stuck down in the buggy not being able to see everything!
It was hard with him in the heat and I took it harder this time being so pregnant. We will avoid August next time!!!
Toby enjoyed everything apart from the characters, he cried the first day during our breakfast at Chef Mickey's when Mickey sort of crept up behind him... he turned around and this huge Mickey Mouse was right in his face. Sadly Mickey got a rather large whack on the nose from a shocked toddler!!!!!!!!! But by the end of the trip he was better and we even managed to get some proper character meet and greet sessions done, with autographs and photographs obtained - all from the safety of Daddy's arms of course!
Needless to say we cancelled the remaining character breakfasts. Toby was really distressed after Chef Mickey's, it seemed silly spending the money to see our son so upset by it all!
But he loved the rides and did so well on them. He even paid full attention, and wore the glasses on all the 3D shows!
His favourite rides were "small world" "elephants" (Dumbo) "horses" (the Carousel) and "Peter Pan"!
Anyway - sorry that was a long update!!!
Great to be reading your reports again!
Julie xxx

We'll help you pass the three year wait until you can take your little princess. By then, Toby won't be afraid of characters, and he'll be ready to show his sister the magic of Disney World. So glad to read that he loved Fantasyland. Think how much bigger it will be when he returns! Thanks for sharing some of your trip with us.

Good morning all!!! Have a super day!!

I left a whole hour before 6:30 , and three of my kids were out - two suspended for fighting in Music Friday, and I guess the other was sick, maybe. Not that I want them sick or in trouble, but it was a very calm, quiet day in my world!

Good Morning everyone!! I have not had a chance to catch up in the last few days. With Cooper in kindergarten and UT football in full swing, we have been busy! I just wanted to tell you to hang in there. I hope that things change soon. I had a conversation last night with our next door neighbor. She is a
4th grade teacher and she is overwhelmed right now too. She says many teachers are crying on a daily basis. I know it is hard, but I just feel there is no way they can fire all the teachers and it seems like everyone is stressed and being pressured. So, I would hang in there until this calms down. Easier said than done, right? Just keep thinking about being at your happy place.

We leave in 10 days!!(my ticker is wrong). I am so excited. My work is becoming busier and busier as my practice is building. That is a good thing, but exhausting.
Have a great day everyone!!

I stayed at school and finished all of my lesson plan this evening. There is only one part I'm a little unsure of as to what they really want. I do think of our trips when my brain has time to stop.

I remember long ago when I first started teaching at my school. I used to think how cool it was that I got paid for doing something so fun.

Brooklyn and her zebra mask is just adorable!

The 2011 Animal Kingdom shirt with the gorilla outline on the bottom made its way home with Jeremy!

I didn't buy any t-shirts this time. I need a new AKL one, because my old one somehow got bleach on it and has a white spot now.

Hey MeMom!!! Hope you have a fantastic week of school! I am sorry it has been so tiring on you!!! However just think you are 33 days until your Disney trip and I am 31 days out so we have much to celebrate!!!! Are ya'll staying at Pop this time??? My sister and I are also trying to scrounge up enough for the deposit on a room for New Year's Eve I have heard it is lots of fun.. which i am sure you can vouch for!!!! I have not seen African cats yet but wanted to!! and I also loved the picture of Zebra Brooklynn!!!

I like to count in weeks, because it sounds shorter. Four weeks from this Saturday =

Yes, we'll be at Pop the next three times.

Where, oh where has Brookie gone??

Luckily, we did find her before we moved on.

We're booked for Mardi Gras. From everything I have read you should be grandfathered in as long as you don't change your dates. Can anyone else confirm this?

I don't plan to change them. I have already looked at flights. Since I have gotten no word from an official Disney source, I am hoping we are in.

Now....if we just get to go.

Jen, I had to laugh- this was our "big theme" a couple of years ago... Then we had Ruby Paine reps visit...and then 12 powerful words...This year the district initiative is Depth of Knowledge...I swore the first several times our principal said it he was saying Death of Knowledge...

Memom- Our district changed the lesson plan format into this ridiculous document a couple of years ago. It is really sad. The new teachers who need to use time for other things have to complete these forms that take extra time and make no difference. I am sorry that you have to spend time on something that simply doesn't help the kids.

And yes, you have a right to gripe. There are terrible events all around us, but when your teaching is impacted and you aren't waking up thrilled to go to work...it is your right to get comfort too.

I ask kids if I can hug them...teaching high school might make me a little suspect if I just walked around hugging... However, how sad for those little, little guys who don't get enough hugs!

I do want to report that my girls go to a public school (not in the district that I teach) and they have amazing teachers who are creative and keep my daughters loving school. Even though the state test is a huge pressure on the teachers, they are still able to function well. I know it is because they have teachers who love them (just like you love your students, Memom!) I do recognize, though, that my girls attend a school that is not low performing which changes the game immensely! (The school is hitting its plateau, though, and will soon not be meeting their benchmarks.)

On to happy thoughts- FALL BREAK!!!!

I am really glad your girls have a good school. I have been seriously thinking about other options. Unfortunately, outlying counties don't pay quite as much. One of our first grade teachers put her application in at a small private school last week. She just said she could do this all year.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

You will be able to keep your free dining, as long as you don't change your dates.
I was told by the CM on the phone the other day that I was lucky to have booked before they changed the dates.
Bumping up a day still fell inside the new dates so all was good.

I bet there will be some disapointed folks who didn't book right away and will loose out.
Funny how a day can change everything.
There was even a difference in price of the flights between Thurs & Fri.

Glad you booked it when you did, so you'll have the free dining! Be positive...all your trips have happened in the past!

 

[MeMom]

A few more pictures from this area before we head to our next destination.

Next up on our Animal Kingdom 'you're so predictable' travels:

The ride out there was nothing special, since we saw no animals in the housing units.

It is true that elephants have good memories, because these guys remember the girls every time we visit!

Today's procedure.

Isn't it amazing that they can do stuff like this?

Since there was time to spare, we visited some of the other creatures.

Can you imagine the fun my second-graders would have with the guessing game that is shown here?

You are probably familiar with the stories behind these x-rays.

A golf ball and some coins were involved.

The kangaroo's arrival had been delayed a little while, but we kept waiting.

Finally, we saw activity!

I will say it again when it comes to this place - they love the animals and treat them so lovingly. The girl on the right stroked on the kangaroo the whole time, talking to him/her (I think it was a girl), and just being so tender to her.

The conclusion, as best I remember, was that there was an infection in her jaw.

These procedures are always interesting to me, and I am always impressed with the true tender loving care they give the animals. They told us that they bring every animal except the rhinos, elephants, hippos, and giraffes into that room. They said they bring large gators in by strapping them to ladders and weaving their tails in between the rungs. We have seen them treat a tiny little mouse with the gentleness a pediatrician treats your children. I love this place, and if I could work there, I think it would be an awesome job. I wouldn't know anything about working on the animals, but I would love sharing with children about the animals in a fun, educational atmosphere.

 

[vamassey1]

MeMom you would make the best AK CM ever! When Danielle has her class at the AK in Feb I'm going to tell her to pay special attention so we can report back to you on what your new job requirements will be..

The one time we were at the Conservation Station for some real animal interaction we got there too late and ended up all the way in the back and couldn't see anything. Kudos to y'all for getting to experience this up close.

 

[Nicole786]

Love the vet pics. One time we went there and they were operating on a turtle that was struck by a car and had a cracked shell. They were so tender and loving, just as you said, speaking with the turtle even though he/she was heavily sedated. The only word I could use to describe our state as we stood there and watched was MESMERIZED. So much so, that when we finally broke our stare, we realized we had been watching and chatting with the vet who had come out to explain for about 45 minutes. It is such an amazing experience, I would never wish harm on any animal but I hope we get a chance to see this again in October.

 

[momof2TNboys]

Love the AK pics. It is so cool to see the animal exams. I just love animals. I really thought my boys did not like animals for a long time. They have really started to like animals now. We go to the zoo often. Of course, their favorite animal is Buttercup, a 23 foot long, 220lb reticulated python.
Mommy's worst nightmare. I have a severe, irrational fear of snakes! Cooper wants to visit every one. It kills me.