Mingos in the Watah! What in the Wuhld?

[Megablocks]

Way to go, Bella! That's awesome that she finally approached the characters! The autograph book was definitely a great idea.

 

[declansdad]

WTG Bella!! It is a special moment for everyone when your child makes that first approach.

 

[Ty's Nonnie]

Go Bella! Your getting to be a pro!

 

[MeMom]

Oooooo.... PINS! Heck with the online Disney store, I'm reading MeMom's TR! I should start saving these pictures to remember what to buy next time in Disney... MR. TOAD!!!

C'MON!

She shares, right?


Awwwww... Poor Brooklynn...

Those Fireworks are so cool and that's awesome the EWP goes all Patriotic to go along with the fireworks. Disney always does it right

Darn! Well always next time

Yay Bella!! That's awesome you got her to finally get some character picture. Yeah, totally worth not going to the Seas to be family of the day

Brooklynn actually did share her ice cream with me. I, on the other hand, shared my portion of bread pudding with....




no one.

I think that CM was really trying to comprehend someone turning down the offer to be Family of the Day.

Disney certainly does fireworks right!

Way to go, Bella! That's awesome that she finally approached the characters! The autograph book was definitely a great idea.

Yeah, Jill, for thinking of it. From now on, there will be something for the characters to sign. I want to do pillowcases on of these days.

WTG Bella!! It is a special moment for everyone when your child makes that first approach.

She was smiling so big at us and feeling so proud of herself.

Go Bella! Your getting to be a pro!

We can only hope she remembers the thrill when she goes back in December.

 

[kschafer]

That Cheetah's brother came home with us this summer!!

Not sure I could have given up the opportunity to be family of the day but Bella sure did great with the characters!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Look at Brooklynn with her hand on her hip! She's a pro! Bella looks absolutely adorable with that big, proud grin!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Oh no, that contest isn't for me, and honestly it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I spend too much as time and money on my room to put it in a contest to be beat by some McDonald's Happy Meal containers that were laminated just because she was able to muster up more votes. It wasn't about the best decorated room. There were some really cute rooms represented in the contest and since I didn't have a hat in the ring I feel that I can say that many deserved to win as far as the "Going Disney" theme went. Sadly, it was a popularity contest, a room with minimal work won. As hard as we tried we couldn't get our favorite room to win.
I imagined it to be people voting that actually cared about a Disney classroom. I don't think it turned out to be that kind of contest at all.

I did however purchase a level 1-2 collection of Pixar stories that would work beautifully for some of my kids to send from my second grade Nemo room to your second grade Nemo room.
That is IF you don't win. If you DO win, I'm keeping it...

If you haven't figured out, I'm upset about this whole thing...
I know how hard you worked on your room.
OK, I'll shut up now.

 

[micandminforever]

Oh no, that contest isn't for me, and honestly it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I spend too much as time and money on my room to put it in a contest to be beat by some McDonald's Happy Meal containers that were laminated just because she was able to muster up more votes. It wasn't about the best decorated room. There were some really cute rooms represented in the contest and since I didn't have a hat in the ring I feel that I can say that many deserved to win as far as the "Going Disney" theme went. Sadly, it was a popularity contest, a room with minimal work won. As hard as we tried we couldn't get our favorite room to win.
I imagined it to be people voting that actually cared about a Disney classroom. I don't think it turned out to be that kind of contest at all.

I did however purchase a level 1-2 collection of Pixar stories that would work beautifully for some of my kids to send from my second grade Nemo room to your second grade Nemo room.
That is IF you don't win. If you DO win, I'm keeping it...

If you haven't figured out, I'm upset about this whole thing...
I know how hard you worked on your room.
OK, I'll shut up now.

I agree 100%.

 

[Ty's Nonnie]

Oh no, that contest isn't for me, and honestly it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I spend too much as time and money on my room to put it in a contest to be beat by some McDonald's Happy Meal containers that were laminated just because she was able to muster up more votes. It wasn't about the best decorated room. There were some really cute rooms represented in the contest and since I didn't have a hat in the ring I feel that I can say that many deserved to win as far as the "Going Disney" theme went. Sadly, it was a popularity contest, a room with minimal work won. As hard as we tried we couldn't get our favorite room to win.
I imagined it to be people voting that actually cared about a Disney classroom. I don't think it turned out to be that kind of contest at all.

I did however purchase a level 1-2 collection of Pixar stories that would work beautifully for some of my kids to send from my second grade Nemo room to your second grade Nemo room.
That is IF you don't win. If you DO win, I'm keeping it...

If you haven't figured out, I'm upset about this whole thing...
I know how hard you worked on your room.
OK, I'll shut up now.

Ditto!!!!!

 

[stace208]

I'm with Anita. I was shocked at which one was ahead. That room was not "decorated" with Disney. She just had some Disney things that she used to teach specific lessons. I guess they needed more specific rules or something.

We all know who the "real" winner is!

 

[MeMom]

That Cheetah's brother came home with us this summer!!

Not sure I could have given up the opportunity to be family of the day but Bella sure did great with the characters!!

That's cool. I forgot to ask Jill what our cheetah's name is.

It was Jill's call. I would have been all about The Seas, but Jill had a sixth sense about the morning, I guess. We'll try again another time for the characters and for the Family of the Day at The Seas. We can make some matching Nemo shirts or something to call attention to ourselves.

Look at Brooklynn with her hand on her hip! She's a pro! Bella looks absolutely adorable with that big, proud grin!!

Brooklynn is an expert character meeter girl! Bella's face just makes me smile every time I see these pictures.

Oh no, that contest isn't for me, and honestly it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I spend too much as time and money on my room to put it in a contest to be beat by some McDonald's Happy Meal containers that were laminated just because she was able to muster up more votes. It wasn't about the best decorated room. There were some really cute rooms represented in the contest and since I didn't have a hat in the ring I feel that I can say that many deserved to win as far as the "Going Disney" theme went. Sadly, it was a popularity contest, a room with minimal work won. As hard as we tried we couldn't get our favorite room to win.
I imagined it to be people voting that actually cared about a Disney classroom. I don't think it turned out to be that kind of contest at all.

I did however purchase a level 1-2 collection of Pixar stories that would work beautifully for some of my kids to send from my second grade Nemo room to your second grade Nemo room.
That is IF you don't win. If you DO win, I'm keeping it...

If you haven't figured out, I'm upset about this whole thing...
I know how hard you worked on your room.
OK, I'll shut up now.

You are always too kind, but can let your little sweeties have the books. I'll look for the same set at Brooklynn's book fair when I am down there Friday. I know they would love them. If the book fair doesn't have them, I'll hunt them down somewhere.

After I figured out how this was all going down, I started adding to my pleas for people to vote for our room 'if they thought it was good enough', because my conscience would not have wanted to solicit votes for a classroom that obviously was not decorated as Disney as all of the others, not just mine. I still say she has got to be a super teacher, but I think the original focus was supposed to have been about the classroom, not the teacher. I will guarantee she is a better teacher than I am, but I really don't think the room is as Disney, or at least it wasn't represented as such in the pictures.

It's all good, though. Brooklynn and Bella both have book fairs this week, and I will also buy a couple of boxes of popsicles, and my kids will be delighted!

I agree 100%.

Ditto!!!!!

Are you two agreeing about Wigd shutting up?!?!?
Ooooooooh!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Do not even pretend to tell me what to do with this book.....
I'm sending it!

Honestly, I have classroom money that I can use to buy the Pixar book for my kids, but we just had a book fair and I got some new books!

AND you know they were not agreeing to me shutting up!

 

[MeMom]

I'm with Anita. I was shocked at which one was ahead. That room was not "decorated" with Disney. She just had some Disney things that she used to teach specific lessons. I guess they needed more specific rules or something.

We all know who the "real" winner is!

I appreciate all the votes, support, and cheering we got all week from everyone. It was an experience, for sure.

Do not even pretend to tell me what to do with this book.....
I'm sending it!

Honestly, I have classroom money that I can use to buy the Pixar book for my kids, but we just had a book fair and I got some new books!

AND you know they were not agreeing to me shutting up!

Don't you have a party you should be getting ready for?

Don't you always have a party to be getting ready for?

We just got our classroom money Friday, but seeing as how I have spent about two hundred more than that already, I didn't get way excited about it when they came around to have us sign for it.

Hope you have a great family day tomorrow.

 

[uncw89]

We were ecstatic that Bella did so well. That group picture would have been awesome, of course, but we'll try again another time.


Yeah, Bella!!!


She just grinned the whole time, and Brooklynn thought it was hilarious that we were being so silly!

Being in control of the book took her focus off of her fears for a few minutes, and then she rolled along with our cheering antics.


We're way down now, but it was a fun week watching the leades go back and forth. My students really enjoyed it, so it was worth doing. Next year, Wigd has to enter, and we'll all support her!

I can't say enough good about 'Ohana. We are looking forward to our NYE dinner there.

We are eating dinner there too on NYE!!!! Ohana's will be full of Diser's! What time is your ADR? I can't wait!!!



I bet the Photopass people thought we were a little .


I laughed when I saw the pictures, because I recalled how much fun those few moments were.

Oh no, that contest isn't for me, and honestly it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I spend too much as time and money on my room to put it in a contest to be beat by some McDonald's Happy Meal containers that were laminated just because she was able to muster up more votes. It wasn't about the best decorated room. There were some really cute rooms represented in the contest and since I didn't have a hat in the ring I feel that I can say that many deserved to win as far as the "Going Disney" theme went. Sadly, it was a popularity contest, a room with minimal work won. As hard as we tried we couldn't get our favorite room to win.
I imagined it to be people voting that actually cared about a Disney classroom. I don't think it turned out to be that kind of contest at all.

I did however purchase a level 1-2 collection of Pixar stories that would work beautifully for some of my kids to send from my second grade Nemo room to your second grade Nemo room.
That is IF you don't win. If you DO win, I'm keeping it...

If you haven't figured out, I'm upset about this whole thing...
I know how hard you worked on your room.
OK, I'll shut up now.

I agree! Your room definitely was more Disney!
I'm sure she isn't a better teacher than you!!! She just knows alot of people!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm so confused.
I just asked Marc where we were eating NYE and he said that he didn't know.
Time to check the ADRs. Maybe we are at Kona that night.

 

[uncw89]

I'm so confused.
I just asked Marc where we were eating NYE and he said that he didn't know.
Time to check the ADRs. Maybe we are at Kona that night.

You might be eating with us!!! Or Kona I'm not sure what you decided!

 

[MeMom]

I agree! Your room definitely was more Disney!
I'm sure she isn't a better teacher than you!!! She just knows alot of people!!

I'm thinking she probably works in a larger middle school with a lot more parent support.... and for her sake (and sanity) hopefully they have a good financial backing and a lot less paperwork and stress! That could automatically make for a happier teacher.

She seemed to go up in large increments, so maybe she had kids voting a class at a time throughout the contest. It's all okay. I'm like Wigd, I thought it was just something among a few Disney people, but then she started racing in with the big leaps in numbers, and I thought it must be something bigger than I had imagined, so I started asking for votes, too. This was the first time I had ever heard of or been a part of anything like this. I would never have asked for votes for myself as a teacher. I thought it was supposed to be specifically about the room decor. Anyway, after a while I realized it wasn't about that at all, because her room was obviously not decorated more Disney than the other entries. That's when I started adding the 'if you like the room' part to my cause. I did not want any random person to go and vote for me just because. I wanted them to approve of the room or to vote for one of the other rooms they liked better. That is what the contest was about, as far as I read it.

Trent was right - it is definitely not like me to enter contests, and although it was fun to watch my kids keep up with it all week, and learning how to be gracious losers is a good lesson, I think that is my one and only time to do this. I'll enjoy looking at the other entries next year and voting for the one I think did the best job making a Disney classroom.

I liked some of the ideas the others had, didn't you? Mickey and Minnie keychains for hall passes - love it!

I'm so confused.
I just asked Marc where we were eating NYE and he said that he didn't know.
Time to check the ADRs. Maybe we are at Kona that night.

You told me 'Ohana a long time ago, and we put in our number. Then we changed the number, but as far as I know the place stayed the same. Kona is fine, too, of course, but you told me 'Ohana way back when we were talking about going to 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Don't know if that helps stir your memory at all. The ADR fairy can help you to know the exacts.

You might be eating with us!!! Or Kona I'm not sure what you decided!

She told me 'Ohana. We've been drooling over steak, broccoli, and noodles......

and bread pudding

for months.

Don't tell her this, but if it's not 'Ohana, I am going to have one of the Disney villains put a curse on her at MNSSHP.

Naah, we like Kona, too.
We aren't picky.
We just like food, period.

We'll eat somewhere that night, and we'll be very happy to be in WDW doing so.

 

[pinkxray]

Yay for Bella She looks so proud of her book. Brooklynn looks very proud of Bella too.

 

[MeMom]

Yay for Bella She looks so proud of her book. Brooklynn looks very proud of Bella too.

It was a very fun few moments. I imagine 'normal' people thought we had never been to Disney World before.


*******************************************

Onward ho!
What else ya got, Epcot?

Tiny fairy houses.

Little girls looking at squirrels.

Gramps wanted to round him up.

He was not one bit afraid of these girls.

He had a friend in this CM.

The cast member invited the girls over to keep watching the squirrel and to look at a bunny family, as well.

My sweet girls.

We were the first ones in line here, and another lady and her daughter came up after us. We exchanged small talk for a while, and then another family came up with several children. For whatever reason, ignorance of how it worked or disregard for common courtesy, they made their way to the front of both of us. They sent their little girls up to the Tinkerbell meet spot. I guess they figured she would come out and greet the first girls who were waiting. Thankfully, the CM knew very well what was going down, and she made sure the right people got to where they should be in the right order.

Good morning, Tink!

Once again, Bella comes through!

So, our character meetings and greetings that morning made us happy.

John had gone to either ride or get a Fastpass for Mission:Space, I think, while we were hanging out with Tinkerbell, and we met up with him afterward.


That's it for this morning.
Have a beautiful Sunday, friends!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I am sorry you didn't win. I considered having my students vote for you, but I just didn't feel right about it. (I know you completely understand.) I am glad you got some great tips! I know that you room brings you much joy; I wish it was recognized for its greatness, though!

The pictures with meet and greet with Tink are wonderful!