Mom and Dad's Dream Trip-34 Yrs in Making-Jun08 SOUVIE PICS PG 51 NEXT TRIP!!???!!!!?

[Charleston Princess]

I just caught your post on your PTR--great shopping finds, and I so LOVE the beach bag your student got for you--what a considerate child!!! I am so glad you like your travel organizer--I do have a couple more if anyone over there asks about yours from your picture--I would love to send them out to fellow "Disney Weirdos!" (is that what Charles said?) You just tell him if "loving Disney is weird/wrong, I DON'T WANT TO BE RIGHT!!" BTW--Did you like the Mickey package the organizer arrived in? When I saw it, I just KNEW I had to send it out in that!! Who doesn't want to get their mail and see Mickey staring back at them!

I thought the beach bag and goodies were great; my students stay with me for all three years, so we form really close bonds -- I will miss her so much!

I will definitely direct anyone that asks over your way!

I loved the envelope -- I even saved it!

I did a little more damage today on the shopping list--bought some new bras and underwear (WOOHOO!!! ) Tom made a funny joke about my bras the other day--hence the reason I had to get new ones--he said that he couldn't call them "Over the shoulder boulder holders" anymore, because the boulders had shrunk to pebbles. Why is it that when we lose weight, the "girls" are the first things to go? I don't want them to disappear, but alas, they shrinking quickly!

I hear you loud and clear! Sadly, my girls are pretty much toddlers!

I did some other shopping--BIRTHDAY PRESENT SHOPPING FOR MY MOM!!! Her birthday is on Thursday--Yes Jackie--Indy's opening day! Mom is always a hard one to shop for because usually if she needs something or wants something she goes and gets it before we have the chance to shop for it ourselves! But this year, I had a plan because of the trip!!! We both LOVE to scrapbook, so I got her a Disney scrapbook for the trip with tons of Disney stickers and page kits to help her fill it up! I also intend on taking her to the scrapbooking store in DTD. I have always wanted to go look through there, but since I have been the only scrapbooker on my previous trips, I could never get a chance to look there---this year we will be hitting it together!! OH WHAT FUN!!! YEAH!! I know she will love the scrapbook, and it will be so much fun when we get back putting it together and filling it up with tons of pics from our FABULOUS trip!!!!

Yes, Thursday is a big day for us. It says a lot that the list of my week goes something like this:
Monday: Give finals.
Tuesday: Connor's awards program.
Wednesday: Chelsea's awards program.
Thursday: Indy 4 opens.
Friday: Last day of school and my mom's 60th birthday.

I think your mom's gift sounds awesome -- I love scrapbooking. My mom is equally hard to buy for -- I was thrilled to find Julie Andrews' new autobiography for her -- she is a huge fan!

I have to tell you a quick little story about the countdown calendar---Like I said before, Megan insisted that we put it in her room so she could look at it whenever she wanted to, so we left it there not realizing there could be some consequences to our actions. Saturday morning, I realized these consequences when my lovely angel decided she NEEDED to wake me up at 6:42am on a SATURDAY just so that we could pull off the next card. Apparently, whenever she rolls around, stirs at night, etc. and sees the calendar, it is an INSTANT alarm in her head to GET UP and PULL OFF the next card. My lovely angel usually sleeps in for a 4 year old, so having to do early duty shift with her again has put me back in that sleep deprivation funk from her newborn days. I am walking aimlessly around in a Disney haze!! I just hope I can snap out of it in time to get my act together and get everything ready in time!! THERE IS ONLY 17 DAYS LEFT!!!! Can I make it? Can I finish everything I want to before then?????????? Stay tuned to see!!!!!!!1

Ugghh! That is not good about the sleep deprivation! Is there any way that Megan will let you move the calendar out to the kitchen or something?

 

[IluvXU]

There is so much great WDW scrapbook stuff out there! What a great gift. Last year I got some goodies for an aid in my room who was taking the grandkids/son to WDW after school was out. My problem is .... I am way behind. I must get caught up before baby arrives.... that is my June goal, to get back in the scrapbooking habit and get going!

 

[MegansMom]

I am so excited for you and your family. We were trying to do a grand gathering this year but it did not work out. So hopefully we can go next summer.
Have a great time and please take plenth of pics.

Welcome!!!!! I hope you are able to get your grand gathering together for next year!!! We are all so excited, and don't worry, THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PICTURES!!! I am a bit of a photo nut!!! Stay tuned for the TR to see all of them!

I will definitely direct anyone that asks over your way!

That's fine by me!

I loved the envelope -- I even saved it!

That is TOTALLY what I would do!

I hear you loud and clear! Sadly, my girls are pretty much toddlers!
I am glad I'm not the only one with the problem!!! "The Search for the Missing Boulders!" I don't think that is one that Indy can solve!!!!


I think your mom's gift sounds awesome -- I love scrapbooking. My mom is equally hard to buy for -- I was thrilled to find Julie Andrews' new autobiography for her -- she is a huge fan!

OOOOHHH!! That also would have been a good gift for her!! We LOVE Julie Andrews!


Ugghh! That is not good about the sleep deprivation! Is there any way that Megan will let you move the calendar out to the kitchen or something?

The calendar is going to HAVE to stay in her room--it will be a bigger catastrophe to her if we move it, and I still think she will get up early to check it--today's wake up call came at 6:30am. Although I think she wanted to get up today to see me--I went over to my girlfriend's house last night to make some cards and craft with the girls, so since I didn't get to kiss her goodnight, she wanted to see me early this morning!!! Oh well, it is getting me ready for the early wake up calls at DISNEY!!!

There is so much great WDW scrapbook stuff out there! What a great gift. Last year I got some goodies for an aid in my room who was taking the grandkids/son to WDW after school was out. My problem is .... I am way behind. I must get caught up before baby arrives.... that is my June goal, to get back in the scrapbooking habit and get going!

I know what you mean about being behind--I am still finishing our scrapbook from our WDW trip in 2006--I haven't even touched the 2007 trip yet---EEK!!! Need to do some MAJOR catching up! Just to let you know, Michael's has all their Disney scrapbooking materials 25% off this week!!! Good deals! Have you ever hit the store at DTD? Is it good? I can't wait to see it!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The Search for the Missing Boulders, indeed!

 

[MegansMom]

2 weeks until MICKEY'S HOUSE!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!? ONLY 2 more weeks!!! Time for some Happy Dancing!!!!


Happy Friday everyone!!! For those of you who are having your last day of school today==YIPPEE==I know the rest of you will be getting out soon, so HANG IN THERE!!!! Can you believe I am already down to two weeks left until Disney?!?!?! We are ALL getting so excited! We had Mom's Birthday party last night at her house, and once everyone was there, our conversation quickly turned into Disney talk!! We have hit that point when everything starts to become such a reality==pulling out suitcases and really preparing the packing lists, making sure all needed items are purchased, and preparing the vehicles for the drive down there. God help us with these INSANE gas prices!!!! This is the point where my guest room becomes Trip Headquarters--I spread out all the suitcases and bins in there, and start filling them when possible. We now have started the Disney talk like, "Hey this time in two weeks we are going to be doing this, or seeing this, or eating this" filling in the blanks with our favorite Disney things to do. Megan is over-the-top excited, and JUST CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I know Mike's kids have really started getting SERIOUSLY EXCITED too!! That makes us all so happy knowing that they are getting the Disney bug too!! I think he has shown and talked to them about the pin trading--they are perfect ages for that--so they are all excited about getting there, and getting their lanyards and starting their collections!!! I think they will really enjoy it! I still feel a little overwhelmed that I am not going to get everything done, but I think I go through that every year, and every year, things get done and we have a great time!!! So, I am not going to worry too much, I know it will all be done within NO TIME, and we will be heading on our way to the MOST WONDERFUL PLACE ON EARTH!!! Saying that just makes my heart sing!!

Saying that reminds me of the new WDW commercial with cutie-patootie David Cook from American Idol in it. (YES, I would be HAPPY to bear his children!!! ) Did you all see it? It starts out playing "When You Wish Upon A Star" and showing pictures of him when he was younger, and then clips and pics of him during his time on AI. It ends with him being named the 2008 American Idol, and then they say the infamous "You just won American Idol, what are you going to do next?" And he shouts right after the finale Wednesday night, "I'm going to Disney World!!" and then the song finishes up it's memorable line "Where Dreams Come True!" What a GREAT commercial!!!! (On a sidenote, I also LOVE his Guitar Hero commercial that is a spoof of the infamous Tom Cruise scene from 'Risky Business,' but for COMPLETELY different reasons!!! I am so ashamed of myself!)

Okay, I digressed for a moment, so I will be back to working on packing plans today--I will update you all on my progress soon!!! Enjoy your day!!! Jen

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for two weeks!

I will have to go find those commercials that you are talking about -- they sound great!

I am getting super excited, too!

 

[cherbear]

oh YEAH baybee! I know the Guitar Hero commercial

yeah, saw the other one too. It was good, but that GUITAR HERO COMMERCIAL

The one with Archie (David A.) is just plain OOGIE!

 

[cherbear]

2 weeks...that's fantastic! Glad your family is all into the Disney talk! My parents LOVE talking Disney....but my DH, not so much. When we get to the point you're at (2 weeks or so) then he will be okay with me talking about it---but he'll mostly listen.

He enjoys being there, but he's just not into talking about it as much as I'd like to!

 

[ampc3]

I know we are all soo close!! Yes today was our last day of school another ...

I am soo glad David Cook won , I don't follow AI until almost the end, don't know why but I am easily annoyed in the first few weeks.. so I just wait until almost the end to start watching... I haven't seen that commercial yet either.

I am really on the fence about the whole pin trading thing, my kids don't have a clue about it and not sure I want to tell them I am sure they would have fun doing it tho.. How much are the starter sets anyone know??

Happy memorial day weekend! Our pool is suppose to open Monday should be nice weather..

 

[MegansMom]

Hurray for two weeks!

I will have to go find those commercials that you are talking about -- they sound great!

I am getting super excited, too!

Here is a link to the Disney World one--still looking for a link to the Guitar Hero one. Enjoy!

http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?p...-4756-9448-7cbb5b4ff3ed&t=s60&p=enapus_enapus&

oh YEAH baybee! I know the Guitar Hero commercial

yeah, saw the other one too. It was good, but that GUITAR HERO COMMERCIAL

The one with Archie (David A.) is just plain OOGIE!

First of all--COMPLETELY agree about the one with Archie in it!!! He is adorable, but I got yucky feelings when I saw his--I just don't think he is old enough to be dancin' around like that on a commercial. Good singer, but I don't want to see that version EVER again!!!

I am so glad you are in agreement about Cook's version though!! LOVED IT!!! I have liked him from early on in the competition--I always say to Tom, "He had me at Hello!" (reminiscent of the famous quote from Jerry Maguire, and reference to his AMAZING performance of Lionel Richie's 'Hello.') From then on, he was my fave. Tom always teases me when he comes on saying--"Hon, look there's your boyfriend!!" or telling me that he is looking through the TV and singing directly to me--you know how he does those long stares into the camera as he is singing, kind of does make you feel like he is singing directly to you! So I am glad he allows my lust crush for DC--I guess he figures he owes me for all the times he drools over Carrie Underwood--but HEY, I have to hand it to him, she is GORGEOUS!

2 weeks...that's fantastic! Glad your family is all into the Disney talk! My parents LOVE talking Disney....but my DH, not so much. When we get to the point you're at (2 weeks or so) then he will be okay with me talking about it---but he'll mostly listen.

He enjoys being there, but he's just not into talking about it as much as I'd like to!

Tom gets into talking more about it towards this point in the planning too! He has a harder time talking about it from early on because he is so busy with work, that I think it is too hard to think and dream about vacation when it is too far away. He has this running thing now with Mike's kids about snack credits. Let me just tell you, TOM LOVES HIS SNACK CREDITS!! The first time we went, we didn't use them wisely, so from now on, he takes it as a challenge to get the most bang for his snack credit buck!! He keeps making bets with the kids for their snack credits, etc. The kids love it, and I think Tom gets a kick out of getting them wound up about the trip! I have a feeling he will be wheeling and dealing for snack credits all week!

I know we are all soo close!! Yes today was our last day of school another ...

I am soo glad David Cook won , I don't follow AI until almost the end, don't know why but I am easily annoyed in the first few weeks.. so I just wait until almost the end to start watching... I haven't seen that commercial yet either.

I am really on the fence about the whole pin trading thing, my kids don't have a clue about it and not sure I want to tell them I am sure they would have fun doing it tho.. How much are the starter sets anyone know??

Happy memorial day weekend! Our pool is suppose to open Monday should be nice weather..

I don't know how much the starter sets cost---If anyone knows, please give us some info!!! I know Megan is WAY too young to start this, but I think Mike's kids will enjoy it--especially the interaction with the CMs.


HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO EVERYONE!!!!

I am not sure of our plans yet, but I think Tom and I might actually go out on a date Saturday---WOOHOO!!! It has been a LONG time since we have done that. We have tickets for a special exhibit at our local museum that we need to use, and we would also like to see the new Indy movie. Beyond that, I don't know what exactly we will do--but I am sure there will be some trip planning involved!!!

 

[siestakeys04]

Your trip is getting me so excited for you and the one we hope to take as a grand gathering next year. All I have to say to my family is I going with or without you.

Please when you come back please share some grandgathering details I can use for next year!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks for the link to the commercial -- I am a sucker for Disney World commercials -- they always make me teary-eyed!

Have fun with Tom this weekend! What's the special exhibit?

 

[MegansMom]

Hello Everybody!!! Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days--we have been busy "playing" around our house!!! We have definitely taken advantage of some BEAUTIFUL weather the past couple of days, so Saturday we headed out to the zoo, and then out to a drive-in theater to catch the new Indiana Jones movie that night. We were going to try to go out on a date, but felt we needed the time just the three of us, so we took Megan along and set her up on sleeping bags and pillows in the back of our SUV with her portable DVD player so she could watch her own movies while we enjoyed Indy. We all had a great time!! The movie is good--a couple of HUH?!?! moments--but we enjoyed it. Megan said she can't wait to have a "Movie party" again! On Sunday, we headed to church, and after a quick lunch back at our house, we headed out to our favorite park to go hiking on the frisbee golf course. Tom played, and I followed Megan around as she tried to play as well!! She liked walking the whole hole, and then throwing her small Cinderella frisbee only when she got right up to the frisbee basket. She had fun!!! It was a great hike as well!! Due to Megan's weak leg muscles though, we were only able to make it through half the course. (She has really low muscle tone--especially in her legs--due to her prematurity, so she sometimes tires out quickly on hikes--her legs will start to shake.) So we then headed back home so she could take a long nap--Tom and I napped also (Gotta love weekend naps!)--and then after supper, we had an "ice cream party" on our deck. Before bedtime, we let Megan pick out a video from the new ones we got at the library on Friday to watch--we watched Cinderella II in keeping with our Disney marathon--it was really cute!!! After Megs went to sleep, Tom and I had a game night--we pulled out our old Battleship and Bargain Hunter games, and played until midnight!! He just barely beat me in Battleship, and I barely beat him in Bargain Hunter!!! It was fun--we love doing that every once in awhile--makes us feel like kids again! Tom is actually off today, so I am sure we will do something again today, but just not sure what yet!!! We are trying to soak up the time together, because Tom is going to have a horrendous time at work up until vacation--we probably won't see him most nights until VERY late, and when we return, his work week will also be AWFUL!!! Then on the 22nd, he has to go to Miami for a week of training. He has been trying to work out some way to take us with him, but we didn't find out about the training until very recently so airfare prices are ridiculous, and with gas prices and a 22-24 hour drive to Miami, I don't see his company swinging for that either!!! Megs and I really want to go so we can be with him, but I am beginning to think it is just NOT going to work out! I wish at this point that one of us worked for the airlines, or at least someone that we knew!! I can NOT believe how ridiculous it is to fly out of CVG--Cincy, and the other area airports are not much better right now since we found out so late! Oh well!!! We will just have to wait and see! I have LOTS of trip planning details to take care of this week--WE LEAVE IN ONLY 11 DAYS!!!! So wish me luck that I can get everything done!! I am pulling out suitcases and starting to get things ready to be packed--I am trying to avoid wearing the things we want to take so I don't have to do so much laundry right before we leave to have the necessities with us---I'll keep you posted on my progress!!! Enjoy your day! Jen

 

[MegansMom]

Thanks for the link to the commercial -- I am a sucker for Disney World commercials -- they always make me teary-eyed!

Have fun with Tom this weekend! What's the special exhibit?

The exhibit is the Bodies exhibit that has been going around the country. It is very controversial--trust me there is part of me that really doesn't like the fact that I'm looking at a dead body--but there is also the curious part of me that really wants to know what our bodies look like on the inside and how they really work. I have had a lot of problems with my own body so I would kind of like to know what everything that I have either had taken out or had problems with looks like. I have issues with some aspects of this exhibit, but we got the tickets for free, so I don't feel as bad about going. (Does that make any sense?) I realize there are a LOT of people who have issues with this exhibit, and I don't really blame them, but I don't know the whole story either about the whole thing, and I really am just curious. SO PLEASE no one flame me because we are going to see it--we really are just curious people about how our bodies work. I know that is a huge rambling answer to your question, I just don't want to offend anyone who is really against the exhibit, because I do understand where they come from, and we really aren't horrible people--we are just really curious. (Okay, I realize my ramblings make me look like an idiot--please forgive me! )

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Let us know what you think of the exibit. I have been considering going.

 

[cherbear]

Sounds like you had a fun weekend!

My DH just loves Frisbee golf! He played with his friends when we went to Texas and I wasn't "allowed" to go because it was an all-guy thing.

I love playing board games and can NEVER get my DH to play. I even have the TALKING BATTLESHIP! What is Bargain Hunter?
My all-time favorite is Monopoly even though it takes hours to play. I like playing that with about 4 people so I hardly get to play because I can't even get DH to play!

Cinderella II? Why haven't I seen this?

So what rating would you give Indy out of 10? I've heard some mixed reviews.

It's so nice that you always pack a day with so much fun stuff. My life is SO boring compared to yours. Maybe when DH stops working weekends (someday) I'll be able to have fun again. Til then I guess I can live vicariously through you!

I have never heard of a Bodies exhibit. Sounds cool to me. I'd like to hear about it when you get back. BTW how'd you get free tix?

 

[Beana9802]

SO COOL! I want to see it! Tell me what you think!

 

[Tinkergurl20]

I just finished reading your report and can't wait for the rest. Your daughter is adorable. I take care of two children who were both premature(the girl earlier than her brother) who are both doing wonderful, the little girl is also a Megan and currently is four but will turn 5 shortly! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

 

[DisneyDreamnDeb]

Glad your making the most of your long weekend, I have never tried frisbee golf, sounds fun. We went hiking in some of the nearby canyons, it was a nice day for us as well.
I love game night, we have been playing disney scene it and disney trivia 2 alot lately, it's usually an all out battle between Ashley(DD) and I, Jay (DH) doesn't stand a chance , we have a blast!
Thats a bummer Tom's has so much work and has to leave town, Jay use to work out of town sometimes weeks at a time and I alway's hated it, so I hope you are able to work out a way to join him. Of coarse on the other hand reuniting can be fun .
The exhibit sounds intresting I would also like to hear about it when you return. I don't think I woud buy tickets either, but if I were given free tickets I would probably go too so no flames from me.
Have fun pulling out the suitcases and packing. Deb.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Sounds like you have had a fantastic weekend so far!

Indy would be the perfect movie to see at the drive-in! I didn't even know those were around anymore!

I have heard about the Bodies exhibit -- I think it was here in Atlanta, but I may be mistaken about it. I agree that it would be interesting to see, but I am just too squeamish!

Hurray for 11 days! I am at 13!