MR BACK's Back!

[Lewski709]

Man, you guys, we have pissed off the gods of sickies but good in our house. Yesterday my son was again a mess and couldn't go to school so I was home again. But, it allowed me to reorganize the playroom prior to the influx of toys.

I then got sick again last night - same thing happened to my son. Apparently this stomach bug comes back after being gone for a day. This just stinks.

You need a Calgon Bath. You know....Calgon take me awayyyyyyyy. Get over it already, would ya?

Bye bye big sick bugs
No more hiding in the rugs
The kids have had you
You've given me the flu
Now do whats best and go lie
Where all the bad bugs go to die!

 

[geffric]

I'm Baccckkkk from a serious, busy business trip with lots of working all day and night..

First of all... I liked the Dolphin, especially since it was paid for by the company, since I was attending and working the conference. The room was big, the bed was heavenly. My view was of the loading dock and all of the trucks bringing frsh things to the Dolphin.

anyway, I spend part of Sunday at MGM did TOT, RNR, Muppets, Light Motor etc, Great Movie ride, Startours. everything was walk on.


Then went to MVMCP..Danauk it is great. I know that you will have a magical time.. .make sure that you see the Mickey's Twas the Night before Christmas.. and don't let the people on the MVMCP thread drive you crazy...

it was wonderful, sort of crowded but not really.. had lots of hot chocolate and cookies, no lines, walked on everything..

The fireworks and the parade are magical.... I got there early, went to country bears, then for hot chocolate and cookies, pete pan, mickey's Philharmagic, small world, hot chocolate and cookies, the 7:45 show of the Mickey's night before ( not terribly crowded), Buzz, Stitch, the fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, Mickey's Philharmagic, pooh, teacups, more hot chocolate and cookies, the parade and then it was time to go back to the hotel.

the Monday, I went back to MGM and rode RNR about 5 times and TOT 4 times and saw Beauty and the Beast.. then i had to head back to work...

Monday night I ate at cape May and saw the epcot fireworks from the bridge at the Broadwalk, and Tuesday night was downtown Disney... what a blast... I have never been without the kids.. FUN!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Welcome home geffric! I knew you'd have a great time. Did you get any of your co-workers into the parks or fine Disney dining establishments? Did you get a 'No Way, Jose'?

 

[geffric]

Hi ibouncetoo


On Sunday, I was with a customer of mine we had ran in to each other on the Mears bus to the hotel.....it took 1 1/2 to get to the Dolphin from the airport... stopped at every hotel on the planet before the Dolphin.never again will i take one of those shuttles. I wish that the Dolphin had access to magical express....so since she had arrive early to do Disney, we traveled on Sunday together.Then Monday night I was with another sales rep and Tuesday with the other sales folks and the SE's...

 

[castlegazer]

Did you make any headway with my company????


Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!

It totally sounds heavenly without kids. I think I am going to try and go at this time in a year or so. I really would like to do MVMCP.

Guys, I have a serious question for all you die harders. I am, after planning for 18 months, having second thoughts on the cruise. The level of logistical nightmares with a 15 month old and a 4 yo in tow are giving me heebie jeebies. Also the cost is giving me pause as we approach hte drpo dead date for my final payment. I am beginning to think, and it may be that I am tired and long for a relaxing vacation, that a week and a half at our condo in Cocoa Beach with an overnight and a couple day trips into Orlando may be the way to go. I could save $2K at least by doing this. We could go to NASA as my son is beginning to be a rocket and space nut and we could do the parks too but have plenty of beach time and pool time without the crowds at the Mickey pool and Catrina's inability to even go into the pool on the Magic. The cruise may be better when both kids can have fun in the clubs and around the ship.

What would you do? I can't even believe I am thinking this way after being so obsessed with this for so long.

 

[geffric]

Did you make any headway with my company???? they didn't stop by the booth.. and I didn't see anyone there from your company at the sessions that i attended.... maybe next time or meybe i need to pay a visit, after the winter...



Guys, I have a serious question for all you die harders. I am, after planning for 18 months, having second thoughts on the cruise. The level of logistical nightmares with a 15 month old and a 4 yo in tow are giving me heebie jeebies. Also the cost is giving me pause as we approach hte drpo dead date for my final payment. I am beginning to think, and it may be that I am tired and long for a relaxing vacation, that a week and a half at our condo in Cocoa Beach with an overnight and a couple day trips into Orlando may be the way to go. I could save $2K at least by doing this. We could go to NASA as my son is beginning to be a rocket and space nut and we could do the parks too but have plenty of beach time and pool time without the crowds at the Mickey pool and Catrina's inability to even go into the pool on the Magic. The cruise may be better when both kids can have fun in the clubs and around the ship.

.

Maybe a 3 day to see how the kids enjoy the experiece may be doable...or wait until next year.. when they will be older and have more fun.. and so will you..
on the other hand, my kids were older when we went so I do not speak from experience.....

 

[cadburysmom]

I'm Baccckkkk from a serious, busy business trip with lots of working all day and night..

First of all... I liked the Dolphin, especially since it was paid for by the company, since I was attending and working the conference. The room was big, the bed was heavenly. My view was of the loading dock and all of the trucks bringing frsh things to the Dolphin.

anyway, I spend part of Sunday at MGM did TOT, RNR, Muppets, Light Motor etc, Great Movie ride, Startours. everything was walk on.


Then went to MVMCP..Danauk it is great. I know that you will have a magical time.. .make sure that you see the Mickey's Twas the Night before Christmas.. and don't let the people on the MVMCP thread drive you crazy...

it was wonderful, sort of crowded but not really.. had lots of hot chocolate and cookies, no lines, walked on everything..

The fireworks and the parade are magical.... I got there early, went to country bears, then for hot chocolate and cookies, pete pan, mickey's Philharmagic, small world, hot chocolate and cookies, the 7:45 show of the Mickey's night before ( not terribly crowded), Buzz, Stitch, the fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, Mickey's Philharmagic, pooh, teacups, more hot chocolate and cookies, the parade and then it was time to go back to the hotel.

the Monday, I went back to MGM and rode RNR about 5 times and TOT 4 times and saw Beauty and the Beast.. then i had to head back to work...

Monday night I ate at cape May and saw the epcot fireworks from the bridge at the Broadwalk, and Tuesday night was downtown Disney... what a blast... I have never been without the kids.. FUN!!

WOO HOO Welcome home!

....a true Chocoholic's interpretation of your post.....

"blah, blah, blah "COOKIES and HOT CHOCOLATE" blah, blah, blah "COOKIES and HOT CHOCOLATE" blah, blah, blah "COOKIES and HOT CHOCOLATE"

 

[cadburysmom]

Maybe a 3 day to see how the kids enjoy the experiece may be doable...or wait until next year.. when they will be older and have more fun.. and so will you..
on the other hand, my kids were older when we went so I do not speak from experience.....

Lightening might strike me dead for this, but I honestly don't understand why people take babies on cruises. The kids won't remember a thing and it seems like too much effort for the parents, not to mention the people in the cabins on either side of you when baby wakes during the night. Don't get me wrong, I think it would be great for your older son. Jordan took his first Disney Cruise around 5 yrs old and it was perfect for him. But my neighbors took their three kids on a 7-day cruise and were totally miserable when the baby got sick and noone slept the whole time. The next time they left the baby with the grandparents and had a wonderful trip, not to mention the grandparents, who absolutely loved taking care of him. They will take him along this year as he is 3 and I'm sure they'll have a blast

ps....I'm sure I'll get blasted for this, but it's my honest opinion, so blast away

 

[cadburysmom]

We went to the new Steak n' Shake---- double chocolate chip shake, but I was very good at Triangle Town Center. I resist the many yummy chocolate opportunities---it was so painful. The huge chocolate gourmet apples at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory looked so delish and the Lindt truffles were beckoning. We went pass the Harry London and Godiva displays at Hecht's (something like 30% off). The store with the bathing suit display was handy to remind us to behave ourselves at the mall today.

Yep, those huge gourmet apples are deadly.... 10% apple, 90% pure sin

So is the new Steak n' Shake good? The name makes me laugh....I picture eveyone in there eating a big ol' steak burger while shaking their booty to 50's music

Whoa, Nelly......Godiva at 30% off....that's definitely worth another walk by, don't cha think!

 

[castlegazer]

well, I certainly am not going to blast you. Its exactly how I have been thinking.

I keep thinking about how relaxing and fun a beach vacation would be - plus we would have a kitchen to just live the way we are used to living - and how not relaxing a cruise would be. Don't get me wrong, I know it would be fun, plus the food my kids would get to eat (and get addicted to - like ice cream at the drop of a hat). But, relaxing, I don't think so. Cruises on our own are rarely super relaxing as you have to get up early so many days and jet off here to there. What we always liked about cruising, just laying on a chaise reading and sipping pina coladas, will not be possible with Catrina in tow.

 

[cadburysmom]

You guys, my company, which never advertises except at Christmas, has this new TV ad campaign right now with a woman sticking her fingers and head into one of those Chocolate Fountains. It cracks me up every time. I think of my chocolate loving friends here every time.

Man, you guys, we have pissed off the gods of sickies but good in our house. Yesterday my son was again a mess and couldn't go to school so I was home again. But, it allowed me to reorganize the playroom prior to the influx of toys.

I then got sick again last night - same thing happened to my son. Apparently this stomach bug comes back after being gone for a day. This just stinks.

I forgot to ask, are you guys better today? You poor thing, definitely paying your dues early this year...maybe once this episode is over, the whole family be stay totally healthy thru Jan and Feb...fingers crossed for ya!

 

[cadburysmom]

well, I certainly am not going to blast you. Its exactly how I have been thinking.

I keep thinking about how relaxing and fun a beach vacation would be - plus we would have a kitchen to just live the way we are used to living - and how not relaxing a cruise would be. Don't get me wrong, I know it would be fun, plus the food my kids would get to eat (and get addicted to - like ice cream at the drop of a hat). But, relaxing, I don't think so. Cruises on our own are rarely super relaxing as you have to get up early so many days and jet off here to there. What we always liked about cruising, just laying on a chaise reading and sipping pina coladas, will not be possible with Catrina in tow.

ITA...a beach vacation sounds like a much better choice for you now. You can always save the DCL crusie for when you KNOW the kids and YOU will enjoy it.......Jordan's at the age where he can check himself in and out of the clubs, get his own pizza, ice cream, etc....while Mom relaxes on her lounger, sucking down Mickey bars while reading a good book...now THAT's what I call the perfect DCL vacation!

 

[castlegazer]

I forgot to ask, are you guys better today? You poor thing, definitely paying your dues early this year...maybe once this episode is over, the whole family be stay totally healthy thru Jan and Feb...fingers crossed for ya!

This has been one bad episode, that's for sure. Thanks
I can't eat anything without some gastrointenstinal disorder happening but its getting better (plus maybe some pounds are shedding from it) and the kids seem to be getting a little better - they still can't breathe but the throwing up has stopped.

 

[NC Belle]

Yep, those huge gourmet apples are deadly.... 10% apple, 90% pure sin

So is the new Steak n' Shake good? The name makes me laugh....I picture eveyone in there eating a big ol' steak burger while shaking their booty to 50's music

Whoa, Nelly......Godiva at 30% off....that's definitely worth another walk by, don't cha think!

There is no jukebox at Steak n' Shake. The burgers are okay and the shakes are made from hand dipped ice cream. NC Beast's co-workers like it (plus its close by0.

 

[castlegazer]

OK - apparently we all need a Question of the Day so here goes: (total self-involved question today from me too)

What did you all get as appreciation gifts, i.e. for teachers, day care providers, others that you owe a deep level of appreciation for?

I just was in panic mode for a while on this and then had the idea to make a photo collage for our day care providers, What I am going to do is I have these inexpensive fleece throws that are wound into logs with a paper label. I am going to make an appreciation scrapbook collage for them with a poem to wrap around the outside of the throw. I think this will do. I had a boat load of them to buy. The infant room has something like 6 teachers and my son has another 4.

 

[kadaten]

OK - apparently we all need a Question of the Day so here goes: (total self-involved question today from me too)

What did you all get as appreciation gifts, i.e. for teachers, day care providers, others that you owe a deep level of appreciation for?

I just was in panic mode for a while on this and then had the idea to make a photo collage for our day care providers, What I am going to do is I have these inexpensive fleece throws that are wound into logs with a paper label. I am going to make an appreciation scrapbook collage for them with a poem to wrap around the outside of the throw. I think this will do. I had a boat load of them to buy. The infant room has something like 6 teachers and my son has another 4.

castlegazer First off, sorry to hear about everyone being sick. That's just yucky! Hope you all are on the mend soon! And as for your cruise-thinking....I think I tend to agree with you and cadsmom. You won't be doing much relaxing with Catrina in tow. The condo would probably be LOTS more relaxing for everyone, then you can cruise in another year or two. Good luck with your decision. I know how much effort that planning takes, and it's hard to completely change course, but you have good reasons and will probably be patting yourself on the back the day you arrive beachside!

As for the gifts, well, ours are going to be New Year's gifts since I ran out of time! We always do the baking thing. Christmas cookies are a HUGE tradition in my family, so we bake tons and give a box to each teacher at the holidays, and usually neighbors, too. DH has to work New Year's Day, so the kids and I will bake and have another lesson in "giving" as we prepare the gifts for their teachers. Personally, I LOVE your blanket idea Gosh knows no teacher needs yet another coffee mug!!! I've also done an "Alphabet Soup in a Jar" mix for the end of the year, and had a card attached that said "Thanks for teaching me my ABC's". That went over well, and so did gourmet hot cocoa mix. One family this year did $5 Starbucks gift cards....I know that was Abbie's teacher's favorite gift....She's a real coffee junkie

[rant] Why did I run out of time? Last day of school was today, and my "get everything done" weekend which was supposed to be last weekend, was spent in VA attending a funeral, so needless to say, NOTHING got done and I am WAY behind. We leave Sunday for WDW Dec 18-23 (yay!), so EVERYTHING (think shopping, meals, gifts mailed to family, fat man in red suit, EVERYTHING) has to be done by tomorrow! Oh...and we have a retirment/Christmas party tonight. DH was the Master of Ceremonies at the event today, and it was his boss, so we can't really skip it. PLUS, this is the FIRST time we've had a sitter since we moved here JULY 1, so I'm going! Oh, and the only reason we have a sitter is 'cause I got real pissy when DH asked if I'd lined one up and told him he knew more people in the neighborhood than I did (lots of them ride the commuter bus together) so perhaps he should be the one asking around, as all the people I know are ALSO without a sitter. He ACTUALLY asked someone and the FIRST guy he asked had a daughter who babysits. Will wonders never cease? My DH found a sitter. I shoulda yelled at him a long time ago! [/rant]

 

[castlegazer]

AWESOME RANT!



Fleece Throw - Christmas Tree Shops: $2.99 each. Takes the whole baking cookies thing right outta the mix for me - get it, mix Oh, I crack myself up sometimes.

 

[geffric]

Guess who i talked to yesterday???? Chocolatesista!!! She is having 'puter problems and will be back soon.. but we are going to meet for breakfast before her cruise.. YEP!!! Eric and I will be riding coasters at that other theme park.. so we will be in FL at the same time... Yippee!!! Finally we are going to meet!! Wonder what type of breakfast Ghirardelli’s serves? Anyone else up for a Chocolate breakfast???

__________________

 

[cheeringmom]

Umm HI all. Where is everyone? Busy decking the halls???

 

[castlegazer]

I am still here and working till tonight - then its the crazy period of trying to clean, get ready for everyone, wrap, make sure we have enough presents and I didn't forget someone.