Now a Trip Report!!! Will We Stay or Will We Go? A Thanksgiving Pre-Trip/Trip Report

[Charleston Princess]

Happy Ten Days!!!

I don't envy Alison's talk with her dad!

 

[nebo]

Hey Jill, since you are checking out the day before we check in, don't feel like you have to do us a favor and warm up the pools for us, ok?
We have never done the on line check in thing.
How do you argue about your room assignment then?
Did you request a certain room or area? We always pick it ahead of time. Just curious.

 

[jillyb]

Hey Jill, since you are checking out the day before we check in, don't feel like you have to do us a favor and warm up the pools for us, ok?
We have never done the on line check in thing.
How do you argue about your room assignment then?
Did you request a certain room or area? We always pick it ahead of time. Just curious.

It may be too cool for me to get in the pool but I'm sure the girls will be more than happy to get the pool warmed up for you and Smidgy. Just let me know.

I gotta say I was really excited when I heard about the online check-in and was really excited when I did it but I gotta tell ya...it was a bit of a let down too. I still think it's a great idea and if our arrival time was going to be earlier it would probably be more benefit to us...or not. I think the jury is still out on whether it's a blessing or a curse.

When I booked the package I requested the 60s building. That's the building we were in on our first trip and we really liked it. Of course, we had a preferred room that trip too so we may not like it as much this time around (assuming of course they honor that request)!

When I did online checking there was no option and no way to request a specific location/room. The only options were "Housekeeping - pack n' play" and "Room - ground floor, refrigerator (and they tell you there's an extra charge for that), near transportation". That's it. Well I don't really care about any of that. I guess ground floor would be nice but it's not important to me. Being near transportation isn't an issue because we'll be driving to all the parks. Although, being near the parking lot would be a bonus.

I was able to choose the option that we would be checking in later than 11:30 p.m. I'm hoping we're there by 11:00 but I'm hedging my bets just in case. So, even though when booking the package I told them it would be a late check in, it was nice to be able to confirm that. The late check in is why I don't think online check in is such a great deal for us.

The main reason people are doing online check in is to bypass the line. I just can't see there being a whole lot of people there checking in when we come rolling in near the stroke of midnight.

Would I do online check in again? Yeah...if we were arriving during peak check in time.

 

[Poolrat]

Since it was available I have done online check in. I believe in every instance but 1 ( and that was early morning during peak time) my room has been ready when I arrived.

If I was not completely happy with my room assignment I would always ask to change it if it was possible and always got something closer to what I wanted.

I also called as well as noted on the reservation if I had a preference. At POP I always ask for a upper floor to reduce the turbo toilet noise.

I have officially stayed in every section and yes I liked the 60's best too.

 

[jillyb]

Happy Ten Days!!!

I don't envy Alison's talk with her dad!

Yeah...that was my sentiment as well. Fortunately it wasn't the slaughter I thought it would be!

Clay had the good sense to call the teacher first to get the story because on her progress report she had a B average. Plus, he wanted to see what Alison would have to say and see if her story matched up with the teacher. Turns out that the Ex had also called and spoke to the teacher about Alison's grade.

It was the teacher's fault. Now ya'll know that we support the girls' teachers and reinforce the school rules. We're not the type of parents that blames the teacher for everything or makes excuses for their kids. But, from what Clay told me, the teacher bears alot of the blame this time. Now ya'll may also recall that Clay has a quick temper and he got plenty mad at this teacher...to the point to where during their conversation he had to put her on hold for a few minutes so he wouldn't totally lose it.

Alison has done her classwork, homework, turned projects in on time and done well on tests. So why the failing grade? 1) She tanked an oral book report 2) she (and practically half the class ) didn't do an assignment they thought was optional and 3) the teacher didn't include those grades on the progress report. If she had done that we would have known about the bad grade and worked with the teacher to rectify the situation.

Alison is very shy and self-conscious about her looks and the way she talks so doing an oral book report was torture for her. She got up in front of the class and stuttered and stumbled around. She just couldn't do it so she got a failing grade. The teacher has said that she's going to allow Alison to re-do the oral report with just her and Alison. Why couldn't she have done that before? As for the assignment that practically half the class thought was optional....there were a few students who did it and got a good grade so she didn't see a problem with the majority of the class that didn't do it getting a bad grade. Seriously???!!!! Over half the class thought it was optional so either they were all out in lala land (and with teenagers I know that's always a possibility!) when she was giving the instructions or she failed to communicate effectively.

Anywho...Clay talked to Alison and her story was pretty much what the teacher had said so he let her know that 1) she's going to Disney with us and 2) he expects her to have at least a B average for the rest of the year. That last part is because he's told her he'll buy her a laptop for her freshman year of H.S. if she maintains her grades.

So...that's the end of that!

=========================================================================================================
Trip stuff:

I got the label done and on the M&M tube for Hannah's pressed penny money. I've printed out the label for Alison's pressed penny money but I need to buy another tube of M&Ms because the hinge broke on the one she had.

I've got all of Alison's clothes piled in the suitcase and some of Hannah's. I pulled out some t-shirts for Hannah out of her closet and they're on the futon, along with the t-shirts I made for us and a few shirts for me and Clay. Still need to pull out some shorts for Hannah. Going to have to wait to pack her jeans because she's going to need them for school. I'll do packing for me and Clay the night before we leave. The washer and dryer has been running non-stop and the clean clothes are piling up! LOL I did manage to get some of them put up or thrown in to the pile to be packed tonight.

Julie (mousescrapper) and I have firmed up our plans to meet. We're going to meet at the AK on the 21st and ride the safari together. I'm looking forward to meeting her and her family!

Clay has declared that he needs some new jeans so we'll be doing some shopping on Saturday. I also want to put the last bit of money on Hannah's gift card. If I can't do it this weekend I'll just give her the money while we're there.

I've put the girls birth certificates in "the BINDER" (which has become a bit smaller than what I originally showed you because I've transferred all the trip related stuff in to another notebook) and taken "the BINDER", my Passporter and my Disney Dining book upstairs to the packing room.

I need to buy snacks and drinks for the trip down. I'll do that on Friday morning after Hannah gets on the bus.

New socks and underwear have been purchased and washed.

I bought some water repellant to spray on my tennis shoes and I need to do that next week. Need to do Hannah's tennis shoes too.

Need to put the notebooks, pens, etc. in the tote bags for the girls and get their park bags ready.

Want to buy the girls a couple of disposable cameras so they can take their own pictures.

Need to pull out the batteries out of the battery drawer for the camera and the girls DSs.

Try to find a portable DVD player so the girls can watch movies. Katie had 2 she said I could borrow. She brought them last night and they just weren't what I was expecting so now I'm going to have to try to find one that is reasonably priced.

Still need a car charger for the DSs.

Need to clean the inside of the van this weekend and run it through the car wash next week. Oh...and speaking of the van...the "service engine soon" light came on this afternoon. I just had new brakes, rotors, oil change, transmission fluid, etc. so I'm not happy about the engine light. (Note to self: tell Clay about the engine light!)

Having lunch with Poolrat tomorrow.

Hmmmm...there's probably some things I'm forgetting but that's all I can think of for now.

We're going to Disney World one week from tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MeMom]

New socks and underwear have been purchased and washed.


We're going to Disney World one week from tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New socks and underwear - that is the true sign of a trip that is almost here!

I believe I can safely say the trip is now one week from today!

 

[jillyb]

New socks and underwear - that is the true sign of a trip that is almost here!

I believe I can safely say the trip is now one week from today!

Those items just scream vacation don't they?!

This time next week I'll be a big ball of excitement!!!!!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Yeah, new socks and undies are definitely a sign of a trip coming. As is non-stop laundry which is what my weekend will consist of for sure. That and picking up odds and ends like disposable bibs, spoons, changing pads and bowls for ds.

Also going to try to find some loose fitting warm up pants for dd so I can layer with shorts underneath. There's days in the mid-80's there right now. Although someone came and started a thread about rain being predicted most of the week, it still says 80's.

Last night I went into the walk-in closet and started putting clean things into the suitcase that we don't need right now.

Where did you get water repellent for the tennis shoes? I need to get that for us as well.

 

[jillyb]

Yeah, new socks and undies are definitely a sign of a trip coming. As is non-stop laundry which is what my weekend will consist of for sure. That and picking up odds and ends like disposable bibs, spoons, changing pads and bowls for ds.

Also going to try to find some loose fitting warm up pants for dd so I can layer with shorts underneath. There's days in the mid-80's there right now. Although someone came and started a thread about rain being predicted most of the week, it still says 80's.

Last night I went into the walk-in closet and started putting clean things into the suitcase that we don't need right now.

Where did you get water repellent for the tennis shoes? I need to get that for us as well.

Rain???!!!! I haven't seen that forecast! I got the water repellent at Target in the shoe section.

I got all the clean clothes put up tonight. Just about have the rest of the laundry caught up. Not that it's going to matter because I'm sure the washer and dryer will be running up to the morning we leave. LOL I started ironing a few things and sorting out the clothes by day. I kept getting interrupted so I'd lose my train of thought and have to start over again. I finally said to heck with it all and will try again tomorrow. I did manage to get our arrival night bag packed with our pjs and clothes for the next day so that's one thing accomplished!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Rain???!!!! I haven't seen that forecast! I got the water repellent at Target in the shoe section.

I got all the clean clothes put up tonight. Just about have the rest of the laundry caught up. Not that it's going to matter because I'm sure the washer and dryer will be running up to the morning we leave. LOL I started ironing a few things and sorting out the clothes by day. I kept getting interrupted so I'd lose my train of thought and have to start over again. I finally said to heck with it all and will try again tomorrow. I did manage to get our arrival night bag packed with our pjs and clothes for the next day so that's one thing accomplished!

Someone posted that accuweather was predicting it, but I really don't put much stock in a 15 day forecast. I always look at weather.com before I go anywhere. So far they are only up to our first day, but it's clear and sunny. I find it hard to phathom, such a drastic change would take place. Hopefully it won't raing, but if it does it would be only briefly. According to some other posts I've read, it has been a pretty dry month there. Hopefully, if it does rain, it will only be like a drizzle or sprinkle. My dd actually likes being out in drizzle and I will have a cover for the stroller. No storms are predicted thank goodness, but by the time the dates actually get here, it could be completely different. Actually within the thread someone posted something completely different from that very site. Not sure how, but someone came up with a forecast that only showed rain on Monday, with partly cloudy to mostly sunny days the rest of the week, temps in the low 80s.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for being one week away from Disney!!!

I am surprised the teacher didn't question the students about the assignment they thought was optional. I am also surprised about Alison failing the oral book report, and the teacher not discussing it with her earlier. Well, I hope things are better this nine weeks.

 

[jillyb]

Someone posted that accuweather was predicting it, but I really don't put much stock in a 15 day forecast. I always look at weather.com before I go anywhere. So far they are only up to our first day, but it's clear and sunny. I find it hard to phathom, such a drastic change would take place. Hopefully it won't raing, but if it does it would be only briefly. According to some other posts I've read, it has been a pretty dry month there. Hopefully, if it does rain, it will only be like a drizzle or sprinkle. My dd actually likes being out in drizzle and I will have a cover for the stroller. No storms are predicted thank goodness, but by the time the dates actually get here, it could be completely different. Actually within the thread someone posted something completely different from that very site. Not sure how, but someone came up with a forecast that only showed rain on Monday, with partly cloudy to mostly sunny days the rest of the week, temps in the low 80s.

Ahhhh...I didn't realize it was a 15 day forecast. I'm with you...I don't put much stock in a 15 day forecast. Heck...it can change in just 24 hours! Forget about 15 days! I have noticed that accuweather and weather.com have very differing forecasts.

It has been very dry in Florida and they really need the rain. Although I'd hate to have lots of rain on our vacation I know the people there will be very happy to have it.

Hurray for being one week away from Disney!!!

I am surprised the teacher didn't question the students about the assignment they thought was optional. I am also surprised about Alison failing the oral book report, and the teacher not discussing it with her earlier. Well, I hope things are better this nine weeks.

I think that's what made Clay so mad about the whole thing. It could have easily been corrected and the teacher did nothing about it. I'm sure the next nine weeks will be much better.

 

[Poolrat]

4 more sleeps !!!!!

 

[jillyb]

4 more sleeps !!!!!

I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got an update of sorts from the weekend. I've got to get Hannah to bed (yes, she's up past her bedtime!) and then I'll come back and post it.

 

[jillyb]

Well I thought I was going to get some housework done this weekend but it didn't happen. The book fair started tonight at Hannah's school so we went straight there after I picked her up from after school care. She got two books: 1) A Royal Christmas (Disney Princesses of course!) and 2) Christmas in Camelot. It's a Magic Tree House book. This is the first in the series of Merlin books. She's read the second one already so I thought it might be nice to read the beginning! LOL The third book in the series has just been released so that may be a Christmas present.

I needed to stop by and see my Mom for a bit before heading home for dinner and homework so no cleaning for me tonight. Tomorrow night is Girl Scouts so, again, no cleaning. That leaves Wednesday night and Thursday night. Oh...and did I mention that Clay left for Texas yesterday and won't be back until late Tuesday night? Oh...and did I also mention that Tuesday is our 8th wedding anniversary? *sigh* The fates are conspiring against me.

I was hoping to have his help on cleaning over the weekend but, obviously, that didn't happen. I did manage to get more packing done, cleaned out the flower bed, swept the porch and sidewalk, cleaned the inside of the van and cleaned the windows on the van. I also got the last coat of water repellant on my tennis shoes and put the first coat on Hannah's. I've got the bag for Friday night/Saturday morning all packed and I thought I had the girls all packed. But last night as I was going over the list in my head it hit me....I hadn't packed Hannah's pjs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So this morning I unzipped their suitcase and put a note that says "get Hannah's pjs" on top. Ya'll know what this means right? Now I'm going to obsessively go through everything I've already packed to make sure I'm not forgetting something!

Saturday we went to The Bass Pro Shop at Concord Mills because that's the only place Clay can find jeans that are not only in his size but have the length. I swear...there's so much material for his jeans I have to wash them separately! LOL The brand he likes were on sale so he got 3 pairs of jeans and 2 pairs of khaki type work pants for a very reasonable price. While he was doing that, Hannah and I hung out in...wait for it......



SANTA'S WONDERLAND!!!!

Yep...Santa was there and the line of kids waiting to get their pictures with Santa was INSANE!!! Thankfully Hannah had no interest in talking to Santa! They had stations set up with toys for the kids to play with so that's what Hannah did. She "drove" a train, a race car and a 4-wheel drive truck (all remote control), did target practice with a Daisy bb gun and a crossbow....all of which would make perfect Christmas presents for your darling little redneck! After we were done there we grabbed some lunch at Burger King, which Hannah bugged us to death about until we left because they have cute little stuffed animals in their kids meals. Well, she got the cute little stuffed animal but we can't do much with it. Apparently it comes with a tag that you can scan...if you have an Xbox 360, which we don't. Then we went to Target and got a portable DVD player for the trip. Fortunately it comes with audio jacks (I think that's what they're called!) so I can plug the portable DVD player in to the DVD player in the van and it will play on the screen in the van and they can use the headphones we've already got. Problem is, the foam pads on the headphones we have deteriorated and I had to go on ebay and order some new ones. One pair of headphones still has the foam pads so I'm hoping the new ones arrive before we leave on Friday.

We had some funny moments during our travels on Saturday. Too bad I'm getting so old I can't remember everything that was so funny. One thing I do remember is telling Clay that I wanted to keep track of the time on this trip to see just how long it takes us to get there. He, of course, didn't understand why it matters since we'll get there when we get there. I told him it was just something I wanted to know and then he says "Yeah...you're probably going to put it in your journal." I just laughed a little and he goes on and on about "Oh....don't act like you don't have a journal. I know you've got a journal." He has also made comments about how I'll probably be messing with our schedule some more. All because I had the spreadsheet up the other day to make a change for one of our ADRs. Now he's got Hannah saying the same thing about me making last minute changes to the itinerary. LOL I've got it all worked out so there won't be any more changes between now and Friday. The only change that has been made is I finally let go of the 6:15 WCC dinner on the 26th. I talked to Clay about the MK being open until midnight on the 26th and that I was thought we could leave MK right after lunch for a long break at Pop, let the girls swim for a while or do whatever, then head back to the MK for a late dinner and stay until the park closes since we can sleep in the next morning. He agreed! I was able to find a LTT dinner ADR for 6:50 that night so, of course, I had to change the itinerary accordingly!

The pressed penny tubes are FINALLY done. Here's Hannah's:

Here's Alison's:

Now it's just a matter of getting the rest of the stuff together. Won't be long now!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Only 3 more days Jill

loved your pressed penny tubes...and oh carp...another thing I almost forgot about it...need to make a tube for Rachel

stay healthy and happy last minute planning and packing and I will see you in 5 days

 

[jillyb]

Only 3 more days Jill

loved your pressed penny tubes...and oh carp...another thing I almost forgot about it...need to make a tube for Rachel

stay healthy and happy last minute planning and packing and I will see you in 5 days

Thanks Julie! Glad I could help you with your list!

Hope you are feeling better and sending good health and safe travels vibes to you and your family. See ya real soon!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I wish I was as diligent as you at posting pictures of stuff. Pressed penny tubes are cute. That's an empty M&M tube I think from what you posted earlier. Great idea!

I'm almost done packing. Just have to add 2 pairs of jeans for me and undershirts and socks for the children (which means buy jeans for me and undershirts and socks for the children)

I have a lot of stuff to print out still.

Just a few more days. And boy do I need a vacation. Disney may not provide much rest for the body, but I could do a cruise if that is what I was after. I need rest for my mind. I can't wait to leave everything and everyone behind but God and my children.

 

[jillyb]

I wish I was as diligent as you at posting pictures of stuff. Pressed penny tubes are cute. That's an empty M&M tube I think from what you posted earlier. Great idea!

I'm almost done packing. Just have to add 2 pairs of jeans for me and undershirts and socks for the children (which means buy jeans for me and undershirts and socks for the children)

I have a lot of stuff to print out still.

Just a few more days. And boy do I need a vacation. Disney may not provide much rest for the body, but I could do a cruise if that is what I was after. I need rest for my mind. I can't wait to leave everything and everyone behind but God and my children.

You'd be surprised how long some pictures stay on the camera before I get the time to upload them and post them!

Good luck with your packing. I tried to talk Hannah out of going to Girl Scouts tonight so I could either start cleaning or get some packing done but she's afraid she'll miss a badge so that was a no go.

I know what you mean about needing a vacation. I'm sooooooo ready!!

 

[Poolrat]

3 more sleeps!!!