OCT 2012 - F&W - MNSSHP - 3 Adults and 3 Kids go to DISNEY

[catherines_mama]

Hi everyone - no clever title this time. Just too much to fit in

If you've read any of my previous TR, you know us - we've grown a lot (some not in the right direction). If not, we are:

Deedee (ME) 34 yr old working mom married to
Steve (DH) 38 yr old industrial welder
Catherine 11 yr old pre-teen crazy girl
Jack 10 yr old baseball playin' BOY
Emma 7yr old cute kid and pure baby of the family

Growing up near Disney I went a lot as a kid, and swore I'd share that with my family. Catherine and I went often when she was little and in 2007 we met Steve and its all she wrote. We got married in Sept 09 and moved to NC together (away from FL) in June 2011. While in FL we went when we could, but not as much as we used to.

Now we have to plan ahead, travel, and make the trips worth more since we can't go so much. but it's okay!

Our next trip - October 2012 for F&W and MNSSHP. We couldn't take the kids out of school more than 1 day so we are just going for a long weekend and using a teacher workday to help out.

after deciding to go, 1st decision was - where to stay?

As a family of 5 we need 2 rooms, and our favorite is POFQ. I priced it out and it was $$. I then looked at the DVC rent board and found that renting points at a 2bd room DVC resort would be the same exact cost of 2 rooms at POFQ. We decided to rent DVC Points.

I found a great owner and got the rental all set up. We'll be staying at BWV for 3 nights with BW views! Then I realized, we'll have a lot of room. Why not invite Aunt Jenny!

My sister is 38 no kids, simple easy life. She has a slight learning disability but does wonderful and works at the local grocery store in her town (about 4 hrs from us). The kids love her and she and Catherine are like 2 little kids when they get together. Jenny never takes time for herself or gets away from home. We thought she'd love it and the kids would love it. We called her, she said "when do I pack?".

 

[shellywalker]

Hi! I followed you over from my Trip Report! I can't wait to read about your plans!!! Sounds like it's going to be amazing!

 

[catherines_mama]

I reviewed our NEXT Trip, A quick look back at our LAST trip.

We got to go in DEC 2011 right after Christmas, and it was a great trip - difficult for many reasons, but beautiful.

My ILs own Hilton Vacation Club, so for Christmas they gave us 3 nights at the Grand Vacation right there by Sea World.

Sad because: the week before Christmas we lost the sweetest little boy. My best friend lost her 2 yr old to a seizure while he slept. It was a very difficult week for us all. They live in FL and we'd been with them when it happened. She knew our vacation was planned and made me promise to still go. Steve had to pretty much drag me, but once there, it was good to be there, to watch my kids be happy and have that "Happy Place" time.

On the 26th we arrived and went to Epcot for the day. We visited the countries and watched some of the Christmas performers in the countries. That night we watched a beautiful Candlelight processional narrated by Blair Underwood. it was a mix of emotions all day, but a very good day all the same.

The 27th was the funeral, and we went back for the day. We got up really early, got dressed and spent the day with them. That night when we got back to Orlando we let the kids swim while Steve got me a drink and we decompressed. 5 months later i'm still heartbroken. We don't know why these things happen, but have to trust in God and His plan for us all. I just know I'm lucky to have a little angel up there keeping an eye on my kiddos. He loved my kids and we loved him SO much!

The next day we went to Hollywood Studios. Did the basics: Movie Ride, Tower of Terror (Emma's favorite) TSM, Rockin rollercoaster & even made it to the car stunt show - a 1st for the girls and I. I actually really enjoyed it.

Our plan for these 2 days was to RELAX. We knew it'd be crowded and we refused to let it get to us. So that day, while @ HS things were crazy and we were tired. We decided to get out of the park for a few hours. I knew a secret that only Catherine knew so I got to suprise everyone else. We took the boat to BC and had lunch at Beaches & Creme. It was great to get out of the park, get away and relax.

After lunch at BC we thought it'd be nice to walk over to BWV and check it out, knowing we'd be there in October. now the kids have NO idea only we know. the whole time at BC we were looking around and talking about "what if WE bought DVC?". We talked about all the DVC resorts, and decided BC isn't US. We are too laid back country. BWV looked FUN! and where else would we want to stay?

When we got to BWV Steve loved the atmosphere and got excited to stay there in Oct. Then he said "lets check out the sales center". mmhmm you KNOW what happened. We bought DVC that day. *roll eyes* LOL I'm very excited we did, but WOW what a commitment!

We headed back to Hollywood studios and I was planning our next several years vacations the entire boat trip.

While we were gone they had closed HS for a couple hours due to capacity, thankfully we got back in bc we had TSM FastPasses to use and some lights to see.

Our family @ Hollywood Studious on 26 December

We really did bargain on the cold weather so we had to buy the kids sweatshirts at Disney.

So to sum it up:
*WDW trip planned for OCT 2012
*Had a good, but sad trip in DEC 2011
*Bought DVC = crazy people

 

[catherines_mama]

Hi! I followed you over from my Trip Report! I can't wait to read about your plans!!! Sounds like it's going to be amazing!

YAY!!! More tomorrow - I promise!

 

[shellywalker]

I reviewed our NEXT Trip, A quick look back at our LAST trip.

We got to go in DEC 2011 right after Christmas, and it was a great trip - difficult for many reasons, but beautiful.

My ILs own Hilton Vacation Club, so for Christmas they gave us 3 nights at the Grand Vacation right there by Sea World.

Sad because: the week before Christmas we lost the sweetest little boy. My best friend lost her 2 yr old to a seizure while he slept. It was a very difficult week for us all. They live in FL and we'd been with them when it happened. She knew our vacation was planned and made me promise to still go. Steve had to pretty much drag me, but once there, it was good to be there, to watch my kids be happy and have that "Happy Place" time.

On the 26th we arrived and went to Epcot for the day. We visited the countries and watched some of the Christmas performers in the countries. That night we watched a beautiful Candlelight processional narrated by Blair Underwood. it was a mix of emotions all day, but a very good day all the same.

The 27th was the funeral, and we went back for the day. We got up really early, got dressed and spent the day with them. That night when we got back to Orlando we let the kids swim while Steve got me a drink and we decompressed. 5 months later i'm still heartbroken. We don't know why these things happen, but have to trust in God and His plan for us all. I just know I'm lucky to have a little angel up there keeping an eye on my kiddos. He loved my kids and we loved him SO much!

The next day we went to Hollywood Studios. Did the basics: Movie Ride, Tower of Terror (Emma's favorite) TSM, Rockin rollercoaster & even made it to the car stunt show - a 1st for the girls and I. I actually really enjoyed it.

Our plan for these 2 days was to RELAX. We knew it'd be crowded and we refused to let it get to us. So that day, while @ HS things were crazy and we were tired. We decided to get out of the park for a few hours. I knew a secret that only Catherine knew so I got to suprise everyone else. We took the boat to BC and had lunch at Beaches & Creme. It was great to get out of the park, get away and relax.

After lunch at BC we thought it'd be nice to walk over to BWV and check it out, knowing we'd be there in October. now the kids have NO idea only we know. the whole time at BC we were looking around and talking about "what if WE bought DVC?". We talked about all the DVC resorts, and decided BC isn't US. We are too laid back country. BWV looked FUN! and where else would we want to stay?

When we got to BWV Steve loved the atmosphere and got excited to stay there in Oct. Then he said "lets check out the sales center". mmhmm you KNOW what happened. We bought DVC that day. *roll eyes* LOL I'm very excited we did, but WOW what a commitment!

We headed back to Hollywood studios and I was planning our next several years vacations the entire boat trip.

While we were gone they had closed HS for a couple hours due to capacity, thankfully we got back in bc we had TSM FastPasses to use and some lights to see.

Our family @ Hollywood Studious on 26 December

We really did bargain on the cold weather so we had to buy the kids sweatshirts at Disney.

So to sum it up:
*WDW trip planned for OCT 2012
*Had a good, but sad trip in DEC 2011
*Bought DVC = crazy people

This brought tears to my eyes Life isn't fair sometimes! But I'm a firm believer in god does not give you things that you can not handle! Prayers to your family and your friends!

Excited to see some more plans!!

 

[catherines_mama]

Hi all!! It’s been a busy week here with the 2 big kids having End Of Grade testing. I don’t get why this week is EOGs but they are in school until 7th June. The next few weeks are just a waste of time. Ive been making big breakfasts and this morning we had some good jams in the car on the way to school, put me in a great mood. This is also the 1st week of Swim Team for Catherine, but luckily the baseball league declared no games or practices during EOGs so I’m not having to run around too much. I do miss the baseball field though, but we finally have a game tomorrow.

I’m very excited for our trip in October - it’s a very short trip, but we have a few focused things we want to do this trip.

1) Food & Wine - HELLO! The kids will probably roll their eyes, but if we get to Epcot early we can ride their fav 3 (Test Track, Mission Space & Soarin) then we can enjoy the World Showcase and all the food and wine. I am stashing $ so the kids can have their own food cards to try food when they feel like it. I’m sure they won’t like a lot of it, but Catherine has gotten good at trying new things and Emma will eat anything

2) Animal Kingdom - We have neglected this in recent visits, it is my favorite park AND my sister will LOVE it.

3) Fantastic - Jack, Emma & Steve have never seen it (neither has Aunt Jenny). But I don’t know if Catherine will let me go into HS and not let her ride on Rockin Rollercoaster. I’m thinking the day we go to Animal Kingdom will be a good night to go see it.

4) MNSSHP - I’ve never been to other special events but I still call this one my favorite. I love Halloween, I love the colors, the music, I love being scared.. J SO FUN! Catherine and I have done MNSSHP once, Steve and I did it when we went on our 1st Anniv trip, so we want to take the entire family now. No, I wont wear a costume, and I really hope the kids will. I think its just hard to plan those this far out. My kids grow, and grow FAST! I think I’ll wait until August when they’ve done their summer growth spurt, then I’ll think about it. Then there is the hard thing of the weather. It will probably be warm and anything I can think of for Jack is too warm for warm weather.. So we’ll see. He’s got a little chub going in the mid-section, with our kids.. That means they’re about to sprout. He’s already 5’1’’ @ 10 yrs old, who knows what this summer will bring with him. He’ll probably come back from his month @ his mom’s towering over me (5’0”). sigh… At least Emma still looks up to me.

Now its just to figure out how to fit all of that into our quick weekend… Steve and I decided we are going to:
Thursday - both take the day off, me pack - him pack and rest
Leave @ 1:00 when the kids get home from school (its a half day before their long weekend)
Arrive Orlando around 12AM - 1AM Friday
Get 2 rooms at cheap but nice motel
Friday 8AM up and check into BWV .. Start of vacation
Monday - Check-out drive home… so we have from Friday AM - Sunday PM to get all that fun done..

YIKES!

 

[shellywalker]

Hi all!! It’s been a busy week here with the 2 big kids having End Of Grade testing. I don’t get why this week is EOGs but they are in school until 7th June. The next few weeks are just a waste of time. Ive been making big breakfasts and this morning we had some good jams in the car on the way to school, put me in a great mood. This is also the 1st week of Swim Team for Catherine, but luckily the baseball league declared no games or practices during EOGs so I’m not having to run around too much. I do miss the baseball field though, but we finally have a game tomorrow.

I’m very excited for our trip in October - it’s a very short trip, but we have a few focused things we want to do this trip.

1) Food & Wine - HELLO! The kids will probably roll their eyes, but if we get to Epcot early we can ride their fav 3 (Test Track, Mission Space & Soarin) then we can enjoy the World Showcase and all the food and wine. I am stashing $ so the kids can have their own food cards to try food when they feel like it. I’m sure they won’t like a lot of it, but Catherine has gotten good at trying new things and Emma will eat anything

2) Animal Kingdom - We have neglected this in recent visits, it is my favorite park AND my sister will LOVE it.

3) Fantastic - Jack, Emma & Steve have never seen it (neither has Aunt Jenny). But I don’t know if Catherine will let me go into HS and not let her ride on Rockin Rollercoaster. I’m thinking the day we go to Animal Kingdom will be a good night to go see it.

4) MNSSHP - I’ve never been to other special events but I still call this one my favorite. I love Halloween, I love the colors, the music, I love being scared.. J SO FUN! Catherine and I have done MNSSHP once, Steve and I did it when we went on our 1st Anniv trip, so we want to take the entire family now. No, I wont wear a costume, and I really hope the kids will. I think its just hard to plan those this far out. My kids grow, and grow FAST! I think I’ll wait until August when they’ve done their summer growth spurt, then I’ll think about it. Then there is the hard thing of the weather. It will probably be warm and anything I can think of for Jack is too warm for warm weather.. So we’ll see. He’s got a little chub going in the mid-section, with our kids.. That means they’re about to sprout. He’s already 5’1’’ @ 10 yrs old, who knows what this summer will bring with him. He’ll probably come back from his month @ his mom’s towering over me (5’0”). sigh… At least Emma still looks up to me.

Now its just to figure out how to fit all of that into our quick weekend… Steve and I decided we are going to:
Thursday - both take the day off, me pack - him pack and rest
Leave @ 1:00 when the kids get home from school (its a half day before their long weekend)
Arrive Orlando around 12AM - 1AM Friday
Get 2 rooms at cheap but nice motel
Friday 8AM up and check into BWV .. Start of vacation
Monday - Check-out drive home… so we have from Friday AM - Sunday PM to get all that fun done..

YIKES!

Food and Wine Festival is one of my favorites!!!! I would probably do Fantasmic on the day you do Epcot! You could save time and ride the boat from Epcot to HS...that way you don't have to deal with getting back to your car and getting over to the park! Just a thought! What are the exact dates you are going?

 

[catherines_mama]

We are going to DISNEY AND Aunt Jenny is coming. We’ve still not told the kids, and I’m not sure if we will tell them. It’s really hard to keep it to myself, especially from Catherine. She’s a planner as much as I am and I know she’d love this stuff. We’ll see how close we get before I cave. I think once I have to get serious about costumes for MNSSHP I will have to tell her. The other two will do whatever I tell them to, her… she’ll want to know WHY we need to look at costumes so far in advance of Halloween LOL

We decided to add Dining Plan and our owner we’re renting from was great and did that for us. We hadn’t had my sister originally on the reservation, so we had to add her too. With the 2 bdroom I figure we’ll put the girls and Jenny in the 2nd room and put Jack in the living room. That’s the idea for now - we’ll see how that goes. Jenny has super sonic hearing - LOL so I think with a BW view I’ll have to buy her some nice ear plugs so she’ll sleep alright.

Steve and I worked more on our exact plans:

Friday (26th) Epcot during the day / MNSSHP at night. I am sure a Friday night will be packed! But it’ll still be fun.
Saturday (27th) Animal Kingdom / Fantastic @ night
Sunday (28th) Epcot all day

We know the kids well enough to know they need mid-day breaks. It won’t be hot so it wont be like our June 09 trip, but I like breaks too. That is why BWV is so great b/c we can walk back from Epcot and have a rest or a swim.

In June 09 Emma was unreal once she got hot. WOW - she turned into evil child. She’d growl and hit and cry and scream WOW is all we could ever say about her. But this morning she was SO cute. She had a field trip to the park, so I put sunscreen on her before school. She said “You know what this reminds me of… whenever we are at Disney you always put sunscreen on us before we go anywhere” J Made me smile - then not 30 min later she was getting herself in trouble.. Oh those moments go by so quickly. LOL

Our next trip will be in AUG 2013 (otherwise we have to miss school and they are getting too old) but I MIGHT try for early MAY instead… I don’t know.

Anyway and we’re doing a full week again. We’ll have more MK time then, but this trip I think we will succeed the goals we set out and keep it relaxed at the same time.

 

[catherines_mama]

Food and Wine Festival is one of my favorites!!!! I would probably do Fantasmic on the day you do Epcot! You could save time and ride the boat from Epcot to HS...that way you don't have to deal with getting back to your car and getting over to the park! Just a thought! What are the exact dates you are going?

Steve and I did F&W on our 1st anniv trip (NO KIDS) wow we loved it. One day we were a little 'happy' by the time we left for the day. We went back and took a nap and nearly slept through our 7PM ressie at Le Cellier. Oh, it was funny!

I hate driving at Disney and we usually leave the car once we get there, so we can boat or even walk to Hollywood. We never stay at AK later than 2 or 3:00. A great friend of mine was just there and they drove everywhere, One day her daughter wanted to ride the bus so they rode the bus while her husband drove the car, they beat him back by like 15 min. MMHMM LOL

We leave home Thurs 25th arrive at Disney Fri 26th and leave Monday 29th. SUCH a quick trip, but it'll be worth it.

 

[catherines_mama]

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. And thank you to all those who served or are serving to keep us safe! My FIL was a career Marine and my stepfather was a Navy Seal for 2 tours during Vietnam. My DH was in the Navy for the minimum after HS. He wanted to be a Marine (like dad) but ended up Navy (long story) and it was not what he'd hoped so he got out as soon as he could.

Anyway, thank you to EVERYONE!!!

We had a great weekend. Jack had an amazing game on Friday - we were very proud of him and his team. They are still in 1st place in our league!! Saturday a coach called and asked him to try out for the travel team. Since he travels to his mothers for a majority of the summer that's too hard for us, but to be invited was awesome. Maybe next year.

Went to the beach Saturday with a bunch of people, some we knew and some we didn't. But it was very fun. We are very much people who like the beach - for 3-4 hours. We ended up there for 7 hours and it was a long day. We all got a bit too much sun - thanks to some expired sunscreen, and are still paying for it.

Sunday was housechore day and we got a lot done. Kids helped without complaint (for the most part).

Monday was movie marathon day. We got all the Fast & Furious movies and watched every single one. It was really fun and we were pure lazy all day. Exactly what we needed!

 

[catherines_mama]

As I weighed myself for my weekly WW online weigh in, I think… Ahhh DISNEY DINING. Btw: didn’t lose a lb, or gain any so oh well.

We had a few things we wanted to do dining wise this trip.

1) A meal in MK early in the night of the party.
2) Yachtsman - odd, right? But in December when we took our break from HS we had eaten at Beaches & Crème and wandered around BC/YC and BW. Remember the result of that! While at YC we checked the menu for Yachtsman and Steve said “YES PLEASE!”. LOL So, why not!
3) Sci Fi - but then I realized I used all my credits on Yachtsman so we’ll be counter the rest of the way.

On the morning of my 180 days (for some reason it is always a Sunday), I had just gotten back from a business trip to Europe. I landed at 10PM the night before after a VERY long journey with 3 layovers and lost luggage. I still got up at 7AM and got online to do our ressies.

Our 1st day - MK - MNSSHP dinner I got no problem. It was right at 180 days. I got PLAZA for the 6 of us at 5:15PM. I figured this would get us in at 4PM and allow us to do a ride or grab some FP’s before dinner. But early enough where we wouldn’t miss too much party. Steve and I have eaten here and loved it. We wanted to take the kids and Aunt Jenny.

Our 2nd - Yachtsman on Sunday night - what a way to end a trip - I couldn’t get online. I had our Reservation linked but since it’s a DVC reservation and it wasn’t under OUR ownership we couldn’t do it online. I called Dining and they set it up with no problem for us. We’ll be eating dinner that night at 5:30PM. Still plenty early for some Epcot antics before Illuminations. And DH can go back and sleep if he needed to since he’d be driving the entire next day.

I know, quick trips don’t lend to fun dining plans.

LOL Sorry. Just wait til June 2013! That one will be a LOT.

 

[catherines_mama]

Today my thoughts are on park ticket. not fun at all - right!! I've also been day dreaming about our Summer trip next year and am having internal arguments over WHEN to go. Steve - he doesn't care. he loves Disney and will get in the car and drive there whenever I tell him to.

So - TICKET! Our trip is OCT 2012. We are also planning a full on week in AUG 2013.

This kind of gives me options.
MYW Park Hoppers in OCT + MYW Park Hopers in AUG + Water park = $70 MORE than if I were to buy Annual Passes.

Now that C & J are 11 and 10, they are adults. We can't pretend J isnt 10 (not that we'd ever do that) esp because he looks 12 he's so tall.

So do we fork out the huge amount at once and get the annual pass, or do we just spend the extra $70 and hope tickets dont go up next summer?

I really don't know what to do!

P.S. I did our point calc for AUG 2013 and decided on a week and got a little organized. I know, Why can't I just enjoy the next trip? Likely because by the time we LEAVE on the next one I'd have done my 11 mos out booking of the AUG 2013 one. sigh...

 

[catherines_mama]

Another fun thing on my mind today - I seriously cannot focus on work.

COSTUMES!

So I saw on someones PTR or TR a really cute Mad Hatter costume. Whoever you were, THANK YOU I'm stealing it for C (11).

Thinking Em (7) can be Tinkerbelle - her idea not mine and I found a cute costume for that too.

Then there's J (he'll be 11 by then). Boy stuff is hot. Pants, layers etc. but what about... JACK FROST! I can get him a blue shirt with snow flakes in it, and mouse his hair with white gell and do his eyebrows. he can wear shorts and still be JACK FROST! LOL I think it will be fun!

 

[catherines_mama]

Wow! What a week!! It was full of end-of-year celebrations at school, ended with 5th Grade Graduation. I'm really sad that my baby is now a middle-schooler but she's so excited for it. She wore her Middle School shirt today that my mother had gotten her for graduation. I went to the school last week and bought it for mom to give to her. She's stoked to be a GATOR! LOL

Okay, back to trip planning VERY soon!

 

[catherines_mama]

I am bewildered.. a new friend (we moved here a year ago, I'm slow on the friend thing) and I have gotten to be close friends. Granted she's my neighbor so we are close if we didn't like eachother.

Her DD is 6, my youngest is 7. They look like twins and adore eachother. Catherine DD11 called her DD "the sister I never had" LOL This delights my youngest. really, she carries her around, plays with her hair and has even had a sleep-over.

Anyway... Cait has NEVER been to WDW and my friend is thinking ... maybe she should take her this summer. Just girls. She mentioned this to me knowing the week in question we only had DD11. The other 2 will still be with their mother.

Back in the day when it was just DD and I we went to Disney 5-6 times a year. We love that place and miss doing it alone. I'd love to help them enjoy WDW together too.

She is still 'thinking about it' but while she does I have figured out
1) We can get a Studio with my newly purchased DVC. DH groaned thinking of me using it w/o him for the first time but is fully supportive. There is availability @ Saratoga Springs, Old Key West & AKL (Kidani).
2) I can get Crystal Palace for breakfast AND Norway for breakfast about any day of that week
3) I might have to take an unpaid day, but I don't care.
4) I can put my DELTA voucher to good use before it expires
5) I cannot remember my last plane ride that was NOT for work purposes
6) I JUST REALLY REALLY want to go and don't want to wait until October

Now I wait and plan (in my head only) while she decides what to do. Did I mention how freakin' impatient I am!!

If it doesn't happen, no big, we're going in OCT but I could use some pixie dust. I've just been blue lately and life is SO crazy right now. I could also use that girl time with DD11, she's been through tons this year both between losing Anthony and all the physical changes she's been through. Puberty sucks and she needs a treat from her mama! My mother spoils her while she's with her for a few weeks in July, but this mama wants to spoil her a bit too!

 

[catherines_mama]

School is out!! Baseball season is almost over, or so we thought.

Jack was selected for the city ALL STAR baseball team (9-10yrs old). We are VERY proud of him and already decided if he got selected, we'd accept. Its just a month or so commitment and he'd be done before time to go to his moms.

1st Tourney is 2 hrs away NEXT weekend. Oh, yes, the same day as Catherine's swim meet. Her 1st meet was last night (as in it lasted until 9:45PM) and she did great. It's her 4th year swimming and she's great! She is a very STRONG swimmer with very good execution. She IS a perfectionist afterall. She isn't super FAST though. Back in FL she'd place 5th or 6th in most events. Last night she was 11th in Breastroke and 19th in Freestyle. Granted that was out of like 28 kids. Her 200 Free Relay came in 3rd (of 3). But she looks beautiful in the water and LOVES IT.

Knowing we'd have to divide to succeed next weekend, I was of course going to swim b/c I had volunteered to run the computer for our swim coach the 1st half of the meet. LOL this is NOT a task DH can cover for me (timing yeah, not computer).

The other night I get a ph call from Jack's coach. Hey Dee, so they asked me to coach the all star team. I need ya! Will you be my Team Mom? We adore Jack's coach. He's single, 37, and has no kids, yet he's out there every day, 3-4 hrs a day coaching these boys. He's always there early if anyone wants extra help and will stay late. He does it b/c he LOVES BASEBALL. So he is the perfect coach. No favorites on his team. (No offense anyone whose DH coaches DS's team, but come on there is always at least one of those dad's in each league).

So now, on top of work, kids being home all day, swim practice and baseball practice every day, I am doing all this TEAM MOM work. I do love it. I love being organized and in control, just arent enough hours in the day.

As Steve and I constantly say... Is it October yet?

Which makes NO sense b/c October will be INSANE
1st week - DC for work conference
10 days later - DC for Susan G Komen walk
2 weeks later - WDW !!!

 

[shellywalker]

School is out!! Baseball season is almost over, or so we thought.

Jack was selected for the city ALL STAR baseball team (9-10yrs old). We are VERY proud of him and already decided if he got selected, we'd accept. Its just a month or so commitment and he'd be done before time to go to his moms.

1st Tourney is 2 hrs away NEXT weekend. Oh, yes, the same day as Catherine's swim meet. Her 1st meet was last night (as in it lasted until 9:45PM) and she did great. It's her 4th year swimming and she's great! She is a very STRONG swimmer with very good execution. She IS a perfectionist afterall. She isn't super FAST though. Back in FL she'd place 5th or 6th in most events. Last night she was 11th in Breastroke and 19th in Freestyle. Granted that was out of like 28 kids. Her 200 Free Relay came in 3rd (of 3). But she looks beautiful in the water and LOVES IT.

Knowing we'd have to divide to succeed next weekend, I was of course going to swim b/c I had volunteered to run the computer for our swim coach the 1st half of the meet. LOL this is NOT a task DH can cover for me (timing yeah, not computer).

The other night I get a ph call from Jack's coach. Hey Dee, so they asked me to coach the all star team. I need ya! Will you be my Team Mom? We adore Jack's coach. He's single, 37, and has no kids, yet he's out there every day, 3-4 hrs a day coaching these boys. He's always there early if anyone wants extra help and will stay late. He does it b/c he LOVES BASEBALL. So he is the perfect coach. No favorites on his team. (No offense anyone whose DH coaches DS's team, but come on there is always at least one of those dad's in each league).

So now, on top of work, kids being home all day, swim practice and baseball practice every day, I am doing all this TEAM MOM work. I do love it. I love being organized and in control, just arent enough hours in the day.

As Steve and I constantly say... Is it October yet?

Which makes NO sense b/c October will be INSANE
1st week - DC for work conference
10 days later - DC for Susan G Komen walk
2 weeks later - WDW !!!

You go girl!!! I feel ya on the extra hours in a day! I could use some of those too! DH and I were laughing the other day because I always say "as soon as school gets out things will slow down"...then they are way busier, and I'll start saying "as soon as school starts things will slow down"...nope! Time is in the front seat driving and isn't stopping or slowing down for anything!

 

[catherines_mama]

You go girl!!! I feel ya on the extra hours in a day! I could use some of those too! DH and I were laughing the other day because I always say "as soon as school gets out things will slow down"...then they are way busier, and I'll start saying "as soon as school starts things will slow down"...nope! Time is in the front seat driving and isn't stopping or slowing down for anything!

I love what you said about time being in the front seat.

Things DID get better. A bossy mom stepped up and basically put herself into the slot as team mom. I don't do drama so I let her have it and I am SO glad I did. Things are insane and I'm not sure I'd have survived this week.

So I get to relax and just go & enjoy. Crazy night - my in-laws should be here within the hour and I'm on DIS while I should be finalizing some house chores like, i dont know, making their bed! LOL DIS is much more fun!

Thanks for checking in - next week I'm going to reorganize my thoughts and get super detailed!

Hope you & yours are all good. i see your update and am off to read it!

 

[catherines_mama]

My GOODNESS it's been forever since I started this - I'm so sorry I've been so MIA - what a summer.

Well I'm 35 now - that's how long it's been LOL

the kids are off to parents and grandparents and we are ALONE until AUG 11th. We have lots of projects to keep us busy. The 2 girls have always shared a room and its time to change that. We are doing away with the Playroom and putting Emma in there. So we are painting, rearranging, new furnituring like crazy. Jack and Emma just left Saturday so we've gotten all our supplies purchased and gotten Catherine's room 2/3 painted. we'll finish that tonight then Steve is going to reconfigure her closet after that her room is DONE and we move on to Emma's. JOY!

The Disney trip still exists! It keeps me going most days. The month of OCT and now into NOV will be nutty but its so worth it to have this trip!

In OCT, I'll be in DC 2-6 for a conference. Then back on the 11th for the Susan G Komen 3-day. Then to Disney on the 25th. Nov 5th I'll be off to FL (again) for work meetings for a week. CRAZY time, but then its time to relax for the holidays.

When the kids get home in AUG I'm going to size them all up and make sure we have costumes for everyone. The trip is STILL a suprise so I'll have to be sly. Catherine has a cute pirate costume from last year that if it still fits, we'll use. So Then we'll have EMMA the TINKERBELL and NO idea still for Jack! I'll figure it out eventually. Looking at the emoticons here, maybe we'll tie-die a tshirt, get him some long cutoff jean shorts and call him a hippie! LOL It'll go great with his crew-cut hair style

Thanks for sticking around. next step also - TICKETS!! I'm waiting for a good FL Resident 4 day deal. We still own property - it counts!