FE GIFTS
I like that we are starting to discuss the FE and what to consider as the ground rules and such. My thoughts on the FE's are twofold at this point. First, I don't think we have to make a blanket decision about including FE gifts for the kids not going. That can be up to each participating family. The same goes for whether there are separate gifts for children and adults or husbands and wives, etc. Now that I think of it, it also goes for whether gifts are distributed daily or at one time. On our last cruise, people did whatever they wanted in terms of how many gifts and how often and it was all fine. The only thing we had to agree on was who exactly was participating.
In terms of agreeing on who was participating, a couple things came up that generated serious discussion. One was how many families was the limit before splitting into two groups. Like Shannon said, that doesn't look to be an issue for us. BUT, it could turn out to be the closer we get to sailing. The other issue was did we have a cut-off date for joining. Yes, we did have a cut off date. That being said a few new families joined the thread after the cut-off date but asked to be included in the FE exchange. Most people didn't have a problem with that but a few said, Sorry, we've already done our shopping and we won't be adding anyone else. The other issue was people dropping out of the FE. There's nothing you can do about that, right?
Another thing that came up was the issue of certain people feeling anxious about the amount of time, money or creativity they put into their gifts. For example, one member gave everyone hand paint picture frames, another created little scrapbooks, another made all the ladies beaded necklaces, another shopped for just the right thing based on each person's favorite color or Disney character. Not everyone's can do that, and that's okay. It really is the thought that counts. It's just fun finding goodies in your FE pouches!
One thing I'll never forget was how a bag of candy, tattoos and cheap toys, lollipops and some other chachki that came from two or three of the families saved the day for our kids. As you know, we didn't take the kids with us on the cruise but instead left them with my mother who lives in Florida. After the cruise, we met up with my mom to get our kids back. Then, we, as a family, were supposed to take the Autotrain back to Maryland. Sadly, we missed the train and had to drive home. We were all bummed out about that. Once we got on the road, I had dh pull over so I could extract the bag of FE loot from our luggage. I handed it to the kids and told them to help themselves to any candy, toys or trinkets from the bag. What joy! What fun! Thank goodness for all those cheap toys and sugary treats from our cruisemeet friends!
Shannon's Meatloaf
That is so funny, Shannon. I know meatloaf gets a bad rap, but I love it. A couple months ago, I was about to make a meatloaf and realized I had no breadcrumbs or bread to make bread crumbs. So, I went on line to find a different recipe and came up with meatloaf made with oatmeal as the binding agent. It was really good - a little on the sweet side, but I liked the texture better. It's such a relief that they're all finally open-minded to trying new foods.
Easter
Marci, how many eggs did you hide? Did they all get found or do you think you'll be trimming the bushes in August and find a surprise from months gone by?
We have fallen into a tradition of convincing the kids that we aren't going to have an egg hunt and then surprising them with one. It started a few years ago when my in-laws moved to Texas. Before that Easter was always celebrated at their house with the whole family. Once they started spending the winter and spring down south, we were on our own for Easter. The first year, we told them there wouldn't be a hunt because it was raining. Since dh and I had taken separate cars to church. I took the kids with me to go pick up a few things after church while dh hid the eggs inside the house. Then last year, dh was "sick" on Easter, so he didn't go to church. In reality, he was stuffing the eggs and hiding them. This year, we've been really broke so I told the kids there would be no Easter baskets or egg hunts but instead we would go shopping for Easter next week when everything was on clearance. The budget was 25.00. Last night, as I left to meet my husband at the gun club, they were sitting at the kitchen table planning it out how they'd spend their money. They had sales flyers and catalogs. They were seriously discussing should it be a couple toys and a little candy or a
Lego set they could share. They voted and debated and listed. This morning, I really was not well so they weren't suspicious. Of course, while they were gone, I frantically stuffed plastic eggs with the candy I had hidden in my bedroom closet and the quarters I had saved for the egg hunt and hid about 80-90 eggs all over the house. I was going to take all the black jelly beans out of the bag and create an Easter Bunny poop trail up the porch steps but they got home before I could do it.
. We should have a good time anyway. The easter bunny came last night and decorated our front yard with eggs, my son loves waking up to the plastic eggs with treats in them. I hope all has a great day....by the way, the magic only sails 27 more times without us, then it is our turn 
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Found the free shipping here on the DIS boards of course!!! There was a big thread I'm guessing on the budget board, but maybe not. The thread topic was something having to do with 
