October 25, 2008 Halloween on the High Seas (2)

[auntlynne]

I'm loving this photobucket. I have photos on my desktop that I didn't know what to do with. Now I can pull pictures off websites and use them other places. Thanks mommy2777. You have made my day (possibly more than the new golf clubs that were just delivered).

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

I'm loving this photobucket. I have photos on my desktop that I didn't know what to do with. Now I can pull pictures off websites and use them other places. Thanks mommy2777. You have made my day (possibly more than the new golf clubs that were just delivered).

10 posts on the DIS for Lynne... WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!

I say we overload her "pm" box to celebrate....

 

[LovableGluttons]

Oh Dana! (((hugs))) what a mess!

Jenn! Your picture is SO beautiful!

I am finally posting ours, granted it is a couple years old! LOL

 

[LovableGluttons]

Oh! I also got an email from Dreams Unlimited and I saved $559 from my stateroom, and after some wheeling and dealing, another $300 off my outlaw's!

I lose one of my $200 OBC too...oh well.

 

[michellebriana]

Okay everyone, got a response to my e-mail about the photo op. This is the main thing we need to consider....

For a truly special memory, you may also choose to arrange a private photography session. There is a photography fee of $85, plus the cost of the photos. Guests may fax their request to Inventory Control at 407-566-6910.

Okay - do we want to pay $85 to do this? To be honest, my initial response is no , but wanted to know what other people think. If we don't want to arrange a special time with Shutters, I figure we have 2 options..

1. set this up ourselves and use the tripod/timer Amy has offered, as well as anyone else's camera. We could also request a passing stranger/cast member to take some pictures for us with a few of our cameras. The photos can then be circulated by e-mail.

3. pick an advertised photo op and all show up requesting to be done as a group.

I'll go along with the Shutters fee if that's consensus - we can again do donors, or divide the cost among those who show up. Thoughts?

Valerie

I vote for option 1.

 

[lcborn2run]

OK, I haven't been on here much (work and kids' activities keep me hopping), but I need some encouragement tonight.

I went to the parent/teacher open house tonight at my kids' school and after listening to the speeches of the teachers, I am nervous about the kids missing a full week of school. I know it won't be the end of the world, but they talked so much about excessive absences and making up work that I was starting to feel afraid of having to tell the principal and teachers that we're going on the cruise!!

My oldest is in 8th grade and takes the H.S. entrance exam the Friday after we return from the cruise. Some people think I'm crazy as they feel this is "cram time"--I feel, that if he doesn't know it by then, he won't know it!

So, I guess I need some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. (How old do you have to be before Principals and Teachers stop intimidating you anyway??!!


I know you guys can give me some reassurance....thanks in advance

Welcome, Lynn....I am an RN too and also worked in L&D for a time.

Lisa

 

[michellebriana]

Hi Lisa,

I agree - I feel they should know the material and shouldn't need to cram but it depends on the student's habits. If you feel your 8th grader is normally attentive and prepared, it shouldn't be a problem.

I always request the week's work a few days before we leave so that they are not too behind and don't have as much work to do when they come back. They usually get it done on the plane rides. There is always work to be done when they get back, but it is not overwhelming and the teachers seem to not mind as much when they know the kids are still doing the work.

My kids are a little younger - 3rd & 5th grade - but I have never had a problem and I usually take them out closer to 2 weeks. We will be out 8 school days this trip.

So I think it will be just fine!

Michelle

 

[jns]

tried to tidy these up abit

***** Updated beginning of Sept *****
Going to try and keep these in one post so anyone else like to share
Good to put a face to a name

Hope I didn't miss anyone
please let me know if I did
Jns -

TotallyAngelic -

Left to right as you look at it we have Tony (DH), Daniel (DS, now 14), Taryn (DD, now 17), Louise (DSD now 17) and Stephen (DSS, now 18)

Tony and I:
vaday -

Shoshie -
This is Adam and I on our wedding day last October.

michellebriana -

This one is me and my girls.

This one is the DH.

disney4dana -

NewfieMom - .

Here's a more recent one of me, from the Girls Cruise I did in October..

spacy9 -
Bill - Rashelle - Brianna - Caitlin

agraygirl -

HelenSB-

Andy,Beth,Rachel and Helen and of course Amber.

mommy2777-

.....me and Mason are BIG CHEESIN! lol

suziemva
Mattern Family Portrait...awww....

jenn&nelsonrego

dizney-cruisers
this picture was taken in cozumel last month

LovableGluttons

 

[TotallyAngelic]

The general consensus seems to be to split into 3 groups, so that is what we will do.

At the moment it looks as though there will be 2 groups of 12 cabins and one group of 13 cabins (although I am still waiting for confirmation from a few families).

I am trying to organise the groups based on decks. What I need to know is
are you all happy to wait until the GTY people are allocated their cabins before the lists are given out - that would ensure that the GTY people are allocated with others close by, rather than randomly as I would have to do now. The GTY allocations will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks.

Is a month adequate for you all to sort out your fish extender exchange gifts once the GTY cabins have been allocated?

Thanks

 

[jns]

Tonights the 1st MNSSHP at MK Links here for this years map

makes Halloween seem so much closer now

 

[disneycruising]

OK, I haven't been on here much (work and kids' activities keep me hopping), but I need some encouragement tonight.

I went to the parent/teacher open house tonight at my kids' school and after listening to the speeches of the teachers, I am nervous about the kids missing a full week of school. I know it won't be the end of the world, but they talked so much about excessive absences and making up work that I was starting to feel afraid of having to tell the principal and teachers that we're going on the cruise!!

My oldest is in 8th grade and takes the H.S. entrance exam the Friday after we return from the cruise. Some people think I'm crazy as they feel this is "cram time"--I feel, that if he doesn't know it by then, he won't know it!

So, I guess I need some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. (How old do you have to be before Principals and Teachers stop intimidating you anyway??!!


I know you guys can give me some reassurance....thanks in advance

Welcome, Lynn....I am an RN too and also worked in L&D for time.

Lisa

First, I have to say they never stop intimidating you!! I think they send them to special class on how to intimidate parents.

I think it is okay to take your kids out of school to "see" the world. As long as it is with in reason. We take our children out about once a year. Especially if DCL is going some where new. The school doesn't have to know that it is a "Disney Cruise".

I truely, believe that my children have a better understanding of the "world" because they have visited many different places. Not because the school 'taught' them something from a book and videos. All of my children have there own memories of all of the places that we have visited. My 8 year old, tells people all about the Barbary Monkey's in Gibraltar and how they ate peanuts from her hand. My DS 10 can tell you all about the "Rock of Gibraltar". My oldest DD love to tell everyone how good "gilotto"...in Spain.

We always tell the school ahead of time, so the teachers can give us their assigments. We also fill out a for 'independent study' form for the school. This way the school will still get 'paid' for my child even though they aren't in class.

**My two DD both have learning challenges (one has dyslexia and the other has aspergers & ADD). School is not a fun place for them... It is really hard! But a vacation ... away everything is great for their mental state. Plus, they are learning "real" life lessons at the same time. They get to see first hand what life is like in all the places we have been: food, money, people, languages. When we return they get to share their experiences with their class mates.

This is just my two cent.

 

[spacy9]

I'd like to sign my two daughters up for the DIS Trick or Treat on the 27th. Daughters:

Brianna - 9
Caitlin - 7

I'll volunteer however I can, and bring a bag of candy - Bill

Sorry for the late notice, I've been on an assignment in San Francisco for the last 6 weeks - which would be fine but I live in Denver I need a vacation

 

[jns]

****Closing date 5th Sept ****Today​

The Dis Trick and Treating Monday, October 27, 2008 at 2 pm​

if you want your kids to participate
A) donate a bag of candy or small item/toy
B) one parent volunteer to assist in any way.

I hope I haven't missed anyone or got the wrong info on you if so please PM me and I'll get you added straigh away
finding it hard with all these American names just put them down as girls if I wasn't to sure
Please correct me if I'm wrong

Things to decide for Trick and treating
Where to start and finish ?
What day and time ? Monday, October 27, 2008 at 2 pm
a cut off date for signing up ? 5th September
Where to meet and leave all the treats ?
We can sort out who will be going with each group of kids and who will give out the clues and out the treat after the closing date
There is no dressing up for this but if you want to wear you Dis T Shirt That s OK
can't think of anything else to add just now

so what have I missed out
Trick and Treating list of kids and adult helpers

KidsWe have 60 kids and 35 helper if I'm counting right

 

[LovableGluttons]

OK, I haven't been on here much (work and kids' activities keep me hopping), but I need some encouragement tonight.

I went to the parent/teacher open house tonight at my kids' school and after listening to the speeches of the teachers, I am nervous about the kids missing a full week of school. I know it won't be the end of the world, but they talked so much about excessive absences and making up work that I was starting to feel afraid of having to tell the principal and teachers that we're going on the cruise!!

My oldest is in 8th grade and takes the H.S. entrance exam the Friday after we return from the cruise. Some people think I'm crazy as they feel this is "cram time"--I feel, that if he doesn't know it by then, he won't know it!

So, I guess I need some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. (How old do you have to be before Principals and Teachers stop intimidating you anyway??!!


I know you guys can give me some reassurance....thanks in advance

Welcome, Lynn....I am an RN too and also worked in L&D for a time.

Lisa

My kids don't have health problem (knock on wood) that keep them out of school. So, the only time they miss from school is for vacations. Since the vacations we take are educational in their own right, I'm pretty outspoken about their time off.

I tell the school as soon as I know my kids will be taking time off. I have never experienced any flack and both of my kids are Honor Roll students who aren't out ill.

I ask for the work every couple of weeks until the month before we leave, then I remind weekly. The last week I remind daily until I get it. The kids do it before we go so they don't have it hanging over their heads while we're gone.

If my kids struggled with the work, I probably wouldn't take them out for vacations.

But they don't so I feel like I'm just giving them even more!

 

[disney4dana]

Lisa,

I understand your concerns. Most schools will give you the "talk" about absences due to the fact their state funding may be based on each child's attendance. If they don't attend that day less money for the school. They also might have a problem with truancy.

As far as I am concerned my philosiphy is that I am the parent. I know my child. They can talk the talk all they want and they can call it unexcused if they want. If my child is not out more than the state says they can miss, I am going to take them out. I agree with Cindy. Life experience is priceless. Now others may disagree with me and that is ok.

I read a thread on the main forum about this and it got pretty heated. I thought one helpful response was a very respectful note to the teacher I'll see if i can find it for you.

BTW DS is in 7th, DD in 4th

Dana

 

[LovableGluttons]

Lisa,

I understand your concerns. Most schools will give you the "talk" about absences due to the fact their state funding may be based on each child's attendance. If they don't attend that day less money for the school. They also might have a problem with truancy.

As far as I am concerned my philosiphy is that I am the parent. I know my child. They can talk the talk all they want and they can call it unexcused if they want. If my child is not out more than the state says they can miss, I am going to take them out. I agree with Cindy. Life experience is priceless. Now others may disagree with me and that is ok.

I read a thread on the main forum about this and it got pretty heated. I thought one helpful response was a very respectful note to the teacher I'll see if i can find it for you.

BTW DS is in 7th, DD in 4th

Dana

Dana!

My DS is in 7th and my DD is in 4th!

I had no idea!


Where have I been?

 

[NewfieMom]

The one good thing about us having this discussion on this thread is that since we are all taking our kids out of school, so we're less likely to get someone pipe up with "I would never take my baby out of school and wreck his/her whole life for a vacation - how could you do that, you bad parents you!!!" Of course that still might happen from someone with no kids or who's children are grown !

Hey guys - this is the one who is taking her kids out of school for 2 whole weeks - they'll miss 12 days of school . Mine are in grades 4 and 6. Every now and then I remember how much homework the older one had in grade 4 and nearly get a bit nauseous myself, but then I remind myself it's early in the school year and we'll make it up. I'm going to e-mail the teachers next week and let them know when we'll be gone, but won't be taking much work with us - we'll play catch up when we get home. Adam has warned me already to not even mention a journal to his teacher - says that it's his vacation too! Will ask if there are things they could let us have that we could work on ahead of time, or if there is anything we definitely need to get done while we are gone - and do our best to get that done. To be honest, we fight with our two enough the rest of the year about doing homework, I don't want to be doing it on our vacation as well !

I am of the mind that I am the parent, and our vacation time is special. To be honest, we would never be able to afford to take a Disney Cruise in the summer or other off school times, and they do learn a lot from seeing other parts of the world. Do I remember what I learned in grade 7? No. Do I remember the trip I had to Disney with my aunt? You bet!! The other piece of this decision for us was that life is too short to not enjoy what you can - I've known too many people who've lost children, or children who've lost parents young (me being one of those), to not take opportunities to do things like this when we can. So bring on the cruise!! We'll deal with the homework after lol!

Valerie

 

[mommy2777]

We have hit the 40's now, lets all do the dance....to the right to the right to the right....now walk it by yourself..... 49 days and counting...

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

We have hit the 40's now, lets all do the dance....to the right to the right to the right....now walk it by yourself..... 49 days and counting...

Thats funny... I thought it was: to the right... to the left... to the right... and I certainly DO NOT remember anyway dancing bananas being involved!

I am going to start a petition to ban that damn banana from the DIS...

 

[disney4dana]

Lisa,

I found it!!! try writing a note similar to this

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27215846&postcount=49

Dana