***OFFICIAL*** October 2011 - Updated 10/08/11

[lmc318]

My work was offering free flu shots today, and I was considering not doing it since I leave in 3 days, but I REALLY don't want to sick on vacation, so I did get one (so did DBF). I'm a little achy now, but hopefully that will pass...

I got mine already and told DH he needs to get his this week, although I know he'll put it off. I've never had a reaction but wanted to make sure i was covered for the trip! Plus it was offered at my routine endocrinologist appt so I said heck yeah!

Ok just wanted to say Yay Phils!!! They certainly make thing interesting!! Phew! G'night all!

 

[Kathymford]

I haven't had any reactions since the very first time I ever got one - about 4-5 years ago. I got a little achy late in the afternoon, but I should be fine. I was hoping to be protected on my trip, so I'll just tell myself I am! lol

And I actually started packing tonight, so yay me. In fact, I think there's only the daily clothes left to pack, and some miscellaneous items here and there. Time for bed; I'm already up too late tonight.

 

[srauchbauer]

I got mine already and told DH he needs to get his this week, although I know he'll put it off. I've never had a reaction but wanted to make sure i was covered for the trip! Plus it was offered at my routine endocrinologist appt so I said heck yeah!

Ok just wanted to say Yay Phils!!! They certainly make thing interesting!! Phew! G'night all!

all four of us got our flu shots the two kids got the nasal spray (thank goodness because Kate has a terrible fear of needles).

13 days oh my gosh i better get my bumm in gear and get things started.

 

[disneygal58]

Three weeks to check in at port orleans french quarter!!!!!!

 

[FigmentChick]

I have to get one too, it's required where I work. I hope the aches go away quickly and you have a great time!

Wow! I certainly am in the minority when it comes to the flu shots, huh? I don't get them and my kids don't either (looong discussion, so I won't bore you here). I actually had to file a letter with the school board this past year because preshcoolers are now required to get the flu shot in addition to their other immunizations. Please don't pounce on me: my kids have all their other immunizations, it's just the flu shot they don't get. And their pediatrician agrees with me and supports my decision.

On another note: it seems like everyone else in my house is getting sick. UGH Amy and Donny were sick last week and poor Quinn had a fever last night. He's got that wheezy-breathing thing going on. Poor baby. I know some of it must be allergies, but I swear every year around this time, everyone in my family ends up sick. I think it's going back to school and connecting with all those germs.

I called Disney this morning and confirmed my first floor request. I also called dining and found out for sure what the dress code was. I wanted to make sure that I could pack as little clothes as possible. Other than that, I haven't really done anything vacation related in a couple of days.

 

[MissLys]

For anyone going to be down there within the next week or so.. the 13th looks like it is sure to be beautiful! lol. That's a MNSSHP night too!

I have less than a week and I'm freaking! Already loosing sleep!!

 

[lmc318]

all four of us got our flu shots the two kids got the nasal spray (thank goodness because Kate has a terrible fear of needles).

13 days oh my gosh i better get my bumm in gear and get things started.

Katherine gets the nasal spray too and I'm glad because the less needles, the better!

Wow! I certainly am in the minority when it comes to the flu shots, huh? I don't get them and my kids don't either (looong discussion, so I won't bore you here). I actually had to file a letter with the school board this past year because preshcoolers are now required to get the flu shot in addition to their other immunizations. Please don't pounce on me: my kids have all their other immunizations, it's just the flu shot they don't get. And their pediatrician agrees with me and supports my decision.

On another note: it seems like everyone else in my house is getting sick. UGH Amy and Donny were sick last week and poor Quinn had a fever last night. He's got that wheezy-breathing thing going on. Poor baby. I know some of it must be allergies, but I swear every year around this time, everyone in my family ends up sick. I think it's going back to school and connecting with all those germs.

I called Disney this morning and confirmed my first floor request. I also called dining and found out for sure what the dress code was. I wanted to make sure that I could pack as little clothes as possible. Other than that, I haven't really done anything vacation related in a couple of days.

I won't pounce on you about the flu shot. It should always be an optional shot. Unless getting the flu could be life threatening, I see no reason to get the shot. For us, it just saves a lot of headaches during the year with DD being in day care. The first year she was there she had ear infections from January through June and she was too young then for the shot. Since then she hasn't had them. Coincidence or not, we get the shot. I don't understand why your preschool would require them, though. What about kids with egg allergies? I still find it annoying that schools require chicken pox vaccines. I think only life-threatening vaccines should be required. No need to overload kids on vaccines. I won't start the vaccine debate here because we're family and don't need to start that, but I do think schools are being silly about that chicken pox one. I guess it's because of increased school absences and not wanting to spread the virus about. Having said that, it is one that once you have it, you're done, so really, you're giving the kid the vaccine by allowing them to get it in school, right?

18 days today!! 18 is my favorite number, so today is an awesome countdown day.

 

[tigger30066]

Gonna try to post the picture of my halloween shirts. We will see how this goes.

And BTW Lady Horns won, so State here we come.

 

[LilyWDW]

Wow! I certainly am in the minority when it comes to the flu shots, huh? I don't get them and my kids don't either (looong discussion, so I won't bore you here). I actually had to file a letter with the school board this past year because preshcoolers are now required to get the flu shot in addition to their other immunizations. Please don't pounce on me: my kids have all their other immunizations, it's just the flu shot they don't get. And their pediatrician agrees with me and supports my decision.

Won't pounce on you. The flu shot should be optional and each person has to decide for themselves if it is something they want. I get one because I spend multiple days on a college campus. With the attendance policies and the amount of work you miss when you miss just a single class in my program, a lot of people come to class ill. Since I know that to happen, I take it upon myself to give myself some protection to minimize the risk I get sick (and thus have to miss class).

 

[FigmentChick]

Gonna try to post the picture of my halloween shirts. We will see how this goes.

And BTW Lady Horns won, so State here we come.

Yay for the Lady Horns!! BTW - the t-shirts look really nice!

Thanks, Lisa & Lily!!! You make me feel so much better (I'm having a down day because I didn't get much sleep last night). Quinn actually attends preschool in our public school district. The flu shot is required for any child entering the district now.

I've checked rental car rates yet again...still the same. I am hoping for a last minute deal that is super awesome. They had one two weeks ago where a minivan was $178 for a week. That would be great!!! The rate I have now isn't bad, it's actually pretty good, considering, but I would like to save money where I can.

I think I'm going to turn on my Disney music and try to get myself in a better mood. I don't know what's wrong with me....I just feel.....meh.

 

[Tltorrez]

DS never had the chicken pox vaccine because he had the chicken pox first. It went around the baby room in the daycare. Solved that problem.

This is my first time having access to a free flu vaccine. I was tempted but no way I'll risk it this close to our trip Disney. DS had one a couple times when he was younger. But honestly, he never gets sick. He's like typhoid Mary though, brings everything home to us.

on the plus side, the post office found our tickets. Yay!

I went to bed at 9:00 last night so I'm planning to be productive the rest of the week. The biggest thing on my plate right now is PTA stuff. I'm trying to get that list checked of so I can spend the next 2 weeks just focusing on Disney.

 

[PyxiiDustt]

Single digit dance 9 days!!

 

[snykymom]

I won't pounce on you about the flu shot. It should always be an optional shot. Unless getting the flu could be life threatening, I see no reason to get the shot. For us, it just saves a lot of headaches during the year with DD being in day care. The first year she was there she had ear infections from January through June and she was too young then for the shot. Since then she hasn't had them. Coincidence or not, we get the shot. I don't understand why your preschool would require them, though. What about kids with egg allergies? I still find it annoying that schools require chicken pox vaccines. I think only life-threatening vaccines should be required. No need to overload kids on vaccines. I won't start the vaccine debate here because we're family and don't need to start that, but I do think schools are being silly about that chicken pox one. I guess it's because of increased school absences and not wanting to spread the virus about. Having said that, it is one that once you have it, you're done, so really, you're giving the kid the vaccine by allowing them to get it in school, right?

I won't pounce either, but I wanted to explain at least one reason that the chicken pox vaccine is required.

First, it's not "once and done" for chicken pox. It can come back in later years. A kid who's had chicken pox itself can have it dormant in his or her system for decades and have it come back as shingles - extremely painful and difficult to treat. A kid who's had chicken pox can also get it again. It's not like measles.

But the biggest reason is that a child carrying the virus (even if they're not sick) can pass it on to a pregnant woman. Fetal exposure to the chicken pox virus can cause severe and life-threatening birth defects or miscarriage. And even a mother who had chicken pox as a child can pass the virus on to a fetus if her antibody count is low. And since young children are likely to be around pregnant women, including possibly their own mothers, the vaccine is given in part to protect the mothers. (It happened to me when I was pregnant - a low antibody titre, I mean. I had to stay quarantined away from young children until I passed the first trimester. Luckily, it was my first pregnancy. If I had wanted to get pregnant again, I would have had to have the vaccine first.)


On a lighter note,
10 Days to GO!!!!

 

[steeners81]

Woohoo leaving tomorrow might and I am not packed yet . Heading to MNSSHP on Friday. Looks like rain the whole weekend but I don't care I will be in Disney

 

[lmc318]

Gonna try to post the picture of my halloween shirts. We will see how this goes.

And BTW Lady Horns won, so State here we come.

Super cute!

He's like typhoid Mary though, brings everything home to us.

And I'm sorry about the Rays. Not a happy ending to an exciting end of season!

 

[mnightin]

October friends -

I need your advice. Finally getting down to what we're actually going to carry into the parks and I'm interested to hear what you usually do.

We will have 2 strollers, one for the 1-year-old and then rent one for the 8 and 5 year olds for when they get tired. I usually use a backpack for a diaper bag.

We are planning to pack lunches a few days (small collapsible coolers, hoping to store in a locker??). Other things we probably want/need to bring:
-extra clothes for each kid
-ponchos for water rides
-water bottles for everyone in family
-sunscreen
-light snacks (granola bars)
-autograph books
-pennies & quarters for pressing
-moleskin/bandaids

Four questions for all of you veterans:
1. What else should we be bringing into the parks? Usually I'm a less is more kind of person, but am trying to be prepared
2. What kind of bag do you usually pack in?
3. Has anyone else ever brought their own lunches and picnicked in the parks?
4. Assuming we don't have anything valuable in our bags, is it ok to leave them in the strollers while we're riding?

Thank you all so much!

9 Days to Go!![/

 

[lmc318]

October friends -

I need your advice. Finally getting down to what we're actually going to carry into the parks and I'm interested to hear what you usually do.

We will have 2 strollers, one for the 1-year-old and then rent one for the 8 and 5 year olds for when they get tired. I usually use a backpack for a diaper bag.

We are planning to pack lunches a few days (small collapsible coolers, hoping to store in a locker??). Other things we probably want/need to bring:
-extra clothes for each kid
-ponchos for water rides
-water bottles for everyone in family
-sunscreen
-light snacks (granola bars)
-autograph books
-pennies & quarters for pressing
-moleskin/bandaids

Four questions for all of you veterans:
1. What else should we be bringing into the parks? Usually I'm a less is more kind of person, but am trying to be prepared
2. What kind of bag do you usually pack in?
3. Has anyone else ever brought their own lunches and picnicked in the parks?
4. Assuming we don't have anything valuable in our bags, is it ok to leave them in the strollers while we're riding?

Thank you all so much!

9 Days to Go!![/

1 - We try to bring just the essentials in with us. With DD3 that means a change of clothes and some snacks, cameras, money, phones, sunscreen, KTTW cards.
2 - we have a backpack. This year we're using one of those nylon backpacks with the drawstrings. I use it on weekends shopping all the time and figure if it gets annoying, I can throw it in the stroller. I like the idea of slings, but I don't like straps across my body. I'm too short for messengers. They always annoy me when they hit my hip.
3 - We're on the dining plan, so we don't bring food other than a snack or two into the park and some water bottles. Depends on where you're staying and how convenient it is for you to get back to the room, I guess.
4 - I never leave anything in the stroller. My SIL has had a stroller stolen and I wouldn't want t hat to happen and have something in it, even if it's not valuable. Bad enough to lose a stroller, but to lose your stroller, a bag and some non-essentials. I'd be !!!

HTH! Good luck!

 

[FigmentChick]

DS never had the chicken pox vaccine because he had the chicken pox first. It went around the baby room in the daycare. Solved that problem.

This is my first time having access to a free flu vaccine. I was tempted but no way I'll risk it this close to our trip Disney. DS had one a couple times when he was younger. But honestly, he never gets sick. He's like typhoid Mary though, brings everything home to us.

on the plus side, the post office found our tickets. Yay!

I went to bed at 9:00 last night so I'm planning to be productive the rest of the week. The biggest thing on my plate right now is PTA stuff. I'm trying to get that list checked of so I can spend the next 2 weeks just focusing on Disney.

Yay on the found tickets!!!! Stupid USPS......

And I love the Typhoid Mary remark. Did you see the Warehouse 13 episode where the artifact belonged to Typhoid Mary? It was interesting.

October friends -

I need your advice. Finally getting down to what we're actually going to carry into the parks and I'm interested to hear what you usually do.

We will have 2 strollers, one for the 1-year-old and then rent one for the 8 and 5 year olds for when they get tired. I usually use a backpack for a diaper bag.

We are planning to pack lunches a few days (small collapsible coolers, hoping to store in a locker??). Other things we probably want/need to bring:
-extra clothes for each kid
-ponchos for water rides
-water bottles for everyone in family
-sunscreen
-light snacks (granola bars)
-autograph books
-pennies & quarters for pressing
-moleskin/bandaids

Four questions for all of you veterans:
1. What else should we be bringing into the parks? Usually I'm a less is more kind of person, but am trying to be prepared
2. What kind of bag do you usually pack in?
3. Has anyone else ever brought their own lunches and picnicked in the parks?
4. Assuming we don't have anything valuable in our bags, is it ok to leave them in the strollers while we're riding?

Thank you all so much!

9 Days to Go!![/

1. A camera, extra batteries and an extra scan disk card. Your KTTW cards (or park tickets). Cell phones. sunglasses (if you need them). I wear my visor to the parks, but a hat of some sort. Pain medicine!!! (advil, motrin, tylenol...whatever. trust me, it's worth having in the backpack). And we also bring small, handheld games (like Uno or Yatzee) to keep the kids busy in line.
2. Here's my bag:

. It's a camera bag. The bottom section is for my camera and camcorder and the top part is where I cram all our "stuff".
3. No, I don't bring lunches. We have an insulated backpack we bring with a couple bottles of water (and a soda in case I need it) and some snacks like peanutbutter crackers and fruit snacks.
4. I bring the red pack with me everywhere, but we do leave the insulated backpack under the stroller from time to time (it gets to be a pain, carrying it around). It has never gone missing, but some bags do from time to time. Just be prepared in case that happens.

 

[lmc318]

2. Here's my bag:

. It's a camera bag. The bottom section is for my camera and camcorder and the top part is where I cram all our "stuff".

Ooooh, I LOVE that bag! Might have to go shopping....

 

[figmentswife]

October friends -

I need your advice. Finally getting down to what we're actually going to carry into the parks and I'm interested to hear what you usually do.

We will have 2 strollers, one for the 1-year-old and then rent one for the 8 and 5 year olds for when they get tired. I usually use a backpack for a diaper bag.

We are planning to pack lunches a few days (small collapsible coolers, hoping to store in a locker??). Other things we probably want/need to bring:
-extra clothes for each kid
-ponchos for water rides
-water bottles for everyone in family
-sunscreen
-light snacks (granola bars)
-autograph books
-pennies & quarters for pressing
-moleskin/bandaids

Four questions for all of you veterans:
1. What else should we be bringing into the parks? Usually I'm a less is more kind of person, but am trying to be prepared
2. What kind of bag do you usually pack in?
3. Has anyone else ever brought their own lunches and picnicked in the parks?
4. Assuming we don't have anything valuable in our bags, is it ok to leave them in the strollers while we're riding?

Thank you all so much!

9 Days to Go!![/

A couple of things - the 2 older kids (5 & 8) can carry their own cinch pack (draw string type) and this will help them & YOU. Each person can carry their stuff including their own lunch (1 water bottle per person as you can refill all day). You can usually pick these bags up at the $ section at Target or any $ store. Make it fun, and then each decorate them with fabric markers, and explain how they get to be "big" kids and carry their own stuff.

We did this 2 years ago and it was WONDERFUL!!!!! my kids were 7 & 14 and my nephew (yep, I made him carry his own also) was 4.

DO NOT leave anything in the stroller, it may be Disney, but rude and mean people will take you stuff (it's call the Happiest Place on Earth, not the safest place on earth)

If the clothes for the older kids is only for the water rides - don't bother - they will dry out in about 10 minutes (unless you have a child that has an issue with being wet)

Also - the cinch packs can be easily turned around to be on the front when on a ride

Have fun!!!