Over the river and through the FUN!

[CanadianWDWfan]

Punkin I think MeMom is trying to run us off! First me with the snake pic and now you with the birds....

 

[Happy Elf]

Bus update: Sounds like there were only minor injuries. Luckily! 3 kids had to be kept in the hospital over night, the rest were released. Looking at the video, I am amazed that it wasn't worse. God was watching over that bus!

We are due for an ice storm tonight, just waiting to see if we have school tomorrow....

I got this song in my school email today and thought all you teachers out there would enjoy it!

Sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland"

Children scream, they won't lis-in
When they go, we won't miss 'em,
In all of this pain, we try to stay sane,
Working in an elementary school.

Christmas comes, they're excited,
Though our nerves, they've ignited,
They're off the walls, they run in the halls,
Working in an elementary school.

In the lunchroom we can hear them yellin'
And we know tat they are really wound
Someone hits, the other screams "I'm telling"
And that is when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon, we'll be restin'
Cause our nerves have, they've been tested
We're happy it's clear, it only comes once a year
Christmas in an elementary school

 

[Megablocks]

Enjoy your well-deserved break from school!!!

Thank you so much! I will--I already did a little "project" that I have been thinking of, but didn't do because I felt guilty doing it when I had school stuff to do--I made my own little autograph book for our trip. I took a picture, and I'll post it once my camera battery is recharged. Kailyn liked it, so I might end up making her one, too.

I'm going to try to live vicariously through all your shopping pictures, since my dad will not be able to escape with another male this time, and we might have to cut back a tad on our obsession with stopping in every gift shop. I want to reach through the screen and hug those little fat antlered Plutos!

School is canceled for tomorrow in my city and a bunch of surrounding cities, and the governor is going to make an announcement at 5 AM about whether or not any "non-essential" businesses will be open. Last year, we got a big storm and it hit mid-afternoon/early evening, and people were stuck in a gridlock on the highway for hours, and some kids didn't get home from school until 6 or 7 in the evening. People ran out of gas just because they were sitting on the highway for so long. It was a huge mess and I'm so glad that they're not taking any chances.

 

[sunny_stace]

I got this song in my school email today and thought all you teachers out there would enjoy it!

Sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland"

Children scream, they won't lis-in
When they go, we won't miss 'em,
In all of this pain, we try to stay sane,
Working in an elementary school.

Christmas comes, they're excited,
Though our nerves, they've ignited,
They're off the walls, they run in the halls,
Working in an elementary school.

In the lunchroom we can hear them yellin'
And we know tat they are really wound
Someone hits, the other screams "I'm telling"
And that is when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon, we'll be restin'
Cause our nerves have, they've been tested
We're happy it's clear, it only comes once a year
Christmas in an elementary school

Okay, I'm not one of the teachers but I thoroughly enjoyed this!! Super funny! Thanks for sharing! Hope all of you teachers enjoy your holidays!

MeMom - I think I took the exact same shot of the light outside Pizzafari! I'll have to get over to the light fixture thread once I get all of my pictures loaded up!

 

[IluvXU]

Last day!!!! Enjoy your students, I wish we only had a half day, I am not sure how I am going to keep them busy this PM!

 

[xoktenox]

Hey MeMom and Jill, I've been lurking through your other TR's for a while now trying to read through all of the first 2 before I started this one. Well I have to admit I didn't make it through the entire first 2 but I did read alot of them and decided to just come over and sub to the new one and read through the entire thing.

I'm going to go back and start reading this one from the beginning now but I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your TR's and think Brooklynn is just precious. Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself...I'm Kristen by the way

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh, I hate to break it to you but on the noon news, they indicated blizzard conditions this weekend in the dakotas and Minn.

I heard that today too! This winter has been crazy so far! All well though-good times to just stay indoors and sip hot chocolate.

Whenever I see the men down there with their Goofy hats or Mickey ears or t-shirts they'd never wear at home, I wonder what they do for their jobs, and I wonder what their co-workers would say if they saw them letting loose like that.

In our particular work envrionment, we could wear the crazy ears and hats to work for all our boss' care! But, I think our coworkers would thing we were NUTS. But then again, they might already...

 

[DisKate]

Happy Holidays Everyone!

School is done for me and I started a new job yesterday, but thanks to the weather I got today off to catch up on the dis! Love the AK pics....I can't wait to go there in just a few short months....It's been two years since we went at the Holidays, so I love seeing everything decorated in your pics....Brooklynn is getting so big! The baby stuff is adorable!

 

[MeMom]

This computer is still crazy, so I'm going to put up a few pictures, and I'll do responses later.

From Animal Kingdom, we went over to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

First stop, Zawadi Gift Shop.

As everywhere on Disney property, there are unique light fixtures.

I was on the lookout for a coffee mug to bring back to Drew.

I didn't choose any of these, though.

Okay, I'm going to try to post this quickly before the screen goes blank again. Hopefully, my friend who is a school tech guy is going to look at this over the holidays.

Brooklynn and her entourage arrived about an hour ago. She was dressed as Cinderella. She had fallen asleep in the car, but when she realized she was here, she woke up for a while. They have all gone to bed now.
Good night, all!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Hi MeMom! I am finally caught up on your TR. Of course, you know I am enjoying the light fixture pictures.

Brooklynn is just too cute for words.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Happy Christmas Vacation, MeMom!!! Yesterday was our last day at school, so I am loving the thought of having the next 16 days off!!!

Look at that gorgeous AKL tree!!! Are those feathers on the top of it?

 

[punkin413]

hope you have a great vacation, memom (and all you other teachers out there)! that's so cute that brooklynn was dressed like cinderella. i wish i could do that.....just wake up and say, "hmmm....i'm feeling very belle-ish today," and then put my belle dress on. ray would be thrilled!

i leave on tuesday after work to come to nashville and i'm staying through saturday. i'm excited to see my family but i'm bummed because ray can't come with me. this will be the first christmas we haven't been together since we've been married. he only had 1 day of vacation left and that wouldn't work because he'd need to take off wednesday and friday to come with me. i'll live though!

 

[Happy Elf]

Enjoy your day with Brooklynn! I know you will have a great time! Christmas is such a fun time with little ones! We are going to my inlaw's today to have Christmas with them.

 

[twob4him]

Hi memom and family!
Glad to hear you have a break for a while. Ours starts Tuesday. I love the store pics and I really wish I were in Disney during Christmas. I just think it would be sooo magical! Can't wait for more!!!

 

[MeMom]

I've tried to respond to all of you twice, but the computer blacked out. Trent's gone for the night, so I get to borrow his. Maybe I'll actually make it to the SUBMIT REPLY part this time.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SENT ME THIER BEST WISHES, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

We are expecting a major snow storm in the next few days, the news has called it "snowmageton". I hope I can get to work, or at least out of my driveway.

MeMom I would put up pics but I still don't have my new camera yet, soon I will be able to share along with you all. I can't wait.

New shopping pics, Yippee!!! I would definitely wear that Santa Mickey hat. The snowman Mickey is adorable, I want one.

Brooklynn has such a cute smile while she posed in the back of the van.

Have you ever been able to spend your birthday in Disney World? That's kind of neat.

I am always up for good pictures!

Punkin I think MeMom is trying to run us off! First me with the snake pic and now you with the birds....

I'd never run off my Dis friends! I just like messin' with ya!

Bus update: Sounds like there were only minor injuries. Luckily! 3 kids had to be kept in the hospital over night, the rest were released. Looking at the video, I am amazed that it wasn't worse. God was watching over that bus!

We are due for an ice storm tonight, just waiting to see if we have school tomorrow....

I got this song in my school email today and thought all you teachers out there would enjoy it!

Sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland"

Children scream, they won't lis-in
When they go, we won't miss 'em,
In all of this pain, we try to stay sane,
Working in an elementary school.

Christmas comes, they're excited,
Though our nerves, they've ignited,
They're off the walls, they run in the halls,
Working in an elementary school.

In the lunchroom we can hear them yellin'
And we know tat they are really wound
Someone hits, the other screams "I'm telling"
And that is when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon, we'll be restin'
Cause our nerves have, they've been tested
We're happy it's clear, it only comes once a year
Christmas in an elementary school

I'm glad to hear the kids are okay. That's an experience they'll probably never forget.

The song was perfect! All the teachers at our school luncheon yesterday were just about giddy with the excitement of being away from school for two weeks!

Thank you so much! I will--I already did a little "project" that I have been thinking of, but didn't do because I felt guilty doing it when I had school stuff to do--I made my own little autograph book for our trip. I took a picture, and I'll post it once my camera battery is recharged. Kailyn liked it, so I might end up making her one, too.

I'm going to try to live vicariously through all your shopping pictures, since my dad will not be able to escape with another male this time, and we might have to cut back a tad on our obsession with stopping in every gift shop. I want to reach through the screen and hug those little fat antlered Plutos!

School is canceled for tomorrow in my city and a bunch of surrounding cities, and the governor is going to make an announcement at 5 AM about whether or not any "non-essential" businesses will be open. Last year, we got a big storm and it hit mid-afternoon/early evening, and people were stuck in a gridlock on the highway for hours, and some kids didn't get home from school until 6 or 7 in the evening. People ran out of gas just because they were sitting on the highway for so long. It was a huge mess and I'm so glad that they're not taking any chances.

I'm glad you got to do a fun project to get ready for your trip. I am sure your sister would love one, too!

How did your snowstorm turn out?

Okay, I'm not one of the teachers but I thoroughly enjoyed this!! Super funny! Thanks for sharing! Hope all of you teachers enjoy your holidays!

MeMom - I think I took the exact same shot of the light outside Pizzafari! I'll have to get over to the light fixture thread once I get all of my pictures loaded up!

I'm guessing there are more happy teachers in North America right now than there have been in several months!!!

Definitely add your light fixture pictures. There are some interesting ones!

Last day!!!! Enjoy your students, I wish we only had a half day, I am not sure how I am going to keep them busy this PM!

I enjoyed them. We cleaned the room, took down decorations, watched a movie, colored some Christmas fun pages, and then they left!

Hey MeMom and Jill, I've been lurking through your other TR's for a while now trying to read through all of the first 2 before I started this one. Well I have to admit I didn't make it through the entire first 2 but I did read alot of them and decided to just come over and sub to the new one and read through the entire thing.

I'm going to go back and start reading this one from the beginning now but I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your TR's and think Brooklynn is just precious. Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself...I'm Kristen by the way

It's nice to have you along. Forigve us for not being too active right now. We've been very busy, and we've had computer issues, too.

I heard that today too! This winter has been crazy so far! All well though-good times to just stay indoors and sip hot chocolate.



In our particular work envrionment, we could wear the crazy ears and hats to work for all our boss' care! But, I think our coworkers would thing we were NUTS. But then again, they might already...

They already think we're crazy, but they're secretly jealous, too

Happy Holidays Everyone!

School is done for me and I started a new job yesterday, but thanks to the weather I got today off to catch up on the dis! Love the AK pics....I can't wait to go there in just a few short months....It's been two years since we went at the Holidays, so I love seeing everything decorated in your pics....Brooklynn is getting so big! The baby stuff is adorable!

So far I haven't been real happy with these pictures. You can't tell on the small screen, but once you get them up, you can see how blurry they are.

Jill and I went over to Gymboree this evening. We had a very successful visit - getting several cute outfits for both the girlies.

Hi MeMom! I am finally caught up on your TR. Of course, you know I am enjoying the light fixture pictures.

Brooklynn is just too cute for words.

It's good to have you along!

Right now, Brooklynn is sitting here watching Jungle Book 2 wearing a Snow White dress, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shoes, and a Magic Kingdom backpack.

Happy Christmas Vacation, MeMom!!! Yesterday was our last day at school, so I am loving the thought of having the next 16 days off!!!

Look at that gorgeous AKL tree!!! Are those feathers on the top of it?

Definitely dancing bananas to us all!

They do appear to be feathers. I'll have to go back at Christmas next year and get a better picture.

hope you have a great vacation, memom (and all you other teachers out there)! that's so cute that brooklynn was dressed like cinderella. i wish i could do that.....just wake up and say, "hmmm....i'm feeling very belle-ish today," and then put my belle dress on. ray would be thrilled!

i leave on tuesday after work to come to nashville and i'm staying through saturday. i'm excited to see my family but i'm bummed because ray can't come with me. this will be the first christmas we haven't been together since we've been married. he only had 1 day of vacation left and that wouldn't work because he'd need to take off wednesday and friday to come with me. i'll live though!

It will be nice for you to have some time with your family alone. Nothing against the spouses, but I like having Jill all to myself sometimes, and I imagine your mom likes to have you alone, too. You are grown and married, but you're still our little girls, and we like to do things with you.

Enjoy your day with Brooklynn! I know you will have a great time! Christmas is such a fun time with little ones! We are going to my inlaw's today to have Christmas with them.

Well, you can sure tell there was a little one here today. There are little people things all over the house!

 

[MeMom]

Hi memom and family!
Glad to hear you have a break for a while. Ours starts Tuesday. I love the store pics and I really wish I were in Disney during Christmas. I just think it would be sooo magical! Can't wait for more!!!

All of life seems just a little rosier at the moment with these next two free weeks stretching out before me!

You need to see Disney during Christmas sometime. The Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional, Jingle Jungle Parade, so many trees, music, decorations! I hope you do get to do that someday!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I wish you a wonderful holiday visit with Brooklynn and Jill. You must be so thrilled to have your whole family there. I'm sure you don't mind the little things lying around

for your time off

I could only WISH to be at WDW for my bday. It will never happen as long as I work in retail. Only a dream for now, but someday it will come true! I am seriously thinking of going one year the week between Christmas and New Year's. Decorations are still up and I would be free to go then. I just worry about how crowded it would be.

 

[Megablocks]

I'm glad you got to do a fun project to get ready for your trip. I am sure your sister would love one, too!

How did your snowstorm turn out?

I'm going to take her to the craft store at some point so that she can pick out paper for a book.

We got a decent amount of snow. The pictures in my report were actually taken after it had only been snowing for an hour or two (probably around 2-2:30), and it snowed all through the afternoon and the evening, so we got maybe 10-12 inches, but have some big snowdrifts from plows and people shoveling. I couldn't see the curb when I was trying to clean off my car, so I fell into one. I need to take some more pics when I take the dog out again tonight, just for comparison, and because we are supposed to get more tomorrow. It's supposed to be snow AND rain, though, which is yucky, especially when it freezes over and is just icy.

Earlier, my mom and I saw on the Travel Channel a Sam Brown holiday Disney thing, and I caught the very tail end of something, I forget what for, but the very end had something with Opryland--I was really excited because I recognized that name from your reports so it made me think of you!

 

[MegansMom]

Just wanted to wish you and your whole family a Merry Christmas and WONDERFUL New Year!!!!

 

[MeMom]

I wish you a wonderful holiday visit with Brooklynn and Jill. You must be so thrilled to have your whole family there. I'm sure you don't mind the little things lying around

for your time off

I could only WISH to be at WDW for my bday. It will never happen as long as I work in retail. Only a dream for now, but someday it will come true! I am seriously thinking of going one year the week between Christmas and New Year's. Decorations are still up and I would be free to go then. I just worry about how crowded it would be.

Lots of things scattered around a house just means you're blessed enough to have people in your life around to scatter things.

Between Brooklynn and Drew, I can feel very blessed sometimes!

Let us know when you go between Christmas and New Year's Day, and maybe we'll meet you there. That's most likely when Jill and I (and the two little girls) will be going next year. Instead of leaving Christmas Day, though, since Brooklynn is older and realizes that Christmas exists, we'll probably leave the day after Christmas or maybe even the next day. Since Jill and I still need to cross New Year's off our list of holidays to spend in Disney World, we'll probably plan this trip to cover that.

When we went last Christmas, there was only one time that it was so crowded we left a park, and that was when we left Magic Kingdom from behind Main Street. It was truthfully too crowded to do anything more than take baby steps behind the people in front of you. We stayed about 30 minutes, then headed out. The rest of the trip was just fine.

It's worth a few crowds to see Disney World at Christmas at least once. You just have to go in with few expectations as far as getting in a lot of rides and make it a more leisurely trip focused more on the atmosphere.

I'm going to take her to the craft store at some point so that she can pick out paper for a book.

We got a decent amount of snow. The pictures in my report were actually taken after it had only been snowing for an hour or two (probably around 2-2:30), and it snowed all through the afternoon and the evening, so we got maybe 10-12 inches, but have some big snowdrifts from plows and people shoveling. I couldn't see the curb when I was trying to clean off my car, so I fell into one. I need to take some more pics when I take the dog out again tonight, just for comparison, and because we are supposed to get more tomorrow. It's supposed to be snow AND rain, though, which is yucky, especially when it freezes over and is just icy.

Earlier, my mom and I saw on the Travel Channel a Sam Brown holiday Disney thing, and I caught the very tail end of something, I forget what for, but the very end had something with Opryland--I was really excited because I recognized that name from your reports so it made me think of you!

I haven't had time to see any Travel Channel shows in months. Maybe I can catch a few of my favorites over the break. I have some taped. Maybe I can find them and pull them out.

Just wanted to wish you and your whole family a Merry Christmas and WONDERFUL New Year!!!!

Thank you so much, and we wish the same to you.

Now that we've opened presents, I look forward to a peaceful, productive two week break. I do have some things I have to do for school, but I'm only doing them when I feel like it, and I can spread the chores out over a long period of time.


*****************************************

I'll share with you some pictures from last night's Christmas activities.

Declansdad had wondered if perhaps there might be a Disney-themed Christmas party. We will see in just a bit.

Brooklynn had several gifts. She started asking about them as soon as she woke up Saturday morning, and Jill told her we would open them in the evening - after her nap time and when it got dark.

Brooklynn immediately stated, "I wanna go naptime."

She was trying to speed things up a bit, but unfortunately for her, we had a whole day ahead of us.

Jill, John, and Brooklynn left the house early to ride out to Gospel Advocate Booksrore to get John's dad some books. I had some things to do around here, so I took care of those, and then I met them at Opry Mills Mall.

We went to The Disney Store. I got Brooklynn a cute little outfit, and when I checked out, there were huge Christmas Mickey and Minnie plush dolls at the counter. No one said anything about them, like they usually do when they're trying to push merchandise, so I asked. The guy said they were $9.74 each. At first I thought I heard wrong, so I repeated it to be sure I heard right. My ears had not deceived me, so for that price, one big Mickey and one big Minnie found themselves a new family! I would have gotten Jill a set, too, but she's already got fourteen million pluch dolls at her house, so whenever she needs these guys to come down for a party or whatever, they can just go visit her for a while. They were originally $39.50, which I would not have paid, but for ten bucks, I thought they were well worth it.

We went in and out of shops. It wasn't crowded at first, but the crowd did build as the day went on.

Brooklynn and Minnie rode the carousel.

Brooklynn talked to Santa.

Well, really Santa talked to Brooklynn. She pretty much just sat there, and in the end, she was happy with her little candy cane present.

She had her picture made by the Christmas tree.

We ate at Chili's To Go.
It took almost thirty minutes to get our food, and Jill's fries were cold.
Not just room temperature, but actually cold.
Everyone else's stuff was fine, but she was certainly not going to eat cold fries after such a long wait. She went up and asked for fresh hot ones, and in a minute, she came back with a better looking plate.

After Opry Mills, we went by Rivergate Mall, where traffic was ridiculous.

We left there quickly and came back to the house. John and Brooklynn laid down for a nap, and Jill and I went out alone to shop. We had a nice time and were very successful at Barnes & Noble, Gymboree, and The Children's Place. We got some cute things for Brooklyn on sale and a couple of matching outfits for Brooklynn and the baby.

Finally, naps were over and it was dark, so it was time to eat and open presents.

Drew came home and showed us the new things he had bought to go with his Christmas present - his new camera.

Here are some of our tree ornaments.

Chip and Dale guarded the gifts.

We had lasagna, salad, and rolls.

The lasagna had run over just a bit, so it had to stay on a cookie sheet on the stove, so there are not pictures.

Yes, it was homemade - not frozen Stouffer's.

Friend Eeyore sat quietly by on a stocking.

My Wilderness Lodge totem pole.

When I saw this at the store, it reminded me of Wish....es, naturally.
So I bought it.

We got this card from Dawn and Ray. Isn't it cute?

I've looked at that lodge stuff so many times, because it would go in my house so nicely.

Ghirardelli was represented.

Most of the presents were Brooklynn's.

Next up - opening presents!