PART FOUR!! *December 2012 Roll Call* Holidays, FLE & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[M&MGirl1]

Question:

For those of us Roll Callers NOT at WDW for X-mas (Dec 24th/25th)...what are you doing in terms of holiday prep? Scaling back? Decorating/wrapping/shopping earlier than normal?

We haven't scaled back on the spending that's for sure! Eh, oh well, what's on a cc is all on a 0% interest special offer, so it's all good.

All our shopping is done, and I have the lights up on the house. The inside decorations we are scaling back on this year, but that's more because of Dobby than our WDW trip. EVERYTHING he can get hold of he thinks is a chew toy (which is why my hands look like a whole nest of vampires have been feeding on me!) and I sooo don't want him ruining our Christmas decorations and tree ornaments!

Mom's heading back to St. Louis this weekend and is staying there until the week before Christmas, so I'll get everything wrapped next week and be done with that, and the day before our trip I'll go to the grocery store and get everything we need for Christmas dinner since we won't get back to KC until probably late in the afternoon on the 23rd.

 

[WedgieSock]

Question:

For those of us Roll Callers NOT at WDW for X-mas (Dec 24th/25th)...what are you doing in terms of holiday prep? Scaling back? Decorating/wrapping/shopping earlier than normal?

I still won't shop til we get back - I'm the kind that loves to run round looking like this whilst muttering under my breath omg omg omg omg. I find that type of panic fun

We decorate the inside of the house on Dec 1st - its an all day job. We are starting to put the lights up outside before we go and we'll finish off when we get back .... outside is a BIG job, we get drive-bys

So, not really scaling back, just panicking more.

 

[pilferk]

We are scaling back (didn't hang lights outside, plus we need to buy new ones and hopefully next Christmas will be in a new house!) I wanted to get stuff done prior but haven't been successful between car issues, DH having 7 day work weeks and being sick... We will go cut a tree down when we get home and finish our shopping the 16th

We're "that family" (you can't see the house from space, but it's probably closer than I'd usually admit) in "that neighborhood" (ever see X-mas with the Kranks? That could be our neighborhood). If we didn't hang lights....well, I can see us being the latest target of "The Wet Bandits". Not that there is any crime in our little suburban neck of the woods..but...I'd rather not make it TOO obvious we're not around.

We're already apologizing to neighbors because we've scaled back on the lights this year.

 

[Mom2Cody06]

You two need to hydrate, eat oranges and rest. You also need to make a hot drink of honey, lemon, brown sugar, and a sachet of aspirin powder (or similar depending on what you can take). If you like, you can even put a slug of whiskey in it too. Hope you both start to feel better soon !

That sounds like quite the concoction. I was thinking of getting some oranges to bring with us so we can have them for breakfast.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Sorry...don't mean to leave people out.

Interesting, though. You went (are going) full bore? Tree and all?

Out of curiosity...how are you going to handle gift exchange? Bringing them with and doing at WDW? Or are you just saving that part for when you get back?

We've talked about going FOR X-mas..but always thought it would be too hard with our kids at the age they are right now. The gift exchange presents interesting hurdles (wink wink) that we don't want to try to tackle. We might try, though, once they're older.

I'm just teasing you. I'm in a mood now that I feel better.

Yes, we did. The kids HAD to have the full blown tree, and we put the lights up outside too. We arent leaving to CE, so I said "why not?" We love Christmas decorations anyways.

Gifts: Well, my dad and stepmom live 4 hours from us, they are coming down on the weekend of the 15th, they are giving the girls gcs to shop with and and some clothes that weekend.

My MIL is coming on the 22, we will have our "family gift exchange" and Christmas dinner on the 23rd. The kids aren't getting a whole lot from us, I mean they ARE going to Disney (granted, that was FILs idea and part of his estate - so while its huge, its not "from us"). So from us they are getting their shirts for the trip, a fleece I picked up cheap from Disney Store, and certificates and a carriage pearl necklace cage for Pick A Pearl on the 23rd. That way I dont have to try to carry the family gifts wrapped and thru security.

My 7 year old whole-heartedly believes in Santa, and my 11 year old is too smart to say she doesnt... So I have to get Santa in carry on thru security at the airport But its small stuff. an ipod touch for dd7 and a camera/video camera for DD11. The other stuff is a cert and gc for BBB and a souvie gift card. Also some pins that I picked up cheap as a stocking stuffer and a stuffed small stitch and marie (their fave characters). Wish me luck! We also are taking a small roller board with our itty bitty christmas tree and some lights and window clings. They girls want to take their Disney snow globes - they are battery powered and have NO liquid, and are plastic, so they should be good. To decorate the room with. I plan on packing the christmas presents in my camera bag carry on, and hubby distracting and getting them thru security while I deal with the "electronics" bag. wish me luck!!!

 

[pilferk]

I still won't shop til we get back - I'm the kind that loves to run round looking like this whilst muttering under my breath omg omg omg omg. I find that type of panic fun

We decorate the inside of the house on Dec 1st - its an all day job. We are starting to put the lights up outside before we go and we'll finish off when we get back .... outside is a BIG job, we get drive-bys

So, not really scaling back, just panicking more.

We took all day Saturday to do the inside...2 adults and 3 kids. My wife directs traffic, we (the kids and I) do the grunt work.

We get drive bys, too. Our whole neighborhood (we're in a cul de sac) does, actually. We've scaled back (lights, no "props", this year)...but it's still enough that I don't feel we're "out of place" with the rest of our neighbors.

I'm still half contemplating breaking out "the props" when we get back. We'll see what the weather does between now and then. Our main issue is snow...hard to put the "staked" stuff if there's snowpack. Also not fun to do if it's so cold out you can't feel your fingers.

 

[M&MGirl1]

We're "that family" (you can't see the house from space, but it's probably closer than I'd usually admit) in "that neighborhood" (ever see X-mas with the Kranks? That could be our neighborhood). If we didn't hang lights....well, I can see us being the latest target of "The Wet Bandits". Not that there is any crime in our little suburban neck of the woods..but...I'd rather not make it TOO obvious we're not around.

We're already apologizing to neighbors because we've scaled back on the lights this year.

That's so cool! We used to be "that family" on "that block" too, but then one year some (insert derogatory term of your choice here) stole a TON of decorations from most of our block's yards, including ours. After that most people on the block (including us) didn't put up any lights for several years. Now almost the whole block hangs lights again, but the displays are much more modest than they used to be.

This year all I hung was lights on the gutters and around the front door archway and on the bushes in the front yard landscaping. But, I've been trying to switch over to the fancy new programmable LED lights and buying 6 strands of those suckers a year is about all I can afford!

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Question:

For those of us Roll Callers NOT at WDW for X-mas (Dec 24th/25th)...what are you doing in terms of holiday prep? Scaling back? Decorating/wrapping/shopping earlier than normal?

We're flat out nuts, here. We're at WDW from the 5th - 15th. We've got 3 young kids. We're trying (and so far, so good) to get just about everything (short of baking) done before we leave for WDW. Last night, my wife and I sat down and wrapped pretty much every gift currently in the house (about 30+ packages). Shopping is pretty much done for the kids. Halls are decked (inside and out).

We ARE scaling back on the "decking". Less stuff outside and a mini-tree inside. Just makes things a bit easier.

I'd love to hear about others plans/experiences. Interesting to hear how it all fits together with the trip prep that we're all doing, too!

We'll be back on the 8th/9th so we'll do everything when we get back. We thought about putting the tree up before we left but didn't want to leave my Mom with the task of keeping DS2 off the tree, he likes to re-decorate it ALOT!

 

[pilferk]

My 7 year old whole-heartedly believes in Santa, and my 11 year old is too smart to say she doesnt... So I have to get Santa in carry on thru security at the airport But its small stuff. an ipod touch for dd7 and a camera/video camera for DD11. The other stuff is a cert and gc for BBB and a souvie gift card. Also some pins that I picked up cheap as a stocking stuffer and a stuffed small stitch and marie (their fave characters). Wish me luck! We also are taking a small roller board with our itty bitty christmas tree and some lights and window clings. They girls want to take their Disney snow globes - they are battery powered and have NO liquid, and are plastic, so they should be good. To decorate the room with. I plan on packing the christmas presents in my camera bag carry on, and hubby distracting and getting them thru security while I deal with the "electronics" bag. wish me luck!!!

That's the part that terrifies me! Not just for our kids, but because I'd dread the conversation that would ensue, in loud hystronics (you'd have to know my 10 year old), for all the airport to hear, when the TSA agent invariably picked THAT carry on to inspect in minute detail.

All 3 of mine are like your 7 year old.

 

[M&MGirl1]

I'm just teasing you. I'm in a mood now that I feel better.

Yes, we did. The kids HAD to have the full blown tree, and we put the lights up outside too. We arent leaving to CE, so I said "why not?" We love Christmas decorations anyways.

Gifts: Well, my dad and stepmom live 4 hours from us, they are coming down on the weekend of the 15th, they are giving the girls gcs to shop with and and some clothes that weekend.

My MIL is coming on the 22, we will have our "family gift exchange" and Christmas dinner on the 23rd. The kids aren't getting a whole lot from us, I mean they ARE going to Disney (granted, that was FILs idea and part of his estate - so while its huge, its not "from us"). So from us they are getting their shirts for the trip, a fleece I picked up cheap from Disney Store, and certificates and a carriage pearl necklace cage for Pick A Pearl on the 23rd. That way I dont have to try to carry the family gifts wrapped and thru security.

My 7 year old whole-heartedly believes in Santa, and my 11 year old is too smart to say she doesnt... So I have to get Santa in carry on thru security at the airport But its small stuff. an ipod touch for dd7 and a camera/video camera for DD11. The other stuff is a cert and gc for BBB and a souvie gift card. Also some pins that I picked up cheap as a stocking stuffer and a stuffed small stitch and marie (their fave characters). Wish me luck! We also are taking a small roller board with our itty bitty christmas tree and some lights and window clings. They girls want to take their Disney snow globes - they are battery powered and have NO liquid, and are plastic, so they should be good. To decorate the room with. I plan on packing the christmas presents in my camera bag carry on, and hubby distracting and getting them thru security while I deal with the "electronics" bag. wish me luck!!!

Can you stand in the security line with DH and the kids and have to "run to the restroom" at the last minute, have DH take the kids through security and then go through on your own a few minutes later with the carry on full of Santa's presents? That way if security did search your bags or made you take the electronics out the kids wouldn't be around to see them and have the surprise ruined. That's how we handled getting all the little daily presents from Mickey and Tinkerbell through security for our family trip back in 2010.

 

[dawnmichele]

Wow. Like many of you I was away from the boards for a few days and man, that was a lot of catching up!

So! We are in the single digits now and i am having a Hard time containing my excitement!
I still have plenty on my to do list. I won't bore you all with it here. I think it's pretty manageable but I need to get busy. DD just got over a really bad cold and I'm hoping I will escape it. I'd rather be sick at home than at Disney, but I'd rather not be sick at all, right. Especially with that to do list.

I have some questions I'm hoping some of you can help me with. This trip is due mostly to my DX's company having a day of meetings followed by a company Christmas party at CSR. I have decided to tag along to the party which starts as cocktails and dinner at the CSR and ends with a special Illuminations desert party at Epcot. I understand that's a special private party that changes details depending on who is throwing it, but if any of you have been I'd love to hear what your experience was like.

My main question is about clothes and shoes. The party is business casual. I'll be wearing a sweater dress, tights and some boots that have absolutely no support or comfort whatsoever. They are flat and don't hurt, but the soles are just flat and hard. Epcot has extra magic hours after Illuminations and I'm sure I'll want to hang out for at least a while in the park.

I'm thinking my options are to stay in what I have on and risk messing up my feet on our first full day. That seems bad. I could carry my walking shoes (brown new balance) and look funny (and hopefully not be too cold). Or I could take a backpack to the party with more appropriate park clothes/shoes and change in a restroom when the party is over. I think the last option seems best, even though my backpack might seem out of place in a crowd of business casual, but I really wanted to know what you guys would do in such a situation?

I have to admit it's a pretty nice problem to have! But I'm spending too much time and worry trying to decide what to do. I love having you guys around to help!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Busy but a totally unproductive day, do you know what I mean?

Soooo, I'm pottering about (about 5pm) and DD is doing her homework. DH is in the bedroom doing whatever. DD & I hear a loudish crash downstairs. The floor there is tiled so I'm thinking a large tin has fallen from a shelf (despite the fact I don't have a large tin down there ). I then think .... oooh what if there is a critter down there!?!? I'd better go down and get rid before a full scale house drama breaks out - you know the kind .... DD running round screaming, the cats having an eppy, DH bursting out to see what all the noise is, me laughing in the corner ....

As I go downstairs I smell burning, so then I start to run, we have a clear glass panel door and all I can see is thick smoke I can't see flames, but it could be around the corner in the other room. Is the door to that room open? OMG, how long will it take for the house to burn down? All this flying through my head while I absolutely peg it back upstairs and down the hallway. I burst into our bedroom and say really calmly (which was weird) "Hey hun, theres a fire downstairs and I'm not quite sure how to handle it" Then its all slow-motion, he leaps up, "Get Bronwyn & the dog and stay here" he says in a really manly voice, running down the hallway (remember, still in slow motion) jumps down the whole flight of stairs ..... not even a minute passes but it seems like ages. I can hear him coughing, faffing around, he eventually emerges up the stairs ... through the smoke.... coughing ..... and he says "the heater on the fish tank blew up"

Now thats not very dramatic is it??? You were on the edge of your seat until I said 'the heater on the fish tank', weren't you Apparently the flame was about 2 inches high and one cup of water put it out. The thick smoke was from the plastic housing melting

Glad it was just that, and not the house itself on fire! And hey, if you weren't home it could have grown, so it could have been so much scarier!

Hi all,

I have been off of this board for days-signing papers, meeting with contractors, selling stuff on-line, packing up the house and oh, by the way, we are leaving in 2 days for WDW! This is crazy, the worst timing but I am so glad we are doing it. I can't wait to relax among the zebras and scream on some rides for stress relief.

Anyway.I started a trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=46795826#post46795826

Good luck with everything! I understand the desire to scream on rides to relieve the stress.

My running shoes. That's it. Right now I have a pair of Saucony.

I only wear my running shoes too, which are Sketchers D-Lites. They barely feel like they are on, but have great arch support and I walk all day in them for work.

How did I miss this thread????

We will arrive in orlando on the 21st, spend the night at an airport hotel then check into our 5 bedroom house on the 22nd! We will be staying through the 4th. There are 8 of us. FIL has just finished up his chemo treatments so this is our kicking cancers butt christmas celebration!

What a wonderful thing to celebrate!!!!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Panicking a bit, but for a good reason, because

48 HOURS FROM NOW I'LL BE IN FLORIDA, PROBABLY WAITING FOR OR ALREADY ON DME!!!

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!! It's so pretty hear this morning. We are supposed to get up to 3 inches. Everything is covered and its still coming down pretty good. Back roads are slippery, now I wonder about the kids getting sent home early and DS6 not going at all. Guess we will see. The one back road his bus takes is really windy and hilly so that makes me a tad nervous.

Anyone have Disney Movie Rewards. I got an email today about an FLE pin you can get for 600 points. http://www.disneymovierewards.go.co..._dmr_nlc_1126_winterupdate_FantasylandPin_dmr


This time next week we will be resort hopping (or getting ready to) before heading to MVMCP!!!!! Ahhh!! It's getting so close!!!!

 

[1stvisit0909]

Can you stand in the security line with DH and the kids and have to "run to the restroom" at the last minute, have DH take the kids through security and then go through on your own a few minutes later with the carry on full of Santa's presents? That way if security did search your bags or made you take the electronics out the kids wouldn't be around to see them and have the surprise ruined. That's how we handled getting all the little daily presents from Mickey and Tinkerbell through security for our family trip back in 2010.

GREAT idea!!!! I can't believe I didnt think of it. you are the BEST!

 

[mom2travel]

Panicking a bit, but for a good reason, because

48 HOURS FROM NOW I'LL BE IN FLORIDA, PROBABLY WAITING FOR OR ALREADY ON DME!!!

Wahoo!!!!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Question:

For those of us Roll Callers NOT at WDW for X-mas (Dec 24th/25th)...what are you doing in terms of holiday prep? Scaling back? Decorating/wrapping/shopping earlier than normal?

We're flat out nuts, here. We're at WDW from the 5th - 15th. We've got 3 young kids. We're trying (and so far, so good) to get just about everything (short of baking) done before we leave for WDW. Last night, my wife and I sat down and wrapped pretty much every gift currently in the house (about 30+ packages). Shopping is pretty much done for the kids. Halls are decked (inside and out).

We ARE scaling back on the "decking". Less stuff outside and a mini-tree inside. Just makes things a bit easier.

I'd love to hear about others plans/experiences. Interesting to hear how it all fits together with the trip prep that we're all doing, too!

The inside decs are up. I told DH to hold off on the outside decs until we get back. I've done most of my Christmas shopping, and have wrapped those presents. There are things I need to order online, but I will wait until we get back because they would arrive about the time that we're gone.


DD really, really wants the Disney Princess castle (Barbie doll-sized) for Christmas. She talks about it constantly. It is plastic, and costs $145. I bought a wooden dollhouse of the same size, with a pool, for $119. Now I am worried she will be so disappointed. Should I return the nicer wooden dollhouse and replace it with the more expensive but lesser quality plastic Disney one? I asked her what she loves about it, and she said that it's a castle.
Linkies:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=15726366
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11679810#showReviews

 

[pilferk]

GREAT idea!!!! I can't believe I didnt think of it. you are the BEST!

My only added suggestion would be to either:

a) Quietly let the TSA agent "in on" why you're making the run (so they don't flag you as suspicious when you leave the line)

b) Make your exit just prior to entering the TSA security line.

Nobody wants to have to go through an extra round of security checks.

 

[tmbowers]

My DS is Typhoid Mary. He brings everything home from school to the rest of us but gets away with nothing but a sniffle.

Love it. I always refer to my two as carriers, but actually it is my oldest who seems to bring the most germs home. My 4yo who was critically ill at birth and spent the first month of her life in NICU and on a vent rarely gets sick. KNOCK ON WOOD.

Add me to the list of cold/sinus/coughing people. This time I can't blame it on my "carriers." Stopped and bought some Zicam to see if I can make whatever this is go away faster. :scared

 

[pilferk]

DD really, really wants the Disney Princess castle (Barbie doll-sized) for Christmas. She talks about it constantly. It is plastic, and costs $145. I bought a wooden dollhouse of the same size, with a pool, for $119. Now I am worried she will be so disappointed. Should I return the nicer wooden dollhouse and replace it with the more expensive but lesser quality plastic Disney one? I asked her what she loves about it, and she said that it's a castle.
Linkies:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=15726366
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11679810#showReviews

We picked up the Princess Castle for my youngest last X-mas (we found a deal, about a 10 days before X-mas that put it at just under $100).

It has held up, with ONE exception, surprisingly well. The exception is that staircase that extends off one side of it. It's not broken, exactly, but it doesn't stay attached very well (and the little "stair walking" piece that goes on it IS broken). I've been surprised, actually, by how well it's held up.

TRU, especially, has been running % off coupons for the past week or so. You might be able to use one to drop the price. But, by the same token, that wooden doll house sounds awesome!