PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[PHXscuba]

Well thank heavens, no one got what DS7 had last week.

I finally got the last two presents wrapped -- a group gift for my parents that needed one more component my sister kept forgetting to give me, and one for my best friend's son (waiting on something handmade I just got last night).

My parents made it safely here, and they and my sister's family have been eating up a storm at my house. I can't believe how quickly the food goes, especially with two teens. We got a good-sized plate of treats delivered in the middle of dinner tonight and they were GONE within two hours. I had DH text a photo of the empty plate to our friend as a thank you!

I won't be on the DIS much the next few days, but I want to wish all of you following my trip report a Merry Christmas if you are celebrating, and a Happy Holiday and Family Time to those of you simply enjoying time off work or having some downtime.

 

[PHXscuba]

So we had a really awesome Christmas, with very little griping or ingratitude (a big pet peeve of mine), and lots of good food and family.

First I will give you a less-than-24-hours-old photo of what the family looks like now (not a year ago in the Disney World pictures I posted on the first page of this PTR):

If you recall my desperate hunt for a Perry the Platypus Pillow Pet for DS7, it all paid off. He was gobsmacked when he saw it sitting alongside his stocking. It was a very Perry Christmas with several of his gifts sharing the theme. Here shown with a sucker that made him look like Perry too:

I guess by now the family has figured out I really like Disney stuff (duh). My mother got me these Hallmark Disney things that now reside on the shelf above my computer:

Gift giving from DH and the kids to me is always problematic. I want to be surprised, but also get things I might actually use. In practice this translates into a list I give him, which he picks out and maybe lets the kids help wrap. I'd really like the kids to be more involved, hut I can't really dictate how he does gift-giving.

So this year I told him: "We have a son that drives. Send him and DD13 out with $50 to get me something (anything!) they think I might like." They are old enough to handle that much.

​

I didn't get a picture of the gift before it was disassembled (and partially eaten!), but the basket contained the cute Minnie computer magnet as well as the Mickey cup (stuffed with Ghirardelli peppermint bark), along with a throw for my new bedroom reading chair and some other candy. I was really proud/touched with what they came up with.

DD10 also got some Disney stuff -- the Brave DVD, Disney Hedbanz game, Just Dance Disney Wii game. The men/boys got some Disney/Pixar/Marvel DVDs as well.

Now I just have to find homes for everything ...

PHXscuba

Coming up soon: the big Trip Reveal, and deciding on having my parents come along

p.s. -- Sorry about the in-your-face enormous pictures. I need to get better organized so the smaller exported picture files end up in the right folders.

 

[Sherry E]

My goodness, those are gigantic photos, aren't they? I saw the e-mail alert with the text of your post, and I saw your mention of the photo size at the bottom. When I clicked on a link to one of the pictures, I saw what you meant!

That is a great, great family picture! You guys are definitely a happy-looking, photogenic bunch of folks.

I think that your sons came up with really nice gifts for you! They're perfect, right down to the peppermint bark!

 

[PHXscuba]

My goodness, those are gigantic photos, aren't they? I saw the e-mail alert with the text of your post, and I saw your mention of the photo size at the bottom. When I clicked on a link to one of the pictures, I saw what you meant!

That is a great, great family picture! You guys are definitely a happy-looking, photogenic bunch of folks.

I think that your sons came up with really nice gifts for you! They're perfect, right down to the peppermint bark!

Yes, I'm afraid they are on to me! My kids know of my peppermint love. I always wear mint lip balm and they know if something nearby smells like mint, it's probably mom.

My goal is to get the photos on my computer (a fraction of our total photos) wrangled, cleaned out, and into folders so I know what I'm posting. And I'm bad at exporting photos in smaller sizes to use too. Once I see them all huge on my post, I have to decide if it's worth trying to find the ones I meant to post, or just using them raw. And I'm lazy! I guess if it's MY trip report, I can post them any size I please!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

Yes, I'm afraid they are on to me! My kids know of my peppermint love. I always wear mint lip balm and they know if something nearby smells like mint, it's probably mom.

My goal is to get the photos on my computer (a fraction of our total photos) wrangled, cleaned out, and into folders so I know what I'm posting. And I'm bad at exporting photos in smaller sizes to use too. Once I see them all huge on my post, I have to decide if it's worth trying to find the ones I meant to post, or just using them raw. And I'm lazy! I guess if it's MY trip report, I can post them any size I please!

PHXscuba

Regarding peppermint - I posted a comment to you in my TR yesterday about my experiences (just 2 nights ago, on Christmas) trying to get peppermint ice cream. What a joke.

At least your city/state has not completely lost its marbles and only begun selling...Slow Churned Peppermint Ice Cream. At least you guys have stores that still sell the 'good stuff.' The REAL peppermint ice cream. My grocery stores and pharmacies have gone mad.

I love a minty lip balm - especially if it is peppermint and not some other lesser mint! Many, many years ago, Maybelline used to sell this wonderful lip balm called Kissing Koolers. It was a little bullet-shaped thing, sort of, though not pointy. Kissing Koolers came in all kinds of different colors and flavors, but all of the bullet-shaped containers had swirly patterns - almost like tie-dyed in a way. And when you'd roll up the balm inside, you'd see that it was swirly too!

Anyway, my point in bringing up Kissing Koolers - which have long since been discontinued - is because my favorite flavor/variety was "Candy Cane"! It was initially just a holiday version of Koolers, but I think they may have changed the name from "Candy Cane" to "Peppermint-something-or-other" over the years, so they could sell it during non-holiday times...but it was originally called "Candy Cane" and I loved it! What a wonderful lip balm! It provided enough color to make it apparent that you were wearing a healthy bit of color on your lips, but not a lot. And it was tingly!

(I remember that one time I wore the "Watermelon" variety of Kissing Coolers, and it had a kind of greenish-purple tie-dyed hue to it. I was on the boat going to Catalina Island with my friends, and one friend noticed that my lips were an odd shade of green! She was a nurse, so she instantly thought I was either getting sick from the motion of the boat - or that I was losing oxygen and was about to die. Needless to say, I never wore the "Watermelon" Kissing Koolers again!)

Yes, by all means, please post photos in whatever sizes you want for your TR. Lots of people love large photos, and lots of people use large photos in their Trip Reports, from what I've seen!

However, I will tell you that for me, personally, the giant photos (in any thread) cause me a lot of trouble in trying to load the pages if there are a lot of photos on one page. Three or four on a page doesn't cause much trouble, but a lot of them will. This is why I can't look at the "Picture of the Day" thread very often - every time I tune in, there are a bunch of giant photos and my computer locks up in trying to load them! (It's very sad, I know, but I just had two different 'tech savvy' people tell me in the last two weeks that they can't even believe my PC is still working at all and that I am on borrowed time with it, so you can see why I have so many problems!) It has even happened in my own Christmas & Halloween Superthreads - if a bunch of giant photos end up on the same page (as opposed to just an occasional giant photo here and there), my PC will have trouble loading pages until we flip to a new page with no giant photos.

Aside from my stupid technical issues, though (which are not the norm for anyone else), I have heard some DIS'ers mention/read some comments in the past that, depending on what size of screen they are looking at, the extra-jumbo photos require extra scrolling to the side or whichever way to see them, and/or that they can't view the entire photo. When I first started my TR thread 4 years ago, I was using a much larger size of photo because I don't think I knew how to adjust the settings/sizes on Photobucket before I uploaded the pics there. I remember another DIS'er making a comment to me about those huge pictures and how he couldn't view the whole thing, but I didn't get what he was talking about at first. I finally figured it out by the time my 2009 trips rolled around. I went down a couple of sizes in the Photobucket settings so my pictures are one level smaller than Laurie's pictures (it looks like that to me, anyway), and I think that her pictures are maybe one level below the largest size.

 

[PHXscuba]

OK, I've been gone from my computer for a few days (houseguests inhabiting my office/den) but I am ready to go for 2013!!!

THE KIDS KNOW!!! THE KIDS KNOW!!! ... this makes planning so much easier.

I wrapped the box in silver paper and stuck a big red bow that I got at Christmas on top. We gave it to the kids this morning as part of a family meeting about the rest of the week and the New Year.

I think I got good reactions. If any of the kids "knew" or seriously suspected, they didn't pull a "told ya so." DD13 pointed out to DS7 that we would be there on his birthday and he was very excited about that (after verifying that he would still get some presents before or after the trip). They all asked if we were staying with grandparents or in a hotel. I love answering the same question four times because no one listens during the first round.

The Mickey Peeps were a big hit and are already gone. We'll do some pin trading later today when I round everyone back up. DH pulled up a picture of the Paradise Pier Hotel on the computer this afternoon and DS7 said "that is so beautiful." So it is 7-year-old approved. DH likes the decor -- he is a fan of the beachy look.

So now I can plan without hiding or giving evasive answers. Thank goodness. I think today deserves a six-pack of dancing bananas!

​

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

OK, I've been gone from my computer for a few days (houseguests inhabiting my office/den) but I am ready to go for 2013!!!

THE KIDS KNOW!!! THE KIDS KNOW!!! ... this makes planning so much easier.

I wrapped the box in silver paper and stuck a big red bow that I got at Christmas on top. We gave it to the kids this morning as part of a family meeting about the rest of the week and the New Year.

I think I got good reactions. If any of the kids "knew" or seriously suspected, they didn't pull a "told ya so." DD13 pointed out to DS7 that we would be there on his birthday and he was very excited about that (after verifying that he would still get some presents before or after the trip). They all asked if we were staying with grandparents or in a hotel. I love answering the same question four times because no one listens during the first round.

The Mickey Peeps were a big hit and are already gone. We'll do some pin trading later today when I round everyone back up. DH pulled up a picture of the Paradise Pier Hotel on the computer this afternoon and DS7 said "that is so beautiful." So it is 7-year-old approved. DH likes the decor -- he is a fan of the beachy look.

So now I can plan without hiding or giving evasive answers. Thank goodness. I think today deserves a six-pack of dancing bananas!

​

PHXscuba

Yes, now you can plan out in the open and get feedback from the family, rather than having to be sneaky!

And now your trip seems like it is right around the corner, whereas at one point it seemed really far away! March will be here fast.

I was chuckling about the 7-year-old making sure he would get some presents before or after the trip! Gotta love kids - they know what's important! Presents!

 

[kaoden39]

How fun the reveal had to have been. We have never done a reveal, I wish I had done that when our kids were little. But honestly? I am terrible at keeping secrets.


On a side note Sherry all I could find was the slow churn here too.

 

[tksbaskets]

I bet they were super excited! Let the non-covert planning begin. It deserves a or two!

 

[PHXscuba]

Yes, now you can plan out in the open and get feedback from the family, rather than having to be sneaky!

And now your trip seems like it is right around the corner, whereas at one point it seemed really far away! March will be here fast.

I was chuckling about the 7-year-old making sure he would get some presents before or after the trip! Gotta love kids - they know what's important! Presents!

Yes, 7-year-olds are all about self-interest and my DS has always been painfully honest. He was just telling his two friends, "I'm going to Disneyland for my birthday!" In his mind the trip is all about him. And we're down to 67 days already! I could make restaurant reservations in a week if I wanted! Probably not just yet, but I will make some in advance because six people are harder to do as a walk-in, especially if it's spring break season.

How fun the reveal had to have been. We have never done a reveal, I wish I had done that when our kids were little. But honestly? I am terrible at keeping secrets.


On a side note Sherry all I could find was the slow churn here too.

I am pretty good at keeping secrets but DH is awful. He almost spilled the beans once but I covered it. The older the kids get the harder it is to keep secrets -- they read over your shoulder at the computer, overhear (and interpret) conversations, you have to plan around their activities, etc.

I bet they were super excited! Let the non-covert planning begin. It deserves a or two!

I didn't expect fireworks-level excitement -- they've been before and always knew we'd go back, probably "sometime next year" as I would be vague about it. But now they have a date to count down to and I can get some opinions on what they really want to do while we're there.

And I'm looking forward to reading your TR if you write one!

PHXscuba

 

[tksbaskets]

Our trip was fabulous for 3/4 of the family. I was hit with the worst head cold of recent memory the day we left for WDW. My perspective was a bit 'off'. I went through a lot of hand sanitizer.

I think I jinxed myself per-purchasing the Photopass Plus package. We were able to get about 180 pics. The best were the ride pictures that we could have put on the account/CD.

If I post any report it will be pretty short 'best-of' which is not my normal...we'll see. I appreciate that you would go read it

 

[lsulindy]

We surprised the kids for Christmas, and it is such a relief to not have to worry about spoiling it anymore. We're leaving on soon-to-be 6 year old dd's birthday, just by coincidence, that's when our week off of school starts. But, she honed in on that immediately and tells EVERYONE that she's going for her birthday. She hasn't asked about presents yet. But, ds has inquired about her birthday party!

 

[tksbaskets]

We surprised the kids for Christmas, and it is such a relief to not have to worry about spoiling it anymore. We're leaving on soon-to-be 6 year old dd's birthday, just by coincidence, that's when our week off of school starts. But, she honed in on that immediately and tells EVERYONE that she's going for her birthday. She hasn't asked about presents yet. But, ds has inquired about her birthday party!

I think it's great that her birthday is when you'll be at DL! Goofy's Kitchen would be a great place for a party

 

[PHXscuba]

We surprised the kids for Christmas, and it is such a relief to not have to worry about spoiling it anymore. We're leaving on soon-to-be 6 year old dd's birthday, just by coincidence, that's when our week off of school starts. But, she honed in on that immediately and tells EVERYONE that she's going for her birthday. She hasn't asked about presents yet. But, ds has inquired about her birthday party!

That's just like us!! I have to be careful not to make the birthday thing too big a deal, because we will never be able to go on DD10's birthday because it falls right in the middle of April's standardized testing. The older two have June birthdays, and I can definitely see DD13 scheming to go back for HER birthday!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

So Sherry E's comment a couple days ago about how fast my trip was coming up reminded me that park hours will hopefully be posted soon.

Or not.

I just checked the official Disneyland calendar and the hours and schedule is all the way pushed out to: (drumroll please): Feb. 14. At this rate it could be almost another month before my mid-March dates go up.

This is point where I rant a little, so tune out if you want: If Disneyland wants to be taken seriously as a vacation destination that attracts people from all over the United States and the world to plan multi-day stays and spend lots of $$$, it needs to give people information a little further than five or six weeks out!! I realize that the "make your plans six months advance" attitude at WDW makes people a little nuts, but I would like to think that even non-overplanners book a family vacation (that includes hotel, airfare, car, etc.) more than six weeks ahead. They've spent millions making over DCA, but I don't know what hours it will be open, or days that it will show World of Color, in the middle of February.

And this is the prime time people are sitting down and thinking, "Where should we go this year?" They saw the Carsland float in the Rose Parade, the cruise lines are pushing discounts right and left, and Disneyland can't get around to putting out hours or promotions until they take down the Christmas decorations next week!!

Rant over.

I promise the next update will be all puppies and kittens.

PHXscuba

 

[lsulindy]

This is point where I rant a little, so tune out if you want: If Disneyland wants to be taken seriously as a vacation destination that attracts people from all over the United States and the world to plan multi-day stays and spend lots of $$$, it needs to give people information a little further than five or six weeks out!! I realize that the "make your plans six months advance" attitude at WDW makes people a little nuts, but I would like to think that even non-overplanners book a family vacation (that includes hotel, airfare, car, etc.) more than six weeks ahead. They've spent millions making over DCA, but I don't know what hours it will be open, or days that it will show World of Color, in the middle of February.

I am so with you on that one!

 

[lsulindy]

I think it's great that her birthday is when you'll be at DL! Goofy's Kitchen would be a great place for a party

Original plan was to do GK on arrival day/her birthday. But, DH thought that the kids were rather another partial park day. So, we decided on 5 day tickets instead. Then after the reveal, dd sees chef Goofy delivering a birthday cake in the planning DVD and insists that we do that. So, I told her that we could do GK the day after her BD for breakfast. She seemed OK with that.

That's just like us!! I have to be careful not to make the birthday thing too big a deal, because we will never be able to go on DD10's birthday because it falls right in the middle of April's standardized testing. The older two have June birthdays, and I can definitely see DD13 scheming to go back for HER birthday!

PHXscuba

I'm trying to not make a big deal out of it either, but when she tells people it comes out as "We're going to DISNEYLAND for my BIRTHDAY!" I keep mentioning that it's just a coincidence that they're school break starts on her birthday this year. It doesn't help that we were on a cruise for ds7's birthday last summer. We need to nip this trend in the bud before ds2 realizes what's going on. His mid-Nov birthday will never coincide with a school break!

 

[PHXscuba]

DS7 (the birthday boy for the trip) is all over this trip like white on rice. I was talking to him about Little League this spring and he said he didn't want to play. I asked why and he said he didn't think he could because he was going to Disneyland. I reassured him that the season didn't start until after we returned. He's already picking (from his massive Disney wardrobe) the shirt he wants to wear on his birthday there. This is why I waited until now to tell the kids ---> And me ---->

DS16 will actually go BACK to Disneyland a week after we come home. The Wind Ensemble he plays in is doing a festival trip to CA and they had to move it (away from testing) into the week after spring break. So he will get another day at Disneyland, over the weekend, a week before Easter! The good news is now I don't feel obligated to get him multiple rides on every rollercoaster because he will be able to do them with his buddies.

I wonder if he can use our Photopass Plus too? He'd probably love some of those ride pictures with his friends.

PHXscuba

 

[cristyhas3]

That would be awesome if he can use the Photopass+! I've never used it on any of my other visits and I'm really looking forward to actually being *in* some pictures this time.

 

[tksbaskets]

I wonder if he can use our Photopass Plus too? He'd probably love some of those ride pictures with his friends.

PHXscuba

At WDW I needed to go up to the desk were you would purchase the ride photo to add the ride picture to my PP+ card. If you are also in the park, you can go anytime that day to have it added. A couple of times the boys wrote down their number and I went later to have it added.