~Snowbird Chat 2~

[Monny2AE]

It's official- both my babies are in school now! Andrew started 3rd grade last Wednesday and Em started K today. She loved it and had a great day! I got a few text messages from the vice principal today letting me know how she was doing. It's a nice perk of having the vp's children in my daycare She keeps an eye on my babies while I care for hers!

Kim...can't believe that baby is in Kindergarten!!!! you do have your hands full...the school calendar will work better for you I am thinking Good thinking!! You will feel so much better with that magnesium!! I am sure with all of it, but I can speak for the mag~it even makes me not be so jumpy!

It's made a world of difference taking the supplements! I feel so much better. Now all I need is to get my tush in gear and start exercising on a regular basis.

Hi everyone! I'm keeping up, but just haven't had much time to post!

50 days and I will be at the world! I can't wait. My family treated me to a tour around the world for dinner each night this week -and some breakfasts too - we had Italian, Greek, French, German, Indian and Chinese food. Like my own food & wine festival. But I didn't drink wine.
Then they made me a cake - one section was a map of the world - all blue and green. The other was supposed to be spaceship earth, but they didn't consult the cake engineers, so it didn't stay in the shape of a ball. It is in pieces in a container now! It was a great idea, just lacking in the execution.

Kim - glad to hear it wasn't too serious - those kids will give you stress, so be careful!

Hope you all have a good weekend. We have one more week before school starts - although Sarah's been going to band all week for a few hours a day. It's so strange to us that so many other places start so early. Around here it goes back to tourism and farming. Those industries fought for legislation to keep kids from starting before the seasons were over for tourism and helping on the farm. I guess Labor Day is somehow magic that way, so we don't start until the day after. Some charter schools do though.

Awwwww how sweet! No future in cake design for your family I guess?

Thanks. I'm really thinking something in the Magic Kingdom area is the best choice for us for this trip. Not only will DS be 2 1/2, but we're trying for another little one, so I'd probably be in my second trimester, and it will be the last time we'll be able to get DS in while he's free. It might be worth it to save the monorail for when we have two, but the Wilderness Lodge does look nice. Right now I'm hoping for 10 nights, but I'm not sure of our budget. It might make more sense to do a moderate (probably Port Orleans) for such a long trip.

I don't think I'd enjoy being in the tower at CR for the same reason I might not be requesting a "bear face room" at the Wilderness Lodge, I like to feel as if I have the whole place to myself. I'm abnormal though. I really enjoyed being all the way out in Barbados at CBR, because it meant the only time we really ran into other people was when we went to the food court.

I'm having the hardest time with this trip, because it's not as straight forward as the ones we've gone on in the past. I want it to be long, because I think we need a relaxing vacation as a family, especially if I'm due to have another. We're planning on only getting the AFS tickets though, which only give us 4 days in the main parks (hence skipping Epcot in favor of the Magic Kingdom). I'm considering adding WP&M, instead of Park Hoppers, but I'm not sure if January is the best time to plan on trying a water park for the first time.
We're also considering going off to Universal in favor of the IoA Harry Potter area. I know going with a 2 1/2 year old while pregnant isn't the best time for Universal either, but I don't think I'll mind.
I'm thinking we might be able to pull off a full open day for a trip that long. Both the Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans have a lot of resort activities that we could take part in on a "day off."

I'm prone to attempting to do too much...
I've extended the offer to my sister to meet us down there, so we can help her get some of the AFS tickets. She doesn't take advantage of having in-laws with a house in Orlando half as much as I would if I was in the same situation.

When are you considering in January? We're tossing around either January 19-26 or the first week in May. I just got the kids school calendar and there is a week in each month that we might be able to swing it so they don't miss much school. It's still all up in the air yet though.

Packing Dan up to leave for school today - sad day.... I miss him so much when he is gone... don't miss the extra laundry, high food bills though... looking forward to seeing him at the first tournament of the season though on September 5th...

And I thought putting my baby on the bus for Kindergarten was hard today!

Good morning everyone! This week has been a strange one for me. My weekend trip really messed me up and I never knew what day it was! I've also been super tired....it could be from waking up early all weekend and staying up WAY too late. That mixed with the unbelievable humidity really did a number on me. I feel like I still have tons to do before our trip. I made a big trip to Target the other day. I wanted to make sure I was stocked up on everything I purchase from there so I don't have to keep running around in the weeks leading up to vacation. Well, I forgot a bunch of stuff so I had to make another trip yesterday. I feel like every time I get home and put everything away, I realize that I forgot something. AHHH!!!!

I still have no idea what day Madison starts school. I can't remember if it's the Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day. We haven't received our school calendar in the mail yet...I think it might be late? I picked up some new jeans and a few shirts for her. It's still pretty warm here in September, so no need for sweaters yet. Since her birthday is in October, I typically buy her cold weather clothes then. I also need to schedule her birthday party. We're going to do an indoor pool party at the University of Buffalo....she went to a party there in March and it was awesome. $100 for 3 hours, 3 lifeguards and as many kids as you want. You can bring in your own food and cake too. Awesome!

Hope that everyone is doing well! We're a whole lot of crazy over here!!!

There's no such thing as too many trips to Target.

Lol... you guys are funny.... It is a surprise trip to Scotland for my husband for his 50th birthday! His birthday is in October but both kids wanted to come and they will not be done with school until May so that is when we are going.... we will also be celbrating Maggie's graduation from graduate school.

I will tell you something... I can put together a Disney trip in about 1 1/2 hours... this trip to Scotland has been kicking my butt... Here is the plan... we fly out of Buffalo (as that is eaiest for our daughter) on May 9th. Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland on the 10th. Our plan is to stay in Glasgow for the day. We will be staying at the Hilton. The next day (May 11) we leave and head north to Inverness... sight seeing along the way. The boys will be playing golf late that afternoon (Daniel has made all the golf reservatoins - and I have paid for them...). Maggie and I will tour Inverness. We will be spending the night in a B&B just outside Inverness that night. May 12 we head to Aberdeen Scotland - we will spend two days here... the boys are golfing at the new Trump course and Daniel is very excited about that. Then we head to St. Andrews where we will spend three nights. Then off to Edinburg for the final leg of our trip. When I have more details about what we might be doing I will share... but I am late for a walk thru on a clsoing so I will have to keep you hanging...

have a good afternoon all....

I don't think I'd even know where to begin planning for a trip that's not to Disney! Scotland sounds beautiful though. It's on my list of places I'd eventually like to visit.

 

[danceintherain]

It's official- both my babies are in school now! Andrew started 3rd grade last Wednesday and Em started K today. She loved it and had a great day! I got a few text messages from the vice principal today letting me know how she was doing. It's a nice perk of having the vp's children in my daycare She keeps an eye on my babies while I care for hers!


It's made a world of difference taking the supplements! I feel so much better. Now all I need is to get my tush in gear and start exercising on a regular basis.


Awwwww how sweet! No future in cake design for your family I guess?



When are you considering in January? We're tossing around either January 19-26 or the first week in May. I just got the kids school calendar and there is a week in each month that we might be able to swing it so they don't miss much school. It's still all up in the air yet though.


And I thought putting my baby on the bus for Kindergarten was hard today!


There's no such thing as too many trips to Target.


I don't think I'd even know where to begin planning for a trip that's not to Disney! Scotland sounds beautiful though. It's on my list of places I'd eventually like to visit.

We're looking at Jan 2-12. It might get pushed back a bit depending on when we're actually living in the states again. I'd really like to actually be there on my anniversary though (the 2nd) so we'll see what happens.

 

[MAGGIED]

Becca - we have been to Disney twice during that time - once is was beautiful weather - once is was cold - but usually by the 4th or 5th the lines are gone and you feel like you have the park to yourself.

Wendy

 

[Dancegrl624]

I think my ticker has gone bonkers along with my brain! We leave 3 weeks from toady!!! Actually, 3 weeks from this exact moment (9am EST) we'll have landed at MCO already! We are scheduled to land at 8:45am and that puts a smile on my face.



Ok....I changed my ticker. I couldn't look at it anymore. Sad though because it was reaching the end! It said 3 weeks and 2 days until our next vacation and it was making me mad.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kim...we have been at Disney that same week in January,...it's good!! The weather can be warmish, or a little cooler, but it was still a great time to go!!
Meghan~my tickers do that sometimes too...they have an extra day..but I know your little group is getting excited!!!!!

 

[sarbah77]

When are you considering in January? We're tossing around either January 19-26 or the first week in May. I just got the kids school calendar and there is a week in each month that we might be able to swing it so they don't miss much school. It's still all up in the air yet though.

We're flying down on the 24th for a (Disney) cruise that leaves on the 26th. Cool!!

Not sure we're going to Disney, though. My husband has Limits, so it might be Universal Studios for us this time.

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

We're flying down on the 24th for a (Disney) cruise that leaves on the 26th. Cool!!

Not sure we're going to Disney, though. My husband has Limits, so it might be Universal Studios for us this time.

My DH does not do "thrill" rides, so at least for us a trip to Universal is not in the cards...it's a waste of money (although I would LOVE it), so that gives us no distractions from Disney.

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

I am so excited!!! After months of trying....I finally scored an O'Hana reservation for our trip!! It's a smidgen later than I would've liked, but I'm not complaining!!! It works perfectly, though, because it's on our planned AK day, so we can now stay as late as we want there (although I don't imagine it'll be that late) and then head to the Poly! SO EXCITED!!! We just made final payment today, so I knew there was always a chance that one would open up with that happening. YEAH!!

 

[Monny2AE]

I think my ticker has gone bonkers along with my brain! We leave 3 weeks from toady!!! Actually, 3 weeks from this exact moment (9am EST) we'll have landed at MCO already! We are scheduled to land at 8:45am and that puts a smile on my face.



Ok....I changed my ticker. I couldn't look at it anymore. Sad though because it was reaching the end! It said 3 weeks and 2 days until our next vacation and it was making me mad.

Hooray for 3 weeks til Disney!!!! It's great that you arrive so early and have the whole first day to play!

Kim...we have been at Disney that same week in January,...it's good!! The weather can be warmish, or a little cooler, but it was still a great time to go!!
Meghan~my tickers do that sometimes too...they have an extra day..but I know your little group is getting excited!!!!!

If we go in January it will be the third time we have gone that week! The crowds are always low. The weather isn't hot. I think DH likes it because it's around his bday on the 27th. Lucky duck has spent his birthday at Disney twice so far!

We're flying down on the 24th for a (Disney) cruise that leaves on the 26th. Cool!!

Not sure we're going to Disney, though. My husband has Limits, so it might be Universal Studios for us this time.

We're thinking of adding a day at Universal too. DS is into Harry Potter these days. I just don't know if it's worth the added cost to spend a day there.

I am so excited!!! After months of trying....I finally scored an O'Hana reservation for our trip!! It's a smidgen later than I would've liked, but I'm not complaining!!! It works perfectly, though, because it's on our planned AK day, so we can now stay as late as we want there (although I don't imagine it'll be that late) and then head to the Poly! SO EXCITED!!! We just made final payment today, so I knew there was always a chance that one would open up with that happening. YEAH!!

Yay for scoring an Ohana ressie AND for making your final payment!

 

[disneyshakeygirl]

I am so excited!!! After months of trying....I finally scored an O'Hana reservation for our trip!! It's a smidgen later than I would've liked, but I'm not complaining!!! It works perfectly, though, because it's on our planned AK day, so we can now stay as late as we want there (although I don't imagine it'll be that late) and then head to the Poly! SO EXCITED!!! We just made final payment today, so I knew there was always a chance that one would open up with that happening. YEAH!!

Congrats! I've always wanted to go to O'Hana, you'll have to tell us all about it!

I've been home for two weeks (as of tomorrow) and am getting settled before heading back to work next week. This will be my final year with my charges, as they will be starting school in September 2013 and will no longer need me. Then the great job hunt starts! I'll be looking into a job with the school board as an ECE (which is what I graduated from college as) but would prefer to be remain as a nanny.

I hope everyone is doing well!

 

[sarbah77]

My DH does not do "thrill" rides, so at least for us a trip to Universal is not in the cards...it's a waste of money (although I would LOVE it), so that gives us no distractions from Disney.

My DH didn't used to, but I think he hated being shown up by his wife. Plus, we've never been and I've always wanted to. We find that when we end up on Disney property, we're good little consumers and we just don't want to leave.

Though, I did have a moment earlier tonight where I wondered "hey, is it cheaper in a Disney value, compared to what I've booked near the airport?" But then I wondered about car rental and transportation to the ship. I'm not sure we'd get a good deal at Disney for the car rental and it's just not convenient to pick up the car at the airport, then drive back, turn the car in, and then wait to catch the Disney bus to the pier. Oh well. Maybe some magic bargain rate will appear!

We're thinking of adding a day at Universal too. DS is into Harry Potter these days. I just don't know if it's worth the added cost to spend a day there.

Costco sells tickets and I need to see what the price is v. what Universal sells. I think they're three day tickets, though, which isn't super-useful. It's just too bad we'll be sooooooooo close!

I've got so much going on these days. My office has, techincally, been understaffed since last August. At that point, our receptionist pretty much quit with no notice and our department manager was on medical leave. We were never allowed to replace the receptionist, our manager returned, then announced she was retiring. Just prior to her retirement, another coworker moved to Utah. Then the new manager started (with a little overlap) and, as of yesterday, Utah-coworker will be replaced starting Tuesday, for a 9.5 month position... and then on the 17th we have a new position, replacing the receptionist, but it's only 60%.

In addition to that, sometime between now and 2014, I'm being moved out of my office and into another space, in order to create a business office. I'll still be working FOR my department, they're just seating me somewhere else, with other people from other departments, so we can be a "team" and help each other out. It's crazy, especially since when another department needs help, they generally call and say "hey, can you?" and we say "yes." I'm not sure why it needs to be more formal. It's not a money saver; they're hiring at least two more people to create this office, one of whom will earn a boatload, so. Anyway, it's frustrating.

But, we're going on vacation in 15 days. Then, I'm going to the New York Sheep & Wool festival in October. Then, it's the holidays and then CRUISE!

Whew.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh Sarah....your job I don't think I would like it!! It's a hassle to say the least, huh! But lots of good travels coming up for you!!!

 

[snykymom]

Sorry it's taken me so long to post, but I'm back from Alaska. And it was AMAZING!! Those of you who friended me on Facebook can see the pictures; anyone else want to do so, PM me and I'll give you my Facebook name!

We had the most fabulous weather, too - even though it's a rain forest, we had beautiful clear weather! We saw glaciers that are usually covered in fog and clouds, got into every area we wanted, and even got sunburned while kayaking!

Unfortunately, I then got some sort of virus; the coughing has been making me crazy! But the doc says there's nothing to do about it, so I cough!

Hope everyone has a great labor day!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Sorry it's taken me so long to post, but I'm back from Alaska. And it was AMAZING!! Those of you who friended me on Facebook can see the pictures; anyone else want to do so, PM me and I'll give you my Facebook name!

We had the most fabulous weather, too - even though it's a rain forest, we had beautiful clear weather! We saw glaciers that are usually covered in fog and clouds, got into every area we wanted, and even got sunburned while kayaking!

Unfortunately, I then got some sort of virus; the coughing has been making me crazy! But the doc says there's nothing to do about it, so I cough!

Hope everyone has a great labor day!

So glad you had a great trip! It is never fun coming home sick!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sorry it's taken me so long to post, but I'm back from Alaska. And it was AMAZING!! Those of you who friended me on Facebook can see the pictures; anyone else want to do so, PM me and I'll give you my Facebook name!

We had the most fabulous weather, too - even though it's a rain forest, we had beautiful clear weather! We saw glaciers that are usually covered in fog and clouds, got into every area we wanted, and even got sunburned while kayaking!

Unfortunately, I then got some sort of virus; the coughing has been making me crazy! But the doc says there's nothing to do about it, so I cough!

Hope everyone has a great labor day!

I hope I have such good weather when we go next year. Glad you had a good time! I want to hear about the itinerary and ports you went to - I'll send you a pm for FB.

 

[snykymom]

I hope I have such good weather when we go next year. Glad you had a good time! I want to hear about the itinerary and ports you went to - I'll send you a pm for FB.

The itinerary was:
Whittier (Anchorage's port)
Hubbard Glacier (sailing only)
Glacier Bay (sailing only)
Skagway
Juneau
Ketchikan
At Sea
Vancouver

I booked all the excursions off the ship to try to get smaller crowds. In Skagway, we took a Chilkoot Tour - up to Fraser, BC on the White Pass Railroad, then a bus into the Yukon to Emerald Lake, and a bus back. For us, it was too much time in a bus.

In Juneau, we went whale watching with Orca Enterprises. I cannot recommend them and Captain Larry more highly! We saw lots of humpbacks, sea lions, bald eagles. Absolutely breathtaking and a wonderful boat & crew. Then they dropped us for an hour at Mendenhall Glacier, picked us up and took us back to the pier.

In Ketchikan, we did a sea kayak trip with Southeast Kayaks. They only take 6 people out at a time, but it turns out that we were the only 2 who booked our time. What a phenomenal trip! We saw beautifully deserted coves, bald eagles, jumping salmon. I think the other animals were hiding from the sun, but it didn't matter - we had a great time. They also served us smoked salmon that they have canned specially for them; we ordered a case!

If Alaska is on your bucket list, just go!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thanks for the info - I'll be checking out your pictures on FB!
We are hoping to do whale watching and I think it was going to be in Juneau so I'll have to look those guys up.

We're going to visit our new baby great-niece (Dave's nephew and wife's baby) tonight! She was about a month premature, and is now 2 months old. I went to Target and got some cute Disney onesies! Sarah is excited because they have a dachshund and she loves those!

Going to the outlets tomorrow (wish there was a Disney one) and to my brothers for a meal. He never has us over - he only lives a half hour away, but he usually comes to our side of town. He got some new furniture and fixed up some stuff at his house, so we'll go hang out for a while. Then on Monday we rest up and go to bed early - first day of school is Tuesday!!!

Hope you all have a nice long weekend!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sheree...I bet she is teeny tiny!!!!! How sweet!! I know you and the girls are feeling bittersweet about school!!! We don't have too many plans for this 3 day,..hanging out here at home and working on some projects that need to be completed. In our upstairs school room, we are adding a closet so that when we sell, it can be considered another bedroom. Mike started on it a couple of months ago, but then he had to have that surgery and couldn't do anything for about 5 weeks~so this weekend we are finishing it. He's letting each of the kids do different jobs to finish it, caulking, hanging the trim, putting on the doorknob,...we will paint tomorrow.. Also, we have to hang a new blind in the window. fun, fun, fun.
Last week we started cleaning out the weeds and pruning in the flower beds,..got 2 out of the 3 beds finished!! Hung up my pretty fall wreath and got a few mums and a fall yard flag. I am not doing that last bed for a while! I was sooo sore!! LOL...and it's gotten really hot again this weekend-- in a week or so, it'll cool off again and I will work on it then...plus I just got tired of messing with it!
Hope all of you enjoy your Labor Day weekend and if your kids go back to school Tuesday hope that they all have great mornings and a fun 1st day!!!

 

[crzyred]

Hello birdie friends. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Things here are very trying and tiring. Things with grandma have taken a rapid turn. We are looking at a matter of days with her now and we are just trying to keep her as comfortable as possible. She cant do anything on her own and she is ready to go Home. So I'm asking for some prayers please that her transition from her earthly life to her eternal one be smooth.
Thanks!

 

[sarbah77]

Hello birdie friends. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Things here are very trying and tiring. Things with grandma have taken a rapid turn. We are looking at a matter of days with her now and we are just trying to keep her as comfortable as possible. She cant do anything on her own and she is ready to go Home. So I'm asking for some prayers please that her transition from her earthly life to her eternal one be smooth.
Thanks!

*hugs* Shelly. Your grandma, you and your family will be in my thoughts!