The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 2

[ellenbenny]

My friend just had a baby and our local health authority advised her not to eat anything peanut related during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it might increase the chances of a nut allergy! I take it this hasn't affected Matthew in the slightest?

That's funny, because I too had cravings for peanutbutter during both my pregnancies for my boys. They are now 17 and 20 and no allergies whatsoever. I don't know whether to be glad I didn't know, so I didn't have another thing to worry about, or whether I should have known, so maybe I wouldn't have eaten so much peanutbutter... it's very fattening and I did gain a lot of weight during both.

 

[Glynis]

Remember when the people came door to door trying to sell encyclopedias???

That seems like a whole different world.

Yup. My parents bought a set and were convinced that it would last us for our lifetimes.

 

[babytrees]

My mom bought a special 2 book Student Encyclopedia of Knowledge about 20 years ago(I think she either felt sorry for the guy or was flirting, maybe both )

My girls found this set over Thanksgiving and my oldest thinks it's great...but little one couldn't figure out why it stopped at Reagan's first term in the line of president's.

 

[Tammi67]

We went last year at the last day of value season, which ran into Columbus Day weekend, and fall breaks... wouldnt you know, everyone had the same plan!! It was crowded, and it was hot, and it did rain... mostly it was crowded...

We did the go early, go early, go early!! Make ADR's few walkups were accepted...

FP ran out for Soarin on the weekend by NOON!! Test Track had late FP times, so go early!! Expect it to be crowded (and if it isnt, BONUS!!) My mom kept having to show me her watch when I was shocked at how long the FP lines were - and we'd only wait 10 - 20 min at most, but it sure felt longer!! Personally I didnt find MNSSHP to be worth $40 for the spectacular fireworks... it was so crowded, wait times were at least 20min in Fantasyland... but if you go for dancing, and seeing the Villians, it is different!! The early parade was cancelled due to rain, so the 10pm parade was 6 deep at least - crowded!! (I checked different spots, it was just crowded!!) I had enjoyed E-ride nights in July, it was such a relaxing trip in comparison!! Some of the adults were so rude, pushing to get the penny candy from all three buckets, after standing in only one line!! (I couldnt believe the lines for candy!!)

This is why we are avoiding Columbus weekend! Also planning on doing MNSSHP on a Thurs. Did you do that on a Fri or Sat, btw? I here those nights are to be avoided....locals go then.

 

[Glynis]

Glynis I hear you on the online research!! Our school has a "plan" that all 5-8th graders have laptops (purchase them on a purchase credit in 5th grade, keep them until 8th grade!) and then get all the TEXTBOOKS online - can you imagine? For right now, it takes so long to iron out "problems" when the class uses the ibooks for simple research, and presentations - I much prefer the faster real paper, to really cut and paste pictures and mount them on poster board and then present... just me tho!!

Have you ever tried wikipedia? I used to send our kids to ask jeeves.com, but havent had much success in the last year or two - wikopedia came up on an NPR story, so I've been using that, and so far, I love it (its free!!) DD wanted a better definition of fiord/fjord and wikipedia was fast, and detail, and had pictures!! http://www.wikipedia.org

Online encyclopedias are a subject I studied in great depth last semester. Wikipedia seems great, but make sure that your DD double checks her information. Most people don't know that anyone can edit an entry on Wikipedia. Most of the entries are ok, but some have been tampered with. That's one of the biggest problems with online technology. Our kids have been taught that it is the be-all and end-all of research, and they don't double check their sources. They figure if it's on the internet it must be true. It's always good to double check sources. That's part of the whole illiteracy problem in the US, kids get a whole bunch of information, but don't really know what to do with it, or how to check it.

 

[tmfranlk]

We are going Oct. 18-22, just a quick fix and enough time to do MNSSHP. We have done MVMCP 2 yrs in a row, so now we are going to try something different. Let me know what your plans are once you finalize them.

Something differnet is why I'm thinking about it too. I've done Feb-March 3 times, summer 2 times, and Dec 2 times in the last 5 years. The May/June 2007 is set in stone. I was going to just do Decembers for a few years to maximize the AP, but now am considering spacing it a little more. My new theory is Oct 2006, May 2007, Feb 2008 (for Terra's birthday) and Dec 2008.

The Feb 2008 may be paired with or replaced with a cruise as I'd really like to take my sister for her 12th birthday (and Terra's 5th) before she's too old to do the kids' clubs. Whether we do one or both that time around will depend on money at DSis' school schedule (and probably mom's willingness to let her miss a day or two).

If figure with this new "schedule of trips" we will get to do MNSSHP, Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, birthday and Christmas all in the next few years. However, there is still that part of me that is afraid that I will miss the Christmas stuff.

I'll definitely keep you posted on our dates.

 

[WeLoveTheMouse]

Tammi - when are you going in Oct? I think that I am going to try for Oct instead of Dec. I really like the Christmas stuff, but we are going with my whole family in May so I am thinking of spreading it out a little more.

Anyone else have good Oct advice?

Avoid Columbus Day Weekend!! We did MNSSHP on the Thursday after Columbus Day and it was sold out.

 

[Tammi67]

Avoid Columbus Day Weekend!! We did MNSSHP on the Thursday after Columbus Day and it was sold out.

Whew....we are going the week after! Hopefully it will have calmed down by then.

 

[tmfranlk]

Alright, I think that I am about to jump head first into the designing pool. After looking at the Jojo's Circus birthday listings on eBay. I have some great ideas for favors, invites, etc for Terra's and Kassie's (my niece 1y1w older than Terra) joint birthday party.

Someone (was it you Clare?) posted a link to PhotoImpact 8 on sale for cheap. Would this do what I want or should I spend more for the most recent version. Any words of advice before I jump in? I am really excited about the ideas I have, but am short on time so need to get started quickly.

Thanks in advance all of you experts!

 

[Tammi67]

However, there is still that part of me that is afraid that I will miss the Christmas stuff.

That's what I'm afraid of. Maybe a quick weekend will be in order if I really need a fix.

 

[bethbuchall]

My friend just had a baby and our local health authority advised her not to eat anything peanut related during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it might increase the chances of a nut allergy! I take it this hasn't affected Matthew in the slightest?

Matthew is almost 15, and those recommendations weren't made back then. Fortunately, it didn't affect him at all! I don't remember if I still ate a lot of peanut butter when I was breastfeeding, but I sure did during pregnancy.

By the time I was pregnant with Miles (he's 6-1/2), they were advising the avoidance of peanuts.

Beth

 

[Steamboat Marti]

Here's a picture of Matt - I used the frame that TravelinGal used - thanks for that!! Then I erased the background on Matt's picture and smooshed the two together - here is the result:

 

[ellenbenny]

Here's a picture of Matt - I used the frame that TravelinGal used - thanks for that!! Then I erased the background on Matt's picture and smooshed the two together - here is the result:

That is so cute!! Good job.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi girls! Where is everyone???????????
Finally a night when DH doesn't need the computer for work and I feel like I'm here alone....

We did WDW last Oct 25-Nov 1 and had a ball. The weather was nice (mid 70's), the parks weren't horrible but not as empty as they were during our Feb 2000 trip. We did MNSSHP on the 31st, which was sold out, and I thought it was very manageable. The trouble with that time of year is still the hurricanes since you never know when one is coming. We flew in the day after Wilma and it had knocked the computer system down at POR.

Claire, regarding the peanut thing, is there a peanut allergy history in the family? I did not breastfeed but since my SIL is deathly allergic to peanuts we were instructed not to give Kyle anything with nuts until he was at least 2. We waited and now he would live on PBJ sandwiches if I would let him He was lactose intolerant when he was born but mercifully grew out of that by the time he was 1....

Marti, saw the weather for Orlando tomorrow- Sunny and 78- I am so jealous that you'll be there soon!!!

Kristine- I too am a DVC dummy. DH doesn't want anything to do with it. I am having a hard enough time to convince him to get AP's next year since we are doing 14 days in Sept 2007 for our 10 year annversary and 10 days in JUne 2008 for Kyle's 5th birthday. He is old-fashioned- just call CRO and book your trip!! Oh well...

Kristin

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi girls! Where is everyone???????????
Finally a night when DH doesn't need the computer for work and I feel like I'm here alone....

hi! im here, thought i was going to be all alone!

 

[bethbuchall]

Here's a picture of Matt - I used the frame that TravelinGal used - thanks for that!! Then I erased the background on Matt's picture and smooshed the two together - here is the result:

That looks terrific, Marti!!!

Beth

 

[macntosh]

Hi girls! Where is everyone???????????
Finally a night when DH doesn't need the computer for work and I feel like I'm here alone....

I find this sexiest and degrading, just because I have man breasts doesn't mean I have to be called one of the girls.

 

[lovespoohbear]

i just had the most exhausting day i have ever had. i start student teaching this year and i toured the 2 schools my cluster will be at and met my teacher i will be with til march 2. long an busy day. oh yeah i need spanish lessons asap

 

[bear74]

I'm here just got thru catching up and watching CSI.

 

[lovespoohbear]

I find this sexiest and degrading, just because I have man breasts doesn't mean I have to be called one of the girls.