The Ingredients for Pixie Dust, a June 2010 TR - 10/2 DIsney Halloween PTR started!

[IluvXU]

I am drooling... I the BC. Your picture from your seat showed our spot. We parked across closer to the building but by all that gorgeous sand. And to have a washer... I am ruined after our one bedroom at Vero, even with free washers I don't ever want to be without one again at Disney! I sure hope we get to go back there next summer! So glad you had time to enjoy SAB!

 

[mermaid764]

Sigh the blue zoo sounds heavenly..what an end to an awesome relaxing vacation day.

That would be a really neat perk if they did comp the kids club with dinner there.

 

[Happydog]

what a perfect afternoon and evening! It has me wondering about sand toys for Eric. I can't see there being room to pack them but don't want to buy them either.

Well, I cant remember what you are doing for lunches, OOP etc, but the QS meal at SAB the kid's meal, comes in a green plastic sand bucket with shovel! It isn't huge, but it is a start! And it would do the trick. Maybe bring a flat toy, bigger shovel? The buckets are sort of cast off all over the place, I am sure you could just find one left behind too, but then you don't feel like you have to bring anything nor keep it when you leave...

Blue Zoo sounds PERFECT! I miss the days when we could just check the kids in. The teens (and maybe not the tween) would never go for it and we have such limited time with them anyway, we can't do it and feel good about it. When the in-laws were at Disney for the full trip it would have worked but with the shortened time, we just don't feel good about it.

I do think though that we will have to sneak over there for a drink though, maybe after we toss some little ones in bed.

Oh, I would try to do that! I think they are open pretty late (bar) you can check hours, and if the guys will be in bed before 11, then I say do it! It is so close! Yours is definitely a big family trip. I wouldn't think about it then either -- we didn't at Christmas for that very reason! And it was Christmas at Disney for pete's sake!!! I had to enjoy every moment with my kids.

 

[Happydog]

I am SO FAR behind!! First I have to say, I about DIED when I read about the pizza FART...I can SO appreciate this whole line of comedy...living in my house with all these boys!

Oh! I know you know what I am sayin'

I LOVED all of your updates, from the dinner at Cali Grill to the fireworks and your Yak and yeti view and your second day at AK and how absolutely soaking wet the boys were! To the Blue Zoo and how beautiful it is! Looking forward to more!

Oh thanks Diane! It was a great few days for sure! It sure seems that many of us had great summer trips!! Well I bet you would really enjo the Blue Zoo. If you liked Jiko, then next trip try it! Hey 2 hours free child care at the Dolphin!!! I wish I had known that!!!!!

Oooh, how coll that you get a surprise trip to WDW because of work, you have to be so excited!!!

Yes! Well, just two nights mind you, but heck, I'll take it!!! WOOT!

Hi! I know I'm totally late but I just realized that you had a TR. I followed you here from MeMom's & CP's.

Our trips overlapped last month, we were there June 20th-July 1st; I'm curious to see if we're in any of your pics.

Hi!!! Yep! I was there! We'll have to see about the photos!!! Glad you came on over!

Also, I think it was you that wrote on Jackie's PTR that you had the MSEP as your ringtone? How did you do that? I was trying to do that myself.

Okay, going back to catch up now!

Well, I got it off of Mablio Ringtones... It was an APP listed on my Nexus One, which is an android phone. But it might not be only for those types of phones -- I dont know what you have. Look it up on google? I searched "Disney" and found it -- I have spectro for one ring, a WallE sound for my notification sound, and there are lots others!

What a great day! I LOVED staying at BC! DH and I've ate at Blue Zoo twice and enjoyed both meals. Just to let you know for next time, the Dolphin has a kids care, too. It includes activities, dinner, and dessert. The first two hours are free for two kids if you eat at one of the TS at the Swan or Dolphin and show your receipt.

YES!!!!!!!!!!! MAN I wish I knew that before this past trip!!!!! I just found that out!!! Clearly this slipped by me! What a deal! Oh I know we will be back, I can't wait to try it when we are there after Thanksgiving.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great day followed by a great night!

You must have been sitting in the back for your safari... I find it much more bumpy in the back.

Pizzafart! Boys... I can only imagine how long they were saying that! I know if it were my boys, I'd be hearing it for days!

 

[Happydog]

I am drooling... I the BC. Your picture from your seat showed our spot. We parked across closer to the building but by all that gorgeous sand. And to have a washer... I am ruined after our one bedroom at Vero, even with free washers I don't ever want to be without one again at Disney! I sure hope we get to go back there next summer! So glad you had time to enjoy SAB!

Seriously, right??!! WigD made a believer out of me!!!! That washer I agree -- we stayed in a studio at BLT, and it wasn't the same. I would think with your three now you have to go that route! for space AND for the wash!!!

Sigh the blue zoo sounds heavenly..what an end to an awesome relaxing vacation day.

That would be a really neat perk if they did comp the kids club with dinner there.

Well we got confirmation!! So yes quite a perk if you ask me!!!

AND it was a great end to a very nice day!

 

[Happydog]

Hi everyone!!! SO I am going to take a few minutes this morning and give you a general update about the state of affairs at the Happy Dog House!

1. I uploaded all my photos for the MK/Epcot day I saw them all go by and I cannot believe how full this day WAS!!! It was a serious powerhouse day!!! I loaded 146 pics for that one day!!! CAN you believe it!!!??!! So needless to say posting will be in phases!!!

2. I am hoping to be finished with this TR before I leave on vacation next Wednesday. I would be happy to continue it into August, but I will be gone for 1/2 of it, without internet connection for most of it, and then we get back with one full week of summer "officially" left, before teachers report back, and so TWO weeks before school starts....

3. Now you might want to know WHY I want to wrap it up so quickly, but with the start of school it will be crazy, and as August ends and School starts, I will be hitting my SIXTY day mark before our trip to Disneyland over Halloween! So I will start a PTR for that trip... already things brewing here... I am not good at the two PTR/TR at the same time trick!! LL and Jen!!!

4. You may have heard rumblings, but it is confirmed, that we are going to be at Universal for a single night's stay (spending arrival and check out day there) and at Disney for two night's stay (spending a full day and check out day there, before we drive up the coast for a workshop in St. Pete's FL. I am currently checked into Kidani, and have fingers crossed for Boardwalk (it was available for one of the days, so we still have time I think!) Either way it will be a new place for us! ADDITIONALLY, I am going to try and con DH into the MVMCP... We'll see... it is going to be expensive with the Universal add on, so I may just have to do the resort hop circuit this time!


5. I am ALSO excited to say (without me even suggesting this, so it is ALL DH on this one) that we are going to fly into Orlando a night before our Cruise over President's day weekend! So that means a one night stay on Disney property so we can take the cruise boat shuttle... I am just THRILLED about this... Not sure what or where yet... Will be scouting for discounts, but not sure if anything will come with it being a holiday weekend... :

6. We shove off for Oregon and Edinburgh Scotland next week. I have a question for all of you familiar with 3rd - 4th graders.. any good suggestions for an advanced reader? I have tried various things that I am familiar with, he wants to start Harry Potter, but I am not sure if that is too advanced for him, in so much as I know he will be able to read it, but really comprehend it? I had thought about The Hobbit, b/c it seems more readable that HP? But maybe I am wrong.. He liked the Lion Witch and Wardrobe, but the others seem more difficult to get into... Hardy Boys? I read Beverley Cleary when I was growing up, but he doesn't seem interested in Ralph the mouse, and I don't know what else to suggest there.. We have starwars "novellas" Clone war stories, etc., but I was looking for something with more substance. According to all these recent tests he has been through (GT screening, etc done at the end of the 2nd grade) He is over a grade level above in reading, I say that only to let you know where he is at, and really likes to read. So I am stumped! Suggestions???

I will be posting over the next few days so keep an eye out!!!

 

[precious pixie]

Great updates! I have never eaten at the swan/dolphin but have heard great things. I'll have to make it over to Zoo one of these trips

Great AK stories little boys are pricelss

I love BC!! I could spend all day just at the pool


My cousin was about the age (3rd/4th grade) when Harry Potter came out and he was able to read/comprehend it. He always has read alot, so I am sure that made a difference for him being able to comprehend

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lots of busy, busy, busy fun!!!

1. Can't wait to see those 146 pictures!!!

2. Whatever will I do while you are being a jet-set traveler??? Oh, yeah, I will be going back to school.

3. Is your October trip really so close???

4. Oh, I hope you get Boardwalk!!!

5. Will DH allow you to go to a park, or are you just going to enjoy being on Disney property?

6. Okay, you know giving book recommendations is right up my alley. If Griffin (it is Griffin, right?) wants to read Harry Potter, let him go for it. Connor is an advanced reader, and he has read all of the HP books -- they are actually on a lower reading level than The Hobbit and the Narnia books (Connor read those after he read the HP series). If he wants to go the fantasy route some other series/books that Connor has enjoyed are the Percy Jackson series (The Lightning Thief is the first one), the Children of the Lamp series by P.B. Kerr, the Stoneheart series, and Peter and the Starcatchers (there are now four in that series). Connor also really liked The Warriors series (about cats out in the wild) by Erin Hunter. There are a ton of books in multiple series by that author. Also, did they give you a Lexile level that Griffin is reading on? Sometimes it is easier to match books to a reader based on that score. If you want more suggestions, I have them. Children's literature is my thing.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sounds like things are busy at your house! I do wish all this back to school talk would stop, though.

Can't wait for more updates and pictures!!

 

[jenjolt]

WOW that is a huge list!!!! An exciting list!!

Here's hoping you can get into Boardwalk!! I'm sure it will work out!!

LOL...two PTR/TRs...well sort of LOL!!! I'm so far behind on all of mine I will never catch up! I thinking of just doing a picture highlight of my May trip so I can be caught up by January LOL!!!!

Ugh...I start going back for training next week! I have 4 days of professional development. I am looking forward to meeting and networking with other Biology teachers in the area, just not ready for the summer to be over yet LOL!!!

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi there! You are truly a world traveler, HOW FUN!! Matthew found a series of books when he was 8, they are written by Gary Paulsen...they are The Hatchet, The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return and Brian's Hunt. He really got into them. Also, I was going to recommend the Percy Jackson Series! Good Luck, I LOVE when my kids are into a good book!!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

can't believe you are coming to my neck of the woods! Bring a jumper! It may be summer but we are not seeing it in Scotland this year! Are you planning on going to the Festival? We are planning to go through to see a few things aswell as we are only 20 mins in the train from Edinburgh.

Have a safe trip!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

You've been an updating fool this past week while I was gone! I'm all caught up and there is too much comment on so I'm just going to say great report

How exciting that you are going to Scotland, you are quite the world traveler! I was going to suggest the Peter and the Starcatcher books as well but Jackie beat me to it - she has some great suggestions!

 

[raider97]

Still not caught up, but wanted to tell you congrats on your December trip! Sounds like fun! What a fun place for training!!

And I love your firework pictures from night 2 at MK. They are fantastic!! My firework pictures never turn out that good! I may have to steal a few.

 

[raider97]

All caught up Loved your morning at AK. Too funny about the thumbs down for EE. My two little ones haven't ridden it yet. Christopher ( 4 at Christmas ) was no where close to 44 at Christmas and I don't think Haley (5 1/2 at Christmas) was either. Hopefully by next Christmas.

Thanks for the review of the kids clubs. I was thinking of trying one the next time we were there, maybe just for some MK alone time with DH. And Blue Zoo looked/sounded like a great night!

I love your pictures of Storm Along Bay! What a great looking pool! I'm not sure we will ever get there, I tend to look at the villa prices and I usually just take the mods so I can stay longer. Even though they are beautiful - one day perhaps!

Looking forward to your MK update!!

 

[Native NYer]

I just read your general update and have to comment before reading about BCV. I teach 3rd grade at a university lab school for the gifted in NYC and would be happy to forward the 3rd and 4th grade reading lists. We have 3rd and 4th grade book club/literature circle lists, read aloud lists, and book project lists. The children also write reviews/recommendations to share with the incoming class on our school website. I have both as Word docs. I could send you my email. Are you on FB? My email address is listed on FB.

 

[Native NYer]

SAB looks like so much fun!
I definitely need to try Blue Zoo.

 

[Happydog]

I just read your general update and have to comment before reading about BCV. I teach 3rd grade at a university lab school for the gifted in NYC and would be happy to forward the 3rd and 4th grade reading lists. We have 3rd and 4th grade book club/literature circle lists, read aloud lists, and book project lists. The children also write reviews/recommendations to share with the incoming class on our school website. I have both as Word docs. I could send you my email. Are you on FB? My email address is listed on FB.

Oh! Yes! I will PM you my email, would you? I have some great suggestions already coming my way but if you have a list, then I can let Griffin choose!

Thanks!!

 

[MeMom]

Sounds like things are busy at your house! I do wish all this back to school talk would stop, though.

I went and worked in my room today.
I put up my outside bulletin board, set up my desks and chairs, and put the classroom library shelf together.

I try to have plenty of Disneyness in the room to keep myself going, though.

Oh! Yes! I will PM you my email, would you? I have some great suggestions already coming my way but if you have a list, then I can let Griffin choose!

Thanks!!

Isn't it great to have all these DIS friends with so many different resources?
I hope he finds some things he really likes.

You are a busy girl, Happydog! Enjoy all those travels!