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

[Native NYer]

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!!

Got it! Sent a reply. I wonder if it would be helpful to send you my school's website. He could read the reviews written by some of our students.

 

[Native NYer]

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.

I went in today to work on some plans for the year and got my class list. I don't want summer to end

What grade do you teach?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I do wish all this back to school talk would stop, though.

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!!!

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.

I went in today to work on some plans for the year and got my class list. I don't want summer to end

What grade do you teach?

La La La La La... I can't hear you. No back to school talk.

Would you believe my grocery store has wood pellets for wood stoves all stacked up. It is July and 90 degrees!!!

 

[Native NYer]

La La La La La... I can't hear you. No back to school talk.

 

[Happydog]

La La La La La... I can't hear you. No back to school talk.

OKAY DING DING DING we have a winner for the funniest quip this evening...

Would you believe my grocery store has wood pellets for wood stoves all stacked up. It is July and 90 degrees!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who are these people??!!!!

 

[Happydog]

I went in today to work on some plans for the year and got my class list. I don't want summer to end

What grade do you teach?

I think MeMom teaches 2nd grade? Or did... She and WigD's students were pen pals...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Happy to amuse you. I'm not a teacher and don't have kids but I just love summer and REFUSE to start thinking about it being over!

I don't know if all of you have Staples (an office supply store) in your areas but up here there is a commercial where a Dad is pushing the cart through the aisles buying school supplies. The song playing is the Christmas carol, "it's the most wonderful time of the year." Dad is ecstatic but the two kids trailing behind him are decidedly not. I am with the two kids. Decidedly not.

Seriously, wood pellets at the grocery store. It was 90 today. Is anyone stocking up on these? Next thing you know Halloween candy will be out!

 

[stace208]

I think MeMom teaches 2nd grade? Or did... She and WigD's students were pen pals...

Yes, MeMom, WigD, and myself all teach 2nd grade!

You got some great recommendations-love all the books CP mentioned. I own just about all of them and have an advanced reader...that HATES to read. It makes me so sad. Luckily my younger one loves to read!

How exciting to have all those fun travel plans!

 

[Happydog]

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 priceless

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

Thanks! I agree, I could spend all day at the pool too!

Oh I am glad to hear about HP. I went ahead and ordered it for him, so we can take it with us. The cafe where she wrote her first book is in Edinburgh!!! I have been there, lots of people take pics. I will so I can share it!

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?

Oh thanks CP! I know I know Busy and FUN!

I will start posting tonight!

Don't worry there will be plenty of fun around here while I am gone, I am sure.. WigD hasn't even STARTED her report!!! Oh, and then yes, I guess you go back to school here soon, right ?? Sorry ....

Take a look at my ticker!!! YES!! 90 days in just a few short days!!!!

I hope we get Boardwalk too, but I think Kidani will be nice... We didn't make it to the AKL lobby last Christmas so I will at least get to see that... and I made an ADR at Jiko, so if we are there it will be just fine. It is Disney any way you look at it!!!!

I am not sure if he will go for the tickets... again b/c we are going the Universal route. BUT, I am going to explore the Christmas party option. And in February, we'll probably just hang out too... not sure. We will see. It is only one night.

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.

Oh I know this is your thing!!! AND yes, he is Griffin! I will get his lexile score , I have to figure out where it is... I know it is on some test, somewhere in all the paperwork I have! I am not sure he is totally into fantasy ... I was telling Jennifer (Native NYer) that he seems to just really enjoy the whole military/battle against evil theme... which takes place everywhere from King Arthur's time through WWII! I know this is why he likes Star Wars... I just don't know what else there is.... I will get that score and then maybe you can let me know what you think.

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!!

Okay, we will refrain as best as possible!!! UPDATES and PICTURES coming tonight!!!

 

[Happydog]

Happy to amuse you. I'm not a teacher and don't have kids but I just love summer and REFUSE to start thinking about it being over!

I don't know if all of you have Staples (an office supply store) in your areas but up here there is a commercial where a Dad is pushing the cart through the aisles buying school supplies. The song playing is the Christmas carol, "it's the most wonderful time of the year." Dad is ecstatic but the two kids trailing behind him are decidedly not. I am with the two kids. Decidedly not.

Seriously, wood pellets at the grocery store. It was 90 today. Is anyone stocking up on these? Next thing you know Halloween candy will be out!

Yes yes yes!!!! I have seen that commercial! TOOOOOOO funy!!!!!

I love summer too sun on my face and warmth!!!

Oh the Halloween candy will be out after labor day, mark my word!

 

[Happydog]

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!!!

Thanks!!! I think it is exciting too.

Oh I know I don't think any of us are ready for summer to be over or close to over!!!!

I will be happy at Kidani if we can't get Boardwalk! I will have to just enjoy your photos if we miss out!

At least professional days help you ease into work, vs. just starting!

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!!!

Oh thanks, Diane!!! I have been fortunate to travel to various places, I am looking forward to it!

Thanks for these book tips!!! I will check these items out! I need some good ones. I appreciate it!

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!!!

YES! That is why and when we are going! If you do come to town between August 7th and 14th let me know!!! We go every other year. I remember it being jeans and jacket weather last time, so I will be ready for that!!!!

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!

Oh thank you!!!! It has been fun to type it up.. I was just excited to keep along with the posts, I have 10 days to do!!!! Oh I am so thrilled to have all these great suggestions!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[jenseib]

La La La La La... I can't hear you. No back to school talk.

Would you believe my grocery store has wood pellets for wood stoves all stacked up. It is July and 90 degrees!!!

Yes...we DID!! My DH just put ion an order afew days ago for ours fro the winter.

 

[manntra]

I just love that picture of your little man over by Kali pressing the "mean" button!!!! And the pizzafari comment!!!

I just adore having the in room laundry and as C said...I can only imagine how much easier it makes life with two boys! And Disney laundry is so much more fun too!!

Love your pictures of SAB....such a great place to spend hot days relaxing!

Blue Zoo will be going on my list for a future trip. I know Wigd really enjoyed Shula's and I will get there someday too. I think that both of these restaurants are overlooked.

You sure are one busy girl for the rest of the summer. I can't wait to hear all about your Scotland trip....just keep this one going and throw that in the mix too!

Tracy

 

[Happydog]

BUT I have a good excuse....

The POWER WENT OUT!!!!!!!!! NO joke!!!

And so no internet!

Lots of our area lost power due to a mega storm on Sunday. Trees on houses kind of wind and lot of street lights out. The power at school was out and the school systems server was down if that tells you the severity! So at least I could stay home Monday!!! I thought our neighborhood was safe, then for whatever reason it went out for a few hours!! The electricity came back pretty quickly but not Verizon, I am afraid, so it came back sometime last night it seems!

I will get my next post ready, I will! I had completed some of it earlier so at least I can get it finished this afternoon!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, no, about the storms! That's crazy! Glad you only lost power for just a few hours!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Knock-knock....

.... I was just wondering if the power was back on and if Mrs. Happydog could come out and play?

 

[Happydog]

Knock-knock....

.... I was just wondering if the power was back on and if Mrs. Happydog could come out and play?

HI!!! She is getting ready to post the first part of her right now!!!!

Just got back from a run around the neighborhood with two little rugrats on scooters!!!

 

[Happydog]

Our first morning at Beach Club started with a beautiful morning peeking over the tops of the trees! I woke up and made some coffee, and I got the boys up and ready to go, while DH was getting up. We took of for the MK early, because I wanted to make the morning show!! We hopped straight over to the Contemporary, parked, and then zipped to the entrance of the park. We had just made it through the bag check when the show started, so we watched the show for a bit before entering the turnstiles.

I enjoyed seeing the opening show and the boys liked seeing all the characters on the train! So once they let everyone into the park officially, we continued into the park. It seemed like a mass crowd, but as the day went on it was clear to me that it wasn't too busy of a day.

DH and DS8 headed to SpaceMountain, and DS5 and I scooted over to Splash, so we could get fast passes. When I got there, my APs refused to go into the machine. I tried two or three times, then the CM there gave me a set, and gave me a set of Fast Pass tickets to use instead in the fast pass machines instead of our APs.. basically, because we had a free set of FPs I was able to go to BTMRR and get another set of FPs with the tickets she had given me, and as a result of this for the most of the day we were able to get two sets of FPs simultaneously. SCORE! Now, I know that isn’t very Disney-like of us, but since they gave them to us, and told us to use them when our APs wouldn’t cooperate, we were just putting them to use! Here is DS5 having fun at the little play area. He still likes this....LOL!

With two sets of FPs in my hand, DS5 and I backed around to Adventureland to get an Orange Juice slushie (it was already HOT!) and then we took the breezeway back through "America" and fantasyland over to Tomorrowland, where we agreed to meet DH and DS8 for the tomorrowland speedway… Here we are there…

DH and DS5 way far away...

DH and DS5 a little closer and just before DS8 crashes into their car...

DS8 Menace that he his... before he rams our car into theirs... well, they WERE going slow... Okay, okay, it wasn't a "ram" more like a "tap"...

See? He is still smiling...

After the speedway, we grabbed smoothies for the kids and a creamcheese pretzel for us and I thought to check the line for the Astro Orbiter… I have been told this ride loads like Dumbo, very slowly, and while all the times we have ridden it we have been fortunate, I have seem MEGA lines for this one… fortunately for us this day the line was surprisingly minimal! So we took advantage of it. I am glad we did, b/c just a few minutes later easily 20 people poured into the queue.

Random mid-air shot...

DH8 getting into his ship, I was behind him, PRIOR to me taking the mid-air picture above ...

DH and DS5 letting us know that while EE was definitely a "thumbs down", Astro Orbiter was most certainly a "thumbs up"!!!

DS5 wondering when the "blast off" is going to happen....

Random mid-air castle shot...

another random shot while mid-air!!

One little boy being silly....

DH hamming it up for the camera… I guess he was trying to suggest what could happen if you go round and round and up and down after consuming a cream cheese pretzel…

MY FAVORITE PHOTO OF THIS TRIP...

BLT AGAIN... well... it does go around and around....

MORE COMING UP IN THE NEXT POST!!!!!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think your favorite picture is so darn cute!
If I had that fast pass mojo, I would have used the heck out of it too!

So glad DH didn't spew all over the orbiter...

 

[Happydog]

After Astro Orbiter, we went right over to Buzz. It was a 20 minute wait, so of course we were going to take advantage of that!!! I didn't take too many pics because the line moved so quickly...

After our stint in Tomorrowland we made our way back towards Fantasyland. We saw PUSH the trashcan, but didn’t stop. DH went to get FPs for Peter Pan while the boys and I rode Cinderella’s carousel… I didn’t take pictures I guess, but I remember we did, because we then went to Phillharmagic (because he had received a set of “FPs” for that with his Peter Pan tickets… )
We saw this with one of the many BTG’s that we saw that week. (I think I got that acronym correct -- Brazilian Tour Groups??!!) Anyhow, a whole group was sitting around us in the theater. They were more fun to watch and listen to than the show!!!! LOL! DS5 SO loves this Phillharmagic. I think we all do. It is really well done!

Here we are in the Phillharmagic show line!

So after Philharmagic we decided to grab some lunch. It was 11ish, they had just opened and there was no line, so to Harbor House we went!! This was a new QS place for us, and I am glad we were there. We each grabbed the tuna sandwiches, and the boys had chicken nuggets. Here is DS5 spinning the wheel…. Hope the ship doesn’t tip!!! He is playing Jack Sparrow he tells us...

Appetites satisfied our FP time for Peter Pan up, we hiked back into Fantasyland to ride the pixie dusted pirate ships! I love Peter Pan!! I think we all do, personally. It is the ride in Fantasy land that DH actually likes, too!

When Peter’s flight had ended, it was time to check out some treacherous water and a very fast railroad!!!

DH got FPs for BTMRR with the second FP tickets, and we went to Splash!

DS8 "nervous" about being wet... YEAH RIGHT.

Ooh!!! Good thing I have a washer in the villa... this could have been my laundry!!!

Can I just tell you that I finally got the joke here. Slip and Fall for Slippin Falls……????? I AM NOT KIDDING I AM BEING TOTALLY SERIOUS. When I told DH he almost fell out of the boat.

So after our splash down, which we didn’t get too wet on thank goodness!, we went to BTMRR with the tickets we had from earlier in the morning. We rode that, then decided to walk over to POC, so we could enjoy that family favorite.

Yoo Hoo....

Arrgh..... (sorta).

MOM!!!! Don't take any more pictures of me!

I want ONE!!!!

MORE IN THE NEXT POST!!!!! Well, just as soon as I put little boys to bed!!!