That's great that you found a way to enjoy some great TS restaurants and be able to budget for it. We can't afford the deluxe dining plan, and I don't think we ever will be able to, since it seems to go up in price annually. But I feel like it's too much food for us, because I don't think we would order an app, entree and dessert for each person. I feel like we would feel forced to order all that food even if we don't eat it. However, if we were planning to dine at several signatures, it would be worth it because those restaurants have a nice variety of unique and delicious appetizers, and they have nice dessert menus as well. We did 2 signatures last year (California Grill and Yachtsman Steakhouse). We ordered apps at both of them but then we were too full for dessert so we waited until later in the evening and had some treats from BW Bakery. Sometimes we do it that way...dinner at a TS and then dessert later (either from BW Bakery or we get ice cream) so we're not too stuffed. Yet, I had no problem eating as much as I did on the cruise we just took! Different mindset on a cruise I suppose, since there's food everywhere!
DH and I feel like the years are going so fast because on our first WDW trip, the boys were only 1 and 3! This upcoming trip is our 4th family trip, and they will be 7 and 9 when we go! The last time my older one will be considered a child at WDW!!! After that we will be getting 3 adult tickets and 1 child ticket for one trip, and then 4 adult tickets every time. They're getting so big, it's going too fast!
I really love this group too!! Nice bunch of people, and seems like we have a lot in common!
Oh yes, the cruise was very nice. I have been on 15 cruises altogether (but never on
Disney Cruise Line...too expensive for us compared to other cruise lines), and I love them!! My 2 favorite vacations are cruises and WDW!
During the school year when I'm working full time, I make quicker dinners. I'm lucky because I work until 2:50pm, but I also work late a lot in the winter (I run one of the shows at my school), many days until 6 or 7, and a few days as late as 11:30pm...and my work day begins at 8am (but I get there by 7:30). Long days! I love to use my slow cooker during that busy time of the year! I cook a lot of different things in there in the winter...meatballs and sauce; BBQ pulled pork; lamb shanks; chicken on the bone; etc. I set up the ingredients in the slow cooker liner the night before and put it in the fridge. I leave myself a note on the table where I eat breakfast to remember to turn the slow cooker on in the morning...and I turn it on when I get downstairs...dinner is ready on time even on my late days! When we have family over sometimes I use the slow cooker to make this delicious chocolate mud cake (like lava cake, but a huge one for everyone!), and I serve it with vanilla ice cream and homemade whipped cream. It's very easy to make and delicious!
It's funny your DS is interested in cooking...my DS8 has been saying he wants to be a chef since he was 3 years old! Of course, now it has grown to wanting to open his own restaurant someday...and sometimes he says he wants to open a resort and restaurant!
When we went to California Grill and Yachtsman last year, we felt they were both well worth the cost of a signature restaurant. We're returning to Yachtsman next year, and planning to try Flying Fish as well. Their menu looks fantastic! I have never eaten at Narcoosee's but it looks very good as well. And it's always nice to eat in the Grand Floridian!
Kids don't seem to have that issue at all, any time of the day or night, go figure! 
), roasted pork tenderloin, and they absolutely love my meatballs and homemade sauce with pasta, although they prefer their pasta with garlic and olive oil, and their meatballs with my sauce. For school-aged kids, I think they have pretty sophisticated taste. They also love the good restaurants around here (we live in Brooklyn, NY)...I think I'm turning my kids into food snobs!! 
