The only way to have a friend is to be one." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, any luck convincing Jeremiah to leave early???

I think I've got him convinced. Only thing is- I have to find a safe, clean (CHEAP) hotel or the deal is off.

He doesn't want to spend the $70/night to stay at Pop - he wants it to be even cheaper! I'm not complaining that much though because I REALLY want to leave early!!

I know it's a stretch but do you guys have any recommendations? I know its only for 1 night but I don't want to stay in some flea bag place.

Years ago we would stay at a place called Wilson World (different name now- I think it's a Ramada). I found that for pretty cheap but we haven't stayed there for close to 10 years, who knows what it looks like now!

 

[hellokitty86]

double post!

 

[hellokitty86]

Amber, hopefully Spencer's fits will pass! I'm so sorry he hasn't been sleeping well. That has got to be the worst!

That is one thing I don't know how I will handle when we have babies- lack of sleep! I have ALWAYS needed more sleep than other people to be able to function. Luckily, Jeremiah doesn't need that much sleep.

Lin- what are you thinking about BB?? I will be sad if Jeff goes. Looks like that's what is going to happen. He is my favorite.

Nicole- I've been thinking about you lots! Are you doing ok? Do you need anything?

 

[hellokitty86]

Amber, can you get the AP discount at WDW or do you have to buy the tickets in advance?

I think I would rather go to the Christmas party too. It sounds like SO much fun!! Oh gosh, I don't know how much sucking up I would have to do to convince Jeremiah to go to that!!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

I told Lyzzie we won't go to MNSSHP but I'm still debating with myself. We really love the fireworks & parade but I don't think they are worth $150 --- but I know I'll regret it if we don't go. Arrrrgh, decisions decisions!! Our other option is the Family Magic Tour which we did a few years ago, the girls don't remember too much about it (Emma doesn't at all) and it was really fun. I finished my itinerary and don't know if I can fit it in though. I suggested a Pirate Cruise to Lyzzie and she thought it sounded dumb. I'm thinking to heck with the whole idea and just not plan anything "special" -- the vacation is special enough, right?!

Amber, I'm sorry Spencer had a bad day. It's so hard to deal with those tantrums. I once heard someone say, "Forget the Terrible Two's, wait until they get to the F-ing Fours!" Luckily I did not experience that. Whew!

Ashley and I are furiously PMing and working out the kinks in our scheduling and should know by the end of today when would be a good time to visit with you, Amber. Do you have a preference as to which park you want to go to?

Ashley, I have always had good luck at any Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, etc. They are always clean and affordable. Some Super 8's are pretty nice too but I'm not familiar with the ones around WDW. Do NOT stay at the Casa Rosa! I stayed there when I was preg. w/Lyzzie and it was gross!! The toilet made a weird singing noise all night and the manager was a (naughty-word) about it.

Lyzzie wants to be in band this year at school and she told me this morning that if she is going to join, she needs an instrument by tomorrow!! So that's one more evening where I won't be packing. Tomorrow night I might be working, and Fri. we have to bring the hermit crabs to their babysitter (Lyzzie's friend). Somewhere in there I have to try to get in touch with my TDS manager about my ID, it still has a 2008 sticker on it, they can't find the new stickers, and many new ID's have come in but of course not mine. Other than that, I think I'm done with my pre-trip running around... now I just have to pack and tweak the itinerary. I know I'll forget something!

Enough rambling, I'm at work on my lunch break and trying to cram all my thoughts into one post. I love that part of my job is researching stuff about theme parks and water parks!!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, what instrument does she want? You poor thing running around; why is getting ready for vacation so stressful?

You are lucky to not have had the tantrums. Spencer has a wicked temper (he takes after both Mike and I, not to mention our families. We are a bunch of hotheads).

Ashley, y MIL and SIL stayed at the American (I think that's the name). It's on 192 near Serberth Rd (sp???). She really liked it and it was pretty cheap. I'll see if I can find it.

Sleep is definitely an issue with kids, although some kids are great sleepers. I was not and neither was Mike, so I think it's genetic. I can get by on much less sleep than Mike can. Spencer is breastfed, so Mike really couldn't feed him (Spencer was not a fan of the bottle). That meant that I had to always get up with him. Of course, I did nap when Spencer napped, so I did get to catch up on some sleep.

I have no idea if I can buy the tickets there, but I can check.
I LOVED MVMCP; Jeremiah HAS to go! You know, if you get AP's now, you get 15 months instead of 12! So, you could get AP's and then a discounted room and go to the party. It could be an early Christmas present.

Spencer has once again had a bad day. It started off relatively well, but since it was raining, he couldn't go outside. His day was ruined because of that and he had several tantrums. Dinner started off OK, but then he saw cookies MIL had bought and he wanted them. He refused to eat and then proceeded to throw a fit. She wanted to give him the cookie and I said no, but she did sneak him some later.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Hey guys!

Nicole, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything works out, and know that we are here for you if you need to vent or anything like that!

Amber, Ashley and Lyzziesmom, I hope you guys have a fabulous time on your trip! You guys are going to have a fabulous trip!

Ashley, I looked on hotels.com and the Ramada Maingate is 32.00 a night. There were a bunch of others around the same price, and I think they were all 3 stars with several comments. I would start there and read the reviews to find something super cheap! You would have to call to book though, they won't book less than 2 nights it looks like.

Amber and Ashley, if you have to pick between the Christmas Party and the Holiday Party, I recommend the Christmas Party. I enjoyed it a lot more than Halloween. It just had such a magical feel to it!

We had our first "Prepared Childbirth" class last night. It was okay. I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn't been so tired! I've been feeling okay, but when I get home from work I'm just exhausted, and starting next week we go into auditions and rehearsals, so it will be 8-6 M-Th. Connor is squirming and kicking though, and seems to be a healthy little guy!

 

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, y MIL and SIL stayed at the American (I think that's the name). It's on 192 near Serberth Rd (sp???). She really liked it and it was pretty cheap. I'll see if I can find it.

I LOVED MVMCP; Jeremiah HAS to go! You know, if you get AP's now, you get 15 months instead of 12! So, you could get AP's and then a discounted room and go to the party. It could be an early Christmas present.

Yes- please me let know about the hotel! I looked up that name but couldn't find any info.

I heard about the 15 month deal- do you know if that applies to the Seasonal passes too? That's what we are getting. I would absolutely LOVE going to MVMCP!

Ashley, I looked on hotels.com and the Ramada Maingate is 32.00 a night.

How funny! That's the hotel I was talking about in an earlier post (that used to be named Wilson World.) It has some good reviews but some icky ones but that's probably where we will be staying...We won't be getting in until late Tuesday night anyway, so we won't be in the room for very long!

So glad to hear baby Connor is healthy! I can't wait to see him! You are in the home stretch now!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Ashley, I tried looking for the hotel, but I can't find it. My MIL doesn't remember the exact name. I have seen it, but I can't remember the exact name. The only thing I could find online is Amerisuites, but I don't know if that is it.

I would go with what you found. It's cheap and even if it isn't the greatest, you won't be there long (plus, imagine how nice POP will seem after a night at the other place! )


I'm pretty sure it does apply to seasonal passes too.

Lin, I LOVE MVMCP! We went a few years ago and it was so fun (we actually went twice, because it pured the first time and they comped us tickets). We did MNSSHP last year, but didn't do all the extra stuff (trick or treating, the shows, etc) because we were on rides.

We didn't do any of the child classes; what was involved with yours? Glad to hear he is doing well! I can't wait to see pictures!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

According to Allears, the 15 month bonus applies to Tourist Premium Annual Pass, Tourist Annual Pass, Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass, Florida Resident Annual Pass, and Florida Resident Seasonal Pass.

 

[hellokitty86]

According to Allears, the 15 month bonus applies to Tourist Premium Annual Pass, Tourist Annual Pass, Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass, Florida Resident Annual Pass, and Florida Resident Seasonal Pass.

Yay!

 

[Linzybrooke]

You ladies are making me jealous!

 

[lyzziesmom]

I can't believe I hadn't heard about that 15 month deal. I wish I had enough extra money laying around, I would upgrade our tickets!

We decided not to do the MNSSHP. We're not doing any "extras" actually. Somehow I convinced the girls (and myself) that this is a good idea. I have no idea how I managed that but we are all happy with it!

Amber, I should clarify. We did have lots of tantrums, they just weren't all condensed into a specific year. Emma still has vicious fits and mood swings. Lyzzie is starting to have the hormonal girl mood swings -- those are fun. Hopefully Spencer will snap out of it by tomorrow, it's so trying when the little ones are in a funk.

Lin, I didn't do the childbirth classes with Lyzzie and got a crash course in the delivery room. She still came out just fine! I did take the classes with Emma and didn't really "learn" anything new but it was still really interesting... and kind of gross! They actually gave us a handout and homework about massaging "the area." Yeah. Uhhhhh, I'll pass.

I'm so worried about my kitty. Jonas had a cold last week with a leaky eye and a little sneezing. He is better, but today Roxy is sneezing and coughing all over the place and she sounds horrible. I'm really worried about letting my irresponsible, flaky brother watch the cats while we're gone especially if Roxy is sick. He has almost killed his own cats a bunch of times in various boneheaded ways.

Amber, I think vacation prep is only stressful so the vacation can be more relaxing in comparison! Actually most of my running around is for other stuff, it just all seems to be happening this week. Lyzzie decided to play the clarinet this year. She really wants to play the oboe (I think she just likes the sound of the word?) but they don't offer that until middle school. We were able to get a nice used clarinet rental for a fairly good price.

Nicole, how are you doing? I hope your family situation, whatever it is, is getting better. We are always here for you.

I gotta go update my WDW spreadsheet so I'll remember what plans Ashley and I made this afternoon! Amber, I really hope you can join us! I'm SO EXCITED!!

 

[hellokitty86]

Lyzziesmom, I actually played the clarinet in middle school! I was horrible at it so I'm afraid I can't be much help, but it was still fun.

 

[hellokitty86]

I'm SO EXCITED!!

Were you singing when you typed this??

 

[lyzziesmom]

Lyzziesmom, I actually played the clarinet in middle school! I was horrible at it so I'm afraid I can't be much help, but it was still fun.

Me too... for 6 weeks. Then I quit and joined chorus instead. I had moved over the summer and the new school had let everyone choose their instrument before summer. I really wanted French horn (I have no idea why?!) but there was only room in clarinet, so they put me there and I hated it.

Were you singing when you typed this??

Uhhhhh.... no, it would be classified more as screeching.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Popping in real quick from work,

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

Amber, How is Spencer doing today, I hope he's being good!

Lyzziesmom, I hope you get everything done in time! My sister played the clarinet in middle school and high school. It's funny that Lyzzie has/will played the violin and clarinet. Instraments that my sister and I played!

Lin, How are you doing?

Ashley, It seems like you have a great doctor. I hope you're doing good!

MVMCP was so much fun! I had a blast and recommend it to anyone!

I don't think I'll be able to make it down this time, things just got in the way.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Nicole, I'm sorry you won't be able to make it this time. I'm still sending good thoughts your way. How did your sister like the clarinet? Lyzzie has only had one class so far but she is having a heck of a time getting the darn thing to even make any noise. Emma on the other hand grabbed it and started making all kinds of farty noises on it!

I got about half my packing done yesterday. Still a lot to do! So tired... I have been skipping my night-time pain pill (I don't like to take it if I don't need it, and I'm asleep anyway) but I've been really having a hard time getting going in the mornings and generally feeling crummy. Last night I decided to start the night pill again -- but I forgot that the first couple nights it makes me jittery and unable to sleep. Oops! I was up until almost 4am, and the little bit of sleep I did get was in bits & pieces and my mind was racing and confused. For some reason I kept thinking I had to print my boarding passes 24 hours before we leave the house, and I got up an hour too early! D'oh. Needless to say I'm kind of a wreck today.

I did get our boarding passes printed on time - at 9:30. No reason to wake up early for that! We got in the B group but somehow Lyzzie got in the A group! I'll tell her she has to go ahead by herself and save our seats. I can just see the panic on her face, she is so shy! I'm such a mean mom!

The girls are so excited, my dad went to their school last night and decided to join the WatchDOGS group. It's sort of like an extra PTA group for dads/father figures. They volunteer at events and go into the school one day a year each to help in classrooms, the lunchroom, the playground, wherever. I am so surprised that my dad joined because he is so not a social person and never got into anything when I was in school. I think last night's free pizza lured him in!

Yuck, gotta head to TDS to get my ID updated (it still says 2008) and just looked outside, it's rainy and gross.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Amber and Ashley -- I can't wait to see you guys again next week!!

ETA: Ashley, Lyzzie is flabbergasted that you've never seen Fantasmic. She can't wait to go see it with you, and ride TSM too.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Nicole.. sorry you can't come, but hopefully a vacation is in the near future.

Lyzziesmom, sorry you had a bad night

I played several instruments, but started with the trumpet. I was recruited to play the tuba/sousaphone in junior high. I tried the clarinet (that's what my mom played), but I still liked trumpet the best. I takes a while to learn the mouth position (practice is key) and I remember my mouth getting very tired and sore.

We are very excited about meeting up!


Mike had a wisdom tooth removed yesterday. It started hurting him the other day and they were able to squeeze him in. His experience went much better than mine. He feels great today and hasn't needed much of the medicine (Vicodin, can you believe that, for a tooth???)

Well, Spencer just woke up, better run!