Top Secret Pixie Dust! A Surprise 13th Birthday PTR! NEW! TRIP REPORT LINK PAGE 220!

[Charleston Princess]

vera...tooo many i could get lol...The new ones are adorable!!

Same here, but I am trying to be as reasonable as possible.

OMG!! I am laughing so hard right now....I just went over to the Vera site to see what was new and exciting and saw that they have VB readers!! Aka bifocals I am laughing because I just got my first pair of "readers" last week from my eye doctor. I will have to look at them in person seeing there is purple punch Can't you see me on the plane after carrying my purple punch luggage and then slipping on my pp readers after settling in!
How about a frill wallet? I have one or maybe two and like them also....very, very durable

Tracy

I definitely think you need a pair of purple punch readers! How perfectly coordinated you would be!

I looked at the Frill stuff, but I may have found something I like.

How about just another purse, in a different pattern for yourself? OR, you could grab up a hipster for Chelsea. You could save it until your trip and give it to her as a little birthday happy.

Good ideas! I think I may have made a decision.

well if it keeps them from getting squashed....



I really like that loves me pattern...it's blue though which wouldn't work with my new park bag. Oh well.

There are a couple of patterns I absolutely love, but I hate paying full price for them. That's why I know I should jump on the Cupcake Pink while it is on sale.

Excuse me?!? Have you seen the cute binder clips? Love them!
Here I am trying to pack and you gals are taking Vera without me! I really tried to buy VB glasses this week but they just didn't look good..... So I bought some that just came in from Denmark....
I need to go back and see just what you are talking about!

I knew I needed to get this Vera post in before you left. I did go look at the binder clips after I read your post. Very cute, but I don't really know what I would use them for -- I am not a big binder clip person. Now, if they had big clip magnets, I would be all over that!

I think you should look at a "frill" for Chelsea.

I did look at them, but I think I found something that is perfect for her.

Get a matching wallet for Charles!

Now there's an idea I hadn't thought of. HA HA HA!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm pretty sure Wigd will not see this post! You all are so helpful.....

I am afraid you were wrong, Shocker.

Too late!

He was just wishfully thinking.

Oohhh, I love the cupcake pattern. Perfect for CBR!

I thought so, too. It matches the color scheme there.

Love the cupcake design dearie!!! You will look so cute! I am thinking that maybe Chelsea would like some small bag to match for the trip.....what do you think?

I think I found something that she would like. I just need to get back over there and buy it now.

maybe a matching wallet, or sunglasses case, or a little something for the birthday girl!

Good ideas! Thanks!

Joining in for the fun. What a nice surprise for your daughter! My husband and I can never keep the secret.

The Caribbean looks nice so I will be anxious to hear your thoughts. DS would like the Pirate rooms.

I know what you mean about the tax refund! Ours was down over $1K this year as well. I am having to save more out of our weekly checks to pay for Disney.

Erika

Welcome!!! Yes, I have been having to be super creative to make sure we can pay for our Disney trip without the large tax refund that we are used to having. I am not sure what changed this year.

I am resisting the urge to look at the Vera site...........

must.not.spend.money.....

You know you want to go just take a peek...

 

[micandminforever]

I am resisting the urge to look at the Vera site...........

must.not.spend.money.....

I tried to fight the urge, but sales and free shipping get me every time. I just logged on to "look" and two totes later I signed off.

The Caff'e Latte is on sale CP, if you need something to go with your hipster from last year. Let us know what your final decision turns out to be.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I haven't bought myself a bag since like 1941! I always look at things for myself, and then put it back on the shelf. So I am afraid I can't help at all with your VB delimma. I did go to the web site out of pure couriosity to see what all the fuss was about and it is VERY cute! Can't wait to hear what you chose. Please post some pics when your order arrives!

 

[disneyfan61]

Ok now I'm curious!! Need to go to another site & check it out

Yep-1 mini hipster, 1 eye glass case & 1 coin purse later

Jackie what did you decide on??

 

[Dancegrl624]

I LOVE VB!!!!! As a gift to myself, I recently bought the curvy tote in Paprika and I love it to pieces. My manager at work buys a bag in each of the new patterns when they come out. I don't know how she can afford it!!! I need to get myself a new hipster for my Sept trip. My poor Pink Elephants hipster got a bit faded in the Orlando sun (it did go on 2 trips last year). A new hipster is on my wishlist for Mother's Day or my birthday.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm not a VB person but went to check it out too. Very cute Jackie! And when there is a sale, you must buy of course.

I hope the cutback on internet/cell phone works for Chelsea. It's tough watching them get older. Morghan, who will be 11 soon, has started with some of the tween stuff. Some days are tough.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Honestly are you sending me off on this trip without letting me know what you decided on for Chelsea? UGH!

 

[DWGal210]

Hi Jackie!!

I promise I didn't forget about you!!!

I'm glad you made the decision to stay at CBR. It looks just gorgeous and I know you guys will love it there. And keeping it a secret from both kids?! Down right diabolical!

And Vera too?! I just love Vera bags - not only are they cute (which is VERY important) but they're very functional too.

Can't wait to see what you pick for Chelsea!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I tried to fight the urge, but sales and free shipping get me every time. I just logged on to "look" and two totes later I signed off.

The Caff'e Latte is on sale CP, if you need something to go with your hipster from last year. Let us know what your final decision turns out to be.

It's hard to resist once you are on the site, isn't it? I did see that the Cafe Latte pattern was on sale, but nothing grabbed my attention.

I haven't bought myself a bag since like 1941! I always look at things for myself, and then put it back on the shelf. So I am afraid I can't help at all with your VB delimma. I did go to the web site out of pure couriosity to see what all the fuss was about and it is VERY cute! Can't wait to hear what you chose. Please post some pics when your order arrives!

That's usually the way I am, too, but I "need" a new park bag and have been eyeing that Cupcake Pink for awhile. I have to convince myself that it's okay for me to spend money on myself sometimes. Unless it's books or a Disney trip -- then, I don't have any problems spending the money.

Ok now I'm curious!! Need to go to another site & check it out

Yep-1 mini hipster, 1 eye glass case & 1 coin purse later

Jackie what did you decide on??

The site is rather dangerous, isn't it? What patterns did you get?

I LOVE VB!!!!! As a gift to myself, I recently bought the curvy tote in Paprika and I love it to pieces. My manager at work buys a bag in each of the new patterns when they come out. I don't know how she can afford it!!! I need to get myself a new hipster for my Sept trip. My poor Pink Elephants hipster got a bit faded in the Orlando sun (it did go on 2 trips last year). A new hipster is on my wishlist for Mother's Day or my birthday.

I love that Paprika pattern! That's another one I am keeping an eye on -- I just love how exotic it looks.

I'm not a VB person but went to check it out too. Very cute Jackie! And when there is a sale, you must buy of course.

I hope the cutback on internet/cell phone works for Chelsea. It's tough watching them get older. Morghan, who will be 11 soon, has started with some of the tween stuff. Some days are tough.

Thanks! I feel like since it is on sale, I will kick myself if I don't get it.

This has been far the worst year for Chelsea in regards to her attitude towards school versus her social life. The irony of it all is that I have spent year after year explaining to parents what seventh grade is like and promising they do grow out of it. It feels completely different when it is my own child though. The other day at a soccer game, I was telling a parent all about it, and she said, "Jackie, remember when Alec was in the 7th grade, and you promised me that this was normal and he would outgrow it? Well, he did and so will Chelsea."

Honestly are you sending me off on this trip without letting me know what you decided on for Chelsea? UGH!

Yes, you must live with the suspense until my order arrives. Have to save something to write about on the PTR.

Hi Jackie!!

I promise I didn't forget about you!!!

I'm glad you made the decision to stay at CBR. It looks just gorgeous and I know you guys will love it there. And keeping it a secret from both kids?! Down right diabolical!

And Vera too?! I just love Vera bags - not only are they cute (which is VERY important) but they're very functional too.

Can't wait to see what you pick for Chelsea!!

Hi, Katie! Wait until you hear about what Chelsea said the other night about a Disney trip! Then, you really will think I am being diabolical!

Vera bags are just right for park touring at Disney, I have decided.

 

[Native NYer]

So many Vera choices, it's so hard to pick one. I love Anita's backpack that she's wearing in her Christmas Disney photos.

 

[Charleston Princess]

The Vera order has been placed. I will save what I ultimately decided on for a future post, but I will say that I bought two things for myself and one thing for Chelsea which will end up in her Easter basket. I did wrestle with that final order total but figured I needed a treat. It was trip-related after all…

Lately, Chelsea has been so caught up with her social life that she has let schoolwork fall by the wayside. Being in the seventh grade, she was almost destined to go through this phase, but it’s been rough. I can access her grades online, and it has been a continuing battle all year to make sure she is turning in all of her work and studying for tests. She has always been an excellent student, and I have never had to stay on top of her like this. Socially she is a butterfly and given her penchant for making sure everyone in the seventh grade knows what is going on at any given time, I am sure she has an unrealized career in tabloid journalism later in life.

The straw that broke the camel’s back occurred on Sunday night when I asked her if she was planning on studying for her language arts final (which was the following day.) She hadn’t even brought anything home with her and attempted to tell her father that she didn’t know the final was Monday. Really? The irony of her trying to use this excuse is the fact that I am her language arts teacher. Hmmm, let’s see. I know I told her class every day last week when their final was, and we spent three days reviewing for said final. Charles and I were livid with her.

Hence, the birth of Chelsea’s new lifestyle change -- we keep telling her she is not being punished, just learning new ways of doing things. From now on, she has to fill out her agenda every day for every class and has to bring home all of her books and notebooks every night. She has to study at the kitchen table for one hour whether she has actual written homework or not. She cannot have her cell phone or use the computer Monday through Thursday. On Friday, I will check her grades, and if she has made good grades on all of her assignments and turned in everything, then, she can have her cell phone, the computer, and a social life Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. This is the way things are going to be for the next forty-five school days.

I can’t wait for summer!

On a more humorous note, Connor cracked us up the other night at dinner. This was the conversation:

Connor: Does your belly button really have any purpose once you are born?
Me: No, not really.
Connor: Well, when I am older, I am going to get it filled in.
Me: But then you won’t have a belly button!!! Won’t that look strange?
Connor: But I don’t need it…
Me: People will think you are a clone or an alien.

Of course at that point, the conversation completely degenerated into the “What if people suspect you are a clone…” type of discourse because that's how we roll at our house.

Now, on the trip planning front, Chelsea is obviously getting a bit antsy about the lack of Disney trip discussions occurring at our house.

Chelsea: Have you booked our summer trip yet?
Me: Nah. (Lord, please forgive me for lying point blank to my daughter.)
Chelsea: WHAT??? When are you going to do that??? I feel very unsettled without a Disney trip booked! (Hmmm, where did she learn that?)
Me: Well…(I tried the whole nonchalant, noncommittal shrugging thing.)
Chelsea: I think you need to…(she pulls up the calendar on my cell phone) book a trip for July 14 through the 19th. We need to stay at Caribbean Beach Resort, I want a birthday button to wear all week, and I want to eat at Teppan Edo on my actual birthday.

See, she has it all planned out in her mind what she wants.

Two out of the four things she wants are pretty good, right?

 

[Native NYer]

Balancing school and a social life is tough in 7th grade. I hope she did well on her final. I hope the next 45 school days are over quickly.

Too funny that Chelsea is unsettled without a Disney trip planned. And I love that she wants to stay at CBR and that's what you have booked. She's going to be so surprised and have so much fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

So many Vera choices, it's so hard to pick one. I love Anita's backpack that she's wearing in her Christmas Disney photos.

I was quite proud of myself that I managed to put together an order that stayed within my set budget.

Balancing school and a social life is tough in 7th grade. I hope she did well on her final. I hope the next 45 school days are over quickly.

Chelsea did well on all of her finals -- all A's except for her math which was an 85, but then since she turned in her study guide completed she received an extra five points for that. Once again, she escapes by the skin of her teeth.

Too funny that Chelsea is unsettled without a Disney trip planned. And I love that she wants to stay at CBR and that's what you have booked. She's going to be so surprised and have so much fun!

Yes, she will, but continuing the deception of no Disney trip is going to be harder than I thought.

 

[Happydog]

YAY for VERA! NOW I gotta go back for a second look...

BOO for teenagedom, and little girls with curls... But thankfully they grow out of it!

And HA for the daughter who has it alllllll planned out! Good grief!

Can't wait to see what you get! Can't wait to hear about these plans you are scheming... And you are right! Nassau looks practically like CBR, or CBR looks practically like it belongs in Nassau. But frankly, I prefer CBR.

Wait till you see Castaway Cay! Oh! And I have heard rumor they are going to build a resort there at Castaway Cay.... wouldn't that be amazing!??!!

OH! because you asked -- no I don't use a wallet with the mail bag b/c it has all the card slots you need and little places for cash in the front. that is why I like it. I do take a little cosmetic bag with me.

 

[kschafer]

I love Chelseas new lifestyle!! I promise in 4 years you can laugh at me when I'm going through it with Patrick!!

I don't know HOW you are going to keep this secret but I'm pretty sure God forgives your lies when they are well meant!

 

[swwake]

This is Bo...

Chelsea has a bit of a crush on him.

Ohhhh. I know Bo! Ok, now that's going to be really cool to include him in the reveal!

I'm glad you decided on your VB purchases and can't wait to see what you got.

I have to tell you, as I have always told others, the hardest years in raising Katie have been Age 7, Age 12 and Age 17. Age 7 is when she learned that she could manipulate us (and others) to get her desired outcome. Learning to respond to that was interesting. Age 12 - I don't know but it was REALLY, REALLY hard for us. It was hard to motivate her to do anything. She was still a little girl, but almost a teenager, gaining some independence, but afraid to branch out too far from home, learning morals and values and watching others, trying to decide where her own morals and values fit in with being friends with them.

Age 17 - Well, just wait. It is not fun.

But you're right, it passes, eventually. And at the end of the day, it's family and everyone loves each other underneath all of the drama.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

The Vera order has been placed. I will save what I ultimately decided on for a future post, but I will say that I bought two things for myself and one thing for Chelsea which will end up in her Easter basket. I did wrestle with that final order total but figured I needed a treat. It was trip-related after all…

Lately, Chelsea has been so caught up with her social life that she has let schoolwork fall by the wayside. Being in the seventh grade, she was almost destined to go through this phase, but it’s been rough. I can access her grades online, and it has been a continuing battle all year to make sure she is turning in all of her work and studying for tests. She has always been an excellent student, and I have never had to stay on top of her like this. Socially she is a butterfly and given her penchant for making sure everyone in the seventh grade knows what is going on at any given time, I am sure she has an unrealized career in tabloid journalism later in life.

The straw that broke the camel’s back occurred on Sunday night when I asked her if she was planning on studying for her language arts final (which was the following day.) She hadn’t even brought anything home with her and attempted to tell her father that she didn’t know the final was Monday. Really? The irony of her trying to use this excuse is the fact that I am her language arts teacher. Hmmm, let’s see. I know I told her class every day last week when their final was, and we spent three days reviewing for said final. Charles and I were livid with her.

Hence, the birth of Chelsea’s new lifestyle change -- we keep telling her she is not being punished, just learning new ways of doing things. From now on, she has to fill out her agenda every day for every class and has to bring home all of her books and notebooks every night. She has to study at the kitchen table for one hour whether she has actual written homework or not. She cannot have her cell phone or use the computer Monday through Thursday. On Friday, I will check her grades, and if she has made good grades on all of her assignments and turned in everything, then, she can have her cell phone, the computer, and a social life Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. This is the way things are going to be for the next forty-five school days.

I can’t wait for summer!

On a more humorous note, Connor cracked us up the other night at dinner. This was the conversation:

Connor: Does your belly button really have any purpose once you are born?
Me: No, not really.
Connor: Well, when I am older, I am going to get it filled in.
Me: But then you won’t have a belly button!!! Won’t that look strange?
Connor: But I don’t need it…
Me: People will think you are a clone or an alien.

Of course at that point, the conversation completely degenerated into the “What if people suspect you are a clone…” type of discourse because that's how we roll at our house.

Now, on the trip planning front, Chelsea is obviously getting a bit antsy about the lack of Disney trip discussions occurring at our house.

Chelsea: Have you booked our summer trip yet?
Me: Nah. (Lord, please forgive me for lying point blank to my daughter.)
Chelsea: WHAT??? When are you going to do that??? I feel very unsettled without a Disney trip booked! (Hmmm, where did she learn that?)
Me: Well…(I tried the whole nonchalant, noncommittal shrugging thing.)
Chelsea: I think you need to…(she pulls up the calendar on my cell phone) book a trip for July 14 through the 19th. We need to stay at Caribbean Beach Resort, I want a birthday button to wear all week, and I want to eat at Teppan Edo on my actual birthday.

See, she has it all planned out in her mind what she wants.

Two out of the four things she wants are pretty good, right?

I am laughing so very hard right now. Nice try Chelsea next time pick a class your mom doesn't teach. Love how she has your trip all planned out for you!

 

[eandesmom]

see now her response makes me worry she's peeking! Isn't she close on the dates?

Unsettled... I love that!

So sorry about the social versus grade situation but endorse the new lifestyle.

It is draining on the parents though!

Taylor and Evan are living similar lives right now.

 

[micandminforever]

In my Middle School career I found 7th grade the most adventurous to teach, because 6th grader are still a little afraid to grow up, and the 8th graders think they are grown up and ready to lead the school. 7th grade students are like the middle child they can't decided where they fit in , so they act out to be noticed. So you have next year to look forward to where Chelsea thinks she knows everything. Then in the 9th grade she will realize the seniors know everything.

That is why when I thought I can't take teaching another year, I did not change careers I changed grade levels. Every year ever grade level was a different adventure. After living with a middle schooler next time you meet with a parent you will be able to speak for experience.

Now I enjoy retirement and memories of my middle school career. When I get think I miss teaching I volunteer at my old school. That way I get to interact with the students with no afternoons of planning or grading.

Best wishes for the next 45 days. When is your spring break?