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

[Disneyvirg]

Wow! I'm SOOOOOO out of the loop, Jackie! I've avoided the disboards for a few months. Obviously I missed the fact that you're planning a trip to WDW this summer. I figured there was no point to check in since last fall you announced a Disney-less summer. Boy was I wrong!

I need to catch up. Can't wait to hear all the fun to be had!

Carissa

 

[swwake]

Happy Mother's Day, Jackie! I would love to hear any- and everything about your trip plans! I went to Hilton Head when I was little (pre-Disney Resort there). I remember our family finding plenty to do. I think they have some mini-golf, etc there. Take some board games the family can play together. Google and find some games the family can play on the beach and in the water, etc. I bet there are lots of creative ideas out there and they all will create great bonding and memories!

 

[Disneyvirg]

Wow! I'm SOOOOOO out of the loop, Jackie! I've avoided the disboards for a few months. Obviously I missed the fact that you're planning a trip to WDW this summer. I figured there was no point to check in since last fall you announced a Disney-less summer. Boy was I wrong!

I need to catch up. Can't wait to hear all the fun to be had!

Carissa

Oops - should have read your TR, THEN replied! Guess you're not going to WDW this year - or at least not so far!

I had so much fun catching up. You have such a great style of writing.

I admit that I am a bit confused...I thought you owned DVC at Animal Kingdom - am I wrong?

Can't wait to read more.

Oh - you'll love your beach vacation! We went to Mexico along the gulf in the Yucatan at the beginning of March. So relaxing... and so many yummy libations. You'll enjoy your quiet time and I'm sure you'll find more things to do than you anticipated.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I saw some kids with those bracelets on last week - they must have had 30 on each wrist! I had never seen them or heard of them before, maybe it's because I'm the mother of two boys who could care less about that sort of thing

I hope you had a marvelous Mother's Day Jackie!

 

[floridascgirl]

The bracelets are all the rage here in Charleston. The funny thing is my son got some as a stocking stuffer in 2008 and we all had no idea what they were. I just assumed they were funny little rubberbands. I think my MIL got them in New York.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

[hlrababy]

Plus, Heather and Dawn were trying to steal her shoes!

Those shoes were sooooo cute!!!

Thanks! Unfortunately, Chelsea is going through that phase where she doesn't think she is pretty, but I know one day she will look back and think, "Hey, I was pretty cute!"



Oh, she was tickled pink about the fact that Heather and Dawn liked her shoes! She loves it when others like her clothes and shoes.

Oh gosh, I thought I at least had a while until Hollie went throught that..but NOPE!!! I have caught her sneaking into my bathroom and getting my makeup. YES!! At 5 years old!! She said she needs it because she is not pretty and I told her, Honey you don't need it because you are pretty!!

Awwwww, well I sure did love those shoes! In fact, I need to go see if I can find some!

 

[mousescrapper]

first to the Guide to the Magic Books for Kids and their other items...the recent chatter made me think of these books again and I got sidetracked in your PTR and went over to their site.

I knew Amy (DisMom) had used them w/ her boys and I liked the idea...but always liked the idea of my own "custom" books more...but I took another peek. and wow I like these several of the special things my DH and I are buying/making for the kids and ourselves for the trip will also count for early b-day/Christmas presents for the kids...not sure how well they will like this concept but I do.

I am thinking of a little pre-Christmas celebration (right now as I type)...cool I really like this idea...a small tree w/ Disney ornaments and wrapped presents. FUN!

Ok sorry thinking tangent in process...

anyhoo...

I am planning to get some of those books and the companion journals for the kids...

Also, after questioning her about it, it turns out that she wants to go because according to the Disney Blog site, Disney Parks are releasing sets of those silly bands that the kids are all wearing on their wrists, but when they take them off, morph into shapes and animals. Well, she wants some Disney ones, but if they are as hard to find as the regular ones are around town, it would be a shame if we got down there and couldn't find any.


Ok I don't know what these things are either...

So, I started thinking about why I want to go so badly to Disney this summer -- aside from the obvious reasons. It comes down to me wanting to see the Main Street Electrical Parade and eating at all the places where we have made reservations. I know those restaurants will still be there on the next trip, and while I do want to see the MSEP really, really, really badly, I don't know if it is worth the heat and the crowds to try and do it. Those of you that have read my trip reports in the past, know how my family (namely Charles) is in the heat. It could have the ingredients of a disastrous trip.


sounds like valid reasons to go to me...but the $ stuff is an issue I understand.

On the other side of the coin is the Hilton Head trip. My main worry about that is just how much beach time I can really stand. I like the beach, but what if we are bored after a couple of days??? I am used to having lots of things to do on vacation. I would hate it if we ran out of things to do. I am just hoping we find plenty of things to do while we are there.


PM irishdancer she went over Spring Break and sounded like there was TONS of great fun things to do!


I think some of my future posts will be about the activities we are planning while we are there. I hope I am worrying needlessly about the boredom factor. What sort of updates about trip plans would everyone like to read?


love to hear what Disney offers in re to fun activities at the resort, what dod you think you want to do. and you know the good stuff like packing lists, food lists. how are you getting there. What the kids are looking forward to, etc...I'll read anything

In other news, we are down to two weeks of school! Hurray! Hurray! I found out I am going to have to move classrooms for next year which I hate to do, but at least I have a job. With all the cuts that have been happening, I count myself very lucky!

Congrats to you and keeping your teaching job...I know several up here losing their jobs. makes me nervous for my kids.

had a lovely Mom's day...hope you did too, and only a few more weeks and I'll be in your neck of the woods. Thinking, have to see what my brother and sisiter-in-law want to do, but maybe taking the Marta into downtown Atlanta to walk around, maybe the Aquaruim and I want to take them to eat at the Varsity. Possibly a hike up Stone Mountain too...we'll see. I'll let you know more when we firm up our plans...quick 4 days to fill.

J~

 

[Mndisneygirl]

re: the Guide to the Magic for kids

Does each kid really need their own book or can my girls share??

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I have no idea what these cool bracelets are. Could you fill a clueless girl in Jackie? And how lucky you only have two weeks left! Yay!! We have so many snow days to make up, we have 5 weeks left. Ugh!! The kids are really itching for their summer break.

 

[MHTeacher]

but what if we are bored after a couple of days???

BORED at the beach? That's the whole point of the beach to me----just sit there in front of the ocean, veg out, and read numerous books!

When we go to the beach, there are a couple of things we like to do in the evenings, besides eating out every night (HA)! We usually drop in on the outlet mall one night. There are lots of arcades/go-kart tracks, so we visit one of those, oh, and putt-putt golf. We also like to go on a dolphin cruise. Those are just a few ideas.

*******************************

I'm changing jobs, again, too Jackie. I will be back in my old classroom which has been used as a locker area this past year! YIKES What a mess I have to clean up this summer!

 

[punkin413]

i'm impressed with the amount of self control you have shown with not jumping all over that offer! i do have to admit though, i honestly don't know if i could do disney in the summer. and i know ray couldn't - having to listen to him complain about the crowds and the heat would ruin my vacation. so i know better than to drag him there then! now i'm not saying i could control my disney addiction the way you did, but i see your reasoning behind it.

i'm sure you will find plenty to do at hilton head. my bosses go there almost every summer and love it. just be sure to take lots of good reading material in case you do have lots of downtime!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Not much to update this weekend, but I do have some odds and ends to share.

Chelsea announced in the car on the way to school the other day that she would be fine if we decided to go to Disney this summer. Now before everyone begins posting dancing bananas, I don't think I am going to take her up on the offer.

Why, you say???

Well, because when she said it, it was in one of those resigned voices. I could tell she wasn't saying it because she wanted to go, but because she was saying it to make me happy. Also, after questioning her about it, it turns out that she wants to go because according to the Disney Blog site, Disney Parks are releasing sets of those silly bands that the kids are all wearing on their wrists, but when they take them off, morph into shapes and animals. Well, she wants some Disney ones, but if they are as hard to find as the regular ones are around town, it would be a shame if we got down there and couldn't find any.

So, I started thinking about why I want to go so badly to Disney this summer -- aside from the obvious reasons. It comes down to me wanting to see the Main Street Electrical Parade and eating at all the places where we have made reservations. I know those restaurants will still be there on the next trip, and while I do want to see the MSEP really, really, really badly, I don't know if it is worth the heat and the crowds to try and do it. Those of you that have read my trip reports in the past, know how my family (namely Charles) is in the heat. It could have the ingredients of a disastrous trip.

On the other side of the coin is the Hilton Head trip. My main worry about that is just how much beach time I can really stand. I like the beach, but what if we are bored after a couple of days??? I am used to having lots of things to do on vacation. I would hate it if we ran out of things to do. I am just hoping we find plenty of things to do while we are there. I think some of my future posts will be about the activities we are planning while we are there. I hope I am worrying needlessly about the boredom factor. What sort of updates about trip plans would everyone like to read?

In other news, we are down to two weeks of school! Hurray! Hurray! I found out I am going to have to move classrooms for next year which I hate to do, but at least I have a job. With all the cuts that have been happening, I count myself very lucky!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day!

Jackie, the silly bandz won't be released until the end of July is what the last official word I had seen. Don't know if someone had posted that already but wanted you to know. Going back to catch up. Our giraffe watching and zebra dome eating got in the way of keeping up with reports!

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi Jackie!! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!!

 

[MeMom]

I am not a beach person - not for more than a few hours - and I know I would get bored, but everyone is different. Chelsea may love this trip, and it is all about her, since it is her birthday trip. After it's over, she can make the real decision about whether or not it was better than a Disney trip.

I wish I would have known she wanted some of those bracelets. I had a pack in my hand at Mouse Gear that I thought about getting Brooklynn. I would have been more than happy to send her a pack. With those in hand (or on wrist), if she mentioned a Disney trip again, you would be able to get a better idea of where she is really standing on a Disney trip. If she said a Disney trip 'wouldn't be so bad' again, you might decide she really is rethinking the whole deal and just doesn't want to admit it. You know how teenagers are!

Might be worth a call to Disney Merchandising to have them send you some.

And tell her your DIS friends don't want to hear another word about her not being cute! She is a beautiful girl!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I was woefully behind, but finally got caught up. I can't believe that I haven't heard of these bracelets yet. Usually my 9 year old niece keeps me up on these things. I may have to track down some for them, before it catches on up here.

I'm sure you will have a ball no matter where you end up going.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow! I'm SOOOOOO out of the loop, Jackie! I've avoided the disboards for a few months. Obviously I missed the fact that you're planning a trip to WDW this summer. I figured there was no point to check in since last fall you announced a Disney-less summer. Boy was I wrong!

I need to catch up. Can't wait to hear all the fun to be had!

Carissa

Welcome back, Carissa!!! It has been a bit of a roller coaster of trip planning this year. Do you have another trip in the works?

Happy Mother's Day, Jackie! I would love to hear any- and everything about your trip plans! I went to Hilton Head when I was little (pre-Disney Resort there). I remember our family finding plenty to do. I think they have some mini-golf, etc there. Take some board games the family can play together. Google and find some games the family can play on the beach and in the water, etc. I bet there are lots of creative ideas out there and they all will create great bonding and memories!

Happy Belated Mother's Day to you, too, Susan! We went to HHI for a few summers when the kids were younger, and we always found plenty to do so I don't really know why I am worried about it. We'll definitely be taking some board games and cards, too -- we love playing games after a day at the pool and the beach.

Oops - should have read your TR, THEN replied! Guess you're not going to WDW this year - or at least not so far!

I had so much fun catching up. You have such a great style of writing.

I admit that I am a bit confused...I thought you owned DVC at Animal Kingdom - am I wrong?

Can't wait to read more.

Oh - you'll love your beach vacation! We went to Mexico along the gulf in the Yucatan at the beginning of March. So relaxing... and so many yummy libations. You'll enjoy your quiet time and I'm sure you'll find more things to do than you anticipated.

Ah, thank you!

Nope, no trip to WDW so far. That could always change, though.

I would love to own DVC, but we don't yet -- I just don't feel like we are quite at the spot where I would feel comfortable putting out that kind of money. One day, though!

Yummy libations always sound good to me!

I saw some kids with those bracelets on last week - they must have had 30 on each wrist! I had never seen them or heard of them before, maybe it's because I'm the mother of two boys who could care less about that sort of thing

I hope you had a marvelous Mother's Day Jackie!

Thank you, Michelle! I hope you had a great Mother's Day, too!

You are lucky with the bracelets. The boys here are all into them -- including Connor. He was quite pleased to get the military pack from my MIL this weekend.

The bracelets are all the rage here in Charleston. The funny thing is my son got some as a stocking stuffer in 2008 and we all had no idea what they were. I just assumed they were funny little rubberbands. I think my MIL got them in New York.

Isn't that funny how things change in just a year or so? My two have been scouring ebay for the different ones -- Chelsea is waiting on a Fast Food Pack to arrive. They have managed to suck my MIL into the fad as well, so they have a partner-in-crime for their searches.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Thank you! Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

Those shoes were sooooo cute!!!

Oh gosh, I thought I at least had a while until Hollie went throught that..but NOPE!!! I have caught her sneaking into my bathroom and getting my makeup. YES!! At 5 years old!! She said she needs it because she is not pretty and I told her, Honey you don't need it because you are pretty!!

Awwwww, well I sure did love those shoes! In fact, I need to go see if I can find some!

The nice thing about Payless is they always seem to be having sales!

Yep, I have heard that from Chelsea, too.

first to the Guide to the Magic Books for Kids and their other items...the recent chatter made me think of these books again and I got sidetracked in your PTR and went over to their site.

I knew Amy (DisMom) had used them w/ her boys and I liked the idea...but always liked the idea of my own "custom" books more...but I took another peek. and wow I like these several of the special things my DH and I are buying/making for the kids and ourselves for the trip will also count for early b-day/Christmas presents for the kids...not sure how well they will like this concept but I do.

I am thinking of a little pre-Christmas celebration (right now as I type)...cool I really like this idea...a small tree w/ Disney ornaments and wrapped presents. FUN!

Ok sorry thinking tangent in process...

anyhoo...

I am planning to get some of those books and the companion journals for the kids...

Love your idea about the pre-Christmas celebration! That sounds like lots of fun and will definitely get the kids excited about the trip. The book Chelsea and Connor had last year, The Lost Journals of Walt Disney World, in my opinion, was even better than the Guide to the Magic for older kids. It is like a scavenger hunt/puzzle book filled with all sorts of neat things to do/look for -- it's smaller and spiral-bound and fit nicely into our park bag.

Congrats to you and keeping your teaching job...I know several up here losing their jobs. makes me nervous for my kids.

had a lovely Mom's day...hope you did too, and only a few more weeks and I'll be in your neck of the woods. Thinking, have to see what my brother and sisiter-in-law want to do, but maybe taking the Marta into downtown Atlanta to walk around, maybe the Aquaruim and I want to take them to eat at the Varsity. Possibly a hike up Stone Mountain too...we'll see. I'll let you know more when we firm up our plans...quick 4 days to fill.

J~

Thank you! Education is in such a mess right now.

Yes, you must take them to the Varsity -- very fun, very-Atlanta spot, and the food is good, too!

Also, across from the Aquarium is the World of Coke -- we had a blast there, and since Coke was invented in Atlanta, we are quite proud of it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

re: the Guide to the Magic for kids

Does each kid really need their own book or can my girls share??

As you know, I snuck over to your PTR to answer this.

I have no idea what these cool bracelets are. Could you fill a clueless girl in Jackie? And how lucky you only have two weeks left! Yay!! We have so many snow days to make up, we have 5 weeks left. Ugh!! The kids are really itching for their summer break.

The website is http://www.sillybandz.com -- I am sure they will make their way up to Minnesota before long.

Five more weeks will go by pretty quick -- it seems like we were just at that mark.

BORED at the beach? That's the whole point of the beach to me----just sit there in front of the ocean, veg out, and read numerous books!

I am getting together my stacks of reading material.

When we go to the beach, there are a couple of things we like to do in the evenings, besides eating out every night (HA)! We usually drop in on the outlet mall one night. There are lots of arcades/go-kart tracks, so we visit one of those, oh, and putt-putt golf. We also like to go on a dolphin cruise. Those are just a few ideas.

Eating out for dinner, mini-golf, and a dolphin cruise are all on my list. Thanks!

I'm changing jobs, again, too Jackie. I will be back in my old classroom which has been used as a locker area this past year! YIKES What a mess I have to clean up this summer!

I am trying not to think about moving rooms, but I know I need to face the facts here very soon. Only one more Monday, Michelle!!!

i'm impressed with the amount of self control you have shown with not jumping all over that offer! i do have to admit though, i honestly don't know if i could do disney in the summer. and i know ray couldn't - having to listen to him complain about the crowds and the heat would ruin my vacation. so i know better than to drag him there then! now i'm not saying i could control my disney addiction the way you did, but i see your reasoning behind it.

The heat and the crowds have really been the deciding factors for me -- I would not be so full of self-control if it weren't for those two things. LOL!

i'm sure you will find plenty to do at hilton head. my bosses go there almost every summer and love it. just be sure to take lots of good reading material in case you do have lots of downtime!

We have been a few times before, and never had a problem amusing ourselves -- I think I am just worrying needlessly about that. I do have several books already laid aside.

Jackie, the silly bandz won't be released until the end of July is what the last official word I had seen. Don't know if someone had posted that already but wanted you to know. Going back to catch up. Our giraffe watching and zebra dome eating got in the way of keeping up with reports!

Oh, that's good to know! Thanks, Jill!

Giraffe watching and zebra dome eating are very valid excuses in my book.

Hi Jackie!! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!!

Thank you, Becky! You, too!

I am not a beach person - not for more than a few hours - and I know I would get bored, but everyone is different. Chelsea may love this trip, and it is all about her, since it is her birthday trip. After it's over, she can make the real decision about whether or not it was better than a Disney trip.

I think we will have fun. I already have plans for early morning walks to capture the sunrise and daybreak on the marshes.

I wish I would have known she wanted some of those bracelets. I had a pack in my hand at Mouse Gear that I thought about getting Brooklynn. I would have been more than happy to send her a pack. With those in hand (or on wrist), if she mentioned a Disney trip again, you would be able to get a better idea of where she is really standing on a Disney trip. If she said a Disney trip 'wouldn't be so bad' again, you might decide she really is rethinking the whole deal and just doesn't want to admit it. You know how teenagers are!

Unfortunately, I am learning only too well how teenagers are!

And tell her your DIS friends don't want to hear another word about her not being cute! She is a beautiful girl!

Thank you! We tell her that all the time, but I don't think she believes we know what we are talking about.

She's feeling pretty miserable today -- she has broken out in same strange rash all over her body. We are going to the doctor this afternoon, and I hope it is something that is quickly fixed.

Add to that, our refrigerator is broken -- luckily we have another in the garage -- and I am about ready for a vacation just about anywhere.

I was woefully behind, but finally got caught up. I can't believe that I haven't heard of these bracelets yet. Usually my 9 year old niece keeps me up on these things. I may have to track down some for them, before it catches on up here.

I'm sure you will have a ball no matter where you end up going.

Stock up now, and you will be the coolest aunt EVER! In fact, you could help your nieces become the trendsetters.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I had not heard about these bracelets until this board. The funny thing is that in last evening's newspaper was a lengthy article about the bracelets. The bands were made here in Ohio.

 

[MeMom]

Jackie, the silly bandz won't be released until the end of July is what the last official word I had seen. Don't know if someone had posted that already but wanted you to know.

Just noticed Jill's response. I guess the pack I picked up wasn't what you were talking about. I didn't really pay attention to what they were, so I assumed they were what you meant. If the right ones are there in July, we'll be glad to send you a pack for Chelsea.