"We're following Dad to work....SURPRISE!!!" Secret's out Trip - May/June 2013

[StitchIsOurHero]

Still about IASW being in black and white!! That's hilarious!! YAY for closing on the house! Good luck with the DVC search!! That's wonderful that your DH is all into that idea! And 3 trips in this "year"?? I love years like that!

 

[BridgetR3]

Whew! What a week we have had!! We closed on the house Thursday. I'm now broke.... This weekend DS10 had a soccer tournament about 2.5 hours from here so we spent the weekend there and they got second place!!! It was so exciting to cheer them on. They have never won a tournament before so this was a great confidence booster for them.

Our hotel room last night had a fire place in it. It wasn't a special or expensive hotel. It was actually just a Best Western but it had fireplaces in our suites and an indoor pool. The boys LOVED playing in the indoor pool!!

This week I scheduled the boys trip to the Sandcastle Club for DH's birthday. I also cashed in my Disney Rewards points to get a card to use at Disney. At school I had earned a gift card of $140 that I'm saving for food as well so together I have about $225 saved. I am trying to save bits here and there so that I don't have to take any out of savings when the time comes.

DH and I were talking about our upcoming fall trip and I think I would like to stay at the Contemporary for at least some of our nights. Does anyone know if the studios at the Contemporary fill up really fast? Will there be any availability at DVC studios during Thanksgiving week if that's when we have to go?

Thanks for hanging out with me!

 

[Deesknee]

What a great weekend! Busy, but exciting. Congrats to the boys soccer team!!!
It does seem like it is not as difficult to save the money when you do it little bits at a time. Of course it is easier to spend that way too.
I'm not sure about the studios at Contemp/BLT's filling up quick. But, I know Thanksgiving week is super tough most rooms.
Have a wonderful week. And thanks for the update!

 

[BridgetR3]

Thanks for the heads up! We are waiting to get the boys' 2013-2014 school calendar. I would rather go the week before Christmas instead of the week of Thanksgiving but I have to see what they give us off for Mardi Gras since I need those days too. I don't want to be THAT mom who takes her kids out of school for too many vacations! The new calendar should be approved at the school board meeting tomorrow night and posted soon after that.

So today I finished paying off the little bit I had left on my DVC room and I'm all ready to go. I could leave tomorrow since it's ALL paid off!!!

O.k. now for a question - I asked this on the theme park boards but I'll ask it here to in order to give us conversation. My DS10 LOVES pool/billiards. He is obsessed with it. Are there any spots on Disney resort property or around Disney that are kid-friendly to play pool? I read that Splitsville has pool. Does anyone know how much it is? Is it in a kid zone or in the bar area? I know it's silly that I'm looking for a place to play pool while at Disney but that's what he loves!

Well I'm off....talk to ya'll later!

 

[Deesknee]

SSR has billiards. We have been in that room 2x. It is bar like, with small tables. But, it isn't bar room like. ... if that makes sense. It is classy. Actually, one of the times in there there were 2 little kids playing while their parents had h'orderves. It was very nice.

BTW, congratulations on the passing of papers!

I can relate to waiting for the 2013-2014 school calendar. I emailed the superintendent today. Good luck!

 

[BridgetR3]

SSR has billiards. We have been in that room 2x. It is bar like, with small tables. But, it isn't bar room like. ... if that makes sense. It is classy. Actually, one of the times in there there were 2 little kids playing while their parents had h'orderves. It was very nice.

BTW, congratulations on the passing of papers!

I can relate to waiting for the 2013-2014 school calendar. I emailed the superintendent today. Good luck!

Thanks for the info! If we have any free time, I would like to go over there and play a round or two of pool. lol....why oh why am I going to Disney to play pool??? Because it's for the kids of course.

Thanks!!! We are happy to be homeowners again even if it did squeeze us dry. lol.......

We received our 2013-2014 school calendars and I don't like it at all...... but we have to do what we have to do. So....after looking at the calendar we are going to go for our "Christmas trip" during Thanksgiving week and I know it will be crowded and I know it will be crazy but that's all I have.... As it is, the kids will still miss three days of school next year to do Disney - one at Thanksgiving and two at Mardi Gras. It is what it is though and my kids hardly ever miss so I can't see it being a problem. DS10 has only missed 3 days this year and DS6 has only missed 5. Both include one day that we skipped to go to Great Wolf Lodge last fall so it won't be much different next year hopefully.

This past weekend we travelled A LOT for soccer. Our game Saturday was four hours away and our game Sunday was two hours away so we just stayed on the road at a hotel. I left early Saturday morning and didn't get home until late last night. Our boys did get a district win on Sunday and are now in third place in district which is awesome! We have two more games this weekend and then we are off until the end of April! I can't wait to be able to relax and work on fixing up our home or sew. It would be great to be able to sew again!

Well I just saw on a Disney blog that they are now doing away with summer EMH's on Friday nights at MK. This was our first night at Disney and we picked MK because of how late it was open. It's a bummer and I'm very upset that they don't feel EMH's are important anymore. I know they could save money by not having them but I think it's a mistake in the long run. Some people will not stay at Disney without a perk.

Last story I promise!! Last night my mom called to tell me that she has a friend at work who is taking her family to DIsney for the first time ever and they want me to completely plan their trip. They are willing to pay me but they want me to reserve the room, the ADR's, everything because they are overwhelmed. I said, "GREAT!! When do they want to go?" Her answer- "June..." I about passed out and then I went into, "Don't you know that people book their reservations for food 180 days in advance and you have to pay it all off by 45 days out and....and.....and.....?" lol.....I think I freaked mom out but this is way too late to book a first Disney trip for something in just three months. They don't even have exact dates yet. SOOOOO nerve wracking! Well I'm off to work on a few things before bedtime. I'm exhausted. I hope you all have a great day tomorrow!

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks for the info! If we have any free time, I would like to go over there and play a round or two of pool. lol....why oh why am I going to Disney to play pool??? Because it's for the kids of course.

Thanks!!! We are happy to be homeowners again even if it did squeeze us dry. lol.......

We received our 2013-2014 school calendars and I don't like it at all...... but we have to do what we have to do. So....after looking at the calendar we are going to go for our "Christmas trip" during Thanksgiving week and I know it will be crowded and I know it will be crazy but that's all I have.... As it is, the kids will still miss three days of school next year to do Disney - one at Thanksgiving and two at Mardi Gras. It is what it is though and my kids hardly ever miss so I can't see it being a problem. DS10 has only missed 3 days this year and DS6 has only missed 5. Both include one day that we skipped to go to Great Wolf Lodge last fall so it won't be much different next year hopefully.

This past weekend we travelled A LOT for soccer. Our game Saturday was four hours away and our game Sunday was two hours away so we just stayed on the road at a hotel. I left early Saturday morning and didn't get home until late last night. Our boys did get a district win on Sunday and are now in third place in district which is awesome! We have two more games this weekend and then we are off until the end of April! I can't wait to be able to relax and work on fixing up our home or sew. It would be great to be able to sew again!

Well I just saw on a Disney blog that they are now doing away with summer EMH's on Friday nights at MK. This was our first night at Disney and we picked MK because of how late it was open. It's a bummer and I'm very upset that they don't feel EMH's are important anymore. I know they could save money by not having them but I think it's a mistake in the long run. Some people will not stay at Disney without a perk.

Last story I promise!! Last night my mom called to tell me that she has a friend at work who is taking her family to DIsney for the first time ever and they want me to completely plan their trip. They are willing to pay me but they want me to reserve the room, the ADR's, everything because they are overwhelmed. I said, "GREAT!! When do they want to go?" Her answer- "June..." I about passed out and then I went into, "Don't you know that people book their reservations for food 180 days in advance and you have to pay it all off by 45 days out and....and.....and.....?" lol.....I think I freaked mom out but this is way too late to book a first Disney trip for something in just three months. They don't even have exact dates yet. SOOOOO nerve wracking! Well I'm off to work on a few things before bedtime. I'm exhausted. I hope you all have a great day tomorrow!

Congrats for 3rd place in districts! Almost makes it worth it for the parents. I remember almost wishing they would lose, so our lives could calm down a little.

I can't believe they are cutting down on EMH at night. I love those late nights. they make it so special. bummer.

That is funny about your mom's friends wanting to book June now. But, I have a story that is even more unbelievable...if you can even beleive that. haha
Last month a friend called to give his condolences. He was saying how his wife is also having a difficult time dealing with the loss of her mom. He told me he will be calling me if it's okay, because he wants to plan a really special trip for his family. Well, I hadn't recieved the call, but I figured he was planning a fall trip, so no huge hurry. His sister in law is my hairdresser & a travel agent. When I walked in to get my hair cut Tuesday (as in this past), she is just hanging up the phone with this friend of mine. Her brother in law. She is a little frazzled and laughing. This is when she tells me he called her to tell her he wants to plan a vacation, but first wants to talk to his friends (us) about where he wants to stay and stuff like that. She begins to really giggle at this part..... for EASTER week. I asked what she said. She told me that ...when she stopped laughing...she told him she would do her best, but his "wants" may not be met. Guess what though? She got him a hotel. It ends up being a split stay, but she got it. Crazy man. Does he not know? I had to share that. I had kinda forgotten about it. I think I may need to share that info on my PTR too. Some people just don't understand. Although, is it possible to get reservations at other vacation hot spots on less than a month notice? We don't really vacation more than a couple of days anywhere else so I wouldn't know.

And btw, I enjoy reading your stories.

 

[BridgetR3]

EASTER WEEK!?!?!?!? WOW.....that's late!

Well her friend still hasn't decided what she wants to do or when they want to go.

3 days till Spring Break and 72 days until VACATION!!!!

Tonight I need to go grocery shopping but instead I'm laying here in my chair playing online. I'm exhausted.

I DON'T WANNA!!!! O.k. I'm getting off my rear end and going get food for my family and pets. lol......

 

[Deesknee]

EASTER WEEK!?!?!?!? WOW.....that's late!

Well her friend still hasn't decided what she wants to do or when they want to go.

3 days till Spring Break and 72 days until VACATION!!!!

Tonight I need to go grocery shopping but instead I'm laying here in my chair playing online. I'm exhausted.

I DON'T WANNA!!!! O.k. I'm getting off my rear end and going get food for my family and pets. lol......

DD is sick so, I stayed home while DH went grocery shopping today. Tuesday is our errand day usually. Well, you are a good family & pet care taker.

 

[BridgetR3]

Poor you and poor DD. Hope she feels better soon.

I did go grocery shopping so the cat and dog love me again.

We went to eat at a Mexican restaurant in town. Great food and now I'm stuffed and ready for bed!

 

[BridgetR3]

Well I've been wanting to tell the boys lately and the urge is almost too much so I've decided to tell them about our Thanksgiving trip so that they can help me plan and countdown to that one. This one will still be a secret but I just could resist anymore. We have three trips in the works for this year and they don't know about ANY of them!!!! I need someone in this house to talk Disney to!

Here's hoping they are excited when we tell them!

 

[Deesknee]

Well I've been wanting to tell the boys lately and the urge is almost too much so I've decided to tell them about our Thanksgiving trip so that they can help me plan and countdown to that one. This one will still be a secret but I just could resist anymore. We have three trips in the works for this year and they don't know about ANY of them!!!! I need someone in this house to talk Disney to!

Here's hoping they are excited when we tell them!

Are you just going to tell them, or plan a reveal? Oh, even telling them is exciting.
Way too many people know about our trip, I fear someone is bound to spill the beans.
Have fun telliing them!

 

[BridgetR3]

Are you just going to tell them, or plan a reveal? Oh, even telling them is exciting.
Way too many people know about our trip, I fear someone is bound to spill the beans.
Have fun telliing them!

I'm hoping to do a reveal of some sort but I'm not sure what kind. I'm thinking for Easter maybe do an egg hunt where each egg has a piece of paper in it. There would be three different color papers for three different words and the words would be Thanksgiving Disney World. I would hope they would figure it out from there. Not sure I won't to tell them yet or not.....


Oh, I'm getting a D~ bag!!! My mom had offered to give towards one for me to have after she saw how much I loved them so yesterday when D~ opened up her wait list for a whole minute (yes >15 people signed up in less than a minute), I was one of the people to get in!! I will have the bag for our Thanksgiving trip!!! I put in my request for a Steamboat Willie bag.

I LOVE Steamboat Willie and the nostalgia that surrounds it. I know that I will love the bag that D~ will make for me.

 

[BridgetR3]

Happy Easter everyone!!!! I think I may surprise the kids today with our trip. We've had SOOOO many close calls lately that I wouldn't want someone else to ruin it for us. We'll see if I'm brave enough to do it!

 

[BridgetR3]

Our Easter fun is done. DH is at work and the boys are quietly playing indoor games while it's storming outside so I figured I would share our reveal while it's still fresh......

Well with so many close calls lately, I decided it was time to tell the kids. SO this morning while we were waiting on DS6 to wake up, I asked DH if it was o.k. to tell the kids about our trip. He says, "Yeah, sounds good." and goes back to whatever he was doing at the time. Remember this as it proves interesting later on.

So I try to think of a creative way to tell them without just sitting them down and saying, "Hey, we're going to Disney" but also without needing ANYTHING as I have nothing new that's Disney related. (I was so unprepared to tell them!)

My idea - Since I have Easter eggs and a color printer, I would hide a letter in each egg to spell "Disney World Sixty Days". Each word is a different color letter to make unscrambling them easier. I went to the office, printed out the sheet, and stuffed the eggs. I also printed a Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck picture to put in the large eggs.

Let the fun begin.......

**Please excuse their clothes...our actual Easter celebration was yesterday because DH had to work today so this is our PJ/lounge around the house/last day of Spring Break look.**

DS6 running after a egg he's spied.

DS10 was so funny. He would open each egg and exclaim, "It's a letter A!" or whatever letter it was at the time with NO CLUE as to what they meant or why he was getting letters.

Opening more eggs....sorry that my foot makes an appearance in this one.

What a jumble of letters.....

Even more letters.....

Trying to figure out the puzzle....in the end DS10 figured out three of the words in about 30 seconds and DS6 was losing his mind because he didn't know the "answers" so we gave him the only word his brother hadn't figured out which strangely enough was Disney and he was able to sort it. Finally, they saw the words....

**Excuse someone else's toes this time.*** I wasn't working on quality I suppose.

They are excited and hopefully now that they know I'll be able to share more things on here. Every week we are going to give them a "day page" which will tell them all that we are doing that day at Disney as well as where we are staying etc. I am bringing home construction paper tomorrow to make links to countdown the days until we go. It feels real now that it's not a secret anymore!!! SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend!

 

[Deesknee]

Very creative! But, where does DH going back to whatever he was doing come in? Did I miss something? That would be totally like me...then be that one that asks the stupid question.

 

[Deesknee]

I'm hoping to do a reveal of some sort but I'm not sure what kind. I'm thinking for Easter maybe do an egg hunt where each egg has a piece of paper in it. There would be three different color papers for three different words and the words would be Thanksgiving Disney World. I would hope they would figure it out from there. Not sure I won't to tell them yet or not.....


Oh, I'm getting a D~ bag!!! My mom had offered to give towards one for me to have after she saw how much I loved them so yesterday when D~ opened up her wait list for a whole minute (yes >15 people signed up in less than a minute), I was one of the people to get in!! I will have the bag for our Thanksgiving trip!!! I put in my request for a Steamboat Willie bag.

I LOVE Steamboat Willie and the nostalgia that surrounds it. I know that I will love the bag that D~ will make for me.

Congratulations! I was #25. I could NOT believe how quickly they filled up. I told my entire family next time we are all getting on the computer & trying. I don't care if I have to buy more than 1. (although I think I will just talk DD into doing it for me as she is unbelievably quick at typing.

 

[BridgetR3]

Very creative! But, where does DH going back to whatever he was doing come in? Did I miss something? That would be totally like me...then be that one that asks the stupid question.

Oh no it's totally NOT a stupid question at all. IN fact, I woke up with a start this morning before my alarm and thought, "You idiot, you didn't even tell the whole story." I guess that's what happens when I'm distracted! Whew! I'll come back tonight and share why that was important.

 

[BridgetR3]

Congratulations! I was #25. I could NOT believe how quickly they filled up. I told my entire family next time we are all getting on the computer & trying. I don't care if I have to buy more than 1. (although I think I will just talk DD into doing it for me as she is unbelievably quick at typing.

What I did was type out all that I needed to post ahead of time like a status update and highlighted it all. I copied it so that as soon as I saw the post, I clicked Ctrl-V to paste and hit enter. It was much faster than typing it all out. I do hope you get one next time. We should get bonus points for being DISboard followers!

Have a great day!!! Today is my first day back at work after spring break and I"m ready for summer!!!!

 

[Deesknee]

What I did was type out all that I needed to post ahead of time like a status update and highlighted it all. I copied it so that as soon as I saw the post, I clicked Ctrl-V to paste and hit enter. It was much faster than typing it all out. I do hope you get one next time. We should get bonus points for being DISboard followers!

Have a great day!!! Today is my first day back at work after spring break and I"m ready for summer!!!!

good thinking to copy/paste. My dd mentioned that to me also...after the fact. It's okay I didn't get a spot, I would not have gotten it before our Aug trip anyway, there is always another trip in the horizon.

Hope you have a wonderful 1st day back. I too am ready for summer. We have already gotten the poison ivy part of it.! youngest DD.