Westbound Repo Ship of Thieves-Remember the Magic!

[gaylean93]

Can't believe just a week ago today we were about to begin a lovely long day in DL. Just 2 weeks ago was a fabulous day at sea.

Don't cry Marilyn we need to be strong now and start planning your trip next year!

 

[gaylean93]

morning all.
all this Vegas talk, that is really not a place I am interested in going. Our friends all love it though. not a place for kids I think.

We've taken the kids before because most of the nicer hotels have those really extravagant pools. I did tell myself I wouldn't take them again. Not because they didn't have fun because they loved it but because we felt left out of the adult activities. Jon works at a casino and the kids can't go in there so when we went to Vegas we showed them the inside of one and they think it is so cool. They think dad plays on slot machines all day. In reality he isn't even involved with them because he just works in the office. We are really close so we can just go for a weekend. I don't think I would go without my kids if we were as far as you are.

 

[granmaz]

Don't cry Marilyn we need to be strong now and start planning your trip next year!

What about you?

 

[gaylean93]

What about you?

I don't have any plans yet. I want to wait to see what is happening in 2010. I don't want to take the kids out of school every year. The teachers thought I was crazy this time. I am sad though and I think going in September and October would help. Ethan would be in forth grade then so it will be harder. Plus this trip was at the end of the year so I didn't feel AS guilty. If I were you, I would be planning away. I know it is too soon. Plus you can't forget us

 

[gaylean93]

Well I just had a conversation with myself again. I never read the first few pages and the last few if the last thread so hopefully there wasn't anything interesting in there. I still miss everyone and the ship.

 

[HollyTyler]

I don't have any plans yet. I want to wait to see what is happening in 2010. I don't want to take the kids out of school every year. The teachers thought I was crazy this time. I am sad though and I think going in September and October would help. Ethan would be in forth grade then so it will be harder. Plus this trip was at the end of the year so I didn't feel AS guilty. If I were you, I would be planning away. I know it is too soon. Plus you can't forget us

I don't want to take Tyler out of school any more either. He missed something like 30 days this year because of this trip and all his appointments. Starting next year he'll have special ed almost every day for a portion of the day, plus a few other things they're doing for him, so I don't want him to miss out on all that great assistance. He can't read or write now, but at our IEP they assured me he'll be up to grade level by the end of 1st grade! Wow!

 

[MrsMork]

But I REALLY want to go to Hawaii, I wonder if Disney will have a trip going there?

A reliable source (CM) at DL said that the Fantasy and/or the Dream will be going to Hawaii.

 

[gaylean93]

I don't want to take Tyler out of school any more either. He missed something like 30 days this year because of this trip and all his appointments. Starting next year he'll have special ed almost every day for a portion of the day, plus a few other things they're doing for him, so I don't want him to miss out on all that great assistance. He can't read or write now, but at our IEP they assured me he'll be up to grade level by the end of 1st grade! Wow!

Just remember that you decide what goes in that IEP. You can put that you want him to learn to tie his shoes if you want. I'm so happy for you that he wil be in the right place now and more happy for him. They won't be calling you and sending him home as much either because they are trained to handle these types of kids. Ethan was reading and writing with ease in kinder but I think Brooke is a little behind him and there are others in the class that are WAY behind her. I think you'll notice a big difference next year.

 

[Belle Beast]

Driving from LA to Las Vegas:

The Luxor hotel:

The Strip:

Sorry to barge in on your thread, but we are sailing on the EB and plan to fly into Vegas and then drive to Anaheim a few days before we set sail.

Flying across country was expensive which is why we chose to fly to Vegas instead of LAX (we got a really good deal).

If you have any information or tips about the drive, please share.

Thank you,

Belle

 

[gaylean93]

Sorry to barge in on your thread, but we are sailing on the EB and plan to fly into Vegas and then drive to Anaheim a few days before we set sail.

Flying across country was expensive which is why we chose to fly to Vegas instead of LAX (we got a really good deal).

If you have any information or tips about the drive, please share.

Thank you,

Belle

What do you want to know about the drive? We live by DL and drive to Vegas all the time. It is about four hours and you drive in the desert and there is nothing around besides a few truck stops to use the bathroom and get a snack if you want. The drive looks like the first picture.

 

[granmaz]

I don't have any plans yet. I want to wait to see what is happening in 2010. I don't want to take the kids out of school every year. The teachers thought I was crazy this time. I am sad though and I think going in September and October would help. Ethan would be in forth grade then so it will be harder. Plus this trip was at the end of the year so I didn't feel AS guilty. If I were you, I would be planning away. I know it is too soon. Plus you can't forget us

I do understand about taking the kids out of school, but it would be so nice to see you all again. I can't think I will forget any of you.

Well I just had a conversation with myself again. I never read the first few pages and the last few if the last thread so hopefully there wasn't anything interesting in there. I still miss everyone and the ship.

It is hard getting back to normal. Even this thread quietening down after the months we all chatted on here.

I don't want to take Tyler out of school any more either. He missed something like 30 days this year because of this trip and all his appointments. Starting next year he'll have special ed almost every day for a portion of the day, plus a few other things they're doing for him, so I don't want him to miss out on all that great assistance. He can't read or write now, but at our IEP they assured me he'll be up to grade level by the end of 1st grade! Wow!

Sounding good for next year Holly.

 

[gaylean93]

I do understand about taking the kids out of school, but it would be so nice to see you all again. I can't think I will forget any of you.

It is hard getting back to normal. Even this thread quietening down after the months we all chatted on here.

I have this feeling we will see each other again on another cruise, even if we don't plan it. I would love to book again with as many people as possible, I just can't do it that soon. The saddest part for me is the friends I made. I know we will never ALL be together again. But like I said earlier, maybe you will make new friends, on the new cruise, that you are sad to say good bye to. The thread is slow and some of the people I wanted to keep in touch with just never posted after the cruise.

 

[lillygator]

for now I am not worried about taking the kids out of school. Samantha will be off three days at Tgiving anyway and one day on our Oct trip....plus I think her teachers likes the mouse!

 

[Belle Beast]

What do you want to know about the drive? We live by DL and drive to Vegas all the time. It is about four hours and you drive in the desert and there is nothing around besides a few truck stops to use the bathroom and get a snack if you want. The drive looks like the first picture.

I have a two girls (15, 4) so bathroom breaks and places to get a bite to eat will be important.

Four hours can be difficult if it involves traffic. We have know idea what to expect or how difficult the drive may be.

 

[HollyTyler]

Just remember that you decide what goes in that IEP. You can put that you want him to learn to tie his shoes if you want. I'm so happy for you that he wil be in the right place now and more happy for him. They won't be calling you and sending him home as much either because they are trained to handle these types of kids. Ethan was reading and writing with ease in kinder but I think Brooke is a little behind him and there are others in the class that are WAY behind her. I think you'll notice a big difference next year.

Yes, I had them add a couple things into the IEP that day. I'm thrilled with all the extra help he'll be getting and am very happy for him that he'll be starting off next year with help. The special ed teacher already showed him her room and explained to him why he'll be coming there, etc. He feels pretty good about it because he knows he'll be getting help. And I'll be happy about not getting the daily phone calls. Summer will be rough though because it's a different building, not as structured as school, new kids & teachers, etc. But his current K teacher is going to talk to the teachers of the summer program and explain everything they'll need to know, including techniques she's found that work, so that should help.

 

[hawkaye19]

We're still not recovered from our 22 days of pure heaven. Think we still have a couple of suitcases left to unpack and 3 huge mounds of laundry (and we did it on board ship and at HoJos....)

I am sorry we did not meet more of you on the cruise, we sure saw a lot of the lanyards around..

Highlights....Panama canal day, Liam's Oceaneer lab Talent show (he was the opening act) and those afternoons in the Cove Cafe with Nancy

Low Lights......always running into Scooter Lady as she rammed her way into the front of every line we were in (literally....and then discovering that she could get around just fine without it, as evidenced by her shopping prowness on two feet), the cliff divers excursion at Acapulco...too hot and far too long

 

[gaylean93]

I have a two girls (15, 4) so bathroom breaks and places to get a bite to eat will be important.

Four hours can be difficult if it involves traffic. We have know idea what to expect or how difficult the drive may be.

What day of the week will it be? Sundays are busy because everyone is coming home. Other than Sunday, it should be 70 miles per hour or faster if you dare, unless there is construction or something going on. Once you get closer to Anaheim the traffic is almost always bad. That's just how we live.

The bathrooms will be on signs for a few miles before you get to them. Right before you pass them it will tell you how many miles until the next place you can eat or go to the bathroom or get gas. When the kids were that young, we stopped a lot. Now we bring snacks and drinks and when we get to a sign that says "Next bathroom 30 miles" we ask them if they would need to go in the next 30 minutes. It is a boring drive but depending on what time it is, the young one may sleep.

 

[gaylean93]

for now I am not worried about taking the kids out of school. Samantha will be off three days at Tgiving anyway and one day on our Oct trip....plus I think her teachers likes the mouse!

I wouldn't worry either. I just don't want to do it every year for two weeks. We always take them out a day or two here and there. I wouldn't hesitate to take them out again for two weeks, just not next year. This was the end of the year for us so they had already finished their math books and everything else was review. The Sept and Oct cruises are right after school starts so that is harder.

 

[gaylean93]

Yes, I had them add a couple things into the IEP that day. I'm thrilled with all the extra help he'll be getting and am very happy for him that he'll be starting off next year with help. The special ed teacher already showed him her room and explained to him why he'll be coming there, etc. He feels pretty good about it because he knows he'll be getting help. And I'll be happy about not getting the daily phone calls. Summer will be rough though because it's a different building, not as structured as school, new kids & teachers, etc. But his current K teacher is going to talk to the teachers of the summer program and explain everything they'll need to know, including techniques she's found that work, so that should help.

That sounds good. It sounds like you have a great team to help you get him settled into a normal situation.

 

[granmaz]

I have this feeling we will see each other again on another cruise, even if we don't plan it. I would love to book again with as many people as possible, I just can't do it that soon. The saddest part for me is the friends I made. I know we will never ALL be together again. But like I said earlier, maybe you will make new friends, on the new cruise, that you are sad to say good bye to. The thread is slow and some of the people I wanted to keep in touch with just never posted after the cruise.

I wish some of them would just post to say hi. I know people are all different and some don't need to keep chatting, and some might just feel a little too sad to post too. Who knows.

We're still not recovered from our 22 days of pure heaven. Think we still have a couple of suitcases left to unpack and 3 huge mounds of laundry (and we did it on board ship and at HoJos....)

I am sorry we did not meet more of you on the cruise, we sure saw a lot of the lanyards around..

Highlights....Panama canal day, Liam's Oceaneer lab Talent show (he was the opening act) and those afternoons in the Cove Cafe with Nancy

Low Lights......always running into Scooter Lady as she rammed her way into the front of every line we were in (literally....and then discovering that she could get around just fine without it, as evidenced by her shopping prowness on two feet), the cliff divers excursion at Acapulco...too hot and far too long

It seems like I will never get everything put away after this vacation!!

Can't believe Scooter Lady!

We were sitting in DL waiting for the firworks, lucky to have a seat I think. A young man, probably early 20's was next to us in a wheelchair, guarding shopping and a seat. He was doing wheelies so as he had already been chatting to us after hearing our accent(telling us they were on their honeymoon), John mentioned his skills with the chair. During his answer he said he was so glad he wasn't in one all the time, to which I asked if he had had an accident. He said they had only hired it that day as their FEET HURT!!! They had pushed each other around all day. They were a healthy young couple.