I just added a new link: "Pray for Noah". My cousin's 22 month old son is fighting a very serious medical battle right now.
Please pray for Noah and his parents.
Wednesday, November 25
Monday, November 9
The Happiest Place on Earth
We went to Disney World last month. FINALLY. My kids LOVED it. It was worth every penny we spent on it to see their faces when the saw it the first time. And to fly. Neither had ever flown before and it was quite an experience for all of us. And still, my 5 year old wants to go back and see Mickey. He even told me last night how if he saw a falling star he would wish for Mickey to come and visit him!
We had a blast! Here’s what I learned:
1 – Stay on the resort. We had never done that before and it was worth it. All transportation is provided and delivers you right to the entrance of the parks. No parking fees, trying to find a place, walking miles to the entrance, trying to find a shuttle or remembering where you parked. And – probably more importantly – extra hours in the parks. Also, much like a cruise, your key card is your park ticket, your meal ticket and items can be charged to your room – I recommend caution on that, but at least you don’t have to haul your debit card around with you.
2 – Magic Hours. Magic hours are on different days for different parks. We made our decisions about which parks to visit based on these. The hotels have schedules for all the parks, including which ones have late night shows to help.
3 – Park Hopper. We didn’t buy it, and don’t regret it. If you base your park visits on the magic hours you don’t need it. Why spend more time on transportation between the parks? Just plan to eat in the park you plan to visit.
4 – Meal Reservations. I didn’t make them as early as I should have. We still had some great food, but missed out on some places my kids may have liked. Make them as soon as you have your trip booked. Especially if you want character meals. And make them in conjunction with your park schedule (see above).
5 – Dining Plan. Purchase the dining plan. Really. We had one quick-service, on sit-down and one snack a day for each of us and it was more than enough food. You still have to pay for the tips, but as mentioned above, you can put those on your room. We did that and used our cash to purchase souvenirs. We probably would have spent close to twice what the meal plan cost us on food.
6 – Characters. I never dreamed my kids would be into the characters, but they really were – except for the princesses. So, we stood in line for them. Fortunately, the lines weren’t long and we managed to get lucky several times and not have to wait at all. So we have tons of character pictures.
7 – Photo Pass. Yet another thing we probably didn’t take as much advantage of as we should have. The Disney photographers are everywhere: at the entrances, with the characters and at strategic points in the park to get the best photo. You get a card for this and scan it every time a picture is taken. Then log on to the website at the end of your trip and you have a month to purchase any that you’d like to have. Even items with the picture on them, scrapbooks, Christmas cards, and a CD with all pictures on them. The prices aren’t all that bad, either.
8 – Fast Pass/Child Swap. Two of Disney’s more brilliant ideas, I think. All rides have a posted wait time. Some of the more popular rides (Space Mountain, for instance) have a “fast pass” time as well. If the wait was more than about 20 minutes, we went to the fast pass machines, put in our tickets and got a time to come back. The fast pass line is usually only about 5 minutes long. The Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios for instance had a 70 minute wait at 11am. So, we got a fast pass for 5:50, went through the rest of the park, came back and only stood in line about 10 minutes. Perfect. For Child Swap, Colby refused to ride the roller coasters, so we got a ticket from the line attendant and Glenn & Garrett would go through. Colby & I would wait at the exit. When they were done, Garrett & I would go through the fast pass line. Garrett got to ride things twice and Glenn & I both got to enjoy the rides without having to worry about what to do with Colby, or wasting too much time.
9 – Pin Trading. It’s been going on about 10 years and it was fun. Buy a lanyard. Glenn & I bought the plastic card holder for ours so we could carry the tickets/keys and have them ready whenever we needed them. And then buy pins at every park. The kids got into the trading. It’s a souvenir you can add to over time and it’s a lot of fun to go through them all at the shops to find just the right pin.
10 – Rest. We learned after the first day to walk slowly in the park. Take our time. Stop every so often and look at the maps. Maybe find a playground (if there was one) and rest. The kids weren’t so cranky and whiny if we did that. And felt like they had some say in the process as we’d sit down with the map and figure out which section to go to next. And water. We did buy a lot of water. It kept everyone refreshed – even if we did have to stop at the bathrooms more often.
11 – PARADES/Shows. No one does a parade like Disney – not even Macy’s. And there are no better shows on the planet. “Fantasmic” is phenomenal. The “Spectro Magic” parade is amazing. Both my kids still hum or sing the songs while playing or cleaning. Get a schedule and see as many as possible. It’s also good sit down time. (see above “rest”)
12 – Go in the Fall. We went to the modified calendar this year in Sumner County and we planned our trip for fall break. It was the least crowded I have ever seen it. And even though it was hot the week we were there, most Octobers are very mild in Orlando. And it doesn’t rain as much. I've been in summer, spring break and Christmas and this was the best time of year that I've been.
I’m sure there are one or two other things I could mention – and will if you ask me. If you’re my Facebook friend, I have tons of pictures online. My kids are 9 & 5 – almost the perfect ages. It was a fantastic trip. I’m not one to go the same place every year, but I would go back to Disney next year. I’d go back every year till my kids were too old if we could afford it. As it is, we’ll probably go back in 3 or 4 years. When Colby will actually ride the rides.
For us, that week, it really was the “Happiest Place on Earth”. But then, if my family is with me, any place is…
Thursday, September 10
September 11
Tomorrow is September 11. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. I was in the kitchen helping my barely 1-year old eat breakfast when my phone rang. We hadn't even turned the TV on in my house yet. So, I turned it on and didn't even settle on the couch, just sat on the edge of the coffee table mesmerized and unbearably sad. By the time I saw it, both towers had been hit. But everything else, I saw live.
Use this weekend to thank someone. A soldier, firefighter, police officer. Remember the New York City firefighters and police officers rushed into those buildings while everyone else was rushing out. Remember that police officers and firefighters all over this country do the same thing every day to protect those they serve.
Remember that our military is stationed all over the world to protect us and others from the same fate. They are away from their friends and families for months, maybe even years, at a time. Remember that our military is 100% volunteer.
Celebrate the unity this country achieved on that day. Celebrate the freedom we have to speak out against policies with which we disagree or in support of those with which we agree without retribution.
Pray for those that lead us. Pray for those that protect us. Pray for those that hate us. Pray that our children never have to experience something like that.
Use this weekend to thank someone. A soldier, firefighter, police officer. Remember the New York City firefighters and police officers rushed into those buildings while everyone else was rushing out. Remember that police officers and firefighters all over this country do the same thing every day to protect those they serve.
Remember that our military is stationed all over the world to protect us and others from the same fate. They are away from their friends and families for months, maybe even years, at a time. Remember that our military is 100% volunteer.
Celebrate the unity this country achieved on that day. Celebrate the freedom we have to speak out against policies with which we disagree or in support of those with which we agree without retribution.
Pray for those that lead us. Pray for those that protect us. Pray for those that hate us. Pray that our children never have to experience something like that.
Wednesday, September 9
Dear Mr. Obama,
It's not that we, the American people, don't understand your healthcare reform plan. It's that WE DON'T WANT IT.
More Thoughts on "The Speech"
Okay. I read it. I really did. It wouldn't have changed my decision and it doesn't make me regret my decision. I told my children basically what he said. And again, my 4th grader says "we hear that all the time". Just proof that my kids didn't need the president to tell them.
The speech was good. And there are probably some children that needed to hear that. That don't hear it at home, or need to hear it from someone besides their parents.
My problem was never with the speech. But with the timing of it - why during school and only available on the internet for the kids? And with the curriculum recommendations made by the federal department of education.
At any rate, it's over.
The speech was good. And there are probably some children that needed to hear that. That don't hear it at home, or need to hear it from someone besides their parents.
My problem was never with the speech. But with the timing of it - why during school and only available on the internet for the kids? And with the curriculum recommendations made by the federal department of education.
At any rate, it's over.
Tuesday, September 8
Thoughts on "The Speech"
My children aren't going. Thank goodness my county gave parents the option. I can tell you, if it hadn't, my children would not have gone to school. Every parent needs to make that decision for themselves and their children based on their beliefs and values. I will not criticize anyone's decision. Everyone raises their children differently. But here are my thoughts, and the reasons we made the decision we did.
1 - My children are 9 & 5. In Kindergarten and 4th grade. The speech will most certainly be over the little one's head and some of it may be over the bigger one's. It's also scheduled for an hour - do you know any children that young that will acutally pay attention for that long?
2 - I don't understand its necessity. To encourage children to stay in school? I drive mine every day - they don't have a choice. To encourage them to try their best? Here's the conversation I had with my 4th grader this morning:
3 - It just doesn't smell right. Why not do this in the speech in conjunction with his joint session of congress speech later this week? Why not just set aside part of that to address school aged children? My opinion on this is that he knows he's not good for ratings any more and a lot of adults won't be watching it - much less calling their children in for a portion. They keep saying other presidents have done this. Including both Bushes. But I just don't remember - and I was in high-school during the first Bush administration. I was old enough for my parents to have discussed it with me if a permission slip like the one we got this week had been sent home. I think he did it as part of a prime time address. And I've had school-aged children for most of the 2nd Bush administration and nothing like this has ever happened.
4 - No one speaks to my child without my permission. I have developed some kind of relationship with every teacher they have ever had. Every one. It's my job to stay on top of what's going on in their schools. To communicate with them about what they are being taught and communicate with the teacher about what's going on in the classroom. Any classroom. I know who's coming in to talk with them. I know more than half of the 4th grade parents also. So, I know what adults my children are around. I know when a speaker is coming to school what he/she is going to talk about in general. Because of these relationships, I have come to trust the adults in charge of my children's education. And I don't trust this president. I just don't think he ever tells the whole truth. I think it's wrong of the administration to all but demand schools show this speech and I think it's wrong of a school district to force a parent to opt out. We should have had to opt in - like we do for everything else.
5 - The hours my children are in school are for education. If education is so important, why take an hour out of the educational day to impress on students how important education is?
6 - The curriculum suggestions. Rumor or not, they were out there. And the wording was suspect. It was changed also. If nothing was wrong with the questions teachers were encouraged to get students to answer, why were they changed? And even if all of this is rumor, rumors generally have some basis in fact. Why should my Kindergartner have to color a picture of the president? He knows who he is. In fact, prior to the election both of my children (my youngest at the time was barely 4) could recognize all 4 candidates on the top 2 tickets. Why should my 4th grader have to write a letter saying how he can help the president achieve his goals? He needs to worry about how he's going to read 24 books this year and work toward achieving his own goals. Not to mention that there should be no loyalty to the president but to the country he serves.
Somone asked me last week would I have made the same decision if it had been President McCain doing this. I think so. I don't think it's appropriate. But honestly, I don't think a President McCain would have been arrogant enough to do this. I was also asked, what if he was coming to your school. First of all, he wouldn't, it's a largely conservative area and it would be a waste of his time. But my kids would go see him, sure. I would go with them. That's a once in a lifetime opportunity. This president is on TV every other night for some reason or other. So they won't be missing anything. Will I let them watch the speech later? My 4th grader, maybe. As long as I'm with him and I can explain things in more detail. Or note if I think he's said something out of line. My Kindergartner, nah, he's just too young and won't do anything but say "hey, that's Barack Obama" over and over.
I've said this a lot this week: It is the teachers' job to educate my children and the teachers at our elementary school are doing a fantastic job. It is my job to impress on them how important school is. We're doing a good job of that. Both of my kids love school. Yes, that's in their nature, but if we weren't always encouraging them, that would fade. My 4th grader was ready to go back after only a few days of summer. It's my job to encourage them to try their best. From time to time they struggle with that, but there are consequences for not doing your best. So far, we haven't had any major issues with behavior or bad grades, so we must be doing fairly well with that also. None of this is the president's job and if that's what his speech is about, my kids don't need it. If it's about more than that, I don't want my kids to be used in politics that way.
1 - My children are 9 & 5. In Kindergarten and 4th grade. The speech will most certainly be over the little one's head and some of it may be over the bigger one's. It's also scheduled for an hour - do you know any children that young that will acutally pay attention for that long?
2 - I don't understand its necessity. To encourage children to stay in school? I drive mine every day - they don't have a choice. To encourage them to try their best? Here's the conversation I had with my 4th grader this morning:
Him: What am I going to miss in the president's speech?
Me: I don't know all of it. But I know he wants to talk about how important
school is and how you should do your best.
Him: But you've told me that every day since I started Kindergarten!
3 - It just doesn't smell right. Why not do this in the speech in conjunction with his joint session of congress speech later this week? Why not just set aside part of that to address school aged children? My opinion on this is that he knows he's not good for ratings any more and a lot of adults won't be watching it - much less calling their children in for a portion. They keep saying other presidents have done this. Including both Bushes. But I just don't remember - and I was in high-school during the first Bush administration. I was old enough for my parents to have discussed it with me if a permission slip like the one we got this week had been sent home. I think he did it as part of a prime time address. And I've had school-aged children for most of the 2nd Bush administration and nothing like this has ever happened.
4 - No one speaks to my child without my permission. I have developed some kind of relationship with every teacher they have ever had. Every one. It's my job to stay on top of what's going on in their schools. To communicate with them about what they are being taught and communicate with the teacher about what's going on in the classroom. Any classroom. I know who's coming in to talk with them. I know more than half of the 4th grade parents also. So, I know what adults my children are around. I know when a speaker is coming to school what he/she is going to talk about in general. Because of these relationships, I have come to trust the adults in charge of my children's education. And I don't trust this president. I just don't think he ever tells the whole truth. I think it's wrong of the administration to all but demand schools show this speech and I think it's wrong of a school district to force a parent to opt out. We should have had to opt in - like we do for everything else.
5 - The hours my children are in school are for education. If education is so important, why take an hour out of the educational day to impress on students how important education is?
6 - The curriculum suggestions. Rumor or not, they were out there. And the wording was suspect. It was changed also. If nothing was wrong with the questions teachers were encouraged to get students to answer, why were they changed? And even if all of this is rumor, rumors generally have some basis in fact. Why should my Kindergartner have to color a picture of the president? He knows who he is. In fact, prior to the election both of my children (my youngest at the time was barely 4) could recognize all 4 candidates on the top 2 tickets. Why should my 4th grader have to write a letter saying how he can help the president achieve his goals? He needs to worry about how he's going to read 24 books this year and work toward achieving his own goals. Not to mention that there should be no loyalty to the president but to the country he serves.
Somone asked me last week would I have made the same decision if it had been President McCain doing this. I think so. I don't think it's appropriate. But honestly, I don't think a President McCain would have been arrogant enough to do this. I was also asked, what if he was coming to your school. First of all, he wouldn't, it's a largely conservative area and it would be a waste of his time. But my kids would go see him, sure. I would go with them. That's a once in a lifetime opportunity. This president is on TV every other night for some reason or other. So they won't be missing anything. Will I let them watch the speech later? My 4th grader, maybe. As long as I'm with him and I can explain things in more detail. Or note if I think he's said something out of line. My Kindergartner, nah, he's just too young and won't do anything but say "hey, that's Barack Obama" over and over.
I've said this a lot this week: It is the teachers' job to educate my children and the teachers at our elementary school are doing a fantastic job. It is my job to impress on them how important school is. We're doing a good job of that. Both of my kids love school. Yes, that's in their nature, but if we weren't always encouraging them, that would fade. My 4th grader was ready to go back after only a few days of summer. It's my job to encourage them to try their best. From time to time they struggle with that, but there are consequences for not doing your best. So far, we haven't had any major issues with behavior or bad grades, so we must be doing fairly well with that also. None of this is the president's job and if that's what his speech is about, my kids don't need it. If it's about more than that, I don't want my kids to be used in politics that way.
Friday, September 4
WOW!
Has it really been more than 4 months?! BTW, it's also been that long since I've read any blogs, too. It's been a busy summer with baseball and all the other things we've had going on.
Both boys have been in school just a little over a month. Colby is still learning the ropes and this week wasn't great, but he's learning and that's what's important. Garrett loves school, so I knew there weren't going to be any problems there. He's had a great year so far. We're happy with both teachers - I should say here that I've NEVER been disappointed with a teacher.
Both played baseball this summer which took up most of our free time. Add to that scout camp and once a month scout activities and we just were not home much at all. Both of them loved it and Garrett's going to be pretty good at it, I think.
They both had birthdays last month, so they are now 9 & 5. To have my baby turn 5 is a little overwhelming. I guess I shouldn't call him "the baby" any more. But I'm afraid that's what he'll always be. We didn't have any kind of big party since we're planning a big trip next month. And we just don't need any more stuff in this house, so I didn't want a bunch of kids bringing random toys as presents. And, quite frankly, we were just too crazy to plan anything.
It doesn't sound like we did a lot, but we just weren't home a lot. We managed to have some fun. We spent a lot of nights & Saturdays (after baseball ended) at The Streets playing in the fountain or at the park with the big playground. It was a mild summer for Tennessee so we weren't cooped up all summer and we spent a lot of time outside - away from the computer.
I'm sure I'll catch up on my reading and posting in the near future - maybe...Happy Fall Y'all!
Both boys have been in school just a little over a month. Colby is still learning the ropes and this week wasn't great, but he's learning and that's what's important. Garrett loves school, so I knew there weren't going to be any problems there. He's had a great year so far. We're happy with both teachers - I should say here that I've NEVER been disappointed with a teacher.
Both played baseball this summer which took up most of our free time. Add to that scout camp and once a month scout activities and we just were not home much at all. Both of them loved it and Garrett's going to be pretty good at it, I think.
They both had birthdays last month, so they are now 9 & 5. To have my baby turn 5 is a little overwhelming. I guess I shouldn't call him "the baby" any more. But I'm afraid that's what he'll always be. We didn't have any kind of big party since we're planning a big trip next month. And we just don't need any more stuff in this house, so I didn't want a bunch of kids bringing random toys as presents. And, quite frankly, we were just too crazy to plan anything.
It doesn't sound like we did a lot, but we just weren't home a lot. We managed to have some fun. We spent a lot of nights & Saturdays (after baseball ended) at The Streets playing in the fountain or at the park with the big playground. It was a mild summer for Tennessee so we weren't cooped up all summer and we spent a lot of time outside - away from the computer.
I'm sure I'll catch up on my reading and posting in the near future - maybe...Happy Fall Y'all!
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