September 2011 - The Planning Has Started!!!

[lemonsours]

Wow, this is the first time in a while I haven't had multiple pages to catch up on by the end of the day!

A while back we talked about ways we save for Disney, and I'm sure most of us are saving our change, but we make it fun and educational for the kids by separating the different denominations into different banks. We have them all lined up on the counter, and they separate the day's change into them. We don't have disney banks, but that would make it even more fun!

 

[jodebode]

Excellent news for us... earlier this week I checked airfare (like I've been doing 2-3 times a week for the past 6 months) and Allegiant had nonstop flights from DSM to Orlando for $50.99 each way. The only problem was that Allegiant doesn't fly DSM to Orlando on Friday, like we'd originally planned so somehow I was able to talk DH into adding 2 days to the front of our trip. So now our vacation will begin on Wed 9/14 instead of Friday 9/16 and we'll be at Disney for 10 days instead of 8. Yippee!!

It makes sense to add two days to your vacation in order to save a couple hundred bucks, right? In my vacation-loving mind it does!

 

[MikellaCinderella]

congrats on a semester done!!!!

We too are very busy. Sydney has dance competition the last weekend of April so they will be in the studio EVERY DAY next week. and extra wkend practices tonight, Sun, etc. I have managed to finish this for Syd even after jamming issues with the sewing machine which I have temporarly fixed.
Here is the end result...the pic is' kinda grainy its from my Blackberry. And don't mind Syd's bed head

Thanks! But I still have 4 more super busy weeks of the semester left

I love that pattern you used for the top. You are on a roll!

 

[MikellaCinderella]

Excellent news for us... earlier this week I checked airfare (like I've been doing 2-3 times a week for the past 6 months) and Allegiant had nonstop flights from DSM to Orlando for $50.99 each way. The only problem was that Allegiant doesn't fly DSM to Orlando on Friday, like we'd originally planned so somehow I was able to talk DH into adding 2 days to the front of our trip. So now our vacation will begin on Wed 9/14 instead of Friday 9/16 and we'll be at Disney for 10 days instead of 8. Yippee!!

It makes sense to add two days to your vacation in order to save a couple hundred bucks, right? In my vacation-loving mind it does!

Woo hoo!! Way to go! Airfare is on sale here as well....I need to get my butt in gear and book ours! I keep holding out because I figure as soon as I book airfare Disney will go and put out a new offer and I won't be able to change my dates at that point. Think I'm gonna go ahead and book it in the next few days....it's not looking promising for a new offer.

And YES......even just to save a dollar it would be worth it to stay two extra days at Disney!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Woo hoo!! Way to go! Airfare is on sale here as well....I need to get my butt in gear and book ours! I keep holding out because I figure as soon as I book airfare Disney will go and put out a new offer and I won't be able to change my dates at that point. Think I'm gonna go ahead and book it in the next few days....it's not looking promising for a new offer.

And YES......even just to save a dollar it would be worth it to stay two extra days at Disney!

Amy--thanks about the top... My friends (NY) I am traveling with have decided I have done such a good job that I am the girl to make the MK tops for all 5 girls...I said of course but I am not sure there was a compliment in that idea or an.."I don't wanna do it" So I am gonna try and at get 2 of them done over Easter break, however I have alot of running the dancer in my life so we shall see how far I get.

Amy-- just switch to my week....it's gotta be cheaper and more fun!!

 

[lemonsours]

Woo hoo!! Way to go! Airfare is on sale here as well....I need to get my butt in gear and book ours! I keep holding out because I figure as soon as I book airfare Disney will go and put out a new offer and I won't be able to change my dates at that point. Think I'm gonna go ahead and book it in the next few days....it's not looking promising for a new offer.

And YES......even just to save a dollar it would be worth it to stay two extra days at Disney!

I am really stressing about the airfare--I can't book it because I don't know where we'll be in September. We are trying to relocate and I don't want to risk having to change the flights and pay the change fee.
On the plus side, one of the possibilities is FL, in which case we wouldn't have to fly!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Hey Amy...where is IL do you live? Are u close to Aurora or Chicago? We are coming there April 28th. Syd has competition there that weekend. Friday we are going into downtown. Hitting AG, FAO, Old Navy(3 stories--woohoo), and a chicago dog, and deep dish pizza...so excited!!

 

[JewelsG]

Amy--thanks about the top... My friends (NY) I am traveling with have decided I have done such a good job that I am the girl to make the MK tops for all 5 girls...I said of course but I am not sure there was a compliment in that idea or an.."I don't wanna do it" So I am gonna try and at get 2 of them done over Easter break, however I have alot of running the dancer in my life so we shall see how far I get.

Amy-- just switch to my week....it's gotta be cheaper and more fun!!

hey - if you're in a sewing mode, feel free to make my two girls one each as well... jk... i got some cute material today - not sure what to use it for yet but lots of time... they grow so quick I'd hate for them to grow out of them before we even get there...

Amy - I'm with Michelle - just go when we are

 

[basketkat]

Hey Amy...where is IL do you live? Are u close to Aurora or Chicago? We are coming there April 28th. Syd has competition there that weekend. Friday we are going into downtown. Hitting AG, FAO, Old Navy(3 stories--woohoo), and a chicago dog, and deep dish pizza...so excited!!

Sounds like so much fun!!! We live close enough to Chicago that we can take the train in for a day of fun!

Have you ever been to AG? If you want your girls doll to get her hair done or get her ears pierced go STRAIGHT there so you don't have a long wait.

And we love the big Old Navy!!! Have fun!!!!

 

[JewelsG]

Sounds like so much fun!!! We live close enough to Chicago that we can take the train in for a day of fun!

Have you ever been to AG? If you want your girls doll to get her hair done or get her ears pierced go STRAIGHT there so you don't have a long wait.

And we love the big Old Navy!!! Have fun!!!!

What is AG?

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

What is AG?

American Girl!!

 

[JewelsG]

American Girl!!

I think I've heard of that - aren't there books based around that?

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

I think I've heard of that - aren't there books based around that?

YES....dolls, accessories, etc. we have 2 bitty babies, 3 AG dolls . clothes, beds, oh goodness tons!!

 

[JewelsG]

YES....dolls, accessories, etc. we have 2 bitty babies, 3 AG dolls . clothes, beds, oh goodness tons!!

Mine isn't into girlie things much - probably why we really haven't gotten into it... lol - HUGE Star Wars fan though - did you see the viral video of the little girl who wanted to cross to the Dark Side at DHS - that would SOOOOOO be my daughter if given the chance... she'd rather fight with Darth Vader than fight against him... what's a mom to do...

on the plus side she totally LOVES Rapunzel - Thank you Disney for bringing out a rough & tumble princess... lol

 

[Smile4Me]

Ome of these trips I will do the Behind the Seeds tour ... it sounds great!

Some of my favorite parts of this tour include getting to feed some of the fish, seeing the insects they use to help keep the plants healthy, being up close to the hydroponic plants, and actually getting to try some of the produce! I highly recommend it!

Thanks for posting that link! I'm so glad Movies is getting refurbed! We had thought about staying there before but always heard how run-down the rooms were. I'd love to try to stay in the Toy Story section sometime but we do love Pop and I hope next time we can stay at AoA!

I have bought a few summer things for my girls but I need to go and buy some more too! My girls never seem to have enough clothes and all my 4 year old ever wants to wear is dresses ...so I need to stock up on some more of those

We're keeping our eyes on AoA as well! Although it is expected to open in 2012, at one point, Disney mentioned the opening as 2013. But here is a somewhat recent opening schedule:

Finding Nemo suites expected to open May 2012
Cars suites will open next
Lion King suites will open after that (1,120 total suites among the three suite-themes)
Little Mermaid hotel rooms will open December 2012 (864 rooms)

After our September trip, we will be expecting to go back in December 2012 and stay at the Little Mermaid wing. I hope they stay on schedule!!

I see I'm not the only person excited about staying at AOA someday! I'm hoping we can take my boyfriend's niece and his sister someday and figure this will be the place to stay!

congrats on a semester done!!!!

We too are very busy. Sydney has dance competition the last weekend of April so they will be in the studio EVERY DAY next week. and extra wkend practices tonight, Sun, etc. I have managed to finish this for Syd even after jamming issues with the sewing machine which I have temporarly fixed.
Here is the end result...the pic is' kinda grainy its from my Blackberry. And don't mind Syd's bed head

SO CUTE! I'd love a top like that to wear with some black leggings or capris!

Excellent news for us... earlier this week I checked airfare (like I've been doing 2-3 times a week for the past 6 months) and Allegiant had nonstop flights from DSM to Orlando for $50.99 each way. The only problem was that Allegiant doesn't fly DSM to Orlando on Friday, like we'd originally planned so somehow I was able to talk DH into adding 2 days to the front of our trip. So now our vacation will begin on Wed 9/14 instead of Friday 9/16 and we'll be at Disney for 10 days instead of 8. Yippee!!

It makes sense to add two days to your vacation in order to save a couple hundred bucks, right? In my vacation-loving mind it does!

Congratulations on getting your flights booked!

Last couple nights I have been having dreams about Animal Kingdom! I love walking through the lush trails in the sunshine. Goodness I am so ready for vacation! We had snow showers here this morning...when will it finally get warm and stay warm!!!???!!!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Last couple nights I have been having dreams about Animal Kingdom! I love walking through the lush trails in the sunshine. Goodness I am so ready for vacation! We had snow showers here this morning...when will it finally get warm and stay warm!!!???!!!

Today has been a miserable day here too! Snow flurries, rain, windy, cold...

Warmer days can't get here soon enough!

 

[Smile4Me]

Wanted to let everyone know that Princess and the Frog is on Starz Family right now and on StarzW all 3 Toy Stories are about to play! In fact they are playing all three a couple more times this weekend! I'll probably watch all three a couple times too!

 

[JewelsG]

American Girl!!

Okay so here is my first attempt - thinking it would look better on our friend's daughter - a little big on our daughter... lol... sorry about graininess - had to use laptop - camera batteries dead...

My daugter Kelly in my first attempt at a pillowcase dress... lol - its a pattern I didn't realize i had

 

[KellyWasHere]

Some of my favorite parts of this tour include getting to feed some of the fish, seeing the insects they use to help keep the plants healthy, being up close to the hydroponic plants, and actually getting to try some of the produce! I highly recommend it!

Wow, that sounds wonderful!

 

[MamaJessie]

jewelsg - good job! I love your daughter's haircut. None of my girls have had hair straight enough for something like that to work and I have always loved that look.

I have vacation fever. My oldest dd just had her tonsils/adnoids out and I just want to take a break from all the mundane and chores and get away. Come on September!!!!!!!!!!

I am starting to run out of lists to make ...