We have quartz. LOVE them. they cannot be damaged or stained at all. Believe me, we've done everything to these countertops and they still look new eight years later. I can't comment on American made vs. Chinese made or the prices because ours are quite old now.

Oh man. that Quantum of the Seas looks incredible!!!! We hope to do that in a couple years when the prices come down a bit. You'll have to post how you like Norwegian. We are sailing them (the Getaway) next year. I'm overwhelmed by the new ship. We usually sail Disney or Royal Caribbean, but we couldn't pass up the amazing deal on the Getaway! You'll have a great time. Norwegian has a great reputation.

You'll be fine. It's a bit cramped, but, as someone else said, you won't be in your room often. We are a family of 6 and we usually end up with two connecting staterooms (with balconies if at all possible!!). And, the extra room (and the extra bathroom) is really nice. But, I'd do just about anything to get on a ship! I love cruising. That said, our next cruise is next month. We ended up with one room that sleeps 5. Should be interesting!!! But, it was cheapest to do that (my oldest isn't coming with us this time). Weather - don't sweat it. On our last cruise, the captain kept coming on and telling us how we were changing course to avoid a storm. It was fascinating to know that they could do that on the fly. We once cruised right after a typhoon in the Pacific. The waves were pretty big, but other than that, no issues. Now, the important stuff. Which cruise line????? How many days?

My daughter had that happen. Her tonsils were almost touching in the back. But it didn't cause any problems. So the doctor decided to wait it out. She's 8 now and her tonsils don't look as big anymore.

Go to Insuremytrip.com. check out prices for your trip for insurance. And, ask specifically about Windsor Hills. We've had to utilize our trip insurance once. EVERYTHING was covered. (Long story)

We loved the Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom. I always split my meal there with my daughter. Animal Kingdom - Flame Tree Barbecue. We get four full meals and split them 6 ways. (Three teen boys and an 8 yo dd) Nobody went hungry! Starring Rolls - In addition to the cupcakes, their sandwiches are HUGE. I order one sandwich and an extra bun and split the meat to make two sandwiches. There used to be a bakery on Main Street in MK that had HUGE cinnamon rolls. We split it three ways for a snack one day. We tried a new place at Epcot our last time there - Electric Umbrella, I think. They had a macaroni and cheese bacon burger meal that was EASILY split a couple ways. We usually go during Free Dining (and our first stop is ALWAYS Wolfgang Puck Express for our first lunch!). For us, that it the ulitmate in savings! But, if I had to pay - the things above are the things I'd do.

I place an order with them on my own about every 18 months and don't have trouble hitting that $400 minimum. Funny thing is, the deliver person was the same one my mom and dad have on the other side of the state. The man came to my house and carried everything inside for me and told me he remembered me and asked if I was the daughter of my parents (by name!). I was amazed!!!

I do! It's one of the ways we can afford to eat organic most of the time! My list includes: Popcorn Oatmeal Dried beans of all varieties Quinoa Couscous Wheat berries (All organic) I used to order nuts and pasta, but those are cheaper at trader joes. And the rice is a lot cheaper at costco.

I'm on my way out the door, but my first thought on the swollen hands is that if you're walking, your hands are down by your side, right? Gravity is making them swell. When you walk, move your arms as if you are running. It looks silly, but keeps the fingers from swelling like that.

Interesting! Our CCs are with Chase and they have that option as one of the first choices when you call the 800 number. But, we didn't call. We were within the US when they canceled our card both times. I always carry two cards just in case and BOTH were canceled. And, like you, I don't carry much cash. I think I had $40 on me, but that was needed for tips!

They shut ours down on two separate occasions. So, I would. What a pain, right?

My son used to get abdominal migraines. I forgot about that! He outgrew them. We treated with Advil and it worked. OP - has your son been checked for a hernia? Those would hurt more with sneezing, right?

While I appreciate the effort to take fraud seriously, I was in a real bind when I traveled to CA last month. I tried to buy groceries after a VERY long day and my CC was rejected. Actually, TWO of them were rejected - both with Chase. This happened to us two years ago too. We called at that point and asked if they would please call us before turning off our access to our card. I know I should have called ahead, but this was a last-minute trip and that detail was overlooked. It ended up ok after a 30 minute phone call to the credit card company. But there was a moment of panic because I didn't have enough cash for the rest of the trip!

Chef Mickey - We haven't been in a year, but it was just meh. I don't think we'll do it again anytime soon. If you don't want to do Rainforest after a day at Animal Kingdom, what about Boma at Animal Kingdom? African food and then you can go out afterward and see more animals. Be Our Guest was a fantastic experience. The theming in that place is incredible. And, we had the best waiter EVER when we went there. I hope you get it!

I agree with Dianne that Disney is the place to go for food allergies or intollerances. The reason we went to Disney in the first place was because my ds was peanut and tree nut allergic and they went all out for him. NO worries at all. It was a stress-free place to vacation. So, no worries there. If you stay on-property - check out the meal plan. We usually go when they offer free dining, which is a huge money-saver for our family. But others find it isn't. It just adds to the stress-free aspect of the trip! Also, think about a split stay. Stay off property first for a few nights. Then move on property and get a package that includes dining. Buy the park tickets with the package for the entire stay. So, for example, stay off property for five nights, on property for three. Buy 6 day park passes and the meal plan for the three days. (Saves money over staying all 8 nights on property and paying for the meal plan the entire stay, but it gives you a taste of it.) You can pick up your park passes at any of the parks up to two weeks (I think) ahead of your official Disney stay. Make sense? I'm not sure how all that would work with the new FastPass Magic Bands for the days before you check into WDW. So, you'd have to check that out. To be fair, I've never stayed anywhere but Windsor Hills when I've stayed off-property. So, we obviously think it's the way to go! Windsor Hills has some houses that have Disney themed rooms. If you search Windsor Hills, you can get a nice idea of what is available. Remember to save a couple days for WH itself. It's a resort in and of itself!

I agree with this. We've never had traffic when we stayed off site. And, often it was actually faster to get to our car and drive ourselves back to the off-site resort than waiting for the on-site transportation.. But, there is something about staying on-property that is just more magical. I have to say the worst traffic or transportation issues we've had have been when we've stayed on-site. We once went to dinner at CA Grill thinking that we could just grab Disney transportation back to MK and then back to Port Orleans. Well, MK had closed by the time we were done with dinner there, so busses weren't running to and from MK. Ugh. Took a little while to figure it out, but we did. (I think we ended up waiting for a bus back to Downtown Disney and then switched busses there back to POR.) Then, there was the time we were stuck on a Disney bus in traffic for 1.5 hours due to an accident. I know, it could have happened to us if we'd had our own transportation. BUT, my three teen boys and husband had given up their seats on the bus to others. They had to stand for that time. If we'd been in our own car, we'd at least have been sitting down! Anyway, we've done both and really like both. BUT they are definitely different vacations.

If I were you, I'd plan on more time there. We always plan a day or two off from the parks just to enjoy the resort and Downtown Disney. If you decide to do SeaWorld and Universal and three of the Disney parks? I'd stay a lot longer! For our family dynamics, we'd need 7 - 8 days. We always take 2 days at Epcot and Magic Kingdom each. We can usually get everything we want done at Disney Studios in a day. You'll have so much fun - especially that time of year. If you can help it, don't go over a three day weekend!!!

We've done both on-site and off-site. They are very different trips. Here's a quick run-down of our opinions of each: On site pros: Disney Magic (you'll get it after your trip!) Park your car and don't see it again until the end of your trip Amazing resorts and pools Extra Magic Hours (although our family has rarely ever used them - we're too tired!) Dining plan On site cons: Cost Small rooms Off-site pros: Large space Often the place you stay is a resort in and of itself (Windsor Hills!) Cheap Laundry in the room/condo You can cook your own food Off-site cons: The drive to the parks (although, we find that often it's faster to drive from Windsor Hills to a park (except Magic Kingdom) than it is to take the transportation on site) You lose some of the magic when you leave the site No meal plan at Disney Ok. I'm sure there are more things. We've stayed at Windsor Hills and had an AMAZING time. We always rent from a particular man (3 br, 2 bath condo) and go off season and pay no more than $90/night. But we love staying on property and getting the meal plan. It's a no-brainer vacation once you get there. We always get two rooms at Port Orleans Riverside. So, we all have beds and two baths. Off-property takes a little more planning once you are there. Honestly, we don't find the drive an issue each day (but be sure to budget parking at $14/day, I think).

I'm in my 40s and I do extreme exercise and I look nothing like those women. I do it because I love the way it makes me feel. I am sooooo strong! I can keep up with the kids even when it means a day full of high-intensity activities. That's my goal.

I agree. And, I LOVE Orlando. So, I'd head on over to Clearwater Beach and see the Aquarium there. Maybe spend some time on the beach. I would not go near a theme park that week! (But, that's just me and YMMV!)

:) Thanks. My focus is definitely on the youngers now. I hadn't started thinking about their schooling for next year much. And, I know there's still a long time. But, it's only two more years until the next one leaves. I guess I just keep thinking that all I am is a mom. (Not that that's a bad thing.) But, this is the start of the realization that I might need something more. Or, when the last one leaves it'll be even harder. So, who am I? (Midlife crisis much???) ((hugs)) Little things would set me off for a couple months before Sam left too. I was seriously thinking I was going to need to see a therapist! A support group would be wonderful! You can be both! I'm SO excited and proud of my son for all he has done. And, I'm still really, really sad for me. Ugh. This is good to hear. Thank you. This is the best idea yet!!! We should move the family up to be with him!! Huh. Why didn't I think of that before!? Really? Damn. A month? Nooooooo! Sam has been a butthead now for about a month. The last few days he got sweet again. I just have to get my emotions under control! I met a woman today who asked me the ages of my kids and I teared up telling her that Sam was at college. Seriously????!!! It is early. He's at a coop school. He will take a semester worth of classes in 12 weeks. Then, he'll work at a coop (his is at Chrysler) for 12 weeks. This goes on for five years. He graduates with a degree AND two years' experience in the field. It's a GREAT program. He got his schedule! I'm intimidated for him! Honors Calc II Economics Chemistry Communications First Year (not sure what this is!) 17 hours!

My dd's mosquito bites look like this. Is it hot too? Does it itch? I think I'd try giving Benadryl and seeing if that helps. In the meantime, mark the redness with a pen to see if it grows.

You know, I'm not even sure WHY I'm so upset. When he lived here, he never was HERE anyway! He was always out with friends. But, seeing my daughter say goodbye put me over the edge. She keeps asking when he's coming home again. They are REALLY close. My little family is changed forever and I don't like it.

My son did both! He took the College Algebra course at the local CC and everything else with Derek Owens (including pre-calc - we didn't realize how much overlap there was. But, it was a great way to cement everything!). He went through AP calc with DO. FWIW - he tested into honors calc 2 in college at an engineering school!! So, Derek's courses prepare you well! If your son is very well-motivated, could he condense DO's classes into one semester?

Those of you who have been through this, how long is this depressed feeling going to last? I'll be sitting here and just start crying. I hate this.