Last Wednesday I talked to a friend of mine at church who told me to be sure to make reservations at any restaurant there that I want to eat at, especially if there's character dining because it books up fast and then you'll have to wait a long time. Sometimes you need to book 6-12 months in advance. I know she didn't mean to freak me out but she totally did. I don't even know why. I only have one restaurant that I desperately want to eat at.the T-Rex (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/downtown-disney/t-rex/) in Downtown Disney. It does accept reservations but, sheesh, it's not the end of the world if we don't get to eat there (even if it's based off of the end of the world for the dinosaur's. ha). I think I panicked because I was worried for my friend, Sommer, who does want to do character dining (which we don't plan to do). I ended up having dreams about our Disney trip just being a complete flop because we couldn't get into anywhere. By the next morning I was ready to just put all my Disney stuff away and swear off of it for a while.. Clearly I needed an intervention. Thankfully, it didn't actually come to that. Ha!
The next day I did throw away my countdown to Six Flags and my countdown to Chicago. I had way too many countdowns. It was pretty ridiculous. I realized that having so many countdowns distracted me from enjoying the now and there was plenty to enjoy right now! My youngest having Kindergarten Round-up and my older boy finally feeling confident on a bike, just to mention a few.. As long as I kept those things in perspective, I should be alright. Not only that, but the excitement really seems to have gotten to my husband.
Just yesterday he pulled up the Mickey Site and Sound parade on you tube to see what it was about and wanted me to sit and watch it with him.. Then, while were were grocery shopping he noticed that Mio was advertising new flavors... He wanted to try a bunch of them (you know, so we can figure out which ones we like to bring next year). It was so cute to get a glimpse at my excitement in someone-else eyes. He even talked about it while getting his haircut.( in code of course, our boys were also there getting their hair cut).
My oldest is going to celebrate his 8th birthday on Wednesday and I'm so excited for him. 1) because it's just so hard to believe he's been in our lives for 8 years. 2) He's been so much fun to watch grow up so far 3) That really marks the 1 year mark until we go on our trip. I sat with him on his bed last night and we were talking about his birthday and how excited he was and how happy he was having his birthday party and the science place here in town. Then I asked him "Hey, if you could go ANYWHERE right now, where would you want to go?"
He responded with "I want to save up my money and go to Disney in CA or Disney World... Yeah Disney World first. But I need to put more money in my cow bank." It was so sweet. We've been able to keep Disney a secret for this long because we've told them exactly how much money it costs and how we are going to have to save up for a loooonnngggg time to be able to go there. I can't wait until next year when I ask him that question again only to fulfill it a few days later.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Overwhelmed and strange dreams
I was looking up fun trivia books about Disney and hidden Mickey's the other day. I thought it might be fun to have them to look at on the plane ride. I found some pretty cool books. I might even get one for Sommer... But I was also overwhelmed by some of the trivia I read. Mainly, that all of Disney Land can fit int he parking lot of Disney World. All I know is Disney Land... WTH am I getting into with Disney World? I already thought Disney Land was big enough. Holy Crikies! My husband mentioned that, perhaps, I'm trying to squeeze too much into this vacation, what with autograph books, trading pins, and trying to find hidden Mickey's on top of riding the rides that will be all new to our kids. He might be right.. but I really think the finding hidden Mickey thing is more for me anyway.
I get that it's one year away, but now that I'm starting to wrap my brain around just how HUGE this place is and ALL the things you could possibly do there, I'm working hard not to hyperventilate. I have to accept the fact that we won't be able to do everything. That's just ridiculous. So we're going to have to prioritize things... and there's only a certain amount of decision we can allow the boys to have in the process. Not because they're incapable but because it seems that God has designed them to want to do the opposite things as each other... And that might work for one or two situations but not all of them.
I'm beyond grateful that Sommer is going first. To know how they do it, and during one of the busiest times, will help me feel more at ease and sort out what's realistic and what's not. I know I could take all my info over to Rob's house too to get some peace of mind. Haha.. Actually, seeing the look on his face and listening to the way he bubbled on about Disney when he saw us this weekend makes me thing that I might be treading into dangerous territory for him and his wife... I might end up convincing him that they should really go again.
I suppose on the bright side, I can feel better knowing that the planning isn't really done. I do get kind of sad/bored sometimes when I've got nothing to do for this trip. I can't book my time share places until the end of the year... I can't book the plane or car rental until about March... The only thing I can do between now and then is buy little tid bits and trinkets to put into the kids overnight bags so we don't have to trip off any alarms with why their tooth brushes are gone in the morning or where xyz is, etc. Now that I can add, organizing a priority list of stuff to do while there, that'll keep me plenty occupied until then.
As for the strange dream, I dreampt that I could "jump" (teleport) and so I jumped my family to Disney Land... but it was old school Disney Land. Back when the characters roamed the park instead of being in one set location. And the old school characters where there, like the Three Little Pigs and an older fashioned looking Mickey Mouse, etc. The kids were super excited to meet them all and hug them and get their pictures taken, etc. Then we'd jump back to our hotel room to chill out for a while. Everything took a strange twist from there though... Because my darn logical side kicked in... Logically no one can "jump" so every time I would try I would fail or I'd end up in the middle of a road about a block away or something. I was able to jump all the way to the gate but couldn't seem to jump INTO the park... Then I realized that we had gone further back in time and had jumped back to the time when you had to have tickets to get on the ride, like E-tickets or A-tickets or whatever they're called... So even if I did get into the park, I'd have no way to get on the ride because I wouldn't have any tickets. *sigh*
I get that it's one year away, but now that I'm starting to wrap my brain around just how HUGE this place is and ALL the things you could possibly do there, I'm working hard not to hyperventilate. I have to accept the fact that we won't be able to do everything. That's just ridiculous. So we're going to have to prioritize things... and there's only a certain amount of decision we can allow the boys to have in the process. Not because they're incapable but because it seems that God has designed them to want to do the opposite things as each other... And that might work for one or two situations but not all of them.
I'm beyond grateful that Sommer is going first. To know how they do it, and during one of the busiest times, will help me feel more at ease and sort out what's realistic and what's not. I know I could take all my info over to Rob's house too to get some peace of mind. Haha.. Actually, seeing the look on his face and listening to the way he bubbled on about Disney when he saw us this weekend makes me thing that I might be treading into dangerous territory for him and his wife... I might end up convincing him that they should really go again.
I suppose on the bright side, I can feel better knowing that the planning isn't really done. I do get kind of sad/bored sometimes when I've got nothing to do for this trip. I can't book my time share places until the end of the year... I can't book the plane or car rental until about March... The only thing I can do between now and then is buy little tid bits and trinkets to put into the kids overnight bags so we don't have to trip off any alarms with why their tooth brushes are gone in the morning or where xyz is, etc. Now that I can add, organizing a priority list of stuff to do while there, that'll keep me plenty occupied until then.
As for the strange dream, I dreampt that I could "jump" (teleport) and so I jumped my family to Disney Land... but it was old school Disney Land. Back when the characters roamed the park instead of being in one set location. And the old school characters where there, like the Three Little Pigs and an older fashioned looking Mickey Mouse, etc. The kids were super excited to meet them all and hug them and get their pictures taken, etc. Then we'd jump back to our hotel room to chill out for a while. Everything took a strange twist from there though... Because my darn logical side kicked in... Logically no one can "jump" so every time I would try I would fail or I'd end up in the middle of a road about a block away or something. I was able to jump all the way to the gate but couldn't seem to jump INTO the park... Then I realized that we had gone further back in time and had jumped back to the time when you had to have tickets to get on the ride, like E-tickets or A-tickets or whatever they're called... So even if I did get into the park, I'd have no way to get on the ride because I wouldn't have any tickets. *sigh*
Monday, April 22, 2013
Project time! Yay!!
Sommer and I finally got together and were able to work on some of our crafting projects together. We made a countdown frame, photo frame and autograph books. I took a step further and made luggage tags while Sommer also decided to make some photo albums for the kids.
I've got some nice close ups that I haven't downloaded off of my camera yet but Sommer was gracious enough to take a couple of snap shots that I can share. Please also enjoy the ridiculous "mickey" pepperoni pizza in the background and the other odds and ends that made it into the shots.
Here is what I put together, from left to right: Luggage tags, Disney picture frame (please enjoy the childish drawing of Sommer and I enjoying Disney together), Pirate themed autograph book (with the initial J for my oldest boy), Brer Rabbit themed autograph book (with the initial W for my youngest boy) and Ariel countdown frame. (take dry erase marker and write on the glass over top of the Mickey Bubble to countdown to your trip.
Sommer's, I believe, turned out even more super fantastic.
From left to right: Photo album for one of her nieces, Disney World picture frame, Pluto themed autograph book for her daughter, pirate themed autograph book for her son, Awesome Mickey countdown frame and photo album for her daughter.
More to come.
I've got some nice close ups that I haven't downloaded off of my camera yet but Sommer was gracious enough to take a couple of snap shots that I can share. Please also enjoy the ridiculous "mickey" pepperoni pizza in the background and the other odds and ends that made it into the shots.
Sommer's, I believe, turned out even more super fantastic.
More to come.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Perfect plan, muahaha!
One of the things I've been kicking around, over and OVER again is this: How do we spring the surprise on our kids? What's the perfect way to do this? How do I keep this a secret for so long? How will I even be able to contain myself the day of?
While I can't answer those last few questions (as it's a year out and I clearly want to let the cat out of the bag, desperately).. I have come up with a beautiful scheme for the first two questions.
So what is my masterful plan? Well, it will require the help of my in-laws, which I figure will be no problem because I know my M.I.L really wants to see the kids faces when they figure it out. The night before we go, we'll have everything all packed up and put into my in-law's van. We'll get the kids backpacks packed up with their homework and carry on snacks, etc. In the morning, we'll treat it just like it's any other day of the week. They need to get up, get ready for school etc. However, if the weather co-operates, instead of driving them to school, we'll walk them to school. When they ask why Mommy and Daddy are BOTH walking them to school, we'll just tell them that we have the day off to get some things done around the house and thought it would be nice to walk them to school. I also figure we'll carry their back packs for them (they usually don't mind) that way there are no suspicions on why their bags are heavier than normal.
When we get to the school, Grandma and Poppa will be waiting there. We'll talk to them casually and they'll offer to take us on a special trip to CR for the day. (You know, to see my parents, the dogs, maybe watch some planes take off, etc.) Once the kids get excited about the prospect of skipping school for the day, we'll load them up and off to CR we go. Once we get to the airport we'll have Grandma or Poppa take them in to look at the neat stuff at the airport while the rest of us go park the van. That way, when they see us coming in with our luggage, they'll want to know what the heck is going on... And THAT is when we'll ask them "If you could fly anywhere in the whole world right now, where would you want to go?". They'll probably say "Texas" first (since that's where some of their cousins live) but we'll coax them into Disney pretty quickly and then there will be screaming and tears and laughter and pictures and..and.. I think that's the point where my heart explodes with joy! :)
While I can't answer those last few questions (as it's a year out and I clearly want to let the cat out of the bag, desperately).. I have come up with a beautiful scheme for the first two questions.
So what is my masterful plan? Well, it will require the help of my in-laws, which I figure will be no problem because I know my M.I.L really wants to see the kids faces when they figure it out. The night before we go, we'll have everything all packed up and put into my in-law's van. We'll get the kids backpacks packed up with their homework and carry on snacks, etc. In the morning, we'll treat it just like it's any other day of the week. They need to get up, get ready for school etc. However, if the weather co-operates, instead of driving them to school, we'll walk them to school. When they ask why Mommy and Daddy are BOTH walking them to school, we'll just tell them that we have the day off to get some things done around the house and thought it would be nice to walk them to school. I also figure we'll carry their back packs for them (they usually don't mind) that way there are no suspicions on why their bags are heavier than normal.
When we get to the school, Grandma and Poppa will be waiting there. We'll talk to them casually and they'll offer to take us on a special trip to CR for the day. (You know, to see my parents, the dogs, maybe watch some planes take off, etc.) Once the kids get excited about the prospect of skipping school for the day, we'll load them up and off to CR we go. Once we get to the airport we'll have Grandma or Poppa take them in to look at the neat stuff at the airport while the rest of us go park the van. That way, when they see us coming in with our luggage, they'll want to know what the heck is going on... And THAT is when we'll ask them "If you could fly anywhere in the whole world right now, where would you want to go?". They'll probably say "Texas" first (since that's where some of their cousins live) but we'll coax them into Disney pretty quickly and then there will be screaming and tears and laughter and pictures and..and.. I think that's the point where my heart explodes with joy! :)
Monday, April 8, 2013
Photo Pass Plus- Disney World
My, how quickly my husbands mind is changing towards things he had previously shot down. The biggest one being Photo Pass. When I originally discovered Photo Pass, it seemed a bit pricey ($165.00) but it also seemed pretty cool. Disney cast members would take pictures of your whole family in various poses and you could customize them as much as you wanted to. My hubby wasn't sold. That seemed like an awfully steep price and, come on, we'd both have cameras anyways AND the cast members would take pictures of us if we handed them our camera... We're really paying for the customization aren't we?
I understood where he was coming from so I gave up on it for a while. Then, while I was re-pinning things on Pinterest, I came across this pin called 101 tips for Disney World. Now, this isn't the first time I've pinned something similar but I figured, "Hey, you never know.. Maybe this one will have some tips I hadn't thought of yet.". I'm glad I did. As I was showing him the board and we were reading through the tips, one of the things it mentioned was Photo Pass plus, which was the same as regular Photo Pass BUT included your pictures from various rides. That perked him up right away. We like to see our pictures from the ride but we have never bought them before because they're ridiculously expensive (in our minds anyways).
We did a little more digging and found out that if you buy your Photo Pass Plus BEFORE you go, you save a ton of money. Right now they're selling for $149.00, that's even cheaper than buying regular Photo Pass at the gate. That was really all he needed to see to push him over the edge to want to buy it. Knowing that we could capture all sorts of great moments, customize the heck out of them AND have full access to all of our ride pictures sounded like a complete steal to him and he wanted me to buy the photo pass RIGHT there and then! Never have I been happier. To finally have my husband as excited about this vacation as I am feels amazingly wonderful.
For information about Photo Pass Plus, please check here:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/wdwppp.htm
I understood where he was coming from so I gave up on it for a while. Then, while I was re-pinning things on Pinterest, I came across this pin called 101 tips for Disney World. Now, this isn't the first time I've pinned something similar but I figured, "Hey, you never know.. Maybe this one will have some tips I hadn't thought of yet.". I'm glad I did. As I was showing him the board and we were reading through the tips, one of the things it mentioned was Photo Pass plus, which was the same as regular Photo Pass BUT included your pictures from various rides. That perked him up right away. We like to see our pictures from the ride but we have never bought them before because they're ridiculously expensive (in our minds anyways).
We did a little more digging and found out that if you buy your Photo Pass Plus BEFORE you go, you save a ton of money. Right now they're selling for $149.00, that's even cheaper than buying regular Photo Pass at the gate. That was really all he needed to see to push him over the edge to want to buy it. Knowing that we could capture all sorts of great moments, customize the heck out of them AND have full access to all of our ride pictures sounded like a complete steal to him and he wanted me to buy the photo pass RIGHT there and then! Never have I been happier. To finally have my husband as excited about this vacation as I am feels amazingly wonderful.
For information about Photo Pass Plus, please check here:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/wdwppp.htm
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Top 12
I'm now just over a year away from our wonderful vacation to Disney (and Universal) and I got to thinking about the top 12 things I'm most looking forward to.
12. Hogwarts
11. Meeting Characters
10. Ariel's Grotto
09. The beach
08. The plane ride
07. Expedition Everest
06. Hidden Mickeys
05. Peter Pans flight
04. The Haunted Mansion
03. Pirates of the Caribbean
02. Splash Mountain
01. The look on my kids faces when they realize where they're going.
12. Hogwarts
11. Meeting Characters
10. Ariel's Grotto
09. The beach
08. The plane ride
07. Expedition Everest
06. Hidden Mickeys
05. Peter Pans flight
04. The Haunted Mansion
03. Pirates of the Caribbean
02. Splash Mountain
01. The look on my kids faces when they realize where they're going.
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