Fairy GodMAW Grants Princess Bella's WISH! Update 12/2 - One more sleep til Disney!

[StefaniLyn]

Oh no, I've been vetoed by a 5 year old!!! I feel depressed, I feel unhappy, I feel. . .she is totally right. It is Sharpay!

How could I have missed that.

I guess what they say is right, out of the mouths of Babes. . .

I guess we have learned one lesson here. Ask our kids if they have any idea's, because they probably have the perfect one.

Just raided Walmarts clerence and will try JoAnn's after work. I'll show some pics in my thread later tonight if I have a chance. And by the way, I blame you for my sudden draw to the clerence sections.

I take full responsibility for your actions!

Love your crafty clearance finds and Big Give pictures from your PTR!

 

[StefaniLyn]

I've been AWOL for the past week for good reason, honest!! Last Friday, my brother in law got married! We spent the past week doing wedding things and then playing tourists in Seattle, Washington. Congrats to Kyle and Betsy - now give me a niece or nephew already!

So I apologize for my absence, but I hope you understand that conquering Seattle combined with the sporadic WiFi where we stayed allowed me to only glance at DISboards for a few moments each day and the celebrating (read: drinking, and I don't mean Starbucks) would have made any replies potentially incomprehensible.

More about Seattle later (I'll do a mini TR at some point) now on to the good stuff. As promised, now that we have returned, our official Countdown to Disney has begun. The very first thing the girls did when they ran in the door today was take day #120 off our Disney Countdown Calendar! I must admit, I was just as excited as they were!

Despite closing the Space Needle with all 3 DDs last night (yes, we did stay there til MIDNIGHT! - 2 am our time) then going back to our Bed and Breakfast to pack for our return home ( I think it took me 2+ hours), followed all too soon by waking up at some ungodly hour of the morning, waiting at the airport for 2 hours before jumping on a plane for 4 hours and then another hour in the car til we got home - surprise, surprise, the girls wanted to start Disney Family Night TONIGHT!!! So with just a little arm twisting and some uber cute pouty pleases, I gave in.

Tonight was our official FIRST DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT!!! and it was great. Please ignore the messy hair, faces, house, etc. . . . it was a long day, lol!

The Movie: CARS

The Activity: Painting Googly Eyed Vehicle Suncatchers

AJ shows us her airplane!

Kennedy told us this was Tow Mater!

Bella said this was Lightning McQueen!

The Menu:

Sally’s Traffic Light Treats
Graham crackers with chocolate frosting and then a red, yellow, and green marshmallow. Bella had a gluten free version without the graham cracker. She ate 3 green marshmallows!

DipSticks
carrot sticks and celery with ranch dip

Lightnin’ McQueen Hot Rod Hamburgers
Hamburger patty with cheese cut into a circle, circle of ketchup around the edge and a circle pickle in the middle - supposed to look like a car's tire

Crash Course Pudding
chocolate pudding spread into a "road" shape. I cut orange candy slices into 3rds to use for traffic cones (I wanted candy corn but couldn't find it yet!) and a car skidding through it. I used a knife to make the skid marks.

Motor Oil Chocolate Milk
Just plain old chocolate milk. However, Bella has NEVER drank chocolate milk and I told her if she drank it she could press play for the movie. Wouldn't ya know, it worked, and she drank hers all gone and she liked it!

Bella's gluten free (no bun) version of dinner. She enjoyed playing with the car in the pudding!

And for Desert:
Tow Mater Sundaes
Rocky road ice cream and chocolate syrup - sorry no pictures, we made these after the movie!

The girls loved the dinner as did I, but my favorite part of our Disney Family Night was snuggling with the girls and DH during the movie. We sang along to "Life Is A Highway" and laughed at the corny jokes. Surprisingly all of the girls stayed awake for the whole movie (I'll admit, I dozed off for a moment here and there). At the end, they danced while the credits roll. Had I not been thoroughly exhausted, I wouldn't have wanted the evening to end.

I'm looking forward to next week already! I don't know what movie it will be, but the girls are already throwing out ideas left and right for food, crafts, and other fun!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Yeah, your first Disney Movie Night!

I must admite I feel like a first time Grandma when her daughter gives birth.

It looked like you had a blast and I can't wait to see next weeks.

 

[Corrine 1973]

OK, so you got me again.

My birthday is next thursday and when my boyfriend asked me what I wanted I said it is between a surger or a Cricut.

So after so long bouts of thinking (OK, maybe about 5 min.) I decided on the cricut.We got it yesterday and I can't wait to really use it. So if you have any advice or suggestions let them fly.

 

[Terry718]

Wow - looks like a very successful DFN! I'm so motivated to start my own. You did a great job and your beautiful daughters looked like they had a blast. Nice Work!

 

[that's nice]

Your Disney Family Night looks like a lot of fun!!!!
DW is never around for dinner. It is usually just DD and I. I don't think I could pull that off!



It sounds like you had a good time on vacation! Sometimes after nights (or days) of a few cocktails MJ shows up. Did Michael Jackson show up in Seattle?



Disclaimer: I think you know what I'm talking about. If you don't check out this page of my PTR! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2143771&page=27

 

[StefaniLyn]

Yeah, your first Disney Movie Night!

I must admite I feel like a first time Grandma when her daughter gives birth.

It looked like you had a blast and I can't wait to see next weeks.

Thanks again for your inspiration! I do hope it was a little easier to watch than giving birth!

OK, so you got me again.

My birthday is next thursday and when my boyfriend asked me what I wanted I said it is between a surger or a Cricut.

So after so long bouts of thinking (OK, maybe about 5 min.) I decided on the cricut.We got it yesterday and I can't wait to really use it. So if you have any advice or suggestions let them fly.

Oh do I ever have some advice for you! Just for starters, you NEED to get the Mickey Font cartridge. I use it all the time, not just for Disney stuff. Also, get cartridges off of ebay - never pay retail prices! Did you get the expression or the original cricut? Some day I'll take a few pictures of pages I made with my Cricut and share them with you. Enjoy your new toy!!!

Wow - looks like a very successful DFN! I'm so motivated to start my own. You did a great job and your beautiful daughters looked like they had a blast. Nice Work!

Thank you very much! It was a lot of fun and after all the hugs and kisses I got afterward, I'll call it a success as well I was inspired by Corinne - her son Liam's Wish trip is just over a month away.

Your Disney Family Night looks like a lot of fun!!!!
DW is never around for dinner. It is usually just DD and I. I don't think I could pull that off!

It sounds like you had a good time on vacation! Sometimes after nights (or days) of a few cocktails MJ shows up. Did Michael Jackson show up in Seattle?

Disclaimer: I think you know what I'm talking about. If you don't check out this page of my PTR! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2143771&page=27

I'd bet you could pull it off - you seem like a pretty creative guy to me AND there are lots of great ideas on the DISboards and internet to choose from. Plus I'd be willing to bet DW would enjoy your DFN surprises when she gets home from work

We did have a great vacation (pictures coming, I promise - I just need to get unpacked first!). Unfortunately, MJ didn't grace us with his presence in Seattle But I'm so jealous of your time with "The King." My first thought was that maybe it was because we didn't drink enough, but I KNOW that's not true

 

[Corrine 1973]

Got the Cricut expressions.

Will check out ebay for the cartridges, thanks.

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I just found your Pre-TR and am loving it! Your daughters are absolutely beautiful. They all have such pretty hair too! I can't wait to hear more about your planning. These Disney Family Nights I see you all doing are so great! I am going to Disney World in 33days(since it is after midnight here..lol). It will be My Mom, my stepdad, me, my friend, and my brother who is 17! I am driving them all crazy with my planning so I come on the disboards to follow everyone else's planning and get new ideas

 

[StefaniLyn]

As promised, here is a mini-trip report on our recent trip to Seattle. While this obvioiusly has nothing to do with our upcoming Disney Wish Trip in December, it is a good preview of how it will be travelling with the kids as well as how feeding Bella in public (something I normally avoid because it has potential to be embarassing and messy) and squeezing enough meals (5 per day as recommended by her doc) into a hectic hustle and bustle schedule will play out.

Cast of Characters: ME! (SAHM, 31) Stephanie , DH31 (only staying for 4/7 days) Ben, DD10 Adrianna (AJ), DD8 Kennedy , DD5 Bella, DGM Chari (also going with us on our Wish Trip) and DGGM (Great Grandma) Oma.

Where: Seattle, Washington staying at the Bacon Mansion (a historic Bed and Breakfast in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle) and visiting all the touristy stuff throughout the city

When: Departing 8:30am Thursday 7/30 and Returning 6:30pm Wednesday8/5

Why: DH Ben's brother Kyle is FINALLY getting married to Betsy - they've been dating for 8 years or so!

So you may be wondering why I'm worried about meals with Bella? I wish I could just sign her up for the DDP and let her eat her way through the World but that would never happen. Though Bella has been through 3 intensive feeding programs and is no longer fed via g-tube, she still does not like to or enjoy eating and would often prefer to go without food for days than eat a single bite. This video demonstrated her dislike for food (warning, it's graphic). It's a hard concept to grasp, but she simply hates eating.

We now feed Bella using a strict protocol - while watching TV (or sometimes she chooses a toy) a spoon with food is presented to her lips and she is told to take a bite. If she doesn't take it within 5 seconds, her TV is turned off. When she takes the bite, the TV goes back on. The spoon stays at her mouth until she takes the bite. Sometimes, it takes up to 45 minutes for her to take one single bite. Sometimes, Bella will hit the spoon or cover her mouth. Sometimes she will take a swing at whoever is feeding her. It just depends on her mood and how she's feeling.

Also important to note, currently, for unknown reasons, even small amounts of food literally make Bella sick. After eating, her blood sugar will spike to 250's and then drop after an hour to 170's. She gets a bellyache, headache, nausea, and very tired. She has obviously equated eating with this ill feeling, so it's no wonder she isn't always willing to eat. We're working with her docs to make her comfortable but have not yet determined how. But in the meantime, mealtimes are often a battlefield. Hopefully things will be better before we go to WDW.

But if you happen to see me at WDW and it looks like I'm force feeding my DD as she screams, cries, swings at me and/or vomits, please just know that I'm following a protocol designed for her by a team of doctors from a world reknowned feeding program. Honestly, I'm not torturing her, just trying to keep her alive.

And now, on with the show:
Our Family Trip to Seattle, WA - 7/30-8/5

Thursday, July 30 - I put the finishing touches on our packing the night before as our flight was early morning. We had a small insulated lunchbag packed with milk and formula for Bella as well as feeding supplies (special cup, spoon, medication, smooth foods (she cannot eat solids yet so she lived on yogurt, pudding, applesauce, and a few jars of baby foods this whole week). We left about a half hour late and by the time we go to the airport, checked in (unusually long lines), went throught security (who made me throw away Bella's milk) and got to the gate, the plane was already boarding. I was hoping to feed her in the gate area before we boarded, but there was not time. I ended up feeding her twice on the 4 hour plane ride. She drank juice since AirTran doesn't have milk. Both meals, I struggled to get her to take the first bite. Thankfully, she didn't scream and cry, but I did get a little whining. Unfortunately, halfway through her second meal, she vomited (not an uncommon occurrence). Ugh - not fun cleaning up vomit on an airplane seat!

The kids were very well behaved on the flight. We had packed ipods, Nintendo DS, and books which kept them enterained throughout the 4 hour flight. I intend to pack the exact same bag for our flight to Orlando.

We were starving after our arrival (Note to self: none of the airlines serve any substantial amount of food anymore so purchase snacks for the flight after getting through security) and headed directly to the nearest restaurant. After lunch, we went to our B&B and checked in. BTW, remember the Heat Wave that hit Seattle last week? Yea, we were in it. Apparently only 15% of Seattle has AC because it "never" gets hot enough for it. We weren't in that lucky 15%. It was HOT for the first 2 days until it finally cooled off.

Thursday evening, we went to a very pleasant rehearsal dinner at the Crow restuaruant. It was the first time we had met our new in laws. Good times, good times!

Friday - WEDDING DAY!!!

Friday afternoon, we headed over to the park where the wedding was to take place in the early evening. The girls were asked to decorate the pathway to the wedding ceremony site with chalk drawings. They had a great time doing it. Bella's meal at the park went relatively well though she felt sick afterwards. That combined with the heat made her very whiny and sluggish for about an hour.

After playing with chalk, we returned to the B&B and got ourselves ready for he ceremony. The ceremony itself was beautiful and thankfully, the heat was finally subsiding so we were comfortable.

My girls, DH, and DH's brothers

Our family

After the ceremony, we went to the Lake Washington Rowing Club for the reception where the girls danced the night away. Isn't the view from the balcony just gorgeous?

For the girls, the night ended after the reception - we took them back to the B&B and put them to bed. DGM Chari slept with them in our room so DH and I could go and hang out with the young 'uns at a bar where the party continued. I honestly remember most of the night - though it does all have a fuzzy haze to it. The pictures are proof that a good time was had by all. The last picture (one I took of DH entering our B&B) is time-stamped 5:30 am. Yea, about those pictures . . . . . moving on . . . .

Saturday, 8/1 - We started out today at Pike Place Market - the famous public Market in Seattle.

We saw the seafood on display and enjoyed watching them toss the fish through the air.

Bella was excited to find gluten free cookies - though she didn't want to actually buy or eat one. Just a window shopper I guess!

We bought fresh cheese curds and the World's Best maccaroni and cheese at Beechers.

That evening, the family joined together to watch the newlyweds open gifts at oru B&B. BRAG MOMENT - DD10, AJ worked super hard over the past 2 months to create this beautiful gift for her Uncle and Aunt. Isn't she amazingly talented?

Sunday, 8/2 - DH headed back to WI this morning - poor guy has to work and such! After dropping him off, we went to an Underground Seattle Tour. Long story short, poor city planning, the invention of the toilet, hills, and incoming tides created quite a stinky Seattle until it burned in a fire. While the rebuilding took place, many former buildings were actually built on top of older ones and streets and sidewalks were built above ground, thus making the old city "Underground." It was quite a fascinating tour and we enjoyed all the "dirty" jokes you can imagine went along with Seattle and it's Crapper issues.

Next up was the Pacific Science Center - I highly recommend this if you are taking kids to Seattle. My girls had a blast!

And our day didn't end there. After the Pacific Science Center, we picked up Fish and Chips at Ivan's before boarding a Sunset Sailboat Tour of the harbor. It was beautiful, fun, and a little scary (that thing sails at about a 70 degree angle half the time!)
Here's Kennedy, pretending to slide down the floor of the boat while it was at an angle

gorgeous sunset

My girls with the newlyweds

continued in the next post . . . . .

 

[StefaniLyn]

Monday 8/3 - Bright and early, we headed over to the Space Needle for a trip to the top!

Then we stopped by the Woodland Park Zoo - that is an incredible zoo! Unfortunately, the girls 'almost' got an unplanned lesson in sex-ed as a couple of orangutangs were, ah-hem, "wrestling" right in front of one of the observation windows! So as a handful of teenage boys with cellphones recorded the blessed event, I shuffled the girls off to the penguin exhibit! Yipes! Sorry, no pictures of the "wrestling" event

Then it was off to another boat tour. This time it was a guided tour aboard the Spirit of Seattle. This was very informative and interesting as the guide explained many of the buildings, piers, and landmarks around the harbor in Seattle.
a ferry boat in dry dock

After our boat ride, we stopped to pick up some take out for dinner. While we waited, I attempted to feed Bella in the car. It was disastrous! Bella not only refused almost all of her bites, she screamed and cried throughout the meal. And she punctuated it by vomiting in the rental car. Oh fun - clean up on aisle 10!

Tuesday 8/4
Our last full day in Seattle. This morning was particularily difficult as Bella's breakfast did not go well. I would venture to guess that it was a combination of lack of sleep, the heat, and overscheduling. After we both calmed down, we headed to the Seattle Aquarium.

After the Aquarium, we took a 45 minute drive to Snoqualmie Falls. There we met with the Anderson family. Their son, Jorey, was a patient in the hospital in Baltimore with Bella last summer. We were roomies for about 6 weeks! We ate lunch and then took a visit to the beautiful falls.

Bella had never met Jorey's brother Sam before, but they were BFFs by the end of our visit.

After our visit, we went back to Seattle and had a wonderful dinner at Uncle Kyle's house. We watched a slideshow of wedding pictures and enjoyed being with family. It wasn't until 10:30 that we remembered that we promised the girls a trip up the Space Needle at night. So off to the Needle we went. That's right, at nearly midnight, the girls and I zipped up to the top of the world and enjoyed the cold, but beautiful view of Seattle at night.
This is NOT AJ trying to toss her sister over the edge, just holding her up to get her in the picture!

At midnight, the girls were crashed out at the B&B while I methodically packed for another 2 hours. We then got up at some ungodly hour to board our plane and headed home. All in all, it was a pretty great vacation. I did learn several things that I will take with us when we travel to Disney in December.
1. The only carry on we really need is a bag with 3 iPods and headphones, 3 Nintendo DS's, books, crayons and coloring books. I made the mistake of leaving out crayons, thinking they were too old, but they really missed having them.

2. Schedule times for Bella's meals. Trying to "squeeze them in" just won't work.

3. Sleep is necessary, even if it means missing activities.

4. Pressed Pennies - my kids begged me for these whenever we saw the machines. Hello cheap souveniers! I need to bring lots of quarters and pennies.

and 5. The heat. I am sooooo glad we are going in December instead of our original request for August. Bella (and all of us in fact) will be so much more comfortable and less cranky without the stifiling heat!

UP NEXT! CHAPTER 13 - ORLANDO, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

 

[StefaniLyn]

I just found your Pre-TR and am loving it! Your daughters are absolutely beautiful. They all have such pretty hair too! I can't wait to hear more about your planning. These Disney Family Nights I see you all doing are so great! I am going to Disney World in 33days(since it is after midnight here..lol). It will be My Mom, my stepdad, me, my friend, and my brother who is 17! I am driving them all crazy with my planning so I come on the disboards to follow everyone else's planning and get new ideas

Welcome! and thank you for the compliments. I love my girls hair too, just not in the mornings! Thanks for reading along with my planning process - I hope to keep you interested! I'm so jealous that your trip is coming up soon - the waiting is just killing me! How cool that your parents are letting you bring a friend along!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Your girls are beautiful!!!!

Your Car's Disney night was awesome! Can't wait to see the other 16.


AJ did an awesome job on that quilt!!!!!!



OH...and I think I'll be at Disney at the same time as you. I have a trip booked for 12/1 to 12/7 with 2 friends and my DD(10). I don't have airfare yet so it isn't quite "real" yet. My DH's isn't a Disney fan so we tend to go once a year as a family and then I take my kids one at a time (also have DS(8) & DD(6)).

 

[StefaniLyn]

Your girls are beautiful!!!!

Your Car's Disney night was awesome! Can't wait to see the other 16.


AJ did an awesome job on that quilt!!!!!!



OH...and I think I'll be at Disney at the same time as you. I have a trip booked for 12/1 to 12/7 with 2 friends and my DD(10). I don't have airfare yet so it isn't quite "real" yet. My DH's isn't a Disney fan so we tend to go once a year as a family and then I take my kids one at a time (also have DS(8) & DD(6)).

Thank you so much! and welcome to our PTR! We are in the planning process for this upcoming week's Disney Family Night - but not even sure which movie it will be?!?!?

I am really proud of AJ and her quilt-making skills. AJ is already planning on making her Aunt and Uncle a baby quilt next. Funny thing is, Auntie IS preggers, but AJ doesn't know it yet!!!! I'm DYING to tell her!!! Shhhhhh . . . . you didn't hear that from me, it's a secret!

If your family ends up going to Disney at the same time as us, would you be up for a DISMeet? I'm sure AJ would love to meet your DD10! Ya know, hanging out with little sisters gets old fast for her - she'd enjoy meeting someone "mature" and "grown-up" like herself,

How awesome that you are able to take your kids one at a time (and even better that you get to go 4 times a year! I'd have kept having kids if my DH let me do that! ) It must make them feel so special to have mom all to themselves for a time! Please keep me updated on your plans!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thank you so much! and welcome to our PTR! We are in the planning process for this upcoming week's Disney Family Night - but not even sure which movie it will be?!?!?

I am really proud of AJ and her quilt-making skills. AJ is already planning on making her Aunt and Uncle a baby quilt next. Funny thing is, Auntie IS preggers, but AJ doesn't know it yet!!!! I'm DYING to tell her!!! Shhhhhh . . . . you didn't hear that from me, it's a secret!

If your family ends up going to Disney at the same time as us, would you be up for a DISMeet? I'm sure AJ would love to meet your DD10! Ya know, hanging out with little sisters gets old fast for her - she'd enjoy meeting someone "mature" and "grown-up" like herself,

How awesome that you are able to take your kids one at a time (and even better that you get to go 4 times a year! I'd have kept having kids if my DH let me do that! ) It must make them feel so special to have mom all to themselves for a time! Please keep me updated on your plans!

My Lizzy would LOVE to meet AJ! She's the oldest of 3 also-brother 8 and sister 6.

I usually "only" go to WDW 3 times a year but I guess it will be 4 times in 2009. Last August I swore I wouldn't return with DH again but we just got back Wednesday. We compromised and went for "just" 7 days (last year was 14) and spent a lot more time at the resort and a lot less time in the parks. We even went fishing on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. A very different type of trip for me but we all had a great time.

I can't wait to go back in December though and spend a lot more time in the parks! I am going with Lizzy, a good friend & her DH. We are staying at Pop on a pin code with free dining-regular DDP not quick service. I took Lizzy in November 07 so she has seen the castle lit up and Osborne lights but hasn't seen all the other Christmas stuff. I hope her brother & sister don't figure out that Lizzy will go 3 times in 2009. I'm taking my youngest for her 7th birthday in January and I took my son in May. It makes the most sense to take my Disney "adult" for a free dining trip.

I've to work on planning the December trip. My date for making ADR's is something like 9/2.

 

[that's nice]

It looks like you guys had a great time in Seattle!!!!

You guys were really busy. The space needle and the waterfall pics are great!


I didn't watch your feeding video yet, but it seems that going through that 4 times a day is a lot of work. Are there any meals where Bella seems to do better than others? Are there any foods that are easier for her to eat?

 

[StefaniLyn]

My Lizzy would LOVE to meet AJ! She's the oldest of 3 also-brother 8 and sister 6.

I usually "only" go to WDW 3 times a year but I guess it will be 4 times in 2009. Last August I swore I wouldn't return with DH again but we just got back Wednesday. We compromised and went for "just" 7 days (last year was 14) and spent a lot more time at the resort and a lot less time in the parks. We even went fishing on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. A very different type of trip for me but we all had a great time.

I can't wait to go back in December though and spend a lot more time in the parks! I am going with Lizzy, a good friend & her DH. We are staying at Pop on a pin code with free dining-regular DDP not quick service. I took Lizzy in November 07 so she has seen the castle lit up and Osborne lights but hasn't seen all the other Christmas stuff. I hope her brother & sister don't figure out that Lizzy will go 3 times in 2009. I'm taking my youngest for her 7th birthday in January and I took my son in May. It makes the most sense to take my Disney "adult" for a free dining trip.

I've to work on planning the December trip. My date for making ADR's is something like 9/2.

OMG how was your trip?!?! Color me jealous of your recent visit with the Mouse! On our first WDW trip with the girls, we did the fishing excursion on 7 Seas Lagoon as well. I had a video of it posted on YouTube but it was removed because of copyright infringement

How did you get a free DDP (not quick service) with your stay at POP? I am still contemplating our lodging for our last 3 nights after our week at GKTW and POP was a possibility for us!

AJ will be so excited! Does Lizzy have email? I let AJ get an account last summer when we were in a hospital in Baltimore so she could keep in contact with her friends. If Lizzy has one, they could be email penpals before they meet up. Horray for 2nd generation DISMeets!

My ADR date is 9/4 for our first day of vacation. I wonder, do I have to wait for subsequent days or can I make them all on the first day of our vacation? I know for certain that I need to make ressies for Cindy's Table, 1900 Park Fare, and I think BBB (going to need to save up for that one though!)

It looks like you guys had a great time in Seattle!!!!

You guys were really busy. The space needle and the waterfall pics are great!


I didn't watch your feeding video yet, but it seems that going through that 4 times a day is a lot of work. Are there any meals where Bella seems to do better than others? Are there any foods that are easier for her to eat?

We did have a great time in Seattle (minus the mealtime meltdowns) And yes, we were busy, busy, busy. I don't even know how we fit so many activities into each day.

Feeding Bella is a lot of work and it honestly wears me out sometimes but it is a labor of love and I will continue to do what it takes to keep her alive. Breakfast is usually the worst meal for her and almost all foods are equally difficult for her to eat. At this point, I puree everything to an applesauce or smoother texture because anything chunkier would cause her to gag and vomit. Also, chewing is very inefficient - it takes her 15 minutes to eat a single slice of cheese. The funny thing is, she 'likes' certain foods and requests them, but when it comes time to actually eat, she will fight against eating it just as much as the others. She has a deep-seeded fear of food, swallowing, and eating. Foods she claims to enjoy are hotdog, spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce, chocolate pudding, and taco. The only thing she can really ingest without difficulty is water. It is our hope that time and practice will help her overcome her fears. At this point, her doctors are contemplating placing her g-tube again until they can figure out why she gets so ill after eating. I'm PRAYING that we will not be visiting WDW with tube feeding supplies in December.

 

[StefaniLyn]

That's right, we have a problem, a BIG problem. As I contemplated our upcoming Disney Family Night, I remarked to DH that we ought to take the time now to decide which Disney Movies we wanted to select for our themed meals and crafts for the next 17 weeks. An easy enough task, right?

Um Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! (insert sarcasm here)

I just checked, and Disney has like a bazillion and 2 movies! How am I possibly going to whittle that down to a mere 17?!?!?! I had also hoped to throw 2 or 3 Universal produced films and Free Willy into the mix as we will be spending 2 days at US and one at SW! Well guess what - not gonna happen!

Now, I didn't just go about randomly plucking Disney films out of thin air - like most over-thinkers and spreadsheet-lovin' vacation planners, there was a method to my madness. I began our list with the "must watch" Princess movies - Snow White, B&tB, Cindy, etc. Then I added several for which I have already purchased crafts - Bug's Life, Tarzan, yadda, yadda, yadda. I threw in a couple to coordinate with upcoming holidays - Pocahontas during Thanksgiving week, and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas for the week before we leave. Next up was movies that have WDW gotta-go-on rides based on them such as Haunted Mansion, blah, blah, blah . . . and wouldn't you know, our weeks are completely FULL! How'd that happen???

Now, don't get me wrong here - I am in NO WAY wishing our Wish Trip was more weeks away. I can hardly wait to get there as it it! I'm just sayin' that maybe next time I even think of taking the kids to WDW, I think I'll pull a Maroo and start my PTR and planning a year and a half ahead of time so as to not encounter another horrible imbalance of Weeks-to-Disney vs. Wanna-Do-Family-Night-Movies. Oh the humanity!

That said, I hereby do submit this prospective Disney Family Night list of movies which will be used as our themes for food, crafts, and entertainment at sometime during the week listed.

Disclaimer: This list is subject to change based on availability, lack of creative ideas for food or crafts, and having 3 daughters known to frequently change their minds.

Also, helplessly hanging on to the end of this list are the movies for which I WANT to have a Disney Family Night, but alas, we simply do not have the time. As you can clearly see, our situation is dire and the possibility exists that our DDs could arrive at WDW unprepared to fully appreciate the World with a complete knowledge of all Disney movies.

So without further ado . . . . . I present "THE LIST"

August 2nd Cars (check)

August 9th A Bug’s Life

August 16th Hannah Montana

August 23rd The Lion King

August 30th High School Musical

September 6th Tinkerbell Movie or Peter Pan

September 13th Toy Story

September 20th Finding Nemo

September 27th Mulan

October 4th Aladdin

October 11th Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

October 18th Beauty and the Beast

October 25th Haunted Mansion

November 1st The Little Mermaid

November 8th Sleeping Beauty

November 15th Cinderella

November 22nd Pocahontas

November 29th Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

Lady and the Tramp
101 Dalmations
Jungle Book
Tarzan
Lilo and Stitch
Brother Bear
Monsters Inc.
Pooh
Ratatouille
The Incredibles
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Alice in Wonderland
Shrek
Cat in the Hat
Free Willy

Did I miss any movies that we absolutely MUST DO?

Do you have any suggestions for foods, crafts, or games for our upcoming DFNs? Please note that A BUGS LIFE is the theme for this week. I think DFN will be Thursday evening. I already have crafts, but am seeking creative suggestions for food and activities. But before anyone suggests chocolate covered crickets or deep fried grasshoppers, nothing, I repeat NOTHING creepy crawly will ever be eaten by anything other than a toilet in my house!

And, the most important questions of all, are there any volunteers to try and convince DH that we need to do multiple DFNs per week to prevent this travesty??!?

NEXT UP: CHAPTER 14 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #2 - A BUG'S LIFE

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi New Friend!

Well, I sat here today, while the kids wathced Madam Blueberry (again), and read your entire report!

You have an amazing story to tell, with Bella being one of the heroes!

Looking forward to hearing about all of your planning and merriment along the way.

Liesa

 

[All7OfUs]

Okay, I didn't see the post right above mine, and will briefly chime in about the upcoming movie extravaganza...

How about tacos or bean burritos since some of the movie takes place at a cantina in (assumably) Mexico.

Hmmm.. gluten free.... rice to go with the Mexican food?

How about "ants on a log"?? Celery with peanut butter and raisins.

"Worms in dirt" Choco pudding with gummy worms mixed in, with crushed oreos on top.

Games:

--Pin the spider on the web (aim for the middle)

--Leap frog (grasshopper style)

--Draw a family mural of a bug circus

--You know me by now, I was going to say something about playing stinkbugs, but you have 3 very sweet little princess girls, so I'll contain myself.