Recreating Memories- Surprise Mother & daughter trip

[MeMom]

I'd be honest. I think that's less stressful. Just say you are going to do some 'big girl stuff' that Disney World has for grown-ups. I think they'll be happy for you and fine with it. Then, when you talk to them, you don't have to worry about guarding what you say. And I'm sure they'll be happy to find out they'll be getting some kind of special Mickey gifts/treats upon your return, right?

 

[princess&her4princes]

Because they are little I might just leave it as going to Florida. When I did my solo trip last year mine were a bit older and could understand when I explained why I was going without them and they also understand time enough to know when their next trip was coming. For your little ones I think that is too abstract and they are just going to think Mom went to Disney World without us? I am not a fan of lying to children but I think I may, if I were in your shoes, leave it at Florida and not get specific. Just my 2 cents.


Allyson

Thanks Allyson!!

How exciting that your plans are really taking shape now! I love that your going to have the photos taken. What a special way to remember your trip later.

I'd just go with saying your going to Florida, but not mentioning it to Disney. It's not a lie, just a bit of an omission. It will be much easier in the long run, then dealing with disappointed kids that aren't going to Disney. My brother and SIL used that tactic for a mom/dad only trip they took last year. The kids were fine with it that way.

I'm excited about the photo shoot too but we can't figure out what to wear...we're all stressing out about that!!!! Thanks for your input!!

Hmmmmm, that's a tough one! I think I would lean towards telling them that you are going to Florida with Grandma and Aunt Jodi and that it's a special trip for you girls to take together to celebrate Grandma's birthday. Leaving out Disney isn't necessarily lie - it's just a detail! I think with their young age it would be too hard for them to understand Mommy going to Disney without them, of course that's just my opinion - what do I know!

Only potential problem I can see with omitting where you are actually going is, will they want to see pictures when you get home?? My kids have always loved looking at pictures and most definitely would ask to see them.

I know, it's SO hard! But I did it..stay tuned and thank you so much for your input, it's greatly appreciated!!

That is a tough one.

I had thought about doing our trip in September as Mommy and Daddy only but I knew as soon as we got there we would have "no child" remorse.

Don't feel guilty.....this will be such a fun, fond memory for you for the rest of your life. It's not like the boys have never been or you won't take them again

I would say you are going to Florida with Grammy (my mom is Grammy too) and Aunt Jodi and then if they ask if you are going to Disney say yes and you will bring them back something special ( I think you already picked up stuff from Disney Store? ) and that you will show them all the pictures when you get back. Bribery works very well I have found

You could also tell them you are on a top secret mission to plan the most supercalifragilistic next family trip ever! With boys, who knows - that may work

Love you secret mission idea....too cute!!!! Thanks for your thoughts!!!

I know how you feel. We took the kids in June, me & DH and DD are going in Oct., and me and DD are going on a girls trip in Nov. We have decided to tell the 2 twelve year olds that we are going to Florida in Nov. and no other info. We wanted a mother/daughter week and w/free dining, we already have AP's so it is a very cheap trip. Good luck on your decision.

Hi! Thnaks for your input, I really appreciate it, it's that Mommy guilt that's killing me, you know?

I second this motion. Relax honey, you are a great mommy and they know that. You just took them to disney and will again soon enough. You deserve this trip. You could tell them how you are doing this for grammy for all that she's done.....maybe that would help and maybe someday they will even feel compelled to follow your lead and take their mommy to disney

Thanks Tracy! That means a lot, gotta hate Mommy guilt!!!

Ditto to all of the above ...

Besides, they'll be having so much fun with the Dad doin' nothin' but guy things while you're gone, the probably won't even miss you!!!

... and just imagine what the house is gonna look like when you get back ... ... that sould take care of any guilty feelings you may have!

Time to wake up my princesses ... actually - they're more like ogres at this time of the day ...

So true!! Oh no...my house!!!! LOL!!!!

Oh yikes! I didn't mean to cause anxiety with the question! I don't have any kids so can't offer any advice as to what level of detail to provide. But I can say you're a great mom and you shouldn't feel guilty at all. I think it's a good lesson to learn that Mom has her own interests and sometimes needs some solo time! And I'm sure they will totally enjoy their boys week!

no worries C, I was already anxious about it! You just reminded me I needed to address it and soon!!! And thanks for your nice comments....that means a lot!!!!

Yahoo for Mickey Mail! I love it when all that starts rolling in!

That is a tough dilema about telling the kids...but, I agree with everyone. Tell them you are going on a trip to celebreate Grandma's Birthday...if they ask where, then you can leak a bit detail. Emphasize on the rockin' gifts they will be getting from you when you get back! I hope it all goes well...

Yay for Mickey Mail!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for you input Brook!!!!!

I'd be honest. I think that's less stressful. Just say you are going to do some 'big girl stuff' that Disney World has for grown-ups. I think they'll be happy for you and fine with it. Then, when you talk to them, you don't have to worry about guarding what you say. And I'm sure they'll be happy to find out they'll be getting some kind of special Mickey gifts/treats upon your return, right?

Thanks MeMom! I think you're on to something...stay tuned!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

3 weeks from right now, I'll be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will update soon.....gotta make lunch for the boys!!!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

3 weeks from right now, I'll be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will update soon.....gotta make lunch for the boys!!!

So jealous lol but I'm right behind ya (that is if I get some disney magic and can still make it) Congrats on the 3 week mark....that is VERY exciting!

 

[joelp]

Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I got your PM...now waiting for the story of how it went... :

 

[princess&her4princes]

So I did it...I had the "talk" with the boys....after all the great comments you all left, I decided to just be honest with them. Ethan is SO stinkin' smart (and I'm not just saying that cause he's my son...lol ) so if I told him that I was going to Florida, he'd put two and two together and figure DISNEY. I'm actually pretty sure he thinks that's all there is in Florida at this point, too!! And in my book, that is all there is!! LOL!!!

I sat the big boys down and said I had something I wanted to tell them, that Grammy has a VERY special birthday coming up and since she used to always take Aunt Jodi and Mommy to Disney, we wanted to do the same for her to celebrate her special trip. They both immediately asked why they couldn't come, I told them that it was a girls only trip, that they would be doing "guy" things at home with Daddy and that this was a bit of secret mission trip too so Mommy could plan the next family trip. They loved that!! And I told them that if they were good for Daddy that maybe Mickey would send them something home with me!!!! They were all for that.

I have asked one of my DIS friends to possibly send some park maps here so the boys could stay connected each day to see where I am. I'm planning on making a calendar for Todd so he knows what's up each day here, so I"ll end up adding my info too it too. It will be a SUPER busy week for Daddy...the boys will be in school by then, soccer starts fo Ethan, gymnastics for Lucas, and Cole will be along for the ride. It will be good for all of us..... Or at least that's what I keep telling myself when the Mommy guilt starts kickin' in. Phew...one less thing to worry about, I didn't want to get caught in a white lie and I want to share this with them too...they LOVE looking at pics and I will want to tell them each day where I am/what I did/who I saw/what ride I rode each night when I check in.

We have finally picked out some tops to wear for our photoshoot!!! We have decided on purple and black. I think it will look nice, Mom & I found three tops that kind of go, we'll wear black pants and silver jewelry, hope it looks nice. They look better on than on the hanger, but you get the idea.

Here is mine:

Jodi's:

and Mom's (a darker shade, but it looks nice together)

Mom spent the night here last night so she could join us at the beach today and because Todd was traveling, so she kept me company last night. We started talking about switching some of our ressies.... We're not so sure of The Wave....anyone ate there? Is it good?!! Fill me in!!!! I don't want to start playing with my ressies and not sure I could anyways since it's less than 3 weeks out and with free dining going on!!!

Day 4 plans (Epcot!)
The parks is open 9-9 p.m.
We will make the MAD DASH to Soain' and get FP's ...Mom and Jodi have never been on, I can't wait to share it with them!!!

We plan to do WS this day and take it all in. I'm excited for this day...it will be fun to check out all the countries and see things I havne't seen in years, since it doesn't keep the kids overly entertained since they are so young. Maybe we'll grab a drink or two around the World?

We were thinking Sunshine Season for lunch and have dinner ressies at almost 7 at Teppan Edo. None of us have eaten there so we're looking forward to it!

We may squeeze and afternoon break in here somewhere and come back for dinner? I guess it will depend on how everyone's legs are doing!!! You know I'm going to have pics of me pushing two wheelchairs by now, don't you? LOL!!

I guess that's all on the update homefront this afternoon, plus Cole is now up from his nap.....I hope you're all well!!!! Less than three weeks now....woohoo!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Aww, I am glad they took it well

Don't feel guilty! What wonderful memories you will have for the rest of your life.

Oh and Wooooo HOOOOOO for Purple and Black............

GO RAVENS!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Aww, I am glad they took it well

Don't feel guilty! What wonderful memories you will have for the rest of your life.

Oh and Wooooo HOOOOOO for Purple and Black............

GO RAVENS!

I know.....just that Mommy guilt, you know? But I'm sure I"ll get over it real quick....lol!! I just can foresee some of those special times where I wish they were there. I actually choked up telling them I was going!!! I'm one of "those Moms" that cries at everything.....lol!! My poor boys...heehee!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Kristen I think you absolutely handled telling the boys the right way! As soon as I read MeMoms advise I knew she was a much wiser woman than I - I'm glad that's the route you decided to go!

I love your outfit choices for your photoshoot, I think it's really going to turn out nice.

I wish I could help you out on The Wave, but we haven't been there (yet - it's on the list for December ). I have read two trip reports of people who have gone (Brook & jaycns) and both of them gave it really positive reviews. I'm looking forward to trying it.

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Very glad to hear they took it so well and that it is out of the way for you so you can stop worrying about it quite so much. They will have fun with their daddy and you will have a blast with your mom and sister. I hope The Wave is good. I think I have it for one of my ressiesI'll have to check for sure. Less than 3 weeks....that's crazy exciting!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Kristen I think you absolutely handled telling the boys the right way! As soon as I read MeMoms advise I knew she was a much wiser woman than I - I'm glad that's the route you decided to go!

I love your outfit choices for your photoshoot, I think it's really going to turn out nice.

I wish I could help you out on The Wave, but we haven't been there (yet - it's on the list for December ). I have read two trip reports of people who have gone (Brook & jaycns) and both of them gave it really positive reviews. I'm looking forward to trying it.

I think I did, too!! Thanks!! I read everyone's comments and was going back and forth, got MeMom's note and said, that's it...we need to talk....it's for the best. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, if I'm honest. Although, I'm not looking forward to saying bye to them the day before....sniff, sniff!!

I'm glad you like the tops we got for the photoshoot, they look a lot nicer on, but it's a different color for us all, but since we're all fair skinned with blondish hair, I think it will look nice.

I've heard good reviews for the Wave, too. I was looking at their dinner menu with my Mom and nothing was hitting us....I'm sure it's delish, it will be something different at least, right? I'll keep you posted on it!!

Very glad to hear they took it so well and that it is out of the way for you so you can stop worrying about it quite so much. They will have fun with their daddy and you will have a blast with your mom and sister. I hope The Wave is good. I think I have it for one of my ressiesI'll have to check for sure. Less than 3 weeks....that's crazy exciting!

Phew...one more thing, done!! I was really stressed about telling them and now we're all talking "Disney" so it's nice to have someone to share in my excitement, you know?

You're so right about that week..they will have some boy fun....and I can enjoy some girl time...that NEVER HAPPENS (as you well know in a house full of men yourself!!).

I know....I can't beleive it's just weeks away now.....time is FLYING!!! Let's hope those few days don't go by as quickly......

 

[Lynn5700]

Hi Kristen! Glad the boys took the news well. The way you told them was co cute. You're an awesome mommy!

LOVE the colors of tops you girls are going to wear! I can't wait to see the pictures from the shoot.

Only 3 more weeks!!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Kristen! Glad the boys took the news well. The way you told them was co cute. You're an awesome mommy!

LOVE the colors of tops you girls are going to wear! I can't wait to see the pictures from the shoot.

Only 3 more weeks!!!!

Aww, thanks Lynn!!! That means a lot to me.....I try my best!!!

I like the colors too, they are different for us, we weren't going for all the same color, but it worked out for us. My Mom is sending Jodi her top tomorrow, hope she likes it and it fits well or we're in trouble!! lol

less than 3 weeks!!!

 

[lazydoxy66]

Phew! I bet that feels much better now. The boys will have so much fun with their dad. I think it is great that you will be keeping them in the loop too!

Your plans look great so far! Oh yes, you should have a couple of drinks while at Epcot. I thought that there was a law somewhere??

The blouses look pretty and comfy. Lavender and Purple are lovely colors.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I'm in the teens now.....19 more days!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!! Have a magical day everyone!!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Hooray for 19 days! Sorry I've been absent lately. It's been a crazy summer. Hope your summer has been wonderful.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hooray for 19 days! Sorry I've been absent lately. It's been a crazy summer. Hope your summer has been wonderful.

Thanks for dancing with me Meghan!! Woohoo!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

For Day 5, our last day....sniff, sniff.... We plan to visit DHS that morning. Our flight is scheduled at 7:20 p.m, so I'm kind of figuring that ME will pick us up about 3ish? Think that's about right??

We'll plan to get up early, pack the night before, bring our luggage to bell hop and leave it for the day. Have a quick breakfast in on our way and head right to Toy Story Mania!! We did this with the boys in December and just loved it, I'm not sure Mom and Jodi will be as excited, especially since I'm not even sure they've seen the Toy Story movies before, but they should still enjoy it. If we can't get right on, we'll grab FP's and maybe do Ariels show, or the animation studio. My sister and Mom are big ToT people, so I know this is on our list (even though I WILL NOT be joining them.....), as well as RRC.

We have lunch ressies at Mama Melrose (anyone eat here before? Any suggestions on what to order?) that day about 12:20 p.m and I'm thinking we will most likely have to head back to POP after this meal? My question to you guys is....do you think it would make sense to actually drive to DHS this day? Jodi will have a car, that will be parked at POP the entire week, but since we have to catch ME, maybe it will help to not have to wait for the buses this day? Any thoughts? Never driven anywhere in WDW before, always done their transportation. Any input, is appreciated!!

We have a quick morning at DHS, but I think it will be enough. We're not into Stat Wars, but will like just going up Main Street, The Great Movie ride is always fun....I think it will be a nice way to end the trip?

Any thoughts?? Thanks!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Phew! I bet that feels much better now. The boys will have so much fun with their dad. I think it is great that you will be keeping them in the loop too!

Your plans look great so far! Oh yes, you should have a couple of drinks while at Epcot. I thought that there was a law somewhere??

The blouses look pretty and comfy. Lavender and Purple are lovely colors.

Hi!
It does feel SO much better having it out in the open and to have been honest with them. I was so worried about that!! And you're so right, the boys will have SO much fun with DH and they will be so busy, the probably won't even miss me....between school, sports, etal, and it's not that long of a trip, you know?

Ahh, missed the law of Epcot!! Glad you brought it up!!! We'll be SURE to have a few around the World!!! lol...

Thanks for compliments on our tops, I think they will look nice (I hope!!), too!!