Justins Wish trip :) Pre trip report...

[VBAndrea]

Lets see if I can post these pictures correctly!

These are from Callie's 4th puppy party, she is obsessed with puppies at the moment. The kids all got to wear puppy ears. We had a hotdog bar, "pup"corn "kibble" cake and watched Lady and the Tramp and at the end of the party the kids took home doggie bags with scooby snacks and other bits and bobs. The best part of the party was that Callie's 6mo old Bio sister "J" came! She is living with her paternal grandparents and that was the 2nd time they were able to meet, Next visit will be later this month. Happy heart!

The invite outside and in:

and the party Pic's

Next up the (almost finalized) trip plan...

OMG!!! Your invitations are delightful and the party table looked awesome!!!!! I am a big party planner too -- I may steal some of your ideas. I don't think Callie can go wrong being in your family. I hope she enjoyed her visit with her sister and have continued hopes that she gets to stay in contact with her -- or maybe your family could eventually have another little girl in it We have two children and wanted to adopt a set of siblings from Russia, but finances precluded as we are military and have a house we could not sell and sadly that put a stop to our dreams.

Your plans look awesome except I'm a little concerned for your Disney day -- I really hope you can get BBB changed to the MK. That would make that day much easier for you.

You will LOVE Park Fare! My dd wore a dress with the steps and Lady Tremaine on it and got oodles of attention. I think the ring from Justin will be a hit!

 

[loveappletrees]

VBAndrea Any time you want to talk parties.... : 0 ) PS that is Callie's best friend Olive on the invites!!

I'm worried about the BBB interruping Our MK day too, I'm also worried about if it's worth it to do it so late in the day especially when we leave right after to have a break.....I love to do hair etc. anyways but I want her to have the pixie dust experience too. If we could do it first thing it just makes more sense or possibly before 1900 park fare but that is the Epcot day *sigh* what to do? I'll keep calling!

I think I've seen the dress you're talking about both on Etsy and here with the cute little Lady Tremaine and stepsisters etc? LOVE IT!! Do you have a TR or photos posted?

We have already started the process to foster to adopt another little girl. We have told them about J's wish trip and so we will get all of our ducks in a row and paperwork submitted but won't accept placement until late June or July.

That is sad that your dreams of adopting from Russia were stopped.
You have likely heard this before and I don't want to step on toes but, Have you looked into domestic adoption where you are at? There is lots of "waiting children" and quite often if there are special needs I have heard in some states that adoption costs can be waived and sometimes there are post adoption supports etc.

Here in Alberta we have been lucky and there are post adoption supports for all domestically (publicly) adopted kids, as they are all considered to have special needs because they have been unable to stay with their bio families and almost all have degrees of prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol.

I'm off to call Callie's sis "j's" SW to plan the next visit & then I'll try the BBB again....Keep you posted!

 

[clairemolly]

Just popping in to say hello! I have been lurking a bit while the boards were being silly and not letting me log in. Your family seems so sweet! I can't wait to hear more about your trip plans!

 

[Gryffinclaw]

Hi!

Joining in on your PTR. I saw you were looking for input from peeps who've been to WWoHP....here is my advice:

1. Get there at opening and head straight to the Forbidden Journey. Sounds like Justin loves thrill rides, then he'll love this ride! It's amazing. But the wait times can get ridiculous so it's a must to either go right at opening or later in the day after the crowds have migrated to other parts of the park.

2. For lunch at 3 broomsticks, either plan for a early or late lunch. It gets super crowded at peak eating times. I have had no problem walking right in and getting served immediately by going for a late lunch.

3. If the boys have not seen the fourth movie, you may want to consider letting them watch it b4 your trip. Most of the theming leans heavily on the first 4 movies. For example, the other major attraction (dragon's challenge) is centered around the triwizard tournament from the 4th movie. Its not a must, but it may help them enjoy WWoHP even more.

The unauthorized guide to Walt Disney world has a section on WWoHP that I found very helpful when prepping for my trip there.

If u have any questions, i am more than willing to answer. I have been to WWoHP twice in feb 11 and just two weeks ago.

Gennie

 

[loveappletrees]

clairemolly Welcome! I'm glad the boards have settled down too!!!

Gennie/Gryffinclaw Thanks for the great WWoHP tips!!!We will be sure to go for opening and head straight for the forbidden journey ride! We have planned to take all of our lunches around 11 to avoid crowds. The boys have seen the first 2 movies and Hayden has completed both HP lego games so he will be telling Justin whats what I'm sure, his memory for things is amazing!

I will watch the 3 & 4th movies again and maybe we can watch them with the boys the week before we go. I will take a look at the boards and get back to you with questions!!!

 

[loveappletrees]

Hmmmm....Should I try to do a little send off party for Justin's wish trip?

Ever since J has seen Plush Puffs "the big one" on the show Unwrapped he has wanted one.

(Actually he wanted a copy of every episode of unwrapped and to be on an episode with Marc Jacobs as one of his wish choices he used to be obsessed with that show I think its now off the air J is watching Kid in a candy store and You gotta eat here now, he loves watching the food channel)

Back to Plush Puffs I love that they use all natural ingredients and for anyone that hasn't heard of "the big one" it is an 2lb cake sized marshmallow!!

http://blog.plushpuffs.com/so-you-h...serving-suggestions-for-the-big-one/#more-857

So what do you think....am I insane to consider doing a mini send off? am I going to be up to my armpits in last min. packing etc?

What do you think?

 

[hey_jude]

So what do you think....am I insane to consider doing a mini send off? am I going to be up to my armpits in last min. packing etc?

What do you think?

Go for it! You are obviously very good at it judging by the pics you've posted here and Justin will love it (and I suspect that his Mom just might love it too )

 

[loveappletrees]

hey_jude Thanks for the encouragement!!!



Hmmm...What about a Disney movie/ fondue night that way we can add in some healthy fruit in with the marshmallow cake...

Or we could screen a Harry Potter movie and have the kids write themselves a letter that we can take to WWoHP and mail at the Owlery for them? Has anyone seen any neat HP letter ideas?

Hmmm...Maybe.... More thoughts are needed...Any excuse to encourage peer group socialization would be good, he's feeling really left behind this year

 

[tinkbell13]

Hi from a fellow Canadian! Just finished reading your PTR and wanted to let you know I will be stopping by occasionally. I may not post everytime but I will be following along.

Your kids are so cute and adorable! I love all the picture you have put up of them (the blackmail ones made me ). I hope you guys have a great trip. We did WDW at March break this year and I hope to get back again soon (DH is sadly mistaken if he thinks we will wait 4 more years! ). I also want to take DS to WWoHP as he is a big fan and has watched all the movies. From everything I have heard about it, I am sure you will love it! I'd love to do a trip over SW weekend too, as DS and DH are huge, huge, HUGE fans. Can't wait to hear how you guys like it.

Everything you have posted so far for your plans looks great. I do agree with others that doing BBB while in MK may make your life easier. Not that I would know from experience, I have a true boy on my hands here. Hope it all works out for you.

Love the birthday party pics! What a creative invite! I may have to pick your brain for ideas in the future. Although, we did go-karting for DS's party last year and that was a huge hit and has been requested for this year again.

Can't wait to see what you post next!

 

[loveappletrees]

tinkbell13 Hello from out west!! I was born in Brockville Ont : ) and lived here and there until we moved west when I was 8, we still have family out there and would love to make it back east in the next few years.

I'll keep you posted on SWW and WWoHP as our journey continues! No luck today with changing the BBB to MK but I asked the FGM on the phone if I'd be bugging them if I kept calling to see and she said no so I'll keep trying : )

Pick my brain anytime about parties. for J's B-day this year we have talked about him picking a few friends to go rock(wall) climbing to the center he went with the CNIB last summer and I envision an invite with a rock attached so we will have to see...

How old is your DS?



Anyone out there who has handed out "pixie dust cards" how did they go over with the CM's? I'm working on some inspired originally by "5Dwarves" are you still subscribing Elisa ? I'll post pictures soon!

-m

 

[clairemolly]

When we are counting down to a trip, my girls like to do Disney movie night, with a themed dinner when we can. Like Mulan and Chinese take-out, Toy Story and Pizza, etc.

 

[loveappletrees]

Clairemolly love that idea! tonight because fridays are our family movie nights, (before I read your smart post) we ate shepard's pie and watched Bolt, wonder what meal would have gone better theme wise, Hotdogs? with Cat-chup?

 

[tinkbell13]

tinkbell13 Hello from out west!! I was born in Brockville Ont : ) and lived here and there until we moved west when I was 8, we still have family out there and would love to make it back east in the next few years.

I'll keep you posted on SWW and WWoHP as our journey continues! No luck today with changing the BBB to MK but I asked the FGM on the phone if I'd be bugging them if I kept calling to see and she said no so I'll keep trying : )

Pick my brain anytime about parties. for J's B-day this year we have talked about him picking a few friends to go rock(wall) climbing to the center he went with the CNIB last summer and I envision an invite with a rock attached so we will have to see...

How old is your DS?



Anyone out there who has handed out "pixie dust cards" how did they go over with the CM's? I'm working on some inspired originally by "5Dwarves" are you still subscribing Elisa ? I'll post pictures soon!

-m

We have gone to Brockville for racing a few times. We explored the downtown area the last time since the races were rained out and rescheduled to the next day. It is a beautiful city! We'll be passing by/stopping again in a few weeks as our race season starts in Granby, QC this year and we are hoping to make it to Brockville for an overnight stay on the trip up. We are in London, so driving a large motorhome pulling a large trailer makes a long trip just a bit longer.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you on BBB! WDW CM's are so nice to deal with so keep trying.

We did a rock climbing/rope traverse party at a local place a couple of years ago. Most of the kids had a blast. Oooohh, just had a thought - you could put the party details right on the rock if you can find some big and smooth enough! My DS is a thrill seeker so he absolutely loved rock climbing. Scrambled right up the wall like a little monkey! He is 11 and just told me that he is saving his money so he can buy a race car like dad's in a few years. Yeah, so not gonna happen!

 

[loveappletrees]

tinkbell13 LOl, you know more about Brockville than me! I have no memories of being there. I know I spent a fair amount of time in the Hospital as I was born 2 months early and weighed 3lbs( more than made up for that now ) and that I looked like a skinny red monkey in the hospital photo but that's it!
I do however have wonderful memories from living in Smith Falls, Perth, Lombardy and my Grandparents place in Lannark. & I love going back to Ontario there's just such a feeling of history there for me.

Awww Justin is almost 11 too! Yah, a race car won't be happening here either! And not only because Justin won't ever be allowed to drive (Legally Blind).
Hayden won't be getting a race car either although he may tell you otherwise!

I love the idea of finding big flat rocks for the info, but we will have to see if it can be a lighter rock like shale because J can't carry too much and now I have an image of him dragging a sack of rocks! LOL!

 

[clairemolly]

Clairemolly love that idea! tonight because fridays are our family movie nights, (before I read your smart post) we ate shepard's pie and watched Bolt, wonder what meal would have gone better theme wise, Hotdogs? with Cat-chup?

Ooohhh...shepards pie would be good for Mary Poppins, Alice, etc that are set in the UK. We had hot dogs while watching a movie with dogs, but can't remember now which one. Lady an the Teamp with spaghetti and meatballs is fun too!

 

[hey_jude]

I plan to let Callie pick an oyster and look for a pearl in Japan Has anyone tried this?

Hi Melissa.

We enjoy Pick a Pearl in Japan. I have a pair of earrings and 2 necklaces and my DD15 has a ring. I wear my pieces all the time -- have some on today in fact! (But be careful because clearly this can be addictive for some of us ).

Here's a you tube video that gives you some idea of how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dws-XB-VliU

The other thing I want to try to find sometime is the silver rings you can get made with initials. I think they are supposed to be in the Mexico pavillion but we never remember to look for them!

Judy

 

[cogero]

we love Pick a Pearl. We tried to do it in April but it was crowded. Hoping to let Miss C get to it in August.

 

[loveappletrees]

hey_jude Thanks for the link! Exciting!! They sure make a show of the pearls, I cant belive the tanks full!!

For the silver rings, do they do the initials into the ring right there for you?


hey_jude & cogero Thank you both for the reinforcement it is a "thing to do".


cogero I'm hoping it wont be to busy either it's a 2.5(crowd scale) Epcot day so fingers crossed!

Does anyone know if there is an "oriential leather initial art" stand like there is at DL (near IASW)? They have a character built in as part of a name...
Any clue as to what I am rambling on about? I'll post a photo later.

 

[hey_jude]

For the silver rings, do they do the initials into the ring right there for you?

Here's the thread that I first saw them in
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2178465&page=2

It's pretty old now so I don't know whether they still have them. Somewhere in the thread it does mention that you can watch them do the carving.

How is your send off party planning coming along?

Judy

 

[loveappletrees]

Judy I googled the Disney ring carving and there are some really neat pictures I hope they are still there!

Still in the early thinking for the send off party


Here are the photos of the boys Brush painted initals: