A Pirate Adventure - Fall Break, Birthdays & MNSSHP - Chg in Plans!

[RachVH]

Fun! Maybe we will run into each other. I suspect you will be out much later than me. Are you doing MNSSHP? Such a great time!
\

We're not planning on doing MNNSHP this year, but it does sound like tons of fun! We don't have kids yet, and my DH is not a huge Halloween person, so I think I will wait until I have someone else who will dress up with me.

 

[drlaurafsu]

I am seriously getting carried away with the Treasure Chests. I may need an intervention.

We went to the outlet near our house to get DH a birthday present at the Lego store from DS and I figured I'd stop in just to check if anything good was on sale. As I was walking by the registers I hear the CM tell a woman they have Lightening McQueen shirts for $1.99...WHAT!!

So I go check them out and manage to find enough for the boys. They had the cutest Minnie shirt for the little girl but I'm afraid it wouldn't fit by fall so I found a Jessie shirt that was $2.99...except they were all 25% off the lowest price. So after tax I scored 6 shirts...for less than $11!

 

[RachVH]

I am seriously getting carried away with the Treasure Chests. I may need an intervention.

Never! I get carried away too. In fact, I just signed on to do a post on my PTR to talk about all of the stuff I have purchased for our trip!

 

[drlaurafsu]

Tuesday 10/9 - We'll start today early in MK with ressies at CP pre-RD. I'm thinking we will just tour around in the morning, ride a few rides and get some autographs. I will let DS be the driver on this day. If we are out late the night before at the MNSSHP, DS will definitely need a break.

So we'll probably try to leave the park around lunchtime and head somewhere to eat. Might be a good day to try to eat at one of the resorts. I am thinking some pool time later in the day would be a good call and then DTD or mini-golf could be fun.

At least one of the other kids arrives this day so we might do Mini-golf in the evening depending on their arrival time. Nothing is open super late this day so maybe DH and I can hit the Boardwalk while my parents "watch" DS sleep.

This is probably my most up in the air day. While I'd love to pack in a bunch of stuff. Its really the only "down" day we have. And if we do the MNSSHP on Monday too its the only potential DTD day we have.

Thoughts? Any ideas for a relaxing day? We are definitely doing MK early due to the CP reservation and the idea of getting pre-RD pics on Main Street. But after than its completely flexible.

 

[lbuzz52]

if you think that he may nap after lego land, that may make a difference... does he wake up refreshed or crabbier than before? (re extra MNSSHP)

I am seriously getting carried away with the Treasure Chests. I may need an intervention.

We went to the outlet near our house to get DH a birthday present at the Lego store from DS and I figured I'd stop in just to check if anything good was on sale. As I was walking by the registers I hear the CM tell a woman they have Lightening McQueen shirts for $1.99...WHAT!!

So I go check them out and manage to find enough for the boys. They had the cutest Minnie shirt for the little girl but I'm afraid it wouldn't fit by fall so I found a Jessie shirt that was $2.99...except they were all 25% off the lowest price. So after tax I scored 6 shirts...for less than $11!

that's great!! those are my favorite type of goody bags to give out! its so much easier to give out some random toy or something that i found on clearance then fill those bags with whatever little stuff goes in the trash the next day after you find it on the floor LOL i also LOVE the coloring books and glow sticks!

Tuesday 10/9 - We'll start today early in MK with ressies at CP pre-RD. I'm thinking we will just tour around in the morning, ride a few rides and get some autographs. I will let DS be the driver on this day. If we are out late the night before at the MNSSHP, DS will definitely need a break.

So we'll probably try to leave the park around lunchtime and head somewhere to eat. Might be a good day to try to eat at one of the resorts. I am thinking some pool time later in the day would be a good call and then DTD or mini-golf could be fun.

At least one of the other kids arrives this day so we might do Mini-golf in the evening depending on their arrival time. Nothing is open super late this day so maybe DH and I can hit the Boardwalk while my parents "watch" DS sleep.

This is probably my most up in the air day. While I'd love to pack in a bunch of stuff. Its really the only "down" day we have. And if we do the MNSSHP on Monday too its the only potential DTD day we have.

Thoughts? Any ideas for a relaxing day? We are definitely doing MK early due to the CP reservation and the idea of getting pre-RD pics on Main Street. But after than its completely flexible.

i would just really play this by ear. if you are out late and up early you may all want to rest a bit. I'd probably make my kids take a nap, spend the afternoon exploring the resort, and then head to dtd for dinner. my kids could easily spend a day at most resorts and not mind at all. head over to POR and go fishing, swim, playground, arcade. plus, that way you are around when the other arrive.

 

[drlaurafsu]

if you think that he may nap after lego land, that may make a difference... does he wake up refreshed or crabbier than before? (re extra MNSSHP).

He's usually pretty good. He'll take a bit to shake it off but then he's good to go.

that's great!! those are my favorite type of goody bags to give out! its so much easier to give out some random toy or something that i found on clearance then fill those bags with whatever little stuff goes in the trash the next day after you find it on the floor LOL i also LOVE the coloring books and glow sticks!

I'm with you on that. I hate some of the junk DS has gotten at parties and so much of it I just feel like is inappropriate. Last year we had a soccer birthday party and I got all the kids soccer jerseys (they were <$5) each and so cute!

i would just really play this by ear. if you are out late and up early you may all want to rest a bit. I'd probably make my kids take a nap, spend the afternoon exploring the resort, and then head to dtd for dinner. my kids could easily spend a day at most resorts and not mind at all. head over to POR and go fishing, swim, playground, arcade. plus, that way you are around when the other arrive.

That's what I am thinking too. Guessing DH will head over to Epcot for F&W, maybe taking my Dad with him. Then they will come back and be happy to take DS to the pool. I'd love for DS to take a nap...but if he doesn't just hanging out would be fine too.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Wednesday - October 10th
At least 2 of the other kids that will be joining us will be going to their first park today. So we will plan to go to MK this morning. One of the kids has been before (during a busy time) and the other has not been. So this should be a lot of fun. There should be one other family with us although I have no idea of their plans yet so not sure when they get in...they were talking about being there the whole week.

My plan would be to get there early and do as much as possible in the morning. Since I am not scripting the day too much, others can get there whenever they want. I'd like to be at RD since we will likely have an easy night the night before.

Midday we may switch parks or hit the pool since we will already have had a good bit of MK fun before the others arrive. Of course I'll let DS dictate what we do since it will be his first day with his friends. He may want to hang with them and show them the ropes. I suspect DH will arrive late or leave early or both. He has a much lower Disney tolerance and being more "pooh sized" and having feet+back issues he'll want a break.

It is EMH at Epcot so I thinking we might take advantage of Neverland Club for the kids this evening and the grown ups head over to the F&W festival. Idea would be not to stay out too late since the next day will be a long one, but to enjoy a little grown up time as a group. This would require PH for the adults but I don't think we have any need for the kids to get them.

 

[RachVH]

It is EMH at Epcot so I thinking we might take advantage of Neverland Club for the kids this evening and the grown ups head over to the F&W festival. Idea would be not to stay out too late since the next day will be a long one, but to enjoy a little grown up time as a group. This would require PH for the adults but I don't think we have any need for the kids to get them.

I think building some "adult time" into this trip will be helpful for everyone's sanity! Plus, you need to get some good F&W time in.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Thursday, October 11 - Today is DS's actual birthday. And its the only ADR I have planned for the whole group. We have a pre-RD reservation for Breakfast at Tusker House. There are several reasons for this.

1. To get all the kids to a character meal
2. Get everyone to AK early since we will likely leave early.
3. Make sure we can hit the safari as early as possible.

I suspect we have a few late night/late risers in the group and because this is the MNSSHP night for the group we need to make sure we get done as much as possible early and head back to the hotel for a mid-day break.

Now that there are fewer characters in AK and that we will have already seen some of the ones with longer lines at breakfast, we should be able to make it through most of the activities by 2pm if we grab a snack along the way. I'm hoping to maybe hit counter service (thinking Flame Tree) on the way out. So long as we are out before the parade crowd starts gathering I think we are good. We won't get to do Rafiki's Watch this time and I would really like to catch the parade one of these days but I know that in order to make sure we have a successful MNSSHP we need a break.

I'm guessing we'll plan to get back to MK sometime between 5-6 in costume. DS wants to be a pirate so I will dress up like a pirate too. Not sure what DH will be. My parents will likely reprise their roles as a witch and donald duck.

If DS and I have gone to the earlier party...which I am leaning towards...this one will be all about the parade, fireworks, rides and candy. If we have gotten the characters and the dance parties out of the way at the earlier party this should give us plenty of time to do everything we want to do. I'd love to do the late parade rather than the early one, but just not sure how the kids will do.

I know Friday will be a later morning so we should be good as far as letting the kids sleep in.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Home alone this week. DS is with his grandparents until middle of next week. He's in soccer camp this week and will go watch some college baseball over the weekend. DH is in Vegas with one of his good friends. They try to go every year for a guys poker weekend. He'll be back Thursday night. We are planning to get together with my BFF to talk plans for our other vacation this year...to Paris!

Time to get a little more organized about all the trip stuff. I have purchased a bunch of stuff like sunscreen, mickey bandaids, etc plus all the treasure box stuff that needs to be sorted through. I was really hoping the coloring books would be here yesterday, but they didn't arrive until today. Not sure if I'll get by to pick them up for a couple more days though.

And if I get really ambitous I'll start working on some of my projects like the crayon box bands and the iron on transfers for the tote bags. I need to spend some time on the DiSign board too looking for t-shirt designs I like and maybe autograph cards. So many projects...so little time.

 

[lbuzz52]

Wednesday - October 10th
At least 2 of the other kids that will be joining us will be going to their first park today. So we will plan to go to MK this morning. One of the kids has been before (during a busy time) and the other has not been. So this should be a lot of fun. There should be one other family with us although I have no idea of their plans yet so not sure when they get in...they were talking about being there the whole week.

My plan would be to get there early and do as much as possible in the morning. Since I am not scripting the day too much, others can get there whenever they want. I'd like to be at RD since we will likely have an easy night the night before.

Midday we may switch parks or hit the pool since we will already have had a good bit of MK fun before the others arrive. Of course I'll let DS dictate what we do since it will be his first day with his friends. He may want to hang with them and show them the ropes. I suspect DH will arrive late or leave early or both. He has a much lower Disney tolerance and being more "pooh sized" and having feet+back issues he'll want a break.

It is EMH at Epcot so I thinking we might take advantage of Neverland Club for the kids this evening and the grown ups head over to the F&W festival. Idea would be not to stay out too late since the next day will be a long one, but to enjoy a little grown up time as a group. This would require PH for the adults but I don't think we have any need for the kids to get them.

oh i love going with first timers! i love to see their face! i love the magic!

Thursday, October 11 - Today is DS's actual birthday. And its the only ADR I have planned for the whole group. We have a pre-RD reservation for Breakfast at Tusker House. There are several reasons for this.

1. To get all the kids to a character meal
2. Get everyone to AK early since we will likely leave early.
3. Make sure we can hit the safari as early as possible.

I suspect we have a few late night/late risers in the group and because this is the MNSSHP night for the group we need to make sure we get done as much as possible early and head back to the hotel for a mid-day break.

Now that there are fewer characters in AK and that we will have already seen some of the ones with longer lines at breakfast, we should be able to make it through most of the activities by 2pm if we grab a snack along the way. I'm hoping to maybe hit counter service (thinking Flame Tree) on the way out. So long as we are out before the parade crowd starts gathering I think we are good. We won't get to do Rafiki's Watch this time and I would really like to catch the parade one of these days but I know that in order to make sure we have a successful MNSSHP we need a break.

I'm guessing we'll plan to get back to MK sometime between 5-6 in costume. DS wants to be a pirate so I will dress up like a pirate too. Not sure what DH will be. My parents will likely reprise their roles as a witch and donald duck.

If DS and I have gone to the earlier party...which I am leaning towards...this one will be all about the parade, fireworks, rides and candy. If we have gotten the characters and the dance parties out of the way at the earlier party this should give us plenty of time to do everything we want to do. I'd love to do the late parade rather than the early one, but just not sure how the kids will do.

I know Friday will be a later morning so we should be good as far as letting the kids sleep in.

long day! however, if the kids would make it through Hallowishes, it really isn't much later to the second parade. Plus the crowds getting out of there are smaller after parade #2, so again, really not that much later.

Home alone this week. DS is with his grandparents until middle of next week. He's in soccer camp this week and will go watch some college baseball over the weekend. DH is in Vegas with one of his good friends. They try to go every year for a guys poker weekend. He'll be back Thursday night. We are planning to get together with my BFF to talk plans for our other vacation this year...to Paris!

Time to get a little more organized about all the trip stuff. I have purchased a bunch of stuff like sunscreen, mickey bandaids, etc plus all the treasure box stuff that needs to be sorted through. I was really hoping the coloring books would be here yesterday, but they didn't arrive until today. Not sure if I'll get by to pick them up for a couple more days though.

And if I get really ambitous I'll start working on some of my projects like the crayon box bands and the iron on transfers for the tote bags. I need to spend some time on the DiSign board too looking for t-shirt designs I like and maybe autograph cards. So many projects...so little time.

time alone- so jealous!!! i really have not gotten organized at all. i keep acting like it is forever away but it will be here before i know it. i NEVER go to a store or anywhere with out the kids, so i really need to get myself in gear!

 

[RachVH]

So many projects...so little time.

This is me in a nutshell. I like to say that I am polycraftual, in that I have any number of sewing, knitting, disneymoon, and other craft projects ongoing at one time. Luckily the DH and I have been together forever, so he understands and supports my crafts. Case in point the short conversation we had last week:

Me: "What would you think about matching bride and groom mickey head t-shirts to wear on the plane ride down to Disney? I found some cute designs that I could iron on to t-shirts."

DH: "I kind of figured you were already doing that."

 

[drlaurafsu]

This is me in a nutshell. I like to say that I am polycraftual, in that I have any number of sewing, knitting, disneymoon, and other craft projects ongoing at one time. Luckily the DH and I have been together forever, so he understands and supports my crafts. Case in point the short conversation we had last week:

Me: "What would you think about matching bride and groom mickey head t-shirts to wear on the plane ride down to Disney? I found some cute designs that I could iron on to t-shirts."

DH: "I kind of figured you were already doing that."

Polycraftual...thats hilarious!

Love that your DH gets you that way...mine just thinks I'm nuts. Atleast until he sees the final project.

Goal for this weekend is to get in some Disney organization time. The coloring books came in and are adorable!! I them. Might try to design the bands to go around them and work on some autograph card designs.

I think I am going to do square so I can make a small book of autographs and photos for DS. I know he will use his old photo book for getting autographs but I also know at some point he won't want to get autographs any more. Since this will likely be our last long trip for a while with opportunity to meet most of the characters...I think it will be a good one for him to have a full set of photos and autographs.

 

[drlaurafsu]

It has been an insanely busy one for me! Work has been crazy...2 co-workers out most of the week, spent one day working on a Habitat for Humanity project, DS came home, DH is sick... I need a smack upside the head smilie>

Didn't get much Disney stuff completed while DS was gone. A couple of small purchases...mostly bandaids, body glide, etc. Have been so tired so mostly non-creative things the last couple of weeks. I need to get my creative spark back so all that stuff is ready to go when I am ready to print. I did just purchase the tickets for the extra MNSSHP for DS and I. I talked to DH about it and he thought it was a great idea. We won't dress up for this one...just find some appropriate Disney Halloween shirts and go.

We are closing in on 100 days to go! I can't believe it. Need to get on top of a few things. First is organize the house a little better then Disney. I realized today that I have spent $1800 not including the treasure chests so far on this trip! YIKES! But I'd rather space it out some than one big hit. Especially with our trip to Paris only a couple months after. Plus I am buying a new camera before we go to Paris...so in the meantime I am stocking up on some of the stuff I need to go with the camera. I've been buying new flash, memory cards, a new strap, DH is giving me a new camera bag for my birthday. I need a few more memory cards and some batteries, plus DH found a cool remote that works on our current cameras plus the new one. So it seems like I have about $50-100 a paycheck going to either Disney or Paris in some way.

DS has been talking about going on a big ship...and DH actually suggested a DISNEY CRUISE!! We wouldn't go until next year. We are tossing around whether to do the Caribbean or the Med. If any of you have been on either...give me some feedback!

 

[drlaurafsu]

Yikes! Another week gone and no time to post. Crazy busy one here so we are taking it easy this weekend.

DS has decided he would rather go to a waterpark than LEGOland. We've been watching the disney DVD and the planning DVD. I'm trying to get him psyched up to ride some of the thrill rides. He actually asked to watch it today. He says he wants to ride Rock n Rollercoaster. And he really wants to go to Blizzard Beach! Fortunately we can wait to decide between those. Plus I am going to try and take him to the local six flags waterpark at the end of the summer. That will probably help us decide.

I need to get working on my list of things to make. I knew things would get crazy busy so I am glad I started early...but I need to try and do a few things these next couple of weeks. Otherwise it will be late Sept and I'll be scrambling to finish.

I have been working on making lists though... I have one note on my phone, iPad and DS's computer and they all sync up. I love being able to check stuff off the list!!

 

[lbuzz52]

My dd really wants to ride rock n roller coaster this time too

 

[drlaurafsu]

Friday, October 12
With the MNSSHP the night before EPCOT seems like the perfect choice for this day. With Test Track down and likely no Mission Space on the agenda...Soarin is really the only attraction I think some of the kids would want to do and even that could be skipped if we don't think we have time. So I am not expecting to make RD here and it should be a leisurely morning getting to the park.

We will probably focus most of our day on World Showcase to give the kids a chance to see some of the performers and also to learn about the different cultures. The kids all go to school together at a local International School. They are in the Spanish program so they alternate one day in spanish and one in English. Only seems fitting that we explore the cultural aspects of the World Showcase and Food & Wine festival.

I am planning to make the kids their own passports to have signed in the different countries to get them interacting with the CMs. I doubt we do the Kidcot stations as I still haven't figured out what to do with the bears on a stick from last time. Others might though...so we'll leave it up to them.

We have ADRs for 12 at Via Napoli for an early dinner. I made it for the largest group I could online to give people the option of sitting the kids down for a bite before we take them for the evening. Not sure how many will make it but I am sure my family will be there since we loved it last time we went and we will be leaving EPCOT early this evening.

The one thing I know we have to do up front is Turtle Talk with Crush! Last time we went I was concerned that DS wouldn't want to sit up front while we sat in the back. At first he was aprehensive (he had just turned 4) but then he got right into it and talked non-stop, telling Crush all about his new shoes! LOL! I was crying I was laughing so hard. This time I have no worries as he is one of the most outgoing kids I know.

This will be Parent's Night Out for most of the group. DH, my parents and I will be taking the kids over to the Contemporary about 8pm to get ready for the Pirates & Pals Cruise to celebrate DS's birthday. I am so looking forward to this. The icing on the cake is its another MNSSHP night so we will get to see Hallowishes. I am looking for some decent bandanas for the kids to wear. I think I want all the same color so as to easily identify them, maybe a bright green! This is the reason the kids are all getting the treasure chests...to go along with the Pirate Theme. We will definitely be using Disney transportation this day in order the shuttle the kids around from EPCOT to CR to POFQ.

While the kids are having fun on the cruise, the rest of the parents will get to enjoy the evening in EPCOT at the Food & Wine festival or perhaps hitting some of the Boardwalk area entertainment like Jellyrolls. At any rate, I know they are looking forward to having an evening off while we take the kids.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Hello? Anyone out there?

Well...we have reached the magic 100 day mark until Disney!! 99 if you are counting to the day we leave!

In preparation for our trip I made an iron on transfer for DS to wear on a t-shirt (once I can find the right color) on his birthday. In honor of his big day which we will celebrate at AK it is appropriately themed. I love it. DH says I'm going a bit overboard. He says that with the button and the birthday ears, a shirt is too much. I think its awesome and special since his birthday is 10/11/12 this year! Besides soon enough all he's going to want is expensive gifts or money...so why not enjoy a time when a $4 t-shirt is going to make his day special.

On the savings front today was a good day. I think I mentioned that we have a wellness program at work that gives points when you do things like exercise, participate in challenges and get medical screenings. I had my physical today and with that (5k points) and a couple of other screenings they did while I was there (2500 points each) I now have almost enough to earn my 3rd $100 gift card for the trip!! I think thats my limit in gift cards (and uses up most of my high point value options) for this year so any points I earn from here out will go toward the next vacation which will hopefully be...

A DISNEY CRUISE! We are still discussing the prospects. In fact we were talking about it last night. If we go, we will do the 12 day cruise next summer leaving from Barcelona and going to Greece/Turkey then back. We would likely tack on a few extra days in Barcelona since DH was very disappointed that we couldn't go there on our last trip to Spain. We did a week in 2009 but couldn't figure out how to do both Barcelona and Madrid along with the rest of the stuff we wanted to do in one week! Instead we focused on Madrid and south to Gibraltar.

I think at DS's age a cruise will be a great way to expose him to European travel a little bit here and a little bit there with some Disney fun mixed in. No museum overload for a 6 year old. There will be more time for those trips when he's a little older. If we do the cruise though it will likely be our vacation for the summer. DS will probably also do a beach week with grandparents and we might do the odd long weekend here or there. DS and I have tagged along on one or two of DH's work trips in the past...but this would be the major vacation with no really spring or fall break vacation or holiday trips planned.

I'll be back soon with the plans for our final couple of days...along with pictures of some of the fun things I've put together for the trip so far!

 

[lbuzz52]

Friday, October 12
With the MNSSHP the night before EPCOT seems like the perfect choice for this day. With Test Track down and likely no Mission Space on the agenda...Soarin is really the only attraction I think some of the kids would want to do and even that could be skipped if we don't think we have time. So I am not expecting to make RD here and it should be a leisurely morning getting to the park.

We will probably focus most of our day on World Showcase to give the kids a chance to see some of the performers and also to learn about the different cultures. The kids all go to school together at a local International School. They are in the Spanish program so they alternate one day in spanish and one in English. Only seems fitting that we explore the cultural aspects of the World Showcase and Food & Wine festival.

I am planning to make the kids their own passports to have signed in the different countries to get them interacting with the CMs. I doubt we do the Kidcot stations as I still haven't figured out what to do with the bears on a stick from last time. Others might though...so we'll leave it up to them.

We have ADRs for 12 at Via Napoli for an early dinner. I made it for the largest group I could online to give people the option of sitting the kids down for a bite before we take them for the evening. Not sure how many will make it but I am sure my family will be there since we loved it last time we went and we will be leaving EPCOT early this evening.

The one thing I know we have to do up front is Turtle Talk with Crush! Last time we went I was concerned that DS wouldn't want to sit up front while we sat in the back. At first he was aprehensive (he had just turned 4) but then he got right into it and talked non-stop, telling Crush all about his new shoes! LOL! I was crying I was laughing so hard. This time I have no worries as he is one of the most outgoing kids I know.

This will be Parent's Night Out for most of the group. DH, my parents and I will be taking the kids over to the Contemporary about 8pm to get ready for the Pirates & Pals Cruise to celebrate DS's birthday. I am so looking forward to this. The icing on the cake is its another MNSSHP night so we will get to see Hallowishes. I am looking for some decent bandanas for the kids to wear. I think I want all the same color so as to easily identify them, maybe a bright green! This is the reason the kids are all getting the treasure chests...to go along with the Pirate Theme. We will definitely be using Disney transportation this day in order the shuttle the kids around from EPCOT to CR to POFQ.

While the kids are having fun on the cruise, the rest of the parents will get to enjoy the evening in EPCOT at the Food & Wine festival or perhaps hitting some of the Boardwalk area entertainment like Jellyrolls. At any rate, I know they are looking forward to having an evening off while we take the kids.

i still think that the international school sounds so cool!

and i'm amazed at how much i'm looking forward to Epcot this year. Usually its not so exciting to me! But between F&W and Perry, i can't wait!

 

[drlaurafsu]

Whoo hoo! We survived the heat this weekend...106 on Sat & Sun. Took DS to see Brave and while he got a little scared of the bears he made it through while sitting in my lap for about half the movie.

Made a really cute banner this weekend...or most of one. I found a Mickey Head with a red bandana (w black polkadots) on one of the DISigners photobucket pages. Added a letter to each one spelling out Happy Birthday DS (with his name obviously) and then uploaded to Kinkos to color Laser Print on cardstock. Picked it up the next morning and cut out all the mickeys. I'm going to hook them together using black brads in the ears. Should be really cute.

Plan is to make a welcome banner using Mickey Heads the same way. May change up the font...and also just use a solid color (likely black). Since most everyone arrives on different days I can probably use this for most of the families too. The stuff on the DISign threads is way too addicting! I have spent hours look at all the great stuff people do.

I am planning to leave a stuffed character out each day on DS's bed with a note and a small gift. I have each of the Fab 6 so one for each day and then I'll have to figure something out for the last day. I have some ideas...like the a special MNSSHP tshirt the day we are going to the first party (where we won't dress up) and maybe some new water shoes for the water park day. Still have a few to work out though.